New Era in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Consequences of the Arrival of New Drugs

Abstract Introduction In the last decade, the incorporation of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) (rituximab, obinutuzumab), bendamustine, B-cell receptor inhibitors (ibrutinib) and Bcl-2 antagonists (venetoclax) have changed the paradigm of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment, improving overall survival (OS). Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with CLL between 2003 and 2016 at our center to evaluate: i) the influence of date of diagnosis, before or after 2010; ii) having received new drugs (MoAb or target therapies) in first line or not. Results A total of 182 patients were evaluated: 104 men (57%) and 78 women (43%); median age 74 years (39 - 97), 132 patients were >65 years (72.5%). At diagnosis, 135 (74%), 19 (10%), 15 (8%), 4 (2%) and 9 (5%) were diagnosed as stages 0, I, II, II, III and IV of the Rai classification. While 154 (84%) 15 (8%) and 14 (8%) were classified as Binet's stages A, B and C. Regarding the presence of comorbidities, the median CIRS scale score was 4 (0 - 15). 71 patients (39%) were diagnosed before 2010 and 111 (61%) from 2010 onwards. With a median follow-up of 76 months (range, 20-212), 77/182 (42%) patients had received ≥1 line(s) of treatment: 1: 53%, 2: 26%, 3: 8%, ≥4: 13%. 20 patients (26%) received the first line of treatment before 2010, and 56 (74%) from 2010 onwards. Half of the patients received new drugs in 1st line (n=39), 92% of them from 2010 onwards. 32 patients (41.5%) achieved complete response after 1st line, and 24 (31%) at least a partial response. The median OS of patients diagnosed before 2010 was 66 months (35.32 - 96.68) vs 143 months (95% CI 90.5 - 195.5) (p=0.032) as of 2010. In those ≤ 65 years median OS has not been reached, being 80.5% at 10 years: 65% for those diagnosed before 2010 and 97% after 2010, p=0.036. The median OS of patients > 65 years was 6 years (95% CI 4.17 - 7.83), and increased from 82 months for those diagnosed before 2010, to 110 months in those diagnosed after 2010, p=0.744. Patients treated with new drugs in 1st line increased the median OS from 76 months and 13% at 10 years to a median not reached and OS of 77% at 10 years, p=0.000. This difference was more evident in those ≤ 65 years: 20% vs 100% at 10 years (p=0.012), while it was not statistically significant for those > 65 years (11% vs 50% at 10 years, p=0.181) (Figure 1). However, in a multivariate model including age, sex, CIRS>6 and year of diagnosis (before or after 2010), treatment with new drugs retained statistical significance (HR 0.414; 95% CI 0.183 - 0.935) along with age ≤ 65 years (HR 0.256; 95% CI 0.085 - 0.771) and CIRS ≤ 6 (HR 0.247; 95% CI 0.111 - 0.551). Conclusions In our experience, the introduction of new drugs in the first line has led to an increase in OS, especially in young patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Gonzalez-Lopez: Grifols: Other: Advisory board honoraria; Sobi: Other: Advisory board honoraria; Amgen: Other: Advisory board and speakers honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: Advisoryboard and speakers honoraria, Research Funding.

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Lenalidomide and Rituximab Maintenance Therapy after Front-Line Induction Chemoimmunotherapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-124489 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 5470-5470

Author(s):

Julie E Chang ◽

Vaishalee P. Kenkre ◽

Christopher D. Fletcher ◽

Aric C. Hall ◽

Natalie Scott Callander ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Maintenance Therapy ◽

Research Funding ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Second Malignancies ◽

