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Okcu, Izel

0009-0005-3503-0773

Mayo Clinic

Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Citations 12

Anatomical Localization–Based Analysis of Relapsed Secondary Central Nervous System Aggressive B‐Cell Lymphoma (R‐SCNSL)
Okcu, Izel, Wang, Yucai, Li, Z., White, Launia J. , Johnston, Patrick B., Paludo, Jonas, King, Rebecca L., Witzig, Thomas E., Habermann, Thomas M., Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Li, Zhuo , Wang, Yucai , Witzig, T.E. , Okcu, Izel , Wang, Yucai , Rosenthal, Allison C, Habermann, Thomas , Johnston, Patrick B. , Rosenthal, Allison , Paludo, Jonas , King, Rebecca L., Tun, Han W.

Hematological Oncology | March 8, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 2 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70182 Get It

ABSTRACT 162 patients with relapsed secondary central nervous system lymphoma (R‐SCNSL) (median age, 65 years; male, 59.9%) including central nervous system (CNS)‐only ( n = 120) and concomitant CNS/systemic relapse ( n = 42) were retrospectively analyzed. Overall, 21.9% of patients were classified as high risk according to the CNS International Prognostic Index (CNS‐IPI). Several biological and clinical features were significantly associated with leptomeningeal involvement, including double‐ or triple‐hit (DHL/THL) status, MYC rearrangement, negative BCL6 expression by IHC, bone marrow involvement, and concomitant R‐SCNSL. Multivariable analysis showed that leptomeningeal involvement independently predicted inferior OS and was associated with a 98% increase in the hazard of death compared with parenchymal relapse (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.20–3.26, p = 0.008). Based on anatomical localization, R‐SCNSL was classified into four subtypes: parenchymal‐only involvement (parenchymal‐CNS [P‐CNS], 68/42%) and parenchymal involvement plus systemic relapse (parenchymal‐concomitant [P‐concomitant], 17/10.5%); and leptomeningeal with or without parenchymal involvement (leptomeningeal‐CNS [LM‐CNS], 52/32.1%) and leptomeningeal with systemic relapse (leptomeningeal‐concomitant [LM‐concomitant], 25/15.4%). This anatomical classification significantly impacted OS and PFS ( p < 0.001). Two‐year OS and PFS were 58.2% and 29.1% for P‐CNS, 32.4% and 17.7% for P‐concomitant, 22% and 13.9% for LM‐CNS, and 7.1% and 0% for LM‐concomitant, respectively. ASCT showed a trend toward improved survival among patients with a response (CR/PR) in a 4‐month landmark analysis. These findings support the clinical application of the anatomical classification in the management of R‐SCNSL.
Treatment-related outcomes and patterns of relapse in secondary CNS involvement by large B-cell lymphoma
Alderuccio, Juan Pablo , Baggio, Diva , Han, Sunwoo , Nizamuddin, Imran , Saha, Aditi, Dong, Ning , Wang, Yucai, Cherng, Hua‐Jay J. , Wagner-Johnston, Nina D., Desai, Amrita, Geethakumari, Praveen Ramakrishnan , Moyo, Tamara K. , Sandoval‐Sus, Jose , EPPERLA, NARENDRANATH, Kamdar, Manali, Tavarozzi, Rita , Danilov, A., Tun, H., Munoz, Javier, Narkhede, Mayur , Maraj, Adrian Matthew, Osborne, Wendy , Calvert, Victoria, El‐Sharkawi, Dima , Hilali, Ammar, Collins, Graham P., Elmusharaf, Nagah, Santarsieri, Anna , Karim, Farheen, Monick, Sarah, Trutzer, Iris Margalit, Can, Jones, Ayers, Amy , Feo, Jacopo Calabrese De, Ghosh, Nilanjan, Treitman, Rachel, Okcu, Izel, Hann, William D., Barrett, Aisling , Deshani, Vismay, Cwynarski, K., Wang, Yucai , Saha, Aditi , Ghione, Paola , Khwaja, Jahanzaib , Saha, Aditi , Wang, Yucai , Cherng, Hua-Jay J , Tolu, Seda , Wagner-Johnston, Nina , Ollila, Thomas A , Grover, Natalie S , Koff, Jean L , Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Praveen , Sandoval-Sus, Jose , Epperla, Narendranath , Wallace, Danielle S , Kamdar, Manali , Tun, Han W , Narkhede, Mayur S , Rhodes, Joanna , Okosun, Jessica , El-Sharkawi, Dima , Collins, Graham P , Linton, Kim M , Santarsieri, Anna , Baidoun, Firas , Monick, Sarah E, Calabrese De Feo, Jacopo , Sharp, John , Ghosh, Nilanjan , Okcu, Izel , Hann, William , Barrett, Aisling , Deshani, Vismay , Kahl, Brad S , Chavez, Julio C , Olszewski, Adam J , Ghione, Paola , Dong, Ning, Wagner‐Johnston, Nina D. , Grover, Natalie S. , Koff, Jean L. , Epperla, Narendranath , Wallace, Danielle , Kamdar, Manali , Tun, Han W. , Muñoz, Javier, Rhodes, Joanna , Prica, Anca A. , Kühnl, Andrea , Maraj, Adrian , Smith, Jeff , Calvert, Victoria, Linton, Kim , Baidoun, Firas , Sharp, John , Kallam, Avyakta , Abeyakoon, Chathuri , Kahl, Brad S. , Olszewski, Adam J. , Cwynarski, Kate

