Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on peripheral blood smears for monitoring Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) during interferon treatment: a new strategy for remission assessment

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) alone or in combination with cytostatic drugs can induce major and durable cytogenetic responses in about 20 to 25% of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Since these patients have a significant survival benefit, more frequent follow-up investigations have become clinically important but require bone marrow (BM) aspirates. The aim of our study was to evaluate interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (IPF) on peripheral blood (PB) smears as a rapid and reliable method to quantify Ph-positive myeloid cells. IPF analysis was performed on 49 PB samples from 36 patients in the chronic phase of CML and at different stages of cytogenetic remission. IPF results of 30 PB samples were compared with those from BM aspirates simultaneously obtained from the same patients to evaluate the correlation of Ph-positive cells. Further, the hypermetaphase FISH (HMF) technique was performed on cultured BM preparations of 31 patients for comparison with IPF results on PB. An excellent correlation was observed between the IPF results obtained on PB and BM samples (r = 0.98, y = x - 0.6, p < 0.0001). The mean difference between HMF from BM, on the one hand, and IPF from PB, on the other hand, was 3.2% (SD = +/- 8.4%). Seventy percent of samples were identically classified in one of the four subgroups of cytogenetic response. Thirty percent were classified in neighbouring response groups. We conclude that FISH performed on PB is a rapid and reliable method for assessing the cytogenetic response of CML patients on IFN-alpha based therapies, allowing more frequent and less invasive follow-up investigations although it is not able entirely to replace routine analysis of BM.

An aggressive subtype of B-CLL is characterized by strong CD44 expression and lack of CD11c

In a retrospective study based on 107 B-CLL patients, the expression of the adhesion molecules CD44, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18, CD25 and CD54 was analysed in bone marrow cryostat sections by immunohistochemistry. CD44 expression clearly identified two subgroups of B-CLL patients with different clinical course. In particular, CD44-positive patients presented with advanced disease, more often displayed a diffuse pattern of bone marrow infiltration, and had a worse prognosis. 33/61 patients positive for CD44 died within the observation period compared to 7/46 patients negative for CD44 (P = 0.0012). Multivariate analysis emphasized the independent prognostic value of CD44 expression for overall survival (P = 0.022). In contrast, patients positive for CD11c showed a longer survival, with 9/40 patients dying within the observation period compared to 31/67 negative for CD11c (P = 0.0013). Patients lacking CD11c were in advanced Rai and Binet stage. Multivariate analysis confirmed CD11c as a relevant independent prognostic marker (P = 0.033). Moreover, CD11c was able to separate patients with significantly different prognosis in the subgroup of CD44-positive cases. 4/18 patients positive for CD44 and CD11c died before median survival time was reached. Patients positive for CD44 but negative for CD11c had an adverse prognosis: 29/43 patients died, median survival time was 33.4 months. Our results indicate that CD44 positivity and CD11c negativity are associated with more advanced disease and worse prognosis in B-CLL and suggest CD44-positive/CD11c-negative cases represent a more aggressive form of the disease.

CD44 isoforms are differentially regulated in plasma cell dyscrasias and CD44v9 represents a new independent prognostic parameter in multiple myeloma

To evaluate the role of CD44 variant isoforms (CD44v) in plasma cell dyscrasias, CD44v expression was analysed in bone marrow (BM) biopsies of multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients, in biopsies of soft tissue infiltration by MM and in extramedullary plasmacytoma samples. Expression of CD44 isoforms containing the 3v, 4v, 6v or 10v domain was observed in 15, 7, 13 and 5% of 87 samples from 49 consecutive MM cases, but could not be detected in ten normal persons or 11 MGUS patients. In contrast, CD44v9 revealed a broader pattern of expression and was observed in plasma cells in three out of ten normal persons and in three out of 11 MGUS cases. In MM, CD44v9 was detected in 32 out of 87 samples (37%) of BM infiltrates and was associated with an advanced Durie and Salmon stage (P<0.03), a progressive disease (P<0.01) and an IgA subtype (P<0.01). Furthermore, CD44v9 expression was observed in three out of five cases of MM soft tissue infiltrates, was often upregulated during disease progression, was significantly correlated with a shorter overall survival (P<0.03) and emerged as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (stage: relative risk 1.36, P<0.02; CD44v9 expression: relative risk 1.45, P<0.04). These results substantiate the clinical relevance of CD44v domains in plasma cell disorders and establish CD44v9 as a new independent prognostic parameter in MM.

