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Macon, William R.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4188-823X

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Citations 132

Diffuse Large B-Cell Transformation in Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes After a Forty-Year Experience From a Single Institution
Sirop, S., Macon, William R. , Ristow, Kay M., Ansell, Stephen M. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Inwards, David J. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Porrata, Luis F. , Martenson, James A., Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Colgan, Joseph P. , Markovic, Svetomir N. , Cerhan, James R. , Witzig, Thomas E.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1525-1525

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1525.1525 Get It

Abstract Abstract 1525 Background: Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL) is a more indolent form of Hodgkin Lymphoma that is usually associated with favorable outcomes. However, a number of reports have shown a tendency of transformation to more aggressive types of lymphoma, typically diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Long-term data on the incidence and outcomes of transformed NLPHL is lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence, risk factors and outcomes of DLBCL transformation in NLPHL in a cohort of patients followed at a single institution. Methods: The actively maintained Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Database includes all consenting consecutive patients with lymphoma seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester. This was used to retrospectively identify patients with NLPHL. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Pathology was reviewed by a hematopathologist and all transformations were histologically confirmed by WHO criteria. The clinical characteristics, therapy and outcomes of patients with NLPHL and DLBCL transformation were analyzed. The chi-square test was used to compare variables. Risk of progression was calculated using a person-year approach. Survival and freedom from transformation were estimated and compared using the Kaplan Meier method and log rank tests, respectively. Results: Between 1970 and 2010, 222 consecutive adult patients with NLPHL were identified. The median follow-up was 20 years. Of these, 17 (7.7%) developed a transformation to DLBCL during the course of the disease (Figure 1). The median time to transformation was 35 (6–248) months. Of these 17 patients, 13 (76.5%) were male, 11 (64.7%) had stage I/II and 6 (35.3%) had stage III/IV NLPHL. Transformation was the first relapse in most patients (12 patients, 70.6%) while five patients (29.4%) developed one or more relapses of NLPHL before transformation. Prior therapies for NLPHL were as follows: radiation therapy in 5 (29.4%), chemotherapy in 5 (29.4%) and combined chemotherapy and radiation in 6 (35.3%) patients. The median age at transformation was 45 years (30–87). Most patients (10 patients, 58.8%) presented with signs (palpable lymph nodes) or “B” symptoms. Eight patients (47.1%) had stage III/IV disease at the time of transformation. The most commonly used regimens for treatment of DLBCL were R-CHOP or CHOP (9 patients, 52.9%). Platinum based therapy was administered in 4 (23.5%) patients. Five patients (29.4%) required more than one line of therapy, and autologous stem cell transplant was utilized in two (11.7%) patients. Based on the observed 17 transformations during 2304 patient-years of follow-up, the rate of transformation was 0.74 per 100 patient-years. The five-year overall survival (OS) of patients with transformed disease (calculated from time of transformation) was 76.4%. The most common cause of death was lymphoma (75%). Following treatment for transformation, 5 patients (29.4%) relapsed. The OS in transformed patients was independent of prior therapies, and transformation did not adversely affect overall survival in our cohort (median survival of in 129 months in transformed versus 120 in non-transformed patients, P=0.33). In a univariate analysis of prior therapies, use of radiation therapy was associated with a significant delay in time to transformation (P= 0.0035) (Table 1, figure 2). Conclusions: The risk of transformation in NLPHL is 0.74% per year in this large single institution case series of NLPHL, and appears to be lower than that observed in follicular and other types of low grade lymphoma. The outcomes of patients with transformation were significantly better than reported in other types of transformed lymphoma and did not adversely affect OS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Similar Phenotypes Demonstrated upon Initial Diagnosis and at Time of Recurrence in Relapsed DLBCL
Qu, Jie , Novak, Anne J. , Macon, William R. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Cerhan, James R. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Syrbu, Sergei , Link, Brian K. , Farooq, Umar

