Lunning, Matthew A.

Introduction CA-4948 is a novel oral small molecule inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). IRAK4 is part of the Myddosome signaling pathway, and is essential for signaling downstream of toll-like receptors (TLR) and the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family in immune cells including B lymphocytes. . Dysregulated signaling in these pathways is frequently observed in Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL), particularly in ABC-subtype of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM)[1]. Furthermore, IRAK4 activation has recently been identified as a driver of an adaptive resistance mechanism of malignancies [2]. CA-4948 is the first clinical candidate targeting IRAK4 to be evaluated in cancer patients. Here we present Phase I results of CA-4948 in patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. Method CA-4948-101 is a phase I trial dose escalation trial with a 3 + 3 design. Seven dosing cohorts were assessed including 50 and 100 mg daily (QD), and 50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg twice daily (BID) continuous oral monotherapy in 21-day cycles. Objectives included safety and tolerance (primary), pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and early efficacy (secondary), and biomarker correlations (exploratory). As of July 2020, 30 patients with relapsed or refractory, NHL have been enrolled, including DLBCL (n=14), FL (n=6), transformed HGBL (n=1), WM (n=3), LPL (n=2), MZL (n=2) and MCL (n=2). Median age is 68.5 (range 50 - 87; 5 female / 25 male). Median number of prior treatments is 4 (range 1 - 8, incl. 5 CAR-T-cell or ASCT treatments). Results CA-4948 has been generally well tolerated. Eight patients were exposed at the highest dose level of 400 mg BID: 2 of 5 DLT-evaluable patients had Grade 3 rhabdomyolysis (DLTs), without complications and reversible after treatment interruption and hydration / analgesic treatment - both subsequently continued treatment at lower doses of 200 or 300 mg BID, respectively. Six patients have tolerated 300 mg BID well without DLT. Most non-hematologic TEAEs were Grade 1 or 2 and manageable, including diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, dyspnea, and myalgia. Hematologic TEAEs including neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia was mild/moderate and without complications. There were only 4 Grade 3 combined episodes in 18 patients at dose levels ranging between 200 and 400 mg BID without complications (Table 1). Drug discontinuation occurred in only 3 cases for rash, fatigue, and asymptomatic amylase/lipase elevation at lower dose levels. No toxic deaths occurred. Favorable and predictable PK characteristics included rapid absorption with Tmax at 2-3 hours, T1/2 of 6 hours (supporting bid dosing), moderate accumulation, and dose-proportional increases in exposure. Dose proportional PD changes were shown for inflammatory cytokine reductions. Treatment duration ranged between 15 days and 19+ months with sustained disease control. Eight of 28 evaluable patients experienced overall tumor burden decreases of ≥20% from baseline - more at higher doses (Table 2). A WM patient with 6 prior lines of treatment, sustained PR underwent intra-patient dose escalation and had a dose/response relationship and very good treatment tolerance (Figure 1). The median duration at doses of 200 or 300 mg bid was >6 months (range 1-19+; including 3 cases of 11, 14, and 19+ mo.). Downstream pharmacodynamic markers of IRAK4 and molecular characteristics including cell-of-origin will be presented. Conclusion CA-4948 demonstrates good safety profile, desirable pharmacokinetic properties, and preliminary clinical activity. Enrollment is ongoing to support the anticipated RP2D of 300 mg bid. These encouraging results provide clinical validation of IRAK4 as a viable, novel therapeutic target in B-cell malignancies will lead to clinical combinations with synergistic drugs including BTK or BCL2 inhibitors [3] in patients with advanced hematological malignancies. Clinical trial: NCT03328078. References: 1. Treon, S. P. et al., 2012. N Engl J Med, 367: 826-33 2. Melgar, K. et al., 2019. Sci Transl Med, 11: eaaw8828 3. Booher R, Grayson D., 2019. Waldenstrom Roadmap Symposium, www.Curis.com Disclosures Nowakowski: Curis: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy; Ryvu: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NanoString: Research Funding; Kymera: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Leslie:TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ADC therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Epizyme: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BeiGene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; KitePharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Younes:Curis: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; HCM: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BioPath: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Current Employment. Lunning:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Curis: Research Funding; Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Aeratech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Meyers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Legend: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Acrotech: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding. Patel:Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kite: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Landsburg:Takeda: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Curis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Triphase: Research Funding. Tun:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Acrotech: Research Funding; DTRM Biopharma: Research Funding.

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.

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was first detected as a respiratory illness in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China. Since then, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted every aspect of our lives worldwide. In a time when terms such as social distancing and flattening the curve have become a part of our vernacular, it is essential that we understand what measures can be implemented to protect our patients and healthcare workers. Undoubtedly, healthcare providers have had to rapidly alter care delivery models while simultaneously acknowledging the crucial unknowns of how these changes may affect clinical outcomes. This special feature reviews strategies on how to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease for patients with cancer without infection, for patients with cancer with COVID-19 infection, and for the healthcare workers caring for them, while continuing to provide the best possible cancer care. [Editor’s Note: This article includes the most current information available at time of publication; however, recommendations regarding public safety and practice may change rapidly in this situation. Individuals should get the most up to date information from the CDC website.]