Vitamin D supplementation in cutaneous malignant melanoma outcome (ViDMe): a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have investigated the protective effect of vitamin D serum levels, at diagnosis and during the follow-up period after treatment, on melanoma outcome. In the present study we assess whether vitamin D supplementation, in the follow-up period after diagnosis and surgical resection of the primary tumor, has a protective effect on relapse of cutaneous malignant melanoma and whether this protective effect correlates with vitamin D levels in serum and Vitamin D Receptor immunoreactivity in the primary tumor.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study is a multicenter randomized double blind placebo- controlled phase III trial. Patients between the age of 18 and 80 years diagnosed and treated surgically for a melanoma stage IB-III are eligible for randomization in a 1:1 ratio to active treatment or placebo. The study drug is taken each month and consists of either 100,000 International Unit cholecalciferol or arachidis oleum raffinatum used as a placebo. The primary endpoint is relapse free survival. The secondary endpoints are 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 serum levels at diagnosis and at 6 month intervals, melanoma subtype, melanoma site and stage of melanoma at diagnosis according to the 2009 American Joint Committee on Cancer melanoma staging and classification. At randomization a bloodsample is taken for DNA analysis. The study is approved by the local Ethics Committees.

DISCUSSION

If we can confirm our hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation after removal of the tumor has a protective effect on relapse of cutaneous malignant melanoma we may reduce the burden of CMM at several levels. Patients, diagnosed with melanoma may have a better clinical outcome and improved quality of life. There will be a decrease in health care costs related to treatment of metastatic disease and there will be a decrease in loss of professional years, which will markedly reduce the economic burden of the disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trial.gov, NCT01748448 , 05/12/2012.

Treatment of patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia with interferon-alpha-2b and continuous oral cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01): a pilot study

The efficacy of continuous oral cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01) (300 mg/day) in combination with interferon alpha (IFNalpha, 5x10(6) IU/day) was evaluated in patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia, who previously failed to respond to IFNalpha-based therapies. Dose escalations up to 900 mg YNK01 were allowed in patients who failed to respond. In view of our results, four patients developed a complete hematological response after YNK01 was started. Among those who initially responded to YNK01, one complete cytogenetic response was achieved 18 months later. Although the data are preliminary, this is the first study showing that continuous administration of YNK01 along with IFNalpha is effective in patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Cemiplimab for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in kidney transplant recipients

Background

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at increased risk of cancer due to chronic immunosuppression. Non-melanoma skin cancer has an excess risk of approximately 250 times higher than the general population. Moreover, in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) these cancers have a more aggressive behavior, with an increased risk of metastasis and death. Cemiplimab, a human monoclonal IgG4 antibody against programmed cell death (PD-1) has shown considerable clinical activity in metastatic and locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in patients for whom no widely accepted standard of care exists. Cemiplimab has therefore been approved since 2018 for the treatment of advanced cSCC. However, data regarding the use of cemiplimab in SOTR and particularly in KTR are scarce and based on published case reports and small case series. In this study, we report on the real-life outcome of cemiplimab use in a Belgian cohort of seven KTR suffering from advanced cSCC.

Objective

To report on the overall response rate (ORR) and safety of cemiplimab in KTR in Belgium.

Results

Seven patients suffering from advanced cSCC, treated with cemiplimab, between 2018 and 2022, in Belgium were identified. Three patients were on corticosteroid monotherapy, one patient on tacrolimus monotherapy and three patients were on at least 2 immunosuppressants at start of cemiplimab. The ORR was 42.8%, stable disease was seen in 14.3% and progressive disease was found in 42.8% of the patients, respectively. The median administered number of cycles was 12, interquartile range (IQR) 25-75 [3.5 - 13.5]. All patients were treated with surgery before administration of cemiplimab, 71.4% received additional radiotherapy and only 1 patient was treated with chemotherapy prior to receiving cemiplimab. Biopsy-proven acute renal allograft rejection was observed in one patient, who eventually lost his graft function but showed a complete tumor response to treatment. Low grade skin toxicity was seen in one patient of the cohort.

Conclusion

The present case series shows that the use of cemiplimab in KTR with advanced cSCC who failed to respond to previous surgery, chemo - and/or radiotherapy treatment is associated with an ORR of 42.8% with minimal risk of graft rejection (14.3%) and good tolerance.