Blood | January 5, 2026 | Volume: 147 | Issue: 16 | Pages: 1814-1827

10.1182/blood.2025031455 Get It

Abstract Secondary central nervous system (CNS) large B-cell lymphoma (SCNSL) occurs in the de novo setting, as a CNS-isolated relapse, or synchronous (concomitant CNS and systemic) relapse. SCNSL is a devastating event without therapeutic consensus. Thus, we aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes in an international cohort. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, estimated using competing-risk models) were reported. Prognostic factors were identified in a 6-month landmark multivariate analysis. Outcomes after thiotepa autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (CAR-T) delivered at relapse were compared after propensity score matching (PSM). A total of 1139 patients were included in the analysis (de novo: 537; relapsed SCNSL: 602). Two-year PFS estimates were 40.4%, 43.9%, and 16.2% for de novo SCNSL, CNS-isolated relapse, and synchronous relapse, respectively. Patients with CNS-isolated relapse demonstrated low rates of systemic recurrence (24-month CIR, 6%). Thiotepa-ASCT correlated with longer survival in de novo SCNSL (PFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; P = .005; and OS: HR, 0.62; P = .023) and CNS-isolated relapses (PFS: HR, 0.55; P = .002; and OS: HR, 0.39; P&lt; .0001). ASCT (thiotepa or no thiotepa) also associated with improved survival in synchronous relapses (PFS: HR, 0.57; P = .023; and OS: HR, 0.48; P = .019). Higher survival with thiotepa-ASCT than CAR-T was observed after PSM (PFS: HR, 0.45; P = .005 and OS: HR, 0.41; P = .014). These data support thiotepa-ASCT in eligible patients, particularly de novo disease and CNS-isolated relapses. CNS-isolated relapse was infrequently associated with systemic recurrence, supporting treatment regimens adopted from primary CNS lymphoma.
Outcomes of second line platinum salvage and autologous stem cell transplant compared to CD19 CAR-T in patients with Relapsed/Refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma: A multi-center, retrospective analysis
Yang, Xi , Dumke, Henry, Lanka, Sree M , Okcu, Izel, Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Doukas, Peter , Colton, Meryl D. , Pizzuti, V., Adewale, Olutobi, Baron, Kelsey, Bock, Allison M. , Karimi, Yasmin , Pizzuti, Vincenzo J. , Karimi, Yasmin H , Okcu, Izel , Pizzuti, Vincenzo J , Schroers‐Martin, Joseph G. , Sawalha, Yazeed , Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Karmali, Reem , Spinner, Michael A. , Pizzuti, Vincenzo, Kamdar, Manali , Adewale, Olutobi, Tiger, Yun Kyoung , Geer, Marcus

