A Phase I/II Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin (BV) Plus Rituximab (R) As Frontline Therapy for Patients with Immunosuppression-Associated CD30+ and/or EBV+ Lymphomas

Background: Immunocompromised patients (pts) face an approximate 6-fold increase in lifetime risk of lymphoid malignancies compared with immunocompetent counterparts. Additionally, up to 80% of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) cases are driven by EBV-associated mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Approximately 70% will express CD30 and over 80% will express CD20. Recent studies of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) have reported median overall survival (OS) of 2-4 years and treatment-related mortality (TRM) rates of 13-50%. Moreover, solid organ transplant (SOT) pts are at significant risk of graft rejection when CIT is employed, possibly due to "off target" depletion of regulatory T-cell populations. R monotherapy induction, followed by response-stratified use of CIT, has been evaluated (Trappe, et al, JCO, 2016). However, ~75% of pts had an inadequate response to R alone and required subsequent CIT; 2-yr OS for the population as a whole was ~70%. BV is an anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate that received accelerated FDA approval for previously untreated CD30+ T-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. We hypothesized that a combination of BV and R would yield improved breadth and depth of response compared with R monotherapy induction, would spare pts subsequent exposure to CIT, and result in favorable OS. Methods: We report here results of a phase I/II multicenter study investigating the efficacy and safety of BV+R as frontline therapy in pts diagnosed with immunosuppression-associated CD30+ and/or EBV+ lymphoid malignancies. Induction consisted of R 375 mg/m2 given days 1, 8, 15, 22 and BV 1.2 mg/kg given days 1, 8, 15, of a 28-day cycle, followed by restaging. Those with progression were removed from study. Pts with stable disease were offered study discontinuation or completion of one consolidation cycle followed by repeat disease assessment. Pts with partial response or complete response (CR) could receive either consolidation followed by maintenance therapy (MT) or move directly to MT without consolidation. Consolidation was identical to induction dosing; MT consisted of BV 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks and R 375 mg/m2 every 6 weeks for up to 1 year of therapy. Toxicity was defined using CTCAE 4.0 and response (Cheson, 2007) was assessed at the end of induction, consolidation (if given), and after cycles 4 and 7 of BV. Results: A total of 22 pts were entered in the trial. Toxicity and response data are available for 20 pts. Median age was 67 years (range, 30-79) and 14 pts (64%) were male (range, 30-79 years). Fourteen pts (64%) had received either a SOT or hematopoietic allograft requiring immunosuppression, 3 pts required immunosuppression for underlying rheumatologic conditions, and 3 pts were found to have EBV-associated lymphoid malignancies in the absence of iatrogenic immunosuppression (Table 1). Overall response rate was 70%, including a CR rate of 60%. With median follow-up of 26.1 month, the probability of progression-free survival at 1 year was 75.2% and 67.6% at 3 years (Fig 1). Probability of OS was 89.2% at both 1-year and 3-year follow-up (Fig 1). Median time to best response was 28 days. Three pts withdrew consent after induction, 2 pts died (1 death related to treatment), and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Seven pts (31%) required dose adjustments or delay of medication administration during induction therapy and 45% required discontinuation of therapy due to toxicity within 1 year. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities were peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and pancreatitis. The most frequent adverse events of any grade were fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, pancytopenia, and peripheral neuropathy (Table 2). Conclusions: The combination of BV + R had an acceptable safety profile and appeared effective in achieving early remissions when used as frontline therapy for PTLD and other immunosuppression-related lymphomas. Specifically, over half of pts achieved CR, and 75% have been spared exposure to multi-agent cytotoxic chemotherapy. Furthermore, survival and PFS data were encouraging compared with historical controls. However, nearly half of pts discontinued therapy within 1 year due to toxicity suggesting poor long-term tolerance of the regimen and that earlier cessation of therapy may be warranted. Further studies are needed to confirm these efficacy results and to determine optimal BV+R dosing regimens and durations. Disclosures Pro: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kyowa Hakka Kirin: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gordon:Gilead: Other: Advisory Board; Bayer: Other: Advisory Board; Juno/Celgene: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Zylem LLC: Other: co-founder; research in nanoparticles in cancer. Karmali:Gilead/Kite; Juno/Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Astrazeneca: Speakers Bureau; Takeda, BMS: Other: Research Funding to Institution. Winter:Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ma:Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Xeme: Research Funding; Bioverativ: Consultancy; Beigene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kite: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Juno: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Behdad:Pfizer: Other: Speaker; Thermo Fisher: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Loxo-Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Petrich:AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Smith:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

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A Phase I/II Study of Lenalidomide Plus Obinutuzumab in Relapsed Indolent Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-131045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 348-348 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nathan H Fowler ◽

Loretta J. Nastoupil ◽

Collin Chin ◽

Paolo Strati ◽

Fredrick B. Hagemeister ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Phase I ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Marginal Zone ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Indolent Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Grade 3

Background: Patients with advanced indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) can develop chemoresistance and most relapse following standard therapy. Although multiple treatment options exist, most are associated with short remission or intolerable side effects. Lenalidomide activates NK cells ± T cells and leads to in vivo expansion of immune effector cells in NHL models. The combination of rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) in relapsed iNHL is highly active and was recently approved. Obinutuzumab is a glycosylated type II anti-CD20 molecule with enhanced affinity for the FcγRIIIa receptors leading to improved ADCC. The primary objective of this phase I/II study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and efficacy of lenalidomide and obinutuzumab in relapsed indolent lymphoma. Methods: Patients with relapsed small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), marginal zone, and follicular lymphoma (gr 1-3a) were eligible. Patients enrolled in three predefined dose cohorts of lenalidomide (10mg,15mg, 20mg) given on days 2-22 of a 28 day cycle. Obinutuzumab was given at a fixed dose (1000mg) IV on days 1,8,15 and 22 of cycle 1 and day 1 of subsequent cycles for 6 cycles. The combination was given for up to 12 cycles in responding pts. Antihistamines were given in pts who developed rash. Prophylactic growth factor was not allowed. In the absence of progression or toxicity, single agent obinutuzumab was continued every 2 months for maximum of 30 months on study. Traditional 3+3 dose escalation was used with dose limiting toxicities (DLT) assessed during cycle 1. Once the MTD was established, 60 additional patients were enrolled in the phase II portion of the study. Adverse events were graded using CTCAE version 4.03. Results: 66 pts were enrolled between May 2014 until March 2019, and all are eligible for safety and response assessment. No DLTs were observed in dose escalation, and 60 pts were enrolled in the phase II portion of the study at 20mg of lenalidomide daily. Histologies included follicular lymphoma (FL) n=57, marginal zone n=4, SLL n=5. The median age was 64 (36-81), with 2 (1-5) median prior lines of treatment. For 53% of pts, the combination represented the third or greater line of treatment. The overall response (OR) rate for all pts was 98% with 72% attaining a complete response (CR). Eighteen pts (27%) had a partial response, and stable disease was noted in 1 (2%). At a median follow up of 17 months, 14 pts have progressed, with an estimated 24mo progression-free survival (PFS) of 73% (57-83% 95% CI). The estimated 24 mo PFS for ≥ third line pts was 63%. Twenty five pts (38%) remain on treatment and 95% remain alive at last follow up. The most common grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic toxicities included fatigue (5 pts), rash (4 pts), and cough (3 pts). Grade ≥3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 11 (17%) and 7 (11%) pts respectively. Two pts stopped treatment due to adverse events, including 1 transient bradycardia and 1 grade 3 fatigue. Conclusion: The combination of 20 mg of lenalidomide and 1000mg obinutuzumab is safe and effective in patients with relapsed indolent lymphoma. Adverse events appeared similar to our prior experience with lenalidomide and rituximab and were generally well tolerated. Overall response rates were high, with many pts achieving prolonged remission, including pts who had relapsed after 2 or more lines of prior therapy. Validation studies in the frontline and salvage setting are ongoing. Disclosures Fowler: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; ABBVIE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Nastoupil:TG Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Spectrum: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Genentech, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Westin:Novartis: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Juno: Other: Advisory Board; Janssen: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Kite: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Other: Advisory Board; Genentech: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Curis: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; 47 Inc: Research Funding. Neelapu:Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Research Funding; Karus: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Allogene: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Cell Medica: Consultancy.

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A Phase I-II Study of the Combination of Bendamustine and Pomalidomide with Dexamethasone in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1857.1857 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 1857-1857 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cristina Gasparetto ◽

Michael Green ◽

Anandgopal Srinivasan ◽

Yubin Kang ◽

David A. Rizzieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Phase I ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Board ◽

High Response ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Refractory Multiple Myeloma ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Background Bendamustine, a bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative with alkylating properties and pomalidomide, an IMiD® immunomodulatory agent, have both demonstrated efficacy as single agents or in combination with dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM). Bendamustine in combination with lenalidomide, thalidomide, and bortezomib have had high response rates and good tolerability. We combined bendamustine and pomalidomide with dexamethasone (Ben-Pom-d) and hypothesized that this regimen would be highly effective in patients with RRMM. Dose-escalation started with 120mg/m2 bendamustine/3mg pomalidomide [or 4mg in the cohort 2]/40 mg dexamethasone using a standard 3+3 schema based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurring in cycle 1. The MTD was 120mg/m2 bendamustine/3mg pomalidomide/40 mg dexamethasone. Here, we report our findings to date from the phase I/II trial of Ben-Pom-d in patients with RRMM (NCT01754402). Methods The primary objective of the phase I portion was to determine the MTD. Data for overall response, progression free survival, and overall survival, includes all patients treated on the phase I and II portions of the study. All patients had to be refractory to prior lenalidomide, and must have relapsed or were refractory to their most recent therapy. Patients had to be pomalidomide naïve. Treatment consisted of oral pomalidomide once daily on days 1-21, intravenous (IV) bendamustine given over 30 minutes on day 1 and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Adverse events (AEs) were graded by NCI-CTCAE v4. Response was assessed by the modified International Uniform Response Criteria. Results A total of 9 patients were enrolled in the phase I portion. The MTD was the starting dose level (bendamustine 120 mg/m2, pomalidomide 3mg, dexamethasone 40 mg). In Phase II we enrolled an additional 16 patients resulting in a total study population of 25 patients evaluable for toxicity and 22 for efficacy, with 6 still receiving treatment. The median age was 65 years (range 43-81), 46% were male. The median number of prior regimens was 3 (range 2-6), median time from diagnosis is 3.9 years (range 1.1-9.10 years), 88% of patients had a prior stem cell transplant, 100% had prior bortezomib, 20% had prior carfilzomib and all were lenalidomide-refractory. Fifteen patients had high risk cytogenetic, including 8 patients with del17. Patients received a median of 6 cycles of therapy (range 1-18 cycles). Best response assessments in 22 evaluable patients for efficacy, showed 5 (23%) VGPR, 12 (55%) PR, 3 (14%) MR, and 2 (9%) SD, for an ORR of 77% and a ≥MR rate of 91%. The median follow-up of survivors is 10 months (range: 2-19+ months). Median PFS and OS were 4.5 months (range 1-15+ months) and 9.5 months (range 2-19+ months), respectively, for the entire cohort with 13 of 22 still alive in follow-up. The Median PFS for patient with del 17 is 5.5 months (range 2-15 months) with >MR rate of 88%. During the first cycle, 3 patients of all 25 evaluable enrolled experienced a DLT at the different doses, including 1 nausea/vomiting [cohort 1], and 2 with rash and fever in cohort 2. The therapy was tolerated well, but toxicities reported at any point while on therapy included 32% grade 4 neutropenia, 16% grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and half the patients requiring delay of subsequent cycles due to cytopenias and 17 of 22 (77%) had a dose reduction of pomalidomide per protocol guidelines at some point in the continuation cycles. The major non-hematologic Grade ≥3 drug-related AEs that occurred included febrile neutropenia in 12%, grade 3 mucositis in 8%, grade 3 pneumonia 16% and grade 4%, and grade 4 sepsis 4%. Conclusions The Ben-Pom-d regimen is a well-tolerated regimen and achieves a high response rate (ORR of 77%; ≥MR rate of 91%) in a heavily pre-treated Lenalidomide-refractory population with prior bortezomib exposure. Therapy is ongoing for many and longer follow-up is needed to better assess the true durability of this approach. Disclosures Gasparetto: Onyx: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board; Millennium/takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; teva: Other: spouse-ad board and speaker bureau. Off Label Use: Bendamustine-pomalidomide-dexa for treatment of relapsed myeloma. Rizzieri:Teva: Other: ad board, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Other: ad board, Speakers Bureau. Rao:novartis: Other: ad board; amgen: Other: ad board; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Other: Advisory Board. Tuchman:celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium/takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

