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Abstract Intravascular lymphoma is a rare subtype of extranodal DLBCL characterized by the proliferation of malignant B-cells within the lumina of blood vessels. Organ involvement is variable and diffuse. Making the diagnosis can be challenging with symptoms persisting for months prior to definitive diagnosis. Treatment to date with standard anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimens has been disappointing with variable response rates, high relapse rates, and median survival times typically measured in months. We report diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up information regarding a group of patients with intravascular lymphoma evaluated at the Mayo Clinic with special attention to those receiving rituximab and/or high dose chemotherapy with or without peripheral blood autologous stem cell rescue. Methods: The medical records of patients with intravascular lymphoma seen at the Mayo Clinic between January 1970 and May 2005 were reviewed. Patients were included if they had evidence of intravascular lymphoma at the time of diagnosis of lymphoma. Pathologic specimens were reviewed for confirmation of diagnosis. Results: Twenty patients with a diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma were identified. Their median age was 66.5 years. Thirteen (65%) had B symptoms at the time of diagnosis and 13 had a performance status ≥ 3. Nine (45%) had an IPI ≥ 4. The median time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms was 5.5 months. All had stage IV disease with biopsy proven involvement of at least one organ. The sites of disease involvement were CNS (10), marrow (7), lung (5), adrenal (3), kidney (2), lymph node, seminal vesicle, and skin (1). Two patients had involvement of three organs, six had involvement of two organs, and twelve had involvement of one organ. Nineteen patients received chemotherapy: ProMACE/CytaBOM (3), CHOP (6), RCHOP (6), DHAP (1), high dose methotrexate (1), methylprednisolone, nitrogen mustard, rituximab (1), and hyperCVAD (1). Three patients underwent peripheral blood autologous stem cell rescue after conditioning with BEAM. With a median follow-up of 60 months for all patients, the median overall survival was 8 months. No difference in outcome was seen with regard to site of organ involvement, number of organs involved, presence of B symptoms, or IPI. With a median follow-up for those receiving rituximab of 26 months, the median survival has not yet been reached while the median survival for those receiving non-rituximab containing regimens was 6.5 months. Similarly, with a median follow-up for those receiving high dose chemotherapy (hyperCVAD or BEAM) of 9.3 months, the median survival has not yet been reached while the median survival for those not receiving high dose therapy was 7 months. Conclusion: Intravascular lymphoma is a unique and aggressive subtype of DLBCL. The clinical presentation and sites of organ involvement are variable and the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis can be prolonged. Standard chemotherapeutic treatment leads to poor outcomes. However, survival may be improved upon with newer strategies such as the use of rituximab and/or high dose chemotherapy with or without peripheral blood autologous stem cell rescue.

Abstract The proposed immune-mediated mechanisms of action of Rituximab (ADCC or “vaccinal” effect) suggest that the efficacy of rituximab therapy depends on the immunocompetency of the host. Therapies, such as IL-12, that stimulate the immune system may increase the efficacy of rituximab. Recently, we reported that absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), as a surrogate maker of immune recovery, is a survival prognostic factor in autologous stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). We hypothesize host immune competence (i.e, normal ALC counts) would predict a superior survival in NHL patients treated with rituximab-based regimens. The primary end-point of the study was to assess whether the ALC count prior to rituximab therapy predicted progression-free survival (PFS) and the second end-point was to identify which lymphocyte subset was responsible for affecting PFS. We studied 41 NHL patients that participated in our Phase I interleukin-12 plus rituximab study. These patients were selected because the Phase I study required baseline ALC count and flow cytometry analysis providing lymphocyte subset data prior to treatment. There were 20 females and 21 males in the study. The median age of the cohort was 53 years (range: 34–84). PFS was assessed from the initial date of treatment. The median follow-up was 42 months (1–84 months). Patients