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Introduction: Brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) is an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy approved for adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). Bridging therapy, defined as anti-leukemia therapy given between apheresis and lymphodepleting chemotherapy, was permitted on the pivotal ZUMA-3 trial. The optimal bridging therapy is unknown in this setting. Here we report patient and disease characteristics in those receiving bridging therapies prior to brexu-cel and the impact of bridging on clinical outcomes in a large multicenter cohort. Methods and Results: ROCCA includes 25 US institutions contributing retrospective data from 152 B-ALL patients treated with standard of care brexu-cel between 2021-2023. Ninety-nine patients (65%) received bridging therapy, while 53 patients (35%) received no bridging therapy. Bridging therapy consisted of cytotoxic chemotherapy ( n=65, 66%), immunotherapy ( n=26, 26%; 23 inotuzumab, 3 blinatumomab), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) ( n=20, 20%; 16 ponatinib), steroids only ( n=10, 10%), and intrathecal chemotherapy ( n=22, 22%). The median age of the cohort was 46 (IQR 32-61). Patients were heavily pre-treated with a median of 4 prior lines of therapy. The median days from apheresis to infusion was 33 (IQR 26-42). 119 patients had known pre-apheresis blast counts; the bridging group had higher pre-apheresis blast burden, with 21 of 76 patients (28%) having ≥ 50% blasts compared to only 5 of 43 patients (12%) in the no bridging group ( p=0.02). In addition, more patients who received bridging had pre-apheresis extramedullary disease (32% vs. 15%, p=0.02). All other baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups (Table 1). Fifty-four (54%) patients had response assessment after bridging therapy and prior to brexu-cel infusion. In patients who received inotuzumab for pre-apheresis active disease, defined as ≥ 5% blasts, 6 of 13 (46%) who had post-bridging assessment achieved a complete response (CR; 5 measurable residual disease (MRD)+, 1 MRD-), with a mean proportional reduction in blast burden of 46% from baseline. In contrast, after chemotherapy bridging, only 2 of 16 patients (13%) with pre-apheresis active disease had a CR. Patients receiving chemotherapy bridging had a mean proportional increase in blast burden of 4.4%. In recipients of TKI bridging, 2 of 4 patients (50%) with pre-apheresis active disease had a CR. Compared to no bridging, patients in the bridging group had similar rates of grade 3 or 4 CRS (9% bridging vs. 8% no bridging, p=0.73) and grade 3 or 4 ICANS (34% vs. 26%, p=0.32). In univariate analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in day 28 response with 63 patients (72%) achieving MRD- complete response in the bridging group as compared to 36 patients (78%) in the no bridging group ( p=0.60). Non-relapse mortality was similar between the two groups (17% bridging vs. 9% no bridging, p=0.20). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were superior in the no bridging group: 1-year OS 74.7% vs 56.8% (log-rank p=0.04), and 1-year PFS 57.3% vs 41.7% (log-rank p=0.04). In a multivariate analysis stratified by bridging and pre-apheresis disease burden, patients with pre-apheresis blasts ≥ 5% and bridging had worse survival than ≥ 5% blasts and no bridging: 1-year OS 45.3% vs. 87.5% and 1-year PFS 27.7% vs. 64.3% (Figure 1). However, patients with < 5% blasts had similar survival regardless of bridging. Conclusions: In our real-world analysis, adults with R/R B-ALL receiving bridging therapy had a higher disease burden at baseline. Despite greater baseline disease, there were no significant differences in toxicity and day 28 response in those receiving bridging therapy vs. not. While survival was inferior in patients with pre-apheresis active disease who received bridging, this may be confounded by the degree of tumor burden. In patients with < 5% blasts pre-apheresis, bridging did not impact survival. Furthermore, inotuzumab bridging demonstrated the most significant disease debulking. However, the comparisons in this study are limited by the variability in practice for post-bridging disease reassessment and the small proportion of patients with active disease who did not receive bridging. A more uniform approach to peri-CAR disease assessment would enable more robust study of optimal bridging strategies.