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 5299-5299

10.1182/blood.v128.22.5299.5299 Get It

Abstract BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL), though defined as one disease entity, consists of two main cell-of-origin (COO) subtypes, germinal center B-cell like (GCB) and activated B-cell like (ABC), with the latter predicting a significantly worse prognosis using conventional chemotherapy. Up to 40% of all patients diagnosed with DLBCL will experience relapse, and outcomes are generally poor in this setting. In this study, we examine the proportion of GCB vs. non-GCB subtypes at initial diagnosis and at time of relapse, and assess the incidence of reclassification from one subtype to another. METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) within 9 months of diagnosis and followed for relapse, retreatment, and death. All relapse events were validated by review of the medical record. This analysis includes patients diagnosed with DLBCL who underwent initial treatment and subsequently experienced relapse as confirmed by biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining data including CD10, Bcl-6, and Mum-1, were collected from available pathology reports and classified to either GCB or non-GCB subtypes as predicted by the Hans algorithm. We compared subtype classification and individual immunohistochemical data both at the time of diagnosis and relapse. The overall subtype agreement between the two diagnostic time points was assessed. RESULTS: 1023 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL were enrolled in the MER from 2002 - 2012. Of those, 249 had documented disease relapse. Of those analyzed, a total of 43 patients had COO classification based on the Hans algorithm from tissue biopsy at both diagnosis and relapse. Thirty patients were characterized as GCB DLBCL on initial presentation, and upon relapse 28 were noted to be GCB, while 2 were noted to be the non-GCB subtype. Of the 13 that were characterized as non-GCB on initial presentation, 10 remained non-GCB while 3 were reclassified as GCB. The overall agreement of DLBCL COO phenotypes between initial diagnosis and relapse was 88%. Seven percent of those initially diagnosed as GCB were reclassified as non-GCB subtype; in contrast, 23% of those initially diagnosed as non-GCB had changed to GCB upon relapse. Similar analysis was performed on individual immunohistochemical staining factors including CD10, Bcl-6, and Mum-1, and we observed overall agreement of 88%, 87%, and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients with relapsed DLBCL exhibit similar COO phenotypes at initial presentation and at relapse, and the incidence of reclassification from one subtype to another is uncommon. This suggests that the initial treatment regimen for DLBCL rarely alters the basic cancer phenotype when immunohistochemistry laboratory technical factors and pathologist interpretive discrepancies are excluded as causes for this change. However, reclassification from GCB to non-GCB subtypes is observed in a minority of cases, which may affect the overall outcome and response to treatment. Further studies are needed using gene expression to categorize COO and to examine the factors surrounding the time of relapse for possible harbingers of relapse as well as the behavior and outcome of reclassified DLBCL. Table Table. Disclosures Ansell: BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding.
Lenalidomide Plus R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma: Data from a Phase 1/2 Study
Pederson, Levi , Macon, William R. , LaPlant, Betsy, Reeder, Craig B. , Foran, James M. , Nelson, Garth D. , Rivera, Candido E., Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Ayed, Ayed O. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Witzig, Thomas E.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 5322-5322

10.1182/blood.v128.22.5322.5322 Get It

Abstract Background Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with heterogeneous outcomes and remains largely incurable. Immunochemotherapy (IC) continues to be the standard therapy backbone in the frontline and relapsed settings, though novel agents are increasingly used and investigated. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory molecule with known single-agent activity in relapsed lymphoma. It is also active in the frontline setting and has been reported to be effective and tolerated in upfront combination regimens in FL (Fowler et al, Lancet Oncol. 2014, 15(12):1311-8). Here we report our experience with frontline use of R2CHOP (lenalidomide in combination with R-CHOP) in patients with FL. Methods A phase 1/2 study of R2CHOP was conducted in NHL patients with primarily diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). While the phase 2 study was focused on DLBCL patients, treatment-naive patients with stage II-IV, histologically-confirmed FL (grades 1, 2, and 3a) meeting criteria for therapy were eligible for the phase 1 part of the study. Additionally, FL patients were identified in the phase 2 portion of the study after central pathology review. These patients were allowed to complete therapy and were followed accordingly. Treatment consisted of 6 cycles of R2CHOP with lenalidomide given on days 1-10 and R-CHOP given in 21-day cycles. All patients received pegfilgrastim and aspirin (if not on anticoagulation) along with other supportive measures per provider discretion. Primary objectives were safety assessment and efficacy. Results Ten patients with FL (3 had grade 1, 3 had grade 2, and 4 had grade 3a) were enrolled in the R2CHOP phase 1/2 study at Mayo Clinic. One patient was in the phase 1 arm at dose level 2 (lenalidomide 20 mg/d) and 9 patients were in the phase 2 arm (lenalidomide 25 mg/d). The mean age was 60.8 years (range: 41-82). Eight out of ten patients were male; 5/10 had ECOG performance status of 0; 5/10 had an IPI score of intermediate or higher. All patients completed 6 cycles of planned treatment. One patient required lenalidomide dose adjustment due to toxicity. There were no lenalidomide dose interruptions. The overall response rate (ORR) was 100% and the complete response (CR) rate defined by PET imaging was 90%. Eight out of ten remain progression-free and 9/10 are alive at a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range: 2.1-5.3). Estimated progression-free survival (PFS) at 5 years was 79% (95% CI: 56-100%). The main toxicity was reversible myelosuppression with 80% treatment-related hematologic grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs) (leukopenia 80%, neutropenia 80%, thrombocytopenia 40%, anemia 20%, transaminitis 20%). Rate of nonhematologic grade 3 or higher AEs was 20% (fatigue 10%, pneumonia 10%). Conclusions Frontline therapy with R2CHOP in patients with untreated FL appears to be effective and associated with acceptable toxicity. The observed PET-based CR rate and PFS were promising in this cohort. Whether R2CHOP is superior to lenalidomide/rituximab alone or standard bendamustine/rituximab will require randomized studies. Figure Estimated PFS in FL patients treated with upfront R2CHOP. Figure. Estimated PFS in FL patients treated with upfront R2CHOP. Disclosures Reeder: Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. Foran:novartis: Honoraria; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; pfizer: Honoraria; karyopharm: Honoraria; medscape: Honoraria; boehringer ingelheim: Research Funding; agios: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding. Nowakowski:Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
Incidence and Outcomes of Treatment Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Immunochemotherapy Era
Thompson, Carrie A. , Lin, Tasha , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Novak, Anne J. , Macon, William R. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Farooq, Umar , Lin, Yi , Syrbu, Sergei , Cerhan, James R. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 3992-3992

