Perspective of CADD and AIDD in medicinal chemistry / 药学学报

Artificial intelligence-aided drug discovery (AIDD) is a new version of computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). AIDD is featured in significantly promoting the performance of conventional CADD. AI markedly enhances the learning ability of CADD. In the 1960s, CADD was established from conventional QSAR approaches, which mainly used regression approaches to derive substructure-activity relationship for compounds with a common scaffold, and guide drug molecular design, figure out the binding features of drugs, and identify potential drug targets. Since the 1990s, structural biology has provided three-dimensional structures of drug targets, enabling drug discovery based on target structure (SBDD), fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), and structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) with CADD approaches. In the past 30 years, many first in class (FIC) and best in class (BIC) drugs were discovered with CADD. Now, AIDD will further revolutionize CADD by reducing human interventions and mining big chemical and biological data. It is expected that AIDD will significantly enhance the abilities of CADD, virtual screening and drug target identification. This article tries to provide perspectives of CADD and AIDD in medicinal chemistry with case studies.

Clinical Observation of Venetoclax Combined with Demethylating Agents on the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with demethylating agents (HMA) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 26 adult R/R AML patients who received the combination of VEN with azacitidine (AZA) or decitabine (DAC) in Huai'an Second People's Hospital from February 2019 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment response, adverse events as well as survival were observed, and the factors of influencing the efficacy and survival were explored.@*RESULTS@#The overall response rate (ORR) of 26 patients was 57.7% (15 cases), including 13 cases of complete response (CR) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) and 2 cases of partial response (PR). Among the 13 patients who got CR/CRi, 7 cases achieved CRm (minimal residual disease negative CR) and 6 cases did not, with statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) between the two groups (P=0.044, 0.036). The median OS of all the patients was 6.6 (0.5-15.6) months, and median EFS was 3.4 (0.5-9.9) months. There were 13 patients in the relapse group and refractory group, respectively, with response rate of 84.6% and 30.8% (P=0.015). The survival analysis showed that the relapse group had a better OS than the refractory group (P=0.026), but there was no significant difference in EFS (P=0.069). Sixteen patients who treated for 1-2 cycles and 10 patients who treated for more than 3 cycles achieved response rates of 37.5% and 90.0%, respectively (P=0.014), and patients treated for more cycles had superior OS and EFS (both P<0.01). Adverse effects were mainly bone marrow suppression, complicated by various degrees of infection, bleeding, and gastrointestinal discomfort was common, but these could be all tolerated by patients.@*CONCLUSION@#VEN combined with HMA is an effective salvage therapy for patients with R/R AML and is well tolerated by patients. Achieving minimal residual disease negativity is able to improve long-term survival of patients.

Short-term efficacy observation of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the clinical short-term efficacy of venetoclax (Ven) combined with azacitidine (AZA) in treatment of newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The data of 18 newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients with AML who received Ven+AZA treatment in Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from April 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The complete remission or complete remission with incomplete recovery of blood cell count (CR/CRi) and objective remission rate (ORR) [calculated as CR/CRi+partial remission (PR)] were analyzed in newly treated and relapsed/refractory patients or patients with different gene mutations. The patients were followed up until June 30, 2022, and the overall survival (OS) of relapsed/refractory patients was analyzed. The occurrence of adverse reactions was summarized.Results:The median age of the 18 patients was 58 years old (23-81 years old), 8 were males and 10 were females; 6 were newly treated and 12 were relapsed/refractory; the median follow-up time was 3 months (1-15 months). In 6 newly treated patients, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 5 cases achieved CR/CRi, and the ORR was 83.3% (5/6). In 12 relapsed/refractory patients, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 5 cases achieved CR/CRi, 3 achieved PR, and the ORR was 66.7% (8/12). Among the 18 patients, 7 cases had FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 1 case achieved CR/CRi, 1 case achieved PR, and the ORR was 28.6% (2/7); 3 cases had NPM1 mutation combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, 1 case achieved CR/CRi, and the ORR was 33.3% (1/3); 4 cases had IDH1/2 mutation, and 3 cases of them combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, all of which were non-remission, and the other 1 relapsed/refractory patient combined with K/NRAS mutation achieved CR/CRi; among the 4 cases with K/NRAS mutation, 2 cases combined with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation, including 1 case of NR and 1 case of PR, and the other 2 cases achieved CR/CRi, the ORR was 75.0% (3/4). Of the 12 relapsed/refractory patients, 6 died by the end of follow-up, with a median OS time of 2.6 months (1- 8 months), including 4 cases of disease progression and 2 cases of disease relapse; the 6 surviving patients had stable disease. All the 18 patients had ≥grade 3 hematologic adverse reactions, and non-hematologic adverse reactions included lung infection, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.Conclusions:Ven+AZA treatment for newly treated and relapsed/refractory AML patients results in a high response rate with tolerable adverse reactions, but it is not effective in AML patients with FLT3-ITD/TKD mutation.

