Guadecitabine (SGI-110): an investigational drug for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia

Introduction: The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is increasing with the aging population. Prognosis and overall survival (OS) remain poor in elderly patients and in those not eligible for intensive treatment. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have played an important role in this group of patients but their efficacy is limited. Areas covered: This article reviews the mechanism of action, pharmacology, safety profile and clinical efficacy of subcutaneous guadecitabine, a second-generation DNA methylation inhibitor in development for the treatment of AML and MDS. Expert opinion: Although guadecitabine did not yield improved complete remission (CR) rates and OS compared to the control arm in patients with treatment-naïve AML who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, subgroup analysis in patients who received ≥4 cycles of therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in favor of guadecitabine. Given its stability, ease of administration, safety profile and prolonged exposure time, guadecitabine would be the more appropriate HMA, replacing azacitidine and decitabine, to be used combination treatment regimens in patients with myeloid malignancies.

Prognostic impact of the adverse molecular-genetic profile on long-term outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia

The impact of adverse risk genetic profiles on outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) has not been fully elucidated. Accordingly, we have profiled somatic mutations at diagnosis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 178 AML patients who received allogeneic HCT. NGS revealed 598 somatic mutations in 165/178 patients (92.7%). Frequently mutated genes include DNMT3A, TET2, NPM1, RUNX1, IDH2, and FLT3. Commonly detected cytogenetic profiles include normal karyotype, trisomy 8, monosomal karyotype (MK), deletion 5, complex karyotype (CK), and monosomy 7. In univariate analyses, TP53 mutation, MK, CK, and monosomy 7 were associated with decreased overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and a higher relapse incidence (RI). We defined adverse molecular-genetic profile as harboring at least one of the molecular/genetic abnormalities of TP53 mutation, MK, CK, monosomy 7, and deletion 5. The patients harboring adverse molecular-genetic profile (n = 30) showed a lower 2-year OS (24.9% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.003), RFS (23.7% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.002), and higher RI (47.2% and 17.2%; p = 0.001) after HCT when compared to patients without those lesions. Multivariate analysis confirmed adverse molecular-genetic profile as an independent prognostic factor, associated with decreased OS (HR 2.19), RFS (HR 2.23), and higher RI (HR 2.94).

Invasive Mold Infections in FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

BACKGROUND

The incidence and risk factors for invasive mold infections (IMI) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients carrying FLT3 mutations have not been addressed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort included FLT3-mutated AML patients (2008-2018). Primary outcome was IMI incidence within 6 months after first induction or salvage therapy.

RESULTS

We included 108 patients receiving fluconazole or micafungin prophylaxis. IMI incidence after induction and salvage therapy was 4.8% and 14.8%, respectively, and did not differ between patients receiving 3+7 regimen or 3+7 plus midostaurin (4.3% vs 4.5%). In a bivariate analysis, age (odds ratio, 1.11; P = .027) and FLT3 ITD mutation (odds ratio, 0.05; P = .023) were independently associated with IMI after induction chemotherapy. Gilteritinib was more frequently prescribed in patients with relapsed/refractory disease who developed IMI (50% vs 27.3%, P = .563).

CONCLUSION

FLT3 ITD mutation may be a preventive factor for IMI. Neither midostaurin nor salvage gilteritinib significantly increased the risk of IMI in this population.

Outcome of adolescents and young adult acute myeloid leukemia patients compared with middle-aged patients: A single centre retrospective experience

Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients under the age of 60 often receive similar intensive treatments, while outcomes between the adolescent and young adult (AYA) age group (18-39) and middle-aged adults (40-60 years) were seldom reported. We aim to study the characteristics and outcomes of AYA patients in comparison to middle-aged adults. A retrospective analysis was performed on AYA patients treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Center between 2008 and 2018. The primary outcomes include overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and non-relapse mortality (NRM). A total of 174 AYA patients and 176 middle-aged patients were included, with propensity score matching adjusting for potential major confounders. Comparing AYA and middle-aged patients, 5-year OS rates were similar at 54.6 % vs. 56.5 % (p=0.91), CIR rates at 29.5 % vs. 23.1 % (p=0.31), and similar NRM rates. Notably, non-transplanted AYA patients had a significantly higher CIR (39.8 %) compared to middle-aged patients (19.6 %) (p=0.0324), with more primary refractory/early relapsing disease. An observed trend toward improved OS in AYA patients post-2015 coincided with FLAG-IDA and haploidentical transplant implementations. In conclusion, the study suggests that AYA patients, particularly those not undergoing transplantation, may benefit from more intensive treatment strategies, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in this age group.