Standardization in the Diagnosis of Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (MPAL): Semiquantitative, Universally Applicable Flow Cytometric Criteria for Immunophenotypic Lineage Assignment and Isolated MPO

Mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) is a rare group of acute leukemias defined by immunophenotypic expression of more than one hematopoietic cell lineage. The World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic immunophenotypic criteria for MPAL rely on the intensity of lineage-defining antigen expression, predominantly a qualitative assessment, and are often difficult to apply to a phenotypically heterogeneous leukemia. Cases of MPAL defined by isolated myeloperoxidase (isoMPO) expression on otherwise typical acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are variably diagnosed as MPAL or ALL based on the incompletely defined criteria for assigning MPO expression. We hypothesized that quantitative criteria for antigen intensity could be developed and applied in a uniform manner across flow cytometry instruments, reagents, and analysis software to enable a consistent approach to diagnosing MPAL and better defining isoMPO. We previously reported on a multicenter cohort identified by respective institutions as MPAL with subsequent central review according to 2008 WHO criteria (Oberley et al 2020). Of these, 100 had suitable dot plots for reevaluation (89: B/Myeloid, 10: T/Myeloid, 1: B/T). Antigen expression was concurrently reviewed by two hematopathologists to reach consensus (BLW, AEK). The cohort was divided a priori into randomly selected training and testing cases (n=30/n=70). Classification criteria were generated in the training cohort for WHO lineage-defining antigen expression (myeloid: cMPO, CD64, CD14; B: CD19, T: cCD3) from 10 cases and then refined through review of an additional 20 cases. Positive antigen expression was classified as maximal intensity approaching that of the mature normal counterpart population (NCP) (cMPO: neutrophils; CD64, CD14 and CD11c: monocytes; CD19: B cells; cCD3: T cells) either by 1) range of expression recapitulating maturation of the NCP, irrespective of the percentage on the leukemic population (Figure 1A); or 2) uniform expression above background on a discrete (sub)population (Figure 1B). To account for technical variation within and among laboratories, maximal antigen intensity on the leukemic population was measured in 0.5 log increments and normalized to the maximal intensity of the NCP. An intensity of ≥50% of the NCP above background was defined as sufficient for MPAL lineage assignment and <50% consistent with isoMPO. This approach was then used to classify the remaining 70 cases. Using this approach, 41/98 (42%) cases previously classified as MPAL remained classified as MPAL: 31 as B/Myeloid (25 by maturational MPO expression, 6 by maturational CD64 and/or CD14 expression); 9 as T/Myeloid (8 by maturational MPO expression, 1 with maturational CD64, CD14 and CD11c expression); and 1 as B/T. No cases in the cohort showed uniform expression ≥50% of the NCP. The remaining 57 showed isolated low-level MPO expression (maximal intensity <50% of the NPC) on a uniform leukemic population or on a dichotomous subpopulation (isoMPO), 56 B/Myeloid and 1 T/Myeloid. Two cases of otherwise typical B-ALL without myeloid or monocytic antigen expression were reclassified as B-ALL, one of which showed low variable CD10 suggestive of DUX4-rearranged B-ALL. In comparison to our previously reported study of 2008 WHO-defined MPAL, 53/89 (60%) centrally-confirmed cases would be classified here as isoMPO. Conversely, five cases excluded under 2008 WHO central review would be reclassified as having sufficient antigen expression to qualify as MPAL (2 B/Myeloid, 3 T/Myeloid). Novel semiquantitative immunophenotypic criteria applied to a large cohort of acute leukemias originally diagnosed as MPAL was able to objectively identify a large subset as having dim, uniform MPO expression (isoMPO). Our approach emphasizes antigen expression recapitulating maturational expression similar to their non-leukemic cellular counterparts, normalizes absolute intensities to internal positive and negative control populations to minimize technical variability between observers and assays, and as per the 2017 WHO, does not require a specific percent threshold of positivity. While requiring validation, this is a critical first step toward establishing a reproducible delineation of these complex cases to practically implement the WHO classification to support treatment decisions and ongoing investigation into MPAL genomics and outcomes (available for this cohort by ASH). Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Oberley: Caris LIfe Science: Current Employment. Orgel: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.

P670 Identification of two additional susceptibility loci for Crohn’s disease in Koreans

Background Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 240 susceptibility loci associated with IBD mainly in Caucasians, however, there are limited studies in other populations. Methods To identify additional susceptibility loci in Asians, we expanded our previous study design (comprising a total of 1,621 patients with Crohn’s disease [CD] and 4,419 controls), followed by replication in an additional 582 patients with CD and 845 controls. To determine biological processes associated with candidate genes for CD, we conducted pathway analyses by MAGMA using the results obtained through the current meta-analyses and the summary statistics of the largest meta-analysis in the European population as input. Results The meta-analysis of Korean GWAS identified two novel susceptibility loci for CD at rs2240751 in the MFSD12-C19orf71-FZR1-DOHH region on 19p13 (pcombined = 3.03 × 10–8) and rs6936629 in the RFX6-GPRC6A-FAM162B region on 6q22 (pcombined = 3.63 × 10–8), of which rs6936629 showed significant association in European population (p = 1.88 × 10–4). Comparisons of the top 10 pathways for CD between the Korean and European data showed that MHC class Ⅱ protein complex, antigen binding, and response to antigenic stimulus-related pathways were more significant in the Korean population (Figure 1A), whereas cytokine and transcription factor-related pathways were more significant in the European population (Figure 1B). Conclusion Our findings provide additional biological insight into CD pathogenesis and support the importance of studying IBD genetics in diverse populations.

INFLUENCE OF CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT ON CONSUMERS’ BUYING DECISION OF A BRAND: A STUDY OF GLOBACOM TELECOMMUNICATION NIGERIA LIMITED

In this study, we assessed the influence of celebrity endorsement on consumers’buying decision of a brand, with particular reference to Globacom telecommunication Limited.The objectives of this study were to ascertain customers’ perception of the use of celebrity endorsement on Globacom telecommunication; to determine the influence of celebrity endorsement on the buying behaviour of consumers of Globacom; to ascertain whether the use of celebrity endorsement by Globacom telecommunication helps the company to get more subscribers; to know consumers’ preference of Globacom endorsements by celebrities to Globacom endorsements by non-celebrities; and to know if endorsement by celebrity reflects the quality of product or services. Thestudy usedMeaning Transfer Model as the theoretical foundation. The research design used was the mixed method comprisingsurvey and in-dept interview whilethe questionnaire and the interview guidewere the instruments for data collection. The population of the study was Globacom subscribers in Nigeria. The population figure of the study was 54,840,192.A sample size of 400 was got from this figure using Taro Yemani formula. Data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using frequency table and simple percentages while data collected through interview were analyzed thematically. From the findings, consumers perceived that celebrities give a real image of the brand and that celebrity-endorsed products are of good quality. Findings also showed that celebrities have significant influence on buying decisions ofsubscribers.From the finding also, a greater percentage of consumers patronizeGlobacom because their favourite celebrity endorsed it. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Globacom Managers should continue using celebrities for endorsements, especially the celebrities who reflect thereal image of the products they endorse.

Target Audiences of Afghan Narratives and Stories

This chapter assesses the explicit target audiences of Taliban narratives and associated stories. These targets include – Local populations that are neutral/undecided toward the Taliban cause (Figure 3.20), local supports and sympathizers (Figure 3.2), local opposition (Figure 3.3), neighboring populations (Figure 3.4), and international population (Figure 3.5). The chapter introduces means of delivery for each of the audiences suggested and examines their respective messages’ strengths and weaknesses.