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Preliminary Results of a Phase I Study of Nivolumab (BMS-936558) in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Lymphoid Malignancies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.291.291 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 291-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Alexander M. Lesokhin ◽

Stephen M. Ansell ◽

Philippe Armand ◽

Emma C. Scott ◽

Ahmad Halwani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Board ◽

T Cell Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Lymphoid Malignancies

Abstract Introduction Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint receptor that inhibits T cell activation upon interaction with its ligands PD-L1 or PD-L2. Increased PD-L1 expression has been reported in various lymphoid malignancies, and may allow these tumors to circumvent host anti-tumor immunity. Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 monoclonal PD-1 receptor blocking antibody, potentiates T cell activity, and has clinical efficacy in various solid tumors. We hypothesized that nivolumab might also have clinically important anti-tumor activity in patients with lymphoid malignancies. Methods This open-label study enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoid malignancies including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), T-cell NHL (T-NHL), multiple myeloma (MM), and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Patients were treated using a dose escalation design (1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg) of nivolumab administered every two weeks for up to two years. Responses were assessed using standard criteria. The primary endpoint was safety; key secondary endpoints included anti-tumor activity and expression of immunomodulatory proteins in tumor biopsies. The preliminary results for the cHL patients will be reported separately. Results Twenty-nine patients with B-NHL, 2 patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma; 23 patients with T-NHL; 27 patients with MM; and 1 with chronic myelogenous leukemia were enrolled. Patients were heavily pretreated with 67%, 69%, and 78% of MM, B-NHL, and T-NHL patients, respectively, having received ≥ 3 prior treatment regimens. Previous autologous stem cell transplantation was reported for 56% of MM, 14% of B-NHL, and 9% of T-NHL patients. Prior brentuximab treatment was reported in 7% of B-NHL and 26% of T-NHL patients. When this pre-planned interim analysis was performed, six patients had been treated at the 1 mg/kg dose with 2 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurring in the same patient: grade 3 pneumonia and pneumonitis. At the 3mg/kg dose, seven patients were treated with one patient experiencing two DLTs: grade 3 eosinophilia and diplopia. Additional patients were enrolled in the cohort expansion at 3 mg/kg. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 72%, 65%, and 52% of B-NHL, T-NHL, and MM patients, respectively. Serious AEs in B-NHL patients were pneumonitis (7%), acute respiratory distress syndrome, dermatitis, diplopia, enteritis, eosinophilia, mucosal inflammation, pyrexia and vomiting, each occurring in 3%. In the T-NHL patients, serious AEs were pneumonitis, rash, and sepsis, each occurring in 4%, and in MM patients, serious AEs were pneumonitis, myositis, and increased creatine phosphokinase, each occurring in 4%. The incidence and severity of drug related AEs were similar across tumor types. Efficacy results are shown for each tumor type in the table. The overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate in patients with B-NHL were 28% and 7%, respectively, including an ORR of 36% in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 40% in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). In patients with T-NHL, ORR was 17% (no CR), including an ORR of 40% in the 5 patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma. No objective responses were observed in MM. Analysis of PD-L1 expression and correlation to clinical outcome is being performed and will be presented. Conclusions Nivolumab administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg every two weeks was tolerable and the safety profile was similar to that of the agent in solid tumors. Objective responses were observed in DLBCL, FL, mycosis fungoides (MF), and peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Durable stable disease was observed in relapsed MM. The results of this phase 1 study have led to phase 2 studies in DLBCL and FL, which are ongoing. Table: Efficacy Results Tumor N Complete Response n (%) Partial Response n (%) Stable Disease (SD) n (%) Progression Free Survival Rate at 24 Weeks (%) Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) 11 1 (9) 3 (27) 3 (27) (24) Follicular Lymphoma (FL) 10 1 (10) 3 (30) 6 (60) (68) Other B Cell Lymphoma 8 0 0 5 (63) (38) Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma 2 0 0 2 (100) (0) Mycosis Fungoides (MF) 13 0 2 (15) 9 (69) (39) Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) 5 0 2 (40) 0 (30) Other T Cell Lymphoma 5 0 0 1 (20) (0) Multiple Myeloma (MM) 27 0 0 18 (67) (15) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia 1 0 0 1 (100) (100) Disclosures Lesokhin: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ansell:Bristol-Myers Sqibb: Research Funding. Armand:Merck: Consultancy. Cohen:Celgene: Member, Independent Response Adjudication Committee Other; Onyx: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other, Research Funding; Janssen: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other. Lebovic:Genentech, Allos, Celgene, Onyx, Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Rodig:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Zhu:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Grosso:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kim:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Shipp:Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Research Funding; Janssen R&D: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Borrello:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Timmerman:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

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Conventional Immunochemotherapy (R-CHOEP) Vs High-Dose Immunochemotherapy (R-MegaCHOEP) in Younger Patients with High-Risk Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma: 10-Year Long-Term Follow-up of a German Lymphoma Alliance (GLA) Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-123637 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1589-1589

Author(s):

Fabian Frontzek ◽

Marita Ziepert ◽

Maike Nickelsen ◽

Bettina Altmann ◽

Bertram Glass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Board ◽

High Dose ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Scientific Advisory Board ◽

