Results of Venetoclax and Azacitidine Combination in Chemotherapy Ineligible Untreated Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with IDH 1/2 Mutations
Authors: Pollyea Daniel A. , Dinardo Courtney D. , Arellano Martha L. , Pigneux Arnaud , Fiedler Walter , Konopleva Marina , Rizzieri David A , Smith B. Douglas , Shinagawa Atsushi , Lemoli Roberto M. , Dail Monique , Duan Yinghui , Chyla Brenda J. , Potluri Jalaja , Ridgeway Jean A , Kantarjian Hagop M. 
Published: November 2020

Introduction
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations occur in ~20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (pts) and are frequently identified in older pts. Pre-clinical data showed that cells with IDH1/2 mutation (mut) were susceptible to Venetoclax (Ven) therapy (Chan et.al., 2015). Clinical studies have demonstrated that pts with IDH1/2mut treated with Ven and azacitidine (Aza) achieved high response rates that were durable, and had longer median overall survival (mOS) (DiNardo et. al., 2020; DiNardo et. al., 2019). Herein, we further evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ven+Aza among treatment-naïve AML pts with IDH1/2 mut unfit for intensive treatment either due to comorbidities and/or age ≥ 75 yrs.
Methods
Data were pooled from pts enrolled in an ongoing phase 3 study (NCT02993523, data cut-off: 04Jan2020) comparing pts treated with Ven+Aza or placebo (Pbo)+Aza, and a phase 1b study (NCT02203773, data cut-off: 19Jun2019) where pts were treated with Ven+Aza. Pts on Ven+Aza received Ven 400 mg daily orally (days 1-28) and Aza (75 mg/m2; days 1-7/28-day cycle). Disease assessments were performed per modified International Working Group response criteria for AML.
DNA was isolated from bone marrow aspirates collected from pts prior to the first dose of study drug and analyzed centrally. Pts with positive test results for IDH1 and 2 [RealTime IDH1 or IDH2 assay (Abbott) for phase 3 study, MyAML panel (Invivoscribe) for phase 1b study] were counted as mutation "detected"; pts with a negative test result were counted as mutation "not detected." Pts without a result either due to an inconclusive test or missing specimen were excluded from the analyses.
Results
IDH1/2 mut was detected in 79 pts treated with Ven+Aza and 28 pts treated with Pbo+Aza. At baseline (Ven+Aza/Pbo+Aza), median age was 76 (range: 64-90)/78 (62-90) yrs. Cytogenetic risks were intermediate: 79%/68%, and poor:21%/32%. ECOG scores were: 0-1: 56%/68% and 2-3: 44%/32%. 73%/86% had de novo AML, and 27%/14% had secondary AML. IDH1 was detected in 32/11, IDH2 in 49/18, IDH2R140 in 36/15, and IDH2R172 were detected in 13/3 pts, respectively.
The median number of treatment cycles received (Ven+Aza/Pbo+Aza) by IDH1/2 pts was 8 (range: 1-37)/2.5 (1-18). Complete response (CR)+CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) in Ven+Aza/Pbo+Aza were 72% (95% CI: 61%-82%)/7% (1%-24%) (Table). Median time to first CR/CRh response was 1.0/2.6 months (mos), and 51%/0% achieved CR+CRh by initiation of cycle (C) 2. Median duration of response (mDoR) was 29.5 [95% CI: 16.7-not reached(NR)]/15.5 (NR-NR) mos and mOS was 24.5 [15.2- NR/6.2 (2.3-12.7) mos. The separation of 95% CIs for mOS indicate superior treatment effect of Ven+Aza (Figure).
In pts with IDH1, CR+CRh (Ven+Aza/Pbo+Aza) was 59%/9%. Median time to first CR/CRh response was 2.3/3.1 mos, and 25%/0% achieved CR+CRh by initiation of C2. Median DoR and OS were 21.9 (7.8-29.5)/NR and 17.5 (6.3-32.7)/2.2(1.1-5.6) mos. In pts with IDH2, CR+CRh rates were 80%/6%. Median time to first CR/CRh response was 1.0/2.1 mos and 67%/0% achieved CR+CRh by initiation of C2. Median DoR was NR (16.7-NR)/15.5 (NR-NR), and mOS was NR (17.6-NR)/13.0 (95% CI: 3.8-15.8) mos.
In pts with IDH2R140, CR+CRh were 75%/7%. Median time to first CR/CRh response was 1.0/2.1 mos, and 58%/0% achieved CR+CRh by initiation of C2. Median DoR and mOS were NR (17.8-NR)/15.5 (NR-NR) and NR (15.0-NR)/12.7 (1.7-15.8) mos, respectively. Response rates in pts with IDH2R172 were 92%/0%. Median time to first CR/CRh response was 1.0/NR mos, and 92%/0% achieved response by initiation of C2. Median DoR and mOS were 16.7 (7.5-NR)/3.5 (NR-NR) and NR (12.2-NR)/13.7 (10.6-NR) mos.
IDH1/2 mut pts achieved higher CR+CRh rates with Ven+Aza treatment as compared to pts with IDH not detected (72%/60%). Median DoR and mOS were 29.5 (16.7-NR)/17.5 (10.6-23.5) and 24.5 (15.2-NR)/12.3 (9.7-14.8) mos, respectively.
In pts treated with Ven+Aza, grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events (AEs) among pts with IDH1/2 detected/IDH not detected were similar (81%/74%) and included grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (46%/34%), febrile neutropenia (43%/41%), neutropenia (35%/33%) and anemia (29%/24%).
Conclusion
Ven+Aza compared to Aza monotherapy resulted in higher response rates, longer DoR, and mOS among treatment-naïve pts with IDH1/2mut ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The safety profile was acceptable. No unexpected toxicities were noted with Ven+Aza combination.

Disclosures
Pollyea: Pfizer: Consultancy; Glycomimetics: Other; Takeda: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Syros: Consultancy; Syndax: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; 47: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy. Dinardo:Notable Labs: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; ImmuneOnc: Honoraria. Arellano:Gilead Sciences, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Hanmi: Research Funding; Cephalon Oncology: Research Funding. Fiedler:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel accomodations; Gilead: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; BerGenBio ASA: Research Funding; Servier: Honoraria, Other; Ariad/Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: support in medical writing; Daiichi Sankyo Oncology: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel accomodations; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: support in medical writing; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel accomodations, support in medical writing, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Konopleva:Reata Pharmaceutical Inc.;: Patents & Royalties: patents and royalties with patent US 7,795,305 B2 on CDDO-compounds and combination therapies, licensed to Reata Pharmaceutical; Calithera: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Ablynx: Research Funding; F. Hoffmann La-Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy; Rafael Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Research Funding. Rizzieri:Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AROG: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Teva: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Acrobiotech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kite: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celltrion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mustang: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Smith:Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shinagawa:AbbVie: Research Funding. Lemoli:Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BerGenBio ASA: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dail:Genentech: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Duan:AbbVie: Current Employment, Other: may hold stock or options. Chyla:AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Potluri:AbbVie: Current Employment, Other: may hold stock or stock options. Ridgeway:AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kantarjian:Janssen: Honoraria; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Adaptive biotechnologies: Honoraria; Oxford Biomedical: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Research Funding; Delta Fly: Honoraria; BMS: Research Funding; Aptitute Health: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BioAscend: Honoraria; Jazz: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding.