The cure of leukemia through the optimist's prism.

Progress is occurring at a dizzying rate across all leukemias. Since the authors' review of the topic in Cancer in 2018, numerous discoveries have been made that have improved the therapy and outcomes of several leukemia subsets. Hairy cell leukemia is potentially curable with a single course of cladribine followed by rituximab (10-year survival, ≥90%). Acute promyelocytic leukemia is curable at a rate of 80% to 90% with a nonchemotherapy regimen of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide. The cure rate for core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is ≥75% with fludarabine, high-dose cytarabine, and gemtuzumab ozogamicin. Survival for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia is close to that for an age-matched normal population with BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a previously incurable disease, may now be potentially curable with a finite duration of therapy with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors and venetoclax. The estimated 5-year survival rate for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) exceeds 70% with intensive chemotherapy and ponatinib, a third-generation BCR-ABL1 TKI, and more recent nonchemotherapy regimens using dasatinib or ponatinib with blinatumomab are producing outstanding results. Survival in both younger and older patients with ALL has improved with the addition of antibodies targeting CD20, CD19 (blinatumomab), and CD22 (inotuzumab) to chemotherapy. Several recent drug discoveries (venetoclax, FLT3 and IDH inhibitors, and oral hypomethylating agents) are also improving outcomes for younger and older patients with AML and for those with higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

Acute myeloid leukemia: Treatment and research outlook for 2021 and the MD Anderson approach.

The unraveling of the pathophysiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has resulted in rapid translation of the information into clinical practice. After more than 40 years of slow progress in AML research, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved nine agents for different AML treatment indications since 2017. In this review, we detail the progress that has been made in the research and treatment of AML, citing key publications related to AML research and therapy in the English literature since 2000. The notable subsets of AML include acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), core-binding factor AML (CBF-AML), AML in younger patients fit for intensive chemotherapy, and AML in older/unfit patients (usually at the age cutoff of 60-70 years). We also consider within each subset whether the AML is primary or secondary (therapy-related, evolving from untreated or treated myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasm). In APL, therapy with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide results in estimated 10-year survival rates of ≥80%. Treatment of CBF-AML with fludarabine, high-dose cytarabine, and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) results in estimated 10-year survival rates of ≥75%. In younger/fit patients, the "3+7" regimen (3 days of daunorubicin + 7 days of cytarabine) produces less favorable results (estimated 5-year survival rates of 35%; worse in real-world experience); regimens that incorporate high-dose cytarabine, adenosine nucleoside analogs, and GO are producing better results. Adding venetoclax, FLT3, and IDH inhibitors into these regimens has resulted in encouraging preliminary data. In older/unfit patients, low-intensity therapy with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) and venetoclax is now the new standard of care. Better low-intensity regimens incorporating cladribine, low-dose cytarabine, and other targeted therapies (FLT3 and IDH inhibitors) are emerging. Maintenance therapy now has a definite role in the treatment of AML, and oral HMAs with potential treatment benefits are also available. In conclusion, AML therapy is evolving rapidly and treatment results are improving in all AML subsets as novel agents and strategies are incorporated into traditional AML chemotherapy. LAY SUMMARY: Ongoing research in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is progressing rapidly. Since 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 10 drugs for different AML indications. This review updates the research and treatment pathways for AML.

Treating Leukemia in the Time of COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses several challenges to the management of patients with leukemia. The biology of each leukemia and its corresponding treatment with conventional intensive chemotherapy, with or without targeted therapies (venetoclax, FLT3 inhibitors, IDH1/2 inhibitors, Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors), introduce additional layers of complexity during COVID-19 high-risk periods. The knowledge about COVID-19 is accumulating rapidly. An important distinction is the prevalence of "exposure" versus "clinical infectivity," which determine the risk versus benefit of modifying potentially highly curative therapies in leukemia. At present, the rate of clinical infection is <1-2% worldwide. With a mortality rate of 1-5% in CO-VID-19 patients in the general population and potentially of >30% in patients with cancer, careful consideration should be given to the risk of COVID-19 in leukemia. Instead of reducing patient access to specialized cancer centers and modifying therapies to ones with unproven curative benefit, there is more rationale for less intensive, yet effective therapies that may require fewer clinic visits or hospitalizations. Here, we offer recommendations on the optimization of leukemia management during high-risk COVID-19 periods.

SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Next Questions: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The integration of immune and targeted therapies into the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has significantly improved outcomes, reduced the intensity and duration of chemotherapy, and the reliance on allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). In younger patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative ALL, treatment with Hyper-CVAD and blinatumomab +/- inotuzumab has improved the 3-year overall survival (OS) to above 85%. In older patients, using less intensive chemotherapy (mini-Hyper-CVD) in combination with inotuzumab and blinatumomab has improved the 5-year OS rate to 50%. In Ph+ ALL, the chemotherapy-free combinations of blinatumomab and ponatinib (or dasatinib) have become a new standard of care resulting in 3-year OS of 85% to 90%. Because the methotrexate-cytarabine courses were omitted in the nonchemotherapy regimens, central nervous system (CNS) relapses were noted, particularly in patients with a WBC count > 70 × 109/L, requiring to consider increasing the number of prophylactic intrathecals (from 12 to 15) and perhaps developing a CNS risk-directed high-dose systemic chemotherapy. In relapsed/refractory ALL, a dose-dense regimen integrating blinatumomab and inotuzumab with low-intensity chemotherapy followed by consolidation with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is being investigated. The detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) following ALL therapy is predictive of disease relapse. Using next-generation sequencing allows the detection of MRD at 1 × 10-6 which was shown to be superior to multiparameter flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction in predicting relapse, and could be used to decide on the duration of therapy or need to change therapy. Herein, we review the recent updates and areas of unmet need in ALL.

Revisiting six established practices in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

After two decades of use in chronic myeloid leukaemia, the risks and benefits of established treatment practices for BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase of the disease should be analysed. In this Viewpoint, we suggest that the use of lower than approved TKI doses in both front-line and later-line therapies would result in similar treatment efficacy, less toxicity, better treatment compliance, and reduced cost of care. The absence of an early molecular response might not warrant a change of a TKI, particularly for second-generation TKIs. Among patients in whom reaching a treatment-free remission is not a therapeutic goal or treatment-free remission is unlikely, changing TKIs to improve the depth of molecular response might result in more harm than good. Reducing the TKI dose in response to mild to moderate, or even serious, reversible side-effects might be better than changing the TKI. The availability of generic imatinib, generic dasatinib, and possibly later other generic second-generation TKIs would offer 90% of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia an effective, safe, and affordable therapy that normalises life expectancy, and results in treatment-free remission status in 30-50% of patients over the long term. Finally, based on treatment value, any TKI that costs more than US$30 000-40 000 per year should be critically evaluated in relation to alternative modalities, such allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Early Mortality as a Quality Indicator in Frontline and Salvage Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Early mortality is a historical measure of the quality of care incorporated into many quality measure algorithms that mostly account for patient comorbidities but do not incorporate disease characteristics and treatment status which independently increase early mortality. This is particularly significant in leukemia, especially in the refractory and salvage settings. STUDY AIM: To define the independent adverse effect of leukemia salvage vs. frontline therapy on early mortality in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after accounting for the pretreatment independent adverse effects associated with early mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 4151 patients with AML were analyzed, 2893 newly diagnosed and 1258 in salvage. Univariate and multivariate analyses (MVA) were conducted to determine the independent adverse effects associated with 8-week mortality. RESULTS: The 8-week mortality was 13% in frontline therapy and 18% in salvage therapy. By MVA, older age; therapy-related AML; prior history of myelodysplastic syndrome; poorer performance status; high white blood cell count; lower platelet count; higher percent of peripheral blasts; lower albumin levels; higher bilirubin, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase levels; and adverse cytogenetic risk groups were independently associated with a higher 8-week mortality rate. Adding treatment status after accounting for the independent adverse variables still selected salvage status as significantly adverse for 8-week mortality (hazard ratio 1.954; P-value < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Quality measure algorithms should incorporate a risk mortality index related to leukemia vs. other tumors and benign conditions and a risk mortality index related to the treatment status of leukemia (salvage vs. frontline therapy).

The evolution of acute lymphoblastic leukemia research and therapy at MD Anderson over four decades.

