A phase 2, multicenter, clinical trial of CPX-351 in older patients with secondary or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia: PETHEMA-LAMVYX.

BACKGROUND: LAMVYX was a multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 trial designed to validate the safety and efficacy of CPX-351 in patients aged 60-75 years with newly diagnosed, secondary acute myeloid leukemia and to generate evidence on key issues not addressed in the preceding regulatory pivotal trial. METHODS: The primary end point of the study was the complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rate after induction. Eligible patients were recommended to undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after the first consolidation cycle. Alternatively, patients could undergo up to six maintenance cycles with CPX-351. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (49%; 95% exact confidence interval [CI], 37%-62%) patients achieved a CR/CRi after one or two cycles of induction, with a measurable residual disease negativity rate of 67% as assessed by centralized, multiparameter flow cytometry. Among patients who had serial next-generation sequencing analyses available, clearance of somatic mutations that were present at diagnosis was achieved in 7 (35%). The median follow-up among survivors was 16.8 months (range, 8.7-24.3 months). The median event-free survival was 3.0 months (95% CI, 1.4-7.3 months), and the median overall survival was 7.4 months (95% CI, 3.7-12.7 months). In landmark analyses at day +100 from diagnosis, the 1-year overall and event-free survival rate among patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 70% (95% CI, 47%-100%) and 70% (95% CI, 47%-100%), respectively. The corresponding values were 89% (95% CI, 71%-100%) and 44% (95% CI, 21%-92%), respectively, for patients who entered the maintenance phase. No significant longitudinal changes were observed in severity index or quality-of-life visual analog scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: The current data provide novel insights that might inform the clinical positioning and optimal use of CPX-351, complementing previous results (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04230239).

Evolving patterns and clinical outcome of genetic studies performed at diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients: Real life data from the PETHEMA Registry.

BACKGROUND: There are no studies assessing the evolution and patterns of genetic studies performed at diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Such studies could help to identify potential gaps in our present diagnostic practices, especially in the context of increasingly complex procedures and classifications. METHODS: The REALMOL study (NCT05541224) evaluated the evolution, patterns, and clinical impact of performing main genetic and molecular studies performed at diagnosis in 7285 adult AML patients included in the PETHEMA AML registry (NCT02607059) between 2000 and 2021. RESULTS: Screening rates increased for all tests across different time periods (2000-2007, 2008-2016, and 2017-2021) and was the most influential factor for NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) determinations: NPM1 testing increased from 28.9% to 72.8% and 95.2% (p < .001), whereas FLT3-ITD testing increased from 38.1% to 74.1% and 95.9% (p < .0001). NGS testing was not performed between 2000-2007 and only reached 3.5% in 2008-2016, but significantly increased to 72% in 2017-2021 (p < .001). Treatment decision was the most influential factor to perform karyotype (odds ratio [OR], 6.057; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.702-7.802), and fluorescence in situ hybridation (OR, 2.273; 95% CI, 1.901-2.719) studies. Patients ≥70 years old or with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≥2 were less likely to undergo these diagnostic procedures. Performing genetic studies were associated with a favorable impact on overall survival, especially in patients who received intensive chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This unique study provides relevant information about the evolving landscape of genetic and molecular diagnosis for adult AML patients in real-world setting, highlighting the increased complexity of genetic diagnosis over the past 2 decades.

Outcomes after intensive chemotherapy for secondary and myeloid-related changes acute myeloid leukemia patients aged 60 to 75 years old: a retrospective analysis from the PETHEMA registry.

