Abstract: Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;q22) results in the formation of the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript which can be used to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Early identification of patients (pts) with a high risk of relapse will allow pre-emptive therapy including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Recent studies in AML with NPM1 mutation or the CBFB-MYH11 gene fusion revealed that MRD persistence is significantly associated with a high risk of relapse. However, the prognostic impact of MRD assessment in RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML is not well established. Aims: To assess the prognostic impact of qRT-PCR-based MRD monitoring in bone marrow (BM) of pts with t(8;21)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML obtained at defined time-points (diagnosis, first and second cycle of chemotherapy, end of treatment). Methods: In total, 120 pts were included based on the availability of a diagnostic BM sample and at least two subsequent BM samples obtained during therapy and at the end of treatment; 106 pts were enrolled in one of six AMLSG treatment trials: AML HD93 (n=1), AML HD98A (NCT00146120; n=13), AMLSG 06-04 (NCT00151255; n=4), AMLSG 07-04 (NCT00151242; n=43), AMLSG 11-08 (NCT00850382; n=31), AMLSG 21-13 (NCT02013648; n=14); 14 pts were treated outside clinical trials. All pts received anthracycline- and cytarabine-based intensive induction followed by subsequent high-dose cytarabine consolidation cycles. For MRD assessment, qRT-PCR from BM specimens was performed using TaqMan technology; RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels (TL) were reported as the normalized value of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 per 106 transcripts of the housekeeping gene beta2-microglobulin. The maximum sensitivity of the assay was 10-6. Results: The median age of the pts was 47 years (yrs; range, 18-73 yrs); at the time of diagnosis there was a broad range of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL (18490 to 14440000) with a median of 227800. RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL did not correlate with clinical features (age, WBC, platelets, LDH, BM blasts) or associated gene mutations such as KIT, FLT3-ITD/TKD, NRAS or ASXL2. However, pts with additional FLT3 mutation showed higher TL compared to wild-type pts (median, 412955 vs 219052). Cox regression analysis using RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL as a log10 transformed continuous variable showed that higher RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL were significantly associated with a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), inferior event-free survival (EFS) and shorter overall survival (OS) for the two time points "after first treatment cycle" and "at end of treatment" (CIR: HR, 1.84, p=0.001; HR, 1.60, p=0.03; EFS: HR, 1.59, p=0.01, HR, 1.74, p=0.01; OS: HR, 1.63, p=0.02, HR 2.13, p=0.009, respectively). In univariate analyses achievement of MRD negativity (n=35) at the end of treatment was significantly associated with a superior 4-yr OS (93% vs 67%; p=0.007) and 4-yr EFS (81% vs 61%; p=0.04) whereas achievement of MRD negativity after the first (1/85) and second (20/89) treatment cycle was low not reaching significance for any of the clinical endpoints. Separation of the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL according to quartiles of distribution showed significant differences in OS (p=0.04), and remission duration (p=0.006) "after first cycle" whereas "at end of treatment" significant differences were only found for OS (p=0.009). Finally, we evaluated the impact of concurrent KIT mutations on the kinetics of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL. Following the first treatment cycle, the median RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL were significantly lower in the KIT wildtype group compared with the KIT mutated group (p=0.02); the same was true "at the end of treatment" (p=0.02). Conclusions: In our study, achievement of MRD negativity at the end of treatment was significantly associated with a better outcome in t(8;21)-positive AML. The fact that earlier time points did not allow the identification of pts with a high relapse risk is probably due to the high sensitivity of the qRT-PCR assay which is also reflected by the low number of pts achieving qRT-PCR negativity after first and second treatment cycle, respectively. Further analyses are ongoing including multivariable as well as molecular subgroup analyses. *These authors contributed equally to the work: MA, AC MA was supported by the Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS). Disclosures Paschka: Celgene: Honoraria; Pfizer Pharma GmbH: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Medupdate GmbH: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; ASTEX Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Lübbert:Ratiopharm: Other: Study drug valproic acid; Janssen-Cilag: Other: Travel Funding, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: Travel Funding. Fiedler:Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Teva: Other: Travel; Kolltan: Research Funding; Ariad/Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Other: Travel; GSO: Other: Travel; Pfizer: Research Funding. Heuser:Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Bayer Pharma AG: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Tetralogic: Research Funding; BerGenBio: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Schlenk:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding.

