FRACTION: protocol of a phase II study of Fedratinib and Nivolumab combination in patients with myelofibrosis and resistance or suboptimal response to JAK-inhibitor treatment of the German MPN study group (GSG-MPN).

Development of Janus-kinase (JAK) inhibitors has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN). Following approval of the first JAK1/2-inhibitor Ruxolitinib, symptoms of this inflammatory disease, characterized by splenomegaly, release of inflammatory cytokines and appearance of thrombosis, could be effectively reduced for the first time. However, JAK-inhibitor treatment is limited in several aspects: 1) duration of response: 3 years after initiation of therapy more than 50% of patients have discontinued JAK-inhibitor treatment due to lack of efficacy or resistance; 2) reduction of disease burden: while effective in reducing inflammation and constitutional symptoms, JAK-inhibitors fail to reduce the malignant clone in the majority of patients and therefore lack long-term efficacy. Early clinical trials for patients with myelofibrosis (MF) have tried to address these issues for patients with suboptimal response to Ruxolitinib therapy while combination therapies with Fedratinib are rare. Recent reports provided first evidence on how the JAK2-V617F mutated myeloid cells may influence T-cell responses. JAK2-V617F promoted the synthesis of PD-L1 in MPN cells leading to limited anti-neoplastic T-cell responses, metabolic changes in T-cells and eventually JAK2-V617F-driven immune-escape of MPN cells. These findings may facilitate the use of immunotherapeutic approaches for JAK-mutated clones. Immune checkpoints refer to a variety of inhibitory pathways that are crucial for maintaining self-tolerance and modulating the duration and amplitude of physiological immune responses in peripheral tissues in order to minimize collateral tissue damage. The FRACTION study is a single arm, open label Phase II trial investigating the combination of Fedratinib with the PD-1 inhibitor Nivolumab in patients with myelofibrosis and suboptimal or lack of response to JAK-inhibitor therapy. Over a 12 months period the trial assesses longer term outcomes, particularly the effects on clinical outcomes, such as induction of clinical remissions, quality of life and improvement of anemia. No prospective clinical trial data exist for combinations of JAK- and immune-checkpoint-inhibitors in the planned MF study population and this study will provide new findings that may contribute to advancing the treatment landscape for MF patients with suboptimal responses and limited alternatives.

Asciminib monotherapy in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia with the T315I mutation after ≥1 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor: 2-year follow-up results.

Asciminib targets the BCR::ABL1 myristoyl pocket, maintaining activity against BCR::ABL1T315I, which is resistant to most approved adenosine triphosphate-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We report updated phase I results (NCT02081378) assessing safety/tolerability and antileukemic activity of asciminib monotherapy 200 mg twice daily in 48 heavily pretreated patients with T315I-mutated chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP; data cutoff: January 6, 2021). With 2 years' median exposure, 56.3% of patients continued receiving asciminib. Overall, 62.2% of evaluable patients achieved BCR::ABL1 ≤1% on the International Scale (IS); 47.6% and 81.3% of ponatinib-pretreated and -naive patients, respectively, achieved BCR::ABL1IS ≤1%. Of 45 evaluable patients, 48.9% achieved a major molecular response (MMR, BCR::ABL1IS ≤0.1%), including 34.6% and 68.4% of ponatinib-pretreated and -naive patients, respectively. MMR was maintained until data cutoff in 19 of 22 patients who achieved it. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) included increased lipase level (18.8%) and thrombocytopenia (14.6%). Five (10.4%) patients experienced AEs leading to discontinuation, including 2 who discontinued asciminib and died due to COVID-19; these were the only deaths reported. These results show asciminib's effectiveness, including in almost 50% of ponatinib pretreated patients, and confirm its risk-benefit profile, supporting its use as a treatment option for T315I-mutated CML-CP.

Asciminib in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) need long-term therapy with high efficacy and safety. Asciminib, a BCR::ABL1 inhibitor specifically targeting the ABL myristoyl pocket, may offer better efficacy and safety and fewer side effects than currently available frontline ATP-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). METHODS: In a phase 3 trial, patients with newly diagnosed CML were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either asciminib (80 mg once daily) or an investigator-selected TKI, with randomization stratified by European Treatment and Outcome Study long-term survival score category (low, intermediate, or high risk) and by TKI selected by investigators before randomization (including imatinib and second-generation TKIs). The primary end points were major molecular response (defined as BCR::ABL1 transcript levels ≤0.1% on the International Scale [IS]) at week 48, for comparisons between asciminib and investigator-selected TKIs and between asciminib and investigator-selected TKIs in the prerandomization-selected imatinib stratum. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients were assigned to receive asciminib and 204 to receive investigator-selected TKIs. The median follow-up was 16.3 months in the asciminib group and 15.7 months in the investigator-selected TKI group. A major molecular response at week 48 occurred in 67.7% of patients in the asciminib group, as compared with 49.0% in the investigator-selected TKI group (difference, 18.9 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6 to 28.2; adjusted two-sided P<0.001]), and in 69.3% of patients in the asciminib group as compared with 40.2% in the imatinib group within the imatinib stratum (difference, 29.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 16.9 to 42.2; adjusted two-sided P<0.001). The percentage of patients with a major molecular response at week 48 was 66.0% with asciminib and 57.8% with TKIs in the second-generation TKI stratum (difference, 8.2 percentage points; 95% CI, -5.1 to 21.5). Adverse events of grade 3 or higher and events leading to discontinuation of the trial regimen were less frequent with asciminib (38.0% and 4.5%, respectively) than with imatinib (44.4% and 11.1%) and second-generation TKIs (54.9% and 9.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In this trial comparing asciminib with investigator-selected TKIs and imatinib, asciminib showed superior efficacy and a favorable safety profile in patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML. Direct comparison between asciminib and second-generation TKIs was not a primary objective. (Funded by Novartis; ASC4FIRST ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04971226).

Physical exercise recommendations for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia based on individual preferences identified in a large international patient survey study of the East German Study Group for Hematology and Oncology (OSHO #97).

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly lowered mortality of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients adjusting life expectancy to that of the standard population. However, CML and its treatment with TKIs causes a high disease burden. Physical exercise (PE) could be a non-pharmacological approach to reducing these and improving quality of life. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the individual disease burden as well as PE preferences of CML patients and to deduce thereof specific PE recommendations. Methods: This multicenter survey was conducted in cooperation with the LeukaNET/Leukemia-patient network including CML patients aged ≥18 years (German Registry of Clinical Trials, DRKS00023698). The severity of selected symptoms was assessed using the adapted Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Symptom Assessment Form: 0 (absent), 1-30 (mild), 31-70 (moderate), or 71-100 (severe). Information about patients' PE needs and preferences depending on their motivation was recorded. Results: A total of 212 questionnaires were analyzed (52% female, median age 54 years). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms was 49% for fatigue, 40% for musculoskeletal pain, and 37% for concentration problems. Other commonly reported symptoms included skin reactions (42%) and weight gain (24%). The proportion of overweight/obese patients was 52%. Half of all respondents requested more information regarding PE. Patients with CML preferred individual training (82%), located outdoors (71%), at home (47%), or in an indoor swimming pool (31%). Regarding the training frequency, sports-inactive patients preferred a frequency of 1-2 training sessions per week, whereas sports-active patients preferred 3-4 sessions per week (p <0.001). Sports-inactive patients preferred a training time of 15-45 minutes, while sports-active patients preferred 30-60 minutes (p = 0.002). Subsequently, PE recommendations were developed for patients with CML. Combined resistance and endurance training (moderate intensity twice per week for 30 minutes) was recommended for beginners. Obese patients should prioritize joint-relieving sports. To reduce the risk of skin reactions, direct sunlight and possibly water sports should be avoided, and UV protection should be used. Conclusion: Counseling and motivation of CML patients to be physically active should be part of the standard of care as well as support for implementation.

VEXAS and Myelodysplastic Syndrome: An Interdisciplinary Challenge.

VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a recently recognized systemic autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic mutations in hematopoietic progenitor cells. This case series of four patients with VEXAS syndrome and comorbid myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) aims to describe clinical, imaging, and hematologic disease presentations as well as response to therapy. Four patients with VEXAS syndrome and MDS are described. A detailed analysis of imaging features, hemato-oncological presentation including bone marrow microscopy and clinical-rheumatological disease features and treatment outcomes is given. All patients were male; ages ranged between 64 and 81 years; all were diagnosed with MDS. CT imaging was available for three patients, all of whom exhibited pulmonary infiltrates of varying severity, resembling COVID-19 or hypersensitivity pneumonitis without traces of scarring. Bone marrow microscopy showed maturation-disordered erythropoiesis and pathognomonic vacuolation. Somatic mutation in the UBA1 codon 41 were found in all patients by next-generation sequencing. Therapy regimes included glucocorticoids, JAK1/2-inhibitors, nucleoside analogues, as well as IL-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists. No fatalities occurred (observation period from symptom onset: 18-68 months). Given the potential underreporting of VEXAS syndrome, we highly recommend contemporary screening for UBA1 mutations in patients presenting with ambiguous signs of systemic autoinflammatory symptoms which persist over 18 months despite treatment. The emergence of cytopenia, especially macrocytic hyperchromic anemia, should prompt early testing for UBA1 mutations. Notably conspicuous, pulmonary alterations in CT imaging of patients with therapy-resistant systemic autoinflammatory symptoms should be discussed in interdisciplinary medical teams (Rheumatology, Hematology, Radiology and further specialist departments) to facilitate timely diagnosis during the clinical course of the disease.

Addendum to the German Consensus Recommendations on Ponatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Based on the new data from the primary analysis of the OPTIC (Optimizing Ponatinib Treatment in CP-CML) trial on dose optimization of ponatinib in patients with chronic phase (CP)-CML, the German consensus paper on ponatinib published in 2020 (Saussele S et al., Acta Haematol. 2020) has been updated in this addendum. SUMMARY: Focus is on the update of efficacy and safety of ponatinib, reflecting the new data set, as well as the update of the benefit-risk assessment and recommendations for ponatinib starting dose in CP-CML - provided that the decision to use ponatinib has already been made. Furthermore, based on OPTIC and additional empirical data, the expert panel collaborated to develop a decision tree for ponatinib dosing, specifically for intolerant and resistant patients. The recommendations on cardiovascular management have also been updated based on the most recent 2021 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice. KEY MESSAGES: The OPTIC data confirm the high efficacy of ponatinib in patients with CP-CML and provide the basis for individualized dose adjustment during the course of treatment.

Risk of progression in chronic phase-chronic myeloid leukemia patients eligible for tyrosine kinase inhibitor discontinuation: Final analysis of the TFR-PRO study.

Disease progression to accelerated/blast phase (AP/BP) in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) after treatment discontinuation (TD) has never been systematically reported in clinical trials. However, recent reports of several such cases has raised concern. To estimate the risk of AP/BP among TD-eligible patients, we conducted TFR-PRO, a cohort retro-prospective study: 870 CP-CML patients eligible for TD formed a discontinuation cohort (505 patients) and a reference one (365 patients). The primary objective was the time adjusted rate (TAR) of progression in relation to TD. Secondary endpoints included the TAR of molecular relapse, that is, loss of major molecular response (MMR). With a median follow up of 5.5 years and 5188.2 person-years available, no events occurred in the TD cohort. One event of progression was registered 55 months after the end of TD, when the patient was contributing to the reference cohort. The TAR of progression was 0.019/100 person-years (95% CI [0.003-0.138]) in the overall group; 0.0 (95% CI [0-0.163]) in the discontinuation cohort; and 0.030 (95% CI [0.004-0.215]) in the reference cohort. These differences are not statistically significant. Molecular relapses occurred in 172/505 (34.1%) patients after TD, and in 64/365 (17.5%) patients in the reference cohort, p < .0001. Similar rates were observed in TD patients in first, second or third line of treatment. CML progression in patients eligible for TD is rare and not related to TD. Fears about the risk of disease progression among patients attempting TD should be dissipated.

Physical exercise recommendations for patients with polycythemia vera based on preferences identified in a large international patient survey study of the East German Study Group for Hematology and Oncology (OSHO #97).