with an ALC ≥ 0.9 × 109/l experienced a superior PFS versus an ALC < 0.9 × 109/l prior to rituximab therapy (31 months vs 4 months, p < 0.0001). The relapse rate in the ALC ≥ 0.9 × 109/l group was 55% (11/20) versus 95 % (20/21) in the ALC < 0.9 × 109/l (p < 0.0016). Patients with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μl also experienced a superior PFS versus a CD4 count < 500 cells/μl (21 months vs 9 months, p < 0.0062). The relapse rate in the CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μl group was 56% (9/16) versus 88 % (22/25) in the CD4 count < 500 cells/μl (p < 0.0216). No association with PFS was identified for CD3, CD8, CD19, CD16/56, the use of IL-12, or lymphoma type by WHO classification. CD4 count was found to be an independent prognostic factor for PFS. In the subgroup of patients with follicular lymphoma, patients with an ALC ≥ 0.9 × 109/l experienced a superior PFS versus an ALC < 0.9 × 109/l prior to rituximab therapy (35 months vs 9 months, p < 0.0076). The relapse rate in the ALC ≥ 0.9 × 109/l group was 45% (5/11) versus 90 % (9/10) in the ALC < 0.9 × 109/l (p < 0.0243). Patients with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μl also experienced superior PFS versus a CD4 count < 500 cells/μl (not reached vs 9 months, p < 0.0098). The relapse rate in the CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μl group was 29% (2/7) versus 86 % (12/14) in the group with a CD4 count < 500 cells/μl (p < 0.0216). CD4 count was found to be an independent prognostic factor for PFS when compared to the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index at the time of treatment. Our data suggest the significance of an immunocompetent host in predicting the efficacy of rituximab therapy. These data support our previous report that patients with higher number of activated CD4+ cells at the lymphoma site have a better prognosis (Ansell et al, JCO2001; 19: 720–6). These findings warrant further studies to understand the role of ALC (i.e, CD4 count) in the mechanism of action of rituximab. Supported in part by CA69912

Abstract We previously have reported that autograft absolute lymphocyte count (A-ALC) is a possible prognostic factor for survival after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (ASCT) for myeloma (MM). Factors affecting A-ALC in MM are unknown. We hypothesize that method of stem cell mobilization, hematopoietic growth factor (HGF) vs. HGF+Cytoxan chemotherapy (C+HGF), directly affects A-ALC collection. 191 consecutive MM patients between 1994 and 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients generally were mobilized with C+HGF prior to 2003. Thereafter, C+HGF was reserved largely for those with ≥4% circulating peripheral blood plasma cells (PC), a negative prognostic indicator. No patients were transplanted in disease relapse or refractory disease. Patients also were matched for age, sex, β2-microglobulin, conventional cytogenetics, LDH, c-reactive protein, number of prior therapies, plasma cell labeling index (PCLI), pre-mobilization ALC, and % bone marrow (BM) PC. The groups HGF (n=80) and C+HGF (n=111) differed with respect to the conditioning regimen (p < 0.0001), and presence of (≥4%) circulating peripheral blood PC (p<0.005). The primary end-point of the study was to assess the correlation between HGF vs C+HGF, and A-ALC. The secondary endpoint was to determine if HGF vs C+HGF affected survival post-ASCT. Patients mobilized with HGF had a higher A-ALC compared to those mobilized with C+HGF [0.764 x 109 lymphocytes/kg (range: 0.146–1.803) vs. 0.212 (range: 0.016–1.26), p<0.0001]. No association was identified between A-ALC and conditioning regimens (p = 0.19) and PC (p = 0.31). Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were longer in those mobilized with HGF vs. C+HGF (not reached vs. 48 months, p<0.0150; not reached vs. 21 months, p<0.007, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥50 vs age ≤50 (p<0.05) and A-ALC ≥0.5 vs <0.5x109 lymphocytes/kg (p<0.0397) were independent predictors of OS. Factors influencing PFS in the multivariate analysis included circulating PC ≥4% vs <4% (p<0.0157), PCLI ≥ 1% vs PCLI ≤ 1% (p<0.0107), and A-ALC ≥0.5 vs <0.5x109 lymphocytes/kg (p<0.0042). On multivariate analysis, the method of stem cell mobilization and the conditioning regimen did not have a statistically significant effect on either OS or PFS. We hypothesize that the differences in PFS and OS seen between the HGF vs C+HGF mobilization groups are mediated through the A-ALC. These data suggest that mobilization regimens should not only collect CD34+ stem cells, but also be optimized to collect an A-ALC target which may impact on PFS and OS post-ASCT.

