Citations

PURPOSE Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) on the basis of the single-arm phase II ZUMA-1 trial, which showed best overall and complete response rates in infused patients of 83% and 58%, respectively. We report clinical outcomes with axi-cel in the standard-of-care (SOC) setting for the approved indication. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were collected retrospectively from all patients with relapsed/refractory LBCL who underwent leukapheresis as of September 30, 2018, at 17 US institutions with the intent to receive SOC axi-cel. Toxicities were graded and managed according to each institution’s guidelines. Responses were assessed as per Lugano 2014 classification. RESULTS Of 298 patients who underwent leukapheresis, 275 (92%) received axi-cel therapy. Compared with the registrational ZUMA-1 trial, 129 patients (43%) in this SOC study would not have met ZUMA-1 eligibility criteria because of comorbidities at the time of leukapheresis. Among the axi-cel–treated patients, grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity occurred in 7% and 31%, respectively. Nonrelapse mortality was 4.4%. Best overall and complete response rates in infused patients were 82% (95% CI, 77% to 86%) and 64% (95% CI, 58% to 69%), respectively. At a median follow-up of 12.9 months from the time of CAR T-cell infusion, median progression-free survival was 8.3 months (95% CI, 6.0 to15.1 months), and median overall survival was not reached. Patients with poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2-4 and elevated lactate dehydrogenase had shorter progression-free and overall survival on univariable and multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION The safety and efficacy of axi-cel in the SOC setting in patients with relapsed/refractory LBCL was comparable to the registrational ZUMA-1 trial.

Abstract Background: FL comprises one quarter of lymphoma in the United States, presents in a heterogeneous fashion, and generates substantial debate regarding optimal management strategies. The recently published clinical prognostic index (FLIPI, BLOOD104:1258) facilitates outcome evaluation and may guide therapeutic strategy. The National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) is an ongoing disease-based longitudinal observational study designed to assess patterns of initial disease presentation including prognosis, long term treatment choices, and clinical outcomes in FL patients. Methods: Beginning March, 2004, pts were recruited from U.S. community practices and academic centers. Pts with FL diagnosed within 6 months with no prior lymphoma history are eligible for enrollment. Collected data includes histology, staging and prognostic evaluation, serial management strategies including drug choices but not doses, response to treatment, and events including relapses and death. There is no study-specific prescribed treatment regimen or intervention. The treating physician determines management for FL according to clinical judgment. Results: 992 pts were enrolled from 207 sites through April, 2005. 182 community sites enrolled 86% of subjects. Pt characteristics include median age 62y, 52.5% female, 90.6% Caucasian, 40% Gr1, 26% Gr2, 19% Gr3, 13% NOS, with highest determined Ann Arbor stage = 17% I, 15%II, 26% III, 33%IV, 8% Unk. The demographic characteristics are similar to pts in the national SEER registry (median age 64, 51% F, 91.3% Caucasian) but clinical characteristics are notable for a higher fraction of advanced stage disease. 686/992 (69%) patients had calculable FLIPI scores based on initial investigator workup. Of factors contributing to FLIPI scores, LDH was collected by investigators in 78% of pts. When correlated with age, geography, and academic/community sites, LDH collection rates differ with 90% in academic sites vs 76% in community sites (p = .0002). Distribution of FLIPI among 686 pts with complete scores are shown in Table1, and show remarkable consistency across grades. Summary: The NLCS is an ongoing study with a large and rapidly growing database combining clinical and treatment data and is the first database investigating initial workup, prognosis, and outcomes of pts in a predominantly community based U.S. population. FL pts enrolled in NLCS are similar to those in the SEER database, and should be widely generalizable to the US population. FLIPI continues to define three distinct groups in the NLCS and is independent of histologic grade. Current evaluation patterns result in 31% incomplete FLIPI scores, suggesting this useful prognostic index is underutilized. FLIPI distribution (%) Low 36 37 37 38 34 81 14 Intermed 37 31 32 28 37 14 40 High 27 32 31 34 29 5 46 Solal Celigny n=1795 NLCS n=686 NLCS Gr1 n=276 NLCS Gr2 n=188 NLCS Gr3 n=136 Stage I/II n=234 Stage III/IV n=452

Abstract Two death receptors, TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5), expressed in a wide variety of cancer cell types including lymphoma, enable TRAIL (TNF related apoptosis inducing ligand), a member of the TNF ligand superfamily, to induce apoptosis. HGS-ETR1 (TRM-1, mapatumumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody agonistic to TRAIL-R1 with preclinical evidence of anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. We conducted a phase 2 multicenter study of HGS-ETR1 in 40 subjects with relapsed or refractory NHL. Patients were included on the study if they had relapsed/refractory NHL of any histologic subtype, irrespective of the number of previous treatment regimens. HGS-ETR1 was administered at 2 dose levels: 3 mg/kg (8 subjects) or 10 mg/kg (32 subjects) every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or prohibitive toxicity for up to 6 cycles. The primary endpoint was tumor response evaluated with the International Working Group Criteria after every third treatment. Responses were confirmed between 4 and 8 weeks after initial documentation of response. Secondary endpoints included safety and tolerability. The median age of subjects was 62 years (range 32–81) (24M:16F) with an ECOG performance status 0–2. Subjects had received up to 12 previous therapeutic regimens (69% received 3 or more prior regimens). Original histologic classification is presently available for 34 subjects (14 follicular, 7 diffuse large B-cell, 6 mantle cell, 1 small lymphocytic, 2 peripheral T-cell, 1 anaplastic large cell, 3 lymphomas not classified). Preliminary response data are available for all 40 subjects. 3 subjects (8%), all with follicular lymphoma, had clinical responses (1CR, 2PR). Additionally, 12/40 subjects (30%) had stable disease, and the remainder had progressive disease at the time of first evaluation. 8 subjects (7 follicular) remain on study without disease progression for >5 to >13 months. One subject with a PR (special permission) has continued to receive HGS-ETR1 (10 cycles to date). Subjects tolerated therapy well with no subjects discontinuing therapy due to toxicity related to drug. There have been 10 reported SAEs, 2 of which were considered possibly/probably related to HGS-ETR1 administration (shingles, fever). In conclusion, HGS-ETR1 can be safely administered to heavily treated NHL patients. Clinical responses were seen in 3/14 follicular lymphoma subjects to date. Final data for all subjects will be reported at the meeting. These data suggest that HGS-ETR1 has activity in heavily pretreated lymphoma patients and further studies in combination with agents active in lymphoma are justified.

Abstract Introduction: Diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common of the non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Patients with DLBCL who are not cured by treatment with R-CHOP chemotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue have a poor prognosis. These patients reflect a clear unmet need in the treatment of DLBCL. A previous sub-analysis of a phase II trial (NHL-002) of lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, demonstrated a 19% overall response rate (ORR) with a 7-month median duration of response (DR). A confirmatory international phase II trial (NHL-003) of single-agent lenalidomide was initiated for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL that had received at least one prior treatment and had measurable disease. Herein, we report the data from the DLBCL patients enrolled in this trial. Methods: Patients received 25 mg oral lenalidomide once daily on days 1–21 of every 28-day cycle and continued therapy until disease progression or toxicity. The 1999 IWLRC methodology was used to assess response and progression. Results: This report focuses on the 73 DLBCL patients that were enrolled and evaluable for response assessment. The median age was 67 (21–87) years and 49 (67%) patients were male. Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide treatment was 2 (0–18.6) years, and patients had received a median of 3 (1–6) prior treatment regimens. The ORR to lenalidomide was 29% (21/73), with 4% complete response (3/73) and 25% partial response (18/73). Eleven patients (15%) had stable disease. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (32%), thrombocytopenia (15%), asthenia (8%) and anemia (7%). Conclusion: These results of this international study confirm that lenalidomide is active in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL with manageable side effects.

