Citations 765

Absolute lymphocyte count at time of radioimmunotherapy predicted time to progression in patients with relapsed follicular lymphomas

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 18_suppl | Pages: 18505-18505

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.18505

18505 Background: Besides radiation, the immunologic mechanisms of action of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) radioimmunotherapy (RIT) have been attributed to complement mediated lysis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). We hypothesized that a stronger host immune system prior to Zevalin therapy for relapsed follicular (grade 1&2) lymphomas (FL) would result in an improved time to progression (TTP). As a surrogate marker of host immune status, we studied absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) prior to Zevalin therapy and its impact on TTP in relapsed FL patients. Methods: Between 1996 and 2006, 75 patients with relapsed FL were treated with single agent Zevalin (0.4 mCi/kg, maximum of 32 mCi) at the Mayo Clinic. ALC was obtained from the complete blood cell count prior to RIT. Results: The median age of the cohort was 60 years (range, 29–82 years). 36% (27/75) patients were rituximab refractory. The median TTP in all patients was 6.4 months (range, 1–99+ months). Univariately, ALC as a continuous (HR = 0.448, p < 0.006) or dichotomized [ALC = 1.0 x 109/l (HR = 0.684, p < 0.007)] variable was identified as a prognostic factor for TTP. Superior TTP was observed with an ALC = 1.0 x 109/l (N = 32) compared with an ALC < 1.0 x 109/l (N=43) (median: 12.4 months vs 6.5 months, respectively, p < 0.007). Both groups were balanced in regard to the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI). ALC, as a continuous (HR = 0.507, p < 0.02) or dichotomized [ALC = 1.0 x 109/l (HR = 0.697, p < 0.01)] variable was identified as an independent prognostic factor for TTP in the multivariate analysis when compared with FLIPI. In the ALC = 1.0 x 109/l group, 14/32 (44%) of FL patients achieved a TTP = 12 months compared to only 7/43 (16%) in the ALC < 1.0 x 109/l group, (p < 0.02). Conclusions: This study supports our hypothesis that a higher ALC, as a marker of immune status of the patient, predicts longer TTP following Zevalin therapy in relapsed FL. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Novel therapy with 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) for the treatment of relapsed and plateau phase multiple myeloma

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 18_suppl | Pages: 8108-8108

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.8108

8108 Background: 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a natural endogenous product of estradiol metabolism with anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic properties that has demonstrated activity against multiple myeloma cell lines and xenografts in immunocompromised mice. We report results of the first phase II clinical trial of 2ME2 in pts with relapsed and plateau phase myeloma. Methods: This trial was designed with a one-stage design to accrue 60 pts in the setting of relapsed and plateau phase myeloma. 2ME2 was administered orally at a dose of 1000 mg daily. After the first 39 pts were accrued, based on the results of ongoing phase I trials, the dose of 2ME2 was increased to 800 mg twice daily for the remaining patients. Pts who were already on study at that point were also allowed to escalate their dose to 800 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was overall response rate. Responses were assessed using Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group criteria. Results: Sixty patients were treated at Mayo Clinic and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Median age was 60 years (range, 28–99). Thirty-one patients had relapsed/refractory myeloma and 29 patients had plateau phase myeloma. Median number of prior therapies was 4 including stem cell transplant (48%), thalidomide (62%), bortezomib (6%) and lenalidomide (3%). Therapy was well tolerated. Adverse events were anemia (35%), fatigue (35%), nausea (25%), diarrhea (20%), hot flashes (20%), headache (17%), muscle cramps (15%), and upper respiratory tract infection (15%). Most toxicities were mild (grade 1–2). Estimated progression-free survival rates for all pts at one, two, and three years are 24%, 16%, and 9% respectively. Three pts with plateau phase disease, have been on study for over 4 years without progression at 50, 60, and 63 months. Response assessment is ongoing; so far, whilst no partial responses have been seen, prolonged stable disease has been observed in 3 pts (5%). Conclusions: 2ME2 is a novel agent that appears to be safe and well tolerated. Although no responses have been seen, prolonged stable disease in some pts is promising. Preliminary pharmacokinetic data indicate that the dose of 2ME2 used in this study may be inadequate, and a new formulation with significantly better bioavailability will be tested soon in this patient population. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Prevention of active multiple myeloma (MM) using IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and low-dose dexamethasone (Dex) and monitoring the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 18_suppl | Pages: 8105-8105

