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Abstract Background: Standard of care (SOC) for second-line (2L) therapy (tx) of relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (R/R aNHL) includes platinum-based chemotherapy (PCT) followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (aHCT) in responders. Outcomes are poor for patients (pts) with R/R aNHL who experience progression during or within 12 months (mo) of 1L tx. Tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) is an autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell tx targeting CD19 approved for pts with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL; US) and diffuse LBCL (non-US) after ≥2 lines of tx. BELINDA (NCT03570892) is a Phase III, randomized, global (18 countries) study of tisa-cel vs SOC as 2L tx for R/R aNHL. Methods: Adults with confirmed R/R aNHL within 12 mo after 1L chemo-immunotherapy were eligible. All pts underwent leukapheresis for tisa-cel production and were randomized 1:1 to receive tisa-cel (Arm A) or SOC (Arm B) and stratified by 1L duration of response, International Prognostic Index (IPI), and geographic region. Arm A received optional bridging tx (investigator choice of protocol-defined PCT regimens) followed by lymphodepletion (LD; generally, fludarabine 25 mg/m 2/day [d] + cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m 2/d for 3 d) and followed by a single tisa-cel infusion (0.6-6×10 8 CAR-T cells). Arm B received investigator choice of PCT regimen followed by aHCT in responders or a second PCT in nonresponders. Disease assessments were performed at 6 and 12 weeks (wk), then planned every 3 mo for year (y) 1 and every 6 mo for y 2. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), defined as time from randomization to stable disease (SD) or progressive disease (PD) at or after wk 12 assessment or death at any time. SD/PD at wk 6 was not considered an event on either Arm. Arm A's wk 6 assessment evaluated disease burden before tisa-cel infusion and after bridging if administered. Arm B's wk 6 assessment determined if response was sufficient for aHCT or if a second PCT regimen was needed prior to aHCT. Results: As of May 6, 2021, 322 pts were randomized: 162 to Arm A and 160 to Arm B. In Arms A and B, 33% and 29% were ≥65 y, and 66% and 67% had primary refractory disease, respectively. Baseline characteristics indicated imbalances with more high-grade B-cell lymphomas (24% vs 17%) and IPI ≥2 (65% vs 58%) in Arm A vs B. In Arm A, 47% received ≥2 cycles of bridging PCT, 36% received 1 cycle, and 17% received 0. In Arm A, 96% received tisa-cel; the median dose was 2.9×10 8 cells. In Arm B, 96% received ≥2 PCT cycles and 54% received ≥2 different PCT regimens; 33% received aHCT, including 10% requiring ≥2 different PCT regimens before aHCT. Median time from randomization to aHCT was 92 d (range, 61-158 d). Median follow-up was 10 mo (range, 2.9-23.2 mo). At wk 6 assessment, 26% had PD in Arm A vs 14% in Arm B. Median EFS in Arms A and B was 3 mo (HR 1.07; 95% CI, 0.82-1.40; P=0.69); Arm A pts with PD at wk 6 had shorter EFS. Overall response rate (ORR) at wk 12 in Arm A was 46% vs 43% in Arm B; complete response rate in both arms was 28%. Some pts responded to tisa-cel after SD/PD at wk 12 without additional tx but were counted as an event in EFS analysis. In Arm B, 81 pts (51%) crossed over to receive tisa-cel, 71 without receiving aHCT. Of 72 crossover pts with response assessment, ORR to tisa-cel was 40%. Overall survival was immature at data cutoff. In Arm A, 84% had a grade ≥3 adverse event (AE; vs 90% in Arm B), including grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome in 5% (CRS; Lee 2014) and grade ≥3 neurologic events (NE) in 3% (CTCAE v5.0), with no grade 5 CRS/NE. Median times to CRS and NE onset were 4 and 5 d, respectively; median time to resolution was 5 and 9 d. Fifty-two (32%) and 45 (28%) pts in Arms A and B died on study, including 42 (26%) and 32 (20%) deaths due to PD, respectively. Ten pts in Arm A and 13 in Arm B died of AEs. Conclusions: Tisa-cel as 2L tx in R/R aNHL pts did not have a higher EFS vs SOC. Possible contributing factors include study design elements, such as optional PCT bridging tx in Arm A with potential delay of tisa-cel infusion until after wk 6 assessment, allowance of a different PCT regimen to reach aHCT in Arm B after inadequate response to first PCT, and imbalances in relevant pt characteristics. Insights from this randomized Phase III study will inform use of cellular tx in the 2L R/R aNHL setting and the design of future CAR-T trials. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Bishop: Arcellx, Autolus, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CRISPR, Kite/Gilead, and Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb and Kite/Gilead: Other: fees for non-CME/CE services . Dickinson: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodation, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria. Purtill: Novartis: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; BMS Celgene: Honoraria. Barba: Amgen, Celgene, Gilead, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche, Jazz Phar,aceuticals: Honoraria; Cqrlos III heqlth Institute, aSOCIACION espanola contra el cancer, PERIS: Research Funding. Santoro: Arqule: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Eli-Lilly: Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Speakers Bureau; Eisai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Hamad: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Kato: Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Dainippon-Sumitomo: Honoraria; Eisai: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD: Honoraria; Mundi: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ono: Honoraria, Research Funding. Sureda: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel; Bluebird: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mundipharma: Consultancy. Greil: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Sandoz: Honoraria, Research Funding. Thieblemont: Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses , Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Cellectis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses ; Hospira: Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses . Morschhauser: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Epizyme: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chugai: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Genmab: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZenenca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Consultancy; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Janz: Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Meeting Fees; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel Accommodations, Expenses, Meeting fees; Roche: Honoraria; Gilead: Other: Travel Accommodations, Expenses, Meeting fees. Flinn: Servier Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Yingli Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Seagen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Servier Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Sarah Cannon Research Institute: Current Employment; Vincerx Pharma: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Hutchison MediPharma: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Century Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Triphase Research & Development Corp.: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Trillium Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Teva: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Rhizen Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Portola Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Merck: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Loxo: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Incyte: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; IGM Biosciences: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Forty Seven: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Curis: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Calithera Biosciences: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; ArQule: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Agios: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Yingli Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Verastem: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Seagen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Nurix Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Great Point Partners: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; BeiGene: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: All Consultancy and Research Funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding. Kwong: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kersten: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Takeda: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Miltenyi Biotec: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Minnema: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Other: Travel expenses; BMS: Consultancy; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy; Alnylam: Consultancy. Holte: Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nanovector: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: lectures honorarias; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nordic: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Martinez-Lopez: Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Maziarz: Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Data and Safety Monitoring board, Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers, Squibb/Celgene,, Intellia, Kite: Honoraria; Allovir: Consultancy, Research Funding; Artiva Therapeutics: Consultancy; CRISPR Therapeutics: Consultancy; Intellia: Honoraria; Omeros: Research Funding; Athersys: Other: Data and Safety Monitoring Board, Patents & Royalties; Vor Pharma: Other: Data and Safety Monitoring Board. McGuirk: Kite/ Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel accommodations, expense, Kite a Gilead company, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Allovir: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Magenta Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; EcoR1 Capital: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Fresenius Biotech: Research Funding; Astelllas Pharma: Research Funding; Bellicum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Research Funding; Pluristem Therapeutics: Research Funding. Bachy: Kite, a Gilead Company: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Daiishi: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Dreyling: Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Research Funding; BeiGene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Genmab: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy. Harigae: Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai Pharma: Honoraria; Janssen Pharma: Honoraria; Ono pharma: Honoraria, Other: Subsidies or Donations; Astellas Pharma: Other: Subsidies or Donations; Kyowakirin: Other: Subsidies or Donations. Bond: Kite/Gilead: Honoraria. Andreadis: Merck: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; CRISPR Therapeutics: Research