Abstract Introduction: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that if not cured with aggressive chemoimmunotherapy and stem cell transplant is usually fatal. The intravenous proteasome inhibitor bortezomib produces an overall response rate (ORR) of 33% in patients with relapsed MCL (J Clin Oncol2006;24(30):4867–74). Unfortunately, most patients eventually relapse and new agents are needed for this disease. Two recently conducted phase II trials (NHL-002 and NHL-003) tested single-agent lenalidomide for patients with relapsed MCL. Fifty-four patients with MCL were enrolled into the two studies; 26% (14/54) had received prior bortezomib and they are the subject of this report. Methods: Patients with relapsed or refractory MCL and measurable disease 2 cm after at least one prior treatment regimen including prior bortezomib were eligible. Patients received 25 mg of lenalidomide orally once daily on days 1–21 of every 28-day cycle. Therapy was continued as tolerated or until disease progression. The 1999 IWLRC methodology was used to assess response and progression. Results: The 14 patients in this study were heavily pretreated with a median of 4 (2–6) prior treatments (including bortezomib) and 50% were bortezomib-refractory. Median age was 66 (45–84) years and 6 (43%) patients were female. Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide treatment was 3.3 (0.7–7.6) years. The ORR with lenalidomide was 57% (8/14), including 21% (3/14) complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR and 36% (5/14) partial responses. One (7%) patient had stable disease. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (50%), thrombocytopenia (43%), anemia (21%), fatigue (21%), and leukopenia (21%). Neutropenic fever occurred in 7% of patients. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that lenalidomide oral monotherapy is very effective with manageable side effects in patients with relapsed or refractory MCL who had received prior treatment with bortezomib.

Abstract Background: Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not cured by first line R-CHOP chemotherapy or second line high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue have a poor prognosis and represent a clear unmet medical need. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®), an immunomodulatory drug, has activity in hematological malignancies including relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Aim: To determine the activity and safety of lenalidomide monotherapy in relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL with measurable disease after at least 1 prior treatment regimen were eligible. Patients received 25 mg lenalidomide orally once daily on Days 1–21 every 28 days and continued therapy for 52 weeks as tolerated or until disease progression. Response and progression were evaluated using the IWLRC methodology. Univariate analyses using Fisher’s exact test was conducted to investigate and characterize associations of prognostic variables with response. Results: Twenty-six patients with DLBCL lymphoma were enrolled. The median age was 66 (45–86) and 13 were female. Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide was 2.4 (0.5–12) years and median number of prior treatment regimens was 3 (1–6). Three patients (12%) exhibited an objective complete response (1 complete response (CR) and 2 complete responses unconfirmed (CRu)). Two patients had a partial response (PR) for an overall response rate of 19% and 7 had stable disease (SD). Response to lenalidomide was associated with low disease burden (33% for < 50 cm2v 0% for ≥ 50 cm2, P=0.06) and longer time from rituximab to lenalidomide treatment (33% for ≥ 230 days v 0% for < 230 days, P=0.05). Patients with favorable values for both these prognostic factors (N = 10) had a 50% response rate [RR] (30% CR/CRu RR) compared with a 0% RR for patients with unfavorable values (N = 16; P < 0.004) and a progression free survival (ongoing) of 7.4 months v 1.9 months. Although there were no responses in the poor prognosis group, 4 patients exhibited stable disease with an ongoing median PFS of > 4.2 months (> 3.6 - > 6.2). Eight patients (31%) required at least one dose reduction with a median time to first dose reduction of 1.8 months (0.4–2.9). One patient each (4%) had Grade 4 anemia, cauda equinine syndrome, febrile neutropenia, intermittent rash, lymphopenia, neutropenia, pneumonitis and thrombocytopenia. Most common Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia (19%), thrombocytopenia (15%) and leukopenia (12%). Conclusion: The prognostic factors of tumor burden and time from last dose of rituximab appear to identify relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients with a high likelihood of response to lenalidomide oral monotherapy.

