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Avigan, David

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4624-6017

Mayo Clinic

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Citations 26

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma
Shah, Nina , Aiello, Jack, Avigan, David , Borrello, Ivan , Chari, Ajai , Cohen, Adam D. , Ganapathi, Karthik A. , Gray, Lissa , Green, Damian, Krishnan, Amrita , Lin, Yi , Manasanch, Elisabet E. , Munshi, Nikhil C. , Rapoport, Aaron P. , Smith, Eric L. , Vij, Ravi , Dhodapkar, Madhav V. , Cohen, Adam D , Chari, Ajai , Lin, Yi , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Green, Damian J , Nooka, Ajay K.

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer | July 13, 2020 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Pages: e000734

10.1136/jitc-2020-000734 Get It

Outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM) have improved dramatically in the last two decades with the advent of novel therapies including immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, immunotherapy for the treatment of MM has advanced rapidly, with the approval of new targeted agents and monoclonal antibodies directed against myeloma cell-surface antigens, as well as maturing data from late stage trials of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Therapies that engage the immune system to treat myeloma offer significant clinical benefits with durable responses and manageable toxicity profiles, however, the appropriate use of these immunotherapy agents can present unique challenges for practicing physicians. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer convened an expert panel, which met to consider the current role of approved and emerging immunotherapy agents in MM and provide guidance to the oncology community by developing consensus recommendations. As immunotherapy evolves as a therapeutic option for the treatment of MM, these guidelines will be updated.
Incorporation of extracorporeal photopheresis into a reduced intensity conditioning regimen in myelodysplastic syndrome and aggressive lymphoma: results from ECOG 1402 and 1902
Foss, Francine M. , Wang, Victoria , Luger, Selina M. , Miller, Kenneth B., Stadtmauer, Edward A. , Avigan, David , Gascoyne, Randall D., Wagner, Henry, Strair, Roger , Sprague, Kellie , Litzow, Mark R. , Tallman, Martin S. , Horning, Sandra J., Foss, Francine , Jegede, Opeyemi A. , Whiteside, Theresa L , Arber, Daniel A. , Hogan, William J. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Transfusion | July 12, 2020 | Volume: 60 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 1867-1872

10.1111/trf.15798 Get It

BackgroundExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory cellular therapy which has been shown to induce a tolerogenic state in patients with acute and chronic graft‐vs‐host disease. ECOG‐ACRIN explored the activity of ECP as a part of a reduced intensity conditioning regimen in two multicenter trials in patients with MDS (E1902) and lymphomas (E1402). While both studies closed before completing accrual, we report results in 23 patients (17 MDS and 6 lymphoma).Study Design and MethodsPatients received 2 days of ECP followed by pentostatin 4 mg/m2 /day for two consecutive days, followed by 600 cGy of total body irradiation prior to stem cell infusion. Immunosuppression for aGVHD was infusional cyclosporine A or tacrolimus and methotrexate on day +1, +3, with mycophenolate mofetil starting on day 100 for chronic GVHD prophylaxis.ResultsAll patients engrafted, with median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment of 15‐18 days and 10‐18 days respectively. Grade 3 or 4 aGVHD occurred in 13% and chronic extensive GVHD in 30%.ConclusionsThese studies demonstrate that ECP/pentostatin/TBI is well tolerated and associated with adequate engraftment of neutrophils and platelets in patients with lymphomas and MDS.
The myeloma-developing regimens using genomics (MyDRUG) master protocol.
Auclair, Daniel , Avigan, David , Biran, Noa , Chaudhry, Maria, Furlong, Maggie, Krishnan, Amrita , Larsen, Jeremy T. , Orloff, Gregory, Vij, Ravi , Voorhees, Peter M. , Ye, Jing Christine, Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Kumar, Shaji , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Bianchi, Giada , Cho, Hearn Jay , Hofmeister, Craig C. , Kansagra, Ankit , Yee, Andrew J , Lonial, Sagar

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 12, 2020 | Volume: 37 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS8057-TPS8057