Introduction The Ki-67 index has been previously shown to be prognostic, wherein the cut-off of 30% was associated with inferior survival outcomes (Determann O et al, Blood 2008) in newly diagnosed MCL patients (pts). However, this cut-off determination was made in pts treated with CHOP/R-CHOP as the first-line treatment, controlled only for MIPI, and predates the advent of novel agents. Short diagnosis to treatment interval (DTI ≤ 14 days) was recently shown to be prognostic in newly diagnosed MCL but its association with Ki-67 is unknown. We sought to determine the optimal Ki-67 cut-off in MCL and its prognostic relevance in the modern era. Methods This is a pooled analysis of 2 large datasets, one prospective (CALGB 50403) and one retrospective (MCL real world study [MCL-RWS]). CALGB is now part of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. CALGB 50403 is a phase II randomized study wherein newly diagnosed MCL pts received intensive induction chemoimmunotherapy (IIC) followed by autologous transplant, and posttransplant rituximab. The MCL-RWS included adult pts (≥18 years [yrs]) with MCL treated from 2000 to 2017 at 12 participating US sites. Pts from sites in the MCL-RWS that enrolled on CALGB 50403 were excluded. Ki-67 was scored by central review in 10% increments in the CALGB 50403 and per institutional standard in the MCL-RWS. We assessed Ki-67 as a continuous variable and used a restricted quadratic spline fit to find an optimal cut-off. We looked at the associations between Ki-67 and other known/ established MCL prognostic markers including MIPI and DTI. The outcome parameters were PFS and OS. Time-to-event endpoints were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods. Results Among the 793 pts (n=666, MCL-RWS and n=127, CALGB 50403) in the pooled analysis, Ki-67 was available in 385 pts (311 from MCL-RWS and 74 from CALGB 50403). The median OS (mOS) and PFS (mPFS) in the entire cohort (n=793) was 11.8 years and 4.7 years, respectively. The two groups (gps), those with and without Ki-67 data, were well balanced including MIPI and DTI. The median age was 62 yrs (range, 32-88), 81% males, 94% with ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1 and 84% with stage 4. We found a Ki-67 cut-off of 50% to be optimal as the relative hazard of death rises after 50%. Pts in the Ki-67 >50% gp had significantly higher proportion with short DTI (36% vs 17%, p<0.001), ECOG PS ≥2 (12% vs 5%, p=0.02), elevated LDH (58% vs 39%, p=0.005), and MIPI ≥6.2 (38% vs 20%, p=0.007) compared to Ki-67 of ≤50%. Ki-67 >50% was associated with significantly inferior PFS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.10 (95%CI 1.50-2.92) compared to Ki-67 ≤50% with a mPFS of 2.1 vs 5.3 yrs, respectively, regardless of the age (young [≤65 yrs], 2.6 vs 5.3 yrs or old [>65 yrs], 1.1 vs 5.4 yrs) or receipt of IIC (2.2 vs 5.9 yrs). Figure 1 shows the statistically significant difference in PFS between the Ki-67 gps of ≤10%, >10% to <30%, ≥30 to ≤50%, and >50%. Ki-67 >50% remained prognostic for PFS in multivariable analysis (MVA) after adjusting for significant variables in univariable analysis (UVA) including short DTI, ECOG PS ≥2, stage 4, elevated LDH, and MIPI ≥6.2 with adjusted HR (aHR) 2.19, 95%CI 1.38-3.48, p <0.001. Ki-67 >50% was associated with significantly inferior OS with a HR of 2.10 (95%CI 1.33-3.32) compared to Ki-67 ≤50% with a mOS of 9.4 yrs vs not reached (NR), respectively, regardless of the age or receipt of IIC. Figure 2 shows the statistically significant difference in OS between the Ki-67 gps of ≤10%, >10% to <30%, ≥30 to ≤50%, and >50%. Ki-67 >50% was not prognostic for OS in MVA after adjusting for significant variables in the UVA (MIPI and sex), aHR 1.79, 95% CI 0.92-3.49, p=0.08. Similar findings were seen in multivariable analysis with Ki-67 >30%, which showed no prognostic significance (aHR 1.46, 95%CI 0.82-2.58, p=0.19). Because of disparate datasets, we performed sensitivity analysis looking at the prognostic relevance of in individual datasets (CALGB 50403 and MCL-RWS) and found Ki67 >50% was prognostic for PFS and OS in both of the datasets consistent with the primary analysis. Conclusions This study evaluating the optimal Ki-67 cut off for pts with newly diagnosed MCL in the modern era found that Ki-67 > 50% was prognostic for PFS but not OS in MVA. A potential reason for the lack of prognostic relevance for OS in this more recent dataset is the availability of effective options at relapse. We also found that short DTI was associated with high Ki-67 gp which is a novel finding.

