Citations 46

Iopofosine I-131 after BTK inhibitors in Waldenström macroglobulinemia: CLOVER-WaM subgroup efficacy and safety.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 7094-7094

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.7094

7094 Background: Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) remains incurable with current available therapeutic options. Treatment options for relapsed/refractory pts are limited and often continuous, underscoring the need for new agents with novel mechanisms of action and pt-centered, fixed duration therapy. Iopofosine I 131 is a novel radiopharmaceutical compound composed of a lipid raft-targeting phospholipid ether covalently bound to 131 I, a beta emitting radioisotope. Here, we report preliminary sub-group results of the CLOVER-WaM study [NCT02952508] in WM pts treated with a Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor (BTKi) immediately prior to iopofosine. Methods: Eligible WM pts had received >2 prior therapies and had symptomatic disease requiring therapy according to consensus recommendations for WM. Treatment consisted of 2 cycles of iopofosine I 131 administered at 15 mCi/m 2 on days 1 and 15 of each 57-day cycle. The primary efficacy endpoint was major response rate (MRR; partial response or better, as determined by the modified IWWM-VI). Secondary and exploratory endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), treatment-free survival (TFS), progression free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR; stable disease or better). Herein, efficacy endpoints were assessed in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population (all pts who received ≥60 mCi total administered dose of iopofosine I 131), and whose treatment regimen prior to iopofosine included a BTKi. Safety was evaluated using CTCAE v4.03 in pts who received ≥1 dose of iopofosine. Data cut off for this analysis was Jan. 16, 2026. Results: As previously reported, 65 pts were dosed and 55 are included in the mITT population. Of those, 22 (40%) had received a BTKi containing regimen immediately prior to iopofosine; and 11 who previously received at least 2 regimens utilizing BTKis and 12 who were refractory to rituximab. In this subgroup, median age was 70.5 (range 55-88), 17 (77%) were male, and 5 (23%) were female. The median number of prior therapies was 3 (range 2-7), 15/22 (68%) were MYD88 mutated and 18/22 (82%) were TP53 wildtype. The MRR was 15/22 (68.2%), ORR was 19/22 (86.4%) and CBR was 100%, median PFS was 12 months (range 1.6 to 28.0) and median TFS was 19.1 months (range 2.5-34.4). Grade ≥ 3, related treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) occurring in > 10% of pts included anemia (41%), leukopenia (41%), neutropenia (58%), and thrombocytopenia (86%). Conclusions: Iopofosine I 131 demonstrated significant efficacy; 100% CBR, 86.4% ORR and 68.2% MRR with a median PFS of 12 months (range: 1.6 – 28.0 months) in a pt population with no current standard of care therapy. The treatment was well-tolerated with a manageable toxicity profile with cytopenias as the only Grade 3 or greater TEAE. Based on the results of this pivotal trial, iopofosine I 131 could be a promising novel treatment for WM pts after BTKi therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02952508 .
Plasmablastic Lymphoma: 2026 Update on Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Management

American Journal of Hematology | May 15, 2026 | Volume: 101 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 1997-2006

10.1002/ajh.70373 | PMID 42138287

ABSTRACT Disease Overview Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare CD20‐negative aggressive lymphoma with poor prognosis when treated with standard treatment options. Although PBL is associated with HIV infection and other immunosuppressed states, it can also affect immunocompetent individuals. Diagnosis The diagnosis of PBL requires a high clinical suspicion and pathological confirmation. EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER) expression and MYC gene rearrangements are frequently detected in the malignant cells. The differential diagnosis includes EBV+ diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma, ALK+ DLBCL, and HHV8+ large B‐cell lymphoma, among others. Risk Stratification Age ≥ 60 years, advanced clinical stage, and high International Prognostic Index scores are associated with worse survival. Management Combination chemotherapy regimens, such as infusional EPOCH, are recommended. The addition of bortezomib or daratumumab might improve outcomes. B‐cell maturation antigen‐targeted therapies have shown early efficacy. The participation of patients with PBL in prospective clinical trials is warranted.
POD24 is a novel determinant of prognosis in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Blood Advances | January 7, 2026 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 2322-2327

