The Menin story in acute myeloid leukaemia-The road to success.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has changed fundamentally in the last decade with many new targeted therapies entering clinics. Some of the most interesting agents under development are Menin inhibitors which interfere with the interaction of Menin with wild-type (wt) KMT2A or a KMT2A-fusion protein and thereby downregulate the leukaemic gene expression (MEIS1, PBX3, HOX) in NPM1 mutant or KMT2A-rearranged leukaemia. Other HOX and MEIS1 expressing leukaemias may also be sensitive to Menin inhibition. Following the encouraging results as monotherapy in refractory and relapsed AML, the combination of Menin inhibitors with chemotherapeutic agents and other targeted drugs is being investigated clinically.

Clinical networking results in continuous improvement of the outcome of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

The introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with anthracyclines has significantly improved the outcomes for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and this strategy remains the standard of care in countries where arsenic trioxide is not affordable. However, data from national registries and real-world databases indicate that low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) still face disappointing results, mainly due to high induction mortality and suboptimal management of complications. The American Society of Hematology established the International Consortium on Acute Leukemias (ICAL) to address this challenge through international clinical networking. Here, we present the findings from the ICAPL study involving 806 patients with APL recruited in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The induction mortality rate has decreased to 14.6% compared to the pre-ICAL rate of 32%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed as factors associated with induction death: age ≥ 40 years, ECOG = 3, high-risk status based on the PETHEMA/GIMEMA classification, albumin level ≤ 3.5 g/dL, bcr3 PML/RARA isoform, the interval between presenting symptoms to diagnosis exceeding 48 hours, and the occurrence of central nervous system and pulmonary bleeding. With a median follow-up of 53 months, the estimated 4-year overall survival (OS) rate is 81%, the 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate is 80%, and the 4-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) rate is 15%. These results parallel those observed in studies conducted in high-income countries, highlighting the long-term effectiveness of developing clinical networks to improve clinical care and infrastructure in LMIC.

Mismatched related donor allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation compared to other donor types for Ph+ chronic myeloid leukaemia: A retrospective analysis from the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT.

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains an option for tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in first chronic phase (CP1) and high-risk patients with advanced disease phases. In this European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) registry-based study of 1686 CML patients undergoing first allo-HCT between 2012 and 2019, outcomes were evaluated according to donor type, particularly focusing on mismatched related donors (MMRDs). Median age at allo-HCT was 46 years (IQR 36-55). Disease status was CP1 in 43%, second CP (CP2) or later in 27%, accelerated phase in 12% and blast crisis in 18%. Donor type was matched related (MRD) in 39.2%, MMRD in 8.1%, matched unrelated (MUD) in 40.2%, and mismatched unrelated (MMUD) in 12.6%. In 4 years, overall survival (OS) for MRD, MMRD, MUD and MMUD was 61%, 56%, 63% and 59% (p = 0.21); relapse-free survival (RFS) was 48%, 42%, 52% and 46% (p = 0.03); cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 33%, 37%, 27% and 30% (p = 0.07); non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 19%, 21%, 21% and 24% (p = 0.21); and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 16%, 18%, 22% and 15% (p = 0.05) respectively. On multivariate analysis, MMRD use associated with longer engraftment times and higher risk of graft failure compared to MRD or MUD. There was no statistical evidence that MMRD use associated with different OS, RFS and incidence of GvHD compared to other donor types.

Clonal relapse dynamics in acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

