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Clinical trials are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Although a significant number of trials are discontinued prematurely, our understanding of factors influencing early termination is limited. We conducted a comprehensive search of ClinicalTrials.gov to identify leukemia trials from 2000 to 2020, followed by data abstraction performed by two independent reviewers. Among 3522 leukemia clinical trials identified, 28.4% were terminated prematurely. Slow accrual was the leading cause of termination 38.2%. The termination rate increased significantly from 17.0% between 2000 and 2005 to 30.9% between 2010 and 2015 ( p  < .001). Large trials had a lower termination rate than small trials ( p  < .001). Academic-sponsored trials had the highest termination rates compared to other sponsors' trials ( p  < .001). Early-phase trials showed higher termination rates compared to late-phase ( p  < .001). Other significant factors included a sequential assignment, single-center, and non-randomized trials ( p  < .001). Much of leukemia trials are terminated prematurely, with slow accrual being the most common reason for early termination.

Background/aims: Randomized clinical trials often use stratification to ensure balance between arms. Analysis of primary endpoints of these trials typically uses a "stratified analysis," in which analyses are performed separately in each subgroup defined by the stratification factors, and those separate analyses are weighted and combined. In the phase 3 setting, stratified analyses based on a small number of stratification factors can provide a small increase in power. The impact on power and type-1 error of stratification in the setting of smaller sample sizes as in randomized phase 2 trials has not been well characterized., Methods: We performed computational studies to characterize the power and cross-arm balance of modestly sized clinical trials (less than 170 patients) with varying numbers of stratification factors (0-6), sample sizes, randomization ratios (1:1 vs 2:1), and randomization methods (dynamic balancing vs stratified block)., Results: We found that the power of unstratified analyses was minimally impacted by the number of stratification factors used in randomization. Analyses stratified by 1-3 factors maintained power over 80%, while power dropped below 80% when four or more stratification factors were used. These trends held regardless of sample size, randomization ratio, and randomization method. For a given randomization ratio and sample size, increasing the number of factors used in randomization had an adverse impact on cross-arm balance. Stratified block randomization performed worse than dynamic balancing with respect to cross-arm balance when three or more stratification factors were used., Conclusion: Stratified analyses can decrease power in the setting of phase 2 trials when the number of patients in a stratification subgroup is small., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) constitute a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic disorders with extremely variable clinical features and outcomes. Management of MDS is largely based on risk stratification of patients into either lower-risk or higher-risk categories using the International Prognostic Scoring System-Revised and, more recently, on the Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System. Lower-risk MDS is often managed with the goal of ameliorating cytopenias and improving quality of life, while higher-risk MDS is treated with therapies aimed at extending survival and delaying progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therapeutic strategies in lower-risk MDS patients may consist of erythropoiesis stimulating agents, luspatercept, and lenalidomide for selected patients. Furthermore, imetelstat has recently been added to the FDA-approved therapeutic armamentarium for lower-risk MDS. In higher-risk MDS, monotherapy with hypomethylating agents continues to be the standard of care. While several novel hypomethylating agent combinations have and are being studied in large randomized phase 3 clinical trials, including the combination of azacitidine and venetoclax, no combination to date have improved overall survival to azacitidine monotherapy. Moreover, biomarker-directed therapies as well as immonotherapeutic approaches are currently being evaluated in early phase trials. Despite recent advancements, the lack of therapeutic agents, particularly after the failure of first line therapy in higher risk MDS, continues to be a major hurdle in the management of MDS. In this review, we discuss the current treatment landscape of MDS and provide an overview of novel agents currently in clinical development that have the potential to alter our current treatment paradigms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest RMS had a consultancy with Bristol Myers Squibb, Curio Science, Gilead Sciences, Kura Oncology, Servier, and Rigel and served in Steering Committees for Servier. MS served on the advisory board for Novartis, Kymera, Sierra Oncology, GSK, Rigel, BMS, Sobi and Syndax; consulted for Boston Consulting and Dedham group and participated in CME activity for Novartis, Curis Oncology, Haymarket Media and Clinical care options. AMZ reports receiving grant support from AbbVie, ADC Therapeutics, Amgen, Aprea, Astex, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cardiff Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Incyte, Medimmune, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Takeda, and Trovagene; consulting fees from AbbVie, Acceleron, Agios, Amgen, Aprea, Astellas Pharma, BeyondSpring, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cardiff Oncology, Cardinal Health, Daiichi Sankyo, Epizyme, Geron, Gilead, Incyte, Ionis, Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Kura, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Syndax, Taiho, Takeda, Trovagene, and Tyme; travel support from Cardiff Oncology, Novartis, and Pfizer; and serving on clinical trial committees of AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Geron, Gilead, Kura, and Novartis, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intensive chemotherapy (IC) combination with second- or third-generation TKI improves survival compared to non-IC with first-generation TKI. Allo-HCT was suggestive of improving RFS/OS after propensity score matching and multivariable analysis., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In the randomized phase III IDHENTIFY trial, the IDH2 inhibitor enasidenib (ENA) showed improvement in event-free but not overall survival compared with conventional care regimens (CCR) among patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R), IDH2 -mutant AML. We constructed a partitioned survival model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of enasidenib for the treatment of older patients with R/R, and  IDH2 -mutant AML. In the base-case scenario, ENA exhibited an incremental effectiveness of 0.234quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared to CCR, and an incremental cost of $126,800, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $540,300/QALY(95% CI: $197,800-$4,777,000/QALY). In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, CCR was favored in 99.8% of simulations. The cost of ENA would need to be decreased by 72% to be cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY. Our findings suggest that ENA is unlikely to be a cost-effective treatment for older patients with IDH2- mutant R/R AML under current pricing.

Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies that are stratified into high-risk (HR-MDS) and low-risk (LR-MDS) categories. Until recently, LR-MDS has been typically managed by supportive measures and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs); whereas management of HR-MDS typically included hypomethylating agents and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. However, the limited rates and durations of response observed with these interventions prompted the search for targeted therapies to improve the outcomes among patients with MDS., Areas Covered: Here, we review the current landscape of targeted therapies in MDS. These include pyruvate kinase and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activators; TGF-beta, telomerase, BCL2 and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitors; as well as novel approaches targeting inflammation, pyroptosis, immune evasion, and RNA splicing machinery., Expert Opinion: This review highlights the progress and challenges in MDS treatment. Despite some promising results, many therapies remain in early development or have faced setbacks, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the disease's pathobiology. Continued research into targeted therapies, homogenous clinical trial designs, as well as increased incorporation of molecular prognostic tools and artificial intelligence into trial design are essential for developing effective treatments for MDS and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose: Most clinical trials are conducted exclusively in high-income countries (HICs), with only a small fraction involving centers from low-middle income countries (LMICs). However, studies evaluating the global distribution of clinical trials in leukemia are limited. Therefore, we sought to assess the present state of leukemia clinical trials that involve centers from LMICs and to compare those with trials conducted exclusively in HICs., Materials and Methods: We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to identify leukemia trials initiated between 2000 and 2020. In this cross-sectional study, the search strategy was developed by a medical librarian using controlled vocabulary and free-text terms. Data abstraction was independently executed by two reviewers. Trials were defined to be LMIC trials if they included centers from LMICs according to the World Bank Atlas country's income level classification for 2022-2023. Conversely, if a trial included centers from HICs only, the study was classified as a HIC trial., Results: Of 3,345 leukemia-related clinical trials identified, only 160 (4.8%) included centers from LMICs. Compared with HIC trials, LMIC trials had lower termination rates (12.5% v 27.5%; P < .001) and were more likely randomized (52.5% v 18.2%; P < .001), larger (sample sizes >50 patients: 69.0% v 33.6%; P < .001), multicenter (81.9% v 47.9%; P < .001), and later phase (phase III: 36.2% v 8.98%; P < .001; phase IV: 6.25% v 2.17%; P < .001). There was an increase in the proportion of randomized and diseased-focused clinical trials within the trials that involved LMIC centers between 2000-2005 and 2010-2015 (57.1% v 47.1% and 85.7% v 52.9%; P = .013 and 0.014, respectively)., Conclusion: We found a marked underrepresentation of LMICs in leukemia clinical trials reflecting limited access to novel leukemia therapies in LMICs.

