ALBERT

Description: Limnology and Oceanography, Page 89-90, February 2019.

Description: The biodiversity and high productivity of coastal terrestrial and aquatic habitats are the foundation for important benefits to human societies around the world. These globally distributed habitats need frequent and broad systematic assessments, but field surveys only cover a small fraction of these areas. Satellite-based sensors can repeatedly record the visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra that contain the absorption, scattering, and fluorescence signatures of functional phytoplankton groups, colored dissolved matter, and particulate matter near the surface ocean, and of biologically structured habitats (floating and emergent vegetation, benthic habitats like coral, seagrass, and algae). These measures can be incorporated into Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), including the distribution, abundance, and traits of groups of species populations, and used to evaluate habitat fragmentation. However, current and planned satellites are not designed to observe the EBVs that change rapidly with extreme tides, salinity, temperatures, storms, pollution, or physical habitat destruction over scales relevant to human activity. Making these observations requires a new generation of satellite sensors able to sample with these combined characteristics: (1) spatial resolution on the order of 30 to 100-m pixels or smaller; (2) spectral resolution on the order of 5 nm in the visible and 10 nm in the short-wave infrared spectrum (or at least two or more bands at 1,030, 1,240, 1,630, 2,125, and/or 2,260 nm) for atmospheric correction and aquatic and vegetation assessments; (3) radiometric quality with signal to noise ratios (SNR) above 800 (relative to signal levels typical of the open ocean), 14-bit digitization, absolute radiometric calibration 〈2%, relative calibration of 0.2%, polarization sensitivity 〈1%, high radiometric stability and linearity, and operations designed to minimize sunglint; and (4) temporal resolution of hours to days. We refer to these combined specifications as H4 imaging. Enabling H4 imaging is vital for the conservation and management of global biodiversity and ecosystem services, including food provisioning and water security. An agile satellite in a 3-d repeat low-Earth orbit could sample 30-km swath images of several hundred coastal habitats daily. Nine H4 satellites would provide weekly coverage of global coastal zones. Such satellite constellations are now feasible and are used in various applications.

Description: We explore a novel and spatially extensive dataset obtained from Biogeochemical-Argo (or BGC-Argo) floats, containing 16,796 profiles of the particulate backscattering coefficient at 700nm ( b b p (700)) measured with three different sensors. We focus at the 900-950m depth interval (within the mesopelagic), where we blackfound values to be relatively constant. While we find significant differences between estimates of b b p (700) obtained with different sensors (≈30 % disagreement), the median values in most oceanic regions obtained with blacka single type of sensor are within 50 % of each other and are consistent with measurements of suspended mass conducted in the early 1970's. Deviations from the quasi-constant background value likely indicate times and locations associated with higher particulate export to depth. Indeed, we observe that in productive high latitude regions, a deep seasonal signal is observed, with enhanced values recorded blacka few months after surface spring/summer maximal concentrations. In addition, the deep b b p (700) is highest in regions exhibiting suboxic-anoxic conditions (e.g. Northern Indian Ocean), which have been associated with local particulate production as well as reduced particle flux attenuation.

Description: The Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) program has begun deploying a large array of biogeochemical sensors on profiling floats in the Southern Ocean. As of February 2016, 86 floats have been deployed. Here the focus is on 56 floats with quality controlled and adjusted data that have been in the water at least 6 months. The floats carry oxygen, nitrate, pH, chlorophyll fluorescence, and optical backscatter sensors. The raw data generated by these sensors can suffer from inaccurate initial calibrations and from sensor drift over time. Procedures to correct the data are defined. The initial accuracy of the adjusted concentrations is assessed by comparing the corrected data to laboratory measurements made on samples collected by a hydrographic cast with a rosette sampler at the float deployment station. The long-term accuracy of the corrected data is compared to the GLODAPv2 data set whenever a float made a profile within 20 km of a GLODAPv2 station. Based on these assessments, the fleet average oxygen data are accurate to 1±1%, nitrate to within 0.5±0.5 µmol kg −1 , and pH to 0.005±0.01, where the error limit is 1 standard deviation of the fleet data. The bio-optical measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and optical backscatter are used to estimate chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon concentration. The particulate organic carbon concentrations inferred from optical backscatter appear accurate to with 35 mg C m −3 or 20%, whichever is larger. Factors affecting the accuracy of the estimated chlorophyll a concentrations are evaluated.

Description: The Southern Ocean (SO) ecosystem plays a key role in the carbon cycle by sinking a major part (43%) of the ocean uptake of anthropogenic CO2, and being an important source of nutrients for primary producers. However, undersampling of SO biogeochemical properties limits our understanding of the mechanisms taking place in this remote area. The Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observions and Modeling project (SOCCOM) has been deploying a large number of autonomous biogeochemical floats to study the SO (as of December 2016, 74 floats out of 200 have been deployed). SOCCOM floats measurements can be used to extend remote sensing chlorophyll a (chla) and particulate organic carbon (POC) products under the clouds or during the polar night as well as adding the depth dimension to the satellite-based view of the SO. Chlorophyll a concentrations measured by fluorometers embedded on the floats and POC concentrations derived from backscattering coefficients were calibrated with samples collected during the floats' deployment cruise. Float chla and POC were compared with products derived from observations of MODIS and VIIRS sensors. We find the Ocean Color Index (OCI) global algorithm to agree well with the matchups (within 9%, on average, for the Visible Infrared Imaging Radioneter Suite (VIIRS) and 12%, on average, for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Aqua (MODIS)). SO specific algorithms estimating chla are offset by ∼45% south of the Sea Ice Extent Front (∼ 60°S). In addition, POC estimates based on floats agree well with NASA's POC algorithm.

Description: Abstract The spring bloom in the Southern Ocean is the rapid‐growth phase of the seasonal cycle in phytoplankton. Many previous studies have characterized the spring bloom using chlorophyll estimates from satellite ocean color observations. Assumptions regarding the chlorophyll‐to‐carbon ratio within phytoplankton and vertical structure of biogeochemical variables lead to uncertainty in satellite‐based estimates of phytoplankton carbon biomass. Here, we revisit the characterizations of the bloom using optical backscatter from biogeochemical floats deployed by the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modelling (SOCCOM) and Southern Ocean and Climate Field Studies with Innovative Tools (SOCLIM) projects. In particular, by providing a three‐dimensional view of the seasonal cycle, we are able to identify basin‐wide bloom characteristics corresponding to physical features; biomass is low in Ekman downwelling regions north of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) region, and high within and south of the ACC.

Description: The use of autonomous profiling floats for observational estimates of radiometric quantities in the ocean is explored, and the use of this platform for validation of satellite-based estimates of remote sensing reflectance in the ocean is examined. This effort includes comparing quantities estimated from float and satellite data at nominal wavelengths of 412, 443, 488, and 555 nm, and examining sources and magnitudes of uncertainty in the float estimates. This study had 65 occurrences of coincident high-quality observations from floats and MODIS Aqua and 15 occurrences of coincident high-quality observations floats and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). The float estimates of remote sensing reflectance are similar to the satellite estimates, with disagreement of a few percent in most wavelengths. The variability of the float–satellite comparisons is similar to the variability of in situ–satellite comparisons using a validation dataset from the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY). This, combined with the agreement of float-based and satellite-based quantities, suggests that floats are likely a good platform for validation of satellite-based estimates of remote sensing reflectance.

Description: Optical instruments that measure the particulate beam attenuation and backscattering coefficients have been used widely to estimate suspended particulate mass (SPM) in various environments. In pycnoclines, density differences can cause significant forward light scattering (schlieren). This fluid-induced scattering increases the measured by instruments with small acceptance angles that are open to the environment (not pumped). When the 1-m bin-averaged buoyancy frequency (N) exceeds 0.05 s−1 in the Columbia River estuary, inaccurate estimates of are observed by such instruments. The schlieren phenomena do not affect the and measured with a pumped transmissometer or a backscattering meter. It follows that to obtain a reliable proxy of SPM in a highly stratified environment, the use of either a backscattering sensor or a pumped transmissometer is required.

Description: Introduction: BCMA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily transmembrane glycoprotein essential for the maturation and survival of plasma cells. CC-93269 is an asymmetric 2-arm humanized IgG TCE that binds bivalently to BCMA and monovalently to CD3ε in a 2+1 format (Seckinger A, et al. Cancer Cell. 2017;31:396-410). The CC-93269-mediated interaction between T cells and BCMA-expressing myeloma cells induces T cell receptor/CD3 crosslinking leading to T cell activation, and release of proinflammatory cytokines and cytolytic enzymes, resulting in myeloma cell death. In preclinical studies with CC-93269 and related molecules, 2+1 BCMA TCEs induced tumor regression in animal models and promoted myeloma cell death in primary pt myeloma cells. Here we report interim results from a phase 1 dose-finding study (CC-93269-MM-001; NCT03486067) evaluating CC-93269 in pts with RRMM. Methods: Eligible pts had RRMM and had received ≥ 3 prior regimens without prior BCMA-directed therapy. In dose escalation, CC-93269 was administered intravenously over 2 hours on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 for Cycles 1-3; Days 1 and 15 for Cycles 4-6; and on Day 1 for Cycle 7 and beyond, all in 28-day cycles. Dose escalation involved 2 stages: in stage 1, CC-93269 was given in fixed doses; in stage 2, pts received a fixed first dose on Cycle 1 Day 1, followed by intrapatient dose escalation on Cycle 1 Day 8. Primary objectives were to assess the safety and tolerability of CC-93269 and define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), non-tolerated dose (NTD), and/or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed after clinical response in pt bone marrow aspirate samples by Next Generation Flow using the EuroFlow panel. MRD negativity was reported only if a minimum sensitivity of 〈 1 tumor cell in 105 nucleated cells was achieved. Results: As of May 24, 2019, 19 pts had received CC-93269. Median age was 64 years (range 51-78), with a median of 6.2 years (range 1.4-13.9) since initial diagnosis. The median number of prior regimens was 6 (range 3-12) and included treatment with autologous stem cell transplantation (73.7%), allogenic stem cell transplantation (10.5%), lenalidomide (100%), pomalidomide (84.2%), bortezomib (100%), carfilzomib (84.2%), and daratumumab (DARA; 94.7%). All pts had MM refractory to their last line of therapy, with 16 (88.9%) refractory to DARA, 17 (89.5%) to their last proteasome inhibitor, and 16 (84.2%) to their last immunomodulatory agent. CC-93269 doses ranged from 0.15 to 10 mg; median duration of treatment was 14.6 weeks (range 1.6-32.0) with pts receiving a median of 4 cycles (range 1-8). Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 15 (78.9%) pts and included 10 (52.6%) pts with neutropenia, 8 (42.1%) with anemia, 5 (26.3%) with infections, and 4 (21.1%) with thrombocytopenia. No pt required dose modifications. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was reported in 17 (89.5%) pts, the majority of whom reported a maximum grade 1 (n = 11 [57.9%]) or grade 2 (n = 5 [26.3%]), and occurred most frequently with the first or second dose (n = 22 of 27 events [81.5%]). CRS prophylaxis was implemented with dexamethasone for first dose and dose increases in pts receiving ≥ 6 mg. Of 27 CRS events, 8 (29.6%) were managed with dexamethasone and 10 (37.0%) with tocilizumab. One pt receiving 6 mg CC-93269 as first dose and 10 mg on Cycle 1 Day 8 died on study in the setting of CRS, with a potential infection as a contributing factor. Dose-related pharmacodynamic activity, including peripheral blood immune cell redistribution and transient release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, was observed in pts. Of the 12 pts treated with ≥ 6 mg CC-93269 in Cycle 1, 10 pts achieved a partial response (PR) or better (overall response rate; 83.3%), including 7 (58.3%) with a very good partial response (VGPR) or better and 4 (33.3%) with a stringent complete response (sCR) (Table); 9 (75.0%) pts achieved MRD negativity. The median time to response was 4.2 weeks (range 4.0-13.1), and 10 of 10 responses were ongoing with follow-up ranging from 2.1 to 4.7 months. The NTD, MTD, and RP2D have not yet been reached. Conclusions: CC-93269, a 2+1 BCMA TCE, shows a manageable safety profile and promising efficacy, including MRD-negative sCRs, in pts with heavily pretreated RRMM. The study continues to enroll in the dose escalation phase. Updated safety and efficacy data will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures Costa: Fujimoto Pharmaceutical Corporation Japan: Other: Advisor; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Wong:Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Research Funding; Fortis: Research Funding; Juno: Research Funding. Bermúdez:MSD: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Fresenius: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. de la Rubia:AMGEN: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Mateos:Pharmamar: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Honoraria; EDO: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ocio:BMS: Honoraria; Sanofi: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Array Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmamar: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rodríguez-Otero:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; BMS: Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Consultancy. San-Miguel:Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Li:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sarmiento:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Lardelli:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gaudy:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Boss:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kelly:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Burgess:University of California: Other: Volunteer clinical faculty, without salary, Patents & Royalties: Patent - T315A and F317I mutations of BCR-ABL kinase domain; Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties: Patent - CD47 antibodies and methods of use thereof. Hege:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties; Arcus Biosciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mersana Therapuetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bensinger:Amgen, Celgene: Other: Personal Fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda, Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Karyopharm: Other: Grant.