Abstract The International Prognostic Index at the time of relapse (IPI-R) has been reported to predict clinical outcome in patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) [Jabbour et al, Leukemia & Lymphoma2005;46(6):861–867; Lerner et al, Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplant2006;13:486–492; and Costa et al, Bone Marrow Transplant2008;41:715–720]. The absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) has been reported as a prognostic factor for survival at diagnosis, during standard chemotherapy and at day 15 post-ASCT for multiple hematological malignancies; however, no reports have addressed whether ALC at the time of relapse (ALC-R) predicts survival. Thus, we assessed the prognostic significance of ALC-R in patients with relapsed DLBCL. To be included in the study, patients were required to have been diagnosed with relapsed DLBCL, have ALC values available from the time of relapse, and to be followed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. From Feb 2,1987 until March 6, 2006, 121 DLBCL patients qualified for the study. The overall survival (OS) was measured from the time of relapse to the date of death or last follow-up and progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as the time from relapse to the time of progression, relapse, death, or last follow-up. The median age at relapse was 68 years (range:25–88 years) and the median ALC-R was 1.21 x 109/L (range: 0.33–5.99 x 109/L). The value of ALC-R ≥ 1.0 x 109/L was used for the analysis based on previous publications. The groups (ALC-R ≥ 1 or < 1 x 109/L) were balanced for the IPI-R (p=0.1), as well as for undergoing ASCT (p=0.4). Superior OS was observed in patients with an ALC-R ≥ 1.0 x 109/L (N = 76) [median OS: 27.5 months, 3 years OS rates of 42%] compared with patient with an ALC-R < 1.0 x 109/L (N =45) [median OS: 9.4 months, 3 years OS rates of 13%] (p <0.0001). Superior PFS was also observed in patients with an ALC-R ≥ 1.0 x 109/L (N = 76) [median PFS: 14.8 months, 3 years PFS rates of 30%] compared with patient with an ALC-R < 1.0 x 109/L (N =45) [median PFS: 6.2 months, 3 years PFS rates of 11%] (p <0.001). ALC-R was an independent prognostic factor for OS [RR = 0.551, p < 0.009] and PFS [RR = 0.674, p < 0.02] in the multivariate analysis when compared with the IPI-R and whether patients underwent ASCT or not. Our study supports the hypothesis that ALC at relapse predicts clinical outcome in DLBCL and suggests that patient host immunity is an important variable predicting survival in relapsed DLBCL.

Abstract The infused autograft absolute lymphocyte count (A-ALC) is an independent prognostic factor for survival after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Previous studies have shown that A-ALC directly correlates with the peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (PC-ALC) at the time of apheresis collection. However, factors affecting the PC-ALC at apheresis remain undefined. We hypothesized that one possible factor impacting PC-ALC may be the time interval from last chemotherapy to stem cell collection (TILC). Data from 160 patients who underwent AHSCT for treatment of relapsed NHL at Mayo Clinic between 1993 and 2001 were collected and analyzed. The primary end point of this study was correlation between TILC and PC-ALC, and our analysis revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). Further analysis revealed higher PC-ALC numbers in patients with TILC ≥ 60 days versus TILC < 60 days (median of 7.44 x 109/L in the ≥ 60 day group versus 3.87 x 109/L in the < 60 day group, p < 0.0001). Both the median overall survival (figure below) and the progression-free survival were longer in the TILC ≥ 60 days group versus the TILC < 60 days group (76 versus 21 months, p < 0.0037; 76 versus 11 months, p < 0.018, respectively). These findings were independent of other prognostic indicators for relapsed NHL patients undergoing APHSCT. The data supports our hypothesis that TILC affects PC-ALC and survival post-AHSCT in NHL. Figure Figure