Abstract Certain normal and malignant B-cells rely upon “tonic” B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated survival signals. BCR signaling induces the phosphorylation of the associated Ig alpha and beta proteins and the recruitment and activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK); thereafter, SYK initiates downstream events and amplifies the original BCR signal. A subset of DLBCL exhibits coordinate overexpression of BCR pathway components, including SYK, and relies upon tonic BCR signaling. FosD is an orally available inhibitor of SYK under development for rheumatoid arthritis, and has demonstrated significant in vitro activity against BCR-dependent NHLs. We have performed the first clinical trial of the oral SYK inhibitor, FosD, in patients (pts) with a variety of relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. We first enrolled 13 pts in a Phase I component, exploring two dose levels (200 and 250 mg BID) of FosD. Pts (Follicular [FL], 5; CLL/SLL, 2; mantle [MCL], 3; DLBCL, 3) were heavily pretreated. On the first day of FosD dosing at 200 mg and 250 mg, the maximum plasma concentrations were 668 ± 258 ng/mL and 1020 ± 781 ng/mL, and the AUC0–4 estimates were 1800 ± 602 ng*h/mL and 2590 ± 1900 ng*h/mL, respectively. Plasma concentrations increased approximately 2-fold with continued administration, but beyond Day 29 there was no apparent change in FosD concentrations measured over time. Dose limiting toxicity in Phase I was neutropenia; and 200 mg BID was chosen for Phase II evaluation. We then enrolled 68 pts with relapsed/refractory NHL in 3 separate disease cohorts: DLBCL (23); FL (21) and other B-cell NHL (24) including SLL/CLL (11), MCL (9) marginal zone/MALT (3) and lymphoplasmacytic NHL (1). The median age of pts in phase II was 61 (range 41–87); pts received a median of 5 prior therapies, including ASCT (16; 12 with DLBCL) and radioimmunotherapy (8). FosD was overall very well tolerated; there were 4 cases of febrile neutropenia reported. Eight pts required dose modification for neutropenia (2), hypertension (2), liver function test abnormalities (2), fever (1) and mucositis (1). Six pts withdrew before initial response evaluation (AE, 5; noncompliance, 1). Best responses by disease were: DLBCL 21% (4PR; 1CR); SLL/CLL 54% (6PR); FL 10% (2PR); MCL 11% (1PR). Stable disease was observed in an additional 23 patients, including 12 with FL, 4 with DLBCL, 4 with MCL, 2 with CLL/SLL and 1 with MALT. As of 7/15/08, 16 pts were treated for more than 200 days, and 14 pts remain on study. Median PFS is 4.5 months, and only 5 pts have died (4 with DLBCL of disease progression and 1 with CLL of infection following therapy). Several pts with CLL/SLL experienced a transient increase in circulating lymphocytes in the setting of responding nodal disease. Of the 6 responding pts with CLL, Zap-70 status was positive (3), negative (1) and unknown (2); cytogenetics were trisomy 12 (1), del13 (1), normal (1), complex (1) and unknown (2). We conclude that disrupting BCR-induced signaling by inhibiting SYK kinase represents a safe and well-tolerated novel therapeutic approach to NHL. In addition to significant responses in DLBCL and CLL/SLL, prolonged stable disease was observed in pts with FL. FosD should be developed further, as a single agent and in rational combinations, for BCR-dependent B-cell NHLs.

Abstract Introduction: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that typically responds to initial chemo-immunotherapy, but with a relatively short duration of response (DR) and progression-free survival (PFS) when treated with conventional chemotherapy agents. Although the overall survival (OS) of MCL has improved, most patients are not cured and new agents are needed. A sub-analysis of a recent phase II trial (NHL-002) investigating the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory MCL, demonstrated a promising overall response rate (ORR) of 53% with a median DR of 11.9 months. A confirmatory international phase II trial (NHL-003) of single-agent lenalidomide was initiated for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL that had received at least one prior treatment and had measurable disease. In this report, we analyze the current results from the MCL patients enrolled in this trial. Methods: Patients with relapsed or refractory MCL and measurable disease ≥2 cm after at least 1 prior treatment regimen were eligible. Patients received 25 mg of lenalidomide orally once daily on days 1–21 of every 28-day cycle. Patients continued therapy until disease progression or toxicity. The 1999 IWLRC methodology was used to assess response and progression. Results: This report focuses on the 39 MCL patients that were enrolled and evaluable for response assessment. Median age was 66 (33–82) years and 29 (74%) patients were male. Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide treatment was 3.4 (0.4–9) years. Patients had received a median of 3 (1–8) prior treatments, and 23% (9/39) of patients had received prior bortezomib treatment. The ORR with lenalidomide was 41% (16/39), including 13% (5/39) complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR, and 28% (11/39) partial responses. Ten (26%) patients had stable disease. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (51%) and thrombocytopenia (25%), anemia (13%), fatigue (10%) and febrile neutropenia (10%). Conclusion: These results confirm that lenalidomide oral monotherapy is effective in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory MCL, with manageable side effects.

