ALBERT

Description: Targeted therapy is increasingly incorporated into the chemotherapy regimens of adult ALL. While the prognosis of BCR/ABL + (Philadelphia) ALL is well recognized; the significance of CD 20 postivity is unknown. We report the characteristics of 76 patients treated at Emory University between January 1999 and March 2005, divided into 2 groups based on CD 20 expression, as determined by flow cytometry. The CD 20+ patients presented with a higher WBC count and LDH, and lower platelet counts (table). In the CD 20+ group, 65% had pre B cell ALL and 8% had high grade B cell leukemia/lymphoma, whereas the CD 20- group consisted of 30% pre B cell ALL, 24% T cell ALL, and 10% had high grade leukemia/lymphoma. Of the 35 Ph+ ALL patients, 27 were CD20+ (20%) and 18 CD20- (51%). Patients were treated on clinical trials L20, ALL2, and more recently with the Hyper-CVAD regimen (n=32). Only 5 of the CD 20+ patients received rituximab in addition to chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 320 days, 46% of patients in each group are alive, 35% and 38% relapsed in the CD 20+ and CD 20- group, respectively. In summary, we found that CD 20+ ALL patients present with higher WBC count and LDH, and a lower platelet count; although, due to our small sample size, these differences were not significant. Further follow up is needed to provide mature results on survival and remission. CD 20+ CD 20- p= Total numbers 26 50 Median Age (yrs) 45.2 (18–74) 44 (19–76) NS Median WBC (103/μl) 29.1 10 0.09 Median Platelet (103/μl) 35 65 0.11 Median LDH (IU) 894 500 0.05 Normal Cytogenetics 13 (50%) 21 (42%) NS Ph+ ALL 7 (26%) 18 (35%) NS CR within 60 days 20 (77%) 27 (54%) NS Primary Refractory 2 (8%) 6 (12%) 0.7 Relapse 9 (35%) 19 (38%) NS Alive at last follow up 12(46%) 23 (46%) NS Expired by d270 8 (36%) 11 (25%) NS

Description: The differentiation and apoptosis-sensitizing effects of the Bcr-Abl–specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor CGP57148B, also known as STI-571, were determined in human Bcr-Abl–positive HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells. First, the results demonstrate that the ectopic expression of the p185 Bcr-Abl fusion protein induced hemoglobin in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) HL-60 cells. Exposure to low-dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C; 10 nmol/L) increased hemoglobin levels in HL-60/Bcr-Abl and in the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis K562 cells, which express the p210 Bcr-Abl protein. As compared with HL-60/neo, HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by Ara-C, doxorubicin, or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which was associated with reduced processing of caspase-8 and Bid protein and decreased cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c (cyt c). Exposure to CGP57148B alone increased hemoglobin levels and CD11b expression and induced apoptosis of HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells. CGP57148B treatment down-regulated antiapoptotic XIAP, cIAP1, and Bcl-xL, without affecting Bcl-2, Bax, Apaf-1, Fas (CD95), Fas ligand, Abl, and Bcr-Abl levels. CGP57148B also inhibited constitutively active Akt kinase and NFκB in Bcr-Abl–positive cells. Attenuation of NFκB activity by ectopic expression of transdominant repressor of IκB sensitized HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells to TNF-α but not to apoptosis induced by Ara-C or doxorubicin. Importantly, cotreatment with CGP57148B significantly increased Ara-C– or doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells. This was associated with greater cytosolic accumulation of cyt c and PARP cleavage activity of caspase-3. These in vitro data indicate that combinations of CGP57148B and antileukemic drugs such as Ara-C may have improved in vivo efficacy against Bcr-Abl–positive acute leukemia.