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.8105

8105 Background: IL-6 is the central myeloma growth factor and we have shown that abnormal production of IL-1beta in the myeloma microenvironment stimulates the generation of paracrine IL-6. A Phase II trial was completed using IL-1ra, which inhibits paracrine IL-6 production, and low dose Dexamethasone (Dex), which decreases IL-1 levels through myeloma cell apoptosis, in patients with smoldering/indolent MM (SMM/IMM). These patients are at the greatest risk for progression to active MM and most likely to benefit from anti- cytokine therapy. Methods: Patients that had ≥ 10% bone marrow plasma cells and/or an IgG or IgA M-spike ≥ 3 g/dL and did not require immediate chemotherapy were eligible. A total of 47 patients received 100 mg of IL-1ra SQ qd for 6 months unless clinical progression occurred. Responding patients were allowed to continue on therapy with IL-1ra alone. Low dose Dex (20 mg qweek) was added after 6 months of IL-1ra in non-responding patients. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The 47 patients were at high risk for progression to active MM with 98% having ≥ 10% plasma cells, 89% generating IL-1 levels consistent with myeloma (≥ 1.0), and 32% having bone lesions. All 47 patients received IL-1ra initially and 25/47 subsequently received IL-1Ra/Dex. For the group of 47 patients, the median overall progression-free survival was 37.5 months. Three patients achieved a minor response (MR) to Anakinra alone; 5 pts achieved a PR and 4 patients an MR after addition of Dex. Seven patients had a decrease in the plasma cell labeling index (PCLI; a marker of myeloma cell growth) on Anakinra alone which paralleled a decrease in the high sensitivity CRP (a marker of serum IL-6 levels). The median PFS for patients without (n=12) and with (n=35) a ≥ 15% decrease in their baseline hsCRP was 6 months and > 3 yrs, respectively (p=0.002). Conclusions: In SMM/IMM patients at high risk for progression to active myeloma, treatment with IL-1 inhibitors (IL-1ra ± Dex) results in an increased PFS in patients that demonstrate a ≥15% reduction in the baseline CRP compared to those that do not respond. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Preliminary results from a phase II study of lenalidomide oral monotherapy in relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 18_suppl | Pages: 8066-8066

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.8066

8066 Background: Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug, is approved in the US for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a deletion 5q[31] cytogenetic abnormality. Lenalidomide also has activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory indolent NHL 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. Results: As of enrollment cut-off, 43 patients received drug and 27 were evaluable for response. The median age was 63 (43–82) and 12 were female. Histology was small lymphocytic lymphoma [SLL] (n=12), follicular center lymphoma grades 1,2 [FCL] (n=12) and nodal marginal B-cell lymphoma [NML] (n=3). Median time from diagnosis to lenalidomide was 4.3 (0.4- 24) years and median number of prior treatment regimens was 3 (1–17). Seven patients (26%) exhibited an objective response (2 complete responses (CR), 1 complete response unconfirmed (CRu) and 4 partial responses (PR)), 9 had stable disease (SD) for a tumor control rate (TCR) of 59% and 11 progressive disease (PD). Responses were produced in each of the indolent histologic subtypes studied: SLL (3/12), FCL (3/12) and NML (1/3). Since most responses develop at ≥ 4 months, additional responses may be seen in early SD patients with longer follow-up. Five patients (12%) exhibited Grade 4 neutropenia, and Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia (16%) and thrombocytopenia (14%). Conclusion: Lenalidomide oral monotherapy is active with manageable side effects in relapsed/refractory indolent NHL. [Table: see text]
Phase II trial of the oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus (RAD001) for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 18_suppl | Pages: 8055-8055

