ALBERT

Description: Background: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) frequently occurs in women of childbearing age. Recently, an increased risk of pregnancy complications was reported in patients with ET carrying the JAK2V617F mutation (Passamonti et al. Blood. 2007;110:485). In the current study, we sought to validate this observation as well as identify other predictors of pregnancy loss in ET. Methods: Data was abstracted from the medical records of a consecutive cohort of patients with WHO-defined ET seen at the Mayo Clinic. Patient characteristics and pregnancy outcome are summarized using descriptive statistics. The analysis of risk factors associated with pregnancy complications was carried out by both univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: i) Patient characteristics at ET diagnosis A total of 63 pregnancies were recorded in 36 women at or after their diagnosis of ET. At diagnosis of ET, median (range) values were: age 26 years (15–36), platelet count 1350 x 109/L (683–3300), hemoglobin level 13.3 g/dL (10.5–16) and leukocyte count 9.3 x109/L (5–26.9). JAK2V617F mutation analysis was performed in 20 patients; half were positive. Only 5 patients had a history of thrombosis at diagnosis. Follow-up after ET diagnosis was for a median of 82.9 months (range, 6.5–340.8 months). ii) Outcome of first pregnancy at or after diagnosis of ET A total of 36 first pregnancies were documented at or after the diagnosis of ET. At the time, median (range) values were: time from diagnosis 25.5 months (0–155), age 28 years (20–36), platelet count 840 x 109/L (255–1998), hemoglobin 12.9 g/dl (9–16.6) and leukocyte count 8.4 x109/L (6.6–19.8). Seven of the 36 (19%) women were receiving cytoreductive therapy at time of conception: anagrelide (n=4), interferon (n=1), hydroxyurea (n=1) and radiophosphorus (n=1). Aspirin therapy was documented in 53% of the women at time of conception and in 69% during the first trimester of their pregnancy. Among the 36 first pregnancies, 61% (n=22) resulted in live birth and 39% (n=14) in fetal loss. Twelve of the 14 pregnancy losses occurred during the first trimester (10 spontaneous miscarriages, 1 ectopic pregnancy and 1 therapeutic abortion) and the remaining two during the second trimester. Maternal complications occurred in 11% (n=4) of pregnancies and included pre-eclampsia (n=1), hematoma after Cesarean-section (n=2) and post-partum hemorrhage (n=1). iii) Predictors of first pregnancy outcome in ET Pregnancy outcome, in terms of live birth versus miscarriage did not correlate with age (p=0.27), presence of cardiovascular risk factor (p=0.76), platelet count (p=0.49), leukocyte count (p=0.67) or hemoglobin level (p=0.31). Similarly, pregnancy loss was similar between JAK2V617F-positive (4 of 10 pregnancies) and JAK2V617F-negative (4 of 10 pregnancies) patients (p〉0.9). Furthermore, among 5 cases of 3 consecutive miscarriages, 4 were JAK2V617F-negative. Interestingly, the rate of pregnancy loss was only 21% among 24 patients receiving aspirin therapy during the first trimester as compared to 75% among the 12 patients in whom no such treatment was documented (p=0.002). iv) Second and subsequent pregnancy outcome Seventeen second pregnancies were recorded; 71% (n=12) resulted in live birth that included 8 of 9 patients with successful and 4 of 8 with unsuccessful first pregnancies (p=0.07). The trend was similar among 7 third pregnancies, which resulted in only one live birth; 5 of the 6 fetal losses occurred in women with history of first pregnancy loss (p=0.09). Conclusion: The current study does not support the recently communicated association between the presence of JAK2V617F and increased risk of pregnancy loss in ET. Instead, two parameters of potential importance for predicting pregnancy outcome in ET were identified; the occurrence of a miscarriage might be a marker for a similar event during subsequent pregnancies whereas aspirin therapy during the first trimester might be beneficial.

