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Key Points Dasatinib and dexamethasone induction then allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation was feasible and effective for untreated Ph+ ALL.Treatment failure was associated with BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation, the p210 BCR-ABL1 isoform, or isolated CNS relapse., Visual Abstract, Post-remission strategies after dasatinib-corticosteroid induction in adult Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are not well studied. We evaluated dasatinib and dexamethasone induction then protocol-defined post-remission therapies, including hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Adults (N = 65) with Ph-positive ALL received dasatinib-dexamethasone induction, methotrexate-based central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic HCT, autologous HCT, or chemotherapy alone, and dasatinib-based maintenance. Key end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The median age was 60 years (range, 22-87 years). The complete remission rate was 98.5%. With a median follow-up of 59 months, 5-year DFS and OS were 37% (median, 30 months) and 48% (median, 56 months), respectively. For patients receiving RIC allogeneic HCT, autologous HCT, or chemotherapy, 5-year DFS were 49%, 29%, and 34%, and 5-year OS were 62%, 57%, and 46%, respectively. Complete molecular response rate after CNS prophylaxis was 40%. Relative to the p190 isoform, p210 had shorter DFS (median 10 vs 34 months, P = .002) and OS (median 16 months vs not reached, P = .05). Relapse occurred in 25% of allogeneic HCT, 57% of autologous HCT, and 36% of chemotherapy patients. T315I mutation was detected in 6 of 8 marrow relapses. Dasatinib CNS concentrations were low. Dasatinib-dexamethasone followed by RIC allogeneic HCT, autologous HCT, or chemotherapy was feasible and efficacious, especially with RIC allogeneic HCT. Future studies should address the major causes of failure: T315I mutation, the p210 BCR-ABL1 isoform, and CNS relapse. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01256398.

Rasburicase can markedly and rapidly decrease uric acid (UA) levels, thereby preventing and treating tumor lysis syndrome. However, rasburicase is expensive, especially when used as per the manufacturer's recommended dosage of 0.2 mg/kg/day for up to 5 days. Numerous reports have shown that lower, and even single doses are effective in lowering UA levels but prospective randomized studies comparing low doses have not been performed.To prospectively determine the efficacy and safety of two single low doses of rasburicase in adult patients (pts) with acute leukemia and elevated plasma UA.Eligible pts aged ≥ 18 years old with acute leukemia and UA ≥ 7.5 mg/dL were randomized to receive an initial single dose of rasburicase 1.5 mg (Arm A) or 3 mg (Arm B) on day 1 in an unblinded fashion. All pts received allopurinol 300 mg daily on days 1-6.Twenty-four pts (median age 69 years; 14 males and 10 females) were enrolled in this phase 2 study (12 on each arm). Twenty pts had acute myeloid leukemia while 3 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and 1 had acute promyelocytic leukemia. Median initial UA level was 9.8 mg/dL. Eighty-three percent of pts in both arms achieved UA7.5 mg/dL by 24 h after therapy. Five pts (21 %; 2 from Arm A and 3 from Arm B) required additional doses of rasburicase. The majority (23/24) of pts achieved UA goals after 1-2 doses of rasburicase. None had worsening renal function. Both doses were well tolerated, and no treatment related adverse events were reported.Single doses of rasburicase (as low as 1.5-3 mg) used in addition to allopurinol were well tolerated and highly efficacious (83 % response rate) in decreasing UA levels within 24 h of administration in adult acute leukemia pts with hyperuricemia.

Anthracyclines constitute the backbone of intensive adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Cardiotoxicity is one of its most serious adverse effects, and its incidence increases with cumulative dose. Dexrazoxane is a cardioprotective agent used in conjunction with anthracycline therapy. There is limited data of its usage in adult AML patients. We report the outcomes of six older adults at high risk of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity who received dexrazoxane during induction/re-induction therapy. Five had preserved left-ventricular function while two proceeded onto stem-cell transplantation. Additional investigation of dexrazoxane in adult leukemia therapy is warranted, particularly in older patients at highest risk for cardiovascular mortality.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of discontinuation of systematic surveillance for vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) and contact isolation of colonized patients on the incidence of VRE bacteremiaSETTINGA hematology-oncology unit with high prevalence of VRE colonization characterized by predominantly sporadic molecular epidemiologyPARTICIPANTSInpatients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantationMETHODSThe incidence of VRE bacteremia was measured prospectively during 2 different 3-year time periods; the first during active VRE surveillance and contact precautions and the second after discontinuation of these policies. We assessed the collateral impact of this policy change on the incidence of bacteremia due to methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) andClostridium difficileinfection even though we maintained contact precautions for these organisms. Incidence of infectious events was measured as number of events per 1,000 patients days per month. Time series analysis was used to evaluate trends.RESULTSThe incidence of VRE bacteremia remained stable after discontinuation of VRE surveillance and contact precautions. The incidence of MRSA bacteremia andClostridium difficileinfection for which we continued contact precautions also remained stable. Aggregated antibiotic utilization and nursing hours per patient days were similar between the 2 study periods.CONCLUSIONActive surveillance and contact precautions for VRE colonization did not appear to prevent VRE bacteremia in patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with high prevalence of VRE characterized by predominantly sporadic molecular epidemiology.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.2016;37(4):398–403

Omacetaxine mepesuccinate (Synribo®) is an inhibitor of protein synthesis indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic- or accelerated-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with resistance and/or intolerance to two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Myelosuppression is the most common and clinically significant toxicity experienced by patients treated with omacetaxine. Here, we further examine the patterns of hematologic toxicity observed in clinical trials and describe the approach to management as well as resolution of events. Omacetaxine-related myelosuppression typically occurs more frequently during induction cycles. In general, the myelosuppression observed with omacetaxine treatment is manageable and reversible, and long-term administration is feasible. Careful monitoring, dose delays and reduction in administration days, and appropriate supportive care are critical for successful management of hematologic toxicity. Concerns regarding myelosuppression, observed with many cancer treatments, should not prevent eligible patients from receiving omacetaxine, particularly CML patients with unsatisfactory responses to multiple lines of prior treatment.

Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have poor outcomes with standard induction chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed our institute's experience with epigenetic (Epi) versus cytarabine- and anthracycline-based intensive chemotherapy (IC) as induction in newly diagnosed AML patients aged 60 years and older. One hundred sixty-seven patients (n = 84, IC; n = 83, Epi) were assessed; 69 patients received decitabine and 14 azacitidine. Baseline characteristics between the IC and Epi patient cohorts were not statistically different except for age, initial white blood cell count, and comorbidity index. Overall response rate (ORR, 50% vs. 28%, respectively, P < 0.01) and complete response rate (CRR, 43% vs. 20%, respectively, P < 0.01) were superior following IC vs. Epi. Although univariate analysis demonstrated longer overall survival after IC (10.7 vs. 9.1 months, P = 0.012), multivariate analysis showed no independent impact of induction treatment. Treatment-related mortality was not statistically different in the two groups. Outcomes of patients with secondary, poor cytogenetic risk, FLT-3 mutated AML, or relapsed/refractory disease after IC or Epi were not significantly different. Outcomes of patients receiving IC versus a 10-day decitabine regimen (n = 63) also were not significantly different. Our results suggest that IC and Epi therapy are clinically equivalent approaches for upfront treatment of older patients with AML and that other factors (feasibility, toxicity, cost, etc.) should drive treatment decisions. Prospective randomized trials to determine the optimal induction approach for specific patient subsets are needed.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can develop after an antecedent myeloid malignancy (secondary AML [s-AML]), after leukemogenic therapy (therapy-related AML [t-AML]), or without an identifiable prodrome or known exposure (de novo AML). The genetic basis of these distinct pathways of AML development has not been determined. We performed targeted mutational analysis of 194 patients with rigorously defined s-AML or t-AML and 105 unselected AML patients. The presence of a mutation in SRSF2, SF3B1, U2AF1, ZRSR2, ASXL1, EZH2, BCOR, or STAG2 was >95% specific for the diagnosis of s-AML. Analysis of serial samples from individual patients revealed that these mutations occur early in leukemogenesis and often persist in clonal remissions. In t-AML and elderly de novo AML populations, these alterations define a distinct genetic subtype that shares clinicopathologic properties with clinically confirmed s-AML and highlights a subset of patients with worse clinical outcomes, including a lower complete remission rate, more frequent reinduction, and decreased event-free survival. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00715637.

BACKGROUND Omacetaxine, a protein synthesis inhibitor, is indicated in the United States for the treatment of patients with chronic-phase (CP) or accelerated-phase (AP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with resistance and/or intolerance to 2 or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors. METHODS The final analysis, with 24 months of follow-up, included additional efficacy and safety analyses to assess the benefit of long-term omacetaxine administration (1.25 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days every 28 days followed by 7 days every 28 days) in CP-CML and AP-CML patients receiving >3 cycles. RESULTS Eighteen percent of CP-CML patients achieved a major cytogenetic response (MCyR) with a median duration of 12.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5 months to not reached [NR]); responses were maintained for ≥12 months in 3 of 14 responders, and the median overall survival (OS) was 40.3 months (95% CI, 23.8 months to NR). Among patients with AP-CML, 14% achieved or maintained a major hematologic response for a median of 4.7 months (95% CI, 3.6 months to NR); MCyR was not achieved, and the median OS was 14.3 months (95% CI, 6.7-18.7 months). In patients with CP-CML and patients with AP-CML who received >3 cycles of treatment (n = 50 and n = 14, respectively), the median OS was 49.3 months (95% CI, 23.8 months to NR) and 24.6 months (95% CI, 12-37.2 months), respectively. Grade 3 or higher hematologic toxicities were the major side effects (79% and 73% for CP-CML and AP-CML, respectively), with discontinuation due to toxicity in 10% of CP patients and in 5% of AP patients. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the long-term administration of omacetaxine is feasible with dose adjustments to manage toxicities and that omacetaxine provides a durable benefit for some patients. Cancer 2015;121:1637–1644. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Originally studied in lymphoid diseases, cladribine (CdA) is an adenosine deaminase resistant analog of adenosine that was later discovered to induce myeloid cell apoptosis. The activity of CdA in myeloid malignancies was first reported in relapsed/refractory (RR) pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with complete response (CR) rates of up to 47%. Consequently, several studies have confirmed the efficacy of single agent CdA or CdA combination regimens in AML. Established CR rates for combination regimens in RR adults are approximately 50%, while CR rates for newly diagnosed (ND) adults are approximately 70% and show similar toxicity profiles to previously used regimens. Despite these promising data, many centers have yet to adopt CdA combination regimens for these difficult to treat populations. We review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical data, and safety of CdA monotherapy and combination regimens for the management of pediatric and adult ND and RR-AML.

Many patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) do not receive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) because they are unable to achieve a complete remission (CR) after reinduction chemotherapy. Starting in January 2003, we prospectively assigned patients with AML with high risk clinical features to pre-emptive alloHCT (p-alloHCT) as soon as possible after reinduction chemotherapy. High risk clinical features were associated with poor response to chemotherapy: 1) primary induction failure (PIF), 2) second or greater relapse, and 3) first complete remission interval 0.1; PFS 18% versus 22%, p>0.1). Day 100 and one year transplant related mortality were similar (33.3% versus 22.2%, p>0.1 and 44.4% versus 42.9%, p>0.1, respectively). Pre-emptive alloHCT allowed 30 patients to be transplanted who would normally not receive alloHCT. Clinical outcomes for early p-alloHCT are similar to those for late p-alloHCT without excess toxicity. Early p-alloHCT is a feasible alternative to late p-alloHCT for maximizing therapy of AML that is poorly responsive to induction chemotherapy.

The 2014 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia recommend quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) standardized to International Scale (IS) as the preferred method for monitoring molecular response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. A BCR-ABL1 transcript level of 10% or less (IS) is now included as the response milestone at 3 and 6 months. Change of therapy to an alternate TKI is recommended for patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript levels greater than 10% (IS) at 3 months after primary treatment with imatinib. Continuing the same dose of TKI or switching to an alternate TKI are options for patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript levels greater than 10% (IS) at 3 months after primary treatment with dasatinib or nilotinib. The guidelines recommend 6-month evaluation with QPCR (IS) for patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript levels greater than 10% at 3 months. Monitoring with QPCR (IS) every 3 months is recommended for all patients, including those who meet response milestones at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months (BCR-ABL1 transcript level ≤10% [IS] at 3 and 6 months, complete cytogenetic response at 12 and 18 months).

We investigated whether octogenarian patients with acute myeloid leukemia enrolled onto Cooperative Group clinical trials and treated with intensive induction therapy could be cured, and whether karyotype and selected molecular markers had any prognostic significance in these patients. Among 138 patients with cytogenetic information, normal karyotype was the most common (47.1%) followed by complex karyotype (14.5%) and sole +8 (9.4%). Among these patients, the relapse-free survival rate at 1 year was 37% and 13% at 3 years, and the respective overall survival rates were 24% and 8%. Whereas the 90 patients who survived beyond 30 days had the same relapse-free survival rates, their 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 36% and 11%, respectively. Of the 66 patients surviving beyond 30 days who could be classified into European LeukemiaNet genetic groups, those in the intermediate-I group had better overall survival than patients in the adverse group (P=0.01). Among patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia who were tested for the European LeukemiaNet-associated molecular alterations, FLT3-internal tandem duplication and NPM1 mutations, it was found that FLT3-internal tandem duplication (detected in 29% of patients) did not associate with overall survival (P=0.31), whereas NPM1 mutations (30%) were associated with a significantly longer overall survival (P=0.002). We conclude that intensive induction is effective and indicated in selected octogenarians with acute myeloid leukemia, that their overall survival varies among the European LeukemiaNet genetic groups and that NPM1 mutations may be of prognostic significance among octogenarian patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia.

