Treatment completion, asparaginase completion, and oncologic outcomes among children, adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with DFCI Consortium Protocols

Adolescents and young adult (AYA) patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) face worse outcomes than children. While pediatric-inspired protocols have improved outcomes, the ability of patients to complete these intensive regimens and the reasons for discontinuation are unknown. We analyzed a cohort of 332 AYA patients (aged 15-49 years) and 1159 children (aged 1-14 years) with Ph-negative ALL treated on DFCI consortium protocols. We found that AYA patients completed treatment at lower rates than children (60.8% vs. 89.7%, p < 0.001), primarily due to higher rates of early treatment failure (14.5% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). Withdrawal from treatment for toxicity, social/personal, or unknown reasons was uncommon, but higher among AYA patients (9.3% vs 4.7%, p = 0.001). Patients who remained on assigned therapy for one year had favorable overall survival (AYA 5-year OS 88.9%; children 5-year OS 96.4%; p < 0.001). Among patients who continued treatment for 1 year, AYA patients completed asparaginase (defined as receiving 26+ weeks) at lower rates than children (79.1% vs. 89.6%, p < 0.001). Patients who received more weeks of consolidation asparaginase had higher overall and event-free survival. Efforts should focus on identifying patients at risk for early treatment failure and optimizing asparaginase delivery.

ETV6 fusions from insertions of exons 3-5 in pediatric hematologic malignancies

Not available.

Impairment of health-related quality of life for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia over the first year of therapy: A report from the DFCI ALL Consortium

BACKGROUND

Children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive prolonged treatment, resulting in toxicities that affect health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Longitudinal assessment of HR-QoL allows improved understanding of experiences with ALL.

PROCEDURE

Parent-proxy and child self-report HR-QoL over the first year of chemotherapy were evaluated in the context of DFCI Protocol 05-001, a phase 3 therapeutic trial for childhood ALL. HR-QoL was assessed with the Pediatric Quality-of-Life inventory (PedsQL) domains for Pain and Hurt, Procedural Anxiety, Treatment Anxiety, Emotional Functioning, General Fatigue, and Sleep/Rest Fatigue.

RESULTS

Total of 281 subjects participated, with 141 contributing at least one child report and 280 at least one parent report. Children with ALL experienced impairment in HR-QoL by both patient and parent report compared to the published PedsQL reference population at each time point on each subscale. Agreement between parent and child assessment of HR-QoL impairment was high, particularly among those for whom HR-QoL was not impaired. During the consolidation phase, which included intensive asparaginase administration, multivariable models demonstrated more impairment in Treatment Anxiety and Procedural Anxiety for children treated with intramuscular asparaginase than intravenous asparaginase, but randomized groups were otherwise similar in HR-QoL. Impairments in fatigue, both General and Sleep/Rest, were evident throughout and worse during intensive asparaginase therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This report examines HR-QoL for children with ALL during treatment longitudinally by parent and patient report across multiple domains. Children with ALL demonstrated substantial impairment in HR-QoL, particularly related to fatigue during intensive consolidation therapy including asparaginase.

Disparities in parental distress in a multicenter clinical trial for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Parent psychological distress during childhood cancer treatment has short- and long-term implications for parent, child, and family well-being. Identifying targetable predictors of parental distress is essential to inform interventions. We investigated the association between household material hardship (HMH), a modifiable poverty-exposure defined as housing, food, or utility insecurity, and severe psychological distress among parents of children aged 1-17 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) enrolled on the multicenter Dana-Farber ALL Consortium Trial 16-001.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of parent-reported data. Parents completed an HMH survey within 32 days of clinical trial enrollment (T0) and again at 6 months into therapy (T1). The primary exposure was HMH at T0 and primary outcome was severe parental distress at T0 and T1, defined as a score greater than or equal to 13 on the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale. Multivariable models were adjusted for ALL risk group and single parent status.

RESULTS

Among 375 evaluable parents, one-third (32%; n = 120/375) reported HMH at T0. In multivariable analyses, T0 HMH was associated with over twice the odds of severe psychological distress at T0 and T1 HMH was associated with over 5 times the odds of severe distress at T1.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite uniform clinical trial treatment of their children at well-resourced pediatric centers, HMH-exposed parents-compared with unexposed parents-experienced statistically significantly increased odds of severe psychological distress at the time of their child's leukemia diagnosis, which worsened 6 months into therapy. These data identify a high-risk parental population who may benefit from early psychosocial and HMH-targeted interventions to mitigate disparities in well-being.

Effect of BMI on toxicities and survival among adolescents and young adults treated on DFCI Consortium ALL trials

Adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with asparaginase-containing pediatric regimens are commonly overweight or obese. We studied the association of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of 388 AYAs aged 15 to 50 years treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) consortium regimens (2008-2021). BMI was normal in 207 (53.3%) and overweight/obese in 181 (46.7%). Patients who were overweight or obese experienced higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM; 4-year, 11.7% vs 2.8%, P = .006), worse event-free survival (4-year, 63% vs 77%, P = .003), and worse overall survival (OS; 4-year, 64% vs 83%, P = .0001). Because younger (aged 15-29 years) AYAs more frequently had a normal BMI (79% vs 20%, P < .0001), we conducted separate analyses in each BMI group. We found excellent OS among younger and older (30-50 years) AYAs with normal BMI (4-year OS, 83% vs 85%, P = .89). Conversely, in AYAs who were overweight/obese, worse outcomes were seen in older AYAs (4-year OS, 55% vs 73%, P = .023). Regarding toxicity, AYAs who were overweight/obese experienced higher rates of grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity and hyperglycemia (60.7% vs 42.2%, P = .0005, and 36.4% vs 24.4%, P = .014, respectively) but had comparable rates of hypertriglyceridemia (29.5% vs 24.4%, P = .29). In a multivariable analysis, higher BMI was associated with worse OS, hypertriglyceridemia was associated with improved OS, and age was not associated with OS. In conclusion, among AYAs treated on DFCI Consortium ALL regimens, elevated BMI was associated with increased toxicity, increased NRM, and decreased OS. The deleterious effect of elevated BMI was more pronounced in older AYAs.

Outlier Expression of Isoforms by Targeted or Total RNA Sequencing Identifies Clinically Significant Genomic Variants in Hematolymphoid Tumors

Recognition of aberrant gene isoforms due to DNA events can impact risk stratification and molecular classification of hematolymphoid tumors. In myelodysplastic syndromes, KMT2A partial tandem duplication (PTD) was one of the top adverse predictors in the International Prognostic Scoring System-Molecular study. In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), ERG isoforms have been proposed as markers of favorable-risk DUX4 rearrangements, whereas deletion-mediated IKZF1 isoforms are associated with adverse prognosis and have been extended to the high-risk IKZF1plus signature defined by codeletions, including PAX5. In this limited study, outlier expression of isoforms as markers of IKZF1 intragenic or 3' deletions, DUX4 rearrangements, or PAX5 intragenic deletions were 92.3% (48/52), 90% (9/10), or 100% (9/9) sensitive, respectively, and 98.7% (368/373), 100% (35/35), or 97.1% (102/105) specific, respectively, by targeted RNA sequencing, and 84.0% (21/25), 85.7% (6/7), or 81.8% (9/11) sensitive, respectively, and 98.2% (109/111), 98.4% (127/129), or 98.7% (78/79) specific, respectively, by total RNA sequencing. Comprehensive split-read analysis identified expressed DNA breakpoints, cryptic splice sites associated with IKZF1 3' deletions, PTD of IKZF1 exon 5 spanning N159Y in B-ALL with mutated IKZF1 N159Y, and truncated KMT2A-PTD isoforms. Outlier isoforms were also effective targeted RNA markers for PAX5 intragenic amplifications (B-ALL), KMT2A-PTD (myeloid malignant cancers), and rare NOTCH1 intragenic deletions (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia). These findings support the use of outlier isoform analysis as a robust strategy for detecting clinically significant DNA events.

Dasatinib with intensive chemotherapy in de novo paediatric Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CA180-372/COG AALL1122): a single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

The outcome of children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph-positive) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia significantly improved with the combination of imatinib and intensive chemotherapy. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of dasatinib, a second-generation ABL-class inhibitor, with intensive chemotherapy in children with newly diagnosed Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

METHODS

CA180-372/COG AALL1122 was a joint Children's Oncology Group (COG) and European intergroup study of post-induction treatment of Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (EsPhALL) open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study. Eligible patients (aged >1 year to <18 years) with newly diagnosed Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and performance status of at least 60% received EsPhALL chemotherapy plus dasatinib 60 mg/m² orally once daily from day 15 of induction. Patients with minimal residual disease of at least 0·05% after induction 1B or who were positive for minimal residual disease after the three consolidation blocks were classified as high risk and allocated to receive haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) in first complete remission. The remaining patients were considered standard risk and received chemotherapy plus dasatinib for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the 3-year event-free survival of dasatinib plus chemotherapy compared with external historical controls. The trial was considered positive if one of the following conditions was met: superiority over chemotherapy alone in the AIEOP-BFM 2000 high-risk group; or non-inferiority (with a margin of -5%) or superiority to imatinib plus chemotherapy in the EsPhALL 2010 cohort. All participants who received at least one dose of dasatinib were included in the safety and efficacy analyses. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01460160, and recruitment is closed.

FINDINGS

Between March 13, 2012, and May 27, 2014, 109 patients were enrolled at 69 sites (including 51 COG sites in the USA, Canada, and Australia, and 18 EsPhALL sites in Italy and the UK). Three patients were ineligible and did not receive dasatinib. 106 patients were treated and included in analyses (49 [46%] female and 57 [54%] male; 85 [80%] White, 13 [12%] Black or African American, five [5%] Asian, and three [3%] other races; 24 [23%] Hispanic or Latino ethnicity). All 106 treated patients reached complete remission; 87 (82%) were classified as standard risk and 19 (18%) met HSCT criteria and were classified as high risk, but only 15 (14%) received HSCT in first complete remission. The 3-year event-free survival of dasatinib plus chemotherapy was superior to chemotherapy alone (65·5% [90% Clopper-Pearson CI 57·7 to 73·7] vs 49·2% [38·0 to 60·4]; p=0·032), and was non-inferior to imatinib plus chemotherapy (59·1% [51·8 to 66·2], 90% CI of the treatment difference: -3·3 to 17·2), but not superior to imatinib plus chemotherapy (65·5% vs 59·1%; p=0·27). The most frequent grade 3-5 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (n=93) and bacteraemia (n=21). Nine remission deaths occurred, which were due to infections (n=5), transplantation-related (n=2), due to cardiac arrest (n=1), or had an unknown cause (n=1). No dasatinib-related deaths occurred.

INTERPRETATION

Dasatinib plus EsPhALL chemotherapy is safe and active in paediatric Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 3-year event-free survival was similar to that of previous Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia trials despite the limited use of HSCT in first complete remission.

FUNDING

Bristol Myers Squibb.

A systems approach points to a therapeutic role for retinoids in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis

Among drug-induced adverse events, pancreatitis is life-threatening and results in substantial morbidity. A prototype example is the pancreatitis caused by asparaginase, a crucial drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we used a systems approach to identify the factors affecting asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP). Connectivity Map analysis of the transcriptomic data showed that asparaginase-induced gene signatures were potentially reversed by retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs). Analysis of a large electronic health record database (TriNetX) and the U.S. Federal Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System demonstrated a reduction in AAP risk with concomitant exposure to vitamin A. Furthermore, we performed a global metabolomic screening of plasma samples from 24 individuals with ALL who developed pancreatitis (cases) and 26 individuals with ALL who did not develop pancreatitis (controls), before and after a single exposure to asparaginase. Screening from this discovery cohort revealed that plasma carotenoids were lower in the cases than in controls. This finding was validated in a larger external cohort. A 30-day dietary recall showed that the cases received less dietary vitamin A than the controls did. In mice, asparaginase administration alone was sufficient to reduce circulating and hepatic retinol. Based on these data, we propose that circulating retinoids protect against pancreatic inflammation and that asparaginase reduces circulating retinoids. Moreover, we show that AAP is more likely to develop with reduced dietary vitamin A intake. The systems approach taken for AAP provides an impetus to examine the role of dietary vitamin A supplementation in preventing or treating AAP.

Outcomes of Childhood Noninfant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With 11q23/KMT2A Rearrangements in a Modern Therapy Era: A Retrospective International Study

PURPOSE

We aimed to study prognostic factors and efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in first remission of patients with noninfant childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with 11q23/KMT2A rearrangements treated with chemotherapy regimens between 1995 and 2010.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were retrospectively retrieved from 629 patients with 11q23/KMT2A-rearranged ALL from 17 members of the Ponte-di-Legno Childhood ALL Working Group. Clinical and biologic characteristics, early response assessed by minimal residual disease at the end of induction (EOI) therapy, and allo-HSCT were analyzed for their impact on outcomes.

RESULTS

A specific 11q23/KMT2A translocation partner gene was identified in 84.3% of patients, with the most frequent translocations being t(4;11)(q21;q23) (n = 273; 51.5%), t(11;19)(q23;p13.3) (n = 106; 20.0%), t(9;11)(p21_22;q23) (n = 76; 14.3%), t(6;11)(q27;q23) (n = 20; 3.8%), and t(10;11)(p12;q23) (n = 14; 2.6%); 41 patients (7.7%) had less frequently identified translocation partner genes. Patient characteristics and early response varied among subgroups, indicating large biologic heterogeneity and diversity in therapy sensitivity among 11q23/KMT2A-rearranged ALL. The EOI remission rate was 93.2%, and the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) for the entire cohort was 69.1% ± 1.9%, with a range from 41.7% ± 17.3% for patients with t(9;11)-positive T-ALL (n = 9) and 64.8% ± 3.0% for patients with t(4;11)-positive B-ALL (n = 266) to 91.2% ± 4.9% for patients with t(11;19)-positive T-ALL (n = 34). Low EOI minimal residual disease was associated with favorable EFS, and induction failure was particularly predictive of nonresponse to further therapy and relapse and poor EFS. In addition, EFS was not improved by allo-HSCT compared with chemotherapy only in patients with both t(4;11)-positive B-ALL (n = 64 v 51; P = .10) and 11q23/KMT2A-rearranged T-ALL (n = 16 v 10; P = .69).

CONCLUSION

Compared with historical data, prognosis of patients with noninfant 11q23/KMT2A-rearranged ALL has improved, but allo-HSCT failed to affect outcome. Targeted therapies are needed to reduce relapse and treatment-related mortality rates.

"There's no playbook for when your kid has cancer": Desired elements of an electronic resource to support pediatric cancer communication

INTRODUCTION

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood malignancy, has a relatively favorable long-term prognosis. Yet the complexity of treatment and the emotionality of the diagnosis leave families feeling unprepared for many aspects of therapy. This qualitative study aimed to identify desired elements and format of a communication resource to support patients and families facing a diagnosis of ALL.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews of 12 parents of children receiving ALL treatment, 10 parents of survivors of ALL, and eight adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of ALL were conducted between February and June 2021. The interviews focused on communication experiences throughout treatment and identified domains to be addressed in a resource in development.

RESULTS

All participants supported the development of an interactive, electronic health (eHealth) resource to help navigate ALL treatment. They felt a website would be helpful in addressing information gaps and mitigating pervasive feelings of overwhelm. Participants specifically sought: (a) information resources to address feelings of cognitive overload; (b) practical tips to help navigate logistical challenges; (c) clear depictions of treatment choices and trajectories to facilitate decision-making; and (d) additional psychosocial resources and support. Two overarching themes that families felt should be interwoven throughout the eHealth resource were connections with other patients/families and extra support at transitions between phases of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A new diagnosis of ALL and its treatment are extremely overwhelming. Patients and families unanimously supported an eHealth resource to provide additional information and connect them with emotional support, starting at diagnosis and extending throughout treatment.

Recombinant Erwinia asparaginase (JZP458) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from the phase 2/3 AALL1931 study

AALL1931, a phase 2/3 study conducted in collaboration with the Children's Oncology Group, investigated the efficacy and safety of JZP458 (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi [recombinant]-rywn), a recombinant Erwinia asparaginase derived from a novel expression platform, in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma who developed hypersensitivity/silent inactivation to Escherichia coli-derived asparaginases. Each dose of a pegylated E coli-derived asparaginase remaining in patients' treatment plan was substituted by 6 doses of intramuscular (IM) JZP458 on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (MWF). Three regimens were evaluated: cohort 1a, 25 mg/m2 MWF; cohort 1b, 37.5 mg/m2 MWF; and cohort 1c, 25/25/50 mg/m2 MWF. Efficacy was evaluated by the proportion of patients maintaining adequate nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA ≥0.1 IU/mL) at 72 hours and at 48 hours during the first treatment course. A total of 167 patients were enrolled: cohort 1a (n = 33), cohort 1b (n = 83), and cohort 1c (n = 51). Mean serum asparaginase activity levels (IU/mL) at 72 hours were cohort 1a, 0.16, cohort 1b, 0.33, and cohort 1c, 0.47, and at 48 hours were 0.45, 0.88, and 0.66, respectively. The proportion of patients achieving NSAA ≥0.1 IU/mL at 72 and 48 hours in cohort 1c was 90% (44/49) and 96% (47/49), respectively. Simulated data from a population pharmacokinetic model matched the observed data well. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 86 of 167 (51%) patients; those leading to discontinuation included pancreatitis (6%), allergic reactions (5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (1%), and hyperammonemia (1%). Results demonstrate that IM JZP458 at 25/25/50 mg/m2 MWF is efficacious and has a safety profile consistent with other asparaginases. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04145531.

Feasibility of serial neurocognitive assessment using Cogstate during and after therapy for childhood leukemia

PURPOSE

Neurocognitive impairment is frequently observed among survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) within the domains of attention, working memory, processing speed, executive functioning, and learning and memory. However, few studies have characterized the trajectory of treatment-induced changes in neurocognitive function beginning in the first months of treatment, to test whether early changes predict impairment among survivors. If correct, we hypothesize that those children who are most susceptible to early impairment would be ideal subjects for clinical trials testing interventions designed to protect against treatment-related neurocognitive decline.

METHODS

In this pilot study, we prospectively assessed neurocognitive functioning (attention, working memory, executive function, visual learning, and processing speed), using the Cogstate computerized battery at six time points during the 2 years of chemotherapy treatment and 1-year post-treatment (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium protocol 11-001; NCT01574274).

