Minnema, Monique C

Introduction: Despite advances in treatment strategy, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a challenging, incurable disease as patients (pts) often relapse. Here we describe preclinical data of a novel cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase modulatory compound (CELMoD), iberdomide (IBER; CC-220), as well as clinical and translational data from a current phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT02773030). These data support a differentiated profile for IBER from immunomodulatory agents (IMiD agents), and development of IBER as a foundation of combination therapy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). Methods: Preclinical analyses were performed on pomalidomide (POM)-sensitive and acquired-resistant MM cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers. Eligible pts enrolled on the clinical trial had RRMM and had received ≥ 2 prior regimens, containing at least an IMiD agent and proteasome inhibitor (PI), and had experienced disease progression within 60 days of last MM therapy. Escalating doses of IBER were given on Days 1-21, in combination with dexamethasone (DEX; 40 mg; 20 mg in pts aged > 75 years) on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22, of each 28-day cycle. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) data on CRBN, Ikaros, Aiolos, and ZFP91 expression was obtained from pt bone marrow specimens at screening and at Cycle 2, Day 15. Immune profiling was evaluated by flow cytometry of peripheral blood at Cycle 1, Day 1 and Cycle 2, Day 15. Primary objectives were to evaluate maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety, and preliminary efficacy. Results: Preclinically, IBER exhibited potent tumoricidal anti-MM and immunostimulatory activity. IBER was more potent than lenalidomide (LEN) or POM in overcoming the immunosuppressive activity of bortezomib (BORT), inducing a more than twofold increase in T cell proliferation in the presence of BORT. IBER also enhanced the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity of daratumumab (DARA), leading to deeper responses than combinations with LEN or POM. Further differentiating from both LEN and POM, IBER showed activity alone and in combination with BORT or DARA in POM-resistant MM cell lines. As of June 28, 2019, 69 pts with RRMM had received IBER + DEX. Median age was 65 years (range 33-80), and median number of prior regimens was 5 (range 2-12). Prior therapies included autologous stem cell transplantation (80%), LEN (100%), POM (70%), PIs (100%), DARA (71%) and anti-BCMA (6%), including CAR T cells. Clinical activity was observed across all dose levels with an overall response rate (ORR) of 29%, clinical benefit rate of 45%, and disease control rate of 80%. ORR was 30%, 28% and 29% in IMiD agent-refractory, DARA-refractory and Quad-class (IMiD agents/PIs/steroids/CD-38 antibodies)-refractory pts, respectively. IBER + DEX showed a favorable safety profile, with grade 3-4 neutropenia, infections, and thrombocytopenia, occurring in 29%, 25%, and 12% of pts, respectively. To date, IBER doses range from 0.3 to 1.3 mg and the MTD/RP2D has not yet been reached. Pharmacodynamic immunophenotyping changes were dose-dependent. Treatment with IBER (at doses > 0.75mg) + DEX doubled the percentage of proliferating T cells and NK cells (P < 0.001 for each) and increased activated and effector memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells by > 50% (P < 0.01 for each subset). Pharmacodynamic changes in pt bone marrow by quantitative IHC scoring showed significant degradation of substrates (Ikaros, P = 0.006; Aiolos, P < 0.001; ZFP91, P < 0.001) and downregulation of c-myc (P = 0.027), including in pts refractory to POM and with low CRBN expression. Conclusions: IBER + DEX has shown notable clinical activity and favorable tolerability in heavily pretreated pts with RRMM, including pts refractory to prior IMiD therapy. Preclinical and translational data suggest a differentiated profile of IBER from IMiD agents in regard to activity in POM-resistant models, potency in combination with BORT and DARA, and by inducing changes in CD4+ T cells that were not observed in pts treated with POM from prior studies. Taken together, these data support a differentiated profile for IBER from IMiD agents, and the clinical development of IBER as a foundation of combination therapy for the treatment of RRMM. This study is ongoing, and includes cohorts evaluating the combinations of IBER + DEX with DARA, BORT, and carfilzomib. Updated results will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures Lonial: Karyopharm: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy. Amatangelo:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Popat:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: travel support to meetings. Minnema:Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Jansen Cilag: Honoraria. Zonder:Alnylam: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Intellia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Larsen:Janssen Oncology: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Oriol Rocafiguera:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Rodriguez Otero:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; BMS: Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Consultancy. Badros:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Siegel:Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jagannath:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Merck & Co.: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy. Bringhen:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy. Gironella:Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Kaiser:Takeda, Janssen, Celgene, Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Abbvie, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, Abbvie, Karyopharm: Consultancy; Celgene, Janssen: Research Funding. Cook:Janssen, Takeda, Sanofi, Karyopharm, Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squib, GlycoMimetics, Seattle Genetics, Sanofi: Honoraria; Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gamberi:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sonneveld:SkylineDx: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Nguyen:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chen:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Homan:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Bjorklund:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wang:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Pierceall:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Bensmaine:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Thakurta:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Peluso:Celgene Corporation: Employment. Van De Donk:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AMGEN: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Background:IBER is a novel cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) with enhanced tumoricidal and immunostimulatory activities. Preclinically, IBER overcomes immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) resistance and has synergy with daratumumab (DARA), bortezomib (BORT), and dexamethasone (DEX).Aims:This phase 1b/2a multicenter, open‐label, dose‐escalation study (NCT02773030) was conducted to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety and preliminary efficacy of IBER in combination with DEX, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).Methods:Eligible patients had RRMM and must have received ≥2 prior regimens including lenalidomide (LEN) and/or pomalidomide (POM), and a proteasome inhibitor (PI). All patients had progressed on or within 60 days of last MM therapy. Escalating doses of IBER were given on days 1–21, in combination with DEX 40 mg (20 mg in patients aged >75 years) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, of each 28‐day cycle. Dose escalation was reviewed by a dose escalation committee.Results:As of January 2019, 58 patients had received IBER + DEX. Median age was 64.5 years (range 33–79), and median number of prior regimens was 5 (2–12). Prior therapies included autologous stem cell transplantation (79%), LEN (100%), POM (69%), PIs (100%), and DARA (66%). IBER dose ranged from 0.3 to 1.2 mg; MTD/RP2D was not reached. Median duration of therapy was 12+ weeks (range 4–109). Grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 41 (72%) patients and were not related to dose. Grade 3–4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, and fatigue occurred in 26%, 11%, 2%, and 0% patients, respectively. Three patients discontinued treatment due to AEs. Clinical activity occurred early and was observed across all dose levels (Table 1); 20 of 51 patients remain on treatment (2–27+ cycles).Summary/Conclusion:IBER + DEX showed favorable efficacy and safety in heavily pretreated patients with RRMM who failed multiple prior therapies. This study is ongoing, including combinations of IBER with DARA or BORT.image

