7011 Background: Up to 40% of pts with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will relapse or have refractory disease following 1L treatment (Tx) with SOC chemoimmunotherapy regimens R-CHOP or Pola-RCHP. High risk (HR) populations include those with International Prognostic Index (IPI) score 3–5 and IPI 1–2 with either ≥1 lesion ≥7 cm or baseline LDH >1.3×ULN. GOLCA is a potential, first-in-class, oral CELMoD designed for the Tx of lymphoma, with preferential distribution to lymphoid organs and enhanced activity in lymphoma cell lines. GOLCA induces rapid and deep degradation of Ikaros and Aiolos, leading to direct cell killing and immunomodulatory activity. GOLCA 0.4 mg + R-CHOP has shown promising safety, a ≥90% minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate, and durable efficacy (24-mo PFS, 79%) in 1L a-BCL (Nowakowski et al, ASH 2025, 476) and is being evaluated in the Phase (Ph) 3 study GOLSEEK-1 (NCT06356129). We report initial Ph1b results with GOLCA + Pola-RCHP in 1L a-BCL. Methods: Pts aged ≥18 y with ECOG PS ≤2, IPI 0–5 (Part 2A) or 2–5 (Part 2B), and newly diagnosed a-BCL with measurable tumorous disease were included. Pts were treated with GOLCA + Pola-RCHP for six 21-day (D) cycles or until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity/study withdrawal. In dose escalation, GOLCA was dosed at 0.2 and 0.4 mg D1–7. In dose expansion, pts were randomized 1:1 to Pola-RCHP + GOLCA 0.2 or 0.4 mg. Primary endpoint: safety; efficacy was a secondary endpoint. Results: At data cutoff, 57 pts were treated with GOLCA + Pola-RCHP (0.2 mg, n=28; 0.4 mg, n=29). Median age was 63 y. Most pts had HR disease (86%) and DLBCL not otherwise specified histology (84%). For known cell of origin (COO), 47% were germinal center B cell (GCB) and 39% non-GCB by Hans algorithm. Forty-seven pts (83%) completed Tx and 52 (91%) entered the follow-up (f/u) period. Grade 3/4 Tx-emergent adverse events occurred in 95% of pts, most frequently neutropenia (86%; an on-target side effect of GOLCA) and anemia (39%). Median relative dose intensity for GOLCA and Pola-RCHP components was >95%. At 15.5 mo median f/u, end of Tx (EOT) complete metabolic response (CMR) rate was 69% at 0.2 mg, 82% at 0.4 mg, and similar across COO subtypes. EOT CMR was consistent in HR pts (65% at 0.2 mg, 83% at 0.4 mg). The 12-mo DOR and PFS rates were 92% and 88% at 0.2 mg, and 96% and 96% at 0.4 mg. In pts with both pre-Tx and EOT ctDNA analysis, 65% and 83% at 0.2 and 0.4 mg achieved MRD negativity (PhasED-Seq) at EOT. Conclusions: GOLCA + Pola-RCHP demonstrated a predictable and manageable safety profile, and addition of GOLCA did not compromise median dose intensity of Pola-RCHP. GOLCA 0.4 mg + Pola-RCHP resulted in a high rate of durable CMRs, high rate of MRD negativity, and a promising 12-mo PFS rate. These data continue to show that GOLCA + SOC regimens R-CHOP and Pola-RCHP has potential to improve outcomes in 1L HR a-BCL. Clinical trial information: NCT04884035 .
