ALBERT

Description: Abstract 2632 Hans algorithm using immunohistochemistry correlates well with gene expression data in Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) (Meyer PN, 2011) and has demonstrated in some studies clear survival differences in favor of germinal-centre (GC) vs non-germinal centre (n-GC) B-cell among DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. We undertook an immunohistochemical study among patients aged 18 to 59 years with aaIPI 1 included in the GELA trial LNH 03-2B that compared R-ACVBP intensified immunochemotherapy to standard R-CHOP. This trial demonstrated an improvement of EFS, PFS and overall survival (OS) of patients treated with R-ACVBP (C Recher et al, in press). Our goal was to evaluate survival of patients with GC and n-GC DLBCL according to treatment regimens. We analyzed by immunohistochemistry the expression of CD10, BCL6 and MUM1 and classified patients as GC or n-GC according to the Hans algorithm. Among the 380 patients enrolled in this study, 229 patients were available for Hans algorithm classification. There was no differences considering clinical characteristics of these 229 patients (age, sex, B symptoms, PS, Stage, LDH, number of extranodal sites, bulky mass, bone marrow involvement) compared to the whole LNH03-2B population. 175 DLBCL cases were present on a tissue microarray (TMA) and 54 other cases were analyzed using unstained slides. 101 patients were classified as GC and 128 as n-GC. 107 patients were treated by R-ACVBP and 122 by R-CHOP. EFS, PFS and OS were not different between the GC and n-GC profile among the whole population (P=.82, P=.90, P=.68, respectively). There was no statistical difference in EFS, PFS and OS between R-ACVBP and R-CHOP in GC patients (P=.78; P=.84, P=.33, respectively). Interestingly, EFS, PFS and OS were significantly much longer among n-GC patients treated by R-ACVBP compared to R-CHOP (P=.02; P=.007, P=.007, respectively). Results were similar considering only TMA population (P=.02, P=.001, P=.001, respectively). This subgroup analysis suggests that the survival benefit related to R-ACVBP over R-CHOP in the LNH 03-2B is in large part linked to a survival improvement in the n-GC population. This algorithm, easy to apply on routine paraffin-embedded tissue, might be useful in the future to select patients that can primarily benefit from this intensive regimen. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Protein Kinase C (PKC) is an important enzyme family. Twelve different isozymes have been described, which are implicated in diverse cell responses. Recently, studies have begun to define isoform-specific functions of PKC, and PKC beta II seems to play an antiapoptotic role. PKC beta II expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 119 tumor samples of patients with lymphoid malignancies. The median age of the group was 55 years (range 14–85 y). Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, using the labeled avidin-biotin immuno-peroxidase complex method on the Ventana Benchmark automated immunostainer (Ventana Medical Systems, S.A., Illkirch, France). The sections were incubated with primary antibody (polyclonal antibody cPKC ßII (C-1): sc-210, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.) for 32 min at 1/100 dilution. The intensity of cytoplasmic and membrane immunostaining was assessed semi-quantitatively by two pathologists independently. Cases were considered “negative” when

Description: The outcome of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients may be related to the tumor microenvironment, which in turn may be influenced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. To characterize the cHL microenvironment, a set of 63 cHL tissue samples was profiled using DNA microarrays. Their gene expression profile differed from that of histiocyte T cell–rich B-cell lymphoma (H/TCRBCL) samples that were used as controls, mainly due to high expression of PDCD1/PD-1 in H/TCRBCL. EBV+ cHL tissues could be distinguished from EBV− samples by a gene signature characteristic of Th1 and antiviral responses. Samples from cHL patients with favorable outcome overexpressed genes specific for B cells and genes involved in apoptotic pathways. An independent set of 146 cHL samples was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. It showed a significant adverse value in case of high percentage of either TIA-1+-reactive cells or topoisomerase-2+ tumor cells, whereas high numbers of BCL11A+, FOXP3+, or CD20+ reactive cells had a favorable influence. Our results suggest an antitumoral role for B cells in the cHL microenvironment and a stronger stromal influence of the PD1 pathway in H/TCRBCL than cHL. The observation of Th1/ antiviral response in EBV+ cHL tissues provides a basis for novel treatment strategies.

Description: Background: JAK2 constitutive activation/overexpression is frequent in classical HL tumor cells and many autocrine/paracrine cytokines stimulate HL cells by recognizing JAK1- or JAK2-bound receptors. Thus, JAKs blockade may be of therapeutic value in HL. Methods: A phase II study (HIJAK study)was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib, an oral JAK1/2 inhibitor, in R/R HL, given at 20 mg bid for 6 cycles of 28 days. Dosage at 15 mg bid was planned for patients with platelets comprised between 75 and 200 x 109/L at inclusion. Patients with platelets 〈 75 x 109/L, neutrophils 〈 1000 x 109/L were excluded. Maintenance beyond 6 cycles was permitted if disease control. The primary objective was overall response rate (ORR, Cheson 2007) at 6 cycles. Secondary objectives were safety, B symptoms relief, best ORR, response duration, PFS and OS. To be evaluable for response and survivals, patients had to receive at least one cycle of the study drug. The safety set included all patients who received at least one dose of ruxolitinib. Median follow-up was 27.1 months (95% CI: 14.4-27.1). Results: 33 patients were included between Jul 2013 and Dec 2014 in 10 LYSA centers in France and Belgium: M/F, 21/12; median age 37 (range 19-80) years; stage III/IV, 75.8%; B symptoms, 51.5%; median number of prior lines, 5 (range 1-16); prior transplantation, 60.6%; prior radiotherapy, 54,5%; prior brentuximab vedotin (BV), 82%; refractory to last therapy, 81.8%. Overall, median number of ruxolitinib cycles was 4. Nine (27.3%) patients received at least 6 cycles and 6 (18.2%) maintenance. ORR at the end of induction was 3/32 (9.4%) patients, all PRs. Best ORR at any time during study was 18.8% (6/32) with five PRs and 1 patient who converted into CR beyond 6 cycles. Transient stable disease was noted in 11 patients. Rapid and durable alleviation of B-symptoms (pruritus, fever, sweating) was frequently noted, especially pruritus which was present in 35.5% of patients before treatment and 6.6% of them after one cycle of ruxolitinib. Median duration of response was 7.7 months (95% CI: 1.8-NA). Two patients remain on therapy. Median PFS was 3.5 months (95%CI: 1.9-4.6) and median OS was 27.1 months (95%CI: 14.4-27.1). Using bead-based immunoassays, plasma levels of 27 cytokines related to the immune system were measured at baseline and after cycle 1. Before ruxolitinib, there was no difference in cytokine levels between responders and non-responders. In responders, the only cytokine that significantly decreased was CX-CL10 (P.01). In patients presenting with pruritus (n=11), PDGF-BB, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, eotaxin, FGF basic, MIP1b, rantes, and VEGF were significantly increased. In the latter patients, ruxolitinib treatment significanlty decreased PDGF-BB, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, FGF basic and VEGF. Among patients who were analyzable for JAK2 amplification in RS cells (n=12), polysomy was detected in all of them and specific JAK2 amplification in one. Further analysis of Jak2 targets by IHC will be performed. 40 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 14/33 patients (42.4%), of which 18 were related to ruxolitinib and 18 were grade ≥ 3. One AE led to permanent treatment discontinuation. No AE leading to death was reported. 87.5% of AEs recovered without sequelae. Eight SAEs (infection, 3; anemia, 1; diarrhea, 1; subdural hematoma, 1; bone pain, 1; pulmonary embolism, 1) were reported in 4 patients (12.1%), of which 2 were related to ruxolitinib. No grade 4 neutropenia and 1 grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was observed. Five patients had grade 3 anemia. Twelve patients died due to lymphoma (83.3%) or toxicity of additional treatment (8.3%) or other reason (8.3%). Among 30 patients who progressed (initial site in 97% and/or new site in 60%), 25 (83.3%) were retreated: with chemotherapy in 19 (comprising bendamustine in 10) and/or immunotherapy in 9 (rituximab, n=4; BV, n=3; nivolumab, n=2). Transplantation was eventually performed in 5/25 (4 allogenic, 1 autologous). In the 25 patients who were retreated, CR/PR rates were 10/15%, respectively. Conclusions: Ruxolitinib shows hints of activity beyond simple anti-inflammatory action in highly advanced, mostly refractory, HL patients, although most responses are short-lived. Toxicity was limited suggesting potential to be combined with other modalities. Further treatment, beyond ruxolitinib, was possible in most patients, even with chemotherapy. Disclosures Haioun: Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sandoz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Casasnovas:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; ROCHE: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Ghesquieres:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Roche France: Research Funding. Morschhauser:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Description: Eosinophilic endomyocardial disease represents a major evolutive risk in chronic eosinophilia-associated disorders. Eosinophil granule proteins appear to be involved in cardiac injury, but the mechanisms leading to eosinophil infiltration and degranulation are not clear. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has been recently shown to be produced by eosinophils and might play a role in both chemoattraction and degranulation of eosinophils. In four cases of eosinophilic diseases with severe cardiac failure, we evaluated the proportion of eosinophil phenotypes and the serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), markers of disease activity in the hypereosinophilic syndromes. All four patients showed a markedly increased proportion of hypodense eosinophils with elevated serum ECP and sIL-2R levels. In all four patients, extracellular deposition of eosinophil granule proteins and features of eosinophil activation were observed in cardiac tissues. The synthesis of IL-5 by eosinophils was detected in myocardial sections and blood cells by in situ hybridization and by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody against human IL-5. Sixty percent to 90% of tissue eosinophils expressed IL-5 mRNA and IL-5 protein. These data suggest that IL-5 can be produced by eosinophils at the sites of myocardial tissue damage and might participate in local eosinophil activation.

Description: Eosinophilic endomyocardial disease represents a major evolutive risk in chronic eosinophilia-associated disorders. Eosinophil granule proteins appear to be involved in cardiac injury, but the mechanisms leading to eosinophil infiltration and degranulation are not clear. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has been recently shown to be produced by eosinophils and might play a role in both chemoattraction and degranulation of eosinophils. In four cases of eosinophilic diseases with severe cardiac failure, we evaluated the proportion of eosinophil phenotypes and the serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), markers of disease activity in the hypereosinophilic syndromes. All four patients showed a markedly increased proportion of hypodense eosinophils with elevated serum ECP and sIL-2R levels. In all four patients, extracellular deposition of eosinophil granule proteins and features of eosinophil activation were observed in cardiac tissues. The synthesis of IL-5 by eosinophils was detected in myocardial sections and blood cells by in situ hybridization and by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody against human IL-5. Sixty percent to 90% of tissue eosinophils expressed IL-5 mRNA and IL-5 protein. These data suggest that IL-5 can be produced by eosinophils at the sites of myocardial tissue damage and might participate in local eosinophil activation.

Description: Histiocytoses are rare disorders of unknown origin with highly heterogeneous prognosis. BRAF mutations have been observed in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). We investigated the frequency of BRAF mutations in several types of histiocytoses. Histology from 127 patients with histiocytoses were reviewed. Detection of BRAFV600 mutations was performed by pyrosequencing of DNA extracted from paraffin embedded samples. Diagnoses of Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), LCH, Rosai-Dorfman disease, juvenile xanthogranuloma, histiocytic sarcoma, xanthoma disseminatum, interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma, and necrobiotic xanthogranuloma were performed in 46, 39, 23, 12, 3, 2, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. BRAF status was obtained in 93 cases. BRAFV600E mutations were detected in 13 of 24 (54%) ECD, 11 of 29 (38%) LCH, and none of the other histiocytoses. Four patients with ECD died of disease. The high frequency of BRAFV600E in LCH and ECD suggests a common origin of these diseases. Treatment with vemurafenib should be investigated in patients with malignant BRAFV600E histiocytosis.