A regional clinical audit of the provision of adjuvant systemic anti-cancer treatment following lung cancer resection in eligible patients across Greater Manchester to support national benchmarking

Introduction: Adjuvant anti-cancer systemic therapy (SACT) following lung resection improves overall survival in stage II/II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) National Specialty Report for Lung Cancer recommends centres publish adjuvant SACT rates for National benchmarking and proposes a target of >40% of eligible patients undergo SACT. We report a regional audit into the uptake of adjuvant SACT in Greater Manchester (GM). Method(s): A retrospective case review of all patients undergoing curative-intent NSCLC surgery with a pathological stage of II/III from 01/01/21 to 30/04/21. Data collected included patient demographics, uptake of adjuvant SACT, reasons for no adjuvant SACT and tolerance and complications of SACT. Result(s): 58 patients underwent surgical resection within the audit period and were eligible for adjuvant SACT. Median age was 70 years (range 45 - 81) and 60% were female. 47% (27/58) commenced adjuvant SACT;41% (24/58) were treated with chemotherapy and 7% (4/58) were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 58% (14/24) of patients that commenced adjuvant chemotherapy completed 4 cycles. Carboplatin/Vinorelbine was the commonest regimen (82%, 18/22). There were no grade III-V complications and no chemotherapy-related deaths. Dose reduction due to toxicity was required in 14% (3/22). The reasons adjuvant systemic therapy was not given were patient choice in 32% (10/31), poor physical health such that risks outweighed benefits in 42% (13/31), and other reasons (e.g. need to treat synchronous primary tumours) in 26% (8/31). COVID-19 was not recorded as a cause for adjuvant omission/ dose reduction. Conclusion(s): This data provides national benchmarking information for adjuvant SACT in NSCLC and suggests the target of >40% is achievable and appropriate. Interventions that improve patient fitness pre- and post-operatively might increase adjuvant SACT uptake. This regional audit will be extended to review all eligible patients in 2021 and further data will be presented. Disclosure: No significant relationships.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

COVID-19–RELATED ADVERSE EVENTS IN THE PHASE 3 POETYK TRIALS OF THE ALLOSTERIC TYROSINE KINASE 2 INHIBITOR, DEUCRAVACITINIB, IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE PLAQUE PSORIASIS

BackgroundDeucravacitinib is a first-in-class, oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor approved in multiple countries for the treatment of adults with plaque psoriasis. Deucravacitinib suppresses signaling of cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Deucravacitinib was efficacious compared with placebo in phase 2 trials in psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.[1,2] In two phase 3 trials in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (POETYK PSO-1 [NCT03624127], PSO-2 [NCT03611751]), deucravacitinib showed superior efficacy versus placebo and apremilast.[3,4] Upon completion of either psoriasis trial, patients could enroll in the POETYK long-term extension (LTE) trial (NCT04036435).ObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence rate and severity of adverse events (AEs) due to COVID-19 with deucravacitinib treatment in the POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 trials and open-label POETYK LTE trial.MethodsIn PSO-1 (N=666) and PSO-2 (N=1020), adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were randomized 2:1:1 to deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily, placebo, or apremilast 30 mg twice daily. At Week 16, placebo patients in both trials switched to deucravacitinib. Based on their Week 24 PASI response, apremilast patients continued with apremilast or switched to placebo or deucravacitinib. In PSO-1, patients randomized to deucravacitinib continued treatment for 52 weeks;in PSO-2, some patients randomized to deucravacitinib had a randomized treatment withdrawal period. At Week 52, patients could enroll in the open-label LTE and receive deucravacitinib. Incidence rates and severity of COVID-19–related AEs in the POETYK trials (n=1364;2076.7 person-years [PY] of follow-up) were compared with the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine trial placebo group (n=19,544;3096.1 PY of follow-up). This reference population was selected due to the study design and timing of the trial, which occurred when variants were in circulation.ResultsAs of October 1, 2021, 1519 patients received ≥1 dose of deucravacitinib over a 2-year follow-up period;1364 patients met criteria for this analysis, with deucravacitinib exposure since the pandemic onset (estimated to be January 1, 2020). In total, 153 deucravacitinib patients reported a COVID-19–related AE, for an overall exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) of 7.4/100 PY (95% CI, 6.2–8.6). Serious COVID-19–related AEs occurred in 43 patients (EAIR, 2.1/100 PY;95% CI, 1.5–2.8), including 30 with COVID-19 and 13 with COVID-19 pneumonia;this rate was within the margins of those for moderate to severe COVID-19 reported in the reference population (EAIR, 16.5/100 PY;95% CI, 15.0–17.9). Deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in 6 patients (EAIR, 0.3/100 PY;95% CI, 0.1–0.6), with the COVID-19–related mortality rate being consistent with the reference population (EAIR, 0.23/100 PY;95% CI, 0.1–0.5). Treatment was discontinued due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 pneumonia in 7 patients, including the 6 patients who died due to COVID-19.ConclusionCOVID-19 was among the most frequently reported AEs during the 2-year period of the pooled PSO-1, PSO-2, and LTE trials due to the temporal overlap of the pandemic with the trials. However, COVID-19 infection and death rates did not differ from the reference population;most infections were not serious and did not lead to treatment discontinuation. Based on this analysis, deucravacitinib did not appear to increase the risk of COVID-19 nor its progression to severe outcomes.References[1]Mease PJ, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022;81:815-822.[2]Morand E, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022;Nov 11 (Epub ahead of print).[3]Armstrong A, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;S0190-9622(22)02256-3.[4]Strober B, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;S0190-9622(22)02643-3.AcknowledgementsThese clinical trials were sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb.Disclosure of InterestsDiamant Thaçi Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Boeh inger Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz-Hexal, Sanofi, Target Solution, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz-Hexal, Sanofi, Target Solution, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz-Hexal, Sanofi, Target Solution, and UCB, Kenneth B Gordon Consultant of: Amgen, Almirall, Dermira, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, and Sun Pharma, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Almirall, Dermira, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, and Sun Pharma, AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB, Melinda Gooderham Speakers bureau: Glenmark, Actelion, AbbVie, Galderma, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, and Regeneron, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, and Valeant, Consultant of: Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, and Valeant, Andrew Alexis Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi Genzyme, Consultant of: AbbVie, Allergan, Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, AstraZeneca, Bausch Health, Beiersdorf, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Galderma, Janssen, Leo Pharma, L'Oreal, Pfizer, Sanofi-Regeneron, Sol-Gel, UCB, Valeant, VisualDx, and Vyne, Grant/research support from: Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara, Galderma, Leo Pharma, Menlo, Novartis, and Valeant (Bausch Health), Varsha Lalchandani Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Julie Scotto Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Lauren Hippeli Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Matthew J Colombo Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Subhashis Banerjee Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Tamara Lezhava Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Mark Lebwohl Consultant of: Aditum Bio, Almirall, AltruBio, AnaptysBio, Arcutis, Arena, Aristea, Arrive Technologies, Avotres, BiomX, Boehringer Ingelheim, Brickell Biotech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara, Castle Biosciences, CorEvitas' (Corrona) Psoriasis Registry, Dermavant, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Evelo Biosciences, Evommune, Forte Biosciences, Helsinn Therapeutics, Hexima, Leo Pharma, Meiji Seika Pharma, Mindera, Pfizer, Seanergy, and Verrica, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Avotres, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Incyte, Janssen, Ortho Dermatologics, Regeneron, and UCB.

Updated efficacy and safety of taletrectinib in patients (pts) with ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background Taletrectinib is a potent, next-generation, CNS-active, ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with selectivity over TRKB. In previous reports from TRUST-I, taletrectinib showed meaningful clinical efficacy and was well tolerated in pts with ROS1+ NSCLC (n = 109) regardless of crizotinib (CRZ) pretreatment status. We report updated efficacy and safety data with ~1.5 yr follow-up. Methods TRUST-I is a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study with two cohorts: ROS1 TKI-naive and CRZ-pretreated. Pts in both cohorts received taletrectinib 600 mg QD. Key study endpoints included IRC-confirmed ORR (cORR), DoR, disease control rate (DCR), PFS, and safety. A pooled analysis of ORR, PFS, and safety including pts from additional clinical trials was also conducted. Results In the 109 pts from TRUST-I (enrolled prior to Feb 2022) the median follow-up was 18.0 mo in TKI-naive (n = 67) and 16.9 mo in CRZ-pretreated pts (n = 42). cORR was 92.5% in TKI-naive and 52.6% in CRZ-pretreated pts (table). Median DoR (mDoR) and mPFS were not reached. Intracranial-ORR was 91.6%;ORR in pts with G2032R was 80.0%. In a pooled analysis with phase I studies, ORR was 89.5% and 50.0% for TKI-naive and CRZ-pretreated pts, respectively;mPFS was 33.2 mo and 9.8 mo. In 178 pts treated at 600 mg QD, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were 92.7%;most (64.0%) were grade 1-2. The most common TEAEs were increased AST (60.7%), increased ALT (55.6%), and diarrhea (55.6%). Neurological TEAEs (dizziness, 18.5%;dysgeusia, 12.4%) and discontinuations due to TEAEs (3.4%) were low. Further updated results will be presented. [Formula presented] Conclusions With additional follow-up, taletrectinib continued to demonstrate meaningful efficacy outcomes including high response rates, prolonged PFS, robust intracranial activity, activity against G2032R, and tolerable safety with low incidence of neurological AEs. Clinical trial identification NCT04395677. Editorial acknowledgement Medical writing and editorial assistance were provided by Arpita Kulshrestha of Peloton Advantage, LLC, an OPEN Health company, and funded by AnHeart Therapeutics, Inc Legal entity responsible for the study AnHeart Therapeutics, Inc. Funding AnHeart Therapeutics, Inc. Disclosure S. He: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Employment: AnHeart Therapeutics. T. Seto: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: AbbVie, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly Japan, Kissei Pharmaceutical, MSD, Novartis Pharma, Pfizer Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Employment: Precision Medicine Asia;Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker's Bureau, Honoraria for lectures: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Covidien Japan, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly Japan, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, MSD, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis Pharma, Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Towa Pharmaceutical. C. Zhou: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consulting fees: Innovent Biologics Qilu, Hengrui, TopAlliance Biosciences Inc;Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker's Bureau, Payment or honoraria: Eli Lilly China, Sanofi, BI, Roche, MSD, Qilu, Hengrui, Innovent Biologics, C-Stone LUYE Pharma, TopAlliance Biosciences Inc, Amoy Diagnositics, AnHeart. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Copyright © 2023 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Postmarketing data collection and evidence evaluation

AIFA Monitoring Registries (wMRs) constitute a collection of drug registries (product registries) deployed to physicians and pharmacists through a national web platform. They have been adopted in the clinical practice since 2005 and are used to define the population for which the drug is available under the umbrella of the National Health Service (NHS - Servizio Sanitario Nazionale SSN), monitor prescription appropriateness and ensure the rapid access to potentially priority medicines allowing the implementation of patient-based managed entry agreements (MEAs). Each registry consists of specific data entry forms, collecting data at the patient level and filled in by authorized clinicians and pharmacists. The required information includes: 1. Registration form with patient personal data (anonymized after registration);2. Eligibility and clinical data form;3. Prescription and administration forms;4. Evaluation of disease status and treatment update form;and 5. End-of-treatment form. Evaluation and end-of-treatment forms provide main safety and effectiveness data at a patient level. Moreover, since entry forms are the same throughout the nation, this platform allows access to treatment in a homogeneous manner throughout the country. Recently, a new type of registry has been released, with the primary aim of monitoring the pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) following the prescription of potentially teratogenic medicinal products. All this information is collected in a national database that represents a key source of postmarketing evidence that is frequently exploited to answer both administrative and clinical questions, such as drug utilization among a specific pharmacological class or the effectiveness of a drug in a census consisting of all Italian patients treated with that medicinal product. For example, given the prospective nature of the data contained inside the wMRs, AIFA together with members of the relevant scientific associations were able to evaluate the effect of the COVID- 19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the new prescription (i.e. first prescription) of some cardiovascular drugs in Italy and suggest new studies to analyse the occurrence of new cardiovascular- related events resulting from the decline in the activation of these treatments. Equally important is the work assessing the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in Italian clinical practice, which was able to highlight important aspects on both expected mortality and consequential use in first and second line TKIs in Italy. Finally, the wMRs were also a critical instrument in the management of the COVID-19 medicinal products since 29 October 2020, providing essential evidence on drug availability through the country, predicting possible shortages and publishing hundreds of freely available reports on the utilization trend of COVID-19 drugs in the different Italian Regions. In conclusion, the wMRs represent a key tool to generate pharmaco-epidemiological evidences in the Real-world setting and monitoring drug appropriateness for expensive, innovative drug.

Safety Profile of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Approved for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Analysis from the European Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting System: An International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Drug Experience

