ALBERT

Description: Background: Therapy studies yield important insights into clinical features and therapeutic options of CLL. However studies in Germany represent less then 20% of all CLL patients (pts); pts 〉75 years (yrs) are included in 3% only. Furthermore initial phases are not reflected in multicenter studies and data representing real life situation are scarce. Methods: Out of 1.443 patients consulting our center because of leucocytosis (〉10 Gpt/l) between 2003/07/01 and 2018/06/30 we diagnosed CLL consecutively in 234 pts (16,2%): 143 male (m), 91 female (f). Median age at diagnosis is 71,4 yrs. Median leucocyte count is 18,0 Gpt/l. BINET - Stages are: A in 82%, B in 11% and C in 7% of pts. Diagnoses are strictly based on WHO definition: Pts with small lymphocytic lymphomas (sLL, n=11) are included but those with monoclonal lymphocytosis of unknown significance (MLUS) or monoclonal B - lymphocytoses with uncertainly flow cytometry (FC) results are excluded. Histopathology, FC and genetics have been performed by external hematological reference laboratories. All investigations followed the rules of best clinical and laboratory practice. Dates of death are given by the record sections of the involved communities (deadline 2018/06/30). To address different questions we defined 3 groups of pts: A: "collective group", (n=234), i.e. all pts.diagnosed from 2003/07/01 to 2018/06/30. B: "epidemiological group" (n=129), i.e. pts from 3 communities (113.000 inhabitants - inc - in 2009/12/31) in close proximity referred to our center. C: "genetic features group" (n=99), i.e. pts diagnosed continuously between 2012/07/01 and 2018/06/30 with systematically performed genetics, (i.e. at least 80% of pts in this group. Genetics are: Cytogenetic (banding) n=88; FISH (del 6q21/6q, del 11q22.3, +12/+12q, del 13q14/ 13q34, del 17p13.1, 14q32) n=85. PCR (IgVH status - mutated vs. unmutated; TP53, NOTCH1, SF3B1 mutation) n=82. Results: "Collective group" (A): 7,5 years OS is 72% and 15 years OS is 33% respectively (KAPLAN-MEIER). Age of pts acts as a predominant factor for long term OS: 77% in pts 〈 60 yrs vs. 40% in pts ≥60 to

Description: Clinical trials on different cytarabine doses for treatment of AML provide evidence of a dose response effect, but also for increase toxicity after high dose AraC (HDAC). Pharmacokinetic measurements of cytarabine-triphosphate (AraC-CTP), which is the most relevant cytotoxic metabolite of AraC, have revealed its formation in leukemic cells to be saturated with infusion rates above 250 mg/m2/h, this being significantly lower than used in HDAC schedules. Methods: Based on a pharmacological model and encouraging results of a phase II study we conducted a prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial comparing the effects of two different application modes of AraC in patients up to 60 years with untreated newly diagnosed AML. Patients were randomized to receive AraC at two different infusion rates (IR) during induction and consolidation treatment: arm A/experimental: 1 × 2 g/m2/d AraC over 8 hours (IR 250 mg/m2/h) arm B/standard: 2 × 1 g/m2/d AraC over 3 hours (IR 333 mg/m2/h). Induction and first consolidation consisted of AraC (days 1, 3, 5, 7) in combination with an anthracycline (Idarubicine 12 mg/m2 or Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2, days 1–3). The final dosage points (AraC day 7 and anthracycline day 3) were excluded from the second consolidation. The third consolidation consisted of either allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation or of chemotherapy identical to second consolidation. Results: From 02/97 to 04/02 419 patients were enrolled in the study. The present analysis is based on 361 eligible and evaluable patients with a median follow up of 7 years. CR was reached in 249/361 (69%; 95%CI: 65%–74%) patients. No statistically significant differences were detected between arms A and B with regard to CR-rate (69% vs 69%) or early death rate (11% vs 8%). Hematological recovery of median white blood cell count (WBC) 〉 109/l and median platelets (plt) 〉 50 × 109/l revealed no difference between arms A and B after induction (WBC day 22 vs 22, p=0,68; plt day 25 vs 26, p=0,41) and consolidation (WBC day 28 vs 27, p=0,07; plt day 42 vs 40, p= 0,58). The event free survival (EFS) after 5 years is 0,25 ± 0,03 % for all patients with an overall survival of 0,31 ± 0,03 % after 5 years. For the purposes of analysis, the 83 transplant patients (23 allogeneic MRD, 14 allogeneic MUD and 46 autologous) were censored at time of transplant. No statistically significant difference between arms A and B in regard to EFS (0,25 ± 0,04 vs 0,25 ± 0,04, p=0,99), relapse incidence (0,63 ± 0,06 vs 0,60 ± 0,06, p=0,89), overall survival (0,32 ± 0,04 vs 0,30 ± 0,04, p=0,44) and therapy associated mortality (0,18 ± 0,04 vs 0,17 ± 0,03, p=0,95) were detectable after adjustment of prognostic factors. An analysis of risk factors by multivariate cox regression model confirmed cytogenetics at diagnosis to be the most important risk factor for CR rate (p