Treatment options for patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) and AML with myeloid-related changes (AMLMRC) aged 60 to 75 years are scarce and unsuitable. A pivotal trial showed that CPX-351 improved complete remission with/without incomplete recovery (CR/CRi) and overall survival (OS) as compared with standard "3+7" regimens. We retrospectively analyze outcomes of 765 patients with sAML and AML-MRC aged 60 to 75 years treated with intensive chemotherapy, reported to the PETHEMA registry before CPX-351 became available. The CR/CRi rate was 48%, median OS was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-8.5) and event-free survival (EFS) 2.7 months (95% CI: 2-3.3), without differences between intensive chemotherapy regimens and AML type. Multivariate analyses identified age ≥70 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1 as independent adverse prognostic factors for CR/CRi and OS, while favorable/intermediate cytogenetic risk and NPM1 were favorable prognostic factors. Patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT), autologous HSCT, and those who completed more consolidation cycles showed improved OS. This large study suggests that classical intensive chemotherapy could lead to similar CR/CRi rates with slightly shorter median OS than CPX-351.

A systematic review of venetoclax for the treatment of unfit AML patients in real-world: is all that glitters gold?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological disease that mainly affects elderly patients. Following the randomized VIALE-A trial, current standard treatment in patients who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy consists of the combination of venetoclax (VEN), a selective inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, with azacitidine (AZA) or decitabine (DEC). We performed a systematic review to critically assess the growing existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of the VEN-based combinations in unfit adult patients with newly diagnosed AML in the real-world setting. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of published manuscripts and conference abstracts (European Hematology Association and American Society of Hematology) was conducted (updated March 2024). Primary outcomes were composite complete remission (CRc) and median overall survival (mOS). A total of 73 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, with a median age of 73 years old. The weighted mean mOS was 10.3 months among 7 138 patients, significantly lower than expected according to the VIALE-A trial (14.7 months), while the weighted mean CRc rate was 58.2% among 5 831 patients, slightly lower to that reported in the VIALE-A (66.4%). Early death rates at 30 and 60 days were 5% and 13%, respectively. The weighted mean percentage of subsequent allogeneic transplant was 15.4%. In conclusion, breakthrough mOS reported in the VIALE-A trial using VEN-AZA was not well reproduced in real world for unfit newly diagnosed AML patients, while CRc rates were more consistent. Strategies to optimize patient selection, dosing regimens, and supportive care are crucial to improve outcomes in real-world.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of second neoplasms in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia: the PETHEMA-PALG experience.

The most important challenges in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is preventing early death and reducing long-term events, such as second neoplasms (s-NPLs). We performed a retrospective analysis of 2670 unselected APL patients, treated with PETHEMA "chemotherapy based" and "chemotherapy free" protocols. Only de novo APL patients who achieved complete remission (CR) and completed the three consolidation cycles were enrolled into the analysis. Out of 2670 APL patients, there were 118 (4.4%) who developed s-NPLs with the median latency period (between first CR and diagnosis of s-NPL) of 48.0 months (range 2.8-231.1): 43.3 (range: 2.8-113.9) for s-MDS/AML and 61.7 (range: 7.1-231.1) for solid tumour. The 5-year CI of all s-NPLs was of 4.43% and 10 years of 7.92%. Among s-NPLs, there were 58 cases of s-MDS/AML, 3 cases of other hematological neoplasms, 57 solid tumours and 1 non-identified neoplasm. The most frequent solid tumour was colorectal, lung and breast cancer. Overall, the 2-year OS from diagnosis of s-NPLs was 40.6%, with a median OS of 11.1 months. Multivariate analysis identified age of 35 years (hazard ratio = 0.2584; p < 0.0001) as an independent prognostic factor for s-NPLs. There were no significant differences in CI of s-NPLs at 5 years between chemotherapy-based vs chemotherapy-free regimens (hazard ratio = 1.09; p = 0.932). Larger series with longer follow-up are required to confirm the potential impact of ATO+ATRA regimens to reduce the incidence of s-NPLs after front-line therapy for APL.