ABSTRACT: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who experience relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) face unfavorable outcomes regardless of the chosen relapse treatment. Early detection of relapse at the molecular level by measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment enables timely intervention, which may prevent hematological recurrence of the disease. It remains unclear whether molecular MRD assessment can detect MRD before impending relapse and, if so, how long in advance. This study elucidates the molecular architecture and kinetics preceding AML relapse by using error-corrected next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 74 patients with AML relapsing after alloHCT, evaluating 140 samples from peripheral blood collected 0.6 to 14 months before relapse. At least 1 MRD marker became detectable in 10%, 38%, and 64% of patients at 6, 3, and 1 month before relapse, respectively. By translating these proportions into monitoring intervals, 38% of relapses would have been detected through MRD monitoring every 3 months, whereas 64% of relapses would have been detected with monthly intervals. The relapse kinetics after alloHCT are influenced by the functional class of mutations and their stability during molecular progression. Notably, mutations in epigenetic modifier genes exhibited a higher prevalence of MRD positivity and greater stability before relapse, whereas mutations in signaling genes demonstrated a shorter lead time to relapse. Both DTA (DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1) and non-DTA mutations displayed similar relapse kinetics during the follow-up period after alloHCT. Our study sets a framework for MRD monitoring after alloHCT by NGS, supporting monthly monitoring from peripheral blood using all variants that are known from diagnosis.

Risk factors for Nocardia infection among allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: A case-control study of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Nocardiosis is a rare but life-threatening infection after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We aimed at identifying risk factors for nocardiosis after allogeneic HCT and clarifying the effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis on its occurrence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter case-control study of patients diagnosed with nocardiosis after allogeneic HCT between January 2000 and December 2018. For each case, two controls were matched by center, transplant date, and age group. Multivariable analysis was conducted using conditional logistic regression to identify potential risk factors for nocardiosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of cases and controls were compared using log-rank tests. RESULTS: Sixty-four cases and 128 controls were included. Nocardiosis occurred at a median of 9 months after allogeneic HCT (interquartile range: 5-18). After adjustment for potential confounders in a multivariable model, Nocardia infection was associated with tacrolimus use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.9, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.6-62.7), lymphocyte count < 500/µL (aOR 8.9, 95 % CI: 2.3-34.7), male sex (aOR 8.1, 95 % CI: 2.1-31.5), recent use of systemic corticosteroids (aOR 7.9, 95 % CI: 2.2-28.2), and recent CMV infection (aOR 4.3, 95 % CI: 1.2-15.9). Conversely, use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis was associated with a significantly decreased risk of nocardiosis (aOR 0.2, 95 % CI: 0.1-0.8). HCT recipients who developed nocardiosis had a significantly decreased survival, as compared with controls (12-month survival: 58 % and 90 %, respectively; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified six factors independently associated with the occurrence of nocardiosis among allogeneic HCT recipients. In particular, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis was found to protect against nocardiosis.

Brief research report: in-depth immunophenotyping reveals stability of CD19 CAR T-cells over time.

Variability or stability might have an impact on treatment success and toxicity of CD19 CAR T-cells. We conducted a prospective observational study of 12 patients treated with Tisagenlecleucel for CD19+ B-cell malignancies. Using a 31-color spectral flow cytometry panel, we analyzed differentiation stages and exhaustion markers of CAR T-cell subsets prior to CAR T-cell infusion and longitudinally during 6 months of follow-up. The majority of activation markers on CAR T-cells showed stable expression patterns over time and were not associated with response to therapy or toxicity. Unsupervised cluster analysis revealed an immune signature of CAR T-cell products associated with the development of immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Warranting validation in an independent patient cohort, in-depth phenotyping of CAR T-cell products as well as longitudinal monitoring post cell transfer might become a valuable tool to increase efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy.

Fludarabine, cytarabine, and idarubicin with or without venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Treatment options for relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia patients (R/R AML) are limited. This retrospective cohort study compares safety and efficacy of fludarabine, cytarabine, and idarubicin (FLA-IDA) without or with venetoclax (FLAVIDA) in patients with R/R AML. Thirty-seven and 81 patients received one course FLA-IDA with or without a 7-day course of venetoclax, respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was significantly higher in FLAVIDA compared to FLAIDA- treated patients (78% vs. 47%; P=0.001), while measurable residual disease was negative at a similar proportion in responding patients (50% vs. 57%), respectively. Eighty-one percent and 79% of patients proceeded to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation or donor lymphocyte infusion after FLAVIDA and FLA-IDA, respectively. Event-free and overall survival were similar in FLAVIDA- and FLA-IDA-treated patients. Refractory patients could be salvaged more successfully after FLA-IDA compared to FLAVIDA pretreatment. Neutrophil and platelet recovery times were similar in the venetoclax and the control group. In conclusion, short-term venetoclax in combination with FLA-IDA represents an effective treatment regimen in R/R AML identifying chemosensitive patients rapidly and inducing measurable residual disease-negative remission in a high proportion of R/R AML patients.

