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Berkovits, Alejandro

Mayo Clinic

Immunocel, Santiago, Chile

Citations 7

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide-dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Subgroup analysis by prior anti-CD38 exposure from the phase 3 IRAKLIA trial.
Rocafiguera, Albert Oriol, Hus, Marek, Gazitúa, Raimundo , Liao, Aijun , Janowski, Wojciech, Jurczyszyn, Artur, Berkovits, Alejandro, Lu, J, Schjesvold, Fredrik, Ling, Silvia, Spencer, Andrew, Ailawadhi, Sikander, Buck, Tondre T., Khan, Umer, Suzan, Florence, Stefanova-Urena, Maya, Hungria, Vania, Špička, Ivan, Hus, Marek , Janowski, Wojciech , Lee, Cindy , Mikala, Gábor , Schjesvold, Fredrik , Spencer, Andrew , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Buck, Tondre, Špička, Ivan

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7516-7516

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.7516 Get It

7516 Background: With the growing use of anti-CD38 therapies in early multiple myeloma (MM) management, there is a need for data in patients previously exposed to anti-CD38 therapy to guide decision making. In the Phase 3 IRAKLIA trial (NCT05405166), patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) received the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody isatuximab (Isa) subcutaneously (SC) delivered via an innovative on-body injector (OBI) or intravenously (IV), with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd). In this post hoc analysis, we examined outcomes in IRAKLIA patients with vs without prior anti-CD38 exposure. Methods: RRMM patients ≥18 years with ≥1 prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor were randomized to receive Isa SC (n=263) or IV (n=268) weekly in Cycle 1, then every 2 weeks, with Pd. Patients with prior anti-CD38 exposure <9 months (mos) before randomization or intolerance to anti-CD38 were excluded. Refractory patients were defined as those who failed to achieve minimal response on treatment or had progression within 60 days after last dose. Patients receiving Isa SC or IV were pooled. Results: Overall, 67 patients (12.6%) had prior anti-CD38 exposure with a median washout period of 20.2 mos, of which 26 (38.8%) were anti-CD38 refractory. Baseline characteristics were largely consistent between patients with or without prior anti-CD38 exposure; the median follow-up for the overall population was 12 mos. Patients with prior anti-CD38 exposure had an overall response rate (ORR) of 52.2%, 12-mo progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 40.6%, and median PFS of 8.5 mos. In patients without prior exposure, an ORR of 73.5%, 12-mo PFS of 68.8%, and non-estimable (NE) median PFS were reported. Anti-CD38 non-refractory vs refractory patients had an ORR of 48.8% vs 57.7%, 12-mo PFS of 38.9% vs 42.2%, and median PFS of 9.0 vs 7.5 mos. Patients with a longer washout period (>median of 20.2 mos) had an ORR of 63.6%, 12-mo PFS of 61.8% and NE median PFS, whereas patients whose prior anti-CD38 therapy ended more recently (≤median of 20.2 mos) had an ORR of 41.2%, 12-mo PFS of 19.2%, and median PFS of 6.7 mos. The safety profile of Isa + Pd was similar in patients with vs without prior anti-CD38 exposure. Conclusions: Isa + Pd demonstrated clinical benefit across anti-CD38–naïve, anti-CD38–exposed, and anti-CD38–refractory patients. A washout period >median of 20.2 mos resulted in outcomes comparable to those in anti-CD38–naïve patients, and outcomes were consistent between anti-CD38–exposed and anti-CD38–refractory patients after a >9-mo washout period. Efficacy of Isa + Pd in patients with prior anti-CD38 exposure from the IRAKLIA trial presents an opportunity to address an unmet need in a difficult-to-treat patient population. Clinical trial information: NCT05405166 .
Golseek-1: A Phase 3, double-blind, randomized study of golcadomide (GOLCA), a potential, first-in-class, oral CELMoD™ agent, + R-CHOP vs placebo + R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated, high-risk, large B-cell lymphoma
Huang, Huiqiang, Kawashima, Ichiro , Burgués, Juan Miguel Bergua, Bai, Ou , Berkovits, Alejandro, Bouzani, Maria, Gkasiamis, Argyrios, Patel, Arpankumar , Boucaud, Floriane, Petel, Adrien , Perna, Serena , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Vassilakopoulos, Theodoros P. , Muñoz, Javier , Oh, Sung Yong , Jurczak, Wojciech , Zhou, Keshu , Hoffmann, Marc Steven , Westin, Jason R. , Kwiatek, Michal, Huang, Tai‐Chung , Gkasiamis, Argyrios