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 783-783

10.1182/blood-2025-783 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Primary mediastinal B-Cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a rare form of large B-Cell lymphoma (LBCL) with around 90% of patients (pts) cured with first line (1L) treatment. For pts with relapsed or refractory (RR) PMBCL, the optimal treatment is unclear. Prior retrospective analysis in the rituximab (R) era have shown high response rates to platinum salvage and high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDT/ASCT) in second line (2L) RR PMBCL (Bakos et al. ASH 2023 and Dumke et al. ASCO 2024). The pivotal phase III LBCL trials in early relapsing pts that compared CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T cell (CAR-T) with HDT/ASCT as 2L treatment had few PMBCL pts: none on ZUMA-7 and 17 PMBCL on TRANSFORM, of whom only 8 were randomized to 2L CAR-T. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of 2L therapies for RR PMBCL, including pts treated with 2L CAR-T. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study in pts with RR PMBCL treated between 2001 and 2025. Clinical and pathologic characteristics, treatment regimens, and efficacy outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: 139 pts were included with 43% male, 69% Caucasian, 7.9% Black, 8.6% Asian and 79% Non-Hispanic. R-EPOCH (64%) and (32%) were the most common 1L treatments and all pts received R. Consolidative radiation was used in 21 pts (15%) as part of 1L therapy, 28% after RCHOP. Primary refractory disease with relapse ≤6 month (mo), or early relapse ≤12 mo, occurred in 83% (N = 115) and 93% (N = 129 pts), respectively. At relapse, median age was 34 years (yrs), 44% had advanced stage disease, 31% had bulky disease (≥ 7.5cm). CNS relapse occurred in 8.6% of pts. Overall and complete response rate (ORR and CR) to any 2L treatment was 44% and 27%, respectively. At median follow-up of 40 months (mo) from the start of 2L treatment, median PFS of the entire cohort was 3.2 mo with a 3 yr OS of 70%. For 2L treatment, N=93 (67%) pts were treated with platinum salvage with intention to proceed with HDT/ASCT. Most commonly used platinum salvage regimens were ICE± R (n= 53, 38%), R-DHAP (n=23, 17%), R-GemOx (n= 5, 3.6%), and GDP ± R (n= 10, 7.2%), and the majority (95%) of pts received R with 2L therapy. ORR and CR to platinum salvage was 46% and 15% respectively. With a median follow up of 30 mo from start of 2L therapy, median PFS was 2.6 mos, and 3 yr PFS and OS was 15% and 64%, respectively. Of the 93 pts treated with platinum salvage, only 25 pts (27%) proceeded with HDT/ASCT- of whom, N = 17 (68%) achieved a CR after ASCT. In patients that proceeded to ASCT, relapses occurred in 10 pts (40%) with a 3 yr PFS and OS 56% and 83%, respectively. CAR-T was used as 2L in 20 pts (14%)- most commonly either axi-cel (N =7) or liso-cel (N = 8). ORR and CR to CART was 89% and 55% respectively, median PFS and OS was NR after CAR-T infusion and 3 yr PFS and OS was 55% and 95%, respectively. Other 2L treatments included pembrolizumab (N =3), brentuximab vedotin (BV) + nivolumab (N= 4) or single agent BV (N=2). Radiation was given as part of 2L treatment in 25.9% of pts. 2L CAR-T therapy was associated with improved ORR (OR 7.60, 95% CI 1.68 – 34.55, p = 0.002), improved CR rate (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.49 – 11.53, p = 0.008) and improved PFS (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06 – 0.57, p = 0.004) compared to pts treated with 2L platinum salvage. There was no difference in OS between pts treated with platinum salvage or 2L CAR-T. A total of 96 patients progressed on 2L therapy, and 92 pts (95.8%) received third-line (3L) treatment. Third line treatments included chemoimmunotherapy +/- HDT/ASCT (N= 23), CD19 CAR-T (N = 35), clinical trial (N=7), check point inhibitor-based regimen (N= 11), BV based regimen (N= 8), allogeneic stem cell transplant (N = 3) or other (N = 5), with 7 pts receiving radiation as part of 3L therapy. Median PFS and OS from start of 3L therapy was 6.7 mo and 6.4 mo, respectively. Conclusions: We report the largest cohort of pts with RR PMBCL treated in the rituximab era and the largest number of PMBCL pts treated with 2L CAR-T. This is the first analysis, to our knowledge, to show a statistically significant benefit in PFS, ORR and CR rate of CAR-T compared to platinum salvage followed by HDT/ASCT as 2L treatment in a study of exclusively RR PMBCL pts. Our dataset was largely (93%) compromised of pts with primary refractory or early relapsing disease and provides support for using CAR-T as 2L treatment in this high-risk subset of RR PMBCL patients.
Anatomical localization-based analysis of de novo secondary cns lymphoma
Okcu, Izel, White, Launia J. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Khurana, Arushi , King, Rebecca L. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Tun, Han, Okcu, Izel , Li, Zhuo , Wang, Yucai , Rosenthal, Allison , Durani, Urshila , Paludo, Jonas , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3675-3675

