ALBERT

Description: Key Points We observed that SMAD7, a negative regulator of TGF-β receptor-I kinase, is markedly reduced in MDS, and leads to ineffective hematopoiesis. Increased levels of microRNA-21 are seen in MDS and reduce SMAD7 levels, thus overactivating TGF-β signaling.

Description: Background: SL-401 is a novel targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor (CD123), a target overexpressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts and AML cancer stem cells (CSCs), and a variety of additional hematologic malignancies. While conventional chemotherapy can induce remission in a majority of treatment-naive AML patients, relapse rates remain high. Outcomes are particularly poor when minimal residual disease (MRD), as determined by genetic and/or flow cytometric analyses, remains after therapy, with high rates of relapse and short disease-free survival. Conceivably, a therapy directed at lowering MRD burden may improve long-term outcomes. Given the association of MRD with CD123+ AML CSCs, SL-401 is being evaluated in patients with AML in first or second complete remission (CR1 or CR2, respectively) with high risk of relapse including persistent MRD. Preliminary results are reported here. Methods & Results: This multicenter, single-arm Phase 2 trial of AML patients in CR1 or CR2 with high risk of relapse includes a lead-in (stage 1) and expansion (stage 2). In stage 1, patients (MRD+ or MRD-) receive SL-401 as a daily IV infusion at 7, 9, or 12 ug/kg/day for days 1- 5 of a 28 day cycle in a 3x3 design. In stage 2, patients (MRD+ only) receive SL-401 at the dose determined in stage 1. Presence of MRD for eligibility requires either molecular (by cytogenetics, FISH, PCR, or next-generation sequencing of AML-associated mutations) or multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) evidence of persistent abnormalities in the setting of morphologic CR. In stage 2, MRD assessment will include MFC of bone marrow aspirates conducted at a central laboratory for uniformity. Objectives include characterization of SL-401 safety with determination of the maximum tolerated or tested dose, and preliminary assessment of efficacy including changes in MRD burden and response duration. As of 7/27/16, stage 1 has been completed and stage 2 is open for enrollment. Nine patients (stage 1) received SL-401 (7 ug/kg, n=3; 9 ug/kg, n=3; 12ug/kg, n=3). The median age was 63 years (range: 51-78 years); 6 males and 3 females were treated; 8 patients were in CR1 and 1 patient was in CR2 at enrollment. The 12 ug/kg dose level was the highest tested dose with no DLTs; MTD was not reached. The most common treatment-related AEs, all grades, were thrombocytopenia (3/9; 33%) and hypoalbuminemia (3/9; 33%); the most common ≥ grade 3 treatment-related AE was thrombocytopenia (1/9; 11%); there was no DLT. Patients treated at all doses received 1+ to 5+ cycles (ongoing) of SL-401, including 3 MRD+ patients treated at 7 ug/kg (n=1) or 9 ug/kg (n=2) who received 1-5 cycles, and 1 MRD+ patient treated at 12 ug/kg who is receiving ongoing SL-401 for 4+ cycles. For all 3 patients treated at 12 ug/kg (MRD+, n=1; MRD-, n=2), 2 patients remain on SL-401 and have received 1+ and 4+ cycles (both ongoing); one other patient treated at 12 ug/kg discontinued the study because of infection unrelated to study drug. Notably, the one MRD+ patient treated at 12 ug/kg (ongoing at 4+ cycles) had marked MRD reduction as determined by MFC at the local institution; this patient is being considered for stem cell transplant (SCT). Conclusions: Stage 1 is complete without DLT or MTD, and stage 2 (expansion) is open to enroll AML patients in CR1 or CR2 who are MRD+ at the highest tested dose of 12 ug/kg. The safety profile has been similar to that observed in other SL-401 clinical studies, with no unexpected AEs. Targeting MRD with SL-401 has the potential to reduce this chemo-resistant cell population and offer improved long-term outcomes for AML patients in remission with high risk of relapse. Updated data will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT02270463. Disclosures Lane: N-of-1: Consultancy; Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Sweet:Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Wang:Immunogen: Research Funding; Incyte: Speakers Bureau. Stein:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Argios: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Carraway:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Baxalta: Speakers Bureau. Prebet:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Chen:Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lindsay:Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shemesh:Stemline Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Stone:Novartis: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Celator: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Jansen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; ONO: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Xenetic Biosciences: Consultancy. Jabbour:ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy. Konopleva:Cellectis: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding.