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.tps8057 Get It

TPS8057 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent blood cancer, representing approximately 1% of all cancers. Although overall survival has improved in recent years due to new approved agents, the vast majority of MM patients (pts) ultimately stop responding to treatment. Moreover, about a quarter of MM pts characterized as “high risk” experience limited benefit from existing treatments. Seminal genomic sequencing research efforts, such as the MMRF CoMMpass study, have highlighted that a large number of MM cases harbor potentially actionable oncogenic molecular alterations and published reports on small numbers of cases suggest that Precision Medicine (PM) interventions clinically targeting such actionable drivers may benefit MM pts. These results suggest that PM approaches in MM are possible and should be further studied clinically. To that end, we have launched MyDRUG, a master protocol aimed at developing new myeloma regimens based on individual pt’s genomics. Methods: This study is a Phase I-II, multicenter master protocol in functional high risk MM patients (i.e patients having progressed from baseline treatment within 18 months without maintenance or 3 years on maintenance) with 1-3 prior lines of therapy. Patients are screened for actionable genomic alterations on the CLIA-grade MI-ONCOSEQ platform. Patients with actionable alterations are assigned to the appropriate targeted agent used in combination with a backbone regimen ixazomib, pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IPd), whereas patients without such alterations go on an immune arm (see Table). Inclusion criteria include measurable disease (as measured by M-protein and FLC) and acceptable hematologic and metabolic functions. A maximum of 12 evaluable pts will be accrued onto the phase I portion of each arm and an additional 21 evaluable phase II pts will be accrued onto each arm for a total of 27 evaluable pts at the MTD combination dose. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate ORR per IMWG consensus criteria. Secondary objectives are to assess adverse events (AEs), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Experimental correlative aims include assessing molecular or clonal response, molecular and immune signatures of resistance/response, MRD. Clinical trial information: NCT03732703. [Table: see text]
Defibrotide (DF) In the Treatment of Severe Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD) with Multi-Organ Failure (MOF): Results of a Treatment IND Expanded Access Protocol
Richardson, Paul G. , Smith, Angela R. , Arai, Sally , Adams, Roberta H. , Martin, Paul , Abhyankar, Sunil , Gillio, Alfred P. , Lehmann, Leslie , Haut, Paul, Termuhlen, Amanda , Antin, Joseph H. , Spitzer, Thomas R. , Avigan, David , Hannah, Alison L., Iacobelli, Massimo , Soiffer, Robert J. , Group, Defibrotide Study, Richardson, Paul Gerard Guy , Grupp, Stephan A. , Kernan, Nancy A. , Grimley, Michael S. , Massaro, Joseph M. , Group, Defibrotide Study

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 906-906

10.1182/blood.v116.21.906.906 Get It

Abstract Abstract 906 Background: Single-arm Phase 2 trials of DF in the treatment of severe VOD/MOF post-SCT demonstrated a complete response (CR) in 36–46% of patients (pts). A subsequent Phase 3 trial enrolling pts with more severe VOD (28%/24% with ventilator/dialysis dependence at study entry vs 5%/7%) demonstrated a CR of 24% compared to 9% in a matched Historical Control (HC); p=0.0148; Richardson ASH 2009). Given the life-threatening nature of VOD/MOF, DF was made available in the United States through a Treatment IND protocol (T-IND) in December 2007 to gather additional safety and response data. Methods: Pts were required to have a diagnosis of VOD based upon Baltimore criteria (total bilirubin ≥ 2.0 mg/dL with ≥ 2 of the following: hepatomegaly, ascites or 5% weight gain) with MOF (either renal and/or pulmonary failure). Pts without a Baltimore diagnosis could enroll with biopsy-proven evidence of VOD. Eligibility