Subgroup analysis from a phase II trial of ponatinib and blinatumomab in relapsed/refractory (R/R) Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast phase.
Authors: Zoghbi Marianne , Jabbour Elias , Haddad Fadi , Short Nicholas James , Nasnas Cedric Christophe , Macaron Walid , Nasr Lewis Fady , Jain Nitin , Montalban-Bravo Guillermo , Kadia Tapan M. , Daver Naval Guastad , Chien Kelly Sharon , Alvarado Valero Yesid , Issa Ghayas C. , Mayor Ejiroghene , Deen Wuliamatu , Thankachan Jennifer , Garris Rebecca , Ravandi Farhad , Kantarjian Hagop M. 
Published: June 2023

e19038

Background: The chemotherapy-free combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab improved outcomes in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This regimen may also induce deeper responses and prolong remissions in patients (pts) with R/R Ph+ ALL and chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast phase (CML-LBP). Methods: In this phase II trial, pts with R/R Ph+ ALL or CML-LBP received up to 5 cycles of blinatumomab. Pts received ponatinib 30mg daily in Cycle 1, with dose reduction to 15mg daily once in complete molecular response (CMR). After completion of blinatumomab, ponatinib was continued for at least 5 years. 12 doses of prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy were administered in all pts. Results: 21 pts were treated (14 R/R, 7 CML-LBP) between 2/2018 and 7/2022. The median age of the R/R Ph+ ALL and CML-LBP cohorts were 38 years (range, 24-61) and 67 years (range, 29-82), respectively. BCR:ABL1 transcripts were p190 in 93% of the R/R cohort. 43% of pts in the R/R Ph+ ALL cohort were in Salvage 2+. Among the CML-LBP pts, 4 were de novo and 3 were transformed from previously treated CML (1 of whom had received prior therapy for LBP). Among the 14 pts with R/R Ph+ ALL, the rate of CR/CRi was 92% (12 of 13 evaluable pts), with CR in 11 (85%) pts. MMR was achieved in 86% and CMR in 79%. Six of 7 (86%) pts with CML-LBP achieved CR/CRi. Rates of MMR and CMR were 57% and 43%, respectively. The median follow-up is 24 months (range, 19-57) in the R/R cohort, and 27 months (range, 7-46) in the CML-LBP cohort. Among the 14 pts in the R/R cohort, 1 did not respond, 6 proceeded to ASCT (1 of whom relapsed and died), 4 did not undergo ASCT and relapsed after a median of 6.4 months (range, 2.7-8.1), 1 died in CR, and 2 are in ongoing response without ASCT after a median CR duration of 34 months (range, 17-51). Of the 5 relapses, 2 were hematologic only, 2 were in the CNS with MRD positivity in the bone marrow, and 1 was CNS only. The estimated 2-year EFS and OS for the R/R cohort were 50% and 64%, respectively. Among the 6 responders in the CML-LBP cohort, 3 relapsed and 3 are in ongoing response without ASCT after a median CR duration of 34 months (range, 3-43). The 2-year EFS and OS for the CML-LBP cohort are 38% and 50%, respectively. Grade 3 adverse events were febrile neutropenia, cytokine release syndrome, elevation of lipase and alkaline phosphatase in 1 pt each. There were no Grade 4-5 events. 1 pt discontinued ponatinib due to grade 3 portal vein thrombosis. 1 pt discontinued blinatumomab due to persistent grade 2 tremor. Conclusions: The combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab is an effective and well-tolerated chemotherapy-free regimen for pts with R/R Ph+ ALL. The rate of deep molecular response was relatively low in CML-LBP, suggesting that chemotherapy might still be needed in these pts. Clinical trial information: NCT03263572 .