Publication Date:
2020-11-05
Description:
Introduction: CRS is a potentially life-threatening toxicity observed following T cell-redirecting therapies. CRS is associated with elevated cytokines, including IL6, IFNγ, TNFα, IL2 and GM-CSF. Glucocorticosteroids (GC) and the IL6 receptor blocking antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) can reduce CRS severity; however, CRS may still occur and limit the therapeutic window of novel immunotherapeutic agents. Disruption of cytokine signaling via Janus kinase (JAK) pathway interference may represent a complementary approach to blocking CRS. Ruxolitinib (RUX), an oral JAK1/2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, interferes with signaling of several cytokines, including IFNγ and IL6, via blockade of the JAK/STAT pathway. We hypothesized that RUX may reduce the frequency and severity of CRS in R/R AML patients (pts) undergoing treatment with flotetuzumab (FLZ), an investigational CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART® molecule. Methods: Relapse/refractory (including primary induction failure, early relapse and late relapse) AML pts were included in this study. RUX pts were treated at a single site, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. RUX was dosed at 10 mg or 20mg BID days -1 through 14. Comparator (non-RUX) pts (n=23) were treated at other clinical sites. FLZ was administered at 500 ng/kg/day continuously in 28-day cycles following multi-step lead-in dosing in week 1 of cycle 1. CRS was graded per Lee criteria1. Results: As of July 1st, 2020, 10 R/R AML pts, median age 65 (range 40-82) years, have been enrolled and treated in the RUX cohort (6 at 10mg, 4 at 20 mg of RUX). All pts had non-favorable risk by ELN 2017 criteria (8 adverse and 2 intermediate); 1 (10.0%) pt had secondary AML; pt characteristics in the RUX and non-RUX cohorts were balanced, except for median baseline BM blasts which was higher in non-RUX pts: 15% (range 5-72) vs (40% (range 7-84), RUX and non-RUX pts respectively. Cytokine analysis showed statistically significant (p
Print ISSN:
0006-4971
Electronic ISSN:
1528-0020
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
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