Persky, Daniel O.

Introduction: Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are highly effective against Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Their effectiveness can be limited by resistance caused by BTK mutations and intolerance. BGB-16673 is a bivalent small molecule that induces BTK degradation by binding specifically to BTK and the E3 ligase. The E3 ligase catalyzes the transfer of ubiquitin molecules to BTK, which marks BTK for destruction by the proteasome. Preclinically, BGB-16673 degraded wild-type and mutant BTK associated with covalentand noncovalent BTK inhibitors (ncBTKis), leading to tumor suppression. CaDAnCe-101 (BGB-16673-101; NCT05006716) is an ongoing, open-label, first-in-human, phase 1/2 study evaluating BGB-16673 monotherapy in patients with a range of B-cell malignancies. Here, early results in patients with WM enrolled in the phase 1 portion are presented. Methods: Eligiblepatients must have confirmed R/R WM (≥2 prior therapies), an ECOG performance status of 0-2, and adequate organ function. Patients must have previously received an anti-CD20 antibody and, in the US and EU, a covalent BTK inhibitor (cBTKi). BGB-16673 was orally dosed once daily in 28-day cycles. Dose escalation used a Bayesian optimal interval design (6 planned dose levels, 50-600 mg once daily). Primary objectives were to evaluate safety/tolerability (CTCAE v5.0) and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed in the first 4 weeks (cycle 1). A secondary objective was to evaluate the overall response rate (ORR, IWWM-6 consensus criteria), with the first assessment occurring after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: As of May 24, 2024, 22 patients with WM were enrolled and treated (100 mg, n=4; 200 mg, n=10; 350 mg, n=8). The median age was 73.0 (range, 56-81) years, and the median number of prior therapies was 3.5 (range, 2-11), including prior cBTKis (n=22 [100%]), BCL2 inhibitors (n=4 [18%]), and ncBTKis (n=3 [14%]). Twenty patients (91%) had previously received chemotherapy. According to the International Prognostic Scoring System for WM, 6 patients (27%) had low-risk disease, 7 (32%) had intermediate-risk disease, and 8 (36%) had high-risk disease (missing/unknown data, n=1). Five patients (23%) had BTK mutations, 20 (91%) had MYD88 mutations, and 8 (36%) had CXCR4 mutations. The median follow-up was 4.3 (range, 0.3-21.3) months. Ninety-five percent of patients reported any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; grade ≥3, 45%; serious, 23%), the most common (≥20%) of which were neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased (32%; grade ≥3, 23%), contusion (23%; no grade ≥3), and diarrhea (23%; no grade ≥3). The most common grade ≥3 TEAE (≥20%) was neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased. No atrial fibrillation, hypertension, febrile neutropenia, or major hemorrhage occurred. Three patients (14%) had a grade ≥3 infection (bronchopulmonary/cerebral aspergillosis, septic shock, and pseudomonal bacteremia/sinusitis). No patients had a TEAE that led to treatment discontinuation or dose reduction. No DLTs occurred, and the MTD was not reached. One patient (5%) died due to a TEAE (septic shock, considered related to disease progression). One patient died due to disease progression. In 21 response-evaluable patients (1 too early), the ORR (minor response or better) was 90%, the major response rate (partial response [PR] or better) was 81%, and the very good PR or better rate was 14%. Median time to first response was 0.95 (range, 0.9-3.7) months, with responses deepening over time. Seventeen patients remain on treatment and have ongoing responses. Responses were seen at the lowest dose (100 mg, 4/4), in patients previously treated with a cBTKi (19/21) and an ncBTKi (3/3), and in patients discontinued from prior BTKi due to disease progression (15/17). In addition, responses were observed in patients with and without mutations in BTK (with, 5/5; without, 6/8; unknown, 8/8), MYD88 (with, 18/20; without, 1/1), and CXCR4 (with, 8/8; without, 11/13). One patient had IgM flare at initial response assessment and went on to develop PR. Conclusions: Early data from this ongoing, first-in-human study demonstrate that the novel BTK degrader BGB-16673 has a tolerable safety profile and shows promising antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with BTK inhibitor-exposed R/R WM, including those with BTK and CXCR4 mutations.

