Ziemiecki, Ryan

Abstract Abstract 775 Introduction: WW has been an initial strategy for advanced stage FL because randomized trials showed no clear benefit for immediate initiation of therapy with single agent alkylators when compared to deferring therapy (Brice, JCO 1997; Ardeshna, Lancet 2003), although a recent trial raises questions about WW in the era of rituximab (R) based frontline therapies (Ardeshna, ASH Meeting 2010). Methods: The NLCS is a prospective, multicenter, observational study collecting data on 2,738 newly diagnosed pts with FL diagnosed from 2004–2007 at 265 US sites (80% non-academic). Initial management decisions were made by the treating physician and were categorized as WW (for pts who did not receive therapy in the 90 period following diagnoses and were coded by physicians as WW) or active therapy (AT) including: R alone, R-chemotherapy (RChemo), or other. Baseline clinical factors and treatment setting were compared for WW and AT pts using multivariable logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimation and Cox models were used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS), time to 2nd and 3rd line management strategy (TT2, TT3), transformation-free survival (TFS), PFS following 1st AT, and overall survival (OS). Due to differences between WW and AT groups, adjusted Cox regression models are presented for the primary analysis of study endpoints controlling for sex, community vs. academic practice site, FL grade, and FLIPI. All time to event analyses were calculated from the 90 day period following diagnosis to allow enrollment in WW, and PFS was calculated from the starting point to the clinician's recording of progressive disease (PD) or death. Results: Among 1,737 pts presenting with stage III/IV FL in the analysis population, 237 underwent WW and 1,500 received AT immediately following diagnosis including: 241 pts treated with R, 1046 with RChemo, 26 with radiation, and 187 other therapies. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that the following pt characteristics were predictive of selection of WW rather than initial AT: age > 60 years, no B-symptoms, FL grade 1 or 2, ECOG PS = 0, ≤1 extranodal sites involved, and LDH ≤ULN (all p < 0.05). Median PFS and TT2 were 27 and 35 months for WW, and 64 months and not reached for AT. With a median follow-up of 55 months, 17% of WW pts and 19% of AT pts have died, with no significant difference in OS between WW and AT (p = 0.31). Compared with WW, RChemo improved PFS: adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.36, TFS: HR=0.65, TT2: HR=0.48, and TT3: HR=0.53, all p<0.01. For most of the 145 WW pts that later initiated an AT, PD was recorded as the reason for treatment (83%). ATs following WW were: R (51, 35%), RCVP (21, 14%), RCHOP (16, 11%), R + other chemo (23, 16%), investigational (15, 10%), chemo alone (9, 6%), radiation (8, 6%), BMT (1, 1%), or other therapy (1, 1%). The median PFS for R was 42 months when given at diagnosis and 55 months when given following WW. The median PFS for RChemo was 71 months when given at diagnosis and 37 months when given following WW. After adjustment for FLIPI, FL grade, sex, practice setting, and type of treatment, WW adversely affected PFS following 1st AT, H=2.02, p <0.0001. Conclusions: FL pts in the US who undergo initial WW are treated at a median of nearly 3 years. Median PFS following RChemo, but not R is shorter when utilized after period of WW than at diagnosis – albeit in different clinical circumstances. Additional follow-up is needed to assess the tradeoff of this time without therapy with as yet no observable differences in OS. Disclosures: Sinha: CELGENE: Research Funding. Friedberg:Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Link:Genentech: Consultancy. Flowers:Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech/Roche (unpaid): Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy.