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), soft tissue sarcomas of the digestive tract, are associated with oncogenic mutations that led to the approval of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) [1-2]. Considering the increased use of TKIs in clinical practice, it may be useful to identify unexpected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Objective: The aim of this study was to describe better ADRs and to identify unexpected potential safety signals through the analysis of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) among TKIs approved for GIST collected into the European Spontaneous Reporting System (SRS) database. Methods: All ICSRs recorded starting from the drug approval up to 31 December 2021 with one of the following TKIs reported as suspected drug were included: imatinib (IM), sunitinib (SU), avapritinib (AVA), regorafenib (REG), and ripretinib (RIP). A descriptive analysis was conducted to assess all demographic characteristics. Moreover, a disproportionality analysis was performed using the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR) with the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) to evaluate the frequency of ADRs for each TKI compared to all other TKIs. Results The number of analyzed ICSRs was 8,512 (Figure 1 Flowchart of ICSRs selection process): the 57.9% were related to IM, followed by SU (24.2%), AVA (13.1%), REG (2.7%), and RIP (2.1%). ICSRs were mainly serious (87.5%), related to males (51.7%), and to adults (44.7%);moreover, the 25.5% were fatal. The disproportionality analysis showed a higher reporting frequency of some unexpected ADRs for each TKI: gait disturbance (ROR 2.86;95% CI 1.90-4.29), hyperhidrosis (2.57;1.06-6.20), and hyperammonemia (3.92;1.05-14.60) for SU;cerebrovascular accident (6.23;2.18-17.84), hemoglobin decreased (2.23;1.08-4.61), and internal haemorrhage (14.44;3.94-52.92) for RIP;gastrointestinal ulcer (10.88;2.98-39.81) for REG;hepatic and lung cancer for IM (12.79;8.04-20.37 and 7.71;3.33-17.84, respectively);hallucination (24.33;9.02-65.68), mood swings (8.02;2.44-26.33), and stress (6.68;1.93-23.11), nephrolithiasis (6.69;2.15-20.77), pollakiuria (3.08;1.17-8.13), and dialysis (6.68;1.67-26.73), sinusitis (3.34;1.14-9.78), cellulitis (4.17;1.36-12.78), and COVID-19 (7.25;3.40-15.45), chills (2.36;1.22-4.58), limb fracture (3.53;1.63-7.60), hernia (9.23;3.71-23.00), diabetes mellitus (5.02;2.11-11.95), hyposideraemia (5.02;2.11-11.95), tinnitus (3.64;1.34-9.87), parosmia (5.00;1.12-22.38), Raynaud's phenomenon (5.00;1.12-22.38), and thyroid function test abnormal (8.90;1.99-39.83) for AVA. Conclusion: This study is largely consistent with results from literature but some unexpected ADRs were shown. Further studies are necessary to increase the awareness about the safety profiles of new TKIs approved for GISTs.

Myasthenic Crisis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acquired autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction, caused by antibodies that target the post-synaptic membrane. These antibodies most commonly bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), but in a smaller proportion of cases, antibodies to muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK)(1-10%) or to lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp-4)(1-3%) can be present instead. These antibodies act on the receptors, prevent neuromuscular transmission and induce weakness of skeletal muscles. In 10-15% of MG patients, no antibodies are detected and these patients are designated as seronegative. Weakness can be generalized or localized, is usually more proximal than distal, and nearly always includes eye muscles, causing diplopia and/or ptosis. The pattern of involvement is usually symmetric, except for the eye involvement, which is mostly markedly asymmetric. The muscle weakness typically increases with exercise and repetitive muscle use (fatigue) and varies over the course of a day and from day to day. Patients commonly present first with ocular manifestations, however, the majority develop generalized muscle weakness, involving the facial and bulbar muscles (dysarthria, dysphagia), the limbs, the neck and axial muscles (dropped head, bent spine), and in severe cases the diaphragmatic and intercostal muscles. MuSK-MG predominantly appears in women, who show weakness in mostly cranial and bulbar muscles, commonly with an acute onset and a tendency to rapid progression in comparison to AchRMG. Myasthenic crisis (MC), the severe end of the disease spectrum, can occur at any age and is potentially life-threatening. This is a clinical emergency that requires management in an intensive care setting. MC is mostly provoked by infections or inadequate treatment. In 15-40% of the reported patients with COVID-19 infection a MC occurred. MC appears in around 15-20% of MG patients in the first 2 years after diagnosis. MC can be the first manifestation of MG. Up to a half of MuSK-MG patients develop a MC in their disease course and it is also common in patients with thymoma-associated disease, or AChR-positive late-onset disease;after surgery (including thymectomy);during or after childbirth;in patients taking a contraindicated medication;at the start of corticosteroid treatment or during the tapering of immunosuppression. In approximately 20% the cause of an exacerbation remains unknown. Characteristic symptoms for the impending MC include rapidly progressive muscle weakness, 'inverse aspiration', dysphagia with choking, and dyspnoea associated with orthopnoea and/or tachypnoea which can result in respiratory insufficiency. The clinical management of MC with mechanical ventilation, extended intensive care management and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) or plasmapheresis (PLEX) or in case of persistent MC escalation with rituximab has led to a significant decline in mortality from around 40% in the early 1960s to 5-22% in recent studies with negative prognostic factors including older age at onset, prolonged intubation, and associated comorbidities. At present IVIg and PLEX are considered the gold standard treating MC. However, it may be conceiv- able that newly developed monoclonal antibody therapy (eculizumab, efgartigimod), could be used as rescue therapy to achieve a significant and rapid clinical improvement.

TREATMENT OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA DURING COVID-19

Background: During the coronavirus pandemic, the risk of severe COVID-19 and mortality are higher in certain groups, in particular in patients with oncohematological diseases. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a special group of oncohematological diseases in which mortality in the era of COVID-19 has increased 2-3 times. Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment of ALL during coronavirus infection. Aims: To determine the basic principles and features of the management of patients with ALL during COVID-19. Methods: 46 patients with ALL and COVID-19 (men 52.2%, women 47.8%) aged 18-74 years (median-44.5) were treated at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52 on 01.04.20-01.11.21. B-ALL was 58.7% (27 patients), T-ALL - 34.8% (16 patients), biphenotypic - 4.3% (2 patients), not defined - 2.2% (1 patient), Ph-positive ALL - 17.4% (8 patients). The status of the disease of patients upon admission to the Hospital differed: debut of ALL - 20 patients (43.5%), remission - 16 patients (34.8%), relapse and refractory course - 10 patients (21.7%). All patients were treated COVID-19 in accordance with the current guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID- 19 (interleukin 6 inhibitor, anticoagulant and antibacterial therapy, glucocorticoids (GCs), human immunoglobulin (IG) against COVID-19). According to vital indications and with stabilization of the patient's condition, 18 patients (39.1%) received chemotherapy (CT). Results: There were no deaths in the group of patients with remission of ALL. In patients with the debut of ALL, mortality was 45% (9 patients), in relapse and refractory course - 50% (5 patients) (p=0.005). Mortality in the group who did not receive CT was 35.7%, and in the group who received CT - 22.2%. 6 patients with Ph-positive ALL (75.0%) continued therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). According to the protocol for the treatment of ALL, full doses of GCs (100%) and anthracyclines (ATC) (100%) were used, lumbar punctures (LP) and intrathecal (IT) injections of CT (100%) were continued. Due to the high risk of thrombotic complications in COVID-19 and asparaginase therapy, anticoagulant therapy was performed (100%). Prevention of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (89.1%), antifungal (37.0%) and antibacterial (87.0%) therapy were carried out in the treatment of COVID-19. With the persistence of COVID-19 and the absence of antibodies to COVID-19, 2 patients received repeated transfusion of human IG against COVID-19. Summary/Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients in remission of ALL coronavirus infection are treated and controlled. Treatment of COVID-19 in patients with ALL is carried out according to general protocols for the treatment of COVID-19, taking into account the peculiarities of nosology (agranulocytosis, high risk of PCP and fungal infection with long-term therapy of GCs, persistence of COVID-19). When the patient's condition is stabilized, the issue of CT should be decided individually in each case, taking into account all the risks of ALL and COVID-19. During CT, use full doses of GCs, ATC. In patients with mild and moderate COVID-19, continue LP and IT injections of CT, therapy with TKI.

ASCIMINIB PROVIDES DURABLE MOLECULAR RESPONSES IN PATIENTS (PTS) WITH CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA IN CHRONIC PHASE (CML-CP) WITH THE T315I MUTATION: UPDATED EFFICACY AND SAFETY DATA FROM A PHASE I TRIAL

Background: In pts with CML, the BCR::ABL1 T315I mutation is associated with poor clinical outcomes and confers resistance to previously approved ATP-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Until recently, ponatinib (PON) was the only TKI available for these pts, but its use may be limited by associated cardiovascular events. In the primary analysis of the phase I trial X2101, asciminib-the 1st BCR::ABL1 inhibitor to Specifically Target the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP)-demonstrated efficacy and a favorable safety profile in heavily pretreated pts with CML with T315I. These results supported the FDA approval of asciminib as a new treatment option for pts with CML-CP with T315I (NCCN 2021). We report updated efficacy and safety data in these pts (data cutoff: January 6, 2021). Aims: Provide updated safety and efficacy data for pts with CML-CP with T315I treated with asciminib monotherapy 200 mg twice daily (BID) after added exposure. Methods: Pts with CML-CP with T315I were enrolled if treated with ≥1 prior TKI and no other effective therapy was available, provided informed consent, and received asciminib 200 mg BID. Results: 48 pts with T315I were included;2 (4.2%) pts had additional BCR::ABL1 mutations at baseline. Eight (16.7%), 15 (31.3%) and 25 (52.1%) pts received 1,2, and ≥3 prior TKIs, respectively. At data cutoff, treatment was ongoing in more than half (27 [56.3%]) of pts;the predominant reason for treatment discontinuation was physician's decision (11 [22.9%]), mainly due to lack of efficacy. Of the 48 pts, 45 were evaluable (BCR::ABL1IS >0.1% at baseline) for major molecular response (MMR);3 were excluded for BCR::ABL1 atypical transcripts. Among evaluable pts, 19 (42.2%) achieved MMR by wk 24 and 22 (48.9%) by wk 96;19 were still in MMR at the cutoff date. Evaluable pts included 26 PON-pretreated and 19 PONnaive pts;34.6% and 68.4%, respectively, achieved MMR by the cutoff date (Table). The probability of pts maintaining MMR for ≥96 wks was 84% (95% CI, 68.1-100.0). Thirteen (28.9%) and 11 (24.4%) pts achieved MR4 and MR4.5, respectively. Twenty (54.1%) and 23 (62.2%) of 37 pts with BCR::ABL1IS >1% at baseline achieved BCR::ABL1IS ≤1% by wk 48 and 96, respectively. The median duration of exposure was 2.08 (range, 0.04-4.13) yrs with more than half (27 [56.3%]) of pts receiving treatment for ≥96 wks;the median daily dose intensity was 398.3 (range, 179-400) mg/day. The safety/tolerability profile of asciminib remained favorable after ≈9 months of added follow-up (Table). The most common (≥5%) grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were lipase increase (18.8%, all asymptomatic elevations), thrombocytopenia (14.6%), and vomiting, ALT increase, abdominal pain, hypertension, anemia, neutropenia, and neutrophil count decrease (6.3% each). Arterial occlusive events occurred in 4 (8.3%) pts;none led to dose adjustment/interruption/discontinuation. AEs leading to discontinuation were reported in 2 new pts since the previous data cutoff;both pts discontinued and died due to COVID-19. These were the only study deaths reported in this pt population. Image: Summary/Conclusion: Asciminib monotherapy 200 mg BID exhibited a sustained, favorable safety profile after added exposure with no new safety signals in pts with CML-CP with T315I-a population with high unmet medical need. The clinical efficacy of asciminib is demonstrated by the high proportion of pts achieving durable MMR and BCR::ABL1IS ≤ 1%. The updated analysis confirms asciminib as a treatment option for pts with CML-CP with T315I, including those for whom treatment with PON has failed.

Antibody seroprevalence against SARS-Cov-2 among chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Background: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has elicited an equally rapid development of effective vaccines, leading to a reduction of COVID-19 severity and deaths. There is limited data on COVID-19- related immunity in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Methods: SPARTA (SARS2 SeroPrevalence And Respiratory Tract Assessment) is an ongoing observational study for participants age ≥18 years to investigate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 after infection and/or vaccination. We included patients with CML and compared them with a non-cancer group. We collected saliva and peripheral blood to measure antigen levels by RT-PCR and antibodies (secretory IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies). Results: From October 1, 2021, to February 4, 2022, we prospectively enrolled 49 participants (23 CML, 26 non-cancer). Most were male (56.5%) in the CML group and female in the control group (61.5%), mean age 56.39 y vs. 51.96 y, respectively, and self-identified as white (87% vs. 76.9%). In the CML group, 11 (47.8%) had ≥1 comorbidities, vs 13 (50%) in the control group. Twenty-one (91.3%) CML patients were receiving tyrosine-kinase inhibitors;4 (18.2%) non-cancer subjects reported taking any medication. Most participants in both groups had received at least one dose of COVID- 19 vaccine (73.9% vs. 73.1%);100% of CML patients received two doses vs. 84.2% of controls;the CML group had a higher percentage of subjects fully vaccinated (66.7% vs. 25%). The CML group had a lower percentage of patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 (8.8% vs. 57.7%). However, there was no difference in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen at the time of enrollment (0% vs. 4%). SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected in most of the participants regardless of cancer status (78.3% in the CML cohort and 88% in the non-cancer cohort), and neutralizing antibodies were detected in 82.6% and 95.6%, respectively. The two groups had comparable IgG (mean 146.3 Ru/ml vs. 148.9 Ru/ml) and neutralizing (mean 1329.1 ng/ml vs. 1112 ng/ml) antibody levels. Conclusions: Our preliminary data comparing concomitant cohorts with similar socio-demographic characteristics and medical history indicate that a diagnosis of CML did not impact the development of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. We are conducting continuous analysis of antibodies levels over time to assess the evolution of antibody immunity and functional studies including cellular immunity assessments.

COVID-19 vaccine humoral response and treatment effect in patients with hematologic malignancy