Background:Iberdomide (IBER) is a novel cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase modulatory compound (CELMoD) that is being investigated as monotherapy, in combination with dexamethasone (DEX), and in combination with DEX and daratumumab or bortezomib in a phase 1b/2a dose‐escalation study in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). IBER modulates CRBN, which induces ubiquitination of Aiolos, Ikaros and ZFP91, increases their proteasome‐dependent degradation, and thereby inhibits myeloma cell growth. IBER binds more potently to CRBN and is more efficient at degrading Aiolos and Ikaros than the immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide (POM) and it can overcome IMiD drug resistance in pre‐clinical models.Aims:To determine if IBER is pharmacodynamically (PD) active in multiple myeloma patients refractory to POM and/or LEN, and to establish pharmacokinetic (PK)/PD and PD/dose relationships.Methods:As of Jan 11, 2019, 83 patients received IBER as monotherapy or in combination with DEX; 61 (74%) were LEN refractory and 47 (57%) were POM refractory. Longitudinal immunohistochemistry (IHC) data on CRBN, Aiolos, Ikaros and ZFP91 expression was obtained from bone marrow samples from 14 patients dosed with 0.3–0.9 mg IBER daily ± DEX. PD analysis of immune activity by TruCulture® (n = 45) and by peripheral blood flow cytometry (n = 60) was completed on a subset of patients dosed up to 1.0 mg IBER ± DEX. A population PK approach was used to estimate exposure (area under the concentration curve over the 24 hr dosing interval [AUCτ]) on 59 patients dosed up to 1.0 mg IBER ± DEX.Results:IBER AUCτ increased in a dose‐proportional manner in RRMM patients over the dose range 0.3–1.0 mg (22.4–65.31 ng∗hr/mL, respectively). In patient biopsies analyzed to date, CRBN expression was observed in all tumors by IHC at baseline and did not significantly change while on‐treatment. Furthermore, no significant decrease in baseline CRBN expression was observed in patients refractory to POM. In MM cells, significant decreases in Aiolos (median 37% decrease, P < 0.001), Ikaros (median 12% decrease, P = 0.006), and ZFP91 (median 47% decrease, P < 0.001) protein expression were observed on‐treatment across all dose levels; these decreases were unrelated to levels of CRBN expression at screening or prior LEN or POM refractoriness. In TruCulture® samples, dose‐dependent increases were observed in IL‐2 and IFN‐γ, with median increases of 78% and 66%, respectively, 5 hours post 0.9 mg dose of IBER. A dose‐ and exposure‐dependent decrease in B‐cells was detected (median 74% decrease at cycle 2 day 15, IBER 0.9 mg). These observations are consistent with the proposed IBER mechanism of action. Immunoprofiling showed significant increases in total and proliferating NK cells in RRMM patients treated with IBER, and a dose‐dependent increase in proliferating, activated, and effector memory T‐cells. These trends were consistent in RRMM patients treated with IBER monotherapy and in combination with DEX.Summary/Conclusion:These translational analyses from IBER treated RRMM patients indicate it is pharmacodynamically active at the lowest dose (0.3 mg) and exhibits dose‐ and exposure‐dependent immunostimulatory activity, supporting further dose‐escalation beyond 1.0 mg, which is currently ongoing. These results also suggest that prior refractoriness to LEN or POM is not associated with significant loss of CRBN or IBER PD activity, supporting continued investigation of IBER in RRMM patients refractory to IMiD drugs.