Clinical observation of venetoclax-based treatment regimens for acute myeloid leukemia / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN)-based regimens in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The clinical data of 41 AML patients treated with venetoclax-based regimens from January 2021 to December 2021 in Ruijin Hospital North of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment regimens included VEN+demethylating drugs ± gene mutation inhibitors or VEN+chemotherapy with a median number of 2 courses (1- 5 courses).Results:The median age of all patients was 60 years (18-73 years), and there were 24 males and 17 females. After 1 course of VEN-based therapy, 22 (53.7%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) or morphological complete remission without complete blood count recovery (CRi), including 5 patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negative. After 2 courses of treatment, of 17 patients available for efficacy evaluation, 7 patients achieved MRD negative. Among 20 relapsed/refractory AML patients, 9 cases achieved CR/CRi after 1 course of treatment, of which 1 patient had MRD negative. Among 21 patients initially treated and re-treated, 13 cases achieved CR/CRi and 1 case achieved partial remission after 1 course of treatment, of which 4 cases had MRD negative.Conclusions:VEN-based treatment regimens for AML have a high remission rate and tolerable adverse effects.

Progress of venetoclax in treatment of hematologic malignancies / 白血病·淋巴瘤

The anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2, a key regulator of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, is frequently overexpressed in cells of hematologic malignancies, and the small molecule inhibitor venetoclax that targets this apoptotic pathway has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. The survival and prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are of advanced age or who are unsuitable for strong induction chemotherapy because of comorbidities also have significantly improved, but some patients develop progressive drug resistance during the course of venetoclax treatment, which affects the efficacy of medical therapy. This article reviews the action mechanism, therapeutic progress and resistance mechanism of venetoclax in hematologic malignancies.

Clinical efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy in the treatment of 15 patients with relapsed or refractory early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ETP-ALL) . Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 15 patients with R/R ETP-ALL who received Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy from December 2018 to February 2022. Among them, eight cases were combined with demethylated drugs, four cases were combined with demethylated drugs and HAAG chemotherapy regimen, two cases were combined with demethylated drugs and CAG regimen, and one case was combined with Cladribine. Specific usage and dosage of Venetoclax: 100 mg on day 1, 200 mg on day 2, 400 mg on day 3-28, orally; when combined with azole antifungal drugs, dosage was reduced to 100 mg/d. Results: Fifteen patients (10 males and 5 females) with R/R ETP-ALL were treated with Venetoclax and multidrug chemotherapy with a median age of 35 (12-42) years old. Of 4 refractory and 11 relapsed patients, the efficacy was evaluated on the 21th day following combined chemotherapy: the overall response rate, the complete response (CR) rate, and the CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) rate were 67.7% (10/15), 60.0% (9/15), and 6.7% (1/15), respectively. For the overall study population, the 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 60.0%, and the median OS was 17.7 months. The disease-free survival (DFS) rate of all CR patients at 12 months was 60.0%, and the median DFS did not reach. About 14 patients had Ⅲ-Ⅳ hematological toxicity, but these adverse reactions were all controllable. No adverse reaction in the nervous system and tumor lysis syndrome occurred in this study, and no adverse reaction of organs above grade Ⅲ occurred. Conclusion: Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy may be a safe and promising treatment option for patients with R/R ETP-ALL.