Upper and/or Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Caused by Human Metapneumovirus After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) epidemiology, clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remain a poorly investigated area. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study examined the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and risk factors for poor outcomes associated with human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections in recipients of allo-HCT. RESULTS: We included 428 allo-HCT recipients who developed 438 hMPV infection episodes between January 2012 and January 2019. Most recipients were adults (93%). hMPV infections were diagnosed at a median of 373 days after allo-HCT. The infections were categorized as upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) or lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD), with 60% and 40% of cases, respectively. Patients with hMPV LRTD experienced the infection earlier in the transplant course and had higher rates of lymphopenia, neutropenia, corticosteroid use, and ribavirin therapy. Multivariate analysis identified lymphopenia and corticosteroid use (>30 mg/d) as independent risk factors for LRTD occurrence. The overall mortality at day 30 after hMPV detection was 2% for URTD, 12% for possible LRTD, and 21% for proven LRTD. Lymphopenia was the only independent risk factor associated with day 30 mortality in LRTD cases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the significance of lymphopenia and corticosteroid use in the development and severity of hMPV infections after allo-HCT, with lymphopenia being a predictor of higher mortality in LRTD cases.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia with hyperdiploid complex karyotype.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains the best consolidation strategy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with complex karyotype (CK). However, CK is a heterogenous and highly diverse entity. Numerical abnormalities have been associated with a controversial prognosis and AML with only multiple numerical abnormalities known as pure hyperdiploid karyotype (HDK) may have a distinct prognosis after allo-HCT compared to non-pure HDK CK AML. A total of 236 patients were identified within the EBMT registry as having HDK comprising 95 pure (pHDK) and 141 with other cytogenetic abnormalities (HDK+). The 2-year probability of leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 50% for pHDK and 31% for HDK+ (p = 0.003). The 2-year probability of overall survival (OS) was 57% for pHDK and 36% for HDK+ (p = 0.007). The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (RI) was 22% for pHDK and 44% for HDK+ (p = 0.001). The 2-year probability of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 36% for pHDK and 21% for HDK+ (p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, pHDK remained associated with significantly better LFS, OS and GRFS and lower RI (all p-values <0.004). pHDK AML constitutes probably a distinct cytogenetic entity from HDK+ or other non-hyperdiploid CK AML with better outcomes after allo-HCT.

How I treat refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.

ABSTRACT: Most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop refractory/relapsed (R/R) disease even in the presence of novel and targeted therapies. Given the biological complexity of the disease and differences in frontline treatments, there are therapies approved for only subgroups of R/R AML, and enrollment in clinical trials should be first priority. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only potentially curative strategy for most patients. Therapeutic approaches, including allogeneic HCT, triggered by the presence of measurable residual disease (MRD), have recently evolved to prevent overt hematologic relapse. Salvage therapy with chemotherapy or targeted therapy is frequently administered before HCT to reduce the leukemic burden. Gilteritinib is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency for patients with relapsed FLT3 mutated AML, whereas targeted therapy for relapsed IDH1/2 mutated AML has only FDA approval. Patients who are R/R after azacitidine and venetoclax (AZA/VEN) have a dismal outcome. In this setting, even available targeted therapies show unsatisfactory results. Examples of ongoing developments include menin inhibitors, a targeted therapy for patients with mutated NPM1 or KMT2A rearrangements, antibodies targeting the macrophage immune checkpoint CD47, and triple combinations involving AZA/VEN. The latter cause significant myelosuppressive effects, which make it challenging to find the right schedule and dose.

