Citations 302

Response to Bridging Therapy As a Predictor of Outcomes for Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy in Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3841-3841

10.1182/blood-2021-154186

Abstract Background: Bridging therapy (BT) was not allowed in the ZUMA-1 pivotal trial for axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) . Since then, several real-world studies have shown the use of bridging therapy to be associated with worse overall survival, duration of response, and complete remission rates. In addition, patients requiring BT during CAR-T manufacturing have a more aggressive and higher tumor burden of disease, also factors associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, factors that can predict outcomes in this high-risk patient cohort are required. We herein examine the impact of response to BT on CAR-T outcomes in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Methods: A retrospective review of patients who received axi-cel for NHL from June 2016 - July 2020 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, was performed. BT was defined as any lymphoma-directed therapy given between leukapheresis and CAR-T infusion. Patients received BT if there were concerns for symptomatic progression of disease during CAR-T manufacturing, reducing the likelihood of eligibility to receive CAR-T. The decision and choice of BT were at the discretion of the treating physician. Response to all lymphoma-directed therapy was evaluated using the 2014 Lugano criteria. Response to BT included patients with a partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) on PET-CT before initiating lymphodepletion chemotherapy. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined as the time from axi-cel infusion to progression, next treatment, or death. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from axi-cel infusion to death. Survival curves were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and were compared between subgroups using the log-rank test. Cox regression was used for univariate and multivariate analysis (MVA). Results: A total of 73 patients underwent car T therapy during this period. Of these, 67% (49/73) received BT therapy. Table 1 shows baseline characteristics of the total BT cohort (n = 49). The median age at CAR-T infusion was 59 years (IQR 46-64); 57% were males and comprised of 47% (23/49) DLBCL followed by 31% (15/49) high-grade B-cell lymphoma types. Based on the Lugano criteria on PET-CT, 22/49 (45%) patients responded to BT. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the responders and non-responders to BT except for a higher proportion (73%) of patients receiving systemic chemotherapy as BT in the responders (Table 1). At a median follow-up of 24 months, 75% had either progressed, died, or started the next treatment (event), and 59% (29/49) had died. The median EFS was significantly longer in the responders as compared to the non-responders to BT, figure 1 (13.04 months (95%CI, 3.54-not reached [NR]) vs. 2.56 months (95%CI, 1.18-3.02), p = 0.002). The OS also trended in favor of the responders (median OS 18.4 months (95% CI, 13.44-NR) vs. 11.84 months (95% CI, 5.05-NR), p = 0.092). The responder group also had a higher 6-month CR rate of 50% than 11.1% in the non-responder group (p = 0.004). There were no differences in any grade or grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity rates in the two groups. On univariate analysis within the bridging group (n = 49), type of bridge (non-chemo) and response to bridge (PR+SD) were associated with a better EFS. In the MVA, only response to BT maintained significance for EFS (HR 0.34, p = 0.025). Conclusions: Having some control of lymphoma after BT was associated with better EFS and 6-month CR rate. Future studies need to prospectively evaluate the type and response to BT as a prognostic factor for improving outcomes in patients receiving CAR-T. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Wang: InnoCare: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; LOXO Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Paludo: Karyopharm: Research Funding. Bennani: Kymera: Other: Advisory Board; Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board. Ansell: Bristol Myers Squibb, ADC Therapeutics, Seattle Genetics, Regeneron, Affimed, AI Therapeutics, Pfizer, Trillium and Takeda: Research Funding. Lin: Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy; Legend: Consultancy; Sorrento: Consultancy; Gamida Cell: Consultancy; Vineti: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding.
Barriers to Enrollment in Clinical Trials in Patients with Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma That Progressed after Anti-CD19 CART Cell Therapy