While there is clear evidence to suggest poorer outcome associated with multi-hit (MH) TP53 mutation (TP53MT) compared to a single-hit (SH) mutation in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), data are conflicting in both higher-risk MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We conducted an in-depth analysis utilizing data from ten US academic institutions to study differences in molecular characteristics and outcomes of SH (N=139) versus MH (N=243) TP53MT AML. Complex cytogenetics were more common in MH than in SH TP53MT AML (P<0.001); whereas ASXL1 (P<0.001), RAS (P<0.001), splicing factor (P=0.003), IDH1/2 (P=0.001), FLT3 ITD (P<0.001) and NPM1 (P=0.005) mutations clustered significantly with SH TP53MT AML. Survival after excluding patients who received best supportive care alone was dismal but not significantly different between patients with SH or MH disease (event-free survival: 3.0 vs. 2.20 months, respectively, P=0.22; overall survival: 8.50 vs. 7.53 months, respectively, P=0.13). In multivariable analysis, IDH1 mutation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a time-dependent covariate were associated with superior event-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]=0.44, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.19-1.01, P=0.05 and HR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.18-0.62, P<0.001) and overall survival (HR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.71, P=0.01 and HR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.16-0.47, P<0.001). Complex cytogenetics (HR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.40, P=0.04) retained an unfavorable significance for overall survival. Our analysis suggests that MH TP53MT is less relevant in independently predicting outcomes in patients with AML than in those with MDS.

Abstract: Although intensive induction chemotherapy (IC) remains the standard of care for younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), hypomethylating agents + venetoclax (HMA/VEN) can lead to durable remission among older patients with nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations. Whether IC or HMA/VEN is superior in patients aged ≥60 years with NPM1-mutant AML is unknown. We performed an international, multicenter retrospective cohort study of 221 patients (147 IC and 74 HMA/VEN) with previously untreated NPM1-mutant AML. Composite complete remission (cCR) (defined as CR + CR with incomplete count recovery) rate was similar for IC and HMA/VEN (cCR, 85% vs 74%; P = .067). Although overall survival (OS) was favorable with IC in unselected patients compared with HMA/VEN (24-month OS, 59% [95% confidence interval (CI), 52-69%] vs 38% [95% CI, 27-55%]; P = .013), it was not statistically different among patients aged 60-75 years (60% [95% CI, 52-70%] vs 44% [95% CI, 29-66%]; P = .069) and patients who received an allogeneic stem cell transplant (70% [95% CI, 58-85%] vs 66% [95% CI, 44-100%]; P = .56). Subgroup analyses suggested that patients with normal cytogenetics (24-month OS, 65% [95% CI, 56-74%] with IC vs 40% [95% CI, 26-60%] with HMA/VEN; P = .009) and without FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutations might benefit from IC compared with HMA/VEN (24-month OS, 68% [95% CI, 59-79%] vs 43% [95% CI, 29-63%]; P = .008). In multivariable analysis, OS was not statistically different between patients treated with IC and HMA/VEN (hazard ratio for death with HMA/VEN vs IC, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.40-1.27; P = .25)., (© 2024 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), however, older patients are often underrepresented in pivotal trials. Approximately 20% of older adults never start treatment and face significant barriers to accomplish favorable outcomes. The treatment goal is to improve survival, prevent progression, and preserve quality of life. This is achieved through optimizing TKI doses and employing discontinuation strategies to attain treatment-free remission (TFR), a goal increasingly pursued by older patients. Imatinib may be favored as the front-line option for older individuals due to its side effect profile and cost. Bosutinib's favorable cardiovascular tolerability makes it a suitable second-line agent, but lower-dose dasatinib may likewise be an attractive option. The prevalence of comorbidities can preclude the use of second generation TKIs in some older patients. Optimal care for older patients with CML centers on personalized treatment, close monitoring, and proactive support.

The FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib has been shown to improve overall survival when added to intensive induction chemotherapy ("7 + 3") in patients 18-75 years old with newly diagnosed AML harboring a FLT3- ITD mutation. However, the health economic implications of this approval are unknown. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of quizartinib using a partitioned survival analysis model. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. In the base case scenario, the addition of quizartinib to 7 + 3 resulted in incremental costs of $289,932 compared with 7 + 3 alone. With an incremental gain of 0.84 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) with quizartinib + 7 + 3 induction vs. 7 + 3 alone, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the addition of quizartinib to standard 7 + 3 was $344,039/QALY. Only an 87% reduction in the average wholesale price of quizartinib or omitting quizartinib continuation therapy after completion of consolidation therapy and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant would make quizartinib a cost-effective option.

Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) is characterized by the presence of inv(16)/t(16;16) or t(8;21) and is classified as a favorable risk by the 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) guidelines. The CD33-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), is commonly added to intensive chemotherapy (IC) in CBF-AML. We sought to compare outcomes in patients treated with IC with or without GO in CBF-AML. We included 200 patients with CBF-AML treated with IC across seven academic centers. Induction treatment regimens were categorized as IC alone, IC with GO, or IC with KIT inhibitor (dasatinib or midostaurin). Median follow-up for the whole cohort was 2.5 years. Three-year overall survival (OS) was 70% and 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 51%. Patients treated with IC with GO experienced a 3-year EFS of 50% compared to those treated with IC alone who experienced a 3-year EFS of 47%, with no statistically significant difference ( p  = 0.62). Similarly, those treated with IC with GO did not experience an improved OS compared to those treated with IC alone ( p  = 0.67). Patients treated with IC with KIT inhibitor experienced a significantly improved 3-year EFS of 85% compared to those with IC with or without GO ( p  = 0.04). We find in our study that there is no survival benefit in patients treated with IC with the addition of GO; improved EFS was seen in patients with CBF-AML treated with IC plus KIT inhibitors, consistent with outcomes noted in prospective studies utilizing this approach., Competing Interests: Alexandra E. Rojek, Benjamin J. McCormick, Joanna Cwykiel, Oluwatobi Odetola, Nhi Nai, Rohan K. Achar, Danielle Bradshaw, Meaghan Standridge, and Guru Subramanian Guru Murthy declare no conflict of interest.Yasmin Abaza received research funding from Biomea, Curis, Biosight, and ALX Oncology Novartis; honoraria from Servier, Pfizer, BMS, Kite, Astellas, and Rigel. Charles E. Foucar received honoraria from the Binaytara Foundation. Rory M. Shallis received honoraria from Bristol Myers Squibb, Kura Oncology, Gilead Sciences, Rigel, and Servier. Vamsi Kota: Kite: honoraria; Novartis: honoraria; Incyte: research funding; Pfizer: honoraria. Talha Badar served on an advisory board for Takeda, Morphosys, and Pfizer. Anand A. Patel received honoraria from AbbVie and Bristol Myers Squibb; research funding from Krono Bio and Pfizer from AbbVie and Bristol Myers Squibb; research funding from Krono Bio and Pfizer., (© 2024 The Author(s). eJHaem published by British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Abstract: Progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) to accelerated or blast phase is associated with poor survival outcomes. Since 2017 there have been several therapies approved for use in acute myeloid leukemia (AML); these therapies have been incorporated into the management of accelerated/blast-phase MPNs (MPN-AP/BP). We performed a multicenter analysis to investigate outcomes of patients diagnosed with MPN-AP/BP in 2017 or later. In total, 202 patients were identified; median overall survival (OS) was 0.86 years. We also analyzed patients based on first-line treatment; the 3 most common approaches were intensive chemotherapy (n = 65), DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi)-based regimens (n = 65), and DNMTi + venetoclax-based regimens (n = 54). Median OS was not significantly different by treatment type. In addition, we evaluated response by 2017 European LeukemiaNet AML criteria and 2012 MPN-BP criteria in an effort to understand the association of response with survival outcomes. We also analyzed outcomes in 65 patients that received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT); median OS was 2.30 years from time of allo-HSCT. Our study demonstrates that survival among patients with MPN-AP/BP is limited in the absence of allo-HSCT even in the current era of therapeutics and underscores the urgent need for new agents and approaches., (© 2024 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

Background: TP53 mutations are associated with an adverse prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS). However, the integrated genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic landscape of TP53 -mutated AML/HR-MDS is not well defined., Objectives: To define the genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic landscape of TP53- mutant and TP53 wild-type AML and HR-MDS patients., Design: Post hoc analysis of TP53- mutant and TP53 wild-type patients treated on the randomized FUSION trial with azacitidine ± the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab., Methods: We performed extensive molecular, epigenetic, and immunologic assays on a well-annotated clinical trial dataset of 61 patients with TP53- mutated disease (37 AML, 24 MDS) and 144 TP53 wild-type (89 AML, 55 MDS) patients, all of whom received azacitidine-based therapy. A 38 gene-targeted myeloid mutation analysis from screening bone marrow (BM) was performed. DNA methylation arrays, immunophenotyping and immune checkpoint expression by flow cytometry, and gene expression profiles by bulk RNA sequencing were assessed at baseline and serially during the trial., Results: Global DNA methylation from peripheral blood was independent of TP53 mutation and allelic status. AZA therapy led to a statistically significant decrease in global DNA methylation scores independent of TP53 mutation status. In BM from TP53- mutant patients, we found both a higher T-cell population and upregulation of inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins such as PD-L1 compared to TP53 wild-type. RNA sequencing analyses revealed higher expression of the myeloid immune checkpoint gene LILRB3 in TP53- mutant samples suggesting a novel therapeutic target., Conclusion: This integrated analysis of the genetic, epigenetic, and immunophenotypic landscape of TP53 mutant AML/HR-MDS suggests that differences in the immune landscape resulting in an immunosuppressive microenvironment rather than epigenetic differences contribute to the poor prognosis of TP53- mutant AML/HR-MDS with mono- or multihit TP53 mutation status., Trial Registration: FUSION trial (NCT02775903)., Competing Interests: AMZ received research funding (institutional) from Celgene/BMS, Abbvie, Astex, Pfizer, Medimmune/AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cardiff oncology, Incyte, Takeda, Novartis, Aprea, and ADC Therapeutics. AMZ participated in advisory boards, and/or had a consultancy with and received honoraria from AbbVie, Otsuka, Pfizer, Celgene/BMS, Jazz, Incyte, Agios, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Acceleron, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Cardinal Health, Taiho, Seattle Genetics, BeyondSpring, Cardiff Oncology, Takeda, Ionis, Amgen, Janssen, Epizyme, Syndax, Gilead, Kura, Chiesi, ALX Oncology, BioCryst, Notable, Orum, and Tyme. AMZ served on clinical trial committees for Novartis, Abbvie, Gilead, BioCryst, Abbvie, ALX Oncology, Geron, and Celgene/BMS. RMS participated in advisory boards, and/or had a consultancy with and received honoraria from Bristol Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences, Inc.; divested equity interest in Curis Oncology. IB, ET, DLM, BF, VH, and SR are employees of Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company, and may be shareholders. SH has received research funding received honoraria from FORMA Therapeutics. TH is the owner of Munich Leukemia Laboratory. All other authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to declare., (© The Author(s), 2024.)

