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Graff Z, Wachter F, Eapen M, Lehmann L, Cooper T. Navigating Treatment Options and Communication in Relapsed Pediatric AML. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2024; 44:e438690. [PMID: 38862135 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_438690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite improved outcomes in newly diagnosed pediatric AML, relapsed disease remains a therapeutic challenge. Factors contributing to slow progress in improving outcomes include inherent challenges in pediatric clinical trial accrual and the scarcity of novel targeted/immunotherapy agents available for pediatric development. This paradigm is changing, however, as international collaboration grows in parallel with the development of promising targeted agents. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic landscape of relapsed pediatric AML, including conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and the challenges of drug approvals in this patient population. We highlight current efforts to improve communication among academia, industry, and regulatory authorities and discuss the importance of international collaboration to improve access to new therapies. Among the therapeutic options, we highlight the approach to second hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and discuss which patients are most likely to benefit from this potentially curative intervention. Importantly, we acknowledge the challenges in providing these high-risk interventions to our patients and their families and the importance of shared communication and decision making when considering early-phase clinical trials and second HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Graff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Franziska Wachter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mary Eapen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Leslie Lehmann
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Todd Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
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2
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Bruzzese A, Vigna E, Martino EA, Labanca C, Mendicino F, Lucia E, Olivito V, Stanzione G, Zimbo A, Lugli E, Neri A, Morabito F, Gentile M. The potential of triplet combination therapies for patients with FLT3-ITD -mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2024; 17:241-253. [PMID: 38748404 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2024.2356258] [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: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) encompasses a heterogeneous group of aggressive myeloid malignancies, where FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations are prevalent, accounting for approximately 25-30% of adult patients. The presence of this mutation is related to a dismal prognosis and high relapse rates. In the lasts years many FLT3 inhibitors have been developed. AREAS COVERED This review provides a comprehensive overview of FLT3mut AML, summarizing the state of art of current treatment and available data about combination strategies including an FLT3 inhibitor. EXPERT OPINION In addition, the review discusses the emergence of drug resistance and the need for a nuanced approaches in treating patients who are ineligible for or resistant to intensive chemotherapy. Specifically, it explores the historical context of FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3Is) and their impact on treatment outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of midostaurin, as well as gilteritinib and quizartinib, and providing detailed insights into ongoing trials exploring the safety and efficacy of novel triplet combinations involving FLT3Is in different AML settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernesto Vigna
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Eugenio Lucia
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | | | - Gaia Stanzione
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Policlinico-S. Marco, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Zimbo
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- UOC Laboratorio Analisi Cliniche, Biomolecolari e Genetica, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lugli
- Ematologia Azienda USL-IRCSS Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Scientific Directorate IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Gentile
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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3
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Tarlock K, Gerbing RB, Ries RE, Smith JL, Leonti A, Huang BJ, Kirkey D, Robinson L, Peplinksi JH, Lange B, Cooper TM, Gamis AS, Kolb EA, Aplenc R, Pollard JA, Alonzo TA, Meshinchi S. Prognostic impact of cooccurring mutations in FLT3-ITD pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv 2024; 8:2094-2103. [PMID: 38295280 PMCID: PMC11063409 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT We sought to define the cooccurring mutational profile of FLT3-ITD-positive (ITDpos) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in pediatric and young adult patients and to define the prognostic impact of cooperating mutations. We identified 464 patients with FLT3-ITD mutations treated on Children's Oncology Group trials with available sequencing and outcome data. Overall survival, event-free survival (EFS), and relapse risk were determined according to the presence of cooccurring risk stratifying mutations. Among the cohort, 79% of patients had cooccurring alterations across 239 different genes that were altered through mutations or fusions. Evaluation of the prognostic impact of the cooccurring mutations demonstrated that patients with ITDpos AML experienced significantly different outcomes according to the cooccurring mutational profile. Patients with ITDpos AML harboring a cooccurring favorable-risk mutation of NPM1, CEBPA, t(8;21), or inv(16) experienced a 5-year EFS of 64%, which was significantly superior to of 22.2% for patients with ITDpos AML and poor-risk mutations of WT1, UBTF, or NUP98::NSD1 as well to 40.9% for those who lacked either favorable-risk or poor-risk mutation (ITDpos intermediate; P < .001 for both). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that cooccurring mutations had significant prognostic impact, whereas allelic ratio had no impact. Therapy intensification, specifically consolidation transplant in remission, resulted in significant improvements in survival for ITDpos AML. However, patients with ITDpos/NUP98::NSD1 continued to have poor outcomes with intensified therapy, including sorafenib. Cooccurring mutational profile in ITDpos AML has significant prognostic impacts and is critical to determining risk stratification and therapeutic allocation. These clinical trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00002798, NCT00070174, NCT00372593, and NCT01371981.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Tarlock
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Rhonda E. Ries
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jenny L. Smith
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Amanda Leonti
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Benjamin J. Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Danielle Kirkey
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Leila Robinson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jack H. Peplinksi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Beverly Lange
- Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Todd M. Cooper
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
| | - Alan S. Gamis
- Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO
| | - E. Anders Kolb
- Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - Richard Aplenc
- Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jessica A. Pollard
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Todd A. Alonzo
- Children’s Oncology Group, Monrovia, CA
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
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4
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Pandya BJ, Burns LJ, Wang T, Xie B, Touya M, Spalding J, Block A, Kuperman G, Young C. Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Patterns in Adults With FLT3-ITD mut+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hemopoietic Cell Transplantation in the United States and Canada. Transplant Cell Ther 2024:S2666-6367(24)00369-5. [PMID: 38663769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2024.04.016] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) is used to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with internal tandem duplication of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3-ITDmut+). However, the effect of different characteristics on outcomes after transplant is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of patient, disease, and transplant characteristics on clinical outcomes and trends in maintenance therapy for patients with FLT3-ITDmut+ AML who underwent their first alloHCT. This was an observational cohort study of adults ≥18 years who were recipients of human leukocyte antigen identical sibling, haploidentical, 8/8 or 7/8 unrelated, or cord blood donor alloHCT in the United States and Canada between 2014 and 2019. Patient, disease, and transplant characteristics were collected from Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research between 2014 and 2022. Patients enrolled in the MORPHO clinical trial (NCT02997202) were excluded. Clinical outcomes were measured from the time of alloHCT by disease status: first complete remission (CR1), second or greater complete remission (≥CR2), or relapsed/refractory (R/R). The primary endpoints of this study were overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS). Key secondary endpoints included relapse after alloHCT, nonrelapse mortality (NRM), time from diagnosis to complete remission, time from complete remission to alloHCT, and maintenance therapy before and after alloHCT. Univariate analyses were conducted with Gray's test and log-rank test, while multivariable analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models. A total of 3147 eligible patients (CR1, n = 2389; ≥CR2, n = 340; R/R, n = 418) were included. Most patient, disease, and transplant characteristics were similar between different disease statuses. In univariate analyses, disease status of CR1 compared with ≥CR2 or R/R was significantly (P < .001) associated with improved OS and LFS, and decreased probability of relapse; NRM likely differed across cohorts after alloHCT (P = .003). In multivariable analyses, patients with a disease status of ≥CR2 and R/R compared with CR1 had significantly shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR] 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43 [1.19 to 1.72], P = .0001, and 2.14 [1.88 to 2.44], P < .0001, respectively). Patients with a disease status of CR1 at ≤2.6 months had better LFS compared with ≥CR2 and R/R (HR [95% CI], 2.03 [1.56 to 2.63], P < .0001 and 3.98 [3.07 to 5.17], P < .0001, respectively). Patients with a ≥CR2 or R/R disease status at ≤2.6 months had an increased likelihood of relapse compared with CR1 (HR [95% CI], 2.46 [1.82 to 3.33], P < .0001 and 4.68 [3.46 to 6.34], P < .0001, respectively). Disease status was not significantly associated with NRM. We also identified several additional patient, disease, and transplant characteristics that may have been associated with inferior OS and/or LFS and greater relapse and/or NRM. Maintenance therapy usage after alloHCT increased from 2014 to 2019 primarily due to increased FLT3 inhibitor use. In this largest study to date of patients from the United States and Canada with FLT3-ITDmut+ AML, disease status of CR1 at the time of alloHCT was associated with better clinical outcomes. Additional factors were identified that may also impact clinical outcomes, and in total, have the potential to inform clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda J Burns
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Tao Wang
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Bin Xie
- Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Inc., Northbrook, Illinois
| | - Maelys Touya
- Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Inc., Northbrook, Illinois
| | - James Spalding
- Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Inc., Northbrook, Illinois.
