ALBERT

Description: Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by progressive bone marrow fibrosis, ineffective erythropoiesis, dysplastic megakaryocyte hyperplasia, and extramedullary hematopoiesis. MF includes primary MF (PMF), post-polycythemia vera MF (post-PV-MF), and post-essential thrombocythemia MF (post-ET-MF). Clinical presentation is heterogeneous, marked by splenomegaly, progressive anemia, and constitutional symptoms. The median survival in patients with high-risk disease is approximately 2 years. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapy, however due to considerable morbidity and mortality rates, HSCT is not appropriate for most patients, including elderly patients with intermediate-II and high-risk disease. The Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib is approved in the US and EU for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk MF, including PMF, post-PV-MF, and post-ET-MF. In clinical studies, treatment with ruxolitinib has been shown to reduce spleen volume by International Working Group (IWG) criteria in approximately 28% to 42% of patients and improve constitutional symptoms of MF in approximately 46% of patients (Verstovsek, J Hematol Oncol. 2017). Ruxolitinib provides symptomatic improvement, however, does not target the malignant clone or appreciably reduce the degree of fibrosis; some patients experience disease progression and leukemic transformation while on therapy (Versotvsek, NEJM. 2010; Harrison, NEJM. 2012; Kremyanskaya, Br J Hem. 2014). Moreover, ruxolitinib is associated with AEs including anemia and thrombocytopenia, which can lead to discontinuation. Approximately 50% of patients treated with ruxolitinib discontinued treatment within 3 years and 73% at 5 years (Verstovsek, Haematologica. 2015; Verstovsek, J Hematol Oncol. 2017; Cervantes, Blood. 2013; Harrison, Leukemia. 2016). Median overall survival in patients who discontinue ruxolitinib is 14-16 months, highlighting the need for novel therapies targeting alternative pathways in the setting of failure or intolerance of JAK inhibitor therapy (Newberry, Blood. 2017). The tumor suppressor protein p53 is the master regulator of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to cellular stress or DNA damage. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is a key regulator of p53, inhibiting its activity via ubiquitination, nuclear export, and direct inhibition of transcriptional activity. Increased MDM2 protein expression has been observed in MF CD34+ cells, suggesting that MF might be sensitive to MDM2 inhibition (Lu M, Blood. 2017). KRT-232 is a potent and selective, oral, small molecule drug that targets MDM2 and prevents MDM2-mediated p53 inhibition, allowing p53 to mediate tumor cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In MF, TP53 is observed to be wild-type in 96% of MF patients, suggesting MDM2 inhibition could be a successful therapeutic strategy in this disease (Raza, Am J Hematol. 2012). KRT-232 has been investigated as monotherapy and in combination with trametinib or dabrafenib in phase I studies of AML and melanoma; the most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) observed were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue. The majority of TRAEs were grade 1 or 2. Methods: KRT-232 is being evaluated in an open-label phase 2 study in patients with MF who relapsed on or are refractory to JAK inhibitors (Figure). Up to 247 patients ≥ 18 years of age, with ECOG performance status ≤ 2, with high-, intermediate-2, or intermediate-1 risk disease by Dynamic International Prognostic System (DIPSS), and failure of prior treatment with JAK inhibitors will be enrolled. The study will be conducted in 2 parts. Part A will identify the recommended dose and schedule by testing varying doses and schedules across 7 treatment cohorts. Part B will evaluate safety and efficacy using the recommended dose and schedule from Part A. The primary endpoint of the study is to determine spleen response at week 24; secondary endpoints include improvement in MPN-SAF Total Symptom Score (weeks 24 and 48), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, and rates of complete remission and partial remission (IWG-ERT and ELN) at week 24. This trial is enrolling at multiple sites in the United States and Europe (NCT03662126, EudraCT: 2018-001671-21). Disclosures Garcia-Delgado: Hospital Virgen De La Victoria Malaga: Employment; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. McLornan:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria. Jourdan:Novartis: Honoraria; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Ali:Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CTI: Honoraria. Pluta:Freelight Poland: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Jansen-Cilag: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Specialistic Hospital in Brzozow,Dept of Haematooncology Ks.Bielawskiego 18 36-200 Brzozow, Poland: Employment; Teva: Honoraria; Roche Poland: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jansen Cilag Poland: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ewing:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Meeting attendance sponsorship ; Bristol Myers-Squibb: Other: Meeting attendance sponsorship . Khan:Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding. Jost:Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Other: Travel Support; Pfizer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Royalty payments for the drug compound ABT-199, Research Funding; Bohringer: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Rothbaum:Kartos Therapeutics: Employment, Patents & Royalties: Pending; Quogue Bioventures LLC: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. McGreivy:Kartos Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Verstovsek:Incyte: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma Corp: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Pharma Essentia: Research Funding; Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Ital Pharma: Research Funding; Protaganist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Constellation: Consultancy; Pragmatist: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Yes, KRT-232 is an investigational small molecule MDM2 inhibitor. This trial-in-progress abstract describes a registered clinical trial that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of KRT-232 for patients with myelofibrosis.

