Shift of N-MYC Oncogene Expression in AML Patients Carrying the FLT3-ITD Mutation

Mutations in the FLT3 gene not only lead to abnormalities in its structure and function, but also affect the expression of other genes involved in leukemogenesis. This study evaluated the expression of genes that are more characteristic of neuroblastoma but less studied in leukemia. N-MYC oncogene expression was found to be more than 3-fold higher in primary AML patients carrying the FLT3-ITD mutation compared to carriers of other mutations as well as patients with normal karyotype (p = 0.03946). In contrast to the expression of several genes (C-MYC, SPT16, AURKA, AURKB) directly correlated to the allelic load of FLT3-ITD, the expression of the N-MYC oncogene is extremely weakly related or independent of it (p = 0.0405). Monitoring of N-MYC expression in some patients with high FLT3-ITD allelic load receiving therapy showed that a decrease in FLT3-ITD allelic load is not always accompanied by a decrease in N-MYC expression. On the contrary, N-MYC expression may remain elevated during the first three months after therapy, which is additional evidence of the emergence of resistance to therapy and progression of AML.

Strategies to Circumvent the Side-Effects of Immunotherapy Using Allogeneic CAR-T Cells and Boost Its Efficacy: Results of Recent Clinical Trials

Despite the outstanding results of treatment using autologous chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) in hematological malignancies, this approach is endowed with several constraints. In particular, profound lymphopenia in some patients and the inability to manufacture products with predefined properties or set of cryopreserved batches of cells directed to different antigens in advance. Allogeneic CAR-T cells have the potential to address these issues but they can cause life-threatening graft-versus-host disease or have shorter persistence due to elimination by the host immune system. Novel strategies to create an “off the shelf” allogeneic product that would circumvent these limitations are an extensive area of research. Here we review CAR-T cell products pioneering an allogeneic approach in clinical trials.

Comparing the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System low-, intermediate-1-, intermediate-2-, and high-risk myelofibrosis in JUMP, a Phase 3b, expanded-access study

Ruxolitinib, a potent Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor, has demonstrated durable improvements in patients with myelofibrosis. In this analysis of the Phase 3b JUMP study, which included patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of primary or secondary myelofibrosis, we assessed the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients stratified by Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) risk categories. Baseline characteristic data were available to assess DIPSS status for 1844 of the 2233 enrolled patients; 60, 835, 755, and 194 in the low‐, intermediate (Int)‐1‐, Int‐2‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively. Ruxolitinib was generally well tolerated across all risk groups, with an adverse‐event (AE) profile consistent with previous reports. The most common hematologic AEs were thrombocytopenia and anemia, with highest rates of Grade ≥3 events in high‐risk patients. Approximately, 73% of patients experienced ≥50% reductions in palpable spleen length at any point in the ≤24‐month treatment period, with highest rates in lower‐risk categories (low, 82.1%; Int‐1, 79.3%; Int‐2, 67.1%; high risk, 61.6%). Median time to spleen length reduction was 5.1 weeks and was shortest in lower‐risk patients. Across measures, 40%–57% of patients showed clinically meaningful symptom improvements, which were observed from 4 weeks after treatment initiation and maintained throughout the study. Overall survival (OS) was 92% at Week 72 and 75% at Week 240 (4.6 years). Median OS was longer for Int‐2‐risk than high‐risk patients (253.6 vs. 147.3 weeks), but not evaluable in low‐/Int‐1‐risk patients. By Week 240, progression‐free survival (PFS) and leukemia‐free survival (LFS) rates were higher in lower‐risk patients (PFS: low, 90%; Int‐1, 82%; Int‐2, 46%; high risk, 15%; LFS: low, 92%; Int‐1, 86%; Int‐2, 58%; high risk, 19%). Clinical benefit was seen across risk groups, with more rapid improvements in lower risk patients. Overall, this analysis indicates that ruxolitinib benefits lower‐risk DIPSS patients in addition to higher risk.

