ALBERT

Beschreibung: Background: Recently, a provisional entity called “refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts with thrombocytosis” (RARS-T) has been characterized in the MDS/MPD overlap category of the WHO classification. Diagnostic criteria include RARS features in association with sustained platelet counts 〉 600 (500) x 109/l and exclusion of cytogenetic abnormalities such as 5q−, t(3,3) and inv(3). Reticulin fibrosis in the bone marrow has been significantly associated with RARS-T. Splenomegaly also seems more frequent than in other RARS subtypes. Among these patients, approximately two thirds present with a JAK2 V617F mutation. On the contrary, JAK2 V617F mutation appears extremely rare in patients with typical RARS (Szpurka H. Blood 2006, Cabello AI. Leuk Research 2005, Malcovati L. ASH 2006, Remacha AF. Haematologica 2006). Case report: In 2001, we observed a 67 years old patient with RARS (22 to 45% ringed sideroblasts). Conventional cytogenetics revealed a trisomy 8 and deletion of chromosome Y. A mild to moderate fibrosis was observed in the bone marrow. At diagnosis, the patient was anaemic but had normal platelet counts which remained strictly normal during the next 6 years. After failure of various treatments, the transfusion requirements increased due to progressive alloimmunization and probably a moderate splenomegaly which had appeared 3 years after the diagnosis (splenic volume evaluated by ultrasonography was completely normal until 2004). In July 2006, the haemoglobin level was 6.1 g/dl despite the transfusion of 11 RBC units in the previous month. In the aim to overcome the suspected hypersplenism, a splenectomy was performed. In the subsequent days following splenectomy, we observed a rapid and persistent increase in platelet count with a peak of 2550 x 109/l. A JAK2 V617F mutation was demonstrated. The normalization and maintenance of platelets was obtained with small doses of anagrelide (0.5mg four doses/week) with RBC transfusion requirements decreasing by 50%. Conclusion: This patient presented most of the main characteristics of RARS-T except thrombocytosis (note that trisomy 8 has been described in association with RARS-T). Our observation suggests that thrombocytosis could be absent in some patients presenting with a very similar pattern of features as described in RARS-T. We postulate that hypersplenism (and possibly other particular biological characteristics) could, in some cases, mask the complete picture of RARS-T.

Beschreibung: Higher-risk MDS with del5q carry a poor prognosis. In this phase 2 trial, 47 patients with higher-risk MDS received lenalidomide 10 mg/day. International Prognostic Scoring System was high in 60%, intermediate-2 risk in 40%. del 5q was isolated, with one additional and more than one additional abnormality in 19%, 23%, and 58% patients, respectively. Thirteen (27%) patients achieved hematologic response, including 7 hematologic complete remission (CR) (with complete [4] or partial [3] cytogenetic response), 2 marrow CR and 4 hematologic improvement erythroid, and 12 became red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independent, for a median duration of 6.5 months. Median CR duration was 11.5 months. Six of 9 (67%) patients with isolated del 5q achieved CR, versus 1 of 11 and none of 27 patients with one or more than one additional abnormality, respectively (P 〈 .001). Seven of 20 (35%) with initial platelets more than 100 000/mm3 obtained CR, compared with none of the 27 with lower platelet counts less than 100 000/mm3 (P = .001). Our data support a potential role of lenalidomide in higher-risk MDS with isolated del 5q. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00424229.

