Citations 663

Outcomes of DLBCL Patients Entering Surveillance (without maintenance) after Immunochemotherapy in a Large Observational Study

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3036-3036

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3036.3036

Abstract Background: DLBCL without an event (disease progression, retreatment or death) within 24 months post diagnosis have a subsequent overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population. In contrast, patients with an event with 24 months post diagnosis have poor survival. Patients experiencing early events are a heterogeneous group, consisting of patients with primary refectory disease and responding patients who later developed relapse. While the outcome of patients with primary refractory disease have been recently studied, little is known about or patients who have a response following immunochemotherapy (IC) and proceed to surveillance. These patients are the subject of recently completed and ongoing post-IC maintenance trials. To provide perspective, we analyzed outcomes of patients from a prospective observational study entering post IC. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL and treated with anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy were enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) from 2002-2009. End of immunochemotherapy (EOIC) was defined as the date the patient entered surveillance after completion of anthracycline-based IC as per our previous study of surveillance imaging. Response status at EOIC was abstracted as reported from the clinical and radiographic (CT and/or PET) reports. EFS24 was defined being event-free at 24 months from diagnosis, where events consisted of progression, re-treatment, or death (any cause) after initial immunochemotherapy. Survival from EOIC was compared to the general United States population using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and expected survival. Logistic regression with EFS24 as the endpoint was used to identify pretreatment variables that inform prognosis at the time of EOIC, using Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as the measure of association. A subset analysis was performed in the patients aged 60-80 with aaIPI 1-3. Results: 680 patients with DLBCL were enrolled in the MER and initiated R-CHOP or comparable IC from 2002-2009. 552 pts (81%) completed therapy and proceeded to surveillance. Median age of the 552 patients was 61 years (range 18-92) and 51% were male. At a median FU of 89 months from EOIC (range 5-156), 146 pts (26%) had died, and 467 (86%) achieved EFS24. From EOIC, the 5 year overall survival was 82% compared to 91% expected based on age and sex matched general population; SMR was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.60-2.22). In the patients age 60-80 with aaIP1 1-3, (N=203), 79% achieved EFS24 and the 5-year OS from EOIC was 75% compared to 89% expected; SMR was 2.08 (95% 1.65-2.61). When examining all 552 patients proceeding to surveillance at end of EOIC, several high-risk disease characteristics at diagnosis were associated with higher risk of failing EFS24 after completion of therapy: ECOG PS 2-4 (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.55-4.78) , LDH> ULN (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.99-6.31), Stage III/IV (OR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.41-4.16), and aaIPI (per-point OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.54-2.64). Patients reported to be in CR at EOIC were more likely to achieve EFS24 (90%) compared to patients not in CR (72%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients entering surveillance after IC have shortened overall survival when compared with the general US population, with significant proportion of patients having an event within 24 months of diagnosis. Increased aaIPI and response less than CR are risk factors for inferior EFS24 in this group. Assessment of the prognostic value of EOIC response (PR vs. CR based on central review) is ongoing. Disclosures Nowakowski: Celgene: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Maurer:Celgene: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Howlett:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ansell:BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding.
Time from Diagnosis to Initiation of Treatment of DLBCL and Implication for Potential Selection Bias in Clinical Trials

