Long-term results of the sequential combination of cladribine and rituximab in Hairy cell leukemia.

We report on the long-term efficacy and safety of a phase 2 trial of sequential cladribine and rituximab in hairy cell leukemia (HCL). One-hundred and thirty-nine patients were enrolled: 111 in the frontline setting, 18 in first relapse, and 10 with variant HCL (HCLv). A complete response (CR) was achieved in 133 of 137 evaluable participants (97%) with measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity in 102 (77%). MRD status was not associated with significant differences in event-free survival (EFS) or overall survival (OS). With a median follow-up of 7.8 years (range: 0.40-18.8), eight patients have experienced disease relapse (5.8%), 4/111 with newly diagnosed HCL (3·6%) and 4/10 with HCLv (40%) (p = 0.002). The 10-year EFS and OS rates were 86.7% and 91.1%, respectively. Grade 3 adverse events were observed in 28 participants (20·1%), mostly due to infections. Treatment of HCL with sequential cladribine followed by rituximab is associated with excellent efficacy and safety results both in the frontline and relapsed settings.

Predictors of clinical outcome in myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable: A Bone Marrow Pathology Group study.

OBJECTIVES: Myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MPN-U, revised to MPN, not otherwise specified in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization classification) is a heterogeneous category of primary marrow disorders with clinical, morphologic, and/or molecular features that preclude classification as a more specific MPN subtype due to stage at diagnosis, overlapping features between MPN subtypes, or the presence of coexisting disorders. Compared with other MPN subtypes, the contribution of the mutational landscape in MPN-U in conjunction with other clinical and morphologic biomarkers to prognosis has been less well investigated. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of MPN-U (94 cases) to better define the clinicopathologic features, genetic landscape, and clinical outcomes, including subgroups of early-stage, advanced-stage, and coexisting disorders. The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) plus scoring system was applied to assess its relevance to MPN-U prognosis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis demonstrated bone marrow blast count and DIPSS plus score as statistically significant in predicting overall survival. Univariate analysis identified additional potential poor prognostic markers, including abnormal karyotype and absence of JAK2 mutation. Secondary mutations were frequent in the subset analyzed by next-generation sequencing (26/37 cases, 70.3%) with a borderline association between high molecular risk mutations and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study, as one of the largest of MPN-U studies incorporating both clinicopathologic and molecular data, moves toward identification of biomarkers that better predict prognosis in this heterogeneous category.

Characteristics and outcomes of acute myeloid leukaemia patients with baseline CD7 expression.

Targeted therapy development for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) requires an understanding of specific expression profiles. We collected flow cytometry data on 901 AML patients and recorded aberrant CD7 expression on leukaemic blasts. 263 (29.2%) had blasts positive for CD7. CD7+ AML was more likely to be adverse risk (64.6% vs. 55.6%, p = 0.0074) and less likely to be favourable risk (15.2% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.0074) by European LeukemiaNet 2022 criteria. Overall survival was inferior (11.9 [95% CI, 9.7-15.9] vs. 19.0 months [95% CI, 16.1-23.0], p = 0.0174). At relapse, 30.4% lost and 19.0% gained CD7, suggesting moderate instability over time.

Diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry in detection of NPM1 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia with a patchy distribution.

Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations occur in approximately one-third cases of adult de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Identification of NPM1 mutations is important for classification, risk stratification, tailored therapy, and monitoring minimal residual disease. Mutational analysis is widely used for detecting NPM1 mutations. Immunochemistry assessing abnormal cytoplasmic localization of NPM1 protein has been used as a surrogate marker for NPM1 mutations. We present a case of AML with mutated NPM1 that was missed by sequencing analysis but detected by immunohistochemistry. This case highlights the value of immunohistochemistry in identifying NPM1 mutations in a subset of AML cases.

Acute myeloid leukemia with mast cell differentiation is characterized by interstitial mast cells, complex karyotype, TP53 alterations and poor prognosis.

Not available.

Multicolor flow cytometric immunophenotyping is highly sensitive and specific in identifying aberrant mast cells in the diagnostic workup of systemic mastocytosis.