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3704-3704

10.1182/blood-2025-3704 Get It

Abstract Background and Significance Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other LBCLs account for 35–40% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in North America, Europe, and East Asia. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) is the standard first-line treatment for DLBCL, achieving cure rates in approximately 60–70% of patients. However, 30–40% of patients will relapse or become refractory (R/R) to treatment, facing poor prognosis. Patients with high International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores (3–5) and those with IPI 1–2 who have bulky disease and/or very high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are recognized as high-risk (HR) subsets with suboptimal outcomes (Maurer et al, ASH 2023, #4512). Novel combination strategies are an area of focus for improving efficacy in this population. GOLCA is a potential, first-in-class, oral CELMoD agent designed for the treatment of lymphoma, with preferential distribution to lymphoid organs and enhanced activity in lymphoma cell lines. GOLCA drives the closed, active conformation of cereblon to induce rapid and deep degradation of Ikaros and Aiolos, leading to direct cell killing (agnostic of cell of origin [COO]) and immunomodulatory activity. In the Phase 1b study CC-220-DLBCL-001, GOLCA in combination with R-CHOP demonstrated a predictable and manageable safety profile with high rates of durable responses, irrespective of COO, in previously untreated aggressive B-cell lymphomas (BCL), including promising activity in HR patients (Amzallag et al, ASH 2024, #579). The median relative dose intensity for GOLCA and CHO components was high (97–99%), indicating uncompromised delivery of curative standard-of-care treatment and combinability. GOLCA ± rituximab has also shown encouraging efficacy and safety in patients with R/R DLBCL (Bachy et al, ICML, #148). These findings support the further study of GOLCA + R-CHOP combination in the Phase 3 setting. Study Design and Methods GOLSEEK-1 (NCT06356129) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study evaluating GOLCA + R-CHOP versus placebo + R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated HR LBCL. Approximately 850 patients with previously untreated LBCL will be randomized 1:1 to either GOLCA + R-CHOP or placebo + R-CHOP. Eligible patients include those with histologically confirmed LBCL per WHO 2022 criteria—including DLBCL (not otherwise specified [NOS], ABC/GCB), high-grade BCL with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements or NOS, T-cell/histiocyte–rich LBCL, or Epstein Barr Virus-positive DLBCL. HR status is defined by IPI ≥3, or IPI 1–2 with HR features: LDH &gt;1.3× upper limit of normal and/or bulky disease (≥7 cm lesion). All patients must have measurable disease as defined by Lugano criteria. Key exclusion criteria are other lymphoma subtypes such as primary mediastinal LBCL; primary cutaneous DLBCL-leg type, grade 3b follicular lymphoma (FL); transformed indolent lymphoma; anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive LBCL; primary effusion lymphoma; and Burkitt lymphoma and known or suspected central nervous system involvement. Randomization will be stratified by IPI score (HR 1–2 and 3 vs 4–5) and bulky disease status (≥7 cm vs &lt;7 cm). After a screening period of ≤4 weeks, patients will receive either GOLCA (0.4 mg) or placebo orally once daily for 7 consecutive days in each of 6 cycles, combined with R-CHOP every 21 days. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) by investigator assessment per Lugano Response Criteria. Key secondary endpoints include PFS in non–high-grade BCL, event-free survival, independently assessed complete metabolic response, undetectable minimal residual disease by PhasED-Seq (defined as undetectable circulating tumor DNA levels at end of treatment), and overall survival. Patients will be followed up for up to approximately 67 months after beginning treatment. This study is currently recruiting at 309 sites in 36 countries , across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and East Asia. Acknowledgement BMS Artificial Intelligence was used to revise existing text with human author oversight.
Isatuximab subcutaneous by on-body injector in Relapsed/Refractory multiple myeloma in the Phase 3 iraklia study: Effect of body weight on pharmacokinetics and clinical outcome
Lu, Jin , Oriol, Albert , Berkovits, Alejandro, Spencer, Andrew , Gómez, César Cinesi, Cerchione, Claudio, Li, Fei , Parmar, Gurdeep , Custidiano, Maria Del Rosario, Rajnics, Péter , Leleu, Xavier , Teisserenc, Florence Suzan, Stefanova-Urena, Maya, Zhang, Rick, Koch, Victorine, Sémiond, Dorothée, Gomez, Cesar, Li, Chunrui , Cerchione, Claudio , Schjesvold, Fredrik , Špıčka, Ivan , Hus, Marek , Dimopoulos, Meletios Α. , Beşışık, Sevgi Kalayoğlu , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Ling, Silvia , Hungria, Vânia