Impact of trisomy 19 on outcome according to genetic makeup in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

We retrospectively studied 97 acute myeloid leukemia patients with trisomy 19 (median age at diagnosis 57 years; range, 17- 83 years) treated between 2001 and 2019 within two multicenter study groups. Trisomy 19 occurred alone in ten (10.5%) patients, with additional abnormalities being present in non-complex karyotypes in eight (8%) patients and in complex karyotypes in 79 (82%) patients. Altogether, karyotypes characterized by trisomies only were present in 27 (28%) patients. Data on response and outcome of intensively treated patients were available for 92 cases. The median follow-up was 6.4 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.9-9.0 years). The complete remission (CR) rate after induction therapy was 52% (48 patients); the early death rate was 10% (n=9). Notably, patients with trisomy 19 as the sole abnormality had a CR rate of 89%. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) was performed in 34 (35%) patients (CR, n=19; active disease, n=15). Five-year relapse-free and overall survival rates were 26% (95% CI: 16-43%) and 20% (95% CI: 13-31%), respectively. Overall survival rates were significantly higher in patients with trisomy 19 as the sole abnormality or within karyotypes characterized by trisomies only (P=0.05). An Andersen-Gill model including allo-HCT as a time-dependent covariable on overall survival revealed that trisomy 19 as the sole abnormality or within karyotypes characterized by trisomies only was a favorable factor (hazard ratio [HR]=0.47; P=0.021); higher age at diagnosis had an adverse impact (10 years difference; HR=1.29; P=0.002), whereas allo-HCT did not have a beneficial impact (odds ratio=1.45; P=0.21). In our cohort, patients with trisomy 19 as the sole abnormality or within karyotypes characterized by trisomies only had a high CR rate and better clinical outcome.

Characteristics and outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and trisomy 4.

We retrospectively studied 125 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and trisomy 4 (median age at diagnosis, 58 years; range, 16-77 years) treated between 2000 and 2019 within a multicenter study. Trisomy 4 was the sole abnormality in 28 (22%) patients and additional abnormalities were present in 97 (78%) patients. Twenty-two (22%) and 15 (15%) of 101 tested patients harbored NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutations. Two (3%) of 72 tested patients had double CEBPA mutations. Data on response to intensive anthracycline-based induction therapy were available for 119 patients. Complete remission was achieved in 67% (n=80) and the early death rate was 5% (n=6). Notably, patients with trisomy 4 as sole abnormality had a complete remission rate of 89%. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation was performed in 40 (34%) patients, of whom 19 were transplanted in first complete remission. The median follow-up of the intensively treated cohort was 5.76 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.99-7.61 years). The 5-year overall survival and relapse-free survival rates were 30% (95% CI: 22-41%) and 27% (95% CI: 18-41%), respectively. An Andersen-Gill regression model on overall survival revealed that favorable-risk according to the European LeukemiaNet classification (hazard ratio [HR]=0.34; P=0.006) and trisomy 4 as sole abnormality (HR=0.41; P=0.01) were favorable factors, whereas age with a difference of 10 years (HR=1.15; P=0.11), female gender (HR=0.74; P=0.20) and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HR=0.64; P=0.14) did not have an significant impact. In our cohort, patients with trisomy 4 as their sole abnormality had a high complete remission rate and favorable clinical outcome. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation did not seem to improve overall survival.

Characteristics and outcome of patients with core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia and FLT3-ITD: results from an international collaborative study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD in core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBFAML) in an international, multicenter survey of 97 patients of whom 52% had t(8;21)(q22;q22) and 48% had inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22). The median age of the patients was 53 years (range, 19-81). Complete remission after anthracycline-based induction (n=86) and non-intensive therapy (n=11) was achieved in 97% and 36% of the patients, respectively. The median follow-up was 4.43 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.35-7.39 years). The median survival after intensive and non-intensive treatment was not reached and 0.96 years, respectively. Among intensively treated patients, inv(16) with trisomy 22 (n=11) was associated with a favorable 4-year relapse-free survival rate of 80% (95% CI: 59-100%) as compared to 38% (95% CI: 27-54%; P=0.02) in all other patients with CBFAML/ FLT3-ITD (n=75). Overall, 24 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), 12 in first complete remission and 12 after relapse. Allogeneic HCT in first complete remission was not beneficial (P=0.60); however, allogeneic HCT seemed to improve median survival in relapsed patients compared to that of patients treated with chemotherapy (not reached vs. 0.6 years, respectively; P=0.002). Excluding patients with inv(16) with trisomy 22, our data indicate that compathe outcome of CBF-AML patients with FLT3-ITD may be inferior to that of patients without FLT3-ITD (based on previously published data), suggesting that prognostically CBF-AML patients with FLT3-ITD should not be classified as favorable-risk. FLT3-inhibitors may improve the outcome of these patients.

