Ravulizumab (ALXN1210) vs eculizumab in C5-inhibitor-experienced adult patients with PNH: the 302 study.

Ravulizumab, a new complement component C5 inhibitor administered every 8 weeks, was noninferior to eculizumab administered every 2 weeks in complement-inhibitor-naive patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). This study assessed noninferiority of ravulizumab to eculizumab in clinically stable PNH patients during previous eculizumab therapy. In this phase 3, open-label, multicenter study, 195 PNH patients on labeled-dose (900 mg every 2 weeks) eculizumab for >6 months were randomly assigned 1:1 to switch to ravulizumab (n = 97) or continue eculizumab (n = 98). Primary efficacy end point was percentage change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from baseline to day 183. Key secondary end points included proportion of patients with breakthrough hemolysis, change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue score, transfusion avoidance, and stabilized hemoglobin. In 191 patients completing 183 days of treatment, ravulizumab was noninferior to eculizumab (P inf < .0006 for all end points), including percentage change in LDH (difference, 9.21% [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.42 to 18.84], P = .058 for superiority), breakthrough hemolysis (difference, 5.1 [95% CI, -8.89 to 18.99]), change in FACIT-Fatigue score (difference, 1.47 [95% CI, -0.21 to 3.15]), transfusion avoidance (difference, 5.5 [95% CI, -4.27 to 15.68]), and stabilized hemoglobin (difference, 1.4 [95% CI, -10.41 to 13.31]). The most frequently reported adverse event was headache (26.8%, ravulizumab; 17.3%, eculizumab). No meningococcal infections or discontinuations due to adverse events occurred. Patients with PNH may be safely and effectively switched from labeled-dose eculizumab administered every 2 weeks to ravulizumab administered every 8 weeks. This trial was funded by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03056040.

One-year outcomes from a phase 3 randomized trial of ravulizumab in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria who received prior eculizumab.

Ravulizumab every 8 weeks showed non-inferiority to eculizumab every 2 weeks in a 26-week, phase 3, randomized controlled trial in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who were clinically stable on eculizumab (NCT03056040). We report results from the first 26 weeks of the extension period in which patients continued ravulizumab (n = 96) or switched from eculizumab to ravulizumab (n = 95). At week 52, mean (SD) lactate dehydrogenase levels increased 8.8% (29%) with ravulizumab-ravulizumab and 5.8% (27%) with eculizumab-ravulizumab from primary evaluation period baseline. During the extension period, four patients (ravulizumab-ravulizumab, n = 3; eculizumab-ravulizumab, n = 1) experienced breakthrough hemolysis, but none associated with serum free C5 ≥ 0.5 µg/mL. Mean Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scores remained stable through week 52. During the extension period, proportions of patients avoiding transfusion remained stable (ravulizumab-ravulizumab, 86.5%; eculizumab-ravulizumab, 83.2%); 81.2% and 81.1%, respectively, had stabilized hemoglobin. All patients maintained serum free C5 levels < 0.5 µg/mL. Adverse events were generally similar between groups, and rates were lower in the extension period. Adults with PNH on stable eculizumab therapy who received ravulizumab over 52 weeks experienced durable efficacy, with consistent efficacy in patients who received eculizumab during the primary evaluation period and then switched to ravulizumab. Ravulizumab was well tolerated.

A Retrospective Study of the Combination of Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Warm Antibody Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.

The combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (RCD) is highly effective in the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We treated a cohort of patients with relapsed/refractory WAIHA, without CLL, with RCD. The primary objective was to evaluate the overall response (OR) of RCD therapy. Complete response (CR) was defined as a hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥12 g/dL. Partial response (PR) was defined as Hgb 10-11.9 g/dL or ≥2 g/dL increase in Hgb. Sustained response was defined as Hgb ≥10 g/dL with no treatment changes. A total of 16 patients with relapsed/refractory WAIHA received RCD (7 primary WAIHA, 9 secondary WAIHA) for a median of 4 cycles (range: 2-6). The median pretreatment Hgb was 10.0 g/dL (range: 4.3-12.2). The median best Hgb achieved was 12.5 g/dL (range: 10.6-15.1) with a median of 2 cycles until best Hgb response. The OR was 94% (11 CR, 4 PR). Two immunocompromised patients were admitted for infections during RCD treatment. There were no deaths during the treatment or follow-up period. Following a response to RCD, 4 patients received noncorticosteroid immune modulation therapy and 4 patients continued on corticosteroid therapy. Seven patients received no additional treatment.

Autoimmune Myelofibrosis: Clinical Features, Course, and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune myelofibrosis (AIMF) is an underrecognized cause of nonmalignant bone marrow fibrosis which occurs in the presence or absence of a defined systemic autoimmune disease. Patients with AIMF present with cytopenias and autoantibodies, and have a distinctive nonclonal myelofibrosis on bone marrow examination. AIMF is distinguished from primary myelofibrosis by the absence of splenomegaly, eosinophilia, or basophilia, and the absence of abnormal myeloid, erythroid, or megakaryocytic morphology. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with AIMF. METHODS: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with AIMF to investigate clinical presentations, therapies, and outcomes. RESULTS: Twelve patients with AIMF were identified with a mean follow-up of 5.8 years. All patients had detectable autoantibodies and the majority had concomitant autoimmune disorders. Four patients experienced a complete response of cytopenias and 3 patients experienced a partial response (PR) of cytopenias with immunosuppressive therapy. One patient achieved a PR following splenectomy. No patients were diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasms during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: AIMF contributes to cytopenias in the subset of patients with various autoimmune disorders. The majority of patients with AIMF experience an improvement in cytopenias with immunosuppressive therapy.

Value of routine staging imaging studies for patients with stage III breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Routine staging imaging studies (RSIS) are optional in stage III breast cancer (BC). The impact of RSIS on treatment decisions and patient outcomes has not been extensively studied. The goal of this study was to determine whether RSIS in stage III BC affected treatment or patient outcomes. METHODS: Stage III BC patients from 2000 to 2010 were retrospectively identified. RSIS results and treatment plan in response to RSIS results were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models with time-dependent covariates were used to assess associations between RSIS use and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Of 420 patients, 362 (86.2%) received RSIS. RSIS were negative in 264 (72.9%), indeterminate in 77 (18.3%), and positive in 21 patients (5.0%) for metastatic disease. Treatment was altered in 21 (5.8%) patients based on RSIS results (20 with metastatic disease, 1 with indeterminate disease). There was no difference in RFS with RSIS use on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.3; 95% confidence interval 0.73-2.5, P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Most stage III BC patients underwent RSIS, but RSIS results infrequently affected treatment decisions. There was no significant difference in RFS with RSIS use. RSIS to identify metastatic disease for stage III BC has limited value. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:917-921. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patient preferences and quality of life implications of ravulizumab (every 8 weeks) and eculizumab (every 2 weeks) for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

BACKGROUND: Eculizumab has transformed management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) since its approval. However, its biweekly dosing regimen remains a high treatment burden. Ravulizumab administered every 8 weeks demonstrated noninferiority to eculizumab in two phase 3 trials. In regions where two PNH treatment options are available, it is important to consider patient preference. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess patient preference for ravulizumab or eculizumab. METHODS: Study 302s (ALXN1210-PNH-302s) enrolled PNH patients who participated in the extension period of phase 3 study ALXN1210-PNH-302. In the parent study, eculizumab-experienced adult PNH patients received ravulizumab or eculizumab during a 26-week primary evaluation period. All patients in the extension period received ravulizumab. In study 302s, patient treatment preference was evaluated using an 11-item PNH-specific Patient Preference Questionnaire (PNH-PPQ©). Of 98 patients, 95 completed PNH-PPQ© per protocol for analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 93% of patients preferred ravulizumab whereas 7% of patients either had no preference (6%) or preferred eculizumab (1%) (P < 0.001). For specific aspects of treatment, ravulizumab was preferred (in comparison to no preference or eculizumab) on infusion frequency (98% vs. 0% vs. 2%), ability to plan activities (98% vs. 0% vs. 2%), and overall quality of life (88% vs. 11% vs. 1%), among other aspects. Most participants selected frequency of infusions as the most important factor determining preference (43%), followed by overall quality of life (23%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that a substantial proportion of patients preferred ravulizumab over eculizumab and provides an important patient perspective on PNH treatment when there is more than one treatment option.

Genetic screens for enhancers of brahma reveal functional interactions between the BRM chromatin-remodeling complex and the delta-notch signal transduction pathway in Drosophila.

The Drosophila trithorax group gene brahma (brm) encodes the ATPase subunit of a 2-MDa chromatin-remodeling complex. brm was identified in a screen for transcriptional activators of homeotic genes and subsequently shown to play a global role in transcription by RNA polymerase II. To gain insight into the targeting, function, and regulation of the BRM complex, we screened for mutations that genetically interact with a dominant-negative allele of brm (brm(K804R)). We first screened for dominant mutations that are lethal in combination with a brm(K804R) transgene under control of the brm promoter. In a distinct but related screen, we identified dominant mutations that modify eye defects resulting from expression of brm(K804R) in the eye-antennal imaginal disc. Mutations in three classes of genes were identified in our screens: genes encoding subunits of the BRM complex (brm, moira, and osa), other proteins directly involved in transcription (zerknullt and RpII140), and signaling molecules (Delta and vein). Expression of brm(K804R) in the adult sense organ precursor lineage causes phenotypes similar to those resulting from impaired Delta-Notch signaling. Our results suggest that signaling pathways may regulate the transcription of target genes by regulating the activity of the BRM complex.

An Overview and Update of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for Primary Care Physicians.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for approximately 15% of adult leukemias. Forty percent of patients with CML are asymptomatic, in whom the disease is detected solely based on laboratory abnormalities. Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in 2001, CML has become a chronic disease for the majority of patients. Primary care physicians may be the first to recognize a new diagnosis of CML. In patients with known CML, the primary care physician may be the first to detect disease progression or adverse effects to therapy. This article provides an overview of the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment considerations of CML.

Management of immune-mediated cytopenias in pregnancy.

Immune-mediated cytopenias are a well-described complication of pregnancy. Appropriate recognition and treatment are important in order to limit maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. First line treatment options are fairly well-established for these entities. Refractory disease may be difficult to manage because treatment choices are limited by known or unestablished risk to the fetus. While the use of new agents, such as romiplostim and rituximab, has been reported, their safety in pregnancy is not known. This article summarizes immune cytopenias seen in pregnant patients, and it also discusses management of these cytopenias, and provides practical strategies for the treatment of these challenging conditions.

Autoimmune myelofibrosis: an update on morphologic features in 29 cases and review of the literature.

Autoimmune myelofibrosis (AIMF) is a distinct clinicopathological entity associated with diffuse bone marrow fibrosis and a benign clinical course. Distinction from neoplastic etiologies of marrow fibrosis, particularly primary myelofibrosis, is imperative, but few studies have documented histopathologic features in a large series. We describe 29 patients with AIMF, defined as marrow reticulin fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration in the context of an established autoimmune disorder (secondary AIMF) or autoantibodies without a defined disorder (primary AIMF). Excluded were cases with atypical megakaryocytes, dysplasia, basophilia, osteosclerosis, unexplained splenomegaly, or neoplasms associated with myelofibrosis (MF). All cases were stained for reticulin, CD3, and CD20, with a subset additionally stained for CD138, κ, λ, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and IgG4. Lymphoid aggregates, where present, were classified into T-cell and B-cell patterns of distribution. Most patients (93%) presented with cytopenias. Sixty-nine percent (n = 20) were considered secondary AIMF and the remainder primary AIMF (n = 9). Peripheral blood showed absent-to-rare blasts and teardrop erythrocytes and absence of eosinophilia or basophilia. Characteristic bone marrow findings included hypercellularity with erythroid and megakaryocytic hyperplasias, mild reticulin fibrosis, intrasinusoidal hematopoiesis, T-cell pattern in lymphoid aggregates, mild polytypic plasmacytosis, and absence of IgG4-positive plasma cells. Primary and secondary AIMF were pathologically indistinguishable, except for an increased incidence of granulocytic hyperplasia in primary AIMF. This series confirms and expands the utility of the original diagnostic criteria for AIMF. Recognizing the characteristic morphology of AIMF and its associated clinical and laboratory features distinguishes autoimmune from neoplastic causes of MF and guides further evaluation and management.

Phase I clinical trial of temsirolimus and vinorelbine in advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of weekly temsirolimus and every other week vinorelbine in patients with advanced or refractory solid tumors. METHODS: Patients were treated with intravenous temsirolimus on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 and intravenous vinorelbine on days 1 and 15. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled in the study. Tumor types included lung (5), prostate (2), neuroendocrine of pancreas (1), bladder (2), uterus (3), cervix (4), and vagina (2). All patients had received prior chemotherapy. Four patients were enrolled to dose level I, nine to dose level II, and six to dose level III. Six patients were inevaluable and replaced. Fifty-seven total cycles were administered. There was 1 dose-limiting toxicity at level II (grade 3 anorexia/dehydration) and 2 at level III (grade 3 hypokalemia; grade 4 neutropenia). Two patients died at dose level III; one was study-related with grade 4 neutropenia. Grade 3/4 toxicities observed during the first cycle included neutropenia (2), anemia (1), anorexia (1), dehydration (1), hyperglycemia (1), hypertriglyceridemia (1), and hypokalemia (1). Best response included two patients (prostate and non-small cell lung cancer) with partial response and eight patients with stable disease with median duration of best response of 3.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Temsirolimus 25 mg given days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in combination with vinorelbine 20 mg/m(2) given days 1 and 15 every 4 weeks was found to be the MTD. This dose combination is considered feasible in phase II trials.