Abstract Abstract 97 Background: There is no consensus or standard of care for front-line therapy for FL as demonstrated by our initial publication of the National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) showing that strategies used in newly diagnosed FL patients (pts) in the US included: watchful waiting (17.7%), rituximab (R) with chemotherapy (51.9%), R alone (13.9%), radiation therapy (5.6%), chemotherapy (3.2%), or a clinical trial (6.1%). Given the lack of observational data comparing the effectiveness of front-line R-chemotherapy regimens, we examined the outcomes for patients with stage III/IV FL receiving R with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (RCVP), R with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP), or R with a fludarabine-based regimen (RFlu) as first-line therapy. Methods: The NLCS is a prospective, multicenter, observational study collecting data on 2,738 previously untreated patients (pts) with FL diagnosed from 2004 to 2007 at 265 sites in the US. Initial management decisions were made by the treating physician without protocol-specified treatment assignments. Descriptive statistics for the baseline characteristics of pts who received RCVP, RCHOP, and RFlu were compared using Pearson Chi-square tests. A generalized logistic model was used to identify baseline factors of clinical interest (FLIPI, sex, practice setting [academic vs. community]) that were correlated with treatment. Kaplan–Meier estimation was used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the treatment regimens; comparisons for the 2-year landmark estimates were obtained using a Wald statistic. PFS was defined as the number of days from diagnosis up to and including the date of progressive disease (PD) as assessed by the treating physician or death from any cause. Pts who had not yet experienced PD at the time of analysis were censored at the date of the most recent response assessment. To evaluate the effects of treatment on PFS and OS, Cox proportional hazards models were used controlling for FLIPI, sex, community or academic practice setting, and maintenance R or observation following treatment. Results: Of the 2,738 pts enrolled in NLCS, 926 pts were identified as having stage III/IV FL and having received the regimens of interest. Within this cohort 60% received RCHOP (n=558), 27% received RCVP (n=247) and the remaining 13% received RFlu (n=121). Baseline characteristics were correlated with induction treatment and whether a patient received subsequent R maintenance. Women (odds ratio [OR]=1.50, 95%CI 1.05–2.13) and pts aged >60 years (OR=2.36, 95%CI 1.64–3.38) more commonly received RCVP than RCHOP, and pts with LDH > upper limit of normal (OR=1.75, 95%CI 1.02–3.03) more commonly received RCHOP than RFlu. A greater % of pts receiving RCVP (61%) had poor-risk FLIPI (3–5) vs. RCHOP (49%) or RFlu (44%). In this cohort, 60% of RCVP, 43% of RCHOP, and 46% of RFlu pts received maintenance R. The overall response rates for RCVP, RCHOP, and RFlu were 88%, 94%, and 96%, respectively, and 2-year PFS was 72% (95% CI 66–78%) for RCVP, 78% (95%CI 74–81%) for RCHOP, and 76% (95%CI 67–-83%) for RFlu. There were no significant differences in PFS between treatments after adjustment (p= 0.07). However, with a median follow-up of 58 months there were significant differences in unadjusted OS (p=0.03), with 2-year OS probabilities of 88% (95%CI 84–92%) for RCVP, and 91% (84–95%) for RFlu, and 94% (92–96%) for RCHOP (Figure A). After adjustment for sex, FLIPI, practice setting, and maintenance use, the OS benefits of RCHOP persisted over RCVP HR=1.67 (95%CI 1.15–2.42) but not RFlu HR=0.94 (0.53–1.68). The benefits of RCHOP were even more pronounced in poor risk FLIPI pts (Figure B). Conclusions: First-line R-chemotherapy regimens in clinical practice have high overall response rates and high 2-year PFS and OS. With 4.75 years of follow-up in this large pt cohort, these regimens appear similar in response rates and early PFS and OS with suggestions that RCHOP may provide benefits over RCVP particularly for poor risk patients. Disclosures: Sinha: Celgene: Research Funding. Friedberg:Genentech: Consultancy; astellas: ; Lilly:; Abbott/Trubion:; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Cephalon: Consultancy. Hirata:Roche: Equity Ownership; Genentech Inc/Roche: Employment. Flowers:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech/Roche (unpaid): Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 3702 Background: Both drug choice and delivered dose of intended treatment potentially influence outcome in patients treated for follicular lymphoma (FL). Historically, observational studies have solely evaluated drug choice. The National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) is a prospective, observational study that enrolled >2700 patients with FL in the United States between 2004 and 2007. We report on measures of delivered dose and its impact on outcomes for the most common first-line regimens. Methods: All evaluable patients treated with R-CHOP, R-CVP, or R-fludarabine (R-Flu)–containing regimens in the NLCS were included, except those with FL plus other lymphoma histology, non-FL histology, or those who progressed before first treatment or before being assigned to watchful waiting. Associations between baseline factors and choice of treatment (R-CHOP, R-CVP, or R- Flu–containing regimen), number of cycles received (≤4, 5–6, 7+), and completion of therapy were assessed using the Pearson chi-square test. Factors associated with risk of early discontinuation were assessed using logistic regression, and a generalized logits model was used to assess the relationship between baseline factors and number of cycles received. Kaplan-Meier methods and the log-rank test were used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and time to next treatment. Results: Among 1165 evaluable patients, a total of 648 received R-CHOP, 296 received R-CVP, and 221 received R-Flu combinations. Patient characteristics were similar between groups with the following exceptions: patients receiving R-CHOP were more likely to have grade 3 FL (38% vs 11% for R-CVP and 13% for R-Flu), and patients receiving R-CVP were older (25% ≥75 vs 8% for R-CHOP and 13% for R-Flu) and had higher Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) risk scores (50% poor FLIPI vs 41% for R-CHOP and 36% for R-Flu). The distribution of delivered cycles demonstrated