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3034-3034

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3034.3034

Abstract Background: There are a number of ongoing clinical trials assessing next-generation immunochemotherapy (IC) regimens (i.e. RX-CHOP) in DLBCL. In addition to standard clinical trial workup, some trials require central pathology review and/or molecular phenotyping before treatment assignment and/or initiation of therapy. There is concern that these studies may be biasing patient selection due to missing patients with aggressive disease who require immediate therapy and cannot delay their treatment to enroll on a study. Here we examine clinical characteristics and outcome stratified by the time from diagnosis to initiation of therapy from a large observational cohort of patients with DLBCL from the R-CHOP era. Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa / Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) within 9 months of diagnosis and followed for relapse, retreatment, and death. Clinical management at diagnosis and subsequent therapies were per treating physician. This analysis includes patients with stage II-IV DLBCL or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) who underwent front-line anthracycline based IC; patients with primary CNS lymphoma, PTLD, or a component of low-grade lymphoma were excluded. Time from diagnosis to treatment was defined as the time from date of first lymphoma-containing biopsy to the initiation of IC therapy; delayed therapy was defined as initiating therapy more than 14 days after diagnosis. Event-free survival was defined as time from diagnosis until progression, retreatment, or death due to any cause. EFS24 was defined as progression free status 24 months from diagnosis. Results: 720 patients with stage II-IV newly diagnosed DLBCL or PMBCL and treated with IC were enrolled in the MER from 2002-2012. Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range 18-92) and 399 patients (55%) were male. 541 patients (75%) had stage III/IV disease and IPI at diagnosis was 0-1 in 166 patients (23%), 2 in 221 patients (31%), 3 in 222 patients (31%) and 4-5 in 111 patients (15%). 233 of 395 patients (59%) were GCB per Hans. At a median follow-up of 73 months, (range 0-163), 349 (49%) patients had an event and 267 patients died (37%); 37% of patients failed to achieve EFS24. Median time from initial lymphoma diagnosis to initiation of IC was 14 days (range 0-79, IQR=8-23). Patients with delay in therapy (>14 days from diagnosis) were more frequently female (50%, p=0.0051) and older than patients who initiated therapy within 14 days from diagnosis (median age at diagnosis of 63 years vs. 60 years, p=0.0008). Patients with delay in treatment initiation had universally less aggressive disease characteristics, including earlier stage, non-elevated LDH, 0-1 extranodal sites, absence of B-symptoms, lower ECOG PS, and lower IPI (see table). In addition, patients with delayed therapy were enriched for GCB subtype per Hans algorithm (p=0.056). Patients with initiation of therapy within 14 day of diagnosis had significantly worse outcome (EFS24 failure=44%) compared to patients with delayed time to initiation of therapy (EFS24 failure=28%, p<0.0001, figure), which remained significant after adjusting for either IPI or aaIPI (both p<0.005). The association between delayed time to initiation of therapy and EFS24 was observed in both GCB (EFS24 failure = 42% vs. 27%, p=0.019) and non-GCB (EFS24 failure = 46% vs. 27%, p=0.014) subsets by Hans. The lower event rate in delayed therapy patients results in an approximately 10% loss of power if the study was powered based on all patients regardless of timing from diagnosis to therapy. Conclusions: Patients with delayed therapy from diagnosis have less aggressive clinical characteristics compared to patients who initiate treatment within 14 days from diagnosis. Studies with a lengthy trial work-up including central pathology review period may be selecting patients with less aggressive disease based on the patient's ability to delay treatment to complete study enrollment requirements. Furthermore, selection of patients with less aggressive disease may result in underpowered studies due to a lower event rate (fewer events) than expected. This retrospective analysis would suggest that trials in DLBCL should consider streamlined enrollment and therapy initiation to avoid potential selection bias and loss of power. Further assessment of implications on trial design and outcomes by cell of origin in this setting is ongoing. Table Table. Figure Figure. Disclosures Maurer: Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Ansell:BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding. Nowakowski:Morphosys: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
Treatment and Clinical Outcomes of High Grade B-Cell Lymphomas with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 Rearrangements (Double Hit/Triple Hit Lymphomas)