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025017751 | PMID 41499755

Abstract Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is characterized by recurrent MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations, whose prognostic value in patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy remains unclear. Moreover, the typically prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) correlates inconsistently with overall survival (OS), underscoring the importance of examining other surrogates. Progression of disease within 24 months (POD24), an established early end point, delineates functionally high-risk patients in other indolent lymphomas. This international study evaluated 253 patients receiving frontline fixed-duration bendamustine-rituximab (BR), a common chemoimmunotherapy for WM. At a median follow-up of 5.9 years, 5-year PFS and OS were 65% and 87%, respectively; 5-year PFS was similar between MYD88L265P (90%) and MYD88wild-type (WT) subcohorts (64% each; P = .4). Among 89 patients with known CXCR4 status, the subcohort with CXCR4mutation (28%) had shorter PFS (median 3.3 vs 8.8 years; hazard ratio [HR], 2.8; P = .0036) and OS (HR, 2.6; P = .036) compared with CXCR4WT. POD24 occurred in 11.5% of patients who demonstrated inferior subsequent OS (5-year OS, 71% vs 86%; HR, 3.1; P = .005) and higher mortality (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 3.7), unlike the non-POD24 group, whose mortality was comparable to the matched general population (SMR, 1.1). In conclusion, BR is effective irrespective of the MYD88 status, but CXCR4 mutations and POD24 portend worse outcomes. Patients without POD24 represent a cohort with distinctly favorable outcome.
Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Transformed Waldenström Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma: a DESCAR-T Registry and International Collaborative Study

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5490-5490

10.1182/blood-2025-5490

Abstract Introduction: The prognosis of patients (pts) with histological transformation (HT) of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) remains dismal with standard chemoimmunotherapy. CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR-T) can lead to durable responses in relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and are approved in the second or third line settings. Pts with HT-WM were largely excluded from CAR-T trials. We previously reported high response rates in a series of 23 pts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a larger cohort of pts with R/R HT-WM treated with CAR-T with a longer follow-up. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study of pts with biopsy-proven transformed WM/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma treated with CAR-T in the French DESCAR-T registry (NCT04328298), 4 centers from ECWM and 4 US centers. This study includes updated data from previously published cases (Durot et al, Blood, 2024). Responses were assessed according to the Lugano 2014 criteria. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were graded according to the ASTCT 2019 consensus criteria. Hematological toxicity and infections were graded according to the NCI CTCAE (version 5.0). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the date of CAR-T infusion and estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 50 pts were included (39 from DESCAR-T centers, 7 from US centers and 4 from ECWM centers). Median age was 60 (range: 32-72) and 68 (range: 42-82) years at WM diagnosis and CAR-T infusion, respectively. MYD88L265P and CXCR4 mutations were present in 79% (23/29) and 15% (2/13) of patients with available data, respectively. The median time from WM to HT diagnosis was 5.3 years (range: 0-32). Median prior lines of therapy was 1 (range: 0-9) for WM and 2 for HT (range: 0-4). Twenty (40%) pts previously received a BTK inhibitor for WM or HT, 12 (24%) underwent prior autologous SCT and 1 pt allogeneic SCT. 40% of pts presented primary refractory disease and 44% were refractory to last treatment before CAR-T. 40 pts (80%) received bridging therapy, of whom 17 (44%) responded (7 complete responses (CR)). 35 (70%), 10 (20%), and 5 (10%) pts received axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel), and lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel), respectively. The best overall response rate (ORR) was 94%, with 44 (88%) pts reaching CR. With a median follow-up of 25.7 months (range: 1-69) from CAR-T infusion, the median PFS was 1.2 years (95% CI: 0.5-4.5) and median OS was 4.2 years (95% CI: 1.2-not reached). Median duration of response was 1.5 years (95% CI: 0.4-4.4), with a median of 4 years (95% CI: 1.5-NR) for pts still in CR at 6 months after CAR-T. 22 pts experienced relapse/progression after CAR-T, 19 related to LBCL and 3 to WM. Median survival after relapse was 7.9 months (95% CI: 3.8-25.3). At LBCL relapse after CAR-T, salvage therapy consisted of CD20xCD3 bispecific antibodies for 9 pts, lenalidomide +/- anti-CD20 or anti-CD19 antibody for 6 pts, and BTKi for 3 pts. Among 19 pts who died, 14 (74%) were due to progressive disease and 5 (26%) from infections. 37 (76%) pts experienced CRS, including 2 (4%) grade 3 events, and 22 (45%) had ICANS, with 2 (4%) ≥ grade 3 events. 17 (35%) pts presented infections, including 12 ≥ grade 3. 21 (43%) pts developed ≥ grade 3 prolonged cytopenias (ie, not resolved within 30 days post infusion). CNS involvement due to LBCL was present in 11 pts (22%) at the time of CAR-T. 6 of them had ICANS, with 1 grade 4. The best ORR was 91% (best CR 91%). Only 1 patient did not obtain a response, with stable disease at 1 month and progression at 3 months. The median PFS was 1.2 year (95% CI: 0.2-NR) and median OS was NR (95% CI: 0.5-NR). On univariate analysis, only elevated LDH was correlated with worse PFS (HR 2.5, p=0.04) and OS (HR 3.3, p=0.04). Other variables, including number of prior lines of therapy, MYD88 mutation status, primary refractory disease, refractory to last treatment, CNS involvement before CAR-T, response after bridging therapy and type of CAR-T received, were not associated with inferior PFS or OS. Conclusion: This cohort represents the largest series of pts with transformed WM treated with anti-CD19 CAR-T. We confirm the high efficacy previously reported with an acceptable safety profile, including for pts with CNS involvement due to LBCL at CAR-T infusion.
Deep responses following treatment with loncastuximab tesirine (WM-NET1 trial) in patients with Relapsed/Refractory including those withhigh-risk, TP53-altered Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 581-581