Background: Patients with hematologic malignancies have a lower vaccine response and higher rates for SARS CoV-2 morbidity and mortality. We present preliminary data focusing on humoral vaccine responses and correlates with disease subtype and treatment exposure. Methods: We analyzed data from 332 patients with a hematologic malignancy from May 1, 2021 - Jan 31, 2022 who received SARSCoV-2 vaccination and performed a prospective cohort serologic study with the Elecsys®Anti-SARSCoV-2-S test. Patients received homologous or heterologous vaccine combination of BNT162b2, mRNA1273, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and/or Ad26.COV2.S. Blood samples were obtained before any vaccination, 2-6 weeks after the second vaccine (2V), before third vaccine (3V), and 2-6 weeks after 3V. Results: The median age was 67 years (range 18-91years) with 41.9% female. At 2V, 11.5% and at 3V, 23.8% received heterologous vaccines. Treatment status at first vaccine dose significantly affected peak 2V antibody response (p < 0.05). Seropositive rate and median antibody titer after 2V for previously untreated patients were higher compared to patients on active therapy or had previously been treated. Treatment naïve (n = 60;seropositivity 85.1%;median titer 1306 U/mL;[Q1-Q3:11.4-> 2499]);first-line (1L) active therapy (n = 127;65.4%;41.25 U/mL;[ < 0.8-592.5]);second-line and beyond (2L+) active therapy (n = 56;60.7%;2.6U/mL;[ < 0.8-154]);previous treatment with 1L (n = 66;64.8%;118 U/mL;[ < 0.8-> 2499]);previous treatment with 2L+ (n = 23;59.1%;4U/mL;[ < 0.8-229.5]). Of 61 patients that were seronegative at 2V, 17 (27.9%) seroconverted after 3V. Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) containing therapy as the most recent treatment from 2V had the greatest impact on humoral response. Exposure to anti-CD20 mAb based regimens or as monotherapy revealed low antibody responses (n = 84;seropositivity 22.6%;median titer < 0.8 U/mL;Q1-Q3 [ < 0.8-< 0.8]). On analysis of indolent B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas whereby antiCD-20 mAb are often incorporated, treatment proximity to 2V impacted responses: < 3 months (n = 33;22%;< 0.8 U/ mL;[ < 0.8-< 0.8]) vs. 12-24 months (n = 4;60%;228 U/mL;[ < 0.8-232]). In contrast, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (n = 38;100%;858 U/mL;[221-> 2499]), proteosome inhibitor monotherapy (n = 4;100%;median titer 1520 U/mL;[462-> 2499]) were among the subgroups with the highest numerical responses, however, the addition of corticosteroids impacted vaccine response as seen in proteosome inhibitor with corticosteroids (n = 7;85.7%;6.6 U/mL;[1.8-115.2]). Conclusions: The humoral response from our single institution cohort identifies diminished responses depending on treatment status and the type of treatment including the proximity of treatment exposure to receipt of vaccination. Furthermore, vaccine boosters can induce antibody responses in patients who were previously seronegative.

Clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant infection in tumor patients and the impact of vaccination on different cancer treatment regimens

Background: Data on SARS-CoV-2 infections in oncological patients in the outpatient settings are scarce. Methods: During the spread of the delta variant between April 2021 and September 2021, a total of 10.677 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-qPCR in seven outpatient clinics in Bavaria, Germany. Results: Within the tested patient cohort, 4.960 patients (46.5%) suffered from a malignant disease (74% solid tumors and 26% malignant hematological diseases). This group was compared with 5.717 patients (53.5%) without a malignant disease (33.1% with other hematological diseases and 66.9% patients without a hematological or oncological disease). During the observation period, 119 (2.4%) patients with malignancies were tested positive (88 patients with solid tumors;31 patients with malignant hematological diseases) compared to 115 positive patients (2.0%) in the control group. 32 of 119 positively tested patients (26.9%) suffering from malignant disease required hospitalization and 9/32 patients (28.1%) died during the clinical course. Conclusions: These observations are in clear contrast to data from patients we evaluated during the pre-delta variants period between 15 and 26 April 2020 in the same seven outpatient clinics. In this period, a total of 1.227 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. 78/1227 patients (6.3%) were tested positive in RT-qPCR and most showed mild symptoms of infection. None of the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients died. These data were analyzed when no vaccination was available. These data were evaluated during a period where no vaccine was available. Vaccination of patients with malignancies with BiontechPfizer's mRNA vaccines was started in April 2021. The response to the vaccine was tested by an antibody assay (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-immunoassay, Roche) at the earliest four weeks after the second vaccination. To assess the response, we compared five patient cohorts: Patients who received (i) B cell depleting antibodies, (ii) checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), (iii) chemotherapy, or (iv) tyrosin kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and (v) healthy controls. The patients treated with ICI or TKI showed a comparable vaccination response to the healthy patients, while patients receiving Rituximab/Obinutuzumab showed no significant humoral vaccination response at all. The more severe disease course of patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant compared to the initial waves of infections strongly underline the importance of vaccination in cancer patients.

METASTATIC BLADDER PARAGANGLIOMA WITH UNDERLYING SHDB MUTATION

Introduction Phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare tumors with up to 40% associated with inherited germline mutations. SHDB mutation is associated with an increased risk of metastasis. Case A 36-year-old male presented with hypertensive emergency. He was diagnosed to have a bladder paraganglioma at age 32 when he presented with hypertensive crisis. Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT scan then showed a localized 4.7 x 5.3 cm bladder paraganglioma and he underwent complete surgical resection with resolution of his symptoms. Genetic testing done showed SHDB, deletion (exon 1), heterogenous pathogenic variant. He remained asymptomatic and was lost to follow-up due to COVID-19 until his recent admission. During this admission, he had labile blood pressure with symptoms of palpitations and lethargy. He was found to have a 4.3x elevated urine normetanephrine (1639 ug/day, N<374.7). Metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine levels were normal. His blood pressure was controlled with phenoxybenzamine 20 mg TDS (1 mg/kg), telmisartan 40 mg OM and carvedilol 25 mg BD with improvement in his symptoms. Subsequent anatomical imaging with CT and functional imaging with Ga-68 DOTATATE showed a small recurrence at the bladder wall with metastatic lesions at the left sacral ala measuring 4.5 x 5.1 cm, and multiple lytic lesions over the spine, ribs and also the left acetabulum with the highest uptake of Ga-68 DOTATATE at the C2 vertebra (SUV max 93). He is now planned for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). SHDB mutation is associated with a higher risk of metastatic disease which has remained unexplained. Treatment for metastatic disease include surgical resection where possible, targeted therapy such as PRRT, meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy, radiotherapy and also systemic therapy such as chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Conclusion Patients with PPGL, especially those with SHDB mutation, require monitoring at regular intervals to screen and detect metastasis to reduce mortality and morbidity.

COVID-19 vaccine and incidence of severe immune-mediated adverse events in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (CPI)

Background: Immune-mediated adverse events (irAEs) can be seen in patients (pts) receiving checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). It is unknown whether the immune response to vaccines against Sars-CoV-2 interacts with the immune activation from CPI therapy. In this retrospective study, we examined the incidence of severe irAEs in pts with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who received vaccines against Sars-CoV-2 during the course of their CPI therapy. Methods: Following IRB approval, RCC pts who received any CPI treatment since FDA authorization of the first COVID-19 vaccine in March 2021 were identified via institutional electronic health record. Pts who received one or more doses of an authorized vaccine within 60 days of CPI treatment were included. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the incidence of severe irAE (defined as one or more of the following: grade 3 AE or above, multi-system involvement, need for hospitalization). Secondary endpoints included time between CPI and vaccination, need for immunosuppressive therapy, and rate of discontinuation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Sixty-five pts were included in our analysis with a median age of 66 years (IQR: 58.0, 73.0);80% pts were male. At the time of vaccination, 26 pts (40.0%) received CPI monotherapy, 12 pts (18.4%) received combination (combo) CPI therapy, and 27 pts (41.6%) received combo therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and CPI. The type of vaccine received was Pfizer Bio-NTech in 30 pts (46.2%), Moderna in 33 pts (50.7%), and Johnson and Johnson in 2 pts (3.1%). Six pts received only one vaccination (9.2%), 18 pts received two vaccinations (27.7%), and 40 pts received 3 or more vaccinations (61.5%). Eleven pts (16.9%) experienced severe irAEs following vaccination. Rates of severe irAEs was 3.8% (1/26) with CPI monotherapy, 25% (3/12) with combo CPI, and 25.9% (7/27) with combo CPI and TKI. Severe irAEs occurred after the first vaccine dose in 4 pts (36.4%), second dose in 3 pts (27.3%), and third dose in 4 pts (36.4%) pts. The median time between CPI treatment and vaccination in this group was 11.0 days (IQR: 7.5-15.5). Hospitalization was required for 6 patients (54.5%). Ten pts (90.9%) required immunosuppressive therapy with a median steroid duration of 85.5 days (IQR 36.8, 176.0). Six pts (54.5%) discontinued CPI therapy following severe irAEs. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, the observed rate of severe irAEs in RCC patients who received CPI and COVID-19 vaccine concomitantly was similar to historical controls, suggesting that there is no definite increase in the incidence of severe irAEs in pts undergoing CPI therapy and receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Future confirmatory studies are warranted.