Introduction: Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are effective therapies for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Their use can be limited by intolerance and/or acquired resistance, due to BTK mutations. BGB-16673 is a bivalent small molecule that induces BTK degradation by binding specifically to BTK and the E3 ligase. The E3 ligase catalyzes the transfer of ubiquitin molecules to BTK which marks BTK for destruction by the proteasome. In preclinical models, BGB-16673 degraded wild-type and mutant forms of BTK associated with resistance to covalent and noncovalent BTK inhibitors, leading to tumor suppression. CaDAnCe-101 (BGB-16673-101, NCT05006716) is an ongoing, open-label, first-in-human, phase 1/2 study designed to evaluate BGB-16673 monotherapy in patients with B-cell malignancies. Here, updated results in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CLL/SLL enrolled in the phase 1 portion are presented. Methods: Eligiblepatients must have confirmed R/R CLL/SLL (≥2 prior therapies), an ECOG performance status of 0-2, and adequate organ function. In the US, EU, and Australia, patients must have previously received a covalent BTK inhibitor (cBTKi). BGB-16673 was dosed once daily orally in 28-day cycles. Dose escalation used a Bayesian optimal interval design (6 planned dose levels, 50-600 mg once daily). Primary objectives were to assess safety/tolerability (CTCAE v5.0 and iwCLL hematologic toxicity criteria), and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended phase 2 dose. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed in the first 4 weeks (cycle 1). A secondary objective was to evaluate the overall response rate (ORR, iwCLL 2018 criteria or 2014 Lugano criteria for SLL), with the first assessment occurring after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: As of May 24, 2024, 49 patients with CLL were enrolled and treated (50 mg, n=1; 100 mg, n=5; 200 mg, n=16; 350 mg, n=15; 500 mg, n=12). The median age was 70 years (range, 50-91 years), and the median number of prior therapies was 4 (range, 2-10), including prior cBTKis (n=45 [92%]), BCL2 inhibitors (n=42 [86%]), and noncovalent BTK inhibitors (ncBTKis; n=12 [24%]). Of tested patients, 63% (31/49) had del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation and 82% (32/39) had unmutated IGHV. The median follow-up was 7.9 months (range, 0.3-23.1 months). Ninety-six percent of patients reported any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; grade ≥3, 57%), of which the most common (≥25%) were fatigue (35%; grade ≥3, 2%), contusion (29%; no grade ≥3), and diarrhea (27%; grade ≥3, 2%). The most common grade ≥3 TEAEs (≥10%) were neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased (20%) and pneumonia (10%). One patient (2%) each experienced hypertension (grade 1), febrile neutropenia (in the context of COVID-19 pneumonia and norovirus diarrhea), and major hemorrhage. No atrial fibrillation was observed. Three patients (6%) experienced a TEAE that led to dose reduction. One DLT occurred in 1 patient at 200 mg (grade 3 maculopapular rash on day 27; decreased to grade 1 after 5-day hold; patient continues on treatment). The MTD was not reached. Three patients had TEAEs that led to death (septic shock, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/cerebral aspergillosis, and pneumonia in the context of disease progression; n=1 each); none of the deaths were considered related to treatment. In 49 response-evaluable patients, the ORR (partial response with lymphocytosis or better) was 78% (38/49), and the CR/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery rate was 4% (n=2). At 200 mg, the ORR was 94% (15/16) including the 2 CRs. Median time to first response was 2.8 months (range, 2.6-8.3 months). Seventeen patients remained on treatment for ≥9 months and all 17 have ongoing responses. Responses were seen at the lowest dose, as well as in patients previously treated with a cBTKi, ncBTKi, double- (cBTKi and BCL2i) and triple- (cBTKi, BCL2i, ncBTKi) exposed patients, and in patients with and without BTK mutations. Conclusions: Emerging data from this ongoing, first-in-human study demonstrate that the novel BTK degrader BGB-16673 has a tolerable safety profile and shows promising and deep overall responses in heavily pretreated patients with R/R CLL/SLL, including those with prior BTK inhibitor treatment and BTK resistance mutations.

PURPOSEDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presents as a limited-stage disease in 25% to 30% of patients, with better overall survival (OS) than that for advanced-stage disease but with continuous relapse regardless of treatment approach. The preferred treatment is abbreviated rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and radiation therapy. On the basis of promising results of positron emission tomography (PET)–directed treatment approaches, we designed a National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) study to improve outcomes and decrease toxicity.METHODSPatients with nonbulky (< 10 cm) stage I/II untreated DLBCL received 3 cycles of standard R-CHOP therapy and underwent a centrally reviewed interim PET/computed tomography scan (iPET). Those with a negative iPET proceeded with 1 additional cycle of R-CHOP, whereas those with a positive iPET received involved field radiation therapy followed by ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy.RESULTSOf 158 patients enrolled, 132 were eligible and 128 underwent iPET, which was positive in 14 (11%) of the patients. With a median follow-up of 4.92 years (range, 1.1-7.7 years), only 6 patients progressed and 3 died as a result of lymphoma. Eleven patients died as a result of nonlymphoma causes at a median age of 80 years. The 5-year progression-free survival estimate was 87% (95% CI, 79% to 92%) and the OS estimate was 89% (95% CI, 82% to 94%), with iPET-positive and iPET-negative patients having similar outcomes.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, S1001 is the largest prospective study in the United States of limited-stage DLBCL in the rituximab era, with the best NCTN results in this disease subset. With PET-directed therapy, 89% of the patients with a negative iPET received R-CHOP × 4, and only 11% had a positive iPET and required radiation, with both groups having excellent outcomes. The trial establishes R-CHOP × 4 alone as the new standard approach to limited-stage disease for the absolute majority of patients.

Abstract Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) recovery post-autologous stem cell transplantation has been documented as an independent predictor for survival in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The effect of ALC recovery on survival during standard CHOP or R-CHOP chemotherapy for newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is unknown. To participate in the study, patients required to receive their full treatment with complete blood count determinations at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Of 1633 DLBCL cases seen at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine between February 1994 through August 2004, 212 consecutive DLBCL patients were eligible for the study. We study ALC recovery as a prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in DLBCL patients treated with at least 3 cycles of CHOP or R-CHOP. 57% were male and the median age was 66 years (range: 20 – 87); 42% had elevated LDH, only 11% had a PS of 2 or higher; 58% were low stage (I or II); 88% of pts achieved a complete response. ALC was evaluated at the beginning of each treatment cycle, focusing on cycles 1–3 and the 3 month post treatment sample. ALC for each of the cycles were significantly correlated with PFS and OS, with cycle 1 ALC most significantly correlated when accounting for inherent differences based on treatment (Rx) type (i.e. CHOP vs. R-CHOP) as well as high vs. low IPI (PFS: p = 0.0012; OS: p = 0.005). Also, 74 pts achieved an ALC of at least 1,000 during all three cycles, where there was no significant relationship with this incidence and Rx type; this incidence was significantly associated with higher PFS (p = 0.0007) and OS (p = 0.0006), even when accounting for Rx type and high vs. low IPI. In the 179 pts who had 3-month post-Rx ALC data, this was also significantly associated with PFS (p = 0.002) and OS (p = 0.0009), while still accounting for Rx type and IPI status. Achievement of ALC &gt;= 1,000 post-Rx was also significant for PFS (p = 0.0014) and OS (0.003). Also of note, only cycle 1 ALC was significantly different in high vs. low IPI pts (p = 0.008). In summary, these data support the hypothesis that there is a critical role of lymphocyte (immune) recovery during CHOP/R-CHOP chemotherapy in DLBCL.

Introduction Limited stage disease accounts for 30-40% of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), with better overall survival than advanced stage disease, but with increased late relapses regardless of treatment strategy (Stephens 2016). Preferred treatment for these patients (pts) per NCCN guidelines is abbreviated R-CHOP followed by radiotherapy. Based on promising results of radioimmunotherapy consolidation in SWOG S0313 (Persky 2015), and of PET-directed experience by the BC Cancer Agency (Sehn 2011), we designed a National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) PET-directed study to tailor therapy after 3 cycles of R-CHOP, to improve outcomes and decrease toxicities. Methods Pts had non-bulky (&lt; 10 cm) stage I/II untreated DLBCL. Mediastinal, HIV-associated, testicular, central nervous system, and indolent lymphoma were excluded. Pts received standard R-CHOP therapy and had an interim PET scan on day 15-18 of cycle 3, which was centrally reviewed in real time. Pts with negative PET scan (Deauville 1-3, iPET-neg) proceeded with 1 additional cycle of R-CHOP. Pts with positive PET scan (Deauville 4-5, iPET-pos) initiated 36 Gy of