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2527-2527

10.1182/blood-2021-146119

Abstract Background Patients (pts) with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) progressing after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cell therapy have poor prognosis and may benefit from new therapy options through clinical trials. However, in a single center report, only 12% of such pts were treated in trials (Chow et al. Am J Hematol, 2019). Identifying the reasons for this low enrollment is needed to design future studies for this population. Here, we evaluated the eligibility criteria for recent landmark trials for relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell NHL to learn what eligibility barriers are present. Methods Pts with aggressive B-cell NHL who received FDA-approved CART cell therapy at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Arizona, Florida) since 2018 and progressed after CART cell therapy were identified. The potential eligibility for the following key trials was evaluated: a) polatuzumab + bendamustine + rituximab, b) tafasitamab + lenalidomide, c) selinexor and d) loncastuximab. The eligibility for each trial was retrospectively assessed at the time of disease progression after CART cell therapy based on hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophils count (ANC), platelet count (Plt), renal and liver function tests, ECOG performance status (PS), and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Results Seventy-five pts had disease progression to axicabtagene ciloleucel (N=73, 97%) or tisagenlecleucel (N=2, 3%) and are included in this analysis. Median time to progression after CART was 2.1 months (IQR: 1.0 - 3.1). Thirteen (17%) pts were treated in clinical trials after progression following CART cell therapy, while 46 (61%) were treated off trials, and 16 (22%) pts never received any treatment after progression. At a median follow-up of 13.6 months (IQR: 9.1 - 26.7) from CART progression, the median overall survival (mOS) from CART progression was 5.8 months (95% CI 3.5 - 10.1) and 53 (71%) pts died. Thirty-eight pts (51%) did not meet eligibility criteria for any of the 4 recent landmark trials. Hematologic impairment was the most common barrier to inclusion of these patients in clinical trials: Hb < 9 g/dL n=23 (31%) or Hb < 10 g/dL n=36 (48%), ANC < 1.0 x 10 9/L n=19 (25%) or ANC < 1.5 x 10 9/L n=32 (43%), and Plt < 75 x 10 9/L n=30 (40%) or Plt < 90 x 10 9/L n=34 (45%). Renal (n=11, 15%) or liver dysfunction (n=5, 7%), CNS involvement (n=8, 11%) and ECOG PS > 2 (n=3, 4%) were less common reasons leading to exclusion from trials. Post CART trial ineligible pts had significantly shorter time to progression (median 1.7 months, IQR: 1.0 - 2.6 vs. 3.0 months IQR: 1.9 - 3.4, p < 0.01) and inferior overall response to CART (45% vs 67%, p = 0.06) compared to pts who met trial eligibility post CART. Baseline Hb (median Hb 9.5 g/dL, IQR: 8.5 - 10.5 vs. 10.9 g/dL, IQR: 9.7 - 12.2, p < 0.01) and Plt (median Plt 106 x 10 9/L IQR: 54 - 165 vs. 201 x 10 9/L IQR: 141 - 243, p < 0.01) were also significantly lower in pts ineligible for trials post CART. There were no significant differences between pts eligible or ineligible for trials with regards to age (median 59 vs. 60 years), number of prior therapies (median 3 vs. 3), prior autologous stem cell transplant (41% vs. 37%), bridging therapy (65% vs. 63%), baseline ANC (median 4,1 vs. 3,0 x10 9/L), or high-grade (grade ≥ 2) cytokine release syndrome (19% vs. 21%) or neurotoxicity (32%, vs. 42%), respectively. Survival after CART progression was significantly shorter (mOS 2.5 months, 95% CI: 1.6 - 5.1) for the 38 pts ineligible for trials compared to pts eligible for trials (mOS 10.6 months, 95% CI: 8.9 - NA), (p < 0.01). In the 59 pts who received therapy post CART progression, the mOS of pts treated on (n = 13) or off (n = 46) trials was 13.8 months (95% CI: 9.2 - NA) vs. 6.6 months (4.9 - 10.7), respectively (p = 0.047). Conclusion Approximately half of the pts (51%) with aggressive B-cell NHL progressing after CART cell therapy would have be excluded from landmark clinical trials. The current hematologic exclusion criteria are a major barrier to enrollment in clinical trials, which would exclude many pts who have disease progression within 3 months of CART cell therapy (ie, primary refractory disease), in whom cytopenia as a toxicity from therapy is prevalent. Given the known delayed hematologic recovery after CART cell therapy and the unmet need of pts progressing to CART cell therapy, the hematologic exclusion criteria should be adjusted to increase trial participation of this population, especially of those with primary refractory disease. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Munoz: Gilead/Kite Pharma, Kyowa, Bayer, Pharmacyclics/Janssen, Seattle Genetics, Acrotech/Aurobindo, Beigene, Verastem, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Genentech/Roche.: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics/Abbvie, Bayer, Gilead/Kite Pharma, Pfizer, Janssen, Juno/Celgene, BMS, Kyowa, Alexion, Beigene, Fosunkite, Innovent, Seattle Genetics, Debiopharm, Karyopharm, Genmab, ADC Therapeutics, Epizyme, Beigene, Servier: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Gilead/Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Physicians' Education Resource: Honoraria; Targeted Oncology: Honoraria; OncView: Honoraria; Kyowa: Honoraria. Murthy: CRISPR Therapeutics: Research Funding. Maurer: Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bennani: Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kymera: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board. Paludo: Karyopharm: Research Funding. Wang: Genentech: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eli Lilly: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; LOXO Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; InnoCare: Research Funding. Ansell: Bristol Myers Squibb, ADC Therapeutics, Seattle Genetics, Regeneron, Affimed, AI Therapeutics, Pfizer, Trillium and Takeda: Research Funding. Witzig: Karyopharm Therapeutics, Celgene/BMS, Incyte, Epizyme: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene/BMS, Acerta Pharma, Kura Oncology, Acrotech Biopharma, Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding. Nowakowski: Celgene, NanoString Technologies, MorphoSys: Research Funding; Celgene, MorphoSys, Genentech, Selvita, Debiopharm Group, Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lin: Vineti: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding; Sorrento: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Legend: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Time to Refractory Status Defines Subsets of Primary Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Distinct Outcomes

