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Background: The role of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mutated IDH1/2 has not been defined. Therefore, we analyzed a large cohort of 3234 AML patients in first complete remission (CR1) undergoing alloHCT or conventional chemo-consolidation and investigated outcome in respect to IDH1/2 mutational subgroups (IDH1 R132C, R132H and IDH2 R140Q, R172K)., Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from bone marrow or peripheral blood samples at diagnosis and analyzed for IDH mutations with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, Sanger sequencing and targeted myeloid panel next-generation sequencing, respectively. Statistical as-treated analyses were performed using R and standard statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables, Chi-square test for categorical variables, Cox regression for univariate and multivariable models), incorporating alloHCT as a time-dependent covariate., Results: Among 3234 patients achieving CR1, 7.8% harbored IDH1 mutations (36% R132C and 47% R132H) and 10.9% carried IDH2 mutations (77% R140Q and 19% R172K). 852 patients underwent alloHCT in CR1. Within the alloHCT group, 6.2% had an IDH1 mutation (43.4% R132C and 41.4% R132H) and 10% were characterized by an IDH2 mutation (71.8% R140Q and 24.7% R172K). Variants IDH1 R132C and IDH2 R172K showed a significant benefit from alloHCT for OS (p = .017 and p = .049) and RFS (HR = 0.42, p = .048 and p = .009) compared with chemotherapy only. AlloHCT in IDH2 R140Q mutated AML resulted in longer RFS (HR = 0.4, p = .002)., Conclusion: In this large as-treated analysis, we showed that alloHCT is able to overcome the negative prognostic impact of certain IDH mutational subclasses in first-line consolidation treatment and could pending prognostic validation, provide prognostic value for AML risk stratification and therapeutic decision making., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Extramedullary manifestations (EM) are rare in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their impact on clinical outcomes is controversially discussed., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a large multi-center cohort of 1583 newly diagnosed AML patients, of whom 225 (14.21%) had EM., Results: AML patients with EM presented with significantly higher counts of white blood cells (p < 0.0001), peripheral blood blasts (p < 0.0001), bone marrow blasts (p = 0.019), and LDH (p < 0.0001). Regarding molecular genetics, EM AML was associated with mutations of NPM1 (OR: 1.66, p < 0.001), FLT3-ITD (OR: 1.72, p < 0.001) and PTPN11 (OR: 2.46, p < 0.001). With regard to clinical outcomes, EM AML patients were less likely to achieve complete remissions (OR: 0.62, p = 0.004), and had a higher early death rate (OR: 2.23, p = 0.003). Multivariable analysis revealed EM as an independent risk factor for reduced overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, p < 0.001), however, for patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survival did not differ. For patients bearing EM AML, multivariable analysis unveiled mutated TP53 and IKZF1 as independent risk factors for reduced event-free (HR: 4.45, p < 0.001, and HR: 2.05, p = 0.044, respectively) and overall survival (HR: 2.48, p = 0.026, and HR: 2.63, p = 0.008, respectively)., Conclusion: Our analysis represents one of the largest cohorts of EM AML and establishes key molecular markers linked to EM, providing new evidence that EM is associated with adverse risk in AML and may warrant allogeneic HCT in eligible patients with EM., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Despite the substantial clinical activity of fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors in relapsed or refractory (R/R) FLT3-ITD‒positive acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), durable remissions and prolonged survival in this population require allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Quizartinib, a once-daily oral, highly potent, and selective FLT3 inhibitor, significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) and improved clinical benefit compared with salvage chemotherapy (median OS, 6.2 months versus 4.7 months; hazard ratio [HR], .76; 95% confidence interval [CI], .58 to .98; P = .018; composite complete remission [CRc] rate, 48% versus 27%; median duration of CRc, 2.8 months versus 1.2 months; mortality rate, .8% versus 14% by day 30, 7% versus 24% by day 60) in patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML in the phase 3 QuANTUM-R trial. In this post hoc analysis, we described the characteristics of and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent on-study HSCT in QuANTUM-R at the investigator's discretion and institutional practices. Of 367 randomized patients, 78 (32%) in the quizartinib arm and 14 (11%) in the salvage chemotherapy arm underwent on-study allo-HSCT without any intervening therapy for AML after quizartinib or study-specified salvage chemotherapy. Pooled data of patients from both treatment arms showed a longer median overall survival (OS) in transplant recipients versus those treated without allo-HSCT (12.2 months versus 4.4 months; HR, .315; 95% CI, .233 to .427). Pooled data also showed a longer median OS in patients with a last recorded response of CRc before allo-HSCT versus patients without a CRc (20.1 months versus 8.8 months; HR, .506; 95% CI, .296 to .864). By treatment arm, the median OS was 25.1 months with quizartinib and 20.1 months with salvage chemotherapy in patients with a last recorded response of CRc before allo-HSCT. Forty-eight patients in the quizartinib arm continued quizartinib treatment after allo-HSCT. In the 31 patients with a last recorded response of CRc before allo-HSCT who continued quizartinib after allo-HSCT, the median OS was 27.1 months. Continuation of quizartinib