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 155-155

10.1182/blood.v128.22.155.155

Abstract Background: B-cell lymphomas with a MYC/8q24 rearrangement coupled with translocations involving BCL2 and/or BCL6, often referred to as double hit or triple hit (DH/TH) lymphomas, typically have an aggressive clinical course. A new WHO subtype, "high grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements", has been established for this entity (Swerdlow et al. Blood; 127: 2375-2390, 2016). Herein we report the treatment and outcomes of DH/TH patients at our institution. Materials and Methods: Cases were identified through the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Database, University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER), and the Mayo Clinic Cytogenetics Laboratory. Interphase FISH was performed clinically on either paraffin sections of the tissue specimens or on smears of the bone marrow aspirate specimens using break-apart probes for MYC and BCL6, dual fusion probes for IGH/MYC, IGL/MYC, and IGK/MYC, and either a BCL2 break-apart probe or an IGH/BCL2 dual fusion probe. Consensus pathology re-review was performed to define morphology as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) vs. high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL). Patients with de-novo DH/TH or diagnosis of DH/TH at the time of transformation of a previously diagnosed low-grade lymphoma and who were treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy were included in this analysis. Patients with DH/TH first identified at the time of recurrent aggressive B-cell lymphoma were excluded. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from DH/TH diagnosis to death from any cause. EFS12 was defined as event-free status 12 months from diagnosis of DH/TH. Results: Clinical outcome analysis was performed on 71 patients (Table 1). The median age was 61 years (range 29-82). 60 patients had de-novo DH/TH and 11 patients had transformation of a previously diagnosed low-grade lymphoma. In 65 cases in which there was consensus morphology on pathology re-review, there were 39 (60%) with HGBCL morphology and 26 (40%) with DLBCL morphology. At a median follow-up of 21 months (range 1-87), the event free survival at 12 months was 43%, and the median overall survival (OS) was 22 months (95% CI: 13-NA). The OS at 5 years was 48% (95% CI: 36%-63%). Patients with DH/TH at transformation of previously diagnosed low-grade lymphoma had a very poor outcome (median OS=10.8 months, EFS12 = 10%), which was inferior to patients with de-novo DH/TH (P=0.0069). When compared to all other therapies, patients treated with R-CODOX-M/IVAC had better EFS12 (p=0.03) with a trend in improved OS (p=0.08) though this may be confounded by patient selection bias as these patients were significantly younger (p=0.0001) than patients treated with other anthracycline based regimens (table 1). Conclusion: In "high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements", induction failure occurs early. Although transformation to DH/TH from previously diagnosed low-grade lymphoma is associated with a particularly poor outcome, the overall survival for the entire cohort at 5 years was 48%, suggesting long-term cures in a subset of patients. Treatment with R-CODOX-M/IVAC may result in superior outcomes in patients less than 60 years of age. Table 1 Table 1. Figure Figure. Disclosures Ansell: BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding. Nowakowski:Celgene: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Whole-Exome Analysis Of DLBCL Tumors Reveals a Unique Genetic Signature Associated With Aggressive Disease