criteria were expanded to permit patients with late onset VOD (VOD diagnosed after 21 days (d) or VOD/MOF after 28d post-SCT). Key exclusion criteria included clinically significant bleeding or need for >1 pressor to maintain BP. CR was defined as bilirubin < 2 mg/dL + resolution of MOF. Mortality was assessed at D+100. DF was given at 6.25 mg/kg IV q6h (25 mg/kg/d); treatment duration was recommended for at least 21d. Results: This interim analysis is based on 104 pts enrolled between14Dec2007-29Sep2009 and treated at 36 institutions. Most sites (n=23) enrolled only 1–2 pts. Nearly all pts (n=98) had undergone prior SCT; 6 had prior chemotherapy only; and 29 pts had late onset VOD post-SCT. Of the SCT pts, 69 pts enrolled in the T-IND met eligibility criteria for the original Phase 3 trial. Baseline demographics included median age 17 years (range 0.1 – 66); 59% male; and 16% with prior SCT. The most common diagnosis was leukemia (30% AML; 22% ALL; 7% other leukemia). The majority of pts had undergone allogeneic SCT (88%) with conditioning consisting of cyclophosphamide (76%), busulfan (42%) and/or TBI (41%). Mean onset of VOD post-SCT was 17 days. At entry, 20% of pts were dialysis dependent; 28% were ventilator dependent. Mean number of days of DF administration was 20 (range 2–88). Of the 104 pts, 36 (35%) achieved a CR by D+100. For the various sub-populations, the CR by D+100 rate was 24% for pts with late-onset VOD (n=29); 35% for those pts undergoing SCT (n=98); and 39% for the 69 pts who matched the entry criteria for the Phase 3 trial. Comparison of this group of 69 pts to the Phase 3 HC showed a statistically improved outcome (p=0.0007). Similar to the Phase 3 results, the CR rate was higher in pts who were not on dialysis/ventilator at study entry (41% vs 23%). Although children had previously been noted to have a higher CR rate in prior studies, the CR rate in the T-IND was similar in children compared to adults (35% and 34%, respectively). Overall D+100 mortality rate equaled 61% (n=104). Comparing the 69 pts who met Phase 3 entry criteria, D+100 mortality was 58% (p=0.0465 compared to the HC using Kaplan Meier estimates by log-rank analysis). Toxicity proved manageable: 11 pts experienced a total of 13 drug-related AEs including pulmonary hemorrhage (n=5), GI hemorrhage (n=3), hypotension (n=2), rectal hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage (1 pt each). Overall, 10% of pts experienced a drug-related toxicity that led to discontinuation. Similar to the observation of decreased GvHD in pediatric pts undergoing SCT who received prophylactic DF compared to best supportive care, the incidence of all grade GvHD was relatively low (8%). Conclusions: In 104 pts with severe VOD/MOF enrolled at 36 US institutions, use of DF demonstrated a 35% CR by D+100. Comparing those pts who met criteria for the Phase 3 trial to the HC used in that study, D+100 CR and survival were significantly improved in this study population. DF-associated toxicities are consistent with prior studies. Following an amendment in 30Sep2009, entry criteria for the T-IND study were expanded to permit enrollment of pts without SCT (VOD post chemotherapy) as well as pts without MOF to evaluate earlier intervention. Analysis of this group will be performed separately. Enrollment into the T-IND study continues. Disclosures: Richardson: Gentium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Massaro:Gentium: Consultancy. Hannah:Gentium: Consultancy. Iacobelli:Gentium: Employment.
Preliminary Results of a Phase I Study of Nivolumab (BMS-936558) in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Lymphoid Malignancies
Ansell, Stephen M. , Armand, Philippe , Scott, Emma C. , Gutierrez, Martin , Millenson, Michael, Lebovic, Daniel, Dhodapkar, Madhav V. , Avigan, David , Ligon, Azra H. , Cattry, Deepika, Zhu, Lili, Grosso, Joseph F., Borrello, Ivan , Timmerman, John M. , Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Halwani, Ahmad , Cohen, Adam D. , Schuster, Stephen J. , Chapuy, Bjoern , Rodig, Scott J , Zhu, Lili, Kim, Su Young , Shipp, Margaret Ann