a high degree of compliance with published regimens, with most patients receiving ≥5 cycles of treatment (R-CHOP 86%, R-CVP 81%, R- Flu 67%, P<.0001). The median cycle length was 21 days for both R-CHOP and R-CVP, and 29 days for the R-Flu regimens. Cycle intensity, defined as the expected cycle length (21 days for R-CHOP and R-CVP, and 28 days for R-Flu) divided by the actual cycle length, was between 0.9 and 1.1 for 68% of R-CHOP patients, 75% of R-CVP patients, and 45% of R-Flu patients. The percentage of patients with longer-than-expected time between cycles (cycle intensity <0.9) was similar for the 3 treatment groups; however, R-Flu patients were more likely to have shorter-than-expected time between cycles (24% vs 4% for R-CHOP and 3% for R-CVP). We sought to understand the reasons for patients receiving ≤4 cycles. Most patients who received ≤4 cycles were considered to have completed the intended duration of therapy (58% for R-CHOP, 62% R-CVP, and 75% R-Flu); rates of early discontinuation from the intended treatment were significantly less for patients receiving ≥5 cycles. Early discontinuation was associated with age ≥75 years and treatment with R-Flu (particularly in patients with grade 1–2 FL). Toxicity was the most commonly cited reason for early discontinuation (47% for R-CHOP, 46% for R-CVP, and 71% for R-Flu). The higher rate of R-Flu discontinuation due to toxicity is consistent with findings from other studies. Disease progression was rarely cited as the reason for early discontinuation. Time to retreatment was significantly shorter for patients receiving ≤4 cycles for patients receiving R-CHOP and R-CVP compared with patients receiving 5–6 cycles and 7+ cycles (P=.002 and P<.001 respectively; medians not yet reached). Delivery of ≤4 treatment cycles was associated with lower response rates (76% CR/PR vs 90% for 5–6 cycles and 92% for 7+ cycles) and worse PFS and OS, among patients who received R-CVP (all P<.01) but not among other regimens. Conclusions: Most patients with FL receiving chemoimmunotherapy in the NLCS completed ≥5 cycles of treatment. Most who received fewer cycles were considered to have completed therapy, and therapy commonly was given at or above the expected cycle intensity. Strategies to improve dose delivery appear unlikely to impact patient outcomes, except possibly in patients receiving R-CVP. Disclosures: Martin: Genentech: Speakers Bureau. Link:Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Byrtek:Genentech: Employment. Dawson:Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group: Employment. Friedberg:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cerhan:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flowers:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

SummaryTo examine the effectiveness of an initial management strategy of watchful waiting for follicular lymphoma (FL) in clinical practice, we compared outcomes for patients diagnosed 2004–2007 in the United States initially managed with watchful waiting with outcomes following initial rituximab monotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy. In total, 1754 stage II–IV patients in the National LymphoCare Study underwent watchful waiting (n = 386), rituximab monotherapy (n = 296) or rituximab plus chemotherapy (n = 1072) as initial management strategy. Female patients and those who received treatment in the Northeast or in an academic setting more commonly underwent watchful waiting versus initial chemoimmunotherapy; whereas patients with grade 3 histology, anaemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, extranodal involvement, B symptoms or performance status ≥1 more commonly received chemoimmunotherapy. Although time to new treatment and progression‐free survival following first‐ and second‐line therapy were improved with chemoimmunotherapy, and time to chemotherapy was improved with rituximab monotherapy, there were no differences in overall survival between watchful waiting and chemoimmunotherapy or rituximab monotherapy. With 8‐year overall survival estimates of 74%, initial management with watchful waiting in the context of sequential therapy remains a viable option for FL patients in the modern era. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00097565).

BACKGROUNDDrug choice and delivered dose of treatment potentially influence outcome in patients treated for follicular lymphoma (FL). Historically, observational studies have evaluated drug choice. The National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) is a prospective, observational study of patients with FL who were enrolled at academic and community practice sites in the United States between 2004 and 2007. In the current study, the authors report on measures of delivered dose and its impact on outcomes for the most common first‐line regimens.METHODSAll evaluable patients with FL who were treated with initial rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP); rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CVP); or rituximab plus a fludarabine‐containing regimen (R‐Flu) were included. Associations between baseline factors, choice of treatment, number of cycles received, completion of therapy, and patient outcomes were assessed.RESULTSA total of 646 patients received R‐CHOP, 297 received R‐CVP, and 222 received R‐Flu. Characteristics were similar between the 3 groups with the following exceptions. Patients receiving R‐CHOP were more often found to have grade 3 FL and patients receiving R‐CVP were older and had higher Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores. The majority of patients (80%) received ≥ 5 cycles of treatment. Toxicity, but not disease progression, was commonly cited as the reason for the early discontinuation of treatment (51% vs 6%). Time to retreatment was shorter for patients receiving ≤ 4 cycles, regardless of the treatment regimen used. The number of cycles was associated with overall survival, progression‐free survival, and lymphoma‐related mortality for patients receiving R‐CVP.CONCLUSIONSThe majority of patients with FL receiving chemoimmunotherapy in the NLCS completed ≥ 5 cycles of treatment. Strategies to improve dose delivery appear unlikely to impact outcomes, except possibly in patients receiving R‐CVP. Although early treatment discontinuation appears to be associated with survival, this analysis does not implicate causality. Cancer 2013;119:4129–4136. © 2013 American Cancer Society.