The researchers also refer to their previous experience with a more intensive chemotherapy approach (hyper-CVAD) in older patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which yielded slightly better ...results than standard chemotherapy regimens but was still unsatisfactory.2 It is known that using cohorts treated in previous trials could lead to less favourable outcomes and thus exaggerate the benefits of candidate interventions.8 In the present study, the specific performance status, different inclusion and exclusion criteria applied, the high clinical surveillance, and the protective environment of the trial might also have contributed to the improved outcomes observed. Even though results from single-arm phase 2 trials have to be evaluated cautiously, and a recent critical appraisal by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the cost-effectiveness of inotuzumab ozogamicin within its marketing authorisation has elicited challenging discussions among stakeholders, inotuzumab ozogamicin is considered, together with blinatumomab,10 to be one of the most promising agents among those under clinical investigation for older patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Burger/Phanie/Science Photo Library I declare no competing interests. 1 SE Sallan, Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, Vol. 2006, 2006, 128-132 2 DA Thomas, F Ravandi, Results of the hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone regimen in elderly patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, Cancer, Vol. 113, 2008, 2097-2101 3 S Li, JT Molony, V Chia, AJ Katz, Blood, Vol. 128, 2016, 3981 4 MB Geyer, M Hsu, SM Devlin, MS Tallman, D Douer, JH Park, Overall survival among older US adults with ALL remains low despite modest improvement since 1980: SEER analysis, Blood, Vol. 129, 2017, 1878-1881 5 D Bhojwani, R Sposto, N Shah, Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol, Vol. 35, Iss. suppl 15, 2017, 10512, (abstr).
Dasatinib is a potent BCR-ABL inhibitor with proven efficacy in adults with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) and in imatinib-resistant/intolerant disease. This ...phase I study of the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer Consortium assessed dasatinib safety and efficacy in pediatric patients.
Escalating once-daily dasatinib doses (60 to 120 mg/m(2)) were administered to children (n = 58) with (i) imatinib-pretreated CML or Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymhoblastic leukemia (ALL) and (ii) treatment-refractory Ph-negative ALL or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Dasatinib safety and efficacy profiles compared favorably with those in adults. The most common drug-related nonhematologic adverse events were nausea (31%, all grades; 2%, grade 3 to 4), headache (22%, 3%), diarrhea (21%, 0%), and vomiting (17%, 2%). Of 17 patients with CML-CP, 14 (82%) achieved complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and eight (47%) achieved major molecular response. After ≥ 24 months of follow-up, median complete hematologic response (CHR) and major cytogenetic response (MCyR) durations were not reached. Of 17 patients with advanced-phase CML or Ph-positive ALL, six (35%) achieved confirmed CHR and 11 (65%) achieved CCyR. Median MCyR duration was 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.1 to 17.4 months). No patient with Ph-negative ALL or AML responded. Dasatinib pediatric pharmacokinetic parameters were comparable with those in adult studies, showing rapid absorption (time to reach maximum concentration, 0.5 to 6.0 hours) and elimination (mean half-life, 3.0 to 4.4 hours).
Dasatinib 60 mg/m(2) and 80 mg/m(2) once-daily dosing were selected for phase II studies in children with Ph-positive leukemias.
Treatment-related toxicity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can not only be life threatening but may also affect relapse risk. In 240 patients, we determined whether toxicities were related to ...16 polymorphisms in genes linked to the pharmacodynamics of ALL chemotherapy, adjusting for age, race (self-reported or via ancestry-informative markers), sex, and disease risk group (lower- vs higher-risk therapy). Toxicities (gastrointestinal, infectious, hepatic, and neurologic) were assessed in each treatment phase. During the induction phase, when drugs subject to the steroid/cytochrome P4503A pathway predominated, genotypes in that pathway were important: vitamin D receptor (odds ratio OR, 6.85 95% confidence interval CI, 1.73-27.0) and cytochrome P4503A5 (OR, 4.61 95% CI, 1.11-19.2) polymorphisms were related to gastrointestinal toxicity and infection, respectively. During the consolidation phase, when antifolates predominated, the reduced folate carrier polymorphism predicted gastrointestinal toxicity (OR, 10.4 95% CI, 1.35-80.4) as it also did during continuation (OR, 2.01 95% CI, 1.06-4.11). In all 3 treatment phases, a glucuronosyltransferase polymorphism predicted hyperbilirubinemia (P = .017, P < .001, and P < .001) and methotrexate clearance (P = .028), which was also independently associated with hyperbilirubinemia (P = .026). The genotype-phenotype associations were similar whether analyses were adjusted by self-reported race or ancestry-informative genetic markers. Germ-line polymorphisms are significant determinants of toxicity of antileukemic therapy.
Mucopolysaccharidosis-plus syndrome (MPS-PS) is a novel autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the
gene. This syndrome presents with typical symptoms of mucopolysaccharidosis, as well ...as congenital heart defects, renal, and hematopoietic system disorders. To date, twenty-four patients have been described. There is no specific therapy for MPS-PS; clinical management is therefore limited to symptoms management. The clinical course is rapidly progressive, and most patients die before 1-2 years of age. We describe a currently 6-year-old male patient with MPS-PS presenting with multiorgan involvement. Symptoms started at four months of age when he progressively suffered from numerous acute and potentially life-threatening events. When he was two years old, he developed secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which was successfully treated with steroids. To date, this child represents the oldest patient affected by MPS-PS described in the literature and the first one presenting with a life-threatening secondary HLH. The prolonged steroid treatment allowed a stabilization of his general and hematological conditions and probably determined an improvement of his psychomotor milestones and new neurological acquisitions with an improvement of quality of life. HLH should be suspected and adequately treated in MPS-PS patients presenting with suggestive symptoms of the disease. The usefulness of a prolonged steroid treatment to improve the clinical course of children with MPS-PS deserves further investigation.
Early T-cell precursor (ETP) is an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), associated with high risk of relapse. This leukemia subtype shows a higher prevalence of mutations, typically ...associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including RAS and FLT3 mutations. FLT3-ITD was identified in 35% cases of adult ETP-ALL, but data in the pediatric counterpart are lacking. ETPs frequently lack immunoglobulin (IG) and T-cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangements, used for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Among 718 T-ALL enrolled in Italy into AIEOP-BFM-ALL2000, AIEOP-ALLR2006, and AIEOP-BFM-ALL2009 consecutive protocols, 86 patients (12%) were identified as ETP and 77 out of 86 children were studied for the presence of FLT3-ITD. A total of 10 out of 77 (13%) ETP cases were FLT3-ITD positive. IG/TR MRD monitoring was feasible only in four cases. FLT3-ITD MRD monitoring was performed using real-time PCR in all FLT3-ITD positive ETP cases. A comparison between IG/TR and FLT3-ITD resulted in comparable findings. Our study demonstrated that the FLT3-ITD prevalence in children was lower (13%) than that reported in adult ETP-ALL. FLT3-ITD can be used as a marker for sensitive molecular MRD monitoring in ETP-ALL when IG/TR markers are not available, potentially selecting those patients who should spare allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Finally, the FLT3 pathway is a robust druggable target in this aggressive form of leukemia.
Introduction
High‐dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is administered for the treatment of some malignancies. Serious complications after the administration of HDMTX are rare, but occasionally MTX may ...precipitate in the renal tubes causing a delayed elimination leading to renal, multiorgan toxicities and to life‐threatening complications. This study aims to estimate the incidence and clinical management of delayed MTX elimination in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.
Methods
Twelve haemato‐oncology and pediatric oncology clinical experts from leading European hospitals participated in the study. A two‐round Delphi methodology was used to gather data on different variables relevant to evaluate the HDMTX induced‐toxicity impact. For quantitative data, median and interquartile ranges were calculated. Data on prevalence was calculated considering the number of patients in each hospital and the population they cover, and then, extrapolated to the country population.
Results
The total number of patients treated annually with HDMTX in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK is estimated in 7155. Of these, 16% are estimated to develop delayed MTX elimination and around 9% may develop HDMTX‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Leucovorin, hyperhydration and urine alkalinization are applied to prevent MTX toxicity and precipitation whilst glucarpidase, hemofiltration and hemodialysis are being used for persisting toxic MTX serum levels. Grade 3 systemic toxicities are common in these patients, hematologic and gastrointestinal being the most common ones.
Conclusions
This report provides expert clinical practice experience and opinion of the incidence and management of HDMTX‐delayed elimination in France, Germany, Italy and the UK, thereby contributing to the evidence available on this relevant medical condition which can be life‐threatening.
Understanding the diversity in cancer research priorities and the correlations among different treatment modalities is essential to address the evolving landscape of oncology. This study, conducted ...in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and Childhood Cancer International-Europe (CCI-E) as part of the "UNCAN.eu" initiative, analyzed data from a comprehensive survey to explore the complex interplay of demographics, time since cancer diagnosis, and types of treatments received. Demographic analysis revealed intriguing trends, highlighting the importance of tailoring cancer research efforts to specific age groups and genders. Individuals aged 45-69 exhibited highly aligned research priorities, emphasizing the need to address the unique concerns of middle-aged and older populations. In contrast, patients over 70 years demonstrated a divergence in research priorities, underscoring the importance of recognising the distinct needs of older individuals in cancer research. The analysis of correlations among different types of cancer treatments underscored the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision therapy, and biological therapies playing integral roles. These findings support the need for personalized and combined treatment strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complexity of cancer research priorities and treatment correlations in a European context. It emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted, patient-centred approach to cancer research and treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing support, adaptation, and collaboration to address the ever-changing landscape of oncology.
Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was recently recognised as a distinct leukaemia and reported as associated with poor outcomes. We aimed to assess the outcome of early T-cell ...precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in patients from the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (AIEOP) centres treated with AIEOP-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (AIEOP-BFM) protocols.
In this retrospective analysis, we included all children aged from 1 to less than 18 years with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia immunophenotype diagnosed between Jan 1, 2008, and Oct 31, 2014, from AIEOP centres. Early T-cell precursors were defined as being CD1a and CD8 negative, CD5 weak positive or negative, and positive for at least one of the following antigens: CD34, CD117, HLADR, CD13, CD33, CD11b, or CD65. Treatment was based on AIEOP-BFM acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 2000 (NCT00613457) or AIEOP-BFM acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 2009 protocols (European Clinical Trials Database 2007-004270-43). The main differences in treatment and stratification of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia between the two protocols were that in the 2009 protocol only, pegylated L-asparaginase was substituted for Escherichia coli L-asparaginase, patients with prednisone poor response received an additional dose of cyclophosphamide at day 10 of phase IA, and high minimal residual disease at day 15 assessed by flow cytometry was used as a high-risk criterion. Outcomes were assessed in terms of event-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival.
Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was diagnosed in 49 patients. Compared with overall T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, it was associated with absence of molecular markers for PCR detection of minimal residual disease in 25 (56%) of 45 patients; prednisone poor response in 27 (55%) of 49 patients; high minimal residual disease at day 15 after starting therapy in 25 (64%) of 39 patients (bone marrow blasts ≥ 10%, by flow cytometry); no complete remission after phase IA in 7 (15%) of 46 patients (bone marrow blasts ≥ 5%, morphologically); and high PCR minimal residual disease (≥ 5 × 10(-4)) at day 33 after starting therapy in 17 (85%) of 20 patients with markers available. Overall, 38 (78%) of 49 patients are in continuous complete remission, including 13 of 18 after haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, with three deaths in induction, five deaths after haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, and three relapses. Severe adverse events in the 2009 study were reported in 10 (30%) of 33 patients with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia versus 24 (15%) of 164 patients without early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and life-threatening events in induction phase IA occurred in 4 (12%) of 33 patients with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia versus 7 (4%) of 164 patients without early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. No difference was seen in the subsequent consolidation phase IB of protocol I.
Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is characterised by poor early response to conventional induction treatment. Consolidation phase IB, based on cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, and ara-C at conventional (non-high) doses is effective in reducing minimal residual disease. Although the number of patients and observational time are limited, patients with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with current BFM stratification and treatment strategy have a favourable outcome compared with earlier reports. The role of innovative therapies and haemopoietic stem cell therapy in early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia needs to be assessed.
None.
The prognostic significance of early response to treatment has not been reported in relapsed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. In order to identify an early and easily applicable prognostic factor ...allowing subsequent treatment modifications, we assessed leukemic blast counts in the bone marrow by morphology on days 15 and 28 after first reinduction in 338 patients of the international Relapsed-AML2001/01 trial. Both day 15 and day 28 status was classified as good (≤20% leukemic blasts) in 77% of patients. The correlation between day 15 and 28 blast percentages was significant, but not strong (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.49, P<0.001). Survival probability decreased in a stepwise fashion along with rising blast counts at day 28. Patients with bone marrow blast counts at this time-point of ≤5%, 6-10%, 11-20% and >20% had 4-year probabilities of survival of 52%±3% versus 36%±10% versus 21%±9% versus 14%±4%, respectively, P<0.0001; this trend was not seen for day 15 results. Multivariate analysis showed that early treatment response at day 28 had the strongest prognostic significance, superseding even time to relapse (< or ≥12 months). In conclusion, an early response to treatment, measured on day 28, is a strong and independent prognostic factor potentially useful for treatment stratification in pediatric relapsed acute myeloid leukemia. This study was registered with ISRCTN code: 94206677.
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Background:
Inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) was well tolerated and demonstrated anti-leukemia activity in heavily pre-treated pediatric patients (pts) with CD22-positive relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute ...lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Phase (Ph) I ITCC-059 study. With the established recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) (1.8 mg/m2/course, as in adults) a consecutive Ph II study has been performed, sponsored by Erasmus MC and supported by Pfizer (NTR57360).
Study design:
Pts aged 1-18 years with R/R CD22+ BCP-ALL were included after informed consent was obtained. Key inclusion criteria included, M2/M3 marrow and adequate liver and kidney function. Overall response rate (ORR) was the primary endpoint, and included CR, CRp (ANC >500/µL but PLT ≤50.000/µL) and CRi (ANC ≤500/µL and/or PLT ≤50,000/µL). Secondary endpoints included safety, minimal residual disease (MRD) levels and durability of response. The study consisted of a single-stage design to test the null hypothesis (H0) ORR ≤30% and the alternative hypothesis of ORR >55%. With 25 pts, the study had 80% power to reject H0 at a significance level of 0.05. Central MRD analysis by flow cytometry was considered negative if <0.01%. Survival analysis used the Kaplan-Meier method. Results are based on a database snapshot on June 30, 2020.
Results:
32 pts were enrolled (Jun 2019-Apr 2020), including 2 screen failures and 2 pts who did not start treatment due to rapidly progressive disease. The median age of the 28 treated pts was 7.5 years (range 1-17); 19 pts were male (68%); 6 (21.5%) were primary refractory, 16 (57%) had ≥2nd relapse and 6 (21.5%) had 1st relapse post-HSCT (median 2 prior regimens, range 2-7). 50% of the pts had received a previous HSCT, 3 (11%) CAR T-cell therapy and 7 (25%) blinatumomab. Median baseline WBC was 3.1 x109/L (range 0.7-132). At time of data snapshot, 48 courses of InO were administered (range 1-4 per pt); one pt was still receiving InO. Disease response was not assessed in 1 pt (discontinued early due to sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)), 27 pts were evaluable for efficacy analyses.
Twenty-two pts achieved a response (ORR 81.5%; 95% CI 61.9%, 93.7%), all after the first cycle (CR n=14, CRp n=1, CRi n=7). Hence, the primary objective was achieved (P-value<0.0001). Overall 21/22 (95%) achieved MRD-negativity as best response (of whom 82% after course 1).
When combining these results with pts treated at the RP2D in the Ph I study (n=13), 33/40 (82.5%) achieved a response (94% of whom achieved MRD-negativity). Of 9 primary refractory patients included in Ph I and II, 3 (33%) did not respond to InO.
The median follow-up time was 7.3 months (mo). The EFS at 6 and 12 mo was 57.9% (95% CI: 40.3−83.3) and 24.8% (95% CI: 9.8−62.9); and OS at 6 and 12 mo was 61.6% (95% CI: 43.3−87.8) and 54.8% (95% CI: 35.9−83.6), respectively. The median EFS was reached at 6.34 mo (95% CI 2.53, NA). The cumulative incidence of non-response or relapse was 32% and 57% at 6 and 12 mo; 3 pts died in CR (2 due to HSCT complications, 1 due to neurological deterioration considered related to previous CNS leukemia and prolonged intrathecal treatment).
Nine of 22 responding pts underwent HSCT (median 35 days after the last InO dose, range 20-72); 4 are still in CR. Three responders received consolidation with CAR T (52, 55 and 215 days after last Ino dose), all are still in CR.
Four cases of VOD/SOS were reported. One case occurred during InO treatment (gr 3, resolved). Three of 9 transplanted pts (33%) developed post-HSCT SOS. None of these pts received prophylactic defibrotide. One pt, previously transplanted and treated with CAR T, received 1 course of InO prior to a second HSCT and developed SOS (gr 3), ongoing at the time of death due to multiorgan failure. The other 2 pts developed gr 2 SOS after 2 and 3 courses of InO before their first HSCT, both events resolved.
All pts had at least 1 adverse event (AE) during the study and 19 pts reported at least 1 of gr 3-4 AE. The most common AE was fever. Detailed data will be presented at the meeting.
Conclusion:
InO was well tolerated in this Ph II study which confirmed remarkable activity in these heavily pretreated pts. The ORR was 81.5% with 95% MRD-negativity; 55% of pts remained alive after 1 year. Twelve pts proceeded to consolidation treatment (either HSCT or CAR T). In contrast with the Ph I cohort (where no pts developed SOS post 7 HSCTs), 3 cases of SOS were recorded here after 9 HSCTs.
A Ph I cohort of this study combining InO with chemotherapy in R/R pediatric ALL is ongoing.
Brivio:Pfizer Inc.: Other: Erasmus MC received institutional funding for the study from Pfizer. Rossig:BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genetech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; EUSA Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria. Sleight:Pfizer Inc.: Current Employment. Reinhardt:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLS Behring: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Research Funding; bluebird bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. von Stackelberg:Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, advisory committees and speakers bureau, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, advisory committees and speakers bureau, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, advisory committees and speakers bureau, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, advisory committees and speakers bureau, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees, advisory committees and speakers bureau, Speakers Bureau. Zwaan:Servier, Sanofi, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis, Janssen, Roche, Incyte, Pfizer, Celgene: Consultancy; Pfizer, Celgene, BMS: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Travel funding.
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