10.1182/blood-2025-3675 Get It

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.
Prognostic significance of cell-of-origin, gene expression profiles, and frontline therapy in predicting secondary CNS lymphoma in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Falade, Ayo, Mwangi, Raphael, Okcu, Izel, Ravindra, Aditya, Pradeep, Aishwarya, Hampel, Paul, Zanwar, Saurabh, Khan, Muhammad Azeem, Vodicka, Prokop, Klanova, Magdalena, Masar, Michal, Nedved, Adrienne, Khurana, Arushi, Durani, Urshila, Paludo, Jonas, Andrade-Gonzalez, Xavier, Thanarajasingam, Gita, Bennani, N. Nora, Thompson, Carrie, Hricko, Samuel, Janikova, Andrea, Wang, Yucai, Johnston, Patrick, Ivana, Micallef, Novak, Anne, King, Rebecca, Maurer, Matthew, Witzig, Thomas, Ansell, Stephen, Mou, Eric, Habermann, Thomas, Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Bisneto, Jose Villasboas, Trneny, Marek, Cerhan, James, Abeykoon, Jithma, Okcu, Izel , Falade, Ayo, Mwangi, Raphael, Ravindra, Aditya, Pradeep, Aishwarya, Hampel, Paul, Zanwar, Saurabh, Khan, Muhammad Azeem, Vodicka, Prokop, Klanova, Magdalena, Masar, Michal, Nedved, Adrienne, Khurana, Arushi, Durani, Urshila, Paludo, Jonas, Andrade-Gonzalez, Xavier, Thanarajasingam, Gita, Bennani, N. Nora, Thompson, Carrie, Hricko, Samuel, Janikova, Andrea, Wang, Yucai, Johnston, Patrick, Ivana, Micallef, Novak, Anne, King, Rebecca, Maurer, Matthew, Witzig, Thomas, Ansell, Stephen, Mou, Eric, Habermann, Thomas, Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Bisneto, Jose Villasboas, Trneny, Marek, Cerhan, James, Abeykoon, Jithma

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 473-473

10.1182/blood-2025-473 Get It

Abstract Background Secondary central nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) is a rare but significant complication, affecting approximately 2–10% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), often leading to poor outcomes. The CNS-International Prognostic Index (CNS-IPI) remains a widely adopted tool for estimating CNS relapse risk; however, recent advances in molecular profiling and evolving treatment paradigms have challenged the adequacy of CNS-IPI alone in guiding risk assessment. This study evaluates the prognostic relevance of CNS-IPI in conjunction with molecular and clinical factors, specifically cell-of-origin (COO), gene expression, and frontline treatment regimens. The aim is to refine risk stratification and identify patients at highest risk for SCNSL. Method Building on our previous study, we analyzed data from patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL between 2002 and 2023, enrolled in the Mayo Clinic/University of Iowa Lymphoma Molecular Epidemiology Resource. Patients with primary CNS lymphoma, CNS involvement at diagnosis, or who received CNS-directed therapy were excluded. COO was determined using the Hans algorithm and/or Nanostring profiling. Multivariate cause-specific Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of CNS relapse that were measured at the time of initial DLBCL diagnosis. Cumulative incidence with competing risks and cause-specific Cox models were used to analyze relapse risk. Result We included 2137 patients in our analysis, median age at diagnosis was 63 (IQR 53-72), with 41.6% (n=890) females. The