Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy: First Line Trials and Prognostic Factors of Treatment-Free Remission

457  Spirit 2: Final 5 Year Analysis of the UK National Cancer Research Institute Randomized Study Comparing Imatinib with Dasatinib in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Chronic Phase CML

Stephen O'Brien, et al.

The Abstract concludes: In SPIRIT 2 we observed a higher molecular and cytogenetic response rate and also a higher pleural effusion rate with dasatinib but a higher treatment failure rate with imatinib often because investigators were concerned about sub-optimal PCR responses. More imatinib-treated patients proceeded to transplant. There were no statistically significant differences in event free survival (the primary endpoint) or overall survival. Imatinib remains a highly effective first line therapy though subgroup analyses are planned to explore whether dasatinib may have advantages in particular clinical scenarios.

 

458  Outcome of 472 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Treated with Frontline Nilotinib: A Gimema CML WP Analysis

Gabriele Gugliotta, et al.

The Abstract concludes: Nilotinib as first-line treatment of newly diagnosed CP CML pts showed high rates of deep molecular responses, few progressions to AP/BP, and a high OS. Deep molecular response were similar in all age groups; as expected, ATEs were more frequent in pts > 60 y. These data suggest that: in pts > 60 y, the high efficacy of nilotinib should be weighed against its potential toxicity; in pts < 60 years, nilotinib may be a very good choice, with high efficacy and low toxicity.

 

459  Combination of Nilotinib and Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b Results in High Molecular Response Rates in Chronic Phase CML: Interim Results of the ALLG CML 11 Pinnacle Study

David T Yeung, et al.

The Abstract concludes: This interim analysis suggests that combination therapy with NIL and Peg-IFN leads to favourable rates of molecular responses when compared with with NIL monotherapy (Table 1). While the majority of patients did not durably tolerate full dose Pegintron, there was minimal interference with TKI dose intensity. Longer term results, and impact upon treatment free remission outcome of this combination is awaited.

 

460  Nilotinib Vs Nilotinib Plus Pegylated Interferon-alpha2b Induction and Nilotinib or Pegylated Interferon-alpha2b Maintenance Therapy for Newly Diagnosed BCR-ABL+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients in Chronic Phase: Interim Analysis of the Tiger (CML V)-Study

Andreas Hochhaus, et al.

The Abstract concludes: This interim analysis demonstrates feasibility of 1st-line treatment with NIL 2*300 mg/d combined with PEG-IFN 30-50 μg/week. Molecular response during the first 24 mo. favourably compares with data from recent NIL based studies (ENESTnd, NCT00471497; ENEST1st, NCT01061177) and permits access to the maintenance phase (NIL vs PEG-IFN monotherapies) for the majority of patients – with the potential of treatment-free remission.
The study was conducted by the German CML Study Group in cooperation with the Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Klinische Krebsforschung (SAKK) and the Ostdeutsche Studiengruppe Hämatologie und Onkologie (OSHO).

 

461  Imatinib Suspension and Validation (ISAV) Study: Final Results at 79 Months

Silvia Mori, PhD,et al.

The Abstract concludes: At 79 mts from the beginning of the study, 52.3% of pts relapsed, with 24% loosing CCyR. The majority of relapses occurred in the first 9 mts after discontinuation however late relapses were also observed, up to the 4th year. Therefore, pts who discontinue imatinib should be monitored for a long period of time, especially if they show positive PCR values after discontinuation. All relapsed pts including those who lost CCyR regained their original response after restarting TKI. Age <45 years and dPCR positivity are significantly associated with relapses. QoL analysis showed a significant decrease in symptoms after imatinib discontinuation. Funded by Regione Lombardia.

 

462  The Evaluation of Residual Disease By Digital PCR, and TKI Duration Are Critical Predictive Factors for Molecular Recurrence after for Stopping Imatinib First-Line in Chronic Phase CML Patients: Results of the STIM2 Study.

Franck Emmanuel Nicolini, et al.

The Abstract concludes: We conclude that the duration of IM and the residual leukemic cell load as determined by a sensitive technique such as ddPCR are key factors for predicting TFR for de novo CP-CML patients who have been treated with IM front-line.