ALBERT

Description: Up to 95% of all patients (pts) with polycythemia vera (PV) carry JAK2V617F mutations (V617Fmut). The underlying pathophysiologic event in the remaining 5% remained unclear. Recently, novel mutations in exon12 (exon12mut) of the JAK2 gene have been described. Thus far, 16 pts with 4 different mutation types (F537-K39delinsL, H538QK539L, N542-E543del, and K539L) have been identidied by two groups. A specific phenotype of isolated erythrocytosis and young age has been suggested by one group while another group found that besides pts with isolated erythrocythosis around 50% may present with typical criteria for PV. Thus, exon12mut are scarce with still unclear frequency. Therefore, we have applied melting curve screening covering codons 535-555 of exon12 on 211 pts with PV or suspected PV. DNA of all pts with aberrant curve was sequenced. We detected exon12mut in 10/211 (4.7%) of all pts. Of these 99 pts fulfilled diagnostic criteria of PV whereas 112 were suspected PV due to unclear polyglobulia. The frequency of exon12mut in V617Funmut (V617wt) PV was 10/99 pts (10.1%). No exon12mut was detected in pts with polyglobulia. In addition, 10 V617wt ET and 50 CMPD with elevated red blood cell counts were analyzed but turned out to be exon12 unmutated (exon12wt). 3 of the exon12mut pts had the previously described F537-K39delinsL, 2 the N542-E543del, 1 H538QK539K, 1 K539L. In addition, 2 new mutations were detected: a E543-D544del (2 pts) and a K539S mutation (1 pt). Quantification showed exon12mut in 10–30% of all PBC (7 pts) or BM cells (3 pts). 5 pts were analyzed at diagnoses and 5 pts 2–8 years (y) (median 4y) after initial diagnosis of PV. Treatment was phlebotomy and ASS only in all pts. In 1 pt a homozygous K539L mutation was found. Thus, unlike previously reported, the exon12mut like the V617F mutations can occur in a homozygous state. This pt was at advanced stage near to transformation to AML. While in PV overall the female/male ratio was 225/231 in the exon12 mutated cohort the female/male ratio was higher with 7/3. Age of onset was 16–75 y (median: 57.5 y). This is the same range as the exon12wt/V617wt pts (57.3 y) but younger than the V617Fmut PV (66.5 y). Hematocrit of the exon12mut pts was elevated with a median of 61% in males and 55% in females. Erythropoietin levels were very low with a median of 3.8 U/L. Other parameters were less conspicuous in exon12mut than in V617Fmut (given in medians): WBC: 6,100 vs. 12,200/μl; Hb: 150 vs. 158 g/l; platelets 282,000 vs. 483,000/μl. In detail, four pts had elevated WBC and platelets in addition to erythrocytosis whereas 6 pts had isolated erythrocytosis. Thus, exon12mut pts frequently show isolated polyglobulia (60%) which is rare in V617Fmut PV. In addition, none of the exon12mut pts had hepatomegaly, three pts had borderline splenomegaly. In conclusion, analysis for JAK2 exon 12 mutations is a new tool for diagnostics of PV. Based on this still small cohort it can be speculated that exon12mut in comparison to V617Fmut pts tend to occur more frequently in women, at younger age, have lower WBC and platelet counts and frequently isolated erythrocytosis.

Description: In 105 consecutive patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (French-American-British M3 excluded), we compared prospectively the risk of bleeding complications, the number of platelet and red blood cell transfusions administered, and the costs of transfusions using two different prophylactic platelet transfusion protocols. Two hundred sixteen cycles of induction or consolidation chemotherapy and 3,843 days of thrombocytopenia less than 25 × 109/L were evaluated. At the start of the study, each of the 17 participating centers decided whether they would use a 10 × 109/L prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger (group A/8 centers) or a 20 × 109/L trigger (group B/9 centers). Bleeding complications (World Health Organization grade 2-4) during treatment cycles were comparable in the two groups: 20 of 110 (18%) in group A and 18 of 106 (17%) in group B (P = .8). Serious bleeding events (grade 3-4) were generally not related to the patient's platelet count but were the consequence of local lesions and plasma coagulation factor deficiencies due to sepsis. Eighty-six percent of the serious bleeding episodes occurred during induction chemotherapy. No patient died of a bleeding complication. There were no significant differences in the number of red blood cell transfusions administered between the two groups, but there were significant differences in the number of platelet transfusions administered per treatment cycle: pooled random donor platelet concentrates averaged 15.4 versus 25.4 (P 

Description: Introduction and rationale: The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of thalidomide in combination with oral CID therapy in order to improve treatment wit an all oral regime. Patients and methods: Patients with refractory or relapsed myeloma were included into this trial. Concerning inclusion criteria, 10 patients had progressive disease after standard chemotherapy, 12 no change after standard chemotherapy and required further therapy, 6 recurrent disease after standard therapy and 22 recurrence after high dose chemotherapy. At start of the treatment patients were in stages IIA (16 patients), IIB (1), IIIA (34) and IIIB (1). Idarubicin was given in capsules at 8–10 mg/m2/day for days 1–4, 40 mg dexamethasone were given on days 1–4 and 15–18, cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/m2/d d1–4 and thalidomide 100mg daily with scheduled increase to 400mg. Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days. 3–8 cycles were applied. Supportive therapy consisted of PEG-filgrastim, cotrimoxazol, dalteparin and ibandronate. In addition, after the induction phase patients were randomized between thalidomide and thalidomide / idarubicin maintenance treatment. Results: At this interim analysis, 66 patients have been entered into the ongoing trial; 6 patients had to be excluded for violation of unclusion criteria. Of the 60 included patients, 52 patients have been documented so far and are evaluable for toxicity. In total, 187 cycles have been applied. Median cycle number was 3 (1–8). There was one death during treatment due to progressive myeloma at cycle 1. The median age was 62 years (interquartile range 57–67). The following toxicities were observed: FUO (2 patients), pneumonia (4), pulmonary embolism (1), exsiccosis after diarrhea (1), constipation (1), sepsis (1), severe nausea (2), syncope (1), collaps after bleeding (1, not related to TCID treatment) and mucositis grade 4 (1). Hematologic toxicity grade IV was reported in 35% of the patients, mainly in cycles 1 and 2. Concerning response to treatment 41 patients are evaluable for response so far. Of these 31 (76%) achieved a PR (24 patients) or MR (7 patients) according to EBMT criteria, 4 patients a stable disease and 3 patients a PD. Three patients were not evaluable and scorded as failures. Conclusions: T-CID is feasible and highly effective in relapsed or refractory myeloma patients. Toxicity seems to be acceptable and mainly hematologic and infectiologic. The remission rate of 76% is encouraging.