Beschreibung: Abstract 442 Background. ESAs are usually the first line tx of anemia in non del 5q lower risk MDS. However, not all pts respond to ESAs and median response duration is only about 2 years (Park, Blood 2008;111:574). Long-term outcome of pts who do not respond to or relapse after response to ESAs is incompletely known. We analyzed this outcome by updating a previously reported lower-risk MDS cohort of 403 pts treated with ESA in centers of the GFM (Blood 2008;111:574). Methods. We analyzed in that cohort low and int-1 (lower risk) IPSS pts with Hb75 was associated with shorter survival (median OS 31 mo vs. not reached for age 65 (P=0.03). 83 pts relapsed after an initial response (IWG 2000 major and minor in 60.2% and 39.8% pts, resp) of 16.5 mo median duration (range 3–74 mo). At tx onset, M/F was 1.35, median age 74.3, WHO classification RA, RCMD, RARS, RAEB-1 in 14%, 38%, 32%, 16% of cases, resp, karyotype fav, int in 92% and 8% pts, resp, IPSS low, int-1 in 51% and 49% of pts. Median serum ferritin was 695 ng/mL and median sEPO 64 IU/L. 45% of the pts were TD (median 2 RBC units/mo). Median OS and 3-y CI of AML after relapse were 53 mo and 9.7%, resp. Median OS after relapse was 26 mo in RAEB-1 and not reached in other WHO subtypes (P=0.06) and was not influenced by the presence of multilineage dysplasia. Pts who relapsed after 24 mo had a 4.1% 3-y CI of AML vs 12.8% in pts who relapsed before 24 mo (P=0.40). Median OS was not reached in pts who relapsed after 24 mo vs 53 mo in those relapsing before 24 mo (P=0.90). No pre-tx characteristic was predictive of relapse before or after 24 mo. 16% of the 83 pts were aged 65 (P=0.17), and their 3- CI of AML after relapse was 0% vs 12% in pts aged 〉65 (P=0.31). In the overall pt population (ie pts with primary resistance, pts with relapse and pts with sustained response), univariate competing risk modeling found CI of death from cardiovascular causes to be correlated with TD and older age at tx onset but not with response status, while only age remained significant in multivariate analysis (HR=1.12 [1.014-1.24], P=0.02). Both older age and early failure (ie primary failure or relapse

Beschreibung: Abstract 1765 Poster Board I-791 Background ESAs are frequently effective in anemia of lower risk MDS, and at least 2 groups have shown that ESAs did not increase the risk of AML progression while possibly improving overall survival (OS) in those patients (pts) (Blood 2008:111: 574-582, JCO 2008, 26: 3607-13). Although responses to ESAs are generally transient and most pts ultimately require RBC transfusions, ESAs are increasingly used before RBC transfusion requirement, and we evaluated this attitude in our GFM experience. Patients : In a cohort of 403 MDS patients (pts) treated with ESAs either in GFM clinical trials or according to GFM therapeutic guidelines (www.gfmgroup.org)(Blood 2008:111: 574-582), 112 pts had de novo low or int-1 IPSS MDS with Hb=6 months from diagnosis. Conclusion ESA onset within 6 months of diagnosis, in lower risk MDS with Hb