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy during cancer treatment reduces symptom burden and improves quality of life (QoL). Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasia associated with good overall survival (up to decades) but a significant symptom burden, including thromboembolic events and dysesthesias. There are no specific exercise recommendations for patients with PV. Thus, we aimed to determine the exercise preferences of patients with PV and to derive specific recommendations based on the most commonly reported symptoms. METHODS: This multicenter survey included patients with PV ≥18 years old. Demographic, clinical, and disease burden data were collected. The severity of selected symptoms was assessed using the adapted Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Symptom Assessment Form: 0 (absent), 1-30 (mild), 31-70 (moderate), or 71-100 (severe). The patients' information needs about physical activity (PA) and exercise preferences were recorded depending on their motivation and analyzed with regard to demographic aspects. RESULTS: The sample comprised 182 patients (68% female, 61 ± 12 years). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms was 60% for fatigue, 44% for concentration problems, and 35% for bone/muscle pain. Other commonly reported symptoms included skin reactions (49%), splenomegaly (35%), and increased bleeding tendency (28%). Overall, 67% of respondents requested more information regarding PA. Patients with PV preferred individual training (79%) located outdoors (79%) or at home (56%). Regarding the amount of training, sports-inactive patients preferred a frequency of 1-2 times/week and session durations of 15-45 min, whereas sports-active patients preferred 3-4 times/week and 30-60 min (p < 0.001). Higher sport-inactiveness was observed in patients with lower educational level compared to patients with higher educational level (69% vs. 50%, p = 0.021). For beginners, combined resistance-endurance (circuit) training two times/week, which can be performed outdoors or at home, should be recommended. In the case of splenomegaly or bleeding symptoms, exercises with a low injury risk should be chosen. CONCLUSION: PA is important for patients with PV; therefore, counseling should be integrated into the treatment plan. Specifically, patients with low educational level should be addressed. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of the novel exercise recommendations.

Variable Outcomes of Hepatitis E Infections in Patients with Hemato-Oncologic Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents an important cause of viral hepatitis and could cause chronic infections in immunocompromised patients. However, data about immunocompromised patients other than solid organ transplant recipients are limited. METHODS: We identified patients from a laboratory database and retrospectively compiled and analyzed clinical as well as laboratory data in detail. RESULTS: Overall, 22 severely immunosuppressed patients, excluding solid organ transplant recipients, were identified. Four patients did not experience viral clearance (one without and three despite ribavirin therapy). Three patients acquired the infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) and recovered spontaneously, whereas another patient, infected prior to alloHSCT, developed a chronic infection. Four patients failed to clear HEV, resulting in fatal liver failure in 2 patients. The CD4+ cell counts increased in all but 1 patient attaining a sustained virological response (SVR), as compared to patients with clinical failure. Severe immunoglobulin deficiency did not appear to obviate the control of HEV. Six of ten (60%) patients with and nine of 12 (75%) patients without ribavirin therapy achieved an SVR. CONCLUSIONS: Upfront ribavirin therapy does not appear mandatory in patients without CD4+ lymphopenia, but a prolonged HEV replication carries the risk of liver failure. Our data suggest that chronic HEV infections could cause T-cell exhaustion, which might be overruled with ribavirin therapy.

The Recurrent Atypical e8a2 BCR::ABL1 Transcript with Insertion of an Inverted 55 Base Pair ABL1 Intron 1b Sequence: A Detailed Molecular Analysis.

Atypical BCR::ABL1 transcripts are found in approximately 2% of cases of chronic myeloid leukemia. It is important to detect them since affected patients also benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. In the rare e8a2 atypical BCR::ABL1 transcript, two out-of-frame exons are fused, thus, interposed nucleotides are usually found at the fusion site to restore the reading frame. In approximately half of previously reported e8a2 BCR::ABL1 cases, an inserted 55 bp sequence homologous to an inverted sequence from ABL1 intron 1b was detected. The generation of this recurrent transcript variant is not obvious. This work describes the molecular analysis of such an e8a2 BCR::ABL1 translocation from a CML patient. The genomic chromosomal breakpoint is identified, and the formation of this transcript is theoretically explained. The clinical course of the patient is reported, and recommendations are provided for the molecular analysis of future e8a2 BCR::ABL1 cases.

Asciminib monotherapy in patients with CML-CP without BCR::ABL1 T315I mutations treated with at least two prior TKIs: 4-year phase 1 safety and efficacy results.

Asciminib is approved for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) who received ≥2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors or have the T315I mutation. We report updated results of a phase 1, open-label, nonrandomized trial (NCT02081378) assessing the safety, tolerability, and antileukemic activity of asciminib monotherapy 10-200 mg once or twice daily in 115 patients with CML-CP without T315I (data cutoff: January 6, 2021). After ≈4-year median exposure, 69.6% of patients remained on asciminib. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) included increased pancreatic enzymes (22.6%), thrombocytopenia (13.9%), hypertension (13.0%), and neutropenia (12.2%); all-grade AEs (mostly grade 1/2) included musculoskeletal pain (59.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (41.7%), and fatigue (40.9%). Clinical pancreatitis and arterial occlusive events (AOEs) occurred in 7.0% and 8.7%, respectively. Most AEs occurred during year 1; the subsequent likelihood of new events, including AOEs, was low. By data cutoff, among patients without the indicated response at baseline, 61.3% achieved BCR::ABL1 ≤ 1%, 61.6% achieved ≤0.1% (major molecular response [MMR]), and 33.7% achieved ≤0.01% on the International Scale. MMR was maintained in 48/53 patients who achieved it and 19/20 who were in MMR at screening, supporting the long-term safety and efficacy of asciminib in this population.

Asciminib vs bosutinib in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia previously treated with at least two tyrosine kinase inhibitors: longer-term follow-up of ASCEMBL.

Asciminib, the first BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that Specifically Targets the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), is approved worldwide for the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) treated with ≥2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In ASCEMBL, patients with CML-CP treated with ≥2 prior TKIs were randomized (stratified by baseline major cytogenetic response [MCyR]) 2:1 to asciminib 40 mg twice daily or bosutinib 500 mg once daily. Consistent with previously published primary analysis results, after a median follow-up of 2.3 years, asciminib continued to demonstrate superior efficacy and better safety and tolerability than bosutinib. The major molecular response (MMR) rate at week 96 (key secondary endpoint) was 37.6% with asciminib vs 15.8% with bosutinib; the MMR rate difference between the arms, after adjusting for baseline MCyR, was 21.7% (95% CI, 10.53-32.95; two-sided p = 0.001). Fewer grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) (56.4% vs 68.4%) and AEs leading to treatment discontinuation (7.7% vs 26.3%) occurred with asciminib than with bosutinib. A higher proportion of patients on asciminib than bosutinib remained on treatment and continued to derive benefit over time, supporting asciminib as a standard of care for patients with CML-CP previously treated with ≥2 TKIs.

Long-term observation of the frequency of secondary colorectal cancer and other malignancies in tyrosine kinase inhibitor treated chronic myeloid leukemia patients and controls.

In this analysis, we examined the risk of secondary malignancies for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. We also collected data on specific risk factors for colorectal cancer. Ninety-one patients with CML and 76 controls were included and in total 4 (4.4%) secondary malignancies were found in patients and 8 (10.5%) in controls. The risk for secondary malignancies was not significantly elevated for CML patients (p = 0.141). Two (2.2%) CML patients developed colorectal cancer compared to 4 (5.3%) in the reference group. A higher risk for CML patients for colorectal cancer could not be found (p = 0.414).

ASXL1 mutations predict inferior molecular response to nilotinib treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Gene mutations independent of BCR::ABL1 have been identified in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, whereby mutations in epigenetic modifier genes were most common. These findings prompted the systematic analysis of prevalence, dynamics, and prognostic significance of such mutations, in a clinically well-characterized patient population of 222 CML patients from the TIGER study (CML-V) by targeted next-generation sequencing covering 54 myeloid leukemia-associated genes. In total, 53/222 CML patients (24%) carried 60 mutations at diagnosis with ASXL1 being most commonly affected (n = 20). To study mutation dynamics, longitudinal deep sequencing analysis of serial samples was performed in 100 patients after 12, 24, and 36 months of therapy. Typical patterns of clonal evolution included eradication, persistence, and emergence of mutated clones. Patients carrying an ASXL1 mutation at diagnosis showed a less favorable molecular response to nilotinib treatment, as a major molecular response (MMR) was achieved less frequently at month 12, 18, and 24 compared to all other patients. Patients with ASXL1 mutations were also younger and more frequently found in the high risk category, suggesting a central role of clonal evolution associated with ASXL1 mutations in CML pathogenesis.

Bosutinib versus imatinib for newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia: final results from the BFORE trial.

This analysis from the multicenter, open-label, phase 3 BFORE trial reports efficacy and safety of bosutinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after five years' follow-up. Patients were randomized to 400-mg once-daily bosutinib (n = 268) or imatinib (n = 268; three untreated). At study completion, 59.7% of bosutinib- and 58.1% of imatinib-treated patients remained on study treatment. Median duration of treatment and time on study was 55 months in both groups. Cumulative major molecular response (MMR) rate by 5 years was higher with bosutinib versus imatinib (73.9% vs. 64.6%; odds ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.08-2.28]), as were cumulative MR4 (58.2% vs. 48.1%; 1.50 [1.07-2.12]) and MR4.5 (47.4% vs. 36.6%; 1.57 [1.11-2.22]) rates. Superior MR with bosutinib versus imatinib was consistent across Sokal risk groups, with greatest benefit seen in patients with high risk. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were consistent with 12-month data. After 5 years of follow-up there was an increase in the incidence of cardiac, effusion, renal, and vascular TEAEs in bosutinib- and imatinib-treated patients, but overall, no new safety signals were identified. These final results support 400-mg once-daily bosutinib as standard-of-care in patients with newly diagnosed CP CML.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02130557.

Anxieties, age and motivation influence physical activity in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms - a multicenter survey from the East German study group for hematology and oncology (OSHO #97).

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a non-pharmacological approach to alleviate symptom burden and improve health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in cancer patients (pts). Whether pts with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) PA behavior changes due to symptom burden and/or knowledge of the putative beneficial effects of PA has not yet been investigated. Methods: We performed a large questionnaire study in MPN pts. Self-reported PA behavior and potential influencing factors of 634 MPN pts were analyzed. Questionnaires were used to assess demographics, anxiety, severity of symptoms, HrQoL, current level of everyday and sports activities, and the level of information regarding the importance/possibilities of PA. According to their PA, the pts were assigned to the three groups: "inactive", "non-targeted active", and "sporty active" and compared with each other. Results: Key findings are that in 73% of the pts, the disease had an impact on PA, with 30% of pts reducing their PA. The prevalence of anxieties (e.g., occurrence of thrombosis and bleeding) regarding PA was 45%. Sporty active pts had a lower symptom burden and better HrQoL (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the other groups. Inactive pts were significantly older and had a higher body mass index than sporty active pts. Inactive and non-targeted active pts felt less informed about the importance/possibilities of PA (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Our results suggest that especially older and non-sporty MPN pts could benefit from motivational as well as disease-specific PA information. This study was registered at the German Registry of Clinical Trials, DRKS00023698.

Survey of Long-Term Experiences of Sperm Cryopreservation in Oncological and Non-Oncological Patients: Usage and Reproductive Outcomes of a Large Monocentric Cohort.

Progress in oncological treatment has led to an improved long-term survival of young male cancer patients over the last decades. However, standard cancer treatments frequently implicate fertility-damaging potential. Cryopreservation of sperm is the current standard option to preserve patient's fertility after treatment, yet long-term data on usage and reproductive experiences is still limited. Natural fertility after treatment and especially in relation to the type of treatment has been poorly analyzed so far. Therefore, we performed a retrospective survey including male patients with an indication for gonadotoxic treatment who cryopreserved reproductive material at our institution between 1994 and 2017. Study questionnaires regarding treatment, material usage, and reproductive outcomes were sent to eligible patients. Additionally, semen analyses of study participants from the time of cryopreservation were evaluated. A total of 99 patients were included in the study. Respondents' median age was 38.0 years. Most frequent diagnoses were testicular cancer (29.3%) and lymphoma (26.3%). A further 8.1% suffered from autoimmune diseases. Testicular cancer patients had a significantly lower pre-treatment median sperm concentration (18.0 million/ml) compared to non-testicular cancer patients (54.2 million/ml). Until November 2020, the determined sperm usage and cumulative live-birth rate per couple were 17.2% and 58.8%, respectively. Most sperm users received treatments with high (40.0%) or intermediate (33.3%) gonadotoxic potential. 20.7% of all patients reported to had fathered at least one naturally conceived child after treatment, this being the case especially if they had been treated with less or potentially gonadotoxic therapies. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the importance of sperm cryopreservation in the context of male fertility preservation. Furthermore, they indicate that the gonadotoxic potential of patients' treatments could represent a predictive factor for sperm usage.

CD4+ T Cell Dependent B Cell Recovery and Function After Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) represents a standard treatment regime for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Common and potentially fatal side effects after auto-HSCT are infections due to a severely compromised immune system with hampered humoral and cellular immunity. This study delineates in depth the quantitative and functional B cell defects and investigates underlying extrinsic or intrinsic drivers. Methods: Peripheral blood of MM patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and auto-HSCT (before high-dose chemotherapy and in early reconstitution after HSCT) was studied. Absolute numbers and distribution of B cell subsets were analyzed ex vivo using flow cytometry. Additionally, B cell function was assessed with T cell dependent (TD) and T cell independent (TI) stimulation assays, analyzing proliferation and differentiation of B cells by flow cytometry and numbers of immunoglobulin secreting cells in ELISpots. Results: Quantitative B cell defects including a shift in the B cell subset distribution occurred after auto-HSCT. Functionally, these patients showed an impaired TD as well as TI B cell immune response. Individual functional responses correlated with quantitative alterations of CD19+, CD4+, memory B cells and marginal zone-like B cells. The TD B cell function could be partially restored upon stimulation with CD40L/IL-21, successfully inducing B cell proliferation and differentiation into plasmablasts and immunoglobulin secreting cells. Conclusion: Quantitative and functional B cell defects contribute to the compromised immune defense in MM patients undergoing auto-HSCT. Functional recovery upon TD stimulation and correlation with CD4+ T cell numbers, indicate these as extrinsic drivers of the functional B cell defect. Observed correlations of CD4+, CD19+, memory B and MZ-like B cell numbers with the B cell function suggest that these markers should be tested as potential biomarkers in prospective studies.

A phase 3, open-label, randomized study of asciminib, a STAMP inhibitor, vs bosutinib in CML after 2 or more prior TKIs.

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) resistant/intolerant to ≥2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are at high risk of experiencing poor outcomes because of disease biology and inadequate efficacy and/or safety of current therapies. Asciminib, a first-in-class BCR-ABL1 inhibitor Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), has the potential to overcome resistance/intolerance to approved TKIs. In this phase 3, open-label study, patients with CML-CP previously treated with ≥2 TKIs were randomized (2:1) to receive asciminib 40 mg twice daily vs bosutinib 500 mg once daily. Randomization was stratified by major cytogenetic response (MCyR) status at baseline. The primary objective was to compare the major molecular response (MMR) rate at week 24 for asciminib vs bosutinib. A total of 233 patients were randomized to asciminib (n = 157) or bosutinib (n = 76). Median follow-up was 14.9 months. The MMR rate at week 24 was 25.5% with asciminib and 13.2% with bosutinib. The difference in MMR rate between treatment arms, after adjusting for MCyR at baseline, was 12.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.19-22.30; 2-sided P = .029). Fewer grade ≥3 adverse events (50.6% vs 60.5%) and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (5.8% vs 21.1%) occurred with asciminib than with bosutinib. The study showed a superior efficacy of asciminib compared with that of bosutinib, together with a favorable safety profile. These results support the use of asciminib as a new therapy in patients with CML-CP who are resistant/intolerant to ≥2 prior TKIs. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03106779.