| | - Alana Block
- Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Inc., Northbrook, Illinois
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Montoro J, Balaguer-Roselló A, Sanz J. Recent advances in allogeneic transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. Curr Opin Oncol 2023; 35:564-573. [PMID: 37820092 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights recent advancements in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). RECENT FINDINGS Important improvements have been observed throughout the allo-HSCT procedure and patient management. Universal donor availability and reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have been achieved with the introduction of posttransplant cyclophosphamide for GVHD prophylaxis. It has contributed, together with advances in conditioning regimens, GVHD treatment and supportive care, to a reduced overall toxicity of the procedure. Relapse is now the most frequent cause of transplant failure. With increased knowledge of the biological characterization of AML, better prediction of transplant risks and more profound and standardized minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, pharmacological, and immunological strategies to prevent relapse are been developed. SUMMARY Allo-HSCT remains the standard of care for high-risk AML. Increased access to transplant, reduced toxicity and relapse are improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize MRD monitoring, refine conditioning regimens, and explore new GVHD management and relapse prevention therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Montoro
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Católica de Valencia
| | - Aitana Balaguer-Roselló
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- CIBERONC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid
| | - Jaime Sanz
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- CIBERONC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
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6
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Bazarbachi A, Labopin M, Gedde-Dahl T, Remenyi P, Forcade E, Kröger N, Socié G, Craddock C, Bourhis JH, Versluis J, Yakoub-Agha I, Salmenniemi U, El-Cheikh J, Bug G, Esteve J, Nagler A, Ciceri F, Mohty M. Improved Posttransplant Outcomes in Recent Years for AML Patients with FLT3-ITD and Wild-type NPM1: A Report from the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4441-4448. [PMID: 37603683 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0954] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is recommended in first complete remission (CR1) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). We assessed changes over time in transplant characteristics and outcomes in patients with AML age 60 years and younger with a FLT3-ITD. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We identified 1,827 adult patients with AML (median age 49 years, range 18-60) with FLT3-ITD and intermediate karyotype, allografted between 2012 and 2021 in CR1. RESULTS NPM1 was mutated in 72% of patients. We compared changes over time in 688 patients transplanted between 2012 and 2016, and 1,139 patients transplanted between 2017 and 2021. For patients with wild-type NPM1, the 2-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) significantly improved over time from 54% to 64% (HR = 0.67; P = 0.011) and from 63% to 71% (HR = 0.66; P = 0.021), respectively. Allo-HCT in recent years significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). For patients with NPM1 mutation, no significant changes over time were noted. CONCLUSIONS In patients with AML with FLT3-ITD and wild-type NPM1, we noticed a significant decrease over time in the CIR and improvement of LFS and OS, likely reflecting the efficacy of FLT-3 inhibitors, including when used as posttransplant maintenance, in this high-risk setting. On the contrary, no significant change over time was noticed in outcomes of patients harboring a FLT3 and NPM1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bazarbachi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Myriam Labopin
- EBMT Statistical Unit, Sorbonne University, Saint-Antoine Hospital, AP-HP, INSERM UMRs 938, Paris, France
| | - Tobias Gedde-Dahl
- Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Department of Hematology, Section for Stem Cell Transplantation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Remenyi
- Dél-pesti Centrumkórház-Országos Hematológiai és Infektológiai Intézet, Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant, Albert, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edouard Forcade
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department for Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerard Socié
- Hopital St. Louis, Department of Hematology-BMT, Paris, France
| | - Charles Craddock
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Department of Haematology, Birmingham, England
| | - Jean Henri Bourhis
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, BMT Service, Department of Hematology, Villejuif, France
| | - Jurjen Versluis
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Hematology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Urpu Salmenniemi
- HUCH Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jean El-Cheikh
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Gesine Bug
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Medicine 2, Hematology and Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jordi Esteve
- Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnon Nagler
- Hematology Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Haematology and BMT, Milano, Italy
| | - Mohamad Mohty
- Sorbonne University, Saint-Antoine Hospital, AP-HP, INSERM UMRs 938, Paris, France
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7
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Shao R, Zhang Y, He J, Huang F, Fan Z, Yang K, Xu Y, Xu N, Luo Y, Deng L, Zhang X, Chen J, Han M, Li X, Yu S, Liu H, Liang X, Luo X, Shi P, Wang Z, Jiang L, Zhou X, Lin R, Chen Y, Tu S, Sun J, Wang Y, Liu Q, Xuan L. Impact of genetic patterns on sorafenib efficacy in patients with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multi-center, cohort study. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:348. [PMID: 37704613 PMCID: PMC10499827 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01614-1] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib therapy improves overall survival (OS) in patients with FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We explored the efficacy of sorafenib therapy in this population with different concomitant genetic patterns. In this multi-center, cohort study, we enrolled patients with FLT3-ITD AML undergoing allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Patients with sorafenib maintenance post-transplantation for at least four weeks were allocated to the sorafenib group, and otherwise to the control group. Endpoints were OS, disease-free survival, and relapse for the whole cohort and OS for genetic pattern subgroups. Among 613 patients enrolled, 275 were in the sorafenib and 338 the control group. Median follow-up was 36.5 (interquartile range (IQR), 25.2-44.7) months post-transplantation. The 3-year OS post-transplantation was 79.6% (95% confidential interval (CI) 74.8%-84.6%) and 65.2% (95% CI 60.3%-70.6%) (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, 95% CI 0.37-0.69; P < 0.0001) in both groups. Sorafenib maintenance post-transplantation improved OS in the favorable (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.77; P = 0.011) and adverse (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.93; P = 0.026) ELN 2017 risk subgroups. Patients with mutated NPM1, DNMT3A, co-occurring NPM1/DNMT3A, "activated signaling" and "DNA methylation" genes benefited in OS from sorafenib maintenance, while those carrying CEBPA, "tumor suppressors" and "myeloid transcription factors" genes did not. Patients with FLT3-ITDhigh and FLT3-ITDlow AML both benefited in OS from sorafenib maintenance. Our results identify the response of genetic patterns to sorafenib maintenance, providing new viewpoints for the optimal use of sorafenib in FLT3-ITD AML in the transplantation setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyang Shao
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jinping He
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Fen Huang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhiping Fan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Kaibo Yang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yajing Xu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Lan Deng
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jia Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Mingzhe Han
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Hematology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Sijian Yu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xinquan Liang
- Department of Hematology, the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, 423099, China
| | - Xiaodan Luo
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hematology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510799, China
| | - Pengcheng Shi
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ren Lin
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Sanfang Tu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Li Xuan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Al-Shaibani E, Novitzky-Basso I, Mattsson J, Kim DDH. Post-transplant maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation harmonizing multiple therapeutic modalities including targeted therapy, immunotherapy and cellular therapy. Int J Hematol 2023:10.1007/s12185-023-03614-x. [PMID: 37212948 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) has improved survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially for those at high risk of relapse. However, relapse remains the leading cause of treatment failure post-HCT, occurring in around 35-45% of patients, and leading to dismal outcomes. Strategies to reduce relapse risk are urgently needed, especially in the early post-transplant period before activation of the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Maintenance therapy is a course of treatment given post-HCT with the expectation of reducing relapse risk. While there are currently no therapies approved for maintenance therapy for AML after HCT, there are a number of studies and ongoing investigations examining the role of maintenance therapies that include targeted agents against FLT3-ITD, BCL2, or IDH mutations, hypomethylating agents, immunomodulatory therapies and cellular therapies. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic and clinical data for post-transplant maintenance therapies in AML and strategies for maintenance therapy for AML after HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshrak Al-Shaibani
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Igor Novitzky-Basso
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Dennis Dong Hwan Kim
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, OPG Rm 6-222, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.
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9
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Tasaka K, Kato I, Takeshita S, Yoshioka Y, Usami A, Uchihara Y, Akazawa R, Kamitori T, Saida S, Umeda K, Hiramatsu H, Adachi S, Takita J. Second relapse of FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia after discontinuation of 3-year post-transplant maintenance therapy with gilteritinib. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30185. [PMID: 36579805 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Tasaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Itaru Kato
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunki Takeshita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yu Yoshioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayuko Usami
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Uchihara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Akazawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kamitori
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Saida
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsutsugu Umeda
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Hiramatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Souichi Adachi
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junko Takita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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10
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Najima Y. Overcoming relapse: prophylactic or pre-emptive use of azacitidine or FLT3 inhibitors after allogeneic transplantation for AML or MDS. Int J Hematol 2023:10.1007/s12185-023-03596-w. [PMID: 37036626 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03596-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Relapse remains the most critical obstacle in treatment by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Non-relapse mortality has improved annually, but relapse mortality remains high. Post-transplant maintenance treatment, such as hypomethylating agents and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors, has been investigated for decades as a means of preventing disease relapse after HSCT. Other factors besides the relapse tendency of the primary disease that can affect the transition of estimated disease burden in patients undergoing HSCT are disease status at HSCT (non-remission, remission with minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD), and remission without MRD) and conditioning regimen intensity. Optimal selection of patients at high risk for relapse who can tolerate a long duration of therapy is pivotal for successful post-transplant maintenance therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of current progress in research on post-transplant maintenance treatment using azacitidine or FLT3 inhibitors for preventing disease relapse after HSCT for AML or MDS, and discuss the future outlook in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Najima
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-8-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan.