Description: Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) represents 1.8% of all new cancers in the United States and is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the US with 30,000 new cases/year. The highest incidence is amongst African Americans (AA) (SEER, 2018). Increased use of autologous stem cell transplant (AHSCT) as well as introduction of proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory agents (iMiDs) have led to an improvement in overall survival (OS) from 35.6% between 1998-2001 to 50.7% in 2008-2014 (Child et al. 2003; Pulte et al. 2014). Despite these improvements, outcomes in MM are heterogeneous and are influenced by sociodemographic factors like race and ethnicity, disease biology (laboratory markers, cytogenetics) and access to transplantation (Al-Hamadani, Hashmi, and Go 2014; Ailawadhi et al. 2016). Several large population-based studies report that Hispanics have low stem cell utilization rates, limited access to novel therapeutics and clinical trials as well (Ailawadhi et al. 2018; Costa et al. 2015; Schriber et al. 2017; Pulte et al. 2014). Hence, outcomes for Hispanics and AA lag behind non-Hispanic Whites as well (Pulte et al. 2014). We wanted to evaluate outcomes of MM patients at Montefiore Medical Center where AA and Hispanics have access to novel agents and therapeutics, and most of whom hail from a poor socio-economic status. Methods: We obtained a cohort of patients diagnosed with MM between 1/1/2000-12/31/2017 from the Montefiore Medical Center Cancer Registry database via Clinical Looking Glass software. Socio-demographic characteristics including self-reported ethnicity, date of diagnosis, histology, laboratory parameters (hemoglobin (Hgb), creatinine (Cr), albumin (Alb), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) within 30 days of diagnosis were obtained. Ethnicity and race variables were condensed to Hispanics, Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and Non-Hispanic African Americans (NHAA). Charlson comorbidity score and its age-adjusted version were calculated. Primary payor (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance or self-pay) was identified for each patient. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using STATA 15.1 statistical software. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and HR and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the cox proportional hazard model. All the variables in the Cox proportional hazard ratio model fulfill the proportional hazard assumption. Results: We identified 1630 patients during the study period; 1502 patients were available for analysis (Table 1) The mean age of diagnosis was 66 years, and NWH were diagnosed at older age when compared to Hispanics or NHAA (71 vs 64 vs 66, p=0.001) respectively. Hispanics had a higher proportion of Medicaid affiliation. The baseline mean Hb (p=0.02), Cr (p=0.02) and LDH (p=0.09) were different; however this difference is unlikely to be clinically relevant (Table 1). Median survival for the cohort was 63 months (95% CI: 59-69). Hispanics had better mean OS (118 months, (95% CI 96-128) as compared to NHW (49 months, 95% CI 40-68)) and NHAA (60 months, 95% CI 53-66) and others (32 months, 95% CI 21-46) (Figure 1). After controlling for age at diagnosis, gender, socioeconomic status, modified Charlson age score, race had a statistically significant impact on the outcome, with NHW (HR-2.01) and NHAA (HR 1.77) having poorer survival when compared to Hispanics (P

Description: Introduction- MDS and AML are hematologic malignancies that are characterized by malignant cell expansion and suppression of normal hematopoietic activity. An inflammatory cytokine milieu in the marrow has been implicated in suppression of normal hematopoietic activity in MDS and AML. Since cytopenias are a major source of morbidity, these incurable diseases need agents that can target the malignant clones while also relieving the repression of healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the marrow. Angiopoietin -1 (Ang-1) is a cytokine that is implicated in vascular development and angiogenesis and has also been shown to regulate stem cell quiescence. Methods and Results- We determined Angiopoietin-1 levels in a large cohort of MDS CD34+ stem cells (n=183) and found its expression to be significantly elevated when compared to marrow CD34+ cells from healthy controls (n=17) (P Value

