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Kittai, Adam S.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4891-6144

Mayo Clinic

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Citations 14

Superior real-world outcomes of lisocabtagene maraleucel in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Huang, Jennifer , Khaire, Niranjan , Pizzuti, V., Shune, Leyla , Skarbnik, Alan P , Mian, Agrima , Bharadwaj, Sushma , Alsouqi, Aseel , Wankel, Bret , Lukowski, Joseph , Danilov, Alexey V. , Scordo, Michael , Franco, Stephanie , Ujjani, Chaitra S. , Lynch, Ryan C. , Kittai, Adam S. , Shulman, Jonah, Lunning, Matthew A. , Rogers, Kerry A. , Fakhri, Bita , Hill, Brian T. , Pinilla‐Ibarz, Javier , Soumerai, Jacob D. , Shadman, Mazyar, Pizzuti, Vincenzo J. , Soumerai, Jacob D , Fakhri, Bita , Pizzuti, Vincenzo J , Voutsinas, Jenna M. , Pizzuti, Vincenzo, Lei, Matthew , Fonseca, Rodrigo , Din, Mohammad Ammad Ud , Wehmeyer, Graham T. , Siddiqi, Tanya , Thompson, Meghan C , Stephens, Deborah M. , Gauthier, Jordan , Wierda, William G. , Barr, Paul M. , Hilal, Talal , Kamdar, Manali , Wu, Qian Vicky , Jain, Nitin , Shadman, Mazyar

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 798-798

10.1182/blood-2025-798 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) was approved in the United States for the treatment of CLL in 3/2024 for patients who have received two prior lines of therapy including a covalent BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor. Data regarding outcomes of liso-cel is limited to reports from the registrational TRANSCEND-CLL 004 clinical trial which had strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. This work investigates the real-world efficacy and safety of liso-cel for patients with CLL and its efficacy in specific sub-populations. Methods: This is a multi-institutional retrospective study (Collaborative Assessment of Real-World Evidence of Lisocabtagene Maraleucel in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory CLL/SLL [CARE CAR-T CLL]) of patients with CLL who received commercial liso-cel in the United States. Patients with Richter transformation were excluded. Response was defined by iwCLL criteria. Patients who did not undergo a marrow biopsy but met other criteria for a complete response (CR) were categorized as unconfirmed CR (CRu). CRS and ICANS were graded per ASTCT criteria. Results: A total of 30 patients were identified with a median age of 67 years (range 44 – 80). Twenty of thirty patients (67%) had either del17p and/or mutated TP53, and 8/30 (27%) had complex karyotype (≥ 3 abnormalities) at time of liso-cel infusion. Patients received a median of 6 prior lines of therapy (range 1 - 12), and 24 (80%) were previously treated with chemotherapy. All patients had previous exposure to a covalent BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor. Twenty-seven (90%) of patients had prior exposure to pirtobrutinib. Twenty-nine patients (96.7%) received bridging treatment that was stopped after leukapheresis with 1 patient in CR and 25 patients in PR at time of liso-cel. Eighteen patients (60%) were treated with pirtobrutinib as the last line of treatment prior to liso-cel. Median length of time on pirtobrutinib prior to liso-cel infusion was 4 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2 – 8 months). Twelve (66.7%) patients stopped pirtobrutinib between leukapheresis and lymphodepletion, and 6 continued after liso-cel. Best CR/CRu rate was 60.0% (CR, n = 17/30; CRu, n = 1/30), and best overall response rate (ORR) was 83.3% (25/30) with median time to best response of 30 days (IQR, 28 – 30 days). Of the 18 patients who received pirtobrutinib as their last line of therapy, 13 (72%) achieved a CR/CRu. Meanwhile, of the 12 patients who did not receive pirtobrutinib as their last line of therapy, only 5 (28%) achieved a CR. Measurable residual disease testing (MRD) by flow cytometry was done in 14/30 patients, and 9 patients (64%) had achieved undetectable MRD (uMRD). MRD by next generation sequencing (NGS) was done in 17 patients, and 7 (41%) patients had uMRD. Twenty-seven of 30 patients (90%) were alive at time of data collection. Median follow-up was 3.3 months (IQR, 1.2 – 8.9 months). Twenty-six patients (87%) experienced any grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and 3 patients experienced grade 3 CRS (10%). Twelve patients (40%) experienced any grade immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and 4 patients (13%) experienced grade 3 ICANS. There were no grade 4 or 5 CRS or ICANS. One patient experienced grade 3 immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome (IEC-HS). At day 30, patients had a median absolute neutrophil count of 1.7K/μL (IQR, 0.8 – 3.6K/μL), hemoglobin of 11.7 g/dL (IQR, 8.6 – 13.1 g/dL), and platelet count of 72K/μL (IQR, 29 – 119K/μL). Conclusion: Real-world analysis of liso-cel for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL showed CR and ORR of 60.0% and 83.3%, respectively. Despite having a heavily pre-treated and chemotherapy-exposed population and with over half the patients having high-risk features, these response rates are higher than what was described in the TRANSCEND-CLL 004 clinical trial. These results are limited by the short follow-up period and the variability in response assessment typical of a retrospective study. As we increase our sample size, we will also be interested if the use of the non-covalent BTK inhibitor pirtobrutinib prior to liso-cel is associated with a higher CR rate, mimicking the findings of the sub-cohort analysis of TRANSCEND-CLL 004 where the concurrent use of ibrutinib led to higher CR rates. Further updates and patients from additional collaborators will be presented at the meeting.
Mediators of racial and ethnic inequities in access to front-line therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the United States: A real-world evidence study
Kittai, Adam S. , Hampel, Paul J. , Fu, Qianhong, Zhao, Danni , Mbah, Olive , Sawas, Ahmed , Wagner, Benjamin , Myers, Rachel A. , Beuge, Derrick van, Maglinte, Gregory A. , Rhodes, Joanna , Wang, Xiaoliang , Karwa, Smriti , Wagner, Benjamin, Myers, Rachel, Beuge, Derrick van, Seymour, Erlene Kuizon , Barrientos, Jacqueline C.