albumin level was below normal in 32.5% (n=350), 64.0% (n=1367) had CNS-IPI of intermediate/high, 37.5% (n=586) had non-germinal center B-cell (GCB) COO, and 14.5% (n=309) were double expressor positive. At a median follow-up of 83 months (IQR 42 -143), 82 (3.8%) SCNSL relapses were observed; the 3 and 5 yrs cumulative incidence for SCNSL from time of DLBCL diagnosis were 3.7% (95% CI 3.0-4.7) and 3.8% (95% CI 3.1-4.8) respectively. In models accounting for death as a competing risk, the 5-year cumulative SCNSL incidence estimate for patients with a CNS-IPI low was 1.5% (95% CI 0.8-2.7), Intermediate was 4.9% (95% CI 3.7-6.4), and high was 6.1% (95% CI 3.8-9.6). The 5-year cumulative SCNSL incidence estimate for patients with non-GCB COO was 5.2% (95% CI 3.6-7.4) compared to 2.4% (95% CI 1.6-3.6; p=0.001) for GCB patients, and the 5-year cumulative SCNSL incidence for double expressor positive patients was 8.6% (95% 5.8-12.6) compared to 1.5% (95% CI 0.8-2.7; p&lt;0.001) for double expressor negative patients. In a multivariable model (including CNS-IPI, COO, double expressor, treatment group, extranodal involvement, and albumin group), CNS-IPI intermediate (HR 2.85 [1.58-5.14]; p&lt;0.001) and high (HR 4.31 [2.15-8.65]; p&lt;0.001), non-GCB COO (HR 2.36 [1.37-4.06]; p=0.002], double expressor (HR 5.56 [2.88-10.73]; p&lt;0.001), and below normal albumin (HR 1.89 [1.02-3.50]; p=0.042) were independently associated with increased risk of SCNSL. The majority of the SCNSL relapse occurred within the first 2 years after DLBCL diagnosis; 81.7% (n=67), with only 6.1% (n=5) occurring after 5 years. For patients who developed SCNSL, the median OS from the time of SCNSL diagnosis was 24 months (95% CI 17-34), with 5 years OS of 31% (95% CI 22-43). These findings are being validated using an external, international cohort, and final analysis will be presented at the time of presentation at ASH. Conclusion In this large, prospectively followed cohort with long-term follow-up data, SCNSL remains a rare but devastating complication of DLBCL, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 3.8% and it is associated with very poor long-term survival. While CNS-IPI remains a strong predictor of SCNSL risk, our study identifies non-GCB COO and double expressor phenotype as independent, additive molecular risk factors. These findings suggest that current risk stratification tools may underestimate the risk of CNS relapse in molecularly defined high-risk subgroups. Considering the poor outcomes linked to SCNSL and the absence of a connection with frontline treatment types, future research should aim to enhance risk prediction models through molecular profiling and explore prophylactic strategies to reduce the likelihood of SCNSL.
HSR25-185: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of Treatment and Survival Outcomes of Patients With Secondary CNS Relapsed DLBCL in the Modern Era
Okcu, Izel, Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Amengual, Jennifer E. , Ross, Che, Bock, A., Okcu, Izel , Pierce, Andrew L., Tolu, Seda , Graber, Jerome J. , Hu, Boyu , Ermann, Daniel A.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network | March 28, 2025 | Volume: 23 | Issue: 3.5 | Pages: No page available

10.6004/jnccn.2024.7347 Get It

Impact of COVID-19 on Multidisciplinary Lymphoma Tumor Boards: An Analysis of Practice and Care Changes
Okcu, Izel, Khurana, Arushi , Levy, Robert J. , Delaune, Robert, Larson, Daniel P. , Witzig, T. E., Howard, Matthew T., Wiseman, Gregory A., Comfere, Nneka I. , Shah, Namrata, Breitkreutz, Lawrence R., Bold, Mike S., Lunn, Brendan, Breen, William G. , Kimball, Valerie M., Nedved, Adrienne, Lentz, Ruth A., King, Rebecca L., Okcu, Izel , Durani, Urshila , Levy, Robert J., Moustafa, Muhamad Alhaj , Rosenthal, Allison , Iqbal, Madiha , Bold, Mike S., Wang, Yucai , Lester, Scott C. , Hoppe, Bradford S. , Hill, Caroline R., Habermann, Thomas M.

Blood | December 6, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2283-2283

10.1182/blood-2024-210539 Get It

Introduction: Outcomes from multidisciplinary lymphoma tumor boards in the molecular era are limited, and the effects of transitioning to virtual formats during the COVID-19 pandemic are not well-documented. This study evaluates how the transition of the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Tumor Board to a virtual format has impacted its effectiveness and operations. The board, part of the International Mayo Clinic Care Network (MCCN), involves case presentations, subspecialist reviews, and collaborative recommendations. Methods: The Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Tumor Board, an integral part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network (MCCN), conducted a comprehensive review of lymphoma cases from 2014 to 2024. The board's review process involves a structured approach including the presentation of clinical case details, radiology and hematopathology findings, proposed treatment options, relevant literature review, and discussions. From 2014 to 2024, the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Tumor Board reviewed a total of 722 patients. The review process involves a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, pharmacists, clinical research associates, and trainees. Recommendations and changes related to radiology interpretation, pathologic diagnosis, and treatment approaches were documented and tracked prospectively. In March 2020, the board transitioned to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift allowed for remote participation and continued collaborative review while maintaining the board's structured approach and documentation practices. Results: In a total of 722 patients, changes in care were identified in 423 patients, including 287 with newly diagnosed lymphoma and 136 with relapse or refractory disease. Among those who experienced changes, 94 had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 49 had follicular lymphoma, 39 had marginal zone lymphoma, 36 had classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and 29 had mantle cell lymphoma. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 431 patients were analyzed, with 217 (50.3%) experiencing changes. A total of 268 changes were documented among these patients. Changes in radiologic interpretation occurred in 9 patients (2.1% of 431 total patients). Pathologic diagnosis changes were noted in 42 patients (9.7%). Additional testing was recommended for 73 patients (16.9%), and clinical management was altered for 144 patients (33.4%). After transitioning to a virtual format, 291 patients were reviewed post-COVID, with 206 (70.8%) having recommended changes. The total number of change recommendations was 322, reflecting increases across all components compared to previous data, with adjustments for varying numbers of patients reviewed. Specifically, radiologic interpretation changes occurred in 21 patients (7.2%), pathologic diagnosis changes in 57 patients (19.6%), additional testing recommendations for 85 patients (29.2%), and clinical management alterations in 159 patients (54.7%). Conclusion: Transitioning to a virtual format in the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Tumor Board's continued to demonstrate the effectiveness, with increased changes in diagnostic interpretations and clinical management. These results illustrate the potential of virtual tumor boards to improve collaborative decision-making and adapt to evolving clinical needs.
Prognostication and Treatment-Related Outcomes in Secondary Central Nervous System Involvement of Large B-Cell Lymphoma (SCNSL): Evidence from a Large International Cohort
Alderuccio, Juan Pablo , Han, Sunwoo , Nizamuddin, Imran , Dong, Ning , Wagner‐Johnston, Nina, Olszewski, Adam J., Desai, Amrita, Geethakumari, Praveen Ramakrishnan , Moyo, Tamara K. , Sandoval‐Sus, Jose , Danilov, Alexey V. , Munoz, Javier, Narkhede, Mayur , Maraj, Adrian , Smith, Jeffery, Osborne, Wendy , Calvert, Victoria, El‐Sharkawi, Dima , Hilali, A.A. Al, Linton, Kim , Elmusharaf, Nagah, Santarsieri, Anna , Karim, Farheen, Monick, Sarah, Trutzer, Iris Margalit, Can, Jones, Ayers, Amy , Feo, Jacopo Calabrese De, Sharp, John , Treitman, Rachel, Okcu, Izel, Deshani, Vismay, Baidoun, Firas, Hann, William D., Barrett, Aisling , Cwynarski, Kate , Linton, Kim M , Okcu, Izel , Hann, William , Khwaja, Jahanzaib , Ghione, Paola , Saha, Aditi , Wang, Yucai , Cherng, Hua‐Jay J. , Tolu, Seda , Olszewski, Adam J., Grover, Natalie S. , Koff, Jean L. , Epperla, Narendranath , Wallace, Danielle , Kamdar, Manali , Tun, Han W. , Munoz, Javier, Rhodes, Joanna , Prica, Anca A. , Kühnl, Andrea , Okosun, Jessica , Calvert, Victoria, Collins, Graham P. , Ollila, Thomas A , Ghosh, Nilanjan , Can, Jones, Kallam, Avyakta , Baidoun, Firas , Abeyakoon, Chathuri , Kahl, Brad S. , Chavez, Julio C

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 571-571

10.1182/blood-2024-199781 Get It

Introduction: Scant data exist on prognostic factors, survival and treatment (Tx)-related outcomes in SCNSL. We conducted a multicenter international analysis to identify prognostic factors and outcomes in SCNSL at diagnosis (de novo), or after frontline Tx (1L) either with (concomitant) or without (isolated) systemic (syst) relapse. Methods: This study collected data from patients (pts) treated between 2001-2023 at 35 centers. Overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated from SCNSL diagnosis to first event (death for OS, relapse/death for PFS) or last follow-up. Uni- (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) Cox analyses were performed to assess prognostic factors; Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival. Results: 1173 (US: 863, UK: 273, Canada: 37) pts with SCNSL were included. Baseline characteristics were median age: 62 years (interquartile range 52.5-69), male sex: 58.7%, elevated LDH: 71.1%, stage III/IV: 88.6%, HIV: 3%, transformed LBCL (tLBCL): 13.8%, non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) subtype: 52.3%, double expressor (DE): 40%, MYC rearrangement (MYC-R): 28.3%, MYC/BCL2 double hit: 16.6%, MYC/BCL2/BCL6 triple hit (TH): 6.1%. Among 522 pts with de novo SCNSL, 84.2% had involvement of a single CNS compartment (44.7% brain parenchyma; 40.4% leptomeningeal [lepto]). 1L regimens included 36.2% R-CHOP with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), 12.5% MARIETTA-type, and 9.8% R-CODOX-M/IVAC; 54.6% received intrathecal chemotherapy. Consolidation Thiotepa-based autologous stem cell transplant (TT-ASCT) occurred in 15.3%. The majority of pts who underwent TT-ASCT had previously achieved CR or PR in syst (92.5%) and CNS (72.5%) compartments. At median follow-up 25.7 months (mos), subsequent relapse was observed in 27.5% TT-ASCT recipients: 36.3% had isolated CNS, 27.4% syst, and 36.3% concomitant. 588 pts presented with SCNS after 1L (66.2% isolated, 33.8% concomitant). Brain parenchyma involvement was observed in 56.8%, lepto in 22.6%. Tx included 31.6% HD-MTX combination (eg, R-MPV, MTR); 18.4% HD-MTX +/- rituximab; 16.2% MARIETTA-type; and 9.4% platinum-based regimen. Consolidation TT-ASCT occurred in 22.4% (n=132), and 13.8% (n=81) received CAR-T cell therapy (excluding subsequent relapses in de novo group). Syst (65.1%) & CNS (69.1%) responses (CR/PR) were higher before TT-ASCT compared to CAR-T cell (49.5% & 54.5%, respectively). After TT-ASCT, 52 pts (39.3%) relapsed, mainly in the CNS (n=30, 57.7%), with only 4 (7.7%) concomitant. After CAR-T, 48 pts (59.3%) relapsed: 15 (31.2%) isolated in CNS and 15 (31.2%) concomitant. 12-month cumulative incidence of relapse (with death as competing risk) was 21.1% after TT-ASCT and 55.8% after CAR-T. In 63 pts (5.4%), the first CNS event occurred &gt;2 lines of Tx. With median follow-up of the entire cohort of 24.6 mos, median PFS and OS were 11 and 21 mos, respectively. mPFS and mOS were significantly better in pts with de novo SCNSL (13.4 & 47.4 mos) compared to SCNSL after 1L (10.4 & 14.2 mos) and &gt;2 lines of Tx (6.5 & 9.7 mos); P&lt;0.0001. Factors associated with significantly shorter OS in UVA across all presentations were age &gt;60, male sex, GCB subtype, MYC-R, tLBCL, DE, TH, elevated LDH, ECOG PS ≥2, SCNSL after 1L (vs. de novo), and failure to achieve syst/CNS response to 1L. Of these, age &gt;60, male sex, MYC-R, ECOG PS ≥2, and failure to achieve response to 1L remained significant in MVA. In de novo cases, age &gt;60, DE, ECOG PS≥2, and failure to achieve syst/CNS response to 1L were associated with poorer OS; for pts with SCNSL after 1L, age &gt;60, GCB subtype, and ECOG PS ≥2 were significant. Pts treated with HD-MTX-based regimens after 1L experienced longer OS than those treated with platinum regimens or high-dose cytarabine. In de novo cases, TT-ASCT was significantly associated with longer OS (HR=0.58; P=0.025) in MVA after adjusting for significant factors, 1L type, and response. For SCNSL at relapse, TT-ASCT (HR=0.34; P&lt;.0001) and isolated SCNSL presentation (vs. concomitant HR=0.70, P=0.007) were associated with longer OS, adjusting for significant factors, type of second-line Tx, & site of CNS relapse. Conclusions: This study represents the largest analysis of SCNSL inclusive of all modes of presentation. Concomitant SCNSL at relapse was associated with poor outcomes, while TT-ASCT consolidation was associated with improved OS in de novo & relapsed disease. Despite advances in LBCL SCNSL remains an unmet therapeutic need.
Association of Sex, Race and Ethnicity with Clinical Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A National Cancer Database Study
Wang, Jacqueline , Tawfiq, Reema, Okcu, Izel, Ruan, Jia , Martin, Peter , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Wang, Jacqueline F , Tawfiq, Reema K , Okcu, Izel , Zhou, Jihao , Tun, Han W. , Muñoz, Javier , Paludo, Jonas , Moustafa, Muhamad Alhaj , Hwang, Steven R. , Diefenbach, Catherine , Habermann, Thomas M. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Wang, Yucai

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1637-1637

10.1182/blood-2024-204268 Get It

Background Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is more common in males, with a male to female ratio of approximately 3:1. However, it is unclear whether disease characteristics and survival outcomes differ by sex. Additionally, the impact of race and ethnicity in MCL is understudied due to underrepresentation of minorities in clinical studies and trials. In this study, we utilized the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine patient and disease characteristics and survival outcomes of MCL by sex, race and ethnicity. Methods Patients diagnosed with MCL in 2004-2020 were identified from NCDB. Patient and disease characteristics were compared between groups using Chi-squared tests. Overall survival (OS) analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results A total of 35,135 patients was included. The median follow-up was 83.0 months (95% CI 81.9-84.1). 24,980 (71.1%) patients were male and 10,155 (28.9%) were female. Females had more elderly (age ≥65: 65.9% vs 59.0%; p&lt;0.001), lower Charlson-Deyo Score (CDS ≥2: 7.0% vs 8.6%; p&lt;0.001) and fewer stage III-IV diagnoses (80.5% vs 82.6%; p&lt;0.001). Females were less likely to receive upfront treatment (80.7% vs 85.3%; p&lt;0.001), treatment at academic centers (36.8% vs 40.9%; p&lt;0.001) or transplant (11.0% vs 13.7%; p&lt;0.001). Compared to males, females were more likely to live in metropolitan areas (83.7% vs 81.6%; p&lt;0.001), had similar incomes, had more Medicare (60.4% vs 53.1%) and fewer private insurance (33.2% vs 38.6%; p&lt;0.001). Female patients had better OS, with a median OS of 76.0 (95% CI 72.4-79.6) vs 67.8 months (95% CI 65.9-69.6; p&lt;0.001). In the multivariable Cox model adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, CDS, stage, upfront treatment (vs surveillance or no treatment), facility (academic vs nonacademic), transplant, residence (metropolitan vs urban or rural) and insurance, female sex remained associated with superior OS (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.793-0.890; p&lt;0.001). For race, 32,399 (92.2%) patients were White, 1,465 (4.2%) were Black, 942 (2.7%) were others and 329 (0.9%) were unknown. Compared to White patients, Black patients had fewer elderly (52.9% vs 61.7%; p&lt;0.001), higher CDS (≥2: 11.4% vs 7.9%; p&lt;0.001), similar stage III-IV (80.7% vs 82.1%; p=0.276) and upfront treatment (84.7% vs 84.0%; p=0.074), were more likely to be treated at academic centers (50.6% vs 38.9%; p&lt;0.001), were less likely to receive transplant (11.1% vs 13.0%; p=0.042), were more likely to live in metropolitan areas (91.0% vs 81.5%; p&lt;0.001), had lower income, had more uninsured (4.4% vs 2.0%) and Medicaid (9.8% vs 3.7%) and fewer Medicare (47.4% vs 56.0%; p&lt;0.001). Black and White patients had similar OS, with a median of 67.9 (95% CI 57.5-78.2) vs 69.6 months (95% CI 67.8 vs 71.3; p=0.697). In the multivariable Cox model, Black vs White race was not associated with OS (HR 1.086, 95% CI 0.952-1.240; p=0.219). For ethnicity, 31,717 (90.3%) patients were non-Hispanic, 1,894 (5.4%) were Hispanic and 1,534 (4.3%) were unknown. Hispanics had fewer elderly (51.3% vs 61.5%; p&lt;0.001), lower CDS (≥2: 6.4% vs 8.2%; p=0.018), similar stage III-IV (81.2% vs 82.1%; p=0.467), were more likely to receive upfront treatment (86.0% vs 83.9%; p&lt;0.001), more likely to be treated at academic centers (49.9% vs 39.5%; p&lt;0.001), equally likely to receive transplant (13.0% vs 13.1%; p=0.943), more likely to live in metropolitan areas (95.4% vs 81.6%; p&lt;0.001), had lower income, had more uninsured (9.6% vs 1.8%) and Medicaid (15.2% vs 9.6%) and fewer Medicare (40.3% vs 55.9%; p&lt;0.001). Hispanics had better OS, with a median OS of 84.4 (95% CI 71.7-97.1) vs 70.5 months (95% CI 68.7-72.2; p&lt;0.001). However, in the multivariable Cox model, Hispanic ethnicity was not associated with OS (HR 0.952, 95% CI 0.839-1.080; p=0.448). Conclusion This study is the first of its scale to demonstrate that female MCL patients have superior survival outcomes compared to males. It also demonstrated that neither Black race nor Hispanic ethnicity appears to be associated with worse survival outcomes. Despite its size, the NCDB is limited in the treatment information and disease characteristics it provides, including MIPI score, Ki-67, blastoid/pleomorphic morphology, and TP53 status. Thus, additional real-world dataset studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of potential differences in sex, race and ethnicity with regards to disease characteristics and survival outcomes.