Purpose Treatment options are limited for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Tumor cells can exploit the programmed death-1 checkpoint pathway to evade immune surveillance. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 blockade by nivolumab in patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Methods In this phase II, open-label study, patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL who were ineligible for autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) or who had experienced failure with auto-HCT received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab as well as genetic alterations of 9p24.1. Results Among 121 treated patients, patients in the auto-HCT–failed cohort (n = 87) received a median of four nivolumab doses and a median of three doses were administered to those in the auto-HCT–ineligible cohort (n = 34). At a median follow-up of 9 months in the auto-HCT–failed cohort and 6 months in the auto-HCT–ineligible cohort, independently assessed objective response rates were 10% and 3%, and median durations of response were 11 and 8 months, respectively. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.9 and 12.2 months in the auto-HCT–failed cohort and 1.4 and 5.8 months in the auto-HCT–ineligible cohort respectively. All three patients with complete remission—3% of the auto-HCT–failed cohort—had durable response (11 or more, 14 or more, and 17 months). Treatment-related grade 3 and 4 adverse events were reported in 24% of patients. The most common were neutropenia (4%), thrombocytopenia (3%), and increased lipase (3%). Of all evaluable samples for 9p24.1 analysis, 16% exhibited low-level copy gain and 3% had amplification. Conclusion Nivolumab monotherapy is associated with a favorable safety profile but a low overall response rate among patients with DLBCL who are ineligible for auto-HCT or who experienced failure with auto-HCT. Genetic alterations of 9p24.1 are infrequent in DLBCL.

SummaryThe oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib is approved in the United States, European Union and other countries, in combination with oral lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd), for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. Approval was based on the global, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Phase III TOURMALINE‐MM1 study of ixazomib‐Rd (IRd) versus placebo‐Rd in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. IRd resulted in a significant improvement in progression‐free survival versus placebo‐Rd (median: 20·6 vs. 14·7 months; hazard ratio 0·74). Common toxicities observed more commonly with IRd versus placebo‐Rd were thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral oedema and back pain; these were generally grade 1/2 in severity except for thrombocytopenia (19% vs. 9% grade 3/4), which appeared manageable and reversible, with no differences between arms in significant bleeding or dose discontinuations. No cumulative toxicities were observed, indicating the potential feasibility of long‐term IRd treatment. Safety data from TOURMALINE‐MM1 are reviewed and guidance for managing clinically relevant adverse events associated with IRd is provided. Most toxicities were manageable with supportive care and dose delays or reductions as needed. Clinicians should be aware of and understand these potential side effects to optimise and prolong patient benefit.

Abstract Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder for which clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis, initiation of therapy, and treatment strategy have been proposed as part of the consensus panels of the International Workshop on Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (IWWM). At IWWM-8, a task force for treatment recommendations was impanelled to review recently published and ongoing clinical trial data as well as the impact of new mutations (MYD88 and CXCR4) on treatment decisions, indications for B-cell receptor and proteasome inhibitors, and future clinical trial initiatives for WM patients. The panel concluded that therapeutic strategies in WM should be based on individual patient and disease characteristics. Chemoimmunotherapy combinations with rituximab and cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone, bendamustine, or bortezomib-dexamethasone provide durable responses and are still indicated in most patients. Approval of the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib in the United States and Europe represents a novel and effective treatment option for both treatment-naive and relapsing patients. Other B-cell receptor inhibitors, second-generation proteasome inhibitors (eg, carfilzomib), and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are promising and may increase future treatment options. Active enrollment in clinical trials whenever possible was endorsed by the panel for most patients with WM.

SummaryThe diagnosis of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) can be challenging given the variety of signs and symptoms patients can present. Furthermore, once the diagnosis of WM is established, the initial evaluation should be thorough as well as appropriately directed. During the 8th International Workshop for WM in London, United Kingdom, a multi‐institutional task force was formed to develop consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and initial evaluation of patients with WM. In this document, we present the results of the deliberations that took place to address these issues. We provide recommendations for history‐taking and physical examination, laboratory studies, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy analysis and imaging studies. We also provide guidance on the initial evaluation of special situations, such as anaemia, hyperviscosity, neuropathy, Bing‐Neel syndrome and amyloidosis. We hope these recommendations serve as a practical guidance to clinicians taking care of patients with a suspected or an established diagnosis of WM.