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 291-291

10.1182/blood.v124.21.291.291 Get It

Abstract Introduction Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint receptor that inhibits T cell activation upon interaction with its ligands PD-L1 or PD-L2. Increased PD-L1 expression has been reported in various lymphoid malignancies, and may allow these tumors to circumvent host anti-tumor immunity. Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 monoclonal PD-1 receptor blocking antibody, potentiates T cell activity, and has clinical efficacy in various solid tumors. We hypothesized that nivolumab might also have clinically important anti-tumor activity in patients with lymphoid malignancies. Methods This open-label study enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoid malignancies including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), T-cell NHL (T-NHL), multiple myeloma (MM), and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Patients were treated using a dose escalation design (1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg) of nivolumab administered every two weeks for up to two years. Responses were assessed using standard criteria. The primary endpoint was safety; key secondary endpoints included anti-tumor activity and expression of immunomodulatory proteins in tumor biopsies. The preliminary results for the cHL patients will be reported separately. Results Twenty-nine patients with B-NHL, 2 patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma; 23 patients with T-NHL; 27 patients with MM; and 1 with chronic myelogenous leukemia were enrolled. Patients were heavily pretreated with 67%, 69%, and 78% of MM, B-NHL, and T-NHL patients, respectively, having received ≥ 3 prior treatment regimens. Previous autologous stem cell transplantation was reported for 56% of MM, 14% of B-NHL, and 9% of T-NHL patients. Prior brentuximab treatment was reported in 7% of B-NHL and 26% of T-NHL patients. When this pre-planned interim analysis was performed, six patients had been treated at the 1 mg/kg dose with 2 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurring in the same patient: grade 3 pneumonia and pneumonitis. At the 3mg/kg dose, seven patients were treated with one patient experiencing two DLTs: grade 3 eosinophilia and diplopia. Additional patients were enrolled in the cohort expansion at 3 mg/kg. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 72%, 65%, and 52% of B-NHL, T-NHL, and MM patients, respectively. Serious AEs in B-NHL patients were pneumonitis (7%), acute respiratory distress syndrome, dermatitis, diplopia, enteritis, eosinophilia, mucosal inflammation, pyrexia and vomiting, each occurring in 3%. In the T-NHL patients, serious AEs were pneumonitis, rash, and sepsis, each occurring in 4%, and in MM patients, serious AEs were pneumonitis, myositis, and increased creatine phosphokinase, each occurring in 4%. The incidence and severity of drug related AEs were similar across tumor types. Efficacy results are shown for each tumor type in the table. The overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate in patients with B-NHL were 28% and 7%, respectively, including an ORR of 36% in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 40% in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). In patients with T-NHL, ORR was 17% (no CR), including an ORR of 40% in the 5 patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma. No objective responses were observed in MM. Analysis of PD-L1 expression and correlation to clinical outcome is being performed and will be presented. Conclusions Nivolumab administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg every two weeks was tolerable and the safety profile was similar to that of the agent in solid tumors. Objective responses were observed in DLBCL, FL, mycosis fungoides (MF), and peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Durable stable disease was observed in relapsed MM. The results of this phase 1 study have led to phase 2 studies in DLBCL and FL, which are ongoing. Table: Efficacy Results Tumor N Complete Response n (%) Partial Response n (%) Stable Disease (SD) n (%) Progression Free Survival Rate at 24 Weeks (%) Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) 11 1 (9) 3 (27) 3 (27) (24) Follicular Lymphoma (FL) 10 1 (10) 3 (30) 6 (60) (68) Other B Cell Lymphoma 8 0 0 5 (63) (38) Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma 2 0 0 2 (100) (0) Mycosis Fungoides (MF) 13 0 2 (15) 9 (69) (39) Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) 5 0 2 (40) 0 (30) Other T Cell Lymphoma 5 0 0 1 (20) (0) Multiple Myeloma (MM) 27 0 0 18 (67) (15) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia 1 0 0 1 (100) (100) Disclosures Lesokhin: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ansell:Bristol-Myers Sqibb: Research Funding. Armand:Merck: Consultancy. Cohen:Celgene: Member, Independent Response Adjudication Committee Other; Onyx: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other, Research Funding; Janssen: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other. Lebovic:Genentech, Allos, Celgene, Onyx, Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Rodig:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Zhu:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Grosso:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kim:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Shipp:Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: 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; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Research Funding; Janssen R&D: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Borrello:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Timmerman:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding.
Nivolumab in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancy: Preliminary Results of a Phase Ib Study
Lesokhin, Alexander M. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Armand, Philippe , Halwani, Ahmad , Gutierrez, Martin , Millenson, Michael, Cohen, Adam D. , Lebovic, Daniel, Dhodapkar, Madhav V. , Avigan, David , Chapuy, Bjoern , Ligon, Azra H. , Freeman, Gordon J. , Cattry, Deepika, Zhu, Lili, Grosso, Joseph F., Garelik, M. Brigid, Borrello, Ivan , Timmerman, John M. , Scott, Emma C. , Millenson, Michael M, Schuster, Stephen J. , Dhodapkar, Madhav, Rodig, Scott J, Bradley Garelik, M Brigid, Shipp, Margaret A, Timmerman, John, Scott, Emma , Rodig, Scott J , Zhu, Lili, Shipp, Margaret Ann , Lesokhin, Alexander M , Cohen, Adam D

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2016 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2698-2704

10.1200/jco.2015.65.9789 Get It

Purpose Cancer cells can exploit the programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathway to avoid immune surveillance by modulating T-lymphocyte activity. In part, this may occur through overexpression of PD-1 and PD-1 pathway ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) in the tumor microenvironment. PD-1 blockade has produced significant antitumor activity in solid tumors, and similar evidence has emerged in hematologic malignancies. Methods In this phase I, open-label, dose-escalation, cohort-expansion study, patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma received the anti–PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab at doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab and to assess PD-L1/PD-L2 locus integrity and protein expression. Results Eighty-one patients were treated (follicular lymphoma, n = 10; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, n = 11; other B-cell lymphomas, n = 10; mycosis fungoides, n = 13; peripheral T-cell lymphoma, n = 5; other T-cell lymphomas, n = 5; multiple myeloma, n = 27). Patients had received a median of three (range, one to 12) prior systemic treatments. Drug-related adverse events occurred in 51 (63%) patients, and most were grade 1 or 2. Objective response rates were 40%, 36%, 15%, and 40% among patients with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, respectively. Median time of follow-up observation was 66.6 weeks (range, 1.6 to 132.0+ weeks). Durations of response in individual patients ranged from 6.0 to 81.6+ weeks. Conclusion Nivolumab was well tolerated and exhibited antitumor activity in extensively pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory B- and T-cell lymphomas. Additional studies of nivolumab in these diseases are ongoing.