Combining wet-lab and bioinformatic approaches to dissect elusive interactomes: The case of the Lck adaptor TSAd

Immune cells respond to environmental cues by way of receptors that trigger intracellular signalling cascades. These signalling cascades often involve transient protein-protein interactions. Detailed understanding of how and where in the cell intracellular proteins interact is required to understand how immune cells can be controlled and manipulated therapeutically. The function of numerous signalling proteins have been elucidated using traditional wet-lab methods. But there are many receptors for which the exact function and role remain uncertain. The expansion of large, high quality scRNA-seq databases following the Covid-19 pandemic have increased the applicability of data mining to answer outstanding questions in immunology. T-cell specific adaptor (TSAd), encoded by the SH2D2A gene, is an adaptor enriched in T and NK cells. Several interactors of TSAd, including the tyrosine kinases Lck and Itk, have been identified. However, what roles these interactions play in T and NK cell function remains unclear. To pick apart the TSAd interactome we have delved into available scRNA-seq datasets to determine genes and cell surface molecules that are concomitantly expressed with TSAd, making use of paired healthy and diseased samples to give a multi-faceted picture of the TSAd interactome. New interactors and the signals that control these interactions will be verified in genetically modified T or NK cells using classic wet-lab techniques such as pulldowns, as well as newer techniques such as the proximity ligation assay (PLA), with pilot work carried out on the established TSAd and Lck pair as a proof-of- concept.

THE TREATMENT RESULTS OF MRCC PATIENTS 6 YEARS AFTER FIRST APPLICATION OF NIVOLUMAB AS SECOND LINE THERAPY

Introduction: Nivolumab is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor that restores the pre-existing antitumor immune response by selectively blocking the interaction between PD-1 receptors on T-cells and PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, on tumor cells and antigen presenting cells. Nivolumab prolongs survival in patients with metastatic kidney cancer with a good safety profile as demonstrated in the CheckMate 025 clinical trial. Material And Methods: This retrospective data involved prospectively monitored patients (named patient programm) treated with second-line nivolumab for mRCC at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb from 2016 to 2018 and the treatment continued to be funded by the Croatian Health Insurance. Patients with metastatic kidney cancer (mRCC) received tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), (29/30), one patient received mTOR inhibitor as first line therapy, and subsequently they initially received nivolumab 3 mg kg NPP every 2 weeks. Later we applied a monthly dose 480 mg. Nivolumab treatment was continued in patients who did not have disease progression or grade 3 and 4 toxicity. Patients were monitored every three momths with CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis and laboratory tests (hemathology, biochemistry, T4, TSH). We also respected patients' preference in regard to cycle dynamic by stopping nivolumab therapy or introducing SBRT during nivolumab therapy. Results: We treated a total of 30 patients (22 men and 8 women) with mRCC, who initially received TKI or mTOR therapy with median age 60.2 ± 9.79 years at diagnosis of kidney cancer. Most patients belonged to intermediate-risk groups. Majority of patients (23/30) were treated with sunitinib as the first line treatment after nephrectomy. Six patients had CR (20%) but two of them died in 2021, one of COVID- 19 and one of haed and neck cancer. Currently, 6 (20%) are alive, ECOG=0, 4 (13.3%) have CR without therapy, expressed in months-23, 33, 35 and 53 (treatment-free survival). Median OS first line with TKI therapy was 34 months while median OS second line with nivolumab was 17 months. Patients with sarcomatoid component in pathohistology report have longer survival. Patients with bone metastases have shorter survival to patients with other metastases. Conclusion: Nivolumab demonstrated clinical efficacy in the CheckMate 025 clinical trial and in clinical practice as second line treatment after patients had previously received TKI. Our results show that six years after first cycle of nivolumab as second line therapy 6 out of 30 patient (20%) are alive, ECOG=0. Further research should show which sequence therapy would be the best for each patient. Research about potential immunotherapy biomarkers which would indicate who responds to the therapy and who does not is ongoing.

NEUROPILIN-1 MEDIATES SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION of ASTROCYTES PROMOTING NEURON DYSFUNCTION

Background: SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects the lung but may also damage other organs including the brain, heart, kidney, and intestine. Central nervous system (CNS) disorders include loss of smell and taste, headache, delirium, acute psychosis, seizures, and stroke. Pathological loss of gray matter occurs in SARS-CoV-2 infection but it is unclear whether this is due to direct viral infection, indirect effects associated with systemic inflammation, or both. Methods: We used iPSC-derived brain organoids and primary human astrocytes from cerebral cortex to study direct SARS-CoV-2 infection, as confirmed by Spike and Nucleocapsid immunostaining and RT-qPCR. siRNAs, blocking antibodies, and small molecule inhibitors were used to assess SARS-CoV-2 receptor candidates. Bulk RNA-seq, DNA methylation seq, and Nanostring GeoMx digital spatial profiling were utilized to identify virus-induced changes in host gene expression. Results: Astrocytes were robustly infected by SARS-CoV-2 in brain organoids while neurons and neuroprogenitor cells supported only low-level infection. Based on siRNA knockdowns, Neuropilin-1, not ACE2, functioned as the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in astrocytes. The endolysosomal two-pore channel protein, TPC, also facilitated infection likely through its regulatory effects on endocytosis. Other alternative receptors, including the AXL tyrosine kinase, CD147, and dipeptidyl protease 4 (DPP4), did not function as SARS-CoV-2 receptors in astrocytes. SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamically induced type I, II, and III interferons, and genes involved in Toll-like receptor signaling, MDA5 and RIG-I sensing of double-stranded RNA, and production of inflammatory cytokines. Genes activating apoptosis were also increased. Down-regulated genes included those involved in water, ion and lipid transport, synaptic transmission, and formation of cell junctions. Epigenetic analyses revealed transcriptional changes related to DNA methylation states, particularly decreased DNA methylation in interferon-related genes. Long-term viral infection of brain organoids resulted in progressive neuronal degeneration and death. Conclusion: Our findings support a model where SARS-CoV-2 infection of astrocytes produces a panoply of changes in the expression of genes regulating innate immune signaling and inflammatory responses. Deregulation of these genes in astrocytes produces a microenvironment within the CNS that ultimately disrupts normal neuron function, promoting neuronal cell death and CNS deficits.

Dasatinib Related Pleural Effusions: Real-World Experience in a District General Hospital

Dasatinib, a second-generation BCRABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is an approved treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, both as first-line therapy and following imatinib intolerance or resistance. It is generally well tolerated, however, dasatinib has been associated with a higher risk for pleural effusions. Frequency, risk factors and outcomes of this significant side effect were analysed in the phase 3 DASISION and 034/Dose-optimization trials. Annual risk of 5%-15% was reported. Drug-related pleural effusion occurred in 28%-33% of patients in a minimum of 5-year follow-up period. One major risk factor was advanced age. We therefore reviewed a cohort of 34 patients treated with dasatinib between 2016 and 2021, to determine 'real-world' data of this toxicity. Case notes, pathology results and radiological reports were analysed. We identified 12 (35%) cases of pleural effusions. Eight (66%) cases were male. The median average age of patients with and without drug-related pleural effusion were 59.5 years (range: 31-91 years) and 54.5 years (range: 20-88 years) respectively. Cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities were noted in eight patients (66.6%) with pleural effusion (ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, lung cancer, COVID, peripheral vascular disease and hyperlipidaemia) and nine patients (41%) without pleural effusion (prior non-TKI pleural effusion, hypertension, asthma, congenital heart defect, COPD and atrial fibrillation). Nine cases (75%) of those with pleural effusion were non-smokers. Lymphocytosis was not noted in any of those 12 cases of drug-related pleural effusion. Ten cases (83%) were on dasatinib 100 mg daily when pleural effusion was diagnosed, one was on 50 mg daily and the other was on 20 mg daily. Pleural effusion occurred after a median of 36 months (range: 6-108 months). Nine cases (75%) were mild to moderate in severity-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE ) grade 1-2, two were grade 3 and one was grade 4. Two required no intervention, three required only medical intervention (steroid+/-antibiotics), three required pleural tap and three required pleural drain. One required VATS procedure with talc pleurodesis. The patient with grade 1 pleural effusion required no treatment change. One required dose reduction of dasatinib without interruption. One required temporary interruption but restarted on the same dose. Six required temporary interruption of dasatinib followed by dose reduction to 50 mg daily. Two of these subsequently recurred on lower dose dasatinib and were then switched to an alternative TKI (bosutinib and imatinib). Two required temporary TKI interruption and were restarted on a different TKI (nilotinib). One case of pleural effusion persisted and the patient was kept off TKI treatment. Although the numbers are too small for statistically robust analysis, we have observed several trends which may help to guide patient counselling and selection. Pleural effusion has an incidence of 35% in our local population. Risk factors were cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, advanced age and male sex. Smoking status and lymphocytosis did not appear to be risk factors in our cohort, where they have been in other reports. Most effusions were mild to moderate in severity and could usually be managed by steroid+/-pleural tap+/-drain. Most patients required temporary interruption of their dasatinib but were successfully able to restart at a lower dose without recurrence..

US physician perceptions of treatment decision making for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Background: The immuno-oncology (IO) therapy combination nivolumab + ipilimumab, and the IO-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combination pembrolizumab + axitinib, received US FDA approvals in 2018 and 2019, respectively, as first-line (1L) therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). We examined physician perceptions of concerns about and barriers to 1L treatment by class of regimen (IO-IO, IO-TKI, and single-agent TKI [SA-TKI]) in the United States. Methods: US-based oncologists treating ≥ 5 aRCC patients in the prior 12 months were identified from the Cardinal Health network, a community of > 800 oncologists. Physicians were surveyed about concerns in prescribing and barriers to treating by class (scale of 1-5;1 = no concern/not a barrier, 5 = most concerning/major barrier);mean scores are reported. Adverse events (AEs) of concern were selected from a prespecified list and respondents rank-ordered from most to least concerning by class. Physicians were also asked to gauge affordability and to rank-order 13 characteristics to identify key factors in prescribing preference. The impact of COVID-19 on aRCC care in practice was also assessed. Results: A total of 49 providers (84% community, 16% academic) treating a median of 20 (IQR 14-30) aRCC patients from across the United States participated. For IO-IO, the top 3 concerns in prescribing were AEs (4.3), patient out-of-pocket costs (OOP;3.7), and unexpected late AEs (3.6), whereas patient OOP (4.3), AEs (4.1), and patient adherence (3.9) were of most concern for IO-TKI. For SA-TKIs, the top 3 concerns were patient adherence (3.9), patient OOP (3.9), and AEs (3.6). High patient OOP and impact on quality of life were the top 2 barriers in using IO-TKI therapy. The most concerning AEs were colitis, pneumonitis, and hypertension for IO-IO or IO-TKI, and diarrhea, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, and hypertension for SA-TKI. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and complete response (CR) were ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd factors in prescribing preferences while patient compliance, patient preference, and practice reimbursement ranked 11th, 12th, and 13th. Patient OOP and drug acquisition costs (DAC) were the most important factors when considering the affordability of treatment, with the perception that IO-IO was the most expensive among the classes of therapy. The overall impact of COVID-19 on caring for aRCC patients was very limited, with a moderate increased use of telemedicine and a slight impact on the timing and number of routine care visits. Conclusions: OS, PFS, and CR ranked highest among the most important factors influencing selection of 1L treatment for aRCC. Factors of concern and barriers varied by class of treatment, with patient adherence and OOP affecting use of TKI or IO-TKI therapies, and AEs affecting the use of IO-based therapy. This study revealed perceptions of high patient OOP and DAC of IO-IO therapy, in contrast to our expectations.

An update of safety and efficacy results from phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study of vodobatinib, a novel oral BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ All) failing prior tki therapies

Introduction: Vodobatinib is a novel third generation TKI effective against wild-type and mutated BCR-ABL1 (except T315I) with limited off-target activity. We present updated results from the Phase 1 dose-escalation (DEs) and expansion (DEx) study in CML and Ph+ALL patients (pts) failing ≥ 3 prior TKIs (< 3 prior TKIs if approved TKI is not clinically advised or available);patients with T315I are not eligible (NCT02629692). Methods: This is an open-label, phase 1, multicentre, 3+3 study evaluating maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety and efficacy of vodobatinib administered once daily in 28 day cycles (dose range: 12 to 240 mg). MTD was established at 204 mg. DEx study enrolled chronic phase CML (CP-CML) patients at 174 mg dose of vodobatinib. Treatment continued until unacceptable toxicity, disease progression, consent withdrawal or death. Adverse events were assessed using NCI-CTCAE v4.03. Results: As of 15 Jul 2021, 52 pts are enrolled in DEs and DEx cohorts. Forty one of these pts received doses from 12 to 240 mg in the DEs cohort;32 chronic phase (CP-CML), 3 accelerated phase CML (AP-CML), 4 blast phase CML (BP-CML), 2 Ph+ ALL. Eleven CPCML pts were enrolled in DEx cohort at 174 mg dose. The baseline demographics and disease history are represented in Table 1. Efficacy: Of the 32 CP-CML pts enrolled in DEs: At baseline, 21 (65%) pts had no cytogenetic response, 4 (12.5%) were in PCyR, 7 (22%) were in CCyR. On vodobatinib therapy, 11(34%) pts achieved CCyR, 3 (9%) achieved PCyR and 7 (22%) maintained baseline CCyR. Baseline major molecular response (MMR) was present in 1 (3%) pt;and 14 pts (44%) achieved MMR on study. Of the remaining 11 pts, 5 (16%) had haematologically stable disease (no CyR and molecular response) and 6 (19%) had disease progression (cytogenetic or hematological) as their best response (Table 2 and 3). Seventeen CP-CML pts had prior ponatinib treatment, of which 11 (65%) had MCyR (4 achieved CCyR, 4 maintained CCyR, 3 achieved PCyR);while 8 (47%) achieved MMR. In the remaining 15 pts ponatinib naïve CP-CML: 10 (66%) had CCyR (7 achieved CCyR, 3 maintained CCyR);with 7 (47%) with MMR (6 achieved, 1 maintained). Two of the 3, AP-CML pts had baseline hematological response (CHR) with absence of cytogenetic and molecular response. The 3 pts further deepened their responses with 1 pt achieving CCyR with MMR and 2 pts in PCyR. Of the 4 BP-CML pts, 2 achieved CHR and 2 patients had disease progression as their best response;Of the 2 Ph+ ALL pts, 1 pt maintained CCyR and MMR while the other reported disease progression as the best response. Median duration of treatment overall was 23 (0.5-51) months [CP-CML 23 (0.5-51);AP-CML 36 (9-40);BP-CML 3 (0.5-18) and Ph+ ALL 4 (0.7-7.3) months]. Twenty one pts continue in study. In the DEx cohort, 1 of the 11 CP-CML pts was in PCyR at baseline. No pts had molecular response. Of the 11 patients, 6 (54 %) pts achieved CCyR, 1(10%) pt achieved PCyR. MMR was achieved by 1 pt (10%). Data is maturing for 1 pt. Median duration of treatment is 16 (0.3-19) months and 10 pts continue in study. Safety: Forty nine of 52 pts reported at least 1 TEAE. Most common any grade TEAEs included thrombocytopenia (33%), cough (19%), anaemia & diarrhoea (17% each). Thirty one pts (60%) reported Grade 3 and 4 treatment emergent AEs: most common were thrombocytopenia (15%), neutropenia and anaemia (12%), increased amylase and lipase (8% each). Ten (19%) pts reported cardiovascular TEAEs (Grade 1: angina pectoris, palpitations, ventricular extra-systoles, arteriosclerosis, hot flush, hypotension, intermittent claudication;Grade 2: hypertension, hypotension;Grade 3: cardiac failure congestive, hypertension);with a Grade 2 hypertension being vodobatinib related. Nineteen pts (37%) reported SAEs;vodobatinib related SAEs were reported in 3 pts (fatal intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), Grade 2 back pain and Grade 3 amnesia reported in 1 pt each). There were 5 deaths on study: 1 was related to use of vodobatinib (1 ICH, confounded by disease progression to blast phase that include extra-medullary sites) and the remaining unrelated (1 sudden death, 1 disease progression, 1 pneumonia fungal, 1 suspected COVID-19). Conclusion: Vodobatinib continues to be associated with favourable long term safety and efficacy in heavily pre-treated CML failing ≥ 3 prior TKIs, including ponatinib. Phase 2 study evaluating vodobatinib in pts failing at least 3 prior lines of therapy, including ponatinib, is ongoing.

For better or for worse: COVID-19 vaccination during or early after (immuno-) chemotherapy or hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation

Background: Patients with hematologic conditions have a high mortality rate when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Williamson, Nature 2020). Protection of this group from severe COVID-19 is therefore important. However, according to available vaccination guidelines, one should consider to postpone vaccination of patients on or early after chemotherapy, hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HCT) or with graft versus host disease, because of anticipated poor efficacy. Based on previous (non-COVID-19) vaccination studies among hematology patients, we hypothesized that a significant group of patients may acquire sufficient protection following COVID-19 vaccination, despite disease and therapy related immunodeficiencies. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 17 cohorts of hematology patients of particular risk for severe COVID-19 who are considered to have no or limited benefit from vaccination. We evaluated humoral immune responses following 2 doses (28 days apart) of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna/Spikevax) in 722 patients, at baseline and 28 days after each vaccination as SARS-COV-2 S1- (spike)-specific serum IgG antibody concentrations by bead-based multiplex immune assay. The threshold for adequate antibody response is set at ≥300 binding antibody units (BAU)/ml according to the international WHO standard, and is associated with virus plaque reducing neutralization test titers of ≥40 PRNT 50. This study is registered as EudraCT 2021-001072-41, NL76768.029.21. Results: Patient cohorts and corresponding vaccine responses are depicted in Table 1. Vaccine efficacy, as measured by antibody concentration, 4 weeks after the 2nd mRNA-1273 vaccination was available for 691 out of 722 participants. The majority of patients (389/691;56%) obtained an S1 antibody titer that is considered adequate (≥300 BAU/ml). Twenty-nine percent of patients (198/691) did not seroconvert (S1 antibody titer <10 BAU/ml), while the remaining 15% (104/691) did seroconvert but not to sufficient levels (10-300 BAU/ml). Adequate responses were observed in the majority of patients with sickle cell disease using hydroxyurea, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on or early after high dose chemotherapy, patients with myeloproliferative disorders on ruxolitinib, patients with multiple myeloma (MM), including those on daratumumab and those early after high-dose melphalan and autologous HCT, patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and patients with chronic GvHD. Insufficient or absent antibody responses were observed in the majority of AML patients receiving hypomethylating agents, CLL patients on ibrutinib, patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) during or shortly after rituximab-chemotherapy or following BEAM chemotherapy and autologous HCT, allogeneic HCT recipients <6 months after transplantation, and CAR-T cell therapy recipients. However, even in these low-responder groups considerable numbers of patients did mount sufficient antibody titers. In others, titers increased after each of both vaccinations, suggesting that booster vaccination may enhance antibody titers to sufficient levels (Figure 1). Conclusion: Vaccination with mRNA-1273 had significant efficacy in severely immunocompromised hematology patients. Adequate humoral immune responses after two dose vaccination were reached in the majority of patients receiving therapy for sickle cell disease, MPD, MM, CML and AML, in patients early after HCT and in patients with GvHD. We are currently evaluating clinical and immunologic parameters that correlate with sufficient antibody responses, pseudovirus neutralization and SARS-COV-2-specific B and T cell numbers, phenotype and function. Per study design, all participants with absent or insufficient antibody responses (<300 BAU/ml) will receive a booster vaccination 5 months after initial vaccination, and antibody responses to booster vaccinations will be presented as well. Unlike currently available guidelines, COVID-19 vaccination should not be postponed. Moreover, as antibody titers increased after each of both vaccinations, booster vaccination of patients with absent or insufficient antibody responses seems warranted. (Figure Presented) .