OBJECTIVES: Flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) is a fast and sensitive method for characterizing hematolymphoid neoplasms. It is not widely used in the workup of systemic mastocytosis (SM), in part because of the technical challenges and in part because the utility of FCI in assessing mast cells is not well understood. The objectives of this study were to assess the diagnostic utility of FCI in establishing a diagnosis of SM and distinguishing SM from nonneoplastic mast cells and to examine the immunophenotypic findings among SM subtypes. METHODS: We performed FCI on bone marrow samples suspicious for SM using a panel consisting of CD2, CD25, CD30, CD45, CD117, and HLA-DR. RESULTS: The cohort included 88 SM cases: 67 without an associated hematologic neoplasm (AHN) (PureSM) and 21 with an AHN (SM-AHN). We also assessed 40 normal/reactive controls. Overall, FCI was adequate for interpretation in 87 of 88 (99%) cases and detected at least 1 immunophenotypic aberrancy in 100% of SM cases. CD2, CD25, and CD30 were positive in 78%, 98%, and 90% of SM cases vs 0%, 13%, and 13% of cases with normal/reactive mast cells (P < .0001 for all). Two or 3 abnormalities were observed in 92% of SM cases but not in normal/reactive mast cells. Among SM cases, SM-AHN showed statistically significant less CD2 (38% vs 91%, P < .0001) and less co-expression of all 3 aberrant markers (CD2, CD25, and CD30 positive in 38% vs 86% of cases; P < .0001) than PureSM. Immunohistochemical analysis showed consistently weaker or focal expression of CD2, CD25, and CD30 than FCI, with CD2 and CD30 being falsely negative in 40% and 50% cases, respectively. A KIT D816V mutation was detected in 67% of PureSM cases and 76% of SM-AHN cases. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is a quick, sensitive, high-yield tool for evaluating the immunophenotype of mast cells. An abnormal FCI finding should prompt careful histologic evaluation and sensitive KIT D816V mutation testing to address the possibility of SM. CD2, CD25, and CD30 are important markers for the detection of immunophenotypic aberrancy of mast cells, and their frequencies of aberrancy differ across SM subtypes.

Phase 2 study of inotuzumab ozogamicin for measurable residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission.

ABSTRACT: The detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) is the strongest predictor of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using inotuzumab ozogamicin in the setting of MRD may improve outcomes. Patients with ALL in first complete remission (CR1) or beyond (CR2+) with MRD ≥ 1 × 10-4 were enrolled in this phase 2 trial. Inotuzumab was administered at 0.6 mg/m2 on day 1 and 0.3 mg/m2 on day 8 of cycle 1, then at 0.3 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of cycles 2-6. Twenty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 46 years (range, 19-70 years) were treated. Nineteen (73%) were in CR1 and seven (27%) in CR2+; 16 (62%) had Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL. Fifteen (58%) had baseline MRD ≥ 1 × 10-3. A median of 3 cycles (range, 1-6) were administered. Eighteen (69%) patients responded and achieved MRD negativity. After a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 9-43), the 2-year relapse-free survival rate was 54% and the 2-year overall survival rate was 60% in the entire cohort. Most adverse events were low grade; sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was noted in 2 patients (8%). In summary, inotuzumab ozogamicin resulted in favorable survival, MRD negativity rates, and safety profiles for patients with ALL and MRD-positive status. This study was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03441061.

STAT5B mutations in myeloid neoplasms differ by disease subtypes but characterize a subset of chronic myeloid neoplasms with eosinophilia and/or basophilia.

STAT5B has been reported as a recurrent mutation in myeloid neoplasms (MNs) with eosinophilia, but the overall frequency and importance across a spectrum of MNs are largely unknown. We conducted a multicenter study on a series of 82 MNs with STAT5B mutations detected by next-generation sequencing. The estimated frequency of STAT5B mutation in MNs was low.

Validation of a 12-color flow cytometry assay for acute myeloid leukemia minimal/measurable residual disease detection.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) by multicolor flow cytometry is a complex laboratory developed test (LDT), challenging for implementation. We share our experience in the validation of a 12-color AML MRD flow cytometry assay to meet stringent regulatory requirements. METHODS: We worked under the guidelines of the CLSI HL62 publication, illustrated the details of the validation process that was tailored to uniqueness of AML MRD, and tested its clinical validity in 61 patients. The "trueness" was determined by correlating with concurrent molecular genetic testing and follow-up bone marrow examinations. RESULTS: Under assay specificity, we shared the details of panel design, analysis, and criteria for interpretation and reporting. The assay accuracy was assessed by testing known positive and negative samples and correlating with molecular genetic testing and follow-up bone marrow examination. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were validated to a level between 0.01% and 0.1%, varied from the leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIP) and the numbers of events obtained for analysis. Assay linearity, precision and carry over studies all met acceptable criteria. In the clinical validity test, the concordance was 93%, specificity 98% and sensitivity 83%. The most challenging aspects of the assay were the discrimination of pre-leukemic cells (persistent clonal hematopoiesis) or underlying myelodysplastic clones from AML MRD with immunophenotypic switch or subclone selection. CONCLUSION: The validation met all criteria and obtained FDA IDE (investigational device exemption) approval. This study provides ample technical and professional details in setting up the AML MRD flow cytometry assay and illustrates through the example of the "fit for purpose" validation process. We also highlight the need for further characterization of abnormal blasts bearing the potential for AML relapse.

Guide to the Diagnosis of Myeloid Neoplasms: A Bone Marrow Pathology Group Approach.

OBJECTIVES: The practicing pathologist is challenged by the ever-increasing diagnostic complexity of myeloid neoplasms. This guide is intended to provide a general roadmap from initial case detection, often triggered by complete blood count results with subsequent blood smear review, to final diagnosis. METHODS: The integration of hematologic, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features into routine practice is standard of care. The requirement for molecular genetic testing has increased along with the complexity of test types, the utility of different testing modalities in identifying key gene mutations, and the sensitivity and turnaround time for various assays. RESULTS: Classification systems for myeloid neoplasms have evolved to achieve the goal of providing a pathology diagnosis that enhances patient care, outcome prediction, and treatment options for individual patients and is formulated, endorsed, and adopted by hematologists/oncologists. CONCLUSIONS: This guide provides diagnostic strategies for all myeloid neoplasm subtypes. Special considerations are provided for each category of testing and neoplasm category, along with classification information, genetic testing requirements, interpretation information, and case reporting recommendations based on the experience of 11 Bone Marrow Pathology Group members.

The international consensus classification of eosinophilic disorders and systemic mastocytosis.

Based on new data and increased understanding of disease molecular genetics, the international consensus classification (ICC) has made several changes in the diagnosis and classification of eosinophilic disorders and systemic mastocytosis. Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia (M/LN-eo) and gene rearrangements have been renamed as M/LN-eo with tyrosine kinase gene fusions (M/LN-eo-TK). The category has been expanded to include ETV6::ABL1 and FLT3 fusions, and to accept PCM1::JAK2 and its genetic variants as formal members. The overlaps and differences between M/LN-eo-TK and BCR::ABL1-like B-lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/de novo T-ALL sharing the same genetic lesions are addressed. Besides genetics, ICC for the first time has introduced bone marrow morphologic criteria in distinguishing idiopathic hypereosinophilia/hypereosinophilic syndrome from chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise specified. The major diagnostic criteria for systemic mastocytosis (SM) in the ICC remain largely based on morphology, but several minor modifications/refinements have been made in criteria related to diagnosis, subclassification, and assessment of disease burden (B- and C-findings). This review is to focus on the ICC updates related to these disease entities, illustrated through changes related to morphology, molecular genetics, clinical features, prognosis, and treatment. Two practical algorithms are provided in navigating through the diagnosis and classification systems of hypereosinophilia and SM.

Mini-hyper-CVD plus inotuzumab ozogamicin, with or without blinatumomab, in the subgroup of older patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia: long-term results of an open-label phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of older patients with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia is inferior to that in younger patients due to the adverse disease biology and their inability to tolerate intensive therapy. We aimed to study the long-term outcomes of inotuzumab ozogamicin with or without blinatumomab in combination with low-intensity chemotherapy in these patients. METHODS: For this open-label phase 2 trial, patients aged 60 years or older with newly diagnosed, Philadelphia-chromosome negative, B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia, and an ECOG performance status of 3 or lower were eligible. This study was conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The induction chemotherapy consisted of mini-hyper-CVD and has been published before; inotuzumab ozogamicin was administered intravenously on day 3 of the first four cycles at a dose of 1·3-1·8 mg/m2 in cycle 1, followed by 1·0-1·3 mg/m2 in subsequent cycles (cycles 2-4). Maintenance therapy with dose-reduced POMP (6-mercaptopurine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone) was given for 3 years. From patient 50 onwards, the study protocol was amended to fractionate inotuzumab ozogamicin to a maximum cumulative dose of 2·7 mg/m2 (0·9 mg/m2 during cycle 1 fractionated into 0·6 mg/m2 on day 2 and 0·3 mg/m2 on day 8 of cycle 1, and 0·6 mg/m2 in cycles 2-4 fractionated into 0·3 mg/m2 on day 2 and 0·3 mg/m2 on day 8) followed by blinatumomab for four cycles (cycles 5-8). POMP maintenance was shortened to 12 cycles with one cycle of blinatumomab administered by continuous infusion after every three cycles of POMP. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival and was analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01371630) and the present data is from the newly diagnosed, older subgroup of patients treated on the phase 2 portion of this trial; the trial is still enrolling patients. RESULTS: Between Nov 11, 2011, and March 31, 2022, 80 patients were enrolled and treated (32 female and 48 male patients; median age 68 years [IQR 63-72]), 31 of whom were treated after the protocol amendment. With a median follow-up of 92·8 months (IQR 8·8-67·4), the 2-year progression-free survival was 58·2% (95% CI 46·7-68·2) and 5-year progression-free survival was 44·0% (31·2-54·3). At a median follow-up of 104·4 months (IQR 6·6-89·2) for the patients treated before the protocol amendment and 29·7 months (8·8-41·0) for those treated after the protocol amendment, median progression-free survival did not differ significantly between the two groups (34·7 months [95% CI 15·0-68·3] vs 56·4 months [11·3-69·7]; p=0·77). The most common grade 3-4 events were thrombocytopenia in 62 (78%) patients and febrile neutropenia in 26 (32%) patients. Six (8%) patients developed hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. There were eight (10%) deaths due to infectious complications, nine (11%) from complications related to secondary myeloid malignancy, and four (5%) from sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. INTERPRETATION: Inotuzumab ozogamicin with or without blinatumomab added to low-intensity chemotherapy showed promising activity in terms of progression-free survival in older patients with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Further attenuation of the chemotherapy regimen might improve tolerability while maintaining efficacy in older patients. FUNDING: Pfizer and Amgen.