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Emerging evidence indicates that chemoresistance is closely related to altered metabolism in cancer. Here, we hypothesized that distinct metabolic gene expression profiling (GEP) signatures might be correlated with outcome and with specific fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) radiomic profiles in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We retrospectively analyzed a discovery cohort of 48 consecutive patients with DLBCL treated at our center with standard first-line chemoimmunotherapy by performing targeted GEP (T-GEP)– and FDG-PET radiomic analyses on the same target lesions at baseline. T-GEP–based metabolic profiling identified a 6-gene signature independently associated with outcomes in univariate and multivariate analyses. This signature included genes regulating mitochondrial oxidative metabolism (SCL25A1, PDK4, PDPR) that were upregulated and was inversely associated with genes involved in hypoxia and glycolysis (MAP2K1, HIF1A, GBE1) that were downregulated. These data were validated in 2 large publicly available cohorts. By integrating FDG-PET radiomics and T-GEP, we identified a radiometabolic signature (RadSig) including 4 radiomic features (histo kurtosis, histo energy, shape sphericity, and neighboring gray level dependence matrix contrast), significantly associated with the metabolic GEP–based signature (r = 0.43, P = .0027) and with progression-free survival (P = .028). These results were confirmed using different target lesions, an alternative segmentation method, and were validated in an independent cohort of 64 patients. RadSig retained independent prognostic value in relation to the International Prognostic Index score and metabolic tumor volume (MTV). Integration of RadSig and MTV further refined prognostic stratification. This study provides the proof of principle for the use of FDG-PET radiomics as a tool for noninvasive assessment of cancer metabolism and prognostic stratification in DLBCL.

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) has traditionally been treated with induction HD-MTX-based chemotherapy, followed by consolidation whole-brain radiotherapy. However, this approach is associated with significant neurocognitive complications, especially in older patients. Therefore, different consolidation protocols have been evaluated. High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HD-ASCT) has the best long-term survival outcomes in younger patients.In this review of the literature, we focus on the overall therapeutic strategy and advances in the management of the aggressive primary CNS B-cell lymphomas.In young and fit PCNSL patients, HD-ASCT is the preferred consolidation strategy to achieve long-term survivals. Older patients with good performance status should also be evaluated for MTX-based induction polychemotherapy followed by ASCT. However, management of PCNSL patients remains challenging, and new avenues with targeted therapies are under investigation. To date, ibrutinib, lenalidomide, and immune checkpoint inhibitors appearto be promising in PCNSL. However, as monotherapy, durable responses are less likely to be achieved. Unfortunately, when combined with chemoimmunotherapy, considerable toxicity and mortality have been reported. Clinical trials on these molecules are aiming to reduce toxicity and maintain responses. CAR-T-cell therapy has recently emerged as a further option. It has shown efficacy in patients with secondary CNS lymphoma, with few but encouraging results in primary CNSL.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between radiomic features (RFs) extracted from baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT (FDG-PET) with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients eligible for standard-of-care first line chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: Records of 376 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients who underwent baseline FDG-PET at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were: 1) proven DLBCL; 2) FDG-PET as baseline procedure prior to first-line chemotherapy; 3) no lost follow-up. Demographic data, International Prognostic Index (IPI) and conventional PET imaging parameters were collected. FDG-PET RFs were extracted from the lesion showing the highest uptake (target lesion). A radiomic score to predict PFS and OS was obtained by multivariable Elastic Net Cox model. PFS and OS were explored with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression methods. Radiomic univariate model, as well as clinical and clinical-radiomic multivariable models for PFS and OS were obtained. Prediction accuracy was evaluated by C-index.Results: One-hundred and twelve (n=112) patients were included (55 females, 57 males, median age 62.3 years). 9/112(8%) were stage-I, 31/112(27.7%) stage-II, 8/112(7.2%) stage-III and 64/112(57.1%) stage-IV. Median follow-up was 34.7 months (IQR 11.3-66.3). Radiomic score resulted significantly associated with both PFS and OS at Cox multivariable analysis (pConclusion: The radiomic score was significant predictive biomarker of PFS and OS in DLBCL patients. The extraction of RFs from baseline FDG-PET might be proposed in DLBCL to stratify high-risk vs. low-risk patients of relapse after first-line therapy, especially in low-IPI patients.