Emerging FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene is mutated in one-third of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Midostaurin, quizartinib, and gilteritinib have been approved in the last years for the treatment of AML, and more Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) targeting FLT3 are being developed such as crenolanib. AREAS COVERED: In this systematic review, we will analyze the available clinical data on FLT3 inhibitors in development and describe the potential role that these FLT3-TKIs may play in the future management of FLT3-mutated (FLT3mut) AML. EXPERT OPINION: Although several aspects may challenge the use of FLT3 inhibitors in AML (resistance mechanisms, on- and off-target toxicities or drug-drug interactions), these drugs are generally well tolerated, particularly if we compare their safety profile with classical chemotherapy agents or even with newer immunotherapies, thus enabling their use in fit and unfit AML patients, alone or combined. As AML is a polyclonal disease and FLT3 mutations are a late leukemogenic event, combinations of these FLT3 inhibitors with other antileukemic agents (like venetoclax or hypomethylating agents) seem a necessary research pathway.

A phase 3 trial of azacitidine versus a semi-intensive fludarabine and cytarabine schedule in older patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Options to treat elderly patients (≥65 years old) newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) include intensive and attenuated chemotherapy, hypomethylating agents with or without venetoclax, and supportive care. This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a fludarabine, cytarabine, and filgrastim (FLUGA) regimen in comparison with azacitidine (AZA). METHODS: Patients (n = 283) were randomized 1:1 to FLUGA (n = 141) or AZA (n = 142). Response was evaluated after cycles 1, 3, 6, and 9. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was assessed after cycle 9. When MRD was ≥0.01%, patients continued with the treatment until relapse or progressive disease. Patients with MRD < 0.01% suspended treatment to enter the follow-up phase. RESULTS: The complete remission (CR) rate after 3 cycles was significantly better in the FLUGA arm (18% vs 9%; P = .04), but the CR/CR with incomplete recovery rate at 9 months was similar (33% vs 29%; P = .41). There were no significant differences between arms in early mortality at 30 or 60 days. Hematologic toxicities were more frequent with FLUGA, especially during induction. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate and the median OS were superior with AZA versus FLUGA: 47% versus 27% and 9.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-14 months) versus 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.7-5.5 months; P = .005), respectively. The median event-free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI, 2.8-7 months) with AZA and 3 months (95% CI, 2.5-3.5 months) with FLUGA (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: FLUGA achieved more remissions after 3 cycles, but the 1-year OS rate was superior with AZA. However, long-term outcomes were disappointing in both arms (3-year OS rate, 10% vs 5%). This study supports the use of an AZA backbone for future combinations in elderly patients with AML.

