Phase I study of the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax with DA-EPOCH-R as initial therapy for aggressive B-cell lymphomas.

Abstract

8003 Background: Dose-adjusted (DA) EPOCH-R is a frontline treatment for aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Bcl-2 is associated with chemoresistance due to BCL2 gene rearrangement or protein overexpression in lymphomas and is antagonized by BH3 mimetic venetoclax (ven). We conducted a phase I study combining ven with DA-EPOCH-R in aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Methods: This phase 1 study used Bayesian optimal interval design with dose expansion. Eligible patients (pts) were 18 years with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL), primary mediastinal, and high grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL) with double hit (DHL) or not otherwise specified (NOS). Ven was dosed at 400 mg (DL1), 600 mg (DL2), and 800 mg (DL3) daily for 10 days with 6 cycles of DA-EPOCH-R. A subsequent cohort received ven 600 mg daily for 5 days (DL2B). Toxicities were graded by CTCAE v4.0 and response assessed by Lugano criteria. Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) period was cycle 1 and primarily included grade (gr) ≥3 neutropenia on cycle 2 day 1, gr ≥4 febrile neutropenia/thrombocytopenia, and gr ≥3 nausea, vomiting, diarrhea despite supportive care. Results: 30 pts enrolled with median age 64 (24-79), and 50% female. Ann Arbor stage was III-IV in 23. IPI was high risk in > 50%. Diagnosis was DHL (15), DLBCL NOS (13), and HGBCL NOS (2). 18 had MYC and 14 had BCL2 rearrangements. Bcl-2 was expressed ≥50% by IHC in 21/26 with data. There were no DLTs in DL1 (3 pts) or DL2 (9 pts). 1/6 had DLT in DL3 (gr 4 thrombocytopenia). Ven dose reductions occurred in subsequent cycles in 4 (2 in DL2; 2 in DL3). Of 18 in DL1-3, EPOCH was escalated above level 1 in 1 and de-escalated below level 1 in 7. Because of delays and ven dose reductions in DL2-3 due in part to cytopenias, infections and GI toxicities, we accrued DL2B. In DL2B, 0/12 pts had DLTs or ven dose reductions. EPOCH was escalated above level 1 in 4 and de-escalated below level 1 in 3. 1 died of sepsis during cycle 3. Most common gr 3-4 toxicities across all dose levels were cytopenias; febrile neutropenia occurred in 57%. Most common non-hematologic toxicities of all grades were hypocalcemia, nausea, diarrhea, hypokalemia and fatigue. ORR (N = 30) ITT was 97% with 27 (90%) complete and 2 (7%) partial responses; 1 was not evaluable. Follow up is ongoing. Of 15 DHL, ORR and CRR were 93% and 80%. Conclusions: We identified ven 600 mg for 5 days per cycle as RP2D with DA-EPOCH-R. DL2B was well tolerated and required no ven dose reductions. Further efficacy and safety is being evaluated in Alliance 51701, DA-EPOCH-R/R-CHOP in DH/double expressor lymphomas, using the dosing regimen defined by this study. Clinical trial information: NCT03036904 .