The Janus-activated kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib is effective in decreasing symptomatic splenomegaly and myelofibrosis (MF)-related symptoms. However, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only curative option. We evaluated the impact of ruxolitinib on the outcome after HCT. A cohort of 14 patients (median age 58 years) received a subsequent graft from related (n ¼ 3) and unrelated (n ¼ 11) donors after a median exposure of 6.5 months to ruxolitinib. At HCT, MF risk for survival according to the International Prognostic Scoring System was intermediate-2 or high risk in 86% of patients. Under ruxolitinib, MF-related symptoms were ameliorated in 10 (71.4%) patients and the palpable spleen reduced by a median of 41% in 7 (64%) of 11 patients with splenomegaly. Engraftment occurred in 13 (93%) patients. Acute GvHD grade-III occurred in 2 (14%) patients. Median follow-up was 9 months. Survival, EFS and treatment-related mortality were 78.6, 64 and 7%, respectively. Through the anti-JAK-mediated reduction in both cytokines and splenomegaly as well as improvement in performance status, ruxolitinib might improve outcome after allogeneic HCT in patients with MF. The downregulation of inflammatory cytokines might have a beneficial impact on graft failure and acute GvHD.

The safety and efficacy of azacitidine (5-day schedule) were assessed in a multicenter study in 40 patients (median age 72 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) medically unfit for (n = 20) or resistant to chemotherapy (n = 20) from April to October 2008. Median marrow blasts were 42%. After a median follow-up of 13 months, response (complete remission [CR]/partial remission [PR]/hematologic improvement [HI]) was 50% and 10% in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, respectively (p = 0.008). Median time-to-response was 2.5 months with a median duration of 5.9 months. Median survival was not reached for responders versus 3.8 months for 15 (38%) patients with stable disease (p < 0.045). High-risk cytogenetics was associated with inferior survival (p = 0.05). Lower marrow blasts on day 15 of cycle 1, irrespective of pretreatment count, predicted subsequent response (p = 0.01). Azacitidine is active and well tolerated in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML.

Elevated serum ferritin contributes to treatment-related morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The multicenter DE02 trial assessed the safety, efficacy and impact of deferasirox on iron homeostasis after allogeneic HSCT. Deferasirox was administered at a starting dose of 10 mg/kg per day to 76 recipients of allogeneic HSCT, with subsequent dose adjustments based on efficacy and safety. Deferasirox was initiated at a median of 168 days after HSCT, with 84% of patients still on immunosuppression. Baseline serum ferritin declined from 2045 to 957 ng/mL. Deferasirox induced a negative iron balance in 84% of patients. Hemoglobin increased in the first 3 months, and trough serum cyclosporine levels were stable. Median exposure was 330 days, with a median compliance rate of 480%. The most common investigator-reported drug-related adverse events (AEs) were increased blood creatinine (26.5%), nausea (9.0%) and abdominal discomfort (8.3%). Fifty-four (71.1%) patients experienced drug-related AEs, which occasionally resulted in discontinuation (gastrointestinal (n = 6), skin (n = 3), elevated transaminases (n = 1) and creatinine (n = 1)). The incidence of AEs appeared to be dose related, with 7.5 mg/kg per day being the best-tolerated dose. Low-dose deferasirox is an effective chelation therapy after allogeneic HSCT, with a manageable safety profile, even in patients receiving cyclosporine.

There is a major unmet medical need for treatment options in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are deemed ineligible for intensive treatment. The recent approval of decitabine in the European Union for the treatment of patients with AML≥ 65 years old highlights the potential for hypomethylating agents in this setting. Here, we review evidence to support the use of hypomethylating agents in elderly patients and emphasize the importance of tolerability and quality of life considerations. We focus on the rationale for the continued clinical development of the ribonucleoside analog azacitidine in this setting. We discuss potential differences in the activity of azacitidine and decitabine in different patient subgroups that could possibly be explained by important differences in mechanism of action. Finally, we assess practical challenges that will be faced when integrating hypomethylating agents into clinical practice, such as how to define ineligibility for intensive treatment.