Description: Abstract 3842 Background: Dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling is a key feature in MF, which is characterized by splenomegaly, debilitating symptoms, poor quality of life (QoL), cytopenias, and shortened survival. Ruxolitinib is a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor with clinical activity in MF. COMFORT-I is a Phase III, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of ruxolitinib in patients with MF. At wk 24, 41.9% of patients receiving ruxolitinib reached the protocol-defined threshold of a ≥35% reduction in spleen volume (SV) compared to 0.7% in the placebo group (p200 x109/L. SV was measured by blinded imaging (MRI or CT scan) every 12 wks. Via electronic diary, patients reported MF symptoms daily using the modified Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form (MFSAF) v2.0. The Total Symptom Score (TSS) from the MFSAF represents a combined score for the individual symptoms of abdominal discomfort, pain under ribs on left side, early satiety, itching, night sweats, and bone/muscle pain. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMISE) Fatigue questionnaires were administered at each visit; Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) was administered at every visit beginning at wk 4. The PGIC rates a patient's overall sense of whether a treatment has been beneficial or not on a 7-point scale, ranging from 1 = very much improved to 7 = very much worse, with 4 = no change. Results: Baseline QoL scores reflected debilitating disease, and were similar to scores for similar-aged patients with other cancers (Scott NW, Fayers PM, Aaronson NK, et al. EORTC QLQ-C30 Reference Values Manual, July 2008). The impact on patients was particularly evident on the PROMIS Fatigue scale and QLC-C30 Global Health, Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, and Social Functioning subscales. Baseline Symptom and QoL Measures* Associations between changes in symptoms and QoL with the objectively measured changes in SV were evaluated. Patients receiving ruxolitinib were grouped according to SV reduction at 24 wks of treatment: ≥35% reduction in SV (n=65), 10-

Description: Copper deficiency has long been recognized as cause of hematopoietic dysfunction, and diagnosis is straightforward if it is pursued. Over a three year period, we diagnosed copper deficiency in seven pts referred to our university-based hematology and BMT outpatient clinics for evaluation and treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or neutropenia/anemia. This represents approximately 3% of new outpatient referrals carrying an ICD-9 code corresponding to MDS or neutropenia. Patient characteristics are shown in Table 1. Three of the seven pts carried a presumptive diagnosis of MDS, and one had received several months of decitabine therapy. Two patients were actually referred for consideration of stem cell transplantation; the others were referred for evaluation of cytopenias. Six of the seven patients had been evaluated by a hematologist prior to referral. Only 3 of 7 pts in our series had recognized risk factors for copper deficiency such as prior gastric bypass or other GI dysfunction; postulated risk factors in the other pts are included in Table1. All pts in our series were anemic and leukopenic, with absolute neutropenia at presentation. In contrast, platelet counts were normal or elevated in all pts, consistent with most previous reports. Five of the seven pts in our series had neuropathy or myelopathy of variable severity. The hematologic abnormalities responded rapidly and completely to oral and/or IV copper replacement in all pts, although neurologic recovery was slow and incomplete. Conclusions: Our experience indicates that copper deficiency is a relatively common cause of neutropenia and anemia, and the consequences of missing the diagnosis may be substantial, including performance of unnecessary transfusion, chemotherapy, and even stem cell transplantation. Normal or elevated platelet counts and concomitant neuropathy or myelopathy are important clues to the diagnosis. Furthermore, copper deficiency must be considered even in pts without obvious GI absorption abnormalities. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin assays should be incorporated into the routine evaluation of most pts with cytopenias and suspected MDS. Age/gender Ref. diagnosis Risk factor Associated symptoms Serum copper (80–155 mcg/dl) Ceruloplasmin (21–53 mg/dl 53F MDS–RAEB unknown Severe sensory-motor neuropathy 29 7 43F MDS–RA Excess carbonated soda intake? Severe sensory-motor neuropathy 2

Description: Combination therapy utilizing 2 novel agents with independent mechanisms of action and non-overlapping toxicities may be useful in the setting of advanced cancers. Tipifarnib (T) is an orally bioavailable farnesyltranferase inhibitor with documented single-agent activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bortezomib (B) is a broad inhibitor of proteasomal function, approved for treatment in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Preclinical studies indicated synergistic activity between these 2 agents for eliciting apoptosis within leukemia and myeloma cell lines and ex-vivo cells adhered to fibronectin. In this phase I combination trial, we studied the effect of combined effect of T plus B in patients with advanced acute leukemias. Objectives: The primary endpoint was toxicity assessment. Secondary endpoints included effect of combined therapy on signaling intermediates, including p-AKT, Bim, Bax, and NF-kB, as well as effects on farnesyltransferase (FT) and the proteasome activity. Eligibility: Patients with AML, ALL, or CML-BC who had received 〈 3 cycles of prior therapy were eligible. Methods: Patients received T on days 1–14 and B on days 1, 4, 8, and 11. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Dose escalation occurred using cohorts of 3–6 patients. The starting dose was T: 300 mg/m2 and B: 1.0 mg/m2 Bone marrow aspirate was obtained at baseline, day 8, and between day 15 and the start of the next cycle. Measurement of signaling intermediates were performed in Ficoll-enriched leukemic marrow blasts using Western Blot (p-AKT, Bax, Bim) and ELISA (NF-kB). FT and proteasomal activity were directly measured within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using previously described methods. Results: To date, 27 patients have been enrolled at 3 centers. Four patients were ineligible after screening, and 23 patients have been treated. Median age was 69 years (range 48–84) Diagnosis: AML=25, ALL=1, MDS=1. Accrual to the 4th and final dosing cohort has occurred, without maximum tolerated dose being reached at the 4th and final planned dosing cohort (T: 600 mg/m2 and B: 1.3 mg/m2). Six patients received ≥ 2 cycles of treatment. Dose-limiting toxicities to date have included: nausea/diarrhea (1 patient), sensory neuropathy (1 patient), and fatigue (1 patient). Common drug-related (〉 10%) non dose-limiting toxicities included: infection/febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sensory neuropathy, and fatigue, most of which were grade 1 or 2. FTase inhibition within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured serially in 8 patients to date, with a median of 70% inhibition by day 8, and with 5 out of 6 evaluable patients having sustained inhibition at day 22. Proteasome function within PBMCs was reduced by a median of 44.3% in 7 patient samples pre-infusion and 1 hour post-infusion on day 8. Proteasome activity within PBMCs at day 22 was decreased from baseline in 5 out of 7 patient samples tested. Compared to baseline, NF-kB binding activity within leukemic blasts at day 8 was decreased by a median of 39% at in 10 out of 14 paired samples. No significant change in expression of p-AKT, Bax, or Bim, as measured by Western Blot, was detected at day 8. Two patients achieved clinical response; 1 patient had a complete response and another patient had complete response with incomplete count recovery. Four others had stable disease following cycle 1. Conclusion: combined therapy with T + B was well tolerated and demonstrated inhibition of several relevant target signals within leukemic blasts and PBMCs. In addition, clinical activity was seen in 2 patients to date. Accrual to the trial is ongoing and updated clinical and pharmacodynamic data will be presented.

