Silent NK/T cell reactions to dasatinib during sustained deep molecular response before cessation are associated with longer treatment-free remission

Treatment-free remission after discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment-free remission (TFR) is a new long-term goal for treating selected patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). Still, the appropriate group in which TFR can be attempted and the factors influencing it have not yet been identified. This meta-analysis aimed to explore TFR in CML-CP patients who achieved a deep molecular response (DMR) before Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) discontinuation and to explore possible factors influencing TFR and the safety of discontinuation.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis with a systematic search of published literature up to September 2023 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CNKI databases. The assessment was performed using the MINORS scale. Random-effects models were used to calculate outcome metrics, including overall mean TFR rates at 12 and 24 months and subgroup differences. Data synthesis and analysis were done by Stata17.0 software.

RESULTS

A total of 19 single-arm trials involving 2336 patients were included in this meta-analysis, with an overall mean TFR rate of 59% [95CI:0.56-0.63] at 12 months and 55% [95CI:0.52-0.59] at 24 months, and no CML-related deteriorations or deaths reported during the TFR period. Our subgroup analysis showed that better TFR was associated with prior interferon therapy (P = 0.003), and molecular response depth MR5.0 (P = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that prior interferon therapy and attainment of a molecular response depth of MR5.0 or greater were associated with higher TFR rates, with patients who attained MR5.0 or greater achieving a TFR rate of up to 62% in the second year after TKI discontinuation. Considering the high heterogeneity of the included trials, the above influences still require further validation and more detailed subgroup analysis in future discontinuation trials.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ (Registration No. CRD42023471334).

Discontinuation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy and Treatment Free Remission (TFR) in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Successful Achievement of TFR in More Than Two-Third of Patients in a Real-World Practice

BACKGROUND

Discontinuation of TKI therapy and treatment-free remission (TFR) have become new goals for chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). The aim of this study was to estimate the TFR post discontinuation of TKI therapy at 3 tertiary-care centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CP-CML patients aged ≥16 years who had an attempt to discontinue TKI therapy till June 2022, were eligible. The collected data included patients' demographics, prognostic score, type and duration of TKI therapy, response dates, relapse dates, response to re-initiation of TKI therapy, and risk factors for relapse.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients (35, 63.6% females) with a median age of 40 (range 16-74) years at diagnosis discontinued therapy. Forty-eight (87.3%) patients received imatinib as first line therapy. Twenty-nine (52.7%) patients were receiving imatinib at the time of TKI-discontinuation. Median time from diagnosis to TKI discontinuation was 86 months (IQR 60;132) and median duration of TKI therapy after achieving DMR was 66 months (IQR 47;114). After a median follow up of 34 (IQR 12;68) months, 15 (27.3%) patients relapsed. Median time to relapse was 5 months (range 2-38). Most of the relapses occurred during the first 6 months except 3 (20%) patients. All the relapsed patients achieved MMR after a median of 3 (range 2-6) months after restarting TKI therapy. None of the patients progressed to advanced-phase.

CONCLUSION

Our experience confirms that discontinuation of TKI therapy in CP-CML patients is feasible and safe in routine clinical practice, and can achieve TFR in more than two-third of carefully selected patients.

A Gut Instinct on Leukaemia: A New Mechanistic Hypothesis for Microbiota-Immune Crosstalk in Disease Progression and Relapse

Despite significant advances in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (CML and ALL, respectively), disease progression and relapse remain a major problem. Growing evidence indicates the loss of immune surveillance of residual leukaemic cells as one of the main contributors to disease recurrence and relapse. More recently, there was an appreciation for how the host’s gut microbiota predisposes to relapse given its potent immunomodulatory capacity. This is especially compelling in haematological malignancies where changes in the gut microbiota have been identified after treatment, persisting in some patients for years after the completion of treatment. In this hypothesis-generating review, we discuss the interaction between the gut microbiota and treatment responses, and its capacity to influence the risk of relapse in both CML and ALL We hypothesize that the gut microbiota contributes to the creation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which promotes tumour progression and relapse.