Funding; GenMAB: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Epizyme: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Honoraria; Kite: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Atara: Consultancy, Honoraria. McSweeney: Kite-Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gamida: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Theraputics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Autolous Limited: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; NKARTA: Research Funding; Allovir: Research Funding. Newsome: Novartis: Current Employment. Degtyarev: Novartis: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Del Corral: Novartis: Current Employment. Andreola: Novartis: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Masood: Novartis: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Schuster: AbbVie, Acerta, Celgene/Juno, DTRM Bio, Genentech, Incyte, Merck, Novartis, Portola, and TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Acerta, AlloGene, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Celgene/Juno, Genentech/Roche, LoxoOncology, Novartis, and Tessa Therapeutics: Consultancy; Acerta, AlloGene, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Celgene, Genentech/Roche, LoxoOncology, Novartis, Nordic Nanovector, Pfizer, and Tessa Therapeutics;: Honoraria; Novartis: Other: Personal fees, Patents & Royalties; AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Juno, Nordic Nanovector, and Pfizer: Other: Steering Committee Participation. Jaeger: BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Norvartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Westin: Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Umoja: Consultancy; Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy; Curis: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; 47 Inc: Research Funding.

Abstract Background Galectins have numerous cellular functions in immunity and inflammation. Short-term galectin-2 (Gal-2) blockade in ischemia-induced arteriogenesis shifts macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype and improves perfusion. Gal-2 may also affect other macrophage-related cardiovascular diseases. Objectives This study aims to elucidate the effects of Gal-2 inhibition in atherosclerosis. Methods ApoE −/− mice were given a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 12 weeks. After 6 weeks of HCD, intermediate atherosclerotic plaques were present. To study the effects of anti-Gal-2 nanobody treatment on the progression of existing atherosclerosis, treatment with two llama-derived anti-Gal-2 nanobodies (clones 2H8 and 2C10), or vehicle was given for the remaining 6 weeks. Results Gal-2 inhibition reduced the progression of existing atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaque area in the aortic root was decreased, especially so in mice treated with 2C10 nanobodies. This clone showed reduced atherosclerosis severity as reflected by a decrease in fibrous cap atheromas in addition to decreases in plaque size.The number of plaque resident macrophages was unchanged; however, there was a significant increase in the fraction of CD206+ macrophages. 2C10 treatment also increased plaque α-smooth muscle content, and Gal-2 may have a role in modulating the inflammatory status of smooth muscle cells. Remarkably, both treatments reduced serum cholesterol concentrations including reductions in very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein while triglyceride concentrations were unchanged. Conclusion Prolonged and frequent treatment with anti-Gal-2 nanobodies reduced plaque size, slowed plaque progression, and modified the phenotype of plaque macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory profile. These results hold promise for future macrophage modulating therapeutic interventions that promote arteriogenesis and reduce atherosclerosis.

Abstract Background: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare ovarian cancer histotype that tends to be resistant to standard platinum-based chemotherapeutics. We sought to better understand the role of DNA methylation in clinical and biological subclassification of OCCC. Methods: We interrogated genome-wide methylation using DNA from fresh frozen tumors from 271 cases, applied nonsmooth nonnegative matrix factorization (nsNMF) clustering, and evaluated clinical associations and biological pathways. Results: Two approximately equally sized clusters that associated with several clinical features were identified. Compared with Cluster 2 (N = 137), Cluster 1 cases (N = 134) presented at a more advanced stage, were less likely to be of Asian ancestry, and tended to have poorer outcomes including macroscopic residual disease following primary debulking surgery (P < 0.10). Subset analyses of targeted tumor sequencing and IHC data revealed that Cluster 1 tumors showed TP53 mutation and abnormal p53 expression, and Cluster 2 tumors showed aneuploidy and ARID1A/PIK3CA mutation (P < 0.05). Cluster-defining CpGs included 1,388 CpGs residing within 200 bp of the transcription start sites of 977 genes; 38% of these genes (N = 369 genes) were differentially expressed across cluster in transcriptomic subset analysis (P < 10−4). Differentially expressed genes were enriched for six immune-related pathways, including IFNα and IFNγ responses (P < 10−6). Conclusions: DNA methylation clusters in OCCC correlate with disease features and gene expression patterns among immune pathways. Impact: This work serves as a foundation for integrative analyses that better understand the complex biology of OCCC in an effort to improve potential for development of targeted therapeutics.