Abstract: Background: Internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 occur in roughly 25% of younger adult patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The multi-targeted kinase inhibitor midostaurin combined with intensive chemotherapy has shown activity against AML with FLT3 mutations. However, toxicity and potential drug-drug interactions with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as posaconazole may necessitate dose reduction. Aims: To evaluate the impact of age and midostaurin dose-adaptation after intensive induction chemotherapy on response and outcome in AML with FLT3-ITD within the AMLSG 16-10 trial (NCT01477606). Methods: The study included adult pts (age 18-70 years (yrs)) with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD positive AML enrolled in the ongoing single-arm phase-II AMLSG 16-10 trial. Pts with acute promyelocytic leukemia were not eligible. The presence of FLT3-ITD was analyzed within our diagnostic study AMLSG-BiO (NCT01252485) by Genescan-based DNA fragment-length analysis. Induction therapy consisted of daunorubicin (60 mg/m², d1-3) and cytarabine (200 mg/m², continuously, d1-7); midostaurin 50 mg bid was applied from day 8 until 48h before start of the next treatment cycle. A second cycle was allowed in case of partial remission (PR). For consolidation therapy, pts proceeded to allogeneic hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT) as first priority; if alloHCT was not feasible, pts received three cycles of age-adapted high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) in combination with midostaurin starting on day 6. In all pts one-year maintenance therapy with midostaurin was intended. The first patient entered the study in June 2012 and in April 2014, after recruitment of n=147 pts, the study was amended including a sample size increase to 284 pts and a dose reduction to 12.5% of the initial dose of midostaurin in case of co-medication with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. posaconazole). This report focuses on age and the comparison between the first (n=147) and the second cohort (n=137) of the study in terms midostaurin dose-adaptation. Results: Patient characteristics were as follows: median age 54 yrs (range, 18-70; younger, 68% 〈 60 yrs; older, 32% ≥ 60 yrs); median white cell count 44.7G/l (range 1.1-1543 G/l); karyotype, n=161 normal, n=16 high-risk according to ELN recommendations; mutated NPM1 n=174 (59%). Data on response to first induction therapy were available in 277 pts; complete remission (CR) including CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) 60%, PR 20%, refractory disease (RD) 15%, and death 5%. A second induction cycle was given in 54 pts. Overall response (CR/CRi) after induction therapy was 76% (76%, younger; 76%, older) and death 6% (4%, younger; 10% older). The dose of midostaurin during first induction therapy was reduced in 53% and 71% of patients in cohort-1 and cohort-2, respectively. Reasons for dose reduction were in 58% and 49% toxicity, and in 9% and 23% co-medication in cohort-1 and cohort-2, respectively. No difference in response to induction therapy was noted between cohorts (p=0.81). Median follow-up was 18 months. Overall 146 pts received an alloHCT, 128 in first CR (n=94 younger, n=34 older; n=92 from a matched unrelated and n=36 from a matched related donor). In pts receiving an alloHCT within the protocol in median two chemotherapy cycles were applied before transplant (range 1-4). The cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and death after transplant were 13% (SE 3.2%) and 16% (SE 3.5%) without differences (p=0.97, p=0.41, respectively) between younger and older patients. So far maintenance therapy was started in 86 pts, 61 pts after alloHCT and 25 pts after HDAC. Fifty-five adverse events 3°/4° were reported being attributed to midostaurin; cytopenias after alloHCT were the most frequent (29%). CIR in patients starting maintenance therapy was 20% one year after start of maintenance without difference between alloHCT and HiDAC (p=0.99). In addition, no difference in CIR was identified in patients after consolidation with alloHCT or HDAC according to dose reduction of midostaurin during first induction therapy (p=0.43, p=0.98, respectively). Median overall survival was 25 months (younger, 26 months; older 23 months; p=0.15). Conclusions: The addition of midostaurin to intensive induction therapy and as maintenance after alloHCT or HDAC is feasible and effective without an impact of age and dose adaptation on outcome. Disclosures Schlenk: Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Fiedler:GSO: Other: Travel; Pfizer: Research Funding; Kolltan: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Gilead: Other: Travel; Ariad/Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Teva: Other: Travel. Lübbert:Celgene: Other: Travel Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Other: Travel Funding, Research Funding; Ratiopharm: Other: Study drug valproic acid. Greil:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Honoraria; GSK: Research Funding; Ratiopharm: Research Funding; Cephalon: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi Aventis: Honoraria; Eisai: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Greiner:BMS: Research Funding. Paschka:ASTEX Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Medupdate GmbH: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Pfizer Pharma GmbH: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Heuser:Bayer Pharma AG: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Pfizer: Research Funding; BerGenBio: Research Funding; Tetralogic: Research Funding.

Abstract: High CD33 expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mutated NPM1 provides a rationale for the evaluation of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) in this AML entity. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate GO in combination with intensive induction and consolidation therapy in NPM1-mutated AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between May 2010 and September 2017, patients ≥ 18 years old and considered eligible for intensive therapy were randomly assigned up front for induction therapy with idarubicin, cytarabine, etoposide, and all- trans-retinoic acid with or without GO. The early ( P = .02) primary end point of event-free survival (EFS) was evaluated 6 months after completion of patient recruitment. RESULTS Five hundred eighty-eight patients were randomly assigned (standard arm, n = 296; GO arm, n = 292). EFS in the GO arm was not significantly different compared with that in the standard arm (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.04; P = .10). The early death rate during induction therapy was 10.3% in the GO arm and 5.7% in the standard arm ( P = .05). Causes of death in both arms were mainly infections. The cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) in patients achieving a complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) was significantly reduced in the GO arm compared with the standard arm ( P = .005), with no difference in the cumulative incidence of death ( P = .80). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant beneficial effect of GO in female, younger (≤ 70 years), and FLT3 internal tandem duplication–negative patients with respect to EFS and CIR. CONCLUSION The trial did not meet its early primary end point of EFS, mainly as a result of a higher early death rate in the GO arm. However, in patients achieving CR/CRi after induction therapy, significantly fewer relapses occurred in the GO compared with the standard arm.

Abstract: Background: Mutations of the NPM1 gene are one of the most frequent genetic aberrations in adult AML. AML with mutated NPM1 is categorized as a disease entity according the WHO-2016 classification and clinically associated with female sex, high white blood cells at diagnosis, normal karyotype and high CD33 antigen expression. We recently showed that patients with NPM1-mutated AML benefit from all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as adjunct to intensive induction therapy (Ann Hematol. 2016; 95:1931-1942; Haematologica. 2009;94:54-60). Based on the regular high CD33 expression in AML with mutated NPM1 we hypothesized that gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) added to intensive therapy with ATRA may further improve clinical outcome in AML with mutated NPM1. Aim: To evaluate GO in combination with intensive induction and consolidation therapy and ATRA in NPM1 mutated AML within the randomized AMLSG 09-09 trial (NCT00893399) Methods: Between May 2010 and September 2017, patients ≥18 years of age and considered eligible for intensive therapy were randomized up-front for open-label treatment with GO. Induction therapy consisted of two cycles of A-ICE (idarubicin 12mg/m² iv, day 1,3,5 [in induction II and for patients 〉 60 years reduced to d 1, 3]; cytarabine 100mg/m² continuous iv, day 1 to 7; etoposide 100mg/m² iv, day 1-3 [in induction II and for patients 〉 60 years reduced to d 1, 3]; ATRA 45 mg/m²/day po on days 6-8 and 15mg/m² days 9-21, +/- GO 3mg/m² iv day 1). Consolidation therapy consisted of 3 cycles of high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC; 3g/m² [reduced to 1g/m² in patients 〉 60 years] bid, days 1-3; Pegfilgrastim 6mg sc, day 10; ATRA 15 mg/m²/day po, days 4-21; +/- GO 3mg/m² on day 1 [first consolidation only] ). The primary endpoints of the study were event-free survival (EFS) as early endpoint tested 6 months and overall survival (OS) tested 4 years after study completion with sequential testing according the fallback procedure described by Wiens (Statistics 2003;2:211-215). This report focusses on the early EFS endpoint. Further secondary endpoints were response to induction therapy, cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and cumulative incidence of death (CID). Results: In total 588 patients were evaluable for analysis (n=296, standard-arm; n=292 GO-arm). Median age was 58.7 years (range, 18.4-82.3 years), ECOG performance status was 0 in 34.1% and 1 in 55.1%, and FLT3-ITD was present in 16.8% of the patients, with baseline characteristics well balanced between the two arms. After first induction therapy death rates were significantly higher in the GO-arm (7.5%) (p=0.02) compared to the standard-arm (3.4%); in both study-arms causes of death were mainly infections. Following induction therapy complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) were 88.5% and 85.3% (p=0.28), refractory disease (RD) 6.1% and 5.1% (p=0.72), death 5.4% and 9.6% (p=0.06) in the standard- and GO-arm, respectively. Due to prolonged thrombocytopenia after second induction therapy in the GO-arm, the protocol was amended in that GO was omitted in second induction and first consolidation cycles, if prolonged cytopenias were observed during first induction therapy. The study treatment was completed in 197 and 171 patients (p=0.11), allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first CR was performed in 18 and 21 patients (p=0.51) in the standard- and GO-arm, respectively. Median follow-up was 2.6 years (95%-CI, 2.4-3.1 years). Two- and 4-year EFS were 53% (95%-CI, 48-60%) and 58% (95%-CI, 52%-64%), and 44% (95%-CI, 38-52%) and 52% (95%-CI, 46%-59%) in the standard- and GO-arm, respectively. According to the pre-specified significance level of 0.025, EFS in the GO-arm was not different to that in the standard-arm (p=0.21). In patients achieving CR/CRi after induction therapy, CIR was significantly reduced in the GO-arm compared to the standard-arm (p=0.018), whereas no difference in CID was noted between both arms (p=0.89). Conclusion: The addition of GO to intensive induction therapy with ICE plus ATRA was associated with a higher death rate. In patients achieving a CR/CRi after induction therapy significantly less relapses occurred in the GO- compared to the standard-arm. Disclosures Schlenk: Pfizer: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Paschka:Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Travel support; Otsuka: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sunesis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Other: Travel support; Janssen: Other: Travel support; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Other: Travel support. Fiedler:Amgen: Other: support for meetíng attendance; Gilead: Other: support for meeting attendance; Pfizer: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Amgen: Patents & Royalties; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ARIAD/Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, support for meeting attendance; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSO: Other: support for meeting attendance; Teva: Other: support for meeting attendance; JAZZ Pharmaceuticals: Other: support for meeting attendance; Daiichi Sankyo: Other: support for meeting attendance. Lübbert:Cheplapharm: Other: Study drug; Celgene: Other: Travel Support; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; TEVA: Other: Study drug. Götze:Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel aid ASH 2017; JAZZ Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Schleicher:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Investigator; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ipsen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eissai: Other: Investigator; Astra Zeneca: Other: Investigator; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Greil:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; MSD: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sandoz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Heuser:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; BergenBio: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Tetralogic: Research Funding; Bayer Pharma AG: Consultancy, Research Funding; StemLine Therapeutics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Ganser:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Döhner:Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; AROG Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celator: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AROG Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celator: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Abstract: Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;q22.1) resulting in the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 gene fusion is considered favorable in the 2017 genetic risk stratification by the European LeukemiaNet (ELN). After intensive chemotherapy most patients (pts) achieve complete remission (CR), but relapse occurs in about 50% and is associated with poor prognosis. In this AML subgroup monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) has been shown to identify pts at higher risk of relapse. Aims: To assess the prognostic impact of MRD monitoring in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) in a large cohort of 155 clinically well-annotated t(8;21)-AML pts enrolled in one of six AMLSG treatment trials. Methods: RT-qPCR was used to quantify RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels (TL) reported as normalized RUNX1-RUNX1T1 values per 106 transcripts of the housekeeping gene B2M. Samples were analyzed in triplicate, the sensitivity was up to 10-6. Results: While pretreatment RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL did not impact prognosis, both reduction of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL and achievement of MRD negativity (MRDneg) at end of treatment (EOT) were of significant prognostic importance in BM as well as in PB: MR2.5 ( 〉 2.5 log reduction) after treatment cycle 1 and MR3.0 after cycle 2 were significantly associated with a reduced relapse risk (MR2.5, BM: P=.034; PB: P=.008 and MR3.0, BM: P=.028; PB: P=.036, respectively). After completion of therapy, MRDneg was an independent favorable prognostic factor for cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) (4-year CIR BM: 17% vs 36%, P=.021; PB: 23% vs 55%; P=.001) and overall survival (OS) (4-year OS rate BM: 93% vs 70%, P=.007; PB: 87% vs 47%; P 〈 .0001). Moreover, maximally selected Gray´s statistic defined specific MRD cut-offs at EOT associated with a lower relapse risk: 〈 83 RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL in BM and 〈 5 in PB predicted for superior 4-year CIR (BM: 18% vs 61%; P 〈 .0001; PB: 23% vs 65%; P 〈 .0001). During follow-up serial MRD analyses allowed prediction of relapse in 77% of pts exceeding an arbitrary cut-off of 150 RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL in BM and in 84% of pts with 〉 50 TL in PB, respectively. KIT mutation observed in 28% of pts predicted for lower CR rate and inferior outcome, but its prognostic impact was outweighed by RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL during treatment. To determine whether PB could provide similar prognostic information as BM, we compared 680 paired samples (diagnosis, n=125; after cycle 1, n=80; after cycle 2, n=86; at EOT, n=78; during follow-up, n=311). At diagnosis RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL tended to be slightly higher in BM than in PB (P=.072), but were significantly higher after cycle 1 (P=.008), cycle 2 (P 〈 .001), at EOT (P=.002), and during follow-up (P 〈 .001). RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL in BM and PB correlated well (r=.87; P 〈 .0001) with on average 1-log lower values in PB. However, 2.5%, 26.7%, 26.9%, and 24.8% of all pairs were discrepant (BMpos/PBneg or BMneg/PBpos) after cycle 1, cycle 2, at EOT, and during follow-up. Of 104 PBneg samples obtained during treatment, 46 (44%) were still BMpos. In the post-treatment period, this fraction decreased to 28% (77 BMpos/276 PBneg pairs) (P=.003). Of note, RUNX1-RUNX1T1 TL in all but four of the 77 (5.2%) BMpos samples were below the cut-off of 150 TL. Virtually all relapses occurred within one year after EOT with a very short latency from molecular to morphologic relapse strongly suggesting to perform MRD assessment at short intervals during this period. Based on our data we refined the practical guidelines for MRD assessment in RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML: i) along with the current ELN MRD recommendations, BM and PB should be analyzed after each treatment cycle; ii) during the follow-up period, in particular the first year after EOT, MRD monitoring in PB should be performed monthly; in pts with TL 〉 50 in PB, increase of MRD TL 〉 1-log, and/or conversion from MRDneg to MRDpos a complementary BM samples should be analyzed timely. Summary: RUNX1-RUNX1T1 MRD monitoring allows for the discrimination of pts at high and low risk of relapse. MRDneg in both BM and PB after completion of therapy was the most valuable independent favorable prognostic factor for relapse risk and OS. During follow-up, serial MRD analyses allowed the definition of cut-offs predicting relapse. Moreover, considering that virtually all relapses occurred