Scientific Advisory

Introduction: The R-MegaCHOEP trial showed that dose-escalation of conventional chemotherapy necessitating autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) does not confer a survival benefit for younger patients (pts) with high-risk aggressive B-cell lymphoma in the Rituximab era (Schmitz et al., Lancet Oncology 2012; 13, 1250-1259). To describe efficacy and toxicity over time and document the long-term risks of relapse and secondary malignancy we present the 10-year follow-up of this study. Methods: In the randomized, prospective phase 3 trial R-MegaCHOEP younger pts aged 18-60 years with newly diagnosed, high-risk (aaIPI 2-3) aggressive B-cell lymphoma were assigned to 8 cycles of CHOEP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubcine, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone) or 4 cycles of dose-escalated high-dose therapy (HDT) necessitating repetitive ASCT both combined with Rituximab. Both arms were stratified according to aaIPI, bulky disease, and center. Primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS). All analyses were calculated for the intention-to-treat population. This follow-up report includes molecular data based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for MYC (IHC: 31/92 positive [40-100%], FISH: 14/103 positive), BCL2 (IHC: 65/89 positive [50-100%], FISH: 23/111 positive) and BCL6 (IHC: 52/86 positive [30-100%], FISH: 34/110 positive) and data on cell of origin (COO) classification according to the Lymph2CX assay (GCB: 53/88; ABC: 24/88; unclassified: 11/88). Results: 130 pts had been assigned to R-CHOEP and 132 to R-MegaCHOEP. DLBCL was the most common lymphoma subtype (~80%). 73% of pts scored an aaIPI of 2 and 27% an aaIPI of 3. 60% of pts had an initial lymphoma bulk and in 40% more than 1 extranodal site was involved. After a median observation time of 111 months, EFS at 10 years was 57% (95% CI 47-67%) in the R-CHOEP vs. 51% in the R-MegaCHOEP arm (42-61%) (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% CI 0.9-1.8, p=0.228), overall survival (OS) after 10 years was 72% (63-81%) vs. 66% (57-76%) respectively (p=0.249). With regard to molecular characterization, we were unable to detect a significant benefit for HDT/ASCT in any subgroup analyzed. In total, 16% of pts (30 pts) relapsed after having achieved a complete remission (CR). 23% of all relapses (7 pts) showed an indolent histology (follicular lymphoma grade 1-3a) and 6 of these pts survived long-term. In contrast, of 23 pts (77%) relapsing with aggressive DLBCL or unknown histology 18 pts died due to lymphoma or related therapy. The majority of relapses occurred during the first 3 years after randomization (median time: 22 months) while after 5 years we detected relapses only in 5 pts (3% of all 190 pts prior CR). 11% of pts were initially progressive (28 pts) among whom 71% (20 pts) died rapidly due to lymphoma. Interestingly, the remaining 29% (8 pts) showed a long-term survival after salvage therapy (+/- ASCT); only 1 pt received allogeneic transplantation. The frequency of secondary malignancies was very similar in both treatment arms (9% vs. 8%) despite the very high dose of etoposide (total 4g/m2)in the R-MegaCHOEP arm. We observed 2 cases of AML and 1 case of MDS per arm. In total 70 pts (28%) have died: 30 pts due to lymphoma (12%), 22 pts therapy-related (11 pts due to salvage therapy) (9%), 8 pts of secondary neoplasia (3%), 5 pts due to concomitant disease (2%) and 5 pts for unknown reasons. Conclusions: This 10-year long-term follow-up of the R-MegaCHOEP trial confirms the very encouraging outcome of young high-risk pts following conventional chemotherapy with R-CHOEP. High-dose therapy did not improve outcome in any subgroup analysis including molecular high-risk groups. Relapse rate was generally low. Pts with aggressive relapse showed a very poor long-term outcome while pts with indolent histology at relapse survived long-term. Secondary malignancies occurred; however, they were rare with no excess leukemias/MDS following treatment with very high doses of etoposide and other cytotoxic agents. Supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe. Figure Disclosures Nickelsen: Roche Pharma AG: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Grants; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Grant; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hänel:Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Other: advisory board; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Other: advisory board; Roche: Honoraria. Truemper:Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; Roche: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Held:Roche: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Acrotech: Research Funding; MSD: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Dreyling:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Other: scientific advisory board; Sandoz: Other: scientific advisory board; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Acerta: Other: scientific advisory board. Viardot:Kite/Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rosenwald:MorphoSys: Consultancy. Lenz:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Employment, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy. Schmitz:Novartis: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene: Equity Ownership; Riemser: Consultancy, Honoraria.

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Identification of Two CAR T-Cell Populations Associated with Complete Response or Progressive Disease in Adult Lymphoma Patients Treated with Axi-Cel

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-130815 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 779-779 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zinaida Good ◽

Jay Y. Spiegel ◽

Bita Sahaf ◽

Meena B. Malipatlolla ◽

Matthew J. Frank ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Car T Cells ◽

Scientific Advisory Board ◽

Car T ◽

Scientific Advisory

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Axi-cel) is an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL). Long-term analysis of the ZUMA-1 phase 1-2 clinical trial showed that ~40% of Axi-cel patients remained progression-free at 2 years (Locke et al., Lancet Oncology 2019). Those patients who achieved a complete response (CR) at 6 months generally remained progression-free long-term. The biological basis for achieving a durable CR in patients receiving Axi-cel remains poorly understood. Here, we sought to identify CAR T-cell intrinsic features associated with CR at 6 months in DLBCL patients receiving commercial Axi-cel at our institution. Using mass cytometry, we assessed expression of 33 surface or intracellular proteins relevant to T-cell function on blood collected before CAR T cell infusion, on day 7 (peak expansion), and on day 21 (late expansion) post-infusion. To identify cell features that distinguish patients with durable CR (n = 11) from those who developed progressive disease (PD, n = 14) by 6 months following Axi-cel infusion, we performed differential abundance analysis of multiparametric protein expression on CAR T cells. This unsupervised analysis identified populations on day 7 associated with persistent CR or PD at 6 months. Using 10-fold cross-validation, we next fitted a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) model that identified two clusters of CD4+ CAR T cells on day 7 as potentially predictive of clinical outcome. The first cluster identified by our model was associated with CR at 6 months and had high expression of CD45RO, CD57, PD1, and T-bet transcription factor. Analysis of protein co-expression in this cluster enabled us to define a simple gating scheme based on high expression of CD57 and T-bet, which captured a population of CD4+ CAR T cells on day 7 with greater expansion in patients experiencing a durable CR (mean±s.e.m. CR: 26.13%±2.59%, PD: 10.99%±2.53%, P = 0.0014). In contrast, the second cluster was associated with PD at 6 months and had high expression of CD25, TIGIT, and Helios transcription factor with no CD57. A CD57-negative Helios-positive gate captured a population of CD4+ CAR T cells was enriched on day 7 in patients who experienced progression (CR: 9.75%±2.70%, PD: 20.93%±3.70%, P = 0.016). Co-expression of CD4, CD25, and Helios on these CAR T cells highlights their similarity to regulatory T cells, which could provide a basis for their detrimental effects. In this exploratory analysis of 25 patients treated with Axi-cel, we identified two populations of CD4+ CAR T cells on day 7 that were highly associated with clinical outcome at 6 months. Ongoing analyses are underway to fully characterize this dataset, to explore the biological activity of the populations identified, and to assess the presence of other populations that may be associated with CAR-T expansion or neurotoxicity. This work demonstrates how multidimensional correlative studies can enhance our understanding of CAR T-cell biology and uncover populations associated with clinical outcome in CAR T cell therapies. This work was supported by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Figure Disclosures Muffly: Pfizer: Consultancy; Adaptive: Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy. Miklos:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite-Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AlloGene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Precision Bioscience: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Miltenyi Biotech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Becton Dickinson: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Juno: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mackall:Vor: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Roche: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Adaptimmune LLC: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Glaxo-Smith-Kline: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Allogene: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Apricity Health: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Unum Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Obsidian: Research Funding; Lyell: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Other: Founder, Research Funding; Nektar: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; PACT: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Bryologyx: Other: Scientific Advisory Board.

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A Phase I Study of Vorinostat, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone In Patients with Relapsed or Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Excellent Tolerability and Promising Activity In a Heavily Pretreated Population

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.1951.1951 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 1951-1951 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Paul Richardson ◽

Donna Weber ◽

Constantine S. Mitsiades ◽

Meletios A. Dimopoulos ◽

Jean-Luc Harousseau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Phase I ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase I Study ◽

Response Rate ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Abstract 1951 Background: Although novel treatment combinations for multiple myeloma (MM) have improved outcomes, the disease remains incurable and new drug combinations are urgently needed. Vorinostat is an oral histone deacetylase inhibitor approved in the United States for treatment of patients (pts) with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who failed prior therapies. Vorinostat alters gene expression and protein activity, promoting MM cell death through multiple pathways, and has been shown in preclinical studies to synergistically enhance the anti-MM activity of bortezomib and immunomodulatory drugs, including lenalidomide, with or without dexamethasone. Aims: The primary objective of this Phase I study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of vorinostat plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in pts with relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM. Secondary objectives included overall safety, tolerability, response rate, duration of response, and time to progression (TTP). Methods: Pts in this Phase I multicenter open-label study were sequentially enrolled into 1 of 5 escalating doses of the combination regimen using a standard 3 + 3 design for ≤8 cycles. Pts who tolerated treatment and experienced clinical benefit were eligible for enrollment in an extension phase. Toxicity was evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria (version 3.0). Response was assessed using the modified European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria and International Myeloma Working Group Uniform Criteria. Safety and efficacy data were analyzed using summary statistics, except for TTP, which was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: As of July 15, 2010, 31 pts were treated and evaluable for toxicity; 4 pts remain on study. Most pts had received prior thalidomide (n=22; 71%), bortezomib (n=20; 65%), or lenalidomide (n=14; 45%), with a median of 4 prior therapies (range, 1–10). The patient population contained both high-risk and low-risk pts, based on cytogenetic and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in severity. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs, experienced by 19 (61%) pts, were neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (16%), diarrhea (13%), anemia (10%), and fatigue (10%); 8 pts discontinued due to toxicity. One dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 diarrhea lasting >48 h) was observed at the maximum assessed dose (level 5), but MTD was not reached (Table) and there were no treatment-related deaths. Among 30 pts evaluable for response, the median TTP was 32 weeks (5 mo), and 4 pts remain on study as of the data cutoff date; 26 of 30 pts (87%) have achieved at least stable disease (SD). Best single responses included 2 complete responses, 3 very good partial responses (VGPR), 11 partial responses (PR), and 5 minimal responses (MR), with 5 pts achieving SD and 4 developing progressive disease, resulting in an overall response rate (ORR; PR or better) of 53%. Of 13 evaluable pts who had previously received lenalidomide, a best single response of SD or better was observed in 9 (69%; 2 VGPR, 3 PR, 1 MR, 3 SD), resulting in a 38% ORR. Notably, SD or better (2 PR, 1 MR, 3 SD) was observed in 60% of 10 evaluable pts who were relapsed, refractory, or intolerant to previous lenalidomide-containing regimens. Conclusions: Preliminary data from this Phase I study suggest that vorinostat plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone is a convenient and generally well-tolerated regimen with promising activity for relapsed or relapsed and refractory MM. The MTD for this combination was not reached. Importantly, responses were observed in pts who had received prior lenalidomide, bortezomib, and thalidomide. Further evaluation of this regimen is planned in future trials. Disclosures: Richardson: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Vorinostat, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone for treatment in Multiple Myeloma. Weber:Novartis-unpaid consultant: Consultancy; Merck- unpaid consultant: Consultancy; Celgene- none for at least 2 years: Honoraria; Millenium-none for 2 years: Honoraria; Celgene, Millenium, Merck: Research Funding. Mitsiades:Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck & Co.: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kosan Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmion: Consultancy, Honoraria; Centrocor: Consultancy, Honoraria; PharmaMar: Patents & Royalties; OSI Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Amgen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; AVEO Pharma: Research Funding; EMD Serono: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Gloucester Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding. Dimopoulos:MSD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Harousseau:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Houp:Merck Research Laboratories: Employment. Graef:Merck Research Laboratories: Employment. Gause:Merck Research Laboratories: Employment. Byrne:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Acetylon: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siegel:Celgene and Millennium: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Advisory Board.

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Long-Term Safety, Efficacy, and Survival Findings From Comfort-II, a Phase 3 Study Comparing Ruxolitinib with Best Available Therapy (BAT) for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis (MF)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.801.801 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 801-801 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Francisco Cervantes ◽

Jean-Jacques Kiladjian ◽

Dietger Niederwieser ◽

Andres Sirulnik ◽

Viktoriya Stalbovskaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Extension Phase ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Abstract 801 Background: Ruxolitinib is a potent JAK1 & 2 inhibitor that has demonstrated superiority over traditional therapies for the treatment of MF. In the two phase 3 COMFORT studies, ruxolitinib demonstrated rapid and durable reductions in splenomegaly and improved MF-related symptoms and quality of life. COMFORT-II is a randomized, open-label study evaluating ruxolitinib versus BAT in patients (pts) with MF. The primary and key secondary endpoints were both met: the proportion of pts achieving a response (defined as a ≥ 35% reduction in spleen volume) at wk 48 (ruxolitinib, 28.5%; BAT, 0%; P < .0001) and 24 (31.9% and 0%; P < .0001), respectively. The present analyses update the efficacy and safety findings of COMFORT-II (median follow-up, 112 wk). Methods: In COMFORT-II, 219 pts with intermediate-2 or high-risk MF and splenomegaly were randomized (2:1) to receive ruxolitinib (15 or 20 mg bid, based on baseline platelet count [100-200 × 109/L or > 200 × 109/L, respectively]) or BAT. Efficacy results are based on an intention-to-treat analysis; a loss of spleen response was defined as a > 25% increase in spleen volume over on-study nadir that is no longer a ≥ 35% reduction from baseline. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median follow-up was 112 wk (ruxolitinib, 113; BAT, 108), and the median duration of exposure 83.3 wk (ruxolitinib, 111.4 [randomized and extension phases]; BAT, 45.1 [randomized treatment only]). Because the core study has completed, all pts have either entered the extension phase or discontinued from the study. The primary reasons for discontinuation were adverse events (AEs; ruxolitinib, 11.6%; BAT, 6.8%), consent withdrawal (4.1% and 12.3%), and disease progression (2.7% and 5.5%). Overall, 72.6% of pts (106/146) in the ruxolitinib arm and 61.6% (45/73) in the BAT arm entered the extension phase to receive ruxolitinib, and 55.5% (81/146) of those originally randomized to ruxolitinib remained on treatment at the time of this analysis. The primary reasons for discontinuation from the extension phase were progressive disease (8.2%), AEs (2.1%), and other (4.1%). Overall, 70 pts (48.3%) treated with ruxolitinib achieved a ≥ 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume at any time during the study, and 97.1% of pts (132/136) with postbaseline assessments experienced a clinical benefit with some degree of reduction in spleen volume. Spleen reductions of ≥ 35% were sustained with continued ruxolitinib therapy (median duration not yet reached); the probabilities of maintaining the spleen response at wk 48 and 84 are 75% (95% CI, 61%-84%) and 58% (95% CI, 35%-76%), respectively (Figure). Since the last report (median 61.1 wk), an additional 9 and 12 deaths were reported in the ruxolitinib and BAT arms, respectively, resulting in a total of 20 (14%) and 16 (22%) deaths overall. Although there was no inferential statistical testing at this unplanned analysis, pts randomized to ruxolitinib showed longer survival than those randomized to BAT (HR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.27–1.00). As expected, given the mechanism of action of ruxolitinib as a JAK1 & 2 inhibitor, the most common new or worsened grade 3/4 hematologic abnormalities during randomized treatment were anemia (ruxolitinib, 40.4%; BAT, 23.3%), lymphopenia (22.6%; 31.5%), and thrombocytopenia (9.6%; 9.6%). In the ruxolitinib arm, mean hemoglobin levels decreased over the first 12 wk of treatment and then recovered to levels similar to BAT from wk 24 onward; there was no difference in the mean monthly red blood cell transfusion rate among the ruxolitinib and BAT groups (0.834 vs 0.956 units, respectively). Nonhematologic AEs were primarily grade 1/2. Including the extension phase, there were no new nonhematologic AEs in the ruxolitinib group that were not observed previously (in ≥ 10% of pts), and only 1 pt had a new grade 3/4 AE (epistaxis). Conclusion: In COMFORT-II, ruxolitinib provided rapid and durable reductions in splenomegaly; this analysis demonstrates that these reductions are sustained over 2 years of treatment in the majority of pts. Ruxolitinib-treated pts showed longer survival than those receiving BAT, consistent with the survival advantage observed in previous (Verstovsek et al. NEJM. 2012) and current analyses of COMFORT-I, as well as with the comparison of pts of the phase 1/2 study with matched historical controls (Verstovsek et al. Blood. 2012). Disclosures: Cervantes: Sanofi-Aventis: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Celgene: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Pfizer: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Teva Pharmaceuticals: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: AdvisoryBoard Other, Speakers Bureau. Kiladjian:Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding. Niederwieser:Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Sirulnik:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Stalbovskaya:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. McQuity:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hunter:Incyte: Employment. Levy:Incyte: Employment, stock options Other. Passamonti:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: 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. Barbui:Novartis: Honoraria. Gisslinger:AOP Orphan Pharma AG: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Vannucchi:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Knoops:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Harrison:Shire: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; YM Bioscience: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

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Real-World Outcomes for Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Treated with Tisagenlecleucel: Update from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) Registry

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-146393 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 428-428

Author(s):

Samuel John ◽

Michael A. Pulsipher ◽

Amy Moskop ◽

Zhen-Huan Hu ◽

Christine L. Phillips ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Real World ◽

Research Funding ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Age Groups ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Advisory Boards

Abstract Background: Tisagenlecleucel is an autologous CD19-directed T-cell immunotherapy indicated in the USA for treatment of patients up to 25 years (y) of age with B-cell ALL that is refractory or in second or later relapse. Overall response rate was 82% with 24 months' (mo) follow-up in the registrational ELIANA trial [Grupp et al. Blood 2018]; pooled data from ELIANA and ENSIGN revealed similar outcomes upon stratification by age (<18y and ≥18y) [Rives et al. HemaSphere 2018]. Early real-world data for tisagenlecleucel from the CIBMTR registry reported similar efficacy to ELIANA with no new safety signals [Pasquini et al. Blood Adv 2020]. Outcomes are reported here for patients who received tisagenlecleucel in the real-world setting, stratified by age (<18y and ≥18y). Methods: This noninterventional prospective study used data from the CIBMTR registry and included patients aged ≤25y with R/R ALL. Eligible patients received commercial tisagenlecleucel after August 30, 2017, in the USA or Canada. Age-specific analyses were conducted in patients aged <18y and ≥18y at the time of infusion. Efficacy was assessed in patients with ≥12mo follow-up at each reporting center and included best overall response (BOR) of complete remission (CR), duration of response (DOR), event-free survival (EFS), relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Safety was evaluated in all patients who completed the first (100-day) assessment. Adverse events (AEs) of interest - including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity - were monitored throughout the reporting period. CRS and neurotoxicity were graded using the ASTCT criteria. Results: As of October 30, 2020, data from 451 patients were collected, all of whom received tisagenlecleucel. The median time from receipt of leukapheresis product at the manufacturing site to shipment was 27 days (interquartile range: 25-34). Patients aged ≥18y appeared to have greater disease burden at baseline than those aged <18y, indicated by lower rates of morphologic CR and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity prior to infusion. Older patients were also more heavily pre-treated before infusion. All other patient characteristics at baseline were comparable between the two groups (Table 1). In the efficacy set (median follow-up 21.5mo; range 11.9-37.2; N=322), BOR of CR was 87.3% (95% CI 83.1-90.7); MRD status was available for 150 patients, of whom 98.7% were MRD negative. Median DOR was 23.9mo (95% CI 12.3-not estimable [NE]), median EFS was 14.0mo (9.8-24.8) and median RFS was 23.9mo (13.0-NE); 12mo EFS and RFS were 54.3% and 62.3%, respectively. For OS, the median was not reached. Efficacy outcomes were generally similar across age groups (Table 1). In the safety set (median follow-up 20.0mo; range 2.6-37.2; N=400), most AEs of interest occurred within 100 days of infusion. Any-grade CRS was observed in 58.0% of patients; Grade ≥3 in 17.8%. Treatment for CRS included tocilizumab (n=113; 28.3% of all patients) and corticosteroids (n=31; 7.8%). Neurotoxicity was observed in 27.3% of patients; Grade ≥3 in 10.0%. Treatment for neurotoxicity included tocilizumab (n=17; 4.3% of all patients) and corticosteroids (n=28; 7.0%). During the reporting period, 82 (20.5%) patients died; the most common cause of death was recurrence/persistence/progression of primary disease. CRS and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell-related encephalopathy syndrome were the primary cause of death in 2 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Overall, safety data were similar across age groups, although more patients aged ≥18y experienced any-grade CRS or neurotoxicity and were subsequently treated (Table 1). Conclusions: Updated registry data for pediatric and young adult patients with R/R ALL treated with tisagenlecleucel revealed that patients aged ≥18y had a greater disease burden and were more heavily pre-treated at baseline than patients aged <18y. The overall efficacy and safety profiles of commercial tisagenlecleucel reflected those observed in the clinical trial setting [Grupp et al. Blood 2018; Rives et al. HemaSphere 2018] and were broadly consistent across age groups. Some important differences between the <18y and ≥18y groups were identified, which may point to challenges in timely identification and/or referral of older patients for CAR-T cell therapy. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Pulsipher: Equillium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Research Funding; Jasper Therapeutics: Honoraria. Hu: Kite/Gilead: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Phillips: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Margossian: Cue Biopharma, Inc.: Current Employment; Novartis: Other: Ad hoc Advisory Boards. Nikiforow: Kite/Gilead: Other: Ad hoc advisory boards; Novartis: Other: Ad hoc advisory boards; Iovance: Other: Ad hoc advisory boards; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): Other: Ad hoc advisory boards. Martin: Novartis: Other: Local PI for clinical trial; Bluebird Bio: Other: Local PI for clinical trial. Rouce: Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Tessa Therapeutics: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy. Tiwari: Novartis Healthcare private limited: Current Employment. Redondo: Novartis: Current Employment. Willert: Novartis: Current Employment. Agarwal: Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation: Current Employment, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Pasquini: Kite Pharma: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Grupp: Novartis, Roche, GSK, Humanigen, CBMG, Eureka, and Janssen/JnJ: Consultancy; Novartis, Kite, Vertex, and Servier: Research Funding; Novartis, Adaptimmune, TCR2, Cellectis, Juno, Vertex, Allogene and Cabaletta: Other: Study steering committees or scientific advisory boards; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Steering committee, Research Funding.

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Pediatric-Inspired Chemotherapy Incorporating Pegaspargase Is Safe and Results in High Rates of MRD Negativity in Adults Ages 18-60 with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-115486 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4013-4013 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mark Blaine Geyer ◽

Ellen K. Ritchie ◽

Arati V. Rao ◽

M. Isabella Cazacu ◽

Shreya Vemuri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Philadelphia Chromosome ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Lymphoblastic Lymphoma ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Introduction: Among adolescents and young adults with (w/) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL), treatment using a pediatric (vs. adult) regimen appears to achieve superior event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS); this observation has driven increased interest in adapting pediatric regimens for middle-aged adults w/ ALL/LBL. However, greater risk of toxicities associated w/ asparaginase complicates administration of pediatric-inspired regimens in adults. We therefore designed a pediatric-inspired chemotherapy regimen w/ doses of pegaspargase (PEG) rationally synchronized to limit overlapping toxicities w/ other chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: We conducted a phase II multi-center trial in adults ages 18-60 w/ newly-diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) ALL/LBL (NCT01920737). Pts w/ Ph+ ALL or Burkitt-type ALL were ineligible. The treatment regimen consisted of 2-phase induction (I-1, I-2), followed by consolidation w/ 2 courses of alternating high-dose methotrexate-based intensification and reinduction, followed by 3 years of maintenance (Figure 1). PEG 2000 IU/m2 was administered in each of the 6 intensive courses of induction/consolidation at intervals of ≥4 weeks. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed in bone marrow (BM) by multiparameter flow cytometry (FACS) on day (d) 15 of I1 and following I-1 and I-2. Any detectable MRD (even <0.01% of BM WBCs) was considered positive. Toxicities were assessed by CTCAE v4.0. Results: 39 pts were enrolled (30M, 9F), w/ B-ALL (n=28), T-ALL (n=7), B-LBL (n=3), and T-LBL (n=5). Median age at start of treatment was 38.3 years (range 20.2-60.4), w/ 18 pts age 40-60. Grade 3-4 toxicities associated w/ PEG are summarized in Table 1. Grade 3-4 hyperbilirubinemia was observed post-PEG in I-1 in 9 pts, but only recurred thereafter in 1/8 pts resuming PEG. Pts completing consolidation on protocol (n=16) received median of 6 doses of PEG (range, 2-6). Four pts developed hypersensitivity to PEG and subsequently received Erwinia asparaginase. PEG was discontinued in 4 additional pts due to hepatotoxicity (n=2), pancreatitis (n=1), and physician preference (n=1). Of pts w/ available response assessments, 35/36 (97%) achieved morphologic complete response (CR) or CR w/ incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) following I-1 (n=34) or I-2 (n=1). Both pts not achieving CR/CRi after I-I had early T-precursor ALL; one of these pts was withdrawn from study, and the other (w/ M2 marrow after I-1) achieved CR after I-2. Of the pts w/ ALL (excluding LBL) w/ available BM MRD assessments, 11/28 (39%) achieved undetectable MRD by FACS following I-1; 18/22 (82%) achieved undetectable MRD by FACS following I-2. Of the pts w/ LBL w/ available BM MRD assessments, 7/7 (100%) achieved or maintained undetectable MRD by FACS following I-1 and I-2. Ten pts underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in CR1. Seven pts experienced relapse at median 15.2 months from start of treatment (range, 5.4-30.4), of whom 6 subsequently underwent 1st (n=5) or 2nd (n=1) alloHCT. Of the 11 pts w/ ALL w/ undetectable MRD following I-1, only one has relapsed. Five patients have died, including 2 pts in CR1 (from sepsis and multi-organ system failure), and 3 pts in relapse. At median follow-up of 22.3 months among surviving pts (range, 1.0-48.1), median EFS and OS (Figure 2A&B) have not been reached (EFS not censored at alloHCT). 3-year EFS was 62.1% (95% CI: 38.4-78.9%) and 3-year OS was 80.0% (95% CI: 57.5-91.4%). Conclusions: PEG can be incorporated into pediatric-inspired chemotherapy regimens w/ manageable toxicity for appropriately selected adults up to age 60 w/ Ph- ALL/LBL. While PEG-related AEs are common, few pts require permanent discontinuation of asparaginase. Grade 3-4 hyperbilirubinemia was common, particularly post-I-1, but recurred infrequently when PEG was continued. Two induction courses resulted in a high rate of MRD negativity post-I-2 and translated to a low rate of relapse. Though further follow-up is required, 3-year EFS is encouraging. Data regarding asparaginase enzyme activity and silent inactivation w/ neutralizing anti-PEG antibody will be presented. Ongoing and future studies will additionally investigate whether incorporating novel therapies (e.g. blinatumomab, nelarabine) into frontline consolidation therapy may reduce risk of relapse among adults receiving PEG-containing regimens. Disclosures Geyer: Dava Oncology: Honoraria. Ritchie:Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Rao:Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment. Tallman:Daiichi-Sankyo: Other: Advisory board; AROG: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; BioSight: Other: Advisory board; Orsenix: Other: Advisory board; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Douer:Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Pfizer: Honoraria; Spectrum: Consultancy. Park:Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Shire: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy.

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Development of Novel Second Generation DC/Tumor Fusion Vaccine in Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-124768 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 392-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shira Orr ◽

Marzia Capelletti ◽

Haider Ghiasuddin ◽

Dina Stroopinsky ◽

Jessica Liegel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Research Funding ◽

Second Generation ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Cells Cultured

Introduction: We have pioneered a personalized cancer vaccine in which patient derived tumor cells are fused with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) such that a broad array of shared and neo-tumor antigens is presented in the context of DC mediated co-stimulation, limiting the risk of antigen escape. In clinical trials of patients with hematologic malignancies, vaccination with DC/tumor fusions induced an expansion of tumor-specific T cells, and resulted in prolonged remissions in a subset of patients. In the current study, we have developed a novel second generation vaccine, whereby a DC/lymphoma fusion vaccine is presented in the context of a unique biomatrix that expresses high levels of the 41BB costimulatory molecule, to further accentuate T cell activation and prevent the establishment of tumor tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate efficacy of DC/lymphoma fusion cell vaccination in a preclinical lymphoma model, and show enhanced potency of the second-generation vaccine. Methods/Results: We first demonstrated the potency of the DC/tumor fusion vaccine in generating anti-tumor immunity in the A20 lymphoma model. Murine DC/A20 fusions were generated from bone marrow derived mononuclear cells cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 then fused to syngeneic A20 lymphoma cells. DC/A20 fusion cells effectively induced tumor specific immunity as manifested by potent lysis of A20 T cells in vitro as compared to unstimulated T cells in a standard CTL assay. Consistent with this observation, vaccination with DC/A20 fusions effectively induced lymphoma specific immunity in an immunocompetent murine model. Balb/C mice (30 animals) underwent IV inoculation with 750,000 syngeneic, luciferase and mCherry transduced, A20 cells. 24 hours after tumor cells challenge, 15 mice were treated subcutaneously with 105 DC/A20 fusions. Tumor burden was detected using BLI imaging. 10 days post inoculation, within the untreated cohort all 15/15 mice had detectable tumor whereas within the treated group, 5 mice did not demonstrate any evidence of disease and 5 mice demonstrated minimal disease. We subsequently demonstrated that patient derived autologous DC/lymphoma fusions stimulated T cell mediated lysis of primary lymphoma cells. DC were generated from patient derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 and matured with TNFa. Primary lymphoma cells were isolated from resected tumor and fused with DC at a ratio of 10:1. Fusion stimulated T cells potently lysed autologous tumor cells as compared to unstimulated T cells (25.7% as compared to 12.66%) in a standard CTL assay. To further enhance vaccine potency, we developed a biomatrix substrate expressing the costimulatory molecule 41BB. Using carbodiimide chemistry we covalently bonded RGD peptide and 41BBL protein to an alginate (Alg)-based scaffold. The Alg/RGD/41BBL scaffold can serve as a supporting microenvironment for the co-culture of T cells and fusion vaccine. We cultured syngeneic T cells with DC/A20 fusion vaccine within a scaffold with or without bound 41BBL and examined the T cells cytotoxicity by a CTL assay as described above. Vaccine mediated stimulation of T cells in the context of the Alg/RGD/41BBL scaffold demonstrated higher levels of tumor lysis as compared to the percent T cells cultured within an Alg/RGD scaffold (22.95% and 13.95% respectively). Conclusion: In the current study we assessed the efficacy of the DC/Lymphoma fusion vaccine to elicit a tumor specific immune response. We succeeded in demonstrating the capacity of DC/Lymphoma fusion vaccine to generate tumor specific T cell cytotoxicity in vitro as well as in vivo in an immunocompetent murine model. Accordingly, we presented patient derived primary tumor results supporting the applicable nature of the DC/Lymphoma vaccine in lymphoma patients. In addition, we developed a second-generation fusion vaccine comprised of the original DC/Tumor vaccine presented to the T cells in an Alg/RGD/41BBL scaffold acting as a nurturing microenvironment for T cell immune specific response against the tumor cells. Our initial results exhibit promising potential and an in vivo experiment with the second-generation fusion vaccine is ongoing. Disclosures Arnason: Celgene/Juno: Consultancy; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy. Kufe:Nanogen Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genus Oncology: Equity Ownership; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Honoraria; Hillstream BioPharma: Equity Ownership; Victa BioTherapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Canbas: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rosenblatt:Dava Oncology: Other: Education; BMS: Research Funding; Partner Tx: Other: Advisory Board; Merck: Other: Advisory Board; Parexel: Consultancy; Imaging Endpoint: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; BMS: Other: Advisory Board ; Amgen: Other: Advisory Board. Avigan:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Juno: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Partners Tx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Partner Tx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy; Parexel: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy.

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