Host immune homeostasis as an independent prognostic indicator has been inadequately evaluated in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). The present study addresses the prognostic significance in aggressive NHLs of the immunologic profile evaluated by pretreatment serum levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR). In this series of 90 patients with aggressive lymphoma, the median level for IgG was 1,024mg/dl (range 436–2236), and for LMR was 2.2 (range 0.2–13.8). CR rate was higher with IgG levels ≥1,024mg/dL (91% vs 77% p=0.059). LMR ≤ 2.2 was associated with lower 1-year PFS (73% vs. 92%, p 0.016). Patients with good/very good R-IPI showed a reduced PFS if IgG or LMR was low, while patients with poor R-IPI did better if LMR or IgG levels were high. We combined both parameters with the R-IPI and produced a four-risk prognostic score showing one-year PFS of 95% (95% CI 68%–99%), 100% (95% CI 100%–100%), 73% (95% CI 52%–86%), and 59% (95% CI 31%–79%), in patients with zero, one, two and three risk factors, respectively. The results indicate for the first time the value of baseline serum Ig levels in the prognostic assessment of aggressive lymphoma.

Metabolic rewiring is a hallmark of cancer and a predominant feature of aggressive lymphoproliferative disorders such as diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), which need a reshaped metabolism in order to meet the increased demands related to rapid cell proliferation. Emerging evidence indicates that chemoresistance is closely related to altered metabolism in cancer. However, the relationship between metabolic rewiring and chemoresistance in lymphoma is yet to be elucidated. Radiomic analysis applied to functional imaging with fluoroedoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) provides a unique opportunity to explore DLBCL metabolism. In this study we hypothesized that distinct gene expression (GEP) signatures might be correlated with specific FDG-PET radiomics signatures, which in turn could be associated with resistance to standard chemoimmunotherapy and DLBCL outcome. First, we retrospectively analyzed a discovery cohort of 48 consecutive DLBCL patients (pts) treated at our center with standard first line R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like chemoimmunotherapy from 2010 to 2018, with available formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue from the initial diagnostic biopsy and FDG-PET radiomics data extracted from the same target lesion. Median follow-up was 55 months (range 18-110). We profiled this cohort with targeted-GEP (T-GEP) (NanoString platform), using a custom panel to define the cell of origin (COO) and MYC/BCL-2 levels, and a dedicated panel comprising 180 genes encompassing the most relevant cancer metabolism pathways. By applying the maxstat package we found that a 6-gene metabolic signature was strongly associated with outcome and outperformed the COO, the MYC/BCL-2 status and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in multivariate analysis. The 6-gene metabolic signature included genes regulating oxidative metabolism and fatty acid oxidation (SCL25A1, PDK4, PDPR) which were upregulated, and was inversely associated with genes involved in glycolytic pathways (MAP2K1, HIF1A, GBE1) which were downregulated. Notably 5-year PFS and OS were 100% and 95% in metabolic signature (met-Sig) low pts vs 24% and 45% in met-Sig high pts respectively (p These data indicate that oxidative metabolic rewiring could be a powerful adverse prognostic predictor, suggesting the possibility of targeting oxidative metabolism to overcome chemorefractoriness in DLBCL. This study provides the proof of principle for the use of FDG-PET radiomics as a tool for non-invasive assessment of cancer metabolism, and for predicting metabolic vulnerabilities in DLBCL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Tarella: ADC-THERAPEUTICS: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; Abbvie: Other: ADVISORY BOARD. Pileri: CELGENE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ROCHE: Other: ADVISORY-BOARD; NANOSTRING: Other: ADVISORY BOARD. Derenzini: TAKEDA: Research Funding; BEIGENE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ASTRA-ZENECA: Consultancy, Other: ADVISORY-BOARD; TG-THERAPEUTICS: Research Funding; ADC-THERAPEUTICS: Research Funding.

This monocentric retrospective study included 70 consecutive relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (RR-HL) patients receiving reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). We evaluated overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS), graft-versus host disease/relapse-free survival (GFRS), and chronic GVHD-free OS (cGVHD-free OS) defined as OS without moderate-to-severe cGVHD. Patients had a median age of 33 years (range, 18-60 years), 23% had refractory disease (SD/PD). Donors were HLA identical (39%), unrelated (30%), or haploidentical (31%). Median follow-up was 6.2 years. Five-year OS was 59% and PFS was 49%. NRM was 16% at 1 year. 44% of patients had cGVHD, and 14% moderate-to-severe cGVHD at last follow-up. GFRS and cGVHD-free OS were 26 and 48% at 5 years. In multivariate analysis, resistant disease at alloSCT impacted survival and GFRS. In conclusion, disease response before alloSCT impacts survival and GFRS. GVHD outcomes may help comparing the long-term effects of the new salvage treatments that bridge patients to alloSCT.