Abstract Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct type of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma characterized by being incurable with a low response rate and short progression free survival when treated with conventional chemotherapy agents. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®), an immunomodulatory drug, is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a del(q5) cytogenetic abnormality. Lenalidomide has also shown activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Aim: To determine the activity and safety of lenalidomide in relapsed/refractory MCL. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory MCL and measurable disease ≥ 2 cm after at least 1 prior treatment regimen were eligible. Patients received 25 mg lenalidomide orally once daily on Days 1–21 every 28 days and continued therapy for 52 weeks as tolerated or until disease progression. Response and progression were evaluated using the IWLRC methodology. Results: Fifteen patients with MCL were enrolled. Median age was 67 (45–84) and 7 were female. Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide was 5.1 (0.7–12.7) years and median number of prior treatment regimens was 4 (2–6). Eight patients (53%) exhibited an objective response (1 complete response (CR), 1 complete response unconfirmed (CRu) and 6 partial responses (PR)), 2 had stable disease (SD) and 5 had progressive disease (PD). All eight responses were in eleven patients having a tumor burden < 50 cm2 and a time since last rituximab therapy of ≥ 230 days. No responses were achieved in four patients having a tumor burden ≥ 50 cm2 or a time since last rituximab therapy of < 230 days. Four of 5 patients (80%) with a prior stem cell transplant responded. Progression free survival [PFS] is 5.7 months and ongoing. Seven patients (47%) required at least one dose reduction with a median time to first dose reduction of 2.3 months (1.2–4.9). Grade 4 adverse events were neutropenia (13%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and thromboembolism (13%). Most common Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia (33%) and leukopenia (20%). Conclusion: Lenalidomide oral monotherapy produced a 53% response rate in relapsed/refractory MCL with manageable side effects.

Abstract Background: Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) has a median survival as long as 10 years but is rarely cured. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®), an immunomodulatory drug, is approved in the US for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a del[q5] cytogenetic abnormality and is approved both in the US and the EU for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide also has activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Aim: This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL with measurable disease ≥ 2cm after at least 1 prior treatment regimen were eligible. Patients received 25 mg lenalidomide orally once daily on Days 1–21 every 28 days and continued therapy for 52 weeks as tolerated or until disease progression. Response and progression were evaluated using the IWLRC methodology. Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled in the study and included in this analysis. The median age was 63 (43–89) and 17 were female. Histology was small lymphocytic lymphoma [SLL] (n=18), follicular center lymphoma grades 1, 2 [FCL] (n=22), nodal marginal B-cell lymphoma (n=2) and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type (n=1). Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide treatment was 4.5 (0.4–24) years and median number of prior treatment regimens was 3 (1–15). Eleven of the 43 patients (26%) exhibited an objective response (2 complete responses (CR), 1 complete response unconfirmed (CRu), 8 partial responses (PR)), 15 had stable disease (SD), 13 had progressive disease (PD) and 4 were not evaluated. Responses included 4/18 SLL (22%) and 7/22 FCL (32%). Median time to response was 3.6 months (range 1.7–4.1). Progression free survival is 4.6 months for all patients, > 7.7 months (range 4.4 - > 13.5) for responding patients and ongoing. Sixteen patients (37%) required at least one dose reduction with a median time to first dose reduction of 2 months (0.5–9.6). The most common Grade 4 adverse event was neutropenia (14%) and the most common Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia (21%) and thrombocytopenia (12%). Conclusion: Lenalidomide oral monotherapy is active with manageable side effects in relapsed/refractory indolent NHL.