RESULTS

Forty-three patients with ALL consented to serial neurocognitive testing. Of the 31 participants who remained on study through the final time point, 1 year after completion of chemotherapy, 28 (90%) completed at least five of six planned Cogstate testing time points. Performance and completion checks indicated a high tolerability (≥ 88%) for all subtests. One year after completion of treatment, 10 of 29 patients (34%) exhibited neurocognitive function more than 2 standard deviations below age-matched norms on one or more Cogstate subtests.

CONCLUSIONS

Serial collection of neurocognitive data (within a month of diagnosis with ALL, during therapy, and 1-year post-treatment) is feasible and can be informative for evaluating treatment-related neurocognitive impairment.

Oral Mercaptopurine Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Survey Study From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Consortium

Background: Oral chemotherapy nonadherence is a challenge in clinical oncology. During therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), poor adherence to 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) increases relapse risk. Clinically significant nonadherence is reported in 30% of children treated for ALL on Children's Oncology Group (COG) trials. Whether nonadherence rates vary across regimens with different treatment schedules and modes of administration is unknown. Methods: We conducted an exploratory, cross-sectional survey study on parents of children (1-18 years) receiving continuation therapy on, or as per Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium Protocol 11-001. Treatment required weekly visits to the clinic and 14 days of oral 6MP every 3 weeks. Survey assessed self-reported sociodemographics, medication-taking, chemotherapy comprehension, and 6MP adherence; adherence survey items were developed from published surveys. Patients were grouped as nonadherent if they endorsed missing one 6MP dose during the last cycle, or more than one dose during prior cycles, for nonmedical reasons. Results: Sixty-two families completed the surveys, all of whom had evaluable adherence data. In total, 25% of patients met the study definition of nonadherence. Twenty-three percent reported that it was "not easy" to follow administration guidelines around the dairy intake and 57% requested more teaching and educational resources. Conclusion: Self-reported nonadherence to oral 6MP in the DFCI ALL Consortium is high, with rates similar to those observed in the COG. This suggests that the additional contact during weekly infusions on the DFCI is insufficient to address barriers affecting oral chemotherapy adherence.

Nelarabine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide in relapsed pediatric T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (study T2008-002 NECTAR)

Children with relapse of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) have a dismal prognosis, largely due to difficulty attaining second remission. We hypothesized that adding etoposide and cyclophosphamide to the nucleoside analog nelarabine could improve response rates over single-agent nelarabine for relapsed T-ALL and T-LBL. This phase I dose-escalation trial's primary objective was to evaluate the dose and safety of nelarabine given in combination with etoposide at 100 mg/m² /day and cyclophosphamide at 330-400 mg/m² /day, each for 5 consecutive days in children with either T-ALL (13 patients) or T-LBL (10 patients). Twenty-three patients were treated at three dose levels; 21 were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and response. The recommended phase II doses (RP2D) for this regimen, when given daily ×5 every 3 weeks, were nelarabine 650 mg/m² /day, etoposide 100 mg/m² /day, and cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m² /day. DLTs included peripheral motor and sensory neuropathies. An expansion cohort to evaluate responses at the RP2D was terminated early due to slow accrual. The overall best response rate was 38% (8/21), with 33% (4/12) responses in the T-ALL cohort and 44% (4/9) responses in the T-LBL cohort. These response rates are comparable to those seen with single-agent nelarabine in this setting. These data suggest that the addition of cyclophosphamide and etoposide to nelarabine does not increase the incidence of neurologic toxicities or the response rate beyond that obtained with single-agent nelarabine in children with first relapse of T-ALL and T-LBL.

Feasibility of oncology clinical trial-embedded evaluation of social determinants of health

Social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with stark disparities in cancer outcomes, but systematic SDoH data collection is virtually absent from oncology clinical trials. Trial-based SDoH data are essential to ensure representation of marginalized populations, contextualize outcome disparities, and identify health-equity intervention opportunities. We report the feasibility of a pediatric oncology multicenter therapeutic trial-embedded SDoH investigation. Among 448 trial participants, 392 (87.5%) opted-in to the embedded SDoH study; 375 (95.7%) completed baseline surveys, with high longitudinal response rates (88.9-93.1%) over 24 months. Trial-embedded SDoH data collection is feasible and acceptable and must be consistently included within future oncology trials.

Predictors of thrombosis in children receiving therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium trial 05-001

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Although thromboembolism (TE) is a serious complication in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), thromboprophylaxis is not commonly used due to the inherent bleeding risk in this population. Identifying prothrombotic risk factors will help target thromboprophylaxis to those at highest thrombotic risk. We aimed to define predictors and the impact of TE on ALL outcome in children (1-18 years) treated on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL 05-001 trial.

METHODS

Clinical and laboratory data including TE events were prospectively collected. PCR-based allelic discrimination assay identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for prothrombin G20210A (rs1799963) and Factor V G1691A (rs6025). Univariate and multivariable competing risk regression models evaluated the effect of diagnostic clinical (age, sex, body mass index, ALL-immunophenotype, risk group) and laboratory variables (presenting leukocyte count, blood group, SNPs) on the cumulative incidence of TE. Cox regression modeling explored the impact of TE on survival.

RESULTS

Of 794 patients [median age 4.97 (range, 1.04-17.96) years; males 441], 100 developed TE; 25-month cumulative incidence 13.0% (95% CI, 10.7%-15.5%). Univariate analyses identified older age (≥10 years), presenting leucocyte count, T-ALL, high-risk ALL, and non-O blood group as risk factors. Age and non-O blood group were independent predictors of TE on multivariable regression; the blood group impact being most evident in patients 1-5 years of age (P = 0.011). TE did not impact survival. Induction TE was independently associated with induction failure (OR 6.45; 95% CI, 1.64-25.47; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

We recommend further evaluation of these risk factors and consideration of thromboprophylaxis for patients ≥10 years (especially those ≥15 years) when receiving asparaginase.

Hyperglycemia during induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia is temporally linked to pegaspargase administration

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy regimens containing glucocorticoids and pegaspargase are associated with hyperglycemia; however, the pattern and underlying risk factors are not well characterized. We determined the pattern of hyperglycemia and associated factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving glucocorticoids and pegaspargase during induction.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients treated between 2010 and 2020 at a single institution. Pretreatment data, glucose values, and insulin regimens were abstracted from the record. Hyperglycemia was defined as two or more random glucose measurements ≥200 mg/dl. Analyses of demographic and clinical factors were conducted with logistic regression.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirteen patients, median age 6 years (range 1.0-18.9 years), 47% female, were included. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 23% (n = 48). Mean glucose levels peaked 3 days following administration of pegaspargase. In multivariable analysis, age ≥10 years (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-13.4), female sex (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.2), and family history of diabetes (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4-7.3) were predictive of hyperglycemia. Age ≥10 years (OR 19.4, 95% CI: 5.5-68.4), family history of diabetes (OR 8.2, 95% CI: 2.7-25.3), and higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9) were associated with insulin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Onset of hyperglycemia in children receiving induction chemotherapy for ALL is temporally linked to administration of pegaspargase. Older age, female sex, and family history of diabetes are predictive of hyperglycemia during induction; older age, family history of diabetes, and higher BMI are associated with insulin treatment. Frequent glucose monitoring is indicated during induction therapy for ALL.

JAK3 mutations and mitochondrial apoptosis resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Resistance to mitochondrial apoptosis predicts inferior treatment outcomes in patients with diverse tumor types, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, the genetic basis for variability in this mitochondrial apoptotic phenotype is poorly understood, preventing its rational therapeutic targeting. Using BH3 profiling and exon sequencing analysis of childhood T-ALL clinical specimens, we found that mitochondrial apoptosis resistance was most strongly associated with activating mutations of JAK3. Mutant JAK3 directly repressed apoptosis in leukemia cells, because its inhibition with mechanistically distinct pharmacologic inhibitors resulted in reversal of mitochondrial apoptotic blockade. Inhibition of JAK3 led to loss of MEK, ERK and BCL2 phosphorylation, and BH3 profiling revealed that JAK3-mutant primary T-ALL patient samples were characterized by a dependence on BCL2. Treatment of JAK3-mutant T-ALL cells with the JAK3 inhibitor tofacitinib in combination with a spectrum of conventional chemotherapeutics revealed synergy with glucocorticoids, in vitro and in vivo. These findings thus provide key insights into the molecular genetics of mitochondrial apoptosis resistance in childhood T-ALL, and a compelling rationale for a clinical trial of JAK3 inhibitors in combination with glucocorticoids for patients with JAK3-mutant T-ALL.

Efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) recombinant Erwinia asparaginase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL): The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) AALL1931 study

7001

Background: The inability to receive L-asparaginase (ASNase) therapy due to hypersensitivity is associated with inferior outcomes in patients with ALL or LBL. JZP458, a recombinant Erwinia-derived ASNase from a Pseudomonas fluorescens expression platform, is approved by the FDA for patients with ALL/LBL who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli–derived ASNase. Here, we report the efficacy and safety of IM JZP458 from COG AALL1931, a phase 2/3, open-label, multicenter, pharmacokinetic (PK) study. Methods: Eligible patients with ALL/LBL had a grade ≥3 allergic reaction or silent inactivation to a pegylated E. coli–derived ASNase. Each remaining dose of pegylated E. coli–derived ASNase was replaced with 6 doses of IM JZP458 on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (M/W/F) over 2-weeks. Three dosing cohorts were enrolled: Cohort 1a, 25 mg/m2 M/W/F; Cohort 1b, 37.5 mg/m2 M/W/F; Cohort 1c, 25 mg/m2 M/W and 50 mg/m2 F. Efficacy was assessed by the proportion of patients who achieved the last 72-hour (primary endpoint) or 48-hour (key secondary endpoint) nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) levels ≥0.1 IU/mL in the first treatment course. A population PK (PPK) model was developed based on SAA data from AALL1931 to characterize the PK of JZP458 and to inform dosing decisions. Results: 167 patients were enrolled for IM dosing (Cohort 1a, n = 33; Cohort 1b, n = 83; Cohort 1c, n = 51). The median (range) age was 10 (1, 25) years. The median (range) of JZP458 courses received was 5 (1, 14) for Cohort 1a, 5 (1, 15) for Cohort 1b, and 4 (1, 11) for Cohort 1c. Mean (95% CI) SAA levels (IU/mL) at 72-hour were 0.16 (0.12, 0.19) for Cohort 1a, 0.33 (0.27, 0.39) for Cohort 1b, and 0.47 (0.35, 0.59) for Cohort 1c; and 0.45 (0.37, 0.53), 0.88 (0.76, 1.01), and 0.66 (0.54, 0.77), respectively, at 48-hour. Simulated data from the PPK model matched the observed data well. For Cohort 1c, the proportions of patients (95% CI) achieving NSAA levels ≥0.1 IU/mL at the last 72- and 48-hour in Course 1 were 90% (81%, 98%) and 96% (90%, 100%), respectively, based on observed data; and were 92% (91%, 93%) and 94% (93%, 95%) based on modeled data. The Table shows the rates of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs; all grades) of interest per cohort. Overall, TRAEs leading to discontinuation included pancreatitis (6%), drug hypersensitivity (4%), anaphylactic reaction (2%), increased alanine aminotransferase (1%), and hyperammonemia (1%). There were no TRAEs leading to death. Conclusions: The totality of the results from AALL1931 demonstrate the positive benefit-risk profile of the IM JZP458 dosing regimen of 25 mg/m2 M/W and 50 mg/m2 F with a safety profile consistent with other asparaginases. Clinical trial information: NCT04145531. [Table: see text]

Effects of age, obesity, and body surface area on asparaginase-associated toxicities during acute lymphoblastic leukemia induction therapy: A report from the Children’s Oncology Group

7000

Background: Asparaginase is integral to pediatric-inspired regimens (PIR) to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and young adults (AYA). However, asparaginase-associated toxicities (AAT) often preclude delivery of planned therapy. Older age, obesity and/or large body surface area (BSA) have been associated with higher risk of AAT in PIR, but data are conflicting, and the impact of dose modification based on these factors is unknown. Methods: We examined induction toxicity data from patients ages 1-30 years enrolled in the frontline Children’s Oncology Group (COG) trials for high-risk B-ALL (AALL0232, 2004-2011) and T-ALL (AALL0434, 2007-2014). During Induction, patients received pegaspargase (2,500 IU/m2 without prescribed dose-capping) plus daunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone or dexamethasone. AAT were defined as CTCAE v4 hyperbilirubinemia (Grade ≥3), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (Grade ≥4), thrombosis (any), or pancreatitis (any, included consolidation phase). Obesity was classified using population norms as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 (or ≥95th percentile for age/sex). BSA was analyzed continuously and dichotomized at 1.5 m2 (equivalent to pegaspargase 3,750 IU, the threshold for permissible dose-capping in PIR). The association of AAT with end-Induction minimal residual disease (MRD) ≥0.01% was assessed. Results: Among 4,925 patients, 25% were ≥15 years, 39% had BSA >1.5m2, and 18% had obesity. Multivariable logistic analyses inclusive of BMI and BSA together found increased risk for any AAT in age groups ≥10 years (10-15y, odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 15-20y OR 2.2, ≥21 OR 3.3, p=0.002). Only patients with both obesity and high BSA (>1.5m2) were at additional risk (OR 3.3, p<0.0001). Similarly, risks for hyperbilirubinemia, ALT elevations, and thrombosis were increased in patients with both high BSA and obesity (OR 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-5.7), OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.7-6.6, and OR 3.1 95%CI 1.5-6.5, respectively), but not in those with high BSA without obesity. The risk of hyperbilirubinemia was greater with increasing obesity (p<0.0001) and was also higher in all age groups ≥10 years (OR 6.3-7.9, p<0.0001). Age was not associated with thrombosis or ALT elevation; risk for pancreatitis was associated with Hispanic ethnicity, but not with age, BMI, or BSA. AAT were not associated with pooled trial MRD ≥0.01%. Conclusions: We report here the largest dataset of AAT in children and AYAs receiving ALL Induction therapy without routinely prescribed dose-capping of pegaspargase. Risk for AAT was increased in patients >10 years and in those with obesity, but not high BSA alone. Dose capping may not be necessary for children and AYAs with high BSA without obesity. Prospective studies of AAT pharmacogenomics and modifiable risk factors will support safer dosing in PIR. Clinical trial information: NCT00075725, NCT00408005.

Vitamin A and association with asparaginase-associated pancreatitis in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

10021

Background: Asparaginase is a key component of treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is the most common cancer in the pediatric population. However, asparaginase is associated with many toxicities, including pancreatitis, which is observed in up to 10% of patients and can lead to severe sequelae. Methods: We performed analysis of (1) transcriptomic data from (a) asparaginase-treated leukemic cells, and (b) the pancreas of mice that were induced with a chemical form of pancreatitis; (2) the US FDA Adverse Reporting System (FAERS) and electronic health records (TriNetX); (3) global plasma metabolomic screen and dietary intake evaluation from ALL patients; and (4) experimental animal studies to identify factors that impact asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP). Results: Connectivity map analysis showed that asparaginase-induced gene signatures are potentially reversed by the retinoids (vitamin A and its natural and synthetic analogs). Analysis of TriNetX and FAERES demonstrated a 2-fold reduction in AAP risk with concomitant exposure to vitamin A. Further, we performed a case-control metabolomic study of 50 subjects with ALL enrolled in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute DFCI ALL clinical trial protocols 05-001 (NCT00400946) and 11-001 (NCT01574274). All subjects were given a single dose of pegylated E. Coli asparaginase during induction therapy. Twenty-four subjects developed pancreatitis within 9 months from the start of induction therapy and were considered cases. The median time to develop pancreatitis among cases was 3.68 months (interquartile range: 3.58 months). Twenty-six control subjects were identified among patients who did not develop pancreatitis within the same evaluation period. The controls were matched for age, sex, and initial ALL risk. The screening revealed that the plasma levels of carotene diol isomers, from the start of induction to its end, were reduced by about 60% in the cases compared to the controls. A detailed 30-day dietary recall showed that the cases had received less dietary vitamin A than the controls during induction therapy. Notably, the median value for the composite intake of vitamin A constituents, termed the RAE (retinol activity equivalents) was 656.92 mcg per day among the controls, but was 34.6% lower among in the cases (median of 429.40 mcg per day, which is just above the recommended dietary allowance level of 400 mcg per day for the 4–8 year-old age group). In mice, asparaginase administration as a single agent was sufficient to reduce circulating and hepatic retinol levels. Conclusions: Based on these data, we propose that circulating retinoids maintain pancreatic health, that asparaginase reduces circulating retinoids, and AAP is more likely to develop with reduced dietary vitamin A intake. The systems approach provides the impetus to examine the role of dietary vitamin A supplementation for preventing or treating AAP.

Minimal residual disease comparison between Ig/TCR PCR versus NGS assays in children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the COG AALL1631 study

10023

Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment by immunoglobulin/T-cell receptor (Ig/TCR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is currently being used in the international pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) trial EsPhALL2017/AALL1631 for risk stratification. MRD concordance has previously been demonstrated between Ig/TCR PCR and flow cytometry in Ph+ALL. We sought to assess concordance of MRD assessment between conventional Ig/TCR PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays. Methods: MRD was assessed in all pts on AALL1631 by Ig/TCR PCR at end-induction IB; those with MRD <5x10-4 were classified as standard-risk (SR) and randomized to treatment with imatinib and one of two chemotherapy regimens without hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), whereas pts with end-induction 1B MRD ≥ 5x10-4 were considered high-risk (HR) and assigned to HSCT after consolidation chemotherapy. Residual diagnostic and end-induction IB samples from consenting pts were assessed for NGS MRD by the clonoSEQ assay (Adaptive Biotechnologies) in blinded fashion and subsequently compared to Ig/TCR MRD to determine concordance as related to MRD-based HSCT recommendations ( ie, MRD ≥ 5x10-4 consistent with HR group assignment). MRD values were calculated using the kappa statistic for agreement above chance. Results: Sixty-seven pts had matched samples available for MRD assessment at end-induction 1B by both Ig/TCR PCR and NGS (Table). NGS MRD was evaluable for all 67 pts and stratified as 62 SR (<5x10-4) and 5 HR (≥5x10-4). In contrast, Ig/TCR PCR results were inevaluable for 3 pts (unsatisfactory sample quality) and indeterminate (positive, but not quantifiable) in 4 pts. Of the remaining 60 pts, 55 met SR and 5 HR criteria using Ig/TCR PCR. There was only 1 discordant case between the two methods for MRD-based HSCT recommendation among these 60 pts with a kappa statistic for agreement above chance of 0.88. Conclusions: NGS and Ig/TCR PCR assays were highly concordant in MRD assessment for risk stratification at a threshold of 5x10-4 in pediatric pts with Ph+ALL enrolled on AALL1631. Of note, the NGS assay yielded MRD results amenable for risk stratification in 100% pts compared to 89.6% for the Ig/TCR PCR methodology. These data support the use of NGS MRD testing for risk stratification in pediatric Ph+ALL.[Table: see text]

Ocular abnormalities at diagnosis and after the completion of treatment in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Ocular abnormalities (OA) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are common findings both at diagnosis and later in follow-up. The frequency, predictors, and prognostic impact of OA in the context of recent ALL protocols are not well characterized.

PROCEDURE

Single-center retrospective analysis of the medical records of 224 patients with ALL enrolled on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium Protocol 05-001.

RESULTS

Overall, 217 (98%) patients had at least one ophthalmic exam. Retinal hemorrhages were the most frequent abnormalities at diagnosis (11%) and cataracts at later time points (13%). OA at diagnosis were associated with age ≥10 years and with the severity of anemia and thrombocytopenia; they were also univariately associated with lower 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (high risk [HR] = 3.09 [95% CI: 1.38-6.94]; p = .006), but not in a disease-free survival (DFS) model adjusted for end-induction minimal residual disease (p = .82). The cumulative incidence of cataract was 13.1% ± 2.8% at 43 months from diagnosis; its development was associated with high presenting white blood cell count (≥50,000/μl) (p = .010), male sex (p = .036), higher risk group (p = .025), and cranial radiation (p = .004). Cataract was associated with decreased visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

OA at diagnosis, present in 12% of patients, were associated with older age, anemia, and thrombocytopenia and did not carry a significant prognostic impact. Cataracts were detected in over 10% of patients and were associated with decreased visual acuity, thus supporting routine screening after completion of therapy, especially for those treated with high-risk protocols.

Remission, treatment failure, and relapse in pediatric ALL: an international consensus of the Ponte-di-Legno Consortium

Comparison of treatment strategies in de novo pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) requires standardized measures of efficacy. Key parameters that define disease-related events, including complete remission (CR), treatment failure (TF; not achieving CR), and relapse (loss of CR) require an updated consensus incorporating modern diagnostics. We collected the definitions of CR, TF, and relapse from recent and current pediatric clinical trials for the treatment of ALL, including the key components of response evaluation (timing, anatomic sites, detection methods, and thresholds) and found significant heterogeneity, most notably in the definition of TF. Representatives of the major international ALL clinical trial groups convened to establish consensus definitions. CR should be defined at a time point no earlier than at the end of induction and should include the reduction of blasts below a specific threshold in bone marrow and extramedullary sites, incorporating minimal residual disease (MRD) techniques for marrow evaluations. TF should be defined as failure to achieve CR by a prespecified time point in therapy. Relapse can only be defined in patients who have achieved CR and must include a specific threshold of leukemic cells in the bone marrow confirmed by MRD, the detection of central nervous system leukemia, or documentation of extramedullary disease. Definitions of TF and relapse should harmonize with eligibility criteria for clinical trials in relapsed/refractory ALL. These consensus definitions will enhance the ability to compare outcomes across pediatric ALL trials and facilitate development of future international collaborative trials.

Orthopaedic adverse events among adolescents and adults treated with asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a complication of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment with patient- (age, female sex, genetic polymorphisms, presence of metabolic syndrome) and treatment-specific (glucocorticoid type and schedule) risk factors described. The potential role of asparaginase in increasing risk of ON via effects on coagulation, lipid metabolism, and steroid clearance is now also recognised. Paediatric studies consistently identify age as a key risk factor for ON, with adolescents at higher risk than young children. Fewer studies comprehensively report on risk of ON in adults, but available evidence suggests that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) treated with corticosteroid and asparaginase-containing paediatric-inspired regimens are more at risk than older adults treated with paediatric-inspired or traditional adult regimens. There are few proven strategies to prevent or mitigate the severity of ON and other orthopaedic complications of ALL therapy. Future clinical trials should carefully ascertain orthopaedic adverse events in adults. Evidence-based guidelines should be developed for management of orthopaedic adverse events in adults being treated for ALL, especially high-risk AYAs being treated with paediatric-inspired regimens.

Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Children With Asparaginase-Associated Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Acute pancreatitis is a significant toxicity of l-asparaginase, a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This case series describes the short-term clinical course and disposition of patients who developed asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP) at one quaternary pediatric center.

METHODS

Clinical data, including laboratory data, inpatient and intensive care unit (ICU) days, imaging findings, presence of complications such as need for ventilation, dialysis, and the development of pleural effusions, and mode of nutrition were abstracted from the medical record of patients with AAP. Pediatric criteria were used to classify episode severity based on the development of organ failure and local complications, such as pancreatic necrosis.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2015, 34 patients had AAP with 43 distinct episodes of pancreatitis. The median inpatient length of stay was 10 days (range 2-65). Seven episodes (16.3%) required intensive care unit (ICU)-level care. Seventeen episodes (39.5%) were severe based on the development of organ failure or presence of pancreatic necrosis. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was used in 17 episodes (39.5%); for 34 episodes (79.1%), patients were discharged on entirely oral feeds. Antibiotics were administered in 20 episodes (46.5%). Pancreatic necrosis was identified within the first week in 12 episodes (27.9%). There were no deaths due to AAP.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical course varies widely among patients with AAP. Over one-third of the patients in this series developed severe pancreatitis. Although the prognosis of AAP is generally good, many patients develop systemic complications of AAP, requiring TPN or ICU-level care.

Temsirolimus combined with cyclophosphamide and etoposide for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia Consortium trial (TACL 2014-001)

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is commonly dysregulated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The TACL2014-001 phase I trial of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in combination with cyclophosphamide and etoposide was performed in children and adolescents with relapsed/refractory ALL. Temsirolimus was administered intravenously (IV) on days 1 and 8 with cyclophosphamide 440 mg/m2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV daily on days 1-5. The starting dose of temsirolimus was 7.5 mg/m2 (DL1) with escalation to 10 mg/m2 (DL2), 15 mg/m2 (DL3), and 25 mg/m2 (DL4). PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibition was measured by phosphoflow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood specimens from treated patients. Sixteen heavily-pretreated patients were enrolled with 15 evaluable for toxicity. One dose-limiting toxicity of grade 4 pleural and pericardial effusions occurred in a patient treated at DL3. Additional dose-limiting toxicities were not seen in the DL3 expansion or DL4 cohort. Grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities occurring in three or more patients included febrile neutropenia, elevated alanine aminotransferase, hypokalemia, mucositis, and tumor lysis syndrome and occurred across all doses. Response and complete were observed at all dose levels with a 47% overall response rate and 27% complete response rate. Pharmacodynamic correlative studies demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of PI3K/mTOR pathway phosphoproteins in all studied patients. Temsirolimus at doses up to 25 mg/m2 with cyclophosphamide and etoposide had an acceptable safety profile in children with relapsed/refractory ALL. Pharmacodynamic mTOR target inhibition was achieved and appeared to correlate with temsirolimus dose. Future testing of next-generation PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors with chemotherapy may be warranted to increase response rates in children with relapsed/refractory ALL.

Impact of Risk-Stratified Therapy on Health Status in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have identified that survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) report poor health status. It is unknown how risk-stratified therapy impacts the health status of ALL survivors.

METHODS

We estimated and compared the prevalence of self-reported poor health status among adult (≥18 years) survivors of childhood ALL diagnosed at age <21 years from 1970 to 1999 and sibling controls, excluding proxy reports. Therapy combinations defined treatment groups representative of 1970s therapy (70s), standard- and high-risk 1980s and 1990s therapy (80sSR, 80sHR, 90sSR, 90sHR), and relapse/bone marrow transplant (R/BMT). Log-binomial models, adjusted for clinical and demographic factors, compared outcomes between groups using prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Among 5,119 survivors and 4,693 siblings, survivors were more likely to report poor health status in each domain including poor general health (13.5% vs. 7.4%; PR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.69-2.19). Compared with 70s, 90sSR and 90sHR were less likely to report poor general health (90sSR: PR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.98; 90sHR: PR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.87), functional impairment (90sSR: PR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.42-0.76; 90sHR: PR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.95), and activity limitations (90sSR: 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.83; 90sHR: PR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.91). An added adjustment for chronic conditions in multivariable models partially attenuated 90sSR risk estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk-stratified ALL therapy has succeeded in reducing risk for poor general health, functional impairment, and activity limitations among more recent survivors of standard- and high-risk therapy.

IMPACT

Future research into the relationship between risk-stratified therapy, health status, and late health outcomes may provide new opportunities to further improve late morbidity among survivors.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Pegaspargase and Calaspargase Pegol in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of DFCI 11-001

PURPOSE

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Consortium Protocol 11-001 assessed efficacy and toxicity of calaspargase pegol (calaspargase), a novel pegylated asparaginase formulation with longer half-life, compared with the standard formulation pegaspargase.