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2524-2524

10.1182/blood-2021-146206

Abstract Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that fails to achieve a complete response (CR) or relapses early after standard immunochemotherapy (IC, e.g., R-CHOP or similar) is referred to as primary refractory DLBCL and has a poor prognosis. The clinical course with regards to frontline IC is heterogenous, and different definitions have been used in literature, e.g., progressive or refractory during therapy (narrow definition), or not achieving complete remission at the end of IC, or relapsing within 6 or 12 months after completing IC (broad definition). A small proportion of patients may still have chemosensitive disease and be able to achieve durable disease control with salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, it is challenging to identify such patients, with clinical and molecular predictors highly needed. In this study, we examined the association of time to refractory status with survival outcomes in patients with primary refractory disease. Methods Adult patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL between 2002 and 2015 and seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester were identified from the prospective Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) cohort study of the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE. The current study included patients with primary refractory disease, which was defined as no response to frontline IC (primary progression), partial response (PR) at end of treatment (EOT PR), or relapse with 12 months after achieving CR at EOT (early relapse). Clinical characteristics, treatment and response data, and follow-up data were abstracted from MER and collected by medical record review if needed. Clinical characteristics between groups were compared using Chi-square test. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from confirmation of refractory disease to the time of death from any cause and was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Out of 949 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients, 122 (12.8%) had primary refractory disease, 36 with primary progression, 36 with EOT PR, and 50 with early relapse. The baseline clinical characteristics are summarized in Table 1. No significant differences in age, gender, ECOG performance status, number of extranodal sites, stage, International Prognostic Index, or cell of origin were found between the 3 groups. The proportion of MYC2 and BCL2/BCL6 rearrangements or Myc/Bcl2 double expressor was small and not different among the 3 groups. Salvage therapies were mainly platinum based high-dose chemotherapy (e.g., R-ICE, R-DHAP, or similar) for systemic disease, MTX-based therapy for CNS relapse, or radiotherapy or resection for localized disease (Table 1). The response to salvage chemotherapy was significantly different between the 3 groups. The CR/PR rate was 8.6%/28.6% for patients with primary progression, 16.7%/46.7% for patients with EOT PR, and 35.6%/33.3% for patients with early relapse (P<0.01, Table 1). At a median follow-up time (of living patients) of 113 months, 93 patients had died. The 2-year OS was 13.9% for patients with primary progression, which was significantly worse compared to that of patients with EOT PR (2-year OS 41.7%) or early relapse (2-year OS 44%), (P=0.001)(Figure 1A). In patients with early relapse, the 2-year OS was not significantly different among those who relapsed with 3 months, between 3-6 months, or between 6-12 months (Figure 1B). Conclusion Our data suggest that broadly defined primary refractory DLBCL has heterogenous survival outcomes. DLBCL patients with primary progressive disease represent an ultra-high risk group that has particularly poor survival outcomes with current standard salvage regimens. Novel therapies such CAR T-cell therapy or targeted agents should be studied in this patient population. In contrast, patient who only achieve PR at EOT and those who relapse within 1 year of achieving CR had better OS. A fraction of these patients may still have chemosensitive disease and benefit from salvage chemotherapy and ASCT. The survival difference in the two groups also has important implications for clinical trial design. The definition of primary refractory DLBCL in clinical trials should be carefully and clearly defined. When evaluating novel therapies in single arm trials, the benchmark for efficacy (i.e., historical outcomes) may differ according to the population included in the trial (e.g., time to refractory status). Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Maurer: BMS: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nanostring: Research Funding. Bennani: Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Kymera: Other: Advisory Board. Cerhan: Celgene/BMS: Other: Connect Lymphoma Scientific Steering Committee, Research Funding; NanoString: Research Funding; Regeneron Genetics Center: Other: Research Collaboration; Genentech: Research Funding. Witzig: Celgene/BMS, Acerta Pharma, Kura Oncology, Acrotech Biopharma, Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics, Celgene/BMS, Incyte, Epizyme: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Habermann: Seagen: Other: Data Monitoring Committee; Incyte: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Tess Therapeutics: Other: Data Monitoring Committee; Morphosys: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Loxo Oncology: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Eli Lilly & Co.,: Other: Scientific Advisor. Wang: Genentech: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; InnoCare: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding; LOXO Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Nowakowski: Celgene, MorphoSys, Genentech, Selvita, Debiopharm Group, Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene, NanoString Technologies, MorphoSys: Research Funding.
Metabolic PET/CT Analysis of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Prior to Axicabtagene Ciloleucel CAR-T Infusion: Predictors of Progressive Disease, Survival, and Toxicity

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2518-2518

10.1182/blood-2021-153739

Abstract Purpose: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy utilized for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) refractory to at least 2 lines of therapy. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is used to evaluate disease extent prior to CAR-T infusion at two time points: pre-leukapheresis (pre-leuk) approximately 6 weeks prior to CAR-T infusion, and pre-lymphodepletion chemotherapy (pre-LD) approximately 1 week prior to CAR-T infusion. We hypothesized that PET/CT characteristics beyond Lugano criteria, such as metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), SUV maximum (SUVMax), and changes in these parameters from pre-leuk to pre-LD, may predict for progressive disease (PD), death, and treatment toxicity after CAR-T infusion. Methods: Patients with NHL who received axi-cel on a prospective registry at Mayo Clinic Rochester were included. Lesions on pre-leuk and pre-LD PET/CT scans were segmented with a fixed absolute SUVMax threshold of 2.5 using a semi-automated workflow (LesionID, MIM Software Inc.) with manual modification to exclude physiologic uptake as needed. MTV, TLG, SUVMax, number of lesions, and other lesion characteristics were assessed for each PET/CT, and changes from pre-leuk to pre-LD were calculated. Lesions were categorized as either nodal, spleen, bone, parenchymal (i.e. liver, lung), or soft tissue (i.e. subcutaneous, muscle), and MTV was calculated for each category. Univariate Cox modeling was used to associate relative and directional change in metabolic and volumetric PET/CT characteristics with PD and death, after adjusting for bridging therapy. LASSO method was used for multivariable model selection. Pre-LD PET/CT characteristics were also assessed for association with presence and duration of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), grade 3+ immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), tocilizumab (toci) use, and corticosteroid use. Results: From 2018-2020, axi-cel was delivered to 69 patients. Histology included diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (57%), transformed follicular lymphoma (23%), or high-grade lymphoma (19%). Pre-leuk and pre-LD PET/CT scans were performed a median of 46 days and 7 days prior to CAR-T infusion, respectively. Forty patients (58%) received bridging therapy between scans, including 9 (13%) receiving radiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 13 months, 39 (57%) had died and 46 (67%) had PD. Sixty patients (87%) developed CRS following CAR-T infusion for a median duration of 5 days. Presence of pre-LD parenchymal disease was associated with longer duration CRS (p=0.032). Thirty-seven patients (54%) developed ICANS for a median duration of 4.5 days, including 12 (32%) with grade 3+ ICANS. Greater pre-LD total MTV was associated with higher risk of grade 3+ ICANS (p=0.042). Greater pre-LD SUVMax was associated with longer duration ICANS (p=0.032). Nineteen (28%) patients required toci. Greater pre-LD total MTV, SUVMax, TLG, and volume of the largest lesion were associated with increased use of toci (p<0.05 for all). Greater pre-LD total MTV and TLG of the largest lesion were associated with increased use of corticosteroid (p<0.05 for each). While no individual pre-leuk or pre-LD PET/CT characteristics were associated with risk of PD or death, increases from pre-leuk to pre-LD in total MTV, total TLG, parenchymal MTV, and nodal MTV were associated with increased risk of PD (Figure 1). Similarly, increases from pre-leuk to pre-LD in parenchymal MTV, nodal MTV, TLG of the largest lesion, and total number of lesions were associated with increased risk of death (p<0.05 for all). LASSO analysis identified increasing extranodal MTV (≥25% increase) and increasing TLG of the largest lesion (≥10% increase) as strong predictors of death (AUC 0.74, Table 1). Kaplan-Meier plots were generated for overall and progression-free survival using these risk factors (Figure 2). Additional patients and follow-up will be presented. Conclusions: Patients with greater pre-LD MTV had higher risk of grade 3+ ICANS and use of toci or corticosteroids. Increasing metabolic disease burden during CAR-T manufacturing is associated with increased risk of PD and death. A two variable risk score using increasing extranodal disease and increasing TLG of the largest lesion may stratify prognosis prior to CAR-T and inform treatment paradigms. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Bennani: Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kymera: Other: Advisory Board. Paludo: Karyopharm: Research Funding. Wang: Genentech: Research Funding; LOXO Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; InnoCare: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ansell: Bristol Myers Squibb, ADC Therapeutics, Seattle Genetics, Regeneron, Affimed, AI Therapeutics, Pfizer, Trillium and Takeda: Research Funding. Lin: Gamida Cell: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Legend: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sorrento: Consultancy; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Vineti: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy.
PET2 Response Associated with Survival in Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results of Two Independent Prospective Cohorts

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2508-2508

10.1182/blood-2021-151276

Abstract Introduction: Up to 40% of newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will relapse after frontline rituximab, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP), with subsequent poor prognosis. Identification of patients (pts) at high risk of relapse early in the treatment can allow for development of risk adapted therapies to improve outcomes. Positron Emission Tomography scan after 2 cycles of therapy (PET2) has been evaluated as a predictor of relapse but study treatments were heterogenous and results were conflicting. A substudy of CALGB 50303 trial did not find association of PET2 response by Deauville Score (DS) with survival in RCHOP and DA-EPOCH-R treated pts. In the UK National Cancer Research Institute Prospective Study, DS of 5 on PET2 predicted worse progression free survival but not overall survival (OS) in RCHOP-21 and RCHOP-14 treated pts. Here we report impact of PET2 response on outcomes in two large independent, prospective cohorts of newly diagnosed DLBCL treated homogenously with two RCHOP-based regimens of similar efficacy. Methods: Discovery was done in adult pts with DLBCL enrolled into a single arm phase 2 trial of lenalidomide plus standard RCHOP (R2CHOP) (MC078E, NCT00670358). The validation cohort comprised of adult pts with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated with standard RCHOP prospectively enrolled into the Mayo component of the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). Both MC078E and MER cohorts included patients who received at least 3-6 cycles of therapy and had a PET2. Pts who progressed on PET2 were excluded. End of treatment (EOT) PET was done 3-12 weeks after last cycle of therapy. The revised response criteria for malignant lymphoma (Cheson, et al 2007) was used to assess PET in MC078E. In MER, revised response criteria for malignant lymphoma (Cheson et al 2007) or Lugano classification was used, depending on era of diagnosis. Positive PET was defined as FDG uptake above background (Cheson 2007) or DS 4 or 5 (Lugano 2014). Study endpoints were event-free survival (EFS) and OS by PET2 status. Results: Out of 118 pts treated on MC078E, 102 had PET2 (MC078E). The median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range 19-87), 61 (60%) were male, 89 (87%) had advanced stage disease, 46 (45%) had international prognostic index (IPI) of 3-5. 58 (57%) were PET2 Negative (PET2-ve) and 44 (43%) were PET2 Positive (PET2+ve). At EOT PET, 83 (81%) had -ve PET and 15 (15%) had +ve PET. Out of 44 PET2+ve pts, 15 remained +ve at EOT PET. Out of 58 PET2-ve pts, 56 had EOT PET available and all were -ve. Out of 866 DLBCL pts enrolled into MER between August 2005 and June 2015, 621 were treated with RCHOP for 3-6 cycles and 272 had available PET2 (MER). The median age was 65 years (range 55-73), 152 (56%) were male, 174 (64%) had advanced stage, 103 (38%) had IPI 3-5. 186 (68%) were PET2-ve and 86 (32%) were PET2+ve. Out of 235 with EOT PET available, 182 (77%) had -ve EOT PET and 25 (11%) had +ve EOT PET. PET2+ve pts had higher odds of +ve EOT PET (OR: 17.4 (CI 95 8.3-40.0), p<0.001) and progression on EOT PET (OR: 4.3 (CI 95 1.9-10.2), p<0.001) in MER cohort. This analysis was not possible on MC078E as all PET2-ve had -ve EOT PET. In MC078E, 2-year EFS and OS were 69.5% (CI 95 61.1-79.1) and 88.1% (CI 95 82-94.7). In MER, 2-year EFS and OS were 71.6% (CI 95 67.7-76.8) and 82.3% (CI 95 79.3-85.3). Compared to PET2-ve, PET2+ve pts had significantly inferior EFS in both MC078E (HR 4.0, CI 95 2.1-7.88, p<0.0001, figure 1a) and MER (HR 2.9, CI 95 1.9-4.1, p<0.0001, figure 1c). Compared to PET2-ve , PET2+ve pts had a trend towards lower OS in MC078E (HR 2.0, CI 95 0.9-4.9, p=0.1, figure 1b) and a significantly lower OS in MER (HR 2.3, CI 95: 1.5-3.4, p<0.0001, figure 1d). In subgroup analysis of MC078E, PET2+ve pts had lower EFS and a trend towards lower OS in all subgroups except IPI 0-2 (Table 1). In MER, PET2+ve pts had lower EFS and OS in all the subgroups except stage I-II and IPI 0-2 (Table 1). Conclusions: Positive PET2 was associated with increased risk of disease progression and death in newly diagnosed DLBCL. Results of our study