Brown, Jennifer R.

Abstract Richter syndrome (RS), an aggressive lymphoma that develops in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is a striking example of histologic transformation. While recent therapeutic advances have transformed the treatment landscape of CLL and lymphoma, RS remains associated with dismal overall survival. Despite an advanced genomic and molecular characterization of CLL over the past decade, the current understanding of the genetic factors driving evolution of CLL to RS is limited. To decipher the genetics underlying this transformation, we have performed an integrative analysis of exome, genome and transcriptome data generated from matched RS and CLL samples from a discovery cohort of 53 patients with newly diagnosed RS of DLBCL histology. Through computational deconvolution of CLL and RS clones, we constructed phylogenetic relationships and traced evolution of CLL to RS, confirming both clonal related (87%) and unrelated cases (13%). In addition to identifying recognized RS-risk genetic lesions, we discovered novel RS-specific alterations, including 5 putative somatic driver genes (IRF2BP2, SRSF1, B2M, DNMT3A and EZH2), frequent copy number alterations beyond del(9p21)(CDKN2A/B), (including amp(7q21.2) (CDK6), amp(9p24) (PDL1/L2), and amp(1q23)(MCL1)), and recurrent whole genome duplication and chromothripsis. Integration of exome and genome sequencing data led to the identification of distinct molecular subtypes of RS with prognostic importance. To confirm these molecular subtypes, a validation cohort of 47 RS cases has been assembled with paired exome and transcriptome data. To further investigate the stepwise clonal evolution of CLL to RS, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on biopsy samples obtained at diagnosis from 5 individuals with clonally related transformation. Using a novel tool, CNVSingle, we inferred allele specific single-cell copy number alterations that enabled identification of the single-cell clusters representing distinct CLL and RS genetic subclones as well as intermediate, or transitional, evolutionary states. RS cells displayed gene expression enriched in pathways of MYC targets and cell cycle, in line with similar analysis on bulk transcriptomes. Finally, by ultra-low pass (ULP)-WGS sequencing of plasma samples from RS patients, we demonstrate detection of RS tumor DNA in plasma months prior to initial clinical diagnosis (n=3 of 6) or post-allogeneic stem cell transplant relapse (n=2 of 2). cfDNA is thus a promising tool for early detection of emerging RS and RS relapse as well as for non-invasive detection surrounding diagnosis. Altogether, our study defines RS-specific alterations and provides a molecular definition of RS, identifies distinct genetic subtypes of RS with prognostic significance, traces the evolutionary path to RS and suggests future strategies for improved detection. Citation Format: Erin M Parry, Ignaty Leshchiner, Romain Guieze, Connor Johnson, Eugen Tausch, Sameer A Parikh, Camilla K Lemvigh, Conor Messer, Filippo Utro, Chaya Levovitz, Kahn Rhrissorrakrai, Matthew S Davids, Julien Broseus, Shuqiang Li, Ziao Lin, Binyamin A Knisbacher, Christof Schneider, Laura Z Rassenti, Thomas J Kipps, Nitin Jain, William Wierda, Florence Cymbalista, Neil E Kay, Kenneth J Livak, Brian P Danysh, Chip Stewart, Donna Neuberg, Jennifer R Brown, Laxmi Paridi, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Gaddy Getz, Catherine Wu. Evolutionary history of transformation from chronic lymphocytic leukemia to Richter syndrome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma: Maximizing the Basic-Translational Interface for Clinical Application; 2022 Jun 23-26; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2022;3(5_Suppl):Abstract nr A13.

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) has significantly evolved in recent years. Targeted therapy with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors has emerged as an effective chemotherapy-free option for patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. Undetectable minimal residual disease after the end of treatment is emerging as an important predictor of progression-free and overall survival for patients treated with fixed-duration BCL-2 inhibitor-based treatment. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the updates to the NCCN Guidelines for CLL/SLL specific to the use of chemotherapy-free treatment options for patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory disease.