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11
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Morin S, Giannotti F, Mamez AC, Pradier A, Masouridi-Levrat S, Simonetta F, Chalandon Y. Real-world experience of sorafenib maintenance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for FLT3-ITD AML reveals high rates of toxicity-related treatment interruption. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1095870. [PMID: 37007116 PMCID: PMC10050716 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1095870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib significantly improves survival of FLT3-ITD mutated AML patients when used as a post-allogeneic HSCT maintenance. Importantly, clinical trials reported a low rate of toxicities requiring sorafenib discontinuation. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the real-world experience in patients treated with post-allogeneic HSCT sorafenib maintenance therapy for FLT3-ITD AML with a particular focus on tolerability and toxicity-related treatment interruption. We conducted a single-center retrospective study on 30 FLT3-ITD AML patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT in complete remission between 2017 and 2020 and who received sorafenib maintenance. 26 patients (87%) experienced toxicities leading to dose reduction (n=9) or direct interruption (n=17). Average time on sorafenib was 125 days (range 1-765). Most common toxicities were skin, gastrointestinal, and hematologic. Among patients who had a dose reduction, 4 eventually interrupted the drug and 5 were able to continue. Among patients who interrupted sorafenib because of toxicities, 7 were re-challenged with good tolerance in 3 cases. Overall, 18 patients (60% of the entire cohort) definitively discontinued sorafenib because of toxicities. 14 patients were thereafter switched to midostaurin. Importantly, with a median follow-up of 12 months, the median overall survival was not reached suggesting a positive impact of sorafenib maintenance despite the high rates of treatment interruption. In conclusion, our real-world analysis reveals high rates of toxicity-related interruption of sorafenib maintenance after allogeneic HSCT. Interestingly, our results suggest the feasibility of re-challenging with sorafenib and/or of switching to other maintenance approaches in case of intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sarah Morin, ; Yves Chalandon,
| | - Federica Giannotti
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Claire Mamez
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Pradier
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Federico Simonetta
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Translational Research Center for Oncohematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yves Chalandon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Translational Research Center for Oncohematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sarah Morin, ; Yves Chalandon,
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12
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A Successful Bridge Therapy Combining Hypomethylating Agents with Venetoclax for Adult Patients with Newly Diagnosed or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061666. [PMID: 36980551 PMCID: PMC10046472 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the combination of VEN-HMA has been shown to achieve durable responses in patients with both newly diagnosed (ND) and R/R-AML. We retrospectively evaluated the post-allo-HCT outcomes of 50 patients who received VEN-HMA therapy. In total, 10 were ND and 40 were R/R and, at the time of HCT, the median age was 53 years. In the ND- and R/R-AML groups, the percentage of patients who achieved CR/CRi or MLFS was 90% and 92.5%, respectively. In all, after a median follow-up of 13.7 months, the probabilities of overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1 year were 63.7%, 59.3%, 28.5%, and 12.2%, respectively. In addition, the cumulative incidences of grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and moderate–severe chronic GVHD at 1 year were 28.4% and 37.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a statistically significant impact on OS were VEN-HMA cycle (p = 0.021), ELN risk group (p = 0.041), and the response to VEN-HMA therapy before allo-HCT (p = 0.003). Although 80% of our patients had R/R-AML and 30% underwent a second allo-HCT, our data still suggest that allo-HCT following VEN-HMA therapy is a safe and effective treatment option.
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13
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How I treat with maintenance therapy after allogeneic HCT. Blood 2023; 141:39-48. [PMID: 35231083 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021012412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse is the leading cause of failure for patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Maintenance therapy administered after allo-HCT is a promising strategy to reduce the incidence of relapse and enhance the curative potential of allo-HCT. Research investigations and clinical applications of this approach have greatly increased in recent years, with an expanding number of available therapeutic agents to introduce in the posttransplant setting. However, many questions and challenges remain regarding the feasibility and clinical impact of maintenance. In this article, we present four common case scenarios addressing select available therapeutic agents as a framework to review published data and ongoing studies and describe our current standard practice in the rapidly evolving field of maintenance therapy after allo-HCT.
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14
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Babakhanlou R, Ravandi-Kashani F. SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions |The Role of Maintenance Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2023; 23:1-7. [PMID: 36456394 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive disease predominantly affecting the elderly population. Although, up to 65% of patients with AML achieve a complete remission with standard induction chemotherapy, the majority of patients will relapse and succumb to the disease. Although maintenance therapy is a component of standard management for various hematological malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or multiple myeloma, past studies investigating the role of maintenance therapy in AML were unable to demonstrate an advantage in overall survival, and therefore, it has not been an established practice in the treatment of AML. For patients, who are not candidates for stem cell transplant, effective AML maintenance therapies are needed in order to reduce the risk of relapse. Over the past decades, many investigators have examined the role of various maintenance strategies in AML; with the intention to prolong remission and overall survival. This review will provide an overview of prior and ongoing approaches and strategies to maintenance therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrick Babakhanlou
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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15
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Maffini E, Ursi M, Barbato F, Dicataldo M, Roberto M, Campanini E, Dan E, De Felice F, De Matteis S, Storci G, Bonafè M, Arpinati M, Bonifazi F. The prevention of disease relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1066285. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1066285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse represents by far the most frequent cause of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) failure. Patients with acute leukemia suffering relapse after HCT have limited conventional treatment options with little possibility of cure and represent, de facto, suitable candidates for the evaluation of novel cellular and biological-based therapies. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) has been one of the first cellular therapies adopted to treat post HCT relapse of acute leukemia patients and still now, it is widely adopted in preemptive and prophylactic settings, with renewed interest for manipulated cellular products such as NK-DLI. The acquisition of novel biological insights into pathobiology of leukemia relapse are translating into the clinic, with novel combinations of target therapies and novel agents, helping delineate new therapeutical landscapes. Hypomethylating agents alone or in combination with novel drugs demonstrated their efficacy in pre-clinical models and controlled trials. FLT3 inhibitors represent an essential therapeutical instrument incorporated in post-transplant maintenance strategies. The Holy grail of allogeneic transplantation lies in the separation of graft-vs.-host disease from graft vs. tumor effects and after more than five decades, is still the most ambitious goal to reach and many ways to accomplish are on their way.
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16
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Fei X, Zhang S, Gu J, Wang J. FLT3
inhibitors as maintenance therapy post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia patients with
FLT3
mutations: A meta‐analysis. Cancer Med 2022; 12:6877-6888. [PMID: 36411731 PMCID: PMC10067110 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with a Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation have a high incidence of relapse despite allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and a subsequent poor prognosis. FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) have been suggested to reduce the post-transplant relapse risk in recent studies. As more evidence is accumulated, we perform the present meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of FLT3i as post-transplant maintenance therapy in AML patients. METHODS Literature search was performed in public databases from inception to December 31, 2021. Overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and adverse events were compared between FLT3i and control groups. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) or relative risk (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS We identified 12 eligible studies with 2282 FLT3-mutated AML patients who had received HSCT. There was no between-study heterogeneity and a fix-effect model was used. Post-transplant FLT3i maintenance significantly prolonged OS (HR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.32-0.52, p < 0.001) and RFS (HR = 0.39, 95%CI 0.31-0.50, p < 0.001), and reduced CIR (HR = 0.31, 95%CI 0.20-0.46, p < 0.001) as compared with control. There were no significant risk differences in NRM (RR = 0.69, 95%CI 0.41-1.17, p = 0.169), acute GVHD (RR = 1.17, 95%CI 0.93-1.47, p = 0.175), chronic GVHD (RR = 1.31, 95%CI 0.91-1.39, p = 0.276) and grade ≥3 adverse events between both groups, except for skin toxicity (RR = 5.86, 95%CI 1.34-25.57, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION Post-transplant FLT3i maintenance can improve survival and reduce relapse in FLT3-mutated AML patients and is tolerable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Fei
- Department of Hematology Aerospace Center Hospital Beijing China
| | - Shuqin Zhang
- Department of Hematology Aerospace Center Hospital Beijing China
| | - Jiangying Gu
- Department of Hematology Aerospace Center Hospital Beijing China
| | - Jingbo Wang
- Department of Hematology Aerospace Center Hospital Beijing China
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17
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Xu X, Fan Z, Wang Y, Huang F, Xu Y, Sun J, Xu N, Deng L, Li X, Liang X, Luo X, Shi P, Liu H, Chen Y, Tu S, Huang X, Liu Q, Xuan L. Effect of sorafenib maintenance on Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections in patients with FLT3-ITD AML undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. BMC Med 2022; 20:282. [PMID: 36050712 PMCID: PMC9436457 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of kinase inhibitors such as dasatinib and imatinib might increase the risk of opportunistic infections, especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. However, the effect of sorafenib on EBV and CMV infections remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sorafenib maintenance post-transplantation on the incidence and mortality of EBV and CMV infections in patients with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS This was a follow-up of our randomized controlled trial undertaken at seven hospitals in China. The primary endpoint was EBV and CMV infections within 3 years post-transplantation. Secondary endpoints included the cumulative incidences of relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM), overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) at 3 years. RESULTS Two hundred two patients were assigned to sorafenib maintenance (n=100) or non-maintenance (control, n=102). Median extended follow-up post-transplantation was 36.8 (range, 2.5-67.1) months. The 3-year cumulative incidences of EBV-DNAemia and EBV-associated diseases were 24.0% (95% CI: 16.1-32.8%) and 5.0% (1.8-10.6%) in the sorafenib group, and 24.5% (16.6-33.2%) and 5.9% (2.4-11.6%) in the control group (P=0.937; P=0.771). The 3-year cumulative incidences of CMV-DNAemia and CMV-associated diseases were 56.0% (45.6-65.1%) and 8.0% (3.7-14.4%) in the sorafenib group, and 52.9% (42.7-62.1%) and 8.8% (4.3-15.3%) in the control group (P=0.997; P=0.826). The 3-year cumulative mortality of EBV- and CMV-associated diseases was 0.0% (0.0-0.0%) and 2.0% (0.4-6.4%) in the sorafenib group, and 1.0% (0.1-4.8%) and 2.0% (0.4-6.3%) in the control group (P=0.322, P=0.980). The 3-year cumulative incidences of relapse, NRM, OS, LFS, and GRFS were 13.0%, 11.1%, 79.0%, 75.9%, and 65.8% in the sorafenib group and 34.8%, 12.7%, 61.4%, 52.5%, and 46.6% in the control group, respectively (P<0.001, P=0.656, P=0.005, P<0.001, P=0.003). The reconstitution of T lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells was similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sorafenib maintenance post-transplantation does not increase the incidence and mortality of EBV and CMV infections, demonstrating a favorable safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02474290 . Registered on June 14, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhiping Fan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Fen Huang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yajing Xu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lan Deng
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Hematology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinquan Liang
- Department of Hematology, the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, China
| | - Xiaodan Luo
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Shi
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sanfang Tu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Institute of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Li Xuan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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18
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Blackmon A, Aldoss I, Ball BJ. FLT3 Inhibitors as Maintenance Therapy after Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation. Blood Lymphat Cancer 2022; 12:137-147. [PMID: 36097605 PMCID: PMC9464008 DOI: 10.2147/blctt.s281252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the FLT3 gene are associated with poor prognosis in patients with AML, even after consolidation with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in first remission. Treatment failure in FLT3-mutated AML is largely driven by excessive risk of relapse compared to other genetic subtypes, including in patients post-alloHCT. As a result, there is substantial interest in studying posttransplant maintenance therapy in FLT3-mutated AML as an approach to optimize disease control and improve long-term outcomes. Clinical trials utilizing posttransplant FLT3 inhibitors, such as sorafenib and midostaurin, have shown feasibility, safety, and encouraging posttransplant outcomes, and there are ongoing studies using newer-generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitors as posttransplant maintenance therapy. Here, we review the toxicities and efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors as posttransplant maintenance, recommendations on the use of FLT3 inhibitors by international consensus guidelines, and highlight key remaining questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Blackmon
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ibrahim Aldoss
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brian J Ball
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Correspondence: Brian J Ball, Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA, Email
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19
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Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28:530-545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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20
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Nayak RK, Chen YB. Maintenance therapy for AML after allogeneic HCT. Front Oncol 2022; 12:895771. [PMID: 36016625 PMCID: PMC9397403 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.895771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) for eligible patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission is a central treatment paradigm to achieve durable remission. However, disease relapse after allo-HCT remains a significant concern and generally portends a poor prognosis. There is significant interest regarding the role for maintenance therapy after allo-HCT for patients with high risk of relapse, regardless of the presence of measurable residual disease. While there are currently no therapies approved for maintenance therapy for AML after allo-HCT, there are a number of ongoing investigations examining the role of maintenance therapies that include targeted agents against FLT3-ITD or IDH mutations, hypomethylating agents, immunomodulatory therapies and cellular therapies. In this review, we examine the current landscape and future strategies for maintenance therapy for AML after allo-HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul K. Nayak
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yi-Bin Chen
- Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Cell Therapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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21
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Pollard JA, Alonzo TA, Gerbing R, Brown P, Fox E, Choi J, Fisher B, Hirsch B, Kahwash S, Getz K, Levine J, Brodersen LE, Loken MR, Raimondi S, Tarlock K, Wood A, Sung L, Kolb EA, Gamis A, Meshinchi S, Aplenc R. Sorafenib in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy for Children With High Allelic Ratio FLT3/ITD+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Protocol AAML1031. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:2023-2035. [PMID: 35349331 PMCID: PMC9197362 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.01612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High allelic ratio (HAR) FLT3/ITD (AR > 0.4) mutations confer poor prognosis in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). COG AAML1031 studied the feasibility and efficacy of adding sorafenib, a multikinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor to standard chemotherapy and as single-agent maintenance therapy in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were treated in three cohorts. The initial safety phase defined the maximum tolerated dose of sorafenib starting in induction 2. Cohorts 2 and 3 added sorafenib in induction and as single-agent maintenance. Clinical outcome analysis was limited to n = 72 patients in cohorts 2/3 and compared with n = 76 HAR FLT3/ITD+ AML patients who received identical chemotherapy without sorafenib. Sorafenib pharmacokinetics and plasma inhibitory activity were measured in a subset of patients. RESULTS The maximum tolerated dose of sorafenib was 200 mg/m2 once daily; dose-limiting toxicities included rash (n = 2; 1 grade 3 and 1 grade 2), grade 2 hand-foot syndrome, and grade 3 fever. Pharmacokinetics/plasma inhibitory activity data demonstrated that measured plasma concentrations were sufficient to inhibit phosphorylated FLT3. Although outcomes were superior with sorafenib in cohorts 2 and 3, patients treated with sorafenib also underwent hematopoietic stem-cell transplant more frequently than the comparator population. Multivariable analysis that accounted for both hematopoietic stem-cell transplant and favorable co-occurring mutations confirmed sorafenib's benefit. Specifically, risk of an event was approximately two-fold higher in HAR FLT3/ITD+ patients who did not receive sorafenib (event-free survival from study entry: hazard ratio [HR] 2.37, 95% CI, 1.45 to 3.88, P < .001, disease-free survival from complete remission: HR 2.28, 95% CI, 1.08 to 4.82, P = .032, relapse risk from complete remission: HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.31 to 7.04, P = .010). CONCLUSION Sorafenib can be safely added to conventional AML chemotherapy and may improve outcomes in pediatric HAR FLT3/ITD+ AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Pollard
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Todd A. Alonzo
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Patrick Brown
- Johns Hopkins Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - John Choi
- University of Alabama, Birmingham AL
| | - Brian Fisher
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | - Kelly Getz
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | | | - Katherine Tarlock
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Andrew Wood
- University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Alan Gamis
- Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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22
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Perl AE, Larson RA, Podoltsev NA, Strickland S, Wang ES, Atallah E, Schiller GJ, Martinelli G, Neubauer A, Sierra J, Montesinos P, Récher C, Yoon SS, Hosono N, Onozawa M, Chiba S, Kim HJ, Hasabou N, Lu Q, Tiu R, Levis MJ. Follow-up of patients with R/R FLT3-mutation-positive AML treated with gilteritinib in the phase 3 ADMIRAL trial. Blood 2022; 139:3366-3375. [PMID: 35081255 PMCID: PMC9197557 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The phase 3 ADMIRAL (NCT02421939; Study ID: 2215-CL-0301) trial showed superior overall survival in patients with relapsed/refractory FLT3-mutation-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) randomized 2:1 to receive the oral FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitor gilteritinib vs those randomized to receive salvage chemotherapy (SC). Here we provide a follow-up of the ADMIRAL trial 2 years after the primary analysis to clarify the long-term treatment effects and safety of gilteritinib in these patients with AML. At the time of this analysis, the median survival follow-up was 37.1 months, with deaths in 203 of 247 and 97 of 124 patients in the gilteritinib and SC arms, respectively; 16 gilteritinib-treated patients remained on treatment. The median overall survival for the gilteritinib and SC arms was 9.3 and 5.6 months, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.665; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.518, 0.853; two-sided P = .0013); 2-year estimated survival rates were 20.6% (95% CI, 15.8, 26.0) and 14.2% (95% CI, 8.3, 21.6). The gilteritinib-arm 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse after composite complete remission was 75.7%, with few relapses occurring after 18 months. Overall, 49 of 247 patients in the gilteritinib arm and 14 of 124 patients in the SC arm were alive for ≥2 years. Twenty-six gilteritinib-treated patients remained alive for ≥2 years without relapse; 18 of these patients underwent transplantation (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]) and 16 restarted gilteritinib as post-HSCT maintenance therapy. The most common adverse events of interest during years 1 and 2 of gilteritinib therapy were increased liver transaminase levels; adverse event incidence decreased in year 2. Thus, continued and post-HSCT gilteritinib maintenance treatment sustained remission with a stable safety profile. These findings confirm that prolonged gilteritinib therapy is safe and is associated with superior survival vs SC. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02421939.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Perl
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | - Eunice S Wang
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
| | - Ehab Atallah
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Cancer Center-Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Giovanni Martinelli
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori," IRST S.r.l., Meldola, Italy
| | | | - Jorge Sierra
- Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau and Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Christian Récher
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer deToulouse Oncopole, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sung-Soo Yoon
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Shigeru Chiba
- Department of Hematology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hee-Je Kim
- Catholic Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Qiaoyang Lu
- Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Ramon Tiu
- Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Mark J Levis
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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23
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Abou Dalle I, El Cheikh J, Bazarbachi A. Pharmacologic Strategies for Post-Transplant Maintenance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: It Is Time to Consider! Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1490. [PMID: 35326641 PMCID: PMC8946578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia are offered allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in first remission to reduce risk of relapse. However, disease recurrence remains the major reason of allo-HCT failure, occurring in around 35-45% of patients, and leading to dismal outcomes. Strategies to reduce the risk of relapse are greatly needed, especially in the early post-transplant phase where the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect is not yet activated. Some practices include the use of myeloablative conditioning regimens, close monitoring of measurable residual disease and donor chimerism, rapid tapering of immunosuppression, and implementation of pre-emptive strategies as the use of donor lymphocyte infusion. However, it's time to consider prophylactic pharmacologic interventions post allo-HCT that aim at maintaining leukemic clones under control by both direct cytotoxic activity and by enhancing the GVL effect. In this current review, available data on drugs targeting epigenetic pathways like azacitidine, or actionable mutations like FLT3 and IDH1/2 inhibitors used as maintenance post allo-HCT, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (I.A.D.); (J.E.C.)