Abstract Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma; data indicate that blastoid and pleomorphic variants have a poor prognosis. We report characteristics and outcomes of patients with blastoid/pleomorphic variants of MCL. We retrospectively studied adults with newly diagnosed MCL treated from 2000 to 2015. Primary objectives were to describe progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives included characterization of patient characteristics and treatments. Of the 1029 patients with MCL studied, a total of 207 neoplasms were blastoid or pleomorphic variants. Median follow-up period was 82 months (range, 0.1-174 months); median PFS was 38 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 28-66) and OS was 68 months (95% CI, 45-96). Factors associated with PFS were receipt of consolidative autologous hematopoietic transplantation (auto-HCT; hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.80; P < .05), MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI) intermediate (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.3; P < .02) and high (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.0-7.4; P < .01) scores, and complete response to induction (HR, 0.29 (95% CI, 0.17-0.51). Receipt of auto-HCT was not associated with OS (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.41-1.16; P = .16) but was associated with MIPI intermediate (HR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2.5-13.2; P < .01) and high (HR, 10.8; 95% CI, 4.7-24.9; P < .01) scores. We report outcomes in a large cohort of patients with blastoid/pleomorphic variant MCL. For eligible patients, receipt of auto-HCT after induction was associated with improved PFS but not OS. Higher MIPI score and auto-HCT ineligibility were associated with worse survival.

Abstract In the pre–novel agent era, the median postprogression overall survival (PPS) of patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) who progress after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was 2 to 3 years. Recently, checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) and brentuximab vedotin (BV) have improved the depth and durability of response in this population. Here, we report the estimate of PPS in patients with relapsed cHL after ASCT in the era of CPI and BV. In this multicenter retrospective study of 15 participating institutions, adult patients with relapsed cHL after ASCT were included. Study objective was postprogression overall survival (PPS), defined as the time from posttransplant progression to death or last follow-up. Of 1158 patients who underwent ASCT, 367 had progressive disease. Median age was 34 years (range, 27-46) and 192 were male. Median PPS was 114.57 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 91-not achieved) or 9.5 years. In multivariate analysis, increasing age, progression within 6 months, and pre-ASCT positive positron emission tomography scan were associated with inferior PPS. When adjusted for these features, patients who received CPI, but not BV, as first treatment for post-ASCT progression had significantly higher PPS than the no CPI/no BV group (hazard ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.6-7.8; P = .001). Receipt of allogeneic SCT (Allo-SCT) did not improve PPS. In the era of novel agents, progressive cHL after ASCT had long survival that compares favorably with previous reports. Patients who receive CPI as first treatment for progression had higher PPS. Receipt to Allo-SCT was not associated with PPS in this population.

AbstractCheckpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy with anti–PD-1 antibodies has been associated with mixed outcomes in small cohorts of patients with relapsed aggressive B-cell lymphomas after CAR-T failure. To define CPI therapy efficacy more definitively in this population, we retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes in a large cohort of 96 patients with aggressive B-cell lymphomas receiving CPI therapy after CAR-T failure across 15 US academic centers. Most patients (53%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, were treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (53%), relapsed early (≤180 days) after CAR-T (83%), and received pembrolizumab (49%) or nivolumab (43%). CPI therapy was associated with an overall response rate of 19% and a complete response rate of 10%. Median duration of response was 221 days. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 54 and 159 days, respectively. Outcomes to CPI therapy were significantly improved in patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. PFS (128 vs 51 days) and OS (387 vs 131 days) were significantly longer in patients with late (>180 days) vs early (≤180 days) relapse after CAR-T. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 19% of patients treated with CPI. Most patients (83%) died, commonly because of progressive disease. Only 5% had durable responses to CPI therapy. In the largest cohort of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma treated with CPI therapy after CAR-T relapse, our results reveal poor outcomes, particularly among those relapsing early after CAR-T. In conclusion, CPI therapy is not an effective salvage strategy for most patients after CAR-T, where alternative approaches are needed to improve post–CAR-T outcomes.

AbstractClinical trials of novel salvage therapies have encouraging outcomes for relapsed/refractory transplant‐eligible classic Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) but comparison with conventional chemotherapy is lacking. Herein, we report the final analysis of a multicenter retrospective cohort of R/R cHL assessing outcomes by type of salvage therapy before autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). R/R cHL patients who underwent ASCT at 14 institutions across the United States were included. Outcomes were compared among patients receiving conventional chemotherapy, brentuximab vedotin (BV) + chemotherapy, BV alone, and a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)‐based regimens before ASCT. Study endpoints included event‐free survival (EFS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). All endpoints are defined from relapse. Of 936 patients, 728 received conventional chemotherapy, 73 received BV + chemotherapy, 70 received BV alone, and 65 received CPI‐based regimens prior to ASCT. When adjusted for time to relapse, pre‐ASCT response and use of BV maintenance, patients receiving CPI‐based regimens had superior 2‐year EFS compared to conventional chemotherapy, BV + chemotherapy, and BV alone (79.7, 49.6, 62.3, and 36.9%, respectively, p < .0001). Among 649 patients transplanted after 1 line of salvage therapy, CPI‐based regimens were associated with superior 2‐year PFS compared to conventional chemotherapy (98% vs. 68.8%, hazard ratio: 0.1, 95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.5, p < .0001). OS did not differ by pre‐ASCT salvage regimen. In this large multicenter retrospective study, CPI‐based regimens improved EFS and PFS compared to other salvage regimens independent of pre‐ASCT response. These data support earlier sequencing of CPI‐based regimens in R/R cHL in the pre‐ASCT setting.

Abstract This global phase 3 study compared lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) with a standard of care (SOC) as second-line therapy for primary refractory or early relapsed (≤12 months) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Adults eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT; N = 184) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to liso-cel (100 × 106 chimeric antigen receptor–positive T cells) or SOC (3 cycles of platinum-based immunochemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT in responders). The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS). In this primary analysis with a 17.5-month median follow-up, median EFS was not reached (NR) for liso-cel vs 2.4 months for SOC. Complete response (CR) rate was 74% for liso-cel vs 43% for SOC (P &lt; .0001) and median progression-free survival (PFS) was NR for liso-cel vs 6.2 months for SOC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.400; P &lt; .0001). Median overall survival (OS) was NR for liso-cel vs 29.9 months for SOC (HR = 0.724; P = .0987). When adjusted for crossover from SOC to liso-cel, 18-month OS rates were 73% for liso-cel and 54% for SOC (HR = 0.415). Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome and neurological events occurred in 1% and 4% of patients in the liso-cel arm, respectively (no grade 4 or 5 events). These data show significant improvements in EFS, CR rate, and PFS for liso-cel compared with SOC and support liso-cel as a preferred second-line treatment compared with SOC in patients with primary refractory or early relapsed LBCL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03575351.