Outcomes after intensive chemotherapy for secondary and myeloid-related changes acute myeloid leukemia patients aged 60 to 75 years old: a retrospective analysis from the PETHEMA registry.

Treatment options for patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) and AML with myeloid-related changes (AMLMRC) aged 60 to 75 years are scarce and unsuitable. A pivotal trial showed that CPX-351 improved complete remission with/without incomplete recovery (CR/CRi) and overall survival (OS) as compared with standard "3+7" regimens. We retrospectively analyze outcomes of 765 patients with sAML and AML-MRC aged 60 to 75 years treated with intensive chemotherapy, reported to the PETHEMA registry before CPX-351 became available. The CR/CRi rate was 48%, median OS was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-8.5) and event-free survival (EFS) 2.7 months (95% CI: 2-3.3), without differences between intensive chemotherapy regimens and AML type. Multivariate analyses identified age ≥70 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1 as independent adverse prognostic factors for CR/CRi and OS, while favorable/intermediate cytogenetic risk and NPM1 were favorable prognostic factors. Patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT), autologous HSCT, and those who completed more consolidation cycles showed improved OS. This large study suggests that classical intensive chemotherapy could lead to similar CR/CRi rates with slightly shorter median OS than CPX-351.

Comparison of the 2022 and 2017 European LeukemiaNet risk classifications in a real-life cohort of the PETHEMA group.

Next-Generation Sequencing is needed for the accurate genetic risk stratification of acute myeloid leukemia according to European LeukemiaNet (ELN) guidelines. We validated and compared the 2022 ELN risk classification in a real-life cohort of 546 intensively and 379 non-intensively treated patients. Among fit patients, those aged ≥65 years old showed worse OS than younger regardless risk classification. Compared with the 2017 classification, 14.5% of fit patients changed the risk with the 2022 classification, increasing the high-risk group from 44.3% to 51.8%. 3.7% and 0.9% FLT3-ITD mutated patients were removed from the favorable and adverse 2017 categories respectively to 2022 intermediate risk group. We suggest that midostaurin therapy could be a predictor for 3 years OS (85.2% with vs. 54.8% without midostaurin, P = 0.04). Forty-seven (8.6%) patients from the 2017 intermediate group were assigned to the 2022 adverse-risk group as they harbored myelodysplasia (MDS)-related mutations. Patients with one MDS-related mutation did not reach median OS, while patients with ≥2 mutations had 13.6 months median OS (P = 0.002). Patients with TP53 ± complex karyotype or inv(3) had a dismal prognosis (7.1 months median OS). We validate the prognostic utility of the 2022 ELN classification in a real-life setting providing supportive evidences to improve risk stratification guidelines.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Adult Patients in the PETHEMA Registry with Relapsed or Refractory FLT3-ITD Mutation-Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

This retrospective study investigated outcomes of 404 patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-internal tandem duplication (ITD) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) enrolled in the PETHEMA registry, pre-approval of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Most patients (63%) had received first-line intensive therapy with 3 + 7. Subsequently, patients received salvage with intensive therapy (n = 261), non-intensive therapy (n = 63) or supportive care only (n = 80). Active salvage therapy (i.e., intensive or non-intensive therapy) resulted in a complete remission (CR) or CR without hematological recovery (CRi) rate of 42%. More patients achieved a CR/CRi with intensive (48%) compared with non-intensive (19%) salvage therapy (p < 0.001). In the overall population, median overall survival (OS) was 5.5 months; 1- and 5-year OS rates were 25% and 7%. OS was significantly (p < 0.001) prolonged with intensive or non-intensive salvage therapy compared with supportive therapy, and in those achieving CR/CRi versus no responders. Of 280 evaluable patients, 61 (22%) had an allogeneic stem-cell transplant after they had achieved CR/CRi. In conclusion, in this large cohort study, salvage treatment approaches for patients with FLT3-ITD mutated R/R AML were heterogeneous. Median OS was poor with both non-intensive and intensive salvage therapy, with best long-term outcomes obtained in patients who achieved CR/CRi and subsequently underwent allogeneic stem-cell transplant.

Treatment patterns and outcomes of 2310 patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia: a PETHEMA registry study.

Secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) comprises a heterogeneous group of patients and is associated with poor overall survival (OS). We analyze the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of adult patients with sAML in the Programa Español de Tratamientos en Hematología (PETHEMA) registry. Overall, 6211 (72.9%) were de novo and 2310 (27.1%) had sAML, divided into myelodysplastic syndrome AML (MDS-AML, 44%), MDS/myeloproliferative AML (MDS/MPN-AML, 10%), MPN-AML (11%), therapy-related AML (t-AML, 25%), and antecedent neoplasia without prior chemotherapy/radiotherapy (neo-AML, 9%). Compared with de novo, patients with sAML were older (median age, 69 years), had more Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≥2 (35%) or high-risk cytogenetics (40%), less FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (11%), and nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations (21%) and received less intensive chemotherapy regimens (38%) (all P < .001). Median OS was higher for de novo than sAML (10.9 vs 5.6 months; P < .001) and shorter in sAML after hematologic disorder (MDS, MDS/MPN, or MPN) compared with t-AML and neo-AML (5.3 vs 6.1 vs 5.7 months, respectively; P = .04). After intensive chemotherapy, median OS was better among patients with de novo and neo-AML (17.2 and 14.6 months, respectively). No OS differences were observed after hypomethylating agents according to type of AML. sAML was an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS. We confirmed high prevalence and adverse features of sAML and established its independent adverse prognostic value. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02607059.

Prognostic significance of FLT3-ITD length in AML patients treated with intensive regimens.

FLT3-ITD mutations are detected in approximately 25% of newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and confer an adverse prognosis. The FLT3-ITD allelic ratio has clear prognostic value. Nevertheless, there are numerous manuscripts with contradictory results regarding the prognostic relevance of the length and insertion site (IS) of the FLT3-ITD fragment. We aimed to assess the prognostic impact of these variables on the complete remission (CR) rates, overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) of AML patients with FLT3-ITDmutations. We studied the FLT3-ITD length of 362 adult AML patients included in the PETHEMA AML registry. We tried to validate the thresholds of ITD length previously published (i.e., 39 bp and 70 bp) in intensively treated AML patients (n = 161). We also analyzed the mutational profile of 118 FLT3-ITD AML patients with an NGS panel of 39 genes and correlated mutational status with the length and IS of ITD. The AUC of the ROC curve of the ITD length for OS prediction was 0.504, and no differences were found when applying any of the thresholds for OS, RFS or CR rate. Only four out of 106 patients had ITD IS in the TKD1 domain. Our results, alongside previous publications, confirm that FLT3-ITD length lacks prognostic value and clinical applicability.

Evolving patterns of care and outcomes in relapsed/refractory FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia adult patients.

We have analyzed treatment patterns and outcomes of relapsed/refractory(R/R) FLT3mut AML adult patients registered in our institutional data base between 1998 and 2018. Overall, 147 patients were evaluable: 34 from 1998 to 2009, 113 from 2010 to 2018. Salvage treatments were intensive chemotherapy (n = 25, 74%), and supportive care (n = 9, 26%) in the 1998-2009 period, and intensive chemotherapy (n = 63, 56%), hypomethylating agent (n = 7, 6%), low-dose cytarabine-based (n = 8, 7%), clinical trial (n = 16, 14%) and supportive care (n = 19, 17%) in the 2010-2018 period. Complete remission (CR) or with incomplete recovery (CRi) rate was 44%, 49% among patients treated intensively (vs 30% with non-intensive p = 0.005). Median overall survival since first R/R was 5.8 months, and 16.3 months in subjects receiving an allo-HSCT in CR/CRi after first salvage (vs 3.8 in the remaining patients p < 0.0001). Clinical outcomes of R/R FLT3mut AML remain unsatisfactory. Inclusion in clinical trials and expanding options could lead to improved outcomes.

A phase 3 trial of azacitidine versus a semi-intensive fludarabine and cytarabine schedule in older patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Options to treat elderly patients (≥65 years old) newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) include intensive and attenuated chemotherapy, hypomethylating agents with or without venetoclax, and supportive care. This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a fludarabine, cytarabine, and filgrastim (FLUGA) regimen in comparison with azacitidine (AZA). METHODS: Patients (n = 283) were randomized 1:1 to FLUGA (n = 141) or AZA (n = 142). Response was evaluated after cycles 1, 3, 6, and 9. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was assessed after cycle 9. When MRD was ≥0.01%, patients continued with the treatment until relapse or progressive disease. Patients with MRD < 0.01% suspended treatment to enter the follow-up phase. RESULTS: The complete remission (CR) rate after 3 cycles was significantly better in the FLUGA arm (18% vs 9%; P = .04), but the CR/CR with incomplete recovery rate at 9 months was similar (33% vs 29%; P = .41). There were no significant differences between arms in early mortality at 30 or 60 days. Hematologic toxicities were more frequent with FLUGA, especially during induction. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate and the median OS were superior with AZA versus FLUGA: 47% versus 27% and 9.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-14 months) versus 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.7-5.5 months; P = .005), respectively. The median event-free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI, 2.8-7 months) with AZA and 3 months (95% CI, 2.5-3.5 months) with FLUGA (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: FLUGA achieved more remissions after 3 cycles, but the 1-year OS rate was superior with AZA. However, long-term outcomes were disappointing in both arms (3-year OS rate, 10% vs 5%). This study supports the use of an AZA backbone for future combinations in elderly patients with AML.

Evolving treatment patterns and outcomes in older patients (≥60 years) with AML: changing everything to change nothing?

There are no studies analyzing how therapeutic changes impact on outcomes of older AML patients. This study analyzes patient´s and disease characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of 3637 AML patients aged ≥60 years reported to the PETHEMA registry. Study periods were 1999-2006 (before hypomethylating agents-HMAs availability) vs 2007-2013, and treatments were intensive chemotherapy (IC), non-intensive, clinical trial (CT), and supportive care only (SC). Median age was 72 (range, 60-99), 57% male, median ECOG 1 (range, 0-4), secondary AML 914 (30%), with adverse-risk genetic in 720 (32%). Treatment differed between study periods (1999-2006 vs 2007-2013): IC 58% vs 32%, non-intensive 1 vs 23%, CT 0 vs 2%, SC 27 vs 28% (p < 0.001). Median OS was 4.7 months (1-year OS 29% and 5-years 7%, without differences between periods), 1.2 for SC, 7.8 for non-intensive, 8.6 for IC, and 10.4 for CT (p < 0.001). OS improved in the 2007-2013 period for IC patients (10.3 vs 7.5 months, p = 0.004), but worsened for SC patients (1.2 vs 1.6 months, p = 0.03). Our real-life study shows that, despite evolving treatment for elderly patients during the last decade, OS has remained unchanged. Epidemiologic registries will critically assess whether novel therapies lead to noteworthy advances in the near future (#NCT02606825).

Networking for advanced molecular diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients is possible: the PETHEMA NGS-AML project

Next-Generation Sequencing has recently been introduced to efficiently and simultaneously detect genetic variations in acute myeloid leukemia. However, its implementation in the clinical routine raises new challenges focused on the diversity of assays and variant reporting criteria. To overcome this challenge, the PETHEMA group established a nationwide network of reference laboratories aimed to deliver molecular results in the clinics. We report the technical cross-validation results for next-generation sequencing panel genes during the standardization process and the clinical validation in 823 samples of 751 patients with newly diagnosed or refractory/relapse acute myeloid leukemia. Two cross-validation rounds were performed in seven nationwide reference laboratories in order to reach a consensus regarding quality metrics criteria and variant reporting. In the pre-standardization cross-validation round, an overall concordance of 60.98% was obtained with a great variability in selected genes and conditions across laboratories. After consensus of relevant genes and optimization of quality parameters the overall concordance rose to 85.57% in the second cross-validation round. We show that a diagnostic network with harmonized next-generation sequencing analysis and reporting in seven experienced laboratories is feasible in the context of a scientific group. This cooperative nationwide strategy provides advanced molecular diagnostic for acute myeloid leukemia patients of the PETHEMA group.

A prognostic model for survival after salvage treatment with FLAG-Ida +/- gemtuzumab-ozogamicine in adult patients with refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia.

The combination of fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (FLAG-Ida) is widely used in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We retrospectively analysed the results of 259 adult AML patients treated as first salvage with FLAG-Ida or FLAG-Ida plus Gentuzumab-Ozogamicin (FLAGO-Ida) of the Programa Español de Tratamientos en Hematología (PETHEMA) database, developing a prognostic score system of survival in this setting (SALFLAGE score). Overall, 221 patients received FLAG-Ida and 38 FLAGO-Ida; 92 were older than 60 years. The complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) rate was 51%, with 9% of induction deaths. Three covariates were associated with lower CR/CRi: high-risk cytogenetics and t(8;21) at diagnosis, no previous allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and relapse-free interval <1 year. Allo-SCT was performed in second CR in 60 patients (23%). The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 0·7 years, with 22% OS at 5-years. Four independent variables were used to construct the score: cytogenetics, FLT3-internal tandem duplication, length of relapse-free interval and previous allo-SCT. Using this stratification system, three groups were defined: favourable (26% of patients), intermediate (29%) and poor-risk (45%), with an expected 5-year OS of 52%, 26% and 7%, respectively. The SALFLAGE score discriminated a subset of patients with an acceptable long-term outcome using FLAG-Ida/FLAGO-Ida regimen. The results of this retrospective analysis should be validated in independent external cohorts.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

The management of pregnant women with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a challenge with limited evidence-based information available. We are reporting a series of 14 consecutive pregnant women with APL who were registered in the PETHEMA Data Centre between 1996 and 2012. APL was diagnosed during early pregnancy in five women, late pregnancy in seven, and two additional patients after delivery in an extremely poor clinical condition (pulmonary and cerebral hemorrhage). Eleven of the 12 patients eligible for induction therapy with all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin achieved complete remission (CR 92 %) and are still in the first CR. All early pregnancies ended in abortion (four induced and one spontaneous), with four of them achieving CR. Eight of nine women in late pregnancy delivered a healthy infant (six cesarean section and two vaginal delivery). All eight babies developed normally. Our results confirm a high cure rate for pregnant women with APL who received all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin for induction therapy, and an excellent outcome for babies when the disease is diagnosed during late pregnancy.

Impact of prior rituximab on outcomes of autologous stem-cell transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell lymphoma: a multicentre retrospective Spanish group of lymphoma/autologous bone marrow transplant study.

The use of highly effective rituximab-containing therapy for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) makes it more difficult to salvage relapsed or refractory patients. Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the reference treatment for these patients, but the impact of previous exposure to rituximab on the subsequent results of ASCT remains unknown. We analysed 248 patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL or grade 3B follicular lymphoma pre-treated with rituximab as part of first-line therapy (R+ group) who received ASCT, in comparison with a control group of 127 patients without previous exposure to rituximab (R- group). The complete remission (CR) rates were similar in both groups. Multivariate analysis identified age-adjusted International Prognostic Index at diagnosis, extranodal involvement and disease status at transplant, and the number of previous chemotherapy lines as independent factors with a negative influence on CR rate. Compared with R- patients, those in the R+ group had a significantly better progression-free survival (63% vs. 48% at 5 years) and overall survival (72% vs. 61% at 5 years). This observation was independent of other prognostic factors that affected these outcomes. In conclusion, ASCT is no less effective in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell lymphoma pre-treated with first-line rituximab-containing therapy than in rituximab-naive patients.

Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans-retinoic Acid and anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MNs) in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in first complete remission (CR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2008, 1,025 patients with APL were enrolled onto three sequential trials (LPA96, LPA99, and LPA2005) of the Programa Español para el Tratamiento de Enfermedades Hematológicas and received induction and consolidation therapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. RESULTS: Seventeen of 918 patients who achieved CR developed t-MN (10 with < 20% and seven with > or = 20% of bone marrow blasts) after a median of 43 months from CR. Partial and complete deletions of chromosomes 5 and 7 (nine patients) and 11q23 rearrangements (three patients) were the most common cytogenetic abnormalities. Overall, the 6-year cumulative incidence of t-MN was 2.2%, whereas in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients, the 6-year incidence was 5.2%, 2.1%, and 0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified age more than 35 years and lower relapse risk score as independent prognostic factors for t-MN. The median overall survival time after t-MN was 10 months. CONCLUSION: t-MN is a relatively infrequent, long-term, and severe complication after first-line treatment for APL with ATRA and anthracycline-based regimens. Therapeutic strategies to reduce the incidence of t-MN are warranted.