Role of Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH) in Lymphoma: Prevalence and Clinical Impact in Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Introduction: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a common age-related premalignant condition defined by the presence of an acquired somatic mutation in a gene frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies characterized by a variant allele frequency (VAF) of ≥2%, without fulfillment of other diagnostic criteria for myeloid neoplasm. Incidence of CH increases with age and found in 10%-30% of people > 70 years of age. CH-related mutations confer an increased risk of myeloid neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, and are linked to inferior survival in solid tumor patients treated with chemo/radiation therapy. Such mutations can act as a driver/amplifier of inflammation, especially through myeloid cells. To distinguish true disease drivers from background genetic events related to aging or environmental factors, we need a deeper understanding of the impact of CH in different tissue microenvironments and under therapeutic pressure for better risk stratification of CH carrier patients. Recent reports suggested high prevalence of CH-related mutations in lymphoma. Current analyses aimed to investigate: i) the prevalence of CH-related mutations in two real-world lymphoma cohorts from Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) MER-FL and MER-DLBCL, ii) CH-related mutational landscape in DLBCL and FL, iii) the impact of CH-related mutations on clinical outcomes. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) derived from blood/PBMC from lymphoma patients with paired tumor samples was analyzed to identify CH-related myeloid drivers in 42 previously reported genes. We used Sention-Tnhaplotype2 somatic pipeline with a custom panel of normals from whole blood samples. To avoid tumor contamination, we filtered variants for which VAF in the tumor was higher than that in the germline sample. Other filtering criteria included HIGH/MODERATE impact; read count > 1 in both forward and reverse reads; gnomAD_AF < 0.01. We used the R “survival” package Cox regression implementation for outcome and other statistical analysis. Results: Genomic and clinical data of 507 patients from MER-FL and 383 patients from MER-DLBCL cohorts, with median age of 60 and 64 respectively, were available for analysis. CH-related mutations were present in 17.16% (87/507) in FL and 18.28% (70/383) in DLBCL cohorts with a VAF cut off >2%. The most common CH-related mutations were DNMT3A (5%), CREBBP (2%), TET2 (1%), ASXL1 (1%) and PPM1D (1%) in MER-FL while DNMT3A (5%), TET2 (3%), TP53 (3%), ASXL1 (2%) and PPM1D (1%) in MER-DLBCL cohort. Both the prevalence of CH-related mutations and their average VAF increased with age, consistent with literature. Finally, cox regression analysis suggested that CH-related mutations were associated with significantly inferior overall survival (OS) in both FL and DLBCL cohorts (HR 1.6 p=0.028 and HR 2.3 p=<0.001 respectively); however only in DLBCL this association was significant after age correction (HR 1.8 p=0.008). When separated by individual gene mutations, genes of interest with inferior OS included TP53 (n=4, HR 3.1, p=0.057) in FL and PPM1D (n=3 HR 2.6 p=0.1), TP53 (n=8 HR 2.1 p=0.1) and DNMT3A (n=14, HR=2.0, p=0.048) in DLBCL; however, these estimates did not quite reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Taken together, our exploratory analysis indicates that CH-related mutations associate with worse OS in lymphoma patients, supporting the rationale for evaluation of CH for the risk assessment in lymphoma. Furthermore, DLBCL displays of larger size effect, which may be related to different treatment regimes. Additional studies will be needed to elucidate the interaction between high dose chemotherapy regimes and CH-associated adverse events.
Golcadomide (GOLCA) Plus R-CHOP Has High Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Negativity across High-Risk, Untreated Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma (a-BCL)
Introduction: GOLCA is a potential first-in-class oral cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD™) agent for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, purposefully designed to target Ikaros/Aiolos and have favorable pharmacokinetics, resulting in apoptotic and immunomodulatory activity with preferential distribution to lymphoid organs. CC-220-DLBCL-001 (NCT04884035) is an ongoing phase 1b, open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation/expansion trial to assess safety and preliminary 1L GOLCA + R-CHOP efficacy in a-BCL. Although longer follow-up is needed to assess durability of response, MRD negativity (MRD-) is an emerging endpoint in a-BCL. Achieving MRD- on and at end of treatment (EOT) can potentially predict clinical benefit. This study aimed to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) kinetics of GOLCA + R-CHOP across the trial population and in defined patient (pt) segments-cell of origin (COO), high baseline ctDNA, and high-risk genomics-and to correlate MRD- with imaging and clinical outcomes. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥ 18 years of age with ECOG performance status ≤2, IPI 0-5 in Part 1 and 2-5 in Part 2, and untreated a-BCL with measurable disease. Pts were treated with GOLCA + R-CHOP for 6 x 21-day (D) cycles (C) or until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity/study withdrawal. Dose escalation phase GOLCA dose levels (DLs) were 0.2 mg D1-7 (DL-1), 0.4 mg D1-7 (DL1), or 0.4 mg D1-10 (DL2). During dose expansion, pts were randomized 1:1 to R-CHOP + GOLCA DL-1 or DL1. The primary endpoint was safety of GOLCA at DL1; efficacy was a secondary endpoint, ctDNA was an exploratory endpoint. ctDNA was analyzed using the PhasED-Seq assay (<10-6 sensitivity) at baseline, C2D1, C3D1, and EOT. MRD- was defined as the absence of detectable ctDNA on-treatment. Pretreatment biopsies were sequenced by whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS). Results: At data cutoff (June 3, 2024), the median follow-up was 14.3 months. One-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 85.3% at 0.4 mg and 77.3% at 0.2 mg. Rates of MRD- increased over time but were consistently higher at 0.4 vs 0.2 mg, with values of 44% (14/32) vs 29% (8/28) at C2D1; 63% (17/27) vs 54% (15/28) at C3D1, and 90% (26/29) vs 73% (19/26) at EOT, respectively. Interim MRD- at C3D1 strongly predicted EOT MRD-; all 0.4 mg pts and all but two 0.2 mg pts who were MRD- at C3D1 remained MRD- at EOT. In contrast, fold-changes from baseline ctDNA were similar between 0.4 mg and 0.2 mg. The early molecular response rate (≥102-fold drop from baseline at C2D1) was 81.2% (26/32) at 0.4 mg and 82.1% (23/28) at 0.2 mg. The major molecular response rate (≥102.5-fold drop from baseline at C3D1) was 88.9% (24/27) at 0.4 mg and 85.7% (24/28) at 0.2 mg. Across genetically defined pt segments, EOT MRD- at 0.4 mg was prevalent for both COO subtypes measured by the Hans algorithm: 94% (17/18) among germinal center B-cell (GCB) and 75% (6/8) among non-GCB pts. Of the 29 pts with baseline genomics, 13 were genomically high risk: p53 mutant (VAF >0.5), DZsig and/or A7 subtype. In these pts, EOT MRD- was 80% (4/5) at 0.4 mg but only 20% (1/5) at 0.2 mg. In high baseline ctDNA (>102.5 hGE/mL) pts who were high-risk for R-CHOP failure, EOT MRD- at 0.4 mg was 86.7% (13/15) vs 57.1% (8/14) at 0.2 mg. There was an association between high baseline ctDNA and lower PFS at 0.2 mg (HR, 4.56 [95% CI, 0.53-39.12]), but interestingly the association decreased at 0.4 mg (HR, 2.10 [95% CI, 0.19-23.5]). Combining both arms, MRD- at both C3D1 and EOT trends with improved PFS (C3D1: HR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.2114-2.523]; EOT: HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.1103-2.592]); longer follow-up may be required to demonstrate significance. Conclusions: Interim and EOT levels of MRD- were higher at 0.4 mg vs 0.2 mg GOLCA, with a one-year PFS of 85.3% vs 77.3%, respectively. Although pt numbers were small, the data suggest that 0.4 mg is efficacious in high-risk ctDNA and high-genomic risk pts, independent of COO, and support the 0.4 mg GOLCA + R-CHOP regimen in the randomized phase 3 trial GOLSEEK-1. Interim MRD- may play a role in future adaptive trial designs.
Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers and CtDNA Support the Mechanism of Action and Clinical Efficacy of Golcadomide (CC-99282) Combined with R-CHOP in Previously Untreated Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma
Introduction Golcadomide (GOLCA, CC-99282) is an orally available cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD ®) that potently degrades target proteins Ikaros and Aiolos, enhancing antiproliferative, apoptotic, and immunomodulatory activity and preferentially distributing to lymphoid organs. In a phase 1 study, GOLCA monotherapy previously demonstrated a manageable safety profile with promising clinical activity in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Michot Blood 2021). In the ongoing CC-220-DLBCL-001 study (NCT04884035), GOLCA dose finding is underway in patients with previously untreated aggressive B-cell lymphoma (BCL), in combination with R-CHOP in 21-day (D) cycles (C), at a variety of GOLCA dose levels (DLs) and schedules: DL-1 = 0.2 mg D1-7, DL1 = 0.4 mg D1-7, and DL2 = 0.4 mg D1-10. Here, we report Ikaros degradation, immune modulation, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assessment, and baseline tumor genomics. Methods Peripheral blood was collected to analyze Ikaros and Aiolos levels in T cells by flow cytometry (C1D1, C1D7, and C2D1). Immune phenotyping of T and natural killer (NK) cells was performed by flow cytometry (C1D1, C1D15, C2D1, and C3D1). ctDNA levels were analyzed by the PhasED-Seq assay (timepoints C1D1, C2D1, C3D1, and end of treatment [EOT]; Kurtz Nat Biotechnol 2021); somatic variants were filtered by performing PhasED-seq on buffy coats. Pretreatment biopsies were analyzed by whole genome sequencing and whole transcriptome sequencing. DL1 (0.4 mg D1-7) and DL2 (0.4 mg D1-10) data were pooled. Results Ikaros levels in T cells at 5 hours after the first dose had a 1.1% median increase with 0.2 mg and 44% median decrease with 0.4 mg; by C1D7 pretreatment, Ikaros substantially decreased with both DLs (median: 0.2 mg, 87% decrease; 0.4 mg, 83% decrease). Ikaros differences between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg were not substantial. By C2D1, Ikaros levels recovered to baseline. Based on preclinical benchmarks, steady-state Ikaros degradation in T cells suggested that direct tumor cell killing by GOLCA was achieved. Changes in T and NK cell phenotypes in peripheral blood included activation, increased proliferation, increased T effector memory and regulatory cell levels, and decrease in naive T cells. Changes were seen by C1D15 and maintained at C2D1 and C3D1. Overall, immune changes between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg dose levels were not substantially different. Phased variant data from ctDNA and buffy coats were evaluable for 34 patients (0.2 mg, n =15; 0.4 mg, n = 19). Baseline ctDNA levels were similar between the 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg cohorts and, consistent with prior studies, correlated with International Prognostic Index and cell of origin. Previously reported landmarks such as early molecular response (EMR; ≥ 2 log decrease) at C2D1 and major molecular response (MMR; ≥ 2.5 log decrease) at C3D1 were assessed (Kurtz J Clin Oncol 2018) . A high fraction of patients designated high risk by pretreatment ctDNA (≥ 2.5 log haploid genome equivalents [HGE]/mL; Kurtz J Clin Oncol 2018) were clinical responders. Patients who achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity on treatment generally remained MRD negative at subsequent timepoints. At C2D1, the EMR and MRD negativity rates for 0.2 mg were 73% (11/15) and 20% (3/15), respectively; for 0.4 mg these rates were 83% (15/18) and 44% (8/18). At C3D1, the MMR and MRD negativity rates for 0.2 mg were 83% (10/12) and 42% (5/12), respectively; for 0.4 mg these were 83% (10/12) and 58% (7/12). Although ctDNA differences between 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg were not substantial, numerically greater ctDNA changes were seen with 0.4 mg GOLCA + R-CHOP vs 0.2 mg GOLCA + R-CHOP and vs R-CHOP and R-CHOP-like regimens from other cohorts ( Figure). Insufficient samples were available to draw conclusions about EOT, but additional ctDNA data will be presented. Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing data from GOLCA + R-CHOP-treated patients will be shown. Conclusions Pharmacodynamic biomarkers and ctDNA levels indicate that both tumor-intrinsic and immune-modulating mechanisms of action of GOLCA remain relevant in combination with R-CHOP in previously untreated aggressive BCL. ctDNA data during treatment are consistent with the efficacy noted on clinical restaging. Translational data demonstrate the potency of GOLCA and will support future frontline clinical trial designs in patients with untreated aggressive BCL. Study support: Celgene, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company