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5812-5812

10.1182/blood-2025-5812 Get It

Abstract Introduction: IRAKLIA is an international, open-label, non-inferiority (NI) trial (NCT05405166) investigating isatuximab (Isa) subcutaneous (SC) vs intravenous (IV) administration, plus pomalidomide-dexamethasone (Pd) and the first Phase 3 multiple myeloma (MM) trial using an on-body injector (OBI). IRAKLIA demonstrated NI in its co-primary endpoints: overall response rate (ORR) and steady state trough concentration (Ctrough; Cycle(C) 6 Day(D) 1 predose). IsaOBI offers hands-free administration of flat-dose Isa, a small, hidden, retractable needle to prevent sharps injury and low-pressure delivery. Here, we examine the effect of body weight (BW) on pharmacokinetics (PK) as well as efficacy and safety outcomes with flat-dose IsaOBI vs IV + Pd in IRAKLIA. Methods: Patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory MM ≥18 years (yr) with ≥1 prior line of therapy (LOT) were randomized 1:1 to IsaOBI (1400mg; n=263) or IV (10mg/kg; n=264 weekly in C1, then every 2 weeks + P (4mg/day, D1–21) + d (40mg [20mg if ≥75yr] weekly) in 4-week cycles. This analysis is run by BW (≤65kg, &gt;65–≤85kg, &gt;85kg) which was a stratification factor, and extreme BW (≤50kg, &gt;50–≤100kg, &gt;100kg). Results: Number of pts per BW group were: ≤50kg [OBI n=16, IV n=14], ≤65kg [OBI n=84, IV n=85], &gt;65–≤85kg [OBI n=117, IV n=118], &gt;85kg [OBI n=62, IV n=65], and &gt;100kg [OBI n=22, IV n=22]. Baseline (BL) demographic and disease characteristics were generally balanced across BW groups for IsaOBI vs IV, including age (median 66yr) and prior LOT (median 2). However, in the &gt;100kg group, more IsaOBI vs IV pts exhibited poor prognostic characteristics including plasmacytoma, International Staging System Stage II/III disease, beta 2-microglobulin level ≥5.5mg/L, estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;60mL/min/1.73m2 and a lower very good partial response (VGPR) rate as best overall response at last regimen. Flat-dose IsaOBI showed adequate exposure (C2D1 Ctrough) for all BW groups, with geometric mean ratios (90% CI) vs IV &gt;1: ≤65kg (1.628 [1.294–2.048]), &gt;65–≤85kg (1.303 [1.089–1.560]) and &gt;85kg (1.006 [0.817–1.239]). IsaOBI ORRs were comparable to IV across BW: ≤65kg, 66% vs 71% (relative risk [RR]: 0.928), &gt;65–≤85kg, 70% vs 70% (RR: 1.009), and &gt;85kg, 81% vs 72% (RR: 1.115). For extreme BW groups, ORRs (95% CI) were similar between IsaOBI and IV for ≤50kg group [56% vs 60%] and for &gt;50–≤100kg [72(66–78)% vs 70(63–76)%] but lower [68% vs 