Progress in the research and therapy of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is accelerating. This analysis summarizes the data derived from the clinical trials conducted at MD Anderson between 1985 and 2022 across ALL subtypes. In Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL, the addition of BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to intensive chemotherapy since 2000, improved outcomes. More recently, a chemotherapy-free regimen with blinatumomab and ponatinib resulted in a complete molecular remission rate of 85% and an estimated 3-year survival rate of 90%, potentially reducing the role of, and need for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in remission. In younger patients with pre-B Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL, the integration of blinatumomab and inotuzumab into the frontline therapy has improved the estimated 3-year survival rate to 85% across all risk categories. Our future strategy is to evaluate the early integration of both immunotherapy agents, inotuzumab and blinatumomab, with low-dose chemotherapy (dose-dense mini-Hyper-CVD-inotuzumab-blinatumomab) into the frontline setting followed by CAR T cells consolidation in high-risk patients, without any further maintenance therapy. In older patients, using less intensive chemotherapy (mini-Hyper-CVD) in combination with inotuzumab and blinatumomab has improved the 5-year survival rate to 50%. Among patients ≥ 65-70 years, the mortality in complete remission (CR) is still high and is multifactorial (old age, death in CR with infections, development of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia). A chemotherapy-free regimen with inotuzumab and blinatumomab is being investigated. The assessment of measurable residual disease (MRD) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) is superior to conventional assays, with early MRD negativity by NGS being associated with the best survival. We anticipate that the future therapy in B-ALL will involve less intensive and shorter chemotherapy regimens in combination with agents targeting CD19 (blinatumomab), CD20, and CD22 (inotuzumab). The optimal timing and use of CAR T cells therapy may be in the setting of minimal disease, and future trials will assess the role of CAR T cells as a consolidation among high-risk patients to replace allogeneic SCT. In summary, the management of ALL has witnessed significant progress during the past four decades. Novel combination regimens including newer-generation BCR::ABL1 TKIs and novel antibodies are questioning the need and duration of intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic SCT.

Managing side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy to optimize adherence in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: the role of the midlevel practitioner.

In the last decade, the development of imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has brought about unprecedented change in the way newly diagnosed, chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients are treated. Two next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, nilotinib and dasatinib, were initially indicated for imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia patients and recently received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of newly diagnosed, chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients. In comparison with the previous standards of care, benefits with these three tyrosine kinase inhibitors have included more rapid response rates, increased survival, and fewer side effects. The improved long-term outcomes have altered the approach to management of chronic myeloid leukemia from a progressive fatal disease with a poor prognosis to a chronic condition similar to diabetes or hypertension. Prolonged survival increases the need for patient education, support, monitoring, and assistance with adverse event management. Even low-grade side effects can adversely affect patients' quality of life and, therefore, require prompt attention to prevent long-term complications or suboptimal outcomes. New evidence has indicated that patient adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is essential to successful treatment. Midlevel practitioners can help to optimize outcomes by educating patients regarding the importance of adherence, performing regular monitoring, helping patients to understand their test results, and aggressively managing treatment-related side effects.

SOHO State of the Art Update and Next Questions: Advances in the Treatment of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has largely followed the successful pediatric model that uses multi-agent chemotherapy regimens. Although cytotoxic chemotherapy can induce complete remissions, elderly patients are frequently unable to tolerate its intensity owing to toxicities and comorbidities. Elderly patients particularly often relapse, leading to a 5-year overall survival (OS) of only 20%. In an effort to improve outcomes while minimizing toxicities, novel targeted therapies have been developed: monoclonal antibodies against CD19, CD20, and CD22; tyrosine kinase inhibitors; chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies; and BH3 mimetics. Here, we discuss advancements in the treatment of ALL and their places in the armamentarium for adult patients.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with multiagent cytotoxic chemotherapy has not been as successful as that for pediatric patients. The advent of targeted monoclonal antibodies against common cell surface antigens (i.e. CD19, CD20, and CD22) has resulted in improved outcomes without additional toxicities. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is an anti-CD22 antibody-drug conjugate approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL. It improved outcomes compared with standard salvage chemotherapy. Its combination with low-intensity chemotherapy in the relapse setting and in frontline elderly patients is promising.

Interleukin 11 May improve thrombocytopenia associated with imatinib mesylate therapy in chronic Myelogenous leukemia.

During therapy with imatinib (Gleevec), 20-30% of patients with CML in chronic phase develop grade > or =3 thrombocytopenia. This leads to treatment interruptions and dose reductions that result in a decreased probability of achieving a cytogenetic response. Interleukin-11 (oprelvekin) is a megakaryopoietic cytokine that reduces the incidence and severity of thrombocytopenia associated with chemotherapy. We report on the use of interleukin-11 in three CML patients with grade > or =3, imatinib-induced thrombocytopenia. In all three patients, interleukin-11 led to improved platelets, uninterrupted administration of imatinib and improved cytogenetic response. This observation suggests that interleukin-11 may be beneficial for patients with imatinib-induced thrombocytoepnia.

Anagrelide and imatinib mesylate combination therapy in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders.

PURPOSE: The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate inhibits the function of the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein associated with Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Anagrelide suppresses megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility and safety of imatinib mesylate and anagrelide combination therapy in patients with Ph-positive CML or chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) with persistent thrombocythemia. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of all available records of patients with chronic MPD presenting to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between October 1998 and May 2002, treated with imatinib mesylate combined with anagrelide. RESULTS: Of 22 patients identified, 18 had Ph-positive CML (chronic phase, 16 patients; accelerated phase, 2 patients), 1 had agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM), 2 had essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 1 had MPD transformed into refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB). The median age was 57 years (range 26-82 years). The median dose of imatinib mesylate administered was 400 mg (range 300-800 mg) and the median dose of anagrelide was 1.5 mg (range 0.5-4.0 mg). Imatinib mesylate and anagrelide combination therapy was feasible and tolerable. Of the 18 patients with Ph-positive CML, 15 in chronic phase and 1 in accelerated phase achieved a complete hematologic response (CHR), and 9 of the 18 achieved cytogenetic response (complete in 8 patients). No responses were noted in patients with AMM, ET or MPD transformed into RAEB. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of imatinib mesylate and anagrelide was safe and was associated with an 89% CHR rate in patients with CML in chronic phase and persistent thrombocythemia.

Retrospective analysis of prognostic factors associated with response and overall survival by baseline marrow blast percentage in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with decitabine.

BACKGROUND: After the World Health Organization (WHO) changed the definition of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to ≥ 20% blasts, the International Working Group (IWG) response criteria for myelodysplasia were updated. This retrospective analysis evaluated response to decitabine using updated IWG criteria in patients pooled from 2 decitabine trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Outcomes for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with baseline marrow blasts ≥ 20% and < 30% (RAEB-t group) and < 20% (MDS group) were compared. RESULTS: Patients with RAEB-t (n = 26) had a significantly shorter time from diagnosis to study treatment (7.3 vs. 18.3 months), a higher International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk (77% vs. 16% high-risk patients), and lower median baseline platelet count (62.3 vs. 112.7 × 10(3)/µL) vs. patients with MDS (n = 157), yet no significant difference in overall response rate (ORR) (15.4% vs. 28.0%). Patients with MDS had better duration of response (9.9 vs. 5 months; P = .024) and overall survival (OS) (16.6 vs. 9.0 months; P = .021) compared with patients with RAEB-t. CONCLUSION: Decitabine is active in and may benefit patients with > 20% blasts (RAEB-t).

Dasatinib combined with interferon-alfa induces a complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia harboring the T315I BCR-ABL1 mutation.

Mutations of BCR-ABL1 are observed in 50% of patients with imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The T315I mutation is resistant to imatinib and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We report the case of a 57-year-old man diagnosed with CML in 2003 in whom imatinib therapy failed after which he acquired the T315I mutation. He was treated sequentially with an anti-T315I-specific agent, KW-2449, that led to eradication of the mutation without any further improvement. Subsequent introduction of combination therapy that included dasatinib and pegylated interferon led to the achievement of a sustained complete cytogenetic and major molecular response (MMR). This case illustrates the benefit of combination therapy that includes a TKI and a second agent with a different mechanism of action, either sequentially (TKI followed by KW-2449) or concomitantly (TKI + interferon), in eradicating resistant disease with the T315I clone.

Skin infiltration with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is consistent with a good prognosis.

Skin infiltration with B-lymphocyte chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is rare. In contrast to Richters transformation of CLL or myeloid leukemias, skin involvement in CLL may be consistent with prolonged survival, as illustrated by the currently reported two cases. As in these patients, local therapy for skin disease may delay or obviate the need for systemic therapy in B-CLL.