Background The Revised- International Prognostic Index (R-IPI), the current standard prognostic tool for patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL), considers only patient and clinical disease characteristics. The role of host immune homeostasis as an independent prognostic indicator in different diseases including DLBCL is evolving. Rambaldi et al 2013, showed that the lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) at diagnosis is a simple prognostic biomarker and independent of the R-IPI. Low level of immunoglobulin at diagnosis, in particular IgG, is associated with inferior survival in Hodgkin and Non Hodgkin lymphoma patients (NHL). In DLBCL patients who underwent autologous transplants, Brown et al 2004 documented 18 months relapse free survival of 44% if IgG levels at time of transplant are below 600 mg/dL and 63% if higher. To our knowledge, the prognostic impact of immunoglobulin levels at diagnosis in patients with aggressive B-NHL has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the immunologic profile in terms of the pretreatment levels LMR and of immunoglobulins in patients with aggressive B-NHL. Methods and results: We retrospectively patients diagnosed with aggressive B non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at both the European Institute of Oncology in Milan and the Mauriziano Hospital in Turin from April 2014 to October 2018. Patients with DLBCL, Burkitt, Mantle cell and follicular G3B lymphomas were eligible. All patients were treated with chemo-immunotherapy according to center guidelines and a written informed consent was obtained from all them. A total of 105 patients were included, with male predominance (60%), median age of 64.5 years (range 20-83) and ECOG score 0-1 in 66%. Stage III-IV disease was seen in 58%, extranodal involvement in 73%, bone marrow infiltration in 26%, bulky disease in 39% and high LDH in 66%. Median IgG level was 1003 (range 436-2236) and the median LMR was 2.4 (range 0.2-44.2). By univariate analysis older age, advanced stage, higher ECOG PS, 2 or more extranodal disease sites, poor R-IPI, higher LDH, low LMR ratio as well as low IgG level at diagnosis was associated with a worse 1-year PFS. LMR inferior or equal to 2.4 had 1-year PFS of 70%, compared to 90% if LMR was higher (p 0.025). Patients with IgG levels less than 1003 had 1-year PFS of 70% compared to 90% in higher IgG levels. The later, didn' t reach statistical significance, due to small number of patients, but remains clinically relevant. Interestingly, there was no correlation between the levels of IgG and the LMR. Therefore, we examined the impact of combining each to R-IPI groups. A low IgG at diagnosis worsen the PFS in patients with good or very good R-IPI with 1 year PFS 83% (95% CI 60-93%) compared 97% (95% CI 79%-100%) if IgG levels are higher. Interestingly, patients in the poor IPI risk group and high IgG levels ad 1-year PFS similar to the good risk group with low IgG levels (PFS 84%, 95% CI 57-94%). The worst PFS is seen in the group of patients with poor IPI score and low IgG, PFS 61%, (95% CI 40%-77%). Similar results were seen in case of LMR. We then examined a novel immunologic prognostic score system that includes the three factors: baselines IGg levels, LMR and the R-IPI Figure 1. Because IgG levels and LMR are independent we put the same weight on each factor as well as the R-IPI score. We gave 1 point to each factor R-IPI poor (1 point) + IgG low (1 point) + LMR low (1 point). The sum of the chosen points correlated with four risk groups: group 1 = 0 points, group =2 = 1 point, group 3= 2 points and group 4= 3 points. The 1 year PFS was 95% (95% CI 68%-99%), 94% (95% CI 77%-98%), 75% (95% CI 54%-87%), 52% (95% CI 27%-73%), respectively. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the prognostic implications of pretreatment levels of immunoglobulin IgG within the immunologic profile of patients with aggressive B-NHL. Our results suggests that IgG level at diagnosis is a clinically important prognostic factor. With the proposed immunologic score, patients are reclassified into four sub-groups with 3 significantly different 1-year PFS of 95% 75%, 50% in patients with no or one poor risk factor, 2 factors or 3 factors, respectively. This study confirms that the addition of baseline immunologic profile to R-IPI in patients with aggressive B-NHL optimizes their prognostic stratification and better identify patients who are at risk of poor outcome compared to the R-IPI alone. Disclosures Saglio: BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Jansen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy.