170 The effect of Rituximab in conjunction with a chemo induction and consolidation therapy was studied in CD20+, Ph/BCR-ABL negative B-precursor ALL (Pre-B/Common) in the GMALL Study 07/2003. The rationale were encouraging results with combined intensive chemotherapy and Rituximab in CD20+ adult Burkitt lymphoma / leukemia. Furthermore that in previous GMALL studies, improvement of B-precursor ALL by intensification of chemotherapy was limited and the observation that patients with CD20+ cells (antigen expression >20%) had an inferior outcome in adult ALL (Thomas et al. Blood 2009. 113;6330). Aim: In standard risk (SR) patients the aim was to increase the rate of molecular remission (Mol. CR) thereby decreasing the relapse rate and in high risk (HR) patients to reduce the pre-transplant tumour-load and thereby reducing the relapse rate after SCT which was 30–40% in previous GMALL studies. Materials and Methods: Adult ALL patients (15 – 55 years) with standard risk B-precursor ALL being CD20 pos. received Rituximab 375 mg/m2 at day -1 before each induction course (phase I and II), the re-induction course and before each of the six consolidations for a total of 8 doses. High Risk patients, defined as WBC > 30.000 and/or late CR > 4 weeks, which are candidates for a stem cell transplantation in CR 1 after wk 16, received Rituximab three times (d -1 ind. I/II and Cons. I) before SCT. Patients receiving Rituximab were compared with earlier CD20+ patients in the GMALL study 07/2003 with identical chemo- and supportive therapy but no Rituximab. MRD method and chemo backbone was described earlier [Brüggemann, Blood 2006: 107;1116]. Results: A total of 263 CD20 pos. patients were analyzed in the GMALL study 07/2003; 196 were SR and 67 HR patients. 181 received Rituximab (R+ arm) and were compared to a cohort of 82 patients earlier recruited without Rituximab (R- arm). In the SR there was no difference in the results of induction therapy with a CR rate of 94 % and 91 % in the R+ vs. R- patients. There was also no difference in ED rate 5% vs. 3% or failure/PR 1% vs. 5%. However, MRD course differed substantially. Decrease in MRD load in the R+ vs. R- arm was faster with a Mol CR (MRD <10-4) rate of 57% vs. 27% at day 24 and of 90% vs. 59% at wk 16. Probability for continuous complete remission (CCR) at 5 years was 80% vs. 47% for R+ vs. R- pts. and for overall survival 71% vs. 57%. In the cohort of 67 HR patients the CR rate for R+ vs. R- was 81% vs. 88% due to a higher rate of failure/PR 12% vs. 8%. The ED rates in the R+ vs. R- arm were 7% vs. 4%. There was a higher Mol CR rate at wk 16 in the R+ arm vs. R- with 64% vs. 40%. Overall survival for HR patients at 5 yrs was 55% vs. 36% in the R+ vs. R- group. When only the HR cohort with SCT in CR1 is considered (in 69 % +R and 90% -R SCT in CR1 were performed) the CCR probability was superior for the R+ vs. R- with 67% vs. 37%, due to a lower relapse rate. Conclusion: Intensive chemo- plus immunotherapy with Rituximab is feasible in adult patients with B-precursor ALL in the context of the GMALL protocol 07/2003. In standard risk patients, the complete remission rate was comparable. There was however a faster and higher Mol. CR rate in the Rituximab cohort, with an improvement in remission duration and overall survival. In high risk patients the Mol. CR rate was also higher in the R+ arm and the relapse rate after SCT lower, but probably more Rituximab doses are needed in this patient cohort to reduce the tumour load before SCT further. Supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe 70–2657-Ho2 and in part by Hoffmann La Roche. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Rituximab: activity against CD20 pos. ALL cells.