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 499-499

10.1182/blood.v122.21.499.499

Abstract While extensive, the genetic studies of DLBCL tumors to date have primarily focused on somatic mutations that are associated with development of lymphoma, i.e., driver mutations. Identification of key genetic events that impact and/or predict response to therapy and clinical outcome of lymphoma patients has not been accomplished. In an exploratory study, we used whole-exome sequencing to identify novel biomarkers that can predict which patients have an aggressive form of DLBCL, and therefore would likely benefit from a different and more aggressive treatment plan. Using whole-exome sequencing data from 54 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients, we evaluated the association of somatic coding single nucleotide (cSNV) and copy number (CNV) variants with aggressive DLBCL. All patients were treated with R-CHOP or immunochemotherapy, and disease aggressiveness was based on relapse, with patients classified as having aggressive disease (AD) (n=13, defined as treatment failure, relapse, or progression within 24 months of diagnosis) versus non-aggressive disease (n=41, defined as achieving at least 24 months of relapse-free survival). An in-house algorithm, patternCNV was used to detect somatic CNVs. Logistic regression was used to assess statistical significance. In the cSNV analysis, 24 genes were found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with AD. Of these genes, CIITA (p=0.01) was previously identified as a mutational target in DLBCL and is a recurrent gene fusion partner in lymphoid cancers. Metacore analyses showed that seven of these genes, including CIITA, can be placed in the same regulatory network centered around CREB1. Interestingly, the CREB binding protein (CREBBP) is a known target of pathogenic mutations in DLBCL. In the CNV analyses, we identified 245 gene amplifications and 209 gene deletions associated with AD (p ≤ 0.05). Deleted genes were localized in three major chromosomal regions, 6p22.3-6p22.1 (26 genes), 6q13-6q16.3 (31 genes), and 6q21-6q24.2 (86 genes). In the CNV amplification analysis, the genes were localized in two major chromosomal regions, 3q12.3-3q29 (90 genes) and 19q13.12-19q13.43 (122 genes). We also quantified the association of each regional deletion/amplification with patient outcome. As expected, each deleted region was univariately associated with time to relapse: 6p22.3-6p22.1 (HR = 7.19, 95% CI: 2.66-19.46, p=1.33x10-5), 6q13-6q16.3 (HR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.74-11.32, p=6.84x10-4), and 6q21-6q24.2 (HR = 5.42, 95% CI: 2.12-13.87, p=9.23x10-5) as well as the two amplification regions: 3q12.3-3q29 (HR = 4.60, 95% CI: 1.49-14.24, p=4.27x10-3) and 19q13.12 -19q13 (HR = 13.79, 95% CI: 4.39-43.34, p=2.81x10-8). Deletions at 6q21-6q24.2 have been previously reported in DLBCL and two tumor suppressor genes associated with lymphoma pathogenesis are localized in the region, TNFAIP3 (p=0.14) and PRDM1 (p=0.02), the latter of which was significantly associated with AD. However, the genes in the 6p21 locus that were most significant (p=0.002) were SLC22A16, GPR6, SOBP, MATTL24, DDO, and REV3L. SLC22A16, which also had cSNVs in two tumors, is an organic cation transporter that has been shown to transport chemotherapeutic drugs including doxorubicin. Successful drug response has been correlated with the level of activity and expression of this transporter in tumor cells. To determine if expression of SLC22A16 would have an impact on doxorubicin transport, and may therefore impact response to R-CHOP we overexpressed either an empty vector control or SLC22A16 in OCI-Ly7 DLBCL cells, which do not express endogenous SLC22A16 mRNA. We found that OCI-Ly7 cells expressing SLC22A16 have increased 14C-doxorubicin uptake and are more sensitive to doxorubicin-induced cell death when compared to the empty vector control cells. These data suggest that loss of SLC22A16 expression through gene deletion could impact the ability of DLBCL cells to respond to therapy and indicates an aggressive form of the disease. In summary, our data are the first to use whole exome sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with aggressive DLBCL, which will require replication in additional samples. Nevertheless, our data highlight the role for somatic CNVs in patient outcome and we biologically validate the potential impact of deletions in SLC22A16 at 6p21. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Primary Parotid MALT Lymphoma: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment – a Single Institution Experience

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1580-1580

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1580.1580

Abstract Abstract 1580 Background: Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphomas of Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) account for approximately 5% of all non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cases. Specific MALT lymphomas are characterized by distinct clinical features, treatment strategies, and outcome, depending on site of the disease. While previous reports have described clinical course and treatment of gastric and pulmonary MALT lymphomas, a paucity of data exist describing primary parotid MALT lymphoma. This is a single institution experience. Methods: Patients with primary parotid MALT lymphoma were identified from the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Database since 1986. This database includes all consenting patients with lymphoma seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Pathology was reviewed by a lymphoma pathologist; WHO criteria were used for diagnosis. PFS and OS were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model was used to asses the impact of variables on PFS and OS. Results: Seventy-six consecutive patients with primary parotid MALT lymphoma were evaluated and treated at Mayo Clinic from 1986 to 2010. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years (18–90). 58 (76%) were female. 42 (55.3%) patients had a history of Sjögren's Disease and 51 (67.1%) had a history of autoimmune disorders. 52 (68.4%), 4 (5.3%), and18 (23.7%) had stage I, II, and IV disease, respectively. 2 cases did not have complete staging information. 6 (7.8%) and 2 (2.6 %) had bone marrow and lung involvement, respectively. No patients had GI tract, liver, or CNS involvement. Median estimated OS (overall survival) was 18.3 years and median PFS (progression free survival) was 7.9 years. ALC<0.96 (p=0.0162) were associated with shorter survival. Age, ECOG performance score, stage, LDH, and history of Sjögren's disease were not prognostic for overall survival. The treatment approach and PFS are outlined in the table. For stage I disease, outcomes were excellent with local therapy. The median estimated PFS was 7.9 years with 72% of patients undergoing surgery surviving at 8 years. Patients receiving radiotherapy had an estimated median PFS of 15.7 years and median OS of 18.3 years. In contrast, patients being observed had a median PFS of 5.5 years. The use of systemic therapy with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or in combination was associated with a median PFS of 7.4 years. Summary: Primary parotid MALT lymphoma is strongly associated with Sjögren's disease. This lymphoma is usually limited to the parotid and associated with a favorable prognosis. For limited disease, local treatment with radiation or surgery appears to be an effective treatment options. For extensive disease, both immunotherapy and chemotherapy are efficacious treatments. Further prospective studies and long-term follow up are needed to determine the optimal treatment approaches and efficacy of chemotherapy/immunotherapy regimens. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Risk of Transformation of Follicular Lymphoma to High Grade Lymphoma After Radioimmunotherapy: A Prospective Observational Single Institutional Experience

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1572-1572

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1572.1572

Abstract Abstract 1572 Background: The incidence of histologic transformation (HT) of follicular lymphoma (FL) to an aggressive lymphoma has been reported to range from 10–75%. The British Columbia Cancer Agency reported a risk of 3% per year (Al-Tourah AJ, et al J Clin Oncol 2008;26: 5165–5169). The hallmark of HT is the acquisition of new somatic mutations and genomic instability within the malignant clone. DNA damaging agents such as radioimmunotherapy (RIT) may increase the risk of HT by inducing additional DNA damage. The incidence of HT after RIT is unknown. This single institution study analyzes the risk of histologic transformation (HT) in patients with FL after RIT treatment with yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan. METHODS: The Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Data Base were queried for all patients having received a single dose of yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan for FL. The Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Database includes all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with lymphoma evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester. The prospective radioimmunotherapy lymphoma database was also utilized (GAW). The diagnosis of FL was defined by current WHO Classification, and all cases were centrally reviewed. HT was defined as the development of histologically proven diffuse large B cell lymphoma in patients with history of Grade 1 or 2 FL (change to Grade 3A/B FL was not included). Patients having demonstrated evidence of HT prior to RIT were excluded from this analysis. RESULTS: 119 consecutive patients were included. 64(54%) were male. The median follow-up was 57(range 2–175) months. RIT was administered as treatment for progressive FL in 96.6% of patients. RIT was administered as a consolidation therapy in 4(3.4%) patients. The median number of prior systemic treatments was 2 (range 0–10). The median time from diagnosis to RIT was not different in patients with HT vs. those without HT 44 (10–186) vs. 40 months (range 1–394) (p=0.30), respectively. The median time to HT from RIT was 13 months (range 1–97). Four patients had HT within 3 months of RIT. The median survival after HT was 15 months (range 1–147). The estimated five year risk of transformation from RIT by Kaplan-Meier in patients with fludarabine exposure and those without exposure was 55% and 29% (p=0.0498). 10 year risk from the time of RIT was 64% with fludarabine exposure and 31% without (p=0.0498). The relative risk of HT after RIT in patients previously treated with fludarabine was HR=4.1 (95% CI: 2.0–7.9). The median number of prior therapies in patients with HT vs. patients without HT was 2 (0–6) and 1 (0–10) (P=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our data is the first to estimate the risk of HT after the use of RIT. The estimated overall risk of HT of 31% at 10 years from diagnosis in patients without fludarabine exposure is similar to that of patients in whom RIT has not been administered. The estimated overall risk of HT of 64% in those patients having received purine analogues appears to be increased. We conclude that RIT appears to not increase the risk of HT in patients who did not receive prior purine analogue therapy. The differences in extent and mechanisms involved in DNA damage induced by radiation vs. purine analogues may play a role in clinical differences in observed rates of HT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Pilot Study of Physical Activity Level and Mood among Long-Term Lymphoma Survivors.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 106 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 4692-4692

