Maura Nicolosi

Interim 18-FDG-PET/CT failed to predict the outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated at the diagnosis with rituximab-CHOP

Role of interim-PET (I-PET) in diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is controversial. To determine predictive value of I-PET on progression-free survival (PFS), we enrolled 88 first-line DLBCL patients treated with 6-8 R-CHOP courses regardless of I-PET. PET/CT were performed at diagnosis, after 2 to 4 courses and at the end of therapy with central reviewing according to visual dichotomous criteria. Results are as follows: I-PET, 72% negative, 28% positive; final-PET (F-PET), 88% negative, 12% positive; clinical complete response 90%. Concordance between clinical response and F-PET negativity was 97% because of 2 false positive. With a median follow-up of 26.2 months, 2-year overall survival and PFS were 91% and 77%, respectively. Two-year PFS for I-PET and F-PET negative versus positive were as follows: I-PET 85% versus 72% (P = .0475); F-PET 83% versus 64% (P < .001). Because of a small number of events, 2 independent bivariate Cox models were tested for PFS. In model 1, F-PET contradicted I-PET (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.03, P = .015 vs 1.27, P = 691); in model 2, F-PET (HR = 4.54) and International propnostic Index score (HR = 5.36, P = .001) remained independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, positive I-PET is not predictive of a worse outcome in DLBCL; larger prospective studies and harmonization of I-PET reading criteria are needed.

MIPSS70: Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Score System for Transplantation-Age Patients With Primary Myelofibrosis

Purpose To develop a prognostic system for transplantation-age patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) that integrates clinical, cytogenetic, and mutation data. Patients and Methods The study included 805 patients with PMF age ≤ 70 years recruited from multiple Italian centers and the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), forming two independent learning and validation cohorts. A Cox multivariable model was used to select from among a list of 22 variables those that were predictive of overall survival (OS). Integrated clinical and genetic prognostic models with (MIPSS70-plus) or without (MIPSS70) cytogenetic information were developed. Results Multivariable analysis identified the following as significant risk factors for OS: hemoglobin < 100 g/L, leukocytes > 25 × 109/L, platelets < 100 × 109/L, circulating blasts ≥ 2%, bone marrow fibrosis grade ≥ 2, constitutional symptoms, absence of CALR type-1 mutation, presence of high-molecular risk mutation (ie, ASXL1, EZH2, SRSF2, IDH1/ 2), and presence of two or more high-molecular risk mutations. By assigning hazard ratio (HR)-weighted points to these variables, three risk categories were delineated for the MIPSS70 model; 5-year OS was 95% in low-risk, 70% in intermediate-risk, and 29% in high-risk categories, corresponding to median OS of 27.7 years (95% CI, 22 to 34 years), 7.1 years (95% CI, 6.2 to 8.1 years), and 2.3 years (95% CI, 1.9 to 2.7 years), respectively. In the MIPSS70-plus model, which included cytogenetic information, four risk categories were delineated, with 5-year OS of 91% in low-risk, 66% in intermediate-risk (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 5.2), 42% in high-risk (HR, 6.4; 95% CI, 4.1 to 10.0), and 7% very high-risk categories (HR, 17.0; 95% CI, 9.8 to 29.2). Both models remained effective after inclusion of older patients in the analysis. Conclusion MIPSS70 and MIPSS70-plus provide complementary systems of risk stratification for transplantation-age patients with PMF and integrate prognostically relevant clinical, cytogenetic, and mutation data.

Risk Factors for Infections In Myelofibrosis: Role of Disease Status and Treatment. A multicenter study of 507 patients