10.1182/blood-2025-581

Abstract Introduction: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is characterized by the presence of a MYD88 mutation in >90% and a CXCR4 mutation in 30-40% of cases. The impact of these mutations on treatment responses and disease outcomes is well known. TP53 alterations (TP53ALT) have more recently been described in WM and are reported to occur in up to 25% of patients, with a higher frequency in patients with previously treated WM, especially those with prior alkylator or nucleoside analogue exposure (Tam et al Blood Adv 2024; Poulain et al CCR 2017; Tsakmaklis et al, ASH 2025). TP53 ALT WM is associated with a shorter time to disease progression, as well as worse overall survival (Poulain et al CCR 2017; Gustine et al, BJH 2019). Depth of response to BTK inhibitors is affected by TP53 status, with recent data reporting a very good partial response (VGPR) rate of 34% v. 25% and major response rates of 84% v. 73% in patients without or with a TP53 ALT (Tam et al Blood Adv 2024). No complete responses were reported and median PFS was shorter in those with a TP53ALT compared with wild-type (TP53WT). Loncastuximab tesirine is a humanized IgG1 anti-CD19 antibody that is conjugated to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer. Following internalization, the PBD dimer is released via proteolytic cleavage and binds to the DNA minor groove forming highly cytotoxic DNA inter-strand crosslinks. Cells deficient in DNA repair including TP53 alterations are vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of loncastuximab tesirine (Tarantelli et al, Haematologica 2024). Methods: In an ongoing investigator-initiated, prospective phase II study in symptomatic patients with relapsed or refractory WM (NCT05190705), patients are receiving single agent loncastuximab tesirine. Loncastuximab tesirine is administered at 150 ug/kg in cycles 1 and 2 and 75 ug/kg in cycles 3 to 6. Each cycle is 28 days. The primary outcome measure of this study is attainment of VGPR or complete (VGPR/CR) response. The accrual goal of this trial is 20 patients, based on an alternative VGPR/CR rate ≥40% versus a null of ≤10%, with a double-sided alpha of 0.037 and a power of 87%. The study would meet its endpoint if ≥6 patients attained a VGPR/CR. Results: Of the 14 patients who have completed therapy on this trial to date, the median age is 71 years (range 53-81), 9 (64%) are male, and the median prior number of therapies is 4 (range 2-10). Median baseline hemoglobin is 9.5 g/dL (range 8.2-12.6), serum IgM is 2146 mg/dL (range 723-5955), and bone marrow involvement is 53% (range <5-90). Four patients had extramedullary disease. Twelve patients (86%) are MYD88 mutated; 8 patients (57%) are CXCR4 mutated, and 8 (57%) are TP53 altered. Nine patients completed all 6 cycles of therapy. Of the 5 other patients, treatment was stopped early due to GGT elevation (n=2), disease progression (n=1), patient decision (n=1), and skin toxicity (n=1). No IgM flare and no infusion reactions have occurred. For all patients, the median time to minor response, major response, and deepest response was 28, 55, and 172 days, respectively. The response rates include 1 (7%) CR; 9 (64%) VGPRs; 2 (14%) partial responses (PR); 1 (7%) minor response; and 1 (7%) progressive disease, for an overall response rate of 93% and a VGPR/CR rate of 71%. For the 8 patients with TP53ALT, the baseline characteristics were as follows: 50% male; median age of 70 years (range 53-77), median prior therapies is 4 (range 2-10); median IgM is 1877 mg/dL (range 723-5639); and median hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL (range 8.2-11.6). All TP53ALT patients had an MYD88 mutation, and 6 (75%) carried a CXCR4 mutation. For those with TP53 ALT, the median time to minor response, major response, and deepest response was 28, 49, and 235 days, respectively. All TP53ALT patients attained a major response; 1 patient (13%) with a CR, 6 (75%) with a VGPR, and 1 (13%) with a PR, for an overall response rate of 100% and a VGPR/CR rate of 89%. One patient had splenomegaly and one had adenopathy, both of which resolved after treatment. Conclusion: Our findings from this ongoing, prospective trial demonstrate a high VGPR/CR rate of 71% in heavily pre-treated WM. Notable, is the VGPR/CR rate of 89% in high-risk patients with TP53ALT WM. No unexpected toxicities have been seen in this trial. Our findings identify a potentially novel time-limited therapy in relapsed or refractory WM, including patients with high-risk TP53ALT WM.
Depth of Response From Fixed‐Duration Treatment Is Associated With Superior Survival in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