METHODS

Patients age 1 to ≤ 21 years with newly diagnosed ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma were randomly assigned to intravenous pegaspargase or calaspargase, 2,500 IU/m²/dose. Patients received one induction dose. Beginning week 7, pegaspargase was administered every 2 week for 15 doses and calaspargase every 3 week for 10 doses (30 weeks). Serum asparaginase activity (SAA) (≥ 0.1 IU/mL considered therapeutic) was assessed 4, 11, 18, and 25 days after the induction dose and before each postinduction dose.

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2015, 239 eligible patients enrolled (230 ALL, nine lymphoblastic lymphoma); 120 were assigned to pegaspargase and 119 to calaspargase. After the induction dose, SAA was ≥ 0.1 IU/mL in ≥ 95% of patients on both arms 18 days after dosing. At day 25, more patients had SAA ≥ 0.1 IU/mL with calaspargase (88% v 17%; P ˂ .001). Postinduction, median nadir SAAs were similar (≥ 1.0 IU/mL) for both arms. Of 230 evaluable patients, 99% of pegaspargase and 95% of calaspargase patients achieved complete remission (P = .12), with no difference in frequency of high end-induction minimal residual disease among evaluable patients with B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). There were no differences in frequencies of asparaginase allergy, pancreatitis, thrombosis, or hyperbilirubinemia. With 5.3 years median follow-up, 5-year event-free survival for pegaspargase was 84.9% (SE ± 3.4%) and 88.1% (± SE 3.0%) for calaspargase (P = .65).

CONCLUSION

Every 3-week calaspargase had similar nadir SAA, toxicity, and survival outcomes compared with every 2-week pegaspargase. The high nadir SAA observed for both preparations suggest dosing strategies can be further optimized.

Impact of acute lymphoblastic leukemia induction therapy: findings from metabolomics on non-fasted plasma samples from a biorepository

INTRODUCTION

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is among the most common cancers in children. With improvements in combination chemotherapy regimens, the overall survival has increased to over 90%. However, the current challenge is to mitigate adverse events resulting from the complex therapy. Several chemotherapies intercept cancer metabolism, but little is known about their collective role in altering host metabolism.

OBJECTIVES

We profiled the metabolomic changes in plasma of ALL patients initial- and post- induction therapy.

METHODS

We exploited a biorepository of non-fasted plasma samples derived from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium; these samples were obtained from 50 ALL patients initial- and post-induction therapy. Plasma metabolites and complex lipids were analyzed by high resolution tandem mass spectrometry and differential mobility tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a covariate-adjusted regression model with multiplicity adjustment. Pathway enrichment analysis and co-expression network analysis were performed to identify unique clusters of molecules.

RESULTS

More than 1200 metabolites and complex lipids were identified in the total of global metabolomics and lipidomics platforms. Over 20% of those molecules were significantly altered. In the pathway enrichment analysis, lipids, particularly phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), were identified. Network analysis indicated that the bioactive fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-containing (22:6) triacylglycerols (TAGs), were decreased in the post-induction therapy.

CONCLUSION

Metabolomic profiling in ALL patients revealed a large number of alterations following induction chemotherapy. In particular, lipid metabolism was substantially altered. The changes in metabolites and complex lipids following induction therapy could provide insight into the adverse events experienced by ALL patients.

Forecasting asparaginase quantity required to treat pediatric ALL in LMICs using ACCESS FORxECAST

10031

Background: Asparaginase (ASN) is a crucial component of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocols. ASN is available in three enzyme formulations: native from Escherichia Coli ( E. coli), PEGylated from E. coli (PEG), and native erwinia from Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinase). PEG is typically preferred in high-income countries, while E. coli is more accessible in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Erwinase is reserved for patients who develop hypersensitivity. Short shelf lives, high prices, intermittent availability, and concern for substandard formulations in LMICs have created a need for proactive ASN demand estimates, particularly in LMICs. Methods: We modified FORxECAST, a publicly available tool that forecasts pediatric cancer drug quantity and cost, to estimate ASN quantity required to treat pediatric ALL in 2021 across all LMICs. Incidence data is based on the Global Childhood Cancer microsimulation model, which extrapolates country registries to estimate diagnosed pediatric ALL patients. We forecast ASN quantity for both a base regimen (BR), recommended by the International Pediatric Oncology Society (SIOP), and a more aggressive regimen (AR) used in some LMICs with more advanced supportive care capacity. For both BR and AR, we estimate ASN quantity across four scenarios, outlining how quantity would vary based on formulation and ability to switch in cases of hypersensitivity. Results: The estimated quantity of ASN required to treat all children diagnosed with ALL in LMICs in 2021, across scenarios and regimens, is provided (Table). If E. coli were used to treat all diagnosed pediatric ALL patients across LMICs, required quantity would range from 1,198 M IU (BR) to 1,661 M IU (AR) (Scenario 1). If PEG were used, required quantity would range 150 M IU (BR) to 473 M IU (AR) (Scenario 2). Accounting for hypersensitivity would require 77 M IU (BR) to 137 M IU (AR) Erwinase (Scenarios 3 and 4). Conclusions: We adapted FORxECAST to be ASN-specific and estimated demand in LMICs for a range of scenarios, including for second line Erwinase; accounting for hypersensitivity is particularly important because discontinuation typically results in lower cure rates. We also estimated how quantity of ASN required would increase with treatment intensity. These results provide the first quantification of ASN need for pediatric ALL in LMICs, creating a demand estimate that can inform private and public efforts to produce a reliable supply of high quality ASN for all children with ALL.[Table: see text]

Household material hardship and parental distress in a multicenter clinical trial for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

10025

Background: Poverty is associated with inferior psychosocial function among parents of children with cancer. Severe parental distress during treatment predicts future poor mental health for both parents and children. It is also associated with impaired parental cognitive bandwidth and executive function, which may have implications for treatment adherence. Efforts to identify poverty-exposures amenable to intervention are essential to improving survivorship quality of life for the > 90% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who will be long-term survivors. Household material hardship (HMH) is a targetable poverty exposure defined as at least 1 of 3 unmet basic needs including food, housing, or utilities. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium trial 16-001 is the first pediatric oncology clinical trial to systematically evaluate HMH. We investigated the hypothesis that HMH exposure independently predicts severe parent psychological distress during ALL therapy. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed ALL ages 1-17 years were enrolled on the DFCI 16-001 embedded HMH cohort study at 8 U.S. and Canadian centers. Secondary interim analyses used baseline (within 32-days of trial enrollment) and 6-mos parent-reported sociodemographic data, the Kessler-6 (K6) Psychological Distress scale, and trial-collected child and disease data. Severe psychological distress was defined as a K6 > = 13. Multivariable cox regression evaluated baseline HMH-exposure and parent distress at baseline and 6-mos adjusting for child’s initial ALL risk group (Very High Risk (VHR) vs other) and marital status (single vs dual parent). Results: Among 258 families with evaluable data, 34% reported baseline HMH. Families were predominantly English-speaking (54%) dual parent households (71%). Children were a median of 5.7 years (IQR 1.0-17.99) at diagnosis and predominantly non-Hispanic white (66%) with expected disease distribution by immunophenotype (84% B-cell). HMH (odds ratio (OR) 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-4.31, p = 0.025) and VHR initial risk group (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.06-5.06, p = 0.035) were independently associated with baseline severe psychological distress. Only HMH was independently associated with 6-mos severe psychological distress (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.80-13.48, p = 0.002). Future analyses will investigate race and ethnicity associations with parental distress pending trial accrual for statistical power. Conclusions: HMH, a modifiable poverty exposure, is significantly associated with severe parent psychological distress at diagnosis that persists 6-months into pediatric ALL therapy. These findings identify a cohort at high risk of inferior mental health outcomes, and affirm the need for HMH-targeted interventions to support children and parents during cancer treatment to reduce poverty-associated outcome disparities in survivorship.

Matched Targeted Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Relapsed, Refractory, or High-Risk Leukemias: A Report from the LEAP Consortium

Despite a remarkable increase in the genomic profiling of cancer, integration of genomic discoveries into clinical care has lagged behind. We report the feasibility of rapid identification of targetable mutations in 153 pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory or high-risk leukemias enrolled on a prospective clinical trial conducted by the LEAP Consortium. Eighteen percent of patients had a high confidence Tier 1 or 2 recommendation. We describe clinical responses in the 14% of patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia who received the matched targeted therapy. Further, in order to inform future targeted therapy for patients, we validated variants of uncertain significance, performed ex vivo drug-sensitivity testing in patient leukemia samples, and identified new combinations of targeted therapies in cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. These data and our collaborative approach should inform the design of future precision medicine trials. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with relapsed/refractory leukemias face limited treatment options. Systematic integration of precision medicine efforts can inform therapy. We report the feasibility of identifying targetable mutations in children with leukemia and describe correlative biology studies validating therapeutic hypotheses and novel mutations.See related commentary by Bornhauser and Bourquin, p. 1322.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1307.

Identification of prognostic factors in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results from DFCI ALL Consortium Protocols 05-001 and 11-001

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

While outcomes for pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) are favorable, there are few widely accepted prognostic factors, limiting the ability to risk stratify therapy.

