Dysregulation of immune cell and cytokine signalling correlates with clinical outcomes in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

OBJECTIVES: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterised by ineffective haematopoiesis. Although hypomethylating agents (HMA) have improved survival in higher-risk MDS, most patients eventually succumb to progressive disease. Utilising samples collected prospectively from three MDS clinical trials, we analysed genetic and immunological biomarkers and correlated them with clinical outcomes. METHODS: A hundred and fifty four samples were analysed from 133 de novo MDS patients for T-cell and myeloid cell immunophenotyping and gene expression analysis. Treatments were with HMA or immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) alone or in combination. RESULTS: We observed differences in immune cell subsets between lower- and higher-risk IPSS groups with NKT cells, MDSCs, intermediate-proinflammatory and non-classical monocytes being higher in the latter group, while naïve CD4+ T cells were reduced. Intermediate-proinflammatory monocytes were increased in non-responders and those failing to achieve at least a haematological improvement. Proinflammatory NKT cells were increased at diagnosis for patients failing to derive clinical benefit after 12 months of treatment. Gene expression analysis of paired bone marrow (BM) colony-forming units (CFUs) from diagnosis and 4 cycles post-treatment confirmed that genes involved in cytokine signalling were downregulated in C4 normal colonies. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the central roles of dysregulation in innate immunity and inflammatory signalling in the pathogenesis of MDS which correlated with clinical outcomes post-treatment.

Hemoglobin is a key determinant of quality of life before and during azacitidine-based therapy for myelodysplasia and low blast count acute myeloid leukemia.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have a major impact on quality of life (QoL). We performed a post hoc analysis of two multicenter trials of azacitidine-based disease-modifying therapy for patients with MDS and low blast count acute myeloid leukemia (AML), to identify factors associated with QoL. 231 patients were included (median age 70 years). At baseline, higher initial hemoglobin, but not neutrophil or platelet count, was associated with better global QoL and physical function (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). During therapy, increase in hemoglobin was associated with improvement in QoL and physical function (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Lower initial hemoglobin was associated with higher dyspnea and fatigue scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), and hemoglobin response was associated with improvement in dyspnea and fatigue (p < 0.001 for each). In patients with MDS and low blast count AML, hemoglobin level was strongly correlated with global QoL, physical functioning, dyspnea and fatigue, both before and during azacitidine-based therapy.

A feasibility and acceptability study of an adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion program for adult cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial interventions that mitigate psychosocial distress in cancer patients are important. The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program among adult cancer patients. A secondary aim was to examine pre-post-program changes in psychosocial wellbeing. METHOD: The research design was a feasibility and acceptability study, with an examination of pre- to post-intervention changes in psychosocial measures. A study information pack was posted to 173 adult cancer patients 6 months-5 years post-diagnosis, with an invitation to attend an eight-week group-based adaptation of the MSC program. RESULTS: Thirty-two (19%) consented to the program, with 30 commencing. Twenty-seven completed the program (mean age: 62.93 years, SD 14.04; 17 [63%] female), attending a mean 6.93 (SD 1.11) group sessions. There were no significant differences in medico-demographic factors between program-completers and those who did not consent. However, there was a trend toward shorter time since diagnosis in the program-completers group. Program-completers rated the program highly regarding content, relevance to the concerns of cancer patients, and the likelihood of recommending the program to other cancer patients. Sixty-three percent perceived that their mental wellbeing had improved from pre- to post-program; none perceived a deterioration in mental wellbeing. Small-to-medium effects were observed for depressive symptoms, fear of cancer recurrence, stress, loneliness, body image satisfaction, mindfulness, and self-compassion. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The MSC program appears feasible and acceptable to adults diagnosed with non-advanced cancer. The preliminary estimates of effect sizes in this sample suggest that participation in the program was associated with improvements in psychosocial wellbeing. Collectively, these findings suggest that there may be value in conducting an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of the MSC program in enhancing the psychosocial wellbeing of cancer patients.

Phase 3 study of subcutaneous bortezomib, thalidomide, and prednisolone consolidation after subcutaneous bortezomib-based induction and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma: the VCAT study.

Efficacy and safety of bortezomib-based consolidation following ASCT were investigated in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients from Australia, Korea, and China. Patients received three cycles of bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone induction followed by high-dose therapy/ASCT, then were randomized (1:1) to consolidation with TP (thalidomide 100 mg/d for ≤12 months/until disease progression; prednisolone 50 mg on alternate days indefinitely/until disease progression; n = 100) or VTP (subcutaneous bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 32 weeks, plus TP; n = 103). The hypothesized difference in CR + VGPR rate (after ≤12 months consolidation therapy) was not met. The rate of CR + VGPR was numerically higher with VTP versus TP; however, this was not statistically significant (85.7% versus 77.1%; rate difference 8.6%; 95% confidence interval -2.3%-19.5%; p = .122). Secondary efficacy outcomes were similar between treatment arms. Addition of bortezomib to TP consolidation was associated with limited additional toxicity but did not significantly improve efficacy versus TP.

Azacitidine with or without lenalidomide in higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome & low blast acute myeloid leukemia.