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and Sézary syndrome (SS) is a rare erythrodermic and leukemic subtype of CTCL characterized by significant blood involvement. Although early-stage disease can be effectively treated predominantly with skin-directed therapies, systemic therapy is often necessary for the treatment of advanced-stage disease. Systemic therapy options have evolved in recent years with the approval of novel agents such as romidepsin, brentuximab vedotin, and mogamulizumab. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the diagnosis and management of MF and SS (with a focus on systemic therapy).

e19063 Background: Constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway has been reported in lymphomas, suggesting that targeting this pathway could show clinical benefit. Ruxolitinib phosphate, an oral JAK inhibitor represents a potential therapeutic agent for high grade lymphomas. This study is designed to investigate benefits of ruxolitinib in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL and DLBCL Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL and aggressive T cell lymphomas who were ineligible for, or relapsed after, stem cell transplantation were eligible. Patients received ruxolitinib, at a dose of 10mg or 5mg BID, with gradual escalation to 25mg BID. Weekly hematological assessments were done during the first cycle, CT scans were done after every two cycles. Descriptive statistics for response to therapy were collected. Progression free survival (PFS), Overall survival (OS) curves were plotted using Kaplan-Meier method, comparisons between groups were made using the log rank test. Primary outcome of the study was to assess the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary objectives were to determine PFS, OS, duration of response and safety. Relationship between responses to oral ruxolitnib and gene expression profiling was explored. Results: Of the 60 patients enrolled, 25 patients had PTCL, 32 DLBCL, 3 pending path review. Median age was 62 yrs., 56.6% had stage IV disease. Median number of cycles received was 2 (min 1, max 60). At the time of evaluation, 76% patients had progressed on therapy. The median follow-up of patients was 3.7 months (min 0.9; max 61.4). Data for 41 patients was available for evaluation of response. Complete response (CR) was noted in 1 patient with PTCL. Partial response (PR) was noted in 1, stable disease (SD) in 4 patients. Among the responders, a PTCL patient with SD had a sustained response for 60 months, a patient with PR had a response duration of 31 months. The median OS and PFS were 5.9 and 1.8 months. PFS was 2.2 months in patients with PTCL and 1.8 months in DLBCL. Median OS was 5 months in patients with DLBCL, 6.9 months in PTCL. The estimated 6 month PFS and OS were 17% (95%CI: 9%, 28%) , 49% (95%CI: 35%, 62%). There was no difference in PFS or OS between PTCL and DLBCL (p = 0.42, p = 0.94). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were seen in 62%. Anemia was seen in 20%, thrombocytopenia in 8%, infections in 6%. Conclusions: Ruxolitinib can produce responses in some patients with relapsed/refractory NHL, particularly in patients with PTCL. It may play a role in combination therapies in future. Clinical trial information: NCT01431209.

7517 Background: Axi-cel, an anti-CD19 CART cell therapy, achieved 83% ORR, 58% CR rate, with 39% PFS at 2 years in patients (pts) with relapsed refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) on the ZUMA-1 study (Locke, Lancet Oncology 2018). Data from a 17-center consortium showed response rates were similar in 274 pts treated with commercial axi-cel (Nastoupil, ASH 2018). Here, we performed retrospective analysis of outcomes in pts with progressive disease (PD) after axi-cel. Methods: Response status was determined by Cheson 2014 and reported as date of radiologic relapse. 274 pts were infused by December 26, 2018 with maximum follow-up of 14 months; 116 pts had PD as of Feb 1, 2019. Twelve sites provided additional data, detailing 85% of PD pts (n=99) with a median time to relapse of 54 days (IQR 16-120). Results: Pre axi-cel pt characteristics: median lines of therapy were 4 (range 2-11), 86% were Stage III/IV and 22% were ECOG >1. Following relapse, 60% (n=61) were biopsied and 70% (43/61) had CD19 expression measured. Thirty percent (13/43) were CD19 negative by: IHC (3/13), flow (2/13) or both (8/13). Seventy percent (n=71) received salvage therapy for PD. Median lines of salvage therapy was 1 (range 0-4). The most common therapies were Lenalidomide-based (30%), checkpoint inhibitors (30%), chemotherapy (20%) and radiation (10%). First salvage therapy ORR by regimen: checkpoint inhibitors = 24%, lenalidomide regimens = 20% and chemotherapy = 11%. One patient received allogeneic transplant. Twelve pts enrolled on clinical trial, with one receiving 2nd CAR-T. Median OS following relapse was 108 days (95% LCL 71). Nineteen pts relapsed <3 months after axi-cel and did not receive therapy with median OS 17 days (95% CI 7-49); 33 pts relapsed <3 months and received therapy with 114 day median OS (95% LCL 82). In contrast, 30 pts who relapsed >3 months post axi-cel and received therapy had estimated median OS >220 days (95% LCL 81). Conclusions: Patients with LBCL relapsing less than 3 months following axi-cel have extremely poor outcomes supporting the development of novel therapies. Therapy for relapse >3 months appears promising. JYS and SD contributed equally; APR, DBM and BTH contributed equally.