after allo-HSCT was tolerable, and no new safety signals were identified. These results suggest that post-transplantation survival following salvage chemotherapy and quizartinib treatment are similar. However, quizartinib response occurs more frequently than with salvage chemotherapy, potentially allowing more patients to undergo transplantation and achieve durable clinical benefit. In addition, post-transplant quizartinib was found to be tolerable and may be associated with prolonged survival in some patients, highlighting its potential value in the management of patients with FLT3-ITD R/R AML., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(6;9)(p22;q34) is a distinct entity accounting for 1-2% of AML cases. A substantial proportion of these patients have a concomitant FLT3 -ITD. While outcomes are dismal with intensive chemotherapy, limited evidence suggests allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) may improve survival if performed early during first complete remission. We report on a cohort of 178 patients with t(6;9)(p22;q34) within an international, multicenter collaboration. Median age was 46 years (range: 16-76), AML was de novo in 88%, FLT3 -ITD was present in 62%, and additional cytogenetic abnormalities in 21%. Complete remission was achieved in 81% (n=144), including 14 patients who received high-dose cytarabine after initial induction failure. With a median follow up of 5.43 years, estimated overall survival at five years was 38% (95%CI: 31-47%). Allo-HCT was performed in 117 (66%) patients, including 89 in first complete remission. Allo-HCT in first complete remission was associated with higher 5-year relapse-free and overall survival as compared to consolidation chemotherapy: 45% (95%CI: 35-59%) and 53% (95%CI: 42-66%) versus 7% (95%CI: 3-19%) and 23% (95%CI: 13-38%), respectively. For patients undergoing allo-HCT, there was no difference in overall survival rates at five years according to whether it was performed in first [53% (95%CI: 42-66%)], or second [58% (95%CI: 31-100%); n=10] complete remission or with active disease/relapse [54% (95%CI: 34-84%); n=18] ( P =0.67). Neither FLT3 -ITD nor additional chromosomal abnormalities impacted survival. In conclusion, outcomes of t(6;9)(p22;q34) AML are poor with chemotherapy, and can be substantially improved with allo-HCT., (Copyright© 2020 Ferrata Storti Foundation.)

Background: The impact of nutritional status on outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is controversial. This study investigates the influence of pretransplant weight loss and serologic indicators of nutritional homeostasis on relapse and death of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after alloSCT., Methods: Pretransplant weight loss along with serum levels of total serum protein (TSP), albumin, C-reactive protein, and leptin were collected retrospectively in a training cohort (n = 149) and correlated with clinical outcome. Metabolic risk groups were defined and tested in an independent validation cohort (n = 167)., Results: We identified pretransplant weight loss and TSP as strong independent predictors of relapse and death. Patients in the metabolic high-risk group (low TSP and weight loss) had an increased risk for relapse (P = 0.0002) and death (P = 0.002), but a similar risk for acute graft-versus-host disease. Weight loss coincided with reduced pretransplant serum leptin levels. The adverse influence of weight loss and high metabolic risk on relapse and overall survival could be confirmed in the validation cohort and similarly in patients with less than or more than 5% blasts before alloSCT. Multivariate analysis of both cohorts revealed a hazard ratio for relapse of 7.78 (2.59-23.36, P = 0.0003) in the metabolic high risk group., Conclusion: Altered nutritional homeostasis before alloSCT correlates with recurrence of AML after transplantation. Studies addressing pretransplant nutritional interventions to reduce AML relapse rates are warranted.

Purpose: The presence of a mutated nucleophosmin-1 gene (NPM1(mut)) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with a favorable prognosis. To assess the predictive value with regard to allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT), we compared the clinical course of patients with NPM1(mut) AML eligible for allogeneic SCT in a donor versus no-donor analysis., Patients and Methods: Of 1,179 patients with AML (age 18 to 60 years) treated in the Study Alliance Leukemia AML 2003 trial, we identified all NPM1(mut) patients with an intermediate-risk karyotype. According to the trial protocol, patients were intended to receive an allogeneic SCT if an HLA-identical sibling donor was available. Patients with no available donor received consolidation or autologous SCT. We compared relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) depending on the availability of a suitable donor., Results: Of 304 eligible patients, 77 patients had a sibling donor and 227 had no available matched family donor. The 3-year RFS rates in the donor and no-donor groups were 71% and 47%, respectively (P = .005); OS rates were 70% and 60%, respectively (P = .114). In patients with normal karyotype and no FLT3 internal tandem duplication (n = 148), the 3-year RFS rates in the donor and no-donor groups were 83% and 53%, respectively (P = .004); and the 3-year OS rates were 81% and 75%, respectively (P = .300)., Conclusion: Allogeneic SCT led to a significantly prolonged RFS in patients with NPM1(mut) AML. The absence of a statistically significant difference in OS is most likely a result of the fact that NPM1(mut) patients who experienced relapse responded well to salvage treatment. Allogeneic SCT in first remission has potent antileukemic efficacy and is a valuable treatment option in patients with NPM1(mut) AML with a sibling donor., (© 2014 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.)

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDC), formerly known as blastic NK cell lymphoma, is a rare hematopoietic malignancy preferentially involving skin, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The overall prognosis of BPDC is dismal, with a median overall survival (OS) of only 12 to 14 months despite aggressive chemotherapy. Anecdotal reports suggest that younger patients might benefit from myeloablative therapy with autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). However, with a median age at diagnosis beyond 60 years, BPDC primarily affects elderly patients. Here, we present for the first time evidence that also in elderly patients, alloSCT for BPDC is feasible and may result in sustained remission if conditioning with moderately reduced intensity is used. Between 2006 and 2009, 6 patients were treated at our institution who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for BPDC. Median age was 67 (range: 55-80) years. All responded to acute leukemia-type induction therapy. Whereas 2 patients who were ineligible for alloSCT rapidly died of disease recurrence, 4 patients underwent alloSCT from unrelated donors as part of first-line (n = 1) or salvage treatment (n = 3). Two patients allografted in remission live disease free 57 and 16 months post-alloSCT, whereas 2 patients transplanted with active disease achieved complete remission but relapsed 6 and 18 months after transplantation, respectively. In conclusion, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) alloSCT from unrelated donors is feasible and seems to be effective in elderly patients with BPDC, suggesting that alloSCT should be pursued aggressively in patients with this otherwise fatal disease up to 70 years of age., (Copyright © 2011 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In QuANTUM-R, the once-daily, oral, highly potent and selective FLT3 inhibitor Q improved clinical benefit vs SC (median overall survival [mOS], 6.2 vs 4.7 mo [HR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.58-0.98); P =.02]) in R/R FLT3 -ITD AML (NCT02039726). Before randomization, 25% (Q) and 23% (SC) of pts had 1 prior HSCT. To describe post hoc analyses in pts who underwent subsequent HSCT during QuANTUM-R. Pts with FLT3 -ITD R/R AML received Q (60 mg [30-mg lead-in]) or SC. Pts in the Q arm could resume Q 30-100 d after HSCT. Decisions to proceed to HSCT and resume Q after HSCT were made per investigator discretion/institutional policy. Of 367 randomized pts, 85 in the Q arm underwent any subsequent HSCT (allogeneic HSCT [allo-HSCT], 84 [6 with and 78 w/o additional AML therapy]; autologous HSCT, 1), and 19 in the SC arm underwent any HSCT (5 with and 14 w/o additional AML therapy]). Q + SC pooled data showed a longer mOS (95% CI) in 104 pts with any HSCT vs 263 w/o (12.2 [10.0-24.1] vs 4.4 [4.1-4.9] mo; P <.0001; Fig 1); 1-year OS rates were 50% vs 13%. Among pts preselected for low-intensity therapy, 13/57 in the Q arm and 0/29 in the SC arm underwent any HSCT. Q + SC pooled data also showed a longer mOS (95% CI) in pts with a composite complete remission (CRc) as last recorded response before allo-HSCT vs pts w/o CRc (20.1 [11.7-NA] vs 8.8 [7.0-11.4] mo). Regardless of treatment, mOS was longer with any HSCT vs w/o (Q, 11.9 [10.2-25.1] vs 4.5 [4.1-5.4] mo; SC, 12.7 [6.1-NA] vs 4.0 [2.7-5.0] mo); respective 1-year OS rates were 50% vs 13% and 51% vs 12%. In the Q arm, mOS (95% CI) was longer in pts with a best response of CRc who resumed Q after allo-HSCT (27.1 [18.2-NA] mo) vs pts not resuming Q (5.4 [4.7-11.4] mo; Fig 2). In 48 pts (62%) in the Q arm resuming Q after allo-HSCT, median time from allo-HSCT to Q resumption was 65 d (range, 30-106 d). Four pts (5%) in the Q arm died < 30 d after allo-HSCT. As of 2/22/2018, 46/78 pts in the Q arm (59%) and 9/14 pts in the SC arm (64%) with allo-HSCT w/o additional AML therapy died, mostly due to AML progression (Q, 31 [40%]; SC, 7 [50%]). The frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs of interest was similar in pts resuming Q after allo-HSCT and in the overall Q population. Independent of HSCT, Q improved survival vs SC in pts with FLT3 -ITD R/R AML in QuANTUM-R. Q + SC pooled analyses showed longer survival in pts with HSCT vs pts w/o and in pts with CRc before allo-HSCT. Survival in transplanted pts was similar in both arms, indicating that HSCT-eligible pts received transplants appropriately, and the higher HSCT rate in the Q arm was beneficial. In pts preselected for low-intensity SC at study entry, 13 were able to undergo HSCT after Q treatment. Q resumption after HSCT was associated with better survival outcomes and was tolerable. These data illustrate the value of using Q to target the FLT3 -ITD mutation as a part of the overall treatment sequence in pts with FLT3 -ITD R/R AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preclinical data and results from non-randomised trials suggest that