Introduction: In the revised 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid neoplasms, high-grade B-cell lymphoma with C-MYC and BCL2 or BCL6 rearrangements is classified as Double-Hit lymphoma (DHL), while the term Triple Hit lymphoma (THL) is employed when the three genes are rearranged (Swerdlow SH, et al 2017). Amplification of C-MYC plus BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement or amplification are defined as "atypical DHL and THL" (Li S., et al 2015). We will here collectively refer to DHL and THL as DHL. Both true and atypical DHL are resistant to conventional chemo-immunotherapy and are associated with poorer outcome. The median survival is shorter than 12 months with standard regimens (Snuderl M, et al 2010). The success of intensified chemo-immunotherapy protocols in Burkitt lymphoma, encouraged many Centres to include these regimens in the treatment armamentarium of DHL. Among these protocols, the B-ALL/NHL 2002 of the GMALL multicenter group is an effective and well tolerated regimen in the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma (Pollen M, et al 2011). We have adopted the GMALL protocol, as our guideline for the treatment of patients with true or atypical DHL. The preliminary experience with the GMALL protocol in 18 patients is here reported. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with true or atypical DHL treated with the GMALL protocol at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan from 2015 and at the Mauriziano Hospital in Turin from 2012. The diagnosis was confirmed according to 2017 WHO classification and immunohistochemistry analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization were performed in all patients. Patients were treated following the R-GMALL protocol according to their age group with less intensified doses applied to patients older than 55 years. The program was part of the treatment guidelines developed at each Center for the management of lymphoma patients and a written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Results: Eighteen patients were included in this analysis, 14 were true DH and 3 atypical DH and 1 was Burkitt like lymphoma. Five were transformed lymphomas, 4 after follicular and 1 after marginal zone lymphoma. The median age of the whole group was 64 years (range 43-77years). Eleven patients were male (61%), 15 patients (83%) had Ann-Arbor stage IV and 5 (28%) had bone marrow infiltration. Median lymphoma cells proliferation fraction assessed by Ki-67 IHC was 90% (range 70-100%). Patients received a median of 6 courses (range 2-6) of the GMALL schedule, as inpatient therapy. No patients died of infectious complications during chemotherapy. Twelve patients (67%) were in complete metabolic response (CR) at end of treatment and another patient in complete response by CT scan. Of the 5 refractory patients, four have died (3 for lymphoma progression, one due to infectious complications after salvage splenectomy plus RT), one is still alive, under salvage therapy at 7 months from end of treatment. Among 12 patients who achieved CR, 3 relapsed at 7, 10, 16 months from end of treatment, they are presently alive under salvage treatment. At a median follow up of 21.7 month, the median PFS is 21.4 months while median OS is not reached. The two-year PFS and OS rates are 42% and 66%, respectively (figure 1 A & B). PFS was significantly worse in patients with bone marrow infiltration with median PFS of 7 months while not reached in the rest of patients. The median PFS was approximately 17 months for patients older than 55 years (n=13) and not reached for younger patients, with PFS at 2 years of 75%. There was no correlation with transformation, or Ki-67. Conclusion: This study indicates that intensive treatment with B-ALL/NHL 2002 GMALL protocol is effective and well tolerated in true and atypical DHL patients aged up to 77 years. In this preliminary series, the OS resulted superior to that commonly reported with standard chemo-immunotherapies, with median 17-month OS in older patients while median OS is not reached in younger patients. In fact, the results were particularly promising in patients younger than 55 years probably reflecting the proper dose schedule delivery in younger patients. Based on these preliminary results, we are continuing to use the GMALL protocol as upfront therapy in DH lymphoma patients and we are exploring the possibility of improving the therapeutic efficacy by supplementing the GMALL schedule with one of the novel non-chemotherapeutic drugs. Figure 1 Disclosures Derenzini: TG-THERAPEUTICS: Research Funding. Saglio:Celgene: Consultancy; Jansen: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy.

Polycythemia vera and primary myelofibrosis share a propensity to progress toward a myelofibrotic late stage with overlapping clinical characteristics. Bone marrow features potentially useful for distinguishing the two entities have not been thoroughly investigated and, currently, clinical history is used for purposes of disease classification. This study describes in detail the morphologic features of 23 cases of post-polycythemic myelofibrosis and 15 cases of primary myelofibrosis with a similar degree of fibrosis, from two large medical centers. Cytogenetic results were available in 19 post-polycythemic myelofibrosis and in 13 primary myelofibrosis cases. JAK2 status and follow-up information was available in all cases. Cellularity was increased in both groups, but more so in post-polycythemic myelofibrosis than in primary myelofibrosis. In post-polycythemic myelofibrosis, most megakaryocytes retained polycythemia vera-like features including normally folded and/or hyperlobulated nuclei devoid of severe maturation defects; only in a few cases were rare tight clusters present. In primary myelofibrosis cases, megakaryocytes showed pronounced anomalies, including increased nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, abnormal clumping of chromatin and frequent tight clustering. No differences in blast number (

Autoimmune phenomena and cytokines were investigated in 100 patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and related to marrow fibrosis and clinical risk. Anti-erythrocyte antibodies by mitogen-stimulated direct antiglobulin test (MS-DAT) were positive in 45%, anti-platelets in 15% and organ/non organ-specific in 57% of cases, without clinically overt disease, and mostly in low-risk/intermediate-risk-1 and MF-0/MF-1. TGF-β and IL-8 were increased in MS-DAT positive cases, and IFN-γ in patients with serological autoantibodies. TGF-β and IL-17 were elevated in early clinical and morphological stages, while IL-8 increased in advanced stages. These data suggest that autoimmune phenomena and cytokine disregulation are particularly relevant in early MF.

