Real-life analysis on safety and efficacy of asciminib for ponatinib pretreated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Failure of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2GTKI) is a challenging situation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Asciminib, recently approved by the US Federal Drug Administration, has demonstrated in clinical trials a good efficacy and safety profile after failure of 2GTKI. However, no study has specifically addressed response rates to asciminib in ponatinib pretreated patients (PPT). Here, we present data on responses to asciminib from 52 patients in clinical practice, 20 of them (38%) with prior ponatinib exposure. We analyzed retrospectively responses and toxicities under asciminib and compared results between PPT and non-PPT patients.After a median follow-up of 30 months, 34 patients (65%) switched to asciminib due to intolerance and 18 (35%) due to resistance to prior TKIs. Forty-six patients (88%) had received at least 3 prior TKIs. Regarding responses, complete cytogenetic response was achieved or maintained in 74% and 53% for non-PPT and PPT patients, respectively. Deeper responses such as major molecular response and molecular response 4.5 were achieved in 65% and 19% in non-PPT versus 32% and 11% in PPT, respectively. Two patients (4%) harbored the T315I mutation, both PPT.In terms of toxicities, non-PPT displayed 22% grade 3-4 TEAE versus 20% in PPT. Four patients (20% of PPT) suffered from cross-intolerance with asciminib as they did under ponatinib.Our data supports asciminib as a promising alternative in resistant and intolerant non-PPT patients, as well as in intolerant PPT patients; the resistant PPT subset remains as a challenging group in need of further therapeutic options.

European LeukemiaNet 2020 recommendations for treating chronic myeloid leukemia.

The therapeutic landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has profoundly changed over the past 7 years. Most patients with chronic phase (CP) now have a normal life expectancy. Another goal is achieving a stable deep molecular response (DMR) and discontinuing medication for treatment-free remission (TFR). The European LeukemiaNet convened an expert panel to critically evaluate and update the evidence to achieve these goals since its previous recommendations. First-line treatment is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; imatinib brand or generic, dasatinib, nilotinib, and bosutinib are available first-line). Generic imatinib is the cost-effective initial treatment in CP. Various contraindications and side-effects of all TKIs should be considered. Patient risk status at diagnosis should be assessed with the new EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS)-score. Monitoring of response should be done by quantitative polymerase chain reaction whenever possible. A change of treatment is recommended when intolerance cannot be ameliorated or when molecular milestones are not reached. Greater than 10% BCR-ABL1 at 3 months indicates treatment failure when confirmed. Allogeneic transplantation continues to be a therapeutic option particularly for advanced phase CML. TKI treatment should be withheld during pregnancy. Treatment discontinuation may be considered in patients with durable DMR with the goal of achieving TFR.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia in Spain: Its presentation characteristics have changed. Spanish section of the EUTOS population-based registry. / Leucemia mieloide crónica en España: sus características de presentación han cambiado. Sección española del registro poblacional EUTOS.

OBJECTIVES: To provide more reliable data on the epidemiology of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in Spain than are currently available. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The EUTOS population-based project of European LeukemiaNet is a population registry of new CML cases in patients 18 years of age or older from 22 European areas. The Spanish section included the autonomous communities of Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha and Aragon, from 1-2-2010 to 31-12-2012. RESULTS: A total of 250 cases were recorded in 35 months. The overall incidence was 1.08 cases/10(5) inhabitants-year, with a predominance of men (58%) and clear differences among the communities. The incidence standardised by age was similar (overall, 1.04; men, 1.31; women, 0.81). The median age was 54 years. The incidence increased with age, reaching a peak at>65 years, although 31.7% of cases appeared between the ages of 20 and 44 years. Four percent of cases were diagnosed in advanced stages (2.4% in accelerated phase, 1.6% in blast crisis), 56% were asymptomatic, 38% had splenomegaly, and the Sokal score was high in 11% (lower than what was previously reflected in the literature). CONCLUSIONS: The current incidence of CML in Spain is higher than previously reported and similar to that of the European studies. Unlike the classical descriptions, CML presented mostly in asymptomatic form, with no splenomegaly, less leucocytosis and in stages with better prognosis.

