Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in older adults: curtain call for conventional chemotherapy?

Outcomes and adverse events in older acute lymphoblastic Leukemia patients treated with a pediatric-inspired protocol with Pegylated or native Asparaginase

This retrospective report presents the outcomes and adverse events (AEs) observed in 73 patients aged 60 years or older diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome-negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph-negative ALL) treated with a pediatric-inspired protocol incorporating either Pegylated (PEG-ASP) or Native Asparaginase (EC-ASP). Notably, 61% of patients experienced AEs of Grade III-IV severity. The most prevalent AEs included thrombosis (35.6%), febrile neutropenia (38.4%), and transaminitis (34.2%). AEs did not translate into significant differences concerning overall survival, leukemia-free survival, or early mortality. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in early mortality rates (11% vs. 20%) and an increase in median overall survival (54 vs. 48 months) compared to our previous data. These findings suggest that the utilization of a pediatric-inspired chemotherapy protocol, with ASP, is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for older patients with Ph-negative ALL. However, it emphasizes the importance of diligent monitoring and close follow-up throughout treatment.

Inotuzumab in Older Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-A Podcast

Older patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have historically had poor outcomes (5-year survival rate, 20%) with standard intensive and dose-adjusted chemotherapy regimens, due to a high incidence of adverse biologic features including high-risk cytogenetics, presence of TP53 mutations, and poor tolerance to intensive therapy. Thus, there is an unmet medical need in this patient population. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is a humanized antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD22-positive leukemic blasts. It is approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory ALL and has been shown to be effective and tolerable in older patients. Several ongoing trials in older patients with newly diagnosed ALL have yielded encouraging data with inotuzumab ozogamicin in induction alone and in combination with low-intensity chemotherapy. In this podcast, the authors summarize and highlight some of the recent findings on the use of inotuzumab ozogamicin as induction therapy for older adults with newly diagnosed ALL.

Tagraxofusp for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy that presents with characteristic dark purple skin papules, plaques, and tumors, but may also involve the bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes, and central nervous system. The disease, which commonly affects older men but can also present in children, is associated with a distinct immunophenotype including universal expression of CD123, the α chain of the interleukin 3 receptor. Recently, tagraxofusp, a CD123-targeting drug consisting of the ligand for CD123, interleukin 3, conjugated to a truncated diphtheria toxin payload was approved for treatment of BPDCN. This was the first agent specifically approved for BPDCN and the first CD123 targeted agent in oncology. Here, we review the development of tagraxofusp, and the key preclinical insights and clinical data that led to approval. Tagraxofusp treatment is associated with a unique toxicity, capillary leak syndrome (CLS), which can be severe but is manageable with proper patient selection and monitoring, early recognition, and directed intervention. We outline our approach to the use of tagraxofusp and discuss open questions in the treatment of BPDCN. Overall, tagraxofusp represents a unique targeted therapy and a step forward in meeting an unmet need for patients with this rare disease.

Effect of BMI on toxicities and survival among adolescents and young adults treated on DFCI Consortium ALL trials

Adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with asparaginase-containing pediatric regimens are commonly overweight or obese. We studied the association of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of 388 AYAs aged 15 to 50 years treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) consortium regimens (2008-2021). BMI was normal in 207 (53.3%) and overweight/obese in 181 (46.7%). Patients who were overweight or obese experienced higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM; 4-year, 11.7% vs 2.8%, P = .006), worse event-free survival (4-year, 63% vs 77%, P = .003), and worse overall survival (OS; 4-year, 64% vs 83%, P = .0001). Because younger (aged 15-29 years) AYAs more frequently had a normal BMI (79% vs 20%, P < .0001), we conducted separate analyses in each BMI group. We found excellent OS among younger and older (30-50 years) AYAs with normal BMI (4-year OS, 83% vs 85%, P = .89). Conversely, in AYAs who were overweight/obese, worse outcomes were seen in older AYAs (4-year OS, 55% vs 73%, P = .023). Regarding toxicity, AYAs who were overweight/obese experienced higher rates of grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity and hyperglycemia (60.7% vs 42.2%, P = .0005, and 36.4% vs 24.4%, P = .014, respectively) but had comparable rates of hypertriglyceridemia (29.5% vs 24.4%, P = .29). In a multivariable analysis, higher BMI was associated with worse OS, hypertriglyceridemia was associated with improved OS, and age was not associated with OS. In conclusion, among AYAs treated on DFCI Consortium ALL regimens, elevated BMI was associated with increased toxicity, increased NRM, and decreased OS. The deleterious effect of elevated BMI was more pronounced in older AYAs.

CAR T-Cell Therapy in the Older Person: Indications and Risks

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Validated metrics to optimize older adult patient selection for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy (CART) are lacking; however, some preliminary data suggests that geriatric assessments and cumulative illness rating score may be useful tools. In addition, interventions capable of enhancing outcomes in older adults receiving CART have yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this review is to present data extrapolating from other diseases and therapeutic modalities, related to product selection, toxicity mitigation strategies, comprehensive coordinated models of care, and functional optimization of patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most robust data in older adults are among relapsed and refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients where three products are available with the longest clinical follow up and the most abundant real-world evidence (RWE). Data for the approved CART products for follicular lymphoma (FL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are relatively new and RWE is lacking in general. Data for CART products in multiple myeloma (MM) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) are even more recent, but preliminary data in older adults seem to follow the trend of excellent efficacy in this age group with age-stratified toxicity data limited. Landmark trials and RWE studies indicate that the high response rates of CART for older adult patients, age 65 years and older, are maintained, while toxicity may be amplified. Clinically important toxicities include grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, and infections.

Innovative Approaches to the Management of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Across the Age Spectrum

Adults compose nearly half of all patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and historically have had poor survival compared with pediatric patients. Recently approved therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, CAR T-cell constructs, and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have improved survival in relapsed and refractory ALL, and studies are now examining incorporating these treatments and others into the upfront setting. In adolescent and young adult patients, use of pediatric-based regimens has already improved survival compared with historical controls, and the addition of monoclonal antibodies, such as inotuzumab ozogamicin and blinatumomab, may further enhance this survival benefit. In older adults, approaches have centered on minimizing conventional chemotherapy to decrease toxicity by incorporating monoclonal antibodies and other novel therapies to increase efficacy. With the addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to chemotherapy for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL, survival of this once poor-prognosis ALL subtype now approaches or exceeds outcomes of other subtypes of adult ALL. Further refinements in the backbone treatment regimen and optimal consolidation approaches will likely improve survival further. Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant was previously routinely used as consolidation for adults with ALL, incorporation of measurable residual disease and other risk stratification strategies has enabled better identification of patients who will benefit from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Ongoing clinical trials investigating these approaches will continue the evolution of treatment approaches for adults with ALL, with further improvement in outcomes anticipated.