Description: The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is age-dependent with the majority of patients (pts) being older than 60 years at diagnosis. Treatment of these pts needs to be well balanced between sufficient efficacy and tolerable toxicity. Here, we report long term follow-up of the OSHO AML97 study. Pts with AML older than 60 years were registered after informed consent and received age-adapted intensive chemotherapy treatment (curative arm; induction therapy with AraC 2 g/m2 iv day 1, 3, 5, 7 and mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv day 1 to 3 to induce complete remission (CR), followed by 2 consolidation courses with AraC 240 mg/m2 iv day 1 to 5 and mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv day 1 to 2), low dose chemotherapy (palliative arm; idarubicin 10 mg po day 1 and either thioguanine 40 mg po day 1-5, or AraC 80 mg sc day 1-5 or etoposide 100mg po day 1-5) or supportive therapy (best supportive care including transfusions). A total of 618 pts were enrolled (curative arm n=471, palliative treatment n=115 and supportive therapy n=32 pts). In the curative arm, CR was obtained in 66.8% of pts. Treatment related mortality (TRM) was 11.2% after induction and 4.5% after consolidation I, respectively. Median overall survival for all pts in the curative arm was 12 months, event free survival (EFS) at 12 years was 0.11±0.02%. In multivariate analysis, cytogenetics at diagnosis was the most important prognostic factor for CR (p=0.001). With a median follow up of 10 years (range 0.1 - 11.8) probability of overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 0.48±0.11; 0.13±0.03; 0.10±0.04 and 0.08±0.03 for pts with favorable, normal, other and unfavorable cytogenetics. Median survival for pts treated with palliative chemotherapy was 54 days. In conclusion treatment of older AML pts with an intense dose of AraC in the induction therapy is feasible and able to induce high rates of CR. Nevertheless, despite the high CR rate in this setting OS and EFS are still low. However, importantly, this does not apply for patients with favorable cytogenetics. This result also confirms the need for cytogenetic analysis to be performed in all pts older than 60 years potentially eligible for intensive induction therapy. The treatment results with palliative chemotherapy are disappointing. These results reported here need to be set in relation with the new therapeutic modalities for AML including epigenetic and molecular therapies. Disclosures Al-Ali: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Wolf:Bayer: Honoraria; Geo Pharma: Honoraria.

Description: Treatment of elderly patients (pts) with AML requires a sensitive balance between efficacy and toxicity. In the AML97 study all pts with AML 〉 60 years (y) were registered and, according to their clinical status, treated in curative, palliative or supportive intention. From a total of 520 pts enrolled, 375 (72%) pts were allocated to the curative, 112 (22%) to the palliative and 33 (6%) to the supportive part of the protocol. Patient characteristics between the 3 groups differed in respect to age, but not in regard to the distribution de novo and secondary AML. Median age of the pts was 66 y (range 60–80 y), 75 y (range 64–90 y) and 76 y (range 63–97 y) for the curative, palliative and supportive protocol respectively. Curative treatment consisted of one (in case of PR after the first chemotherapy of two) courses of induction therapy (AraC 2 g/m2 iv on day (d) 1,3,5,7 in combination with mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv d 1-3) followed by two consolidation courses (AraC 240 mg/m2 iv d 1-5 combined with mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 iv d 1-2). Palliative treatment included idarubicin 10 mg po d 1 in combination with thioguanine 40 mg po d 1-5, or AraC 80 mg sc d 1-5 or etoposide 100mg po d 1-5. In the supportive arm transfusions were applied. CR was obtained in 75% (95 CI: 68–82%) of pts with de novo AML and in 61% (95 CI: 50–70%) of pts with secondary AML in the curative arm with an early death rate of 12 % (95CI: 7–17%) and 19% (95 CI: 12–24%) respectively. Cytogenetic risk factors at diagnosis were the most important prognostic factor for CR (p 60 y with low mortality and CR are not different to those of pts 〈 60 y, if cytogenetics are taking into account. Despite high CR rate, OS remains low and consolidation therapy need to be improved. Transplant protocols with reduced intensity conditioning are currently tested in these patients. Treatment results in the palliative arm are disappointing and confirm the need to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Description: Background:Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder, characterized by increased platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. Therefore, affected patients present with bleeding complications of various severity. However, another frequent complication of ITP is fatigue, which is often underestimated. In Europe the oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist Eltrombopag (EPAG) is licensed for the treatment of patients with persistent and chronic ITP who are refractory to previous treatments. EPAG has previously been shown to elevate platelet count and reduce bleeding complications in ITP patients, but the therapeutic effect on fatigue is unclear. Here we present data from the scheduled 3rd interim analysis of the RISA study. Methods:RISA is an ongoing, single-cohort, non-interventional, multicenter observational study. The individual follow-up period is approximately 24 months. Dosage of EPAG and treatment of patients follows the Summary of Product Characteristic (SmPC) or the routine of treating physicians. Fatigue is assessed at baseline and during the study using the FACIT-Fatigue Scale (Version 4). Annual interim analyses are performed to assess treatment effectiveness and safety. For this interim analysis, an evaluation of patients with prior application of Rituximab is planned. Results:210 patients received at least one dose of EPAG and completed one post baseline assessment. Mean±SD age was 63.1±17.4 years, median (range) duration of ITP was 5.6 (0.0- 44.9) years, 10% were splenectomized, 52.4% were female, median platelet count (range) at baseline was 33.5x109/L (0.0-270.0), 37.6% reported bleeding complications (any grade) within 12 months prior baseline (WHO °I 30% , °II 4.8% , °III 1.9% , °IV 0% , 1% grade missing), 85.2% received prior ITP therapy, and 81.4% had at least one concomitant disease. At least one pre-treatment was given to 179 patients. More than half received prednisolone (46.2%) or prednisone (9%) and 24.3% dexamethasone or immuno globulins (20%). Rituximab as pre-treatment was given to 2.9% of the patients but further analysis is not possible due to the small number. Mean±SD daily dose of EPAG was 45.1±14.4 mg. Treatment with EPAG increased median (range) platelet count to 90x109/L (2.0-617.0) within one month. After two years of treatment median (range) platelet count was 122 (9.0-335.0) (Fig. 1). After one month, 75% of the patients showed treatment response, after 24 months 89 % of the patients exhibited platelet counts above 50x109/L. At baseline mean±SD FACIT-Fatigue Score was 36.3±11.1 and remained unchanged during the two-year observation period (38.0±13.3) (Fig. 1). In a first subgroup analysis, 55 (31%) of 175 patients with an evaluable questionnaire at baseline suffered from severe fatigue (score

Description: Thrombosis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Age ≥60 years (y) and/or history of thrombosis labels patients (pts) as high-risk for thrombosis. Yet, thrombosis frequently occurs prior to the diagnosis of PV/ET. In a multicenter study of the East German Study Group (HINC-207; OSHO #091), the interaction between age and time occurrence of the first thrombosis as risk factors for thrombosis after diagnosis was studied. Methods After IRB approvals, JAK2 mutated adults with PV or ET were prospectively enrolled in 9 centers and centrally stratified in a one to two ratio (group A: pts with a history of thrombosis; group B: pts without thrombosis) with a pre-planned minimum of 60:120 pts. Based on a longitudinal and cross-sectional design, clinical and laboratory data at diagnosis, last follow-up, and thrombosis (for group A) were collected. Thrombosis prior to diagnosis was labeled as A1 and thrombosis after diagnosis as A2. Thrombosis risk factors were grouped into age-, previous thrombosis-, thrombosis prior to PV/ET-, cardiovascular (CV)-, thrombophilia-, and disease- (JAK2 allele burden, Hct, and WBC) related. Additionally, therapies [aspirin (ASS), anticoagulation, phlebotomy, and cytoreduction] and data from a study-own patient questionnaire were included. All pts signed informed consent. The primary endpoint was the phenotypic diversity in JAK2-mutated ET and PV pts with or without thrombosis. Results From April to Dec, 2019, 246 pts were recruited. Data on 237 pts (median age 62y; 59% females, 58% PV) are available. At diagnosis, pts in group A (n=71, median age 59.5y) tended to be younger than those in group B (n=166, median age 63y) (p=0.07). Yet, 70.4% thrombotic events (venous: median age 46.5y; arterial: median age 57y) occurred in A1 and correlated with younger age (p=0.03). Only 3 pts developed a second event after diagnosis. These were counted in A2 (n=24, median age at thrombosis: 61y). Overall, thrombosis occurred either prior to or within the first 3y after diagnosis in 63/71 (89%) pts. Age〉60y could not be identified as a risk factor for thrombosis or type of thrombosis at any time point. The 5 y probability of no thrombotic event after diagnosis in pts 〉60y was 90.4% vs. 89.2% for pts 3y after diagnosis in pts 〉60y was 3.7% vs. 4.9% for pts 60y (p=0.003) and was not associated with thrombosis. Irrespective of age, hypertension (65%, p=0.03), hyperlipidemia (19%, p=0.008), and diabetes (16.4%, p=0.05) were frequent and correlated with A2 while atrial fibrillation (p=0.03) and inherited thrombophilia