European LeukemiaNet recommendations for the management and avoidance of adverse events of treatment in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Most reports on chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) focus on efficacy, particularly on molecular response and outcome. In contrast, adverse events (AEs) are often reported as infrequent, minor, tolerable and manageable, but they are increasingly important as therapy is potentially lifelong and multiple TKIs are available. For this reason, the European LeukemiaNet panel for CML management recommendations presents an exhaustive and critical summary of AEs emerging during CML treatment, to assist their understanding, management and prevention. There are five major conclusions. First, the main purpose of CML treatment is the antileukemic effect. Suboptimal management of AEs must not compromise this first objective. Second, most patients will have AEs, usually early, mostly mild to moderate, and which will resolve spontaneously or are easily controlled by simple means. Third, reduction or interruption of treatment must only be done if optimal management of the AE cannot be accomplished in other ways, and frequent monitoring is needed to detect resolution of the AE as early as possible. Fourth, attention must be given to comorbidities and drug interactions, and to new events unrelated to TKIs that are inevitable during such a prolonged treatment. Fifth, some TKI-related AEs have emerged which were not predicted or detected in earlier studies, maybe because of suboptimal attention to or absence from the preclinical data. Overall, imatinib has demonstrated a good long-term safety profile, though recent findings suggest underestimation of symptom severity by physicians. Second and third generation TKIs have shown higher response rates, but have been associated with unexpected problems, some of which could be irreversible. We hope these recommendations will help to minimise adverse events, and we believe that an optimal management of them will be rewarded by better TKI compliance and thus better CML outcomes, together with better quality of life.

Frontline nilotinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: results from the European ENEST1st study.

The Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials as First-Line Treatment (ENEST1st) study included 1089 patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. The rate of deep molecular response (MR(4) (BCR-ABL1⩽0.01% on the International Scale or undetectable BCR-ABL1 with ⩾10,000 ABL1 transcripts)) at 18 months was evaluated as the primary end point, with molecular responses monitored by the European Treatment and Outcome Study network of standardized laboratories. This analysis was conducted after all patients had completed 24 months of study treatment (80.9% of patients) or discontinued early. In patients with typical BCR-ABL1 transcripts and ⩽3 months of prior imatinib therapy, 38.4% (404/1052) achieved MR(4) at 18 months. Six patients (0.6%) developed accelerated or blastic phase, and 13 (1.2%) died. The safety profile of nilotinib was consistent with that of previous studies, although the frequencies of some nilotinib-associated adverse events were lower (for example, rash, 21.4%). Ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in 6.0% of patients. Routine monitoring of lipid and glucose levels was not mandated in the protocol. These results support the use of frontline nilotinib, particularly when achievement of a deep molecular response (a prerequisite for attempting treatment-free remission in clinical trials) is a treatment goal.

The EUTOS population-based registry: incidence and clinical characteristics of 2904 CML patients in 20 European Countries.

This population-based registry was designed to provide robust and updated information on the characteristics and the epidemiology of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). All cases of newly diagnosed Philadelphia positive, BCR-ABL1+ CML that occurred in a sample of 92.5 million adults living in 20 European countries, were registered over a median period of 39 months. 94.3% of the 2904 CML patients were diagnosed in chronic phase (CP). Median age was 56 years. 55.5% of patients had comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular (41.9%). High-risk patients were 24.7% by Sokal, 10.8% by EURO, and 11.8% by EUTOS risk scores. The raw incidence increased with age from 0.39/100,000/year in people 20-29 years old to 1.52 in those >70 years old, and showed a maximum of 1.39 in Italy and a minimum of 0.69 in Poland (all countries together: 0.99). The proportion of Sokal and Euro score high-risk patients seen in many countries indicates that trial patients were not a positive selection. Thus from a clinical point of view the results of most trials can be generalized to most countries. The incidences observed among European countries did not differ substantially. The estimated number of new CML cases per year in Europe is about 6370.

The EUTOS prognostic score: review and validation in 1288 patients with CML treated frontline with imatinib.

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has revolutionized the outcome, but the prognosis of the disease is still based on prognostic systems that were developed in the era of conventional chemotherapy and interferon (IFN)-alfa. A new prognostic score including only two variables, spleen size and basophils, was developed for the prediction of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and progression-free survival (PFS). The score was based on a large series of patients who were enrolled in prospective multicenter studies of first-line imatinib treatment. The prognostic value of the EUTOS (European Treatment and Outcome Study for CML) score has now been tested in an independent, multicenter, multinational series of 1288 patients who were treated first-line with imatinib outside prospective studies. It was found that also in these patients, the EUTOS prognostic score was predictive for CCyR, PFS and overall survival (OS). In addition, the prognostic value of the score was reported to be significant in seven of the eight other independent studies of almost 2000 patients that were performed in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The EUTOS risk score is a valid tool for the prediction of the therapeutic effects of TKI, particularly imatinib.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in patients with non-myeloid cancer undergoing systemic therapy: a Spanish survey

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to provide updated data on anaemia prevalence and management in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in Spain. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study performed in 2008. Eligible patients were ≥18 years, with non-myeloid malignancies treated with systemic therapy [chemotherapy (CT), hormonal therapy or immunotherapy]. Anaemia was defined according to WHO as haemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL. RESULTS: The study included 214 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 20-91), 58 % women, 73 % with solid tumours, and 79 % with advanced disease. CT was used in 91 % of patients (26 % with platinum compounds), hormonal therapy in 8.5 %, and immunotherapy in 8.5 %. In our study, 48.1 % of patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 45.2-58.6] showed anaemia (31 % symptomatic): 42.0 % mild (10 ≤ Hb ≤ 11.9 g/dL), 5.6 % moderate (8 ≤ Hb ≤ 9.9 g/dL), and 0.5 % severe (Hb < 8 g/dL). A higher prevalence was observed in patients treated with CT (51 vs. 20 %, p = 0.01), platinum-based CT (70 vs. 47 %, p = 0.01) or palliative CT (61 vs. 39 %, p = 0.003). Anaemia was also more frequent in patients with more than three lines of CT (83 %) and in the fourth or subsequent CT cycle (58 %). Management in the previous 4 weeks in patients with anaemia was: 62 % did not receive treatment (92 % mild), 24 % received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), 14 % received iron and 8.7 % received transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In Spanish hospitals, about half of patients with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing systemic therapy fulfilled anaemia criteria (87 % mild). Approximately two-third of patients with anaemia do not receive specific treatment and ESA use is below current guidelines (AU)

Prevalence and management of anaemia in patients with non-myeloid cancer undergoing systemic therapy: a Spanish survey.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to provide updated data on anaemia prevalence and management in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in Spain. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study performed in 2008. Eligible patients were ≥18 years, with non-myeloid malignancies treated with systemic therapy [chemotherapy (CT), hormonal therapy or immunotherapy]. Anaemia was defined according to WHO as haemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL. RESULTS: The study included 214 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 20-91), 58 % women, 73 % with solid tumours, and 79 % with advanced disease. CT was used in 91 % of patients (26 % with platinum compounds), hormonal therapy in 8.5 %, and immunotherapy in 8.5 %. In our study, 48.1 % of patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 45.2-58.6] showed anaemia (31 % symptomatic): 42.0 % mild (10 ≤ Hb ≤ 11.9 g/dL), 5.6 % moderate (8 ≤ Hb ≤ 9.9 g/dL), and 0.5 % severe (Hb < 8 g/dL). A higher prevalence was observed in patients treated with CT (51 vs. 20 %, p = 0.01), platinum-based CT (70 vs. 47 %, p = 0.01) or palliative CT (61 vs. 39 %, p = 0.003). Anaemia was also more frequent in patients with more than three lines of CT (83 %) and in the fourth or subsequent CT cycle (58 %). Management in the previous 4 weeks in patients with anaemia was: 62 % did not receive treatment (92 % mild), 24 % received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), 14 % received iron and 8.7 % received transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In Spanish hospitals, about half of patients with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing systemic therapy fulfilled anaemia criteria (87 % mild). Approximately two-third of patients with anaemia do not receive specific treatment and ESA use is below current guidelines.

Clonal expansion of T/NK-cells during tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib therapy.

Dasatinib, a broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), predominantly targets BCR-ABL and SRC oncoproteins and also inhibits off-target kinases, which may result in unexpected drug responses. We identified 22 patients with marked lymphoproliferation in blood while on dasatinib therapy. Clonality and immunophenotype were analyzed and related clinical information was collected. An abrupt lymphocytosis (peak count range 4-20 x 10(9)/l) with large granular lymphocyte (LGL) morphology was observed after a median of 3 months from the start of therapy and it persisted throughout the therapy. Fifteen patients had a cytotoxic T-cell and seven patients had an NK-cell phenotype. All T-cell expansions were clonal. Adverse effects, such as colitis and pleuritis, were common (18 of 22 patients) and were preceded by LGL lymphocytosis. Accumulation of identical cytotoxic T cells was also detected in pleural effusion and colon biopsy samples. Responses to dasatinib were good and included complete, unexpectedly long-lasting remissions in patients with advanced leukemia. In a phase II clinical study on 46 Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, patients with lymphocytosis had superior survival compared with patients without lymphocytosis. By inhibiting immunoregulatory kinases, dasatinib may induce a reversible state of aberrant immune reactivity associated with good clinical responses and a distinct adverse effect profile.

Intracerebral Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is rarely reported. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies suggest an incidence of 0.2-0.5%, mostly in relapsed disease. In spite of a 3 to 18-fold increased risk of HL in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), only two cases have been reported so far. In this paper, we now report a third case of HIV patient with HL who progressed with isolated CNS infiltration after a standard chemotherapy induced clinical remission. In 1991, when the first case of intracerebral involvement in HIV+ HL was reported an increase of this type of cases would have been expected, but only one more case has been reported since then.

Imatinib mesylate induces hypophosphatemia in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in late chronic phase, and this effect is associated with response.

Imatinib is the drug of first choice for most patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although it is generally well tolerated, a number of hematological and nonhematological side-effects have been described. We report here that imatinib induces hypophosphatemia in a high proportion of our series of CML patients previously treated with interferon alpha, and that this previously unreported side effect is associated with response.

Identification of genes involved in imatinib resistance in CML: a gene-expression profiling approach.

The use of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, which blocks the enzymatic action of the BCR-ABL fusion protein, has represented a critical advance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. However, a subset of patients initially fails to respond to this treatment. Use of complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray expression profiling allows the identification of genes whose expression is associated with imatinib resistance. Thirty-two CML bone marrow samples, collected before imatinib treatment, were hybridized to a cDNA microarray containing 6500 cancer genes, and analyzed using bootstrap statistics. Patients refractory to interferon-alpha treatment were evaluated for cytogenetic and molecular responses for a minimum of 12 months. A set of 46 genes was differentially expressed in imatinib responders and non-responders. This set includes genes involved in cell adhesion (TNC and SCAM-1), drug metabolism (cyclooxygenase 1), protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases (BTK and PTPN22). A six-gene prediction model was constructed, which was capable of distinguishing cytogenetic response with an accuracy of 80%. This study identifies a set of genes that may be involved in primary resistance to imatinib, suggesting BCR-ABL-independent mechanisms.

A randomized study of intermediate as compared with high doses of interferon-alpha for chronic myeloid leukemia: no differences in cytogenetic responses.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is a therapy of unquestionable efficacy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. The best dose of IFN-alpha in the treatment of CML still remains controversial. Our primary objective was to compare cytogenetic responses in patients treated with intermediate versus high doses of IFN-alpha. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 109 patients with untreated CML in chronic phase from 26 Spanish hospitals. Patients were assigned to receive either an intermediate (2.5 MU/m(2) per day) or high (5 MU/m(2) per day) target dose of IFN-alpha. Hydroxyurea was allowed in both groups. In total, 108 patients were analyzed, 53 in the intermediate- and 55 in the high-dose group. Median follow-up was 47.5 months. The dose of IFN-alpha actually given was lower in the intermediate-dose group (3.83 MU/day) than in the high-dose group (6.6 MU/day) ( p<0.001). The rate of complete cytogenetic response was 24.5% in the intermediate- and 12.7% in the high-dose group (NS). A partial cytogenetic response was obtained in 7.5% and 10.9%, respectively. Cox analysis did not reveal any influence of the randomization arm on cytogenetic response rate. Ten patients in each group discontinued IFN-alpha because of toxicity. Albeit not our primary objective, no differences were found in terms of survival or transformation rate between both groups. Median survival was 73 months; 64% of patients remained free of transformation at 5 years. In terms of cytogenetic response, intermediate doses of IFN-alpha are as effective as high doses in the treatment of CML.

Prognosis and prognostic factors for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: nontransplant therapy.

Reliable knowledge about an individual's prognosis is needed to select the appropriate treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The New CML score using age, spleen size, blast cell count, eosinophil count, basophil count, and platelet count shows good discrimination for survival (96, 65, or 42 months, P

High incidence of autoimmune alterations in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with interferon-alpha.

Interferon-alpha is the frontline therapy of the majority of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who are not eligible for bone marrow transplantation. Many patients are treated for long periods, and there is concern about the long-term immune effects of its use. Autoimmune disorders in patients treated with IFN-alpha may be related to the direct immunomodulating properties of IFN or may be linked to a possible toxic effect in target organs, triggering autoimmunity. On the other hand, the immune effects of IFN may play a role in its therapeutic actions. The aims of our study were to assess the incidence of autoimmune phenomena in these patients, and to measure the possible association between the generation of autoimmune phenomena and the antileukemic effect of IFN alpha. Therefore, 46 patients with Ph1(+) CML in the first chronic phase were studied for the appearance of immune complications, their connection to IFN dose, time of appearance, and the possible association with the response to treatment. Autoimmune abnormalities have been found in 28% of our patients. Moreover, a significant association was found between autoimmune alterations and female sex (P = 0.02, OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.13-17.9) and a longer treatment time (1.6 vs. 4.1 years) (P = 0.02; OR 1.01, 95% CI 1-1.02). The Kaplan-Meier estimated probability of obtaining a cytogenetic response was significantly higher in patients who developed autoimmune alterations (P = 0.049), and this difference was also evident in Cox's analysis when controlling with other potentially confounding variables (P = 0.078). We conclude that CML patients treated with IFN alpha have a high incidence of autoimmune phenomenon.