Description: Upregulation of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) was found to be associated with unfavorable prognosis and resistance to treatment in a broad spectrum of malignancies, recently also in classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL). As demonstrated, variable CAIX expression in a significant number of cHL cases was associated with poor treatment response. The current study focused on the quantification CAIX immunopositivity and its relative expression compared to the total CD30+ neoplastic pool using digital image analysis. One hundred and one lymph node samples featuring cHL histology were analyzed for both CD30 and CAIX by immunohistochemistry. Whole histological slides were scanned and immunopositivity was determined as the histoscore (H-score) using the DensitoQuant software module (3DHistech Kft., Budapest, Hungary). CAIX positivity was observed in the HRS-cells of 56/101 cases (55.44%) and frequently observed in the proximity of necrotic foci. CAIX H-scores were highly variable (range: 2.16–90.36, mean 18.7 ± 18.8). Individual CAIX values were independent of the much higher CD30 values (range 3.46–151.3, mean 52.37 ± 30.74). The CAIX/CD30 index proved to be the highest in the aggressive lymphocyte-depleted (LD) subtype (CAIX/CD30: 0.876). The CAIX expression and the CAIX/CD30 relative index can be precisely determined by image analysis, and values reflect the extent of a tumor mass undergoing hypoxic-stress-related adaptation in the most aggressive forms of cHL.

Description: Abstract 4492 Introduction: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated immuncompromised state carries high risk of infectious complications. Gram-positive cocci are responsible for the majority of the post-transplant bloodstream infections. Viral and invasive fungal infections can be significant causes of morbidity. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is involved in innate immune response. MBL is an acute phase protein, synthesized in the liver. MBL binds microbial surface carbohydrates and mediates opsonophagocytosis directly and by activation of the lectin complement pathway. MBL also functions as co-receptor of Toll-like receptor. Serum MBL level is genetically determined and quite stable. MBL deficiency is a result of impaired assembly or stability of multimers. In patients who received high dose chemotherapy/transplantation, the innate immunodeficiency is an additive risk factor for infectious complications. According to literature, significant association was shown between low concentrations of MBL and serious infections. MBL is a potential modifier of susceptibility to infection in patients who have chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Furthermore, infections might also compromise the engraftment of stem cells and the development of cell-lines might be prolonged. Patients and methods: The association between serum MBL level and frequency, severity and occurrence of infections has been studied in 127 patients following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Subgroups, i.e. multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma were formed and the infectious complications have been compared. A double-monoclonal antibody sandwich ELISA system (BioPorto, Denmark) was used, which is a sensitive method for determining the MBL antigen levels in the sera. The range of MBL level in healthy population varies between 5 and 5000 ng/ml,

