MDS/MPN
Dr. Vikas Gupta
Vikas Gupta, MD, of Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto, highlighted three abstracts to watch in the areas of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
The phase 3 Medalist trial is a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study of luspatercept to treatment anemia in patients with MDS with ring sideroblasts who require red blood cell transfusion. The researchers will report significantly reduced transfusion burdens for luspatercept, compared with placebo.
“This is a practice-changing, pivotal trial in the field of MDS for the treatment of anemia,” Dr. Gupta said.
The findings will be presented at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, Dec. 2 during the plenary session in Hall AB in the San Diego Convention Center (Abstract 1).
Also during the Sunday plenary session is a presentation on MPN therapy (Abstract 4). Researchers will present data on secreted mutant calreticulins as rogue cytokines trigger thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR) activation, specifically in CALR-mutated cells.
“This study investigates in to the mechanistic oncogenetic aspects of mutant calreticulin, and has potential for therapeutic approaches in the future,” Dr. Gupta said.
The ASH meeting will also feature the final analysis of the MPN-RC 112 consortium trial of pegylated interferon alfa-2a versus hydroxyurea for the treatment of high-risk polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). The researchers will report that the CR rates at 12 and 24 months were similar in patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and hydroxyurea, but pegylated interferon alfa-2a was associated with a higher rate of serious toxicities.
“There is a continuous debate on optimal first-line cytoreductive therapy for high risk PV/ET, and this is one of the first randomized study to answer this question,” Dr. Gupta said.
The findings will be presented at 7 a.m. PT on Monday, Dec. 3 in Grand Hall D at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Abstract 577).
AML
Dr. Thomas Fischer
For attendees interested in the latest developments in acute myeloid leukemia, Thomas Fischer, MD, of Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg (Germany), highlighted three don’t-miss sessions.
In an analysis of a large cohort of FLT3-ITD mutated AML patients in the RATIFY trial, researchers looked at the prognostic impact of ITD insertion site.
“Interestingly, in this large cohort of 452 FLT3-ITD mutated AML, the negative prognostic impact of beta1-sheet insertion site of FLT3-ITD could be confirmed,” Dr. Fischer said. “Further analysis of a potential predictive effect on outcome of midostaurin treatment is ongoing and will be very interesting.”
The findings will be presented at 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, Dec. 2 in Seaport Ballroom F at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Abstract 435).
Another notable presentation features results from the phase 2 RADIUS trial, a randomized study comparing standard of care, with and without midostaurin, after allogeneic stem cell transplant in FLT3-ITD–mutated AML.
“Here, efficacy and toxicity of midostaurin was investigated in a [minimal residual disease] situation post-alloSCT,” Dr. Fischer said. “Interestingly, adding midostaurin to standard of care reduced the risk of relapse at 18 months post-alloSCT by 46%.”
The complete findings will be presented at 10:45 a.m. PT on Monday, Dec. 3 in Seaport Ballroom F at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Abstract 662).
Dr. Fischer singled out another study looking at the efficacy and safety of single-agent quizartinib in patients with FLT3-ITD mutated AML. In this large, randomized trial the researchers noted a significant improvement in CR rates and survival benefit with the single agent FLT3 inhibitors, compared with salvage chemotherapy for patients with relapsed/refractory mutated AML.
The findings will be presented at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 in Seaport Ballroom F at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Abstract 563).