Primary Results of the Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment from the Phase III Gadolin Study of Obinutuzumab Plus Bendamustine Compared with Bendamustine Alone in Patients with Rituximab-Refractory, Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background Meaningful improvement in, or maintenance of, pre-treatment health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for rituximab-refractory (R-ref), indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. GADOLIN (NCT01059630) is an open-label, phase III study of bendamustine (B) with or without obinutuzumab (GA101; Gazyva/Gazyvaro; G) in patients with CD20+ R-ref, indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In GADOLIN, independent review facility (IRF)-assessed median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.9 months (mo) in the B arm and not reached in the G-B arm (HR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.40, 0.74; p=0.0001), with an acceptable safety profile. Here, we present patient-reported HRQoL data from GADOLIN. Methods The Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) questionnaire (Webster K, et al. Qual Life Res 2005;14:2103) was used to assess overall HRQoL, physical and functional well-being, and disease- and treatment-related symptoms. It was administered on day 1 of cycles 1, 3 and 5 during treatment, at the end of induction (EOI) treatment and every other month for 2-years (where non-progressing G-B patients received G maintenance and B patients were observed), and during follow-up. Time to ³6 point worsening from baseline in the FACT-Lym Trial Outcome Index (TOI) was estimated for each treatment group using a Kaplan-Meier curve. Minimally important differences at the individual subscale and total score levels were used to define the proportion of patients reporting improvement on the FACT-Lym lymphoma subscale (³3 points), TOI (³6 points), and lymphoma total score (³7 points). Results The primary study analysis was undertaken when 396 patients had been randomized (194 to G-B and 202 to B [198 treated]); median observation time was 21 mo. Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms. Median age was 63 years and patients had a median of two prior therapies. Questionnaire completion rates were generally good and balanced in the G-B vs B arms (91.2% vs 89.1% at baseline, 74.2% vs 69.8% at EOI, and 33.0% vs 31.2% at final follow up, respectively). Time to ³6 point worsening from baseline on the FACT-Lym TOI was 8.0 mo (95% CI, 5.8, 15.1) in the G-B arm and 4.6 mo (95% CI, 3.8, 6.4) in the B arm (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56, 0.98; Figure 1). In addition, a greater proportion of patients reported meaningful improvement on the lymphoma subscale, lymphoma TOI, and total score in the G-B arm than in the B arm throughout the study (Table 1). Conclusions G combined with B, followed by G maintenance, resulted in a greater proportion of patients reporting a meaningful improvement in HRQoL throughout the course of the study. This improvement occurred even during induction, despite similar clinical response rates. A longer time to clinically meaningful deterioration of lymphoma-related HRQoL compared with patients who received B alone was also observed. These results are consistent with the improvement in PFS and suggest that the improvement in PFS is not at the expense of an increase in treatment-related toxicity that could lead to a reduction in a patient's HRQoL. Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Plot of FACT-Lym Trial Outcome Index ³ 6 point worsening from Baseline (ITT population) Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Plot of FACT-Lym Trial Outcome Index ³ 6 point worsening from Baseline (ITT population) Figure 2. Summary of Definitive Improvement in FACT-Lym (ITT population) Figure 2. Summary of Definitive Improvement in FACT-Lym (ITT population) Disclosures Cheson: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy; MedImmune: Research Funding; Teva: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ascenta: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Obinutuzumab (GA101; Gazyva/Gazyvaro) is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody and is indicated, in combination with chlorambucil, for the treatment of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia). This abstract reports on bendamustine with or without obinutuzumab in patients with CD20+ R-ref, indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma.. Trask:Genentech: Employment. Gribben:Janssen: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Roche/Genentech: Honoraria. Dimier:Roche: Employment. Kimby:Pfizer: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jansen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lugtenburg:Mundipharma: Consultancy; Servier: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy. Thieblemont:St. Louis Hospital, Paris, France: Employment. Wassner Fritsch:Roche: Employment. Sehn:Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Lundbeck: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Prognostic Impact and Risk Factors of Reducing Prescribed Doses of Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab (FCR) during Frontline Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Introduction: Frontline treatment with full-dose FCR is considered standard of care for physically fit patients with CLL. In routine practice, however, adverse events during treatment often lead to reduction of the planned dose of FCR which might result in loss of treatment efficacy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of reducing the prescribed dose of FCR and to identify risk factors that could help to predict such dose modification. Patients and Methods: Patients treated with FCR within two randomized phase 3 trials of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) (CLL8 trial: FCR vs. FC; CLL10 trial: FCR vs. bendamustine plus rituximab) were pooled. In each patient, the planned dose of FCR (according to protocol) was compared with the actually applied dose (with deltas provided in %). Subjects with reductions of the planned dose of FCR due to early treatment discontinuation not caused by toxic adverse events, but refractory/progressive disease or other reasons were excluded from further analyses (Figure 1). Patients with ≤ 20% and with > 20% reduction of the planned dose of FCR were compared with regard to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of such dose modification. Results: A total of 635 patients treated with at least one dose of FCR were included in this study. Median age was 61 years, median CIRS score 1 (range 0-7), and median ECOG performance status 0 (range 0-2). The median follow up time was 57.3 months (range 1.4-96.4). 11% of patients had Binet stage A, 55% stage B, and 34% stage C disease. Among 540 patients with IGHV results, 59% had an unmutated status. In 550 cases with FISH results, del(17p) was found in 3% (exclusion criteria in CLL10 trial), del(11q) in 25%, 12+ in 10%, del(13q) in 38%, and normal karyotype in 24% (according to the hierarchical model by Döhner et al.). Of the 635 patients, 209 (33%) received FCR with > 20% reduction of the planned dose. These patients had significantly shorter PFS (median PFS 45.2 vs. 64.0 months, HR [hazard ratio]=1.627, 95%CI [confidence interval]=1.294-2.046, p<0.001) and OS (median OS 90.2 months vs. not reached, HR=1.849, 95%CI=1.315-2.600, p<0.001) compared with patients having received FCR at full-dose or with ≤ 20% reduction of the planned dose (Figure 2). In multivariate analysis, age > 60 years (OR=1.601, 95%CI=1.105-2.320, p=0.013), Binet stage C (OR [odds ratio]=1.790, 95%CI=1.224-2.619, p=0.003), and serum β2-microglobuline > 3.5 mg/L (OR=1.495, 95%CI=1.009-2.215, p=0.045) were identified as independent risk factors for reducing the prescribed dose of FCR. Conclusions: This pooled analysis of patients receiving frontline therapy of CLL with FCR within two prospective GCLLSG trials for the first time indicates that reducing prescribed doses of FCR compromises not only PFS, but also reduces the benefit regarding OS. The adverse prognostic impact of a reduction of the planned dose of FCR by 20% or more is clinically meaningful and should be considered carefully, particularly if such dose reductions are made. Predictors of reducing the planned dose during FCR treatment (such as older age and advanced disease stage) may help to refine treatment decision-making in CLL. Figure 1. Study population. Figure 1. Study population. Figure 2. a) PFS and b) OS of patients with ≤ 20% (green) vs. > 20% (blue) reduction of the planned dose of FCR. Figure 2. a) PFS and b) OS of patients with ≤ 20% (green) vs. > 20% (blue) reduction of the planned dose of FCR. Disclosures Kovacs: Mundipharma: Other: Travel grant. Cramer:Gilead: Other: Travel grant, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Other: Travel grant; Glaxo Smith Klein/Novartis: Research Funding; Hoffman LaRoche: Other: Travel grant, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Other: Travel grant, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Other: Travel grant. Fink:Roche: Honoraria, Other: travel grant. Fischer:Roche: Other: Travel Grants. Langerbeins:Janssen: Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Hoffmann-LaRoche: Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding. Maurer:Mundipharma: Other: Travel grant. von Tresckow:Hoffman-LaRoche: Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: travel grants; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Research Funding. Wendtner:Genentech: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Hoffmann-LaRoche: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Glaxo-SmithKline: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Celege: Consultancy, Other: Travel grants, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding. Stilgenbauer:Gilead: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Genzyme: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Hoffman-LaRoche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding. Hallek:Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; Boehringher Ingelheim: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Board, Research Funding. Eichhorst:Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy; MundiPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Goede:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

Is Multiple Myeloma a Chronic Disease? A Population Based Study Comparing 1843 Patients to a Matched Swedish Population.

Abstract 2970 Evaluating real life outcomes in Multiple Myeloma (MM) pts in order to understand treatment outcome in clinical practice is very important. The introduction of novel agents (Bortezomib, Thalidomide, Lenalidomide) has been shown to increase overall survival (OS). Can MM be regarded as a chronic disease, defined as a similar OS as a matched normal population at diagnosis, after the introduction of novel agents? All pts diagnosed with MM since earliest Jan 2000 until latest Jun 2011 from 6 university clinics, 3 regional centers and 4 local hospitals in Sweden were included. Near complete response (nCR) was defined as an immeasurable M-protein in the blood and urine by standard electrophoresis. Partial response (PR) was defined as a 50% reduction in M-protein, no response (NR) as less than 50% reduction and progress was considered when the increase was ≥ 25%. The Swedish population (n = 9 340 682 in 2009) was used to select a gender and 5-yrs age strata matched cohort based on 2008–2010 observed death rates. In the total MM population n=1 843, 201 (11%) pts were excluded due to non treatment demanding disease setting the study population to n=1 642. The median follow up of pts still alive was 30 months. The median age was 70 yrs and 45% women. The most common subtype was IgG (59%) followed by IgA (22%), BJ (15%) and Other (4%). High dose treatment (HDT) was given to 517 (32%) pts. The median number of given treatment lines in both the HDT and the non-HDT population was two but the number of pts receiving more treatment lines were declining rapidly. The response distribution for the HDT population nCR/PR/NR was 47/41/12% in 1st line (induction and high-dose melphalan) and 25/42/33% in 2nd line. In the non-HDT population the response distribution was 14/42/44% in 1st line and 11/31/58% in 2nd line. Non-HDT pts receiving novel agents in 1st line had significantly higher nCR rates compared to pts receiving older drugs, 22% vs. 12% as well as pts receiving novel agents in 2nd line with nCR rates of 16% vs. 6%. In the HDT population the median time to progression/time to next treatment (TTP/TTNT) was 21.0/29.7 months in 1st line and 8.1/12.7 in 2nd line. In the non-HDT population the median TTP/TTNT was 11.0/16.8 months in 1st line and 7.3/11.4 in 2nd line. There was a significantly increased TTP/TTNT in 1st and 2nd line depending on the increased depth of the response for both the HDT and non-HDT populations. The median OS for HDT pts was 6.7 yrs 95% CI[6.1;7.6] and correlated with 1st line response (nCR 7.6, PR 6.1 and NR 6.2 yrs). When comparing HDT pts to the matched normal population the 1-year survival was 97% vs. 99%, 3-year survival 86% vs. 98% and 5-year survival 66% vs. 95%. The median OS for non-HDT pts (n=1080) was 2.7 yrs 95% CI[2.5;3.0] and increased with better response in 1st line; nCR 3.4, PR 3.0 and NR 1.9 yrs. Kaplan-Mayer analysis showed that the use of novel agents in 1st line (n=316, median age 72.1 yrs) predicted a significantly longer OS compared to conventional treatment (n=764, median age 75.4), median 4.9 vs 2.3 yrs. When comparing pts that received at least two lines of treatment, pts treated with novel agents in 1st line followed by novel agents in 2nd had not reached the median survival but had a lower CI of 6.3 yrs, novel agents in 1st line followed by old agents in 2nd line had a median OS of 4.3 yrs old agents in 1st line followed by novel agents in 2nd line had a median of OS 3.3 yrs and old agents in 1st line followed by old agents in 2nd line had a median of OS 3.0 yrs. Compared to the matched normal population non-HDT pts receiving novel agents in both 1st and 2nd line the 1-year survival was 90 % vs. 96%, 3-year survival 71% vs. 86% and 5-year survival 67% vs. 77%. The number of pts receiving 2nd and 3rd line treatment declined rapidly. Non-HDT pts treated with novel agents in 1st line had a superior response and OS compared to the group treated with standard chemotherapy. Pts treated with novel agents in 2nd line as well seem to have a further improved survival compared to other alternatives. In comparison to a normal population, matched for gender and age at diagnosis, the survival is still shorter. However, if novel agents were used in an optimal treatment sequence the survival could potentially be higher. There is still a need for further development in MM treatment before one can call it a chronic disease. Figure 1: HDT treated pts compared to a matched normal population Figure 1:. HDT treated pts compared to a matched normal population Figure 2: Non-HDT pts receiving old or novel agents in 1st line compared to a matched normal population. Figure 2:. Non-HDT pts receiving old or novel agents in 1st line compared to a matched normal population. Disclosures: Liwing: Janssen-Cilag: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mellqvist:Janssen, Celgene: Honoraria. Näsman:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy. Aschan:Janssen-Cilag: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Environmental Effects on Properties of Type 2 QSOs

Type 2 QSOs (QSO2s) are intrinsically luminous QSOs embedded in dusty environments. In this work, we study the radio, optical, and soft X-ray properties of 887 optically selected [O III]-based QSO2s (Reyes et al. 2008) at z<0.83 to investigate the connection between QSO2s and their environments. We use SDSS data to measure the luminosity-limited galaxy counts in a volume centered on each QSO2 and defined by Δ z<0.1 (based on photometric redshifts) and within a projected distance of 1.5 Mpc of the QSO2 (δ1.5Mpc). We used ROSAT All Sky Survey (RASS) data to estimate the X-ray excess. Hsu & Chen (2010), after correcting for Galactic absorption, obtain a lower limit for the intrinsic neutral hydrogen column density (NH) toward each of the QSO2s. About 50% of these sources have NH > 1022 cm−2. We take this value as a threshold to subdivide QSO2s into high- and low-NH groups, and compare their environments. The distributions δ1.5Mpc of the two populations show that, in regions of higher galaxy density, QSO2s are dominated by the high-NH population (Figure 1), suggesting a closer connection between more obscured QSO2s and surrounding galaxies.