Description: Background: Loss of immune surveillance, mediated through immune checkpoint (ICP) interactions, is thought to be a key step in the development of cancers including AML and HR-MDS. AZA is a standard therapy for pts with AML who are unfit for IC and for pts with HR-MDS. AZA can promote immune recognition of tumor cells and potentially increase expression of ICP molecules, which can mediate resistance to AZA. As myeloid cell lines and samples from pts treated with hypomethylating agents demonstrated up-regulation of PD-L1 expression, blockade of the PD-L1 ICP with durva in combination with AZA may enhance antitumor activity and improve clinical outcomes. Here, we report the final results from a large phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of AZA+durva vs. AZA alone in pts with HR-MDS or AML (NCT02775903). Methods: This randomized, open-label, international, multicenter study enrolled untreated pts in 2 cohorts: 1) MDS (aged ≥18 years; IPSS-R intermediate, high, and very high) and 2) older AML pts (aged ≥65 years) who were ineligible for IC. All pts had ECOG performance status 0-2 and were separately randomized (1:1) to receive SC AZA 75 mg/m2 Days 1-7 and durva 1500 mg IV on Day 1 Q4W (Arm A) or AZA alone (Arm B) and stratified according to cytogenetic risk (MDS, very good/good/intermediate vs. poor/very poor; AML, intermediate vs. poor). Treatment was planned to continue until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Disease status was evaluated every third treatment cycle. Primary MDS endpoints included overall response rate (ORR, defined as complete remission [CR], marrow [m]CR, partial response [PR], or hematologic improvement [HI]) based on IWG 2006 response criteria, while for AML ORR was defined as CR or CR with incomplete blood recovery (CRi) based on modified IWG 2003 response criteria. Secondary endpoints included PFS, OS, and safety. Peripheral blood samples were collected to assess changes in DNA methylation using the EPIC methylation array (Illumina). Bone marrow (BM) aspirates were obtained for quantitation of PD-L1 surface expression by flow cytometry and values are reported as molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome. Results: A total of 213 pts, 84 with MDS (each arm, n=42) and 129 with AML (Arm A, n=64; Arm B, n=65) were randomized. As of October 31, 2018, 32 pts (MDS, n=14; AML, n=18) continued to receive trial treatment while 181 (MDS, n=70; AML, n=111) had discontinued. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were generally balanced across treatment groups in both cohorts. Median number of treatment cycles for AML Arm A vs. B, 6.5 vs. 6.7; for MDS Arm A vs. B, 7.9 vs. 7.0. No statistically significant differences in ORR between treatment arms were observed in either cohort (Tables 1 and 2). In MDS Arm A vs. B, median OS was 11.6 vs. 16.7 months (mo) and PFS was 8.7 vs. 8.6 mo. In the AML cohort, median OS was 13.0 vs. 14.4 mo and PFS was 8.1 vs. 7.2 mo. Caution should be used when interpreting results because 〉50% of patients were censored. The most frequent TEAEs (≥15%) were hematologic and GI toxicity. In the MDS and AML cohorts, 7 and 17, respectively, immune-mediated AEs were observed; all were treated and resolved. AZA induced similar trends in global hypomethylation, along with focal hypomethylation of PD-L1 and PD-L2 gene loci, at the end of treatment cycle 1 in all treatment groups and cohorts. Mean PD-L1 surface expression in BM immune cells at baseline was highest in monocytes (MDS=1,425; AML=1,536), followed by granulocytes (MDS=550; AML=758) and myeloid blasts (MDS=532; AML=735). Increased surface expression of PD-L1, but not PD-L2, was observed at the end of treatment cycle 3 on BM granulocytes and monocytes from MDS pts and on BM monocytes from AML pts, but no increase was detected on myeloid blasts. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first large randomized trial of AZA with or without ICP blockade in older unfit AML and HR-MDS pts reported to date. No clinically meaningful difference in efficacy was observed between treatments for either cohort. No new safety signals or potential overlapping risks were identified with the combination. While the hypomethylating activity of AZA on PD-L1 gene was confirmed, no treatment-mediated induction of PD-L1 surface expression was observed on myeloid blasts. Disclosures Zeidan: Acceleron Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Medimmune/AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Trovagene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Cardinal Health: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; BeyondSpring: Honoraria. Voso:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Taussig:Celgene: Research Funding. Boss:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Copeland:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gray:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Previtali:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. O'Connor:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rose:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Beach:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. OffLabel Disclosure: Durvalumab is a PD-L1 blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with 1) locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, or 2) unresectable, stage 3 NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy.