Azacitidine, lenalidomide and donor lymphocyte infusions for relapse of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia after allogeneic transplant: the Azalena-Trial

Haematologica. 2023 Nov 1;108(11):3001-3010. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282570.

Abstract

Azacitidine (Aza) combined with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) is an established treatment for relapse of myeloid malignancies after allogeneic transplantation. Based on its immunomodulatory and anti-leukemic properties we considered Lenalidomide (Lena) to act synergistically with Aza/DLI to improve outcome. We, therefore, prospectively investigated tolerability and efficacy of this combination as first salvage therapy for adults with post-transplant relapse of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Patients were scheduled for eight cycles Aza (75 mg/m2 day 1-7), Lena (2.5 or 5 mg, days 1-21) and up to three DLI with increasing T-cell dosages (0.5×106-1.5×107 cells/kg). Primary endpoint was safety, while secondary endpoints included response, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and overall survival (OS). Fifty patients with molecular (52%) or hematological (48%) relapse of myelodysplastic syndromes (n=24), acute myeloid leukemia (n=23) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n=3) received a median of seven (range, 1-8) cycles including 14 patients with 2.5 mg and 36 with 5 mg Lena daily dosage. Concomitantly, 34 patients (68%) received at least one DLI. Overall response rate was 56% and 25 patients (50%) achieved complete remission being durable in 80%. Median OS was 21 months and 1-year OS rate 65% with no impact of type of or time to relapse and Lena dosages. Treatment was well tolerated indicated by febrile neutropenia being the only grade ≥3 non-hematologic adverse event in >10% of patients and modest acute (grade 2-4 24%) and chronic (moderate/severe 28%) GvHD incidences. In summary, Lena can be safely added to Aza/DLI without excess of GvHD and toxicity. Its significant anti-leukemic activity suggests that this combination is a novel salvage option for post-transplant relapse (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT02472691).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Azacitidine / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Graft vs Host Disease* / diagnosis
  • Graft vs Host Disease* / drug therapy
  • Graft vs Host Disease* / etiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute*
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic* / complications
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic* / therapy
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion / adverse effects
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes* / pathology
  • Recurrence
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects

Substances

  • Azacitidine
  • Lenalidomide

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02472691

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by a restricted grant of Celgene GmbH Germany.