We investigated the relationship between the International Prognostic Scoring System of the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment and the European Consensus on grading of bone marrow fibrosis (MF) in patients with primary myelofibrosis. We compared them in 196 consecutive primary myelofibrosis patients (median follow-up 45.7 months; range 7.4-159). International Prognostic Scoring System classified 42 cases as low risk, 73 as intermediate risk-1, 69 as intermediate risk-2, and 12 as high risk; European Consensus on grading of bone marrow fibrosis classified 83 cases as MF-0, 58 as MF-1, 41 as MF-2, and 14 as MF-3. By the time of the analysis, 30 patients (15.3%) had died. Overall median survival was 3.8 years (95% confidence interval: 3.3-4.3). Multivariate analysis confirmed that both scoring systems independently predicted survival, with hazard ratios similar to those provided by univariate analysis (respectively, 2.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.47-3.91) and 2.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.72-3.89) but the likelihood ratio increased from 19.6 of the International Prognostic Scoring System or 29.0 of the European Consensus on grading of bone MF to 42.3 when both measures were considered together. Analysis of the overall survival curves documented that patients classified as having the most favourable rate with both prognostic scores (ie low risk and MF-0) survive longer than those with only one favourable score (ie low risk but MF >0 or MF-0, but International Prognostic Scoring System >low risk). In contrast, those patients classified as having the most unfavourable rate for both scores (high risk and MF-3) have a shorter survival than those with only one unfavourable score (ie high risk but MF

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) overexpressing MYC and BCL-2 have a poor outcome with standard therapies irrespective of the cell of origin (COO), representing an unmet medical need. Furthermore, precision therapy approaches specifically designed for MYC/BCL-2 positive DLBCL are lacking. Recently we reported that MYC positive DLBCL harbor high levels of inherent DNA damage and display constitutive activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, these alterations being correlated with poor outcome (Derenzini et al. Oncotarget 2015). In an effort to design specific therapies for MYC/BCL-2 positive DLBCL, we integrated nanostring-based gene expression profiling and functional characterization of replicative and oxidative stress biomarkers in 2 independent DLBCL cohorts treated with chemoimmunotherapy: 69 patients from the DLC04 study (Chiappella et al. Lancet Oncol 2017), and 66 patients treated in real life clinical practice (total 135 patients). We used a digital multiplex gene expression profiling (Nanostring technology) panel containing 28 genes: 20 genes used to assign COO subtype according to LST algorithm (Scott et al. Blood 2014), and 8 additional genes employed to assess the MYC and BCL-2 status and to detect potential therapeutic targets (STAT3, TP53, NFKBIA, PTEN, PIK3CA, CD68). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) profiling for MYC, BCL-2, the phosphorylated form of H2AX at S139 (γH2AX: a biomarker of DNA damage and DDR activation) and for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (an oxidative DNA damage marker) was available in all patients. MYC/BCL-2 status evaluated by nanostring outperformed IHC for prognostic stratification in both cohorts (patients were stratified in high and low MYC or BCL-2 expressors based on the median normalized MYC and BCL-2 mRNA levels in the respective cohorts). The 2 cohorts displayed similar patterns of γH2AX and 8-OHdG expression (cut off value 50% of positive cells). 8-OHdG negative cases showed very low levels of γH2AX whereas high 8-OHDG expressors displayed significantly higher levels of γH2AX phosphorylation. In line with this, γH2AX positivity was significantly associated with increased 8-OHdG levels in both cohorts (Figure 1A). These data suggest that oxidative stress could be a major source of inherent DNA damage contributing to constitutive DDR activation in DLBCL. Dual positivity for γH2AX and 8-OhDG was significantly associated with adverse outcome in both cohorts. However, this difference was even more pronounced when focusing the analysis on MYC/BCL-2 positive DLBCL (evaluated by nanostring): in fact dual positivity for H2AX and 8-OHdG identified a subgroup of MYC/BCL-2 positive cases (MYC/BCL-2ox) characterized by a dismal outcome. Interestingly MYC/BCL-2 positive cases without oxidative DNA damage had a very favorable outcome, with similar overall survival (OS) compared to MYC/BCL-2 negative cases. Similar trends were observed in both cohorts and a cumulative analysis confirmed a significantly worse OS for the MYC/BCL-2ox subgroup, compared to all other subgroups (Figure 1B). We found an increased proportion of low NFKBIA expressors in the MYC/BCL-2ox subgroup (with no differences in the COO subtyping and in the fraction of double hit cases). Since NFKBIA is an endogenous inhibitor of NF-kB signaling, these data could indicate a compensatory NF-kB activation in MYC/BCL-2ox patients, in line with the role of NF-kB signaling in driving antioxidant responses. These findings suggest a model of oncogenic cooperation where constitutive NF-kB activation and BCL-2 overexpression could counteract the deleterious effects of inherent oxidative DNA damage driven by MYC. To test this hypothesis and to determine the therapeutic implications of these findings we run a combinatorial high-throughput drug screening (HTS) investigating combinations based on 2 different inhibitors of the DDR (the CHK1/2 inhibitors AZD7762 and MK8776) in a large panel of DLBCL cell lines of ABC and GCB origin (n=10) (Figure 1C). Both CHK1/2 inhibitors showed synergistic interactions with BCL-2 inhibitors (venetoclax) and with drugs inhibiting NF-KB pathway such as PI3K, HDAC, and BET inhibitors. Taken together these data suggest synthetic lethal interactions between MYC, BCL-2, NF-kB and the DDR in DLBCL, providing the rationale for targeted therapeutic interventions in poor prognosis MYC/BCL-2 positive subgroups. Disclosures Chiappella: Nanostring: Other: lecture fees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: lecture fees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: lecture fees; Roche: Other: lecture fees; Teva: Other: lecture fees; Amgen: Other: lecture fees. Zinzani:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; SERVIER: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneca: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; PFIZER: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PFIZER: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; TG Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TG Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vitolo:Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

We report a case of excellent response to nilotinib in a 22 years old man with chronic myeloid leukemia in suboptimal response to imatinib. After diagnosis he started cytoreductive therapy with cytarabine and hydroxyurea, then he begun therapy with imatinib 400 mg/day. After 3 months of treatment, he obtained a complete hematologic response (CHR) and a minor cytogenetic response (minor CyR). At 6 months CHR was confirmed, but bone marrow analysis showed increasing number of Ph+ cells (minimal CyR) and non significant reduction of BCR-ABL levels. According to ELN (European LeukemiaNet) guidelines, this is considered a suboptimal response. Clonal evolution, kinase domain mutations and reduced drug intake were excluded, thus we decided to early switch to nilotinib at 400 mg/BID. After 3 months of treatment we obtained a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and a strong reduction of BCR-ABL transcript, almost reaching a major molecular response (MMR).

The clinical outcome, response to treatment, and occurrence of acute complications were retrospectively investigated in 308 primary autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) cases and correlated with serological characteristics and severity of anemia at onset. Patients had been followed up for a median of 33 months (range 12-372); 60% were warm AIHA, 27% cold hemagglutinin disease, 8% mixed, and 5% atypical (mostly direct antiglobulin test negative). The latter 2 categories more frequently showed a severe onset (hemoglobin [Hb] levels ≤6 g/dL) along with reticulocytopenia. The majority of warm AIHA patients received first-line steroid therapy only, whereas patients with mixed and atypical forms were more frequently treated with 2 or more therapy lines, including splenectomy, immunosuppressants, and rituximab. The cumulative incidence of relapse was increased in more severe cases (hazard ratio 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-6.57 for Hb ≤6 g/dL; P < .001). Thrombotic events were associated with Hb levels ≤6 g/dL at onset, intravascular hemolysis, and previous splenectomy. Predictors of a fatal outcome were severe infections, particularly in splenectomized cases, acute renal failure, Evans syndrome, and multitreatment (4 or more lines). The identification of severe and potentially fatal AIHA in a largely heterogeneous disease requires particular experienced attention by clinicians.

