Fletcher, Christopher D.�M.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are essentially different manifestations of the same disease that are similarly managed. A number of molecular and cytogenetic variables with prognostic implications have been identified. Undetectable minimal residual disease at the end of treatment with chemoimmunotherapy or venetoclax-based combination regimens is an independent predictor of improved survival among patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. The selection of treatment is based on the disease stage, presence or absence of del(17p) or TP53 mutation, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region mutation status, patient age, performance status, comorbid conditions, and the agent’s toxicity profile. This manuscript discusses the recommendations outlined in the NCCN Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with CLL/SLL.

Recently, it has been recognized that a subset of primary soft tissue neoplasms with GLI1 gene alterations exhibit nested architecture and can mimic glomus tumors or well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. Here, we report a series of 20 such neoplasms, which we have provisionally termed “distinctive nested glomoid neoplasm.” Eleven patients (55%) were female and 9 were male. The median age at presentation was 41.5 years (range: congenital to 74 y). The anatomic distribution was wide, with body sites including the trunk (7 tumors), lower extremity (5), tongue (4), upper extremity (3), and neck (1). Excluding tumors of the tongue, 10 tumors (62%) arose in deep soft tissue and 6 (38%) arose primarily in the subcutis. Tumor size ranged from 0.9 to 11.1 cm (median: 3 cm). Distinctive nested glomoid neoplasms are composed of nests of round-to-ovoid cells with scant, palely eosinophilic cytoplasm and monomorphic nuclei with vesicular chromatin and small nucleoli. The nests are invested by prominent capillary networks, and they are situated within large lobules separated by irregular, thick fibrous septa. Among 18 tumors for which adjacent non-neoplastic tissue could be assessed, perivascular proliferation of tumor cells was identified in 16 tumors (89%). Microcystic architecture was present at least focally in 8 tumors (40%), and myxoid stroma was identified at least focally in 5 (25%). Seven tumors (35%) showed clear cell features. By immunohistochemistry, some tumors expressed MDM2 (7/15; 47%), S100 (5 of 19; 26%), STAT6 (2 of 5; 20%), and AE1/AE3 (1/5; 20%). Tumors rarely expressed pan-keratin (1/10; 10%) or CAM5.2 (1/10), and all tumors were negative for β-catenin (12 tumors), chromogranin (12), synaptophysin (11), epithelial membrane antigen (10), desmin (10), smooth muscle actin (9), INSM1 (7), and CD34 (6). GLI1 break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on 7 tumors, and next-generation sequencing was performed on 15 tumors (10 DNA sequencing only, 1 RNA sequencing only, 4 both DNA and RNA sequencing). Sixteen tumors, including all 15 tested by next-generation sequencing and an additional case tested by fluorescence in situ hybridization only, were found to harbor GLI1 gene alterations: 10 harbored GLI1 gene rearrangements (3 ACTB::GLI1, 2 PTCH1::GLI1, 1 HNRNPA1::GLI1, 1 NEAT1::GLI1, 1 TXNIP::GLI1, 2 undetermined fusion partners), and 6 harbored GLI1 amplification. Clinical follow-up was available for 10 patients (50%; range: 3 mo to 10 y; median: 6.4 y), including 8 with >1 year of follow-up. Three patients (30%) experienced local recurrence (at intervals of 3 mo to 10 y). None developed distant metastases or died of disease as yet. Overall, our findings support the notion that a subset of GLI1-altered soft tissue neoplasms are indolent, morphologically distinctive nested glomoid neoplasms that should not be classified as sarcomas.

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) has significantly evolved in recent years. Targeted therapy with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors has emerged as an effective chemotherapy-free option for patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. Undetectable minimal residual disease after the end of treatment is emerging as an important predictor of progression-free and overall survival for patients treated with fixed-duration BCL-2 inhibitor-based treatment. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the updates to the NCCN Guidelines for CLL/SLL specific to the use of chemotherapy-free treatment options for patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory disease.