Front Line ◽

First Line ◽

11Q Deletion ◽

Line Chemotherapy

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is incurable with standard therapy. With first-line chemotherapy, some patients (pts) may achieve durable remissions of many months/years. Lenalidomide (LEN) has improved progression-free survival (PFS) when given as maintenance (MNT) therapy after front-line chemotherapy (CALGB10404, CLLM1). The combination of LEN + rituximab (LR) has activity in relapsed CLL, hypothesizing benefit as MNT therapy after first-line chemotherapy. Methods: Adult pts ≥18 years with previously untreated CLL received induction bendamustine (B) 90 mg/m2 IV days 1 & 2 and rituximab (R) IV day 1 (375 mg/m2 cycle 1, then 500 mg/m2 cycles 2-6) for 6 treatment cycles (as few as 4 cycles allowed). MNT therapy with LR was initiated within 12 weeks after cycle 6, day 1 of BR. Criteria to start LR MNT included: neutrophils ≥1000/microliter (uL), platelets ≥75 K/uL, and creatinine clearance ≥40 mL/min. LEN was administered in 28-day cycles for 24 cycles, initially 5-10 mg daily continuous dosing, later modified to 5-10 mg on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle in 6/2018 due to neutropenia and second malignancy risk. LEN was reduced to 5 mg every other day for toxicities at 5 mg/day. R 375 mg/m2 IV was given every odd cycle (total of 12 doses). Patients discontinuing LEN for any reason were allowed to continue R MNT per protocol. The primary endpoint is PFS with LR MNT therapy, calculated from the first day of MNT therapy until progressive disease (PD), death, or start of a new therapy. Secondary endpoints are response rate and overall survival. Results: Thirty-four pts have enrolled beginning 11/2013, with follow-up through 6/2019. Median age is 64 years, with 8 pts ≥70 years; 8 women and 26 men. CLL FISH panel is available on all pts: 14 with 13q (as sole abnormality), 9 with 11q deletion, 6 with trisomy 12, 4 with normal FISH panel and 1 with 17p deletion. Heavy chain mutation analysis is available on 11 pts: 8 unmutated, 2 mutated, 1 indeterminate. Thirty-one pts completed 4 (n=2) or 6 cycles of induction BR; 3 pts are receiving induction BR. Twenty-four pts have received MNT LR; 7 did not receive LR for reasons of PD during induction (n=2), infection (n=1), pt preference (n=2), renal insufficiency (n=1), and new carcinoma (n=1). MNT LR was completed in 7 pts; 9 pts are still receiving LR. Fourteen subjects have discontinued protocol therapy, 3 during induction due to PD (n=2) and infection (n=1), and 8 during MNT. Toxicities that led to discontinuation of LR were recurrent infections in 7 pts, including 2 events of PJP pneumonia; 4 pts had recurrent neutropenia with infections; 1 pt had neutropenia without infections. Response is assessable in 31 patients using the International Working Group Consensus Criteria. Best responses to treatment were: partial response 65% (22/34), complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR 24% (8/34). The median number of MNT cycles received is 16. The dose intensity of LEN across total cycles received (n=278): 5 mg every other day (52.5%), 5 mg/day (43.9%), and 10 mg/day (3.6%). The most common reason for dose reduction or dose holding was neutropenia. Most common Gr 3/4 toxicities (reported as events Gr3/Gr4) during MNT therapy were: neutropenia (20/20), leukopenia (19/4), febrile neutropenia (3/1), and infections (11/-). The majority of Gr3 infections were pneumonia/respiratory (n=5). One event of disseminated herpes zoster occurred. Second malignancies during MNT included: basal cell CA (n=1), squamous cell carcinoma (n=5), and colon cancer (n=1). No unexpected second malignancies were observed in pts receiving LR. Two-year PFS (defined from day 1 of MNT therapy) is 90% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-1), and the median follow-up for 24 patient who started maintenance therapy is 1.79 years (95% CI 1.53-2.7). There have been no deaths. Conclusion: The combination of LR is effective in sustaining remissions after a BR induction in previously untreated CLL, but with frequent neutropenia and infections even at low doses of LEN. Most patients discontinuing MNT did so due to neutropenia and/or infections. A shorter planned interval of MNT LR (i.e., 6-12 months) may confer similar benefit to extended dosing that is more tolerable. Pts at high risk for short remissions after front-line chemotherapy (e.g., unmutated heavy chain status, 11q deletion and/or failure to achieve minimal residual disease after induction) may be the populations for which LR MNT therapy is most appropriate. Disclosures Chang: Genentech: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Lenalidomide administered as maintenance therapy for first treatment of CLL/SLL.

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Phase 2 Randomized Trial Comparing 6 Cycles of Standard RCHOP Chemotherapy Vs 6 Cycles of Brcap (bortezomib, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamicine and prednisone) As First Line Treatment in Young Patients with Poor Prognosis Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Interim Analysis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1514.1514 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 1514-1514

Author(s):

Eva González-Barca ◽

Estrella Carrillo ◽

Carlos Grande ◽

Alejandro Martín ◽

Mónica Coronado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

Research Funding ◽

Young Patients ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Complete Response ◽

New Drugs ◽

Hematological Toxicity ◽

Early Evaluation ◽

Grade 3 ◽

Beta 2 Microglobulin

Abstract Background: survival of young patients with high IPI DLBCL treated with RCHOP chemotherapy needs to be improved. In this poor risk population the combination of RCHOP with new drugs is an attractive approach, along with performing an early evaluation with PET/CT after 2 to 4 cycles and change induction therapy if a complete response is not achieved. Bortezomib has been combined with RCHOP [1]. We present preliminary data of patients treated in a clinical trial comparing 6 cycles of RCHOP vs 6 cycles of BRCAP, a modified RCHOP regimen changing vincristine by bortezomib at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 sc days 1, 8, and 15 of every 21 days cycle (NCT01848132). Methods: patients younger than 70 yrs diagnosed of DLBCL with aIPI 2-3 or aIPI 1 with elevated beta2microglobulin were eligible. The main objective was to evaluate the proportion of patients who survives free of event at 2 years. Central pathology review was performed in all cases, and samples were classified as GC vs non-GC subtypes by IHC (Hans algorithm). PET/CTs were performed at diagnosis, after 2, 4 and 6 cycles (PET2, PET4 , and PET6), and were reviewed by at least 3 experts of a central panel at real time. Response was analyzed following the visual method with the Deauville scale, and for PET2 and PET4 the semiquantitative method was used. Patients with persistent disease after 4 cycles were considered a failure of therapy and were dropped out from the trial. Results: data from the first 76 patients were analyzed. Diagnosis of DLBCL was confirmed in all except 3 pts, 36 pts were treated in the experimental arm and 37 in the control arm. Median age was 58.2 yo (range 23-70), 37 (50.7%) were males. Characteristics at diagnosis were: non-GC subtype 18/46 (39.1%), C-myc expression 35/43 (81.4%), bcl2 expression 43/49 (87.7%), double expression cmyc/bcl2 30/42 (71%), stage III-IV 64 (87.6%), ≥2 extranodal locations 27 (42.2%), ECOG 2-3 24 (33%), elevated LDH 43 (62.3%), elevated beta 2 microglobulin 47 (75.8%), aIPI 2: 42 (57.5%), aIPI 3: 21 (28.8%). Among 160 cycles of BRCAP chemotherapy, 5 (3.1%) on day 8, and 22 (13.7%) on day 15, were given without bortezomib due to a neutrophil count below 0.5 /L. The most common toxicities are shown in table 1 without significant differences between both arms. Twenty-one (32.8%) out of 64 patients had a positive PET2. Fifteen (26.8%) out of 56 patients who have finished the 4 cycles had a positive PET4 according to central review and were withdrawn of the trial. Table 1. Episodes of treatment-related adverse events Control arm: RCHOP n=166 Experimental arm: BRCAP n=160 Any grade Grade 3-4 Any grade Grade 3-4 Anemia 6 0 22 9 ( 5.6%) Neutropenia 31 26 (15.6%) 47 37 (23.1%) Thrombocytopenia 9 4 ( 2.4%) 16 5 ( 3.1%) Febrile neutropenia - 6 ( 3.6%) - 10 ( 6.2%) Fever 8 1 ( 0.6%) 8 0 Infection 4 1 ( 0.6%) 7 1 ( 0.6%) Nausea/vomiting 12 0 19 0 Peripheral neuropathy 7 1 ( 0.6%) 7 1 ( 0.6%) Diarrhea 4 0 8 0 Constipation 7 0 4 0 Hepatotoxicity 6 0 6 0 Conclusions: BRCAP regimen with bortezomib sc d1, 8, and 15 is feasible. Its main toxicity is hematological, and some patients cannot receive some doses of bortezomib due to neutropenia. Grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicity is rare, including peripheral neuropathy, and do not differ from RCHOP toxicity. 1.Ruan J et al, JCO 2011;29:690-7 Disclosures Sancho: CELLTRION, Inc.: Research Funding. Lopez-Guillermo:Roche, Celgene, Mundipharma, Gilead, Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

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Presence of a Translocation Is Associated with Short Time to Treatment from Diagnosis in IGHV Mutated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4372.4372 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 4372-4372 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nyla A. Heerema ◽

Qiuhong Zhao ◽

Amy S. Ruppert ◽

Heather Breidenbach ◽

Jeffrey Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Final Model ◽

Time To Treatment ◽

Short Time

Abstract Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) has a varied clinical course; some patients experience a long survival and others succumb to disease in a short time. Clinical factors correlated with either time to first treatment (TFT) and/or overall survival include Rai stage, IGHV somatic hypermutation status, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) abnormalities, especially del(17p), karyotypic complexity and the presence of a cytogenetic translocation. Previous studies have included patients both at diagnosis and at various times throughout their diseases, and many included limited numbers of patients, precluding extensive analyses of relationships between the prognostic factors and their relative impact on clinical outcome. We sought to identify which factors determined within a short time of diagnosis (i.e., 1 year) were prognostic for TFT in untreated CLL patients. We identified 329 untreated CLL patients who had stimulated karyotypic and FISH analyses within 1 year of diagnosis seen at The Ohio State University (OSU). Patient characteristics and outcome were obtained from patient records. The studies were approved by the OSU IRB and were conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. A complex karyotype was defined as ≥ 3 unrelated aberrations by karyotype. Patient characteristics are given in Table 1. Translocations occurred in 87 (26.4%) patients: 38 balanced and 49 unbalanced translocations. Initial statistical analyses showed no large difference in TFT between balanced and unbalanced translations, so they were combined for final analyses. 144 patients (49 with and 95 without a translocation) had unmutated IGHV, and 144 patients (22 with and 122 without a translocation) had mutated IGHV. IGHV data were not available for 41 patients. TFT was calculated from date of diagnosis to date of first treatment. Untreated patients were censored at last known untreated date. Kaplan-Meier curves estimated TFT probability, and proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between potential risk factors and TFT. Using backward selection, variables with statistical significance when adjusting for all other covariates were included in the final model. To evaluate potential effect modifications, pairwise interactions among all the variables in the final model were examined and retained if statistically significant. Stata 14 (College Station TX) was used, and all tests were two-sided with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Median follow-up for censored patients was 30 months (range 0.03-102 months). Median TFT for the entire cohort was 47 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 40-63 months). In a univariable model, the following factors were significant: presence of a translocation (hazard risk (HR) 2.69, CI 1.91-3.78, p<0.001), Rai stage III/IV (HR 3.73, CI 2.32-5.99, p<0.001), complexity (HR 2.92, CI 1.98-4.31, p<0.001), unmutated IGHV (HR 3.54, CI 2.42-5.17, p<0.0001), del17p (HR 2.10, CI 1.31-3.37, p=0.002), del11q (HR 2.91,CI 1.92-4.40, p<0.001). In the multivariable model, there was significant effect modification of IGVH status on the relationship between translocation and TFT (p<0.001). In IGHV mutated patients, those with a translocation had over 5 times the risk of starting treatment relative to those without a translocation (HR 5.30, CI 2.76-10.17); however, in IGHV unmutated patients, a translocation did not significantly increase the risk of starting treatment (HR 1.32, CI 0.86-2.03). Independent of IGHV and translocation, Rai Stage (HR 2.07, CI 1.24-3.45, p=0.01) and del11q (HR 1.68, CI 1.09-2.60, p=0.02) were the only variables that remained statistically significant. Notably, once these variables were accounted for in the model, complexity did not provide additional significant prognostic information (p=0.12), perhaps due to its strong association with a translocation (p<0.001). In summary, the presence of a translocation in IGHV mutated patients appeared to negate the improved prognosis associated with mutated IGHV, but the presence of a translocation did not have an effect on TFT in high-risk IGHV unmutated patients (Figure 1). Table 1 Table 1. Figure 1 Time to Treatment for patients with vs without a translocation and with mutated vs unmutaed IGVH Figure 1. Time to Treatment for patients with vs without a translocation and with mutated vs unmutaed IGVH Disclosures Jones: Pharmacyclics, LLC, an AbbVie Company: 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; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Andritsos:Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation: Research Funding. Woyach:Morphosys: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Awan:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Novartis Oncology: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Research Funding.