Emerging concepts for assessing and predicting treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

INTRODUCTION

In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who have reached a deep and sustained reduction of residual disease can attempt a discontinuation. The 'treatment-free remission' (TFR) has become a real long-term endpoint for 30-40% of chronic phase patients.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we focus our attention on possible prognostic features who can predict the success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors discontinuation and how we can assess the minimal residual disease (MRD) during the TFR phase. Broad research was made on Medline, Embase and archives from EHA and ASH congresses.

EXPERT OPINION

Median duration of TKI therapy and of deep molecular response are the main prognostic factors identified in most trials and real-life experiences on discontinuation. Immunological pathways have been proposed as possible control on successful TFR as also early molecular response dynamics. Appropriate molecular monitoring by RQ-PCR in the TFR phase has been proposed by several international recommendations and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) seems to have a possible role in the future for a better identification of candidate to this possible therapeutic strategy.

Treatment-Free Remission in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and New Approaches by Targeting Leukemia Stem Cells

The therapeutic landscape for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has improved significantly with the approval of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for therapeutic use. Most patients with optimal responses to TKIs can have a normal life expectancy. Treatment-free remission (TFR) after discontinuing TKI has increasingly become a new goal for CML treatment. However, TKI only "control" CML, and relapse after discontinuation has become a key factor hindering patient access to attempt TFR. In this study, we reviewed studies on TKI discontinuation, including both first and second-generation TKI. We also reviewed predictors of relapse, new monitoring methods, and strategies targeting leukemic stem cells.

Silent NK/T cell reactions to dasatinib during sustained deep molecular response before cessation are associated with longer treatment-free remission

This study presents the final report of the multicenter, prospective tyrosine kinase inhibitor discontinuation study, D-STOP, after a 3-year follow-up of 54 patients with chronic CML who discontinued dasatinib after a sustained deep molecular response (DMR) for ≥2 years with dasatinib treatment. Estimated treatment-free remission (TFR) rates at 12 and 36 months were 63.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 48.7-74.3] and 59.3% (95% CI: 45.0-71.0), respectively. CD3^- CD56⁺ NK, CD16⁺ CD56⁺ NK, and CD57⁺ CD56⁺ NK large granular lymphocyte (NK-LGL), CD8⁺ CD4^- cytotoxic T cell, and CD57⁺ CD3⁺ T-LGL cell numbers were relatively elevated throughout the 24-month consolidation only in failed patients who molecularly relapsed within 12 months. In successful patients, these subsets elevated transiently after 12 months, but returned to basal levels after 24-month consolidation. Therefore, smaller changes in NK/T, particularly the NK subset throughout consolidation, reflected higher TFR rates. TFR rates of those patients exhibiting elevation in CD3^- CD56⁺ NK >376 cells/μL, CD16⁺ CD56⁺ NK > 241 cells/μL, or CD57⁺ CD56⁺ NK-LGL >242 cells/μL during consolidation compared with others were 26.7% (8.3%-49.6%) vs 78.3% (55.4%-90.3%), HR 0.032 (0.0027-0.38; P = .0064), 31.2% (11.4%-53.6%) vs 85.0% (60.4%-94.9%), HR 0.039 (0.0031-0.48; P = .011), or 36.8% (16.5%-57.5%) vs 77.3% (53.7%-89.8%), HR 0.21 (0.065-0.69; P = .010), respectively. Therefore, silent responses of T/NK subsets to dasatinib throughout consolidation were significant for longer TFR. Elevated NK/T, particularly NK lymphocytes responsive to dasatinib, may be immunologically insufficient to maintain TFR. Their decline, subsequently replaced by altered lymphocyte population with less response to dasatinib during sustained DMR, might be immunologically significant. (D-STOP, NCT01627132).