86%] in &gt;100kg group. An exposure-response (E-R) analysis showed the impact of BW on response: IsaOBI pts ≤50kg tended to respond less vs IsaOBI pts &gt;50kg despite correct exposure because they were confounded by BL disease characteristicsincluding a higher proportion of high-risk cytogenetics and plasma cells in the bone marrow vs other BW group pts. For IsaOBI and IV, Grade (Gr)≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and Gr≥3 treatment-related TEAEs decreased with increasing BW. They were similar between arms in ≤65kg group (OBI vs IV, Gr≥3 TEAEs: 87% vs 88%; Gr≥3 treatment-related TEAEs: 73% vs 77%). A similar trend was observed in extreme BW groups along with similar incidences between arms in ≤50kg group. While TE serious AEs (TESAEs) and treatment-related TESAEs decreased with increasing BW for IsaIV, incidence was stable in the IsaOBI arm. OBI arm OBI Gr5 TEAEs were similar between groups and arms, except for higher incidence in ≤65kg group (12% vs 5%) with OBI vs IV that was not reflected in ≤50 or &gt;50–≤100kg groups. Treatment discontinuation rates for all drugs with IsaOBI vs IV were 14% vs 6% (≤65kg), 8% vs 10% (&gt;65–≤85kg), and 2% vs 10% (&gt;85kg). Similar incidence of Gr≥3 laboratory (lab) neutropenia was observed across BW in IsaOBI: 86.9% (≤65kg), 83.5% (&gt;65–≤85kg) and 83.9% (&gt;85kg). Higher rates of Gr≥3 lab neutropenia were observed in ≤50kg group (93.8%, IsaOBI vs 71.4%, IsaIV), which did not translate into higher rates of neutropenic complications (18.8% vs 14.3%). The E-R analysis revealed no relationship between Isa PK exposure and safety for OBI and IV arms. Conclusions: No notable impact from IsaOBI flat dosing was observed across BW groups. Flat-dose Isa OBI showed consistent safety and efficacy across different BW groups, with differences likely linked to BL disease characteristics according to the E-R analysis. The IsaOBI C2D1 Ctrough, a time-independent predictor of efficacy, was similar to, or higher vs IsaIV in each BW group, supportive of a flat dose providing adequate exposure without need for adjustment.
OT04 | GOLSEEK‐1: A PHASE 3, DOUBLE‐BLIND, RANDOMIZED STUDY OF GOLCADOMIDE + R‐CHOP VERSUS PLACEBO + R‐CHOP IN PATIENTS WITH PREVIOUSLY UNTREATED, HIGH‐RISK, LARGE B‐CELL LYMPHOMA
Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Bouzani, Maria, Kwiatek, M., Berkovits, Alejandro, Gkasiamis, Argyrios, Patel, Amar , Boucaud, Floriane, Petel, Adrien , Hoffmann, Marc Steven , Muñoz, Javier , Westin, Jason R. , Jurczak, Wojciech , Huang, Tien‐Shang , Klingbiel, Dirk , Vassilakopoulos, Theodoros P.

Hematological Oncology | June 16, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: S3 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70093_ot04 Get It

Isatuximab Subcutaneous by On-Body Injector Versus Isatuximab Intravenous Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Phase III IRAKLIA Study
Ailawadhi, Sikander , Spencer, Andrew , Lu, Jin , Oriol, Albert , Ling, Silvia , Schjesvold, Fredrik , Berkovits, Alejandro, Li, Chunrui , Rajnics, Péter , Custidiano, Maria Del Rosario, Parmar, Gurdeep , Leleu, Xavier , Gómez, César Cinesi, Mateos, María‐Victoria , Buck, Tondre T., Minařík, Jiří , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Zhang, Rick, Sémiond, Dorothée, Suzan, Florence, Stefanova-Urena, Maya, Koch, Victorine, Spencer, Andrew , Oriol, Albert , Ling, Silvia , Schjesvold, Fredrik H , Hus, Marek , Li, Chun-Rui , Dimopoulos, Meletios A , Hungria, Vania , Custidiano, Maria Del Rosario , Leleu, Xavier , Cerchione, Claudio , Ishida, Tadao , Mateos, María-Victoria , Minařík, Jiří , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Moreau, Philippe , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Špıčka, Ivan , Dimopoulos, Meletios Α. , Beşışık, Sevgi Kalayoğlu , Hungria, Vânia , Li, Fei , Gomez, Cesar, LeBlanc, Richard , Koch, Victorine, Moreau, Philippe

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 3, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2527-2537

10.1200/jco-25-00744 Get It

PURPOSE To report the results of the multicenter, open-label IRAKLIA trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05405166 ) of isatuximab subcutaneous (SC) versus intravenous (IV), plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone, in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM), to our knowledge, the first phase III MM trial using an on-body injector (OBI). METHODS Patients with ≥1 prior line of therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to Isa OBI (1,400 mg) or IV (10 mg/kg) once weekly in cycle (C)1 and then every 2 weeks, plus pomalidomide (4 mg once daily, day [D]1-21) and dexamethasone (40 mg once weekly [age ≥75: 20 mg]) and treated until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient request. Coprimary end points were overall response rate (ORR; noninferiority margin, 0.839) and Isa C trough (C6D1 predose; noninferiority margin, 0.8). Noninferiority of OBI versus IV was demonstrated if both coprimary end points achieved noninferiority. RESULTS IRAKLIA randomly assigned 531 patients (OBI, n=263; IV, n=268). After 12-month median follow-up, the ORR was 71.1% (OBI) and 70.5% (IV; relative risk, 1.008 [95% CI, 0.903 to 1.126]; lower CI exceeded noninferiority margin). The mean (standard deviation) C6D1 C trough was 499 (259) μg/mL (OBI) and 340 (169) μg/mL (IV). The C trough geometric mean ratio (90% CI) was 1.532 (1.316 to 1.784); lower CI exceeded noninferiority margin. Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse event incidences were 81.7% (OBI) and 76.1% (IV); infusion reaction incidences were 1.5% and 25.0%. Injection site reactions occurred in 0.4% of OBI injections (all grade 1-2); 99.9% of injections completed without interruption. CONCLUSION IRAKLIA demonstrated efficacy and pharmacokinetic noninferiority between Isa OBI and IV. No unexpected safety signal was observed, with excellent local tolerability of Isa OBI. Efficacy and safety were comparable with Isa IV in ICARIA-MM, except the lower OBI infusion reaction rate. These results support potential use of the OBI, designed to improve practice efficiency.
Isatuximab (Isa) subcutaneous (SC) via an on-body delivery system (OBDS) vs Isa intravenous (IV), plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Results of the randomized, non-inferiority, phase 3 IRAKLIA study.
Lu, Jin , Berkovits, Alejandro, Rajnics, Péter , Hungria, Vânia, Custidiano, Maria Del Rosario, Parmar, Gurdeep , Leleu, Xavier P., Buck, Tondre T., Minařík, Jiří , Zhang, Rick, Sémiond, Dorothée, Stefanova-Urena, Maya, Ailawadhi, Sikander , Špıčka, Ivan , Oriol, Albert , Ling, Silvia , Schjesvold, Fredrik , Hus, Marek , Dimopoulos, Meletios Α. , Leleu, Xavier , Moreau, Philippe

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7506-7506

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.7506 Get It

7506 Background: IV Isa-Pd is approved to treat RRMM patients (pts) based on the ICARIA-MM study. A Phase 1b study showed safety and efficacy of Isa SC via an OBDS, an investigational wearable bolus injector, plus Pd, in RRMM pts. Isa SC offers shorter duration, fixed dose and smaller administration volume. Here, we report results of the IRAKLIA trial (NCT05405166); Isa SC vs IV + Pd in RRMM pts, the first Phase 3 myeloma trial reporting the use of an OBDS. Methods: This multicenter, open-label study enrolled pts aged ≥18 years with ≥1 prior line of therapy (LOT). Pts were randomized 1:1 to Isa SC (1400 mg) or Isa IV (10 mg/kg) weekly in Cycle (C)1, then every 2 weeks + P (4 mg/day, Day [D]1–21) + d (40 mg [20 mg if age ≥75 years] weekly). Pts had 4-week cycles until progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient request. Co-primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR; non-inferiority [NI] margin of 0.839) and Isa trough level (C trough ) at steady state (predose at C6D1; NI if lower limit of 90% CI of geometric mean ratio ≥0.8). Results: 531 pts (SC n=263; IV n=268 [4 not treated]) were randomized. Baseline characteristics were balanced (median age 66 years; median 2 prior LOT). After median 12 months follow-up, ORR was 71% (SC arm) and 71% (IV arm; relative risk [95% CI] = 1.008 [0.903–1.126]; lower CI > NI margin). Mean (SD) C trough at C6D1 was 499 (259) μg/mL for SC and 340 (169) μg/mL for IV. C trough geometric mean ratio (90% CI) was 1.532 (1.316–1.784); lower CI > NI margin. Co-primary and all 4 key secondary endpoints including pt experience are in the Table. Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 82% (SC) and 76% (IV) of pts; with treatment discontinuation rates of 8% and 9%. Injection site reactions (ISRs) occurred in 4% (11/263) of the SC arm and in 19 (0.4%) of 5145 SC injections (all Grade 1–2). 99.9% of OBDS injections were completed without interruption. Conclusions: IRAKLIA met its co-primary endpoints, showing efficacy and pharmacokinetic NI between Isa SC vs IV + Pd. No new safety signal besides a low ISR incidence was observed, showing excellent Isa SC tolerability. Far fewer infusion reactions and higher pt satisfaction were also noted for SC vs IV. Efficacy and safety are comparable to Isa IV in ICARIA-MM. These results support potential use of Isa SC delivered via the OBDS, designed to improve pt experience and practice efficiency. Clinical trial information: NCT05405166 . Isa SC + Pd Isa IV + Pd Efficacy, % N=263 N=268 ORR 71 71 ≥VGPR 46 46 PK*, µg/mL N=131/121 N=126/121 Geometric mean Isa C trough at C2D1 / C6D1 360/426 277/278 Safety, % N=263 N=264 All grade IR 2 25 Pt satisfaction with injection method at C5D15, % 70 53 *PK was analyzed at C6D1 with PP PK population and at C2D1 with PP CT4W population. CT4W, C trough at 4 weeks; IR, infusion reaction; PK, pharmacokinetics; PP, per protocol; VGPR, very good partial response.
Golseek-1: A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Golcadomide Plus R-CHOP Vs R-CHOP in Patients with Previously Untreated, High-Risk, Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Bouzani, Maria, Berkovits, Alejandro, Sudhindra, Akshay, Patel, Arpankumar , Boucaud, Floriane, Petel, Adrien , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Hoffmann, Marc Steven , Vassilakopoulos, Theodoros P. , Muñoz, Javier , Westin, Jason R. , Jurczak, Wojciech , Kwiatek, Michał, Huang, Tai‐Chung

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1742.2-1742.2

10.1182/blood-2024-203185 Get It

Background and Significance Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other LBCLs account for 35-40% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in North America, Europe, and East Asia. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), typically administered for 6 cycles, is the standard therapy for DLBCL and is curative in ~60-70% of patients (pts). However, 30-40% of pts have relapsed/refractory (RR) DLBCL following treatment with R-CHOP, with poor clinical outcomes. International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores of 3-5 are used to identify high-risk (HR) pts who are more likely to be RR following treatment. Additionally, pts with IPI scores of 1-2 who also have bulky disease and/or very high lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH), have been identified as a HR subset with similar outcomes to pts with an IPI score of 3 (Maurer et al. ASH 2023, #4512). First-line therapy represents the greatest opportunity to address the unmet need for these pts. Golcadomide (GOLCA) is a potential first-in-class oral cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD™) agent purposefully designed for the treatment of lymphoma. GOLCA co-opts cereblon to induce targeted degradation of the transcription factors Ikaros/Aiolos, inducing deep, rapid, and extensive tumor killing, independent of cell of origin, and enhanced immunostimulatory activity. In the phase 1b study CC-220-DLBCL-001, GOLCA combined with R-CHOP was well tolerated, showing promising activity and combinability with high rates of durable responses irrespective of cell of origin in pts with previously untreated aggressive BCL, including those with HR disease (Hoffmann et al. EHA 2024, S235). Additionally, GOLCA has shown encouraging efficacy and safety profiles in pts with RR DLBCL, both as a monotherapy (Michot et al. ICML 2023, P90) and in combination with rituximab (Chavez et al. ASH 2023, P4496). The efficacy and safety data observed in early-phase studies suggest promising activity and a manageable safety profile. This supports further investigation of the GOLCA + R-CHOP combination in the phase 3 setting. Here, we present the study design of GOLSEEK-1, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (NCT06356129) comparing the efficacy and safety of GOLCA + R-CHOP vs placebo + R-CHOP in pts with previously untreated HR LBCL. Study Design and Methods Approximately 850 pts with previously untreated LBCL will be randomized 1:1 to either GOLCA + R-CHOP or placebo + R-CHOP. Pts must have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of LBCL according to WHO 2022 classification, including: DLBCL, not otherwise specified (NOS) including ABC and GCB subtypes; high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements, or NOS; T-cell/histiocyte-rich LBCL; Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive DLBCL. Other key inclusion criteria include an IPI score of 1 or 2 considered HR (LDH &gt; 1.3 × upper limit of normal and/or bulky disease, defined as a single lesion of ≥ 7 cm [Maurer et al. ASH 2023, #4512]), or IPI score ≥ 3; and measurable disease as defined by the Lugano classification. Key exclusion criteria include other lymphoma subtypes such as primary mediastinal LBCL; primary cutaneous DLBCL-leg type, grade 3b follicular lymphoma (FL); transformed indolent lymphoma; anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive LBCL; primary effusion lymphoma; and Burkitt lymphoma, as well as documented or suspected central nervous system involvement. Randomization will be stratified by IPI score (1-2 with risk factors and 3 vs 4-5) and bulky disease (&gt; 7 cm vs ≤ 7 cm). After a screening period of ≤ 4 weeks, pts will receive GOLCA (0.4 mg) or placebo orally once daily for 7 consecutive days in each of 6 cycles in combination with R-CHOP in 21-day cycles. The primary endpoint of this study is progression-free survival (PFS) in untreated HR LBCL, assessed by investigator based on the Lugano Response Criteria. Key secondary endpoints include PFS in untreated non-high-grade BCL, event-free survival in pts with untreated HR LBCL, independently assessed complete metabolic response rate, undetectable minimal residual disease by PhasED-Seq (defined as undetectable circulating tumor DNA levels at treatment end), and overall survival. Patient follow-up will occur for up to approximately 67 months after beginning treatment. This study is recruiting at 293 sites in 37 countries, across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and East Asia.