American Journal of Hematology | March 11, 2025 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 980-986

10.1002/ajh.27663 | PMID 40062689

ABSTRACT As the treatment paradigm for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) continues to evolve, the debate surrounding the prioritization of depth of response versus disease control as therapeutic goals gains significant relevance. However, the impact of depth of response from fixed‐duration therapy on overall survival (OS) was unclear. This multicenter study evaluated the prognostic impact of depth of response using a landmark survival analysis. A total of 440 patients with WM treated with frontline fixed‐duration regimens were included. Attaining a major response (MaR) was associated with superior outcomes, including significantly longer OS. The estimated 5‐year PFS rates for patients with MaR at 6 months versus not were 50% versus 32%, respectively, p < 0.001, and the estimated 5‐year OS rates for patients with MaR at 6 months versus not were 89% versus 70%, respectively, p < 0.001. In a multivariable analysis, MaR at 6 months was independently associated with superior PFS (HR 0.66, p = 0.007) and OS (HR 0.28, p < 0.001). Similar results were seen when considering deeper responses (CR + VGPR vs. PR). Depth of response at 6 months is an important prognostic marker in WM and an independent predictor of PFS and OS. These results support its utilization as a suitable endpoint in clinical studies in WM.
Iopofosine I 131 in Previously Treated Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM): Efficacy and Safety Results from the International, Multicenter, Open-Label Phase 2 Study (CLOVER-WaM™)

