Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis with the most severe disease were at highest risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA), highlighting the need for regular screening for signs and symptoms of PsA.

Major finding: Overall incidence of PsA in patients with mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis was 2.1 (95% CI 2.1-2.1), 9.9 (95% CI 9.5-10.4), and 17.6 (95% CI 16.9-18.3) events per 100 patient-years, respectively. The 5-year prevalence rate of PsA was highest for patients with severe psoriasis (54.9%) and lowest for those with mild psoriasis (9.9%).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of the United States Electronic Health Records database including 114,868 patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ. The investigators reported ties with several sources including Novartis. Some of the investigators declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, or KMK Consulting, Inc.

Source: Merola JF et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.09.019.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis with the most severe disease were at highest risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA), highlighting the need for regular screening for signs and symptoms of PsA.

Major finding: Overall incidence of PsA in patients with mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis was 2.1 (95% CI 2.1-2.1), 9.9 (95% CI 9.5-10.4), and 17.6 (95% CI 16.9-18.3) events per 100 patient-years, respectively. The 5-year prevalence rate of PsA was highest for patients with severe psoriasis (54.9%) and lowest for those with mild psoriasis (9.9%).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of the United States Electronic Health Records database including 114,868 patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ. The investigators reported ties with several sources including Novartis. Some of the investigators declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, or KMK Consulting, Inc.

Source: Merola JF et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.09.019.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis with the most severe disease were at highest risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA), highlighting the need for regular screening for signs and symptoms of PsA.

Major finding: Overall incidence of PsA in patients with mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis was 2.1 (95% CI 2.1-2.1), 9.9 (95% CI 9.5-10.4), and 17.6 (95% CI 16.9-18.3) events per 100 patient-years, respectively. The 5-year prevalence rate of PsA was highest for patients with severe psoriasis (54.9%) and lowest for those with mild psoriasis (9.9%).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of the United States Electronic Health Records database including 114,868 patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ. The investigators reported ties with several sources including Novartis. Some of the investigators declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, or KMK Consulting, Inc.

Source: Merola JF et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.09.019.

Key clinical point: When choosing biologic medicines, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) preferred oral medications and prioritized ability to work/lead a normal life and avoiding serious complications over clinical measures of improvement.

Major finding: Patients preferred oral vs. subcutaneous or intravenous routes (β coefficient 1.00; fixed parameter) and prioritized avoiding severe adverse events (β 0.72, 95% CI 0.50-0.95) and ability to attend normal activities (β 0.66; 95% CI 0.36-0.96) over improvement in enthesitis pain (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), psoriasis (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), and increasing chance of remission (β 0.27; 95% CI 0.19-0.36).

Study details: Findings are from a discrete choice experiment including 150 survey respondents with PsA, of which 75 patients were receiving biologics, 83 had an experience of biologic therapy, and 41 had an experience of 2 or more biologics.

Disclosures: The study had no funding to declare. Dr. Hassett declared receiving speaker fees or advisory board fees from AbbVie and Amgen.

Source: Sumpton D et al. Arthritis Care Res. 2021 Sep 13. doi: 10.1002/acr.24782.

Key clinical point: When choosing biologic medicines, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) preferred oral medications and prioritized ability to work/lead a normal life and avoiding serious complications over clinical measures of improvement.

Major finding: Patients preferred oral vs. subcutaneous or intravenous routes (β coefficient 1.00; fixed parameter) and prioritized avoiding severe adverse events (β 0.72, 95% CI 0.50-0.95) and ability to attend normal activities (β 0.66; 95% CI 0.36-0.96) over improvement in enthesitis pain (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), psoriasis (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), and increasing chance of remission (β 0.27; 95% CI 0.19-0.36).

Study details: Findings are from a discrete choice experiment including 150 survey respondents with PsA, of which 75 patients were receiving biologics, 83 had an experience of biologic therapy, and 41 had an experience of 2 or more biologics.

Disclosures: The study had no funding to declare. Dr. Hassett declared receiving speaker fees or advisory board fees from AbbVie and Amgen.

Source: Sumpton D et al. Arthritis Care Res. 2021 Sep 13. doi: 10.1002/acr.24782.

Key clinical point: When choosing biologic medicines, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) preferred oral medications and prioritized ability to work/lead a normal life and avoiding serious complications over clinical measures of improvement.

Major finding: Patients preferred oral vs. subcutaneous or intravenous routes (β coefficient 1.00; fixed parameter) and prioritized avoiding severe adverse events (β 0.72, 95% CI 0.50-0.95) and ability to attend normal activities (β 0.66; 95% CI 0.36-0.96) over improvement in enthesitis pain (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), psoriasis (β 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.36), and increasing chance of remission (β 0.27; 95% CI 0.19-0.36).

Study details: Findings are from a discrete choice experiment including 150 survey respondents with PsA, of which 75 patients were receiving biologics, 83 had an experience of biologic therapy, and 41 had an experience of 2 or more biologics.

Disclosures: The study had no funding to declare. Dr. Hassett declared receiving speaker fees or advisory board fees from AbbVie and Amgen.

Source: Sumpton D et al. Arthritis Care Res. 2021 Sep 13. doi: 10.1002/acr.24782.

Key clinical point: Evaluation with power Doppler ultrasound revealed a rapid and significant reduction of synovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) upon treatment with secukinumab.

Major finding: At week 12, the adjusted mean change in the global European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) (EULAR-OMERACT) synovitis score was significantly higher in secukinumab vs. placebo group (−9 vs. −6; difference −3; P = .004), with the effect of secukinumab evident as early as week 1 of treatment initiation. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in secukinumab vs. placebo group was 58% vs. 57%.

Study details: Findings are 12-week results from ULTIMATE, a phase 3 study including 166 biologic-naive patients with concomitant PsA and synovitis who failed conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous secukinumab (300 mg or 150 mg) or placebo weekly until week 4, followed by 4-weekly dosing until week 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis. Some of the authors reported ties with various sources including Novartis. A Duggan, P Goyanka, and C Gaillez declared being employees of or owning stock in Novartis.

Source: D'Agostino MA et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Sep 16. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab628.

Key clinical point: Evaluation with power Doppler ultrasound revealed a rapid and significant reduction of synovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) upon treatment with secukinumab.

Major finding: At week 12, the adjusted mean change in the global European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) (EULAR-OMERACT) synovitis score was significantly higher in secukinumab vs. placebo group (−9 vs. −6; difference −3; P = .004), with the effect of secukinumab evident as early as week 1 of treatment initiation. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in secukinumab vs. placebo group was 58% vs. 57%.

Study details: Findings are 12-week results from ULTIMATE, a phase 3 study including 166 biologic-naive patients with concomitant PsA and synovitis who failed conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous secukinumab (300 mg or 150 mg) or placebo weekly until week 4, followed by 4-weekly dosing until week 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis. Some of the authors reported ties with various sources including Novartis. A Duggan, P Goyanka, and C Gaillez declared being employees of or owning stock in Novartis.

Source: D'Agostino MA et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Sep 16. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab628.

Key clinical point: Evaluation with power Doppler ultrasound revealed a rapid and significant reduction of synovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) upon treatment with secukinumab.

Major finding: At week 12, the adjusted mean change in the global European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) (EULAR-OMERACT) synovitis score was significantly higher in secukinumab vs. placebo group (−9 vs. −6; difference −3; P = .004), with the effect of secukinumab evident as early as week 1 of treatment initiation. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in secukinumab vs. placebo group was 58% vs. 57%.

Study details: Findings are 12-week results from ULTIMATE, a phase 3 study including 166 biologic-naive patients with concomitant PsA and synovitis who failed conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous secukinumab (300 mg or 150 mg) or placebo weekly until week 4, followed by 4-weekly dosing until week 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis. Some of the authors reported ties with various sources including Novartis. A Duggan, P Goyanka, and C Gaillez declared being employees of or owning stock in Novartis.

Source: D'Agostino MA et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Sep 16. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab628.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who initiated biologics were more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than those who initiated phototherapy or oral therapy.

Major finding: The incidence rate of PsA regardless of exposure to any treatment was 9.75 per 1000 person-years vs. 77.26, 61.99, and 26.11 per 1000 person-years among initiators of biologics, oral therapy, and phototherapy, respectively. Patients receiving biologics were at a significantly higher risk of developing PsA vs. those receiving either oral or phototherapy (hazard ratio 4.48; 95% CI 4.23-4.75).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 193,709 patients with psoriasis without PsA, of which 14,569 biologic and 20,321 cumulative oral and phototherapy initiations were identified.

Disclosures: R Fitzsimmons and A Ogdie received funding from National Psoriasis Foundation. Dr. Gelfand, T Love, and A Ogdie reported ties with several sources.

Source: Meer E et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Oct 6. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220761.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who initiated biologics were more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than those who initiated phototherapy or oral therapy.

Major finding: The incidence rate of PsA regardless of exposure to any treatment was 9.75 per 1000 person-years vs. 77.26, 61.99, and 26.11 per 1000 person-years among initiators of biologics, oral therapy, and phototherapy, respectively. Patients receiving biologics were at a significantly higher risk of developing PsA vs. those receiving either oral or phototherapy (hazard ratio 4.48; 95% CI 4.23-4.75).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 193,709 patients with psoriasis without PsA, of which 14,569 biologic and 20,321 cumulative oral and phototherapy initiations were identified.

Disclosures: R Fitzsimmons and A Ogdie received funding from National Psoriasis Foundation. Dr. Gelfand, T Love, and A Ogdie reported ties with several sources.

Source: Meer E et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Oct 6. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220761.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who initiated biologics were more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than those who initiated phototherapy or oral therapy.

Major finding: The incidence rate of PsA regardless of exposure to any treatment was 9.75 per 1000 person-years vs. 77.26, 61.99, and 26.11 per 1000 person-years among initiators of biologics, oral therapy, and phototherapy, respectively. Patients receiving biologics were at a significantly higher risk of developing PsA vs. those receiving either oral or phototherapy (hazard ratio 4.48; 95% CI 4.23-4.75).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 193,709 patients with psoriasis without PsA, of which 14,569 biologic and 20,321 cumulative oral and phototherapy initiations were identified.

Disclosures: R Fitzsimmons and A Ogdie received funding from National Psoriasis Foundation. Dr. Gelfand, T Love, and A Ogdie reported ties with several sources.

Source: Meer E et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Oct 6. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220761.

Key clinical point: Disease activity-guided dose optimization (DAGDO) of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) showed no negative effect on disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Compared with the full-dose continuation period, the mean disease activity score in 28-joint count C-reactive protein was not significantly different for DAGDO (0.06; P = .44) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.03; P = .72) periods. Moreover, the rate ratio of infections was not different in DAGDO (0.76; P = .57) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.77; P = .60) periods compared to the full-dose continuation period.

Study details: Findings are from 2 controlled, parallel, retrospective cohorts including 153 patients with PsA and 171 patients with axial spondyloarthritis who were doing well taking TNFi and were eligible for DAGDO.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. Dr. den Broeder A declared receiving consultancy, honoraria, congress invitations, and research grants from various sources.

Source: Michielsens CAJ et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Oct 2. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab741.

Key clinical point: Disease activity-guided dose optimization (DAGDO) of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) showed no negative effect on disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Compared with the full-dose continuation period, the mean disease activity score in 28-joint count C-reactive protein was not significantly different for DAGDO (0.06; P = .44) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.03; P = .72) periods. Moreover, the rate ratio of infections was not different in DAGDO (0.76; P = .57) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.77; P = .60) periods compared to the full-dose continuation period.

Study details: Findings are from 2 controlled, parallel, retrospective cohorts including 153 patients with PsA and 171 patients with axial spondyloarthritis who were doing well taking TNFi and were eligible for DAGDO.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. Dr. den Broeder A declared receiving consultancy, honoraria, congress invitations, and research grants from various sources.

Source: Michielsens CAJ et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Oct 2. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab741.

Key clinical point: Disease activity-guided dose optimization (DAGDO) of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) showed no negative effect on disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Compared with the full-dose continuation period, the mean disease activity score in 28-joint count C-reactive protein was not significantly different for DAGDO (0.06; P = .44) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.03; P = .72) periods. Moreover, the rate ratio of infections was not different in DAGDO (0.76; P = .57) and stable dose after DAGDO (0.77; P = .60) periods compared to the full-dose continuation period.

Study details: Findings are from 2 controlled, parallel, retrospective cohorts including 153 patients with PsA and 171 patients with axial spondyloarthritis who were doing well taking TNFi and were eligible for DAGDO.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. Dr. den Broeder A declared receiving consultancy, honoraria, congress invitations, and research grants from various sources.

Source: Michielsens CAJ et al. Rheumatology. 2021 Oct 2. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab741.

Key clinical point: Risk classification at acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis predicted clinical outcomes in patients with or without KMT2A-rearranged AML who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) in the first complete remission (CR1).

Major finding: Transplanted patients with KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk AML had worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, and HR 1.45; both P < .001, respectively), leukemia-free survival (HR 1.26; P = .002, and HR 1.47; P < .001, respectively), and relapse (HR 1.27; P = .01, and HR 1.71; P < .001, respectively) vs. patients with intermediate-risk AML.

Study details: This retrospective registry-based study included 3,779 adult patients with KMT2A-rearranged (n = 426), non-KMT2A intermediate-risk (n = 2,384), or non-KMT2A adverse risk (n = 969) AML who underwent HCT in CR1.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Weinberg Family and Mortimer J. Lacher fellowships, American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award, National Institutes of Health K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology, and others. Some investigators reported receiving personal fees, grants, nonfinancial support, research collaboration, owning stocks, or other relations with various sources including pharmaceutical companies not connected with this study.

Source: Menghrajani K et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004881.

Key clinical point: Risk classification at acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis predicted clinical outcomes in patients with or without KMT2A-rearranged AML who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) in the first complete remission (CR1).

Major finding: Transplanted patients with KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk AML had worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, and HR 1.45; both P < .001, respectively), leukemia-free survival (HR 1.26; P = .002, and HR 1.47; P < .001, respectively), and relapse (HR 1.27; P = .01, and HR 1.71; P < .001, respectively) vs. patients with intermediate-risk AML.

Study details: This retrospective registry-based study included 3,779 adult patients with KMT2A-rearranged (n = 426), non-KMT2A intermediate-risk (n = 2,384), or non-KMT2A adverse risk (n = 969) AML who underwent HCT in CR1.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Weinberg Family and Mortimer J. Lacher fellowships, American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award, National Institutes of Health K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology, and others. Some investigators reported receiving personal fees, grants, nonfinancial support, research collaboration, owning stocks, or other relations with various sources including pharmaceutical companies not connected with this study.

Source: Menghrajani K et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004881.

Key clinical point: Risk classification at acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis predicted clinical outcomes in patients with or without KMT2A-rearranged AML who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) in the first complete remission (CR1).

Major finding: Transplanted patients with KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk AML had worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, and HR 1.45; both P < .001, respectively), leukemia-free survival (HR 1.26; P = .002, and HR 1.47; P < .001, respectively), and relapse (HR 1.27; P = .01, and HR 1.71; P < .001, respectively) vs. patients with intermediate-risk AML.

Study details: This retrospective registry-based study included 3,779 adult patients with KMT2A-rearranged (n = 426), non-KMT2A intermediate-risk (n = 2,384), or non-KMT2A adverse risk (n = 969) AML who underwent HCT in CR1.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Weinberg Family and Mortimer J. Lacher fellowships, American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award, National Institutes of Health K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology, and others. Some investigators reported receiving personal fees, grants, nonfinancial support, research collaboration, owning stocks, or other relations with various sources including pharmaceutical companies not connected with this study.

Source: Menghrajani K et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004881.

Key clinical point: Maintenance therapy with oral azacitidine (oral-AZA) did not compromise on fatigue and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after intensive chemotherapy (IC).

Major finding: Effects of oral-AZA on fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue: difference in overall least square mean change [D] −0.89; 95% CI −2.37- 0.59) and HrQoL (EQ-5D-3L health utility index: D −0.01; 95% CI, −0.03-0.01; EQ-5D visual analog: D −0.95; 95% CI, −4.38-2.47) were comparable to placebo.

Study details: Findings are from the QUAZAR AML-001 trial, including 444 patients with AML with intermediate- or poor-risk cytogenetics at diagnosis and unsuitable for transplantation. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral-AZA (n = 225) or placebo (n = 219) in first CR/CRi after IC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Company. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported receiving research/personal support or consulting from, being an employee of, and owning equity in various sources, including Celgene and BMS.

Source: Roboz GJ et al. Haematologica. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.279174.

Key clinical point: Maintenance therapy with oral azacitidine (oral-AZA) did not compromise on fatigue and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after intensive chemotherapy (IC).

Major finding: Effects of oral-AZA on fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue: difference in overall least square mean change [D] −0.89; 95% CI −2.37- 0.59) and HrQoL (EQ-5D-3L health utility index: D −0.01; 95% CI, −0.03-0.01; EQ-5D visual analog: D −0.95; 95% CI, −4.38-2.47) were comparable to placebo.

Study details: Findings are from the QUAZAR AML-001 trial, including 444 patients with AML with intermediate- or poor-risk cytogenetics at diagnosis and unsuitable for transplantation. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral-AZA (n = 225) or placebo (n = 219) in first CR/CRi after IC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Company. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported receiving research/personal support or consulting from, being an employee of, and owning equity in various sources, including Celgene and BMS.

Source: Roboz GJ et al. Haematologica. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.279174.

Key clinical point: Maintenance therapy with oral azacitidine (oral-AZA) did not compromise on fatigue and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after intensive chemotherapy (IC).

Major finding: Effects of oral-AZA on fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue: difference in overall least square mean change [D] −0.89; 95% CI −2.37- 0.59) and HrQoL (EQ-5D-3L health utility index: D −0.01; 95% CI, −0.03-0.01; EQ-5D visual analog: D −0.95; 95% CI, −4.38-2.47) were comparable to placebo.

Study details: Findings are from the QUAZAR AML-001 trial, including 444 patients with AML with intermediate- or poor-risk cytogenetics at diagnosis and unsuitable for transplantation. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral-AZA (n = 225) or placebo (n = 219) in first CR/CRi after IC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Company. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported receiving research/personal support or consulting from, being an employee of, and owning equity in various sources, including Celgene and BMS.

Source: Roboz GJ et al. Haematologica. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.279174.

Key clinical point: The source of COVID-19 in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was presumed to be in-hospital transmission with mortality because COVID-19 was higher in patients with active disease than those in remission.

Major finding: The source of infection was in-hospital transmission in 63% of cases. The overall rate of mortality was 54.5%, with a higher incidence in patients with active AML vs. those in AML remission (83% vs. 17%; P = .0052).

Study details: This retrospective survey evaluated the response of 10 Brazilian hematologists representing 10 cancer centers, providing data on 33 adult patients with either active AML (n = 20) or in AML remission (n = 13) and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients were admitted to the hospital mainly through urgent or emergency care units.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Fagundes EM et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Sep 17. doi:  10.1007/s00277-021-04659-w.

Key clinical point: The source of COVID-19 in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was presumed to be in-hospital transmission with mortality because COVID-19 was higher in patients with active disease than those in remission.

Major finding: The source of infection was in-hospital transmission in 63% of cases. The overall rate of mortality was 54.5%, with a higher incidence in patients with active AML vs. those in AML remission (83% vs. 17%; P = .0052).

Study details: This retrospective survey evaluated the response of 10 Brazilian hematologists representing 10 cancer centers, providing data on 33 adult patients with either active AML (n = 20) or in AML remission (n = 13) and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients were admitted to the hospital mainly through urgent or emergency care units.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Fagundes EM et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Sep 17. doi:  10.1007/s00277-021-04659-w.

Key clinical point: The source of COVID-19 in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was presumed to be in-hospital transmission with mortality because COVID-19 was higher in patients with active disease than those in remission.

Major finding: The source of infection was in-hospital transmission in 63% of cases. The overall rate of mortality was 54.5%, with a higher incidence in patients with active AML vs. those in AML remission (83% vs. 17%; P = .0052).

Study details: This retrospective survey evaluated the response of 10 Brazilian hematologists representing 10 cancer centers, providing data on 33 adult patients with either active AML (n = 20) or in AML remission (n = 13) and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients were admitted to the hospital mainly through urgent or emergency care units.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Fagundes EM et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Sep 17. doi:  10.1007/s00277-021-04659-w.

Key clinical point: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the first complete remission (CR1) after intensive chemotherapy (IC) offered clinical benefits in elderly patients with intermediate- or unfavorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Major finding: Patients who underwent allo-HSCT vs. those who did not had a significantly lower risk for relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 0.27), longer relapse-free survival (HR 0.47), and overall survival (HR 0.56), but a higher risk for nonrelapse mortality (HR 3.03; all P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 507 elderly patients (age 60-70 years) with AML in CR1 after IC with intermediate or unfavorable risk cytogenetics, of which 203 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Devillier R et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004435.

Key clinical point: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the first complete remission (CR1) after intensive chemotherapy (IC) offered clinical benefits in elderly patients with intermediate- or unfavorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Major finding: Patients who underwent allo-HSCT vs. those who did not had a significantly lower risk for relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 0.27), longer relapse-free survival (HR 0.47), and overall survival (HR 0.56), but a higher risk for nonrelapse mortality (HR 3.03; all P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 507 elderly patients (age 60-70 years) with AML in CR1 after IC with intermediate or unfavorable risk cytogenetics, of which 203 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Devillier R et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004435.

Key clinical point: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the first complete remission (CR1) after intensive chemotherapy (IC) offered clinical benefits in elderly patients with intermediate- or unfavorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Major finding: Patients who underwent allo-HSCT vs. those who did not had a significantly lower risk for relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 0.27), longer relapse-free survival (HR 0.47), and overall survival (HR 0.56), but a higher risk for nonrelapse mortality (HR 3.03; all P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 507 elderly patients (age 60-70 years) with AML in CR1 after IC with intermediate or unfavorable risk cytogenetics, of which 203 patients underwent allo-HSCT.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Devillier R et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004435.

Key clinical point: Patients with NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1-mutant measurable residual disease (MRD) positivity (MRD+) at the end of intensive chemotherapy (IC) and not undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the first remission had variable outcomes.

Major finding: At 12 months, 15% of patients had morphological relapse, 43% had molecular failure, 30% had complete molecular remission, and 12% had European LeukemiaNet-defined molecular persistence with a low copy number (MRD+ in complete remission).

Study details: This study included 100 patients with newly diagnosed NPM1-mutant AML who received at least 2 cycles of IC and had NPM1-mutant MRD+ at the end of IC and who did not plan to undergo HSCT in the first complete remission.

Disclosures: No specific source of funding was identified for this study. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported being on a speaker’s bureau and advisory boards for, receiving research funding and royalty payments from, or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Tiong IS et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005455.

Key clinical point: Patients with NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1-mutant measurable residual disease (MRD) positivity (MRD+) at the end of intensive chemotherapy (IC) and not undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the first remission had variable outcomes.

Major finding: At 12 months, 15% of patients had morphological relapse, 43% had molecular failure, 30% had complete molecular remission, and 12% had European LeukemiaNet-defined molecular persistence with a low copy number (MRD+ in complete remission).

Study details: This study included 100 patients with newly diagnosed NPM1-mutant AML who received at least 2 cycles of IC and had NPM1-mutant MRD+ at the end of IC and who did not plan to undergo HSCT in the first complete remission.

Disclosures: No specific source of funding was identified for this study. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported being on a speaker’s bureau and advisory boards for, receiving research funding and royalty payments from, or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Tiong IS et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005455.

Key clinical point: Patients with NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1-mutant measurable residual disease (MRD) positivity (MRD+) at the end of intensive chemotherapy (IC) and not undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the first remission had variable outcomes.

Major finding: At 12 months, 15% of patients had morphological relapse, 43% had molecular failure, 30% had complete molecular remission, and 12% had European LeukemiaNet-defined molecular persistence with a low copy number (MRD+ in complete remission).

Study details: This study included 100 patients with newly diagnosed NPM1-mutant AML who received at least 2 cycles of IC and had NPM1-mutant MRD+ at the end of IC and who did not plan to undergo HSCT in the first complete remission.

Disclosures: No specific source of funding was identified for this study. Some investigators, including the lead author, reported being on a speaker’s bureau and advisory boards for, receiving research funding and royalty payments from, or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Tiong IS et al. Blood Adv. 2021 Sep 23. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005455.