10.1182/blood.v126.23.3992.3992 Get It

Abstract Background. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is curable for the majority of patients treated with anthracycline based immunochemotherapy (IC). While most patients achieve response to initial therapy, a subset of patients are refractory to initial IC or become refractory to subsequent salvage therapies. Prognosis in this setting is very poor. Here we determine the incidence of refractory disease from a large cohort of DLBCL prospectively followed from diagnosis in the IC era and assess outcomes in these patients. Methods. Patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) within 9 months of diagnosis. Patients were followed for relapse, retreatment, and death; all events were validated by medical record. This analysis includes patients with DLBCL or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) who received initial treatment of anthracycline based immunochemotherapy; patients with primary CNS lymphoma or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders were excluded. Response to therapy was retrospectively classified per 2007 Revised Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma from available clinical and radiology records. Refractory disease was defined as having a best response to any systemic therapy of stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD), or relapse within 12 months of autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). We also examined patients with transient response to IC as defined by achieving an interim response (CR or PR) but having progressive disease at or prior to the end of the planned number of cycles of IC. Results. 1039 patients with DLBCL or PMBCL lymphoma were enrolled in the MER from 2002-2012 and treated with R-CHOP or comparable IC. Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range 18-91) and 577 (56%) were male. At a median FU of 60 months (range 1-148), 136 patients developed refractory disease. The median age at diagnosis of patients with refractory disease was 62 years (range 19-87). The cumulative incidence of refractory DLBCL was 11.3% at 2 years (95%: CI: 9.5-13.4) and 13.1% at 5 years (95% CI: 11.2-15.4). The median overall survival after becoming refractory was 4.7 months (95% CI: 4.1-5.5) with a 1 year survival rate of 21% (95% CI: 15%-30%). The median number of therapies before becoming refractory was 2 with 35 patients becoming refractory following their first therapy (i.e. IC), 83 patients becoming refractory after their 2nd therapy, and 23 patients becoming refractory after their 3rd or later therapy; 27 patients had received stem cell transplant prior to becoming refractory. Outcomes were poor regardless of when patients became refractory (figure). Patients received a median (range) of 2 (0-8) treatments after becoming refractory with 40% (N=54) attempting subsequent platinum based salvage therapy and 14% (N=9) proceeding to ASCT, of which only 6 remain alive in long-term remission. 41 patients (30%) were treated on clinical trials after becoming refractory. Response rate for the first therapy after becoming refractory was 21%, while 29% of patients had a response to any subsequent therapy. Once patients became refractory, there was no difference in survival based on response at end of initial IC (p=0.33), cell of origin at diagnosis (p=0.64), IPI at diagnosis (p=0.33), or age when refractory (p=0.66). Outcomes in patients with transient response to IC (n=58) were poor, with the majority (N=37, 63%) becoming refractory to subsequent therapy. Median OS after first relapse was 6.7 months in patients with transient response to IC, which was equivalent to patients refractory to IC (p=0.99). The majority of patients with transient response to IC (69%) were next treated with platinum based salvage therapy which had a response rate of 40%. Ultimately 15 of the 58 patients (26%) proceeded to transplant, of which only 5 (9%) achieved long-term remission. Conclusions. Approximately 13% of patients with DLBCL become refractory to treatment in their disease course. Outcomes once patients become refractory are extremely poor regardless of when patients become refractory. Standard prognostic factors are no longer predictive of outcome and stem cell transplant had limited benefit in this group of patients. Patients with transient response to initial immunochemotherapy should be included when classifying patients as refractory. New therapy strategies are needed in the refractory setting. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Maurer: Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Thompson:Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Farooq:Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Cerhan:Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Ansell:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding. Link:Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Research Funding.
Outcomes Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients With Richter Syndrome
Sharma, Ruchi , Call, Timothy G. , Leis, José F., Schwager, Susan M., Hanson, Curtis A. , Macon, William R. , Tschumper, Renee C. , Jelinek, Diane F., Parikh, Sameer A. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Ding, Wei , Kay, Neil E. , Slager, Susan L. , Rabe, Kari G. , Shanafelt, Tait D.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 4179-4179