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2720-2720

10.1182/blood-2025-2720 Get It

Abstract Background The treatment (tx) landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has evolved, with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline-preferred novel therapies (NTs), such as acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, and venetoclax-based regimens, now preferred over ibrutinib and chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in front-line (1L) settings. We previously showed that patients (pts) from different racial/ethnic groups may not have equitable access to NTs. Here, we examined racial/ethnic inequities in 1L NT utilization among US pts with CLL and potential social determinants of health (SDOH) drivers of these inequities. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized the US-based, electronic health record-derived de-identified Flatiron Health Research Database, linked to neighborhood (US Census track or block group) data from American Community Survey and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality datasets. Eligible pts included adults with CLL who started 1L tx 01/01/2019-07/31/2024. The primary outcome was receipt of 1L therapy (CIT vs preferred NTs, ibrutinib vs preferred NTs), with NCCN guideline-preferred NTs (v2.2023-v3.2025) as a reference. Associations between race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic) and 1L tx types were assessed using logistic regressions, adjusting for age, sex, year of 1L start, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region status, and del17p/TP53 status. To better understand which SDOH factors contribute to racial and ethnic inequities in tx utilization, we performed mediation analysis using Multiple Mediation Analysis implemented through nonlinear multiple additive regression tree models. Individual-level (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, practice type, insurance) and 20 area-level SDOH factors measuring social deprivation (defined as limited access to economic, social, neighborhood, physical, or healthcare resources) were assessed as potential mediators. Results Of the 4452 pts included in the study, 3717 were White (83%), 371 were Black (8%), 209 were Hispanic (5%), and 155 were Other race (4%). Black and Hispanic pts were more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher social deprivation, such as residential segregation (predominant race/ethnicity in the area: White, Black, Hispanic, Diverse), with no internet access, no vehicle ownership, and no health insurance coverage. Overall, 37% of pts received a preferred NT, highest among White (38%) pts, followed by Black (35%) and Hispanic (26%) pts. Compared with White pts, Hispanic pts were more likely to receive CIT than preferred NTs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-3.09); Black (aOR 1.44; 95% CI 1.05-1.97) and Hispanic pts (aOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.17-2.85) were more likely to receive ibrutinib than preferred NTs. Pts living in areas with the highest social deprivation were less likely than their counterparts in lowest social deprivation neighborhoods to receive preferred NTs. Specifically, residence in predominantly Black or Hispanic neighborhoods (26% or 27% vs 39% predominantly White), areas with lowest socioeconomic status (32% vs 40%), and neighborhoods with the lowest levels of internet access (32% vs 39%), vehicle ownership (32% vs 39%), and health insurance coverage (34% vs 41%) was associated with lowest receipt of preferred NTs. In the mediation analysis, individual- and area-level SDOH factors explained 94.4% (95% CI 2.9-185.9) of the observed Black-White inequity in receipt of ibrutinib versus preferred NTs; residential segregation appeared to be the most important mediator (59.7%; 95% CI −3.5 to 123.0). Similarly, the Hispanic-White inequity in receipt of preferred NTs was driven by the combined effect of area-level SDOH and individual-level variables (88.5%; 95% CI 45.6-131.3), with residential segregation as the main driver (48.3%; 95% CI 10.7-85.9), followed by practice setting (9.8%; 95% CI −3.5 to 23.1). In contrast, measured SDOH factors did not explain the inequity in receipt of CIT versus preferred NTs between Hispanic and White pts (21.5%; 95% CI −8.3 to 51.4), suggesting that other factors may contribute to the observed inequities. Conclusion Black and Hispanic pts with CLL were less likely than White pts to receive preferred NTs. A significant proportion of these disparities was explained by area-level SDOH, particularly residential segregation. These findings underscore the need to address structural barriers to ensure equitable access to emerging, guideline-recommended treatments.
Real-world outcomes of glofitamab (Glofit) plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) in Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) aggressive B-cell lymphoma (BCL): A multicenter retrospective study from the United States
Asrani, Roshan, Baron, Kelsey, Nedved, Adrienne, Sethi, Tarsheen , Hill, Brian T. , Bock, Allison M. , Kittai, Adam S. , Tiger, Yun Kyoung , Wehmeyer, Graham T. , Ryan, Robert J. , Major, Ajay , Grover, Natalie S. , Hilal, Talal , Brooks, Taylor , Ravishankar, Arjun , Wang, Yucai , Matasar, Matthew J. , Rhodes, Joanna

