7547 Background: Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (alloSCT) continues to be the optimal consolidation strategy for many patients with AML; cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities are known predictors of post-transplant outcomes. There is increasing evidence that Molecular Minimal Residual Disease (MMRD) following induction has important prognostic implications and its value in the prediction of post-transplant relapse continues to be elucidated. We aim to evaluate the impact of genetics and pre-transplant MMRD on clinical outcomes following alloSCT. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated eighty-nine patients, ≥18 years with a diagnosis of AML in complete morphologic remission (i.e. < 5% BM blasts by morphologic assessment) who received alloSCT between 01/2012-05/2018 at the University of Miami and for whom cytogenetic and comprehensive molecular data was available prior to transplantation. Patients were stratified into favorable, intermediate and poor-risk categories based on 2017 ELN criteria. MMRD was defined as persistent leukemia-specific mutations prior to transplantation (i.e. NPM1, FLT3, CEBPA, IDH1-2, RUNX1 and TP53). Persistence of DTA mutations (DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1) was not considered MMRD, patients with unavailable cytogenetic/molecular data at diagnosis were excluded. Results: Seventy-four (83%) patients were transplanted in CR1, myeloablative conditioning was used in 72% of patients. Two-year OS and LFS were 69.4% and 78.2%, respectively. Stratification by ELN criteria resulted in prognostic separation for patients transplanted in CR1: 2-year OS for favorable (87%), intermediate (68%) and adverse risk (51%) patients (p = 0.0417). The presence of MMRD was the strongest predictor of post-transplant outcomes for the whole cohort with 2-year OS and LFS of 29.4% and 37.1% (HR 5.45 [95%CI 2.43-12.3] p = 0.0001; HR 12.4 [95%CI: 3.76 to 39.8] p = 0.0001); respectively. Subgroup analysis confirmed that MMRD was associated with significantly inferior LFS for IM/favorable and adverse risk patients (HR: 6.76 [95% CI 1.12 to 40.9], p = 0.038). Conclusions: Pre-transplant MMRD was the most important prognostic factor for relapse and survival in our cohort of AML patients undergoing alloSCT. Correlation of MMRD with other transplant variables such as conditioning intensity, MRD status by MFC and the impact of pre-emptive/therapeutic strategies in high-risk patients continues to be explored.

Patients with pathogenic germline and somatic variants in DNA damage repair (DDR) genes may derive greater benefit with platinum-based chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study investigates the role of DDR genes as a predictive biomarker for response to first-line platinum chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX in metastatic PDAC patients. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables were collected for patients with metastatic PDAC who received FOLFIRINOX as frontline treatment and who had germline and somatic genetic testing. Kaplan-Meier analysis of overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were correlated to the presence of DDR pathogenic variants. Forty patients with metastatic PDAC met inclusion criteria. Germline genetic testing revealed germline pathogenic variants in DDR genes in 5 patients (12%), and somatic pathogenic variants in DDR genes in 4 patients (10%). Median PFS was significantly longer in patients with any (germline or somatic) pathogenic variant in DDR genes than in those without alterations 18.5 vs. 6.9 months (log-rank P=0.003). When restricted to the presence or absence of germline pathogenic variants in DDR genes, the median PFS was 18.5 vs. 7.4 months (log-rank P=0.005). The median OS for the entire cohort was 11.5 months was not statistically different between the two groups, however there were no deaths in the subgroup with germline pathogenic variants in DDR genes treated with frontline FOLFIRINOX. A subset of patients with metastatic PDAC and germline or somatic pathogenic variants in DDR genes have a statistically superior PFS when treated with the platinum containing regimen FOLFIRINOX. The role of DDR gene alterations as a predictive biomarker for FOLFIRINOX benefit should be further evaluated in prospective trials.

