Nilotinib (AMN107) Can Induce Complete Cytogenetic Responses (CCyR) and Molecular Responses in Patients (Pts) with Advanced Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Resistant or Intolerant to Imatinib Mesylate (IM). Report of the Compassionate Use Program of Nilotinib in Mexico
Authors: Ayala Manuel , Monroy Rafael Hurtado , Meillon Luis , Delgado Nancy , Garcia Elena , Vela-Ojeda Jorge , Vargas Pablo , Tapia Norma , Alvarado Martha , de Diego Jose , Azaola Patricio , Hernandez Roberto , Reyes Gustavo , de Jesús Gonzalez Martín , Aguayo Alvaro , Kassack Juan Julio , Cleto Sergio , Cantu Olga , Nacho Kevin , Herrera Angel , Mucius Ingrid 
Published: April 2020

Background: Nilotinib, a potent and highly selective BCR-ABL inhibitor, has been approved in more than 50 countries including Mexico. Nilotinib is indicated for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML) patients (pts) in chronic (CML-CP) or accelerated phase (CML-AP) resistant or intolerant to prior therapy including imatinib (IM). Before the approval of nilotinib by FDA or EMEA a Compassionate Use Program (CUP) of nilotinib was initiated in Mexico.

Methods: The pts included in this program were adults pts with Ph+ CML, IM-resistant or –intolerant in all phases of the disease. IM resistance and intolerance were defined according to current guidelines (NCCN and ELN). Physical examination, EKG, bone marrow aspiration, karyotyping and BCR-ABL mutation screening were performed in all pts before starting nilotinib. All pts signed an informed consent. Nilotinib was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg twice daily (BID). No dose escalation was allowed. All pts were monitored with karyotyping. Patients that achieved CCyR were evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR for molecular evaluation. The results of CUP of nilotinib in Mexico are reported in this abstract including the cytogenetic, qRT-PCR and mutational analysis in a highly-resistant CML patient population.

Results: Between October 2006 and June 2007, 47 pts were included in the nilotinib CUP in Mexico. The median age was 41.7 years (range 22–68) and 20 (44%) were men. Of the 47 pts, 28 (59.6%) had advanced phase CML which includes 7 (14.9%) blastic phase (BP) and 21 (44.7%) accelerated phase (AP) pts. 19/47 pts (40%) were in chronic phase (CP) of CML. Most patients were resistant to IM (86%) and 14% were IM-intolerant/resistant. The median duration since CML diagnosis was 73.8 months (range 14–183). The median duration of prior IM use was 27.6 months. All pts had been treated with hydroxiurea, interferon, and/or cytarabine prior to IM. At the time of starting nilotinib 17/47 pts (36.12%) had BCR-ABL mutations (P-loop mutations in 3 pts, IM binding mutations in 5 pts, catalytic domain mutations in 5 pts, and A-loop mutations in 4 pts). Only 3/47 pts (6.38%) had T315I mutation. The median duration of exposure to nilotinib was 304 days (range 19–632). Most pts tolerated nilotinib well and only one severe adverse event (AE) was reported (long-term myelosupression). At the time of data cut-off (July 31, 2008), 25 pts (53.2%) remain on therapy. Reasons for discontinuation of therapy were:

lack of efficacy in 7/47 pts (14.9%) including 3 pts with T315I mutation; disease progression in 13/47 (27.5%); adverse events in 1/47 (2.1%); lost of follow-up in 1/47 (2.1%).

The cytogenetic and molecular evaluation was performed after 12 and 18 months of treatment with nilotinib, respectively. The rate of overall hematological response (HR) was 79%. The major cytogenetic response (MCyR) according the phase of the disease were as follows: 57% in CP, 40% in AP and no MCyR was observed in BP. Of the 47 pts, 11 (23.4%) achieved CCyR, 5 (10.63%) achieved molecular responses including 2 (4%) with complete molecular response (CMR) and 3 (6%) with major molecular response (MMR). The current status of pts according baseline mutational analysis was:

mutation detected/alive (8/47, 17%); no mutation detectable/alive (22/47, 46.8%); mutation detected/deceased (9/47, 19.2%); no mutation detectable/deceased (8/47, 17%).

Conclusions: Nilotinib showed efficacy in IM-resistant or -intolerant CML pts in Mexico regardless of the presence or absence of BCR-ABL mutations. Nilotinib induced complete cytogenetic and molecular responses in some of the advanced and resistant CML patient population.