Description: Bortezomib (Velcade) proved to be the standard element of refractory myeloma 2nd and 3rd line treatment, while many studies are suggesting excellent results in 1st line. Proteasome inhibition, the block of angiogenesis, modification of the NF-kappa-B system seems to be a challenging target in other malignant diseases, including refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well. In vitro data clearly support, that bortezomib exerts antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in different AML cell-lines, along with human AML cell cultures, and moreover bortezomib was able to restore, or at least improve anthracyclin and possibly ARA-C sensitivity in different cell-lines (including AML). More recently, a Phase I trial showed bortezomib monotherapy efficient (only in few percents) in childhood refractory acute leukemia. Some case reports were shown at ASH 2007. We have tried bortezomib containing first or second line combinations in 27 (14 female, 13 male, mean age 57.6 years) patients with refractory or poor risk AML, in a small retrospective survey. The combinations were as follows: HAM or Flag-Ida, combined with bortezomib 1,3 mg pro sqm, day O and seven). The following groups were considered as refractory or poor risk AML: De novo AML, 2nd line: No response/remission to first line standard treatment (“3+7”), n=2 (Velcade- Flag-Ida treatment) De novo AML 1st line: bilineal or biphenotypic (flow-cytometry) n=2 (Velcade-Flag- Ida treatment) De novo AML with complex (numerical or more than 3 abnormalities) karyotype or normal karyotype with flt-3 TKD mutation, n=9, 1st line (Velcade-Flag-Ida n=6, Velcade- HAM protocol, n=3) Secondary AML or AML with evidence of previous more than 6 mo duration high grade MDS, n=14, 1st line: (Velcade-Flag-Ida n=9, Velcade-HAM n=5) RESULTS: Complete remission (CR) 12/27, partial remission (PR) 9/27, no remission 5/27, progression during treatment: 1/27.Best responses were seen in de novo cases. CR had been achieved in all patients of group 1 (two standard risk patients not responding to 3+7 protocol), and group 2 (biphenotypic, bilineal). The CR rate was quite appreciable in group 3, i.e. 6/9 (complex karyotype or normal karyotype with FLt-3 mutation – the response rate was excellent with flt-3 mutated cases). In group 4. (MDS, secondary AML) the results were less impressive. There were no major differences according to protocol (Flag-Ida or HAM) Allogeneous stem cell transplantation could have been performed in 1st CR in two patients (one from group 1. and another from group 2.). One of them died due to relapse, the other one is in CR since then. The combinations seem to be relatively safe. Induction related death rate was low (1 elderly patient acute thrombocytopenic bleeding with refractory MDS-AML). 5 other patients had severe neutropenic sepsis (2 with fatal outcome). Pulmonary syndrome, which may follow Velcade+ARA-C had not been documented. Other adverse events did not differ from the pattern observed with standard induction therapies.

Description: Background Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune bleeding disorder, characterized by a low platelet count (35×109/L), were recruited. Oral corticosteroids, oral immunosuppressants, and/or thrombopoietin receptor agonists at stable doses were permitted. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included pharmacodynamic (PD) markers, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, presence of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and autoantibodies, and efficacy. Data for all endpoints were summarized by group using descriptive statistics. Data until the last visit of the first treatment cycle of the OLE period are reported. Results Thirty-eight patients (placebo [N=12], efgartigimod at a dose of 5 mg/kg [N=13] or 10 mg/kg [N=13]), mostly with longstanding ITP (median disease duration 4.8 [0.1-47.8] years) who had insufficient response to prior ITP therapy or failed splenectomy (N=6), were randomized. Twenty (52.6%) patients had a baseline platelet count

Description: Abstract 5050 Introduction: We aimed to investigate the effect of bortezomib-based induction therapy for the treatment of transplant-eligible multiple myeloma (MM) patients, as compared to non-bortezomib-based treatments, in daily clinical practice. Patients and methods: All 122 transplant eligible MM patients treated at our center between 2003 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively without selection. Patients had received induction with or without a bortezomib-based regimen, followed by high dose therapy (single Mel200+APSCT). The group consistend of 64 males and 58 females, mean age: 55, 2±8, 7 year. 45, 9% of the patients had IgGκ (56), 18% IgGλ (22), 10, 6% IgAκ (13), 7, 3% IgAλ (9), 0, 8% IgMκ (1), 3, 2% κ (4), 10, 6% λ (13), and 3, 2% had non secretory (4) MM. Bone marrow FISH analysis revealed del-13q in 2 cases, monosomy 13 in 14, t4:14 in 1, monosomy 13 + del 17p in 1. Plasma cell leukemia (primary and secondary) was found in 2 cases. Induction therapy was applied either in our center, or patients were referred to us to perform high dose therapy after induction therapy given in other regional hematology departments. Due to regulatory reasons, patients mainly received non-bortezomib containing induction (VAD, thal-dex 78%, bortezomib-based 22%) until 2008. Later predominantly bortezomib-based therapy was used (69%, mainly VTD or PAD), the remaining (mainly those referred to our center) cases had thal-dex, or CTD induction. Results: Patients without bortezomib in induction: The mean followup of the 22 patients who did not receive bortezomib as part of induction was 53. 2+21. 9 month, 14 of them died (66, 7%) during followup. Median survival reached at 38 month following induction, or if calculated after completion of high dose therapy median survival was 52 month. Patients with bortezomib based induction. The mean follow-up time of this 100 patients time was 44, 5+ 27, 6 months. 25 pts died (25%) and survival probability at 50 month from the initation of induction was 69. 8 % in these patients compared to the 40. 7% estimated survival for the patients without bortezomib (p

