Combination of Nivolumab, Lenalidomide and Rituximab in Relapsed/Refractory Non-Germinal Center Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Results from a Dose-Escalation Cohort

Background: Ten to 15% of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients exhibit primary refractory disease (nonresponse or relapse within 3 months of therapy) and an additional 20-25% relapse following initial response. There is an unmet need for effective therapeutic regimens in relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL. Lenalidomide is an immune modulator that reverses T cell dysfunction and also inhibits the NFκB pathway, which is constitutively active in non-germinal center (non-GCB) DLBCL. Lenalidomide and nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, each have single agent activity in R/R DLBCL. Here, we report the results of the dose-escalation cohort of this investigator-initiated, single-arm open-label study of the combination of nivolumab, lenalidomide and rituximab (NiLeRi) in R/R non-GCB DLBCL. Methods: Adult patients with R/R non-GCB DLBCL, as determined by the Hans algorithm, with adequate organ function and an ECOG performance status of ≤2 were eligible for the study. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety of NiLeRi, and determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide in combination with fixed doses of rituximab and nivolumab, using a 3+3 dose escalation design. The secondary objectives were to determine efficacy in terms of overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients treated with NiLeRi. All patients received nivolumab IV 3 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 and rituximab IV 375mg/m2 on day 1 of each 28-day cycle. Lenalidomide was initiated at 5 mg po once daily on days 1-21. Additional planned dose levels were 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg. Patients were evaluable for toxicity if they received all doses of nivolumab and rituximab and at least 16 doses of lenalidomide during cycle 1 or if they experienced a dose limiting toxicity (DLT), regardless of the number of doses. NiLeRi was given for 8 cycles and patients with partial response could receive lenalidomide and nivolumab for an additional 4 cycles. Response was assessed by PET-CT after 2, 5 and 8 cycles and defined by Lugano criteria. Results: Six patients with non-GCB subtype of DLBCL were enrolled in this study. The median age was 60.5 years (range 28-79), and 5 patients were male. The median number of prior lines of therapy was 4 (range 2-5), and the median IPI score was 3. None of the patients had bone marrow involvement. One patient each had been treated with autologous stem cell transplant (Auto-SCT) and CAR-T cell therapy. One patient withdrew consent before completing cycle 1 and was not evaluable for safety or efficacy. Safety: Five out of the six enrolled patients were evaluable for safety. All patients received lenalidomide 5 mg dose. Two patients experienced DLTs (grade 3 rash) resulting in lenalidomide discontinuation during cycle 2. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities were fatigue (20%), neutropenia (60%), thrombocytopenia (40%), and rash (40%). A total of 3 patients experienced grade 1/2 diarrhea and elevated liver enzymes. One patient experienced a grade 1 infusion reaction with rituximab. Efficacy: Patients who completed at least 1 cycle of therapy were evaluable for response, and this included 5 out of the 6 enrolled patients. The ORR and complete response (CR) rate were both 40%. Patients who responded did so early, with one patient achieving CR after 2 cycles and another patient achieving CR after 5 cycles. The best response seen in patients with primary refractory disease was PR. At a median follow up of 9.5 months, median PFS was 8.4 months (95% CI; 4.3 to not reached), and median OS was not reached. Discussion: This is the first study reporting the safety results of the combination of lenalidomide, nivolumab and rituximab in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rash was the most common DLT, limiting dose escalation of lenalidomide above 5mg in this cohort of patients. Two patients experienced durable CR early in the study after 2 and 5 cycles, respectively. This ORR and CR rate of 40% each in this small cohort of patients who had relapsed after multiple prior lines of therapy is encouraging. Correlative studies, including whole exome sequencing of patient samples, are underway, in an attempt to explore predictive markers for response and toxicity. Figure. Disclosures Mason: Sysmex: Honoraria. Oluwole:Pfizer: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Morgan:Biogen: Equity Ownership; Eli Lilly: Equity Ownership; Vertex: Equity Ownership; Zoetis: Equity Ownership; Pfizer: Equity Ownership; Novo Nordisk: Equity Ownership; Gilead: Equity Ownership; Johnson and Johnson: Equity Ownership; Merck: Equity Ownership. Reddy:Abbvie: Consultancy; Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; KITE Pharma: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Nivolumab and lenalidomide are not FDA approved for use in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

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A Phase I Open-Label, Multi-Dose Escalation Study of the Dual Syk/Jak Inhibitor PRT062070 (Cerdulatinib) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory B Cell Malignancies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.3103.3103 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 3103-3103

Author(s):