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24
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Zhao JC, Agarwal S, Ahmad H, Amin K, Bewersdorf JP, Zeidan AM. A review of FLT3 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Rev 2022; 52:100905. [PMID: 34774343 PMCID: PMC9846716 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2021.100905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
FLT3 mutations are the most common genetic aberrations found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and associated with poor prognosis. Since the discovery of FLT3 mutations and their prognostic implications, multiple FLT3-targeted molecules have been evaluated. Midostaurin is approved in the U.S. and Europe for newly diagnosed FLT3 mutated AML in combination with standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy based on data from the RATIFY study. Gilteritinib is approved for relapsed or refractory FLT3 mutated AML as monotherapy based on the ADMIRAL study. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of AML with FLT3-targeting, many challenges remain. Several drug resistance mechanisms have been identified, including clonal selection, stromal protection, FLT3-associated mutations, and off-target mutations. The benefit of FLT3 inhibitor maintenance therapy, either post-chemotherapy or post-transplant, remains controversial, although several studies are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sonal Agarwal
- Department of Pharmacy, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hiba Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kejal Amin
- Department of Pharmacy, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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25
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FLT3-inhibitor therapy for prevention and treatment of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Int J Hematol 2022; 116:341-350. [PMID: 35460465 PMCID: PMC9392688 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-022-03352-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relies on the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL)-effect. Relapse after allo-HCT occurs in a considerable proportion of patients, and has a dismal prognosis with very limited curative potential, especially for patients with FLT-ITD-mutated AML. Since the first description of sorafenib for treatment of FLT3-ITD-mutated AML, several clinical trials have tried to determine the efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors for preventing and treating AML relapse after allo-HSCT, but many questions regarding differences among compounds and mechanisms of action remain unanswered. This review provides an overview on the established and evolving use of FLT3 inhibitors to prevent or treat relapse of AML in the context of allo-HCT, focusing on the recently discovered immunogenic potential of some FLT3 inhibitors and addressing the possible mechanisms of leukemia drug-escape.
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26
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Cohen J, Maziarz RT. Post-allogeneic stem cell transplant FLT3- targeted maintenance therapy: updates and considerations for clinical practice. ARCHIVES OF STEM CELL AND THERAPY 2022; 3:23-27. [PMID: 36594901 PMCID: PMC9802584 DOI: 10.46439/stemcell.3.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by multiple molecular and cytogenetic abnormalities, with increasing data to support clinical and prognostic implications to guide clinical decision making. One of the most well described mutations involves fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) that results in a constitutively active tyrosine kinase and is generally associated with poor prognosis involving shorter overall survival and higher rates of relapse. Advancements in targeted therapies have greatly influenced available treatment options in a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for the past five decades. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), specifically FLT3-targeted therapies, are now integral treatment options for patients with this targetable mutation. As allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) remains the primary curative therapy for most adult AML patients, the goal is for eligible patients to proceed to transplant. However, post-alloHCT relapse remains exceedingly high even in patients achieving deep responses to therapy. Limited evaluation of FLT3-targeted TKIs as post-alloHCT maintenance therapy in FLT3-positive patients suggest improved outcomes and tolerable safety profiles, with ongoing studies further investigating second-generation agents. Thus, this commentary aims to review the role of post-alloHCT FLT3-targeted maintenance therapy and considerations for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Cohen
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA,Department of Pharmacy, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA,Author for correspondence:
| | - Richard T. Maziarz
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA,Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA
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27
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Bewersdorf JP, Allen C, Mirza AS, Grimshaw AA, Giri S, Podoltsev NA, Gowda L, Cho C, Tallman MS, Zeidan AM, Stahl M. Hypomethylating Agents and FLT3 Inhibitors As Maintenance Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Transplant Cell Ther 2021; 27:997.e1-997.e11. [PMID: 34551341 PMCID: PMC9533376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disease relapse remains the major cause of death among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who receive an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). Maintenance treatment with FLT3 inhibitors and hypomethylating agents (HMA) has been studied in various clinical trials with mixed results. OBJECTIVE To synthesize the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of FLT3 inhibitors and HMA for maintenance therapy after allo-HCT in AML and MDS. METHODS For this systematic review and meta-analysis Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from inception to March 2021 for studies on maintenance therapies after allo-HCT in AML and MDS. Studies were excluded if they were reviews, commentaries, case series with <5 patients, or basic research articles, not published in English, not on post-allo-HCT maintenance with FLT3 inhibitors or HMA in AML or MDS, or if they were clinical trials without published results or duplicate publications from the same patient cohort. Studies with insufficient reporting of the primary endpoint (2-year overall survival [OS]) and studies using FLT3 inhibitors or HMA for pre-emptive treatment of imminent relapse based on positive measurable residual disease testing were excluded. Random-effects models were used to pool response rates for the primary outcome of 2-year OS. Hazard ratios (HR) for death and relapse were calculated for studies that included a control group. Rates of relapse-free survival (RFS), non-relapse mortality, and acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) were studied as secondary endpoints. Downs and Black checklist and risk of bias assessments were used to gauge the quality of individual studies. The study protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020187298). RESULTS Our search strategy identified 5559 studies. Twenty-one studies with a total of 809 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The 2-year OS rates were 81.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.8%-87.7%) and 65.7% (95% CI, 55.1%-74.9%) among patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors and HMA, respectively. In sensitivity analyses restricted to studies that included a control group, maintenance therapy with FLT3 inhibitors (HR for death = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.26-0.62) or HMA (HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31-0.66) appeared superior to no maintenance therapy. The 2-year RFS rates were 79.8% (95% CI, 75.0%-83.9%) and 62.4% (95% CI, 50.6%-72.9%) among patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors and HMA, respectively. Rates of any grade acute and chronic GVHD were 33.1% (95% CI, 25.4%-41.8%; grade 3/4: 16.5%) and 42.5% (95% CI, 26.3%-60.4%) among FLT3 inhibitor and 42.7% (95% CI, 33.5%-52.4%; grade 3/4: 8.1%) and 41.5% (95% CI, 32.0%-51.6%) among HMA-treated patients, respectively. CONCLUSION Maintenance therapy with either FLT3 inhibitors or HMA after allo-HCT can lead to prolonged and improved OS and RFS with a favorable safety profile. Additional studies are needed to define the optimal duration of treatment, the role of measurable residual disease status, and transplant characteristics in patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Cecily Allen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Abu-Sayeef Mirza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alyssa A Grimshaw
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Smith Giri
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nikolai A Podoltsev
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lohith Gowda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christina Cho
- Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Martin S Tallman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Department of Medical Oncology, Adult Leukemia Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
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28
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Metheny L, Callander NS, Hall AC, Zhang MJ, Bo-Subait K, Wang HL, Agrawal V, Al-Homsi AS, Assal A, Bacher U, Beitinjaneh A, Bejanyan N, Bhatt VR, Bredeson C, Byrne M, Cairo M, Cerny J, DeFilipp Z, Perez MAD, Freytes CO, Ganguly S, Grunwald MR, Hashmi S, Hildebrandt GC, Inamoto Y, Kanakry CG, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Lazarus HM, Lee JW, Nathan S, Nishihori T, Olsson RF, Ringdén O, Rizzieri D, Savani BN, Savoie ML, Seo S, van der Poel M, Verdonck LF, Wagner JL, Yared JA, Hourigan CS, Kebriaei P, Litzow M, Sandmaier BM, Saber W, Weisdorf D, de Lima M. Allogeneic Transplantation to Treat Therapy-Related Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Adults. Transplant Cell Ther 2021; 27:923.e1-923.e12. [PMID: 34428556 PMCID: PMC9064046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Patients who develop therapy-related myeloid neoplasm, either myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia (t-AML), have a poor prognosis. An earlier Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) analysis of 868 allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations (allo-HCTs) performed between 1990 and 2004 showed a 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of 22% and 21%, respectively. Modern supportive care, graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis, and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have led to improved outcomes. Therefore, the CIBMTR analyzed 1531 allo-HCTs performed in adults with t-MDS (n = 759) or t-AML (n = 772) between and 2000 and 2014. The median age was 59 years (range, 18 to 74 years) for the patients with t-MDS and 52 years (range, 18 to 77 years) for those with t-AML. Twenty-four percent of patients with t-MDS and 11% of those with t-AML had undergone a previous autologous (auto-) HCT. A myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen was used in 49% of patients with t-MDS and 61% of patients with t-AML. Nonrelapse mortality at 5 years was 34% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30% to 37%) for patients with t-MDS and 34% (95% CI, 30% to 37%) for those with t-AML. Relapse rates at 5 years in the 2 groups were 46% (95% CI, 43% to 50%) and 43% (95% CI, 40% to 47%). Five-year OS and DFS were 27% (95% CI, 23% to 31%) and 19% (95% CI, 16% to 23%), respectively, for patients with t-MDS and 25% (95% CI, 22% to 28%) and 23% (95% CI, 20% to 26%), respectively, for those with t-AML. In multivariate analysis, OS and DFS were significantly better in young patients with low-risk t-MDS and those with t-AML undergoing HCT with MAC while in first complete remission, but worse for those with previous auto-HCT, higher-risk cytogenetics or Revised International Prognostic Scoring System score, and a partially matched unrelated donor. Relapse remains the major cause of treatment failure, with little improvement seen over the past 2 decades. These data mandate caution when recommending allo-HCT in these conditions and indicate the need for more effective antineoplastic approaches before and after allo-HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leland Metheny
- Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
| | | | - Aric C Hall
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Mei-Jei Zhang
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Society, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Khalid Bo-Subait
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Hai-Lin Wang
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Vaibhav Agrawal
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Amer Assal
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program, New York, New York
| | - Ulrike Bacher
- Department of Hematology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amer Beitinjaneh