8043 Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine-threonine kinase that regulates the production vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cell growth and proliferation. Inhibitors of mTOR have anti-mitotic and anti-angiogenic effects in various cancers (including melanoma). Everolimus (RAD-001), an orally administered inhibitor of mTOR, is well tolerated at a dose of 30 mg/week. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the role of RAD-001 in treating patients with metastatic melanoma (MM). Methods: A 2 stage, phase II multi-institutional trial was conducted in patients with MM to assess progression free survival (PFS) rate at 16 weeks was at least 50% against the alternative it was at most 30%. Data about expected baseline PFS were derived from historical controls. Each cycle was 8 weeks in duration. Inclusion criteria: measurable disease, ECOG performance score (PS) of 0–2. Exclusion criteria: presence of intracranial metastases, concurrent use of inducers of cytochrome 3A4 and abnormal hepatic, renal or bone marrow function. Correlative studies included changes pharmacodynamic endpoints to evaluate effect of therapy on signaling pathways. Results: 24 patients with MM were enrolled. Median age was 56 years (33–79), 21 (88%) had at 2 or more sites of metastatic disease. Most (75%) had stage M1c, with 13% each having 1a and 1b disease. PS was 0, 1 and 2 in 58, 38% and 4%, resp. All but 9 had received previous therapy for MM. Planned interim analysis was done after 20 patients were enrolled. Of these, 7 (i.e., 35%) were PF at 16 weeks, which exceeded the decision rule for restarting accrual. No patient had an objective response; all 7 had stable disease. There were no grade 3 toxicities. Grade 2 toxic events (at least possibly related to therapy) were: fatigue (17%), diarrhea (8%) and anemia (8%). Patients had a clinically relevant benefit, with the median PFS for all 24 patients of 3 months. Median overall survival was not reached. Three patients continue on therapy. RAD-001 treatment resulted in changes in serum VEGF levels. Conclusion: Interim analysis after enrollment of 20 patients suggests that RAD-001 is well tolerated and has sufficient anti-tumor activity in MM to warrant the opening of enrollment to the second stage of this trial. Further accrual is planned. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

8041 Background: ABT-510 is a synthetic peptide analog of thrombospondin-1 demonstrating inhibition of VEGF/bFGF mediated human endothelial cell migration, proliferation, tube formation, cornea-neovascularization as well as inhibition of tumor growth in vivo (B16F10 melanoma). Having been found to be safe in phase I testing, ABT-510 has entered phase II trials. Presented are the results of a phase II study using ABT-510 for the treatment of stage IV melanoma. Methods: A two stage phase II clinical trial was conducted to assess the anti-tumor activity, safety profile and pharmacodynamics of ABT510 in patients with stage IV melanoma. Patients self-administered 100mg of ABT-510 subcutaneously twice/day. Therapy was continued in the absence of excessive toxicity or tumor progression. Primary endpoint was 18 week progression free survival rate. Enrolled were patients at least 18 years of age with measurable (RECIST) metastatic melanoma, ECOG performance status of 0–2 and normal pre-registration blood tests. Exclusion criteria included: cancer therapy less than 4 weeks prior to registration; failure to recover from prior therapy; brain metastases; significant recent bleeding; uncontrolled hypertension; and ongoing anti-coagulation. Pregnant or nursing women were not eligible. Results: Twenty-one patients (67% male) were enrolled with a median age of 55 years. Most patients had M1c disease (80%) and 62% had prior chemotherapy for stage IV melanoma. None of the patients were ineligible/canceled participation. After the first stage of the trial was complete, only 3 of the first 20 patients enrolled were progression-free at 18 weeks. Having not met the minimal clinical efficacy requirement (at least 7 of the first 20 patients progression-free at 18 weeks) the trial was closed to further accrual. Correlative laboratory studies suggested decreases in some of the measured parameters of angiogenesis (VEGFC, circulating endothelial cells) with no impact on immune homeostasis. Conclusions: Single agent ABT-510 therapy administered at 100mg twice/day to patients with previously treated metastatic melanoma did not demonstrate significant clinical efficacy. However, changes in measured parameters of angiogenesis suggest possible clinical efficacy with higher dosing or in combination with cytotoxic therapy. [Table: see text]