Influence of polymorphisms in anthracyclines metabolism genes in the standard induction chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: Genetic variability in anthracycline metabolism could modify the response and safety of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) induction. METHODS: Polymorphisms in genes that encodes enzymes of anthracyclines metabolic pathway (CBR3: rs1056892, rs8133052, NQO1: rs1800566, NQO2: rs1143684, NOS3: rs1799983, rs2070744) were evaluated in 225 adult de novo AML patients. RESULTS: The variant CBR3 rs8133052 was associated with lower hepatotoxicity (P = 0.028). Wild-type genotype of NQO2 rs1143684 was related to higher complete remission (P = 0.014), and the variant allele with greater gastrointestinal toxicity (P = 0.024). However, the variant genotype of NQO1 rs1800566 was associated with mucositis (P = 0.018), but heterozygous genotype showed less gastrointestinal toxicity (P = 0.028) and thrombocytopenia (P = 0.009). Protective effects against nephrotoxicity and thrombocytopenia were reported with variant NOS3 rs1799983 (P = 0.006, P = 0.014), whereas carriers of NOS3 rs2070744 showed higher hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia (P = 0.017, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the influence of genetic variability of idarubicin metabolizing could be critical in predicting anthracycline-induced toxicities.

Networking for advanced molecular diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients is possible: the PETHEMA NGS-AML project

Next-Generation Sequencing has recently been introduced to efficiently and simultaneously detect genetic variations in acute myeloid leukemia. However, its implementation in the clinical routine raises new challenges focused on the diversity of assays and variant reporting criteria. To overcome this challenge, the PETHEMA group established a nationwide network of reference laboratories aimed to deliver molecular results in the clinics. We report the technical cross-validation results for next-generation sequencing panel genes during the standardization process and the clinical validation in 823 samples of 751 patients with newly diagnosed or refractory/relapse acute myeloid leukemia. Two cross-validation rounds were performed in seven nationwide reference laboratories in order to reach a consensus regarding quality metrics criteria and variant reporting. In the pre-standardization cross-validation round, an overall concordance of 60.98% was obtained with a great variability in selected genes and conditions across laboratories. After consensus of relevant genes and optimization of quality parameters the overall concordance rose to 85.57% in the second cross-validation round. We show that a diagnostic network with harmonized next-generation sequencing analysis and reporting in seven experienced laboratories is feasible in the context of a scientific group. This cooperative nationwide strategy provides advanced molecular diagnostic for acute myeloid leukemia patients of the PETHEMA group.

A phase I trial of selinexor plus FLAG-Ida for the treatment of refractory/relapsed adult acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Prognosis for relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) despite salvage therapy is dismal. This phase I dose-escalation trial assessed the safety and preliminary clinical activity of selinexor, an oral exportin-1 (XPO1) inhibitor, in combination with FLAG-Ida in younger R/R AML patients. The aim was to find the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Fourteen patients were included, and selinexor dosage was 60 mg (3 patients), 80 mg (3 patients), and 100 mg (7 patients) weekly. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported. Grade ≥3 non-hematologic adverse events (AEs) occurred in 78.6% of patients. Two patients were non MTD evaluable due to early death, and overall, 3 out of 14 patients (21.4%) had fatal AEs. Five out of 12 (42%) response and MTD evaluable patients achieved a complete remission (CR; n=4) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi, n=1), and 4 patients (33%) subsequently underwent allogeneic transplantation. The median overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 6.0 (range 0.9-19.3) and 1.1 months (range 0.7-19.3), respectively. Using selinexor 100 mg/weekly, CR/CRi rate of 66.7%, OS 13.6 months (range, 1.6-19.3), and EFS 10.6 months (range, 0.9-19.3). At last follow-up, 3 patients were alive. Selinexor 100 mg/weekly with FLAG-Ida combination in R/R AML showed acceptable tolerability and efficacy, establishing the RP2D of this regimen in future clinical trials. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03661515.

Healthcare resource utilization in adult patients with relapsed/refractory FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia: A retrospective chart review from Spain.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding impact on healthcare systems of relapsed or refractory (R/R) FLT3 mutated (FLT3mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the time and reimbursement associated with hospitalizations of patients with R/R FLT3mut AML in a tertiary Spanish hospital. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical charts identified patients aged ≥ 18 years with R/R FLT3mut AML between 1998 and 2018. Data were collected from the date of first diagnosis of R/R FLT3mut AML (index) until death or loss to follow-up. The primary end point was duration and frequency of hospitalization, use of outpatient resources and transfusion burden. Reimbursement associated with hospitalizations (including associated chemotherapy) was also assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were eligible for inclusion. Their median age was 52 years, and 30 (79%) received intensive salvage chemotherapy; FLAG-IDA-based regimens were the most frequent (24 patients, 63%). Overall, there were 150 hospitalizations (mean 3.9/patient; mean duration 21 days). Patients spent a mean of 24% of the study period in hospital. Total mean reimbursement was €108 293 per patient; the majority (€89 834) attributable to inpatient stays (€22 576 /hospitalization). During chemotherapy period (prior to first alloHSCT), there were 73 hospitalizations (mean duration 22 days); mean reimbursement was €19 776 per hospitalization and €49 819 per patient. AlloHSCT (n = 16) involved 77 hospitalizations (mean duration 21 days), mean reimbursement €25 231/hospitalization and €131 515 per patient. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest that there is a substantial healthcare resource utilization and cost burden on R/R FLT3mut AML patients in Spain receiving active treatments.

Gilteritinib use in the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with a FLT3 mutation.

The prognosis of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) is dismal with salvage standard approaches, and mutations of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene, occurring in around 30% of AML patients may confer even poorer outcomes. Several targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed to improve FLT3-mutated AML patient´s survival. Gilteritinib, a highly specific second-generation class I oral FLT3 inhibitor, has demonstrated superiority to salvage chemotherapy (SC) in R/R FLT3 mutated AML based on significantly longer OS in the gilteritinib arm than in the SC arm. Gilteritinib is generally well tolerated, but some clinically relevant adverse events should be monitored, especially myelosuppression, QTc prolongation and differentiation syndrome, usually manageable (dose reductions, interruption or discontinuation) and reversible. We discuss clinical development, efficacy, safety and mechanisms of resistance of gilteritinib in the treatment of R/R patients with FLT3 mutated AML.

Extracorporeal photopheresis vs standard therapies for steroid-refractory chronic graft-vs-host disease: Pharmacoeconomic assessment of hospital resource use in Spain.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed pharmacoeconomic costs associated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) compared with other available second-line therapies for chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGvHD) in a tertiary Spanish institution. METHODS: Patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with steroid-refractory cGvHD were eligible. Data were collected retrospectively from index date until 1 year or relapse. Patients were distributed in two cohorts (ECP vs non-ECP), matched by age (≤ or > 40), hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HLA-identical sibling donor or other) and number of previous immunosuppressive lines (1, 2, or ≥ 3). Costs were assigned using the 2016 diagnosis-related group (DRG) system: DRG 579 (€22 383) overnight stay due to major complication (ie, sepsis, pneumonia, parenteral nutrition, or respiratory failure), and DRG 875 (€5154) if no major complication. The primary endpoint was healthcare resource utilization per patient. RESULTS: Forty patients (n = 20 per cohort) were included. Median age was 49, and 37.5% were female. Mean total cost per patient was €25 319 (95% CI: €17 049-€33 590) across the two cohorts, with a slightly lower mean cost per ECP-treated patient (€23 120) compared with the non-ECP cohort (€27 519; P = .597). Twenty-seven inpatient hospitalizations occurred among ECP-treated patients, vs 33 in the non-ECP cohort. Day hospital and external consultations were more frequent in the ECP cohort. However, fewer inpatient admissions included DRG 579 compared with the non-ECP cohort (44% vs 58%). Inpatient length of stay was slightly shorter in the ECP cohort (30 vs 49 days; P = .298). CONCLUSIONS: ECP treatment may yield economic savings in Spain through resource savings and moving costs toward outpatient care.

Improving the prediction of acute myeloid leukaemia outcomes by complementing mutational profiling with ex vivo chemosensitivity.

Refractoriness to induction therapy and relapse after complete remission are the leading causes of death in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This study focussed on the prediction of response to standard induction therapy and outcome of patients with AML using a combined strategy of mutational profiling by next-generation sequencing (NGS, n = 190) and ex vivo PharmaFlow testing (n = 74) for the 10 most widely used drugs for AML induction therapy, in a cohort of adult patients uniformly treated according to Spanish PETHEMA guidelines. We identified an adverse mutational profile (EZH2, KMT2A, U2AF1 and/or TP53 mutations) that carries a greater risk of death [hazard ratio (HR): 3·29, P < 0·0001]. A high correlation was found between the ex vivo PharmaFlow results and clinical induction response (69%). Clinical correlation analysis showed that the pattern of multiresistance revealed by ex vivo PharmaFlow identified patients with a high risk of death (HR: 2·58). Patients with mutation status also ran a high risk (HR 4·19), and the risk was increased further in patients with both adverse profiles (HR 4·82). We have developed a new score based on NGS and ex vivo drug testing for AML patients that improves upon current prognostic risk stratification and allows clinicians to tailor treatments to minimise drug resistance.

Drug-drug interactions of newly approved small molecule inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia.

Several small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) have been recently approved for AML patients. These targeted therapies could be more tolerable than classical antineoplastics, but potential drug-drug interactions (DDI) are relatively frequent. Underestimation or lack of appropriate awareness and management of DDIs with SMIs can jeopardize therapeutic success in AML patients, which often require multiple concomitant medications in the context of prior comorbidities or for the prevention and treatment of infectious and other complications. In this systematic review, we analyze DDIs of glasdegib, venetoclax, midostaurin, quizartinib, gilteritinib, enasidenib, and ivosidenib. CYP3A4 is the main enzyme responsible for SMIs metabolism, and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such azoles, could increase drug exposure and toxicity; therefore dose adjustments (venetoclax, quizartinib, and ivosidenib) or alternative therapies or close monitoring (glasdegib, midostaurin, and gilteritinib) are recommended. Besides, coadministration of strong CYP3A4 inducers with SMIs should be avoided due to potential decrease of efficacy. Regarding tolerability, QTc prolongation is frequently observed for most of approved SMIs, and drugs with a potential to prolong the QTc interval and CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided and replaced by alternative treatments. In this study, we critically assess the DDIs of SMIs, and we summarize best management options for these new drugs and concomitant medications.

Incidence and outcome of invasive fungal disease after front-line intensive chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: impact of antifungal prophylaxis.

Few reports analyze the incidence and clinical outcome of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and thus the impact of different antifungal prophylactic regimens remains unclear. We analyze the incidence and clinical outcome of IFD in a large series of adult AML patients undergoing front-line intensive induction and consolidation chemotherapy between 2004 and 2015 in a single institution. Three antifungal prophylaxis regimens were given (2004-2005 oral fluconazole, 2006-2012 intravenous itraconazole, and 2013-2015 voriconazole). Overall, 285 patients and 589 intensive chemotherapy episodes were assessed (47%) (induction courses 47% and consolidation 53%). The median age was 51 years (range, 17-65). We observed 56 (10%) episodes of IFD. According to the EORTC 2008 criteria, IFD was classified as possible (29, 52%), probable (17, 30%), and proven (10, 18%). Possible/probable/proven IFD rate was significantly lower during HiDAC consolidation as compared to any anthracycline-containing chemotherapy courses (2% vs. 11%, P = 0.001), and under voriconazole prophylaxis as compared to itraconazole and fluconazole (6% vs. 11% vs. 15%, P = 0.007), and the multivariate analysis showed that they were independent risk factors. Patients under voriconazole prophylaxis had shorter hospitalization duration and less frequent use of empirical or directed antifungal therapy. In conclusion, IFD was a frequent complication during upfront intensive chemotherapy courses for adult AML patients. This retrospective study shows that voriconazole prophylaxis was feasible and associated with a lower risk of IFD compared with intravenous itraconazole or oral fluconazole schedules.