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4179.4179 Get It

Abstract Introduction Approximately 2-8% chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients develop diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, so-called Richter syndrome [RS]) over long-term follow-up. The outcomes of patients with RS are variable and poorly understood. Methods CLL patients seen at Mayo Clinic from January 1995 to April 2013 who developed biopsy-proven DLBCL during follow-up were included in this analysis. Clinical characteristics, therapy and overall survival (OS) of all patients with RS were analyzed. Results One hundred and twenty patients with biopsy-proven RS were identified in the Mayo Clinic database. The median age at diagnosis of RS was 67 years (range, 29-88 years), 87 (73%) were male, and 83 (69%) had received prior CLL therapy. The median duration between diagnosis of CLL and development of RS was 3.8 years (range, 0-34.5 years). Stereotyped B-cell receptors were found in 9/30 (30%) RS patients compared to 219/1294 (17%) non-RS patients (OR=2.1, p=0.07). IGHV4-39 gene usage was present in 2/26 (8%) RS patients compared to 57/1354 (4%) non-RS patients (p=0.3). Of the 30 RS biopsy samples in which Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in-situ hybridization studies were performed, EBV was detected in 7 (23%) patients. After a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 86 (72%) patients have died. Causes of death were as follows: progressive DLBCL (n=46, 53%), progressive CLL (n=2, 2%), infection (n=8, 9%), unknown (n=20, 23%) and other (n=10, 12%). The median OS of the entire cohort was 0.9 years (95% CI, 0.5-1.3 years). Tsimberidou and colleagues proposed a prognosis score (RS score) based on the following variables at the time of RS diagnosis: Eastern Co-operative Group performance status of 2-4, lactate dehydrogenase >1.5 x normal, platelets<100 x 109/L, tumour size >5 cm and >1 prior therapy for CLL. Each parameter was assigned one point, and patients were then assigned to one of four risk groups based on their calculated RS score: 0 or 1, low risk; 2, low-intermediate risk; 3, high-intermediate risk; 4 or 5, high risk. The OS according to the RS score for our group of patients is shown in Figure 1. Median survival in the low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high-risk groups were 2.4 years, 0.7 years, 0.3 years and 0.2 years, respectively (p<0.001). Fifteen (12%) patients received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) as initial therapy for RS, and 68 (57%) received rituximab in addition to CHOP (R-CHOP). There was no difference in survival among patients who received CHOP compared to R-CHOP (median, 1.8 years. vs. 1.2 years, p=0.5). Twenty-four patients (20%) received non-CHOP-based chemotherapy, and treatment was unknown in 4 (3%) patients. Nine patients (7%) died before definitive therapy could be instituted. Thirteen (11%) patients were able to proceed to stem cell transplantation (SCT): 10 (8%) autologous SCT, 2 (2%) allogeneic SCT and 1 (1%) autologous SCT followed by an allogeneic SCT. Although RS patients who underwent SCT were younger compared to those who did not undergo SCT (median, 59 years. vs. 69 years, p=0.001), no differences in prior CLL therapy or receipt of R-CHOP therapy for DLBCL was noted between the two groups. The median survival of patients who proceeded to SCT was superior compared to those who did not (5.2 years vs. 0.7 years; p=0.005). Conclusion Stereotyped B-cell receptors but not VH4-39 had a suggested evidence of an increased risk of RS in our cohort. Although 90% RS patients received intensive chemotherapy, only 11% patients were able to proceed to SCT. Median survival of RS patients remains dismal at 1 year, and newer therapies are needed to improve outcomes. Disclosures: Shanafelt: Genentech: Research Funding; Glaxo-Smith-Kline: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Polyphenon E International: Research Funding.
Syk Tyrosine Kinase Is Overexpressed in the Majority of Peripheral T- and NK-Cell Lymphomas, and Represents a Potential Therapeutic Target.
Sun, David, Novak, Anne J. , Attygalle, Ayoma D. , Thorland, Erik C., Fink, Stephanie, Vrana, Julie A. , Caron, Bolette L., Morice, William G. , Remstein, Ellen D., Grogg, Karen L., Kurtin, Paul J. , Macon, William R. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Law, Mark E., Morice, William George , Doǧan, Ahmet