Manish Patel ◽

Paul Hamlin ◽

Donald K Strickland ◽

Anjali Pandey ◽

Greg Coffey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Steady State ◽

B Cell ◽

Dose Escalation ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

Phase 1 ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Markers Of Inflammation ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Introduction: Preclinical studies of the Syk-mediated B-cell receptor pathway and Jak-mediated cytokine pathways have demonstrated a potential therapeutic advantage for the dual inhibition of both Syk and Jak kinases in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Cerdulatinib (PRT062070) was identified from a chemistry screen as a potent and selective inhibitor of Syk, Jak1, Jak3, and Tyk2, with minimal activity against Jak2. Cerdulatinib is efficacious in rodent models of B-cell lymphoma and autoimmune disease (Coffey et al., ASH 2012) and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in genetically diverse B-cell lymphoma cell lines that is greater than that of Syk- or Jak- selective inhibitors alone (Ma et al., ASH 2013). Methods: This Phase 1 3+3 dose escalation study is evaluating cerdulatinib, given continuously on either a once daily (QD) or twice daily (BID) schedule, for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The primary objective is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of cerdulatinib in patients with CLL or NHL. Secondary objectives are to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of cerdulatinib and to make a preliminary assessment of antitumor activity. Toxicity is graded according to the National Cancer Institute - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) v4. Clinical response is evaluated according to published criteria (Hallek et al., Blood 2008:111:5446-5456; Cheson et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 2012: 25:579-586). The level of inhibition of Syk and Jak is determined using a variety of whole blood assays measuring signaling via receptors for the B-cell antigen, IL2, IL4, IL6, and GM-CSF. Serum markers of tumor burden, including CCL3, CCL4, and other markers of inflammation, are also being measured. Results: As of 4 August 2014, twelve patients have been enrolled in once daily dose cohorts of 15 mg QD, 30 mg QD, and 45 mg QD. No dose-limiting toxicities have been reported. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs), regardless of causality, were: Grade 3 anemia (n=1), Grade 3 neutropenia (n=1), Grade 3 fatigue (n=1), Grade 3 hypotension (n=1), Grade 3 AST increased (n=1), Grade 3 hematochezia (n=1), and Grade 5 Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP; n=1). The patient who experienced PCP pneumonia was a 76 year old male with CLL who had received prior therapy with bendamustine and rituximab. Cerdulatinib is well-absorbed with an average terminal elimination half-life at steady state of 14 hours. Selective inhibition of Syk and Jak in whole blood assays was observed post-treatment, with IC25-IC50 (Cmin to Cmax at steady-state) against these targets achieved at the 15 mg dose level, and IC50-IC80 (Cmin to Cmax at steady-state) achieved at the 30 mg and 45 mg doses. Reductions of >50% in serum markers of inflammation, as well as in CCL3 and CCL4, were noted at all dose levels post-treatment. Two patients treated at the 15 mg dose (1 CLL, 1 follicular lymphoma [FL]) remained on study for >230 and >200 days, respectively, with stable disease (SD) prior to disease progression. One patient treated at the 30 mg dose (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], who did not respond to prior R-CHOP therapy), remained on study with SD for 140 days. One patient treated at the 30 mg dose (CLL) experienced a >60% decrease in peripheral lymphocyte count prior to coming off study for PCP pneumonia. Another patient treated at the 30 mg dose (CLL) experienced early lymphocytosis and a 33% reduction in lymph node size at the end of Cycle 2 and remains on study in Cycle 3. One patient treated at the 45 mg dose (FL) experienced a 40% decrease in lymph node size at the end of Cycle 4 and remains on study in Cycle 5. Conclusions: Cerdulatinib has been well tolerated in the initial cohorts of this Phase 1 study, with no dose-limiting toxicities and preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity. Dose escalation continues and Phase 2 expansion cohorts are planned in CLL, DLBCL and FL. Disclosures Hamlin: Gilead, Spectrum, Seattle Genetics, Genentech: Consultancy; Spectrum, GSK, Jansen and Jansen/Pharmacyclics, Portola, Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Strickland:SCRI Development Innovations: Employment. Pandey:Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment; Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Equity Ownership. Coffey:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Leeds:Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Levy:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment; University of Michigan: Patents & Royalties. Curnutte:Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership; Sea Lane Biotechnologies: Consultancy; 3-V Biosciences: Equity Ownership. Wagner-Johnston:Gilead: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding. Flinn:Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.

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Pegylated Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (pegfilgrastim) Reduces Hematological Toxicity in Dose-Adjusted (DA) R-EPOCH in the treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.4631.4631 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 4631-4631

Author(s):

Susanna Hong ◽

Nouneh J. Gostanian ◽

Douglas E. Gladstone ◽

Kenneth W. Zamkoff

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Dose Escalation ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Hematological Toxicity ◽

Sale Price ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Hematological toxicity is a significant dose limiting side effect in the aggressive treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). In the current study, pegfilgrastim was given to patients following each cycle of DA R-EPOCH. ANC and platelet nadirs were then compared to a previous report utilizing filgrastim. Pegfilgrastim is a covalent conjugate form of filgrastim, whereby a molecule is covalently bonded to the N terminal of filgastrim, allowing the molecule to be cleared slower than filgastrim. The prolonged effect on the promotion of granulocyte proliferation allows for pegfilgrastim to be given once every 2 weeks in comparison to filgrastim which is injected daily. In this study, records of 5 patients treated with DA R-EPOCH for DLBCL were examined. There were a total of 20 cycles with 15 cycles qualifying for analysis in regards to hematological toxicity. To qualify each cycle met the following criteria: i) treatment with R-EPOCH at starting dose or dose-escalation; ii) pegfilgrastim was administered 24 to 48 hours after completion of chemotherapy at the standard dose of 6mg sc; iii) follow-up of at least two weeks following each cycle; iv) CBC monitored at least once weekly. Of the cycles excluded, 3 cycle did not have at least 2 weeks of follow-up, 1 cycle was followed by filgrastim and 1 cycle was treated with R-CHO. Nadir was defined as lowest value obtained from initiation of one cycle to initiation of next cycle or to two weeks from last day of all chemotherapy. Hematological toxicities were graded according to WHO criteria. Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC less than 0.5 x 109/L) occurred in 13% (2/15) of cycles. There was no Grade 3 neutropenia (ANC 0.5 – 1.0 x 109/L). Range of ANC nadir was 0.02 – 4.4 x 109/L with mean of 2.4 x 109/L. There was no Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (Platelet 25 – 50 25 x 109/L) nor Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (Platelet < 25 x 109/L). Range of platelet nadir was 53 – 230 x 109/L with mean of 130. Examining treatment records, 13 cycles of 20 were candidates for dose escalation. Each cycle was included if it followed a cycle of R-EPOCH and the patient had received pegfilgrastim for neutropenic support. Excluded cycles included 5 cycles at starting doses, 1 cycle in which filgrastim was administered prior, and 1 cycle in which the R-CHO was given prior. Following the criteria for allowable DA EPOCH according to the paradigm published in Blood Apr 15, 2002, Vo 99, No 8 pp 2685– 2693, dose escalation was allowed for ANC of at least 0.5 x 109/L and platelets of at least 25 x 109/L. 11 of 13 (85%) cycles in this study were eligible for dose escalation based on the above mentioned paradigm. In the previous mentioned publication filgrastim was given after completion of each cycle of EPOCH with 49% of cycles complicated by Grade 4 neutropenia and 7% complicated by Grade 4 thrombocytopenia. 58% of the cycles were dose escalated in the previous study. In conclusion this study indicates that pegfilgrastim results in less hematological toxcity in DA R-EPOCH. This allows for DA in a higher percentage of treatment cycles. In addition, examination of the cost reveals the average whole sale price of a single 6 mg dose of pegfilgrastim is $3127, while the average whole sale price of a daily dose of 480 mcg of filgrastim for 10 days is $3500.

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Blinatumomab Monotherapy Shows Efficacy in Patients with Relapsed Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1637.1637 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1637-1637 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Andreas Viardot ◽

Mariele Goebeler ◽

Richard Noppeney ◽

Stefan W. Krause ◽

Stefan Kallert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

B Cell ◽

Phase Ii ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Abstract 1637 Blinatumomab (MT103) is a single-chain bispecific antibody construct with specificity for CD19 and CD3 belonging to the class of bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®). A phase I trial with indolent and mantle cell lymphoma patients established a maximal tolerable dose (MTD) at 60 μg/m2/d. The trial was subsequently amended to evaluate blinatumomab in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients were treated by 4–8-week continuous i.v. administration with the following dosing regimen: first week at 5 μg/m2/d, second week at 15 μg/m2/d and for the remaining treatment period at 60 μg/m2/d. Two cohorts each with 6 DLBCL patients were enrolled. The two cohorts solely differed by the dose and schedule of corticosteroid medication administered at the beginning of blinatumomab infusion for mitigation of adverse events. In the first cohort 100 mg prednisolone was applied 1 hour prior to start; and in the second cohort patients received dexamethasone on days 1, 2, and 3. Three sequential patients received dexamethasone also 6–12 hours prior to start of infusion. Out of the twelve patients, 5 were male and 7 female. The median age was 57 years (range from 26 to 78 years). Patients had received a median of 4 prior regimens (range from 2–6). All patients had been exposed to rituximab. Eight of the 12 patients had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). International prognostic index (IPI) at screening ranged from 1 to 3 with a median of 2. The most common clinical adverse events (AEs) regardless of causality (>30%) were pyrexia (81.8%), fatigue (54.5%), constipation (36.4%), headache (36.4%), tremor (36.4%) and weight increase (36.4%). The most frequent laboratory AEs regardless of causality (>30%) were hyperglycemia (63.6%), lymphopenia (54.5%), C-reactive protein increase (45.5%), gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (45.5%) and thrombocytopenia (36.4%). Most AEs occurred early and were reversible. Four of 12 patients discontinued infusion due to fully reversible CNS events, 2 of which qualified as dose limiting toxicities (DLTs). Although just one DLT (reversible CNS event grade 3) occurred in the prednisolone cohort, a further cohort applying prophylactic dexamethasone was opened to optimize management of CNS events. A further refinement of the dexamethasone schedule, starting longer time prior to start of blinatumomab, was introduced after one early patient in the cohort receiving dexamethasone had experienced a reversible CNS event leading to discontinuation. All three patients treated in this manner completed the first blinatumomab cycle without discontinuations. Only one showed a grade 1 tremor, and no other CNS AEs were reported in these three patients. Two of 12 patients were not exposed to 60 μg/m2/d due to early discontinuations and 1 patient is too early in treatment for response evaluation. Five out of the remaining 9 evaluable patients (56%) showed objective clinical responses (4 CR/CRu; 1 PR). Three out of the 5 patients with CR/CRu or PR had prior ASCT. Two patients achieved objective responses (1 CR, 1 PR) despite of discontinuation at 60 μg/m2/d. The median response duration is +182 days (longest current duration +428 days), with 4 out of 5 responses still ongoing. Further evaluation of the last cohort will refine the recommended phase II dose, and the intensity and timing of dexamethasone comedication. The observation of lasting CRs after blinatumomab monotherapy in DLBCL patients is promising and warrants further exploration in a phase II study. Disclosures: Krause: Micromet: Research Funding. Mackensen:Micromet Inc.: Research Funding. Topp:Micromet: Consultancy, Honoraria. Scheele:Micromet Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Nagorsen:Micromet Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Zugmaier:Micromet: Employment. Degenhard:Micromet Inc: Employment. Schmidt:Micromet AG: Employment. Kufer:Micromet Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Libicher:Micromet Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Bargou:Micromet: Consultancy, Honoraria.

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A Phase I Study of Romidepsin, Gemcitabine, Dexamethasone and Cisplatin Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Peripheral T-Cell and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Canadian Cancer Trials Group Study LY.15

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4162.4162 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 4162-4162 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tony Reiman ◽

Kerry J. Savage ◽

Michael Crump ◽

Matthew Cheung ◽

David A. MacDonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Febrile Neutropenia ◽

Phase I ◽

B Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Hematological Toxicity ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Background: The outcome of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) remains poor and improved therapies are needed. Retrospective data suggest that integration of anthracyclines in the primary therapy may not impact outcome, providing the rationale to explore alternative regimens. Histone deacetylase inhibitors appear to have a class effect in PTCLs andromidepsin monotherapy demonstrates activity in a proportion of patients with relapsed/refractory PTCLs and can induce durable remissions. Gemcitabine is reported to be a highly active agent in PTCL, and the GDP (gemcitabine, dexamethasone, cisplatin) regimen has become a standard chemotherapy backbone for relapsed aggressive lymphomas (Crump, JCO 2014). We investigated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of GDP combined with romidepsin in a phase I dose escalation trial. Patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were also included. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL or DLBCL, PS 0-2, with measurable disease and who had received one or two prior lines of systemic therapy, were treated with standard doses of GDP (gemcitabine, 1000 mg/m2 d1, d8; dexamethasone, 40 mg po d1-4; cisplatin, 75 mg/m2 d1) every 21 days, plus escalating doses of romidepsin (6, 8, 10 and 12 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 to a maximum of 6 cycles in a standard 3+3 design. After the first 4 patients were enrolled, based on the observed pattern of thrombocytopenia, the treatment schedule was modified so that gemcitabine and romidepsin were given on days 1 and 15 and cycles extended to every 28 days. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed during the first 2 cycles and defined as requiring platelet transfusion for bleeding, grade 3 hematological toxicity lasting >10 days, grade 4 hematological toxicity lasting >7 days, febrile neutropenia, or grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicity attributable to romidepsin. Responses were as per Cheson, JCO 2007 excluding PET scans. Results: 20 eligible patients (PTCL n=10; DLBCL n=10) were enrolled between 10/2013 and 01/2016 and treated with GDP plus romidepsin. The main PTCL subtype was PTCL, not otherwise specified (50%). Median age was 65 years (24-74); 9 were female; ECOG performance status was 0 (n=2), 1 (n=13), or 2 (n=5). Number of prior therapies was 1 (n=17) or 2 (n=3). 17 (85%) patients received >90% of the planned dose each cycle. The median number of cycles was 2 (range, 1-6); one patient is still on therapy. The reasons for treatment discontinuation were lymphoma progression (n=10), toxicity (n=2), proceeding to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT, n=3), intercurrent illness (n=1), or completion of 6 cycles (n=3). On the 21-day schedule at 6 mg/m2 romidepsin, there were 3 DLTs among four patients (2 with grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia, 1 venous thromboembolic event). On the 28-day schedule, there were no DLTs observed in the three patients treated at each of the 6, 8 or 10 mg/m2 dose levels. At 12 mg/m2 there were 4 observed grade 3 DLTs among six evaluable patients (hypotension, acute kidney injury, anorexia, thrombocytopenia >10 days). Notable toxicities during any cycle were: febrile neutropenia (n=2); grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (n=9); grade 3-4 neutropenia (n=4); and grade 3-4 anemia (n=4); grade 2 atrial fibrillation (n=2); grade 2 QTc prolongation (n=1); grade 1 sinus tachycardia (n=1); grade 2-3 infections (n=16); grade 1-3 cutaneous toxicity (n=9); grade 1-3 thromboembolic events (n=2); TIA (n=2) or stroke (n=1). One patient died after cycle 1 due to sepsis. 7 other patients have died of progressive lymphoma. The overall response rate was 9/20 (45%), all were partial remissions (PR), 3 had stable disease (SD), 4 had progressive disease (PD), and 4 were not objectively evaluable. Of the responders, 5 had PTCL and 4 had DLBCL. Four patients went on to ASCT. With a median follow-up of 5.8 months, the median duration of response was 2.8 months and median PFS is 2.2 months. For all patients, the 1 year PFS was 6% and 1 year OS was 43% Discussion: Full doses of GDP can be combined with a recommended phase II romidepsin dose of 10 mg/m2 given on a day 1, 15 every 28 days schedule. Thrombocytopenia prohibits this combination on a 21-day schedule. Toxicity is otherwise acceptable and as expected. Further study at the recommended dose and schedule would be required to properly define the activity of this regimen in PTCLs and DLBCL. Disclosures Reiman: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Buckstein:Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Kuruvilla:Merck & Co., Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria. Villa:Lundbeck: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria. Hay:Amgen: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

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Survival Patterns in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Treatment Trajectories and Responses after the First Relapse

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-127719 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1622-1622

Author(s):

Ahmad S Halwani ◽

Hsu-Chih Chien ◽

Deborah Kay Morreall ◽

Vikas Patil ◽

Kelli M Rasmussen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Treatment Regimen ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Aggressive Treatment ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

To Receive ◽

Large B Cell

Background: Nearly 40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are either refractory to or relapse (R/R) after initial first-line (L1) treatment. These patients frequently receive subsequent lines of treatment, although to achieve long-term remission requires aggressive chemoimmunotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT). Few real-world studies have examined the treatments used in R/R DLBCL patients over the entire disease trajectory. Methods: Using the VA Cancer Registry System and electronic healthcare records (EHR), we identified Veterans diagnosed with DLBCL between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2016 who relapsed or progressed after L1 RCHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone ± rituximab) ± etoposide and then proceeded to receive at least one additional line of treatment. Human annotation of EHR notes confirmed DLBCL diagnosis, treatment regimen(s) received (including BMT), and treating physician response assessment after each line. Treatment regimens were classified as aggressive (with intent to proceed to BMT) or non-aggressive per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Eligible patients were followed until loss to follow-up, death or the end of the study period (March 31, 2019). Patients with a cancer diagnosis other than DLBCL were excluded from the study. Results: We identified 270 R/R DLBCL patients who received a second-line (L2) treatment after having previously received L1 with RCHOP ± etoposide. The mean age of patients was 64.6 years; 97.4% of patients were male. Of the 270 patients, 166 (61.5%) patients received an aggressive L2 treatment regimen. RICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide ± rituximab) and BR (bendamustine ± rituximab) were the most commonly used aggressive and non-aggressive regimens, accounting for 39.3% and 8.9% of L2 treatment, respectively. Compared with patients who received non-aggressive L2 treatment, aggressive L2 treatment patients were younger (61.4 versus 69.7 years). Following aggressive L2 treatment, 87 patients (52.4%) achieved complete or partial response (CR/PR), while CR/PR was achieved in 43 (41.3%) patients who received non-aggressive L2. Of the 29 (10.7%) patients who received BMT, 28 received an aggressive L2 regimen. Approximately half of all patients who received L2 therapy (121/270) proceeded to third-line (L3) treatment, of which 47 (38.8%) received an aggressive L3 regimen. Nearly half of those patients who received an aggressive L2 treatment (36, 47.4%) proceeded to an aggressive L3 regimen, while only 11 (18.8%) non-aggressive L2 patients proceeded to aggressive L3 treatment. Following L3 treatment, 7 (5.8%) patients proceeded to a BMT. The median overall survival (OS) in patients receiving L2 was 9.7 months (CI: 8.2-11.7 months). The median OS for patients treated with aggressive L2 was 9.7 months (CI: 8.1-12.2 months) compared with 9.7 months (CI: 6.8-12.9 months) in patients treated with a non-aggressive L2. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with aggressive L2 was 5.6 months (CI: 4.6-7.9 months) and 4.9 months (CI: 3.5-8.4 months) for patients treated with non-aggressive L2. Median OS in patients receiving L3 was 6.3 months (CI: 5.1-8.7 months). The median OS for patients treated with aggressive L3 was 6.8 months (CI: 5.1-12.5 months) compared with 6.6 months (CI: 4.8-9.7 months) in patients treated with a non-aggressive L3. The median PFS for patients treated with aggressive L3 was 4.5 months (CI: 2.6-6.9 months) and 2.9 months (CI: 1.8-5.7 months) for patients treated with non-aggressive L3. Conclusions: Patients who receive aggressive L2 treatment tend to be younger, more likely to receive another aggressive therapy (if L3 treatment is needed), and were much more likely to proceed to BMT than patients who received non-aggressive L2 therapy. Patients who received aggressive L2 treatments resulted in higher response rates compared to less aggressive treatment. We did not find a difference in OS between patients who received aggressive and non-aggressive treatment, the cause of which may be multifactorial. Future studies will examine factors that may impact OS in these patient groups. Acknowledgments: The study was sponsored by Genentech, Inc. Masaquel, Halloran, DeLong-Sieg, Schulz, and Li are employees of Genentech and may receive stock options from Roche. Disclosures Halwani: Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Research Funding; Miragen: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding. Masaquel:Roche: Equity Ownership; Genentech: Employment. Halloran:Genentech, Inc.: Employment; Roche: Equity Ownership. Delong-Sieg:Genentech/Roche: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schulz:Roche: Equity Ownership; Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Li:Genentech: Employment; Roche: Equity Ownership. Sauer:University of Utah and SLC VA Medical Center: Employment.

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Therapeutic Targeting of the Bcl-6: p53 Axis with Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3733.3733 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3733-3733 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jennifer E Amengual ◽

Matko Kalac ◽

Luigi Scotto ◽

Patrick A Sleckman ◽

Enrica Marchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tumor Suppressor ◽

B Cell ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Germinal Center ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

Hdac Inhibitors ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Large B Cell

Abstract Abstract 3733 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Despite advances in treatment, 1/3 of patients die from their disease. Gene expression profiling has delineated three subtypes with different genetic features known to be prognostic: the Activated B-cell (ABC), Germinal Center (GC), and grey zone types. For example, ABC DLBCL is addicted to NFkB over-expression. The oncogene, BCL6, encodes a transcription factor that functions as a transcriptional repressor within normal germinal center B-cells. Constitutive activation of Bcl-6 leads to GC-type DLBCL by turning off genes expressing cell cycle dependent kinase inhibitors, and essential tumor suppressor genes, like p53. There is a critical inverse relationship between Bcl-6 and p53, the functional status of which is linked to each transcription factor's degree of acetylation. Deacetylation of Bcl-6 is required for maintaining its effects as a transcriptional repressor. Conversely, acetylation of p53 is activating when class III histone deacetylases (HDAC), also known as sirtuins, are inhibited by drugs such as niacinamide. HDAC inhibitors are presently approved for T-cell lymphoma and may require the targeting of additional pathways to be effective in B-cell lymphomas. Trichostatin A and niacinamide modulate Bcl-6 in lymphoma cell lines. One therapeutic strategy that could favorably shift the relationship between oncogenes and tumor suppressors is the pharmacologic modification of Bcl-6 and p53 using HDAC inhibitors. Eight DLBCL cell lines were screened (4 ABC: Su-DHL2, HBL-1, OCI-Ly10, RIVA; 4 GC:OCI-Ly1, OCI-Ly7, Su-DHL6, Su-DHL4) with four class I/II HDAC inhibitors (romidepsin, vorinostat, panobinostat and belinostat) in combination with niacinamide (sirtuin inhibitor) at two dose levels each at three time points. Cell growth inhibition was measured by luminescence cell viability and apoptosis flow cytometry assays. Synergy was measured by the relative risk ratio (RRR) calculation where values <1 represent synergy. Synergy was achieved in significantly greater number and intensity in the GC versus ABC cell lines. Specifically, romidepsin in combination with niacinamide achieved the greatest synergy. To analyze mechanism of action, DLBCL cell lines were treated with combinations of class I/II HDAC inhibitors and niacinamide. Cells of both GC and ABC subtypes treated with the combination resulted in increased acetylation of p53, and increased p21 and BLIMP-1 content compared to controls. These results did not correlate with cytotoxicity as the ABC cell lines did not achieve the same synergy as the GC cells. GC cells treated with the same combinations resulted in acetylation of Bcl-6 compared with controls as measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting assays; ABC cells do not express Bcl-6. This finding correlated with cytotoxicity implying that a rational second pathway must be targeted to shift the balance between oncogene and tumor suppressor activity to achieve effective cell kill. p300 content was also increased suggesting that treatment with HDAC inhibitors recruit or upregulate its production and activity leading to increased acetylation. Using a novel double transgenic mouse model of aggressive spontaneous B-cell lymphoma (l-myc overexpressing crossed with CD19-tagged mCherry luciferase), in vivo effects of the drug combination were studied. These mice express equal basal amounts of Bcl-6 and p53 as GC cell lines. Mice treated with niacinamide 20 mg/kg and romidepsin 2.3mg/kg IP for 5 hours achieved increased acetylation of Bcl-6 and p53, and accumulation of p21 and BLIMP1 compared with controls. Importantly, mice treated with the combination of niacinamide 40 mg/kg and romidepsin 2.3 mg/kg IP achieved decreased tumor burden as measured by bioluminescence signal intensity compared to mice treated with each drug alone and controls. Presently, we are translating these concepts and observations in a proof-of-principle phase I trial evaluating the safety of vorinostat plus niacinamide in lymphoid malignancies. By targeting the specific pathogenetic features of DLBCL, it may be possible to tailor future treatment platforms for discrete subtypes of DLBCL. Disclosures: Off Label Use: The drugs evaluated are not approved for use in DLBCL. O'Connor:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding.

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Preliminary Results from a Phase I Trial of Pembrolizumab Plus Vorinostat in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, and Hodgkin Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-123163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 759-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alex F. Herrera ◽

Lu Chen ◽

Leslie L. Popplewell ◽

Lihua E Budde ◽

Matthew Mei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Pd1 Blockade ◽

Expansion Cohort ◽

Large B Cell

Introduction: Up to 20-40% of patients (pts) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and most treated pts with follicular lymphoma (FL) will have relapsed or refractory (RR) disease. Despite recent therapeutic advances, a minority of pts with transplant-ineligible RR HL or DLBCL, or RR FL will achieve durable remission with currently available treatments (tx). Effective novel therapies for pts with RR HL, DLBCL, or FL remain an unmet need. Although responses to PD1 blockade have been observed in pts with RR HL, DLBCL, and FL, there is room for improvement. Despite a high overall response rate (ORR) to anti-PD1 monotherapy in RR HL, the complete response (CR) is low and most patients with RR DLBCL or FL will not respond. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have immunomodulatory effects, including enhancing antigen presentation, recruiting T-cells into tumors, and promoting T-cell function. Preclinical models in melanoma and lung cancer demonstrated enhanced anti-tumor activity when HDACi were combined with PD1 blockade. We conducted a phase I study to determine the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab plus vorinostat in RR DLBCL, FL, and HL. Methods: Adult pts with RR HL, DLBCL, or FL who had failed ≥ 1 prior line of tx and were transplant-ineligible were enrolled to receive IV pembrolizumab and oral vorinostat in 21-day cycles. Pts were treated in a dose-escalation cohort with 2 dose levels (DL) using a Rolling 6 design and then onto an expansion cohort with tx at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). In DL1, vorinostat was administered at 100mg BID on days 1-5 and 8-12 and in DL2, vorinostat was administered at 200mg BID on days 1-5 and 8-12. Pembrolizumab dose was 200mg every 3 weeks in all DLs. Tx could continue for a maximum of 2 years. The primary endpoint was safety and determination of the RP2D. Responses were assessed using PET-CT (DLBCL, HL, FL) or CT (FL) by investigators according to the 2014 Lugano Classification. Results: 30 pts were enrolled, including 12 in the dose escalation and 18 in the expansion cohort. At baseline, 67% were male, 73% were Caucasian, the median age was 44 years (range 19-79), the median number of prior tx was 4 (range 1-7), 9 pts had DLBCL, 9 had FL, and 12 had HL. Among DLBCL pts, 4 had primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL), 4 were non-GCB by Hans criteria, 3 had double-expressor lymphoma, and 3 had prior CAR T-cells. Among HL pts, 11 had prior BV, 7 had prior PD1 blockade, and 3 were refractory to prior PD1 blockade. Additional baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. In 28 pts with tx data, the median number of cycles was 5 (range 1-16). Of 6 pts treated at DL1, 1 had a DLT (Grade 4 Stevens-Johnson syndrome, SJS) and 1 out of 6 pts had a DLT in DL2 (Grade 3 pulmonary embolism, PE); therefore, DL2 was chosen as the RP2D. In all pts, including the expansion cohort, the most common adverse events (AEs) were nausea (61%), fatigue (57%), hypertension (54%), anemia (50%), leukopenia (50%), hyponatremia (43%), diarrhea (43%), neutropenia (39%), and thrombocytopenia (39%). Grade (gr) 3-4 AEs included 2 pts with gr 3 neutropenia, 1 pt had Gr 4 SJS, and 1 pt each with gr 3 hypertension, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperkalemia, lymphopenia, or PE. Immune-related AEs included the Gr 3 SJS and 5 (18%) pts with thyroiditis. 2 patients had vorinostat dose reduction - 1 for neutropenia, 1 for GI toxicity. 12 pts remain on tx; tx was discontinued for toxicity in 3 pts (SJS, PE, elevated creatinine), stem cell transplant in 3 pts, patient preference in 2 pts, and insufficient response in 10 pts. Among 27 evaluable pts, the ORR was 59% and the CR rate was 30% (Table 2). The 9 pts with DLBCL had an ORR of 56% with a CR of 33%, including 2 CR, 1 PR, 1 PD in the 4 PMBL pts (1 had been refractory to CAR T-cells). The 9 pts with FL had an ORR of 22% and CR rate of 11%, and the 9 pts with HL had an ORR of 100% with a CR rate of 44% - both evaluable HL pts who were previously refractory to PD1 blockade responded (2 PR). The median follow-up time in all pts was 4 months (mo, range 1-11). The median duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in all patients were 6 mo, 8 mo, and not reached. The overall 6 mo PFS and OS were 59% and 76%, including 67%/71% in DLBCL, 33%/40% in FL, and 80%/100% in HL. Conclusions: Pembrolizumab and vorinostat was tolerable and produced objective responses in pts with RR DLBCL, FL, and HL. A majority of DLBCL pts and all HL pts responded, including pts who had progressed on prior anti-PD1 tx. Disclosures Herrera: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Popplewell:City of Hope: Employment. Budde:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy. Mei:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Chen:Autolus Therapeutics: Employment. Kwak:Pepromene Bio: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Research Funding; InnoLifes: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Xeme BioPharma, Inc: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Enzychem LifeSciences: Consultancy; Celltrion Healthcare: Consultancy; Celltrion, Inc.: Consultancy.

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A Phase 2, Open-Label, Multicenter Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel in Combination with Either Rituximab or Lenalidomide in Patients with Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma (ZUMA-14)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-126369 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 4093-4093 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sattva S Neelapu ◽

Mohamed A Kharfan-Dabaja ◽

Olalekan O. Oluwole ◽

Patel Krish ◽

Ran Reshef ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Response Rate ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Car T ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Large B Cell

Background: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy approved for the treatment of adult patients who have relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) and have had ≥ 2 prior systemic therapies. In ZUMA-1, the registrational study of axi-cel in patients with refractory LBCL, the objective response rate was 83% (complete response rate, 58%), with ongoing responses in 39% after a median follow-up of 27.1 months (Locke FL, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2019). Despite the success of axi-cel, approximately 60% of patients have no response or relapse after treatment, indicating that additional strategies are needed for patients with relapsed/refractory LBCL. Preclinical murine studies have shown that rituximab augmented the tumor-suppressing effects of anti-CD19 CAR T cells, and the combination led to higher rates of tumor reduction (Mihara K, et al. Br J Haematol. 2010; Rufener GA, et al. Cancer Immunol Res. 2016). The IMiD® immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide has shown activity in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma and has also been shown to enhance the antitumor functions of anti-CD19 and anti-CD20 CAR T cells in mice (Otahal P, et al. Oncoimmunology. 2016). In ZUMA-14, the aim is to investigate the efficacy and safety of axi-cel in combination with rituximab or lenalidomide in adult patients with refractory LBCL. Methods: This Phase 2 study (NCT04002401) has a planned enrollment of approximately 60 patients aged ≥ 18 years with refractory LBCL, defined as a response of either progressive disease or stable disease to previous chemotherapy or progressive disease or relapse ≤ 12 months after an autologous stem cell transplant. Patients with prior IMiD® treatment, including lenalidomide, prior CAR T cell therapy, and/or prior CD19-targeted therapy are excluded. After leukapheresis, patients will be assigned 1:1 to receive axi-cel with either rituximab (Cohort 1) or lenalidomide (Cohort 2). Patients will receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy of fludarabine (30 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) on days -5 to -3 before axi-cel infusion (2 × 106 cells/kg) on Day 0. Cohort 1 will receive rituximab (375 mg/m2) every 28 days starting on Day -5 for a total of 6 doses. Cohort 2 will receive lenalidomide (10 mg) daily starting 7 days after leukapheresis through Day 3 and for 5 additional cycles (20 mg, first 21 days of each 28-day cycle) beginning after axi-cel infusion starting on Day 21. Patients may not receive any therapy other than conditioning therapy and rituximab or lenalidomide, as specified by cohort, between leukapheresis and axi-cel infusion. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed complete response rate per the Lugano classification (Cheson BD, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2014). Key secondary endpoints include safety, objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and pharmacokinetics (levels of blood CAR T cells over time). Exploratory endpoints for both cohorts include pharmacodynamic assessment of cytokine profiles and the rate of CD19-negative relapses. An additional exploratory endpoint for Cohort 2 is to investigate immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment, including the number and activation of T cells and natural killer cells. Enrollment is expected to start in September 2019. Disclosures Neelapu: Cell Medica: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Acerta: Research Funding; Karus: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Allogene: Consultancy; Poseida: Research Funding. Kharfan-Dabaja:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Oluwole:Pfizer: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Krish:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genetech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; MEI Pharma: Research Funding; Bristol Meyers Squibb: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Reshef:BMS: Consultancy; Shire: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Atara: Consultancy, Research Funding; Magenta: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Riedell:Bayer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Verastem: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Stiff:Amgen: Research Funding; Gamida-Cell: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding; Gilead/Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Goyal:Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment. Kawashima:Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment, Equity Ownership. Milletti:Roche: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Travel Expenses, Patents & Royalties; Gilead: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Travel Expenses, Patents & Royalties; Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment. Oliva:Kite, a Gilead Company: Employment. Sun:Kite, A Gilead Company: Employment. Munoz:Pharmacyclics /Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Consultancy; Kyowa: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene/Juno: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Alexion: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Fosunkite: Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; Portola: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: ZUMA-14 is a clinical trial evaluating the investigational combination of axicabtagene ciloleucel with either rituximab or lenalidomide in refractory large B cell lymphoma

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Lenalidomide/RCHOP (R2CHOP) Produces High Response Rates and Overall Survival in New, Untreated Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Transformed from Follicular Lymphoma- Results from MC078E

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141298 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 47-48

Author(s):

Sanjal H Desai ◽

Betsy Laplant ◽

William R. Macon ◽

Rebecca L. King ◽

Yucai Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

B Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Free Survival ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Pet Ct ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Large B Cell

Introduction: Transformation of low grade follicular lymphoma (FL) to diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) carries a poor prognosis. In retrospective studies, 5-year survival of transformed DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) without autologous stem cell transplant is 40-60%, underscoring need to improve frontline treatment of transformed DLBCL beyond R-CHOP. The overall response rate (ORR) to lenalidomide used as a single agent for relapsed transformed non Hodgkin lymphoma was 45% with 21% complete response (CR) rate and a median duration of response of 12 months (Witzig et al, Ann Onc 2011). These data provided the rationale to include patients with transformed DLBCL (with historical and concurrent FL) in MC078E, a phase II clinical trial testing lenalidomide plus R-CHOP (R2CHOP) for patients with new and untreated de novo and transformed DLBCL (NCT00670358). Here we present analysis of the subset of transformed DLBCL patients. Methods: Adult patients with transformed DLBCL and either historical or concurrent FL, stage >=2, measurable disease by Positron Emission Tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and adequate organ function were included. Patients with Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement, significant comorbidities, active non-lymphomatous malignancy, life-threatening thromboembolism (TE) and contraindication to aspirin prophylaxis were excluded. Study participants received up to 6 cycles of rituximab (375 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2), doxorubicin (50 mg/m2), and vincristine (1.4 mg /m2) on day 1, prednisone (100 mg) on day 1-5, pegfilgrastim on day 2, and Lenalidomide 25 mg day 1-10 of 21 day cycle. Tumor lysis prophylaxis was per local practice; patients also received TE prophylaxis with aspirin. Primary outcome was event free survival (EFS) at 12 months, where an event was defined as death, progression or subsequent anti-lymphoma therapy. Secondary outcomes included ORR, CR, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Response was evaluated by PET/CT after cycle 2 and cycle 6 with revised response criteria (Cheson et al, 2007). Adverse events were recorded according to CTCAE version 3.0. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate time to event endpoints. Results: Thirty-nine patients were accrued from August 5, 2013 to July 28, 2020 and 33 were eligible by central pathology review. Median age was 64 (range 24-80) years and 18 (54%) were >60 years old. Eighteen (54%) were male, and 32 (97%) had ECOG performance status <2. Twenty-three (70%) had historical FL and 10 (30%) had concurrent FL. Twenty-six (79%) had advanced stage (III-IV). Median number of extra nodal sites were 1 (0-4). Thirteen (39%) had high international prognostic index (IPI) (4-5). Thirty-two (97%) completed at least 2 cycles (30 completed all 6 cycles) and were evaluable for response. ORR was 97% (32/33), 29 (88%) had CR and 3 had PR. EFS at 12 months was 87.9% (95% CI: 71.8, 96.6). Two-year PFS and OS were 84.5% (95% CI: 72.8%-98%) and 96.9% (95% CI: 91-100%) (Figure 1). Twenty nine completed study protocol, 4 discontinued protocol early for disease progression (1), adverse event (AE) (1), refusal (1) and noncompliance (1). Thirty (91%) had hematologic AE of grade 3 or above, 27 (82%) had neutropenia, 16 (48%) had thrombocytopenia, and 7 (21%) had anemia. Sixteen (48%) had grade 3 or above non-hematologic AE. Eight (24%) had febrile neutropenia. There were 3 deaths on this study, 1 due to progressive DLBCL, 1 due to AML and 1 due to malignant melanoma. Conclusion: R2CHOP appears effective in transformed DLBCL with high response rates, event free, progression free and overall survival seen in current study. This study supports the inclusion of anthracycline naive patients with transformed DLBCL in future randomized studies of lenalidomide or other novel immunomodulatory (IMiD) analogues. Disclosures Wang: Novartis: Research Funding; Innocare: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Ansell:Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; AI Therapeutics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Witzig:Spectrum: Consultancy; Immune Design: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; MorphSys: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. Nowakowski:Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ryvu: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite: Consultancy; Kymera: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; NanoString: Research Funding.

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The Dual Cell Cycle Kinase Inhibitor JNJ-7706621 Reverses Resistance to CD37 Targeted Radioimmunotherapy in Activated B Cell like Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-123287 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 2574-2574

Author(s):

Gro Elise Rødland ◽

Katrine Melhus ◽

Roman Generalov ◽

Sania Gilani ◽

Francesco Bertoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Research Funding ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Large B Cell

The CD37 targeting radioimmunoconjugate 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan (Betalutin®) is currently being evaluated as monotherapy in a clinical phase 2b trial for patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and in a phase 1 trial for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as well as in a phase 1b trial in combination with rituximab for patients with relapsed/refractory FL. Herein we have investigated the effect of 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan in seven activated B-cell like (ABC) DLBCL cell lines. Although the radioimmunoconjugate showed anti-tumor activity, primary resistance was observed in a subset of cell lines: U-2932 and RIVA. Both cell lines are representative for TP53 deficient Double Expressor (DE) DLBCL. Importantly, resistance was not a consequence of reduced binding of the radioimmunoconjugate to cell surface expressed CD37. Thus, we set out to identify drugs able to overcome the resistance to 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan in both resistant ABC-DLBCL cell lines. We performed a viability-based screen combining 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan with the 384-compound Cambridge Cancer Compound Library. Drug combinations were scored using Bliss and Chou-Talalay algorithms. We identified and characterized the dual-specific CDK1/2 and AURA/B kinase inhibitor JNJ-7706621 as compound able to revert the resistance to radioimmunotherapy (RIT), alongside topoisomerase and histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors. Kinetic studies of the effect of mono- and combination therapy of U-2932 and RIVA cells with JNJ-7706621 and 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan are suggestive of a model in which radiation damage induced G2-arrested lymphoma cells eventually enter mitosis (repair or escape) and mitotic entry, progression and exit are impaired by JNJ-7706621 mediated inhibition of CDK1/2 and AURKA/B. Extended residence-time of cells in mitosis due to chromosome condensation and congression defects as well as spindle and mid-spindle assembly failure is likely pivotal for the increased sensitivity to persistent 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan deposited DNA damage, ultimately promoting cytokinesis failure (multinucleation, aneuploidy, increased cell size) and cell death. In conclusion, CD37-targeting 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan RIT showed activity in several ABC-DLBCL lymphoma cell lines. CD37-independent RIT-resistance was identified in two cell lines representative of aggressive DE ABC-DLBCLs with inactive TP53, and reversed by subsequent inhibition of CDK1/2 and AURKA/B by JNJ-7706621. These findings may be of potential relevance for ongoing clinical trials of 177Lu-lilotomab satetraxetan in relapsed, ASCT-non-eligible DLBCL, and may also be more generally applicable to other 177Lu-based RITs and alternative radionuclide utilizing targeted therapies. Future pre-clinical investigations are required to elucidate the potential application of CDK1/2 and AURKA/B inhibitors as a strategy to revert RIT resistance in TP53 deficient cancers. Disclosures Rødland: Nordic Nanovector ASA: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Melhus:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Generalov:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Bertoni:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Research Funding; Oncology Therapeutic Development: Research Funding; PIQUR Therapeutics AG: Other: travel grant, Research Funding; HTG: Other: Expert Statements ; Amgen: Other: travel grants; Astra Zeneca: Other: travel grants; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: travel grants; NEOMED Therapeutics 1: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Bayer AG: Research Funding; Cellestia: Research Funding; CTI Life Sciences: Research Funding; EMD Serono: Research Funding; Helsinn: Consultancy, Research Funding; ImmunoGen: Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Consultancy, Research Funding. Dahle:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Syljuåsen:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Patzke:Nordic Nanovector ASA: Employment, Patents & Royalties.

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