Outcomes in Molecular Subgroups and Resistance Patterns with Ten-Day Decitabine and Venetoclax (DEC10-VEN) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Maiti Abhishek , Rausch Caitlin R. , Cortes Jorge E. , Pemmaraju Naveen , Daver Naval G. , Ravandi Farhad , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Borthakur Gautam M. , Naqvi Kiran , Ohanian Maro , Short Nicholas J. , Alvarado Yesid , Benton Christopher B. , Kadia Tapan M. , Takahashi Koichi , Yilmaz Musa , Jain Nitin , Kornblau Steven M. , Sasaki Koji , Andreeff Michael , Bose Prithviraj , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Issa Ghayas C. , Jabbour Elias , Masarova Lucia , Rytting Michael E. , Thompson Philip A. , Wang Sa A , Konoplev Sergej , Chen Zhining , Goswami Maitrayee , Maduike Rita , Guerrero Julio A , Zhang Qi , Cavazos Antonio , Ma Helen , Bivins Carol A. , Wade Allison , Adewale Shadiat L , Tse Susan , Thomas Robin , Vaughan Kenneth , Pierce Sherry A. , Ning Jing , Qiao Wei , Welch John S. , Patel Keyur P. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Konopleva Marina Y , DiNardo Courtney D. 
Published: February 2020

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge in elderly or unfit patients (pts) and high-risk subgroups. DEC10-VEN has shown high efficacy in these pts. However, outcomes in specific mutational subgroups are unknown. Here we present the results in mutational subgroups and resistance patterns in pts treated with DEC10-VEN (NCT03404193).
Methods: This single-institution phase II study enrolled pts with newly diagnosed (ND) AML (&gt;60 years) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML, and secondary AML (sAML) with or without prior therapy. DEC was given 20 mg/m2 IV daily on day 1-10 until CR/CRi, followed by 5-day cycles. VEN was given for 21-28 days in cycle 1 and day 1-21 or shorter duration thereafter. BCR-ABL1 and FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) were allowed as appropriate. Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing targeting the entire coding regions of 81 myeloid genes was performed on screening bone marrow aspirate with a MiSeq platform. The analytical sensitivity was established at 5% mutant reads in a background of wild type reads. Previously described somatic mutations registered in COSMIC were considered as potential driver mutations.
Results: High response rates were noted across mutational subgroups of both previously untreated and previously treated AML (Table 1 and 2). The median follow-up for the entire cohort was 8.1 months (mo).
In previously untreated AML (ND AML and untreated sAML, n=49), the CR/CRi rate in NPM1mut pts was 100% (n=13), in RUNX1mut pts was 100% (n=8), in IDH1/2mut pts was 92% (n=12), in TP53mut pts was 85% (n=13), and in N/KRASmut pts was 77% (n=13, Table 1). The median overall survival (OS) among previously untreated NPM1mut pts was not reached (NR), for RUNX1mut pts was NR, for IDH1/2mut pts was 12.4 mo, for TP53mut pts was 5.8 mo, and for N/KRASmut was 12.4 mo. The median DOR for NPM1mut pts was 8.5 mo, for RUNX1mut pts was NR, for IDH1/2mut pts was NR, for TP53mut pts was 5.7 mo, and for N/KRASmut pts was 6.7 mo (Table 1). The one pt with NPM1mut who relapsed had co-occurring ASXL1mut and NRASmut at screening.
In previously treated AML (treated sAML and R/R AML, n=52), the CR/CRi rate in NPM1mut pts was 60% (n=10), in IDH1/2mut pts was 50% (n=8), and in TP53mut pts was 21% (n=14, Table 2). The median OS for NPM1mut pts was NR, for IDH1/2mut pts was 7.8 mo, and for TP53mut pts was 4.5 mo. The median DOR for NPM1mut pts was NR, for IDH1/2mut pts was NR, and for TP53mut pts was 3.2 mo (Table 2). The only grade 4 TLS event occurred in a pt with NPM1mut and IDH2mut and baseline WBC of 28x109/L. 2 other pts with high % of PB blasts and FLT3mut experienced grade 3 TLS.
Among 15 pts with FLT3-ITD/TKD, 8 pts received sorafenib, 5 pts received midostaurin, and 2 pts did not receive FLT3i (1 insurance non-approval and 1 very low ITD ratio). Among ND FLT3mut AML pts (n=7), the CR/CRi rate was 100% (n=5) in pts receiving FLT3i with negative MRD by flow cytometry (FCM) in 80% pts, with median OS of 8.8 mo and median DOR not reached (Table 1). Of the 2 FLT3-ITD pts not receiving FLT3i, 1 pt with FLT3-ITD of 0.47 did not respond, and 1 pt with low FLT3-ITD of 0.02 achieved CR MRD-.
Among previously treated FLT3mut pts (n=8), all received FLT3i with a CR/CRi rate of 38% (n=5) and negative MRD by FCM in 75% pts tested (3/4). The median OS was 6.4 mo and the median DOR was 6.6 mo (Table 2). 2 pts had received prior FLT3i, 1 pt achieved morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS), and the other pt did not respond. 1 pt with new t(9;22) identified at 4th relapse achieved a MLFS after 1 cycle with addition of ponatinib and transitioned to allogeneic transplant.
Overall, pts with durable CR/CRi/MLFS sustained without relapse till data cut-off, had significantly higher proportion of mutations in NPM1 and DNA methylation pathways (DNMT3A, TET2, IDH1/2) compared to pts refractory to, or relapsing after DEC10-VEN (Table 3, Fig. 1). Pts with relapsed or refractory disease to DEC10-VEN had significantly higher frequency of N/KRASmut, ASXL1mut, and TP53mut compared to pts with durable CR/CRi/MLFS (Table 3, Fig. 1). TP53mut associated with worse OS on multivariable analysis (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-5.7, p=0.003).
Conclusion: DEC10-VEN is an effective regimen for AML. Addition of FLT3i to DEC10-VEN was safe and may improve upon responses in FLT3mut pts. Mutations in NPM1 and DNA methylation pathways were associated with more durable responses while mutations in ASXL1, RAS and TP53 were associated with refractory disease or relapse.