Description: Fungal infections represent a worrisome complication in hematologic cancer patients and in the absence of disease specific symptoms, it is important to establish new biological indicators, which can be used during mould-active prophylaxis. Recently, miRNAs have appeared as candidate diagnostic and prognostic markers of several diseases. A pilot clinical study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 14 microRNAs which can be related to invasive fungal infections. Based on our data miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-26b-5p and miR-21-5p showed significant overexpression (p 

Description: Background. Myeloma patients reaped immense benefit from the introduction of new classes of drugs over the last decades. This improvement, however, was much less marked in patients with translocation 11;14 [t(11;14)], a group in which immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) - the two most important pillars of current myeloma care - are less effective. This subgroup of patients used to be known for their relatively slow pace of progression often experiencing long plateau phases following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), whereas at the same time t(11;14) is also disproportionately prevalent in difficult to treat clinical entities such as plasma cell leukemia or AL amyloidosis. Venetoclax, a selective bcl-2 inhibitor first approved for CLL was investigated for the treatment of relapsed myeloma patients and although it failed to show benefit for myeloma patients as a whole, t(11;14) patients showed exceptional responses, thus paving the way towards the first genetically targeted treatment in myeloma. As a result, its off label use is on the rise, even though clinicians have to face unanswered questions regarding the right dosage and therapy length, as well as the potential for adverse events (AEs), especially infections. Real world data could help elucidate its optimal use, but is as of yet very limited. Aims and methods. We addressed all Hungarian centers treating myeloma to evaluate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax, collecting data about the treatment duration, AEs, dose modifications and treatment discontinuations, and analysed response rates as well as progression free survival (PFS). Results. 33 patients were reported from 7 Hungarian sites. After the initial analyses, we identified two distinct rationales for venetoclax treatment. 22 patients were relapsed and heavily pretreated with an average of 4.5 prior lines; here venetoclax was chosen as ultimum refugium. In this group, combination partners were bortezomib-dexamethasone (VelDex) in 14 patients, 5 had dexamethasone only, one VRd, one DRd and one Kd. Considering the highly pretreated nature of this group, the overall response rate was a remarkably high 95% with 40.9% partial, 31.8% very good partial, and 22.7% complete responses. Treatment mostly continued until progression. The median PFS and OS calculated from venetoclax initiation were 299 and 437 days. The most common AEs were cytopenias and infections reported in 8 and 6 patients with 1 fatal infection. In the second group, 11 patients received venetoclax after a suboptimal initial response (6 PR, 4 SD, 1 PD) to their first line IMiD+PI combination with the goal of further tumor elimination preceding ASCT. Remarkably, although the length of venetoclax treatment was short - median 2 cycles -, all 11 patients deepened their response to at least VGPR and 7 to CR. 9 patients had ASCT converting 2 further VGPRs into CR, so at the end of the planned protocol 10 of the 11 patients had CR. Venetoclax was combined with VelDex in 9 and VTD in 2 cases, the one year PFS and OS were 91 and 100%, with no venetoclax related AEs reported. An important aspect of our analysis was the question of venetoclax dosing, as the appropriate dose in this indication is not yet clear. Reflecting this uncertainty, as well as funding difficulties with this off-label drug, only one patient received 800 mg dose as seen in the Bellini trial; one received 600 mg daily, with all others taking 400 mg or less. To counteract this lower daily dose available, some centers employed a combination with clarithromycin, a strong CYP3A inhibitor known to increase venetoclax serum levels two- to threefold. Where available, serum venetoclax levels were monitored to ensure serum levels comparable to regular dosing. Another point to emphasize is that 5 patients in the relapsed, and another 2 in the frontline group had deletion 17p, usually resulting in refractoriness to standard treatments. Among these patients however, 5 reached VGPR, 1 PR, and only one progressed on venetoclax treatment. Some responses proved lasting especially in the frontline group. Conclusion. Our results highlight the importance of targeted treatments in multiple myeloma. We experienced lasting responses in quadruple-refractory patients. In the newly diagnosed group where the depth of pre-ASCT response has a big impact on PFS, venetoclax may have a role converting suboptimal responses into CRs by eliminating residual disease. Figure Disclosures Illés: Takeda, Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche;: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Celgene, Janssen, Novartis,Roche, Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen, Celgene, Takeda, Novartis Pharma SAS, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel, Roche;: Consultancy, Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: venetoclax use in t(11;14) myeloma which is not yet licensed