Inotuzumab ozogamicin combined with chemotherapy in pediatric B-cell precursor CD22+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of the phase IB ITCC-059 trial.

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin (InO) is a CD22-directed antibody conjugated with calicheamicin. The Phase 1B of the ITCC-059 trial tested InO combined with chemotherapy in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Relapsed /refractory CD22+ BCP-ALL pediatric patients were enrolled. The primary objective was to establish the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives included preliminary efficacy and tolerability. InO was combined with 1.5 mg/m2 of vincristine (days 3, 10, 17, 24), 20 mg/m2 of dexamethasone (two 5-day blocks, then amended), and intrathecal therapy. A rolling-6 design was used testing InO from 0.8 to 1.8 mg/m2/cycle. Between May-2020 and Apr-2022, 30 patients were treated, and 29 were evaluable for dose limiting toxicities (DLTs). At 1.1 mg/m2/cycle, two out of four patients had DLTs (liver toxicity). InO was de-escalated to 0.8 mg/m2/cycle (n=6) without DLTs while awaiting a protocol amendment to reduce dexamethasone dose to 10 mg/m2. Post amendment, InO was re-escalated to 1.1 mg/m2/cycle (n=6, 1 DLT), then to 1.4 mg/m2/cycle (n=3, no DLTs), and finally to 1.8 mg/m2/cycle (n=7, 1 DLT). Three additional patients were treated in an expansion cohort. The pooled response rate was 80% (24/30; 95%CI: 61.4% to 92.3%) and, among responders, 66.7% achieved minimal residual disease negativity. The RP2D of InO combined with vincristine, dexamethasone and IT therapy was declared at 1.8 mg/m2/cycle (1.5 mg/m2/cycle after remission) in a fractionated schedule. This combination showed an response rate similar to the single agent cohorts of this trial, with liver toxicity issues at the initial higher dexamethasone dose. #NTR5736.

Bosutinib in Resistant and Intolerant Pediatric Patients With Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Results From the Phase I Part of Study ITCC054/COG AAML1921.

PURPOSE: Bosutinib is approved for adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): 400 mg once daily in newly diagnosed (ND); 500 mg once daily in resistant/intolerant (R/I) patients. Bosutinib has a different tolerability profile than other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and potentially less impact on growth (preclinical data). The primary objective of this first-in-child trial was to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) for pediatric R/I and ND patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the phase I part of this international, open-label trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04258943), children age 1-18 years with R/I (per European LeukemiaNet 2013) Ph+ CML were enrolled using a 6 + 4 design, testing 300, 350, and 400 mg/m2 once daily with food. The RP2D was the dose resulting in 0/6 or 1/10 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during the first cycle and achieving adult target AUC levels for the respective indication. As ND participants were only enrolled in phase II, the ND RP2D was selected based on data from R/I patients. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled; 27 were evaluable for DLT: six at 300 mg/m2, 11 at 350 mg/m2 (one DLT), and 10 at 400 mg/m2 (one DLT). The mean AUCs at 300 mg/m2, 350 mg/m2, and 400 mg/m2 were 2.20 µg h/mL, 2.52 µg h/mL, and 2.66 µg h/mL, respectively. The most common adverse event was diarrhea (93%; ≥grade 3: 11%). Seven patients stopped because of intolerance and eight because of insufficient response. Complete cytogenetic and major molecular response to bosutinib appeared comparable with other published phase I/II trials with second-generation TKIs in children. CONCLUSION: Bosutinib was safe and effective. The pediatric RP2D was 400 mg/m2 once daily (max 600 mg/d) with food in R/I patients and 300 mg/m2 once daily (max 500 mg/d) with food in ND patients, which achieved targeted exposures as per adult experience.

The Development of New Agents for Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Non-Infectious Complications in Children.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is often the only curative treatment option for patients suffering from various types of malignant diseases and some non-cancerous conditions. Nevertheless, it is associated with a high risk of complications leading to transplant-related mortality and long-term morbidity. An increasing number of therapeutic and prevention strategies have been developed over the last few years to tackle the complications arising in patients receiving an HSCT. These strategies have been mainly carried out in adults and some are now being translated into children. In this manuscript, we review the recent advancements in the development and implementation of treatment options for post-HSCT non-infectious complications in pediatric patients with leukemia and other non-malignant conditions, with a special attention on the new agents available within clinical trials. We focused on the following conditions: graft failure, prevention of relapse and early interventions after detection of minimal residual disease positivity following HSCT in acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia, chronic graft versus host disease, non-infectious pulmonary complications, and complications of endothelial origin.

Outcome of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy following treatment with inotuzumab ozogamicin in children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting CD19 (CART-19) have shown remarkable efficacy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). We investigated whether prior use of inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), an anti-CD22 antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, may impact CAR T-cell manufacturing or efficacy via pre-CART-19 depletion of the B-cell compartment. In this international, retrospective analysis, 39 children and young adults receiving InO before (n = 12) and/or after (n = 27) T-cell apheresis as bridging therapy to CART-19 treatment were analyzed. Median age at infusion was 13 years (range 1.4-23 years). Thirty-four out of 39 patients (87.2%) obtained complete remission. With a median follow-up of 18.2 months after CART-19 infusion, 12-month event-free survival (EFS) was 53.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 38.7-73.4) and overall survival (OS) was 77.8% (95% CI: 64.5-93.9). Seventeen patients (44%) relapsed with a median of 159 days (range 28-655) after CART-19 infusion. No difference in day 28 minimal residual disease negative complete response rate, 12-month OS/EFS, or incidence of CD19-positive or -negative relapses was observed among patients receiving InO before or after apheresis. Compared to published data for patients treated with CART-19 therapy without prior InO exposure, response and OS/EFS for patients treated with InO prior to CART-19 are similar.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin as single agent in pediatric patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from a phase II trial.

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin is a CD22-directed antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, approved in adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Patients aged 1-18 years, with R/R CD22 + BCP-ALL were treated at the RP2D of 1.8 mg/m2. Using a single-stage design, with an overall response rate (ORR) ≤ 30% defined as not promissing and ORR > 55% as expected, 25 patients needed to be recruited to achieve 80% power at 0.05 significance level. Thirty-two patients were enrolled, 28 were treated, 27 were evaluable for response. The estimated ORR was 81.5% (95%CI: 61.9-93.7%), and 81.8% (18/22) of the responding subjects were minimal residual disease (MRD) negative. The study met its primary endpoint. Median follow up of survivors was 16 months (IQR: 14.49-20.07). One year Event Free Survival was 36.7% (95% CI: 22.2-60.4%), and Overall Survival was 55.1% (95% CI: 39.1-77.7%). Eighteen patients received consolidation (with HSCT and/or CAR T-cells therapy). Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) occurred in seven patients. MRD negativity seemed correlated to calicheamicin sensitivity in vitro, but not to CD22 surface expression, saturation, or internalization. InO was effective in this population. The most relevant risk was the occurrence of SOS, particularly when InO treatment was followed by HSCT.

Osteonecrosis in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Incidence, risk factors, radiological patterns and evolution in a single-centre cohort.

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a well-known sequela of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment. Incidence differs substantially among studies and the clinical significance of radiological findings is not fully established. We analysed 256 consecutive patients with ALL treated in our Institution between October 2010 and December 2016. Within the cohort, 41 developed ON, with a mean 5-year cumulative incidence of 18.5 (standard error, SE, 5.7)% overall. The mean (SE) 5-year cumulative incidence of ON was 12.7 (2.1)% after censoring upon stem cell transplantation (SCT) and/or relapse. Patients aged ≥10 years and patients allocated to the high-risk stratum had a 10-fold and fivefold higher risk of ON respectively. The risk of ON was more than double in relapsed patients, whereas no significant impact of gender, immunophenotype and SCT was demonstrated. Multiple lesions (median four joints involved per patient) were detected by magnetic resonance imaging in all but one patient, with the knee being the most affected joint. Lesions affecting convex joint surfaces experienced the worst evolution, whereas most lesions on diaphyses and concave surfaces remained radiologically stable or disappeared during follow-up. ON has a high prevalence in paediatric ALL, presenting with multiple lesions. Lesions involving convex surfaces were at higher risk of radiological deterioration.

Targeted inhibitors and antibody immunotherapies: Novel therapies for paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma.

Despite improved outcomes achieved in the last decades for children with newly diagnosed leukaemia and lymphoma, treatment of patients with refractory/relapsed disease remains a challenge. The cure rate is still unsatisfactory and often achieved at the cost of significant morbidity. Exploring treatment with novel agents should offer less toxic therapeutic options, without compromising efficacy. Bispecific and antibody-drug conjugates targeting CD19 and CD22 (blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin) play an important role in the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL); antibodies targeting CD123 and CD38 are also under investigation for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and T-ALL, respectively. Targeted therapy with small molecules is of primary importance for specific genetic subtypes, such as BCR-ABL-positive ALL, FLT3-ITD AML and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. KMT2A-directed targeted therapy with menin inhibitors holds promise to be of relevance in KMT2A-rearranged leukaemias, known to have dismal prognosis. Target inhibition in cellular pathways such as BCL-2, RAS, MEK, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, JAK-STAT or CDK4/CDK6 inhibition may be suitable for different diseases with common mutated pathways. Nevertheless, development and approval of new agents for paediatric cancers lags behind adult therapeutic options. New regulations were implemented to accelerate drug development for children. Considering the number of oncology medicinal products available for adults and the rarity of paediatric cancers, prioritisation based on scientific evidence and medical need, as well as international collaboration, is critical. Herein, we review the current status of drug development for children with leukaemia and lymphoma, excluding cellular therapy despite its well-known significance.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin in infants and young children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case series.

No data on inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) in infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have been published to date. We collected data internationally on infants/young children (<3 years) with ALL treated with InO. Fifteen patients (median 4.4 months at diagnosis) received InO due to relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. Median percentage of CD22+ blasts was 72% (range 40-100%, n = 9). The median dose in the first course was 1.74 mg/m2 (fractionated). Seven patients (47%) achieved complete remission; one additional minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive patient became MRD-negative. Six-month overall survival was 47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27-80%). Two patients developed veno-occlusive disease after transplant. Further evaluation of InO in this subgroup of ALL is justified.

A phase 1 study of inotuzumab ozogamicin in pediatric relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ITCC-059 study).

This phase 1 study investigated the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), a CD22-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in pediatric patients with multiple relapsed/refractory (R/R) CD22+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients (age ≥1 year or <18 years) received 3 doses of InO (days 1, 8, and 15) per course. Dose escalation was based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during course 1. Dose level 1 (DL1) was 1.4 mg/m2 (0.6, 0.4, 0.4 mg/m2) and DL2 was 1.8 mg/m2 (0.8, 0.5, 0.5 mg/m2). Secondary end points included safety, antileukemic activity, and pharmacokinetics. Twenty-five patients (23 evaluable for DLTs) were enrolled. In course 1, the first cohort had 1 of 6 (DL1) and 2 of 5 (DL2) patients who experienced DLTs; subsequent review considered DL2 DLTs to be non-dose-limiting. Dose was de-escalated to DL1 while awaiting protocol amendment to re-evaluate DL2 in a second cohort, in which 0 of 6 (DL1) and 1 of 6 (DL2) patients had a DLT. Twenty-three patients experienced grade 3 to 4 adverse events; hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was reported in 2 patients after subsequent chemotherapy. Overall response rate after course 1 was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59% to 93%) (20 of 25 patients; DL1: 75% [95% CI, 43% to 95%], DL2: 85% [95% CI, 55% to 98%]). Of the responders, 84% (95% CI, 60% to 97%) achieved minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative complete response, and 12-month overall survival was 40% (95% CI, 25% to 66%). Nine patients received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor T cells after InO. InO median maximum concentrations were comparable to simulated adult concentrations. InO was well tolerated, demonstrating antileukemic activity in heavily pretreated children with CD22+ R/R ALL. RP2D was established as 1.8 mg/m2 per course, as in adults. This trial was registered at https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu as EUDRA-CT 2016-000227-71.

Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development for acute myeloid leukaemia in children and adolescents: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration.

PURPOSE: The current standard-of-care for front-line therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) results in short-term and long-term toxicity, but still approximately 40% of children relapse. Therefore, there is a major need to accelerate the evaluation of innovative medicines, yet drug development continues to be adult-focused. Furthermore, the large number of competing agents in rare patient populations requires coordinated prioritisation, within the global regulatory framework and cooperative group initiatives. METHODS: The fourth multi-stakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on AML in children and adolescents. RESULTS: CD123 is a high priority target and the paediatric development should be accelerated as a proof-of-concept. Efforts must be coordinated, however, as there are a limited number of studies that can be delivered. Studies of FLT3 inhibitors in agreed paediatric investigation plans present challenges to be completed because they require enrolment of a larger number of patients than actually exist. A consensus was developed by industry and academia of optimised clinical trials. For AML with rare mutations that are more frequent in adolescents than in children, adult trials should enrol adolescents and when scientifically justified, efficacy data could be extrapolated. Methodologies and definitions of minimal residual disease need to be standardised internationally and validated as a new response criterion. Industry supported, academic sponsored platform trials could identify products to be further developed. The Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society PedAL/EUpAL initiative has the potential to be a major advance in the field. CONCLUSION: These initiatives continue to accelerate drug development for children with AML and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

Lessons after the early management of the COVID-19 outbreak in a pediatric transplant and hemato-oncology center embedded within a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Lombardia, Italy. Estote parati.

Italy is the second exposed country worldwide, after China, and Lombardia is the most affected region in Italy, with more than half of the national cases, with 13% of whom being healthcare professionals. The Clinica Pediatrica Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca is a general pediatric and hematology oncology and transplant center embedded within the designated COVID-19 general Hospital San Gerardo in Monza, located in Lombardia, Italy. Preventive and control measures specifically undertaken to cope with the emergency within hemato-oncology, transplant, and outpatient unit in the pediatric department have been described. Preliminary COVID-19 experiences with the first Italian pediatric hemato-oncology patients are reported. The few available data regarding pediatrics and specifically hemato-oncological patients are discussed. The purpose of this report is to share pediatric hemato-oncology issues encountered in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy and to alert healthcare professionals worldwide to be prepared accordingly.

Isavuconazole-induced Acute Liver Failure in a Pediatric Patient With Invasive Aspergillosis.

Isavuconazole is a new azole approved for adults with invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, with a favorable hepatic tolerability reported in Phase III trials. Here, we report on a case of drug-induced liver failure related to isavuconazole in a pediatric patient treated for invasive aspergillosis after bone marrow transplant.

ALK inhibition in two emblematic cases of pediatric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: Efficacy and side effects.

There is an increasing interest for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in pediatric oncology for specific entities such as ALK-driven inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). IMT treatment can be challenging due to localization of the tumor and in rare cases of metastasis. When standard surgical treatment is not feasible, ALK inhibitors may play an important role, as recently reported for the first-generation ALK inhibitors (crizotinib). However, data on the second-generation ALK inhibitors are limited. We report two emblematic cases of IMT in pediatric patients, treated with the second-generation ALK inhibitor ceritinib in the context of a clinical trial (NCT01742286).