Description: Introduction and rationale: The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of thalidomide in combination with oral CID therapy in order to replace the central venous line necessary for continuous infusion of chemotherapy and to avoid hospitalization. Patients and methods: Patients with refractory or recurrent myeloma were included into this trial. Concerning inclusion criteria, 9 patients had progressive disease after standard chemotherapy, 12 no change after standard chemotherapy, 6 recurrent disease after standard therapy and 21 recurrence after high dose chemotherapy. At start of the treatment patients were in stages IIA (15 patients), IIB (1) and IIIA (34). Idarubicin was given in capsules at 8–10 mg/m2/day for days 1–4, 40 mg dexamethasone were given on days 1–4 and 15–18, cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/m2/d d1–4 and thalidomide 100mg daily with scheduled increase to 400mg. Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days. 3–8 cycles were applied. Supportive therapy consisted of PEG-filgrastim, cotrimoxazol, dalteparin and ibandronate. In addition, patients were randomized between thalidomide and thalidomide / idarubicin maintenance treatment. Results: At this interim analysis, 64 patients have been entered into the ongoing trial; 8 patients had to be excluded. Of the 56 included patients, 50 patients have been documented so far and are evaluable for toxicity. In total, 182 cycles have been applied. Median cycle number was 3 (1–8). There was one death during treatment due to progressive myeloma at cycle 1. The median age was 62 years (interquartile range 57–67). The following toxicities were observed: FUO (2 patients), pneumonia (4), pulmonary embolism (1), exsiccosis after diarrhea (1), constipation (1), sepsis (1), severe nausea (2), syncope (1), collaps after bleeding (1) and mucositis grade 4 (1). Hematologic toxicity was reported in 34% of the patients, mainly in cycles 1 and 2. Concerning response to treatment 39 patients are evaluable so far. Of these 30 (77%) achieved a PR or MR according to EBMT criteria, 4 patients a stable disease and 2 patients a PD. Three patients were not evaluable and scorded as failures. Conclusions: T-CID is feasible and seems to be highly effective in relapsed or refractory myeloma patients. Toxicity seems to be acceptable and mainly hematologic and infectiologic. The remission rate of 77% is encouraging. The trial is still ongoing. At the meeting a follow-up of the trial will be presented. Further information can be obtained at www.myelom.net.

Description: In 105 consecutive patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (French-American-British M3 excluded), we compared prospectively the risk of bleeding complications, the number of platelet and red blood cell transfusions administered, and the costs of transfusions using two different prophylactic platelet transfusion protocols. Two hundred sixteen cycles of induction or consolidation chemotherapy and 3,843 days of thrombocytopenia less than 25 × 109/L were evaluated. At the start of the study, each of the 17 participating centers decided whether they would use a 10 × 109/L prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger (group A/8 centers) or a 20 × 109/L trigger (group B/9 centers). Bleeding complications (World Health Organization grade 2-4) during treatment cycles were comparable in the two groups: 20 of 110 (18%) in group A and 18 of 106 (17%) in group B (P = .8). Serious bleeding events (grade 3-4) were generally not related to the patient's platelet count but were the consequence of local lesions and plasma coagulation factor deficiencies due to sepsis. Eighty-six percent of the serious bleeding episodes occurred during induction chemotherapy. No patient died of a bleeding complication. There were no significant differences in the number of red blood cell transfusions administered between the two groups, but there were significant differences in the number of platelet transfusions administered per treatment cycle: pooled random donor platelet concentrates averaged 15.4 versus 25.4 (P 

Description: Introduction The antibody-drug conjugate polatuzumab vedotin (Pola) has recently been approved in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (Pola-BR) for patients with r/r diffuse LBCL (DLBCL). Methods To characterize the efficacy of Pola-BR in a real-world setting, we retrospectively analyzed data from 97 patients with r/r LBCL who were treated with Pola in 24 German centers within the national CUP. Clinical baseline and follow-up (FU) data were collected by chart review and summarized descriptively. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical factors between groups of patients. Results 97 patients with LBCL (DLBCL n=90, High-grade B-cell lymphoma n=6, Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma n=1) were included as of July 22nd, 2020. 