8060 Background: ENKL is a rare and aggressive subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Due to its geographic predilection there is a paucity of data on clinical experiences from non-Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics and outcomes of patients (pts) with ENKL identified from major academic centers in NA. Methods: Pts with newly diagnosed CD56+ ENKL were retrospectively identified. Analyses included disease characteristics, ethnicity, therapy, and outcomes. Results: 115 pts (63.5% Caucasian, 20% Asian, 16.5% other) were identified across 10 centers diagnosed between 5/1990-5/2011 (Era 1: pre-2000, n=16; Era 2: 2000-2005, n=45; Era 3: post-2005, n=54). Median age was 52 years (19-88). 75 (65%) had stage I/II disease and were treated with combined modality therapy (CMT) n=48, chemotherapy (CT) n=14 or radiotherapy (RT) n=14. 40 pts had stage III/IV disease and were treated with CT (n=23), CMT (n=12) or RT (n=5). CT regimens used alone or in CMT were either anthracycline-based (n=68) or other (n=29). 63% of stage I/II pts and 40% with stage III/IV achieved complete remission (CR). 30 pts underwent a stem cell transplant (SCT); 14 in first CR and 16 at progression/relapse (autologous, n=21; allogeneic, n=9). Pts with stage I/II disease had a better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with stage III/IV (12 vs 5.2 months (p=0.003) and 41.5 vs 8.9 months (p<0.0001), respectively). For all stages, treatment with CMT compared with CT or RT alone was also associated with better PFS and OS, 18.0 vs 3.9 months (p<0.0001), and 41.5 vs 10.2 months (p=0.002) respectively. Non-anthracycline-based regimens were associated with better PFS (p=0.001) and OS (p=0.045). No survival differences were seen between Asian and non-Asian pts. Conclusions: This series represents one of the largest experiences of ENKL in NA. Our data are consistent with Asian studies in: 1) majority of pts present with early stage disease; 2) overall poor outcome; 3) superiority of CMT and non-anthracycline regimens. Advances in understanding biology and international collaborative efforts are required to improve outcome in this rare entity.

The NCCN Guidelines for Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities provide interdisciplinary guidance on the management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) resulting from cancer immunotherapy. These NCCN Guidelines Insights describe symptoms that may be caused by an irAE and should trigger further investigation, and summarize the NCCN Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities Panel discussions for the 2020 update to the guidelines regarding immune checkpoint inhibitor–related diarrhea/colitis and cardiovascular irAEs.

e19055 Background: IRAK4 is a signaling modulator of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and members of the IL-1R family. TLR/IL-1R activity is frequently dysregulated in NHL, including DLBCL and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). CA-4948, an oral inhibitor of IRAK4, has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. Methods: Dose finding cohorts (3+3 design) will test QD or BID dosing schedule in pts with R/R NHL. Dose expansion will occur in 2 cohorts of R/R NHL with or without MYD88 mutation at the RP2D or MTD. Key eligibility criteria: age ≥ 18 years, ECOG ≤1, and adequate organ function. Objectives: safety, MTD and RP2D (primary); PK and anti-tumor activity (secondary); exploratory biomarkers and PD effects. Plasma cytokine levels are being evaluated post ex-vivo TLR stimulation in whole blood. Results: 13 pts have been treated (6 at 50 mg QD; 3 at 100 mg QD; 4 at 50 mg BID). Tumor types included DLBCL (7), FL (5), WM (1). The most frequent treatment-emergent AEs (≥10% of pts) were fatigue (23%), conjunctivitis, constipation, neutrophil count decrease, white blood cell count decrease (each 15%). One pt treated at 100 mg QD experienced Gr 3 rash which resolved following oral steroid treatment; dose reduction to 50 mg QD was tolerated without flare up. One SAE of disease progression occurred. 9 pts completed the DLT evaluation period thru Cycle 2 including 2 ongoing in Cycle 4 and 6. Preliminary PK showed that CA-4948 is rapidly absorbed with maximum plasma concentration observed 1.0 to 4.0 hrs post administration. T1/2 in plasma was about 6 hrs. Minimal to no accumulation was observed following multiple doses. Plasma exposures were dose proportional. Preliminary PD data showed, similar to murine studies, on target reduction of NF-kB-associated factors such as IL-6 post-treatment from pts with complete sample sets (N = 8). Conclusions: Current dose/schedule is well tolerated with preliminary PK and PD effects at the initial dose level. MTD has not been reached. Clinical trial information: NCT03328078.