Standard treatment for higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and low blast acute myeloid leukemia is azacitidine. In single arm studies, adding lenalidomide had been suggested to improve outcomes. The ALLG MDS4 phase II trial randomized such patients to standard azacitidine or combination azacitidine (75mg/m2/d days 1 to 5) with lenalidomide (10mg days 1-21 of 28-day cycle from cycle 3) to assess clinical benefit (alive without progressive disease) at 12 months. A total of 160 patients were enrolled; median age 70.7 years (range 42.5-87.2), 31.3% female with 14% chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, 12% acute myeloid leukemia and 74% myelodysplastic syndromes. Adverse events were similar in both arms. There was excellent delivery of protocol therapy (median azacitidine cycles 11 both arms) with few dose reductions, delays or early cessations. At median follow up 33.1 months (range 0.7-59.5), the rate of clinical benefit at 12 months was 65% azacitidine arm and 54% lenalidomide+azacitidine arm (P=0.2). There was no difference in clinical benefit between each arm according to WHO diagnostic subgroup or IPSS-R. Overall response rate was 57% in azacitidine arm and 69% in lenalidomide+azacitidine (P=0.14). There was no difference in progression- free or overall survival between the arms (each P>0.12). Although the combination of lenalidomide and azacitidine was tolerable, there was no improvement in clinical benefit, response rates or overall survival in higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or low blast acute myeloid leukemia patients compared to treatment with azacitidine alone. This trial was registered at www.anzc-tr.org.au as ACTRN12610000271000.

Results of a phase II study of thalidomide and azacitidine in patients with clinically advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and low blast count acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Single agent azacitidine or immunomodulatory drugs are effective in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), with differing target mechanisms and toxicities. Objectives of this ALLG MDS3 study in clinically advanced MDS, AMML and low blast AML were to establish safety, response and quality of life of azacitidine and thalidomide. Patients received azacitidine (75mg/m2/d sc 7days every 28 days), and oral thalidomide up to 100mg/d for maximum 12months. Eighty patients registered; median age 68 years (range 42-82), 49% IPSS int2-high. With 36.5 months follow up, patients received median 9 cycles azacitidine, 6.1mths thalidomide. Nonhematologic toxicity grade 3+ in 85%, commonly infections. Overall response rate was 63%; 26% CR were unaffected by IPSS. Median response duration 26.3months; overall survival was 28.1months. This combination azacitidine and thalidomide in clinically advanced MDS, CMML and low-blast AML was tolerable without unexpected toxicity and encouraging responses support further investigation of combination approaches with hypomethylating agent and immunomodulatory drug.

Epigenetic targets in hematological malignancies: combination therapies with HDACis and demethylating agents.

Chromatin modeling in DNA is fundamental to gene expression, DNA repair and replication. Methylation of promoter regions of tumor-suppressor genes and histone deacetylation leads to gene silencing and transcriptionally repressive chromatin. Histone deacetylase inhibitors and hypomethylating agents allow upregulation of proapoptotic genes and downregulation of antiapoptotic genes, and show significant single-agent anticancer activity, predominantly in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and myelodysplasia, respectively. Combinations of these drugs are being employed in clinical trials to target multiple biological pathways, with the hope of synergistic pharmacodynamics. Preclinical studies of combinations of these agents with chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors are ongoing and demonstrate synergy in multiple hematological cancers, raising the prospect of future treatment for these diseases having a multitargeted approach.

Treatment-related myelodysplasia following fludarabine combination chemotherapy.

Although myelodysplasia (MDS) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) are rare following fludarabine monotherapy, the risk of these diseases may potentially be increased when fludarabine is combined with cyclophosphamide or mitoxantrone due to synergistic effects on the inhibition of DNA repair. Among 137 patients treated with fludarabine combination regimens, ten patients developed MDS/sAML, including one who had received no other therapy. Six patients had abnormalities of chromosomes 5 and/or 7. The crude rate of MDS/sAML was 2.5% for previously untreated patients, and 9.3% for pretreated patients (p=0.28). The rate of MDS/sAML following fludarabine combination therapy is higher than that previously reported for fludarabine monotherapy.

Safety and efficacy of pegfilgrastim compared to granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) supporting a dose-intensive, rapidly cycling anti-metabolite containing chemotherapy regimen (Hyper-CVAD) for lymphoid malignancy.

Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) has proven efficacy as supportive therapy in a variety of 21-day chemotherapy regimens, but has not been studied in dose intensive, rapidly cycling regimens utilising cell-cycle active drugs (e.g. anti-metabolites) such as hyper-CVAD. This study examined whether pegfilgrastim was safe and lead to similar kinetics of neutrophil recovery as daily granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Using retrospective analysis, patients receiving pegfilgrastim (6 mg) were matched with controls (G-CSF 5 microg kg-1 per day) for a cycle of chemotherapy, prior chemotherapy, dose of cytarabine received, age (<60 or >60 years), diagnosis and bone marrow involvement. The primary endpoint was duration of grade IV neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count, ANC < 500 microl-1). Secondary endpoints included time to neutrophil recovery, incidence of febrile neutropenia, positive blood cultures and delay in subsequent chemotherapy. This study identified 124 pegfilgrastim supported cycles in 43 patients and successfully matched them to 124 G-CSF supported cycles from 38 patients treated between January 1999 and July 2005. There were no significant differences between pegfilgrastim and G-CSF groups in baseline or treatment-related variables. The median duration of grade IV neutropenia was 4 days in both groups (P = 0.55). Time to neutrophil recovery, incidence of febrile neutropenia, positive blood cultures and delay in subsequent chemotherapy were similar in both groups. Once per cycle dosing of pegfilgrastim appears safe and as effective as daily G-CSF for supporting the hyper-CVAD chemotherapy regimen.