Motexafin gadolinium (MGd, Xcytrin®) is a novel anti-cancer drug that selectively concentrates in cancer cells and disrupts redox dependent pathways by targeting oxidative stress related proteins such as thioredoxin reductase and metallothioneins. MGd has been shown to generate reactive oxygen species and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. We initiated a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MGd in two B-cell malignancies, relapsed/refractory LG and relapsed/refractory CLL or CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). MGd was given intravenously (IV) at 6mg/kg/day for 3 days q 2 weeks for LG and 5mg/kg/day for 10 days q 3 weeks for CLL/SLL. Ten patients (pts) with LG (2 grade 1, 5 grade 2, 1 grade 3 follicular, 2 marginal zone), 2 pts with CLL/SLL and 1 pt with CLL have been enrolled. Median age was 64.5 yrs (range 44–77), median prior treatment regimens was 3.5 (range 1–6) and median time from diagnosis to treatment was 52 mo. Many LG pts had failed prior aggressive treatment regimens including: CHOP (4), ICE (1), HyperCVAD(1), auto-bone marrow transplant (1); all failed rituxamab and 6 failed Zevalin. CLL/SLL and CLL pts had failed rituxamab (3), fludarabine (2), and R-CHOP (1). MGd related adverse events included skin and urine discoloration (6 and 4 pts), diarrhea, nausea, vesiculobullous rash, peripheral neuropathy (3 pts each). MGd related ≥gr 3 adverse events included skin rash (3 pts), fatigue, neuropathy, photosensitivity (1 pt each). Importantly, no MGd-related myelosuppression was observed. In 12 evaluable pts, there have been three PRs of 2+, 5+ and 8 months duration (2 follicular, 1 CLL). Two pts had SD (follicular, SLL) one of these had resolution of lymphoma related autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Responses occurred after ≤2 cycles of therapy and were seen in patients after extensive prior treatment (mean 4.3 prior regimens, range 3–7). MGd is a non-myelosuppressive drug with single agent activity in LG and CLL/SLL.
Single-Agent Lenalidomide for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Who Had Received Prior Stem Cell Transplant.
Abstract Abstract 2699 Poster Board II-675 Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) is a standard treatment option for younger patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (a-NHL) who fail to respond, or relapse after initial therapy. For patients who relapse after SCT there are few effective treatment options and prognosis remains poor (Vose et al Blood. 80(8):2142–8, 1992). A second SCT was shown to achieve only marginal responses and at an increased risk of toxic death (Lenain et al Hematol J. 5(5):403–9, 2004). Therefore, new approaches are needed for treatment of patients in this poor prognostic group. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®) is an immunomodulatory agent that has shown clinical activity in treatment of several B-cell malignancies. Two phase 2 studies of lenalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) a-NHL were conducted in the US (NHL-002; Wiernik et al JCO 26:4952–7, 2008) and internationally (CC-5013 NHL-003). In an extended follow-up of the NHL-002 study, the overall response rate (ORR) was 35%, which included 12% of patients with a complete response (CR), and a median duration of response (DR) lasting 10.4 months (Wiernik et al 2008 EHA. Abst: 764). Comparable efficacy was observed in the larger confirmatory, phase 2, NHL-003 study of lenalidomide in a similar patient population. The goal of this analysis was to learn the ORR and DR to lenalidomide in patients with a prior SCT. Methods: Patient data from both phase II studies were pooled for this report. Eligibility for both studies was similar – patients with R/R a-NHL, which included diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), transformed lymphoma (TL), and follicular lymphoma grade III (FL-III), with measurable disease (≥ 2 cm), and ≥ 1 prior treatment regimen. Patients received oral lenalidomide 25 mg once daily on days 1–21 of a 28-day cycle. Protocol defined treatment continued for up to 52 wks in NHL-002, or until disease progression in NHL-003. Primary endpoint was ORR; secondary endpoints included DR, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results: 87 patients with a prior SCT (14 patients from NHL-002; 73 patients from NHL-003) were included in this analysis. Median age of patients was 61 yrs (range, 23–76), with a median of 4 prior therapies (range, 2–12). The ORR to lenalidomide was 39% (34/87), with 13% (11/87) CR/CRu and 26% (23/87) partial response (PR). Median PFS for all 87 patients was 3.8 months (95% CI, 2.6, 5.6) and the DR for 34 responders was 9.7 months (95% CI, 4.2, 16.3). Responses occurred in 15 of 52 patients (29% ORR; 10% CR/CRu) with DLBCL, 12 of 19 patients with MCL (63% ORR; 26% CR/CRu), and in 6 of 10 patients with TL (60% ORR; 10% CR/CRu). The table summarizes responses for patients who did not have a transplant, for those who had a SCT anytime prior to lenalidomide; as the last therapy prior to lenalidomide; and not as last therapy prior to lenalidomide. Most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (44%), thrombocytopenia (33%), and anemia (9%). Eighteen (20.6%) patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Patients with a prior history of SCT appeared to have a significantly higher rate of thrombocytopenia, all grades (51% v 30%; P = 0.001), and grades 3 or 4 (33% v 16%; P = 0.002). Patients with a prior SCT were also more likely to experience a dose reduction/interruption due to thrombocytopenia compared with those without a prior SCT (25% v 14%; P = 0.027). Conclusions: Based on a pooled dataset from two phase II studies, oral lenalidomide monotherapy appears to be a well tolerated and active therapy resulting in durable responses in patients with R/R a-NHL who had a prior SCT. Furthermore, the potential of achieving a response to lenalidomide appears to be independent of prior history of SCT. Disclosures: Vose: Celgene: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide for the treatment of relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. . Czuczman:Celgene: Research Funding. Zinzani:Celgene: Research Funding. Tuscano:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Pietronigro:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ervin-Haynes:Celgene: Employment. Witzig:Celgene: Research Funding.
Preliminary Results from a Phase II Study of Lenalidomide Monotherapy in Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Abstract Background: Lenalidomide (Revlimid®), an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD®), was recently approved in the US for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a deletion 5q[31] cytogenetic abnormality. Lenalidomide also has demonstrated activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma while thalidomide, a less potent IMiD®, has activity in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as both monotherapy and in combination with rituximab. Aim: To assess the safety and activity of lenalidomide monotherapy in subjects with relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Subjects with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL following at least 1 prior treatment regimen with measurable disease are eligible. Subjects receive 25 mg lenalidomide orally once daily on Days 1–21 every 28 days and continue therapy for 52 weeks as tolerated or until disease progression. Response and progression are evaluated using the IWLRC methodology. Results: As of July 25, 2006, 32 subjects of a planned 40 have enrolled and 31 have received drug. Twenty-two subjects are currently evaluable for tumor response. The median age of the 22 response-evaluable subjects is 65 (46–83) and 13 are female. Histology is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL] (n=12), follicular center lymphoma grade 3 [FL] (n=3), mantle cell lymphoma [MCL] (n=5) and transformed [TSF] (n=2). Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide monotherapy is 2.3 (0.7–7) years and median number of prior treatment regimens per subject is 2 (1–6). Seven subjects (32%) exhibited an objective response (2 complete responses unconfirmed (CRu) and 5 partial responses (PR)), 6 had stable disease (SD) for a tumor control rate (TCR) of 59% and 9 progressive disease (PD). Responses were produced in each of the aggressive histologic subtypes studied: DLBCL (3/12), FL (1/3), MCL (2/5) and TSF (1/2). Five of 11 subjects (45%) with 1–2 prior treatment regimens had an objective response, as did 2 of 3 subjects (67%) who had received a prior stem cell transplant. Median time-to-response was 2 months. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 18 of 31 (58%) subjects receiving drug. These were predominantly Grade 3 hematological events (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) with only 4 subjects (13%) experiencing a Grade 4 adverse reaction. Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate that lenalidomide monotherapy is active with manageable side effects in relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL.
Primary Breast Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: A Distinct Clinical Entity
Abstract Abstract 1618 Introduction: Primary breast lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), representing about 1% of breast tumors and 2% of extranodal NHL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common primary subtype presenting in the breast. Due to the low incidence of primary breast DLBCL, outcome data is limited. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the natural history of primary breast DLBCL in the pre and post rituximab eras, with specific emphasis on the incidence of local, systemic and central nervous system (CNS) relapses. Methods: Data was retrospectively collected on patients with primary breast DLBCL from seven USA academic medical centers. Institutional review board approval was obtained at each participating site. Patients were identified through institutional databases and tumor registries at each site. Charts were reviewed to obtain demographic and clinical variables including treatment history and dates of relapse and death when applicable. Only patients with stage I/II disease (involvement of breast and localized lymph nodes) were included. All histologies apart from primary DLBCL were excluded. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the diagnosis date to the date of death or last follow-up. Time to Progression (TTP) was calculated from diagnosis data until the date of pathological evidence of recurrence or death. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Between 1984 and 2012, 75 patients were identified who met the eligibility criteria. The median age was 62 years (range 17–87); 81% presented with a palpable mass; 12% had their disease detected incidentally by mammography; 4% presented with B-symptoms; 59% had right breast involvement; 67% had stage I and 33% had stage II disease. The stage-adjusted international prognostic index (IPI) score was 0 in 28% of patients, 1 in 41%, 2, in 25%, 3 in 4% and 4 in 1%. 91% of patients were treated with chemotherapy; 31% of these were treated in the pre-rituximab era and 69% received rituximab. Radiation therapy (RT) was utilized in 68% of patients and was the only treatment modality in 8% of those receiving RT. 8% of patients received CNS prophylaxis with intrathecal chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 4.5 years (range 0.6 – 20.6 years), the Kaplan-Meier estimated median TTP was 10.4 years (95% CI 6.2 – 14.6 years) and the median OS was 14.6 years (95% CI 6.5 – 22.6 years). The 5-year TTP and 5-year OS were 65% (95% CI 53–77%) and 75% (95% CI 64–86%) respectively. Among the patients who relapsed, 67% occurred within the first 2 years. A total of 7 relapses in the breast were observed, none in patients treated with combination of chemotherapy and RT. In univariate analysis, rituximab exposure was not associated with any difference in TTP or OS. The stage-adjusted IPI was associated with OS; the 5-year OS was 88% (95% CI 79–98%) in patients with a score of 0–1 versus 48% (95% CI 25–71%) in those with a score of 2–4 (log rank p < 0.001). The very limited-disease group with a stage-adjusted IPI of 0 had a 5-year OS of 94% (95% CI 83–100%) compared to all others who had a 5-year OS of 67% (95% CI 52–81%; log rank p = 0.001). There was no difference in TTP and OS in patients with solitary versus multiple breast masses or between patients with tumors less than versus more than 7cm. Patients receiving RT in addition to chemotherapy had a longer TTP than those who did not (log rank p = 0.03), but RT was not associated with an improved OS. Patients who relapsed and underwent stem cell transplant (SCT) had similar OS to those who never relapsed. Ten patients (13%) had CNS relapse (3 with leptomeningeal disease, 5 with brain parenchymal disease and 2 with both). All CNS relapses occurred within the first 2.8 years from the time of diagnosis. There was no difference in the rate of CNS relapse in the patients who received IT prophylaxis versus those who did not. Conclusions: In this multicenter study, the largest published to date, primary breast DLBCL appears to have a worse prognosis than early-stage DLBCL in nodal or other extranodal sites. RT was associated with improved TTP. Patients who relapsed were successfully salvaged with SCT, and had similar survival times to those who never relapsed. A high CNS relapse rate (∼1 in 8 patients, including parenchymal disease in 70%) was observed. The small numbers preclude definitive conclusions on the value of intrathecal prophylaxis or the utility of rituximab. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
INVESTIGATING SAFETY AND PRELIMINARY EFFICACY OF AFM13 PLUS PEMBROLIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH RELAPSED/REFRACTORY HODGKIN LYMPHOMA AFTER BRENTUXIMAB VEDOTIN FAILURE
SummaryBendamustine (B) with rituximab (R) is a standard frontline treatment for medically fit follicular lymphoma (FL) patients. The safety and efficacy of maintenance rituximab (MR) after BR induction has not been formally compared to observation for FL, resulting in disparate practice patterns. Prospective trials have shown benefit of MR after R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or R‐CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone), yet recent data from the GALLIUM study comparing outcomes of patients treated with chemotherapy with R or obinutuzumab (G) showed higher than anticipated fatal adverse events with BR/BG. In order to assess the efficacy and tolerability of MR after BR, we retrospectively collected data on 640 newly diagnosed patients treated with FL. We found that patients who achieved partial remission (PR) after ≥4 cycles of BR had improved duration of response (DOR) with MR vs. no maintenance, whereas those in complete remission did not. These findings were confirmed in a validation cohort. In the entire study population, the known fatal adverse event rate after BR was 2·5% and did not significantly differ in those receiving MR versus no maintenance. [Correction added on 14 January 2019, after online publication: The preceding sentence has been corrected in this current version.] Within the limitations inherent to retrospective analysis, these data suggest that FL patients with a PR to BR experience prolongation of remission with MR with an acceptable safety profile.
Prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of EBV‐positive follicular lymphoma
Prevalence and clinical correlates of vulnerable status using the Vulnerable Elders Survey 13 (VES-13) in newly diagnosed adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients: A LEO cross-sectional analysis.
SummaryPrimary breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with limited data on pathology and outcome. A multicentre retrospective study was undertaken to determine prognostic factors and the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) relapses. Data was retrospectively collected on patients from 8 US academic centres. Only patients with stage I/II disease (involvement of breast and localized lymph nodes) were included. Histologies apart from primary DLBCL were excluded. Between 1992 and 2012, 76 patients met the eligibility criteria. Most patients (86%) received chemotherapy, and 69% received immunochemotherapy with rituximab; 65% received radiation therapy and 9% received prophylactic CNS chemotherapy. After a median follow‐up of 4·5 years (range 0·6–20·6 years), the Kaplan–Meier estimated median progression‐free survival was 10·4 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 5·8–14·9 years), and the median overall survival was 14·6 years (95% CI 10·2–19 years). Twelve patients (16%) had CNS relapse. A low stage‐modified International Prognostic Index (IPI) was associated with longer overall survival. Rituximab use was not associated with a survival advantage. Primary breast DLBCL has a high rate of CNS relapse. The stage‐modified IPI score is associated with survival.