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 861-861

10.1182/blood-2024-200277

Introduction: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM)remains incurable with current therapies. Treatment options for patients beyond initial therapy are limited, underscoring the need for new agents with novel mechanisms of action. Iopofosine I 131 is a novel radiopharmaceutical composed of a lipid raft-targeting phospholipid ether covalently bound to 131I, a beta-emitting radioisotope. Herein, we report the results of the CLOVER-WaM study [NCT02952508] in patients with previously treated WM. Methods: Eligible WM patients had received &gt;2 prior therapies and had symptomatic disease requiring therapy according to consensus recommendations for WM. Treatment consisted of 2 cycles of iopofosine I 131 administered at 15 mCi/m2 on days 1 and 15 of each 57-day cycle. Dose reduction to 10 mCi/m2 was allowed in the second cycle in patients with incomplete hematologic recovery or if the expected total dose exceeded 132 mCi. Supportive care with growth factors and transfusions was permitted per treating physician discretion. The primary endpoint was major response rate (MRR, defined as partial response or better) as determined by the modified VIth International Workshop on Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Response Criteria. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), treatment-free survival (TFS), duration of response (DOR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR, defined as stable disease or better). Efficacy endpoints were assessed in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population, defined as all patients who received ≥60 mCi total administered dose of iopofosine I 131. MRR was analyzed with a 95% 2-sided confidence interval (CI) using the Clopper-Pearson interval method. In this population, MRR &gt;20% was considered statistically significant. Time-dependent efficacy endpoints were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Safety was evaluated using CTCAE v4.03 in patients who received &gt;1 dose of iopofosine I 131. The data cut-off for this analysis was May 31, 2024. Results: In 65 patients enrolled (safety population), the median age was 70 (range, 50-88) years; 48 (73.8%) were male, and 17 (26.2%) were female. Sixty-one (93.8%) were White, 1 (1.5%) was Black/African American, and 3 (4.6%) were other or unknown. Fifty-five patients met mITT criteria and were evaluable for efficacy. The median number of prior therapies was 4 (range, 2-15). Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) exposure was noted in 39 (71%) patients, of whom 31 (56%) were BTKi-refractory. Sixteen (29%) patients had MYD88-wild type, and 5 (9%) had CXCR4-mutated disease. The MRR was 56.4% (95% CI, 42.3-69.7). ORR was 80%; among MYD88-wild type patients, ORR was 81%, and among post-BTKi patients, ORR was 72%. CBR was 98%. The median DOR and TFS were not reached at a median follow-up of 8.8 months, with an estimated 72% of responding patients remaining progression-free at 18 months. In the safety population, any-grade adverse events, regardless of causality, were reported in 57 (87%) patients. Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in &gt;10% of patients included thrombocytopenia (80%), neutropenia (69.2%), anemia (44.6%), lymphopenia (13.8%), infections (12.3%), and febrile neutropenia (10.8%). Adverse event-related death occurred in 1 patient due to bacterial sepsis. Conclusion: Iopofosine I 131 demonstrated durable efficacy in previously treated WM patients, with no current standard of care therapy. The treatment was well-tolerated with a manageable toxicity profile across broad biologic and clinical subgroups, irrespective of risk stratification. Based on the results of this trial, iopofosine I 131 shows promise as a novel treatment for WM patients.
Autologous and Allogeneic Stem‐Cell Transplantation for Transformed Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

American Journal of Hematology | November 26, 2024 | Volume: 100 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 338-341

10.1002/ajh.27543 | PMID 39588555

Simplified Risk Stratification Model for Patients With Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 24, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2527-2536

10.1200/jco.23.02066 | PMID 38788183

PURPOSE Patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) have disparate outcomes. Newer therapies have emerged since the development of International Prognostic Scoring System, and MYD88 L265P mutation is now frequently assessed at diagnosis, warranting reexamination of the prognostic parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed records of 889 treatment-naïve patients with active WM, consecutively seen between January 01, 1996, and December 31, 2017, to identify clinical predictors of overall survival (OS) in univariate analyses. Patients with complete data for the parameters significant on the univariate analyses (n = 341) were included in a multivariable analysis to derive a prognostic model, subsequently validated in a multi-institutional cohort. RESULTS In the derivation cohort (n = 341), age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.9 [95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1]; P = .0009), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) above upper limit of normal (HR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.3 to 4.5]; P = .007), and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 0.99 to 2.3]; P = .056) were independently prognostic. By assigning a score of 1 point each to albumin <3.5 g/dL (HR, 1.5) and age 66-75 years (HR 1.4) and 2 points for age >75 years (HR, 2.6) or elevated LDH (HR, 2.3), four groups with distinct outcomes were observed on the basis of the composite scores. Five-year OS was 93% for the low-risk (score 0), 82% for low-intermediate risk (score 1), 69% for intermediate-risk (score 2), and 55% for the high-risk (score ≥3; P < .0001) groups. In the validation cohort (N = 335), the model maintained its prognostic value, with a 5-year OS of 93%, 90%, 75%, and 57% for the four groups, respectively ( P < .0001). CONCLUSION Modified Staging System for WM (MSS-WM), utilizing age, albumin, and LDH is a simple, clinically useful, and externally validated prognostic model that reliably risk-stratifies patients with symptomatic WM into four groups with distinct prognosis.
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and multiple myeloma coexisting in the same patient: a case series and literature review

Leukemia & Lymphoma | March 19, 2024 | Volume: 65 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 943-949

10.1080/10428194.2024.2332499 | PMID 38501758