The co-existence of both chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have been described in a few cases, either simultaneously or subsequently presenting. We report an unusual case of three he-matological malignancies in the same patient: CLL, CML, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). None of the three malignancies shared the same origin, since the marrow sample was negative for BCR-ABL1 transcript at the time of CLL diagnosis, CLL was in remission at CML diagnosis, and CML was in complete cytogenetic response at AML onset, indicating that this was not a blast crisis. Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are the most common proliferative disorders in Western countries, with an incidence of 4.2/100,000/year and 1-1.5/100,000/year, respectively. The co-existence of both CML and CLL is an extremely rare event, even if it has been described in a few cases, either simultaneously or subsequently presenting. Above all, the presence of more than two different hematologic neoplasms has not been described in literature so far. In the present study we report a particular case of a CLL patient, who first developed CML and then acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Background In older patients comorbidity and polypharmacy can significantly influence the success of the treatment, as well as the cognitive and psycho-social aspects. A significant proportion of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients are “elderly”: in the past the aim of therapy in this subset of patients was only to contain the leukaemic mass, but nowadays, with the advent of the protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, also elderly patients can access these treatments. We want to assess if even old CML patients, with a correct geriatric evaluation, can be successfully treated with protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Methods A complete geriatric evaluation in 16 old CML patients aged > 65 years treated with TKI was performed in order to assess the comorbidity, the polypharmacy and the cognitive, physical and psychological states. The Charlson comorbity index (CCI) and the polypharmacy were correlated to the obtained cytogenetic response. Seven scales of geriatric evaluation were used to assess the autonomy of patients before they were included into the study. Results In our cohort of elderly patients treated with imatinib, comorbidities and polypharmaco-therapy demonstrated an influence on TKI therapeutic success. In fact, the majority of complete cytogenetic response was obtained by patients who presented a low score of CCI and did not take any other drugs other than TKI. Conclusion Also old chronic myeloid leukaemia patients can benefit from TKI treatment if a good cooperation between the haematologist and the geriatrician is established.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a greatly heterogeneous condition both in terms of clinical presentation and response to treatment, usually classified as warm (WAIHA), cold (CAD), mixed, and atypical forms. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of outcome and response to therapy considering in particular the serological characteristics and the severity of anemia at onset. We evaluatedretrospectively 307 patients (112 M and 195 F, median age at diagnosis 63, range 1-97), diagnosed between 1978 and 2013 and followed-up for a median of 33 months (range 12-372); 60% of cases were WAIHA, 27% CAD, 8% mixed, and 5% atypical (14 DAT- and 1 DAT+ for IgA only). Hemoglobin values were lower in mixed (median 5.8, range 2-10.7 g/dL) atypical (6.2, 3-9), and in IgG+C3 DAT+ WAIHA (6.9, 2.9-11.5). Twenty-one subjects were diagnosed with Evans’ syndrome, the majority of them WAIHA, with a severe onset. Considering anemia at onset, 27% of cases had Hb levels 10 g/dL; the most severe cases were mainly mixed and atypical forms (P=0.0001). Regarding therapy, 47% of cases were treated with one therapy line only, 26% with two, 13% with three, and 4% with four or more lines. Sixty % of WAIHA received first line steroid therapy only, 20 CAD required no treatment, and patients with IgG+C DAT+ WAIHA, mixed, and atypical forms were more frequently treated with 2 or more therapy lines (P As regards complications, infections occurred in 26 cases (10 grade 3, 11 grade 4, and 5 grade 5), irrespective of serological AIHA type and severity at onset, and of the number of therapy lines; on the contrary, they were observed more frequently in splenectomized cases. Acute renal failure was recorded in 6 cases and was not associated with AIHA clinical or serological characteristics. A thrombotic event was recorded in 11% and was associated with severe onset, higher median LDH levels, and previous splenectomy. At the time of the analysis 63 cases (21%) have died, of whom 11 because of AIHA (3.6%); death was not associated with the severity of anemia at onset, nor with the serological type of AIHA; at variance, it was associated with infections (HR 11.47, 95% CI 3.43-38.4, p=0.0004), acute renal failure (HR 17.99, 95% CI 4.73-68.40, p=0.001), Evans’ syndrome (HR 6.8, 95% CI 1.99-23.63, P=0.0074), previous splenectomy (HR 3.21, 95% CI 0.92-11.25), and multi-treatment (4 or more lines of therapy; HR 9.1, 95% CI 2.41-34.36, p=0.0076). Death was not associated with thrombotic events, nor with the type of treatment, in particular immunosuppressants or rituximab. In conclusion, we showed that AIHA cases with a severe onset, mostly mixed and atypical forms, are frequently refractory to different therapies. Although obtained retrospectively, our results suggest to put forward rituximab among second line options, given its efficacy and safety. In addition, standard rituximab doses should be preferred in CAD, whereas lower doses may be equally effective in WAIHA and mixed forms. Finally, we suggest to defer splenectomy after rituximab, given the increased risk of thromboembolism, infections and fatal outcome in splenectomized patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The clinical presentation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is greatly heterogeneous, from mild/compensated to life-threatening forms. The aim of this study was to correlate the clinical and serological characteristics of the disease, usually classified as warm (WAIHA), cold (CHD), and mixed, based on the thermal and isotype characteristics of the anti-RBC antibody (IgG, IgM or both, respectively). One-hundred fifty seven AIHA patients (61 M and 96 F, median age 57, range 5-95) referred to our institution from 1978 to September 2012 were investigated. They had been followed-up for a median of 26 months (range 12-271), and 50% were still in follow-up. As regards the thermal characteristics 40% of cases were WAIHA, 32% CHD, 19% mixed forms and 9% atypical (12 DAT negative and 1 DAT positive for IgA only). Considering the severity of anemia at onset 33% of cases had Hb levels10 g/dL. The most severe AIHA cases were mainly mixed (18/30, 60% p=0.001) and atypical (6/13, 46%) forms, whereas only a small fraction of CHD was characterized by a severe onset (8/51, 16% p=0.002). Reticulocytopenia ( Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) is a rare acquired hematological condition, defined by an absolute neutrophil count (ANCs) lower than 1.8 x103/µL in white and 1.5 x103/µL in black people for more than 3 months, either in the absence or in the presence of anti-neutrophils antibodies (autoimmune forms). CIN is usually diagnosed after the exclusion of congenital and secondary forms. The former are usually marked by frequent and severe infections, that occur early in life, and by and increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia or myelodisplastic syndromes. In this prospective study we followed up 56 patients with CIN (21 males and 35 females, median age 55 years, range 25-86 years) for a median time of 48 months from January 2009 (10 patients had a previous follow-up of 8 years and 2 of 10 years), focusing on 1) severity of neutropenia, 2) ANCs variations (by general estimating equations GEE models), 3) positivity for anti-neutrophil antibodies (by direct and indirect granulocyte immunofluorescence test), 4) bone marrow features, 5) incidence of infectious episodes, and 6) evolution to definite clonal hematologic diseases (hairy cell leukemia HCL, chronic expansion of NK cells and myelodisplastic syndrome MDS). The mean ANCs were stably under the normal range (1.5-6.5 x103/µL) at all the time points considered; by GEE analysis, a great inter-subject variability was observed during the follow-up (p=0.012), whereas no significant intra-subject variations were found. Considering the severity of neutropenia, 21 patients (47%) showed neutrophils lower than 1x103/µL at enrollment (median 0.49 x103/µL, range 0.1-0.969 x103/µL), and 8 cases 3.4 x103/µL at enrolment (>5x103/µL in only 1 case), and 3 cases displayed increased NK cells at peripheral immune-phenotyping (p= 0.018). In conclusion, CIN in adults is a benign disease, with an infectious rate not superior to that of the general population and a great variability in ANCs values. During this prospective observation, 10 CIN patients evolved, reaching the criteria for clonal hematological diseases, suggesting that this condition deserves clinical follow up. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 786 Interferon alpha (INFα) either alone or in combination with Ara-C was the frontline therapy of Ph+ chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML) between 1980 and 2000. INFα prolonged survival as compared to conventional chemotherapy and it was the first drug able to induce complete cytogenetic responses (CCgRs). Patients achieving a CCgR by INFα ± Ara C were less than 10–15%, but they represent fascinating elite of patients who are the most likely candidates for prolonged survival and possibly for cure. The last update of the largest European cohort of 317 CML patients who had obtained a CCgR on IFNα was reported in 2001 (Bonifazi et al., Blood, 2001). Briefly, the median time to first CCgR was 19 months, the 10 year survival rate from first CCgR was 72% and the survival probability for patients with low Sokal risk was 84%. In this study, the contribution of the Italian Cooperative Study Group on CML was of 119 cases. Although INFα was used more than 20 years ago, obtaining information on this selected category of CCgR–INFα responding patients in the Imatinib era may be interesting both from the biological and clinical point of view. We report here the preliminary results of an observational study aimed to update the overall survival (OS), the progression free survival (PFS) to accelerated-blastic phase (ABP) and the CCgR duration in 92 Ph+ CML patients who were treated in Italy with an INFα based therapy between 1986 and 2001 and who obtained a CCgR at least once. In this selected cohort of patients, the median time to first CCgR was 24 months (range, 3–143), and the median duration of the first CCgR was 87 months (3-252). The overall survival (OS) calculated from diagnosis, from start of IFNα and from the time of the first CCgR was 185 months (range, 74–334), 179 months (range, 74–287) and 154 months (range, 51–274), respectively. This is the longest follow-up of Ph+ CML patients who obtained a CCgR with an IFNα-based therapy. Out of 92 patients in CCgR, 71 (77%) cases stopped IFNα and 21 (23%) continued to be treated with IFNα. Out of the 71 cases who stopped IFNα, 38 (53%) cases lost CCgR and 3 (4%) cases died because of progression to ABP; 15 (21%) maintained CCgR without any other therapy and 18 (25%) maintained CCgR but shifted to Imatinib. Among the latter 33 patients maintaining the CCgR, 4 cases died because of CML unrelated causes. Out of the 21 cases who continued to be treated with IFNα, 18 (86%) currently maintain the CCgR and are alive and well, while 3 lost CCgR and died (2 cases for ABP). These data show that there are at least 33/92 (36%) patients who are alive and well and are maintaining a CCgR, either with continued IFNa treament (18 cases) or after IFNα treatment discontinuation (15 cases) but who have never been treated with Imatinib or any other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). We are now analyzing molecular data and we are collecting peripheral blood and bone marrow samples for correlative biological studies aimed to characterize the peculiar genetic and epigenetic features of these patients Work supported by European LeukemiaNet and Cofin 2009 Disclosures: Castagnetti: Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Baccarani:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria.