IKZF1plus alterations are not associated with outcomes in Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients enrolled in the FBMTG ALL/MRD2008 trial.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic significance of IKZF1plus in adult Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) patients had remained to be clarified. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study, the ALL/MRD2008 trial, and investigated the clinical significance of IKZF1plus . RESULTS: From December 2008 to November 2013, 38 untreated Ph+ ALL patients were enrolled. At the end of the induction, 97.4% of patients (37/38) achieved complete hematological remission, with MRD-negativity of 48.6% (18/37). There were 19 patients with IKZF1plus , 13 with IKZF1 deletion alone (ΔIKZF1) and 4 with no IKZF1 deletions (no ΔIKZF1). The probability of 3-year DFS and OS in these Ph+ ALL patients were 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33-65) and 55% (95% CI, 38-69), respectively. There was no significant difference between IKZF1plus , ΔIKZF1, and no ΔIKZF1 in DFS (47%, 54%, 75% [p = .63]) or OS (47%, 62%, NA [p = .39]). CONCLUSIONS: We revealed no relationship between IKZF1plus status and survival outcomes in Ph+ ALL patients treated with imatinib/dasatinib combination chemotherapy. Further investigations are warranted to clarify the prognostic significance of IKZF1plus in adult Ph+ ALL patients.

Ponatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Philadelphia chromosome, reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22, leading to a constitutively active fusion protein BCR-ABL1 is the common feature among Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to significant improvement in the treatment of CML and Ph+ ALL. Ponatinib is a third-generation TKI that is currently approved as per label when no other TKIs are indicated for the treatment of patients with CML and Ph+ ALL after failing treatment with second-generation TKIs or if presence of T315I mutation is discovered. This review summarizes the ponatinib development, approved indications as well as ongoing clinical studies in CML and Ph+ ALL.

Next-generation sequencing-based analysis to assess the pattern of relapse in patients with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In this study, we performed serial monitoring using targeted DNA sequencing to identify genetic alterations in adults with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-ALL). Deep sequencing was performed by targeting the coding regions of 45 genes with recurrent driver mutations and 1129 single nucleotide polymorphism sites. Of the 43 patients that we examined, at least one case of genetic alterations was detected in 38 (88%) of the 43 patients at diagnosis (somatic mutations in 10 patients [23%] and copy number aberrations [CNA] in 36 patients [84%]). The most frequently detected CNA lesions were in IKZF1 (n = 25, 58%) and the most frequently mutated gene was SETD2 (n = 5). At least one genetic abnormality (loss, gain, or persistence) was observed in all the samples obtained at relapse that were available for analysis (n = 15), compared with the samples obtained at diagnosis (disappearance of any previously detected genetic alterations: 11 patients [73%]; new genetic abnormalities: nine patients [60%]; and persistent genetic abnormalities: eight patients [53%]]. The most frequently deleted lesions were in IKZF1 (n = 9, 60%), and the most frequently mutated gene was ABL1 (eight patients, 53%). Our data indicate that leukemic progression may be associated with complex genetic alterations in Ph-ALL during the course of treatment.

Outcome of Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With or Without Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Retrospective Study.

Philadelphia positive ALL (Ph + ALL) is an aggressive leukemia associated with lower remission rates and poor survival. Current treatment approach for Ph + ALL is chemotherapy along with TKI and CNS directed therapy followed by Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). To analyze outcome of Ph + ALL with or without Allo-SCT in the era of universal TKI uses. Retrospectively reviewed medical records of 267 patients who were diagnosed and treated for ALL during study period at our centre. Fifty-one Ph + ALL patients (males = 31, females = 20) out of a total of 267 ALL patients were eligible for the study. Post induction 48 patients achieved complete remission while 1 died during induction. Forty-six patients received further treatment with TKI + CNS directed therapy and thereafter the consolidation therapy with Allo-SCT (n = 16) or chemotherapy + TKI (n = 30).Overall mortality was 7/51 (13.9%) (6/16 transplant related mortalities due to GVHD and infections and 1 induction death). Fifteen out of 46 patients (32.6%) had relapse (1/10 relapse after Allo-SCT vs. 14/24 after chemotherapy) on or after consolidation therapy. At a median follow-up of 17.5 months (2-58 months) of cohort, the median EFS was 22 months (95% CI 10.4-33.5 months). The estimated 4 year EFS and PFS in Allo-SCT versus chemotherapy only group was 36.0 ± 17.9 versus 27.3 ± 9.1% (p = 0.21) and 75 ± 21.7 versus 34.1 ± 10.9% (p = 0.02) respectively. Allo-SCT groups has a better progression free survival than chemotherapy group only. Preventing treatment related mortality can further improve outcome after Allo-SCT Ph + ALL.

Characteristics of patients with development of large granular lymphocyte expansion among dasatinib-treated patients with relapsed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Widespread use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) has totally changed the existing treatment strategies for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+)ALL). However, the prognosis after relapse after allo-SCT is still dismal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical outcome of therapy using dasatinib, a second-generation TKI, in 9 patients with relapsed Ph(+)ALL after allo-SCT. Dasatinib was initiated at a median time of 168 days after allo-SCT at dosages ranging from 20 mg to 100 mg daily. RESULTS: Six of 9 patients manifested a marked increase in large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), but all 6 patients discontinued dasatinib because of adverse events (AEs) such as pleural effusion. Four of 6 patients resumed dasatinib, and 3 of them have been alive with molecular complete remission and a persistent increase of LGLs. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that dasatinib therapy can induce LGL expansion accompanied by AEs, but this phenomenon can be associated with long-term survival benefit in a proportion of relapsed Ph(+)ALL patients after allo-SCT.