Gopal, Ajay

ABSTRACT First‐line therapy for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) represents a critical opportunity for clinical benefit via sustained complete response. We conducted a phase 2 multicenter trial in the academic and community cancer research united (ACCRU) network, testing a multitargeted 1st line regimen. CARiBOU (ACCRU‐LY‐1804) employs alternating VR‐CAP and R‐cytarabine with continuous acalabrutinib, in six 21‐day cycles, for previously untreated MCL. The primary endpoint was complete metabolic response (CMR) rate. Secondary endpoints included safety, feasibility of stem cell collection, proportion proceeding to ASCT, and progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Peripheral blood measurable residual disease (MRD) was tested using the ClonoSEQ assay (Adaptive Biotechnologies). Of 41 patients enrolled, 39 (95%) responded to therapy, including 37 patients achieving CMR (90%). Two nonresponders discontinued therapy for toxicity early, prior to study‐defined restaging, and received alternate therapy. Undetectable MRD at a 10 6 threshold was achieved in 26/33 tested patients (79%), and 94% at 10 5 . 18‐month estimated PFS is 79% (95% CI 64%–97%), and OS is 96% (95% CI 88%–100%). Toxicities were primarily hematologic (grade 3 hematologic AE in 32 patients, [78%]). Twelve required platelet transfusions, and one grade 3 bleeding event occurred. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4 patients, and 6 (14%) experienced SAEs. There were no treatment‐related deaths. CARiBOU is an efficient, highly effective outpatient 1st line MCL regimen, employing intermediate‐dose cytarabine and continuous acalabrutinib for 6 cycles. This multitargeted regimen addresses the biologic heterogeneity of MCL and permits flexible MRD‐guided decisions on consolidation and maintenance. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04626791

Abstract Although Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are generally well tolerated and less toxic than chemotherapy alternatives used to treat lymphoid malignancies, BTKis like ibrutinib have the potential to cause new or worsening hypertension (HTN). Little is known about the optimal treatment of BTKi-associated HTN. Randomly selected patients with lymphoid malignancies on a BTKi and antihypertensive drug(s) and with at least 3 months of follow-up data were sorted into 2 groups: those diagnosed with HTN before BTKi initiation (prior-HTN), and those diagnosed with HTN after BTKi initiation (de novo HTN). Generalized estimating equations assessed associations between time varying mean arterial pressures (MAPs) and individual anti-HTN drug categories. Of 196 patients included in the study, 118 had prior-HTN, and 78 developed de novo HTN. Statistically significant mean MAP reductions were observed in patients with prior-HTN who took β blockers (BBs) with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), (−5.05 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0 to −0.0596; P = .047), and patients diagnosed with de novo HTN who took either an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with HCTZ (−5.47 mmHg; 95% CI, 10.9 to −0.001; P = .05). These regimens also correlated with the greatest percentages of normotensive MAPs. Treatment of HTN in patients taking a BTKi is challenging and may require multiple antihypertensives. Patients with prior-HTN appear to benefit from combination regimens with BBs and HCTZ, whereas patients with de novo HTN appear to benefit from ACEi/ARBs with HCTZ. These results should be confirmed in prospective studies.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate safety and efficacy outcomes for subjects on the ECHELON-1 study treated in North America (NA). Patients and Methods: ECHELON-1 is a global, open-label, randomized phase III study comparing doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in combination with brentuximab vedotin (A+AVD) versus ABVD (AVD + bleomycin) as first-line therapy in subjects with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL; NCT01712490). Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive A+AVD or ABVD intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles. Results: The NA subgroup consisted of 497 subjects in the A+AVD (n = 250) and ABVD (n = 247) arms. Similar to the primary analysis based on the intent-to-treat population, the primary endpoint [modified progression-free survival (PFS) per independent review] demonstrated an improvement among subjects who received A+AVD compared with ABVD (HR = 0.60; P = 0.012). For PFS, the risk of progression or death was also reduced (HR = 0.50; P = 0.002). Subsequent anticancer therapies were lower in the A+AVD arm. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were more common, but there were fewer study discontinuations due to AEs in the A+AVD arm as compared with ABVD. Noted differences between arms included higher rates of febrile neutropenia (20% vs. 9%) and peripheral neuropathy (80% vs. 56%), but lower rates of pulmonary toxicity (3% vs. 10%) in subjects treated with A+AVD versus ABVD. Conclusions: The efficacy benefit and manageable toxicity profile observed in the NA subgroup of ECHELON-1 support A+AVD as a frontline treatment option for patients with stage III or IV cHL.

Key Points A total of 38% of patients who achieved CR (13 of 34) on brentuximab vedotin have remained in remission for >5 years and may be cured. Nine of the 13 patients (9% of all enrolled patients) have remained in long-term remission without a consolidative allogeneic transplant.

Key PointsA total of 47% of patients who achieved CR on brentuximab vedotin remain progression-free after being followed a median of 53 months. Younger age, less functional impairment, and lower disease burden at baseline were associated with CR and prognostic for longer survival.

Purpose Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that selectively delivers monomethyl auristatin E, an antimicrotubule agent, into CD30-expressing cells. In phase I studies, brentuximab vedotin demonstrated significant activity with a favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas. Patients and Methods In this multinational, open-label, phase II study, the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin were evaluated in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) after autologous stem-cell transplantation (auto-SCT). Patients had histologically documented CD30-positive HL by central pathology review. A total of 102 patients were treated with brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. In the absence of disease progression or prohibitive toxicity, patients received a maximum of 16 cycles. The primary end point was the overall objective response rate (ORR) determined by an independent radiology review facility. Results The ORR was 75% with complete remission (CR) in 34% of patients. The median progression-free survival time for all patients was 5.6 months, and the median duration of response for those in CR was 20.5 months. After a median observation time of more than 1.5 years, 31 patients were alive and free of documented progressive disease. The most common treatment-related adverse events were peripheral sensory neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, neutropenia, and diarrhea. Conclusion The ADC brentuximab vedotin was associated with manageable toxicity and induced objective responses in 75% of patients with relapsed or refractory HL after auto-SCT. Durable CRs approaching 2 years were observed, supporting study in earlier lines of therapy.