Description: Background: In both polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), aspirin and/or hydroxyurea therapy provide adequate protection from thrombosis but not from disease transformation into acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) or myelofibrosis (MF). In designing clinical trials with new drugs, including the use of small molecule JAK2 inhibitors, in either ET or PV, it is important to identify patients who are at a higher risk of early transformation into AML/MDS/MF as well as those in whom the long-term risk of these complications is too low to justify exposure to experimental drugs with unknown short-term and long-term toxicity profile. Methods: Information on an institutional database of 1061 patients with either PV (n=458) or ET (n=603) was updated in July of 2007. The World Health Organization criteria were used for diagnosis of PV, ET, AML, MDS, and MF. Two different approaches were used to assess both early and overall risk of AML/MDS/MF development in both ET and PV. In the first approach, three distinct groups were delineated and their presenting features compared; group A was comprised of patients who have remained AML/MDS/MF free after a minimum follow-up of 20 years whereas groups B and C included patients who developed either AML/MDS or MF, respectively, in the first decade of their disease. In the second approach, prognostic factors for AML/MDS/MF-free survival were examined among the entire cohort of 1061 patients. Results : In ET, the number of patients that fulfilled the above-mentioned criteria for inclusion in groups A, B, and C were 40, 12, and 8; the three groups displayed significant differences in the prevalence, at diagnosis, of lower than normal hemoglobin level (8% vs. 58% vs. 38%; p=0.0004), male sex (18% vs. 58% vs. 50%; p=0.01), and arterial thrombosis at diagnosis (p=0.03), respectively. However, only the former two remained significant during multivariable analysis that included age as a covariate. In PV, the number of patients in groups A, B, and C were 23, 18, and 12; the only difference between the three groups was the association between group B and leukocytosis (p=0.02). Cox regression analysis of the entire 1061 ET/PV patients cohort, including 65 AML/MDS/MF events in ET and 36 AML/MDS events in PV, confirmed the inferior AML/MDS/MF-free survival in ET associated with lower than normal hemoglobin and AML/MDS-free survival in PV associated with leukocytosis (Figure). Conclusion : The current study identifies PV patients with leukocytosis as being the most appropriate and ET patients without anemia as the least appropriate for consideration of participation in experimental drug treatment trials. Figure Figure Figure Figure

Description: Background: Leukocytosis has recently been implicated as an adverse prognostic feature for thrombosis in both ET and PV. Such an association would be therapeutically most relevant in the context of “low-risk” disease. In the current study, we sought to clarify the relationship between leukocytosis at diagnosis and the subsequent occurrence of either arterial or venous thrombosis, in “low-risk” patients with ET or PV. Methods: Data was abstracted from the medical records of a consecutive cohort of patients with WHO-defined ET or PV seen at the Mayo Clinic. Low-risk disease was defined by the absence of both thrombosis history and age 3 60 years. Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to determine the impact of clinical and laboratory variables on thrombosis-free survival (TFS). Arterial- or venous-specific TFS curves were constructed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: i) Patient characteristics and outcome A total of 407 “low-risk” patients were studied; 153 had PV (median age 48 years; females 43%) and 254 ET (median age 42 years; females 71%). A total of 46 thrombotic events (22 arterial and 24 venous) were recorded in 41 (27%) patients with PV during a median follow up of 130 months (range 2–562 months). The corresponding figures in ET were 54 total thrombotic events (41 arterial and 14 venous) in 47 (19%) patients at a median follow up of 104 months (range 0.25–424 months). Cytoreductive therapy was avoided in the presence of 〈 1000 x 109/L platelet count but, at the discretion of the treating physician, some patients with higher platelet counts received prophylactic cytoreductive therapy. ii) Correlation