risk factors (p45% (median 45%) at diagnosis correlated strongly with age 〉60y (p=0.005) but not with A, A1, or A2, although Hct 〉45% at diagnosis correlated with A2 in PV (p=0.001). Surprisingly, a Hct 〉45% at thrombosis was more frequently present in A1 (55%) vs A2 (30%) (p60y (p15% at thrombosis did not correlate with A. Age rather than thrombosis was the trigger for cytoreduction [82% hydroxyurea (HU) in B pts 〉60y vs 53% in A pts 60y and less with thrombosis. Their value as surrogate markers for therapeutic interventions to reduce thrombosis needs to be critically evaluated in larger series. Whether adequate PV/ET- or CV-risk- treatments account for the low rate of CV events after diagnosis (despite a higher incidence of CV-risk factors) compared to the general population could not be answered due to study design and needs to be addressed prospectively. Disclosures Al-Ali: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Description: Background: The advent of B-cell-receptor associated kinase inhibition (BCR-KI) inaugurated a novel therapeutic principle in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). First-in-class Ibrutinib (Ib) and Idelalisib (Id) received marketing authorization from the EMA for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) CLL in 2012 and 2014, respectively. In spite of ample evidence from trials, real life data are scarce. Methods: Our clinical registry has been previously described in detail [https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2018-99-110618]. It comprises of 168 unselected CLL patients (pts.), who were observed between 10/2014 and 08/2020. 65 of them required treatment during this period: 39 x 1st line only and 26 x 〉 2nd line. 18 of these 26 r/r CLL pts were treated either with Ib (11 x) or Id (7 x). Treatment was started according to iwCLL guidelines. The type of BCR-KI was chosen based on an individual's performance status, previous treatment and co-morbidity. Median 1st line-treatment (as a rule immunochemotherapy) started 27.5 months (m) after diagnosis (range: 0.5 m to 87.5 m). Time from 1st line therapy to BCR-KI treatment ('Ctx effected time') was 13.0 to 128.1 m (median 50.5 m), in total (18 pts.) 1052.5 m, i.e. 87.7 years (y). 17 of 18 pts. had received Rituximab (R) as part of a pre-BCR-treatment protocol. Estimated charges per month are 9.000 € in Id + R, 7.000 € in R + chemotherapy (ctx, i.e. Fludara or Bendamustin mostly) and 4.500 € in Ib or Id mono or R + Chlorambucil (Clb) respectively. Results: Patients described herein differed according to age at start of BCR-KI (44.4 to 86.8 y, median 76.0 y), sex (10 m, 8 f), types and lines (1 to 6, median 2) of prior treatment. Indications for BCR-KI were increasing tumor burden (17 x, 1 x combined with pleural effusion) and persistent hemolysis (1 x). Genetic high risk features comprised of at least one of the following: IGHV unmutated status, mutation and/or deletion of TP53 gene, deletion of 11q, and complexe karyotype. These features were present in 17 of 18 pts. (median 3 features). In particular, unmutated IGHV was found in 13/18 r/r pts who received BCR-KI (total cohort of r/r pts, 21/26). Overall response rate was 78% (Ib 8/11; Id 6/7). Time to next therapy or death (`KI effected time`) varies from 1.1 m to 69.1 m - in total 286.9 m until now. 4 pts. continued BCR-KI from 30 to 67 months. This was always the longest period of unchanged therapy in these 4 pts. Shorter `KI effected time` in the other 14 pts. was associated with higher treatment line and treatment interruptions. 2 responding pts. (without side effects) stopped BCR-KI and stayed in ongoing hematological remission for 11 and 25 months after cessation of treatment. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 6 pts. (Ib 4 x, Id 2 x). 5 pts. died on BCR-KI, but there was no therapy related death. Approximate costs per month in Germany are 1700 € in `Ctx effected time` (1.800.000 € per 1052,9 m) and 4.700 € in `KI effected time` (1.350.000 € per 286,9 m). Of note, one pt. on Id showed clinical progression associated with genetic evolution after 67 months of BCR-KI. He promptly responded to venetoclax. Discussion: In real live many r/r CLL pts. are elderly and present a broad spectrum of different clinical features. A clinical registry can reflect this and may add to our knowledge from multicenter studies. Remarkably almost all of our unselected r/r CLL pts. revealed genetic high risk features, in particular unmutated IGHV status, making them ideal candidates for targeted treatment strategies. These strategies take advantage of the fact that BCR-KI has been demonstrated to be well tolerated and effective in elderly and pre-treated pts. Undoubtedly BCR-KI increases the total costs of therapy, but affords a prolongation of overall survival. Remaining open questions include optimal treatment sequences, combination partners for BCR-KI as well as thorough analysis in the quality of molecular remissions. Disclosures Böttcher: Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria.