End of Phase 1 Results from Zuma-6: Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) in Combination with Atezolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Abstract Background: Axi-cel is a US FDA-approved autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for treatment of adult patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory large B cell lymphoma after ≥ 2 prior lines of therapy. In ZUMA-1, the pivotal study of pts with refractory large B cell lymphoma, the objective response rate (ORR) was 82%, including a 58% complete response (CR) rate (Neepalu and Locke, et al. N Engl J Med. 2017). Grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events were observed in 12% and 31% of pts, respectively, and were generally reversible. Checkpoint proteins, such as PD-1 and PD-L1, have been shown to be expressed on both CAR T cells and in the tumor microenvironment and subsequently upregulated after CAR T cell infusion (Vranic, et al. PLoS One. 2017; Cherkassky, et al. J Clin Invest. 2016; Galon, et al. ASCO 2017. #3025). This suggests that axi-cel activity could be augmented by incorporating PD-L1 blockade. This end of Phase 1 analysis of ZUMA-6 examines the safety and preliminary efficacy of axi-cel in combination with the anti-PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (atezo) in pts with refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL; NCT02926833). Methods: Eligible pts (≥ 18 years) with refractory DLBCL, defined as stable or progressive disease to last line of therapy or relapse within 12 months after autologous stem cell transplant, must have recieved prior CD20-targeting and anthracycline-containing regimen and had ECOG ≤ 1 and adequate bone marrow and organ function. Pts received low-dose conditioning with fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2/day × 3 days followed by axi-cel infusion at a target dose of 2 × 106 cells/kg. Atezo was administered at 1200 mg every 21 days for 4 doses starting on Day 21, 14, and 1 post-axi-cel infusion for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This report describes Phase 1 results from all 3 cohorts. Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included the frequency of adverse events (AEs), disease response, pharmacokinetics, and biomarkers. Results: As of January 19, 2018, 12 pts have received axi-cel and at least 1 dose of atezo (3 in Cohort 1; 3 in Cohort 2, 6 in Cohort 3). Median age was 55 years (range, 30 - 66). Most pts (9/12, 75%) had received ≥ 3 prior therapies, and 4 pts (33%) had an International Prognostic Index score of 3 or 4. The median follow-up from axi-cel infusion was 4.4 months (range, 0.8 - 12.6), with 50% of pts having ≥ 6 months of follow-up. Eight pts (67%) have received all 4 doses of atezo, and 11/12 pts have received all scheduled doses of atezo. One pt in Cohort 3 experienced a DLT of Grade 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia lasting longer than 30 days. All pts experienced at least 1 AE (92% Grade ≥ 3), with no apparent exacerbation or recurrence of axi-cel-related toxicity following atezo infusion. Only 1 Grade ≥ 3 AE was attributed solely to atezo. Overall, the most common grade ≥ 3 AEs were anemia (9/12, 75%), encephalopathy (5/12, 42%), and neutropenia (5/12, 42%). Grade ≥ 3 CRS and neurologic events occurred in 3 (25%) and 6 (50%) pts, respectively. The ORR in evaluable pts was 9/10 (90%), with 6 pts (60%) in CR and 3 (30%) in partial response (PR); 2/6 pts (33%) had converted to CR at month 6 and month 9 after initially achieving a PR. CAR T cell expansion as measured by area under the curve in the first 28 days (AUC0-28) was over 2-fold higher in ZUMA-6 than the median observed in pts with DLBCL in ZUMA-1 (ZUMA-6: median, 823 cells/µL × days, range, 99 - 2301; ZUMA-1: median, 357 cells/µL × days, range, 5 - 11,507; Figure). Median CAR T cell levels remained higher than ZUMA-1 beyond 28 days. However, initial peak CAR T cell levels were similar (ZUMA-6: median, 68 cells/µL, range, 9 - 274; ZUMA-1: median, 32 cells/µL, range, 1 - 1513). Interferon-γ (IFNγ) levels peaked within the first week after axi-cel infusion and reached a median of 730.5 pg/mL (range, 212 - 1876). The median peak IFNγ level in pts from ZUMA-6 was 1.5-fold higher than that from pts enrolled in Cohort 1 of ZUMA-1 (493.8 pg/mL, range, 32.4 - 1876). Conclusions: PD-L1 blockade with atezo following axi-cel infusion has a manageable safety profile, with a low incidence of DLTs and no clinically significant evidence of increased incidence of AEs. Encouraging efficacy results support the opening of Phase 2 of ZUMA-6 in which 22 pts will be treated according to the Cohort 3 schedule. Pharmacokinetic data suggest the potential for enhanced CAR T cell expansion. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Locke: Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor; Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy. Miklos:Kite - Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics - Abbot: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Herrera:Merck, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; KiTE Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding. Westin:Apotex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lee:Kite Pharma, Caladrius Biosciences: Employment; Kite Pharma, Caladrius Biosciences: Equity Ownership; Kite Pharma: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES. Rossi:KITE: Employment. Zheng:Kite Pharma: Employment. Avanzi:Kite Pharma: Employment. Roberts:KITE: Employment. Sun:Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment.

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Phase II Study Of Anti-CD19 Antibody Drug Conjugate (SAR3419) In Combination With Rituximab: Clinical Activity and Safety In Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (NCT01470456)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4395.4395 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 4395-4395 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Bertrand Coiffier ◽

Catherine Thieblemont ◽

Sophie de Guibert ◽

Jehan Dupuis ◽

Vincent Ribrag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Duration Of Response ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Background SAR3419 is a humanized anti-CD19 antibody conjugated to maytansin DM4, a potent cytotoxic agent. SAR3419 targets CD19, an antigen expressed in the majority of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). The recommended dose for single agent SAR3419 was previously determined to be 55 mg/m2 administered IV every week for 4 weeks, then bi-weekly. In phase I, clinical activity was shown mainly in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). (Trial funded by Sanofi). Methods Patients (pts) with a CD20+ and CD19+ DLBCL relapsing or refractory (R/R) after at least 1 standard treatment including rituximab and not candidate for or who already underwent transplantation, were eligible. Refractory disease was defined as unresponsive to or progressing within 6 months of regimen completion. Fresh (or recent formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) biopsy was required before SAR3419 start. Pts received 375 mg/m2 of rituximab (R) IV and 55 mg/m² of SAR3419 on day 1, 8, 15, 22 (35-day cycle 1), followed by bi-weekly R and SAR3419 at the same doses for 2 additional 28-day cycles, provided there was no disease progression or other study discontinuation criteria met. The primary objective was the overall response rate (ORR) following Cheson 2007 criteria, with the first tumor assessment being done 42 days after the last study treatment administration. Secondary objectives were: safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), duration of response (DOR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and correlation of the antitumor and biological activity of the combination with tumor biomarker status. Results Fifty-three pts were enrolled, 52 treated. Median age was 66.5 years (range 38-85), 50% were male; 23%, 33% and 40% of patients had received 1, 2 or ≥3 prior chemo/immunotherapy regimens for DLBCL, respectively. Of the enrolled patients, 3.8% had received no prior regimen for DLBCL and therefore were excluded from primary analysis for efficacy. Seventy-three percent had stage III/IV disease, 59% had elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and 63% had bulky disease. Sixty percent were refractory to first regimen (primary refractory), 16% were refractory to last regimen and 24% were relapsed pts. The ORR in the per-protocol population (n=45) was 31.1% (80% confidence interval (CI): 22.0% to 41.6%). Among the 14 responders, 5 had progressed at the time of analysis, with duration of response beyond 6 months for 3 of them. The ORR was 58.3% (80% CI: 36.2% to 78.1%) for patients with relapsed DLBCL (n=12), 42.9% (80% CI: 17.0% to 72.1%) for pts refractory to last regimen (n=7) and 15.4% (80% CI: 6.9% to 28.4%) for primary refractory pts (n=26). Overall survival and PFS data are not yet mature. Biomarkers and PK data will be presented at the meeting. The most common (≥10%) all grades non-hematologic treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were asthenia (25.0%), nausea (21.2%), cough (19.2%), diarrhea (17.3%), weight decrease (17.3%), vomiting (15.4%), dyspnea (15.4%), abdominal pain (13.5%), back pain (13.5%), pyrexia (13.5%) and constipation (11.5%). Related grade 3-4 TEAEs were: 1 syncope, 1 bronchospasm, 2 neutropenia and 1 anemia. No TEAEs led to treatment discontinuation, no grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy or grade 3-4 ocular events were observed. Two pts experienced grade 2 keratitis, both rapidly recovered with local treatment. Hematological toxicity was moderate, with grade 3-4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 15.7% and 9.8% pts, respectively. No complications related to neutropenia were reported. Grade 3 transaminase increase was observed in 1 patient. Conclusions The combination of SAR3419 plus R showed moderate ORR in R/R DLBCL; however the study population was of poor prognosis (60% refractory to first line therapy). In the relapsed DLBCL patients a higher ORR was observed. SAR3419 plus R presented with a favorable safety profile. Further investigations on biomarker expression are ongoing to identify a sub-group of pts who could have better benefited from this combination. Disclosures: Coiffier: Sanofi: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Phase II of SAR3419. Ribrag:Johnson & Johnson: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Cartron:LFB: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Casasnovas:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Hatteville:Sanofi: Employment. Zilocchi:Sanofi: Employment. Oprea:Sanofi: Employment. Tilly:Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Takeda: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

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Safety of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy in Elderly Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-120013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 96-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Dahlia Sano ◽