Introduction Omacetaxine mepesuccinate (omacetaxine) is a first-in-class cephalotaxine that has demonstrated efficacy in CML. In this analysis we evaluated omacetaxine in CML patients with resistance or intolerance to 2 or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Patients and Methods Data were pooled from 2 phase II trials of subcutaneous omacetaxine, administered at 1.25 mg/m 2 twice daily for 14 consecutive days every 28 days until response, then for 7 days every 28 days as maintenance. Patients with resistance or intolerance to imatinib and at least 1 other approved TKI (dasatinib and/or nilotinib) were included; results for patients in chronic phase (CP) are reported here. Major cytogenetic response (MCyR) was the primary end point. Results Eighty-one patients with CML-CP (median age, 59 years; range, 26-83 years) were included in the analysis. All patients previously received imatinib, 69 (85%) previously received dasatinib, and 48 (59%) previously received nilotinib. Median omacetaxine exposure was 7.5 months (range, 0.03-38.6 months), with 13 patients ongoing. MCyR was reported in 16 patients (20%; one-sided 95% lower confidence limit, 12.8%), including 8 complete responses; median duration was 17.7 months (95% confidence interval, 4.1 months – not reached). Fifty-six patients (69%) achieved and/or maintained hematologic response for at least 8 weeks; median duration was 12.2 months (range, 8.4-26.2 months). Median failure-free and overall survival were 9.6 months and 34 months, respectively. Toxicity was mainly hematologic: the most common grade 3/4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (67%), neutropenia (47%), and anemia (37%). Conclusion Omacetaxine produced clinically meaningful responses with acceptable tolerability in patients with CML-CP previously treated with 2 or more TKIs.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the standard approach to Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We hypothesized that imatinib plus sequential chemotherapy will result in significant leukemia cell cytoreduction in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, allowing collection of normal hematopoietic stem cells uncontaminated by residual BCR/ABL1(+) lymphoblasts and thus reduce the likelihood of relapse after autologous stem cell transplantation for patients under 60 years of age without sibling donors. We enrolled 58 patients; 19 underwent autologous and 15 underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation on study. Imatinib plus sequential chemotherapy resulted in reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-negative stem cells in 9 patients and remained minimally positive in 4 (6 were not evaluable). Overall survival (median 6.0 years vs. not reached) and disease-free survival (median 3.5 vs. 4.1 years) were similar between those who underwent autologous and those who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We conclude that autologous stem cell transplantation represents a safe and effective alternative for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients without sibling donors (clinicaltrials.gov identifier:00039377).

Background Treatment options for relapsed/refractory ALL in adult patients remain challenging. Annamycin is a highly lipophilic form of the anthracycline doxorubicin with the ability to bypass multidrug resistance mechanisms of cellular drug resistance. Patients and Methods We performed a phase I/II multicenter, open-label, study to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of nanomolecular liposomal annamycin in adult patients with refractory ALL. Results Thirty-one patients were enrolled; the MTD was determined to be 150 mg/m 2 /d for 3 days. Other than tumor lysis syndrome, there were 3 grade 3 mucositis which comprised the MTD determination. There was also 1 case each of grade 3 diarrhea, typhlitis, and nausea. After determining the MTD, a 10-patient phase IIA trial was conducted. Eight of the patients completed 1 cycle of the 3 days of treatment at the MTD. Of these, 5 (62%) had an efficacy signal with complete clearing of circulating peripheral blasts. Three of these subjects also cleared bone marrow blasts with 1 subsequently proceeding onto successful stem cell transplantation. Conclusion Single-agent nanomolecular liposomal annamycin appears to be well tolerated, and shows evidence of clinical activity as a single agent in refractory adult ALL.

Summary Background Available treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) have limited durable activity and unsatisfactory safety profiles in most elderly patients. We assessed the efficacy and toxicity of sapacitabine, a novel oral cytosine nucleoside analogue, in elderly patients with AML. Methods In this randomised, phase 2 study, we recruited patients with AML who were either treatment naive or at first relapse and who were aged 70 years or older from 12 centres in the USA. We used a computer-generated randomisation sequence to randomly allocate eligible patients to receive one of three schedules of oral sapacitabine (1:1:1; stratified by a history of AML treatment): 200 mg twice a day for 7 days (group A); 300 mg twice a day for 7 days (group B); and 400 mg twice a day for 3 days each week for 2 weeks (group C). All schedules were given in 28 day cycles. To confirm the safety and tolerability of dosing schedules, after 20 patients had been treated in a group we enrolled an expanded cohort of 20–25 patients to that group if at least four patients had achieved complete remission or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery, and if the 30 day death rate was 20% or less. Our primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival, analysed by intention-to-treat (ie, patients who have received at least one dose of sapacitabine) in those patients who had been randomly allocated to treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00590187. Results Between Dec 27, 2007, and April 21, 2009, we enrolled 105 patients: 86 patients were previously untreated and 19 were at first relapse. Of the 60 patients randomly allocated to treatment, 1-year overall survival was 35% (95% CI 16–59) in group A, 10% (2–33) in group B, and 30% (13–54) in group C. 14 (13%) of 105 patients died within 30 days and 27 (26%) died within 60 days. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were anaemia (eight of 40 patients in group A, 12 of 20 patients in group B, and 15 of 45 patients in group C), neutropenia (14 in group A, 10 in group B, 11 in group C), thrombocytopenia (24 in group A, 12 in group B, and 22 in group C), febrile neutropenia (16 in group A, nine in group B, and 22 in group C), and pneumonia (seven in group A, five in group B, and 10 in group C). The most common grade 5 events were pneumonia (two in group A, one in group B, and three in group C) and sepsis (six in group A, three in group B, and one in group C). Seven deaths were thought to be probably or possibly related to sapacitabine treatment. Interpretation Sapacitabine seems active and tolerable in elderly patients with AML. The 400 mg dose schedule had the best efficacy profile. Future investigations should aim to combine sapacitabine with other low-intensity therapies in elderly patients with AML. Funding Cyclacel Limited.

Purpose To determine the association of RUNX1 mutations with therapeutic outcome in younger and older patients with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) and with gene/microRNA expression signatures. Patients and Methods Younger (< 60 years; n = 175) and older (≥ 60 years; n = 225) patients with CN-AML treated with intensive cytarabine/anthracycline-based first-line therapy on Cancer and Leukemia Group B protocols were centrally analyzed for RUNX1 mutations by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing and for established prognostic gene mutations. Gene/microRNA expression profiles were derived using microarrays. Results RUNX1 mutations were found in 8% and 16% of younger and older patients, respectively (P = .02). They were associated with ASXL1 mutations (P < .001) and inversely associated with NPM1 (P < .001) and CEBPA (P = .06) mutations. RUNX1-mutated patients had lower complete remission rates (P = .005 in younger; P = .006 in older) and shorter disease-free survival (P = .058 in younger; P < .001 in older), overall survival (P = .003 in younger; P < .001 in older), and event-free survival (P < .001 for younger and older) than RUNX1 wild-type patients. Because RUNX1 mutations were more common in older patients and almost never coexisted with NPM1 mutations, RUNX1 mutation–associated expression signatures were derived in older, NPM1 wild-type patients and featured upregulation of genes normally expressed in primitive hematopoietic cells and B-cell progenitors, including DNTT, BAALC, BLNK, CD109, RBPMS, and FLT3, and downregulation of promoters of myelopoiesis, including CEBPA and miR-223. Conclusion RUNX1 mutations are twice as common in older than younger patients with CN-AML and negatively impact outcome in both age groups. RUNX1-mutated blasts have molecular features of primitive hematopoietic and lymphoid progenitors, potentially leading to novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose To compare the receipt of clofarabine plus cytarabine (Clo+Ara-C arm) with cytarabine (Ara-C arm) in patients ≥ 55 years old with refractory or relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Patients and Methods Patients were randomly assigned to receive either clofarabine (Clo) 40 mg/m2 or a placebo followed by Ara-C 1 g/m2 for five consecutive days. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included event-free survival (EFS), 4-month EFS, overall remission rate (ORR; complete remission [CR] plus CR with incomplete peripheral blood count recovery), disease-free survival (DFS), duration of remission (DOR), and safety. Results Among 320 patients with confirmed AML (median age, 67 years), the median OS was 6.6 months in the Clo+Ara-C arm and 6.3 months in the Ara-C arm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.00; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.28; P = 1.00). The ORR was 46.9% in the Clo+Ara-C arm (35.2% CR) versus 22.9% in the Ara-C arm (17.8% CR; P < .01). EFS (HR: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.80; P < .01) and 4-month EFS (37.7% v 16.6%; P < .01) favored the Clo+Ara-C arm compared with Ara-C arm, respectively. DFS and DOR were similar in both arms. Overall 30-day mortality was 16% and 5% for CLO+Ara-C and Ara-C arms, respectively. In the Clo+Ara-C and Ara-C arms, the most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities were febrile neutropenia (47% v 35%, respectively), hypokalemia (18% v 11%, respectively), thrombocytopenia (16% v 17%, respectively), pneumonia (14% v 10%, respectively), anemia (13% v 0%, respectively), neutropenia (11% v 9%, respectively), increased AST (11% v 2%, respectively), and increased ALT (10% v 3%, respectively). Conclusion Although the primary end point of OS did not differ between arms, Clo+Ara-C significantly improved response rates and EFS. Study follow-up continues, and the role of clofarabine in the treatment of adult patients with AML continues to be investigated.

BACKGROUND: Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Study 19802, a phase 2 study, evaluated whether dose intensification of daunorubicin and cytarabine could improve disease-free survival (DFS) in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and whether high-dose systemic and intrathecal methotrexate could replace cranial radiotherapy for central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. METHODS: One hundred sixty-one eligible, previously untreated patients ages 16 to 82 years (median age, 40 years) were enrolled, and 33 (20%) were aged ≥60 years. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients (80%) achieved complete remission (CR). Dose intensification of daunorubicin and cytarabine was feasible. At a median follow-up of 10.4 years for surviving patients, the 5-year DFS rate was 25% (95% confidence interval, 18%-33%), and the overall survival (OS) rate was 30% (95% confidence interval, 23%-37%). Patients aged

Introduction Therapy-related leukemias (TRL) are neoplasms that occur as a late consequence after exposure to certain cytotoxic agents or radiation. Several cytotoxic agents have been implicated in the development of TRL. These include alkylating agents (melphalan, cyclophosphamide); platinum compounds (cisplatin, carboplatin); and topoisomerase-2 inhibitors, such as etoposide, daunorubicin, and mitoxantrone. The latency period between exposure and the development of TRL varies from a few months to several years, depending on the cytotoxic agent. TRL after exposure to alkylating agents is thought to typically develop after a latency of more than 3 years; whereas, that which develops with use of opoisomerase-2 inhibitors typically present within 1 to 3 years. Cisplain, as well as carboplatin, used in the treatment of a wide variety of alignancies, have previously been linked with TRL, whereas, the role f oxaliplatin (1,2-diaminocyclohexane oxalato platinum) (OXP), a

Cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) comprises nearly half of AML diagnoses annually, and historically, patients in this cytogenetic subgroup have been considered as being at intermediate risk for clinical outcomes. However, the outcome of these patients varies considerably based on the presence or absence of non-random genetic aberrations that can be used as risk stratification factors.1

Mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 occur in 15-20% of AML cases, resulting in the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate, which promotes aberrant hypermethylation of DNA in leukemic cells. Although these mutations have been shown to have prognostic implications for patients with AML, optimal treatment strategies have yet to be defined. We retrospectively identified forty-two patients with AML treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTIs) decitabine (n = 36) or azacitidine (n = 6) and performed analysis of stored samples for the presence of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. Of the forty-two samples analyzed, seven (16.7%) had IDH mutations. Thirteen patients (31%) achieved remission [(complete remission (CR)/complete remission with incomplete count recovery (CRi)/partial response (PR)] after treatment with a DNMTI, five of seven (71.4%) with IDH mutations and eight of thirty-five (22.9%) without IDH mutations (P = 0.01). When adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, bone marrow blast percentage and cytogenetic, the odds of achieving response after administration of a DNMTI among patients with an IDH mutation was 14.2 when compared to patients without an IDH mutation (95%CI: 1.3-150.4). IDH1 and IDH2 mutations may predict a favorable response to DNMTI in patients with AML.

Obesity adversely affects outcome in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We asked if obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), affected outcome in 329 adult AML patients treated with high-dose cytarabine and idarubicin-containing regimens administered according to actual body weight. Age ≥ 60, unfavorable karyotype, secondary AML, and positive smoking status had adverse impact on overall survival in a multivariate analysis, while BMI did not. We conclude that high BMI should not be a barrier to administer high-dose cytarabine-containing regimens for AML induction.

BACKGROUND: The p53 antisense oligonucleotide cenersen has been shown to sensitize acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells to DNA damaging agents. METHODS: To determine whether cenersen merits testing in larger efficacy studies, an exploratory study of cenersen in combination with idarubicin either alone or with 1 of 2 doses of cytarabine was performed in first-salvage AML patients. Patients who either had failed to respond to a single induction course or had responded to induction but relapsed within 12 months were enrolled. Stopping rules based on an expected 14% complete response (CR) rate were applied to each treatment arm. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were treated, and none of the arms was terminated for lack of activity. Nearly all patients received a single course unless they responded. Ten of the 53 (19%) patients responded (8 CR and 2 CR with incomplete platelet recovery). There was a positive trend for a better response rate with increasing intensity of chemotherapy in the patients refractory to front-line treatment compared with those who had relapsed previously. One-third (17/53) of the patients received cenersen inhibitors (acetaminophen and/or high dose antioxidants) during treatment, and none of these responded to treatment. No unique toxicity was attributed to cenersen. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that the combination of cenersen with chemotherapy may have clinical efficacy, and additional studies are warranted to explore its full potential. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Objective.To study the molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) colonization and to identify modifiable risk factors among patients with hematologic malignancies.Setting.A hematology-oncology unit with high prevalence of VRE colonization.Participants.Patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients admitted to the hospital.Methods.Patients underwent weekly surveillance by means of perianal swabs for VRE colonization and, if colonized, were placed in contact isolation. We studied the molecular epidemiology in fecal and blood isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis over a 1-year period. We performed a retrospective case-control study over a 3-year period. Cases were defined as patients colonized by VRE, and controls were defined as patients negative for VRE colonization. Case patients and control patients were matched by admitting service and length of observation time.Results.Molecular genotyping demonstrated the primarily polyclonal nature of VRE isolates. Colonization occurred at a median of 14 days. Colonized patients were characterized by longer hospital admissions. Previous use of ceftazidime was associated with VRE colonization (P< .001), while use of intravenous vancomycin and antibiotics with anaerobic activity did not emerge as a risk factor. There was no association with neutropenia or presence of colonic mucosal disruption, and severity of illness was similar in both groups.Conclusion.Molecular studies showed that in the majority of VRE-colonized patients the strains were unique, arguing that VRE acquisition was sporadic rather than resulting from a common source of transmission. Patient-specific factors, including prior antibiotic exposure, rather than breaches in infection control likely predict for risk of fecal VRE colonization.

