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Maurer, Matthew J.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1867-0526

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Citations 471

Short Time between Progression after Immunochemotherapy and Initiation of Salvage Therapy (PTI) Is Associated with Inferior Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL
Thanarajasingam, Gita , Macon, William R. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Porrata, Luis F. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Farooq, Umar , Wahlen, Madison M. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Syrbu, Sergei , Slager, Susan L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Cerhan, James R. , Link, Brian K.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4204-4204

10.1182/blood-2018-99-114331 Get It

Abstract Background An association has been identified between the diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) and prognostic clinical factors and outcomes in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Maurer et al, JCO 2018). This association can result in inadvertent selection bias in clinical trials to exclude patients with aggressive disease due to the inability to delay treatment long enough to fulfill enrollment criteria, compromising the validity of clinical trial study results to the general population. A similar concern exists in the relapsed/refractory (r/r) DLBCL setting regarding patient selection bias against patients with aggressive disease requiring immediate treatment following relapse or progression. Here we examine the time from progression after immunochemotherapy (IC) to the initiation of first salvage chemotherapy and its association with outcome. Patients and Methods: Newly diagnosed patients were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER), now a subcohort of the Lymphoma Epidemiology of Outcomes (LEO) Cohort Study, and followed for progression/relapse, retreatment, and death. This analysis includes patients with their first r/r DLBCL following frontline IC who initiated aggressive salvage chemotherapy as identified and included in a previous publication (Farooq et al, BJH 2017). The progression-to-treatment interval (PTI) was defined as the time in days from date of progression from IC to initiation of salvage therapy. The date of progression was defined as either a) the date biopsy was obtained for patients who had a biopsy to confirm progressive disease or b) the date of the scan or clinical examination indicating progression in patients who did not have a biopsy performed. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined as time from initiation of first salvage therapy to progression or relapse, initiation of new anti-lymphoma therapy, or death due to any cause; overall survival (OS) was defined as time from initiation of salvage therapy until death due to any cause. Results: 162 patients with r/r DLBCL enrolled in the MER from 2002-2012 who initiated aggressive salvage chemotherapy with intent to transplant and had confirmed dates for both progression after IC and start of salvage therapy were evaluated. Median age at first progression for these patients was 64 years (range 36-76) and 104 (64%) were male. Median time from diagnosis to first progression on IC was 6.7 months (IQR: 4.6-12.7). Initial salvage therapy was R-ICE (80%), R-DHAP (8%), rituximab, oxaliplatin, cytosine arabinoside, and dexamethasone (ROAD) (6%), and other (7%). At a median follow-up of 49 months from initiation of salvage therapy (IQR: 33-74), 116 patients had died (72%). Median PTI was 6 days (IQR: 2-13). 110 patients (68%) had biopsy confirmation of disease prior to initiating salvage therapy; median PTI was 2 days (IQR: 1-7) for patients who had biopsy confirmation vs. 7 days (IQR: 3-16) in patients without biopsy confirmation, Wilcoxon p=<0.0001. There was no difference in OS from initial salvage therapy between patients who did not have biopsy confirmation (HR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.74-1.60, p=0.68) compared to patients with biopsy confirmation. Patients with short PTI (0-6 days) had significantly worse overall survival from initiation of salvage therapy (median OS = 7.6 months, HR=2.10 (95% CI: 1.43-3.08) compared to patients who initiated therapy 7 or more days from progression (median OS = 29.7 months), logrank p<0.0001. This association remained consistent (HR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.48-3.26, p<0.0001) after adjusting for age and biopsy confirmation of progression. Short PTI was also associated with inferior response rate to initial salvage therapy (51% vs. 65%, p=0.058), lower rate of proceeding to transplant after initial salvage therapy (33% vs. 55%, p=0.0063), lower rate of being event-free 24 months from initial salvage therapy (16% vs 33%, p=0.011) and lower rate of ever proceeding to transplant (44% vs. 59%, p=0.057). Conclusions: A short progression-to-treatment interval is strongly associated with inability to proceed to transplant and inferior overall survival in r/r DLBCL. These results have implications for the design and interpretation of clinical trials in the relapsed/refractory setting. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Maurer: Celgene: Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding. Ansell:Trillium: Research Funding; Merck & Co: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Witzig:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Cerhan:Nanostring: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Jannsen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board.
Clinical and Quality of Life Predictors of Failure to Achieve Event Free Survival at 24 Months in Patients Aged 70 Years and Older with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Thanarajasingam, Gita , Yost, Kathleen J. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Reagan, Patrick Michael , Baran, Andrea , Maurer, Matthew J. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Slager, Susan L. , Link, Brian K. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3579-3579