Loretta J. Nastoupil ◽

Nathan H. Fowler ◽

Luis Fayad ◽

F. B. Hagemeister ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

Age Groups ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Background Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous CD19-specific CAR T-cell therapy product that was FDA approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after at least two lines of systemic therapy. In the pivotal ZUMA-1 study, the best overall response (ORR) and complete response (CR) rates observed in 108 patients treated with axi-cel were 82% and 58%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 15.4 months, 42% of the patients remain in ongoing response (Neelapu et al. N Eng J Med 2017). Analysis of efficacy outcomes in patients <65 years (N=81) and ³65 years (N=27) showed that the ORR and ongoing response at 12 months were comparable between the two subgroups (Neelapu et al. N Eng J Med 2017). Whether the safety is also comparable between the two subgroups is unknown. Here, we report safety outcomes in elderly patients (³65 years) with large B-cell lymphoma treated with axi-cel at our institution. Methods We retrospectively analyzed and reviewed the data from patients treated with axi-cel at our institution. Patients had a diagnosis of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL), and transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL). Patients were treated with conditioning chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine for 3 days followed by axi-cel infusion after 2 days of rest at a dose of 2 x 106 CAR+ T cells/kg body weight. Patients were monitored for toxicities for at least 7 days in the hospital after CAR T infusion and those who had at least 30 days of follow-up after axi-cel were considered to be evaluable for safety. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological toxicity termed as CAR-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES) were graded according to the CARTOX grading system (Neelapu et al. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2018). Results A total of 61 patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who received axi-cel at our institution were included. Of these, 44 (72%) patients were <65 years of age and 17 (28%) patients were ³65 years of age. The baseline characteristics of the patients are summarized in Table 1. ORR and CR rates at Day 30 were comparable between the two groups. CRS was common in both groups and was observed in 83% and 91% of the patients in the older and younger age groups, respectively. But most CRS events were grade 1-2. Grade 3 or higher CRS was observed in 18% vs. 11% in the older vs. younger age groups (P=0.67). One patient with a history of autoimmune disease in the elderly group died of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). CRES was observed in 58% and 71% of the patients in the older and younger age groups, respectively. Grade 3 or higher CRES was observed in 29% vs. 39% in the older vs. younger age groups (P=0.58). Median hospitalization period for axi-cel CAR T-cell therapy was comparable between the two groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that response rates are comparable between the elderly and younger age groups at day 30 after axi-cel therapy. Importantly, toxicities due to CRS and/or CRES after axi-cel CD19 CAR T cell therapy are comparable between the elderly (³65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Table 1 Table 1. Disclosures Nastoupil: Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Juno: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; TG Therappeutics: Research Funding; Karus: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Spectrum: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria. Fowler:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Samaniego:ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Wang:Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Juno: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Dava Oncology: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; MoreHealth: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Westin:Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Apotex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Fever Characteristics Associated with Toxicity and Outcome after Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy for Aggressive Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-126148 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1612-1612 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hamza Hashmi ◽

Alicia Darwin ◽

Christina A Bachmeier ◽

Julio Chavez ◽

Bijal Shah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Cell Therapy ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Car T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T ◽

Grade 3

Background: Fever is a cardinal symptom of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) after CAR T-cell therapy with 84% of patients experiencing fever on the ZUMA-1 trial of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel). Knowledge of the patterns of fever and associated symptoms may inform the clinical management of these patients. Methods: We performed a single center retrospective study in 78 patients receiving axi-cel for large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) as of 12/31/2018. We evaluated all the patients who developed fever during lymphodepleting chemotherapy with fludarabine (Flu) and cyclophosphamide (Cy), after CAR T-cell infusion, and after administration of tocilizumab (toci); and analyzed the association of fever with toxicity rates (grade 3+ CRS and neurotoxicity) and efficacy [overall response rates (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate 6 months post CAR T-cell infusion]. Fever was defined per the Lee criteria [equal to or greater than 38 °C], CRS used the modified Lee criteria and neurotoxicity used the CARTOX grading system. Results: Fever occurred in 71/78 (91%) of patients. Rates of grade 3+ CRS and neurotoxicity were 9% (7/78) and 26% (20/78) respectively. The CR rate at 6 months was 41% (32/78). Toxicities and outcomes in patients with the described fever characteristics are shown in the Table. During lymphodepletion with Flu/Cy, fever was observed in 11% (9/78) of patients. Fever occurred within 24 hours of axi-cel infusion in 47% (37/78) and within 72 hours of axi-cel infusion in 71% (55/78) of the patients. In total, 41% (32/78) of patients were treated with anti-IL6R therapy (tocilizumab; toci) for CAR T toxicity. After the first dose of toci, fever recurred in 69% of patients (22/32), of which 34% (11/32) experienced fever recurrence within 24 hours of toci infusion. Conclusions: This is the first study to our knowledge that describes in detail the characteristics of fever after CAR T-cell therapy with axi-cel. Fever was common and occurred in 71% of the patients within 72 hours of axi-cel infusion. When toci was used, fever recurred in a majority of patients (69%) and in 1/3 of patients the fever recurred within 24 hours of toci infusion. These descriptive data may be used by clinicians to inform their expectations of fever occurring after treatment with axi-cel and/or toci. Table Disclosures Bachmeier: Kite/Gilead: Speakers Bureau. Chavez:Genentech: Speakers Bureau; Kite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Speakers Bureau. Shah:AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Spectrum/Astrotech: Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene/Juno: Honoraria. Pinilla Ibarz:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Nishihori:Novartis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Lazaryan:Kadmon: Consultancy. Davila:Bellicum: Consultancy; Anixa: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding. Locke:Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis: Other: Scientific Advisor. Jain:Kite/Gilead: Consultancy.

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Axicabtagene Ciloleucel: Clinical Data for the Use of CAR T-cell Therapy in Relapsed and Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1177/1060028020944233 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 106002802094423

Author(s):

Zachery Halford ◽

Mary Kate Anderson ◽

Lunawati L. Bennett

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Cell Therapy ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T ◽

Grade 3

Objective: To evaluate the literature for axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), a first-in-class chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, in the treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Data Sources: We conducted a PubMed (inception to June 22, 2020) and ClinicalTrials.gov search using the following terms: CD19, chimeric antigen receptor, and lymphoma. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All retrospective and prospective studies evaluating the use of axi-cel in LBCL were reviewed. Data Synthesis: In the pivotal ZUMA-1 trial, axi-cel exhibited unprecedented overall and complete response rates of 83% and 58%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 27.1 months, 39% of patients had ongoing responses. Furthermore, postmarketing retrospective analyses found similar response rates in a more clinically diverse LBCL patient population. Novel CAR T-cell therapy elicits unique and potentially life-threatening toxicities that include cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Studies reported grade ≥3 CRS in 7% to 14% of patients and grade ≥3 ICANS in 31% to 55% of patients. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Axi-cel was the first US Food and Drug Administration–approved genetically engineered autologous CAR T-cell agent in r/r LBCL, representing an important milestone and paradigm shift in cancer treatment. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy is a breakthrough treatment modality requiring careful patient selection, multidisciplinary collaboration, comprehensive patient counseling, and expert training to ensure optimal treatment. Conclusions: The initial and ongoing results with axi-cel are encouraging, but long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking. Additional studies are required to identify axi-cel’s ideal place in LBCL therapy.