within the first year after EOT with a very short latency from molecular to morphologic relapse MRD assessment in PB at shorter intervals during this period is indispensable. Disclosures Weber: Celgene Corporation: Research Funding. Schroeder:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Götze:AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Fiedler:Amgen, Pfizer, Abbvie: Other: Support in medical writing; Amgen, Pfizer, Novartis, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Ariad/Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Research Funding; Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Sanchyo Oncology, Servier: Other: Support for meeting attendance. Greil:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accomodation expenses, Research Funding; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/accomodation expenses, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria. Krauter:Pfizer: Honoraria. Bullinger:Amgen: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Hexal: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Menarini: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Bayer: Other: Financing of scientific research; Sanofi: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Paschka:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Other: Travel expenses; Otsuka: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Other: Travel expenses; Janssen: Other: Travel expenses; Abbvie: Other: Travel expenses; Sunesis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Travel expenses; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Döhner:AbbVie, Agios, Amgen, Astellas, Astex, Celator, Janssen, Jazz, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene, Novartis, Sunesis: Honoraria, Research Funding; AROG, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer: Research Funding. Döhner:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria.

Abstract: Background Cyto- and molecular-genetic abnormalities evaluated at initial diagnosis are the most powerful prognostic and in part also predictive markers in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with regard to achievement of complete remission (CR) and survival. Nonetheless, after relapse the prognostic impact of clinical characteristics and genetic abnormalities assessed at initial diagnosis with respect to achievement of subsequent CR and survival are less clear. Aims To evaluate the probability of CR achievement and survival in relapsed AML patients in correlation to clinical characteristics and genetic abnormalities assessed at initial diagnosis as well as treatment strategy. Methods The study includes intensively treated adults with newly diagnosed AML enrolled in 5 prospective AMLSG treatment trials between 1993 and 2009. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were excluded. All patients received intensive therapy, including allogeneic (allo) and autologous (auto) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) during first line therapy. Results A total of 3218 patients (median age, 54 years; range, 16-85 years) were enrolled in 5 AMLSG treatment trials. Of these, 1307 (41%) patients (16-60 years, n=958; ≥61 years, n=349) experienced relapse, n=194 after alloHSCT, n=75 after autoHSCT and 1038 after chemotherapy. Salvage strategies were as follows: (i) n=907, intensive chemotherapy (INT) followed in n=450 by HSCT (matched related donor [MRD], n=114; matched unrelated donor [MUD] , n=303; cord blood graft [CB], n=3; haplo-identical family donor [HID] , n=18; autoHSCT, n=12); (ii) n=100, direct alloHSCT (MRD, n=31; MUD, n=63; HID, n=4) or n=2 autoHSCT (TPL); (iii) n=29, donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in patients after alloHSCT in CR1; (iv) n=60, demethylating agents/low-dose cytarabine (NON-INT); (v) n=24, experimental treatment within phase I/II studies (EXP); (vi) all other patients (n=187) received best supportive care (BSC). After salvage therapy CR rate was 38% and after the different treatment approaches as follows: INT, 37%; TPL, 73%; DLI, 38%; NON-INT, 8%; EXP, 29%. After failure to respond to INT, n=159 additional patients achieved a CR2 after HSCT resulting in an overall CR2 rate of 50%. A logistic regression model revealed CEBPA double-mutant (dm) (OR, 6.42; p=0.0001), core-binding factor (CBF) AML (OR, 2.87; p=0.0002), a direct HSCT strategy (OR, 3.32; p=0.0002), and mutated NPM1 (OR, 1.59; p=0.02) as favorable (only if response