Description: Background: A neutrophil count of 1500 cells per microliter has been traditionally used as the cutoff for neutropenia and has been considered a marker of increased susceptibility to infections and adverse prognosis. Despite conventional use of this definition, there are no large studies that have examined the direct relationship of low neutrophil counts with overall survival, especially in relation to different ethnicities. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of neutropenia and its prognostic impact among the various ethnicities. Methods: The study cohort was selected from an inner city, multiethnic outpatient population and included 26,652 subjects that were 65 years of age or above. Cox Proportional Hazard Models were built to compare the survival experience of neutropenic and non-neutropenic subjects within three separate ethnic strata. LOESS curves were used to graphically assess the relationship of mortality risk with absolute neutrophil counts in the different ethnicities. Results: Using a cutoff of 1500 neutrophils per microliter, neutropenia was observed in approximately 0.6% of non-Hispanic Caucasians, 2.9% of non-Hispanic Blacks (African Americans) and 1.4% of Hispanics (p

Description: The marrow microenvironment contributes to the pathogenesis of ineffective hematopoiesis in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Since mutations and cytogenetic alterations seen in the hematopoietic compartment are generally not present in marrow stromal cells, we hypothesized that epigenetic alterations may be responsible for altered stroma function in MDS. To elucidate the epigenome of MDS microenvironment, we used the HELP (HpaII tiny fragment Enrichment by Ligation-mediated PCR) assay to study cytosine methylation patterns of 50,000 CpGs loci covering 14,000 promoters in primary stromal cells. Global DNA methylation of 6 MDS marrow-derived stroma was analyzed by HELP assay and compared to 3 healthy controls. MDS stroma showed aberrant hypermethylation compared with controls (3626 hypermethylated vs 306 hypomethylated loci in untreated MDS stromal cells) that preferentially occurred outside of CpG islands (Test of Proportions, P value

Description: Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly; with approximately two-thirds of cases diagnosed at ages older than 65 years. However, this population has been underrepresented in clinical trials. Hence, there are no evidence-based guidelines to select the most appropriate treatment that would balance effectiveness against risk for side effects in the real world. Currently, guidelines advise that doublet regimens should be considered for frail, elderly patients; but more detailed recommendations are lacking. This study aims to describe treatment patterns in older patients with MM and compare treatment response and side effects between doublet and triplet regimens. Methods: Patients diagnosed with MM at 70 years or older and treated at Montefiore Medical Center between 2000 and 2017 were identified using Clinical Looking Glass, an institutional software tool. Recipients of autologous stem cell transplant were excluded. We collected demographic data and calculated comorbidity burden based on the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Laboratory parameters included cell blood counts, renal function, serum-protein electrophoresis and free kappa/lambda ratio pre and post first-line treatment. Treatment was categorized into doublet [bortezomib/dexamethasone (VD) and lenalidomide/dexamethasone (RD)] or triplet regimens [lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVD) and cyclophosphamide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (CyborD)]. Disease response was reported as VGPR, PR, SD or PD using pre-established criteria. Side effects included cytopenias, diarrhea, thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained by manual chart review. Event-free survival was defined as time to treatment change, death or disease progression. Data were analyzed by treatment group using Stata 14.1 Results: A total of 97 patients were included, of whom 46 (47.4%) were males, 47 (48.5%) were Non-Hispanic Black and 23 (23.7%) were Hispanic. Median age at diagnosis was 77 years (range: 70-90). Median baseline hemoglobin was 9.4 (8.5-10.5) and 14 (16.1%) had grade 3/4 anemia. Baseline thrombocytopenia and neutropenia of any grade were less common (18.4% and 17.7%, respectively) and 11 patients (20%) had GFR ≤30. Treatment regimens included VD (51, 52.6%), CyborD (18, 18.6%), RD (15, 15.5%) and RVD (13, 13.4%). Overall, doublets were more commonly used than triplets (66, 68% vs 31, 32%). Baseline characteristics were similar among treatment regimen groups. There was no difference in treatment selection among patients with baseline anemia or baseline neutropenia; however, doublets were preferred for those with underlying thrombocytopenia compared to triplets (93.8% vs 6.2%, p