The myeloid sarcoma treated by Venetoclax with hypomethylating agent followed by stem cell transplantation: rare case report

BACKGROUND

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a very rare condition, develops both in patients with other hematological neoplasms, and as isolated tumor. MS of the gynecologic tract is extremely rare. An available literature data about diagnosis and management of MS is summarized in the article. The role of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and bone marrow transplantation in the treatment is discussed. Polychemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were suggested to be the optimal treatment strategy of MS of the gynecological tract. The use of new targeted agents results in promising clinical data.

CASE PRESENTATION

We are presenting a rare clinical case of a MS of the uterine cervix with concomitant bone marrow involvement and describe all the peculiarities of the clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient received chemotherapy followed by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The pre-transplant therapy allowed us to perform allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with the deepest response possible: complete PET-negative and MRD-negative remission of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

MS remains a subject of discussion regarding its diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The use of novel targeting agents can be perspective option for patient with extramedullary disease.

The EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) score is superior to the Sokal score for predicting survival in chronic myeloid leukemia

Prognostic scores support clinicians in selecting risk-adjusted treatments and in comparatively assessing different results. For patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), four baseline prognostic scores are commonly used. Our aim was to compare the prognostic performance of the scores and to arrive at an evidence-based score recommendation. In 2949 patients not involved in any score development, higher hazard ratios and concordance indices in any comparison demonstrated the best discrimination of long-term survival with the ELTS score. In a second step, of 5154 patients analyzed to investigate risk group classification differences, 23% (n = 1197) were allocated to high-risk by the Sokal score. Of the 1197 Sokal high-risk patients, 56% were non-high-risk according to the ELTS score and had a significantly more favorable long-term survival prognosis than the 526 high-risk patients according to both scores. The Sokal score identified too many patients as high-risk and relatively few (40%) as low-risk (versus 60% with the ELTS score). Inappropriate risk classification jeopardizes optimal treatment selection. The ELTS score outperformed the Sokal score, the Euro, and the EUTOS score regarding risk group discrimination. The recent recommendation of the European LeukemiaNet for preferred use of the ELTS score was supported with significant statistical evidence.

AB0025 B-CELL SUBSETS AS ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) are chronic complex disorders with an autoimmune background, multifactorial etiology, multiple circulating antinuclear antibodies and damage of various organs. SLE and pSS have several similar clinical and serological aspects; likewise, SLE and Sjögren’s syndrome may coexist (so-called secondary Sjögren’s syndrome). However, applied classification criteria do not differentiate SLE and pSS. It is known that humoral immunity plays significant part in pathogenesis of those diseases; hereby, we can expect imbalances in B cell subset frequencies during SLE and pSS.

Objectives:

To investigate clinical utility of B cell subsets in distinguish SLE and pSS during diagnosis.

Methods:

A total of 25 SLE patients, 25 SS patients and 49 healthy volunteers (HV) were included in the study. The diagnosis of SLE was performed according to the 2019 EULAR – ACR classification criteria, the diagnosis of pSS - according to the 2016 EULAR – ACR criteria. Phenotyping of blood B cell subsets was done using flow cytometry. Total peripheral blood B cells were identified using CD19 expression, distinct B cell subsets were characterized by IgD, CD38 and CD27 expression. All of the statistical analysis of data was performed with STATISTICA Version 12.0 Inc. (USA).

Results:

We evaluated the percentages of circulating B-cell subsets using three major classification schemes based on the relative co-expression of either IgD/CD38 (so-called “Bm1-Bm5” classification), IgD/CD27 and CD38/CD27. A discriminant analysis was performed for all B cell classifications. Analysis of CD38 and CD27 co-expression demonstrated most significant separation between patients with SLE and pSS (fig. 1). Moreover, discriminant analysis carried out by using a forward stepwise model demonstrated that the top significance was documented while assessing the percentage of plasmoblasts (CD27hiCD38hi), resting memory B-cells (CD27dimCD38low), mature active B-cells (CD27dimCD38dim), naive mature B-cells (CD27dimCD38low), as well as counting the absolute numbers of transitional B-cells (CD27lowCD38hi), model percent correct was 78,6% (p <0,05, tab.1).

Figure 1.

Graphic distribution of SLE and pSS patients as well as HV analyzed by discriminant analysis.

Conclusion:

B cell subsets might provide a useful diagnostic tool for distinction SLE and pSS. More research needed to investigate clinical value of B-cell subsets in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Table 1.

Peripheral B-cell subset composition in SLE and SS patients vs. HV group assessed by discriminant analysis.

ParameterF-testp-levelPlasmoblasts (CD27hiCD38hi), %7,93<0.001Resting memory B-cells (CD27dimCD38low), %13,72<0.001Transitional B-cells (CD27lowCD38hi)29,74<0.001Mature active B-cells (CD27dimCD38dim), %5,20<0.001Naive mature B-cells (CD27dimCD38low), %3,100.049Double negative (CD27lowCD38low), %1,980,14Resting memory B-cells (CD27dimCD38low)1,020,36Double negative (CD27lowCD38low)2,320,10Plasmoblasts (CD27hiCD38hi)1,020,36Naive mature B-cells (CD27dimCD38low)1,030,36Mature active B-cells (CD27dimCD38dim)1,020,36Transitional B-cells (CD27lowCD38hi), %1,030,36

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

European LeukemiaNet 2020 recommendations for treating chronic myeloid leukemia

The therapeutic landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has profoundly changed over the past 7 years. Most patients with chronic phase (CP) now have a normal life expectancy. Another goal is achieving a stable deep molecular response (DMR) and discontinuing medication for treatment-free remission (TFR). The European LeukemiaNet convened an expert panel to critically evaluate and update the evidence to achieve these goals since its previous recommendations. First-line treatment is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; imatinib brand or generic, dasatinib, nilotinib, and bosutinib are available first-line). Generic imatinib is the cost-effective initial treatment in CP. Various contraindications and side-effects of all TKIs should be considered. Patient risk status at diagnosis should be assessed with the new EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS)-score. Monitoring of response should be done by quantitative polymerase chain reaction whenever possible. A change of treatment is recommended when intolerance cannot be ameliorated or when molecular milestones are not reached. Greater than 10% BCR-ABL1 at 3 months indicates treatment failure when confirmed. Allogeneic transplantation continues to be a therapeutic option particularly for advanced phase CML. TKI treatment should be withheld during pregnancy. Treatment discontinuation may be considered in patients with durable DMR with the goal of achieving TFR.

Primary analysis of JUMP, a phase 3b, expanded-access study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis, including those with low platelet counts

Ruxolitinib is a potent Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis (MF). Ruxolitinib was assessed in JUMP, a large (N = 2233), phase 3b, expanded-access study in MF in countries without access to ruxolitinib outside a clinical trial, which included patients with low platelet counts (<100 × 10⁹ /l) and patients without splenomegaly - populations that have not been extensively studied. The most common adverse events (AEs) were anaemia and thrombocytopenia, but they rarely led to discontinuation (overall, 5·4%; low-platelet cohort, 12·3%). As expected, rates of worsening thrombocytopenia were higher in the low-platelet cohort (all grades, 73·2% vs. 53·5% overall); rates of anaemia were similar (all grades, 52·9% vs. 59·5%). Non-haematologic AEs, including infections, were mainly grade 1/2. Overall, ruxolitinib led to meaningful reductions in spleen length and symptoms, including in patients with low platelet counts, and symptom improvements in patients without splenomegaly. In this trial, the largest study of ruxolitinib in patients with MF to date, the safety profile was consistent with previous reports, with no new safety concerns identified. This study confirms findings from the COMFORT studies and supports the use of ruxolitinib in patients with platelet counts of 50-100 × 10⁹ /l. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01493414).

Obinutuzumab plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in previously untreated, fit patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a subgroup analysis of the GREEN study

GREEN (NCT01905943) is a nonrandomized, open-label, single-arm, phase 3b study investigating the safety and efficacy of obinutuzumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We report the preplanned subgroup analysis of 140 previously untreated, fit CLL patients who received obinutuzumab plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (G-FC). The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability. Efficacy was the secondary endpoint. Obinutuzumab 1000 mg was administered intravenously on Day (D)1 (dose split D1‒2), D8 and D15 of Cycle (C)1, and D1 of C2-6 (28-day cycles). Standard intravenous/oral doses of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide were administered on D1-3 of C1-6. Overall, 87.1% of patients experienced grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs), including neutropenia (67.1%) and thrombocytopenia (17.1%). Serious AEs were experienced by 42.1% of patients. Rates of grade ≥ 3 infusion-related reactions and infections were 19.3% and 15.7%, respectively. Overall response rate was observed in 90.0%, with 46.4% of patients achieving complete response (CR; including CR with incomplete marrow recovery). Minimal residual disease negativity rates were 64.3% in peripheral blood and 35.7% in bone marrow (intent-to-treat analysis). After a median observation time of 25.6 months, 2 year progression-free survival was 91%. Frontline G-FC represents a promising treatment option for fit patients with CLL.

P694Evaluation of preclinical atherosclerosis in chronic myeloid patients continuously treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Patients and method

In our study 126pts with CML obtained TKIs as any line at least 6mos were included. Males were 56 (44,5%). The median age was 52 (20–76)yrs. Pts with previous history of atherosclerotic CV events were excluded. There were 115 (91%), 61 (48%), 48 (38%), 12 (11%) pts ever obtained Imatinib (IMA), Nilotinib (NILO), Dasatinib (DASA) or Bosutinib (BOSU) with median treatment duration 22mos, 14mos, 16mos and 15,5mos, respectively. Median time since the first TKI was 48 mos. There are 79, 46, 12 pts obtained 2, 3 or 4 TKIs.

To assess PA ankle-brachial index (ABI) and intima media thickness (IMT) were measured. To evaluate ABI Vascular Screening System VaSera VS-1500 was used. Normal values for ABI and IMT were >0,9 and ≤1,1.

Results

ABI was abnormally low in 14/108 (13%) evaluable pts. Previous TKIs of IMA, NILO, DASA and BOSU were in 12 (86%) and 87 (93%), 9 (64%) and 41 (43%), 5 (35%) and 29 (31%), 1 (7%) and 9 (10%) pts with or w/t low ABI. All NILO its were pretreated with IMA. Only 2 pts previously obtained other TKIs. Median time on NILO was 23 mos and 15mos in pts with or w/t abnormal ABI, respectively. Median age for pts with or w/t low ABI was 53 and 52 yrs. The proportion of male pts were lower in abnormal vs normal ABI group – 29% and 44%. In NILO group 2 pts were male and median age for all pts was 51yrs.

IMT was evaluable in 86 pts. The median value of IMT was 0,8mm for all pts. It was abnormal in 12 (14%) pts with median thickness 1,3mm. All pts previously ever obtained IMA. NILO, DASA and BOSU were exposed in 5 (42%) and 33 (46%), 5 (42%) and 23 (31%), 1 (8%) and 7 (10%) pts with or w/t IMT abnormalities. The proportion of males was 4 (33%) and 34 (46%) among pts with or w/t abnormal IMT. Pts with high vs normal IMT were older with median age 64 vs 44yrs.

TKIs2 were ever obtained in 13/14 (93%) and 11/12 (92%)pts with abnormal ABI and IMT< respectively. Both ABI and IMT were abnormal only in 4 pts.

Heart SCORE was high and very high only in 18/80 (22,5%) pts. Median age for low vs high risk pts were much lower (40 vs 52yrs). There were no differences between treatment groups according to SCORE distribution.

Overall 9/50 (18%) and 3/32 (9%), 5/38 (13%) and 3/28 (11%)pts on NILO and DASA, had abnormal ABI and IMT.

Conclusion

CML pts heavily pretreated with different TKIs were included In the study. The most pts with abnormal ABI and IMT have ever been obtaining TKIs2. Pts with NILO more frequently experienced low ABI. There were not significant differences among TKIs groups regarding heart SCORE or IMT. It seems that extended PA is low on TKIs including NILO in CML pts w/t previous SVEs.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded from government assignment

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation in prepubertal patients with oncological diseases: multidisciplinary approach and outcomes

In children with cancer, the issues related to the quality of life are becoming increasingly important together with the improvement of survival rates. This creates an entirely new challenge - minimizing the toxicity of the antitumor therapy without reducing its effectiveness. One of the specific side effects of the antitumor therapy is gonadotoxicity, which negatively affects both the somatic and mental state of the survivors. Since ovarian stimulation is ineffective in prepubertal patients, ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) remains the most promising option to preserve fertility. The primary goal of this publication is to emphasize the importance of the reproductive health problem in girls with oncological diseases, with a description of the current data of international literature on the prospects of OTC in order to preserve fertility. Another goal is to present a multidisciplinary strategy for the management of prepubertal age patients with the oncological disease within the framework of the Oncological Fertility Project at Almazov National Medical Research Center. Based on the data of Russian and international literature, as well as existing guidelines and recommendations on reproductive health, a single algorithm for selecting patients has been developed, considering the expected gonadal toxicity for the use of the OTC in prepubertal girls. The developed algorithm allows identifying patients of prepubertal age, requiring the use of new possibilities of reproductive technologies. In a long-term date, we are planning to evaluate the effectiveness of the orthotopic reimplantation technique of the cryopreserved ovarian tissue in restoring the reproductive function. A multidisciplinary team of specialists and the possibilities of the Federal Center facilitate implementing the Oncofertility Program in routine practice for girls and young women, receiving gonadotoxic treatment.

The biological basis and clinical symptoms of CAR-T therapy-associated toxicites

Currently, immunotherapy is attracting a lot of attention and may potentially become a leading approach in the treatment of cancer. One emerging therapeutic, the chimeric-antigen receptor T-cell adoptive immunotherapy (CAR-T) is showing remarkable efficacy in the treatment of several B-cell malignancies. The popularity of CAR-T has been founded on two CAR T-cell products recently approved by FDA (during 2017) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. However, their toxicities observed in clinical trials were extremely significant and in some cases even fatal with no approved algorithms for toxicity prediction being available to date. A deeper understanding of the biological basis of such complications is the key to prompt and comprehensive clinical management. Here we review the wide spectrum of effects associated with CAR T cell therapy with a major focus on the pathogenesis of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity as the most common, potentially life-threatening effects of this treatment. We discuss the basis of clinical management and the existing models that predict the severity of toxicity, as well as the key factors that modulate this event. Finally, we will summarize the literature detailing universal allogenic CAR T-cells and their toxicity profile.

Lenalidomide maintenance therapy in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CONTINUUM): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of lenalidomide as maintenance therapy after chemotherapy-based second-line therapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is unknown. Although kinase inhibitors can improve outcomes for some patients with relapsed and refractory disease, not all patients have access to these novel drugs. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide as maintenance therapy in patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

METHODS

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (CONTINUUM) was done at 111 hospitals, medical centres, and clinics in 21 countries. Patients were eligible if they had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; were aged 18 years or older; had been treated with two lines of therapy (with at least a partial response after second-line therapy); had received a purine analogue, bendamustine, anti-CD20 antibody, chlorambucil, or alemtuzumab as first-line or second-line treatment; and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0-2. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive voice-response system to receive either oral lenalidomide (2·5 mg/day) or matching oral placebo capsules (2·5 mg/day) for 28-day cycles, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Lenalidomide dose escalation (to 5 mg or 10 mg per day) was permitted if the drug was well tolerated. Patients, investigators, and those completing data analyses were masked to treatment allocation. Randomisation was stratified by age, response to second-line therapy, and prognostic factors. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival; the primary endpoint was later changed to overall survival after the data cutoff for this analysis. Secondary endpoints were time from randomisation to second disease progression or death (PFS2),³² tumour response (improvement in response and duration of response), safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Efficacy analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00774345, and is closed to accrual, but follow-up is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 16, 2009 and Sept 29, 2015, 314 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either lenalidomide (n=160) or placebo (n=154). With a median follow-up of 31·5 months (IQR 18·9-50·8), there was no significant difference in overall survival between the lenalidomide and the placebo groups (median 70·4 months, 95% CI 57·5-not estimable [NE] vs NE, 95% CI 62·8-NE; hazard ratio [HR] 0·96, 95% CI 0·63-1·48; p=0·86). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in the lenalidomide group (median 33·9 months, 95% CI 25·5-52·5) than in the placebo group (9·2 months, 7·4-13·6; HR 0·40, 95% CI 0·29-0·55; p<0·0001). PFS2 was significantly longer in the lenalidomide group than in the placebo group (median 57·5 months [47·7-NE] vs 32·7 months [26·4-49·0]; HR 0·46, 95% CI 0·29-0·70; p<0·01). Improved responses from baseline were observed in ten (6%) of 160 lenalidomide-treated patients versus four (3%) of 154 placebo-treated patients (p=0·12). Median time to improved response was 12·2 weeks (IQR 7·2-22·5) in the lenalidomide group versus 76·3 weeks (20·2-182·6) in the placebo group. Duration of improved response was not estimable in either group (95% CI 22·9-NE in the lenalidomide group vs NE-NE for placebo). There were no clinically meaningful differences in HRQoL between lenalidomide-treated patients and placebo-treated patients, as measured by FACT-Leu and EQ-5D, during maintenance treatment. In the safety population, the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (94 [60%] of 157 patients in the lenalidomide group vs 35 [23%] of 154 patients in the placebo group), thrombocytopenia (26 [17%] vs ten [6%]), and diarrhoea (13 [8%] vs one [<1%]). There were five fatal adverse events (three [2%] patients in the lenalidomide group and two [1%] patients in the placebo group).

INTERPRETATION

Lenalidomide might delay time to subsequent therapy and does not adversely affect response to subsequent therapy. Chemoimmunotherapy followed by lenalidomide maintenance could be an effective treatment option for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who do not have access to kinase inhibitors.

FUNDING

Celgene Corporation.

Standard of care and direct medical costs of the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia among the adult population in Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan: data from the LEUKOSPECT study

Purpose

The LEUKOSPECT study aimed to describe health service utilization and to estimate the direct medical costs (DMCs) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2013 in the adult population of three post-Soviet countries – Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. As oncologic medical care is provided by federal state-owned, specialized medical institutions, the cost estimation in this study primarily informs from a state budget perspective. Patients’ contributions to medical costs were not included in the cost evaluation.

Patients and methods

This was a multinational, multicenter, retrospective study conducted in eight specialized centers (four in Russia, three in Ukraine, and one in Kazakhstan). The investigators captured data from the medical documents of all adult patients with an established CLL diagnosis before December 31, 2013, and who made at least one visit to their respective center between January 1 and December 31, 2013.

Results

A total of 319 adult CLL patients were enrolled (124 in Kazakhstan, 106 in Russia, and 89 in Ukraine). In 2013, the DMCs of CLL management (without CLL therapy) were €215.40 in Kazakhstan, €1,342.20 in Russia, and €13,260.70 in Ukraine. Hospitalizations formed the largest proportion of total cost: 18.1%, 23.1%, and 40.4%, respectively. The mean cost of CLL medical treatment was €13,580.60 (Russia), €399.40 (Kazakhstan), and €7,453.00 (Ukraine).

Conclusion

CLL treatment standards varied across the selected countries; higher usage of biologic therapy was noted in Russia. Future research is needed to assess DMCs which include CLL treatment, which is another essential factor contributing to CLL DMCs.

Bosutinib efficacy and safety in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia after imatinib resistance or intolerance: Minimum 24-month follow-up

Bosutinib is an orally active, dual Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) following resistance/intolerance to prior therapy. Here, we report the data from the 2-year follow-up of a phase 1/2 open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of bosutinib as second-line therapy in 288 patients with chronic phase CML resistant (n = 200) or intolerant (n = 88) to imatinib. The cumulative response rates to bosutinib were as follows: 85% achieved/maintained complete hematologic response, 59% achieved/maintained major cytogenetic response (including 48% with complete cytogenetic response), and 35% achieved major molecular response. Responses were durable, with 2-year estimates of retaining response >70%. Two-year probabilities of progression-free survival and overall survival were 81% and 91%, respectively. The most common toxicities were primarily gastrointestinal adverse events (diarrhea [84%], nausea [45%], vomiting [37%]), which were primarily mild to moderate, typically transient, and first occurred early during treatment. Thrombocytopenia was the most common grade 3/4 hematologic laboratory abnormality (24%). Outcomes were generally similar among imatinib-resistant and imatinib-intolerant patients and did not differ with age. The longer-term results of the present analysis confirm that bosutinib is an effective and tolerable second-line therapy for patients with imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant chronic phase CML. http://ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00261846. Am. J. Hematol. 89:732–742, 2014. © 2014 The Authors American Journal of Hematology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BELA trial update: Bosutinib (BOS) versus imatinib (IM) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP CML) after 30 months of follow-up

6512

Background: The BELA study compared the efficacy and safety of BOS (dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor) with IM in newly diagnosed CP CML. Methods: 502 pts with newly diagnosed CP CML were randomized to BOS 500 mg/d (n = 250) or IM 400 mg/d (n = 252) and stratified by Sokal risk group and geographic region. Efficacy analyses included all randomized pts (ITT); safety analyses included all treated pts (BOS, n = 248; IM, n = 251). Data described below are for ≥24 mo of follow-up; updated data for ≥30 mo of follow-up will be presented. Results: Median treatment duration was 27.5 mo in both cohorts; 63% of BOS pts and 71% of IM pts were still receiving treatment. The primary reason for BOS discontinuation was a treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE; 24% vs 7% with IM); the primary reason for IM discontinuation was disease progression (13% vs 4% with BOS). Cumulative complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) rates by 24 mo were 79% for BOS and 80% for IM. Cumulative major molecular response (MMR) rates by 24 mo were 59% for BOS and 49% for IM (P = 0.019), including 16% and 12% of pts with complete molecular response (4.0-log sensitivity). On-treatment transformation to accelerated/blast phase occurred in 4 (2%) BOS pts and 13 (5%) IM pts. Deaths were reported for 7 BOS pts (6 due to CML progression) and 13 IM pts (10 due to CML progression); 24-mo Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimates were 97% (BOS) and 95% (IM). BOS was associated with higher incidences of gastrointestinal events than IM (diarrhea [70% vs 25%], vomiting [32% vs 16%]; primarily transient), but lower incidences of edema (13% vs 40%) and musculoskeletal events (cramps [4% vs 22%], bone pain [4% vs 10%]). Grade ≥3 TEAEs in ≥2% of BOS or IM pts were diarrhea (12% vs 1%), vomiting (3% vs 0%), and rash (2% vs 1%). Grade ≥3 lab abnormalities (≥15% of pts) with BOS and IM were neutropenia (10% vs 24%), thrombocytopenia (14% vs 15%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (23% vs 4%), and hypophosphatemia (6% vs 20%). Conclusions: BOS was effective for newly diagnosed CP CML and had a distinct toxicity profile. With continued follow-up both on-treatment transformation to accelerated/blast phase and overall survival continue to favor BOS versus IM.

Children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia have similar gene expression profiles

OBJECTIVES

To compare the gene expression pattern in children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in order to improve our understanding of the difference in disease biology and prognosis.

METHODS

The gene expression profiles in diagnostic samples from 29 children and 15 adults with ALL were analysed using the oligonucleotide chip Hu95ver2a, produced by Affymetrix.

RESULTS

Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that, in spite of differences in outcome, patients clustered irrespective of age, first by T-cell or B-precursor immunophenotype, and second by cytogenetic changes within the B-precursor group. The expression pattern analysis allowed the reclassification of some samples into the proper cytogenetic group. We also showed that separate clustering of samples with the BCR/ABL translocation could be explained by different breakpoint regions in the BCR. No significant difference in gene expression was observed between samples with and without CDKN2A deletion within the B-precursor group. Analysis of different age groups revealed a similarity in expression profiles when infants with the MLL translocation and adults over 40 yr of age were compared irrespective of karyotype.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of the difference in clinical outcome, the gene expression pattern in children and adults with ALL is very similar and is primarily dependent on immunophenotype and cytogenetic aberrations. However, when age groups are compared, the expression patterns of infants and adults over 40 show a remarkable similarity.