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1956-1956

10.1182/blood-2025-1956 Get It

Abstract Background: Glofit, a CD20/CD3 bispecific antibody, has shown efficacy in prospective trials, including the Phase III STARGLO study evaluating glofit plus gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (GemOx) in transplant-ineligible patients (pts) with R/R large B-cell lymphoma (BCL). However, concerns raised by the FDA's Oncology Drug Advisory Committee regarding the generalizability of the STARGLO data to U.S. pts underscore the need for real-world evidence. We report real-world outcomes of Glofit-GemOx in U.S. pts with R/R aggressive BCL. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective review across 8 U.S. academic centers, identifying 31 pts with R/R aggressive BCL treated with Glofit-GemOx outside clinical trials. Baseline characteristics, treatment history, and outcomes were abstracted from medical records. Results: At Glofit-GemOx initiation: median age was 72 years (range, 34–88); 90% had stage III/IV disease. Histologic subtypes included DLBCL in 58% (n=18), high-grade BCL in 29% (n=9), PTLD/DLBCL in 6.5% (n=2), follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 3B in 3.2% (n=1), and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in 3.2% (n=1). Germinal center B-cell phenotype was seen in 80% of evaluable cases. Double- (n=8) or triple-hit (n=1) cytogenetics were observed in 31% (n=9). Elevated LDH was present in 74%, and 16% had B symptoms. Median ECOG performance status was 1 (range, 0–3), and 23% (n=7) had received prior CAR T-cell therapy. Pre-treatment biopsy was performed in 77% (n=24) with CD20 expression tested in 74% (n=23). CD20 expression was negative in 3 pts by flow cytometry and/or immunohistochemistry. Pts received a median 1 prior line of therapy (range, 0-6); Glofit-GemOx was administered as 1L in 7% (n=2), and 2L in 58% (n=18). Median 4 cycles (range, 1-11); both 1L pts had prior FL (1 and 3 prior lines for FL). Twelve pts remain on therapy, 2 on Glofit monotherapy. Four pts were unevaluable (2 death pre-assessment; 2 pending evaluation). Among 27 evaluable pts, ORR was 78% (21/27) and CR rate was 41% (11/27). Among CD20- negative cases on pre- Glofit-GemOx biopsy (n=3), ORR was 33% (1/3), with 1 CR lasting 3.5 months. Of 11 pts who progressed on Glofit-GemOx, 6 were rebiopsied; 1 showed CD20 loss, 1 was previously CD20-negative. Among the 24 pts who received Glofit-GemOx as destination therapy, ORR of 75% (15/20 evaluable). Among pts with prior CAR T (n=7), the ORR and CR rate were both 43% (3/7). None received Glofit-GemOx within 30 days of CAR T-cell infusion; 4 received within 6 mo; 2 of whom achieved CR. Seven pts (24%) received Glofit-GemOx as bridging to CAR T. ORR pre-CAR T was 86% (6/7); 4 pt successfully proceeded to CAR T, 2 are pending infusion, and 1 progressed after 2 cycles and transitioned to alternate therapy. Three pts were evaluable post-CAR T with an ORR of 100% (3/3) and CR rate of 67% (2/3). At data cutoff, 23/31 pts were alive. Full PFS and OS data will be presented at ASH. Notable individual responses included a patient with relapsed BL post–DA-EPOCH-R who received Glofit-GemOx as 2L therapy and achieved a 6 mo CR without consolidation before progression. Another patient treated with Glofit-GemOx in the 7L setting after prior allogeneic transplant achieved a 3 mo CR prior to progression. CRS occurred in 58% (18/31), with grade ≥3 in 13% (4/31), including 2 possible treatment-related deaths. One occurred in a frail patient after the 1st dose, though neutropenic fever was present prior to Glofit administration. The second followed influenza A infection, respiratory failure, and possible grade 4 ICANS after the 2nd dose; attribution to CRS vs. infection was unclear. ICANS occurred in 10% (3/31), with one possible grade ≥3 case. Conclusions: This is the first U.S.-based real-world analysis of Glofit-GemOx, including more U.S. pts than the STARGLO trial, appear to demonstrate comparable response rates, potentially supporting its use as both bridging and destination therapy. Notable toxicities, including CRS, were observed, with 2 possible treatment-related deaths, with plausible alternate non-treatment related causes. Favorable responses were seen in bridging therapy and high-risk subgroups (transformed, HGBCL) which were excluded in the STARGLO trial. These findings support the real-world utility of Glofit-GemOx in the management of R/R aggressive BCL but underscore the need for caution due to associated toxicities. Further real-world and prospective evaluation are warranted, particularly in rare subgroups and as bridging therapy.
New comorbidity index associated with survival after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for large B-cell lymphoma
Greenbaum, Uri , Hashmi, Hamza , Elsawy, Mahmoud , Kim, Soyoung , Moskop, Amy , Oloyede, Temitope, Awan, Farrukh T. , Bachanová, Veronika , Badar, Talha , Bar, Merav , Barba, Pere , Cashen, Amanda F. , Ganguly, Siddhartha , Kittai, Adam S. , Lulla, Premal , Mead, Elena, Geethakumari, Praveen Ramakrishnan , Saber, Wael , Strouse, Christopher , Valluripalli, Anusha, Wudhikarn, Kitsada , Pasquini, Marcelo C. , Dholaria, Bhagirathbhai R , Farooq, Umar , Hematti, Peiman , Hill, LaQuisa C , Jain, Michael D , Jain, Tania , Lulla, Premal D , McGuirk, Joseph , Mussetti, Alberto , Nishihori, Taiga , Olson, Amanda L , Perales, Miguel-Angel , Riedell, Peter A , Shouval, Roni , Magalhaes-Silverman, Margarida , Pasquini, Marcelo , Ahmed, Sairah , Sorror, Mohamed , Bachanova, Veronika , Badar, Talha , Strouse, Christopher S , Awan, Farrukh T , Kim, Soyoung , Moskop, Amy , Beitinjaneh, Amer , Dholaria, Bhagirathbhai , Foglesong, Jessica , Hematti, Peiman , Hill, LaQuisa C. , Jain, Michael D. , Jain, Tania , Kebriaei, Partow , Locke, Frederick L. , McGuirk, Joseph P. , Mussetti, Alberto , Nishihori, Taiga , Pennisi, Martina , Perales, Miguel‐Angel , Riedell, Peter A. , Shpall, Elizabeth J. , Magalhaes‐Silverman, Margarida , Turtle, Cameron J. , Vallurupalli, Anusha , Ahmed, Sairah , Sorror, Mohamed L.

Blood Advances | August 14, 2025 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 217-227

10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015599 Get It

Abstract The cumulative impact of baseline comorbidities on outcomes of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is not well established. Therefore, we developed and validated a Cellular Therapy Comorbidity Index (CT-CI) to predict outcomes following CD19-directed CAR-T therapy for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Patients aged 18 or older receiving commercial CAR-T therapy for LBCL during 2017 to 2020 were selected from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry. Patients were randomly assigned to training or validation cohorts. Comorbidities given weighted scores comprised the CT-CI, which was then validated for overall survival (OS) prognostication. A total of 1916 patients from 97 medical centers were included, with a median age of 64 years (19-91 years). About 70% of patients had comorbidities, such as cardiac disease (12%); diabetes (14%); hepatic dysfunction (mild, 8%; moderate to severe, 2%); psychiatric disturbance (18%); and pulmonary dysfunction (moderate, 15%; severe, 12%). The CT-CI was calculated, stratified patients in 3 categories, and was associated with increased mortality. Patients with higher CT-CI scores had worse OS (CT-CI 1: hazard ratio [HR], 1.37 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.62; P< .001]; CT-CI 2: HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.17-1.89; P = .001]; CT-CI ≥ 3: HR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.90-3.42; P< .001]). Higher CT-CI scores predicted treatment-related mortality and relapse. There was no correlation between the CT-CI score and CAR-T–related toxicities. The novel CT-CI score stratifies the effect of patient comorbidities on survival after CAR-T therapy and can be used for clinical decision-making and treatment selection in high-risk populations. However, comorbidities and fear of increased toxicity should not preclude patients from this effective therapy.
557 | EVALUATING UPTAKE OF TARGETED AGENTS BY RACE/ETHNICITY IN PATIENTS RECEIVING FIRST‐LINE TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
Kittai, Adam S. , Hampel, Paul J. , Fu, Qiang , Sun, Steven , Beuge, Derrick van, Maglinte, Gregory A. , Rhodes, Joanna , Wang, X., Seymour, Erlene Kuizon , Barrientos, Jacqueline C.

Hematological Oncology | June 15, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70096_557 Get It

Evaluating uptake of targeted agents by race/ethnicity in patients receiving first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Kittai, Adam S. , Hampel, Paul J. , Fu, Qianhong, Sun, Shaohui , Beuge, Derrick van, Maglinte, Gregory A. , Rhodes, Joanna , Wang, Xiaoliang , Beuge, Derrick van, Seymour, Erlene Kuizon , Barrientos, Jacqueline C.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e13741 Get It

e13741 Background: The NCCN guidelines for first-line (1L) regimens in CLL have evolved over the past decade, shifting from ibrutinib (ibr) and chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) to second-generation BTK inhibitor and venetoclax combinations. We evaluated real-world use of preferred 1L treatment (tx) since 2016 in CLL patients (pts) in routine care to identify differences in prescribing based on race/ethnicity and practice type. Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized the US nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record-derived de-identified database. Eligible pts had confirmed CLL and initiated 1L tx between 01/01/16-07/31/24. Primary outcome was receipt of preferred 1L tx defined by NCCN guidelines in four time periods by race/ethnicity (Hispanic, White, Black, Asian/Other). Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression, additionally adjusting for age, sex, ECOG performance status, IGHV, del17p/ TP53 mutation status, time period, and practice type. Results: A total of 7528 pts were included. Compared with White pts (n = 5472), Black pts (n = 640) were younger (median age at 1L: 68 vs 71). More Black and Hispanic (n = 290) pts were treated at community practices (86% vs 80% White). Of those pts tested, more Black pts had unmutated IGHV than White (77% vs 56%). Presence of del17p/ TP53 mutation was similar across races/ethnicities. The proportion of pts receiving preferred 1L tx based on the NCCN Guidelines significantly differed by race/ethnicity (Table) ( P = 0.0021). The proportion of Hispanic pts treated with preferred 1L tx was significantly lower than White (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.47-0.79), but Black was similar to White (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.89-1.30). Updates to NCCN guidelines were significantly associated with pts receiving preferred 1L tx by practice type ( P = 0.0005). In 2016-2018, 44% of community practices and 55% of academic centers adopted targeted therapies (TTs); in 2019, ibr use increased in both practices (77% vs 68%, respectively). Adherence to preferred tx improved across practices in 2020 but decreased with the prioritization of second-generation therapies. After the approval of zanu, use of TTs was 71% in community practices and 74% in academic centers. Conclusions: Inequities in pts with CLL receiving preferred 1L tx suggests disproportionate use of CIT and ibr by race/ethnicity. Use of preferred TTs also differed by practice type and time period, with increased adoption after pivotal trials. Time period % Pts receiving preferred tx by race a White Black Hispanic Asian/Other 2016-2018:Preferred tx ibr 46% 50% 43% 45% 2019(v2.2019: Jan 2019)Preferred tx ibr 76% 76% 67% 79% 2020-Jun 2022(v4.2020: Feb 2020)Preferred tx acala, VO, ibr 84% 84% 69% 83% Jul 2022-Jul 2024(v2.2023: Aug 2022)Preferred tx acala, VO, zanu 72% 66% 56% 73% VO, venetoclax + obinutuzumab. a By listing of NCCN preference (preferred vs other) among non-del17p and age >65.
International consensus statement on diagnosis, evaluation, and research of Richter transformation: the ERIC recommendations
Kittai, Adam S. , Al‐Sawaf, Othman , Benjamini, Ohad , Danilov, Alexey V. , Eichhorst, Barbara , Eyre, Toby A. , Frustaci, Anna Maria , Hallek, Michael , Hampel, Paul J. , Herishanu, Yair, Kater, Arnon P. , King, Rebecca L. , Owen, Carolyn , Rossi, Davide, Wierda, William G. , Gaïdano, Gianluca , Woyach, Jennifer A. , Eyre, Toby A , Frustaci, Anna Maria , Hampel, Paul J , Hicks, Rodney J , Kater, Arnon P , Parry, Erin M , Siddiqi, Tanya , Thompson, Philip A , Gaidano, Gianluca , Woyach, Jennifer A , Ghia, Paolo , Marchetti, Monia , Davids, Matthew S. , Herishanu, Yair , Martin-Subero, Jose Ignacio , Parry, Erin M. , Ponzoni, Maurilio , Rossi, Davide, Siddiqi, Tanya , Stilgenbauer, Stephan , Tam, Constantine S. , Hacken, Elisa ten , Wierda, William G. , Ghia, Paolo

Blood | April 16, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 291-303

10.1182/blood.2024028064 Get It

Abstract Richter transformation (RT) is defined as an aggressive lymphoma emerging in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL). Despite novel therapeutics developed in CLL, RT is associated with poor outcomes. In light of recent progress regarding the diagnostic procedures and therapeutic concepts of RT, an international group of experts, under the coordination of the European Research Initiative on CLL, has developed consensus recommendations for clinical procedures and future research on this disease. Patients with RT typically present with a rapid clinical decline, worsening B-symptoms, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and/or rapidly enlarging lymphadenopathy. Workup should include a positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan for patients with suspected RT. An excisional biopsy should be taken from an accessible lesion, preferably with the highest fluorodeoxyglucose avidity, and analyzed for the presence of aggressive lymphoma. The molecular relationship to the original CLL clone(s) should be defined. Because no effective standard treatment for RT exists, patients should be treated in a clinical trial. Response of both RT and CLL should be assessed at an early time point, and survival end points should be prioritized in trial design. We hope that these recommendations can help to harmonize clinical and translational research and improve outcomes for patients with RT.
A Multi-Center Retrospective Study on Complex Karyotype in Patients with Richter Transformation Who Received No Chemoimmunotherapy for Their CLL
Allan, John N. , Brander, Danielle M. , Byrd, John C. , Danilov, Alexey V. , Dvorak‐Kornaus, Kaitlyn, Hampel, Paul J. , Islam, Prioty , Malakhov, Nikita , Miller, Sarah , Rogers, Kerry A. , Skarbnik, Alan P , Scott, Hamish W , Schade, Jake , Woyach, Jennifer A. , Kittai, Adam S. , Byrd, John C. , Byrd, John C , Miller, Cecelia , Huang, Ying , Bhat, Seema A. , Bond, David A. , Chavez, Julio C , Chong, Elise A. , Dowling, Mark R. , Ho, Carrie , Matasar, Matthew J. , Parikh, Sameer A. , Rabe, Kari G. , Rhodes, Joanna , Roeker, Lindsey E. , Saha, Aditi , Shadman, Mazyar , Shouse, Geoffrey , Stephens, Deborah M. , Thompson, Meghan C , Thompson, Philip A , Wang, Yucai , Yano, Max , Omer, Zulfa

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3245-3245

10.1182/blood-2024-205668 Get It

Introduction: Complex karyotype (CK, ≥3 chromosome (chr) abnormalities (abn)) is an important adverse prognostic indicator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CK at diagnosis (dx) of CLL, particularly with major structural chr abn (i.e. unbalanced translocation, add, marker, ring chr), called type-2 CK (CK2), has been associated with an increased risk of Richter transformation (RT) (Visentin Haematologica 2022). RT is defined as development of aggressive lymphoma, most often large B-cell lymphoma, in the setting of CLL. In patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory CLL treated with ibrutinib, CK as a continuous variable and the presence of polyploidy were independent predictors for RT. CK is a common finding at the time of RT, and high-CK (≥5) has been associated with short survival in RT, although previous studies predominantly included pts with prior chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) administration for their CLL. The prognostic significance of CK in pts with RT whose prior CLL-directed therapies include only non-CIT, as is the current standard of care for CLL, has not been evaluated. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective analysis of pts from 14 academic centers. Pts with RT diagnosed between 6/2011 to 6/2023, who had CLL-directed treatment that did not include prior CIT, with stimulated karyotype data available, were included. Pts who did not receive treatment for their CLL prior to developing RT were not included. Baseline pt, disease, and cytogenetics data were collected via chart review at time of CLL diagnosis and at the development of RT. Karyotype abn up to 20 were counted on both CLL tissue (peripheral blood or bone marrow) and RT tissue using IWGMC guidelines (Chun Leuk Res 2010). CK was categorized as CK1 (balanced abn, deletion, aneusomies) or CK2. Polyploidy was defined as ≥58 chrs. Karyotype was considered evolved if one or more chr abn were seen in a follow-up sample of CLL tissue that were not seen at CLL dx.TP53 disruption was defined as presence of del(17p) or TP53 mutation. Overall survival (OS) was measured from RT dx and estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors associated with OS. Results: A total of 64 eligible pts were identified. Median age at RT dx was 65 years (range 40-89) and 71.9% of pts were male. Of those evaluated (n=49), 79.6% had unmutated IGVH. Median number of therapies for CLL prior to RT was 1 (range 1-5) and included BTK inhibitor (n=37), BCL2 inhibitor (n=3), both (n=18), or other non-CIT treatment (n=6). At CLL diagnosis, 54.7% of pts had a CK, and the median number of chr abn was 3 (range 0-20). Of those with CK, 96.9% had a CK2, and 6.3% had a polyploid subclone. TP53 disruption was found in 46% of pts. At time of RT, chr analysis of CLL tissue was available for 38 pts and showed 78.9% had a CK, and the median number of chr abn was 8 (range 0-20). Polyploidy was found in 29.6%. TP53 disruption (46 pts evaluated) was found in 52.2%. Karyotype evolution from dx (35 pts evaluated) occurred in 74.3% of pts. In RT tissue, of those evaluated (n=29), 96.6% were clonally related to the preceding CLL. MYC translocation (45 pts evaluated) occurred in 17.8%. CK (20 pts evaluated) was found in 70%, with a median number of chr abn of 8 (range 0-20). Of those with CK, 33.3% had a polyploid subclone. With a median follow-up of 17.8 months (range 2.1-83.0) there were 42 deaths, with a median OS of 14.3 months (range 6.9-29.1). For this subset of patients with karyotype data available who would go on to develop RT, an exploratory univariable analysis for OS from RT found that increasing number of chr abn as a continuous variable at CLL dx was associated with worse OS (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19, p=0.01). Similarly, at RT, increasing number of chr abn in CLL tissue (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16, p=0.01) and in RT tissue (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18, p=0.03) was also prognostic of survival. Karyotype evolution in CLL tissue at RT (HR 3.02, 95% CI 1.02-8.94, p=0.05) was borderline significant for worse OS. Conclusions: Our multi-center study identified increasing number of chr abn at CLL diagnosis and at time of RT, and clonal evolution in the CLL tissue, are associated with worse OS in pts with RT whose CLL was treated without CIT. Limitations include incomplete cytogenetics data across the cohort and potential variability across institutions in cytogenetics laboratory practices. This provides further evidence for the clinical utility of chr analysis in the modern era of CLL therapy.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Transformation in Patients Who Received No Prior Chemotherapy for CLL/SLL: Outcomes from a Multicenter Retrospective Study in the Modern Era of Therapy
Hampel, Paul J. , Miller, Sarah , Allan, John N. , Brander, Danielle M. , Byrd, John C. , Danilov, Alexey V. , Dvorak‐Kornaus, Kaitlyn, Freedman, Hannah, Malakhov, Nikita , Rai, Manoj, Rogers, Kerry A. , Schade, Jake , Spurgeon, Stephen E. , Woyach, Jennifer A. , Zulfa, Omer, Kittai, Adam S. , Byrd, John C , Huang, Ying , Bhat, Seema A. , Bond, David A. , Chavez, Julio C., Chong, Elise A. , Davids, Matthew S. , Matasar, Matthew J. , Miller, Cecelia , Parikh, Sameer A. , Parry, Erin M. , Rabe, Kari G. , Raess, Philipp W. , Rai, Manoj, Rhodes, Joanna , Saha, Aditi , Shouse, Geoffrey , Stephens, Deborah M. , Wang, Yucai , Yano, Max

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5099-5099

10.1182/blood-2024-198742 Get It

Introduction: Richter transformation is the development of an aggressive lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, in patients (pts) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Transformation into Hodgkin lymphoma (HT) is a rare event and outcomes in pts with this complication in the current CLL/SLL therapeutic era of small molecule inhibitors (SMI; e.g., Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors [BTKi] and BCL2 inhibitors [BCL2i]) are unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of pts from 12 academic centers. Pts with HT who had not previously received chemotherapy for CLL/SLL-directed treatment (tx) were included. Pt, disease, and tx characteristics were collected. HT was categorized into 3 groups: “Concurrent HT,” defined as HT and CLL/SLL diagnosed simultaneously (within 3 months); “HT without prior CLL/SLL tx,” defined as HT and CLL/SLL diagnosed >3 months apart with the CLL/SLL never treated; and “HT with prior non-chemotherapy tx for CLL/SLL” defined as having received non-chemotherapy CLL/SLL-directed tx prior to the diagnosis (dx) of HT. Overall survival (OS) was measured from HT dx and estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors associated with OS. Results: Within a total cohort of 402 pts with Richter transformation (all histologies) without prior chemotherapy, 41 pts with HT (10%) were identified: 12 with concurrent HT, 10 with HT without prior CLL/SLL tx, and 19 with HT with prior non-chemotherapy tx for CLL/SLL. The median age at CLL/SLL dx was 62 years (range 31-96 years) and 73% were male. At CLL/SLL dx, 67% (14/21 evaluated) had unmutated IGHV, and 24% (8/34 evaluated) had TP53 disruption (del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation). The median age at HT dx was 65 years (range 31-96 years) among all pts. At HT dx, there was no significant difference in highest SUV on PET (median 12.3, range 3-31.1), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (median 242 U/L, range 112-859 U/L), or lymph node longest diameter (median 4.6 cm, range 1.6-25 cm) among the 3 subgroups. The median time from CLL/SLL dx to HT dx was 5.4 years (range 0.3-16.5 years) in pts with HT without prior CLL/SLL tx and 4.2 years (range 0.5-17.3 years) in pts with HT with prior non-chemotherapy tx for CLL/SLL. The median number of prior non-chemotherapy CLL/SLL-directed tx was 1 (range 1-6) and included BTKi only (n=17) and BTKi and BCL2i sequentially (n=2); no patient had received only prior BCL2i. Among the 19 pts with HT with prior non-chemotherapy tx for CLL/SLL, 18 pts were on active tx at time of dx (17 BTKi, 1 BCL2i). Initial HT management included: doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD; n=16), brentuximab vedotin (BV)-AVD (n=10), radiation only (n=2), other systemic tx (n=11), and supportive cares / hospice (n=2). All but 1 of the 11 other systemic tx were various HL tx regimens. Across all pts with available data (n=32), the overall response rate to 1st line HT tx was 78% (69% complete response rate); 13% had progressive disease and 9% (n=3; all with concurrent HT) died within 6 months without formal response assessment. A total of 11 pts received at least 1 additional line of therapy for HT, which included BV (n=4), an immune checkpoint inhibitor (n=1), or both (n=6) at any point beyond 1st line HT tx. Median follow-up from HT dx was 32.8 months (range 2.4-253.8 months). The 36-month OS for the entire cohort was 75% (95% CI: 55-87%). The 36-month OS estimates by subgroups were: 62% (95% CI: 26-84%) in pts with concurrent HT, 100% in pts with HT without prior CLL/SLL tx (no events by 36 months), and 67% (95% CI: 33-87%) in pts with HT with prior non-chemotherapy tx for CLL/SLL. Exploratory univariable analysis identified TP53 disruption at CLL dx (HR 12.36; 95% CI: 2.55-59.84) and lymph node longest diameter (HR 1.32 per 1 cm increase; 95% CI: 1.12-1.55) and LDH 2-fold increase (HR 3.97; 95% CI 1.24-12.68) at HT dx as prognostic for worse OS. HT subgroup was not prognostic. Conclusions: This is the largest report of outcomes in pts with CLL/SLL who develop HT following SMI tx without any prior chemotherapy, representing a contemporary cohort. Prior CLL/SLL tx status was not associated with OS; however, cautious interpretation is required given the sample size. Our findings support the use of appropriate HL-directed treatment in the setting of HT; however, OS estimates remain worse than would be expected in an older adult de novo HL cohort (Cheng Blood Adv 2022).