between leukocytosis and thrombosis A leukocyte count of 3 15 x 109/L at diagnosis was documented in 42 (27%) patients with PV and 21 (8%) patients with ET; 102 patients (40%) with ET had 〉 9.4 x 109/L leukocyte count. Leukocyte count considered as either a continuous or categorical variable (using cutoff levels of 15 x 109/L for PV and either 15 x 109/L or 9.4 x 109/L for ET) was not significantly associated with either arterial or venous thrombosis (Figure 1). iii) Correlation between other risk factors and thrombosis In univariate analysis, presence of the JAK2V617F was significantly associated with arterial thrombosis in ET (p=0.049) but significance was lost during multivariable analysis that included age as a covariate. Only advanced age was found to be significantly associated with arterial thrombosis in PV (p=0.04) and higher hemoglobin level with venous thrombosis in ET (p

Description: Abstract 2919 Background: Sideroblastic anemias can be either hereditary due to congenital mutations in factors critical for iron processing or heme biosynthesis, or acquired; acquired sideroblastic anemias may be induced by alcohol or medications, but are usually idiopathic. Pyridoxine, a form of vitamin B6, plays a critical role in heme synthesis as a cofactor for δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS). Some subtypes of congenital sideroblastic anemia, such as those associated with mutations in the ALAS2 gene encoding the erythrocyte-expressed isoform of ALAS, may respond to pyridoxine therapy at doses ranging from 5–500 mg/day. Anecdotal reports of improvement with pyridoxine therapy in cases of acquired idiopathic sideroblastic anemia (AISA) have led to widespread clinical use of this agent in patients with refractory anemia with ring(ed) sideroblasts (RARS) and refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia associated with ring sideroblasts (RCMD-RS). However, there are no systematic studies of the effectiveness of pyridoxine in AISA. Methods: We reviewed clinical and laboratory data from 231 adult patients with marrow aspirate-proven AISA (i.e., RARS or RCMD-RS, based on 2001 WHO criteria) evaluated at our institution between 1994 and 2007. Responses to pyridoxine were assessed using 2006 International Working Group (IWG) standardized criteria for MDS (erythroid response with hemoglobin increase by '1.5 mg/dl). The relationship between response to pyridoxine and disease subtype or International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) stratification was assessed using χ2 test, using a p-value limit of

Description: Abstract 2525 Background: Patients with relapsed AML have a very poor outcome. The molecular signature at diagnosis has emerged as a significant marker for prognostic, and possibly therapeutic, values in newly-diagnosed AML. FLT3 mutations are found in about 25–30% of AML pts. In the absence of FDA-approved agents for FLT3, the prognostic value of FLT3 mutation on clinical outcome for relapsed AML (rAML) is not well documented. Aim: To study clinical implications of FLT3 status on rAML. Methods: All adult pts with AML diagnosed and treated at Mayo Clinic between 2003–2011were studied. Retrospective data collection included pts' demographics, laboratory tests, bone marrow biopsies, FLT3 mutation (internal tandem duplication (ITD) and tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutation), and survival information. IRB approval was obtained in accordance with Helsinki declaration. Chi-Square and T-test were used for comparatives between groups and Kaplan-Meier test was applied for survival estimates using JMP 9.0 software. Results: A total of 192 pts with newly-diagnosed with AML were identified. Sixty percent (115) were males, 88% (168) were Caucasians, 26% (49) had antecedent hematological disease (AHD), and 13% (25) had previous exposure to chemo- or radiotherapy. Forty-seven percent had a normal chromosomal analysis, and 18% (35) had FLT3 mutation (28 ITD, 7 TKD). In FLT3-mutated pts, median WBC was 70 x109/L (p=0.0016), hemoglobin 9.5 g /dL, and platelets 48 x109/L, compared to 8.8 x109/L, 9.1 g/dL, 50 x109/L in the rest of pts, respectively. Peripheral blood blasts were elevated in FLT3-mutated group compared to rest of pts (p 0.0059). A total of 128 pts achieved complete remission (CR), with 79 (62%) subsequently relapsed. Of the relapsed patients, 93% (74) were Caucasians, 54% (43) males, 22% (17) had AHD, and 8% (6) had prior chemo- or radiotherapy. Cytogenetics were diploid in 49% (39) and complex in 15% (12). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was performed in 30% (24) of pts. Eleven of 79 (14%) pts were FLT3-mutated at relapse (Group 1); with 1 pt having TKD-mutation. Forty-eight percent (38) of pts had unmutated-FLT3 (Group 2), and 38% (30) pts were FLT3-unknown (Group 3). In group 1, median WBC was 9.9 x109/L, hemoglobin 10.55 g /dL, platelets 55 x109/L, compared to 3.2 x109/L (p=0.0034), 10.55 g/dL, and 58 x109/L in group 2, respectively. Peripheral blasts were significantly elevated in group 1 compared to group 2 (38% vs 4%, p

Description: Objectives: We conducted a study to describe the cytogenetic findings as well as clinical correlates and long-term prognostic relevance of abnormal cytogenetics at the time of diagnosis of Essential thrombocythemia (ET), in terms of clinical presentation, disease transformation into more aggressive myeloid disorders, and life expectancy. Patients and Methods: The study cohort consisted of a consecutive group of patients with ET who fulfilled the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria, in whom bone marrow biopsy was performed at diagnosis, with interpretable cytogenetic analysis obtained in all cases. Results: A total of 403 patients were studied (median age, 56 years; median follow-up 64 months). The prevalence of abnormal cytogenetics at presentation was 6.7 % (27 of 403). The most common cytogenetic anomalies identified included trisomy 9 (4 patients), trisomy 8 (3 patients) and deletion 20q (3 patients). Parameters at diagnosis that were significantly associated with abnormal cytogenetics included palpable splenomegaly (p=0.03), current tobacco use (p=0.04); venous thrombosis (p= 0.019), extreme thrombocytosis (i.e., platelet count 〉1500 × 109/L, p = 0.03) and anemia with a hemoglobin of less than 10 g/dl (p=0.02); but did not include Jak2 mutation status, nor advanced age (≥ 60 years). During follow up, patients with abnormal cytogenetics were more likely to experience venous thrombosis (p=0.02) but not shorter survival [figure 1], transformation to AML, MDS or MMM, nor a greater requirement for cytotoxic therapy. Conclusion: Cytogenetic anomalies at presentation are relatively uncommon in ET, and do not predict a greater predilection towards evolution into more aggressive myeloid disorders, nor inferior survival. Fig. 1 Overall Survival According to Normal vs Abnormal Karyotype Fig. 1. Overall Survival According to Normal vs Abnormal Karyotype

Description: INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder caused by the pathologic activation of the immune system. In children, either a molecular diagnosis consistent with HLH or five out of the following eight criteria are considered necessary for a diagnosis of HLH (HLH-04 criteria): 1) fever; 2) splenomegaly; 3) cytopenia in two or more cell lines; 4) hypertriglyceridemia (≥265 mg/dL) or hypofibrinogenemia (≤150 mg/dL); 5) hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, spleen, or lymph nodes; 6) hyperferritinemia (≥500 mcg/L); 7) impaired NK cell function; and 8) elevated soluble CD25 (sCD25). These criteria have been extrapolated to diagnose HLH in adults; however, it's unclear if these same criteria are applicable in the adult population. METHODS: We reviewed the Mayo Clinic electronic medical record for all adult (≥18 years) hospitalized patients with an admission serum ferritin of ≥500 mcg/L from January 2012 through December 2014. Patients' charts were reviewed and those who met the HLH-04 criteria were considered to have HLH. For the remainder of the patients, the etiology for hyperferritinemia was determined based on chart review and discharge diagnoses. Logistic regression models were used to assess the ability of these values in predicting a diagnosis of HLH. The Mayo Clinic IRB approved this study. RESULTS: We identified 1,329 patients with a serum ferritin ≥500 mcg/L. Of these, HLH was diagnosed in 28 (2.1%) patients (malignancy-associated HLH in 11 patients, infection-associated HLH in 4 patients, autoimmune-associated HLH in 7 patients, and idiopathic HLH in 6 patients). Table 1 describes the etiology of hyperferritinemia in the remaining 1,301 patients. In contrast to pediatric hospitalized patients (Allen, Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2008), adults are more likely to have malignancy (28.1% vs 7%; p