Abstract Background: Chemoimmunotherapy is considered standard initial therapy for follicular lymphoma (FL) with high tumor burden (HTB). Obinutuzumab and Bendamustine (OB) with maintenance Obinutuzumab (mO) is considered a standard therapy for the frontline treatment of HTB FL (GALLIUM, Marcus et al, NEJM 2017). Venetoclax (VEN), an oral BCL2 inhibitor, is an attractive target in FL given the high BCL2 expression; though single agent activity has been disappointing (Davids et al. JCO 2017). BCL2 inhibition is thought to be synergistic with chemotherapy. Thus, the PrE0403 study evaluated the OB-VEN combination in frontline HTB FL. Here we present end of induction (EOI) outcomes. Methods: The primary objective of this Phase II study was to estimate the complete remission (CR) rate at EOI. Potential participants must have had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of FL grade 1, 2, or 3a with HTB defined by GELF or high risk defined by FLIPI-1 criteria. They must have had adequate performance status and organ function. Notably, creatinine clearance must have been ≥50 mL/min. Participants must have not had prior treatment for FL. Eligible participants were treated with Bendamustine IV 90 mg/m2 Day (D) 1 & 2, Obinutuzumab IV 100 mg D1, 900 mg D2, 1000 mg D8 and D15 of Cycle (C) 1 then D1 of each cycle, and VEN 800 mg orally daily D1-10 every 28 days for 6 total cycles. Due to a high rate of laboratory tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) during C1 in the first 21 patients, VEN was removed from C1 and given in C2-6 only. Participants with a CR at EOI were treated with mO IV 1000 mg D1 every 8 weeks for 2 years. Those with a partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) were treated with mO as well as VEN 800 mg orally daily for 2 years. Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia (PJP) and antiviral prophylaxis was required as was G-CSF support. Response was assessed via Lugano Criteria at EOI including PET/CT and bone marrow assessment. Adverse Events (AEs) were evaluated using CTCAE v5.0. To be considered promising, OB-VEN should improve the null hypothesis CR rate of 50% (OB) to 65%. With an 85% power and a one sided 15% type I error, 56 participants would be needed with an estimated 51 eligible. Support for the study was from Genentech, Member of the Roche Group. Results A total of 56 participants were enrolled and treated between 12/2017 and 11/2020; baseline characteristics are listed in Table 1. TLS was closely monitored in C1 and 8/21 participants developed TLS when VEN was administered in C1; 0/35 when it was not. However, monitoring for TLS in C1 became less stringent when VEN was not administered. Treatment related Grade ≥3 toxicities occurred in 47/56 participants (83.9%) with serious adverse events in 31 of 56 (55.5%). Atypical infections were seen; there was one treatment related death on study due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) encephalitis as well as PJP pneumonia which occurred after induction C6. Enrollment was temporarily suspended and CMV monitoring was implemented with no further occurrences. Another participant receiving mO later developed BK virus nephropathy following mO C6 and now requires ongoing hemodialysis. Another was diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus pneumonia 30 days after C6 and later PJP pneumonia after C2 of mO. Common (incidence >10%) AEs during induction are listed in Table 2. 45 of 56 (80.4%) participants were able to receive all 6 cycles of OB-VEN. CR was seen in 41 of 56 participants (73.2%, 2 sided 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 59.7-84.2%) at the EOI. 30 participants (53.5%) went onto maintenance. With a median follow up of 20.9 months, estimated 2 year Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) (90% CI) is 94.4% (82.4-98.3%) and 85.8% (68.8-93.9%) respectively. Conclusions This Phase II study of OB-VEN in untreated HTB FL showed high CR rate and met its primary endpoint with early signs of prolonged PFS. Laboratory TLS was identified but it was unclear if attributed solely to VEN, as baseline laboratory TLS rate for OB is unknown. The rate of Grade ≥3 AE of 83.9% (compared to 69% for OB in GALLIUM, Hiddeman JCO 2018) and the observation of opportunistic infections including CMV encephalitis, PJP pneumonia and BK nephropathy, suggests the combination is highly immunosuppressive. Therefore, while the study met its primary outcome, the combination of OB-VEN at 800 mg for 10 days, plus mO, does not have an acceptable risk/benefit profile. Participants will continue to be followed for efficacy and safety during the maintenance phase. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Portell: Acerta/AstraZeneca: Research Funding; SeaGen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Xencor: Research Funding; Aptitude Health: Honoraria; BeiGene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Morphosys: Honoraria; Targeted Oncology: Honoraria; Genentech: Research Funding; VelosBio: Research Funding. Nowakowski: MorphoSys: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Kymera Therapeutics: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy; Nanostrings: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Zai Labolatory: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Bantham Pharmaceutical: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Selvita: Consultancy; Ryvu Therapeutics: Consultancy; Kyte Pharma: Consultancy. Cohen: Janssen, Adicet, Astra Zeneca, Genentech, Aptitude Health, Cellectar, Kite/Gilead, Loxo, BeiGene, Adaptive: Consultancy; Genentech, BMS/Celgene, LAM, BioINvent, LOXO, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, M2Gen, Takeda: Research Funding. Kahl: AbbVie, Acerta, ADCT, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Genentech: Research Funding; AbbVie, Adaptive, ADCT, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BeiGene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Genentech, Incyte, Janssen, Karyopharm, Kite, MEI, Pharmacyclics, Roche, TG Therapeutics, and Teva: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Venetoclax is not approved for follicular lymphoma or in combination with bendamustine and obinutuzumab

AimsLarge cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumour (LCCSCT) is a rare testicular sex cord‐stromal tumour that primarily affects young patients and is associated with Carney complex. We sought to characterise the clinicopathological features of a series of LCCSCT and evaluate the diagnostic utility of PRKAR1A immunohistochemistry (IHC).Methods and resultsThe LCCSCT cohort (n = 15) had a median age of 16 years (range = 2–30 years). Four patients were known to have Carney complex. PRKAR1A IHC was performed in each case. For comparison, PRKAR1A IHC was also assessed in other sex cord‐stromal tumours, including Sertoli cell tumour, not otherwise specified (SCT, NOS; n = 10), intratubular large cell hyalinising Sertoli cell tumour (n = 1) and Leydig cell tumour (n = 23). Loss of cytoplasmic PRKAR1A expression was observed in all but one LCCSCT (14 of 15; 93%). PRKAR1A expression was retained in all SCTs, NOS (10 of 10; 100%), the majority of Leydig cell tumours (22 of 23; 96%) and an intratubular large cell hyalinising Sertoli cell tumour (1 of 1; 100%). One Leydig cell tumour showed equivocal staining (multifocal weak expression).ConclusionsOverall, PRKAR1A loss is both sensitive (93%) and highly specific (97%) for the diagnosis of LCCSCT. PRKAR1A loss may aid its diagnosis, particularly in sporadic cases and those that are the first presentation of Carney complex.

We report three cases of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) arising in the orbit. All patients presented with nontender swelling of the affected eye, and one patient presented with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. All three patients had well-circumscribed tumors that had histologic features identical to those of SFT of the pleura (fibrous mesothelioma). The neoplastic cells were purely fibrogenic. They were reactive with antivimentin and CD-34 and demonstrated no smooth muscle or neural differentiation (nonreactive with antibodies to actin, desmin, and S 100 protein). KP-1 (CD-68) immunoreactivity was present focally within the neoplastic cells in all three tumors; however, it was strongly positive within tumor infiltrating macrophages. Electron microscopy per formed on one tumor showed fine fibroblastic differentiation with phagocytic activity confined to infiltrating macrophages. SFT of the orbit is a distinct pathologic entity that merits distinction within the broad group of orbital fibrous tumors. Int J Surg Pathol 2(3):193-198, 1995