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Efficacy and Safety of Ibrutinib in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Small Lymphocytic Leukemia with 17p Deletion: Results from the Phase II RESONATE™-17 Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.327.327 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 327-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Susan O'Brien ◽

Jeffrey A. Jones ◽

Steven Coutre ◽

Anthony R. Mato ◽

Peter Hillmen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Complete Response ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Previously Treated ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Background: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with deletion of the short arm of chromosome 17 (del 17p) follow an aggressive clinical course and demonstrate a median survival of less than 2 years in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting. Ibrutinib (ImbruvicaTM), a first-in-class Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, has been approved for previously treated patients with CLL and for patients with del 17p CLL. We report results from the primary analysis of the Phase II RESONATETM-17 (PCYC-1117-CA) study, designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single-agent ibrutinib for treatment of patients with R/R del 17p CLL or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL). Methods: Patients with del 17p CLL or SLL who failed at least one therapy were enrolled to receive 420 mg oral ibrutinib once daily until progression. All patients receiving at least one dose of ibrutinib were included in the analysis. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) per an independent review committee (IRC). Other endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety of ibrutinib. Results: Among 144 treated patients (137 with CLL, 7 with SLL), the median age was 64 (48% 65 years or older) and all had del 17p. Baseline characteristics included 63% of patients with Rai Stage III or IV disease, 49% with bulky lymphadenopathy of at least 5 cm, and 10% with lymphadenopathy of least 10 cm. The median baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was 32.9 x 109/L with 57% of patients with a baseline ALC at least 25.0 x 109/L. Baseline beta-2 microglobulin levels were at least 3.5 mg/L in 78% of patients (range 1.8-19.8 mg/L), and lactate dehydrogenase levels were at least 350 U/L in 24% of patients (range 127-1979 U/L). A median of 2 prior therapies (range 1-7) was reported. Investigator-assessed ORR was 82.6% including 17.4% partial response with lymphocytosis (PR-L). Complete response (CR)/complete response with incomplete bone marrow recovery (CRi) were reported in 3 patients. IRC-assessed ORR is pending. At a median follow up of 13.0 months (range 0.5-16.7 months), the median PFS (Figure 1) and DOR by investigator determination had not been reached. At 12 months, 79.3% were alive and progression-free, and 88.3% of responders were progression-free. Progressive disease was reported in 20 patients (13.9%). Richter transformation was reported in 11 of these patients (7.6%), 7 of the cases occurring within the first 24 weeks of treatment. Prolymphocytic leukemia was reported in 1 patient. The most frequently reported adverse events (AE) of any grade were diarrhea (36%; 2% Grade 3-4), fatigue (30%; 1% Grade 3-4), cough (24%; 1% Grade 3-4), and arthralgia (22%; 1% Grade 3-4). Atrial fibrillation of any grade was reported in 11 patients (7.6%; 3.5% Grade 3-4). Seven patients reported basal or squamous cell skin cancer and 1 patient had plasma cell myeloma. Most frequently reported Grade 3-4 AEs were neutropenia (14%), anemia (8%), pneumonia (8%), and hypertension (8%). Major hemorrhage was reported in 7 patients (4.9%, all Grade 2 or 3). Study treatment was discontinued in 16 patients (11.1%) due to AEs with 8 eventually having fatal events (pneumonia, sepsis, myocardial or renal infarction, health deterioration). At the time of data cut, the median treatment duration was 11.1 months, and 101 of 144 patients (70%) continued treatment with ibrutinib. Conclusions: In the largest prospective trial dedicated to the study of del 17p CLL/SLL, ibrutinib demonstrated marked efficacy in terms of ORR, DOR, and PFS, with a favorable risk-benefit profile. At a median follow up of 13 months, the median DOR had not yet been reached; 79.3% of patients remained progression-free at 12 months, consistent with efficacy observed in earlier studies (Byrd, NEJM 2013;369:32-42). The PFS in this previously treated population compares favorably to that of treatment-naïve del 17p CLL patients receiving fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) (Hallek, Lancet 2010;376:1164-74) or alemtuzumab (Hillmen, J Clin Oncol 2007;10:5616-23) with median PFS of 11 months. The AEs are consistent with those previously reported for ibrutinib (Byrd, NEJM 2014;371:213-23). These results support ibrutinib as an effective therapy for patients with del 17p CLL/SLL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures O'Brien: Amgen, Celgene, GSK: Consultancy; CLL Global Research Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Emergent, Genentech, Gilead, Infinity, Pharmacyclics, Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; MorphoSys, Acerta, TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Jones:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Coutre:Janssen, Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding. Mato:Pharamcyclics, Genentech, Celegene, Millennium : Speakers Bureau. Hillmen:Pharmacyclics, Janssen, Gilead, Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding. Tam:Pharmacyclics and Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siddiqi:Janssen: Speakers Bureau. Furman:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Brown:Sanofi, Onyx, Vertex, Novartis, Boehringer, GSK, Roche/Genentech, Emergent, Morphosys, Celgene, Janssen, Pharmacyclics, Gilead: Consultancy. Stevens-Brogan:Pharmacyclics: Employment. Li:Pharmacyclics: Employment. Fardis:Pharmacyclics: Employment. Clow:Pharmacyclics: Employment. James:Pharmacyclics: Employment. Chu:Pharmacyclics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hallek:Janssen, Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Stilgenbauer:Pharmacyclics, Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