Validation of the transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) index for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

The intensity of the conditioning regimen given before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can vary substantially. To confirm the ability of the recently developed transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) score to stratify the preparative regimens of allo-HCT, we used an independent and contemporary patient cohort of 4060 transplant recipients with acute myeloid leukemia meeting inclusion criteria from the discovery study (allo-HCT in first complete remission, matched donor), but who were allografted in a more recent period (2018-2021) and were one decade older (55-75 years, median 63.4 years), we assigned them to a TCI category (low n = 1934, 48%; intermediate n = 1948, 48%, high n = 178, 4%) according to the calculated TCI score ([1-2], [2.5-3.5], [4-6], respectively), and examined the validity of the TCI category in predicting early non-relapse mortality (NRM), 2-year NRM and relapse (REL). In the unadjusted comparison, the TCI index provided a significant risk stratification for d100 and d180 NRM, NRM and REL risk. In the multivariate analysis adjusted for significant variables, there was an independent association of TCI with early NRM, NRM and REL. In summary, we confirm in contemporary treated patients that TCI reflects the conditioning regimen related morbidity and anti-leukemic efficacy satisfactorily and across other established prognostic factors.

Autologous-allogeneic versus autologous tandem stem cell transplantation and maintenance therapy with thalidomide for multiple myeloma patients less than 60 years of age: a prospective phase II study

The role of autologous-allogeneic tandem stem cell transplantation (alloTSCT) followed by maintenance as upfront treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) is controversial. Between 2008 and 2014 a total of 217 MM patients with a median age of 51 years were included by 20 German centers within an open-label, parallel-group, multi-center clinical trial to compare alloTSCT to auto tandem transplantation TSCT (autoTSCT) followed by a 2-year maintenance therapy with thalidomide (100 mg/d) in both arms with respect to relapse/progression-free survival (PFS) and other relevant outcomes. A total of 178 patients underwent second SCT (allo n = 132 and auto n = 46). PFS at 4 years after the second SCT was 47% (CI: 38-55%) for alloTSCT and 35% (CI: 21-49%) for autoTSCT (p = 0.26). This difference increased to 22% at 8 years (p = 0.10). The cumulative incidences of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and of relapse at 4 years were 13% (CI: 8-20%) and 2% (CI: 0.3-2%) (p = 0.044) and 40% (CI: 33-50%) and 63% (CI: 50-79%) for alloTSCT and autoTSCT (p = 0.04), respectively. The difference for relapse/progression increased to 33% (alloTSCT: 44%, autoTSCT: 77%) at a median follow-up of 82 months (p = 0.002). Four-year OS was 66% (CI: 57-73%) for alloTSCT and 66% (CI: 50-78%) for auto TSCT (p = 0.91) and 8-year OS was 52% and 50% (p = 0.87), respectively. AlloTSCT followed by thalidomide maintenance reduced the rate of recurrence or progression during a follow-up period of up to 10 years but failed to improve PFS significantly.

Organ complications after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for large B cell lymphoma: a retrospective study from the EBMT transplant complications and lymphoma working party.

We investigated ≥ grade 3 (CTC-AE) organ toxicities for commercial CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) products in 492 patients (Axi-Cel; n = 315; Tisa-Cel; n = 177) with Large B-cell Lymphoma in the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) CAR-T registry. The incidence of ≥ grade 3 organ toxicities during the first 100 days after CAR-T was low and the most frequent were: renal (3.0%), cardiac (2.3%), gastro-intestinal (2.3%) and hepatic (1.8%). The majority occurred within three weeks after CAR-T cell therapy. Overall survival was 83.1% [79.8-86.5; 95% CI] at 3 months and 53.5% [49-58.4; 95% CI] at one year after CAR-T. The most frequent cause of death was tumour progression (85.1%). Non-relapse mortality was 3.1% [2.3-4.1; 95% CI] at 3 months and 5.2% [4.1-6.5; 95% CI] at one year after CAR-T. The most frequent causes of non-relapse mortality were cell-therapy-related toxicities including organ toxicities (6.4% of total deaths) and infections (4.4% of total deaths). Our data demonstrates good safety in the European real-world setting.

Current incidence, severity, and management of veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in adult allogeneic HSCT recipients: an EBMT Transplant Complications Working Party study.

The current incidence, diagnostic policy, management, and outcome of VOD/SOS at EBMT centers were studied. All centers that had performed allogeneic HSCTs in adult patients within one defined year were invited to the study. Seventy-one centers participated with a total of 2886 allogeneic transplantations and 93 cases of VOD/SOS in 2018. The cumulative incidence of VOD/SOS at day 21 was 1.8% and at day 100 2.4%. Of 67 cases with detailed data, 52 were classical and 15 (22%) late onset (>day 21). According to the EBMT criteria, 65/67 patients had at least two VOD/SOS risk factors. The severity grades were: mild 0, moderate 3, severe 29, very severe 35. Fifty-four patients were treated with defibrotide. VOD/SOS resolved in 58% of the patients, 3/3 with moderate, 22/28 with severe, and 12/33 with very severe grade (p < 0.001). By day 100, 57% of the patients were alive; 3/3 with moderate, 22/29 with severe, and 13/35 with very severe VOD/SOS (p = 0.002). In conclusion, the incidence of VOD/SOS was low. Severe and very severe grades dominated. Very severe grade predicted poor outcome compared to severe grade further supporting the concept of early diagnosis and treatment to avoid a dismal outcome.

MRD as Biomarker for Response to Donor Lymphocyte Infusion after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with AML.

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) can directly target leukemic cells through a graft-versus-leukemia effect and play a key role in the prevention and management of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Predictors of response to DLIs are not well established. We evaluated measurable residual disease (MRD) before, 30 and 90 days after DLI treatment as biomarkers of response. MRD was assessed by next-generation sequencing in 76 DLI-treated acute myeloid leukemia patients. MRD status before DLI treatment was independently prognostic for event-free survival (EFS, p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS, p < 0.001). Within 90 days of DLI treatment, 73% of MRD+ patients converted to MRD- and 32% of patients without remission achieved remission. MRD status 90 days after DLI treatment was independently prognostic for the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, p = 0.011) and relapse-free survival (RFS, p = 0.001), but not for OS. To evaluate the role of DLI treatment in MRD- patients, 23 MRD- patients who received DLIs were compared with a control cohort of 68 MRD- patients not receiving DLIs. RFS (p = 0.23) and OS (p = 0.48) were similar between the two cohorts. In conclusion, MRD is prognostic before (EFS, OS) and after (CIR, RFS) DLI treatment and may help in the selection of patients who benefit most from DLIs.

The graft-versus-leukemia effect of prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions after allogeneic stem cell transplantation is equally effective in relapse prevention but safer compared to spontaneous graft-versus-host disease.

Therapeutic donor lymphocyte infusions (tDLI) are used to reinforce the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect in relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). In contrast, the role of prophylactic DLI (proDLI) in preventing leukemia relapse has been less clearly established, although supported by retrospective, case-control, and registry analyses. We report a prospective, monocentric, ten year cohort of patients with high risk acute leukemias (AL) or myelodysplasia (MDS) in whom proDLI were applied beyond day +120 post alloSCT to compensate for lack of GvL.272 consecutive allotransplanted AL or MDS patients in complete remission and off immunosuppression at day +120 were stratified according to the prior appearance of relevant GvHD (acute GvHD °II-IV or extensive chronic GvHD) as a clinical indicator for GvL. Escalating doses of unmodified proDLI were applied to 72/272 patients without prior relevant GvHD. Conversely, 157/272 patients with prior spontaneous GvHD did not receive proDLI, nor did 43/272 patients with contraindications (uncontrolled infections, patient refusal, DLI unavailability).By day 160-landmark analysis (median day of first DLI application), proDLI recipients had significantly higher five-year overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) (77% and 67%) than patients with spontaneous GvHD (54% and 53%) or with contraindications (46% and 45%) (p=0.003). Relapse incidence for patients with proDLI (30%) or spontaneous GvHD (29%) was significantly lower than in patients with contraindications (39%; p=0.021). With similar GvHD incidence beyond day +160, non-relapse mortality (NRM) was less with proDLI (5%) than without proDLI (18%; p=0.036).In conclusion, proDLI may be able to compensate for lack of GvL in alloSCT recipients with high risk AL or MDS.