after HSCT was included) and FLT3-ITD (OR, 0.66; p=0.04), age (difference of 10 years; OR, 0.82; p=0.003), NON-INT (OR, 0.08; p=0.0001) and in trend a previous alloHSCT in CR1 (OR, 0.65; p=0.08) as unfavorable independent parameters for achievement of CR2. Median follow-up for survival after relapse was 4.3 years and survival after 4 years was 22% (95%-CI, 19-25%). Patients proceeding to alloHSCT after first relapse (n=536; MRD, n=145; MUD, n=366; HID, n=22; CB, n=3) had a 4-year survival of 36% (95%-CI, 32-41%) and those not proceeding to alloHSCT of 8% (95%-CI, 6-11%). In univariable analyses the combined genotype mutated NPM1 in the absence of FLT3-ITD (p=0.66) was not associated with a favorable outcome. A multivariable regression model including alloHSCT as a time-dependent co-variable revealed alloHSCT performed after relapse (HR, 0.34; p 〈 0.0001), CEBPAdm (HR, 0.48; p=0.002), CBF- AML (HR, 0.50; p 〈 0.0003) and DLI in relapsed patients with a previous alloHSCT performed in CR1 (HR, 0.40; p=0.002) as significant favorable factors, whereas FLT3-ITD (HR, 1.35; p=0.005) and in trend NON-INT (OR, 1.40; p=0.06) were unfavorable factors. Due to collinearity of FLT3-ITD with duration of first remission (cut point at 1 yr), the latter was not included into the multivariable models. Of 561 patients achieving CR2, 252 experienced 2nd relapse (REL2) and 114 died in CR2. Most REL2 patients (n=117) received INT whereas n=54 received BSC only. Allo- and autoHSCT were performed in 55 and 3 REL2 patients, respectively. CR3 rate in patients who received treatment was overall 40% including response to HSCT of 58%. Conclusions Patients with relapsed AML have an overall probability of less than 50% to achieve a CR2 and CR3 after intensive salvage chemotherapy; the only exceptions are AML with CEBPAdm and CBF-AML. AlloHSCT either as direct treatment of relapse or as salvage therapy after failure of intensive chemotherapy may overcome chemo-resistance. Disclosures: Schlenk: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Ambit: Honoraria. Off Label Use: Pomalidomide in Myelofibrosis. Kindler:Novartis: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract: Monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) provides prognostic information in patients with Nucleophosmin1-mutated (NPM1mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and represents a powerful tool to evaluate treatment effects within clinical trials. We determined NPM1mut transcript levels (TLs) by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and evaluated the prognostic impact of NPM1mut MRD and the effect of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) on NPM1mut TLs and the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) in patients with NPM1mut AML enrolled in the randomized phase 3 AMLSG 09-09 trial. A total of 3733 bone marrow (BM) samples and 3793 peripheral blood (PB) samples from 469 patients were analyzed. NPM1mut TL log10 reduction ≥ 3 and achievement of MRD negativity in BM and PB were significantly associated with a lower CIR rate, after 2 treatment cycles and at end of treatment (EOT). In multivariate analyses, MRD positivity was consistently revealed to be a poor prognostic factor in BM and PB. With regard to treatment effect, the median NPM1mut TLs were significantly lower in the GO-Arm across all treatment cycles, resulting in a significantly greater proportion of patients achieving MRD negativity at EOT (56% vs 41%; P = .01). The better reduction in NPM1mut TLs after 2 treatment cycles in MRD positive patients by the addition of GO led to a significantly lower CIR rate (4-year CIR, 29.3% vs 45.7%, P = .009). In conclusion, the addition of GO to intensive chemotherapy in NPM1mut AML resulted in a significantly better reduction in NPM1mut TLs across all treatment cycles, leading to a significantly lower relapse rate.

Abstract: The addition of valproic acid to intensive induction therapy in combination with all-trans retinoic acid did not result in an improvement of clinical outcome. Valproic acid-related hematologic toxicity and higher death rates were observed when valproic acid and idarubicin were given in parallel.

Abstract: MRD assessment in t(8;21) AML allows identification of patients at high relapse risk at defined time points during treatment and follow-up. MRD− after treatment is the most favorable factor for relapse risk and survival, and serial MRD analyses define cutoffs predicting relapse.