Although infectious complications represent a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with myelofibrosis (MF), little is known about their incidence, outcome and risk factors. We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 507 MF patients, diagnosed between 1980 and 2014 in five Italian hematology centers, to define the epidemiology of infections and describe the impact of ruxolitinib (RUX) treatment. Overall, 112 patients (22%) experienced 160 infectious events (grade 3–4, 45%) for an incidence rate of 3.9% per patient‐year. Infections were mainly bacterial (78%) and involving the respiratory tract (52% of cases). Also, viral (11%) and fungal infections (2%) were recorded. Overall, infections were fatal in 9% of the cases. Among baseline features, high/intermediate‐2 IPSS category (HR 1.8, 95%CI:1.2–2.7; P = 0.02) and spleen length ≥10 cm below left costal margin (HR 1.6, 95%CI:1.1–2.5; P = 0.04) were associated with higher infectious risk in multivariate analysis. Overall, the rate of infections was higher in the cohort of 128 RUX‐treated patients (44% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, IPSS‐category and splenomegaly, emerged as the main risk factors for infections in MF. RUX‐treated patients experienced significantly more infection episodes; however, future prospective studies are needed to isolate the confounding contribution of other risk factors such as disease stage. Am. J. Hematol. 92:37–41, 2017.

Revised cytogenetic risk stratification in primary myelofibrosis: analysis based on 1002 informative patients

Current cytogenetic risk stratification in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is two-tiered: ‘favorable’ and ‘unfavorable’. Recent studies have suggested prognostic heterogeneity within the unfavorable risk category. In 1002 consecutive patients, we performed stepwise analysis of impact on survival from individual and prognostically ordered cytogenetic abnormalities, leading to a revised three-tiered risk model: ‘very high risk (VHR)’—single/multiple abnormalities of −7, i(17q), inv(3)/3q21, 12p−/12p11.2, 11q−/11q23, or other autosomal trisomies not including + 8/ + 9 (e.g., +21, +19); ‘favorable’—normal karyotype or sole abnormalities of 13q−, +9, 20q−, chromosome 1 translocation/duplication or sex chromosome abnormality including -Y; ‘unfavorable’—all other abnormalities. Median survivals for VHR (n = 75), unfavorable (n = 190) and favorable (n = 737) risk categories were 1.2 (HR 3.8, 95% CI 2.9–4.9), 2.9 (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4–2.0) and 4.4 years and survival impact was independent of clinically derived prognostic systems, driver and ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations. The revised model was also effective in predicting leukemic transformation: HRs (95% CI) were 4.4 (2.0–9.4) for VHR and 2.0 (1.2–3.4) for unfavorable. The impact of driver mutations on survival was confined to favorable and that of ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations to favorable/unfavorable cytogenetic risk categories. The current study clarifies the prognostic hierarchy of genetic risk factors in PMF and provides a more refined three-tiered cytogenetic risk model.

Mutations and prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes: Karyotype-adjusted analysis of targeted sequencing in 300 consecutive cases and development of a genetic risk model

To develop a genetic risk model for primary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), we queried the prognostic significance of next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐derived mutations, in the context of the Mayo cytogenetic risk stratification, which includes high‐risk (monosomal karyotype; MK), intermediate‐risk (non‐MK, classified as intermediate/poor/very poor, per the revised international prognostic scoring system; IPSS‐R), and low‐risk (classified as good/very good, per IPSS‐R). Univariate analysis in 300 consecutive patients with primary MDS identified TP53, RUNX1, U2AF1, ASXL1, EZH2, and SRSF2 mutations as “unfavorable” and SF3B1 as “favorable” risk factors for survival; for the purposes of the current study, the absence of SF3B1 mutation was accordingly dubbed as an “adverse” mutation. Analysis adjusted for age and MK, based on our previous observation of significant clustering between MK and TP53 mutations, confirmed independent prognostic contribution from RUNX1, ASXL1, and SF3B1 mutations. Multivariable analysis that included age, the Mayo cytogenetics risk model and the number of adverse mutations resulted in HRs (95% CI) of 5.3 (2.5‐10.3) for presence of three adverse mutations, 2.4 (1.6‐3.7) for presence of two adverse mutations, 1.5 (1.02‐2.2) for presence of one adverse mutation, 5.6 (3.4‐9.1) for high‐risk karyotype, 1.5 (1.1‐2.2) for intermediate‐risk karyotype and 2.4 (1.8‐3.3) for age >70 years; HR‐weighted risk point assignment generated a three‐tiered genetic risk model: high (N = 65; 5‐year survival 2%), intermediate (N = 100; 5‐year survival 18%), and low (N = 135; 5‐year survival 56%). The current study provides a practically simple risk model in MDS that is based on age, karyotype, and mutations only.

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in the elderly: standard treatment and new perspectives

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histotype in non Hodgkin lymphoma, with a peak incidence in the sixth decade. The standard treatment for elderly FIT DLBCL patients is Rituximab-CHOP; in unfit and frail patients, chemotherapy at reduced intensity should be considered. Areas covered: In this article, we will review use of standard therapies and new drugs investigated such as immonomudulating agents (IMiDs), Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK), in fit, unfit, frail and very elderly DLCBL patients. Expert commentary: R-CHOP21 in fit DLBCL patients is still the standard of care, while in elderly unfit patients a reduction of doses of cytotoxic drugs or schemes that avoid antracycline should be considered. The Comprensive Geriatric Assesment based in age, comorbidities and functional abilities of daily living is an important tool in elderly, in order to discriminate between fit, unfit or frail patients. Novel drugs represent valid therapeutic options in relapsed/refractory setting so continued participation in clinical trials should be encouraged.

Mutations and karyotype in myelodysplastic syndromes: TP53 clusters with monosomal karyotype, RUNX1 with trisomy 21, and SF3B1 with inv(3)(q21q26.2) and del(11q)

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies have now established the presence of sometimes multiple somatic mutations in the majority of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) . Some of these mutations, including ASXL1, TP53, RUNX1, EZH2, and SRSF2, have been shown to adversely affect overall or leukemia-free survival, independent of each other and conventional risk models. More recent studies have further suggested associations of certain mutations in MDS with specific cytogenetic abnormalities. In this regard, one study employed NGS in 22 MDS patients with der(1;7)(q10;p10) and 32 with −7/del(7q); the most frequently mutated genes in the former were RUNX1 (41%), ASXL1 (23%), EZH2 (18%), and DNMT3A (18%) and in the latter TP53 (28%), ASXL1 28%, SETBP1 (22%), and TET2 (19%). Accordingly, the authors suggested an association between der(1;7)(q10;p10) and RUNX1 mutations. In another NGS study of 43 patients with del(5q)-associated MDS, recurrent mutations among 22 patients with del(5q) syndrome included ASXL1 (14%), TET2 (14%), SF3B1 (9%), TP53 (5%), RUNX1 (5%), DNMT3A (5%), and WT1 (5%); more advanced cases displayed higher frequency of TP53 mutations. Such observations carry both pathogenetic and practical relevance, especially in deciphering the prognostic interaction between mutations and karyotype. In a recent communication, we reported on 179 MDS patients in whom information was available for NGSderived mutational status, and showed an adverse overall and leukemia-free survival impact from ASXL1, SETBP1, or TP53 mutations/variants and SRSF2, IDH2, CSF3R mutations/variants, respectively. The prognostic contribution of these mutations was independent of coexisting mutations, number of mutations, age, and, for the large part, the revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R); an apparent association between SF3B1 mutations and favorable prognosis was no longer evident after analysis was adjusted for IPSS-R. In the current study, we sought to discover specific associations between mutations and karyotype and clarify the interindependent prognostic contribution of mutations vs. karyotype. The study population (N= 179) consisted of patients with primary MDS who were informative for both karyotype and NGS data. The diagnosis of MDS and leukemic transformation was according to the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) criteria. Cytogenetic reports were re-reviewed and grouped into categories that are found to be informative, on preliminary analysis of associations with specific mutations. A 27-gene panel NGS study was performed on bone marrow DNA specimens, and queried genes included TET2, DNMT3A, IDH1, IDH2, ASXL1, EZH2, SUZ12, SRSF2, SF3B1, ZRSR2, U2AF1, PTPN11, TP53, SH2B3, RUNX1, CBL, NRAS, JAK2, CSF3R, FLT3,