Efficacy and Survival of Venetoclax Based Regimen in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the efficacy and survival of venetoclax based (VEN-based) regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia（AML）.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted in patients who received VEN-based regimen and completed at least 1 course of efficacy evaluation at the The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from July 2019 to July 2022. The incidence of complete remission （CR）/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery （CRi） rate, objective remission rate（ORR） and survival of patients with different risk strati- fication and gene subtypes were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 79 patients were enrolled, including 43 patients with newly diagnosed unfit AML （unfit AML） and 36 relapsed/refractory AML (R/R AML). The median age of the patients was 62(14-83) years old. 36 out of 79 patients achieved CR/CRi and the ORR of the whole cohort was 64.6%. The CR/CRi rate of unfit AML patients was significantly higher than that of R/R AML patients (60.5% vs 27.8%, P=0.004). In unfit AML cohort, the patients with NPM1 and IDH1/2 mutations were benefited, 8 out of 9 patients ahcieved CR/CRi, 7/8 and 5/8 patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, respectively. Six out of 9 patients with TET2 mutation achieved CR/CRi, 3/6 patients achieved MRD negativity. In R/R AML cohort, 2 out of 3 patients with RUNX1 mutation achieved CR/CRi, without MRD negative, while the CR/CRi rate of patients with other gene mutations was lower than 40%. The median follow-up time was 10.1(95%CI: 8.6-11.6) months. In whole cohort, the median overall survival (mOS) time was 9.1 months and the relapse free survival (RFS) time was not reached. The mOS and RFS of unfit AML patients were significantly longer than those of R/R AML patients (14.1 vs 6.8 months, P=0.013; not reached vs 3.3 months, P=0.000). In unfit AML cohort, the mOS of patients with NPM1 or IDH1/2 mutations was not reached, while that of patients without NPM1 or IDH1/2 mutations was 8.0 months (P=0.009; P=0.022). Furthermore, the mOS of patients with TP53 mutaion was significantly shorter than that of patients without TP53 mutation (5.2 vs 14.1 months， P=0.049). In R/R AML cohort, there was no significant difference in mOS between patients with mutation in each gene subtype and those without gene mutation (P>0.05). All patients had hematology adverse reactions, 91.1% patients had AE grade≥3. The most common non-hematology adverse reactions was infection, with an incidence of 91.1%. VEN-based regimen was tolerable for AML patients.@*CONCLUSION@#VEN-based regimen can achieve a high response rate, especially in unfit AML with acceptable safety, and some patients can achieve MRD negative. It is also effective in NPM1-, IDH1/2-positive patients with long survival time.

Efficacy and Recurrence Factors of Veneclax Combined with Aza- citidine in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the efficacy of veneclax combined with azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients and explore the predictors of treatment response and recurrence.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 30 AML patients who received venetecla combined with azacitidine in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, composite complete remission (CRc) rate, overall response rate(ORR), and disease free survival(DFS) of patients were observed.@*RESULTS@#After one course of trea- tment, CRc was 16 cases and ORR was 23/30. Patients with TP53 mutation had poor treatment response (P=0.009). After 1-2 courses, 25 patients reached CR/CRi. Finally, 24 patients who obtained CR/CRi were included to observe the duration of remission. 17 patients had relapse, with a median recurrence time of 3.9 (0.6-15.9) months. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that MRD negative was a favorable factor for maintaining DFS status (HR=0.5647,95%CI:0.2179-1.464,P=0.007), while NRAS mutation was an adverse factor for maintaining DFS (HR=2.036,95%CI:0.6639-6.245,P=0.0003). Univariate combined multivariate cox regression analysis showed that NRAS mutation was an independent risk factor affecting DFS in patients (HR=5.569, P<0.05). In addition, the cases number of early recurrence in MRD negative group (n=8) and MRD non-negative group (n=9) was 0 and 5, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.012). There were 3 cases of early recurrence in the NRAS mutant group (n=4) and 2 cases in the NRAS wild-type group (n=13), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.022).@*CONCLUSION@#TP53 mutation is a predictor of poor response to veneclax in combination with azacitidine. With the conti-nuation of the combination chemotherapy regimen described above, NRAS mutation is an independent risk factor for DFS in patients. Moreover, the patients with non-negative MRD and NRAS mutations are at high risk of early recurrence.

Safety and the Short-Term Efficacy of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine Followed by Cladribine in Children with Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the safety and the short-term efficacy of venetoclax combined with azacitidine followed by cladribine (VAC regimen) in children with refractory/ relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).@*METHODS@#The clinical data, treatment outcomes, complications, and blood product consumption of 6 children with refractory/relapsed AML treated with VAC regimen in the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from August 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 6 children, there were 1 male and 5 females. 5 cases were refractory AML, and 1 case was relapsed AML, which recurred again 16 months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 4 children were accompanied by chromosomes or genes that predicted poor prognosis, such as RUNX1, FLT3-ITD, KMT2A exon 2-exon 8 dup, MLL-AF6, 7q-, KMT2A exon 2-exon 10 dup, etc. After received VAC regimen, 4 cases achieved CR+CRi, 1 case achieved PR (only MRD did not relieve, MRD was 0.59%), and 1 case was NR (but the proportion of bone marrow blasts decreased). All 6 patients had grade Ⅳ neutropenia, and 4 patients had grade Ⅳ thrombocytopenia. During the period of neutropenia, none of the 6 children developed symptoms of infection such as fever, cough, and diarrhea. No treatment-related death occurred.@*CONCLUSION@#Venetoclax combined with azacitidine followed by cladribine provides a new treatment option for patients with relapsed/refractory AML who have poor efficacy in early induction remission theragy, showing good efficacy and safety.