Molecularly defined secondary acute myeloid leukemia is associated with a prior myeloid neoplasm and confers a worse prognosis. We compared outcomes of molecularly defined secondary AML patients (n = 395) treated with daunorubicin and cytarabine (7 + 3, n = 167), liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine (CPX-351, n = 66) or hypomethylating agents (HMA) + venetoclax (VEN) (n = 162). Median overall survival (OS) was comparable between treatment groups among patients aged >60 years. In a multivariable model HMA + VEN vs. 7 + 3 was associated with better OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-0.98, p = 0.041]), whereas CPX-351 vs. 7 + 3 was not (HR 0.79 [CI 95% 0.50-1.25, p = 0.31]). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, BCOR and IDH mutations were associated with improved OS; older age, prior myeloid disease, NRAS/KRAS mutations, EZH2 mutation, and monosomal karyotype were associated with worse OS. When analyzed in each treatment separately, the IDH co-mutations benefit was seen with 7 + 3 and the detrimental effect of NRAS/KRAS co-mutations with HMA + VEN and CPX-351. In pairwise comparisons adjusted for age, HMA + VEN was associated with improved OS vs. 7 + 3 in patients with SF3B1 mutation and improved OS vs. CPX-351 in those with RNA splicing factor mutations. In molecularly defined secondary AML treatment with HMA + VEN might be preferred but could further be guided by co-mutations., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Venetoclax (VEN) combined with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is the standard of care for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) unfit for intensive chemotherapy. To date, real-world data published on HMAs plus VEN have been either single-center studies or using community-based electronic databases with limited details on mutational landscape, tolerability, and treatment patterns in elderly patients. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to assess the real-world experience of 204 elderly patients (≥75 years) with newly diagnosed AML treated with HMAs plus VEN from eight academic centers in the United States. Overall, 64 patients achieved complete remission (CR; 38%) and 43 CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi; 26%) for a CR/CRi rate of 64%, with a median duration of response of 14.2 months (95% CI: 9.43, 22.1). Among responders, 63 patients relapsed (59%) with median overall survival (OS) after relapse of 3.4 months (95% CI, 2.4, 6.7). Median OS for the entire population was 9.5 months (95% CI, 7.85-13.5), with OS significantly worse among patients with TP53-mutated AML (2.5 months) and improved in patients harboring NPM1, IDH1, and IDH2 mutations (13.5, 18.3, and 21.1 months, respectively). The 30-day and 60-day mortality rates were 9% and 19%, respectively. In conclusion, HMAs plus VEN yielded high response rates in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. The median OS was inferior to that reported in the VIALE-A trial. Outcomes are dismal after failure of HMAs plus VEN, representing an area of urgent unmet clinical need., (© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Hematology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with hypomethylating agent failure have a poor prognosis. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can contribute to MDS progression and mediate resistance to anti-PD1 therapy. As histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) decrease MDSCs in preclinical models, we conducted an investigator-initiated, NCI-Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program-sponsored, multicenter, dose escalation, and expansion phase Ib trial (NCT02936752) of the HDACi entinostat and the anti-PD1 antibody pembrolizumab. Twenty-eight patients (25 MDS and 3 AML) were enrolled. During dose escalation (n=13 patients), there was one dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) on dose level (DL) 1 (G5 pneumonia/bronchoalveolar hemorrhage) and two DLTs at DL 2 (G3 pharyngeal mucositis and G3 anorexia). Per the 3 + 3 dose escalation design, DL 1 (entinostat 8 mg PO days 1 and 15 + pembrolizumab 200 mg IV day 1 every 21 days) was expanded and another 15 patients were enrolled. Hematologic adverse events (AEs) were common. The most common non-hematologic ≥G3 AEs were infection (32%), hypoxia/respiratory failure (11%), and dyspnea (11%). There were no protocol-defined responses among the 28 patients enrolled. Two patients achieved a marrow complete remission (mCR). Using a systems immunology approach with mass cytometry and machine learning analysis, mCR patients had increased classical monocytes and macrophages but there was no significant change of MDSCs. In conclusion, combining entinostat with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced MDS and AML was associated with limited clinical efficacy and substantial toxicity. Absence of an effect on MDSCs could be a potential explanation for the limited efficacy of this combination. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT02936752., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The existence of two acute myeloid leukaemia classification systems-one put forth by WHO and one by the International Consensus Classification in 2022-is concerning. Although both systems appropriately move towards genomic disease definitions and reduced emphasis on blast enumeration, there are consequential disagreements between the two systems on what constitutes a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia. This fundamental problem threatens the ability of heath-care providers to diagnose acute myeloid leukaemia, communicate with patients and other health-care providers, and deliver appropriate and consistent management strategies for patients with the condition. Clinical trial eligibility, standardised response assessments, and eventual drug development and regulatory pathways might also be negatively affected by the discrepancies. In this Viewpoint, we review the merits and limitations of both classification systems and illustrate how the coexistence, as well as application of both systems is an undue challenge to patients, clinicians, hematopathologists, sponsors of research, and regulators. Lastly, we emphasise the urgency and propose a roadmap, by which the two divergent classification systems can be harmonised., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests RMS has served in a consulting or advisory role for Bristol Myers Squibb, Curio Science, Gilead Sciences, and Sciences, Servier, and Rigel. ND has received research funding from Daiichi Sankyo, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Gilead, Sevier, Genentech, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, AbbVie, Hanmi, Trovagene, Fate Therapeutics, Amgen, Novimmune, Glycomimetics, Trillium, and ImmunoGen. ND has served in a consulting or advisory role for Daiichi-Sankyo, Bristol Myers Squibb, Arog, Pfizer, Novartis, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Celgene, AbbVie, Astellas, Genentech, Immunogen, Servier, Syndax, Trillium, Gilead, Amgen, Shattuck labs, and Agios. JKA has received institutional research funding from AbbVie, Agios, ALX Oncology, Amgen, Amphivena, Aprea AB, Aptose Biosciences, Astellas Pharma, BioSight, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Cyclacel, Fujifilm, Immunogen, Kartos Therapeutics, Kura Oncology, Loxo, Pfizer, and Telios; has served in a consulting or advisory role for AbbVie, Astellas Pharma, BioSight, Bluebird Bio, Curio, Gilead, Kura Oncology, Kymera, Stemline Therapeutics, and Syros; and has served on a data monitoring committee for GlycoMimetics. DAP has served as a consultant or advisor for AbbVie, Novartis, Karyopharm, Syndax, Jazz, Syros, Bristol Myers Squibb, BeiGene, Bergen Bio, Arcellx, Genentech, Immunogen, AstraZeneca, Kura, Ryvu, Magenta, Qihan, Zentalis, Medivir, Hibercell, Link, Daiichi Sankyo, Schrodinger, Aptevo, Rigel, Sumitomo, Adicet, Gilead, and Oncoverity; he has received research funding from AbbVie, Karyopharm, Teva, and Bristol Myers Squibb. TB has served as a consultant or advisor for Pfizer and Takeda. VRB reports participating in safety monitoring committee for protagonist. VRB receives consulting fees from Imugene, research funding from AbbVie, Pfizer, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and National Marrow Donor Program, and provided drug from Chimerix for a trial. AdlFB received research funding from Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, BTG Pharmaceuticals, and AbbVie; has served on advisory boards for Abbvie, Astellas, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Curis, Daiichi Sankyo, Incyte, Immunogen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Servier. AdlFB has received speakers' fees from Abbvie, Astellas, Celgene-BMS, Daiichi Sankyo, Incyte, Janssen Cilag, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Servier. HEC received research funding from Celgene and has served as a consultant or advisor for Bristol Myers Squibb, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Daiichi, Genentech and Stemline. She has received speakers fees from Jazz, Novartis, BMS and Stemline; she has been on Data Safety Monitoring Board Committees for AbbVie, ASTEX, Syndax, and Takeda. FEC has received institutional research funding from Celgene, Bristol Myers Squib, Amgen, Fibrogen, Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, and AbbVie, and is a consultant for the Association of Community Cancer Centers. ATF has received research funding from Celgene, AbbVie, and Servier, and has served in a consulting or advisory role for Genentech, Celgene, Foghorn, Kite, Morphosys, AbbVie, Takeda, Ipsen, Forma, Amgen, Novartis, Astellas, Immunogen, Mablytics, EnClear, Orum, PureTech, Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Minovia, Rigel, and Servier. IG has received research funding from Merck, Amgen, Gilead, Incyte, and Genentech, and has served as a consultant and advisor for Immunogen, Bristol Meyer Squibb, Amgen, ClearView, Curio, and Nkarta. MRG has stock ownership in Medtronic, received research support from Incyte and Jannsen, and received consulting fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, Blueprint Medicines, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cardinal Health, CTI BioPharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Gamida Cell, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Sierra Oncology, Incyte, Invitae, Jazz, Karius, Novartis, Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, Pharmacosmos, Premier, Servier, and Stemline Therapeutics. BAJ has served as a consultant and advisor for AbbVie, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, Gilead, GlycoMimetics, Jazz, Kymera, Pfizer, Rigel, Servier, and Takeda; was on the protocol steering committee for GlycoMimetics, data monitoring committee for Gilead; and received travel reimbursement and [ support from AbbVie and Rigel; BAJ received institutional research funding from AbbVie, Amgen, Aptose, AROG, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Forma, Forty Seven, Genentech, Gilead, GlycoMimetics, Hanmi, Immune-Onc, Incyte, Jazz, Loxo Oncology, Pfizer, Pharmacyclics, Sigma Tau, and Treadwell. GNM has received research funding from Bristol Meyers Squibb, Celgene, Glycomimetics, Forty Seven, Jazz, Astex, Syndax, Immune Onc, and Immunogen; has served as a consultant and advisor for AbbVie, Agios, Macrogenics and Pfizer, and has served on a scientific advisory committee for Abbvie, Agios, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Forty Seven, Genentech, and Stemline. JM has received institutional research funding from Incyte, Novartis, Bristol Meyers Squibb, CTI Bio, Geron, AbbVie, Kartos, and PharmaEssentia, and has received consulting fees from Bristol Meyers Squibb Incyte, Novartis, Roche, CTI Bio, Geron, Kartos, GSK, MorphoSys, PharmaEssentia, Imago, and Galecto. LCM has received institutional research funding from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, has served in a consulting or advisory role for AbbVie, Curio Science, Celgene Corp, Sierra Oncology, and Nkarta; has received honoraria from the American Society of Hematology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the Society of Hematologic Oncology; received royalties from Wintrobe's Publishing; and has served as an expert witness for Incyte Corporation. ASM has served in a consulting or advisory role for AbbVie, Servier, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Astellas, Rigel, Zentalis, and Ryvu Therapeutics; has served on a data monitoring safety committee for Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Sankyo, and Foghorn Therapeutics; and has served as a medical monitor for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Beat AML Study. OP has served in a consulting or advisory role for Scopio Labs, Sysmex America, and F Hoffman-La Roche. KWP Research funding from AbbVie, Agios, Daiichi Sankyo, Millennium; was an advisory board member for AbbVie, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Boston BioMedical, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Novartis, Roche, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Servier. MAS has served on advisory boards for Bristol Meyers Squibb, Novartis, Kurome, and Gilead. CCS has received research funding from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Erasca, Revolution Medicines, and Zentalis, and has served on a board of advisory committee for Astellas Pharma, Daichi Sanyko, and Genentech. MSt served on the advisory board for Novartis, Kymera, Sierra Oncology, GSK, and Rigel; consulted for Boston Consulting and Dedham group and participated in GME activity for Novartis, Curis Oncology, Haymarket Media and Clinical care options. MSu receives industry research support from Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Janssen, Miltenyi Biotec, Morphosys, Novartis, Roche, Seattle Genetics, and Takeda; serves as a consultant and advisor to AvenCell, CDR-Life, Ichnos Sciences, Incyte Biosciences, Janssen, Molecular Partners, and Takeda; and serves on the speakers' bureau at Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Takeda. GLU served in a consulting role for Novartis and Jazz. MTV received compensation for being a speakers from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Astellas, Jazz, Novartis, and Servier; has served in a consulting or advisory role for Jazz and Syros Pharmaceuticals. RBW received laboratory research grants and clinical trial support from Amgen, Aptevo, Celgene, ImmunoGen, Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Kura, MacroGenics, and Pfizer; has ownership interests in Amphivena; and served in a consulting role to AbbVie, Adicet, Amphivena, BerGenBio, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, ImmunoGen, Kura, and Orum. ESW has served in a consulting and advisory role for AbbVie, Astellas, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Jazz, Kite, Kura, Novartis, NuProbe, Pfizer, Rigel, Sellas, and Sumitomo Pharma; has received speaking fees from AbbVie, Astellas, Dava Oncology, Kura Oncology, Novartis, and Pfizer; has served on a data monitoring committee for Abbvie and Gilead; and has served on a research committee for Gilead. JFZ has received honoraria from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, Gilead, Immunogen, Servier, and Shattuck Labs; has served as a consultant for AbbVie, Foghorn, Gilead and Servier; and has received research funding from AbbVie, Arog, Astex, Gilead, Jazz, Merck, Shattuck Labs, Stemline, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, and Takeda. AZ has served in a consulting or advisory role for AbbVie, Astellas, Jannsen, Novartis, and Pfizer, and received honoraria from AbbVie, Astellas, Jannsen, Novartis, and Takeda. AMZ has served in a consulting or advisory role for AbbVie, Acceleron, Agios, Amgen, Aprea, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BeyondSpring, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardiff Oncology, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Epizyme, Genentech, Gilead, Kura, Incyte, Ionis, Loxo Oncology, Janssen, Novartis; served on clinical trial committees for AbbVie, BioCryst, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Geron, Gilead, Kura, Loxo Oncology, Novartis; has received research funding from AbbVie, Acceleron, ADC Therapeutics, Amgen, Aprea, Astex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardiff Oncology, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Incyte, Jasper, Jazz, Novartis, and Pfizer. JPB, RSK, SdB, PD, RD, ND, SDF, MK, TLL, PM, and ACS declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition to the reduction in of arterial thrombotic events, statins may prevent venous thrombosis including among patients with cancer. As previous registry- and claims-based studies revealed that the use of statins may improve the survival of patients with various malignancies we evaluated their impact on outcomes of older adults with PV and ET., Methods: We identified 4010 older adults (aged 66-99 years at diagnosis) with PV (n = 1809) and ET (n = 2201) in a population-based cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database with median follow-up of 3.92 (interquartile range: 2.58-5.75) years. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) approaches were utilized to assess potential association between statins and overall survival. Multivariable competing risk models with death as a competing risk were used to evaluate possible relationship between statins and the incidence of thrombosis., Results: 55.8% of the patients used statins within the first year after PV/ET diagnosis, and statin use was associated with a 22% reduction in all-cause mortality (PSM: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.98, p = 0.03; IPTW: HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.97, p = 0.03). Statins also reduced the risk of thrombosis in this patient population (PSM: HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.51-0.78, p < 0.01; IPTW: HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.49-0.66, p < 0.01) as well as in PV and ET subgroups., Conclusions: These findings suggest that it may be important to incorporate statins into the therapeutic strategy for older adults with PV and ET., (© 2023 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) use is critical in the care of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing for BCR-ABL1 every 3 months during the first year of TKI treatment is recommended to assure achievement of milestone response goals. Real-world evidence for the patterns of qPCR monitoring and TKI adherence in the older patient population is lacking. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we identified 1192 patients aged ≥66 years (median age, 74 years) with newly diagnosed CML who were followed up for ≥13 months from TKI initiation. In total, 965 patients (81.0%) had ≥1 test, with 425 (35.7%) and 540 (45.3%) of the patients tested during 1, 2, and ≥3 quarters (optimal monitoring) of the first year from TKI initiation, respectively. In multivariable analysis, diagnosis in later years and influenza vaccination before diagnosis, a proxy for health care access, were associated with optimal qPCR monitoring. Use of low-income subsidy and residing in census tracts with the lowest socioeconomic status were associated with less optimal monitoring. Patients with optimal monitoring were 60% more likely to be TKI adherent (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.11-2.31; P = .01) and had improved 5-year survival (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.90; P < .01) than those without such monitoring. In this large, real-world study of CML management patterns, many older patients had suboptimal molecular monitoring, which was associated with decreased TKI adherence and worse survival., (© 2023 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

Introduction: Patients with myeloid neoplasms such as myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are generally older, and many are not eligible for curative intent intensive therapies and/or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. While lower intensity, hypomethylating agent (HMA)-based therapies such as azacitidine+venetoclax have improved patient outcomes significantly, responses are not durable, and most patients die from disease-related complications. The approvals of oral HMAs such as cedazuridine-decitabine (C-DEC) and oral azacitidine (CC-486) have kindled the hope that myeloid malignancies may soon be treated with total oral therapy., Areas Covered: We review all-oral therapies including the approvals of C-DEC and CC-486 in MDS and AML, respectively, in addition to emerging all-oral therapies, both monotherapy and combination, in higher-risk (HR) MDS and AML., Expert Opinion: Oral HMAs have the potential to be a convenient and efficacy-equivalent treatment option for patients with HR-MDS or AML and improve their quality of life by reducing clinic visits for medication administration. Total-oral therapy combinations, largely including an oral HMA 'backbone,' are in the early phases of clinical development, and it is our hope that well-designed trials employing these agents may soon allow the identification of optimal regimens that deliver effective disease-directed therapy with good tolerability.

Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and variable cytopenias with a considerable risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Epidemiological assessment of MDS remains challenging because of evolving classification systems, but the overall incidence in the United States is estimated to be approximately 4 per 100,000 and increases with age. The sequential accumulation of mutations drives disease evolution from asymptomatic clonal hematopoiesis (CH) to CH of indeterminate potential, clonal cytopenia of unknown significance, to frank MDS. The molecular heterogeneity seen in MDS is highly complex and includes mutations of genes involved in splicing machinery, epigenetic regulation, differentiation, and cell signaling. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular landscape of MDS have led to the development of improved risk assessment tools and novel therapies. Therapies targeting the underlying pathophysiology will hopefully further expand the armamentarium of MDS therapeutics, bringing us closer to a more individualized therapeutic approach based on the unique molecular profile of each patient and eventually improving the outcomes of patients with MDS. We review the epidemiology of MDS and the newly described MDS precursor conditions CH, CH of indeterminate potential, and CCUS. We then discuss central aspects of MDS pathophysiology and outline specific strategies targeting hallmarks of MDS pathophysiology, including ongoing clinical trials examining the efficacy of these therapeutic modalities., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: M.S. served on the advisory board for Novartis, Kymera, Sierra Oncology, GSK, and Rigel; consulted for Boston Consulting and Dedham group and participated in GME activity for Novartis, Curis Oncology, Haymarket Media, and Clinical Care Options. A.M.Z. is a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research. A.M.Z. received research funding (institutional) from Celgene/BMS, Abbvie, Astex, Pfizer, Medimmune/AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cardiff Oncology, Incyte, Takeda, Novartis, Shattuck Labs, Geron, Aprea, and ADC Therapeutics. A.M.Z. participated in advisory boards and/or had a consultancy with and received honoraria from AbbVie, Pfizer, Celgene/BMS, Jazz, Incyte, Agios, Servier, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Geron, Taiho, Seattle Genetics, BeyondSpring, Takeda, Ionis, Amgen, Janssen, Genentech, Epizyme, Syndax, Gilead, Kura, Chiesi, ALX Oncology, BioCryst, Notable, Orum, Mendus, Foran, Syros, and Tyme. A.M.Z. served on clinical trial committees for Novartis, Abbvie, Gilead, Syros, BioCryst, Abbvie, ALX Oncology, Geron, and Celgene/BMS. A.M.Z. received travel support for meetings from Pfizer, Novartis, and Cardiff Oncology. For the remaining authors, none were declared., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although the clinical outcomes of patients with TP53-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are dismal, subsets of patients eligible for curative-intent therapies may fare better. Because racial disparities are known to affect outcome in hematologic malignancies, the authors sought to explore disparities among patients with TP53-mutated AML., Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of 340 patients who had TP53-mutated AML (275 non-Hispanic White [NHW] and 65 non-Hispanic Black [NHB]) to analyze differences in treatment and outcome among NHW and NHB patients., Results: The median patient age was comparable between NHW and NHB patients (p = .76). A higher proportion of NHB patients had therapy-related AML (31% vs. 20%; p = .08) and had co-mutations (74% vs. 61%; p = .06). A higher proportion of NHW patients received intensive chemotherapy compared with NHB patients (47% vs. 31%; p = .02). Conversely, a higher proportion of NHB patients received low-intensity chemotherapy (9% vs. 5.5%; p = .02) or best supportive care (22% vs. 7%; p < .001). The complete response rate (including complete responses with or without complete count recovery) was 31% versus 24.5% (p = .39) in NHW and NHB patients, respectively. Only 5% of NHB patients received allogeneic stem cell transplantation compared with 15.5% of NHW patients (p = .02). The proportion of patients who were event-free (18.5% vs. 8.5%; p = .49) or who remained alive (24.9% vs. 8.3%; p = .13) at 18 months was numerically higher in NHW versus NHB patients, respectively, but was not statistically significant., Conclusions: The current study highlights disparities between NHW and NHB patients with TP53-mutated AML. Efforts are warranted to eliminate treatment disparities in minority populations., (© 2022 American Cancer Society.)

Patients with classical Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary and secondary myelofibrosis (MF), are known to have an increased risk of second malignancies (SMs). Hydroxyurea (HU) is a guideline-recommended cytoreductive therapy for patients at high risk for MPNs. Controversy exists as to whether HU use is associated with a higher risk of SMs, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of older patients diagnosed with MPN (age ≥66 years) between 2010 and 2017 and included the data in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare-linked database. Multivariable competing risk analyses adjusting for patient characteristics were used to assess the impact of HU on the development of SM. We identified 4023 patients (1688 with PV, 1976 with ET, and 359 with MF) with a median age of 77 (interquartile range [IQR], 71-83) years at the time of MPN diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 3.25 (IQR, 2.10-5.00) years, 489 patients developed an SM (346 solid, 73 lymphoid, and 70 myeloid malignancies). The cumulative incidence probability of SM was 19.88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.16%-22.75%) among 2683 HU users and 22.31% (95% CI, 17.51%-27.47%) among 1340 nonusers, respectively (Gray's test, P < .01). We did not identify significant differences in the incidence of solid or hematologic SMs, including AML/MDS (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.77-2.29; P = .30), between HU users and nonusers. Our results suggest that the use of HU does not increase the risk of SM in older patients with MPN., (© 2023 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

Ivosidenib + azacitidine (IVO/AZA) is approved in the United States for newly diagnosed, older or intensive chemotherapy-ineligible patients with IDH1 -mutated acute myeloid leukemia. We created a partitioned survival analysis model to evaluate the health economic implications of this approval. Model outputs were used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of IVO/AZA versus AZA. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. In the base case scenario, IVO/AZA and AZA resulted in life-time costs of $403,062 and $161,887, respectively. With an incremental gain of 0.95 QALYs, the ICER of IVO/AZA was $252,782/QALY. In sensitivity analyses, only a reduction in the price of IVO by 59.3% lowered the ICER to below $150,000/QALY and 99.95% of model calculations yielded ICERs of >$150,000/QALY. In a model in which all patients received IVO monotherapy after progression on AZA monotherapy, the ICER was $155,453/QALY and various model inputs that would make IVO/AZA cost-effective were identified.

TP53-altered myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts and TP53-altered acute myeloid leukemia should be considered under one unifying classification term for their study in clinical trials. Ultimately, such a unification would simplify the screening processes for clinical trials and allow a focus on treating the patient for a genetically defined disorder rather than one based on an arbitrary blast threshold., (© 2022 American Cancer Society.)

FLT3, IDH1 and IDH2 inhibitors as well as venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine have expanded treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, little data exist on the efficacy of venetoclax-based therapies in AML patients previously treated with FLT3 or IDH1/2 inhibitors. In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we included 44 patients who received venetoclax-based therapy after FLT3, IDH1 or IDH2 inhibitors. The overall response rate (ORR; composite of complete remission [CR]/CR with incomplete count recovery, partial remission, and morphologic leukemia free state) was 56.8% (18.2% CR) and a median overall survival of 9.2 months. While 6 out of 7 patients with IDH1 mutations who had previously been treated with ivosidenib responded to venetoclax-based therapy, FLT3- ITD mutations were associated with a lower response rate. Our data suggest that venetoclax can be an effective salvage therapy in patients previously treated with IDH1/2 or FLT3 inhibitors.

Small molecule inhibitors targeting mutant FLT3, IDH1, and IDH2 as well as venetoclax-based combination therapies have expanded treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As the landmark trials leading to the approval of FLT3, IDH1, and IDH2 inhibitors in R/R-AML were conducted prior to the widespread use of venetoclax, it is unclear how these results apply in the current era of venetoclax based therapy frequently being used in the frontline treatment of AML. In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we included 53 patients who received FLT3, IDH1 or IDH2 inhibitors after disease progression on venetoclax-based therapy. Among patients treated with targeted agents after venetoclax, the overall response rate (ORR; composite of complete remission [CR]/CR with incomplete count recovery, partial remission, and morphologic leukemia free state) was 17.7 % (n = 9 patients) and median OS of 4.2 months. Eight of 9 patients responding to targeted agents after venetoclax received gilteritinib. None of the patients with RAS pathway mutations responded to targeted agents after venetoclax. Additionally, mutations in TP53 and KRAS were associated with shorter OS among patients treated targeted agents. Our data suggest that response rates to targeted therapies after venetoclax are low and novel therapeutic strategies are warranted., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest R.M.S. participated in advisory boards, and/or had a consultancy with and received honoraria from Bristol Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences, Inc; divested equity interest in Curis Oncology. A.D.G. received research funding from Celularity, ADC Therapeutics, Aprea, AROG, Pfizer, Prelude, and Trillium; received research funding from and served as a consultant for Aptose and Daiichi Sankyo; served as a consultant and member of advisory committees for Astellas, Celgene, and Genentech; received research funding from, served as a consultant for, and was a member of advisory committees for AbbVie; and received honoraria from Dava Oncology. A.M.Z. received research funding (institutional) from Celgene/BMS, Abbvie, Astex, Pfizer, Medimmune/AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Trovagene/Cardiff oncology, Incyte, Takeda, Novartis, Aprea, and ADC Therapeutics. A.M.Z. participated in advisory boards, and/or had a consultancy with and received honoraria from AbbVie, Otsuka, Pfizer, Celgene/BMS, Jazz, Incyte, Agios, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Acceleron, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Cardinal Health, Taiho, Seattle Genetics, BeyondSpring, Cardiff Oncology, Takeda, Ionis, Amgen, Janssen, Epizyme, Syndax, Gilead, Kura, Chiesi, ALX Oncology, BioCryst, and Tyme. A.M.Z. served on clinical trial committees for Novartis, Abbvie, Geron and Celgene/BMS. A.M.Z. received travel support for meetings from Pfizer, Novartis, and Cardiff Oncology. E.M.S. received research funding from Bayer; was a consultant for Amgen, AbbVie, Seattle Genetics, and Biotheryx; served as a consultant and received research funding from Syndax; was a member of the Board of Directors or advisory committee for PTC Therapeutics and Syros; served as a consultant and was member of the Board of Directors or advisory committee for Astellas Pharmaceutical, Agios Pharmaceuticals, and Genentech; served as a consultant, received research funding, and was a member of the Board of Directors or advisory committee for Daiichi-Sankyo, Celgene Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis; and is a current equity holder in privately held Auron Therapeutics. G.M. received research funding from Merck, served on the scientific board for BMS, and Abbvie, and participated as a speaker for Abbvie. A.S. served on the speakers bureau for Amgen. D.J.D. had a consultancy with Abbvie Amgen, Autolus, Blueprint, Forty-Seven, Glycomimetrics, Inctye, Jazz, Kite, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier, and Takeda. D.J.D. received grant/research funding Abbvie, Novartis, Blueprint, Glycomimetrics. R.M.S. received personal fees from Abbvie, Actinium, Agios, Astellas, Biolinerx, Celgene, Daiichi-Sankyo, Elevate, Gemoab, Janssen, Jazz, Macrogenics, Novartis, OncoNova, Syndax, Syntrix, Syros, Takeda, Trovagene, BerGenBio, Foghorn Therapeutics, GlaxoSmith Kline, Aprea, Innate, Amgen, BMS, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Kura Oncology, and Epizyme. R.M.S. received grant funding from Abbvie, Agios, Arog, and Novartis. IA serves on advisory boards for Amgen, Kite pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, JAZZ and Agios Pharmaceuticals, and is a consultant for Pfizer, Autolus Therapeutics and Amgen, and received research support by MacroGenics and Abbvie. B.J.B. served on the advisory board for Oncovalent. MS is a member of the advisory board for Novartis and is consulting for Curis Oncology, Haymarket Media and Boston Consulting., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Agent Orange (AO) was the dominant weaponized herbicide employed by the United States (US) military during the Vietnam war. AO, however, was found to be regularly contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic dioxin known; furthermore, AO was commonly diluted in the field with other aromatic hydrocarbons to assist with delivery mechanisms. Unbeknownst to the US military and the millions exposed, these events have likely contributed to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that has affected many veterans. Null studies regarding an association between AO exposure and AML/MDS are limited in their methodology and application. The acknowledgement that the known carcinogen TCDD was a contaminant in AO when paired with a strong biological plausibility for its leukemogenicity and an observed increased risk of AML/MDS in TCDD-exposed individuals should suffice to establish causal association and that veterans to whom this might apply should be awarded appropriate indemnity.

The currently available therapeutic options for patients with TP53 -mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are insufficient, as they translate to a median overall of only 6-9 months, and less than 10% of patients undergoing the most aggressive treatments, such as intensive induction therapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, will be cured. The lack of clear differences in outcomes with different treatments precludes the designation of a standard of care. Recently, there has been growing attention on this critical area of need by way of better understanding the biology of TP53 alterations and the disparities in outcomes among patients in this molecular subgroup, reflected in the development and testing of agents with novel mechanisms of action. Promising preclinical and efficacy data exist for therapies that are directed at the p53 protein rendered dysfunctional via mutation or that inhibit the CD47/SIRPα axis or other immune checkpoints such as TIM-3. In this review, we discuss recently attractive and emerging therapeutic agents, their preclinical rationale and the available clinical data as a monotherapy or in combination with the currently accepted backbones in frontline and relapsed/refractory settings for patients with TP53 -mutated AML.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis if appropriate treatment is initiated promptly. Outcomes in clinical trials and population-based registries vary; potential explanations include a delay in treatment and lower adherence to guideline-recommended therapy in real-world practice. We used the Vizient Clinical Data Base to describe demographic characteristics, baseline clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns in patients newly diagnosed with APL during the study period of April 2017 to March 2020. Baseline white blood cell count was used to assign risk status and assess treatment concordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Logistic regression models examined adjusted associations between patient, hospital, disease characteristics, and adverse outcomes (in-hospital death or discharge to hospice). Among 1464 patients with APL, 205 (14.0%) experienced an adverse outcome. A substantial subset (20.6%) of patients did not receive guideline-concordant regimens. Odds of adverse outcomes increased with failure to receive guideline-concordant treatment (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-3.75; P = .001), high-risk disease (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.53-4.00; P < .001), and increasing age (≥60 years: OR, 11.13; 95% CI, 4.55-27.22; P < .001). Higher hospital acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient volume was associated with lower odds of adverse outcome (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.20-0.99 [for ≤50 vs >200 AML patients per year]; P = .046). In conclusion, in this large database analysis, 14.0% of patients newly diagnosed with APL died or were discharged to hospice. A substantial proportion of patients did not receive guideline-concordant therapy, potentially contributing to adverse outcomes., (© 2022 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

Context.—: Large cell transformation (LCT) of indolent B-cell lymphomas, such as follicular lymphoma (FL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), signals a worse prognosis, at which point aggressive chemotherapy is initiated. Although LCT is relatively straightforward to diagnose in lymph nodes, a marrow biopsy is often obtained first given its ease of procedure, low cost, and low morbidity. However, consensus criteria for LCT in bone marrow have not been established., Objective.—: To study the accuracy and reproducibility of a trained convolutional neural network in identifying LCT, in light of promising machine learning tools that may introduce greater objectivity to morphologic analysis., Design.—: We retrospectively identified patients who had a diagnosis of FL or CLL who had undergone bone marrow biopsy for the clinical question of LCT. We scored morphologic criteria and correlated results with clinical disease progression. In addition, whole slide scans were annotated into patches to train convolutional neural networks to discriminate between small and large tumor cells and to predict the patient's probability of transformation., Results.—: Using morphologic examination, the proportion of large lymphoma cells (≥10% in FL and ≥30% in CLL), chromatin pattern, distinct nucleoli, and proliferation index were significantly correlated with LCT in FL and CLL. Compared to pathologist-derived estimates, machine-generated quantification demonstrated better reproducibility and stronger correlation with final outcome data., Conclusions.—: These histologic findings may serve as indications of LCT in bone marrow biopsies. The pathologist-augmented with machine system appeared to be the most predictive, arguing for greater efforts to validate and implement these tools to further enhance physician practice.