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 690-690

10.1182/blood.v110.11.690.690 Get It

Abstract Peripheral T- and NK-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are fatal in the majority of patients, and conventional chemotherapy is minimally effective. Targeted inhibition of tyrosine kinases (TKs) might be a useful treatment strategy, but TK overexpression by PTCLs has not been well characterized (except ALK). Recently a novel translocation t(5;9) fusing the ITK and SYK genes was reported in a subset of unspecified-type PTCLs, associated with high SYK gene expression and Syk protein positivity. Syk is a non-receptor TK important in immunoreceptor signal transduction, providing proliferation and survival signals in a variety of hematopoietic cells. Syk is absent or expressed at very low levels in most normal post-thymic T cells, where this signal transduction role is fulfilled by ZAP70. Since Syk TK inhibitors are now in clinical trials for other diseases, we sought to determine the incidence of t(5;9) and Syk overexpression in PTCL. Tissue microarrays were constructed using triplicate cores from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Cases were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additional studies were performed using flow cytometry and Western blot. There were 141 PTCLs, including 35 angioimmunoblastic, 66 unspecified, 21 anaplastic large cell, 2 enteropathy-associated, 5 hepatosplenic, 5 extranodal NK/T, and 7 other. No evidence of t(5;9) was identified by FISH in 86 informative cases. Normal T-cell subsets from peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph node were negative for Syk by IHC, flow cytometry, and Western blot. Syk was positive by immunohistochemistry in 133 of 141 (94%) PTCLs. All 8 Syk negative cases were extranodal, cytotoxic PTCLs. Western blot on frozen tissue correlated with IHC results in paraffin. All 4 Syk-positive cases tested showed phosphorylation of tyrosine residues 525/526, known to be required for Syk activation. We conclude that Syk is overexpressed in most PTCLs, including the vast majority of nodal cases. Syk may substitute for ZAP70 in these tumors and provide ongoing proliferation and survival signaling. The overexpression of Syk and phosphorylation of its Y525/526 residues suggest Syk may be a suitable target for pharmacologic TK inhibition as a treatment option for patients with PTCL.
Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio at Diagnosis and Survival in De Novo Double/Triple Hit Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Porrata, Luis F. , Ristow, Kay M., Macon, William R. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Ansell, Stephen M. , McPhail, Ellen Darcy , Maurer, Matthew J. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Markovic, Svetomir N. , Habermann, Thomas M.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 3885-3885