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A Phase Ib/IIa Trial of the Combination of Romidepsin, Lenalidomide and Carfilzomib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma Shows Complete Responses in Relapsed and Refractory T-Cell Lymphomas

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2991.2991 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 2991-2991 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Neha Mehta-Shah ◽

Alison J Moskowitz ◽

Matthew Lunning ◽

Peggy Lynch ◽

Mark Scheuerman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Response Rate ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

T Cell Lymphoma ◽

Hematologic Toxicity ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Background:Epigenetic manipulation and immunomodulation are therapeutic strategies in hematologic malignancies. In our previous study, the combination of romidepsin and lenalidomide demonstrated a 58% overall response rate, complete response rate of 11% and median event free survival was 16 weeks in patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma. Given the potential synergy of proteasome inhibitors with histone deacetylase inhibitors and lenalidomide, we conducted a phase Ib/IIa study to evaluate the safety and toxicity of romidepsin and lenalidomide in combination with carfilzomib in pts with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Here we report the safety, toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) from the completed phase I portion of the study as well as the efficacy data from the completed T-cell lymphoma phase IIa cohort. Methods: The phase I portion evaluated toxicity and defined MTD. The clinicalactivity of the combination of romidepsin, lenalidomide, and carfilzomib was assessed in the phase I and lineage specific phase IIa cohorts. Romidepsin and carfilzomib were given IV on days 1, 8 and lenalidomide was given orally on days 1-14 of a 21-day cycle. A standard 3+3 dose escalation schema was followed: The starting dose was romidepsin 8 mg/m2,lenalidomide 15 mg, carfilzomib 36mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined in cycle 1 as ≥ grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity, grade 4 hematologic toxicity, grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia with bleeding, grade 3 hematologic toxicity resulting in a significant delay of treatment or inability to receive day 1 of cycle 2 due to continued drug related toxicity. Tumor response was based on disease-specific criteria.Pts could be treated until progression, intolerance, or response adequate to allow allogeneic transplantation. Results:20 pts were enrolled with 19 evaluable for toxicity (1 patient with T-cell lymphoma progressed prior to receipt of any study drug). 17 pts were treated for T-cell lymphoma (11 in the phase 1 portion and 6 in the phase IIa cohort): peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS)-9, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL)-4 (one with concurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma-DLBCL), mycosis fungoides (MF)-2, transformed MF-1, extra-nodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL)-1. 3 pts in the phase 1 portion were treated for B-cell lymphoma: DLBCL-3. The T-cell lymphoma cohort is complete and efficacy data is reported here. Dose level 2 (romidepsin 8 mg/m2,lenalidomide 15 mg, carfilzomib 45mg/m2) exceeded the MTD with 2/6 DLTs: 1 pt with grade 3 thrombocytopenia resulting in treatment delay and 1 pt with grade 4 thrombocytopenia. There were no DLTs among 6 pts treated in dose level 1 (romidepsin 8 mg/m2,lenalidomide 15 mg, carfilzomib 36mg/m2) and dose level 1 was deemed the MTD. Grade 3-4 toxicities in >10% pts included neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. SAEs included: infection-3, progression of disease resulting in hospitalization-3, fever-2, febrile neutropenia-1, DVT-1, edema-1, dyspnea-1, atrial flutter-1, generalized weakness-1, and vomiting with diarrhea-1. Of the 16 pts with T-cell lymphoma evaluable for response, the overall response rate was 50% (8/16, 95% CI: 25 to 75%). The complete responses rate was 31% (5/16, 95% CI: 11 to 59%) and the partial response rate was 19% (3/16, 95% CI: 4 to 46%). Complete responses were seen in AITL (4/5) and PTCL-NOS (1/8) with 3 pts in CR proceeding to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Partial responses were seen in PTCL-NOS-1, AITL-1, and transformed MF-1. In T-cell lymphoma, the median event free survival for all pts was 9.7 weeks (95% CI: 6.0 to NR) and for responders was not reached (95% CI: 15.0 to NR). The median time to response was 5.8 weeks. The median duration of response was 9.6 weeks (95% CI: 8.0 to NR). 3 pts underwent allogeneic transplantation following this therapy and another 2 pts with CR remain in continuous remission. Median duration of follow up was 20.4 weeks (range 3.4-40.9 weeks). Conclusions: The MTD dose for phase 2 study was identified as romidepsin 8mg/m2, lenalidomide 15mg and carfilzomib 36mg/m2. No unexpected toxicities have emerged. The preliminary overall and complete response rates of this regimen are promising in T-cell lymphoma, particularly in AITL, and warrants further study. An expansion cohort in B-cell lymphoma cohort is ongoing. Disclosures Moskowitz: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy. Lunning:Gilead: Consultancy; Bristol-Myer-Squibb: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Kumar:Celgene: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board. Zelenetz:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Hamlin:Novartis: Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Xencor: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Portola: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Molecular Templates: Research Funding. Noy:Pharmacyclics, LLC, an AbbVie Company: Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding. Palomba:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Dogan:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Consulting Cancer Panel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cancer Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Peerview Institute: Consultancy. Horwitz:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Infinity: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADCT Therapeutics: Research Funding; Huya: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakka Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding.

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Lisocabtagene Maraleucel (liso-cel) for Treatment of Second-Line Transplant Noneligible (TNE) Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Initial Results from the PILOT Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-127658 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 2882-2882 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alison R. Sehgal ◽

John Godwin ◽

John Pribble ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Jerill Thorpe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Car T ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Large B Cell

Background: Patients (pts) with R/R aggressive large B cell NHL who fail first-line therapy with immunochemotherapy and are ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have a poor prognosis. Available treatment options include platinum/gemcitabine-based or bendamustine-based regimens in combination with rituximab, with or without radiotherapy, or clinical trials. However, long-term outcomes remain poor due to lack of a curative option. Liso-cel is an investigational, anti-CD19, defined composition, 4-1BB CAR T cell product administered at target doses of CD4+ and CD8+ CAR T cells. In the ongoing TRANSCEND NHL 001 study of liso-cel as third- or later-line treatment for pts with R/R large B cell NHL, preliminary data showed high overall response rates with a low incidence of grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological events (NEs) (Abramson et al, ASCO 2018). The open-label, phase 2 PILOT study is assessing the safety and efficacy of liso-cel as second-line therapy in TNE pts (NCT03483103). PILOT is the first study evaluating CAR T cell therapy focusing on this pt population. Methods: Eligible pts had R/R large B cell NHL (diffuse large B cell lymphoma [DLBCL], not otherwise specified [NOS], de novo or transformed indolent NHL, high-grade lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 [double/triple-hit lymphoma], or follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 3B) and had received only 1 prior line of immunochemotherapy containing an anthracycline and a CD20-targeted agent (eg, R-CHOP). Pts had to be deemed ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy followed by HSCT by meeting at least 1 of the following TNE criteria while still fulfilling the criteria for CAR T cell therapy: age ≥70 years, ECOG PS of 2, and/or impaired pulmonary (DLCO ≤60% but SaO2 ≥92% on room air and CTCAE ≤1 dyspnea), cardiac (LVEF ≥40% and <50%), renal (creatinine clearance >30 and <60 mL/min), or hepatic function (AST/ALT >2 and ≤5 ×ULN). Liso-cel was administered at a target dose of 100×106 CAR+ T cells after lymphodepletion (LD) with fludarabine/cyclophosphamide for 3 days. Pts could be treated as outpatients at the investigator's discretion. Results: At data cutoff, 10 pts had been leukapheresed, and 9 pts had LD followed by liso-cel infusion; 1 pt is awaiting liso-cel treatment. Liso-cel was manufactured successfully in all pts. Five pts were infused and monitored as outpatients. Median age was 71 (range, 64-79) years; 5 pts were male. Histology included DLBCL NOS (n=7) and transformed FL (n=2); 2 pts had triple-hit, one of whom had transformed from FL. Five pts had relapsed from, and 4 pts had disease refractory to, prior therapy. Median SPD and LDH were 26.6 cm2 and 201 U/L, respectively. Four pts had high tumor burden with SPD ≥50 cm2 (n=4) and/or LDH ≥500 U/L (n=1). The median Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score was 3 (range, 0-3). Six pts had 1 or more treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) grade ≥3, which were primarily cytopenias. Three pts had prolonged grade ≥3 cytopenias at Day 29. Two pts had infections of any grade; no pts had grade ≥3 infections. No pts had CRS or NEs, and no pts received tocilizumab, corticosteroids, or vasopressors. There were no cases of macrophage activation syndrome, tumor lysis syndrome, infusion reactions, or grade 5 TEAEs. Among the 5 pts treated and monitored as outpatients, none were admitted to hospital for adverse events within the first 29 days post liso-cel infusion. All 9 pts achieved an objective response. Four pts achieved complete response; all are ongoing. Five pts achieved partial response (PR), with 2 PRs ongoing. Results were similar in inpatient vs outpatient pts. Median follow-up was 3.5 months. Median (range) time to peak CAR T cell expansion was 10 (7-21) days. Conclusions: These preliminary safety and efficacy data from the ongoing phase 2 PILOT study suggest that liso-cel can be successfully administered, including in the outpatient setting, as second-line therapy in pts with R/R aggressive B cell NHL who were ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and HSCT by prespecified criteria. Updated safety and efficacy data with longer follow-up will be presented. Disclosures Sehgal: Kite/Gilead: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Juno/Celgene: Research Funding. Pribble:Celgene/Juno: Employment. Wang:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Thorpe:Juno Therapeutics, a Celgene Company: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hildebrandt:Axim Biotechnologies: Equity Ownership; Abbvie: Equity Ownership; GW Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Endocyte: Equity Ownership; Clovis Oncology: Equity Ownership; Kite Pharma: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other; CVS Health: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Equity Ownership; Axim Biotechnologies: Equity Ownership; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Sangamo: Equity Ownership; Cellectis: Equity Ownership; Bluebird Bio: Equity Ownership; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Equity Ownership; crispr therapeutics: Equity Ownership; IDEXX laboratories: Equity Ownership; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership; Pfizer: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel; Procter & Gamble: Equity Ownership; Vertex: Equity Ownership; Scotts-Miracle: Equity Ownership; Takeda: Research Funding; Bayer: Equity Ownership; Astellas: Other: Travel; Kite Pharma: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel; Novartis: Equity Ownership; Aetna: Equity Ownership; Juno Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Cardinal Health: Equity Ownership; Novartis: Equity Ownership; Insys Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Research Funding; Immunomedics: Equity Ownership.

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Outcomes of Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients By Post CAR-T Salvage Regimen at a Single Institution

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-148751 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3851-3851

Author(s):

Audrey M. Sigmund ◽

Nathan Denlinger ◽

Amneet Bajwa ◽

Patrick Elder ◽

David A. Bond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Salvage Regimen ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Introduction: Outcomes of patients with large B-cell lymphoma that relapse after frontline anthracycline based chemotherapy are typically poor, with a 3-year event-free survival of approximately 30% (Gisselbrecht JCO 2010). Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a breakthrough therapy for these patients, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 83% and a complete response (CR) rate of 58% for axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) seen in the ZUMA-1 trial, with similar rates for tisagenlecleucel in the JULIET trial (Locke Lancet Oncol 2018; Schuster NEJM 2018). Unfortunately, the majority of patients treated with CAR-T therapy experience disease progression. There is limited data evaluating the best salvage regimen for these patients. Thus, we sought to assess outcomes in large B-cell lymphoma patients with progressive disease post CAR-T cell therapy with the goal of identifying those therapies with optimal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on all patients with large B-cell lymphoma undergoing leukapheresis for CAR-T therapy (tisagenlecleucel or axi-cel) at the Ohio State University from December 2017 to January 2021. Patients who died prior to CAR-T infusion were excluded from analysis. Demographics and disease characteristics as well as best response to CAR-T and date of relapse or progression following therapy were collected. First salvage therapy at relapse or progression and response to therapy were also collected, with choice of therapy driven by the treating physician. Patients were divided by salvage regimen into five groups for analysis: checkpoint inhibitor based, lenalidomide based, Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor (BTKi), chemoimmunotherapy, and other (including small molecular inhibitor, radiation, allogeneic stem cell transplant, antibody drug conjugates, and bispecific antibodies). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), which was calculated using Kaplan Meier Curves. Rates of CR and ORR were also assessed. Results: A total of 144 patients underwent leukapheresis for CAR-T cell therapy during the time period; of these patients, 13 died prior to undergoing CAR-T cell infusion and were excluded from analysis. The primary cohort included 131 patients. Median age at the time of T-cell collection was 62 years old (range 23-85) and 61% were male. The majority (50%) had germinal center (GCB) subtype, with 42% non-GCB and subtype unavailable for 8%. A small number (3%) had primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. The majority had high-risk disease, with 45% having primary refractory disease, 14.5% double or triple hit, and 81% Ann Arbor stage III or IV at diagnosis. Median prior lines of therapy was 3 (range 0-10). Sixty-six patients received axi-cel and 65 patients received tisagenlecleucel. Forty percent of patients attained a CR, 18% partial response (PR), 3% stable disease (SD), 33% progressive disease (PD), and 6% of patients died prior to disease assessment. For those 76 patients that received a CR or PR to therapy, 43% relapsed post CAR-T and 57% remained in CR at last follow-up. Of those patients who relapsed or progressed post CAR-T, 69% (54/78) patients received additional therapy. The most common therapies utilized were lenalidomide based (35%), BTKi (22%), chemoimmunotherapy (13%), and checkpoint inhibitor based (15%). Other therapies represented 15% of cases and included small molecular inhibitor, radiation, allogeneic stem cell transplant, antibody drug conjugates, and bispecific antibodies (Table 1). Overall response rates and median OS for the groups were 50% and 2.25 years for BTKi, 13% and 0.96 years for checkpoint inhibitor based, 71% and not reached (NR) for chemoimmunotherapy, 47% and 2.4 years for lenalidomide based, and 75% and NR for other (Table 1; Figure 1). Median OS for those patients who did not receive any salvage therapy was 0.19 years. Conclusion: Consistent with prior studies, median OS following relapse post CAR-T therapy was poor, with median OS 0.19 years for patients who did not receive therapy and ranging from 0.96 years to NR for those that did. Rates of CR were highest in patients treated with BTKis. In our series, ORR rate to checkpoint inhibitors was relatively low in contrast to other recently published retrospective reports. Future prospective studies are needed to further assess the optimal therapy for patients who relapse post CAR-T therapy. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Bond: Kite/Gilead: Honoraria. Brammer: Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Kymera Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding. de Lima: Miltenyi Biotec: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jaglowski: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; CRISPR Therapeutics: Consultancy. Kittai: Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy.

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Consensus Grading of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) in Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) Treated with Tisagenlecleucel on the JULIET Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-113052 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4190-4190 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stephen J. Schuster ◽

Richard T. Maziarz ◽

Solveig G. Ericson ◽

Elisha S. Rusch ◽

James Signorovitch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Cell Therapy ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Car T Cell Therapy ◽

Car T ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Introduction: Autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy achieves rapid and durable responses in patients with r/r DLBCL, although unique potential toxicities require specialized management. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is the most commonly observed adverse event of special interest associated with CAR T-cell therapy. Two CRS grading scales have been used in different clinical trials of CAR T-cell therapy: the Penn scale (Porter, Sci Transl Med, 2015; Porter, J Hematol & Oncol, 2018) and the Lee scale (Lee, Blood, 2014; Neelapu, Nat Rev Clin Oncol, 2017). To better inform management of CRS and develop best practices, we assessed concordance and differences between the two scales by using the Lee scale to regrade observed CRS events in r/r DLBCL patients treated with tisagenlecleucel, who were previously graded per protocol using the Penn scale. Methods: Individual patient level data from the JULIET trial, a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, global phase 2 trial of tisagenlecleucel in adult patients with r/r DLBCL (NCT02445248), were used in this study. Four medical experts who had managed DLBCL patients using different CAR T-cell therapy protocols and products independently reviewed the data, while blinded to the original Penn grading, and re-graded CRS for JULIET patients using the Lee scale. Re-grading assessments and disagreements in the assigned Lee grade were discussed and reconciled among reviewers during a live meeting. As per the investigational charter, the most conservative final assessment of any expert reviewer determined the final grading for any individual case. For example, if an event was graded as 2, 3, 3 and 4, then grade 4 would be the final grading. Results: As of December. 8, 2017, 111 patients with r/r DLBCL were infused with tisagenlecleucel in the JULIET trial. Sixty-four (58%) patients had CRS graded according to the Penn scale and each case was re-graded using the Lee scale based on JULIET data collected prospectively (e.g., CRS-related symptoms, oxygen supplementation, intervention for hypotension, and organ toxicities). Using the Lee scale, 63 (57%) patients were considered to have any grade CRS by investigators, including grade 1 events in 26 (23%), grade 2 in 18 (16%), grade 3 in 10 (9%), and grade 4 in 9 (8%) (Figure 1). One patient with grade 1 per Penn scale was re-graded to grade 0 due to absence of documented fever or symptoms requiring intervention. Compared to Penn grades, the Lee scale provided the same grade for 39 patients, a lower grade for 20 patients, and a higher grade for 5 patients. Among 64 patients re-graded, 59 (92%) had fever, 27 (42%) had oxygen supplementation (3 with grade 1, 6 grade 2, 9 grade 3, and 9 grade 4 per Lee scale) and 7 (11%) had concurrent infections. Of 29 (45%) patients requiring intervention for hypotension (13 with grade 2, 7 grade 3, and 9 grade 4 per Lee scale), 28 had fluid resuscitation and 10 received high dose/combination vasopressors. In addition, 8 of 9 patients re-graded as Lee grade 4 were intubated. As for anti-cytokine therapy, only 17 patients received tocilizumab (1 for grade 1, 2 for grade 2, 5 for grade 3, and 9 for grade 4 CRS per Lee scale) and 12 patients received corticosteroids (2 for grade 2, 1 for grade 3, and 9 for grade 4 CRS per Lee scale). Conclusions: Different CAR-T studies in DLBCL patients have used different approaches (Lee and Penn scales) for grading CRS and had different thresholds for tocilizumab treatment of CRS. Harmonization of grading CRS between studies permits a more accurate comparison of observations and outcomes. In this analysis, patients with r/r DLBCL receiving tisagenlecleucel in the JULIET trial, which used the Penn scale to grade CRS, were re-graded by expert consensus using the Lee scale. Using the Lee scale, more patients were categorized as grade 1 (Lee vs. Penn: 26 vs. 17), fewer patients as grades 2 and 3 (18 vs. 23, and 10 vs. 15, respectively), and the same number of patients as grade 4 (9 vs. 9) compared to the Penn scale. The re-grading of the JULIET CRS data using the Lee scale makes it possible to perform comparative analyses of CRS outcomes from clinical trials using different CAR-T products and could be used to develop best practice guidelines. Disclosures Schuster: Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Dava Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; OncLive: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Physician's Education Source, LLC: Honoraria; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Maziarz:Athersys, Inc.: Patents & Royalties; Kite Therapeutics: Honoraria; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Ericson:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment. Rusch:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment. Romanov:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment. Locke:Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor; Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor. Maloney:Janssen Scientific Affairs: Honoraria; Roche/Genentech: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Research Funding.

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MSKCC Early Experience Using Radiotherapy As a Bridging Strategy for Relapsed Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma before CD19 CAR T Therapy

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-131449 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 3238-3238 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brandon Imber ◽

M. Lia Palomba ◽

Carl DeSelm ◽

Connie Lee Batlevi ◽

Parastoo B. Dahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Member ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Bridging Strategy

Background: CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapies have remarkable overall response rates (ORR) for relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). There is strong rationale to use a radiotherapy (RT) bridge during the cell manufacturing process including palliation, local control and cytoreduction with limited count impact. Recent data from our institution suggests RT may augment an immune response and sensitize antigen negative cells to CAR-mediated death. This series details our early experience using RT conditioning. Methods: 13 patients (median age 64 years) with DLBCL (n=9) or transformed follicular lymphoma (n=4) were analyzed. Overall, patients had a median of 2 prior therapies (range 1-8) including 3 with autologous transplant, 3 with distant RT and 1 with CAR T infusion. Several CAR products were used, including axicabtagene ciloleucel (n=8), JCAR017 (n=3, per NCT02631044), tisagenlecleucel (n=1) and EGFRt/19-28z/4-1BBL "armored" CAR (n=1, per NCT03085173). Most patients (n=10) began RT post apheresis with median duration between RT and CAR infusion of 20d (range 13-80, Figure 2). The most common RT regimen (n=8) was 20 Gy in 5 fractions (range 20-47 Gy) but 2 received our pre-transplant regimen of 30 Gy in 20 BID fractions. None received concurrent chemotherapy with RT but one had a cycle post RT and pre CAR. All had cyclophosphamide and fludarabine lymphodepletion. PET response was evaluated by Lugano criteria. Results: Three patients had limited stage PET avid disease at RT and were treated comprehensively pre-CAR. The remaining 10 were advanced stage and were treated palliatively to limited sites. Irradiated sites included the pelvis/groin (n=4), neck (n=3), intraabdominal (n=2) and extremity (n=2). Most (n=10) had intensity modulated radiotherapy. RT fields were large (median planning treatment volume of 887 cc, range 163-1641). Post RT PET interpretation was challenging given a short interval since RT ended (median 11d) but of 11 evaluable patients, many (n=8, 73%) had partial response (PR). Though locally controlled, most (n=10, 91%) had out of field progressive disease (PD) pre-CAR. Post CAR T, no severe adverse events in the RT field were noted, 9/13 had cytokine release syndrome (n=1 grade 3, n=2 grade 2) and 4 had neurotoxicity (n=3 grade 3). At day 30, ORR was 90%; of 10 evaluable patients, 7 had complete response (CR) and 2 had partial response (PR). Of the 7 evaluable patients at day 90, 4 (57%) had continued CR and the other 3 (43%) had PD and subsequently died from DLBCL. One relapsed at 95d post armored CAR both in and out of the RT field, and the other relapsed at 64d post JCAR017 primarily out of field. Conclusions: Use of RT as a CAR T bridging strategy is feasible and associated with excellent pre-CAR local control and initial post CAR ORR in a cohort of heavily pre-treated DLBCL patients. We observed moderate serious CAR toxicity that did not appear to be augmented by RT. Future efforts should clarify the optimal RT timing/dose and assess the potential for incremental immunogenicity with combined therapy. Disclosures Palomba: Hemedicus: Other: Immediate Family Member, Speakers Bureau ; Merck & Co Inc.: Other: Immediate Family Member, Consultancy (includes expert testimony); Seres Therapeutics: Other: Immediate Family Member, Equity Ownership and Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; STRAXIMM: Other: Immediate Family Member, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Other: Immediate Family Member, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Noble Insights: Consultancy; Evelo: Other: Immediate family member, Equity Ownership; MSK (IP for Juno and Seres): Other: Immediate Family Member, Patents & Royalties - describe: intellectual property rights . Batlevi:Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Giralt:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Noy:Medscape: Honoraria; Prime Oncology: Honoraria; Pharamcyclics: Research Funding; Raphael Pharma: Research Funding; NIH: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy. Park:Amgen: Consultancy; Autolus: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Allogene: Consultancy. Sauter:Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genmab: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Sanofi-Genzyme: Consultancy, Research Funding. Scordo:Angiocrine Bioscience, Inc.: Consultancy; McKinsey & Company: Consultancy. Shah:Janssen: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Sadelain:Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Employment; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties. Perales:Bellicum: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Nektar Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Omeros: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; MolMed: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NexImmune: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Medigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kyte/Gilead: Research Funding; Miltenyi: Research Funding.

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Development of Novel CAR Therapies for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Using Genome-Wide Overexpression Screens

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-148485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1726-1726

Author(s):

Mat Legut ◽

Zoran Gajic ◽

Maria Guarino ◽

Eleni Mimitou ◽

Stephanie Hao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Despite recent therapeutic advances in the management of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), up to 50% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) relapse after first line therapy, and for DLBCL patients who relapse within 12 months after subsequent stem cell transplant (SCT), the median overall survival (OS) is 6.3 months. Recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown remarkable activity in relapsed DLBCL with complete response (CR) rate of 40% and 54% for the two of the FDA-approved CAR T-cell products, tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel, respectively. However, at a median follow-up of 18 months, only 36% of patients treated with tisagenlecleucel remained in CR; with longer follow-up for axicabtagene ciloleucel the median progression free survival (PFS) was 5.9 months. Immune escape and immune evasion are primary mechanisms of CAR-T resistance; clearly improvements are needed to increase response rate and cure. While CRISPR-based loss-of-function screens have shown promise for high-throughput identification of genes that modulate T-cell response, these methods have been limited thus far to negative regulators of T-cell functions, and raise safety concerns due to the permanent nature of genome modification. Here we identify positive T-cell regulators via overexpression of ~12,000 barcoded human open reading frames (ORFs). Using this genome-scale ORF screen, we found modulator genes which increased primary human CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation, including activation markers like CD25 and CD40L, and secretion of key cytokines like interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma. In addition, we developed a single-cell genomics method (OverCITE-seq) for high-throughput quantification of the transcriptome and surface proteome in ORF-engineered T-cells. The top-ranked ORF, lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR), is typically expressed in a subset of myeloid cells but absent in lymphocytes. When expressed in T-cells, LTBR induces a profound transcriptional remodelling, resulting in increased resistance to exhaustion and activation-induced apoptosis, as well as upregulation of a plethora of proinflammatory cytokines, co-stimulatory molecules and antigen presentation machinery. In order to investigate the mechanism of action of LTBR, we developed an epistasis assay which allows for simultaneous gene knockout and LTBR overexpression in primary T cells. Thus, LTBR appears to induce both canonical and non-canonical NFkB pathways - but the phenotype observed in T cells is dependent only on the former. Finally, we co-expressed several top-ranked genes, including LTBR, with FDA approved CD19-targeting CARs utilizing either 4-1BB or CD28 co-stimulatory domains. In line with previous results, co-expression of top-ranked ORFs increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity against CD19+ positive cancer cell lines. This functional improvement was also observed when top-ranked ORFs and CARs were delivered to T cells isolated from DLBCL patients as shown in Figure 1. Our results provide several strategies for improving next generation CAR T-cell therapies via induction of new synthetic cell programs which may optimize immune activation and enhance the efficacy of these important therapies, a high priority for patients with relapsed and refractory DLBCL and other lymphomas. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mimitou: Immunai: Current Employment. Smibert: Immunai: Current Employment. Diefenbach: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; IMab: Research Funding; Gilead: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Celgene: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; IGM Biosciences: Research Funding; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; MEI: Consultancy, Research Funding; Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health: Current Employment; Incyte: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc./ F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Sanjana: Qiagen: Consultancy; Vertex: Consultancy.

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