Abstract Richter’s syndrome (RS) arising from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a striking example of an aggressive malignant histology that emerges from indolent cancer. RS is a major barrier to disease control in CLL and is associated with poor clinical outcomes and limited survival. The genetic basis of RS is poorly understood, and its relationship to the antecedent CLL remains incompletely characterized. To study RS, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on samples collected from 52 patients with RS of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) histology. For this genomic characterization, samples from 42 patients were analyzed as ‘trios’ (matched germline, CLL and RS tissue DNA) and those from 10 as ‘duos’ (matched CLL and RS DNA). Beyond addressing contamination of CLL DNA in the germline sample, we developed methods for discriminating between the RS and CLL clones which often coexist in the same samples. The discovery cohort revealed that RS and CLL were clonally-related in 45/52 (87%) cases based on WES analysis, with a distinct RS clone emerging from a CLL subclone. The remaining 13% were determined to be clonally unrelated. RS clones presented ~3x higher rates of additional mutations than the ancestral CLL clones from which they developed. We identified novel RS somatic driver mutations (in IRF2BP2, SRSF1, B2M, DNMT3A and others), a high rate of copy number variations with recurrent deletions (e.g., del(17p) [TP53], del(13q14.3), del(7q36), and del(15q13.11) [MGA], del(9p21.3) [CDKN2A/B], del(16q12.2)), focal amplifications (amp(7q21.2) [CDK6], amp(8q24.2) [RECQL4, MYC], amp(13q31.2) [ERCC5], and frequent whole genome duplication. To further investigate RS and CLL clonal evolution, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on biopsies at the time of RS diagnosis in 5 individuals with clonally related transformation. Using our novel tool, CNVSingle, we inferred allele specific single-cell copy number alterations, yielding cluster-specific copy number profiles that matched the WES results of individual subclones of the RS and CLL populations. This enabled mapping genetic clones to specific expression patterns. Finally, we devised and tested a methodology that uses cfDNA for early detection of emerging Richter’s disease and have successfully identified Richter‘s tumor DNA in the blood several months prior to the clinical diagnosis. Our study thus defines drivers, distinct molecular subtypes and evolutionary path to RS and suggests strategies for its improved detection. Citation Format: Erin M. Parry, Ignaty Leshchiner, Romain Guièze, Connor Johnson, Eugen Tausch, Sameer Parikh, Camilla Lemvigh, Conor Messer, Daniel Rosebrock, Filippo Utro, Chaya Levovitz, Kahn Rhrissorrakrai, Matthew Davids, Raquel A. Jacobs, Kara Slowik, Julien Broseus, Shanye Yin, Shuqiang Li, Geoff Fell, Ziao Lin, Binyamin A. Knisbacher, Neil Ruthen, Dimitri Livitz, Christof Schneider, Jialin Ma, Julian Hess, Laura Z. Rassenti, Thomas J. Kipps, Nitin Jain, William Wierda, Florence Cymbalista, Neil E. Kay, Kenneth J. Livak, Brian P. Danysh, Chip Stewart, Donna Neuberg, Jennifer R. Brown, Laxmi Parida, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Gad Getz, Catherine J. Wu. Evolutionary history of transformation from chronic lymphocytic leukemia to Richter’s syndrome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 4007.

Abstract Background: The phase 3 head-to-head trial of acalabrutinib (acala) vs ibrutinib (ibr) (NCT02477696) demonstrated noninferior efficacy and improved tolerability with acala in previously treated CLL (Byrd J Clin Oncol 2021). We now report additional data to further characterize BTKi-related adverse events (AEs) and the safety profile of acala and ibr, including measures of AE burden that account for frequency, duration, and drug exposure, which are not captured by incidence alone. Methods: Patients (pts) received oral acala 100 mg BID or ibr 420 mg QD until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Overall incidence, exposure-adjusted (exp-adj) incidence, and exp-adj time with event (sum of event durations [all grades]*100/sum of treatment-emergent period [for all pts in each arm]) were assessed for the most common BTKi-related AEs. Atrial fibrillation (afib)/flutter, hypertension (htn), and bleeding events were further characterized by time to onset, cumulative incidence by Kaplan-Meier method, pt subgroup, and AE management. Results: A total of 533 pts (acala, n=268; ibr, n=265) were randomized; median treatment exposures were 38.3 and 35.5 mo, respectively. Incidence and exp-adj incidence and time with event are reported for the most common AEs and events of clinical interest (ECIs) (Table). Among cardiovascular (CV) ECIs, incidences of any-grade afib/flutter, htn, and bleeding were statistically higher with ibr, with higher exp-adj incidence (2.0-, 2.8-, and 1.6-fold, respectively) and exp-adj time with event (2.8-, 3.7-, and 1.8-fold). Ventricular arrhythmias were reported in 3 ibr-treated pts vs 0 pts in the acala arm. Among other BTKi-related AEs, incidences of any-grade diarrhea, arthralgia, contusion, urinary tract infection (UTI), back pain, muscle spasms and dyspepsia were statistically higher with ibr, with a 1.5- to 4.1-fold higher exp-adj incidence, and a 1.4- to 13.1-fold higher exp-adj time with event (except for UTI, which had a 1.4-fold lower exp-adj time with event for ibr). Incidences of headache and cough were statistically higher with acala, with a 1.6- and 1.2-fold higher exp-adj incidence, respectively, and a 1.4- and 1.1-fold higher exp-adj time with event. The total exp-adj time with event for all any-grade AEs was 37% higher with ibr (234 [acala] vs 320 [ibr] mo/100 person-mo). For any-grade afib/flutter, median time to onset was longer for acala vs ibr (28.8 vs 16.0 mo), and cumulative incidence was lower for acala at 6 mo (2% vs 6%), 12 mo (3% vs 8%), 18 mo (4% vs 10%), and 24 mo (5% vs 12%). Afib/flutter also occurred less frequently with acala vs ibr in subgroups of age (<65 y: 3% vs 7%; ≥65 y: 15% vs 23%), prior line of therapy (1-3: 10% vs 16%; ≥4: 7% vs 19%), and among pts without prior history (6% vs 15%). Cox proportional-hazards (PH) analysis of new-onset afib/flutter showed a 63% rate reduction favoring acala (Figure 1). Among all pts, concomitant medication use for afib/flutter was less common for acala (8%) vs ibr (14%), with antithrombotic use reported in 5% vs 9% of pts, respectively. For any-grade htn, median time to onset was similar for acala and ibr (8.1 vs 7.0 mo), but cumulative incidence was lower for acala at 6 mo (5% vs 12%), 12 mo (6% vs 16%), 18 mo (8% vs 20%), and 24 mo (8% vs 23%). Htn also occurred less frequently with acala vs ibr in subgroups of age (<65 y: 9% vs 23%; ≥65 y: 10% vs 23%), prior line of therapy (1-3: 10% vs 25%; ≥4: 4% vs 11%), and among pts without prior history (7% vs 23%). Cox PH analysis of new-onset htn showed a 77% rate reduction favoring acala (Figure 2). No dose reductions or treatment discontinuations due to htn occurred in either arm. Concomitant medication use for htn was less common for acala (5%) vs ibr (19%). For any-grade bleeding events, the median time to onset was similar for acala vs ibr (1.2 vs 1.2 mo), and cumulative incidence was lower for acala at 6 mo (29% vs 42%), 12 mo (32% vs 45%), 18 mo (34% vs 49%), and 24 mo (38% vs 51%). Bleeding events also occurred less frequently with acala vs ibr in most subgroups of age (<65 y: 26% vs 47%; ≥65 y: 49% vs 55%) and prior line of therapy (1-3: 39% vs 54%; ≥4: 32% vs 30%). Bleeding events were associated with dose reduction in 3 vs 2 pts in the acala vs ibr arms, respectively, and led to treatment discontinuation in 2 vs 4 pts. Conclusions: In this head-to-head trial of BTKis in CLL, event-based analyses demonstrated a higher BTKi-related toxicity burden with ibr, with a lower impact of CV-related toxicity with acala across subgroups. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Seymour: AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mei Pharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Morphosys: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sunesis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Byrd: Novartis, Trillium, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Pharmacyclics, Syndax: Consultancy, Honoraria; Newave: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Vincerx Pharmaceuticals: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hillmen: Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; SOBI: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria. Ghia: Acerta/AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene/Juno/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; ArQule/MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria; BeiGene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kater: Genmab, LAVA: Other: Ad Board, Steering Committee; Janssen, AstraZeneca: Other: Ad Board, steering committee, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Ad Board, Research Funding; BMS, Roche/Genentech: Other: Ad Board, , Research Funding. Chanan-Khan: Ascentage: Research Funding; Alpha2 Pharmaceuticals, NonoDev, Starton: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Cellectar: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Alpha2 Pharmaceuticals: Patents & Royalties: Tabi; BeiGene, Jansen, Ascentage: Honoraria; Ascentage, Starton, Cellectar, NonoDev, Alpha2 Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BieGene, Jansen, Ascentage: Consultancy. Furman: Genentech: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; X4 Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Sunesis: Consultancy; Acerta/AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Expert testimony; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Oncotracker: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Verastem: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Honoraria. O'Brien: Amgen, Astellas, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Oncology, Aptose Biosciences Inc., Vaniam Group LLC, AbbVie, Alexion, Verastem, Juno Therapeutics, Vida Ventures, Autolus, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, NOVA Research Company, Eli Lill: Consultancy; Kite, Regeneron, Acerta, Caribou, Gilead, Pharmacyclics, TG Therapeutics, Pfizer, Sunesis: Research Funding. Brown: Gilead, Loxo/Lilly, SecuraBio, Sun, TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Invectys: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Committee Service; Abbvie, Acerta/Astra-Zeneca, Beigene, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Juno/Celgene, Catapult, Eli Lilly, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, MEI Pharma, Morphosys AG, Nextcea, Novartis, Pfizer, Rigel: Consultancy. Mato: Genmab: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; LOXO: Consultancy, Research Funding; Nurix: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: DSMB, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; MSKCC: Current Employment; Acerta/AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Johnson and Johnson: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; DTRM BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding. Stilgenbauer: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Gilead, GSK, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Sunesis: Honoraria; AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Gilead, GSK, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Sunesis: Other: Research Support; AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Gilead, GSK, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Sunesis: Consultancy; AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Gilead, GSK, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Sunesis: Research Funding. Kuptsova-Clarkson: AstraZeneca: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; AbbVie: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Miranda: ASTRAZENECA: Current Employment; ASTRAZENECA: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Wagner: AstraZeneca: Current Employment. Higgins: AstraZeneca: Current Employment; PROMETRIKA, LLC: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Sohoni: AstraZeneca: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Revolution Medicines: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Theravance: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Jurczak: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BeiGene, Celtrion, Celgene, Debbiopharm, Epizyme, Incyte, Janssen, Loxo Oncology, Merck, Mei Pharma, Morphosys, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sandoz, Takeda, TG Therapeutics, Pharmacyclics, Affirmed, Gilead Sciences, Nordic Nanovecto: Research Funding; AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Janssen, Loxo Oncology, Sandoz, Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology: Current Employment; Jagiellonian University: Ended employment in the past 24 months; European Medicines Agency, Sandoz-Novartis, Janssen China R&D, BeiGene, Epizyme, Acerta, AstraZeneca: Consultancy.

Abstract Introduction: Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology A041202 is a NCI National Clinical Trials Network phase 3 study (NCT01886872) comparing BR (Arm 1) with ibrutinib (Arm 2) and the combination of ibrutinib plus rituximab (Arm 3) to determine whether ibrutinib-containing regimens are superior to chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), and whether rituximab adds benefit to ibrutinib therapy. Initial results showed that ibrutinib-containing regimens had superior PFS to CIT, and that rituximab added to ibrutinib did not improve PFS over ibrutinib alone. Pts and Methods: Eligible pts on A041202 were those age ≥ 65 years with previously untreated, symptomatic CLL. Pts had a CrCl > 40 mL/min, bilirubin < 1.5 x ULN, and no significant life-limiting intercurrent illness or need for warfarin treatment. Pts were stratified on Rai stage, Zap-70 methylation performed centrally, and del(17)(p13.1) or del(11)(q22.3) by local interphase cytogenetics and were randomized 1:1:1 to each arm. Pts on Arm 1 who progressed could cross over to Arm 2. Here we present an updated analysis after the third planned interim analysis of Arms 2 and 3 versus Arm 1, and at the second planned interim analysis for Arms 3 vs 2. PFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and corresponding hazard ratios with p-values were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. These data encompass patient visits through April 2020 and were locked 15 February 2021. Results: Between 12/9/2013 and 5/16/2016, 547 pts were randomized (Arms 1: 183, 2: 182, and 3: 182). Baseline characteristics have previously been reported; briefly, median age was 71 years, 53% had unmethylated Zap-70, 61% were IGHV unmutated (performed in 66% of patients), 6% had del(17p) and 20% del(11q) by central FISH. Stimulated karyotype was performed centrally and revealed ≥ 3 abnormalities in 27%, and ≥ 5 in 11% of patients. With median follow-up of 55 months (mo), median PFS was 44 mo (95% CI 38-54) in Arm 1 and has not been reached in Arms 2 or 3 [Arm 2 vs 1 hazard ratio (HR): 0.36, 95% CI 0.26-0.52, p<0.0001; Arm 3 vs 1 HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25-0.51, p<0.0001; Arms 3 vs 2 HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.66-1.48, p=0.96]. 48-month PFS estimates were 47%, 76% and 76% in Arms 1, 2, and 3 respectively (Figure 1). At this time, there are no significant differences in overall survival (OS) among arms (p=0.49). 48-month OS estimates were 84%, 85%, and 86% in Arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively (Figure 2). The benefit of ibrutinib regimens over CIT, with no additional benefit of rituximab when combined with ibrutinib, was consistent for all subgroups of patients defined by TP53 abnormalities, del(11q), complex karyotype, and IGHV (Figure 3). No significant interaction effects were observed between treatment arm and del(11q), complex karyotype, or IGHV. However, greater benefit of ibrutinib regimens over CIT was observed among patients with TP53 abnormalities than without (p<0.001). Thus in Arm 1, PFS was significantly worse for those with TP53 abnormalities vs without (HR 5.32, 95% CI 3.05-9.27, p<0.0001), but in Arms 2 and 3 combined, there was no significant difference in PFS by presence/absence of TP53 abnormalities (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.51-1.91, p=0.98). Notable adverse events with ibrutinib include atrial fibrillation or flutter (afib) and hypertension (HTN). All grade afib was seen in 11 pts on BR (6%) and 67 pts on ibrutinib (19%). All grade HTN was seen in 95 pts on BR (54%) and 263 pts on ibrutinib (73%). Conclusions: This update of the A041202 trial continues to show that ibrutinib regimens prolong PFS over BR for older patients with treatment-naïve CLL. With longer follow-up, these benefits continue to be seen across subgroups, including those associated with higher risk disease. Strikingly, within the ibrutinib arms, there does not appear to be inferior PFS for patients with abnormalities in TP53, the highest risk feature seen in CLL, and a predictor of inferior PFS with ibrutinib in relapsed CLL. This differentiates ibrutinib (and perhaps BTKi in general) from other targeted therapy paradigms for treatment-naïve CLL. Similar to prior studies, rates of afib and HTN continue to increase with time on therapy. These data support the use of ibrutinib as initial therapy in CLL, and strengthen the rationale for use of ibrutinib for high risk disease. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171, https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org, Pharmacyclics, Inc Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Woyach: Gilead Sciences Inc: Other: Data & Safety; AbbVie Inc, ArQule Inc, Janssen Biotech Inc, AstraZeneca, Beigene: Other: Advisory Committee; AbbVie Inc, Loxo Oncology Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company: Research Funding; AbbVie Inc, ArQule Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Janssen Biotech Inc, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company,: Consultancy. Ruppert: Telios Pharma: Consultancy. Ding: Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; DTRM: Research Funding; Octapharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bartlett: ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Seagen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Autolus: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Brander: Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Biosimilars outcomes research panel; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics/Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; LOXO: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; MEI Pharma: Research Funding; NCCN: Other: panel member; ArQule/Merck: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; DTRM: Research Funding; BeiGene: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; ArQule: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: informCLL registry steering committee, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Barr: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Bristol Meyers Squibb: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Abbvie/Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Rogers: Pharmacyclics LLC: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma: Consultancy; AbbVie Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; ovartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Research Funding. Parikh: Pharmacyclics, MorphoSys, Janssen, AstraZeneca, TG Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, AbbVie, and Ascentage Pharma: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics, AstraZeneca, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Verastem Oncology, and AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Coutre: Acerta: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Committee, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Data Safety Monitoring Committee, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: 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. Larson: Epizyme: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; CVS/Caremark: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding. Erba: AbbVie Inc: Other: Independent review committee; AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; ALX Oncology; Amgen Inc; Daiichi Sankyo Inc; FORMA Therapeutics; Forty Seven Inc; Gilead Sciences Inc; GlycoMimetics Inc; ImmunoGen Inc; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; MacroGenics Inc; Novartis; PTC Therapeutics: Research Funding; AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company; Incyte Corporation; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company; Daiichi Sankyo Inc; Genentech, a member of the Roche Group; GlycoMimetics Inc; Incyte Corporation; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; Kura Oncology; Nov: Other: Advisory Committee. Litzow: Jazz: Other: Advisory Board; Pluristem: Research Funding; Actinium: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Omeros: Other: Advisory Board; Biosight: Other: Data monitoring committee. Blachly: INNATE: Consultancy, Honoraria; KITE: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria. Owen: Genentech: Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Abramson: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; EMD Serono: Consultancy; Genmab: Consultancy; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Kymera: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy; Allogene Therapeutics: Consultancy; Seagen Inc.: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy. Brown: Abbvie, Acerta/Astra-Zeneca, Beigene, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Juno/Celgene, Catapult, Eli Lilly, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, MEI Pharma, Morphosys AG, Nextcea, Novartis, Pfizer, Rigel: Consultancy; Invectys: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Committee Service; Gilead, Loxo/Lilly, SecuraBio, Sun, TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Stone: Onconova: Consultancy; Syntrix/ACI: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syndax: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Elevate Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boston Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Arog: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gemoab: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Innate: Consultancy; BerGen Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Foghorn Therapeutics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Actinium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aprea: Consultancy; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Macrogenics: Consultancy. Byrd: Novartis, Trillium, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Pharmacyclics, Syndax: Consultancy, Honoraria; Vincerx Pharmaceuticals: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Newave: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has undergone unprecedented changes over the last decade. Modern targeted therapies are incorporated into clinical practice. Unfortunately, patients have begun to develop resistance or intolerance to multiple classes. Symptomatic patients previously treated with a BTK inhibitor (BTKi) and venetoclax represent a new and rapidly growing unmet need in CLL. Here, we define unmet needs in a modern treatment context. We also critically review the literature for PI3K inhibitors and chemoimmunotherapy and lack of data to support their utility following BTKis and venetoclax. Finally, we suggest opportunities to ensure the continued innovation for patients with CLL.

Abstract Most human cancers converge to a deregulated methylome with reduced global levels and elevated methylation at select CpG islands. To investigate the emergence and dynamics of the cancer methylome, we characterized genome-wide DNA methylation in preneoplastic monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including serial samples collected across disease course. We detected the aberrant tumor-associated methylation landscape at CLL diagnosis and found no significant differentially methylated regions in the high-count MBL-to-CLL transition. Patient methylomes showed remarkable stability with natural disease and posttherapy progression. Single CLL cells were consistently aberrantly methylated, indicating a homogeneous transition to the altered epigenetic state and a distinct expression profile together with MBL cells compared with normal B cells. Our longitudinal analysis reveals the cancer methylome to emerge early, which may provide a platform for subsequent genetically driven growth dynamics, and, together with its persistent presence, suggests a central role in disease onset. Significance: DNA methylation data from a large cohort of patients with MBL and CLL show that epigenetic transformation emerges early and persists throughout disease stages with limited subsequent changes. Our results indicate an early role for this aberrant landscape in the normal-to-preneoplastic transition that may reflect a pan-cancer mechanism. See related commentary by Rossi, p. 6. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1