Chemotherapy Combined with Venetoclax Followed by Allo-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Treatment of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy combined with venetoclax followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 3 patients with BPDCN undergoing allo-HSCT in Department of Hematology, Wuhan First Hospital from July 2017 to November 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 3 patients, there were 1 male and 2 females, aged 27-52 years old. Skin lesions were observed during initial diagnosis, and it could also be characterized by acute leukemia. Characteristic molecular markers of tumor cells, such as CD4, CD56, CD123, and CD303 were positive. In addition, the expression detection of Bcl-2 in 3 patients were positive. Chemotherapy combined with venetoclax in the initial induction of chemotherapy (1 case) or disease recurrence and progress (2 cases) was performed. There were 2 cases evaluated as complete remission (CR) and 1 case as partial remission (PR) before allo-HSCT. The patients all received a nonmyeloablative conditioning without total body irradiation (TBI). The prevention programme of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was antithymocyte globulin + mycophenolate mofetil + cyclosporin A/FK506 ± methotrexate. The number of mononuclear cell (MNC) count was (16.73-18.35)×108/kg, and CD34+ cell count was (3.57-4.65)×106/kg. The 3 patients were evaluated as CR after allo-HSCT (+21 to +28 d), the donor-recipient chimerism rate was 100%, and Ⅲ-Ⅳ GVHD was not observed. One patient died at +50 d after transplantation, two patients were followed up for 28 months and 15 months, respectively, and achieved disease-free survival (DFS).@*CONCLUSIONS@#BPDCN is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Chemotherapy combined with venetoclax followed by allo-HSCT may lead to long-term DFS or even cure. Post-transplant maintenance is still unclear.

Efficacy of Venetoclax Plus Azacitidine in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with FLT3-ITD Mutation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the efficacy of venetoclax (VEN) plus azacitidine (AZA) in patients with FLT3-ITD mutated relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (FLT3-ITDmut R/R AML) and analyze the molecular genetic characteristics of the patients.@*METHODS@#Clinical baseline characteristics and follow-up data of 16 R/R AML patients treatd with VEN plus AZA in the hematology department of Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from November 2018 to April 2021 were collected. Leukemia related genes were detected by next-generation sequencing(NGS) or PCR. The relationship between the efficacy of VEN plus AZA and molecular genetics characteristics of patients with FLT3-ITDmut R/R AML were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#14.3% (1/7) of the patients in FLT3-ITDmut group and 22.2% (2/9) of the patients in FLT3-ITDwt group achieved complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi), respectively, with no significant difference (P=0.69). There was no significant difference in overall response rate (ORR) (CR/CRi+PR) between FLT3-ITDmut group and FLT3-ITDwt group [42.9%(3/7) vs 44.4%(4/9), P=0.95], too. The median overall survival (OS) time of FLT3-ITDmut patients was significantly shorter than that of FLT3-ITDwt patients (130 vs 300 days, respectively) (P =0.02). Co-existing mutations of FLT3-ITD and IDH1 were detected in one patient who achieved CR. Co-existing mutations of FLT3-ITD and SF3B1 were found in one patient who achieved PR. Three FLT3-ITDmut R/R AML patients accompanied with NPM1 mutation had no response to VEN plus AZA.@*CONCLUSION@#VEN plus AZA showed a certain effect on patients with FLT3-ITDmut R/R AML. To improve OS of the patients, bridging transplantation is need. IDH1 and SF3B1 mutations might predict that patients with FLT3-ITDmut R/R AML have treatment response to VEN plus AZA, while the combination of NPM1 mutation may indicate poor response.

Venetoclax combined with azacitidine in treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes complicated with monoclonal globulinemia of unknown significance: report of 1 case and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) complicated with monoclonal globulinemia of unknown significance (MGUS).Methods:The clinical data of a patient with MDS complicated with MGUS in the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen in December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the literatures were reviewed.Results:According to results of bone marrow smear, cytogenetics, and next-generation sequencing, the patient was diagnosed as MDS and MGUS complicated with ASXL1, RUNX1, EZH2, STAG2 mutations as well as t(11;14). No response was observed after 2 courses of azacitidine and 1 course of azacitidine plus HAG. Later the patient achieved complete remission and negative RUNX1 and STAG2 mutations after a course of venetoclax combined with azacitidine. Meanwhile, M protein exhibited a decrease more than 50%. To date, the patient was still in complete remission.Conclusions:The regimen of venetoclax combined with azacitidine shows a significant efficacy and good tolerance to patient with co-occurrence of MDS and MGUS with t(11; 14).

Multicenter study of venetoclax-based combined regimen in treatment of adult acute myeloid leukemia / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of venetoclax-based combined regimen in treatment of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The data of 50 adult AML (non-acute promyelocytic leukemia) who received venetoclax-based combined regimen in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Dongguan People's Hospital, the First Hospital of Longyan City, Jieyang People's Hospital from December 2018 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Different doses venetoclax combined with demethylation drugs or low-dose chemotherapy regimen were used to analyze the therapeutic efficacy. The related factors influencing efficacy were analyzed by using logistic regression.Results:The composite complete remission (CR) rate of 50 AML patients was 62.0% (31/50), the overall response rate (ORR) was 76.0% (38/50); 28 patients achieved effectiveness [CR and partial remission (PR)] after the first cycle and could achieve effectiveness by 3 courses of treatment at the latest. Among 50 patients, 28 cases were newly diagnosed AML, the composite CR rate was 60.8% (17/28), ORR was 78.6% (22/28); 22 cases were recurrent and relapsed, the composite CR rate was 63.6% (14/22), ORR was 72.7% (16/22); and there was no statistically significant difference of ORR between the both groups ( χ2 = 0.23, P = 0.743). Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed age was the only independent influencing factor for the treatment effectiveness ( OR = 8.451, 95% CI 1.306-54.697, P = 0.025). The median duration time of patients receiving venetoclax treatment regimen was 4.5 months (1.1-15.0 months); 16 cases who had treatment effectiveness finally relapsed, the median time of maintaining effectiveness was 5 months (1.1-11.0 months). Additionally, the common treatment-related adverse reactions included bone marrow suppression after treatment, followed by some gastrointestinal reactions like nausea, vomiting and stomachache. In addition, no patient stopped medication for more than 1 week due to bone marrow suppression related complications. Conclusion:Venetoclax-based combined regimen shows a good short-term efficacy in treatment of AML. It is also effective and tolerable for elderly patients receiving reduced dose therapy.

Efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with azacitidine versus CAG regimen combined with decitabine in elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with azacitidine (AZA) versus CAG regimen combined with decitabine (DAC) in elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:From January 2018 to August 2020, the clinical data of forty-five elderly patients with relapse AML at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed, including 31 males and 14 females. The median age was 66 (60-80) years old. Eighteen patients were administrated with VEN and AZA, while the other 27 were in CAG with DAC. The complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission (PR) rate, total remission rate (ORR), adverse events and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.Results:At the end of the treatment, the ORR in VEN with AZA group was 77.8% (14/18); including 11 CR and 3 PR. In CAG with DAC group, the ORR was 37.0% (10/27); including 8 CR and 2 PR ( P=0.007). Subgroup analysis suggested that VEN with AZA had a higher ORR in patients stratified as intermediate and poor-risk ( P=0.013) or with DNA methylation mutations ( P=0.007). Main adverse events in both groups were bone marrow suppression, infections, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. Grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ cytopenia developed in lower incidence of VEN with AZA group, such as leukopenia (66.7% vs. 100%, P=0.002), anemia (50.0% vs. 92.6%, P=0.002), thrombocytopenia (72.2% vs. 96.3%, P=0.031) and neutropenia (61.1% vs. 92.6%, P=0.014). In addition, less grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ infections occurred in VEN with AZA group (66.7% vs. 33.3%, P=0.028), as well as grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ gastrointestinal events (40.7% vs. 11.1%, P=0.032), grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ fatigue (55.6% vs.11.1%, P=0.003) compared with CAG with DAC group. The 1-year OS in VEN with AZA group versus CAG with DAC group was 42.9% and 31.6% respectively ( P=0.150). Conclusion:VEN combined with AZA proves favorable efficacy and tolerablity in elderly patients with relapsed AML.