DESIGN/METHODS

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Protocols 05-001 and 11-001 enrolled pediatric patients with newly diagnosed B- or T-ALL from 2005 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2015, respectively. Protocol therapy was nearly identical for patients with T-ALL (N = 123), who were all initially assigned to the high-risk arm. End-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or next-generation sequencing (NGS), but was not used to modify postinduction therapy. Early T-cell precursor (ETP) status was determined by flow cytometry. Cases with sufficient diagnostic DNA were retrospectively evaluated by targeted NGS of known genetic drivers of T-ALL, including Notch, PI3K, and Ras pathway genes.

RESULTS

The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with T-ALL was 81% (95% CI, 73-87%) and 90% (95% CI, 83-94%), respectively. ETP phenotype was associated with failure to achieve complete remission, but not with inferior OS. Low end-induction MRD (<10-4 ) was associated with superior disease-free survival (DFS). Pathogenic mutations of the PI3K pathway were mutually exclusive of ETP phenotype and were associated with inferior 5-year DFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our findings demonstrate that ETP phenotype, end-induction MRD, and PI3K pathway mutation status are prognostically relevant in pediatric T-ALL and should be considered for risk classification in future trials. DFCI Protocols 05-001 and 11-001 are registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00165087 and NCT01574274, respectively.

How we approach Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults

Treatment for children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia has changed radically over the past 20 years. This type of leukemia used to have dismal prognosis, but today cure rates have improved with combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as imatinib or dasatinib, with hematopoietic stem cell transplant reserved for patients who are at high risk based on slow response to therapy or who relapse. Treating these patients can be challenging particularly if they are not enrolled on a clinical trial. Here, we describe our approach to these patients.

Reduced Morbidity and Mortality in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PURPOSE

Risk-stratified therapy, which modifies treatment on the basis of clinical and biologic features, has improved 5-year overall survival of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to 90%, but its impact on long-term toxicity remains unknown.

METHODS

We assessed all-cause and health-related late mortality (including late effects of cancer therapy), subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), chronic health conditions, and neurocognitive outcomes among 6,148 survivors of childhood ALL (median age, 27.9 years; range, 5.9-61.9 years) diagnosed between 1970 and 1999. Therapy combinations and treatment intensity defined 6 groups: 1970s-like (70s), standard- or high-risk 1980s-like (80sSR, 80sHR) and 1990s-like (90sSR, 90sHR), and relapse/transplantation (R/BMT). Cumulative incidence, standardized mortality ratios, and standardized incidence ratios were compared between treatment groups and with the US population.

RESULTS

Overall, 20-year all-cause late mortality was 6.6% (95% CI, 6.0 to 7.1). Compared with 70s, 90sSR and 90sHR experienced lower health-related late mortality (rate ratio [95% CI]: 90sSR, 0.2 [0.1 to 0.4]; 90sHR, 0.3 [0.1 to 0.7]), comparable to the US population (standardized mortality ratio [95% CI]: 90sSR, 1.3 [0.8 to 2.0]; 90sHR, 1.7 [0.7 to 3.5]). Compared with 70s, 90sSR had a lower rate of SMN (rate ratio [95% CI], 0.3 [0.1 to 0.6]) that was not different from that of the US population (standardized incidence ratio [95% CI], 1.0 [0.6 to 1.6]). The 90sSR group had fewer severe chronic health conditions than the 70s (20-year cumulative incidence [95% CI], 11.0% [9.7% to 12.3%] v 22.5% [19.4% to 25.5%]) and a lower prevalence of impaired memory (prevalence ratio [95% CI], 0.7 [0.6 to 0.9]) and task efficiency (0.5 [0.4 to 0.7]).

CONCLUSION

Risk-stratified therapy has reduced late morbidity and mortality among contemporary survivors of standard-risk ALL, represented by 90sSR. Health-related late mortality and SMN risks among 5-year survivors of contemporary, standard-risk childhood ALL are comparable to the general population.

Protective Effects of Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Treatment-Related Toxicity in Childhood Leukemia: A Report From the DALLT Cohort

PURPOSE

The benefits and risks of supplementation with antioxidants during cancer therapy have been a controversial area. Few studies have systematically evaluated dietary intake of antioxidants with toxicity and survival in childhood cancer. We sought to determine the role of dietary intake of antioxidants on rates of infections, mucositis, relapse, and disease-free survival during induction and postinduction phases of therapy among children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 794 children in a prospective clinical trial for treatment of ALL. Dietary intake was prospectively evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire. The association between dietary intake of antioxidants and treatment-related toxicities and survival were evaluated with the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (q) and logistic regression and the Kaplan-Meier method, respectively.

RESULTS

Dietary surveys were available for analysis from 614 (77%), and 561 (71%) participants at diagnosis and at end of induction, respectively. Of 513 participants who completed the dietary surveys at both time points, 120 (23%) and 87 (16%) experienced a bacterial infection and 22 (4%) and 55 (10%) experienced mucositis during the induction or postinduction phases of treatment, respectively. Increased intake of dietary antioxidants was associated with significantly lower rates of infection and mucositis. No association with relapse or disease-free survival was observed. Supplementation was not associated with toxicity, relapse, or survival.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of antioxidants through dietary intake was associated with reduced rates of infection or mucositis, with no increased risk of relapse or reduced survival. Dietary counseling on a well-balanced diet that includes an array of antioxidants from food sources alone may confer a benefit from infections and mucositis during treatment of childhood ALL.

Temsirolimus combined with etoposide and cyclophosphamide for relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Therapeutic advances in Childhood Leukemia Consortium (TACL 2014-001) trial

10512

Background: PI3K/mTOR signaling, a critical pathway in cell proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis, is often dysregulated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A phase 1 trial of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus combined with etoposide and cyclophosphamide was performed in children with relapsed/refractory (r/r) ALL. Methods: Temsirolimus was administered intravenously (IV) on days 1 and 8 with cyclophosphamide 440 mg/m2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV daily days 1-5. The starting dose level (DL) of temsirolimus was 7.5 mg/m2 (DL1) with escalation to 10 mg/m2 (DL2), 15 mg/m2 (DL3), and 25 mg/m2 (DL4). MRD was performed centrally. PI3K pathway inhibition was measured by phosphoflow cytometry (PFC) analysis of peripheral blood (PB) from treated patients (pts). Results: Sixteen heavily pretreated r/r ALL pts ages 2-19 years with marrow blasts > 25% were enrolled; 15 were evaluable [10 B-ALL/5 T-ALL]. One dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade (Gr) 4 pleural and pericardial effusions with pneumonitis/lung infection leading to Gr 5 cardiorespiratory arrest occurred in a pt treated at DL3. No further DLTs were seen in the DL3 expansion and DL4 cohorts. Gr 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities occurring in ≥ 3 pts included febrile neutropenia, elevated ALT, hypokalemia, mucositis, and tumor lysis syndrome and were independent of dose. Of 15 evaluable pts, 4 (27%; 2 B-ALL/2 T-ALL) had a complete response (CR) after cycle 1, comprised of 1 pt at each DL. Three had MRD < 0.01%. Three pts (20%; 2 B-ALL/1 T-ALL) had partial response (PR). Overall response rate (CR+PR = ORR) was 47%. Pharmacodynamic PFC studies compared phosphoprotein levels pre (day 0) and post treatment (days 3-5) in 9 consenting pts with available PB. All tested pts showed basal activation of PI3K pathway signaling. Dose-dependent inhibition of mTOR targets phosphorylated (p) S6 and/or p4EBP1 was observed in 9/9 and 6/9 pts, respectively, following temsirolimus and chemotherapy treatment. Various patterns of compensatory upregulation of pPI3K, pmTOR, pAkt, and/or pERK was observed. Conclusions: Temsirolimus at 25 mg/m2 combined with salvage etoposide and cyclophosphamide has an acceptable safety profile in high-risk pediatric patients with r/r ALL. Responses were observed at all DLs. mTOR target inhibition was achieved and appeared to correlate with dose level. Future testing of other PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy may be warranted with a goal of further increasing response in r/r ALL. Clinical trial information: NCT01614197.

HLA alleles associated with asparaginase hypersensitivity in childhood ALL: a report from the DFCI Consortium

Aim: To evaluate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and native Escherichia coli asparaginase hypersensitivity (AH) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who received Dana-Farber Cancer Institute treatment protocols. Patients & methods: HLA-DQA1, HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles were retrieved from available whole exome sequencing data of a subset of childhood ALL patients from Quebec ALL cohort and analyzed for an association with AH. PCR assay was developed to analyze associated alleles in the entire discovery and replication cohorts. Results: Two alleles in linkage disequilibrium (HLA-DRB1*07:01 and DQA1*02:01) were associated with AH. Additional analyses, performed to distinguish between HLA-DRB1*07:01 haplotypes with and without DQB1*02:02 allele, showed that the association was dependent on the presence of DQB1*02:02. Conclusion: This study confirms the implication of HLA-DRB1*07:01, DQA1*02:01 and DQB1*02:02 alleles in developing AH in childhood ALL.

Fanconi-BRCA pathway mutations in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BRCA2 (also known as FANCD1) is a core component of the Fanconi pathway and suppresses transformation of immature T-cells in mice. However, the contribution of Fanconi-BRCA pathway deficiency to human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains undefined. We identified point mutations in 9 (23%) of 40 human T-ALL cases analyzed, with variant allele fractions consistent with heterozygous mutations early in tumor evolution. Two of these mutations were present in remission bone marrow specimens, suggesting germline alterations. BRCA2 was the most commonly mutated gene. The identified Fanconi-BRCA mutations encode hypomorphic or null alleles, as evidenced by their inability to fully rescue Fanconi-deficient cells from chromosome breakage, cytotoxicity and/or G2/M arrest upon treatment with DNA cross-linking agents. Disabling the tumor suppressor activity of the Fanconi-BRCA pathway is generally thought to require biallelic gene mutations. However, all mutations identified were monoallelic, and most cases appeared to retain expression of the wild-type allele. Using isogenic T-ALL cells, we found that BRCA2 haploinsufficiency induces selective hypersensitivity to ATR inhibition, in vitro and in vivo. These findings implicate Fanconi-BRCA pathway haploinsufficiency in the molecular pathogenesis of T-ALL, and provide a therapeutic rationale for inhibition of ATR or other druggable effectors of homologous recombination.

Genes identified through genome-wide association studies of osteonecrosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

Aim: To evaluate top-ranking genes identified through genome-wide association studies for an association with corticosteroid-related osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who received Dana-Farber Cancer Institute treatment protocols. Patients & methods: Lead SNPs from these studies, as well as other variants in the same genes, pooled from whole exome sequencing data, were analyzed for an association with osteonecrosis in childhood ALL patients from Quebec cohort. Top-ranking variants were verified in the replication patient group. Results: The analyses of variants in the ACP1-SH3YL1 locus derived from whole exome sequencing data showed an association of several correlated SNPs (rs11553746, rs2290911, rs7595075, rs2306060 and rs79716074). The rs79716074 defines *B haplotype of the APC1 gene, which is well known for its functional role. Conclusion: This study confirms implication of the ACP1 gene in the treatment-related osteonecrosis in childhood ALL and identifies novel, potentially causal variant of this complication.

Outcome of Infants Younger Than 1 Year With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With the Interfant-06 Protocol: Results From an International Phase III Randomized Study

PURPOSE

Infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by KMT2A (MLL) gene rearrangements and coexpression of myeloid markers. The Interfant-06 study, comprising 18 national and international study groups, tested whether myeloid-style consolidation chemotherapy is superior to lymphoid style, the role of stem-cell transplantation (SCT), and which factors had independent prognostic value.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three risk groups were defined: low risk (LR): KMT2A germline; high risk (HR): KMT2A-rearranged and older than 6 months with WBC count 300 × 10⁹/L or more or a poor prednisone response; and medium risk (MR): all other KMT2A-rearranged cases. Patients in the MR and HR groups were randomly assigned to receive the lymphoid course low-dose cytosine arabinoside [araC], 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide (IB) or experimental myeloid courses, namely araC, daunorubicin, etoposide (ADE) and mitoxantrone, araC, etoposide (MAE).

RESULTS

A total of 651 infants were included, with 6-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival of 46.1% (SE, 2.1) and 58.2% (SE, 2.0). In West European/North American groups, 6-year EFS and overall survival were 49.4% (SE, 2.5) and 62.1% (SE, 2.4), which were 10% to 12% higher than in other countries. The 6-year probability of disease-free survival was comparable for the randomized arms (ADE+MAE 39.3% [SE 4.0; n = 169] v IB 36.8% [SE, 3.9; n = 161]; log-rank P = .47). The 6-year EFS rate of patients in the HR group was 20.9% (SE, 3.4) with the intention to undergo SCT; only 46% of them received SCT, because many had early events. KMT2A rearrangement was the strongest prognostic factor for EFS, followed by age, WBC count, and prednisone response.

CONCLUSION

Early intensification with postinduction myeloid-type chemotherapy courses did not significantly improve outcome for infant ALL compared with the lymphoid-type course IB. Outcome for infant ALL in Interfant-06 did not improve compared with that in Interfant-99.

Divide and conquer: Evaluation of a redesign of a pediatric teaching service

BACKGROUND

Increasing census and work compression on the pediatric inpatient hematologic malignancy (IHM) service yielded resident dissatisfaction, impaired learning, and decreased perceived quality of patient care. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a service redesign on resident perceptions of (a) the educational value of the rotation and (b) the safety of patient care. As a secondary objective, we evaluated the impact on the time of day of patient discharge.

PROCEDURE

A bundled intervention on the IHM service was instituted, including decreased patient volumes, intentional patient assignment, intentional faculty selection, and increased weekend staffing. We distributed an annual survey to end-of-the-year junior residents. We compared responses from residents who experienced the redesign (2017) with residents whose experience predated the redesign (2016). We compared the time of day of patient discharge before and after the redesign.

RESULTS

Survey completion rates were 70% (28/40) in 2016 and 57% (29/51) in 2017. Redesign residents rated their educational experience and perceived ability to care for patients on the nights and weekends significantly higher than previous residents. Redesign residents reported that their clinical education was compromised by excessive service less frequently than previous residents (24% vs 82%, P < 0.001). The time of day of patient discharge after the redesign was 35 minutes earlier than before the redesign (4:06 pm vs 4:41 pm, P = 0.01, 95% CI = -63, -6).

CONCLUSIONS

A redesign initiative of an oncology service led to improved resident perceptions of the educational value of the rotation and ability to provide safe care to patients, along with earlier discharge times.

Chronic health conditions (CHC) and late mortality in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

10016

Background: The impact of evolving risk-stratified therapy on long-term morbidity and mortality in survivors of childhood ALL remains largely unknown. Methods: All-cause and health-related late mortality (HRM; captures death from late-effects occurring > 5 yrs from diagnosis), subsequent (malignant) neoplasm [S(M)N], CTCAE graded CHC and neurocognitive outcomes were assessed in 5-yr survivors of ALL diagnosed < 21 yrs of age from 1970-99. Therapy combinations defined 6 groups: 1970s-like ( 70s), standard and high risk 1980s- and 1990s-like ( 80sSR, 80sHR, 90sSR, 90sHR), relapse/transplant ( R/BMT). Cumulative incidence and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated. Piecewise exponential and log-binomial models estimated rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among 6148 survivors (median age 31.5 yrs), 15-yr cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 5.8% (CI 5.3-6.2) and HRM was 1.5% (1.2-1.7). Compared to 70s, HRM was lower for 90sSR and 90sHR (RR 0.1, CI 0.0-0.3; 0.2, 0.1-0.7), similar to that in the US population (SMR; CI: 90sSR 1.1; 0.6-1.9, 90sHR 1.9; 0.8-3.7). 20-yr cumulative incidence of SN was 3.5% (CI 3.1-3.9). Compared to 70s, 90sSR had lower risk of benign meningioma (RR 0.1, CI 0.0-0.3) and SMN (0.3, 0.1-0.6) with no absolute excess risk compared to the US population. 90sSR was associated with a lower risk of CHCs (Table). Conclusions: More recent risk-stratified therapy has succeeded in reducing risk of late mortality and CHCs among long-term survivors of ALL. [Table: see text]

Efficacy and toxicity of pegaspargase and calaspargase pegol in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma: Results of DFCI 11-001

10006

Background: DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 11-001 assessed the efficacy and toxicity of Calaspargase pegol (SC-PEG), a novel pegylated asparaginase (ASP) formulation with longer half-life, compared with standard pegaspargase (SS-PEG). Methods: Patients (pts) aged 1-21 years with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) were eligible. At study entry, pts were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous SS-PEG or SC-PEG, 2500 IU/m2/dose. Pts received 1 dose during the first treatment month. Beginning week 7, SS-PEG was administered every 2 weeks for 15 doses, SC-PEG every 3 weeks for 10 doses (30 weeks). Serum asparaginase activity (SAA) (considered therapeutic at ≥ 0.1 IU/mL) was assessed 4, 11, 18, and 25 days after the induction dose and before each post-induction dose. End-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed in ALL pts by IGH/TCR PCR. Results: Between 2012-2015, 239 eligible pts enrolled (230 ALL, 9 LL); 120 assigned to SS-PEG, 119 to SC-PEG. After dose 1, SAA remained ≥ 0.1 IU/mL in ≥ 95% of pts on both arms through day 18. Median SAA was higher (0.319 IU/mL vs 0.056 IU/mL) and more pts had therapeutic SAA (88% vs 17%, p˂0.001) with SC-PEG vs SS-PEG 25 days after dose 1. Post-induction, median nadir SAA (NSAA) were similar ( > 1.0 IU/mL) for both arms. There was no difference in rates of ASP-allergy, pancreatitis, thrombosis, hyperbilirubinemia, osteonecrosis, or infection. Of 230 evaluable pts, 99% of SS-PEG and 95% of SC-PEG pts achieved complete remission (p = 0.12). For B ALL pts, there was no difference in frequency of high end-induction MRD (10.3% SS-PEG, 9.5% SC-PEG, p = 1.0). With 4-year median follow-up, 4-year event-free survival (EFS) (90% confidence interval) for SS-PEG was 90.2% (84.3, 93.9), 87.7% (81.5, 91.9) for SC-PEG (p = 0.78); overall survival (OS) was 95.6% (91.0, 97.9) for SS-PEG, 94.8% (90.0, 97.3) for SC-PEG (p = 0.74). Conclusions: Every 3-week SC-PEG had similar EFS, OS, safety profile, and NSAA compared with every 2-week SS-PEG. The high NSAA observed for both preparations suggest dosing strategies can be further optimized. These data informed FDA approval of SC-PEG for pediatric pts. Clinical trial information: NCT01574274.