Purpose To determine the frequency of TET2 mutations, their associations with clinical and molecular characteristics and outcome, and the associated gene- and microRNA-expression signatures in patients with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). Patients and Methods Four-hundred twenty-seven patients with CN-AML were analyzed for TET2 mutations by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing and for established prognostic gene mutations. Gene- and microRNA-expression profiles were derived using microarrays. Results TET2 mutations, found in 23% of patients, were associated with older age (P < .001) and higher pretreatment WBC (P = .04) compared with wild-type TET2 (TET2-wt). In the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) favorable-risk group (patients with CN-AML who have mutated CEBPA and/or mutated NPM1 without FLT3 internal tandem duplication [FLT3-ITD]), TET2-mutated patients had shorter event-free survival (EFS; P < .001) because of a lower complete remission (CR) rate (P = .007), and shorter disease-free survival (DFS; P = .003), and also had shorter overall survival (P = .001) compared with TET2-wt patients. TET2 mutations were not associated with outcomes in the ELN intermediate-I–risk group (CN-AML with wild-type CEBPA and wild-type NPM1 and/or FLT3-ITD). In multivariable models, TET2 mutations were associated with shorter EFS (P = .004), lower CR rate (P = .03), and shorter DFS (P = .05) only among favorable-risk CN-AML patients. We identified a TET2 mutation-associated gene-expression signature in favorable-risk but not in intermediate-I–risk patients and found distinct mutation-associated microRNA signatures in both ELN groups. Conclusion TET2 mutations improve the ELN molecular-risk classification in primary CN-AML because of their adverse prognostic impact in an otherwise favorable-risk patient subset. Our data suggest that these patients may be candidates for alternative therapies.

BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) was detected in blasts from approximately 50% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and was correlated with an adverse outcome. In vitro treatment of AML blasts with arsenic trioxide (ATO) down-regulated STAT3 activity within 6 hours associated with a reduced viability within 48 hours. METHODS: A phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the biologically effective dose and/or the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of ATO in vivo in conjunction with high-dose cytarabine (Hidac) and idarubicin (Ida) in patients with AML aged

Dasatinib with corticosteroid yields high complete remission (CR) rates in Ph+ ALL with minimal induction death. Optimal post-remission therapy is not known. We report a prospective study evaluating dasatinib/dexamethasone induction then consolidation with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), autologous HCT (autoHCT), or chemotherapy alone (chemo), followed by dasatinib-based maintenance. Methods: We conducted a phase II, 3-arm, non-randomized trial (NCT01256398, Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U10CA180861, U24CA196171) at 17 US centers with primary objectives to determine 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of adults ≥18 years (yrs) old with untreated Ph+ ALL treated with dasatinib/dexamethasone induction, CNS prophylaxis with systemic and intrathecal methotrexate, consolidation with alloHCT, autoHCT, or chemo, then dasatinib maintenance. Induction (Course I) used dasatinib 140 mg orally daily and dexamethasone 10 mg/m2/day orally or IV days 1-7. If ≤20% lymphoblasts in marrow at Day 15, Course II continued dasatinib with 7 days of dexamethasone. If >20% lymphoblasts, patients (pts) also received vincristine and daunorubicin. Pts not in CR/CRi received a second induction (Course III) with dasatinib, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, daunorubicin, and dexamethasone. CNS prophylaxis (Course IV) used dasatinib, IV vincristine and IV, oral, and intrathecal methotrexate. Course V consisted of HCT or chemo. Pts 18-70 yrs old underwent RIC alloHCT if they had a HLA-matched donor; otherwise they underwent autoHCT. AlloHCT conditioning used fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day IV day -7 through -3, alemtuzumab 20 mg/day IV day -7 through -3, and melphalan 140 mg/m2 IV once on day -2. GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus began day -2. Pts undergoing autoHCT received etoposide 10 mg/kg/day (age >65, 5 mg/kg/day) CIV for 4 days and cytarabine 2 g/m2 (age >65, 1 g/m2) IV every 12 hours for 8 doses then G-CSF for mobilization. AutoHCT conditioning was melphalan 100 mg/m2/day IV on days -2 and -1. Pts >70 yrs old or unable to undergo HCT received etoposide/cytarabine alone. Dasatinib maintenance (Course VI) began day 30 of Course V and continued for 12 months and until 2 consecutive negative BCR-ABL1 RT-PCR assays 3 months apart or relapse. BCR-ABL1 isoform and ABL1 kinase domain (KD) mutation determination were done locally. Results: From 12/15/2010 to 11/14/2014, 64 eligible pts enrolled. Median age was 60 yrs (22-87); median WBC 23.2 x 103/μl (0.3-454). The dominant BCR-ABL1 isoform was p190 in 59%, p210 in 17%, and not reported in 23%. The CR rate was 97% with no induction deaths. Fifty-five pts completed CNS prophylaxis (Course IV). Twenty pts underwent protocol-specified alloHCT, 7 autoHCT, and 9 chemo. Nine pts underwent off-study alloHCT and 5 skipped Course V. Dasatinib maintenance was tolerable with 72%, 80%, and 80% receiving >50% of planned maintenance doses in alloHCT, autoHCT, and chemo arms, respectively. With a median follow up of 48 months (37-78) for survivors, 3-yr OS and DFS were 55% (median OS 45 months) and 43% (median DFS 30 months), respectively. For pts undergoing consolidation with protocol-specified alloHCT, autoHCT, or chemo, 3-yr OS was 75%, 71%, and 55% respectively with median OS not reached (NR) for all groups. DFS at 3-yrs was 55%, 43%, and 46% respectively. Median DFS for alloHCT was 42 months vs 15 months for autoHCT and 34 months for chemo (Log-Rank P=0.4). Outcomes were similar with inclusion of off-study alloHCT and chemo patients skipping Course V. Relative to p190 BCR-ABL1 isoform, p210 was associated with shorter median OS (NR vs 16 months, P=0.04) and median DFS (35 months vs 10 months, P Conclusions: Dasatinib and dexamethasone followed by alloHCT, autoHCT, or chemo yield similar 3-yr survival comparable to approaches using intensive induction chemotherapy. Pts with the p210 BCR-ABL1 isoform had dismal outcomes and may benefit from alternate approaches. T315I mutation was the major cause of relapse and should be addressed in future studies. Disclosures Wieduwilt: Amgen: Research Funding; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leadiant: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Uy:GlycoMimetics: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy. Powell:Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kolitz:Magellan Health: Consultancy, Honoraria. Liedtke:Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; celgene: Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding. Stock:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Devine:Kiadis Pharma: Consultancy. Larson:BristolMyers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding.