10.1182/blood.v126.23.3885.3885 Get It

Abstract The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio at diagnosis (LMR-D) has been reported to be a prognostic factor for clinical outcomes in both T-cell and B-cell lymphomas. However, there are no reports testing the prognostic ability of LMR-D in patients diagnosed with de novo double/triple hit diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Thus, we set out to investigate if the LMR-D is a prognostic factor for survival in de novo double/triple hit lymphomas. From 10/5/1998 until 1/16/2015, thirty-four patients with de novo double/triple hit DLBCL were identified for this study. Double and triple hit were defined by interphase FISH evaluating three fusion signals to identify the BCL2 translocation and IGK/MYC D-FISH probe to identify whether the partner is IG or non-IG. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on paraffin sections using probes that included 8q24 (5'MYC, 3'MYC); t (2;8), IGK/MYC; t(8,14), MYC/IGH; t(8;22), MYC/IGL; 3q27 (3'BCL6, 5'BCL'6); and 18q21 (3'BCL2, 5'BCL2). The cohort included 14 females and 20 males. The median follow-up for the cohort was 9.0 months (range: 0.4-72.6 months). Using the median for the LMR-D as the cut-off value, patients with a LMR-D ≥ 1.2 experienced superior overall survival (OS) [Hazard ratio (HR) of 0.127, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.019-0.530, p < 0.004] and progression-free survival (PFS) [HR of 0.107, 95 CI of 0.024-0.335, p < 0.0001]. The median follow up for OS for patients with a LMR-D ≥ 1.2 was not reached with a 5-year OS rate of 82% (95% CI of 49%-95%) compared with a median follow-up of 10 months for patients with a LMR-D < 1.2 with a 0% 5 year OS rate, p < 0.003 (Figure 1A). The median PFS for patients with a LMR-D ≥ 2 was not reached with a 5 years PFS of 74% (95%CI, of 43%-91%) compared with a median follow-up of 4.7 months for patients with a LMR-D < 1.2 and 0% 5 year PFS rate, p < 0.0001 (Figure 1B). After adjusting for the International Prognostic Index, multivariate analysis showed that the LMR-D remained an independent prognostic factor for OS [HR = 0.180, 95% CI of 0.254-0.784, p < 0.02] and for PFS [HR of 0.127, 95%CI of 0.029-0.409, p < 0.0003]. In spite of the small cohort of de novo double/triple hit DLBCL, the LMR-D was identified as a prognostic factor for clinical outcomes for this specific set of aggressive lymphomas. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings. Table.LMR-D ≥ 1.2, N = 18Events = 2LMR-D < 1.2, N = 16Events = 8P < 0.003LMR-D ≥ 1.2, N = 18Events = 3LMR-D < 1.2, N = 16Events = 14P < 0.0001Figure 1AB Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Maurer: Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Ansell:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding. Off Label Use: New agent in a combination regimen..
Event-Free Survival at 12 Months (EFS12) from Diagnosis Is a Robust Endpoint for Disease-Related Survival in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma in the Immunochemotherapy Era
Ghesquières, Hervé , Ansell, Stephen M. , Thompson, Carrie A. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Inwards, David J. , Allmer, Cristine, Nicolas‐Virelizier, Emmanuelle , Sebban, Catherine, Biron, Pierre, Chassagne‐Clément, Catherine, Gargi, Thérèse, Macon, William R. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Feldman, Andrew L. , Syrbu, Sergei , Slager, Susan L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1664-1664

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1664.1664 Get It

Abstract Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoma generally considered incurable with current standard therapies. Recent advances have resulted in prolongation of overall survival (OS) for patients with FL such that death from competing causes may now limit the mortality impact of FL in some patient groups. Identification of patients for whom FL related mortality is expected to be minimal, or conversely those at high risk of disease related mortality, is highly clinically relevant. We recently reported (Maurer et al, JCO 2014;32:1066-73) that event-free survival (EFS) at 24 months from diagnosis is a robust endpoint for disease related outcome in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here we use the same approach to assess if landmark timepoints of EFS can stratify subsequent OS in FL. Methods: All newly diagnosed grade 1-3a FL patients enrolled on the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) from 2002-2011 were eligible. Patients with grade 3b FL, transformation, or presence of DLBCL at diagnosis were excluded. EFS was defined as time from diagnosis to progression, relapse, re-treatment, or death due to any cause. EFS12 was defined based on EFS status 12 months after date of diagnosis; we also assessed EFS at 24 months. OS was defined as time from a specific timepoint (diagnosis, event, or EFS12) until death due to any cause. OS was compared to age and sex matched survival in the general US population using an expected survival approach and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Outcomes were examined in all patients as well as selected subsets defined by initial treatment. Replication was performed using a Lyon, France hospital registry of newly diagnosed grade 1-3a FL patients enrolled from 2002-2010 with survival compared to French population data. Results: 936 patients with grade 1-3a FL were eligible from the MER. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years (range 19-91) and 53% were male. 86% had grade 1-2 disease and 14% grade 3a disease. 23% had high-risk disease (FLIPI score ≥3). 347 (37%) were initially treated with alkylator or anthracyline based immunochemotherapy (IC), 113 (12%) rituximab monotherapy (RM), and 318 (34%) were initially observed; the remaining patients received radiation for limited stage disease (8%), chemotherapy without rituximab (4%), or other therapy (5%). At a median follow-up of 59 months (range 1-131), 403 patients (43%) had an event and 120 patients (13%) had died; 155 patients (17%) failed to achieve EFS12. From diagnosis, patients with FL had inferior OS compared to the general population (SMR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.48, p=0.018); results were similar for patients with grade 1-2 (SMR=1.23) and grade 3a (SMR=1.29) disease. The survival deficit was eliminated in patients who achieved EFS12 (SMR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.66-1.09, p=0.20, Fig 1a), and so we did not pursue modeling EFS24. In contrast, patients with a non-death event (relapse, retreatment, or progression) within 12 months of diagnosis had inferior subsequent OS (SMR=3.90, 95% CI: 2.89-5.25, p=4.8x10-19, Fig 1b). These results were replicated in 153 FL patients from the Lyon registry: patients who achieved EFS12 had equivalent subsequent OS to the general French population (SMR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.39-1.72, p=0.60, Fig 1c), while patients who failed to achieve EFS12 had poor subsequent OS (SMR=4.16, 95% CI: 1.34-12.91, p=0.013, Fig 1d). In subset analysis of the MER, patients achieving EFS12 initially treated with IC (SMR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.63-1.54, p=0.93), RM (SMR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.31-1.38, p=0.27), or observation (SMR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.47-1.15, p=0.18) had equivalent OS to the population. In contrast, for patients not achieving EFS12, OS after event was inferior for those treated with IC (SMR=15.0, 95% CI: 10.22-22.05, p=2.0x10-43) or RM (SMR=4.96, 95% CI: 1.24-19.84, p=0.023), while trending towards inferior for those initially observed (SMR=1.55, 95% CI: 0.81-2.99, p=0.19). Summary: Events within the first 12 months of diagnosis are associated with poor OS in FL, especially in patients treated with IC, while patients achieving EFS12 have excellent subsequent survival, overall and in the main treatment subsets. Prognosis for FL patients should be recalibrated at 12 months from diagnosis. EFS12 will be useful in counseling and should be considered as an endpoint in studies of newly diagnosed FL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Quality of Life at Diagnosis Independently Predicts Survival in Patients with Aggressive Lymphoma
Thompson, Carrie A. , Allmer, Cristine, Yost, Kathleen J. , Macon, William R. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Inwards, David J. , Maurer, Matthew J. , Slager, Susan L. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Link, Brian K. , Cerhan, James R.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 205-205

10.1182/blood.v124.21.205.205 Get It

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether quality of life (QOL) scores at diagnosis predict survival among patients with aggressive lymphoma, controlling for clinical variables and histological subtype. Patients and Methods: Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource. Eligibility criteria included age ≥18 years; exclusion criteria included HIV-positive, non-US residency, and inability to participate in an interview conducted in the English language. All pathology was reviewed by a lymphoma hematopathologist. For purposes of this analysis, we considered “aggressive lymphoma” to include the histological subtypes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL) grade III, mantle cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma excluding mycosis fungoides and cutaneous types, and other (Burkitt lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma NOS, grey zone, etc). Baseline QOL was measured at time of registry enrollment with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General scale (FACT-G), which measures 4 QOL domains: physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being (WB); a single item Linear Analogue Self Assessment (LASA) for measuring overall QOL; and a LASA measuring spiritual WB. Patients who did not complete ≥80% of FACT-G QOL questions were excluded. Clinical data were abstracted and patients were systematically followed for event-free and overall survival (EFS, OS). QOL scores were transformed to a 0-100 scale for modeling. Generalized additive models were used to account for timing of QOL assessment in relation to treatment and diagnosis; residuals from these models were then used to assess association between QOL measures and outcome via univariate and multivariable (adjusted for IPI and subtype) Cox proportional hazards models. Results: From September 2002 to December 2009, 701 patients with aggressive lymphoma who completed baseline QOL questionnaires were enrolled and eligible for this analysis. ; Subtype was 60% DLBCL, 14% mantle cell, 11% FL grade III, 13% T-cell, and 1% other subtypes. The median age was 62 years (range 18-92), and 58% were male. At a median follow-up of 71 months (range 6-128), 316 patients (45%) had an event and 228 patients (33%) died. Patient-reported QOL was prior to therapy in 330 patients (47%) and after initiation of therapy in 371 (53%). The median overall FACT-G total score was 83 (IQR 70-93), and the median scores on the functional WB, physical WB, emotional WB, and social/family WB were 18 (13-23), 22 (17-26), 18 (16-21), and 25 (22-27), respectively. 42 patients (6%) reported a clinically deficient QOL score on the FACT-G (score ≤50 on 0-100 scale). When comparing QOL scores between those who were on active therapy versus those who were not yet treated, physical WB (p<0.0001) functional WB (p=0.00014), and total FACT-G (p=0.0013) were lower in those on active treatment. All QOL measures but emotional WB were significantly associated with OS (all p<0.04), and all but LASA spiritual WB remained significant after adjusting for IPI and NHL subtype. Associations were stronger for OS than EFS. For OS, the strongest associations were with total FACT-G (adjusted HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.94, p=0.00062) and functional WB (adjusted HR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.83-0.93, p<0.0001). The one-question QOL LASA was also associated with OS (adjusted HR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, p=0.0041). The strongest association with EFS was with functional WB (adjusted HR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.97, p=0.0015). Patients with a clinically deficient QOL (baseline overall QOL ≤50) had a median OS of 59 months compared to 121 months for patients with baseline QOL >50, p=0.0002, figure 1. In a sensitivity analysis, raw QOL was modeled for OS and EFS in the subset of patients with QOL assessed prior to treatment; hazard ratios were consistent with the adjusted QOL HR in all patients. Conclusions: In this large sample of patients with aggressive lymphoma, baseline QOL is predictive of OS and EFS, even after adjustment for known factors related to survival (IPI and histological subtype). This provides evidence that patient-reported outcomes are as important as other more objective previously confirmed IPI measures. QOL should be assessed at diagnosis as a prognostic factor in patients with aggressive lymphoma. Figure 1 Association of QOL with overall survival. Figure 1. Association of QOL with overall survival. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Combination of Lenalidomide with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) Is Well-Tolerated and Effective As Initial Therapy for Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas - A Phase II Study
Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , LaPlant, Betsy, Reeder, Craig B. , Foran, James M. , Porrata, Luis F. , Macon, William R. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Rivera, Candido E., Inwards, David J. , Micallef, Ivana N. , Nelson, Garth D. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Witzig, Thomas E.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 689-689