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.8055

8055 Background: mTOR inhibition with intravenous temsirolimus (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) has been associated with responses in mantle cell lymphoma (J Clin Oncol 23;5347, 2005) as well as other lymphomas (Blood 108 (11) 2483; 2006). This phase II study tested the oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus (RAD001, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) in three simultaneous two-stage phase II lymphoma studies - aggressive (group 1), indolent (group 2), or uncommon (group 3). The goals were to learn the toxicity profile and to assess the anti-tumor response. Planned interim analysis for groups 1 and 3 have been completed and are the subject of this report. Methods: Patients (pts) received 10 mg PO daily for each 28 day cycle (up to 12) and restaged after 2, 6, and 12 cycles. The primary endpoint is the confirmed response rate, including CR, CRu or PR. 12 pts were enrolled in stage 1 of each study. At least 1 success in 12 is required to proceed to stage 2, to a total of 37 pts. Overall, the treatment will be considered promising if 4 or more successes are observed in all 37 pts in each group. Results: The median age of the 12 pts in group 1 was 68.5 yrs (range: 53–80), with a median of 3 (range, 1–15) prior therapies. Four pts had a prior stem cell transplant (SCT). Pts completed a median of 7 (range, 1–12) cycles of therapy. 6 confirmed responses have been achieved (1 CR, 5 PR), meeting the overall criteria for promising results in this study. Common grade 3 adverse events (AEs) include thrombocytopenia (3 pts) and anemia (2 pts). For group 3, the median age was 49 yrs (range, 27–78), with a median of 7 (range, 1–13) prior therapies and 6 pts had a prior SCT. Pts have completed a median of 6.5 cycles (range, 1–11). 5 confirmed responses have been achieved (5 PR), meeting the criteria for this regimen to be considered promising. Of these 5 patients, 3 had HD, 1 T-cell NHL, and 1 had macroglobulinemia. Common grade 3 AEs include anemia (3 pts) and thrombocytopenia (2 pts). No grade 4 AEs were reported. Conclusions: Oral everolimus has activity in a spectrum of lymphomas with acceptable toxicity. The responses observed in both group 1 and group 3 met the criteria to continue accrual. These results provide the rationale for additional studies with this novel class of agents and to integrate mTOR inhibitors into salvage treatment regimens. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Assessment in the ECOG1411 Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Front-Line Bendamustine-Rituximab (BR)-Based Induction Followed By Rituximab (R) ± Lenalidomide (L) Consolidation for Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 751-751

10.1182/blood-2019-129323

Initial therapy for MCL is effective, but most patients eventually relapse. Validated intermediate biomarkers for MCL are important to provide early assessment of treatment efficacy, prognostic information and potentially guide consolidation. The US-Canadian Intergroup trial E1411 randomly assigned patients (pts) to receive induction with BR ± bortezomib (V), followed by consolidation with R ± L. As a planned correlative, MRD was assessed after cycle 3 (I3), end of induction (EOI) and after 4 cycles of consolidation (C4) by two methods: a research version of clonoSEQ® a next generation sequencing (NGS) MRD assay, (Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA) that leverages multiplex PCR followed by NGS to identify and track rearrangements of IgH, V-J, D-J and IgK/L loci as well as translocations in Bcl1/2-IgH, and flow cytometry (FC) (I3 and EOI only) at a central laboratory (Mayo Clinic). While outcomes by treatment arm remain blinded, we report here the results of the MRD assessments by each method and the associated progression free survival (PFS). In E1411, 373 pts, accrued between May 2012 - Sept. 2016, were randomly assigned (stratified by MIPI and age (&lt;/≥60)) to receive BR induction x 6 followed by R for 2 years, BVR followed by R, BR followed by LR or BVR followed by LR. Eligible pts were ≥ age 18 and had untreated MCL, ECOG PS 0-2, and adequate hematologic and organ function. Of the 373 pts, 296 (79%) consented to correlatives. Of these, 255 (86%) had baseline NGS samples, and 214 were analyzable. Excluded were 6 patients that were protocol ineligible, 20 without clinical follow-up; only 7 (2.7%) patients were ineligible due to inability to identify a dominant clone necessary to follow MRD by the NGS method. At baseline pre-treatment, NGS detected a dominant clone in bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) in 92%, with only 17 (8%) requiring study of biopsy tissue. Of the 296, 240 had baseline FC data, 9 were protocol exclusions, leaving 231 analyzable. FC detected a non-MCL monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis clone in a small number of cases. While NGS may have higher sensitivity, as FC sensitivity is 10-4, for this analysis we used that cutoff for both NGS and FC. Cohen's Kappa statistic compares concordance between MRD pairs, and p-value is from exact McNemar's test. BR-based initial MCL therapy achieved early MRD negativity (&lt; 10-4) in a high proportion of patients. Analyzing PB at mid-induction (I3): by NGS 89% MRD-, 9% MRD+ and 2% indeterminate, whereas by FC 87% MRD-, 12% MRD+ and 1% indeterminate. Concordance was high with 127 MRD- by both methods, 13 MRD+ by both, and 6 NGS-/FC+ (Kappa Statistic = 0.79, p-value = 0.031). By NGS, of 12 pts MRD+ at I3, 7 became MRD- at EOI, and 4 remained MRD+ (1 indeterminate). Analyzing at EOI: MRD- rates were 91% by NGS analysis of PB (147/161) and 90% in BM (96/107), vs 95% (174/183) by FC in PB. As some were indeterminate, only 7% were MRD+ by NGS in BM, 3% by NGS in PB and 5% by FC. In 88 informative samples with EOI NGS in both BM and PB, concordance was high, with 81 negative in both, 1 positive in both and 6 BM+/PB- (Kappa Statistic = 0.23, p-value = 0.031). Of 101 pts with data at all 3 timepoints, I3, EOI, and C4: 7 were MRD+ at I3, 5 of these were MRD- at EOI, but 2 of these 5 were again MRD+ at C4. Of 2 MRD+ EOI, 1 became MRD- at C4. By FC, of 17 patients MRD+ at I3, 11 (65%) became MRD- at EOI. MRD status correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). Due to the low MRD+ rate at EOI and C4, we focus here on MRD status at I3 (10-4 cutoff for both NGS and FC), using a landmark analysis of 4 months on study. Median PFS (Figure) for pts MRD- at I3 mid-induction was 58.9 months by either NGS or FC, while for those MRD+ by NGS it was 26.9 months, vs 29.9 months MRD+ by FC. Conclusions: Both NGS and FC were feasible to assess MRD status in this multi-center trial. Results of NGS and FC are concordant at the 10-4 cutoff. NGS can be more sensitive when adequate material is available, and analysis of this subgroup is ongoing. The high MRD- rate (≥ 90%) at EOI in this BR-based trial and MRD correlation with PFS supports its use as a platform for MCL trials, although consolidation may confound PFS. Early interim MRD testing at cycle 3 identifies a high-risk population who may benefit from alternative treatment strategies. Analysis by treatment arm with longer follow-up, as well as comparison with centrally reviewed PET/CTs included in this study, will help define the most informative method(s), cutoff values, and timing for assessing degree of response in MCL. Figure. Disclosures Smith: Astra-Zeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; EUSA: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Parekh:Foundation Medicine Inc.: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Research Funding; Karyopharm Inc.: Research Funding. Martin:Sandoz: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Teneobio: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; I-MAB: Consultancy. Till:Mustang Bio: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Leonard:Gilead: Consultancy; Akcea Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bayer Corporation: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Akcea Therapeutics: Consultancy; Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy; Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Epizyme, Inc: Consultancy; Bayer Corporation: Consultancy; Miltenyi: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Miltenyi: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Consultancy. Friedberg:Bayer: Honoraria, Other: Data & Safety Monitoring Committee; Acerta: Other: Data & Safety Monitoring Committee. Kahl:TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy.
Proof of Concept for Tipifarnib in Relapsed or Refractory Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma (AITL) and CXCL12+ Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL): Preliminary Results from an Open-Label, Phase 2 Study