PURPOSETo determine the contribution of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in hereditary cancer testing panel genes to invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study included 2,999 women with ILC from a population-based cohort and 3,796 women with ILC undergoing clinical multigene panel testing (clinical cohort). Frequencies of germline PVs in breast cancer predisposition genes ( ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, and TP53) were compared between women with ILC and unaffected female controls and between women with ILC and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC).RESULTSThe frequency of PVs in breast cancer predisposition genes among women with ILC was 6.5% in the clinical cohort and 5.2% in the population-based cohort. In case-control analysis, CDH1 and BRCA2 PVs were associated with high risks of ILC (odds ratio [OR] > 4) and CHEK2, ATM, and PALB2 PVs were associated with moderate (OR = 2-4) risks. BRCA1 PVs and CHEK2 p.Ile157Thr were not associated with clinically relevant risks (OR < 2) of ILC. Compared with IDC, CDH1 PVs were > 10-fold enriched, whereas PVs in BRCA1 were substantially reduced in ILC.CONCLUSIONThe study establishes that PVs in ATM, BRCA2, CDH1, CHEK2, and PALB2 are associated with an increased risk of ILC, whereas BRCA1 PVs are not. The similar overall PV frequencies for ILC and IDC suggest that cancer histology should not influence the decision to proceed with genetic testing. Similar to IDC, multigene panel testing may be appropriate for women with ILC, but CDH1 should be specifically discussed because of low prevalence and gastric cancer risk.

Abstract Background While cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias are now a recognized manifestation of Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), there are no reports of primary bradycardia preceding the clinical presentation. We sought to describe a case series of sinus bradycardia as an initial manifestation of MIS-C. Methods We included a series of 10 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 who met WHO and CDC criteria for MIS-C, who developed sinus bradycardia with a heart rate measured in the awake state that was below the normal range for age for children, as an initial manifestation of the disease, in a prospective observational multicenter study. Patients underwent clinical, laboratory evaluation, ECG, Holter, telemetry, echocardiogram, chest X Ray, and a chest CT scan. Results Of the 10 patients included, 6 were male, with a mean age of 6.52±5.35 years, range 4 months to 14 years. All cases were Hispanic. Bradycardia was transient and did not merit treatment. Coronary abnormalities were noted in 6 cases; 4 patients had mild coronary ectasia; 9 patients had pericardial effusion with no evidence of tamponade. All patients had a mild clinical course; none had shock, heart failure, the need for mechanical ventilation, or died. All blood markers (Troponin, BNP, Platelet count, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, Ferritin) returned to normal levels by discharge/follow-up with a favorable outcome including resolution of coronary dilatation in all but 2 in which aneurysm persisted. Treatment All patients received steroids and low-weight-molecular heparin 10 patients, 8 aspirin and 8 intravenous immunoglobulins. Conclusion Sinus bradycardia may be the initial manifestation of MIS-C, usually transient and mild. Physicians should be aware of this presentation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Kid, MIS-C. Bradycardia/Atrial Rhythm

AbstractNiemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with high unmet medical need. We investigated the safety and efficacy of arimoclomol, which amplifies the heat shock response to target NPC protein misfolding and improve lysosomal function, in patients with NPC. In a 12‐month, prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2/3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02612129), patients (2‐18 years) were randomised 2:1 to arimoclomol:placebo, stratified by miglustat use. Routine clinical care was maintained. Arimoclomol was administered orally three times daily. The primary endpoint was change in 5‐domain NPC Clinical Severity Scale (NPCCSS) score from baseline to 12 months. Fifty patients enrolled; 42 completed. At month 12, the mean progression from baseline in the 5‐domain NPCCSS was 0.76 with arimoclomol vs 2.15 with placebo. A statistically significant treatment difference in favour of arimoclomol of −1.40 (95% confidence interval: −2.76, −0.03; P = .046) was observed, corresponding to a 65% reduction in annual disease progression. In the prespecified subgroup of patients receiving miglustat as routine care, arimoclomol resulted in stabilisation of disease severity over 12 months with a treatment difference of −2.06 in favour of arimoclomol (P = .006). Adverse events occurred in 30/34 patients (88.2%) receiving arimoclomol and 12/16 (75.0%) receiving placebo. Fewer patients had serious adverse events with arimoclomol (5/34, 14.7%) vs placebo (5/16, 31.3%). Treatment‐related serious adverse events (n = 2) included urticaria and angioedema. Arimoclomol provided a significant and clinically meaningful treatment effect in NPC and was well tolerated.

AbstractBackgroundRecent population-based female breast cancer and prostate cancer polygenic risk scores (PRS) have been developed. We assessed the associations of these PRS with breast and prostate cancer risks for male BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers.Methods483 BRCA1 and 1318 BRCA2 European ancestry male carriers were available from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA). A 147-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) prostate cancer PRS (PRSPC) and a 313-SNP breast cancer PRS were evaluated. There were 3 versions of the breast cancer PRS, optimized to predict overall (PRSBC), estrogen receptor (ER)–negative (PRSER-), or ER-positive (PRSER+) breast cancer risk.ResultsPRSER+ yielded the strongest association with breast cancer risk. The odds ratios (ORs) per PRSER+ standard deviation estimates were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.07 to 1.83) for BRCA1 and 1.33 (95% CI = 1.16 to 1.52) for BRCA2 carriers. PRSPC was associated with prostate cancer risk for BRCA1 (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.28 to 2.33) and BRCA2 (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.34 to 1.91) carriers. The estimated breast cancer odds ratios were larger after adjusting for female relative breast cancer family history. By age 85 years, for BRCA2 carriers, the breast cancer risk varied from 7.7% to 18.4% and prostate cancer risk from 34.1% to 87.6% between the 5th and 95th percentiles of the PRS distributions.ConclusionsPopulation-based prostate and female breast cancer PRS are associated with a wide range of absolute breast and prostate cancer risks for male BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. These findings warrant further investigation aimed at providing personalized cancer risks for male carriers and informing clinical management.

Abstract BackgroundCopy number variants (CNVs) are pervasive in the human genome but potential disease associations with rare CNVs have not been comprehensively assessed in large datasets. We analysed rare CNVs in genes and non-coding regions for 86,788 breast cancer cases and 76,122 controls of European ancestry with genome-wide array data.ResultsGene burden tests detected the strongest association for deletions in BRCA1 (P= 3.7E-18). Nine other genes were associated with a p-value < 0.01 including known susceptibility genes CHEK2 (P= 0.0008), ATM (P= 0.002) and BRCA2 (P= 0.008). Outside the known genes we detected associations with p-values < 0.001 for either overall or subtype-specific breast cancer at nine deletion regions and four duplication regions. Three of the deletion regions were in established common susceptibility loci.ConclusionsThis is the first genome-wide analysis of rare CNVs in a large breast cancer case-control dataset. We detected associations with exonic deletions in established breast cancer susceptibility genes. We also detected suggestive associations with non-coding CNVs in known and novel loci with large effects sizes. Larger sample sizes will be required to reach robust levels of statistical significance.