provide robust evidence of importance of PET2 as an early predictor DLBCL pts at high risk of progression in two independent prospective cohorts. PET2-guided risk-adapted strategies using chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies may potentially improve outcomes, should be explored in clinical trials and results of our study serve as a benchmark for such studies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Maurer: Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Research Funding; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Nanostring: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wang: Genentech: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding; InnoCare: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; LOXO Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cerhan: Celgene/BMS: Other: Connect Lymphoma Scientific Steering Committee, Research Funding; Regeneron Genetics Center: Other: Research Collaboration; NanoString: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Ansell: Bristol Myers Squibb, ADC Therapeutics, Seattle Genetics, Regeneron, Affimed, AI Therapeutics, Pfizer, Trillium and Takeda: Research Funding. Habermann: Seagen: Other: Data Monitoring Committee; Incyte: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Tess Therapeutics: Other: Data Monitoring Committee; Morphosys: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Loxo Oncology: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Eli Lilly & Co.,: Other: Scientific Advisor. Witzig: Celgene/BMS, Acerta Pharma, Kura Oncology, Acrotech Biopharma, Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics, Celgene/BMS, Incyte, Epizyme: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Nowakowski: Celgene, NanoString Technologies, MorphoSys: Research Funding; Celgene, MorphoSys, Genentech, Selvita, Debiopharm Group, Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Differential transcriptomic profiling in ibrutinib‐naïve versus ibrutinib‐resistant Richter syndrome

Hematological Oncology | November 22, 2021 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 302-306

10.1002/hon.2950 | PMID 34806797

Humoral and cellular immune responses to recombinant herpes zoster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis

American Journal of Hematology | October 26, 2021 | Volume: 97 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 90-98

10.1002/ajh.26388 | PMID 34699616

AbstractMonoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are clonal B‐cell disorders associated with an increased risk of infections and impaired vaccination responses. We investigated the immunogenicity of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in these patients. Individuals with MBL/untreated CLL and Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi)‐treated CLL patients were given two doses of RZV separated by 2 months. Responses assessed at 3 and 12 months from the first dose of RZV by an anti‐glycoprotein E ELISA antibody assay and by dual‐color Interferon‐γ and Interleukin‐2FLUOROSPOT assays were compared to historic controls matched by age and sex. About 62 patients (37 MBL/untreated CLL and 25 BTKi‐treated CLL) were enrolled with a median age of 68 years at vaccination. An antibody response at 3 months was seen in 45% of participants, which was significantly lower compared to historic controls (63%, p = .03). The antibody response did not significantly differ between MBL/untreated CLL and BTKi‐treated CLL (51% vs. 36%, respectively, p = .23). The CD4+ T‐cell response to vaccination was significantly lower in study participants compared to controls (54% vs. 96%, p < .001), mainly due to lower responses among BTKi‐treated patients compared to untreated MBL/CLL (32% vs. 73%, p = .008). Overall, only 29% of participants achieved combined antibody and cellular responses to RZV. Among participants with response assessment at 12 months (n = 47), 24% had antibody titers below the response threshold. Hypogammaglobulinemia and BTKi therapy were associated with reduced T‐cell responses in a univariate analysis. Strategies to improve vaccine response to RZV among MBL/CLL patients are needed.
Evolving frontline immunochemotherapy for mantle cell lymphoma and the impact on survival outcomes

Blood Advances | October 20, 2021 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1350-1360

10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005715 | PMID 34662895

AbstractBecause there have been a dvances in frontline treatment for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) over the last 2 decades, we sought to characterize the changes in frontline treatment patterns and their association with outcomes. Patients with newly diagnosed MCL from September 2002 through June 2015 were enrolled in a prospective cohort study, and clinical characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes were compared between patients diagnosed from 2002 to 2009 (Era 1) compared with 2010 to 2015 (Era 2). Patient age, sex, and simplified MCL International Prognostic Index (sMIPI) score were similar between the 2 groups. In patients age 65 years or younger, there was less use of rituximab plus hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (R-Hyper-CVAD) (16.1% vs 8.8%) but more use of rituximab plus maximum-strength cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-maxi-CHOP) alternating with rituximab plus high-dose cytarabine (R-HiDAC), also known as the Nordic regimen, and R-CHOP alternating with rituximab plus dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP) (1.1% vs 26.4%) and less use of R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like regimens (64.5% vs 35.2%) but more use of R-bendamustine (0% vs 12.1%) in Era 2 (P &lt; .001). These changes were associated with improved event-free survival (EFS; 5-year EFS, 34.3% vs 50.0%; P = .010) and overall survival (OS; 5-year OS, 68.8% vs 81.6%; P = .017) in Era 2. In patients older than age 65 years, there was less use of R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like therapy (39.0% vs 14.3%) and nonstandard systemic therapy (36.6% vs 13.0%) but more use of R-bendamustine (0% vs 49.4%). These changes were associated with a trend for improved EFS (5-year EFS, 25.4% vs 37.5%; P = .051) in Era 2. The shift from R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like regimens to R-bendamustine was associated with improved EFS (5-year EFS, 25.0% vs 44.6%; P = .008) in Era 2. Results from this prospective cohort study provide critical real-world evidence for improved outcomes with evolving frontline patterns of care in patients with MCL.
Outcomes in primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, leg type

Hematological Oncology | August 28, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 658-663

10.1002/hon.2919 | PMID 34453851

Abstract Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL, LT) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma characterized by skin involvement predominantly in the lower extremities. Immunochemotherapy with or without involved‐site radiation therapy (ISRT) is considered standard front‐line therapy. Over‐expression of PD‐L1/PD‐L2 is seen in a high proportion of PCDLBCL, LT cases, but efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in relapsed/refractory, PCDLBCL, LT has not been thoroughly studied. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with PCDLBCL, LT seen at Mayo Clinic from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2020. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, we calculated progression‐free survival, duration of response, and overall survival in patients who received front‐line rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP) with and without ISRT, and salvage ICI therapy for relapsed/refractory disease. A total of 28 patients with PCDLBCL, LT were identified. The median PFS in patients treated with R‐CHOP plus ISRT was 58 months (95% CI: 18–112) compared to 14 months (95% CI: 5–not reached; p = 0.04) in those treated with R‐CHOP without ISRT. The median PFS from salvage ICI therapy was 10 months (95% CI: 4–not reached), and median DOR from salvage ICI therapy was 23 months [95% CI: 4–26]. R‐CHOP with ISRT had a significantly longer median PFS compared to R‐CHOP without ISRT as front‐line therapy for PCDLBCL, LT. ICIs may have a role in treating relapsed/refractory disease as reasonable activity in heavily pre‐treated patients was observed in this study.
Age defining immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndromes in aggressive large B cell lymphoma patients treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel

American Journal of Hematology | August 23, 2021 | Volume: 96 | Issue: 11 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/ajh.26330 | PMID 34424554