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 468-468

10.1182/blood-2019-128513

Background Tipifarnib is a potent and selective inhibitor of the enzyme farnesyltransferase (FT). FT catalyzes post-translational attachment of farnesyl groups required for localization of signaling molecules to the inner cell membrane. CXCL12 is a ligand for CXCR4 that is essential for T cell homing to lymphoid organs and the bone marrow, and for the maintenance of immune cell progenitors. We have previously shown that FT inhibition by tipifarnib downregulates CXCL12 secretion. Herein we report preliminary efficacy, safety and biomarker data from a Phase 2 study of tipifarnib in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and CXCL12+ peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) patients (pts). Methods This Phase 2 study (NCT02464228) is a multi-institutional, single-arm, open-label trial initially designed as a two-stage (11+7 pts) design to determine the efficacy, safety and biomarkers of tipifarnib in pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) PTCL age &gt;/=18 years and a performance status of 0-2. Based on initial findings, the study was amended to include a cohort of AITL (n=12) and PTCL (n=12) pts with the CXCL12 rs2839695 A/A genotype (wt CXCL12 3'UTR cohort). Pts received tipifarnib 300 mg administered orally twice daily on days 1-21 of 28-day treatment cycles until progression of disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of the study is overall response rate (ORR). Tumor Whole Exon Sequencing (WES) was generated by NGS and gene expression data generated by RNA Seq. Ancillary studies also investigated the prognostic value of CXCL12 expression in pts who received standard of care treatment. Results As of 24 May 2019, 50 PTCL pts (23 AITL, 25 PTCL-NOS, 1 ALK- ALCL, 1 gamma-delta TCL) have been treated with tipifarnib, 19 pts in stages 1 and 2, and 31 pts in the ongoing AITL histology and wt CXCL12 3'UTR cohorts. Median number of prior treatment regimens was 3; 19 pts had a prior stem cell transplant. All pts (n=48 with available safety data) had at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 42 (88%) had at least 1 study drug-related TEAE and 13 (27%) at least 1 drug related SAE. The most frequently observed drug-related TEAEs of Grade &gt;3 occurring in 10% or more of pts were blood and lymphatic system disorders, including neutropenia (40%), thrombocytopenia (33%), leukopenia (25%), anemia and febrile neutropenia (19% each). There have been 14 deaths on study; one related to study drug (lung infection). Of 18 evaluable pts enrolled in Stages 1 and 2 of the trial, 3 partial responses (PR), 2 of them in pts with AITL histology, and 5 best responses of stable disease (SD) were observed. In the AITL cohort (11 evaluable of 16 pts enrolled), a 45% ORR and 73% clinical benefit rate (CBR; 3 CR, 2 PR and 3 SD) was observed. In the wt CXCL12 3'UTR cohort (n=12 evaluable pts), a 42% ORR was observed (3 CR, 2 PR), with 2 of the 3 CRs observed in patients of AITL histology (n=4). A total of 23 AITL subjects were enrolled in the overall study of whom 16 had WES data. A strong association with the activity of tipifarnib was observed in 8 of the 16 (50%) carrying KIR3DL2 gene variants C336R/Q386E: 50% CR rate, 75% ORR, 100% clinical benefit rate. These tumors expressed also very low levels of CXCL5, a ligand for CXCR2, that may mediate resistance to tipifarnib. High Allele Frequency of KIR3DL2 variants predicted CR to tipifarnib treatment (ROC AUC=0.94, p&lt;0.0001) and AITL patients carrying KIR3DL2 gene variants experienced a better outcome with tipifarnib treatment than with prior SOC treatment. While AITL tumors expressed high levels of CXCL12 and responded to tipifarnib, a trend for poor prognosis (22 vs 40 months median OS from diagnosis, HR=1.8, p=0.09) was observed in a series of 50 PTCL subjects treated with SOC therapy. Fifty percent of AITL and 35% of non-AITL samples overexpressed CXCL12. Conclusion The AITL and wt CXCL12 3'UTR cohorts met pre-specified statistical hypotheses supporting proof-of-concept for tipifarnib in PTCL. AITL histology, KIR3DL2 and CXCL12 genotype provided robust tools for the selection/stratification of PTCL subjects treated with tipifarnib. Extended enrollment of AITL patients continues and an update on enrollment and outcomes will be provided at the time of the presentation. Disclosures Sokol: EUSA: Consultancy. Foss:Mallinckrodt: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Spectrum: Other: fees for non-CME/CE services ; Acrotech: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Other: fees for non-CME/CE services ; miRagen: Consultancy. Kim:Donga: Research Funding; Celltrion: Research Funding; J&J: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Kyowa-Kirin: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Research Funding. Jacobsen:Kura Oncology: Research Funding. Advani:Kyowa Kirin Pharmaceutical Developments, Inc.: Consultancy; Kura: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Autolus: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agensys: Research Funding; Stanford University: Employment, Equity Ownership; Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Celmed: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forty-Seven: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cell Medica, Ltd: Consultancy; Gilead Sciences, Inc./Kite Pharma, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Infinity Pharma: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. Roncero:Kura Oncology: Research Funding. Terol:Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy. Domingo-Domenech:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Travel expenses; Roche: Other: Travel expenses; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel expenses. Piris:Millenium/Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Lecture Fees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jansen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Lecture Fees; Nanostring: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kyowa Kirin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura: Research Funding. Rodriguez:Kura Oncology: Research Funding. Bolognese:Kura Oncology: Consultancy. Kessler:Kura Oncology: Employment. Mishra:Kura Oncology: Employment. Curry:Kura Oncology: Employment. Kurman:Kura Oncology: Employment. Scholz:Kura Oncology: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Gualberto:Kura Oncology: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.
A Phase II Study of Nivolumab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 467-467

10.1182/blood-2019-126194

Introduction: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of mature aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. They carry a worse prognosis for most subtypes compared with their B-cell counterparts. Despite the recent approval of newer therapies, the response rate and duration of clinical benefit is short and the outlook for patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) PTCL remains poor. There is therefore a need for novel effective therapies in PTCL. Targeting the profoundly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in PTCL is one such approach. Preclinical data show that malignant cells in PTCL overexpress programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which signals via programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, and provides an inhibitory signal further suppressing antitumor immunity. PD-1/PD-L1/2 interactions in PTCL are particularly complicated as both the receptor and ligands can be expressed on the malignant T-cell. While the use of anti-PD-1 blocking antibodies has shown remarkable efficacy particularly in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, only a small number of patients with PTCL have been treated with checkpoint blockade. We conducted an investigator-initiated phase 2 prospective study of single-agent nivolumab for RR PTCL. We report here the results of the prespecified interim analysis. Study design and patient selection: Nivolumab was given at a flat dose of 240 mg intravenously (IV) every 2 weeks for 8 cycles then 480 mg IV every 4 weeks starting cycle 9. The primary objective was to assess the overall response rate (ORR) defined as proportion of subjects achieving either a partial response (PR) or complete response (CR) within 12 cycles of treatment. Secondary objectives were to assess safety and tolerability of nivolumab in PTCL and to assess progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR) and overall survival (OS). Pre-planned sample size was 39, assuming that an ORR of 10% or less would be considered negative and an ORR of 30% or greater would warrant further study. We used a one-stage design with an interim analysis (upon enrolling 12 subjects) based on a Simon optimal design to assess efficacy. This design had a 90% power with a 1-sided 10% level test. The Duffy and Santner method was utilized to determine confidence intervals for the ORR. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to assess PFS, OS, and DOR. This study was sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb (NCT03075553). Results: Twelve patients who received at least one cycle of nivolumab were included in this interim analysis. Patient characteristics are illustrated in table 1. Half (6/12) of the patients had angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), 3/12 had PTCL, not otherwise specified (NOS), one had ALK negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK- ALCL). Most (11/12) were advanced stage (stage 4), had extranodal disease and half of the patients had received a prior autologous transplant. The ORR was 33% (4/12) (95% CI: 12.3 - 63.7%): 1 CR seen in ALK-ALCL; 2 PR, 1 in PTCL, NOS and 1 in enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma; 1 CR in AITL. The median DOR was 3.6 months (95% CI: 1.9-6.9). The median PFS for all 12 patients was short at 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.5-8.7); median OS was 7.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-10.8) (Panel A). Hyperprogressive disease (defined as dramatic progression within 1 cycle of treatment) occurred in 4 patients. Observed grade 3 and higher adverse events (AEs) were as follows: non-hematologic AEs in 5/12 (41.7%), while hematologic AEs were seen in 3/12 (25%) patients. Conclusions: Nivolumab had modest clinical activity in patients with R/R PTCL and the study met the criteria at interim analysis to continue accrual. However, due to the high number of patients with hyperprogressive disease, the moderate activity of the drug, and short DOR, a decision was made to halt the study. These findings likely reflect the distinct biology of PTCL and should be considered when designing future studies using checkpoint inhibitors in these diseases. Further studies are indicated using nivolumab in combination (rather than a single-agent) and use of biomarkers to better predict the responders. Disclosures Bennani: Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Adicet Bio: Other: Advisory board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board; Adicet Bio: Other: Advisory board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Adicet Bio: Other: Advisory board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Other: Advisory board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board. Nowakowski:Selvita: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NanoString: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ansell:Merck: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Seattle Genetics: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Takeda: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Bristol Myers Squibb: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Regeneron: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Affimed: Other: research funding for clinical trials; Pfizer: Other: research funding for clinical trials; AI Therapeutics: Other: research funding for clinical trials.
Intrafollicular CD4+ T-Cells As an Independent Predictor of Early Clinical Failure in Newly Diagnosed Follicular Lymphoma

Blood | February 14, 2020 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 121-121

10.1182/blood-2019-126233

Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent indolent lymphoma. While immunochemotherapy (IC) treated FL patients who achieve event-free status at 24 months after diagnosis (EFS24) have the subsequent life expectancy of the general population, those who fail to achieve EFS24 have aggressive disease with poor outcomes. Similarly, in FL patients initially observed or treated with rituximab monotherapy, EFS at 12 months (EFS12) is a strong predictor of subsequent outcome. Thus, an unmet patient need is to predict at diagnosis those at greatest risk of early failure in order to identify better treatments. The lymphoma microenvironment may be a key determinant of early failure. Therefore, we aimed to improve risk stratification of newly diagnosed FL patients by using a discovery and validation study design to identify microenvironment determinants of early failure and then integrate them into the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI). Patients and Methods: We evaluated 496 patients with FL grade 1-3A who were prospectively enrolled into the Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) cohort from 2002-2012. In the discovery set of patients (N=166), we stained tissue microarrays for CD4, CD8, FOXP3, CD32b, CD14, CD68, CD70, SIRPa, TIM3, PD-1 and PDL1. Immunohistochemical staining was determined both within and between malignant follicles. Stains were scored to the nearest decile as the percentages of cells positive. Scores for each stain were dichotomized as 0% vs &gt;0% except for CD32b (&lt;20% vs ≥20%), CD70 (&lt;10% vs ≥10%), and SIRPa (&lt;30% vs ≥30%). EFS was defined as time from diagnosis to progression, relapse, retreatment, or death. Early failure was defined as failing to achieve EFS24 for patients treated with IC at diagnosis and failing to achieve EFS12 for patients who were observed or received other treatments. Risk of early failure was estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from logistic regression models. Markers at P≤0.15 were brought forward for validation in a separate set of patients from the MER cohort (N=330), with P&lt;0.005 being declared statistically significant after a Bonferroni correction (0.05/10 tests). In the combined dataset, we also used Cox regression to assess associations with continuous EFS and overall survival (OS). Mass cytometry (CyTOF) was then performed on a subset of patients (N=51) to comprehensively characterize the phenotype of intratumoral immune cells associated with outcome. Results: In the discovery set, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, PD-1, and SIRPα were associated with risk of early failure at P≤0.15 and were subsequently evaluated in the validation set. Only CD4 expression inside the follicle validated. Specifically, lack of CD4 expression inside the follicle was associated with higher risk of early failure in the discovery (OR=1.77, P=0.15) and validation (OR=2.59, P=0.001) sets, with a pooled OR=2.29 (95% CI 1.47-3.58; P&lt;0.001). CyTOF analysis characterized the favorable CD4+ T-cell population associated with achieving EFS12/24 as activated effector memory T cells lacking exhaustion markers (Figure 1A). Adjustment of CD4 expression for FLIPI in the combined dataset did not weaken this association (OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.51-3.79), and lack of CD4 expression was prognostic within each FLIPI group 0-1 (OR=2.65; p=0.036), 2 (OR=2.07; P=0.064) and 3-5 (OR=2.51; P=0.015). We next established a bio-clinical risk model (termed BioFLIPI) that combined CD4 intrafollicular expression and FLIPI into a 1-4 scale, where any expression of intrafollicular CD4 moved a patient up one FLIPI risk group, adding a fourth (high) risk group for FLIPI 3-5 and any CD4 inside expression. The BioFLIPI score was strongly associated with risk of early failure: compared to a BioFLIPI score of 1 (24% of patients), patients with a score of 2 (35% of patients; OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.08-4.69), 3 (31% of patients; OR=3.53, 95% CI 1.78-7.54), and 4 (10% of patients; OR=8.92, 95% CI 4.00-21.1) had increasing risk of early failure. The c-statistic for BioFLIPI was 0.665, which was higher than that for FLIPI alone (0.636). BioFLIPI was also strongly predictive of continuous EFS [Figure 1B], OS [Figure 1C], and for EFS and EFS24 when restricted to IC-treated patients [Figure 1D]. Conclusion: Integration of CD4 expression inside the follicle at diagnosis with FLIPI improves identification of FL patients at risk for early failure. Disclosures Novak: Celgene Coorperation: Research Funding. Nowakowski:Curis: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Research Funding; Selvita: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NanoString: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Research Funding. Cerhan:NanoString: Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding. Ansell:LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Affimed: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Affimed: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Regeneron: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Affimed: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Regeneron: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment; Mayo Clinic Rochester: Employment.
Impact of MYD88L265P mutation status on histological transformation of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

American Journal of Hematology | December 9, 2019 | Volume: 95 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 274-281

10.1002/ajh.25697 | PMID 31814157

AbstractHistological transformation in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is an uncommon complication, with limited data, particularly regarding the impact of MYD88 L265P mutation on transformation. We examined risk factors and outcomes associated with transformation in WM, highlighting the role of MYD88 L265P mutation. Patients with WM seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA and University Hospital of Reims, France, between 01/01/1996 and December 31, 2017 were included; 50 (4.3%) of 1147 patients transformed to a high‐grade lymphoma, with median time‐to‐transformation of 4.5 (range 0‐21) years in the transformed cohort. The MYD88 L265P mutation status was known in 435/1147 (38%) patients (406 with non‐transformed WM and 29 patients in transformed cohort). On multivariate analysis, MYD88 WT status alone was an independent predictor of transformation (odds ratio, 7[95%CI: 2.1‐23]; P = .003). Additionally, the MYD88 WT status was independently associated with shorter time‐to‐transformation (HR 7.9 [95%CI: 2.3‐27; P = .001]), with a 5‐year transformation rate of 16% for MYD88 WT vs 2.8% with MYD88 L265P mutated patients. Patients with transformation demonstrated a significant increase in risk of death compared to patients who did not transform (HR 5.075; 95%CI: 3.8‐6.8; P < .001). In conclusion, the MYD88 WT status is an independent predictor of transformation and associated with a shorter time‐to‐transformation. Additionally, transformation conferred an inferior overall survival in patients with WM.