Detection and quantitation of genetically marked acute myeloid leukemia by competitive polymerase chain reaction after autologous bone marrow transplantation: a preclinical model for minimal residual disease

Preclinical models and methods aimed at detecting and quantitating minimal residual disease (MRD) after autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) could facilitate assessment of innovative therapeutic strategies for their antileukemic potential. Among the various techniques exploited to identify MRD, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) proved to be a valuable tool in instances in which clonogeneic markers are involved during the evolution of disease. In human AML, however, detection of MRD by PCR is limited to a minority of subgroups, as clonospecific markers are absent or presently unknown. Although gene labeling has proved to be efficient in detecting marker-devoid leukemia cells in preclinical models, detection and quantitation by PCR have not yet been considered. We therefore developed an experimental model in which detection and quantitation of genetically marked murine AML cells are based on a highly sensitive two-step nested PCR and competitive PCR protocol, respectively. We further demonstrated its applicability to a murine syngeneic BMT model that was designed to monitor minimal numbers of gene-tagged AML cells at various time intervals after transplantation. Our results showed that detection and quantitation could reproducibly be achieved at levels as low as one in 10(6) and 10(5) cells, respectively.

Transplantation of IL-2-transduced murine bone marrow is associated with dose-dependent toxicity

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene-transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells or cytotoxic function and systemic toxicity following syngeneic bone marrow transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Marrow of 5-fluorouracil pretreated donor mice were transfected with a retroviral vector containing the murine IL-2 gene and transplanted into lethally irradiated syngeneic hosts.

RESULTS

Productive insertion of the IL-2 gene could be demonstrated at various intervals post-transplant without impairment of hematopoietic engraftment. Endogenously augmented IL-2 release resulted in a selective increase in CD4(+), CD8(+), and NK1.1(+) population in spleen and bone marrow, as well as significant cytolytic activity against syngeneic leukemia cells in vitro. Our results also illustrate the interdependence among the magnitude of systemic IL-2 levels, the number of IL-2-transduced cells in the transplant inoculum, and the appearance of systemic toxicity. Infusion of marrow transduced with high-titer, high-expressing IL-2 retrovirus resulted in significant morbidity and mortality in the recipients. Our studies demonstrate that mortality was secondary to severe lymphocytic infiltration of liver and lung, which was associated with increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular adhesion molecule-1. Reducing the number of IL-2-transduced cells in the bone marrow inoculum, however, resulted in significantly improved survival with no adverse events being evident during the post-transplant period.

CONCLUSION

Delivery of IL-2 to the bone marrow can be achieved by transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic cells, however, the overall feasibility is strongly influenced by the number of transduced cells in the bone marrow inocolum and/or the expression pattern of IL-2 in vivo.

Skin Implant Metastasis after Percutaneous Radio-Frequency Therapy of Liver Metastasis of a Colorectal Carcinoma

Percutaneous radio-frequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumors has been reported to be an effective approach. Skin implant metastases have been described after RFA of hepatocellular carcinoma. A 56-year-old man underwent resection of the transverse colon for an adenocarcinoma (pT3N2M0) following by adjuvant chemotherapy. He developed multiple liver metastases and underwent RFA. Six weeks after RFA, the patient noticed a painful skin lesion at the entrance side of the probe in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography scan revealed an intracutaneous tumor of 2-cm diameter. The tumor was excised and revealed a metastasis of the previously described adenocarcinoma. CPT-11 monotherapy was started; however, due to tumor progression, the patient died 35 months after colonic resection and 10 months after RFA. This is the first case of an implant skin metastasis after RFA of secondary liver tumors. Although RFA is a promising option in the palliation of such tumors, such rare complications have to be considered.

Skin implant metastasis after percutaneous radio-frequency therapy of liver metastasis of a colorectal carcinoma

Percutaneous radio-frequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumors has been reported to be an effective approach. Skin implant metastases have been described after RFA of hepatocellular carcinoma. A 56-year-old man underwent resection of the transverse colon for an adenocarcinoma (pT3N2M0) following by adjuvant chemotherapy. He developed multiple liver metastases and underwent RFA. Six weeks after RFA, the patient noticed a painful skin lesion at the entrance side of the probe in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography scan revealed an intracutaneous tumor of 2-cm diameter. The tumor was excised and revealed a metastasis of the previously described adenocarcinoma. CPT-11 monotherapy was started; however, due to tumor progression, the patient died 35 months after colonic resection and 10 months after RFA. This is the first case of an implant skin metastasis after RFA of secondary liver tumors. Although RFA is a promising option in the palliation of such tumors, such rare complications have to be considered.