Disclosures
Maiti: Celgene: Other: research funding. Cortes:BiolineRx: Consultancy; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merus: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biopath Holdings: Consultancy, Honoraria. Pemmaraju:samus: Research Funding; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; mustangbio: Consultancy, Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; sagerstrong: Research Funding; affymetrix: Research Funding. Daver:Servier: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy; Forty-Seven: Consultancy; Immunogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; NOHLA: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy; NOHLA: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ravandi:Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Selvita: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Garcia-Manero:Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Borthakur:Cyclacel: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Eli Lilly and Co.: Research Funding; Xbiotech USA: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Bayer Healthcare AG: Research Funding; Agensys: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; NKarta: Consultancy; BioTheryX: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arvinas: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Strategia Therapeutics: Research Funding; Oncoceutics: Research Funding; BioLine Rx: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncoceutics, Inc.: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Cantargia AB: Research Funding; FTC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Argenx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Polaris: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Short:Takeda Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria. Alvarado:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Abbott: Honoraria. Kadia:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Bioline RX: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Takahashi:Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Jain:Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Sasaki:Otsuka: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy. Andreeff:NIH/NCI: Research Funding; CPRIT: Research Funding; Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding; Oncolyze: Equity Ownership; Oncoceutics: Equity Ownership; Senti Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eutropics: Equity Ownership; Aptose: Equity Ownership; Reata: Equity Ownership; 6 Dimensions Capital: Consultancy; Center for Drug Research & Development: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy; AstaZeneca: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patents licensed, royalty bearing, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Cancer UK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-CTEP: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; German Research Council: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-RDCRN (Rare Disease Cliln Network): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLL Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BiolineRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bose:CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicine Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kartos: Consultancy, Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding. Jabbour:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding. Thompson:AbbVie: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria. Zhang:The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Kantarjian:Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharma: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Konopleva:Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy, Honoraria; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties; Ablynx: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; F. Hoffman La-Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Honoraria; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding. DiNardo:agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; medimmune: Honoraria; notable labs: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; syros: Honoraria; jazz: Honoraria; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; daiichi sankyo: Honoraria.

OffLabel Disclosure:
FLT3 inhibitors, used in combination with decitabine and venetoclax