involved field radiation therapy (IFRT), plus additional boost to FDG-avid area up to 9 Gy, within 5 weeks of 3rd cycle of R-CHOP. This was followed by ibritumomab tiuxetan (IFRT-Zevalin) 3-6 weeks after completing IFRT. Final PET scan was performed 12 weeks after treatment completion. Results The study completed accrual in June 2016. Safety, response, interim PET, and immunohistochemistry-based cell of origin (COO) and MYC/BCL2 analyses were presented previously (Persky 2017, Stephens 2017). Of 159 pts enrolled, 1 was upstaged by PET, and 26 pts were ineligible - due to incorrect histology (mostly concurrent indolent or follicular lymphoma grade 3B) (21), lack of diagnostic tissue submission for central pathology review (3), and bulky disease (2). In 132 eligible pts, median age was 62 years, 62% had stage I, 17% had B symptoms, 14% had elevated LDH, 43% had extranodal involvement, and 66% had exclusive involvement of the head and neck region. Stage modified IPI (smIPI, Miller 1998) was 0 in 27%, 1 in 42%, 2 in 28%, and 3 in 4% of the pts. COO by Lymph2Cx was assessable in 87 pts - 68% were GCB, 23% were ABC, and 9% were unclassifiable. Double protein expressers (MYC and BCL2, DPE) were 16%, while 4 (3%) pts had "double hit" lymphoma (DHL) - 2 with MYC/BCL2 and 2 with MYC/BCL6 rearrangements - none of which were DPE. Of 132 eligible pts, 128 had an interim PET scan centrally reviewed, of which 110 were iPET-neg. Only 18 were iPET-pos, 4 of them due to infection (Deauville X) which were treated as iPET-neg. Of 14 truly iPET-pos pts (11%), 2 refused radiation, and 12 pts received IFRT-Zevalin. Eight pts (67%) converted from PR to CR after IFRT-Zevalin and 4 (33%) had PR, for an overall CR of 92% and PR of 4% (with 4% unevaluable). With median follow up of 4.5 yrs (range 1.1 - 7.5 yrs), only 5 pts progressed and 2 died from lymphoma. Of 5 progressors, 3 received R-CHOP x 4, 1 was iPET-pos but declined radiation, and 1 went off treatment after 1 cycle of R-CHOP. Eleven pts died from non-lymphoma causes, including 1 pt from secondary AML (iPET-neg arm), and 1 of lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed upon iPET. S1001 5-yr PFS estimate is 87% and OS estimate is 90% (figure 1), with iPET-pos and iPET-neg pts having similar outcomes - PFS 86% vs. 88%, OS 93% vs. 91%, respectively. Five-yr PFS by smIPI was 97% for smIPI of 0, 86% for 1-2, and 30% for 3. GCB had 5-yr PFS of 95%, vs. 70% for ABC and 47% for unclassifiable. DPE pts had 5-yr PFS of 70, vs. 89% for non-DPE pts. All 4 DHL pts maintain remission. Conclusions S1001 is the largest US study of limited stage DLBCL in the rituximab era, with best NCTN results in this disease subset. Only 5 patients progressed and 2 died from lymphoma. Our study confirms the distinct biology of limited stage DLBCL, with predominance of GCB origin (68%), and head and neck location (66%). Due to small number of lymphoma events, no strong conclusions about prognostic ability of smIPI, COO, DPE, or DHL, could be made. S1001 demonstrated that 89% of pts maintained excellent outcomes after R-CHOP x 4 with PET-directed therapy. Only 11% of pts were iPET-pos and required radiation, but they also had excellent outcomes. Together with the FLYER trial in younger pts (Poeschel 2018), this NCTN trial establishes R-CHOP x 4 alone as the new standard approach to limited stage disease for majority of the pts. Disclosures Persky: Sandoz: Consultancy; Morphosys: Other: Member, Independent Data Monitoring Committee; Debiopharm: Other: Member, Independent Data Monitoring Committee; Bayer: Consultancy. Stephens:Acerta: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding. Park:BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Rafael Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; G1 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Bartlett:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genenetech: Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Swinnen:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy. Barr:Celgene: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Leonard:Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; Akcea Therapeutics: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Miltenyi: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; Akcea Therapeutics: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Miltenyi: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Bayer Corporation: Consultancy; Bayer Corporation: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy. Kahl:TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy. Fisher:Celgene: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Barclays: Honoraria; prIME: Honoraria. Rimsza:NanoSting: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoSting [Institution]. Smith:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Friedberg:Bayer: Honoraria, Other: Data & Safety Monitoring Committee; Acerta: Other: Data & Safety Monitoring Committee. OffLabel Disclosure: Ibritumomab tiuxetan in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract The peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) post-autologous stem cell transplantation is an independent predictor for survival in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The role of ALC recovery during and after standard CHOP chemotherapy for newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been reported. We hypothesized that ALC recovery during/after CHOP chemotherapy has a direct impact on survival. 135 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL treated with CHOP from 1994 through 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary end point was to assess the role of ALC recovery during and after CHOP on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The ALC recovery before each of the 6 cycles and at 3 months follow-up after completion of therapy were analyzed. Of the 135 patients, 41 patients received concomitant radiation therapy. The median age was 64 years (range: 21–83) and median follow-up was 46 months (range: 1–124). Superior OS and PFS were identified in patients achieving the ALC cut-off value that discriminated clinical outcomes at a high level of significance for blood counts obtained before cycles 1 (ALC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L, OS = not reached vs 54 months, p< 0.0048; PFS = not reached vs 23 months, p <0.0005), 2 (ALC ≥1.5 x 109/L, OS = not reached vs 59 months, p <0.0255; PFS = not reached vs 30 months, p <0.0082), 3(ALC ≥1.2 x 109/L, OS = not reached vs 59 months, p<0.0074; not reached vs 30 months, p <0.0060), and at 3 months (ALC ≥ 1.2 x 109/L, OS = not reached vs 60 months, p< 0.0080; PFS = not reached vs 42 months, p < 0.0017). Similar cut-off points for cycles 4 through 6 could not be identified. The ALC recovery between each cycles 1–3 and at 3 months were not independent of each other. Multivariate analysis demonstrated ALC for cycles 1–3 and at 3 months post CHOP to be independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS when compared to other significant prognostic factors including International Prognostic Index and radiation therapy. Patients were stratified into three groups based on whether or not they achieved cut-off values of ALC in the first 3 cycles: group I= ALC achieved in at least 2 of 3 cycles; group II= ALC achieved in only 1/3 cycles; and group III= ALC cut-off not achieved. A trend towards worse OS (p< 0.0035) (Figure 1) and PFS (p< 0.0003) was identified if patients did not achieve any of the cut-off values of ALC in the first 3 cycles. These data further support the hypothesis that there is a critical role of lymphocyte (immune) recovery during and after CHOP chemotherapy in DLBCL.

AbstractLoss of major histocompatibility Class II expression (MHCII) in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) correlates with decreased survival. MHCII transcription is in part regulated by histone acetylation. We tested the hypothesis that combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) with standard chemotherapy would improve outcomes in DLBCL in part through increased MHCII expression. S0806 was a single arm phase I/II trial of vorinostat given at 400 mg po daily on days 1‐9 (subsequently amended to days 1‐5 due to toxicity), combined with R‐CHOP given on day 3 of a 21‐day cycle for 8 cycles, with primary phase II endpoint of 2‐year progression free survival (PFS). With 72 evaluable patients, at median follow up of 3 years, 2‐year PFS estimate was 73%, and OS estimate was 86%. Considering that the regimen fell short of predefined efficacy improvement and was associated with high rates of febrile neutropenia (38%) and sepsis (19%), it cannot be recommended for general use. Consistent with our hypothesis, patients with low MCHII expression on S0806 had numerically superior outcomes compared to those from trial S0433 which did not use an HDACI, but the difference was not statistically significant. Current studies are focused on finding biomarkers of response to HDACI.

Variable survival outcomes are seen following treatment for aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study examined whether outcomes for aggressive B‐cell NHL are associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in oxidative stress‐related genes, which can alter drug metabolism and immune responses. Genotypes for 53 SNPs in 29 genes were determined for 337 patients given anthracycline‐based therapies. Their associations with progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression; associations with hematologic toxicity were estimated by logistic regression. To validate the findings, the top three SNPs were tested in an independent cohort of 572 DLBCL patients. The top SNPs associated with PFS in the discovery cohort were the rare homozygotes for MPO rs2243828 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–3.06, P = 0.013), AKR1C3 rs10508293 (HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.28–3.41, P = 0.0032) and NCF4 rs1883112 (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.43–1.02, P = 0.06). The association of the NCF4 SNP with PFS was replicated in the validation dataset (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.44–1.01, P = 0.05) and the meta‐analysis was significant (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49–0.89, P < 0.01). The association of the MPO SNP was attenuated in the validation dataset, while the meta‐analysis remained significant (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.12–2.41). These two SNPs showed similar trends with OS in the meta‐analysis (for NCF4, HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.51–1.02, P = 0.07 and for MPO, HR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.36–3.12, P < 0.01). In addition, patients with the rare homozygote of the NCF4 SNP had an increased risk of hematologic toxicity. We concluded that genetic variations in NCF4 may contribute to treatment outcomes for patients with aggressive NHL. Am. J. Hematol. 89:639–645, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.