Type 1 Gaucher disease (GD1) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder. Deficient lysosomal glucocerebrosidase activity causes accumulation of glucosylceramide in macrophages that infiltrate bone marrow, spleen and liver. Common clinical manifestations include hematologic cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly and bone lesions. Since 1991, GD1 has been treated primarily with pharmacological enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). In the pre-ERT era, sequelae of fibrotic liver disease were a common cause of early death. Ultrasonic and MR elastography (MRE) suggest that increased liver stiffness attributed to fibrosis correlates with GD1 disease severity scores. Here, we evaluate the impact of initial and post-ERT (median 20 y, percentiles5-95: 5.2-27.5 y) GD1 severity on probability for liver fibrosis (LF) in 30 patients (pts) using 4 well-established LF prediction scores. We also studied 9 never-treated pts and 7 pts treated for < 18 m and examined the relationship between LF, disease severity scores and D-dimer, ferritin, chitotriosidase and GBA1 genotype.

Despite the benefits of first and second generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in the management of ALK-rearranged advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the development of acquired resistance poses an ongoing dilemma. Brigatinib has demonstrated a wider spectrum of preclinical activity against crizotinib-resistant ALK mutant advanced NSCLC. The current review narrates a brief history of tyrosine kinases, the development and clinical background of brigatinib (including its pharmacology and molecular structure) and its use in ALK-positive NSCLC.

266 Background: Germline genetic testing and somatic genomic profiling using commercial multigene panels are now routine in mPDAC. A subset of these patients have deleterious alterations in genes involved with DDR. Herein we investigate the role of daDDR as a predictive biomarker for response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods: Utilizing the IRB-approved pancreas cancer and genetics clinic databases at the University of Miami, we identified all patients with mPDAC who had germline and/or somatic mutation testing. We performed a retrospective chart review to extract demographic and clinical characteristics including treatments received, response and survival. Results: Between 2012 and 2018, 116 patients with mPDAC underwent germline (using Invitae, Ambry Counsyl or Myriad) and/or somatic testing (using FoundationOne CDx). Among these, 40 received first-line therapy with FOLFIRINOX (95%) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (5%). The median age was 59 years and 15 (38%) were female. The majority (70%) were Hispanic and 63% had de-novo mPDAC (treatment-naïve). Germline testing revealed daDDR in 5 patients and somatic NGS found an additional 4 patients with daDDR (total of 9 (23%), including 5 with BRCA2, one each with BRCA1, RAD51C, ATM and MUTYH). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in patients with daDDR than without (17.3 vs 7.8 months, log-rank p = 0.01). The median overall survival (OS) was not statistically different between the two groups. Three patients with daDDR had complete or near-complete radiological and tumor marker responses to FOLFIRINOX and were treated with olaparib (a PARP inhibitor) as maintenance and remain progression-free after 7, 12.4 and 13.6 months respectively. Conclusions: daDDR appears to define a subset of patients with mPDAC who may be more sensitive to platinum agents. There are currently no biomarkers for selection of first-line therapy in patients with mPDAC and we demonstrate that this composite biomarker which is easily done via commercially available assays may be able to inform treatment selection.

Transient cytopenias and bone marrow hypoplasia commonly occur during treatment of CML with TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). This is usually related to the eradication of CML clones that initially compose the majority of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow at the time of diagnosis. With continuation of effective therapy, normal blood counts return as normal hematopoiesis is restored and CML clones are reduced. Though rare and more unusual than myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), isolated instances of persistent marrow aplasia have been documented with chronic use of TKIs. We describe two such instances of chronic phase CML where no significant reduction of CML clones was achieved following treatment with TKIs, but bone marrow aplasia occurred resulting in persistent dysfunctional hematopoiesis. Due to prolonged aplasia/hypoplasia, such patients are no longer amenable to TKI treatment. CML progression to accelerated or blast phase in that setting would likely be fatal.

Gaucher disease is the most common autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, caused by mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene GBA. Here we describe generation of iPSC from skin-derived fibroblasts from two unrelated individuals with neuronopathic forms of Gaucher disease. The donor for line iPSC-GBA-1, a 21 month old girl, carried the recurring GBA mutation c.1448 T > C, p.Leu483Pro at homozygous state; fibroblasts for line iPS-GBA-2 were obtained from a 4 year old girl compound heterozygous for the GBA mutations c.667 T > C, p.Trp223Arg and c.1226A > G, p.Asn409Ser. iPSCs were developed using integration free episomal vectors (OCT4, KLF4; L-MYC, SOX2 (OSKM) and LIN28).Resource table

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare and locally aggressive vascular tumor with histological features resembling Kaposi sarcoma and capillary hemangioma mainly occurring in children and adolescents. Approximately 200 cases have been reported since its original description in 1993, with the vast majority presenting at an early age as raised ill-defined lesions with a red-blue hue mainly involving the skin and soft tissues in the extremities. Cases in adults remain extremely rare. Herein, we describe the case of a 29 year-old man who presented with progressive abdominal pain for 4 months and signs of obstipation found to be consistent with small bowel volvulus. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and resection of 55 cm of necrotic small bowel followed by enteroenterostomy and anastomosis. Microscopic examination revealed KHE involving small intestinal mesentery, muscularis propria, and submucosa. His recovery was uneventful and he was discharged after stabilization, opting to manage him expectantly with abdominopelvic imaging and to monitor for development of Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of this entity presenting as intestinal obstruction in an adult for which we also present a review of the existing literature and possible treatment options.

BACKGROUND: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which the production of antiplatelet antibodies stimulates increased clearance of platelets by macrophages of the mononuclear phagocytic system, resulting in thrombocytopenia and bleeding diathesis. In contrast, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a disorder in which platelets are sequestered in microcirculation to form platelet-rich microthrombi in response to endothelial injury. This leads to thrombocytopenia, red cell fragmentation with hemolytic anemia, systemic microangiopathy, and multiorgan failure.

BACKGROUND In Brazil, cancer is the second most common cause of death. Most patients in resource-limited countries are diagnosed in advanced stages. Current guidelines advocate for EGFR mutation testing in all patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are recommended in patients with advanced or metastatic disease harboring sensitizing mutations. In Brazil, there are limited data regarding the frequency of EGFR testing and the changes in patterns of testing overtime. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was an observational, retrospective study. We obtained deidentified data from a commercial database, which included 11,684 patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated between 2011 and 2016 in both public and private settings. We analyzed the frequency of EGFR mutation testing over time. We also directly studied 3,664 tumor samples, which were analyzed between 2011 and 2013. These samples were tested for EGFR mutations through an access program to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Brazil. RESULTS Overall, 38% of patients were tested for EGFR mutations; 76% of them were seen in the private sector, and 24% were seen in the public center. The frequency of testing for EGFR mutations increased significantly over time: 13% (287/2,228 patients) in 2011, 34% (738/2,142) in 2012, 39% (822/2,092) in 2013, 44% (866/1,972) in 2014, 53% (1,165/2,184) in 2015, and 42% (1,359/3,226) in 2016. EGFR mutations were detected in 25.5% of analyzed samples (857/3,364). Deletions in Exon 19 were the most frequent mutations, detected in 54% of patients (463/857). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the frequency of EGFR mutation in this cohort was lower than that found in Asia but higher than in North American and Western European populations. The most commonly found mutations were in Exon 19 and Exon 21. Our study shows that fewer than half of patients are being tested and that the disparity is greater in the public sector. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE These data not only indicate the shortage of testing but also show that the rates of positivity in those tested seem to be higher than in other cohorts for which data have been published. This study further supports the idea that awareness and access to testing should be improved in order to improve survival rates in lung cancer in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cell derived MPs are small membrane vesicles released during cell activation or apoptosis. They express an inside-out membrane, which exposes the negatively charged phospholipid layer outside, allowing clotting factors to be anchored and generate thrombin. Among various species of MPs, RMP (red cell MPs), PMP (platelet MPs), LMP (leukocytes), EMP (endothelial cells) are of special interest. They play an important role in hemostasis, thromboses, and inflammation. MPs mirror early injury of parent cells and are sensitive early biomarkers of underlying disorders.

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of care in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) even in the era of novel agents. Many studies have shown that ASCT is safe in elderly patients; however, Melphalan dose in the elderly is commonly reduced to doses less than 200 mg/m2 given concerns of toxicity and tolerability. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective analysis of consecutive elderly patients (>65 years old) with MM transplanted between 2011 and 2016, all of whom received high-dose melphalan (HDM) at a dose of 200 mg/m2 as a conditioning regimen for ASCT. We compared outcomes in patients between 65-69 years with those in a contemporaneous subset of matched younger control patients younger than 65 years. We collected information on demographics, subtype, International Staging System (ISS) stage, laboratory data, treatment and response, toxicities, and hospital stay. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: We analyzed 68 cases treated with HDM as a conditioning regimen for ASCT. The median age at ASCT was 67 years. The median number of induction regimens prior to transplant was 1 (range 1-6). Males accounted for 52.9% and Hispanics 51.4%. After a median follow-up of 1.3 years, the estimated progression-free survival and overall survival at 2 years were 60.5% and 88%, respectively. Interestingly, the day-100 non-relapse mortality was 0% amongst the 68 cases. We compared cases aged 65-69 (n = 49) with matched controls aged <65 (n = 47) and found no age-dependent differences in grade II-IV toxicities including cardiac, renal, GI toxicities, infectious complications and rash (Table 1). There was no difference in the median time to neutrophil (10 days) and platelet engraftment (18 days) between the two groups nor median length of hospital stay (16 and 14 days, respectively). A subset of patients aged >70 years (n = 19) had no higher incidence of toxicities or longer hospital stays compared to younger patients.Table 1Toxicities (Grade II-IV)Age 65-69 years(n = 49)Age < 65 years(n = 47)P value*Cardiac toxicities4(8.1%)2(4.2%).42Renal Insufficiency2(4%)1(2.1%).58Infections†12(24.4%)8(17%).36Neutropenic Fever12(24.4%)13(27.6%).72Rash/Allergic Reactions4(8.1%)5(10.6%).7GI toxicities (Grade III-IV)6(12.2%)8(17%).51*P-value <.05.†by radiology or microbiology. Open table in a new tab *P-value <.05. †by radiology or microbiology. Conclusions: In our study we found that elderly patients with MM undergoing ASCT with high dose Melphalan at a dose of 200 mg/m2have similar toxicity profiles compared to younger patients. Thus, high-dose mephalan without dose adjustment is a safe treatment for elderly patients with a good baseline performance status.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is an established treatment modality for hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. However, it is associated with acute and long-term sequelae which can translate into mortality. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a glaring obstacle, especially with the advent of reduced-intensity conditioning. Serotherapy capitalizes on antibodies which target T cells and other immune cells to mitigate this effect. This article focuses on the utility of two such agents: anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and alemtuzumab. ATG has demonstrated benefit in prophylaxis against GVHD, especially in the chronic presentation. However, there is limited impact of ATG on overall survival and it has little utility in the treatment context. There may be an initial improvement, particularly in skin manifestations, but no substantial benefit has been elicited. Alemtuzumab has shown benefit in both prophylaxis and treatment of GVHD, but at the consequence of a more profound immunosuppressive phase, mandating aggressive viral prophylaxis. There remains heterogeneity in the doses and regimens of the agents, with no standardized protocol in place. Furthermore, it seems that once steroid-refractory GVHD has been established, there is little that can be offered to offset the ultimately dismal outcome. Here we present a systematic overview of ATG-or alemtuzumab-based serotherapy in the prophylaxis and management of GVHD.