Long-term outcomes among patients who respond within the first year to nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab monotherapy: A pooled analysis in 935 patients

PURPOSE

To investigate the predictive value of RECIST response within 3, 6, or 12 months on long-term survival, and explore differences between nivolumab+ipilimumab and nivolumab monotherapy, we analyzed pooled 5-year data of 935 responder and non-responder patients at various time points after treatment initiation in CheckMate 069, 066, and 067 studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Treatment-naive advanced melanoma patients received nivolumab+ipilimumab or nivolumab monotherapy. To decrease immortal time bias, 3-, 6-, or 12-month overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) landmark analyses were performed. Association between characteristics and response was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Response rates at any time were 58 % (239/409) for nivolumab+ipilimumab and 44 % (230/526) for nivolumab monotherapy. In 12-month landmark analyses, 5-year OS rates for responders versus non-responders were 82 % versus 40 % with nivolumab+ipilimumab (HR=0.23 [95 % CI, 0.15-0.35]) and 76 % versus 32 % with nivolumab monotherapy (HR=0.22 [95 % CI, 0.16-0.31]). PFS rates were 83 % versus 32 % and 69 % versus 46 %, respectively. Similar strong associations between response at 3 and 6 months and 5-year OS and PFS were also observed with more than 70 % of the responses observed in the first 3 months. Response rates correlated with baseline LDH and PD-L1 status by multivariate analysis but the association between response and long-term survival was maintained in landmark analyses even among patients with high LDH and low PD-L1 expression.

CONCLUSION

Clinical response evaluated in the first months of therapy is a strong predictor of long-term survival, even in patients with poor prognostic biomarkers.

Final analysis of phase II results with cemiplimab in metastatic basal cell carcinoma after hedgehog pathway inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) is a rare condition with no effective second-line treatment options. Cemiplimab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks the binding of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) to its ligands, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-ligand 2 (PD-L2). Here, we present the final analysis of cemiplimab in patients with mBCC after first-line hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI) treatment (NCT03132636).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this open-label, single-arm, phase II study, adults with mBCC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1, post-HHI treatment, received cemiplimab 350 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤93 weeks or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by independent central review (ICR). Duration of response (DOR) was a key secondary endpoint. Other secondary endpoints were ORR per investigator assessment, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), complete response rate, safety, and tolerability.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients were enrolled: 70% were male and the median age of patients was 64 [interquartile range (IQR) 57.0-73.0] years. The median duration of follow-up was 8 months (IQR 4-21 months). The ORR per ICR was 22% [95% confidence interval (CI) 12% to 36%], with 2 complete responses and 10 partial responses. Among responders, the median time to response per ICR was 3 months (IQR 2-7 months). The estimated median DOR per ICR was not reached [95% CI 10 months-not evaluable (NE)]. The disease control rate was 63% (95% CI 49% to 76%) per ICR and 70% (95% CI 56% to 82%) per investigator assessment. The median PFS per ICR was 10 months (95% CI 4-16 months); the median OS was 50 months (95% CI 28 months-NE). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue [23 (43%)] and diarrhoea [20 (37%)]. There were no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Cemiplimab demonstrated clinically meaningful antitumour activity, including durable responses, and an acceptable safety profile in patients with mBCC who had disease progression on or intolerance to HHI therapy.

Incidence of cardiovascular events in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background

In rare cases, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) cause immune-mediated myocarditis. However, the true incidence of other major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) following ICI treatment remains unknown, mainly because late occurring side effects are rarely reported in prospective clinical trials.

Purpose

To identify the incidence and risk factors of MACE in a real-life ICI-treated cancer cohort and to compare the incidence with non-ICI-treated cancer patients and population controls.

Methods

In total, 672 ICI-treated patients were included. The primary endpoint was MACE, a composite of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke and transient ischemic attack. Secondary outcomes were acute coronary syndrome and heart failure separately. Incidence rates were compared between groups after matching according to age, sex, cardiovascular history and cancer type.

Results

Incidence of MACE was 10.3% during a median time of follow-up of 13 months (IQR 6 to 22). In multivariable analysis, a history of heart failure (hazard ratio (HR): 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 5.04; p=0.043) and valvular heart disease (HR 3.01; 95% CI: 1.05 to 8.66; p=0.041) remained significantly associated with MACE.

Cumulative incidence rates were significantly higher in the matched ICI group (rate at full range of follow-up (rate): 8.51; 95% CI: 6.18 to 11.4) compared with the cancer cohort not exposed to ICI (rate: 5.20; 95% CI: 3.56 to 7.35; p=0.032) and the population controls (rate: 2.55; 95% CI: 2.16 to 2.99; p&lt;0.001) mainly driven by a higher risk of heart failure events (Figure 1).

Conclusions

Cardiovascular events during and after ICI treatment are more common than currently appreciated. Patients at risk are those with a history of cardiovascular disease. Compared with matched cancer and population controls, MACE incidence rates are significantly higher, suggesting a potential harmful effect of ICI treatment besides the underlying risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.