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118356 Get It

Abstract Background Age has long been recognized as a poor prognostic factor in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and more recently, a lower baseline quality of life (QOL) in patients with aggressive lymphomas has been associated with an inferior overall survival (OS) (Thompson et al, 2018). Older patients with DLBCL are a heterogeneous population and commonly have comorbid conditions. A concerted effort to identify prognostic factors specific to this population is needed, including QOL. Event free survival at 24 months (EFS24) is a well validated endpoint in DLBCL (Maurer et al, 2014) and is clinically relevant in older patients. We hypothesized that baseline clinical factors and QOL would be associated with EFS24 this patient group. Methods Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis into the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). Patients ≥70 years of age with DLBCL were utilized in this study. All pathology was reviewed by a lymphoma hematopathologist. Clinical variables were abstracted from the medical record. QOL was assessed at enrollment using a single item Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) and the 27-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General questionnaire (FACT-G), which includes physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being domains. QOL scores were converted to a 0-100 scale to facilitate modeling. QOL was analyzed in patients who completed 80% of the FACT-G questions. Characteristics of the study population were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the associations of clinical and continuous QOL variables with failure to achieve EFS24 using logistic regression models, with a stepwise approach to identify parsimonious multivariate models. Results A total of 389 patients ≥70 years were identified with DLBCL in the MER from 2002-2015; patient characteristics are described in the Table. In the entire study population, univariate predictors of EFS24 failure included age (OR per 10 years=1.85, 95% CI: 1.26-2.71), ECOG PS ≥2 (OR=4.78, 95% CI: 2.92-7.83), elevated LDH (OR=3.59, 95% CI: 2.27-5.65), stage III-IV (OR=1.94, 1.25-3.02), bulky disease (OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.43-5.72), international prognostic index (OR=8.71 for IPI 5 vs IPI 0, 95% CI: 3.04-24.9), and receipt of an anthracycline (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.12-0.51), while none of the other variables in the Table, including the QOL variables, were statistically significant. In a stepwise multivariate analysis, only ECOG PS ≥2 (OR= 3.56, 95% CI: 2.09-6.06) and elevated LDH (OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.78-4.60) remained significant predictors of EFS24 failure. QOL data were available on 220 patients, with 120 completing QOL questionnaires prior to receipt of chemotherapy. Compared to participants who completed their FACT-G before the initiation of chemotherapy, the median FACT-G physical (85.7 v. 71.4, p=0.005) and functional (71.4 vs 57.1, p=0.008) scores were lower in participants completing FACT-G after initiation of therapy, were higher on FACT-G emotional (79.2 vs 83.3, p=0.03), and showed no differences on FACT-G social (89.3 vs 91.7, p=0.60) or FACT-G total score (78.2 vs 74.1, p=0.17). Given these differences, we restricted the QOL analysis to those with pre-treatment data. In univariate analysis, the LASA score (OR= 0.98, 95% CI: 0.84-1.14), the FACT-G total (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.96-1.01), physical (OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00), social (OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.03), emotional (OR= 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.02), and functional (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.01) scores were not associated with EFS24 failure. In a stepwise multivariate analysis of clinical variables in patients with pretreatment QOL scores, only ECOG PS ≥2 (OR=3.56, 95% CI: 1.30-9.72) and female sex (OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.16-0.85) were associated with failure to achieve EFS24. Conclusions In patients aged 70 years and older, ECOG PS and LDH were the strongest independent predictors of failure to achieve EFS24. As expected, physical and functional scores were lower in patients who completed their QOL after initiation of treatment. Restricting the analysis to patients with pre-treatment data, QOL was not associated with failure to achieve EFS24. Additional studies are needed to identify the most robust clinical predictors of EFS24, while QOL does not appear to be an important predictor of EFS24. Disclosures Reagan: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Maurer:Morphosys: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding. Cerhan:Celgene: Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding; Jannsen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board.
Short Diagnosis to Treatment Interval (DTI) Is Associated with Inferior Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a MER/LEO and Alliance Collaboration
Ruppert, Amy S. , Kaplan, Lawrence D. , Inwards, David J. , Pettinger, Adam, Cohen, Jonathon B. , Martin, Peter , Leonard, John P. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Link, Brian K. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Hsi, Eric D. , Kahl, Brad S. , Bartlett, Nancy L. , Cerhan, James R. , Habermann, Thomas M.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2878-2878