10.1182/blood.v106.11.4692.4692

Abstract It has been well-documented in cardiac patients and in the general population that physical activity improves physical and mental health. Physical activity could also improve the health and quality of life of long-term lymphoma survivors, but little is known about physical activity in this group of patients. Using the Mayo Tumor Registry, we identified eligible patients who were 16 years or older at diagnosis, U.S. residents, first diagnosed with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma from 1984–1998, diagnosed and/or initially treated at Mayo Clinic Rochester, and survived for 5 to 20 years (N=2,485). In October of 2004, we mailed a 23-page survey to 95 randomly selected patients; 7 were found to be ineligible (deceased or too ill). Of the 88 remaining patients, we were able to find a correct address for 82, and 57 completed a survey for a 70% participation rate. Physical activity was self-reported using the Godin (1985) Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Of the 54 patients with complete data for this report, the mean age at completion of the questionnaire was 60.8 years (26.1–86.7). The mean time since diagnosis was 12.0 years (6.3–19.9), and 52% survived more than 11 years. The histologies included 22 (39%) Hodgkin lymphoma, 21 (38%) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 3 (5%) follicular lymphomas, 1 (2%) high-grade lymphoma, 5 (9%) peripheral T-cell lymphomas, and 4 (7%) other. Regular fitness was reported by 21% of the respondents. This is lower than a recent report of adults aged 50 years and older, where approximately 40% of those free of chronic disability were attaining recommended daily physical activity levels. It is also lower than the expected 30% in patients with disabilities from the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (Brown DR et al., Med Sci Sports Exerc2005;37:620–9). In addition, although not statistically significant, there were effect sizes observed suggesting that sedentary responders had higher levels of depression, higher anxiety levels, more distress, and lower quality of life (QOL) compared to physically active respondents. These finding need to be verified in a larger sample to obtain better estimates. In conclusion, levels of physical activity were lower than general population samples. These results also suggest that physical activity level may be related to improved mood and QOL in this population.
Dexamethasone, Rituximab and Cyclophosphamide (DRC) As Salvage Therapy for Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2972-2972

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2972.2972

Abstract Background WM remains an incurable cancer despite recent advances. While a phase II trial has demonstrated efficacy of dexamethasone, rituximab and cyclophosphamide (DRC) in the treatment-naïve (TN) patients, this regimen has not been studied systematically in the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting. Recent data has suggested the MYD88mutation status in WM patients can serve as a predictive marker with therapies such as ibrutinib. We examined the efficacy and tolerability of up to 6 cycles of DRC, with focus on R/R population and activity of this regimen with respect to the patients' MYD88L265Pstatus. Methods Records of WM patients seen consecutively at Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester, Arizona and Florida from 01/2007 to 12/2014 were reviewed. MYD88L265P status, as assessed by AS-PCR, was recorded when available. Data obtained from symptomatic patients treated with DRC (dexamethasone 20 mg intravenously followed by rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2 orally bid on days 1 to 5) were analyzed. Time-to-event analyses were performed from DRC therapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. We used the Consensus response criteria (6th International Workshop). Results Of 100 symptomatic patients who received DRC, 50 had R/R WM (40% refractory) and 50 were TN. Table 1 shows the patients' baseline characteristics. In the R/R population, DRC was 2nd line (range 2-8) therapy in 58% of patients. The median IgM levels declined from 3,870 mg/dL to 1,846 mg/dL (p=0.0001) at best response. Median follow-up from DRC was 51 months (95% CI: 38-55). The median time-to-best response was 6.8 (0.5-28) months. Overall response rate (ORR) was 87% [VGPR 4%, PR 64%, MR 19%]. Four patients (9%) achieved SD and 2 patients (4%) had PD. Of the sixteen deaths (32%) noted at time of analysis, 11 were related to progressive disease. The median disease-specific survival (DSS) from DRC was not reached (NR) (95% CI: NR-NR). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and time-to-next-therapy (TTNT) were 32 months (95% CI: 15-51) and 50 months (95% CI: 35-60), respectively. In contrast, in the TN patients the median IgM levels declined from 4,130 mg/dL to 1,250 mg/dL (p=0.0001) at best response; median time to best response was 11 (0.6-47) months; median follow-up from DRC was 30 months (95% CI: 21-36). ORR was 96% [VGPR 17% (n=8), PR 70% (n=32), MR 9% (n=4)]. Of the 7 deaths (14%) at time of analysis, 4 were related to WM progression. Median DSS from DRC was NR (95% CI: NR-NR); median PFS and TTNT were 34 months (95% CI: 23-NR) and NR (95% CI: 37-NR), respectively. Among 29 genotyped patients in whom MYD88 mutation status was available, MYD88L265P was present in 25 patients (8 of 10 TN and 17 of 19 R/R patients). The response rates and the time-to-event outcomes were similar in the MYD88L265P and wild-type patients. Grade ≥3 adverse effects included neutropenia (20%), thrombocytopenia (7%) and infections (3%). Conclusions Similar to the frontline setting, DRC is an active and well-tolerated salvage regimen. In contrast to ibrutinib, DRC offers a less expensive, limited-duration treatment option, with preliminary data suggesting activity independent of patients' MYD88 mutation status. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Amgen Inc: Consultancy; Takeda Oncology: Consultancy. Kumar:Glycomimetics: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Noxxon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kesios: Consultancy; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Skyline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy. Dispenzieri:Jannsen: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; pfizer: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Research Funding; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ansell:BMS, Seattle Genetics, Merck, Celldex and Affimed: Research Funding. Kapoor:Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding.
Elevation of Serum Free Light Chains Are Common In Lymphoma and Associated with Poor Event Free and Overall Survival

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 4136-4136

10.1182/blood.v116.21.4136.4136

Abstract Abstract 4136 Background: The serum free light chain (FLC) assay quantitates free kappa and free lambda immunoglobulin light chains. This assay has prognostic value in MGUS, multiple myeloma (MM), solitary plasmacytoma, and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, and has been incorporated in response criteria for both MM and AL amyloidosis. We previously showed elevated FLC was associated with poor outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients from a phase II cooperative group clinical trial (Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts) 2009 November 20, 2009; 114(22): 136). Here we replicate those findings in a large clinic based epidemiology cohort, as well as examine FLC abnormalities in other lymphoma subtypes. Methods: Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). Serum FLC was quantitated from enrollment research serum draws within 9 months of diagnosis using the Freelite FLC assay (The Binding Site, Ltd., Birmingham, UK). Elevated FLC was defined as either kappa or lambda above the published reference range. Monoclonal elevated FLC was defined as elevated FLC with an abnormal FLC ratio; polyclonal elevated FLC was defined as elevated FLC with an FLC ratio in the normal reference range. Clinical data was abstracted using a standard protocol for the MER and patients were followed systematically for event-free (progression, retreatment, or death due to any cause) and overall survival (EFS and OS, respectively). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the unadjusted association between FLC and outcome. Results: 1118 lymphoma patients diagnosed between September 2002 and February 2008 with available serum were assayed. At a medium follow-up of 49 months (range 1–94), 484 patients (43%) had an event and 249 patients died (22%). Elevated FLC was present in 27% of lymphomas, with prevalence ranging from 13% in follicular lymphoma (FL) to 64% for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and 77% for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Elevated FLC was present in 27% of DLBCL and associated with poor EFS (monoclonal hazard ratio (HR)=2.56, polyclonal HR=1.99, all p<0.001) and OS (monoclonal HR=3.22, polyclonal HR=2.91, all p<0.0001), replicating our previous findings. Elevated FLC was generally polyclonal (FLC ratio normal) across lymphoma subtypes, though monoclonal elevated FLC (FLC ratio abnormal) was common in MCL and the post-follicular lymphomas. Elevated FLC was associated with inferior EFS in all lymphomas combined (monoclonal HR=1.92, 95% CI:1.44-5.55, polyclonal HR=1.38, 95% CI:1.09-1.74); this association remained consistent in most subtypes (see table). In addition, elevated FLC was associated with poor EFS in MCL (monoclonal) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL; polyclonal). Elevated FLC was also significantly associated with OS in HL (polyclonal HR=6.24, 95% CI 2.44–15.9), FL (polyclonal HR=5.85, 95% CI 2.62–13.0), post follicular lymphomas (polyclonal HR=4.16, 95% CI 1.17–14.8), as well as for all lymphomas combined (monoclonal HR=2.24, 95% CI 1.52–3.29, polyclonal HR=2.33, 95% CI 1.74–3.11). Conclusions: A significant percentage of lymphoma patients have elevated FLC. Our previous discovery of elevated FLC predicting poor outcome in DLBCL was confirmed in a large, independent dataset. Prevalence and type of elevated FLC (monoclonal vs. polyclonal) varies by lymphoma subtype. Elevated monoclonal and polyclonal FLC is associated with poor outcome broadly in lymphoma, as well as specifically for a number of lymphoma subtypes, supporting FLC as a potentially useful prognostic biomarker in many lymphoma subtypes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Lenalidomide Combined with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) Overcomes Negative Prognostic Impact of ABC Molecular Subtype in Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3035-3035

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3035.3035

Abstract Background: We previously reported that Lenalidomide combined with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) has significant activity in non-GCB (non-germinal center B-cell) subtype of DLBCL as defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using Hans algorithm (J Clin Oncol. 2015 Jan 20;33(3):251-7). However, defining non-GCB subtype of DLBCL by IHC as opposed to the "gold standard" gene expression profiling (GEP) is subject to technical limitations and its prognostic value has not reproduced in some recently published studies. In addition, recent reports questioned prognostic value of GEP in prospective clinical trials as opposed to initial reports from retrospective case series. To address these concerns, we assessed outcomes by cell of origin (COO) as determined via GEP using NanoString Lymphoma Subtyping Test (LST) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue on patients enrolled in a phase 2 study of R2CHOP and an independent comparison cohort of patients treated with RCHOP alone. Methods: Eligible patients for R2CHOP phase 2 study MC078E were adults with newly diagnosed, untreated, stages II-IV CD20 positive DLBCL. Patients received oral lenalidomide 25 mg days 1-10 with standard dose R-CHOP every 21 days for 6 cycles. All patients received pegfilgrastim on day 2 of each cycle and aspirin prophylaxis. DLBCL molecular subtype was determined by GEP using NanoString LST, a multiplexed digital gene expression assay performed on the nCounter® Dx Analysis System and reported as GCB vs ABC vs unclassified. A comparison cohort of RCHOP treated DLBCL patients was generated from the prospectively enrolled Mayo Clinic component of the Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). MER patients meeting the same inclusion criteria as MC078E with available tissue were selected based via matching on age, stage, and IPI to the MC078E patients. Event-free survival was defined as time from diagnosis (MER) or study registration (MC078E) to progression, re-treatment, or death. EFS24 was defined as being event-free at 24 months. Associations between COO and outcome were assessed via log-rank tests due to censoring for EFS24. Results: 50 MC078E R2CHOP patients enrolled between 2008 and 2013,124 matched MER RCHOP patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2012 were assessed for COO. Median follow up in 70 patients still alive was 7.9 years (1.9-13.0) in RCHOP treated patients and 4.4 years (1.9-5.5) for 24 in R2CHOP treated patients still alive. Median age was 65 years (range 35-89) in RCHOP treated patients and 69 years (22-87) in R2CHOP patients (p=0.485). 53 RCHOP treated patients (43%) and 31 R2CHOP treated patients (62%) had intermediate-high or high IPI (p=0.021). COO was GCB, ABC, and unclassified DLBCL subtype in 80, 31 and 13 patients in the 124 RCHOP cohort and 33, 13 and 4 patients in the R2CHOP treated patients, respectively (see table). EFS24 was inferior for ABC (48%) compared to GCB DLBCL 71% in MER RCHOP treated patients (p=0.013). In contrast, in R2CHOP treated pts, EFS24 was not different between ABC vs GCB DLBCL 69% vs 67% (p= 0.674). Conclusion: Cell of origin classification of DLBCL determined by NanoString LST remains prognostic in a series of prospectively enrolled DLBCL patients treated with RCHOP. R2CHOP shows promising efficacy in ABC DLBCL as defined by NanoString LST, where the addition of lenalidomide to RCHOP appears to mitigate the negative impact of an ABC molecular subtype on the outcome. Table Table. Disclosures Nowakowski: Morphosys: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Maurer:Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Storhoff:NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Employment, Other: Stock option. Dennis:NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Employment, Other: Stock option. Gandhi:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Thakurta:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hagner:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rimsza:NCI/NIH: Patents & Royalties: L.M. Rimsza is a co-inventor on a provisional patent, owned by the NCI of the NIH, using Nanostring technology for determining cell of origin in DLBCL..