the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib might be an effective drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib versus placebo in addition to standard chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 60 years or younger.Methods: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was done at 25 sites in Germany. We enrolled patients aged 18-60 years with newly diagnosed, previously untreated acute myeloid leukaemia who had a WHO clinical performance score 0-2, adequate renal and liver function, no cardiac comorbidities, and no recent trauma or operation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive two cycles of induction therapy with daunorubicin (60 mg/m(2) on days 3-5) plus cytarabine (100 mg/m(2) on days 1-7), followed by three cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy (3 g/m(2) twice daily on days 1, 3, and 5) plus either sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or placebo on days 10-19 of induction cycles 1 and 2, from day 8 of each consolidation, and as maintenance for 12 months. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation was scheduled for all intermediate-risk patients with a sibling donor and for all high-risk patients with a matched donor in first remission. Computer-generated randomisation was done in blocks. The primary endpoint was event-free survival, with an event defined as either primary treatment failure or relapse or death, assessed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. We report the final analysis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00893373, and the EU Clinical Trials Register (2008-004968-40).Findings: Between March 27, 2009, and Nov 28, 2011, 276 patients were enrolled and randomised, of whom nine did not receive study medication. 267 patients were included in the primary analysis (placebo, n=133; sorafenib, n=134). With a median follow-up of 36 months (IQR 35·5-38·1), median event-free survival was 9 months (95% CI 4-15) in the placebo group versus 21 months (9-32) in the sorafenib group, corresponding to a 3-year event-free survival of 22% (95% CI 13-32) in the placebo group versus 40% (29-51) in the sorafenib group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·64, 95% CI; 0·45-0·91; p=0·013). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events in both groups were fever (71 [53%] in the placebo group vs 73 [54%] in the sorafenib group), infections (55 [41%] vs 46 [34%]), pneumonia (21 [16%] vs 20 [14%]), and pain (13 [10%] vs 15 [11%]). Grade 3 or worse adverse events that were significantly more common in the sorafenib group than the placebo group were fever (relative risk [RR] 1·54, 95% CI 1·04-2·28), diarrhoea (RR 7·89, 2·94-25·2), bleeding (RR 3·75, 1·5-10·0), cardiac events (RR 3·46, 1·15-11·8), hand-foot-skin reaction (only in sorafenib group), and rash (RR 4·06, 1·25-15·7).Interpretation: In patients with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 60 years or younger, the addition of sorafenib to standard chemotherapy has antileukaemic efficacy but also increased toxicity. Our findings suggest that kinase inhibitors could be a useful addition to curative treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. Overall survival after long-term follow-up and strategies to reduce toxicity are needed to determine the future role of sorafenib in treatment of this disease.Funding: Bayer HealthCare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal rearrangements involving the H3K4 methyltransferase mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) trigger aberrant gene expression in hematopoietic progenitors and give rise to an aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Insights into MLL fusionmediated leukemogenesis have not yet translated into better therapies because MLL is difficult to target directly, and the identity of the genes downstream of MLL whose altered transcription mediates leukemic transformation are poorly annotated. We used a functional genetic approach to uncover that AML cells driven by MLL-AF9 are exceptionally reliant on the cell-cycle regulator CDK6, but not its functional homolog CDK4, and that the preferential growth inhibition induced by CDK6 depletion is mediated through enhanced myeloid differentiation. CDK6 essentiality is also evident in AML cells harboring alternate MLL fusions and a mouse model of MLL AF9 driven leukemia and can be ascribed to transcriptional activation of CDK6 by mutant MLL. Importantly, the context-dependent effects of lowering CDK6 expression are closely phenocopied by a small-molecule CDK6 inhibitor currently in clinical development. These data identify CDK6 as critical effector of MLL fusions in leukemogenesis that might be targeted to overcome the differentiation block associated with MLL-rearranged AML, and underscore that cell-cycle regulators may have distinct, noncanonical, and nonredundant functions in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]