10.1182/blood-2018-99-110558 Get It

Abstract PURPOSE Urgency to initiate therapy has to be weighed against the time required for screening and consenting to enroll a patient onto a clinical trial. Exclusion of patients with rapidly progressive or symptomatic disease may lead to selection of patients with less aggressive disease. We recently identified that a short diagnosis to treatment interval (DTI) is associated with adverse clinical factors and inferior outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Maurer et al, JCO 2018); shorter time to treatment was also found to be associated with outcome in other aggressive lymphomas, including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), in the National Cancer Database (Olszewski et al, BJH 2018). Here we assess the association of DTI with clinical variables and outcome in MCL from an observational cohort with validation in patients enrolled on an NCTN clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Newly diagnosed patients with MCL were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER), now a subcohort of the Lymphoma Epidemiology of Outcomes (LEO) Cohort Study. Patients initially managed with observation were excluded. DTI was defined as the time in days from date of first lymphoma-containing biopsy to the initiation of therapy. Associations of DTI with clinical factors and outcome were examined using a 14 day split based on the previous MER study of DTI in DLBCL. Odds ratios (OR) and Cox model hazard ratios (HR) are reported. Outcome was assessed using event-free survival (EFS) where events were defined as progression/relapse, initiation of new anti-lymphoma therapy, or death due to any cause. A validation cohort was assembled from patients enrolled in CALGB (Alliance) clinical trial 50403. Protocol therapy was high dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation and post-ASCT rituximab followed by bortezomib as either consolidation or maintenance. DTI was defined as time from diagnosis to study registration and outcome was assessed using progression-free survival (PFS) as defined on the clinical trial. RESULTS 271 patients with MCL enrolled in the MER from 2002-2015 and initiated treatment within 100 days of diagnosis. Median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range 36-76), 211 (78%) were male, and 92% were stage III-IV; MIPI was Low (41%), Intermediate (36%) and High (23%). Induction therapy was R-CHOP based (50%), B-R based (16%), HyperCVAD based (8%), 2-CDA based (11%), and other (15%). Median EFS of the cohort was 41 months (95% CI: 34-46). Median DTI was 26 days (IQR: 14-38) and 28% enrolled within 14 days of diagnosis, exhibiting a longer DTI than DLBCL patients enrolled in the MER during the same time period. Short DTI (0-14 days) was associated with adverse clinical factors including ECOG PS 2-4 (OR=5.74, 95% CI: 2.51-13.1, p<0.0001), elevated LDH (OR=2.30 95% CI: 1.25-4.22, p=0.0072), and higher MIPI score (OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.04-2.07, p=0.025) but was not significantly associated with age, sex, B-symptoms, or stage (all p>0.30). Short DTI was also associated with inferior EFS (HR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.27-2.49, p=0.0008) which remained significant after adjusting for MIPI score (HR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.23-2.41, p=0.0016). In the validation cohort, 144 patients enrolled on 50403 within 100 days of diagnosis from 2006-2010. Median age at diagnosis was 59 years (range 29-69), 77% were male, and 97% were stage III-IV; MIPI was Low (51%), Intermediate (31%) and High (17%). Median PFS of the cohort was 84 months (95% CI: 50-109). Median DTI was 35 days (IQR: 22-46) and 11% enrolled within 14 days of diagnosis. Short DTI (0-14 days) was associated with PS (OR=9.00, 95% CI: 1.18-69.0, p=0.034) and) higher MIPI score (OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.08-4.04, p=0.029) but not elevated LDH (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 0.43-3.74, p=0.66). Short DTI was associated with inferior PFS (HR=2.21, 95% CI:1.19-4.09, p=0.011) which remained clinically significant after adjusting for MIPI score (HR=1.85, 95% CI: 0.98-3.47, p=0.056). CONCLUSION A short diagnosis-to-treatment interval is strongly associated with adverse clinical factors and poor outcome in newly diagnosed MCL in the MER. Clinical trials are encouraged to facilitate enrollment of patients with short DTI to avoid potential selection bias. Support: U01 CA195568, P50 CA097274, U10CA180821, U10CA180882; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00310037 (CALGB 50403) Figure. Figure. Disclosures Maurer: Celgene: Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding. Kaplan:Bayer Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Cohen:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BioInvent: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding. Martin:Gilead: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Kahl:Abbvie: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Acerta: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; CTI: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy. Bartlett:ImaginAB: Research Funding; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Merck & Co: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Acerta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Cerhan:Celgene: Research Funding; Jannsen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Nanostring: Research Funding. Leonard:Karyopharm: Consultancy; Biotest: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Sutro: Consultancy; MEI Pharma: Consultancy; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; United Therapeutics: Consultancy.
Compliance with Age-Appropriate Screening for Malignancies and Influenza Vaccination in 3-Year Lymphoma Survivors
Allmer, Cristine, Thompson, Carrie A. , Pophali, Priyanka A. , Larson, Melissa C. , Farooq, Umar , Link, Brian K. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4791-4791

10.1182/blood-2018-99-117822 Get It

Abstract Background: The frequency of preventive health practices (PHP), including age-appropriate screening for malignancies and immunizations, and compliance with PHP guidelines in lymphoma survivors is not known. We hypothesized that lymphoma survivors are more compliant with PHP than the general population but PHP rates may differ based on patient, disease and treatment characteristics. Methods: We identified eligible lymphoma patients from the SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) cohort, in which they were prospectively enrolled within <9 months of diagnosis. Survivors self-reported their PHP (colon, breast, and prostate cancer screening and influenza immunization) in the 3-year follow-up questionnaire (FU3). Per US Preventative Task Force guidelines, survivors were considered eligible for colon cancer screening if they were >50 years and compliant if they had fecal occult blood test <1 year or sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy <10 years of FU3. Eligible female survivors age 50-75 were considered compliant if they had a mammogram after lymphoma diagnosis. Since USPTF recommended against PSA for prostate cancer screening in 2012, males aged 55-69 prior to 2012 were eligible and considered compliant if PSA test was <1 years of FU3. Survivors who received influenza vaccine <1 year of FU3 were considered compliant. Chi-square test was used to compare characteristics of compliant vs non-compliant patients; p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 4248 lymphoma patients enrolled in the MER from 2002 to 2012, 2038 participants completed FU3. 1105 (54%) were male. The median age at diagnosis was 61 (IQR 51-69) years. There were equal numbers of indolent (N=1002) and aggressive (N=995) histologies with follicular (N=515, 25%) and diffuse large B-cell (N=427, 21%) being the most common. Majority (N=1221, 60%) had advanced stage (Ann Arbor III-IV) disease. 469 (23%) had events prior to FU3 and majority 1777 (88%) had received lymphoma treatment prior to FU3. Of 2038 survivors who completed FU3, 1576 (79%) reported having colon cancer screening in their lifetime. 1328 (91%) of 1570 eligible survivors were compliant, 124 (9%) were not and 118 had missing information. Survivors of age >60 years (93% vs 88%, p<0.001), those with indolent lymphomas (93% vs 90%, p=0.046), or diagnosed between 2010-2012 (94% vs 90% 2002-2009, p=0.007) were more likely to be compliant. There was no difference in colon cancer screening by sex, events prior to FU3 or treatment prior to FU3. 872 (96%) of 933 female survivors reported having a breast exam and 836 (91%) had a mammogram at least once in their lifetime. 495 (96%) of 561 eligible female survivors were compliant, 23 (4%) were not and 43 had missing information. There was no difference in mammographic screening based on age (<=60 vs >60), histology (indolent vs aggressive), events prior to FU3, treatment prior to FU3 or year of diagnosis (2010-2012 vs 2002-2009). 737 (78%) of 1105 male survivors had a PSA test at least once in their lifetime. 115 (71%) of 216 eligible men were compliant, 47 (29%) were not and 54 had missing information. There was no difference in PSA screening by age (<=60 vs >60), histology (indolent vs aggressive), events prior to FU3, and treatment prior to FU3. 1818/2038 (90%) survivors had received an influenza vaccine in their lifetime. 1567 (81%) were compliant, 373 (19%) were not and 98 had missing information. Survivors >60 years of age (87% vs 75%, p<0.001) and those with indolent lymphoma (83% vs 78%, p=0.015) were more likely to be compliant. There was no difference in influenza vaccination by sex, events prior to FU3, treatment prior to FU3, and year of diagnosis (2010-2012 vs 2002-2009). As a comparison in the US general population [Figure], between 2002-2015 the highest rates published by the Center for Disease Control are 62% for colon cancer screening (2015), 75% for mammography (insured, 2003) and influenza vaccination 42% (2015). Per the American Cancer Society, the highest rate of PSA screening was 54% (2010). Conclusion: Lymphoma survivors have high compliance with PHP recommendations compared to the general population. Although older individuals and those with indolent histologies were more likely to receive influenza vaccination and colon cancer screening, this difference was not seen in breast and prostate cancer screening practices. Lymphoma treatment and events did not seem to affect the frequency of PHP among survivors. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Cerhan: Nanostring: Research Funding; Jannsen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Celgene: Research Funding.
Elevated Serum IL-10 Levels in Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: A Mechanism of Aberrant JAK2 Kinase Activation
Stenson, Mary, Han, Jing , Wellik, Linda, Ziesmer, Steven C., Gupta, Mamta , Maurer, Matthew J. , Doǧan, Ahmet , Witzig, Thomas E.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 960-960

10.1182/blood.v118.21.960.960 Get It

Abstract Abstract 960 Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma whose survival depends on various signaling pathways one of which is Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). We have demonstrated that JAK2 is constitutively activated at the auto-phosphorylation site in many cases of DLBCL. The most common mechanism causing abnormal JAK2 activation is through dysregulated cytokine signaling. Cytokines are deregulated in several hematological malignancies and may play a role in tumor cell growth through receptor-mediated and ligand dependent activation of the JAK2 kinase. In this study we investigated the role of cytokine signaling in JAK2 activation in DLBCL and use of a novel JAK2 inhibitor (JAK2i) to inhibit IL-10 induced JAK/STAT signaling. We studied serum cytokines from 70 patients with new untreated DLBCL who participated in a clinical trial in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (Micallef, IN et al Blood 2011). Compared to control sera, patients with DLBCL had higher levels of several JAK2 kinase related cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and EGF). IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly higher in DLBCL patients vs controls with p values >0.03 and >0.001, respectively. We next examined whether DLBCL cell lines produced IL-10. The phospho-JAK2 (pJAK2) positive DLBCL cell lines Ly10, DHL2 and HBL1 produced more IL-10 (40–80 pg/ml) than the pJAK2 negative cell lines Ly1, Ly19 and DHL6 (0–5 pg/ml). Analysis of the surface expression of IL-10 receptors (IL-10R) determined that most p-JAK2 positive DLBCL cells express either IL-10Ra or IL-10Rb or both. IL-10 had no effect on DLBCL cell survival in vitro; however, it did promote their proliferation. Only IL-10 (but not the other elevated cytokines) was specifically able to activate JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation in a subgroup of DLBCL cell lines. IL-10 was not able to activate JAK1, STAT1 and STAT5, which suggests a specific role of IL-10 in the JAK2 pathway. Moreover, neutralizing antibody to IL-10 inhibited IL-10-induced JAK2 and STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation. We studied the effect of SAR302503 (SAR503, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA), a selective JAK2i currently in clinical trial for myelofibrosis on constitutive JAK2 signaling in DLBCL cells. SAR503 was able to inhibit JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation in a dose and time dependent manner in a variety of DLBCL cell lines and patient samples. JAK2 inhibition with SAR2503 caused a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on survival of pJAK2 positive DLBCL cells not observed in pJAK2 negative cells. Activation of STAT3 signaling up-regulates the expression of various genes involved in cell survival and proliferation such as bcl-xl, bcl-2, mcl-1 and c-myc. We observed a dose-dependent decrease in c-myc protein and mRNA levels in Ly3 and DHL2 cells with SAR503 treatment; however, SAR503 did not effect expression of bcl2, mcl-1 and bcl-xl proteins in DLBCL cells. Interestingly, JAK2 inhibition with SAR503 inhibited the autocrine secretion of IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner. Next, we determined if higher pre-treatment serum IL-10 correlates with the overall survival of 81 DLBCL patients. IL-10 by ELISA demonstrated that IL-10 levels were high in 51% (41/81) of patients (median, 57.7pg/ml; range, 26.1–503.7), and low in 49% (40/81) (median, 15.9 pg/ml; range, 0–25.9). Using a cut-off value of 26.1pg/ml, patients with a high serum IL-10 level had a significantly worse event-free survival (p=0.01). Clinical correlation of serum IL-10 with disease parameters showed that the IL-10 level was correlated with elevated serum LDH (p= 0.0085) and IPI score (p=0.01); there was no correlation with the number of extranodal sites, age, or B symptoms. DLBCL tumors from 40 patients were classified into germinal center B-cell type (GCB) and non-GCB type using the Hans algorithm. There was a clear trend towards a higher serum IL-10 in non-GCB DLBCL patients (p <0.06). In summary, our data identifies mechanisms of JAK2 kinase activation in DLBCL and supports the hypothesis that the IL-10-JAK2-cmyc pathway is activated in patients with DLBCL. Finally our data provide a mechanistic basis of selecting and targeting DLBCL tumor cells with high IL-10 levels and/or constitutive JAK2 activity with potent and novel JAK2 inhibitors such as SAR503. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Pretreatment Serum Cytokines Predict Early Disease Relapse and A Poor Prognosis In Newly Diagnosed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) Patients
Ansell, Stephen M. , Ziesmer, Steven C., Inwards, David J. , Novak, Anne J. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Slager, Susan L. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Colgan, Joseph P. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 429-429

10.1182/blood.v118.21.429.429 Get It

Abstract Abstract 429 BACKGROUND: While standard clinical prognostic factors such as those included in the International Prognostic Score (IPS) predict outcome in cHL patients, predicting the outcome of patients might be further refined using biological factors. We therefore tested whether pretreatment serum cytokines, that measure the biological activity of the tumor as well as the host response, could provide additional prognostic information in cHL patients. METHODS: Newly diagnosed cHL patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). Serum cytokines were measured from pretreatment blood draws using a multiplex ELISA (Invitrogen, Camarillo, CA). Thirty cytokines, including pro-inflammatory, Th1 and Th2 associated cytokines, were analyzed using the Luminex-100 system Version 1.7 (Luminex, Austin, TX). Data analysis was performed using the MasterPlex QT 1.0 system (MiraiBio, Alameda, CA). The assay was also performed on research serum draws from 50 non-lymphoma epidemiology controls enrolled on a corresponding lymphoma etiology case-control study. The upper limit of normal for each cytokine was defined as the 95th percentile from the control distribution. Clinical data were abstracted using a standard protocol and all patients were followed systematically for event-free (progression, retreatment, or death due to any cause) and overall survival (EFS and OS, respectively). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between cytokines and outcome. RESULTS: 140 HL patients with cHL diagnosed between September 2002 and February 2008 with available pretreatment serum were included. The median age was 40 years (range 18–89) and 53% were male. Seventy-seven patients (55%) had limited stage disease and 63 (45%) had advanced disease. One hundred and twenty one patients (86%) were treated with ABVD chemotherapy, while the remainder received the Stanford V regimen (9%), BEACOPP (4%) or MOPP chemotherapy (2%). At a median follow-up of 47 months (range 0–87), 25 patients (18%) had an event and 16 patients had died (11%). The serum levels of 12 cytokines (EGF, FGFb, GCSF, HGF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-2R, IP-10, MIG, TNFa and VEGF) were significantly higher in cHL patients than controls. When correlated with clinical factors, IL-2R, IP-10, MIG, IL-6 and HGF were associated with an increased sedimentation rate, B-symptoms, advanced stage and splenic involvement. Elevated IL-8 levels were associated with bulky disease. Elevated levels of HGF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2R, IP-10 and MIG were all associated with a poorer EFS, however only IL-2R (p=0.002) and IL-6 (p<0.001) were independently prognostic for both EFS and OS. Furthermore, using IL-6 and IL-2R in a 2-cytokine model (see Figure), patients with elevation of both cytokines had a dramatically greater likelihood of early relapse and death than those with normal levels or elevations of only one of the cytokines (1-year EFS 40% compared to 97% and 93% respectively, p<0.0001; 2-year OS 49% compared to 98% and 95%, p<0.0001). While elevated IL-6 and IL-2R levels correlated with the IPS (p=0.002), this 2-cytokine model remained independently predictive of prognosis. In fact, when only good risk patients (IPS 0–3) were considered, the 2-cytokine model remained predictive of patients at risk for early relapse (1-year EFS 54% versus 95% and 97%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Elevated pretreatment serum cytokines are associated with an increased likelihood of disease relapse and an inferior survival in patients with cHL. The pretreatment cytokine profile, particularly serum levels of IL-6 and IL-2R, may identify cHL patients at high risk for early disease relapse who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The IPI Predicts Outcome in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Treated with Immunochemotherapy: A Report of the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE
Macon, William R. , Allmer, Cristine, Ansell, Stephen M. , Witzig, T.E. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Wooldridge, James E. , Geyer, S.M., Weiner, George J. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1279-1279

10.1182/blood.v110.11.1279.1279 Get It

Abstract The International Prognostic Factor Index (IPI) predicts survival in DLBCL in patients treated with chemotherapy. The Revised IPI (R-IPI) has been reported to be a simpler and more accurate predictor of outcome in patients treated with immunochemotherapy (rituximab and anthracycline-based chemotherapy). We evaluated the predictive value of the IPI and the R-IPI in an observational cohort of unselected patients treated with R-CHOP. Consecutive, newly diagnosed patients age 18 years and older with DLBCL were prospectively offered enrollment into our Lymphoma SPORE Registry. Pathology was centrally reviewed, and composite lymphomas and history of concurrent or prior cancers were excluded. All patients were actively followed for progression free progression (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Here we report on patients enrolled from 9/2002 – 6/2006. 229 patients with a median age of 62 years (range 20–93) were evaluated. 56% were >60 years of age, 16% had a performance score ≥2, 54% had an elevated LDH, 19% had >1 extranodal site, and 51% were stage III/IV. During follow-up, there were 63 progressions (28%) and 45 deaths (20%), and the median follow-up time for living patients was 34 months (range 6–61 months). As shown in the table and figure, the IPI and R-IPI were predictive for both PFS and OS (all p<0.001). The predictive ability of the IPI as measured by 3-year concordance index was stronger for the IPI (0.71) compared to the R-IPI (0.67) and the bootstrap 95% confidence interval for the difference (0.01, 0.08) indicates that this difference was statistically significant. While all factors in the IPI were statistically significant (p<0.05) predictors of OS individually, when included in a multivariate model, an elevated LDH (HR=1.5; p = 0.32) and >1 extranodal sites (HR=1.0; p = 0.96) were no longer significant; similar results were obtained for PFS. The IPI remains a strong predictor of PFS and OS in the immunochemotherapy era. Figure Figure Group % Pats 3 Y PFS HR 95% CI 3 Y OS HR 95% CI Standard IPI Low (0,1) 41% 87% 1.0 ref 93% 1.0 ref Low-Int (2) 22% 62% 3.1 (1.4, 6.8) 74% 4.2 (1.6, 11.1) High-Int (3) 21% 60% 3.1 (1.4, 6.8) 77% 3.4 (1.2, 9.7) High (4,5) 15% 39% 7.2 (3.4, 15.2) 47% 10.2 (4.0, 26.5) R-IPI Very good (0) 11% 96% 1.0 ref 100% 1.0 ref Good (1,2) 53% 74% 6.2 (0.8, 46.0) 84% - - Poor (3–5) 36% 52% 13.5 (1.8, 98.9) 65% - -
A Phase II Trial of the Oral mTOR Inhibitor Everolimus (RAD001) in Relapsed Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).
Reeder, Craig B. , Gornet, Michel K., Ansell, Stephen M. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Porrata, Luis F. , Johnston, Patrick B. , LaPlant, Betsy, Kabat, Brian, Inwards, David J. , Call, Timothy G. , Markovic, Svetomir, Zeldenrust, Steven R., Habermann, Thomas M. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Colgan, Joseph P. , Markovic, Svetomir N. , Zent, Clive S. , Tun, Han W. , Witzig, Thomas E.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 121-121

10.1182/blood.v110.11.121.121 Get It

Abstract Background: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal transduction pathway integrates signals from multiple receptor tyrosine kinases to control cell proliferation and survival. Everolimus (RAD001, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) is an oral investigational antineoplastic agent that targets mTOR. Objectives: To learn the anti-tumor activity and toxicity of single-agent RAD001 in pts with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL. Patients and Methods: Patients were eligible if they had measurable disease, a platelet count >75,000, an absolute neutrophil count >1,000, and a creatinine and bilirubin <2x laboratory upper limit of normal. Patients received RAD001 10 mg PO daily and were evaluated monthly. Dose reductions to 5 mg daily and 5 mg every other day were allowed. Response was assessed after 2 cycles and periodically thereafter. Patients could remain on drug until progression or toxicity. Results: Thirty-seven pts were treated - 20 (54%) with relapsed diffuse large cell (DLC), 14 (38%) with relapsed mantle cell (MCL), 2 high grade, and 1 follicular grade III. The median age was 72 years (range, 45–92). Patients had received a median of 4 prior therapies (range, 1–15). The overall response rate was 32% (12/37; 95% CI:20–49%) with 1 complete response and 11 partial responses. The ORR was 35% (7/20) in the DLC group and 29% (4/14) in the MCL patients. Patients have received a median of 2 cycles (range, 1–16+) of therapy. The median time to progression for all 37 patients is 3.1 months (95%CI; 2.0 – 4.7). The median duration of response for the 12 responders is 5.5 months (95% CI; 2.3 – 9.2) and 5 pts remained progression free at 6 months. Three patients are currently maintaining a response with a median time of 10.5 months (range, 2.9–15.6+months). RAD001 was well tolerated. The incidence of grade 3 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia in this heavily pretreated pt population was 11%, 16%, and 30%. Two pts developed grade 4 neutropenia. Grade 2 hypercholesterolemia occurred in 11%; grade 2 hyperglycemia in 16%; grade 3 hyperglycemia in 11% and 1 pt had grade 4 hypertriglyceridemia. Summary: RAD001 has single-agent activity in relapsed aggressive NHL and provides proof-of-concept that targeting the mTOR pathway in NHL is clinically relevant.
A Phase I Trial of CpG-7909, Rituximab Immunotherapy, and Y90 Zevalin Radioimmunotherapy for Patients (Pts) with Previously Treated CD20+ Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).
Wiseman, Gregory A., Ansell, Stephen M. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Inwards, David J. , Porrata, Luis F. , Allmer, Cristine, Witzig, Thomas E. , Weiner, George J. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Zent, Clive S. , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Ballas, Zuhair K.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 124-124

10.1182/blood.v110.11.124.124 Get It

Abstract Background: CpG 7909 is a synthetic 24 mer oligodeoxynucleotide designed to provide optimal activation of immune mechanisms through the TLR9 receptors on B-cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In vitro CpG can upregulate CD20 expression as well as stimulate the immune system. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with anti-CD20 radioimmunoconjugates such as Zevalin produces responses in approximately 80% of patients with relapsed indolent lymphoma; however, only 30% obtain a complete response and 20% have long-term disease free survival. Objectives: To combine CpG 7909 with rituximab and Zevalin to enhance the response to RIT. Patients and Methods: Patients were eligible if they had biopsy proven relapsed, refractory, or residual CD20+ NHL. Disease types included relapsed indolent and aggressive B-cell NHL. Patients were required to have measurable disease, a platelet count >150,000, and an absolute neutrophil count >1,500. This was a phase I study where all patients received a standard dose of Zevalin (0.4mCi/kg with a maximum of 32mCi for patients over 80kg) along with a phase I dose of CpG 7909. Four dose levels were studied—0.08mg/kg; 0.16mg/kg; 0.32mg/kg; and 0.48mg/kg. CpG was dosed on Day 6, 13, 20, and 27; rituximab was provided Day 1, 8, and 15; indium-111 Zevalin on Day 1 and 8 (followed by indium-111 Zevalin imaging); and yttrium-90 Zevalin on Day 15. Response was assessed at week 4 and week 12. Patients are also being assayed pre- and post-CpG and at multiple time points up to 1 year following treatment for changes in T-cell, NK-cell, and cytokine levels. Results: A total of 30 patients have now been enrolled—6 at each of the first 3 dose levels and 12 at dose level 4. Three pts had relapsed diffuse large cell (DLC) and 27 pts were relapsed indolent. One of the first 6 patients at dose level 4 (0.48mg/kg) had a dose limiting toxicity (DLT - hematologic with full recovery). The other 5 patients at dose level 4 did not have DLT; and thus, 0.48mg/kg was determined to be the dose for further studies. An additional 6 patients at dose level 0.48mg/kg were accrued. Response information is available on the first 26 pts and the median follow-up is 12.4 months (range, 0–30.8). The overall response rate, to date, is 92% (24/26) – 66% (2/3) for the DLC pts and 96% (22/23) for the indolent pts. The complete remission rate is 58% (15/26). After follow-up, 7 of the 26 patients have progressed and one has died of relapsed NHL; therefore, 73% (19/26) remain in response and overall survival is 97% (29/30). As part of the study, we performed indium-111 Zevalin imaging before CpG and after 1 dose of CpG (prior to the yttrium-90 Zevalin) to evaluate the effect of CpG on the biodistribution of the radioimmunoconjugate. In the first 24 patients treated to date, review of the paired gamma camera images does not show any significant effects of CpG on tumor or normal organ biodistribution. To date, there has been no significant differences in T-cell, NK-cell, and cytokine activation by CpG dose level. Summary: CpG 7909 can be safely combined with Zevalin RIT in patients with advanced stage relapsed B-cell NHL.
Cardiac Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort of Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors
Thompson, Carrie A. , Luo, Hongxiu , Allmer, Cristine, Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Inwards, David J. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Porrata, Luis F. , Roger, Véronique L. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2656-2656

10.1182/blood.v118.21.2656.2656 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2656 Background Treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can lead to development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to describe the cumulative incidence of CVD in adult NHL survivors diagnosed in the recent treatment era (since 2002) and identify clinical and treatment predictors for its development. Methods All patients were from the Mayo component of the Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) of the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE). The MER offers enrollment to all consecutive patients with newly diagnosed NHL who are US residents and age >18 years. Clinical data from the time of diagnosis and treatment data are abstracted from medical records using a standard protocol. Patients are prospectively contacted via telephone or in person per protocol every 6 months for the first 3 years from diagnosis and yearly afterwards to assess disease status and development of comorbid conditions. CVD events, including heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmia, pericarditis, and valvular heart disease, occurring after diagnosis were identified during follow-up and validated against medical records. HF was validated with the Cardiovascular Health Study Criteria and/or the Framingham Criteria. MI was validated using case definition standards of coronary heart disease, while arrhythmia, pericarditis, and valvular heart disease were validated using clinical definitions. The prevalence of CVD and associations between CVD and clinical characteristics (sex, age) and treatment (radiation, anthracyclines) were performed using Cox models with a competing risk approach. Results 1164 patients with NHL were enrolled into the MER at Mayo Clinic between 9/1/2002–2/28/2008. 646 were male (56%) and median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range 20–93). Median follow-up of all cases was 59 months (range 1–105). 131 patients reported CVD prior to the diagnosis of NHL and were excluded from analyses. An additional 76 patients did not have follow-up and were excluded. Of the 957 remaining patients, 75 (7.8%) self-reported a new diagnosis of CVD. Of these, 71 cases had available medical records. 57 of the 71 reviewed cases (80%) were validated (18 HF, 9 MI, 21 arrhythmia, 2 pericarditis, and 10 valvular heart disease). Cumulative incidence of CVD at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years was 1.3%, 3.7%, 5.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. Median time from NHL diagnosis to CVD was 26.5 months (range 1–84). Older age was associated with increased risk of overall CVD (p-value<0.001). Gender (p=0.59), radiation therapy (p=0.61), and anthracycline treatment (p=0.25) were not associated with the incidence of overall CVD. Among types of CVD, anthracycline use was associated with development of HF (HR=5.30; p-value=0.008) and arrhythmia (HR=2.68; p-value=0.04). Radiation was associated with development of arrhythmia (HR=2.73; p-value=0.03), while older age was associated with development of HF (HR=1.36 per 5 year increment; p-value=0.003) and arrhythmia (HR=1.25 per 5 year increment; p-value=0.02). Conclusions The risk of CVD in patients with NHL is approximately 1% per year after the initial diagnosis of lymphoma. The most commonly occurring CVDs in this cohort of NHL survivors were arrhythmia and HF. Treatment with anthracyclines and radiation are associated with increased risk of developing some types of CVD. 80% of self-reported CVD events in NHL survivors were validated using epidemiologic criteria. Future studies will include building models incorporating comorbid health conditions and lifestyle factors to determine risk of CVD as well as the impact of CVD on quality of life. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.