The clinical impact of FLT3-internal tandem duplications (ITDs), an adverse prognostic marker in adults aged < 60 years with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML), requires further investigation in older patients. In CN-AML patients aged ≥ 60 years treated on Cancer and Leukemia Group B frontline trials, we found that FLT3-ITD remained associ-ated with shorter disease-free survival (P < .001; hazard ratio = 2.10) and overall survival (P < .001; hazard ratio = 1.97) in multivariable analyses. This impact on shorter disease-free survival and overall survival was in patients aged 60-69 (P < .001, each) rather than in those aged ≥ 70 years. An FLT3-ITD–associated gene-expression signature revealed overexpression of FLT3, homeobox genes (MEIS1, PBX3, HOXB3), and immunotherapeutic tar-gets (WT1, CD33) and underexpression of leukemia-associated (MLLT3, TAL1) and erythropoiesis-associated (GATA3, EPOR, ANK1, HEMGN) genes. An FLT3-ITD–associated microRNA-expression signature included overexpressed miR-155 and underexpressed miR-144 and miR-451. FLT3-ITD identifies older CN-AML patients with molecular high risk and is associated with gene- and microRNA-expression signatures that provide biologic insights for novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose To analyze the prognostic significance of NPM1 mutations, and the associated gene- and microRNA-expression signatures in older patients with de novo, cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) treated with intensive chemotherapy. Patients and Methods One hundred forty-eight adults age ≥ 60 years with de novo CN-AML, enrolled onto Cancer and Leukemia Group B protocols 9720 and 10201, were studied at diagnosis for NPM1, FLT3, CEBPA, and WT1 mutations, and gene- and microRNA-expression profiles. Results Patients with NPM1 mutations (56%) had higher complete remission (CR) rates (84% v 48%; P < .001) and longer disease-free survival (DFS; P = .047; 3-year rates, 23% v 10%) and overall survival (OS; P < .001; 3-year rates, 35% v 8%) than NPM1 wild-type patients. In multivariable analyses, NPM1 mutations remained independent predictors for higher CR rates (P < .001) and longer DFS (P = .004) and OS (P < .001), after adjustment for other prognostic clinical and molecular variables. Unexpectedly, the prognostic impact of NPM1 mutations was mainly observed in patients ≥ 70 years. Gene- and microRNA-expression profiles associated with NPM1 mutations were similar across older patient age groups and similar to those in younger (< 60 years) patients with CN-AML. These profiles were characterized by upregulation of HOX genes and their embedded microRNAs and downregulation of the prognostically adverse MN1, BAALC, and ERG genes. Conclusion NPM1 mutations have favorable prognostic impact in older patients with CN-AML, especially those age ≥ 70 years. The gene- and microRNA-expression profiles suggest that NPM1 mutations constitute a marker defining a biologically homogeneous entity in CN-AML that might be treated with specific and/or targeted therapies across age groups.

The slower engraftment kinetics and impaired immune reconstitution of cord blood stem cell transplant recipients increase the risk of infectious complications. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent cord blood stem cell transplantation at Roswell Park Cancer Institute for hematological malignancies and who survived beyond day 100 for late infectious events. Among 15 patients who were included in the study, there were 18 episodes of bacteremia, 5 cases of bacterial pneumonia, 9 viral, 4 fungal, and 1 nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Overall mortality was 60%, with infections contributing in 44% of cases. In conclusion, survival beyond day 100 following cord bloodstem cell transplantation is associated with a considerable risk of infections in our single center experience.

The predisposition of monosomy 7 to diabetes insipidus (DI) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) led us to ask whether AML associated with monosomy 7 and DI will differ from AML associated with other karyotype aberrations and DI and whether the outcome of patients with AML and DI will differ from those without DI. We describe 2 patients from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and discuss 29 additional cases from the literature. AML with monosomy 7 and DI (n = 25) had a trend towards a lower complete remission (p = 0.0936) and worse survival (p = 0.0480) than AML with other karyotype changes and DI (n = 6). Further, AML with monosomy 7 and DI had worse complete remission rate and overall survival than AML with monosomy 7 but without DI. In conclusion, it appears that AML with monosomy 7 and DI is a disease entity with specifically poor outcome.

Background: Secondary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (sALL) is a rare disease and its biologic features are not well characterized. Patients and methods: We describe a cohort of seven patients and discuss 94 additional cases from the literature for whom biological parameters were described. Cases with incomplete data were excluded. Results: Hodgkin's disease (HD) was more common in the 18–59 age group while breast and prostate cancers were prevalent only in the ≥18-year-old patients. The time interval to develop sALL was similar among all age groups but was significantly longer for HD and neuroblastoma primary diagnoses and sALL with complex karyotype. T-cell immunophenotype was more common in the

The CALGB studied the feasibility and effectiveness of adding oblimersen (G3139; Genasense) to imatinib mesylate (IM) in imatinib-resistant chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. We hypothesised that IM resistant CML cells are no longer being driven to proliferate by Bcr/Abl activity alone. Instead, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 would regulate one of the pathways controlling growth and/or viability. Thus, blocking both Bcr/Abl and Bcl-2 simultaneously would result in hematologic and cytogenetic improvement. Oblimersen was administered via continuous intravenous infusion over 10 days every 21 days, along with daily IM. Doses of both drugs were escalated in 3 cohorts; the initial dose of IM was 600 mg/day. Response was defined as a decrease by30% in the percentage of t(9;22) metaphase cells. Twelve patients had primary and nine had secondary imatinib resistance. Ten patients received 4 mg/kg/day oblimersen/600 mg IM, six patients received 7 mg/kg/day oblimersen/600 mg IM and five patients received 7 mg/kg/day oblimersen/800 mg IM. Only two (9.5%) patients achieved a decrease by30% in the percentage of t(9;22) metaphase cells. Although the combination of oblimersen and IM is safe and feasible, we did not observe clinical benefit in these patients with imatinib-resistant CML using these doses and schedule.

We compared the treatment-related mortality, relapse rate, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) by cytogenetic risk group of 261 patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission (CR1) and 299 patients in CR2 in undergoing matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). For patients in first CR, the DFS and OS at 5 years were similar for the favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable risk groups at 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8%-56%) and 30% (22%-38%); 27% (19%-39%) and 29% (8%-56%); and 30% (95% CI, 22%-38%) and 30% (95% CI, 20%-41%), respectively. For patients in second CR, the DFS and OS at 5 years were 42% (95% CI, 33%-52%) and 35% (95% CI, 28%-43%); 38% (95% CI, 23%-54%) and 45% (95% CI, 35%-55%); and 37% (95% CI, 30%-45%) and 36% (95% CI, 21%-53%), respectively. Cytogenetics had little influence on the overall outcome for patients in first CR. In second CR, outcome was modestly, but not significantly, better for patients with favorable cytogenetics. The graft-versus-leukemia effect appeared effective, even in patients with unfavorable cytogenetics. However, treatment-related mortality was high. Matched unrelated donor HSCT should be considered for all patients with unfavorable cytogenetics who lack a suitable HLA-matched sibling donor.

CALGB 9511 used pegaspargase (PEG-ASP) in lieu of the native enzyme. The aim was to compare differences in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between patients who did and did not achieve asparagine depletion, defined by enzyme levels greater than 0.03 U/mL plasma for 14 consecutive days after at least 1 of 4 planned PEG-ASP administrations. Samples were available from 85 eligible patients. On univariate analyses, the 22 patients who did not achieve asparagine depletion had inferior OS (P = .002; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.38-4.09) and DFS (P = .012; HR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.19-4.13). After adjusting for age, performance status, leukocyte count, and karyotype in a proportional hazards model, both the OS and DFS HRs decreased to 1.8 (P = .056; 95% CI = 1.0-3.2 and P = .084; 95% CI = 0.9-3.6, respectively). We conclude that effective asparagine depletion with PEG-ASP is feasible as part of an intensive multiagent therapeutic regimen in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and appears associated with improved outcomes.

Relapsed/refractory (r/r) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge. Cytarabine arabinoside (AraC) forms the backbone of most regimens, with complete responses (CR) ranging from 17 to 20%. Lenalidomide (Len) is approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma and myelodysplasia and has demonstrated activity in AML. We developed a phase I study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Len in combination with intermediate dose AraC (1.5 g/m(2)/day given on days 1-5) in adults with r/r AML. The maximally tolerated dose for this combination was 10mg daily on days 6-26 of a 28 day cycle. Dose de-escalation from 25mg was required due to rash, liver function abnormalities, and hypokalemia. Of 32 evaluable patients, five achieved CR (16%), 5CRi (16%) and 3 had hematological improvements for an overall response rate of 41% (13/32). Median overall survival (95% confidence interval) for patients treated on study was 5.8 (2.5-10.6) months and disease free survival was 3.4 (2.3-6.2) months. This single institute phase I trial of Len and intermediate dose AraC was associated with marked skin and other toxicities. At the dose and schedule tested, this combination did not appear to result in improved CR over single agent AraC for r/r AML.

Parenteral arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been firmly established as a standard therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Despite widespread use of oral arsenicals in medicine historically, they had disappeared from modern pharmacopeia until oral ATO was redeveloped in Hong Kong in 2000. Since then, over 200 patients with leukemia (predominantly APL) have been treated with oral ATO in Hong Kong and China. Oral arsenic trioxide and other formulations of arsenic appear to have a clinical efficacy comparable to that of IV formulations. These drugs given orally also appear to have a slightly better safety profile, lower operational costs and improved convenience for patients. The clinical experience with oral ATO has previously been reported piecemeal as case series, pilot studies or subgroup analyses rather than in a comprehensive cohort. In this report we attempt to synthesize the published English language literature on oral arsenicals and present the argument for further development of these compounds. Systematic study of this drug with well-designed randomized multi-center clinical trials is needed to accelerate its development and incorporation into clinical practice.

The approval of blinatumomab signals the long awaited arrival of immunotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Previous options for relapsed or refractory disease were restricted to cytotoxic chemotherapy with limited efficacy and significant toxicity. Through an innovative mechanism of action, blinatumomab stimulates a polyclonal antitumor T-cell response, yielding unprecedented single agent efficacy in the relapsed/refractory setting. Success comes at the cost of immunological toxicities rarely encountered with previous therapies and challenging administration logistics requiring clinical expertise.All published clinical and preclinical studies using blinatumomab were reviewed in addition to all registered ongoing clinical trials and data published in abstract form. The search was limited to the English language. The pharmacology, clinical efficacy, toxicity profile, and logistical considerations for drug administration are discussed.Blinatumomab is an exciting addition to the treatment armamentarium for relapsed/refractory ALL, yet several questions remain regarding optimal implementation into the current treatment paradigm. A unique toxicity profile should be weighed against promising benefits in a poor prognosis population. Other emerging therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cells and inotuzumab ozogamicin, with different side effect profiles and administration schedules, may prove to be more beneficial for specific patient populations.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a clonal disease characterized by B or T lineage. Here we cover the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and therapy for ALL. Additionally, we will discuss the evidence for minimal residual disease assessment, novel molecular targets and newly developed targeted therapies. The separation of ALL into Philadelphia chromosome positive and recently into Philadelphia-like disease represents the most exciting developments in this disease. Finally, the advent of new immunotherapeutic approaches led us to predict that in few years, ALL therapy might be based heavily on non-chemotherapeutic approaches.

Drugs used in treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are substrates for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, MXR, ABCG2), which may thus play a role in resistance in this disease. Pretreatment blasts from 30 adult ALL patients were studied for BCRP mRNA by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, BCRP protein by immunophenotyping with three antibodies and BCRP function by fumitremorgin C modulation of intracellular mitoxantrone retention, measured by flow cytometry. BCRP mRNA in all cases encoded wild type protein (BCRP(R482)), which mediates mitoxantrone and methotrexate resistance, but only low-level anthracycline resistance. The BXP-21, BXP-34 and anti-ABCG2 antibodies stained blasts in 13, 11 and 14 cases (43%, 37% and 47%); BXP-21 correlated well with BXP-34 and anti-ABCG2, but BXP-34 and anti-ABCG2 did not correlate, and antibody staining did not correlate with mRNA levels. BCRP function was seen in 21 cases (70%), but correlated poorly with antibody staining. An exploratory statistical analysis indicated that BXP-21 staining was predictive of shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.0374) in this small patient population. Poor correlations between mRNA, protein and function indicate the complex biology of BCRP in adult ALL, and the possible correlation of BCRP expression with DFS should be studied in larger series.

Summary We analysed the nature and prognostic significance of secondary cytogenetic changes in 111 newly diagnosed adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) or its variants. Secondary aberrations were seen in 75 (68%) patients. They included, in order of descending frequency: +der(22)t(9;22), +21, abnormalities of 9p, high hyperdiploidy (>50 chromosomes), +8, −7, +X and abnormalities resulting in loss of material from 8p, gain of 8q, gain of 1q and loss of 7p. Eighty patients (72%) had ≥1 normal metaphase in their karyotype. There were four balanced and 12 unbalanced translocations previously unreported in ALL with t(9;22). The t(2;7)(p11;p13) and der(18)t(8;18)(q11.2;p11.2) were seen in two cases each, and have never before been reported in haematological malignancy. All but four patients were treated on front-line Cancer and Leukaemia Group B clinical protocols. The presence of −7 as a sole secondary abnormality was associated with a lower complete remission (CR) rate (P = 0·004), while the presence of ≥3 aberrations was associated with a higher CR rate (P = 0·009) and +der(22)t(9;22) with a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (P = 0·02). It will be of interest to see if newly diagnosed t(9;22)-positive adult ALL patients with these and other secondary aberrations respond differently to treatment regimens that include imatinib mesylate.

Massive hyperdiploidy (>50 chromosomes) and tetraploidy (4n) are rare cytogenetic abnormalities in myelocytic malignancies, and their significance is unknown. We report on 11 patients with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) and two patients with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with massive hyperdiploidy (10 patients) or tetraploidy (3 patients) seen at our institution over a 12-year period. Eleven patients were male and two were female. Age range was 44–84 years (median, 70 years). Only one AML patient had a previous MDS, and no patient had therapy-related disease. One or more copies of chromosomes 8 and 19 were gained in eight patients each; other frequently gained chromosomes included 13, 15, and 21. Eight patients had structural abnormalities in addition to chromosome gain; del(5q) was most common (five patients). Eleven patients received induction chemotherapy, but only four achieved complete remission. Survival ranged from 1 to 22 months, with a median of 6 months. We conclude that massive hyperdiploidy and tetraploidy are infrequent abnormalities in AML and MDS, are seen primarily in de novo disease in older male patients and are associated with a low remission rate and short survival. Massive hyperdiploidy and tetraploidy define a prognostically unfavorable cytogenetic group in de novo AML.

We examined the incidence, risk factors and associated mortality of acute renal failure requiring dialysis (Renal Bearman Grade [BG] 3) in a 3-year cohort of 97 consecutive allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (alloBMT) patients. In all, 20 (21%) developed Renal BG3 (all died by day +132) and 77 (79%) developed renal insufficiency (Renal BG1-2). Renal BG3 was a contributing or primary cause of death in 18 (90%) patients who continued to require dialysis at time of death. The two Renal BG3 patients whose deaths were not related to renal failure died on day +103 of hemorrhage and day +132 of underlying disease. By univariate analysis, age, unrelated donor, veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease with hepatic involvement were significantly associated with Renal BG3. The multivariate model of time to Renal BG3 determined only a prior diagnosis of severe acute GVHD (RR=4.1, 95% CI 1.6-10.3, P=0.003) and VOD (RR=9.1, 95% CI 3.5-23.7, P

A randomized controlled clinical trial of an intensive insulin regimen in patients with hyperglycemic acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was terminated early due to futility regarding ALL clinical outcomes, despite improved glycemic control. Of note, a surrogate measure of exogenous insulin usage (molar insulin-to-C [I/C] peptide ratio) was associated with decreased overall survival, whereas metformin and thiazolidinedione treatment was associated with improved progression-free survival. Although there were differences between the 2 cohorts, for example, older and more patients with Philadelphiapositive ALL in the intensive insulin arm, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only age 60 years, glucose levels 180 mg/dL, and high I/C levels predicted overall survival. These data suggest that improved glycemic control alone may not be sufficient to impact ALL outcomes. Although the presence of an unidentified confounding factor antagonizing the beneficial effects of improved glycemic control could have contributed to the poor outcome of insulin-treated patients, another interpretation of these data point to the specific drugs used for glycemic control in these patients as potential culprits. Accumulating experimental data suggest that insulin and metformin exert conflicting effects on ALL cell biology. Metformin and thiazolidinediones may enhance chemosensitivity through their effects on AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Metformin appears to exert direct toxic effects on human ALL cell lines and primary patient samples through activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, a regulator of energy homeostasis. Abrogation of metformin-induced apoptosis was seen following treatment with rapamycin, a known mTOR inhibitor. Metformin also induced proviral integrations of Moloney virus 2 (PIM-2) kinase activity in ALL cells, and the combination of metformin and a PIM-1/2 kinase inhibitor synergistically increased cell death. In contrast, insulin and insulin-mediated pathways may contribute to ALL chemoresistance. High exogenous insulin levels may lead to activation of both insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors expressed on ALL blasts. IGF-1 signaling has been shown to enhance the proliferation of ALL cell lines and primary patient samples and inhibit dexamethasone-induced (but not chemotherapy mediated) apoptosis, providing a potent growth advantage to malignant cells. In summary, these observations support additional trials exploring the use of metformin to treat hyperglycemia in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients with ALL as a potential means of improving chemotherapy outcomes. Metformin is devoid of negative effects on normal CD34-positive hematopoietic stem cells or proliferating CD4-positive T-lymphocytes from healthy donors and is currently under investigation in a multitude of trials in nondiabetic patients with solid tumor. A recent clinical trial (NCT01324180) is evaluating the clinical and biological effects of metformin in combination with standard systemic chemotherapy in the relapsed ALL setting. The results from this and similar trials are expected to become available shortly.

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) with arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is highly effective first-line therapy, although approximately 5-10% of patients relapse. Tamibarotene is a synthetic retinoid with activity in APL patients who relapse after chemotherapy and ATRA, but has not been studied in relapse after treatment with ATO and ATRA. We report on a phase II study of tamibarotene in adult patients with relapsed or refractory APL after treatment with ATRA and ATO (n = 14). Participants were treated with tamibarotene (6 mg/m(2) /d) during induction and for up to six cycles of consolidation. The overall response rate was 64% (n = 9), the rate of complete cytogenetic response was 43% (n = 6) and the rate of complete molecular response was 21% (n = 3). Relapse was frequent with 7 of 9 responders relapsing after a median of 4·6 months (range 1·6-26·8 months). The median event-free survival (EFS) was 3·5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 0-8·6 months] and the median overall survival (OS) was 9·5 months (95% CI 5·9-13·1 months). These results demonstrate that tamibarotene has activity in relapsed APL after treatment with ATO and ATRA and further studies using tamibarotene as initial therapy and in combination with ATO are warranted.

A proposed model of thrombopoietin (TPO) regulation is that of a constitutive production of TPO with circulating levels being predominately regulated by changes in platelet and megackaryocyte mass. Using a pharmacodynamic (PD) approach, the authors examined the validity of this model for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing dose-intensive postinduction chemotherapy (HDT). TPO and platelet values were assayed weekly in AML patients undergoing HDT. A parsimonious dynamic model was then applied to these experimental data. The results (1) support the proposed model of TPO regulation, (2) model and quantify the effects of HDT on the megakaryocyte compartment, (3) characterize variables not amenable to direct measurement, and (4) have clinical utility as this model predicted that TPO given after HDT would not have a significant effect on platelet recovery, a finding borne out in clinical trials. This model provides information relevant to the interpretation of clinical trials of hematopoietic growth factors.

Introduction: Homoharringtonine (HHT) and other alkaloid esters were originally isolated from the Cephalotaxus evergreen tree and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since the 1970s to treat a variety of malignancies. Although HHT was investigated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the 1990s with good results, the advent of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) at that time rapidly established a new standard of care for CML. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is a semisynthetic derivative of HHT with known clinical activity in relapsed or refractory CML following TKI therapy.Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the biologic effects of HHT and its derivative, omacetaxine, in CML. Additionally, we analyze the concepts learned from the early trials using these drugs. Data from clinical trials resulting in drug approval are also reviewed.Expert opinion: Omacetaxine has a clear role in the CML armamentarium for patients in chronic and accelerated phase who have failed or were ...