Beschreibung: Abstract 4523 Introduction Bortezomib (VELCADE) is a proteasome inhibitor for treatment of MM. The eVOBS (electronic VELCADE Observational Study) evaluates treatment and clinical outcome with bortezomib in daily practice in the relapsed setting. Enrollment in the study started in Oct 06 and is still continuing, with 3 y follow-up for every enrolled patient. This report concerns preliminary efficacy and Quality of Life (QoL) results of 136 Belgian patients included in the latest interim analysis from June 2009. Patients and Methods Adults were eligible for study if they were scheduled to initiate bortezomib within the approved indication. All bortezomib dosages and concomitant treatments were permitted, except investigational therapies. Due to the non-interventional nature of the study, no predefined response criteria were mandated; response criteria included M-protein, EBMT, SWOG, or others as defined by the investigator. QoL assessment was conducted in Belgium only, using the EORTC Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). The EORTC QLQ-C30 comprises a global health status (GHS) scale, five functional scales and six symptom scales. The questionnaire was administered at baseline and at the start of each treatment cycle. Evolution of mean scores was determined in correlation with baseline characteristics and response. Results were also analyzed for all patients and responders (partial response (PR) or better) vs. non-responders. For this, a mixed model was used comparable to that described by Lee et al. [BJH (2008) 143, 511-519], with missing data due to death being assigned the lowest possible score (model A) vs. being treated as missing (model B). Predictive value of baseline QoL scores for Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS) was assessed. Results One hundred thirty six patients (57% male) are included in this analysis, with median age of 65y, and mean time since MM diagnosis of 2.9 years. Prior number of therapies received was 1 in 56%, 2 in 27%, and 3 or more in 11%. Five % received bortezomib in first line and for 1% data were missing. 97% of patients started bortezomib at 1.3 mg/m2 on the standard schedule. Median treatment duration was 5 cycles. Of the 97 patients that were evaluated for response so far, overall response rate was 69%, with 57% PR and 12% CR/nCR. 14% and 9% of patients reached MR and SD, respectively. 78% of all enrolled patients experienced AEs of any grade, which led to discontinuation of treatment in 30%, comparable with the 37% in the APEX trial (Richardson, NEJM 2005). For QOL assessment 103 patients completed the EORTC QLQ C-30 at baseline, with this number decreasing substantially in subsequent cycles (n=42 by cycle 4). Using model A (death = worst possible outcome), a small but significant decline in QoL was seen for physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social functioning, and for symptom scales of nausea and vomiting and financial impact. Of these, only the decline in cognitive functioning remained significant when applying model B (death = missing). In the APEX trial as well there was a decline in GHS as well as in 8 of the EORTC scale scores (Lee et al BJH 2008). No significant differences were seen according to baseline data (gender, age, line of therapy, lab values). Using model A, the evolution of QoL scores was significantly worse for non-responders vs. responders on the scales of physical, cognitive and emotional functioning, nausea and vomiting, sleep disturbance, diarrhea and financial impact. When using model B, no significant differences in QOL between responder and non-responder groups were detected. Worse baseline scores for nausea and vomiting and dyspnoea were predictive for worse PFS, but only dyspnoea was predictive for worse OS. Conclusion Overall in this study a slight decline was seen for some QoL parameters over the course of treatment, consistent with findings from the APEX trial (Lee et al. BJH 2008), which included patients similar to those in the eVOBS trial (Zervas IMW 2009). Using the model that assigns “worst possible outcomes” to data missing because of death, better QoL was seen in responders vs. non-responders, suggesting better QoL is at least partly linked to response. Interpretation should be done with caution due to the number of patients and the decreasing number of returned questionnaires over time. Disclosures: Delforge: Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Van Droogenbroeck:Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy. Kuijten-Celzo:Johnson & Johnson: Employment. Diels:Johnson & Johnson: Employment. Ganguly:Johnson & Johnson: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dhawan:Johnson and Johnson Research Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

Beschreibung: We analyzed prognostic factors of response, response duration, and possible impact on survival of epoetin α, epoetin β, or darbepoetin α (DAR) with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in 403 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Sixty-two percent (40% major and 22% minor) and 50% erythroid responses were seen, and median response duration was 20 and 24 months according to IWG 2000 and 2006 criteria, respectively. Significantly higher response rates were observed with less than 10% blasts, low and int-1 International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), red blood cell transfusion independence, serum EPO level less than 200 IU/L, and, with IWG 2006 criteria only, shorter interval between diagnosis and treatment. Significantly longer response duration was associated with major response (IWG 2000 criteria), IPSS low to INT-1, blasts less than 5%, and absence of multilineage dysplasia. Minor responses according to IWG 2000 were reclassified as “nonresponders” or “responders” according to IWG 2006 criteria. However, among those IWG 2000 minor responders, response duration did not differ between IWG 2006 responders and nonresponders. Multivariate adjusted comparisons of survival between our cohort and the untreated MDS cohort used to design IPSS showed similar rate of progression to acute myeloid leukemia in both cohorts, but significantly better overall survival in our cohort, suggesting that epoetin or DAR treatment may have a favorable survival impact in MDS.