Short-term efficacy of venetoclax combined with azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia: a single-institution experience / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the safety and short-term efficacy of venetoclax combined with azacitidine (Ven+AZA) in previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy and patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in China. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 60 previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy and patients with R/R AML who received Ven+ AZA (venetoclax, 100 mg D1, 200 mg D2, 400 mg D3-28; azacitidine, 75 mg/m(2) D1- 7) at the Peking University Institute of Hematology from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2021. The incidence of adverse events, complete remission (CR) /CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) rate, objective remission rate (ORR) , and minimal residual disease (MRD) status in patients with different risk stratification and gene subtypes were analyzed. Results: The median age of the patients was 54 (18-77) years, 33 (55.0%) were males, and the median follow-up time was 4.8 (1.4-26.3) months. Among the 60 patients, 24 (40.0%) were previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy, and 36 (60.0%) were R/R patients. The median mumber cycles of Ven+AZA in the two groups were both 1 (1-5) . According to the prognostic risk stratification of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, it was divided into 8 cases of favorable-risk, 2 cases of intermediate risk, and 14 cases of poor-risk. In previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 17/24 (70.8%) cases achieved CR/CRi, 3/24 (12.5%) achieved partial remission (PR) , and the ORR was 83.3%. Among them, nine patients received a second cycle chemotherapy and two received a third cycle. Among CR/CRi patients, 8/17 (47.1%) achieved MRD negativity after two cycles of therapy. In the R/R group, after the first cycle of Ven+AZA, 21/36 (58.3%) cases achieved CR/CRi (7/21 achieved MRD negativity) , 3 achieved PR, and the ORR was 66.7%. Among R/R patients, 12 were treated for more than two cycles. There were no new CR/CRi patients after the second treatment cycle, and 14 cases (66.7%) achieved MRD negativity. According to the time from CR to hematological recurrence, the R/R group was divided into 12 cases in the favorable-risk group (CR to hematological recurrence ≥18 months) and 24 in the poor-risk group (CR to hematological recurrence<18 months, no remission after one cycle of therapy, and no remission after two or more cycles of therapy) . Eleven of 24 (45.8%) cases achieved CR/CRi after one cycle of Ven+AZA in the poor-risk R/R group, and 10 of 12 (83.3%) achieved CR/CRi in the favorable-risk R/R group, which was significantly superior to the poor-risk group (P=0.031) . After one cycle of treatment, 13 patients with IDH1/2 mutations and 4 that were TP53-positive all achieved CR/CRi. The CR/CRi rate of 18 patients with NPM1 mutations was 77.8%. Five patients with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 combined with KIT D816 mutation (two initial diagnoses and three recurrences) had no remission. Ven+ AZA was tolerable for AML patients. Conclusion: Ven+AZA has acceptable safety in previously untreated patients unfit for standard chemotherapy, patients with R/R AML can achieve a high response rate, and some patients can achieve MRD negativity. It is also effective in NPM1-, IDH1/IDH2-, and TP53-positive patients. The long-term efficacy remains to be observed.

Salvage allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation under venetoclax bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen for an acute myeloid leukemia patient with primary induction therapy failure / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the application of venetoclax in transplantation of patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with refractory AML who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) under venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen after induction therapy failure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The patient was a 28-year-old female who was diagnosed with refractory AML. The patient was initially given induction chemotherapy with IA (idarubicin+cytarabine) (3+7) regimen, but the disease did not relieve, then the induction chemotherapy with CLAG (cladribine+cytarabine+granulocyte colony stimulating factor) regimen was given, but the disease still did not relieve. After chemotherapy with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen, salvage haploid allo-HSCT was performed. Re-examination of bone marrow showed remission, and implantation was successful. The patient was followed up for 100 days and had sustained remission, and no transplantation complications occurred.Conclusion:For refractory AML patients who have failed primary induction therapy, the use of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen can be used as a preferred solution for salvage allo-HSCT.