49 patients were treated with Pola as bridging concept to immunotherapies (bridging cohort: chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CART) n=39, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) n=9, bispecific antibodies n=1), and 48 patients were treated with Pola in palliative intention (palliative cohort). Within the bridging cohort the median age was 61 years (range: 22-82). Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 3 treatment lines (range: 2-6). 84% (41/49 patients) had been refractory to their last treatment line, and 31% had failed an autologous stem cell transplantation. Notably, 14% and 10% of patients had failed prior CART and alloSCT, respectively, and were planned for the alternate cellular immunotherapy. Based on an individual decision, patients were treated with Pola-Rituximab (Pola-R, n=20), Pola-chemotherapy (Pola-chemo, BR n=25; R-CHP n=1) or Pola-monotherapy (Pola-mono, n=3). With a median of 2 Pola cycles (range 1-6), overall response rate (ORR) of all evaluable patients was 33% (15/46 patients) including patients with complete response (CR n=1), partial response (PR n=9) and clinical response (n=5). Although not significant, ORR tended to be better in patients treated with Pola-chemo versus Pola-R/Pola-mono (ORR: 42% versus 20%, Fishers test p=0.1). 11 of these 15 responders (24% of the entire bridging cohort) proceeded to CART or alloSCT, while 4 responders (8% of entire bridging cohort) experienced fast progression after their initial response and were referred to best supportive care. 15 of 31 non-responders (33% of entire bridging cohort) underwent immunotherapy with either stable disease (n=6), mixed response (n=2), or progression on Pola (n=7). The remaining 16 patients (35% of entire bridging cohort) were all refractory to Pola and either received alternative salvage treatments which enabled 8 further patients to proceed to the intended immunotherapy, or best supportive care. Taking the effects of CART or alloSCT into account, median OS from initiation of Pola treatment was 8.2 months (median FU 7.2 months, Fig. 1A). The palliative cohort tended to be older than the bridging cohort with a median age of 73.5 years (range: 37-86, p

Description: Background: The addition of sorafenib to standard induction and consolidation therapy in newly diagnosed patients (pts) ≤60 years (yrs) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) led to significant prolongation of event-free survival (EFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in the randomized placebo-controlled SORAML trial (NCT00893373). After a median follow-up of 3 yrs, a benefit for sorafenib treated pts was observed also in overall survival (OS), but this difference was not significant. Here, we present updated survival data and information on relapse treatment and outcome. Methods: In the SORAML trial, 267 newly diagnosed untreated fit AML pts up to 60 yrs of age and irrespective of FLT3 mutation status received two cycles of induction chemotherapy with DA (daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 days 3-5 plus cytarabine 100 mg/m2 cont. inf. days 1-7), followed by three cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation (3 g/m2 b.i.d. days 1, 3, 5). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was scheduled for all intermediate-risk pts in first complete remission (CR) with a sibling donor and for all high-risk pts with a matched related or unrelated donor. At study inclusion, pts were randomized to receive either sorafenib (2x400 mg/day) or placebo as add-on to standard treatment in a double blinded fashion. Study medication was given on days 10-19 of DA I+II, from day 8 of each consolidation until 3 days before the start of the next consolidation and as maintenance for 12 months (mos) after the end of consolidation. The primary endpoint of the trial was EFS. The results after follow-up of 3 yrs were presented at ASH 2014 (Röllig et al., Blood 2014; 124: 6) and fully published (Röllig et al., Lancet Oncol 2015; 16: 1691-9). Here, we present the results after prolonged follow-up. For this analysis, information on remission and survival status, mode and outcome of relapse treatment including SCT were collected for all randomized pts and analyzed by standard statistical methods. Results: Of 267 treated pts, 134 were randomized in the sorafenib arm and 133 in the placebo arm with a resulting CR rate of 60% and 59%, respectively. After a median observation time of 78 mos, the primary study endpoint EFS in the placebo vs sorafenib arm was 9 mos vs 26 mos (HR 0.68, p=0.01) in univariate Kaplan Meier analysis. The beneficial effect of sorafenib on EFS was confirmed in multivariate Cox regression analysis with a HR of 0.61 (p=0.005). Median RFS in the placebo vs sorafenib arms was 22 vs 63 mos, corresponding to a HR of 0.64 (p=0.033). Exploratory analyses were performed in the 70 relapsing pts (40 after placebo vs 30 after sorafenib treatment). Among relapsing pts, 82% vs 73% achieved a second CR. In these two groups, 88% and 87% of pts received a SCT as part of salvage treatment. A lower proportion of pts in the placebo arm received a second SCT as salvage treatment (5% vs 13%). In the context of salvage SCT, the proportion of haploident donors in the placebo and sorafenib group was 3% vs 15% and the incidence of Grade 3/4 GVDH was 17% vs 0%. SCT-related non-relapse mortality (NRM) was similar in both groups, but the cumulative incidence of second relapse (CIR) was higher in the sorafenib group (35% vs 54% after 48 mos). Therefore, median OS from relapse in the placebo vs sorafenib groups were 27 mos vs 10 mos, corresponding to a HR of 1.68 (p=0.098). The projected median OS from randomization is 83 mos in the placebo arm and was not reached for the sorafenib arm, corresponding to a 5-year OS of 52% vs 61% (HR 0.81, p=0.263). Conclusion: Mature follow-up data confirms the antileukemic efficacy of sorafenib in younger AML pts with and without FLT3 mutation. The addition of sorafenib to standard chemotherapy resulted in a significantly longer EFS and clinically relevant 36% risk reduction for relapse or death. Five pts need to be treated (NNT) to prevent one relapse or death at 3 years and six pts at 5 yrs. Exploratory analyses in relapsing pts show that survival after relapse is shorter after sorafenib which might be due to i) a higher rate of second SCTs and a higher incidence of haploidentical SCT despite the lower frequency of severe GVHD, most likely by chance and not explainable by systematic reasons and ii) a lower response to salvage treatment after sorafenib therapy. Despite these observations, primary sorafenib treatment led to an OS benefit with a 19% risk reduction for death which was not statistically significant since this phase II trial was not adequately powered to detect OS differences. Figure Figure. Disclosures Rollig: Bayer: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Hüttmann: Gilead, Amgen: Other: Travel cost; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda, Celgene, Roche: Honoraria. Giagounidis: Acceleron: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Mackensen: AMGEN: Research Funding. Hänel: Roche: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Thiede: Roche: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Agendix: Employment. Schetelig: Sanofi Aventis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Description: Background Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-study IV was designed to explore whether treatment with imatinib (IM) at 400mg/day (n=400) could be optimized by doubling the dose (n=420), adding IFN (n=430) or cytarabine (n=158) or using IM after IFN-failure (n=128). Methods From July 2002 to March 2012, 1551 newly diagnosed patients in chronic phase were randomized into a 5-arm study. The study was powered to detect a survival difference of 5% at 5 years. The impact of patients' and disease factors on survival was prospectively analyzed. At the time of evaluation, at least 62% of patients still received imatinib, 26.2% were switched to 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Results After a median observation time of 9.5 years, 10-year overall survival was 82%, 10-year progression-free survival 80% and 10-year relative survival 92%. In spite of a faster response with IM800mg, the survival difference between IM400mg and IM800mg was only 3% at 5 years. In a multivariate analysis, the influence on survival of risk-group, major-route chromosomal aberrations, comorbidities, smoking and treatment center (academic vs. other) was significant in contrast to any form of initial treatment optimization. Patients that reached the response milestones 3, 6 and 12 months, had a significant survival advantage of about 6% after 10 years regardless of therapy. The progression probability to blast crisis was 5.8%. Blast crisis was proceeded by high-risk additional chromosomal aberrations. Conclusions For responders, monotherapy with IM400mg provides a close to normal life expectancy independent of the time to response. Survival is more determined by patients' and disease factors than by initial treatment selection. Although improvements are also needed for refractory disease and blast crisis, more life-time can currently be gained by carefully addressing non-CML determinants of survival. Disclosures Hehlmann: Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy. Saussele: Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding. Pfirrmann: BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Krause: Novartis: Honoraria. Baerlocher: Novartis: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Bruemmendorf: Novartis: Research Funding. Müller: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Jeromin: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Hänel: Roche: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Burchert: BMS: Honoraria. Waller: Mylan: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mayer: Eisai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Link: Novartis: Honoraria. Scheid: Novartis: Honoraria. Schafhausen: Novartis: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria. Hochhaus: Incyte: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding.