Tun, Han

Background Cardiac involvement by extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) and aggressive NK-cell leukaemia (ANKL) is exceedingly rare and presents with heterogeneous manifestations, often leading to diagnostic uncertainty and delay. We contribute three additional biopsy- or autopsy-proven cases and place them in the context of a literature review of previously reported cases classified according to the 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Hematolymphoid Tumors. Case series Three men (ages 58–72) presented with diverse cardiac manifestations. A 72-year-old with progressive dyspnoea and cardiogenic shock had cMRI findings interpreted as myocarditis on an infiltrative substrate; endomyocardial biopsy confirmed cardiac infiltration by ENKTL. Despite brentuximab vedotin (BV)-based therapy he died shortly thereafter. A 60-year-old with encephalopathy, biventricular dysfunction, and widespread nodal/multiorgan disease had nodal pathology consistent with EBV-negative ANKL according to the criteria of the 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Hematolymphoid Tumors; he declined chemotherapy and died within six days, with autopsy confirming multiorgan (including myocardial and bone marrow) infiltration. A 58-year-old with prior sinonasal ENKTL treated with four cycles of SMILE developed a new right atrial mass one month later; the mass was diagnosed by cMRI/PET-CT concordance and an extracardiac (EBUS-lung) tissue confirmation of the same recurrence. BV followed by gemcitabine/oxaliplatin failed to control progression and he died approximately one month after cardiac spread. Across cases, CD56 was positive in all, EBER in two, and CD30 was expressed variably. Conclusions Cardiac ENKTL/ANKL is a rapidly fatal entity with protean features. Multimodal imaging aids early recognition and tissue targeting, but definitive diagnosis rests on tissue confirmation. L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy remains the treatment backbone; CD30- and PD-L1-guided agents such as BV, PD-1 blockade, and daratumumab may offer transient control after biomarker-guided selection but lack randomized data in cardiac disease. Across the reported experience, survival after cardiac involvement was uniformly short, typically days to a few months. Our three cases add to this literature by illustrating the diversity of cardiac presentations, the variable CD30 expression relevant to brentuximab vedotin use, and the contribution of multimodal imaging to diagnosis. Findings from our series and the pooled literature are descriptive rather than constituting a formal survival analysis, and underscore the need for earlier diagnosis and prospective investigation.

Abstract Background: De novo secondary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (SCNSL), characterized by concurrent systemic and CNS aggressive B-cell lymphoma at diagnosis, is a rare entity with a dismal prognosis. The prognostic significance of the initial anatomical compartment of CNS involvement (parenchymal vs. leptomeningeal) is not well-defined. We sought to analyze outcomes based on CNS localization in a single-institution cohort. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients with de novo SCNSL (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], high-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (HGBCL NOS), and double-/triple-hit lymphoma) treated at the Mayo Clinic between 2002 and 2025. Clinicopathological features, radiologic findings, treatment details, and survival outcomes were abstracted from the medical records. Patients were categorized by the primary site of CNS involvement. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and groups were compared with the log-rank test. Results The study cohort had a median age of 61.5 years (range 19-79) and a median International Prognostic Index score of 3 (range 2-4). Pathological subtypes included double-/triple-hit lymphoma (n=14, 41.2%), non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) DLBCL (n=11, 32.4%), germinal center B-cell like (GCB) DLBCL (n=8, 23.5%), and HGBCL NOS (n=1, 2.9%). Among patients with available data, 14 (43.8%) were positive for MYC rearrangement, 13 (54.2%) for BCL2 rearrangement, and 10 (45.5%) for BCL6 rearrangement. First-line regimens received by patients included MR-CHOP (n=18, 52.9%), DA-R-EPOCH (n=5, 14.7%), combined CODOX-M/IVAC (n=4, 11.7%), R-CHOP with intrathecal methotrexate (n=3, 8.8%), miscellaneous therapies (n=3, 8.8%), and MRT (n=1, 2.9%). The complete response rate was 58.8% (n=20). Intrathecal chemotherapy was administered to 61.8% of patients, and consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant was performed in 35.3%. Based on the CNS compartment involved, de novo SCNSL (DN-SCNSL) were classified into two subtypes: the leptomeningeal subtype, defined as leptomeningeal involvement with or without parenchymal CNS disease (LM-DN-SCNSL; n=22, 64.7%), and the parenchymal subtype, defined as parenchymal-only CNS involvement (P-DN-SCNSL; n=12, 35.3%). Parenchymal disease was multifocal in 75% of cases, supratentorial in 58.3%, and associated with a midline shift in 30%. Although no tested factors (including pathological subtype, age, sex, and bone marrow involvement) were significantly associated with the anatomical compartment, a non-significant trend was noted for BCL6 rearrangement to be more common in the leptomeningeal group (8/13, 61.5%) than the parenchymal group (2/8, 25.0%) (P = 0.18). Survival outcomes were analyzed for both anatomical and pathological classifications. For the parenchymal versus leptomeningeal cohorts, 2- and 5-year Overall Survival (OS) rates were 75.0% vs. 45.1% and 41.0% vs. 38.7%, respectively (P = 0.34). For Progression-Free Survival (PFS), the 2- and 5-year rates were 48.6% vs. 32.5% and 29.2% vs. 26.0%, respectively (P = 0.53). The 2-year OS rates by pathological subtype were 81.8% for non-GCB DLBCL, 45.8% for DHL/THL, and 37.5% for GCB DLBCL (P = 0.27). Survival outcomes (OS/PFS) were not significantly associated with patient age, sex, pathological subtype, or anatomical compartment. Conclusion DN-SCNSL can be anatomically classified into two subtypes: LM-DN-SCNSL and P-DN-SCNSL. While a prognostic trend favoring the parenchymal subtype was observed, the difference did not achieve statistical significance, a finding likely attributable to the small cohort size. This classification may hold clinical utility for guiding risk stratification, and larger studies are needed to validate these findings and identify the most optimal treatments for each subtype of DN-SCNSL.

Abstract Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare but aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with limited prospective data to guide optimal therapy. This study evaluates real-world treatment patterns and survival outcomes using a large national cohort. Methods We analyzed data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients diagnosed with PCNSL between 2004 and 2020. Baseline demographics and treatment characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify independent predictors of overall survival (OS). Results A total of 14,450 patients with PCNSL were included; 14,439 had first-line treatment data available, and 13,390 had survival data. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (range 18-90), 49.2% were female, and 6.6% were African American. Chemotherapy alone was the modality of treatment for 81.6% (n=11,787), 12.2% (n=1,769) received chemoradiation, 3.8% (n=545) received chemotherapy and underwent autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) but no radiation, and 2.4% (n=348) received radiation only. The median follow-up time was 73.5 months (95% CI 71.4-75.6), and the median OS for the group was 17.4 months (95% CI 16.2-18.6). Survival differed significantly by age group (median OS: <65 yrs, 46.1 months [95% CI 41.7 -50.6]; 65-79 yrs, 12.5 months [95% CI 11.2-13.7]; ≥80 yrs, 3.2 months [95% CI 2.9-3.5]; p<0.001), by year of diagnosis (median OS: 2004-2009, 11.0 months [95% CI 9.9-12.1]; 2010-2015, 20.0 months [95% CI 17.4-22.6], 2016-2020, 29.7 months [95% CI 26.0-33.4]; p<0.001), and by frontline treatment strategy (p<0.001). Patients treated with chemotherapy followed by ASCT had the longest median OS (not reached), while those receiving radiation alone had the poorest outcomes with a median OS of 3.9 months (95% CI 3.2-4.7); chemoradiation patients had a median OS of 31.8 months (95% CI 27.5-36.1), and chemotherapy only patients had a median OS of 13.9 months (95% CI 12.7-15.1)(p<0.001). African American patients had an inferior outcome with a median OS of 10.2 months [95% CI 7.2-13.1], compared to “other” races with a median OS of 36.9 months [95% CI 27.6-46.1] (p<0.001), although this is more similar to the median outcome for white patients (17.0 months [95% CI 15.8-18.3]). Treatment at an academic center (25.7 vs 11.0 months) and a high case-volume center (defined as >median number of cases per facility) (18.6 vs 10.5 months), and lower Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores (CDS) (defined as CDS 0-1) (21.7 vs 6.8 months) were also associated with superior OS (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, increasing age ( 65-79 y.o HR 1.60 [1.52-1.1.68], ≥80 y.o HR 2.95 [2.75-3.17]), CDS≥2 (HR 1.36 [1.28-1.44]), and African American race (HR 1.12 [1.02-1.24]) were adverse predictors of OS (all p<0.001), while treatment strategy (ASCT [HR 0.17], chemoradiation [HR 0.53], chemotherapy only [HR 0.68] compared to radiation alone), more recent year of diagnosis (2010-2015 [HR 0.81], 2016-2020 [0.70]), and treatment at an academic center [HR 0.81] remained predictors of superior OS (all p<0.001). Conclusion In this large national cohort of patients with PCNSL, treatment with chemotherapy followed by ASCT was associated with the most favorable survival outcomes. Patients treated with chemoradiation or multi-agent chemotherapy also demonstrated improved survival compared to those receiving radiation monotherapy or single-agent chemotherapy alone, respectively. Age, comorbidities, race, and treatment at academic centers were also significant independent predictors of OS. These findings highlight substantial disparities in outcomes and underscore the importance of optimizing treatment strategies, improving access to high-intensity therapies, and supporting timely referral to academic or high case-volume centers, particularly for younger and medically fit patients.

Abstract Background: The dysregulation of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) promotes tumorigenesis and progression. Two therapeutic agents targeting enhancer of zeste homolog (EZH) 2 or EZH1/2, the catalytic subunits of PRC2, have been approved in several cancer types. HH2853 is a novel selective EZH1/2 dual inhibitor, which has demonstrated superior anti-tumor efficacy to tazemetostat (EZH2 inhibitor approved by FDA) in various preclinical models. Methods: This is a first-in-human, open-label, multi-center, phase (Ph) I/II study of HH2853 in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (r/r) non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) or advanced solid tumors. HH2853 was administered orally twice daily (BID) on a continuous 28-day treatment cycle. Ph I consist of two parts: dose escalation part adopting accelerated titration followed by a Bayesian optimal interval design and dose extension part. Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was evaluated during the 1st cycle in dose escalation. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and preliminary anti-tumor activity of HH2853 were explored in this Ph I study. Results: As of Oct 19, 2022, a total of 57 pts, including 50 pts with solid tumors and 7 pts with r/r follicular lymphoma (FL), were enrolled from 12 sites in China and the US. Twenty-five (43.9%) pts received ≥3 lines of prior systemic therapies. Six dose levels(50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg)were evaluated. DLTs were observed in 2 of 8 DLT evaluable pts at 800 mg: one grade 3 platelet count decreased and one grade 3 diarrhea. A conclusive maximal tolerated dose was not reached. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were diarrhea (45.6%), blood bilirubin increased (35.1%), white blood cell count (WBC) decreased (26.3%), platelet count decreased (26.3%), rash (24.6%) and anemia (22.8%). The most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs included anemia (8.8%), platelet count decreased (7.0%), WBC decreased (5.3%) and diarrhea (5.3%). TRAEs leading to dose interruption or reduction were reported in 17.5% and 8.8% pts respectively. No TRAE led to dose discontinuation or death. PK data indicated dose-related increase in exposure from 50 to 600 mg. PD data showed a significant inhibition (maximum reached >90%) of H3K27me3 in granulocytes and monocytes at 400-800 mg. Tumor responses were observed in 7 pts from 200 to 800 mg in multiple tumor types, including complete response in 1 patient with FL, partial response in 3 pts with epithelioid sarcoma, 2 pts with FL and 1 patient with malignant rhabdoid tumor of pancreas. Conclusions: This first-in-human study of HH2853 showed a manageable safety profile and promising anti-tumor activity in multiple tumor types, supporting further exploration in NHLs and solid tumors after recommended Ph II dose is determined.Clinical trial information: NCT04390737 Citation Format: Zhengfu Fan, Jin Wang, Meiyu Fang, Johnston Patrick, Tun Han, David Sommerhalder, Jifang Gong, Jilong Yang, Yun Yang, Javier Munoz, Yuqin Song, Zhiming Li, Xian'an Li, Qiuying Ma, Jinming Han, Lin Shen, Jun Zhu. Preliminary results from the Phase I part of a first-in-human Phase I/II study of HH2853, an EZH1/2 inhibitor, in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas or advanced solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT105.

Abstract BACKGROUND Emavusertib, an oral interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) inhibitor, targets toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathway in B-cell proliferation. IRAK4 forms a Myddosome complex with MYD88 adaptor protein and drives overactivation of NF-κB, causing inflammation and tumor growth. Emavusertib has been reported to be well tolerated and active as monotherapy in heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory (R/R) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In a murine PDX model of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), emavusertib crossed the blood-brain barrier, resulting in tumor response and prolonged survival. In combination with Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, emavusertib showed in vivo anti-cancer synergy in B-cell NHL. METHODS This is an ongoing open-label trial (NCT03328078) in patients with R/R NHL. Currently, we are in the dose escalation portion of combination therapy to evaluate safety and efficacy following treatment of emavusertib at dose levels of 200 or 300mg BID with ibrutinib at full prescribed dose. As of May 6th, 2022, 13 patients have been treated with emavusertib+ibrutinib combination therapy. RESULTS Among the 13 patients, two were diagnosed with R/R PCNSL and had several prior lines of anti-cancer therapy. Emavusertib in combination with ibrutinib (560 mg daily) appeared to be well tolerated in these two subjects. One patient experienced Gr3 treatment-related adverse events (thrombocytopenia, muscle weakness, pain). The preliminary efficacy data demonstrated one CR and one SD. The patient who achieved CR after the combination therapy was originally intolerant to high-dose methotrexate based chemoimmunotherapy and did not achieve complete remission after switching to ibrutinib, providing early clinical evidence of CNS penetration and anti-tumor activity of emavusertib. CONCLUSION In R/R PCNSL, these preliminary data suggest that combination therapy has a tolerable safety profile with promising anti-cancer activity and may overcome ibrutinib resistance.

Abstract BACKGROUND PCNSL is an aggressive brain tumor accounting for 3% of all CNS malignancies and is associated with poor prognosis. Standard of care treatment includes induction with high-dose methotrexate based chemoimmunotherapy followed by consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant or whole brain radiation. However, more than half of PCNSL patients cannot tolerate this intensive therapeutic intervention. Novel treatments are urgently needed. Toll-like receptor signaling pathway via MyD88/IRAK-4 signalosome is constitutively active in PCNSL secondary to MYD88 L265P mutation and represents an excellent therapeutic target. Emavusertib (CA-4948) is an oral first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of IRAK-4 that demonstrates clinical activity in patients with systemic Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, however it has not been evaluated in the CNS space. HYPOTHESIS: Emavusertib has anti-tumor activity against preclinical PCNSL. METHODS Using multiparameter immunohistochemistry (IHC) and proteomics analysis, IRAK-1, IRAK-4, and NF-κB pathway activation were examined in patient PCNSL tissues as compared to normal controls. Plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue were assessed via UPLC-MS/MS for emavusertib drug concentration following single oral high dose in a murine model. Survival responses in preclinical PCNSL models were measured in response emavusertib treatment, along with in vivo tumor proliferation and downstream biomarker expression by multi-parameter IHC. RESULTS Our data confirm elevated IRAK-1, IRAK-4, and NF-κB signaling in patient PCNSL. We show that emavusertib can achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations in the brain and CSF. Emavusertib impairs tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and shows dose-dependent single-agent activity in preclinical PCNSL models. We confirm decreased ERK1/2, MAPK and NF-κB activation, indicative of downstream IRAK-4 inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our data supports that emavusertib demonstrates anti-tumor activity in the CNS space, warranting further preclinical and clinical evaluation of this agent for the treatment of PCNSL.