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Non-Interventional Retrospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Real Word Idelalisib Use in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients Enrolled in the French Early Access Program

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-110766 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 5924-5924 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Loic Ysebaert ◽

Pierre Feugier ◽

Gilles Andre Salles ◽

Eric Durot ◽

Alexis Talbot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Real Word ◽

First Line ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Early Access ◽

Access Program ◽

Retrospective Multicenter Study

Abstract INTRODUCTION Idelalisib (IDELA), the first-in-class PI3K-delta inhibitor, is indicated in Europe in combination with rituximab (R) or ofatumumab for the treatment (tt) of adult patients (pts) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy, or as first-line tt of pts with 17p deletion (del(17p)) or TP53 mutation (TP53m), not eligibles for any other therapies and as monotherapy for pts with follicular lymphoma (FL) refractory to two prior lines of tt. IDELA has significant clinical activity with a manageable safety profile. However, there is a paucity of real word data regarding its effectiveness and safety. The REALIST study was initiated to better describe pts who started IDELA treatment during the French Early Access Program (EAP). AIMS The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to describe efficacy, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), AEs of special interest (AESIs, defined as diarrhea/colitis, pneumonitis, liver enzyme elevation, neutropenia, infection, and rash) and IDELA use in adult pts previously enrolled in the French EAP for CLL or iNHL. METHODS All Investigators who enrolled at least one pt in the EAP were contacted by email inviting them to participate in this study. Only pts who initiated IDELA tt between June and October 2014 have been included in this study. For each pt, 12 months (m) follow up data were collected via an electronic Case Report Form and monitored by the Lymphoma Academic Research Organization (LYSARC). The Primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR) at 6 m and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Statistical analysis was descriptive. RESULTS Seventy-five pts were included, 41 in CLL group (39 in third-line or late and 2 in first-line with del(17p)/TP53m unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy (CIT)) and 34 in iNHL group, all refractory after two prior lines of tt. Table 1 lists key pt characteristics at the time of initiation of IDELA. In CLL/iNHL groups respectively, median IDELA tt duration was 25.1 weeks/18.9 weeks, ORR, was 82.8%/56.5% at 6 m (data reported in 29 pts/23 pts) and 100%/57.1% at 12 m (data reported in 12 pts/14 pts), median PFS was not reached (NR)/ 6.7 m, median time to next tt (TTNT) defined as the time between the date of the last IDELA intake and the start of next tt after progression of disease (PD) was NR/11.6 m, median OS was NR in both groups and OS estimate at M12 was 69.9%/67.6%. Additional efficacy data are presented in Table 2, Fig 1 and Fig 2. In CLL/iNHL groups respectively, at least one AE was reported during the study in 35 pts (85.4%)/26 pts (76.5%), most frequently reported AEs by SOC/PT were: infections and infestations 61.0%/50.0% (pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) 2.4%/5.9%), gastrointestinal disorders 56.1%/35.3% (diarrhea 41.5%/29.4%), blood and lymphatic system disorders 41.5%/41.2% (neutropenia 17.1%/23.5%) and investigation 43.9%/47.1% (hepatic enzyme increase 19.5%/14.7%). 24 pts (58.5%)/15 pts (44.1%) discontinued temporary IDELA, 6 pts (14.6%)/8 pts (23.5%) discontinued permanently for AE, 38 pts (92.7%)/25 pts (73.5%) had at least one AESI, 10 pts (24.4%)/11 pts (32.4%) had at least one serious AESI, 3 pts (7.3%)/6 pts (17.6%) permanently discontinued IDELA for AESI and deaths were reported during the study in 13 pts (31.7%)/11 pts (32.4%), mainly due to PD (46.2%/72.7%). CONCLUSION The results of this non-Interventional study of heavily pretreated CLL and iNHL population treated by IDELA monotherapy or in combination with rituximab indicate that IDELA is an effective treatment in routine clinical practice with an acceptable safety profile. ORR at 6 months was 83% in CLL full analysis set and 79% in del(17p)/TP53m sub-group and 55% in FL sub group. These results mirror those of clinical trials. No unexpected IDELA safety information was identified in this study and the pattern of AEs corresponds to that reported in previous clinical studies and might be improved by specific management of AESI including PJP prophylaxis to be administered to all patients throughout IDELA treatment. Disclosures Ysebaert: Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Feugier:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Salles:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; Acerta: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Epizyme: Honoraria; Gilead Sciences: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; Morphosys: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Sylvain:Gilead: Other: scientific advisor board. Glorian Kergaravat:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Simpson:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Ramroth:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Abdelhadi:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Haioun:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Troussard:Gilead: Other: scientific advisory board.

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The Combination of Complex Karyotypes' Subtypes and IGHV Mutational Status Provides Prognostic and Predictive Information in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-114721 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1844-1844

Author(s):

Andrea Visentin ◽

Laura Bonaldi ◽

Gian Matteo Rigolin ◽

Francesca Romana Mauro ◽

Annalisa Martines ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Board Member ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Rank Test ◽

Predictive Information ◽

Excellent Outcome ◽

Mutational Status

Abstract INTRODUCTION. Complex karyotype (CK), defined by the presence of at least 3 chromosomal abnormalities, is a heterogeneous cytogenetic category associated with adverse prognosis in several hematologic malignancies. Recently, Rigolin et al. provided evidence that CK with major structural abnormalities (CK2) at chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosis negatively impact on the time to first treatment (TTFT) and overall survival (OS) (Rigolin GM, BJH 2018). However, it is unknown whether the prognostic strength of CK could be implemented when combined with stable markers such as the IGHV mutational status. In the present study, we assessed the prognostic and predictive role of the combination of CK subtypes and IGHV status in a large CLL series. METHODS. Stimulated cytogenetics with CpG+IL2 was performed in 736 CLL patients in 3 referenced Italian hematological centers. According to Rigolin et al, CK2 cases included unbalanced translocations, addition, insertion, derivative and marker chromosomes. All other CK were classified as type 1 (CK1). An IGHV gene sequence homology >98% was considered as unmutated (U-IGHV), as opposed to mutated (M-IGHV). Treatment was initiated according to the iwCLL guidelines. TTFT and OS were calculated from diagnosis to first treatment or death, respectively, or last known follow-up. Survival curves were compared with the log-rank test and p<.05 was considered as significant. Harrell concordance index (c-index) was used to compare our prognostic model with Dohner's and FISH-IGHV models. RESULTS. We focused on 520 out of the 736 patients with cytogenetic and IGHV status assessed within 12 months from diagnosis. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years, 322 (62%) were males, 68% at Binet A stage, 45% U-IGHV, 48 harbored TP53 abnormalities, 99 a CK (28 CK1 and 71 CK2), 232 received at least one line of therapy (31% FCR, 16% BR, 8% ibrutinib, 5% chlorambucil-antiCD20, 40% other treatments) and 80 died over a median follow-up of 5.8 years. 71 (14%) harbored CK2, 214 (41%) CK1 or U-IGHV and 235 (45%) M-IGHV without CK2. The former group were characterized by a higher prevalence TP53 (38% vs 8% vs 3%, p<0.0001) and cytogenetics abnormalities but lower cases with low-risk FISH (i.e. 13q or normal; 38% vs 54% vs 91%, p<0.0001) as compared with others two groups. We observed that subjects with CK2 had a shorter TTFT (median years 1.97, 3.40 and 19.1, p<0.0001) and 5 years OS (67%, 85%, 93%, p<0.0001) compared to cases with CK1/U-IGHV, or M-IGHV without CK. These data were confirmed in multivariate analysis. The worse prognosis of CK2 patients was independent of TP53 status (p values 0.0770 and 0.8122 for TTFT and OS, respectively). The c-indexes for our model were 69% and 68% for TTFT and OS, respectively, and were not inferior to those calculated with Dohner's (64% and 61%) and FISH-IGHV (69% and 63%) models. The combination of these two markers also provides predictive information after first-line therapy (p<0.0001 for both TTFT and OS). In particular, among 107 patients treated with FCR or BR just one of the M-IGHV cases relapsed but none died after a median follow-up of 43 months as compared with the other two subgroups (3-year PFS 92%, 69% and 23%, p<0.0001; 3-year OS: 100%, 94%, 62%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS. In this study, we demonstrated that the combination of CK subtypes and IGHV status provides important prognostic and predictive data in CLL. Moreover, our model was not inferior to other commonly used prognostic scores. While patients with M-IGHV without any subtypes of CK showed an excellent outcome with chemoimmunotherapy, new alternative therapies should be explored for patients with CK2. Disclosures Visentin: janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rigolin:Gilead: Research Funding. Mauro:abbvie: Other: board member; janssen: Other: board member. Foà:JANSSEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Speakers Bureau; INCYTE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; CELTRION: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; ABBVIE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Other: ADVISORY BOARD; GILEAD: Speakers Bureau; CELGENE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau; ROCHE: Other: ADVISORY BOARD, Speakers Bureau. Cuneo:Roche: Other: advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Other: advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Other: advisory board, Speakers Bureau; janssen: Other: advisory board, Speakers Bureau. Trentin:Gilead: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Identification of B Cell Receptor Antigens in the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Microenvironment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.2922.2922 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 2922-2922

Author(s):

Elisa ten Hacken ◽

Thomas Oellerich ◽

Maria Gounari ◽

Julia Hoellenriegel ◽

Kuan-Ting Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

B Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

B Cell Receptor ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Label Free ◽

Bcr Signaling ◽

Associated Proteins

Abstract Background: B cell receptor (BCR) signaling is a central pathway in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis that is activated by interactions between CLL cells and the microenvironment in secondary lymphoid organs. Nurselike cells (NLCs) are an important component of this microenvironment, and co-culture of CLL cells with NLCs activates BCR signaling. CLL BCRs are able to recognize vimentin and calreticulin proteins exposed on the surface of NLCs and these interactions are responsible for stromal-mediated anti-apoptotic effects. However, the exact mechanism of BCR activation and the nature of the BCR ligands expressed by NLCs still remain incompletely defined. Aim: The aim of this project is to identify and validate ligands expressed by NLCs that activate BCRs on CLL cells. Methods: CLL PBMCs from 3 CLL patients were cultured in vitro for 14 days until outgrowth of NLCs. Then, NLCs were harvested and lysed, followed by immunoprecipitation with recombinant monoclonal antibodies obtained from 4 different CLL patients carrying unmutated IGHV genes (U-CLL). Immunoprecipitation of human hTERT mesenchymal stromal cells was used as a negative control. Immunoprecipitated proteins were analyzed by label-free quantitative mass spectrometry followed by bioinformatic data analysis using the softwares MaxQuant and Perseus. The quantitative mass spectrometric data enabled us to distinguish between unspecific background proteins and putative BCR ligands. Results: In all samples, around 2600 proteins were identified and around 2000 of them were quantified using mass spectrometry. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identified the enrichment patterns of NLC-derived BCR ligands. We identified 6 different protein clusters; among them, one cluster included 11 putative CLL BCR antigens with a fold-change cut-off above 10, which were enriched in all 3 NLC samples, but not in hTERT cells. These BCR ligands included cytoskeletal proteins, ER-associated proteins, and membrane-associated proteins, some of them with known auto-antigenic function in other diseases. Conclusion: Recombinant BCRs from U-CLL patients recognize a large number of proteins expressed by NLCs, identified through immunoprecipitation of NLC lysates with CLL BCRs, followed by label-free mass spectrometry. The identified ligands will be further validated by epitope-mapping and BCR activation functional studies to allow a better characterization of the pathogenic antigens in CLL, and of the mechanisms driving CLL survival in the tissue microenvironment. Disclosures Wierda: Glaxo-Smith-Kline Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene Corp.: Consultancy. Estrov:incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding. Burger:Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding.

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HIF-1α Upregulation in TP53 Disrupted Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells and Its Potential Role As a Therapeutic Target

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.305.305 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 305-305

Author(s):

Valentina Griggio ◽

Candida Vitale ◽

Maria Todaro ◽

Chiara Riganti ◽

Joanna Kopecka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Research Funding ◽

Transcriptional Activity ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Kinase Signaling ◽

Rhoa Kinase

Abstract Background : In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), disease aggressiveness and drug responsiveness can be ascribed to intrinsic genetic features of the tumor cells, such as TP53 disruption, and to interactions of CLL cells with stromal cells (SC) of the tumor microenvironment. The transcription factor HIF-1α is critically involved in the regulation of genes implicated in key cellular processes, such as cell survival and tumor progression, and also modulates the interactions of CLL cells with SC. HIF-1α expression and transcriptional activity depend on genetic alterations of tumor suppressor genes (e.g. TP53), and on extrinsic signals such as oxygen deprivation and soluble factors. In CLL cells, HIF-1α is active even in normoxia, and its expression is rapidly elevated during hypoxia. We have already reported that HIF-1α activity in CLL cells is upregulated by SC, via activation of Akt, and Ras/ERK1-2 and RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling pathways. SC are well known pro-survival factors, which protect CLL cells from spontaneous apoptosis and fludarabine-induced cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effects of HIF-1α inhibition, and the ability of HIF-1α targeting agents to reverse constitutive or SC-induced fludarabine resistance, need to be investigated. Aim : The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to unravel the HIF-1α regulatory pathways in CLL cells, also discriminating between TP53 wild type (TP53wt)and disrupted (TP53dis), and 2) to evaluate the ability of HIF-1α inhibition to exert a direct cytotoxic effect and potentiate fludarabine cytotoxicity. Methods: CLL cells were considered TP53dis when TP53 mutation or 17p deletion (>10%) were present (n=33). Otherwise they were considered TP53wt(n=49). HIF-1α gene and protein expression were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blot. HIF-1α transcriptional activity was evaluated by ELISA in nuclear extracts. CLL cells were cultured alone or with the M2-10B4 SC line under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. CLL cell cultures were exposed to fludarabine (F-ara-A, 10 μM), BAY 87-2243 (BAY, 1 μM), simvastatin (1 μM) or idelalisib (10 μM), used as single agents or in combination. Cell viability was analyzed by AnnexinV/propidium Iodide immunostaining and flow cytometry. Samples were considered resistant to fludarabine when the relative viability of CLL cells exposed to F-ara-A compared to untreated controls was >0.43 (median value for the whole cohort). Results: TP53dis CLL cells expressed a constitutively higher amount of HIF-1α protein compared to TP53wt CLL cells. This upregulation was not due to a higher HIF-1α gene expression, and was associated to a significantly higher transcriptional activity of HIF-1α (p=0.009). We also evaluated the effect of extrinsic factors on the regulation of HIF-1α. We observed a further increase in HIF-1α expression when both TP53dis and TP53wt CLL cells were cultured under hypoxia. Similarly, the co-culture of CLL cells with SC further upregulated HIF-1α, via activation of Akt, Ras/ERK1-2 and RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling cascades, in both subsets. These inducing effects were particularly evident in TP53dis CLL cells. The specific inhibition of HIF-1α with BAY induced a significant reduction in viability of TP53dis and TP53wt CLL cells (p<0.001), confirming the role of HIF-1α in maintaining leukemic cells survival. We also evaluated the ability of BAY to sensitize constitutively resistant TP53dis CLL cells to F-ara-A. Results from these experiments showed a significant impairment of cell viability after dual treatment with BAY and F-ara-A compared to single agents and untreated control (mean viability: 21.8% BAY + F-ara-A, 34.1% BAY, 47.6% F-ara-A and 59.6% controls; p<0.01). In the last set of experiments, we investigated the role of HIF-1α in the microenvironment-mediated resistance to fludarabine. We found that the direct HIF-1α inhibition with BAY, and the targeting of Ras/ERK1-2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways using simvastatin or idelalisib were all able to counteract the protection exerted by SC toward F-ara-A-induced cell death, in both TP53dis and TP53wtCLL cells (p<0.03). Conclusions:Our data demonstrate that HIF-1α is constitutively overexpressed by TP53dis CLL cells compared to TP53wt, and is positively regulated by hypoxia and SC in both subsets. HIF-1α targeted inhibition results in high cytotoxicity of CLL cells, and is able to circumvent constitutive p53-related and SC-induced resistance to fludarabine. Disclosures Rossi: Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria. Gaidano:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria. Massaia:Janssen: Other: advisory board; Roche: Other: advisory board, research support; Gilead: Other: advisory board. Boccadoro:Mundipharma: Research Funding; Abbivie: Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Coscia:Gilead: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; ROCHE: Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Research Funding.

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Variation in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by line of therapy, age, and gender among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.7086 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 7086-7086

Author(s):

Christopher Flowers ◽

Charles Michael Farber ◽

Ian Flinn ◽

David L. Grinblatt ◽

Neil E. Kay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

The United States ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Age Group ◽

First Line ◽

Hrqol Score ◽

Age And Gender ◽

And Gender ◽

Line Of Therapy

7086 Background: The HRQOL of patients (pts) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not been adequately delineated across patient, disease and treatment characteristics. We evaluated HRQOL of CLL pts undergoing treatment in the United States (US) by age, gender and line of therapy. Methods: Data were collected in Connect CLL, a prospective observational US registry. Physicians provided data on demographics, clinical characteristics and line of therapy at enrollment. HRQOL was self-reported by pts at enrollment using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia, an instrument that yields a leukemia-specific total HRQOL score (FACT-Leu) and a cancer-specific total HRQOL score (FACT-G). Mean total scores were analyzed by line of therapy, age and gender. Statistical significance was ascertained by ANOVA using SAS 9.2. Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the relative association of line of therapy, age and gender with HRQOL. Results: Among 1,252 pts enrolled from 161 geographically diverse centers (90% community, 8% academic, 2% veterans/military), pts were predominantly male (63%), white (89%) with mean age 69 yrs. Pts were categorized by line of therapy at enrollment: First 61%, Second 18%, Third 11%, Higher 9%; and by age group: <65 33%, 65-74 35%, 75+ 32%. Univariate analyses suggested that the total FACT-Leu score was significantly better in men than women (P=0.004); in pts aged 65-74 vs younger or older pts (P=0.033); and in pts initiating first-line treatment vs pts receiving subsequent treatments (P=0.0002). Similar results were found with the FACT-G score except that gender differences were not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis confirmed that line of therapy (P=0.007), gender (P<0.0001), and age group (P=0.039) were each associated with significant differences in the FACT-Leu total score. Conclusions: Results from the Connect CLL Registry indicate that HRQOL is better among pts initiating first-line therapy compared to pts initiating subsequent treatments, and that this remains true when age and gender are considered. Future analyses should determine how HRQOL may change over time relative to treatment and treatment response.

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Rituximab Plus Chlorambucil As First-Line Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Analysis of an Open-Label Phase II Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.49.6547 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (12) ◽

pp. 1236-1241 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Peter Hillmen ◽

John G. Gribben ◽

George A. Follows ◽

Donald Milligan ◽

Hazem A. Sayala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Response Rates ◽

Complete Response ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

First Line ◽

Open Label

Purpose Most patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are elderly and/or have comorbidities that may make them ineligible for fludarabine-based treatment. For this population, chlorambucil monotherapy is an appropriate therapeutic option; however, response rates with chlorambucil are low, and more effective treatments are needed. This trial was designed to assess how the addition of rituximab to chlorambucil (R-chlorambucil) would affect safety and efficacy in patients with CLL. Patients and Methods Patients with first-line CLL were treated with rituximab (375 mg/m2 on day 1, cycle one, and 500 mg/m2 thereafter) plus chlorambucil (10 mg/m2/d all cycles; day 1 through 7) for six 28-day cycles. For patients not achieving complete response (CR), six additional cycles of chlorambucil alone could be administered. The primary end point of the study was safety. Results A total of 100 patients were treated with R-chlorambucil, with a median follow-up of 30 months. Median age of patients was 70 years (range, 43 to 86 years), with patients having a median of seven comorbidities. Hematologic toxicities accounted for most grade 3/4 adverse events reported, with neutropenia and lymphopenia both occurring in 41% of patients and leukopenia in 23%. Overall response rates were 84%, with CR achieved in 10% of patients. Median progression-free survival was 23.5 months; median overall survival was not reached. Conclusion These results compare favorably with previously published results for chlorambucil monotherapy, suggesting that the addition of rituximab to chlorambucil may improve efficacy with no unexpected adverse events. R-chlorambucil may improve outcome for patients who are ineligible for fludarabine-based treatments.

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