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nelli Bejanyan
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Vijaya Raj Bhatt
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Chris Bredeson
- The Ottawa Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Byrne
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mitchell Cairo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Jan Cerny
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Zachariah DeFilipp
- Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miguel Angel Diaz Perez
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesus, Madrid, Spain
| | - César O Freytes
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Siddhartha Ganguly
- Division of Hematological Malignancy and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Michael R Grunwald
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Shahrukh Hashmi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Medicine, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhavi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Yoshihiro Inamoto
- Division of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Christopher G Kanakry
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mohamed A Kharfan-Dabaja
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Hillard M Lazarus
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jong Wook Lee
- Division of Hematology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sunita Nathan
- Section of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Taiga Nishihori
- Department of Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy (BMT CI), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Richard F Olsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Clinical Research Sormland, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olov Ringdén
- Translational Cell Therapy Group, CLINTEC (Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology) Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sweden
| | - David Rizzieri
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Bipin N Savani
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Sachiko Seo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | - Leo F Verdonck
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Isala Clinic, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - John L Wagner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jean A Yared
- Blood & Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher S Hourigan
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Partow Kebriaei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mark Litzow
- Division of Hematology and Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brenda M Sandmaier
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington and Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Wael Saber
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel Weisdorf
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Marcos de Lima
- Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
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Austin AE, Byrne M. Detecting and preventing post-hematopoietic cell transplant relapse in AML. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 28:380-388. [PMID: 34534984 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Relapsed disease is the primary cause of mortality for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This review outlines the most recent advances in the detection and prevention of AML relapse following allogeneic HCT. RECENT FINDINGS Conventional methods for predicting post-HCT relapse rely on the molecular and cytogenetics features present at diagnosis. These methods are slow to reflect a growing understanding of the molecular heterogeneity of AML and impact of new therapies on post-HCT outcomes. The use of measurable residual disease (MRD) techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry and molecular testing, may improve the prognostic ability of these models and should be incorporated into post-HCT surveillance whenever possible.In the post-HCT setting, FLT3 inhibitor maintenance data indicate that effective therapies can improve post-HCT outcomes. Maintenance data with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor monotherapy is less compelling and outcomes may improve with combinations. Early interventions directed at preemptive management of MRD may further improve post-HCT outcomes. SUMMARY Post-HCT AML relapse prevention has evolved to include more sensitive measures of disease detection and novel therapies that may improve outcomes of poor-risk AML patients. Additional work is needed to maintain this progress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Byrne
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Abstract
The outcomes associated with pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved over the last few decades, with the implementation of intensive chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and improved supportive care. However, even with intensive therapy and the use of HSCT, both of which carry significant risks of short- and long-term side effects, approximately 30% of children are not able to be cured. The characterization of AML in pediatrics has evolved over time and it currently involves use of a variety of diagnostic tools, including flow cytometry and comprehensive genomic sequencing. Given the adverse effects of chemotherapy and the need for additional therapeutic options to improve outcomes in these patients, the genomic and molecular architecture is being utilized to inform selection of targeted therapies in pediatric AML. This review provides a summary of current, targeted therapy options in pediatric AML.
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31
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Brunner AM, Newcomb RA, Chen YB, Crabbe AM. Case 26-2021: A 49-Year-Old Man with Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. N Engl J Med 2021; 385:834-843. [PMID: 34437787 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcpc2103458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Brunner
- From the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Richard A Newcomb
- From the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Yi-Bin Chen
- From the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Andrew M Crabbe
- From the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (A.M.B., R.A.N., Y.-B.C.) and Pathology (A.M.C.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
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32
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Cerchione C, Peleteiro Raíndo A, Mosquera Orgueira A, Mosquera Torre A, Bao Pérez L, Marconi G, Isidori A, Pérez Encinas MM, Martinelli G. Safety of FLT3 inhibitors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2021; 14:851-865. [PMID: 34424108 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1969911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) is the most frequent type of acute leukemia in adults with an incidence of 4.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and poor 5-year survival. Patients with mutations in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene have poor survival and higher relapse rates compared with wild-type cases.Areas covered: Several FLT3 inhibitors have been proved in FLT3mut AML patients, with differences in their pharmacokinetics, kinase inhibitory and adverse events profiles. First-generation multi-kinase inhibitors (midostaurin, sorafenib, lestaurtinib) target multiple proteins, whereassecond-generation inhibitors (crenolanib, quizartinib, gilteritinib) are more specific and potent inhibitors of FLT3, so they are associated with less off-target toxic effects. All of these drugs have primary and acquired mechanisms of resistance, and therefore their combinations with other drugs (checkpoint inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, standard chemotherapy) and its application in different clinical settings are under study.Expert opinion: The recent clinical development of various FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of FLT3mut AML is an effective therapeutic strategy. However, there are unique toxicities and drug-drug interactions that need to be resolved. It is necessary to understand the mechanisms of toxicity in order to recognize and manage them adequately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cerchione
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Andrés Peleteiro Raíndo
- Health Research Institute of Santiago De Compostela (Idis), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,Division of Hematology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario De Santiago (Chus), Santiago De Compostela, Spain
| | - Adrián Mosquera Orgueira
- Health Research Institute of Santiago De Compostela (Idis), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,Division of Hematology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario De Santiago (Chus), Santiago De Compostela, Spain
| | - Alicia Mosquera Torre
- Health Research Institute of Santiago De Compostela (Idis), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,Division of Hematology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario De Santiago (Chus), Santiago De Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Bao Pérez
- Health Research Institute of Santiago De Compostela (Idis), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,Division of Hematology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario De Santiago (Chus), Santiago De Compostela, Spain
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro Isidori
- Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Center, Aormn Hospital, Pesaro, Italy
| | - Manuel Mateo Pérez Encinas
- Health Research Institute of Santiago De Compostela (Idis), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,Division of Hematology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario De Santiago (Chus), Santiago De Compostela, Spain.,University of Santiago De Compostela, Santiago De Compostela, Spain
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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Abstract
In the past few years research in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has led to remarkable advances in our understanding of the disease. Cytogenetic and molecular aberrations are the most important factors in determining response to chemotherapy as well as long-term outcome, but beyond prognostication are potential therapeutic targets. Our increased understanding of the pathogenesis of AML facilitated by next-generation sequencing has spurred the development of new compounds in the treatment of AML, particularly the creation of small molecules that target the disease on a molecular level. Many of the hopeful predictions outlined in our AML review of 2018 are now therapeutic realities: gemtuzumab ozogamicin, venetoclax, FLT3 inhibitors (midostaurin, gilteritinib), IDH inhibitors (ivosidenib, enasidenib), CPX-351, glasdegib, oral decitabine, and oral azacitidine. Others may soon be (quizartinib, APR246 magrolimab, menin inhibitors). The wealth of positive data allows reconsideration of what might soon be new standards of care in younger and older patients with AML. In this review we give an overview of recently approved therapies in AML and address present and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Kayser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,NCT Trial Center, National Center of Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark J Levis
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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34
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Maintenance therapies in acute myeloid leukemia: the renaissance of an old therapeutic concept. Curr Opin Oncol 2021; 33:658-669. [PMID: 34341323 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Disease relapse remains the major cause of death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is driven by the persistence of leukemic cells following induction chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). Maintenance therapies to extend the duration of remission and to improve survival have been proposed for several years with mixed results but have experienced a renaissance recently. RECENT FINDINGS The oral hypomethylating agent CC-486 has been the first agent to show an overall survival (OS) benefit compared with observation in AML patients in remission following intensive chemotherapy who are not proceeding to allo-HCT. In the realm of postallo-HCT maintenance therapy, the FLT3 inhibitor sorafenib has yielded superior results in terms of OS and relapse-free survival in randomized trials compared with observation. Several open questions remain regarding patient selection, timing, duration and safety of maintenance therapies. Various targeted agents are currently tested in clinical trials and could potentially enable an even more individualized therapeutic approach. SUMMARY Maintenance therapies following intensive chemotherapy or allo-HCT offer a new therapeutic paradigm for an increasing number of AML patients and have been shown to result in an OS benefit in selected patients.
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35
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Griffin JD, Song Y, Yang H, Freimark J, Shah MV. Post-transplant maintenance therapy in patients with FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia: Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes. Eur J Haematol 2021; 107:553-565. [PMID: 34289175 PMCID: PMC9292256 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Maintenance therapy is one strategy to prolong survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We evaluated real‐world treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3‐mutated AML receiving HSCT after complete remission with first‐line chemotherapy. Methods A global, retrospective chart review to evaluate maintenance therapy and outcomes in patients with FLT3‐mutated AML after HSCT. Results Data from 1208 charts from eight countries showed that most patients (n = 765 [63.3%]) received no maintenance therapy after HSCT, 219 (18.1%) received FLT3 inhibitor maintenance therapy, and 224 (18.5%) received other types of maintenance therapy. No systematic differences were observed in healthcare resource utilization across the three groups. Clinical benefit was observed with FLT3 inhibitor maintenance over no maintenance therapy with relapse‐free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.57 [95% CI 0.34‐0.94], P < .05). FLT3 inhibitor and other maintenance also demonstrated overall survival benefit over no maintenance (adjusted HR 0.50 [95% CI 0.28‐0.89] and 0.46 [95% CI 0.23‐0.91], respectively; both P < .05). Conclusions Real‐world maintenance therapies after HSCT in patients with FLT3‐mutated AML were heterogeneous. While overall use of healthcare resources was not significantly increased in patients receiving maintenance therapy versus those who did not, clinical outcomes were improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Song
- Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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36
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Bernasconi P, Borsani O. Eradication of Measurable Residual Disease in AML: A Challenging Clinical Goal. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3170. [PMID: 34202000 PMCID: PMC8268140 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In non-promyelocytic (non-M3) AML measurable residual disease (MRD) detected by multi-parameter flow cytometry and molecular technologies, which are guided by Consensus-based guidelines and discover very low leukemic cell numbers far below the 5% threshold of morphological assessment, has emerged as the most relevant predictor of clinical outcome. Currently, it is well-established that MRD positivity after standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy, as well as during the period preceding an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), portends to a significantly inferior relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In addition, it has become absolutely clear that conversion from an MRD-positive to an MRD-negative state provides a favorable clinical outcome similar to that associated with early MRD negativity. Thus, the complete eradication of MRD, i.e., the clearance of the few leukemic stem cells-which, due to their chemo-radiotherapy resistance, might eventually be responsible of disease recurrence-has become an un-met clinical need in AML. Nowadays, this goal might potentially be achieved thanks to the development of novel innovative treatment strategies, including those targeting driver mutations, apoptosis, methylation patterns and leukemic proteins. The aim of this review is to analyze these strategies and to suggest any potential combination able to induce MRD negativity in the pre- and post-HSCT period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bernasconi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Hematology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Oscar Borsani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
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37
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Deletions in FLT-3 juxtamembrane domain define a new class of pathogenic mutations: case report and systematic analysis. Blood Adv 2021; 5:2285-2293. [PMID: 33914060 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT-3) is the most frequently mutated gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a high-risk feature, and now the target of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are approved and in development. The most common mutation is the internal tandem duplication (ITD). We present a novel mutation, FLT-3/Q575Δ, identified in a patient with AML through next-generation sequencing (NGS). This mutation is activating, drives downstream signaling comparable to FLT-3/ITD, and can be targeted using available FLT-3 TKIs. We present the results of a systematic analysis that identified Y572Δ, E573Δ, and S574Δ as similarly activating and targetable deletions located in the FLT-3 juxtamembrane domain (JMD). These mutations target key residues in the JMD involved in the interactions within FLT-3 that regulate its activation. Our results suggest a new class of FLT-3 mutations that may have an impact on patient care and highlight the increasing importance of a systematic understanding of FLT-3 mutations other than ITD. It is likely that, as NGS becomes more commonly used in the diagnosis of patients with AML, these and other activating mutations will be discovered with increasing frequency.
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38
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Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for high-risk acute leukemia and maintenance therapy: no time to waste. Blood Adv 2021; 4:3200-3204. [PMID: 32663296 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This article has a companion Counterpoint by Soiffer.
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39
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Anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a Young SIOG review paper. Blood Adv 2021; 4:762-775. [PMID: 32097461 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) increases with age. Intensive induction chemotherapy containing cytarabine and an anthracycline has been part of the upfront and salvage treatment of AML for decades. Anthracyclines are associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity (especially anthracycline-related left ventricular dysfunction [ARLVD]). In the older adult population, the higher prevalence of cardiac comorbidities and risk factors may further increase the risk of ARLVD. In this article of the Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology group, we review the prevalence of ARLVD in patients with AML and factors predisposing to ARLVD, focusing on older adults when possible. In addition, we review the assessment of cardiac function and management of ARLVD during and after treatment. It is worth noting that only a minority of clinical trials focus on alternative treatment strategies in patients with mildly declined left ventricular ejection fraction or at a high risk for ARLVD. The limited evidence for preventive strategies to ameliorate ARLVD and alternative strategies to anthracycline use in the setting of cardiac comorbidities are discussed. Based on extrapolation of findings from younger adults and nonrandomized trials, we recommend a comprehensive baseline evaluation of cardiac function by imaging, cardiac risk factors, and symptoms to risk stratify for ARLVD. Anthracyclines remain an appropriate choice for induction although careful risk-stratification based on cardiac disease, risk factors, and predicted chemotherapy-response are warranted. In case of declined left ventricular ejection fraction, alternative strategies should be considered.
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40
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Shimony S, Yeshurun M, Wolach O, Ram R, Rozovski U, Shargian L, Zukerman T, Amit O, Bar-On Y, Krayem B, Avni B, Peretz G, Raanani P, Pasvolsky O. Post-transplantation maintenance with sorafenib or midostaurin for FLT3 positive AML patients - a multicenter retrospective observational study. Leuk Lymphoma 2021; 62:2475-2481. [PMID: 33879026 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1913145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The role of post allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (AlloSCT) FLT3 inhibition for acute myeloid leukemia in the real-world setting is unclear, especially in the era of widespread pre-transplant use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In a multicenter nationwide study, we assessed 41 patients who were treated with post-transplant TKIs (sorafenib, n = 23, midostaurin, n = 18). The majority also received TKIs pre-transplant (n = 32, 79%). After a median follow up of 10 months post-transplant (range 3-53.6), 29 patients (71%) were alive and in complete remission. Similar results were seen in a subgroup analysis of pre-transplant TKI recipients (78%). In Univariate analysis, HCT-CI score < 4 and Type of TKI (sorafenib versus midostaurin) predicted longer overall survival. Seventeen patients (41%) suffered from side effects and seven patients (17%) stopped TKI therapy due to adverse events. Overall, our data suggest that post-transplant use of TKIs is safe and effective in an era of their widespread use prior to AlloSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Shimony
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moshe Yeshurun
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofir Wolach
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ron Ram
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Institute of Hematology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Rozovski
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liat Shargian
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsila Zukerman
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine - Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Odelia Amit
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Institute of Hematology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Bar-On
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Institute of Hematology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Baher Krayem
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine - Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Batya Avni
- Institute of Hematology, Hadassah Medical Center and Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galit Peretz
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Soroka Medical center and Faculty of Medicine, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Pia Raanani
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oren Pasvolsky
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Levis M. Is there evidence for the use of FLT3 inhibitors as maintenance therapy in AML? Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34:101246. [PMID: 33762101 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101246] [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: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
It is often assumed that all patients with FLT3 (FMS-Like Tyrosine kinase-3)-mutated AML who undergo an allogeneic transplant should receive maintenance therapy with a FLT3 inhibitor. The validity of this assumption is controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Levis
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, United States.
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42
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Gagelmann N, Wolschke C, Klyuchnikov E, Christopeit M, Ayuk F, Kröger N. TKI Maintenance After Stem-Cell Transplantation for FLT3-ITD Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:630429. [PMID: 33790903 PMCID: PMC8006462 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.630429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This analysis aimed to systematically review and synthesize the existing evidence regarding the outcome of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) maintenance therapy after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for patients with FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We searched publicly available databases, references lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. A total of 7 studies comprising 680 patients were included. Five studies evaluated sorafenib and 2 studies evaluated midostaurin, compared with control. The incidence of relapse was significantly reduced after TKI therapy, showing an overall pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.51; P < 0.001), with a marked 65% reduced risk for relapse. The overall pooled RR for relapse-free survival and overall survival showed significantly improved outcome after TKI maintenance therapy, being 0.48 (95% CI, 0.37–0.61; P < 0.001) and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.36–0.64; P < 0.001). The risk for relapse or death from any cause was reduced by 52% using TKI. No difference in outcome was seen for non-relapse mortality, and the risk for chronic or acute graft-vs. -host disease appeared to be increased, at least for sorafenib. In conclusion, post-transplant maintenance therapy with TKI was associated with significantly improved outcome in relapse and survival in patients with FLT3-ITD positive AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Wolschke
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Evgeny Klyuchnikov
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Christopeit
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Francis Ayuk
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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43
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Shallis RM, Podoltsev NA. Maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia: sustaining the pursuit for sustained remission. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 28:110-121. [PMID: 33394722 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been studied for decades with mixed results. However, the application of modern agents has renewed interest and the recent data from randomized trials has provided evidence for the use of maintenance therapy in certain populations of AML patients. RECENT FINDINGS Unselected patients are unlikely to benefit from maintenance therapy as has been previously and consistently demonstrated. The increasing availability of newer and targeted agents like oral hypomethylating agents, protein modifiers, as well as FLT3, IDH1/2 BCL-2 and immune checkpoint inhibitors have restoked interest in maintenance therapy for which randomized, placebo-controlled trials have recently demonstrated benefits, including in the post-transplant setting. Patients with high-risk disease, suboptimal consolidation or remission associated with measurable residual disease (MRD) appear to be beneficiaries of this strategy. The influence of MRD status and the platform by which it is measured are important factors in the current understanding of when maintenance therapy works and how future studies should be designed. SUMMARY The recent positive findings in support of maintenance therapy for certain AML patient populations are practice changing and bolster the need for properly designed, randomized studies using unified and standardized MRD techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory M Shallis
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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44
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Bruzzese A, Assanto GM, Diverio D, Quattrocchi L, Carmini D, La Rocca U, De Propris MS, Trisolini SM, Brescini M, Galassi G, Barberi W, Iori AP. Pre-emptive use of Sorafenib combined with DLI post HSCT in AML FLT3+: a single center experience. Bone Marrow Transplant 2021; 56:1455-1457. [PMID: 33514926 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-020-01174-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Bruzzese
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Manfredi Assanto
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Diverio
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Quattrocchi
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Carmini
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ursula La Rocca
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania De Propris
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Maria Trisolini
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Brescini
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Galassi
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Barberi
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Iori
- Haematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Yamada A, Katagiri S, Moriyama M, Asano M, Suguro T, Yoshizawa S, Akahane D, Tanaka Y, Furuya N, Fujimoto H, Gotoh M, Aota Y, Nakamura N, Gotoh A. Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease during dasatinib treatment occurred 10 years after umbilical cord blood transplantation. J Infect Chemother 2021; 27:1076-1079. [PMID: 33518401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is defined as a lymphoma that occurs after solid-organ or hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), caused by immunosuppression and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. It is an important post-transplant complication that can be fatal. After HSCT, most PTLD occurs within 2 years. Recent evidence suggests that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are expected to be effective maintenance therapy after HSCT for Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia. However, it is unclear whether the use of TKIs might pose a risk of developing PTLD after HSCT. We present the first case of late-onset PTLD during dasatinib treatment, which occurred 10 years after umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT). A 59-year-old man who received CBT for chronic myeloid leukemia blast phase needed long-term dasatinib therapy for molecular relapse. Ten years after CBT, he developed diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We observed chimerism of the DLBCL sample, which indicated complete donor type and EBV-DNA, and the patient was diagnosed with PTLD. Because of treatment resistance, he died 6 months after PTLD onset. Although he received no long-term administration of immunosuppressive agents, he received long-term dasatinib treatment, which suggests that prolonged dasatinib use after CBT caused EBV reactivation and led to PTLD. Our case suggests that the potential contribution of molecular-targeted agents after HSCT to the development of PTLD should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yamada
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan.
| | | | | | - Michiyo Asano
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | - Tamiko Suguro
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Daigo Akahane
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | - Yuko Tanaka
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | - Nahoko Furuya
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Moritaka Gotoh
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
| | - Yasuo Aota
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan; Department of Internal Medicine, Kohsei Chuo General Hospital, Japan
| | - Naoya Nakamura
- Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Akihiko Gotoh
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
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Assi R, Masri N, Abou Dalle I, El-Cheikh J, Bazarbachi A. Post-Transplant Maintenance Therapy for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Approaches and the Need for More Trials. J Blood Med 2021; 12:21-32. [PMID: 33531851 PMCID: PMC7847363 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s270015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse rates following allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia remain unacceptably high and a major cause of death. Maintenance therapies post-transplant administered either to patients with impending relapse or at high risk of relapse could present a strategy to improve survival and overall outcomes. With the increasing use of molecular and genomic characterization of the disease, more novel therapies became available as maintenance strategies. These options were, however, hindered by excessive toxicities, mostly hematologic, especially with the use of myeloablative conditioning regimens. Several key questions have also emerged including the efficacy of these therapies, the duration of maintenance, as well as the potential modulation of the graft and the immune microenvironment. These issues are further complicated by the paucity of well-designed prospective randomized clinical trials evaluating these agents. Future directions in this field should include better risk stratification and patient selection based on assays of minimal residual disease, as well as the incorporation of novel targets and pathways of leukemogenesis. In this article, we highlight the current evidence behind the use of post-transplant maintenance therapy, the optimal patient and disease selection, as well as the challenges faced by these strategies in an area that remains quite controversial. We will focus on therapies targeting leukemia stem cells that directly or indirectly modulate the allografted immune microenvironment and augment the graft-versus-leukemia impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Assi
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Lebanese American University and Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nohad Masri
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Lebanese American University and Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Iman Abou Dalle
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean El-Cheikh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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47
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Kennedy VE, Smith CC. FLT3 Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Key Concepts and Emerging Controversies. Front Oncol 2021; 10:612880. [PMID: 33425766 PMCID: PMC7787101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.612880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The FLT3 receptor is overexpressed on the majority of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. Mutations in FLT3 are the most common genetic alteration in AML, identified in approximately one third of newly diagnosed patients. FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutations (FLT3-ITD) are associated with increased relapse and inferior overall survival. Multiple small molecule inhibitors of FLT3 signaling have been identified, two of which (midostaurin and gilteritinib) are currently approved in the United States, and many more of which are in clinical trials. Despite significant advances, resistance to FLT3 inhibitors through secondary FLT3 mutations, upregulation of parallel pathways, and extracellular signaling remains an ongoing challenge. Novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance, including combining FLT3 inhibitors with other antileukemic agents, development of new FLT3 inhibitors, and FLT3-directed immunotherapy are in active clinical development. Multiple questions regarding FLT3-mutated AML remain. In this review, we highlight several of the current most intriguing controversies in the field including the role of FLT3 inhibitors in maintenance therapy, the role of hematopoietic cell transplantation in FLT3-mutated AML, use of FLT3 inhibitors in FLT3 wild-type disease, significance of non-canonical FLT3 mutations, and finally, emerging concerns regarding clonal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa E Kennedy
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Catherine C Smith
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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48
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Xuan L, Liu Q. Maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:4. [PMID: 33407700 PMCID: PMC7786934 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-01017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Relapse remains the main cause of treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Emerging evidence has demonstrated that AML patients might benefit from maintenance therapy post-transplantation, especially for high-risk AML patients. In this mini-review, we will summarize targeted drugs, such as hypomethylating agents, FLT3 inhibitors and isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors, as maintenance therapy post-transplantation in AML patients undergoing allo-HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xuan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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49
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Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: clinical features and outcomes. Bone Marrow Transplant 2020; 56:1126-1133. [PMID: 33268829 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-020-01163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Posttransplant relapse represents the greatest obstacle to the success of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study investigated clinical features and outcomes of posttransplant relapse of AML based on data for 1265 patients with AML suffering relapse after allogeneic HCT conducted during complete remission (CR). Relapse occurred at a median of 6.1 months. The incidence rate of relapse peaked at 29.0 per 100 patient-years during the first 3-6 months period post transplant, after which the rate declined over time, and after 3 years remained consistently at less than 1 per 100 patient-years. The probability of overall survival (OS) after posttransplant relapse was 19% at 2 years, with 68% of deaths being attributed to leukemia. The interval from transplantation to relapse was identified as the strongest indicator for OS. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and second allogeneic HCT (HCT2) were administered to 152 (12%) and 481 (38%) patients, respectively. Landmark analyses showed some signs of survival benefit when these procedures were performed during CR, but no benefit was gained when performed during non-CR. Our findings clarify clinical features of posttransplant relapse of AML, and indicate the urgent need for developing effective bridging to cellular therapies.
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Antar AI, Otrock ZK, Abou Dalle I, El-Cheikh J, Bazarbachi A. Pharmacologic Therapies to Prevent Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Oncol 2020; 10:596134. [PMID: 33224890 PMCID: PMC7667262 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.596134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse is the main cause of mortality in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Adverse cytogenetic or molecular risk factors, as well as refractory disease or persistent measurable residual disease (MRD) at the time of transplantation are associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Salvage therapy for AML relapse after allo-HSCT is often limited to chemotherapy, donor lymphocyte infusions and/or second transplants and is rarely successful. Effective post-transplant preventive intervention in high risk AML may be crucial. The most frequent and promising approach is the use of post-transplant maintenance with hypomethylating agents or with FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors when the target is present. Moreover, IDH1/IDH2 inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors in combination with other strategies are promising approaches in the maintenance setting. Here we summarize the current knowledge about the preemptive and prophylactic use of pharmacologic agents after allo-HSCT to prevent relapse of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad I. Antar
- Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center, Saida, Lebanon
| | - Zaher K. Otrock
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Iman Abou Dalle
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean El-Cheikh
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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