Description: Introduction: The critical role of cyclin-dependent kinases in cell division and gene transcription has made them targets for anti-cancer therapies. Positive transcription elongation factor b (PTEFb)/cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) plays a key role in transcription of short-lived anti-apoptotic survival proteins and oncogenes such as MYC and MCL-1. BAY 1251152 (BAY) is a potent and highly selective second generation PTEFb/CDK9 inhibitor. We report here the results of a phase I study to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), maximum tolerated dose and preliminary anti-tumor activity of BAY in patients with AML. Methods: Patients with confirmed AML who are refractory to or have exhausted all available therapies were eligible. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 patients were to be enrolled per dose level in a sequential dose escalation design. BAY was administered intravenously over 30 minutes once weekly for 21-day cycles. PK was assessed at cycle-1, day 1/D8/D15. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) for hematologic events were defined as prolonged grade (G) 4 neutropenia and/or G3 thrombocytopenia and/or any G5 event. DLTs for non-hematological toxicity were any G3-G5 event not clearly resulting from underlying malignancy, among others. Responses were evaluated using Cheson (2003) criteria. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed using CTCAE v4.03. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled, 9 of whom failed screening. Twenty one patients received treatment with BAY in 4 dose cohorts: 5, 10, 20, and 30 mg. The median age was 66 (range 20-79), with 62% being male. The median number of prior lines of therapy was 3 (range 1 - 6). Four patients were treated per dose cohorts 1-3 without occurrence of DLTs. Nine patients were treated in cohort 4 (30 mg) and were evaluable for safety, with 7 evaluable for response. Nine patients (43%) discontinued treatment due to clinical progression, 19% due to withdrawal by subject, 19% due to lack of efficacy, 14% due to an AE associated with disease progression. A MTD was not defined. PK assessment indicated that the mean elimination half-life was 3-9 hours with no accumulation over multiple doses. The mean AUC of the 30 mg cohort was within the expected therapeutic exposure range based on preclinical studies. Interestingly, pharmacodynamic assessment of MYC, MCL-1 and PCNA mRNA in whole blood indicated that BAY treatment led to significant, but short-lived, reductions; highest degree of down-regulation was achieved 0.5-4 hours post-dose for MYC, 1-3 hours post-dose for MCL-1, and 1-4 hours post-dose for PCNA. However, no objective responses were observed, with only modest reductions in bone marrow blasts in some patients. In the 30 mg cohort, the longest treatment duration was 63 days. Single patients in each of cohorts 1-3 exceeded this duration but only minimally. Overall treatment-emergent G3/G4 AEs recorded in 〉10% of patients included anemia (G3 26.7%/G4 6.7%), lung infection (G3 23.3%), neutrophil count decreased (G4 20%), febrile neutropenia (G3 13.3%), and leukocytosis (G3 10%). Clinical laboratory assessments in cohort 4 indicated that 7 of 9 patients (78%) had G4 neutrophil count decreased and G3 anemia, and 5 of 9 (56%) had platelet count decreased. G5 events included 2 each for sepsis and cardiac arrest, and 1 patient with leukocytosis; none of the G5 events were considered related to the study treatment. Conclusions: Treatment of AML patients with BAY did not result in objective responses despite achieving drug levels in the expected therapeutic range and evidence of target engagement. Given the good tolerability and on-target activity, BAY 1251152 might be a good candidate for future combination therapies. Disclosures Ottmann: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Fusion Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Scholz:Bayer: Employment. Ince:Bayer: Employment. Valencia:Bayer: Employment. Souza:Bayer: Employment.