Introduction: The choice of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for the first line of therapy (LOT) for chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is tailored to disease risk and patient characteristics like comorbidities, which become more prevalent with age. However, contemporary evaluations of frontline TKI choice and the factors associated with TKI switching in this specific patient population are lacking., Methods: We sought to describe TKI use in older patients (age: 66-99 years) with CML in the United States. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked database, we identified 810 older (median age: 75 years, interquartile range: 70-80 years) patients diagnosed during 2007-2015., Results: Imatinib was the most common frontline TKI (63.1%) throughout the study period, but its utilization as such decreased from 76% in 2010 to 47% in 2015. Most patients (65.3%) used only one TKI, but 12.5% of the 281 patients who switched from frontline TKI received ⩾4 LOT. Among the 167 patients switching from frontline imatinib, 18.6% eventually returned to imatinib with nearly all as the third LOT, supporting its favorable safety profile and indicating that the initial switch from imatinib might have been premature. Older patients within our cohort, white patients and those with greater comorbidity were less likely to switch from frontline TKI. Diagnosis year, geographic region, and surrogates for socioeconomic status and healthcare access had no impact on TKI switching., Conclusion: As expected, our findings highlight the frequent use of imatinib as the treatment option for older CML patients despite the availability of second-generation TKIs., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: A.M.Z. received research funding (institutional) from Celgene, Acceleron, Abbvie, Otsuka, Pfizer, Medimmune/AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Trovagene, Incyte, Takeda, and ADC Therapeutics. A.M.Z. had a consultancy with and received honoraria from AbbVie, Otsuka, Pfizer, Celgene, Ariad, Incyte, Agios, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Acceleron, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, Cardinal Health, Seattle Genetics, BeyondSpring, and Takeda. A.D. received research funding from Celgene Corp. N.A.P. consulted for and received honoraria from Alexion, Pfizer, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint Medicines, Incyte, Novartis, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squib (BMS), CTI BioPharma, and PharmaEssentia. N.A.P. received research funding (all to the institution) from Boehringer Ingelheim, Astellas Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Astex Pharmaceuticals, CTI biopharma, Celgene, Genentech, AI Therapeutics, Samus Therapeutics, Arog Pharmaceuticals, and Kartos Therapeutics. X.M. received research funding (institutional) from Celgene/BMS and is a consultant for BMS. None of these relationships were related to the development of this work. Other authors have nothing to disclose., (© The Author(s), 2021.)

Background: Many patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) receive red cell transfusions to relieve symptoms associated with anemia, with transfusions triggered by hemoglobin level. It is not known if patients' quality of life (QOL) improves after transfusion, nor if peri-transfusion QOL assessment (PTQA) can guide future transfusion decisions., Study Design and Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study of adults with MDS at three centers. Participants, who had to have hemoglobin ≥7.5, completed an MDS-specific measure of QOL (the Quality of Life in Myelodysplasia Scale, [QUALMS]) 1 day before and 7 days after red cell transfusion. A report was sent to each patient and provider before the next transfusion opportunity, indicating whether there were clinically significant changes in QOL. We assessed the proportion of patients experiencing changes in QOL, and with a follow-up questionnaire, whether they perceived their PTQA data were used for future transfusion decisions., Results: From 2018 to 2020, 62 patients enrolled (mean age 73 years) and 37 completed both pre- and post-transfusion QOL assessments. Of these, 35% experienced a clinically significant increase in QUALMS score 7 days after transfusion; 46% no change; and 19% a decrease. Among those completing the follow-up questionnaire, 23% reported that PTQA results were discussed by their provider when considering repeat transfusion., Conclusions: These data suggest PTQA is feasible for patients with MDS. Moreover, while helpful for some, for many others, red cell transfusion may not achieve its intended goal of improving QOL. PTQA offers a strategy to inform shared decision-making regarding red cell transfusion., (© 2021 AABB.)

No two diagnoses of myelodysplastic syndrome are genuinely alike, owing to differing and dynamic mutational topography and epigenetic aberrancy. Consequently, no two patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are identical and disease-specific and patient-specific factors are considered in formulating the optimal treatment, which includes few that are disease modifying. Age itself should not be an absolute contraindication to therapy, including intensive therapy such as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is the only curative therapy. However, age associates with an increased prevalence of frailty and comorbidities that must be considered and may preclude a path to cure. Palliative therapies are the mainstay for many patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, which is a disease of older adults with the majority of patients diagnosed at age ≥ 75 years. The older patient requires heightened attention to end organ function/reserve and drug-drug interactions as well as insurance, income, cost, and socioeconomic and psychosocial issues that influence management. Many prior studies have included relatively younger populations or have not specifically performed high-quality subgroup analyses of older patients. In this review, we discuss the available standard-of-care therapies for myelodysplastic syndrome as they specifically relate to the older population and assess the emerging therapeutics that may further the pursuit for personalized treatment and improve both the outcomes and quality of life of the older patient with myelodysplastic syndrome., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Safety and efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) consolidation after blinatumomab is largely undetermined. To address this issue, we assembled multi-center data of relapsed refractory (RR) acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients who received alloHCT after blinatumomab. From December 2014 to May 2019, 223 patients who received blinatumomab for RR ALL outside clinical trials were identified. Among them, 106 (47%) patients transplanted post blinatumomab were evaluated for response and toxicity. Ninety-two (87%) patients received alloHCT after achieving CR, while remaining received subsequent salvage prior to undergoing alloHCT. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 2 years post alloHCT was 48% (95% CI: 36-59%) and 58% (95% CI: 45-69%), respectively. The cumulative incidence of GIII-IV aGVHD at 3 months was 9.9% (95% CI: 5.0-16.6%). Similarly, cumulative incidence of moderate to severe cGVHD at 2 years was 34.4% (95% CI: 23.7-45.3%). The overall survival at 2 years was not significantly different in patient who achieved CR with MRD negative (68.4% [95% CI: 28.5-89.1%]) compared to CR with MRD positive (63.4% [95% CI: 47.8-75.4%]) prior to alloHCT (p = 0.8). Our real-world analysis suggests that alloHCT is feasible and effective post blinatumomab in patients with RR ALL., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Complete remission (CR) has long been the critical therapeutic response in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, "less than CR" responses have been and continue to be proposed to define clinically meaningful post-therapy outcomes. These responses include CR with incomplete recovery (CRi), CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) and, most recently, CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh), which has been introduced and subsequently used for regulatory approval. However, the clinical benefits associated with "less than CR" responses have primarily been evaluated in the context of intensive therapies. In an era with sophisticated measurable residual disease (MRD) assessments, including flow-based, cytogenetic and molecular techniques, and an increase in "targeted", non-intensive therapies, the clinical value of responses that are "less than CR" must be reevaluated. Improvements in the rate of CR has not always led to improvements in OS among older patients. As such, MRD techniques might help define a more stringent response criterion (MRD-negative CR) that might better correlate with OS and should be incorporated in future clinical trials. Here we discuss the evolution of CR and "less than CR" responses, data regarding their clinical benefits, and considerations relevant to response assessments with newer therapies., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)