Description: Background: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) in adults is an aggressive bone marrow malignancy that historically has a poor prognosis. Hyper-CVAD/methotrexate-cytarabine (hyper CVAD) regimen is a commonly used induction regimen following the protocol developed at MD Anderson Cancer center. Recent reports from Swedish Cancer Registry showed that relapse rates were much higher than expected with this regimen. We report our retrospective experiences across three different centers, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (Atlanta), University of Alabama Cancer Center (Birmingham) and Moffitt Cancer Center, (Tampa), with the use of this regimen for management of T-ALL/LBL. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult T-ALL/T-LBL cases at three large cancer centers between the years 2005-2015, treated at the physician's discretion. Data collected included patient demographics, tumor characteristics (white count at diagnosis, flow cytometry, FISH, cytogenetics, bone marrow involvement), treatment regimens and patient outcomes. Since hyper CVAD is a commonly used regimen outside of clinical trials, we focused our analysis on outcomes with this regimen. This regimen consisted of 4 courses of hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine [VCR], doxorubicin, dexamethasone; the odd courses 1, 3, 5, 7); and 4 courses of MTX-Ara-C (methotrexate-cytarabine; the even courses 2, 4, 6, 8). CNS prophylaxis was given to all patients as per standard of care recommendations. All patients eligible for maintenance received 2 years of POMP (6 mercaptopurine, methotrexate, vincristine and prednisone) maintenance. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined looking at medians and interquartile ranges of times to events. Kaplan Meier curves provided a graphical representation of the survival probability. Results: The final analysis included 95 adult patients with 64/95 (67%) patients receiving hyper-CVAD induction. Among the hyper-CVAD patients the median age at diagnosis was 30 (range 17-74). 71% of patients were male. Median white cell count (WBC) was 13.6/mm3 (1.7-500). Cytogenetic analysis revealed diploid in 36, complex (1 or more abnormalities in 16) and was not available in 12. WBC count was 〉 100,000/mm3 in 9 patients. 14 patients had mediastinal disease while 7 had CNS disease at diagnosis. Hyper-CVAD was the primary induction regimen in 56/64. Other patients either started on non-hyper CVAD induction prior to switching (n=3) or had asparaginase added to induction (n=5). The median number of cycles given as 7 (range 2-10) with 27(45%) patients receiving the planned 8 cycles. 37 patients did not complete 8 cycles due to stem cell transplant in remission (n=12), progressive disease (n=10) and unclear reasons (n=15). After induction therapy, remission status was unknown in 3 patients while 43/61 patients (70%) achieved remission. Maintenance with POMP was started in 21 patients that were in remission while 12 patients were taken to transplant without starting on maintenance. At the time of analysis, 23/64 (35%) patients are alive. The median relapse free survival was 387 days (12.9 months) and the median overall survival was 536 days (17.6 months). Excluding one patient lost to follow up, 44/63 (69.8%) relapsed. There was no difference in relapse versus non relapse patients in terms of median age (30 vs 33 years), median WBC at diagnosis (13.2 vs 13.6 mm3). Relapse rate was lower in patients with diploid karyotype (22/36, 61%) as compared to those with complex karyotype (14/16). Median survival in patients post relapse was 150 days. Only 9 patients were able to go for transplant after relapse with post transplant survival also being low (6 deaths). For the entire group, the two year survival was 35%. Conclusion: Our multi-institutional retrospective review shows that outcomes are poor across various centers in patients outside of clinical trials. This is the largest reported series of patients with adult T-ALL/T-LBL treated with hyper-CVAD outside of clinical trials. This data warrants investigation with newer agents to improve outcomes in this disease. Figure 1. Relapse free survival and overall survival in patients treated with hyper-CVAD (n=64) Figure 1. Relapse free survival and overall survival in patients treated with hyper-CVAD (n=64) Disclosures Kota: Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hathaway:OnQ Health: Research Funding. Shah:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Acetylon: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PLexus Communications: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Spectrum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Honoraria; Rosetta Genomics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Jillella:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Borate:Genoptix: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau.

Description: The second-generation TKIs (2G-TKIs) Dasatinib (DAS) and Nilotinib (NIL) yield faster responses in newly diagnosed chronic phase (CP) CML as compared to Imatinib (IM) however, long-term safety of these agents is a growing concern. We identified 10 patients with CP CML diagnosed between 08/2013 and 06/2015 who initiated 2G-TKIs and were then switched after optimal response at 3 months to IM. DAS was administered to 8 patients at 100 mg/d and NIL in two patients at 300 mg twice a day. Response to TKI was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for BCR-ABL1. Response to 2G-TKIs after 3 months was as follows: CHR (n=10), 1 log (

Description: Abstract 2576 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involvement by leukemic blasts occurs in fewer than 10 % of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL). Leukemic meningitis is diagnosed by microscopic detection of blasts in the CSF. Flow cytometry is a highly sensitive tool for detection of aberrant cells. We sought to analyze the additional benefit flow cytometry might provide for the diagnosis of leukemic meningitis. Between 11/2007 and 8/2011, 80 patients were diagnosed with ALL and treated at Emory University. 800 CSF samples were available for analysis 80 of which were collected from a diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP), 689 from follow-up LPs and 31 from LPs obtained at the time of relapse. As shown in the table, flow cytometry confirmed the presence of leukemic blasts in one, four and five samples diagnosed with leukemic meningitis by cytology at diagnosis, different stages of treatment and relapse, respectively. One and three samples were positive for leukemic blasts by cytology but negative by flow cytometry during different treatment stages and relapse respectively. We conclude that flow cytometry provided no additional benefit to cytology in the diagnosis of leukemic meningitis. Table: CSF Cytology and Flow Cytometry in 80 Adult ALL patients: CSF samples New Diagnosis N=80 Induction/Consolidation/Intensification/Maintenance/Remission/Post-transplant N = 689 Systemic relapse N = 31 N Cytology N = 80 Flow cytometry N = 66 Cytology N = 689 Flow cytometry N = 188 Cytology N = 31 Flow cytometry N = 13 Negative 79/80 65/66 684/689 184/188 23/31 8/13 Positive 1/80 1/66∼ 5/689 4/188∼* 8/31 5/13∼** ∼ CSF samples positive by flow cytometry were also positive by cytology * One CSF sample was positive by cytology but negative by flow cytometry ** CSF flow cytometry was not done in 3/8 positive CSF samples by cytology Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Introduction: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are overall well tolerated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) s, but more than 30% require dose reduction or change to another TKIs due to intolerance. Impact of TKI dose-reduction on outcomes in a "real world" setting is unknown, thus, we evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of chronic phase (CP)-CML patients who received doses of TKI lower than the label/FDA recommendation. Method: CP-CML with at least 12 months of follow-up, with ISBCR/ABL1 available after dose reduction were selected. Last TKI was defined as TKI which were taken at the last follow up visit or before disease progression to accelerated (AP) or blast phase (BP). FDA approved doses of imatinib (IM), dasatinib (DAS), nilotinib (NIL), bosutinib (BOS), and ponatinib (PON) were 400mg, 100mg, 600mg (300mg BID), 500mg, and 45mg, respectively . Results: Between January 2005 and April 2016, 173 CP-CML patients, started IM (75%), DAS (18%) NIL (5%) and PON, BOS on clinical trial in 2%. Overall Fifty-eight (33.5%) patients had TKI dose reduction. IM (n=15) dose was reduced to 75% (range, 25-75), DAS (n=15) to 50% (range, 20-80), NIL (n=15) to 50% (range, 13-67), BOS (n=15) to 80% (range, 40-80) and PON (n=15) to 33% (range, 33-67). Median age for patients that received dose-reduced TKI was 55 (range, 18-88), and 27% received 〉 3 prior TKIs. With a median follow up of 53.6 (range 13.4-183.7) months, only 1 progressed to AP, and none to BP. Overall 60% achieved MMR. Among 35 patients who achieved MMR before dose reduction, MMR was maintained in 25 (71.4%) for a median of 17.2 (2-97.9) months from dose-reduction. CMR was achieved in patients on a maintenance dose of IM, 100mg QD (n=8); DAS, 20mg QD (n=4); NIL 300mg QD (n=3) and BOS, 200mg QD (n=3). Conclusion: Similar to data reported from clinical trials, TKI dose reduction appears to be safe and associated with high response rates. This data confirms that the minimal effective dose for each TKI remains to be defined. Disclosures Heffner: Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Jillella:Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding. Kota:Ariad Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.