Description: Introduction Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare, aggressive T cell neoplasm associated with a retrovirus human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) and carries a dismal prognosis. Within the United States, New York, and Florida see the majority of cases due to the concentration of Caribbean immigrants (Zell, Assal et al. 2016, Malpica, Pimentel et al. 2018). SEER data does not include states like New York and Florida where most cases are seen and therefore a true estimate of the disease burden in this country is not known (Chihara, Ito et al. 2012, Adams, Newcomb et al. 2016). Aim We aim to study the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of ATLL in the United States particularly in the state of New York. Methods Data for New York was obtained from the New York State Cancer Registry (NYSCR). Data were also retrieved from 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries in the United States. Patients with ATLL (HTLV-1 positive) (includes all variants) were categorized using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition codes ICD-O-3 as 9827/3. Race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, all Hispanic and other/unknown in the NYSCR whereas it was categorized as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, all Hispanic, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, and non-Hispanic unknown race in SEER. ATLL patients ≥ 15 years of age were identified from 1995 to 2014 in SEER and all ages were included in NYSCR. Survival was estimated from SEER follow-up data with Kaplan Meier survival analysis. For NYSCR mean and median survival time (month) for deceased patients - cases diagnosed through death certificate only were removed. NYSCR does not conduct active patient follow-up and assumes patients are still alive if we didn't find a deathmatch through vital record or National Death Index linkages. Results Five hundred and eleven patients with ATLL were identified in SEER. These patients had a median survival of 8 months (m) which was worse than all other subtypes of peripheral T cell lymphoma. (Figure 1) Four hundred and twenty-nine patients with ATLL were identified in NYSCR and these patients had a median survival of 4.5 m. (Figure 2) Over the years from 2000 until 2014 the number of cases diagnosed within SEER registry coverage areas has not changed. In New York state however there has been a doubling in the number of cases diagnosed from 1995 to 2014. (Figure 3A, B) The non-Hispanic black population was diagnosed at a median age of 52.5 in SEER and 54 in NYSCR while the non-Hispanic whites were diagnosed at a median age of 71 in SEER and 64.5 in NYSCR. The Hispanic patients were diagnosed at a median age of 58.5 in NYSCR and 52.5 in SEER. (Figure 4A, B) There was no gender predominance with 50% males in both registries. ATLL patients in SEER were 47.2% non-Hispanic white, 31.7% non-Hispanic black, 9.8% Hispanic and 11.4% other/unknown. There were 5.5% Japanese patients (n=28) diagnosed in SEER. NYSCR had 22.4% non-Hispanic white, 59.4% non-Hispanic black, 15.9% Hispanic and 2.3% other/unknown. (Figure 5A, B) Within SEER registries most cases occurred in New Jersey, California, Connecticut and Georgia. (Figure 6) New York state had a significantly higher number of cases than these states. Seventy four percent cases diagnosed within New York state are diagnosed in New York city and only 26% of cases are diagnosed in upstate New York. Based on reported country of birth within New York state, only 27% of the ATLL cases diagnosed are born in the US whereas 49% are born in the Caribbean (most likely to be from Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti). (Figure 7A, B, C) For SEER and NYSCR the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate by race year and other factors will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions ATLL has a worse prognosis than all other PTCL subtypes. New York State has a high endemicity for ATLL with a rising number of cases. The higher percentage of non-Hispanic black patients in New York compared to the rest of the country is consistent with the diverse racial demographics in this state. Survival varied significantly by race/ethnicity and disparities were evident especially for non-Hispanic blacks who were diagnosed at a younger median age and had a shorter survival. Further research into this aggressive disease is needed to improve outcomes for these patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.