GIPSS: genetically inspired prognostic scoring system for primary myelofibrosis

International collaborations over the years have produced a series of prognostic models for primary myelofibrosis (PMF), including the recently unveiled mutation-enhanced international prognostic scoring systems for transplant-age patients (MIPSS70 and MIPSS70-plus). In the current study, we considered the feasibility of a genetically inspired prognostic scoring system (GIPSS) that is exclusively based on genetic markers. Among 641 cytogenetically annotated patients with PMF and informative for previously recognized adverse mutations, multivariable analysis identified “VHR” karyotype, “unfavorable” karyotype, absence of type 1/like CALR mutation and presence of ASXL1, SRSF2, or U2AF1Q157 mutation, as inter-independent predictors of inferior survival; the respective HRs (95% CI) were 3.1 (2.1–4.3), 2.1 (1.6–2.7), 2.1 (1.6–2.9), 1.8 (1.5–2.3), 2.4 (1.9–3.2), and 2.4 (1.7–3.3). Based on HR-weighted risk points, a four-tiered GIPSS model was devised: low (zero points; n = 58), intermediate-1 (1 point; n = 260), intermediate-2 (2 points; n = 192), and high (≥3 points; n = 131); the respective median (5-year) survivals were 26.4 (94%), 8.0 (73%), 4.2 (40%), and 2 (14%) years; the model was internally validated by bootstrapping and its predictive accuracy was shown to be comparable to that of MIPSS70-plus. GIPPS offers a low-complexity prognostic tool for PMF that is solely dependent on genetic risk factors and, thus, forward-looking in its essence.

Driver mutations and prognosis in primary myelofibrosis: Mayo-Careggi MPN alliance study of 1,095 patients

The 2013 discovery of calreticulin (CALR) mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms was attended by their association with longer survival in primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Subsequent studies have suggested prognostic distinction between type 1/like and type 2/like CALR mutations and detrimental effect from triple‐negative mutational status. Among 709 Mayo Clinic patients with PMF, 467 (66%) harbored JAK2, 112 (16%) CALR type 1/like, 24 (3.4%) CALR type 2/like, 38 (5.4%) MPL mutations and 68 (10%) were triple‐negative. Survival was longer with type 1/like CALR, compared to JAK2 (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9‐3.5), type 2/like CALR (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4‐4.5), MPL (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1‐2.9) and triple‐negative mutational status (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6‐3.6), but otherwise similar between the non‐type 1/like CALR mutational states (P = .41). In multivariable analysis, the absence of type 1/like CALR (P < .001; HR 2, 95% CI 1.4‐2.7), presence of ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations (P < .001; HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5‐2.4) and DIPSS‐plus (P < .001) were each predictive of inferior survival. Furthermore, among 210 patients with ASXL1/SRSF2 mutations, survival was significantly longer in the presence vs. absence of type 1/like CALR mutations (median 5.8 vs. 2.9 years; P < .001). Triple‐negative status did not disclose additional prognostic information for overall or leukemia‐free survival. The observations regarding the prognostic distinction between CALR mutation variants were validated in an external cohort of 386 patients from the University of Florence Careggi hospital. We conclude that type 1/like CALR mutations in PMF not only predict superior survival, but also partially amend the detrimental effect of high molecular risk mutations.

Integrating novel drugs to chemoimmunotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with an incidence in Europe of 3.8/100.000/year. A multi-drugs chemoimmunotherapy regimen, containing rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHOP) administrated every 21 days, is the standard therapy for DLBCL patients. The discovery of several biological features of DLBCL has encouraged the introduction of novel drugs in the treatment. Areas covered: In this article, the use of standard therapies will be reviewed and will be investigated adoption of novel drugs such as Bortezomib, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, IMiDs, Venetoclax, mTOR inhibitors and other biological agents. Expert commentary: A better knowledge of the biology of DLBCL is mandatory to tailor treatment and to ameliorate the poor prognosis of DLBCL. The addition of novel drugs to standard RCHOP should represent a modern approach in the treatment of DLBCL. Ibrutinib and lenalidomide showed important results in DLBCL and the integration of these drugs in first line treatment is under investigation. Despite encouraging results using novel drugs in the setting of relapsed/refractory DLBCL, the rate of failures still remains at 40%; for these reason, continued participation in clinical trials should be encouraged.