Description: Background It is widely recognized that advanced age and prior thrombosis predict recurrent thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and are used to risk-stratify patients. However, the paucity of large sample size and long-term follow-up has limited the development of similar prognostic models for survival and leukemic transformation (LT). Methods Data was abstracted from the medical records of a consecutive cohort of patients with WHO-defined ET seen at the Mayo Clinic. Cox proportional hazards was used to determine the impact of clinical and laboratory variables on survival and LT. Overall survival and leukemia-free survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier plots. Results i. Patient characteristics and outcome The study cohort included 605 patients of which 399 (66%) were females (median age, 57 years; range 5–91). Median follow-up was 84 months (range; 0–424). During this period, 155 patients (26%) have died and LT was documented in 20 patients (3.3%) occurring at a median of 138 months (range; 23–422) from ET diagnosis. ii. Prognostic variables for overall survival Univariate analysis of parameters at diagnosis identified age ≥ 60 years, hemoglobin less than normal (defined as 〈 12 g/dL in females and 〈 13.5 g/dL in males), leukocyte count ≥ 15 x 109/L, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, thrombosis, male sex, and the absence of microvascular symptoms as independent predictors of inferior survival. All of the above except the last two (i.e. male sex and the absence of microvascular symptoms) sustained their prognostic significance on multivariate analysis. Based on the first three prognostic variables: age, hemoglobin level, and leukocyte count, we constructed a prognostic model for survival: low-risk (none of the risk factors), intermediate-risk (1of 3 risk factors), and high-risk (≥ 2 risk factors). The respective median survivals were 278, 200, and 111 months (p

Description: Background: Molecular profiling has revolutionized the field of hematology, and in particular myeloid neoplasms. NPM1+/FLT3- mutational status has been shown to have a favorable prognostic impact in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, little is known about its interaction with age. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed AML patients, whose FLT3 and NPM1 data were available, and were treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy at our institution between 2003 and 2013. Patients 18 to 60 years of age were categorized as adult, and those above 60 years were classified as elderly. Each of the elderly or adult groups were further divided according to the presence or absence of combined NPM1+/FLT3- mutational status. Estimated probabilities of overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with the log-rank test to compare groups. Demographics and continuous variables were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Appropriate IRB approval was obtained. Results: Out of 835 patients with AML, 86 patients with both known FLT3/NPM1 mutation status and receiving induction chemotherapy were found. NPM1+/FLT3- mutational status was present in 11 elderly (median age 68 yr, hemoglobin (Hb) 8.7 g/dL, white blood cells (WBC) 9.6 x109/L, platelets (PLT) 100 x109/L, peripheral blood blasts percentage (PB%) 31), and in 11 adult patients (median age 49 years, Hb 9.1 g/dL, WBC 14 x109/L, PLT 67 x109/L, and PB% 21). Twenty-eight elderly patients (median age 66 yr, Hb 9.4 g/dl, WBC 15.7 x109/L, PLT 66 x109/L, and PB% 33), and 36 adult patients (median age 49 years, Hb 9.1 g/dL, WBC 14 x109/L, PLT 67 x109/L, and PB% 21) were carrying genotypes other than NPM1+/FlT3-. There was no statistical significant difference in the median age, Hb, WBC, PLT, and PB% at the time of diagnosis. Out of 86 patients, 79 had intermediate, 6 had adverse, and 1 had favorable cytogenetic risk. All elderly and adult patients with NPM1+/FLT3- genotype had intermediate risk cytogenetics. When treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, elderly patients with NPM1+/FLT3- genotype demonstrated a significantly better overall survival compared to elderly patients without this genotypes (p=0.015), and interestingly also to adult AML carrying other genotypes (p=0.028). Surprisingly, there was not an improved survival in adults with NPM1+/FLT3- genotype compared to adults carrying other genotypes (p=0.14), but this may have been related to the small numbers in each group. No significant difference in the overall survival was observed between elderly and adult patients who were carrying NPM1+/FLT3- mutational status (p=0.4). The estimated 5-year survival rates for elderly with and without NPM1+/FLT3- status were 71% vs. 14%, and for adults with and without this genotype were 49% vs. 19%, respectively. Conclusion: Age does not have an impact on the OS in AML patients with NPM1+/FLT3- mutational status, arguing strongly for intense chemotherapy in this group. Elderly AML patients with NPM1+/FLT3- genotype have a superior OS compared to both adult and elderly patients carrying other genotypes, when treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further validation in large prospective studies is warranted. Figure 1 Figure 1. Figure 2 Figure 2. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Background : CC-5013 (Revlimid™) is an immunomodulatory analog of thalidomide that is substantially more potent than the parent drug in terms of both anti-angiogenic and anti-TNF-α activity. CC-5013 has shown therapeutic activity in thalidomide-responsive hematological malignancies including relapsed multiple myeloma (Blood2002;100:3063) and myelodysplastic syndrome (Blood2002;100:96a). Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) has also been shown to respond to thalidomide (BJH2002;117:288). Furthermore, both angiogenesis and altered TNF-α activity have been pathogenetically implicated in MMM. Methods : The current report considers the first 15 patients in an ongoing phase II treatment trial of single agent CC-5013 in MMM based on a minimum of 3 month follow-up from day 1 of protocol treatment. Study eligibility criteria included no concomitant MMM-directed therapy, a hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 〈 10 g/dL, an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≥ 1 x 109/L, and a platelet count of ≥ 100 x 109/L. Previous thalidomide therapy in the absence of high-grade skin toxicity was allowed. All patients were started with daily oral CC-5013 (10 mg/day) to be taken for three 28-day treatment cycles. Three additional treament cycles were planned in case of anemia response. Results : Median age was 64 years (range, 40–75) and 10 pts were males. Twelve of the 15 study pts (80%) were red cell transfusion-dependent, 14 (93%) were previously treated including 12 with cytoreductive and 4 with thalidomide therapy. The spleen was palpably enlarged in 13 pts (median 18 cm, range 7–23). Eight of the 15 pts (53%) successfully completed 3 months of protocol treatment. Treatment was discontinued in the remaining 7 pts because of drug toxicity (2 pts), disease progression (1 pt), other co-morbid condition (3 pts), or patient discretion (1 pt). Treatment response data : Clinically relevant responses were documented in 4 patients (27%) and consisted of measurable improvements in anemia (2 pts), splenomegaly (2 pts), and/or constitutional symptoms (3 pts). One pt experienced an increase in Hgb level from 8.3 to 13.4 g/dL, a decrease in leukocyte count from 66.2 to 7.7 x 109/L, and complete resolution of myelophthisis including disapperance of circulating blasts that measured 9% before treatment. Another pt became transfusion-independent (Hgb level increased to 〉 10 g/dL) as well as enjoyed a profound improvement in constitutional symptoms. Interestingly, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level decreased in 11 pts (73%) to either within the normal ramge (5 pts) or by more than 30 % (6 pts). Treatment toxicity data : Grade 3 or 4 adverse events that were possibly, probably, or definitely attributed to CC-5013 included rash (2 pts), neutropenia (5 pts), thrombocytopenia (3 pts), and fatigue (2 pts). In addition, 3 patients experienced drug-associated extreme thrombocytosis while a histologically-proven disseminated extramedullary hematopoiesis was documented in one patient after one month of CC-5013 treatment. Conclusion : The current preliminary report suggests a substantial biological activity of CC-5013 in MMM with a therapeutic potential for a subset of patients. Additional studies with a longer duration of therapy, different dose schedules, and combinations of CC-5013 and corticosteroids are warranted.