e20046 Background: The immune system and VEGF may play a role in melanoma behavior. We prospectively collected data in 10 stage III and 22 stage IV melanoma patients to observe factors influencing outcomes. Methods: We assessed median survival (MS), LDH, BRAF, VEGF, Th1/Th2 ratio, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD4/CD8 ratio, which were measured upon enrollment. LDH and BRAF were measured in standard commercial labs; VEGF via ELISA at LVHN; Th1/Th2 ratio and CD4/CD8 ratio via flow cytometry at Mayo Clinic. Stage III patients were treated with resection and interferon or observation. Stage IV patients were treated with some or all of the following: resection +/- GM-CSF, IL-2, ipilimumab, vemurafenib, carboplatin/paclitaxel/bevacizumab and temazolamide. Results: MS for stage IV patients was 48 months using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The only variable associated with survival was LDH, (HR=1.0017, 95%CI: 1.0003-1.0032, p=0.02). In stage IV patients, there was a positive correlation between VEGF and Tregs (r=.485, n=22 p=0.022) and a negative correlation between Tregs and Th1/Th2 (r=-.470, n=22, p=0.027). In stage III/IV patients who were alive at study completion, there was a positive correlation between CD4/CD8 and VEGF (r=.792, n=10, p=0.006). In patients who died, there was a negative correlation between Tregs and Th1/Th2 (r=-.660, n=12, p=0.02). 7 of the stage IV patients are currently disease free, including 5 of the 10 who received IL-2 +/- metastectomy. Conclusions: While a median survival of 48 months was provocative for stage IV patients, it may reflect referral selection at an IL-2 center. Recent advances such as ipilimumab (which lowers Tregs), BRAF inhibitors, and immunotherapy/aggressive resection as initial therapy may have impacted survival. The literature suggests that an elevated CD4/CD8 ratio predicts better outcomes. Higher VEGF levels have also been associated with lower overall survival in patients treated with IL-2. We found an association between higher VEGF levels and increased Tregs in deceased patients but not in living patients. In patients still alive, higher VEGF was balanced by a higher CD4/CD8 ratio. We did not find a correlation between baseline VEGF and survival.

9073 Background: An accumulating body of evidence suggests that the outcome of early-stage melanoma is influenced by endocrine and menopausal status. However, it remains controversial as to whether the superior female melanoma-specific survival (MSS) is restricted to early stage disease or if it also pertains to patients with metastatic melanoma (MM). Methods: We analyzed data from the 13 registries that participate in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. We identified all cases of primary invasive melanoma diagnosed between 1992 and 2009; none of the patients had a prior history of another cancer. MSS was compared between males and females, stratified by stage of disease. Age groups were defined as 18-45y, 46-54y, 55-64y, 65+y as a proxy of female menopausal status. Results: The study population included 87,165primary invasive melanoma cases (unstaged n=2834). MSS was significantly poorer for males compared to females for localized (n=72,456) and regional (n=8,945) disease for all age groups (Hazard ratio (HR) ranging from 1.21 to 2.09, all p<0.001). MSS was not significantly different between males and females for patients with distant disease at diagnosis (n= 2930; HR 0.99, 0.92, 1.11, 1.07 for each age group) and remained non-significant after adjusting for Breslow thickness, histologic subtype, anatomic site, and age group (adjusted HR 1.04 males vs. females; 95% CI 0.95-1.14; p=0.41). Conclusions: While our results were consistent with earlier reports that women have higher MSS rates compared to men for early (stage I-III) melanoma, the intriguing finding of this study was that the female survival advantage does not vary with age or menopausal status as compared to men, which is contrary to previously published reports. Furthermore, we found that the difference in survival was no longer significant for patients with MM, suggesting that sex may influence local and regional, but not distant cancer progression.