Targeted therapy with a selective BCL-2 inhibitor in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia

ABSTRACT Background: Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia are particularly difficult to treat, as they have a high risk of comorbidities, poor performance status and less tolerability to chemotherapy, as well as a more aggressive disease biology, responsible for the resistance to treatment. There is a need to explore novel therapeutic agents that are more effective and tolerable. Venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor is a promising agent, as BCL-2 overexpression is present in 84% of acute myeloid leukemia patients at diagnosis and 95% of patients at relapse and has been associated with leukemia cell survival, chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. Objective: To review the available data about venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia and how it can influence the treatment in older patients. Methods: Using the Pubmed database, we selected 29 articles published within the last 15 years, considering preclinical and clinical trials and review studies that combined venetoclax with acute myeloid leukemia. Results: Venetoclax has demonstrated promising results in preclinical and clinical trials, especially in patients with poor prognosis and the IDH mutation, with an excellent side-effect profile. However, resistance seems to develop rapidly with venetoclax monotherapy, because of antiapoptotic escape mechanisms. Conclusions: While the results with the use of venetoclax seem encouraging, it is not likely that targeting a single pathway will result in long-term disease control. The solution includes the use of combined therapy to block resistance mechanisms and enhance apoptosis, by reducing MCL-1, increasing BIM or inhibiting the complex IV in the mitochondria.

Effect of Venetoclax on Tumor Associated Genes and Cytokines in Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 医药导报

Objective To investigate the effect of venetoclax on RNA expression and cytokines release in lymphocytes isolated from acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients. Methods MTT method was performed to study the apoptosis of AML cells and optimize the concentration of venetoclax.The gene markers expression and cytokines production before and after venetoclax treatment were examined by RT-PCR and ELISA methods,respectively. Results After chemotherapy,the expression of tumor associated inhibitory genes including BCL-2(P<0.05),SIRPα(P<0.05),CD47(P<0.05),PDL-1(P<0.05),PDL-2 (P<0.01),and EZH2(P<0.05) were significantly decreased when venetoclax reached 300 nmol·L-1.In addition,the expression levels of the activated molecules significantly increased,such as TRAIL(P<0.01) and TNF-α(P<0.01).The ELISA results showed that the release of human TNF-α and IFN-γ have significantly increased. Conclusion Venetoclax,which is a chemotherapeutic drug,can be used as tumor targeting drug.It can promote apoptosis in AML patients by regulating the genes expressions related to malignancy and cytokines production.

Venetoclax and low-dose cytarabine induced complete remission in a patient with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia: a case report / 医学前沿

Conventional combination therapies have not resulted in considerable progress in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Elderly patients with AML and poor risk factors have grave prognosis. Midostaurin has been recently approved for the treatment of FLT-3-mutated AML. Venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory chronic lymphoid leukemia. Clinical trials on applying venetoclax in combination with cytarabine and other agents to treat various hematological malignancies are currently underway. Here, we present a case of a male patient with poor performance status and who developed AML following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for high-risk myelodysplasia. The patient with high risk AML achieved complete response to the combined treatment regimen of low-dose cytarabine and venetoclax. Furthermore, we reviewed current clinical trials on the use of venetoclax for hematological malignancies.

Correlation Study between in Vitro Release and in Vivo Absorption of Venetoclax / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in-vitro release behavior of venetoclax preparations, the pharmacokinetic processes and the correlations between in-vitro release and in-vivo absorption of venetoclax in Beagle dogs. METHODS: The dissolution curves of venetoclax preparations in different dissolution media were studied. HPLC method was established for the determination of venetoclax in Beagle dogs, and the pharmacokinetics were studied for commercial venetoclax tablets in Beagle dogs under fed and fasted states.The IVIVC study was carried out by linear regression of cumulative in-vitro drug release and in-vivo absorption accumulation percentage data. RESULTS: The in-vitro release behavior among venetoclax formulation in 4 dissolution media were significant difference. The simple, accurate and rapid analysis method for venetoclax blood samples was established. The fed group and the fasted group AUC0→∞ were (32.38±5.87) and (27.70±6.32) mg·h·L-1, the concentration of peak were (4.04±0.78) and (3.72 ±0.69) μg·mL-1, the peak time were (6.01±1.04) and (4.27±0.92) h, respectively, and there was obvious difference (P<0.05) in AUC0→∞ and the peak time between two group. Percentage of in-vivo absorption was in good agreement with in-vitro release in pH 6.8 0.2%SDS media. CONCLUSION: The study shows that food could improve the bioavailability of venetoclax formulation; 0.2%SDS pH 6.8 media (paddle, 75 r·min-1) is the in-vivo release of venetoclax associated with the in-vitro release condition.