10.1182/blood.v120.21.689.689 Get It

Abstract Abstract 689 Background: Lenalidomide was demonstrated to have significant single agent activity in relapsed aggressive B cell lymphoma (J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:4952–7, Ann Oncol. 2011;22:1622–7). In a phase I study, we previously demonstrated that Lenalidomide 25 mg day 1–10 of the cycle can be combined with RCHOP21 and this combination does not result in dose delays or increased toxicity (Leukemia 2011;12:1877–81). We now present phase 2 results of R2CHOP in treatment of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Methods: Eligible patients were adults with newly diagnosed CD20 positive diffuse large B cell (DLBCL) or grade 3 follicular lymphoma (FL). The response was evaluated using PET/CT by standard criteria (J Clin Oncol. 2007;25:579–586). The progression free survival (PFS) was defined as time from diagnosis to disease progression or death. Results: 51 patients - 6 enrolled at the MTD in phase 1 portion of the study and 45 in phase 2 portion were included in the analysis. The median age was 65 years (range, 19–87). 35% of patients were 70 and older. 63% (32/51) were males. 47 patients (92%) had DLBCL and 4 (8%) patients had FL grade 3. The international prognostic index (IPI) was low, low-intermediate, high-intermediate and high in 8 (15%), 18 (35%), 18 (35%) and 7 (14%) patients respectively. 31 patients (60%) had stage 4 disease. Hematological toxicities were: grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia (20% and 20% of patients respectively); grade 3 and 4 neutropenia (18% and 71% of patients respectively). Overall 27% of patients experienced a grade 3 or higher non-hematological toxicity at least possibly related to treatment. The most frequent were febrile neutropenia (10%), nausea (4%), urinary tract infection (4%), vascular access complication (4%), and dehydration (4%). 1 patient (2%) developed thrombosis. There was one death (2%) secondary to bowel perforation/sepsis. For 47 patients evaluable for response, the overall response (ORR) and complete response (CR) rates were 98% and 83% respectively. The PFS was 73% at 12 months (Figure). Since the enrolled patients represented a relatively high-risk group (49% intermediate high or high IPI, significant proportion of elderly male patients), the PFS in R2CHOP was compared to PFS in a contemporary cohort of 87 consecutive patients with DLBCL participating in Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Database and treated with standard RCHOP alone. The PFS was 62% at 12 months in this cohort and was inferior to R2CHOP (Figure). Conclusion: Lenalidomide combined with standard R-CHOP21 chemotherapy (R2CHOP) demonstrates predictable safety profile. The ORR and CR rates and PFS are encouraging in elderly high IPI patients, and compared favorably to the R-CHOP treated historical cohort with similar clinical characteristics. A randomized trial will be needed to confirm the benefits of this novel combination. Disclosures: Off Label Use: lenalidomide in treatment of NHL. Reeder:Celgene: Research Funding. Ansell:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy.