Cellular BioMedicine Group Research Articles

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Who Did Not Develop CRS after Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results from the US Lymphoma CAR-T Consortium

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Who Did Not Develop CRS after Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results from the US Lymphoma CAR-T Consortium

Post-Marketing Use Outcomes of an Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy, Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel), for the Treatment of Large B Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) in the United States (US)

Post-Marketing Use Outcomes of an Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy, Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel), for the Treatment of Large B Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) in the United States (US)

KTE-X19, an Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy, in Patients (Pts) With Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): Results of the Phase 2 ZUMA-2 Study

KTE-X19, an Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy, in Patients (Pts) With Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): Results of the Phase 2 ZUMA-2 Study

The Lymphoma Tumor Microenvironment Influences Toxicity after CD19 CAR T Cell Therapy

Introduction: Of patients receiving CD19 CAR T cell therapy for large B cell lymphoma (LBCL), approximately 1 in 10 experience severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 1 in 3 experience severe neurotoxicity. While CAR T cells trigger the onset of these toxicities, CRS and neurotoxicity are thought to occur as a consequence of activated myeloid cells amplifying cytokine and catecholamine release, thereby stimulating inflammation both systemically and at the blood-brain barrier. However, patient and tumor-related factors that account for differences in the amount of toxicity remain poorly understood. Methods: Serum cytokine levels were measured on an ELLA point of care device prior to lymphodepleting chemotherapy and throughout inpatient treatment with CD19 CAR T cell therapy (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for LBCL. Catecholamine levels were measured as we have previously reported. Tumor biopsies were taken within 1 month prior to infusion of CAR T cells. RNA expression was measured by RNAseq and/or a Nanostring IO360 panel consisting of 770 genes found in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer. Analysis used nSolver to identify cell types, GSEA and differential gene expression between groups. Mouse CAR T cell studies utilized mouse CD19-targeted CAR T cells derived from C57BL/6 splenocytes and cultured in vitro with myeloid cells and target cells to evaluate cytotoxicity and/or cytokine secretion. Elicited mouse macrophages were collected from peritoneal fluid 4 days after IP injection of 3% Brewer's thioglycollate medium. In vivo studies with mouse CD19-targeted CAR T cells were performed in IL2Ra-/- mice given cyclophosphamide as a pre-conditioning chemotherapy followed by adoptive transfer and analyses for CAR T cell and B cell persistence, as well as cytokines. Results: Of 58 patients undergoing CD19 CAR T cell therapy for LBCL, 8 (14%) had severe (grade 3 or higher) CRS and 16 (28%) had severe (grade 3 or higher) neurotoxicity. At baseline, peripheral blood levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-15 and ferritin were significantly higher in patients who would subsequently experience severe CRS and severe neurotoxicity. Confirming our recent animal model of CRS we determined that peak serum catecholamine levels were higher in patients experiencing severe CRS. To identify if myeloid cells potentiate cytokine release we co-cultured CAR T cells with CD19 target and macrophages obtained from elicited mouse peritoneum. When these macrophages were added, IL-6 release from CAR T cells significantly increased compared to when macrophages were absent. Next, we studied the baseline TME in LBCL CAR T patients. Of 36 patients, 10 (27%) experienced severe neurotoxicity following CAR T cell therapy. By cell type score, the severe neurotoxicity group had a lower expression of genes associated with T cells overall and specifically Tregs. Also significantly lower in the severe neurotoxicity group were T cell genes including multiple subunits of CD3, CD3ζ, FOXP3, ICOS, CD62L and others. Association of increased T cell infiltration in the TME with low neurotoxicity raised the possibility that suppressive T cell subsets play a role in limiting toxicity post-CAR T cell therapy. To test this hypothesis, we injected CD19-targeted CAR T cells into an immune competent mouse model of Treg depletion (IL2Ra-/-) with established CD19+ leukemia. Treg deficient mice experienced a massive cytokine release after CAR T infusion and died prematurely due to CAR T toxicity compared to control mice with Tregs intact. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that the incidence of severe toxicity following CD19 CAR T cell therapy is influenced by baseline characteristics that are present prior to the infusion of CAR T cells. These include systemic inflammation characterized by high cytokine levels and a TME notable for a lack of infiltrating T cells. We posit a model whereby inflammation primes myeloid cells that are further activated upon CAR T cell infusion to release toxic amounts of cytokines and catecholamines. T cell subsets in the TME may modulate CAR T cells at the site of antigen encounter and prevent excessive CAR T activation. Reducing systemic inflammation or encouraging T cell infiltration into tumor prior to CAR T infusion are potential strategies for lowering the toxicity associated with CAR T therapy. Disclosures Jain: Kite/Gilead: Consultancy. Chavez:Kite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Speakers Bureau; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Speakers Bureau. Shah:Novartis: Honoraria; Spectrum/Astrotech: Honoraria; Celgene/Juno: Honoraria; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria; Incyte: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria. Bachmeier:Kite/Gilead: Speakers Bureau. Mullinax:Iovance: Research Funding. Locke:Novartis: Other: Scientific Advisor; Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite: Other: Scientific Advisor. Davila:Anixa: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding; Bellicum: Consultancy.

Panobinostat As a Maintenance Therapy after Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Background: Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) followed by maintenance therapy with an immunomodulatory agent or a proteasome inhibitor remains an important strategy for upfront treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) advantage. We designed a two-arm, open-label prospective study to examine the safety and tolerability of two different dosing schedules of an oral pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, panobinostat (pano) as an alternative maintenance therapy option in patients with MM (NCT02722941). Methods: A total of 30 MM patients who underwent autologous HCT within the preceding 90 to 180 days were enrolled at Moffitt Cancer Center using a sequential alternating allocation to starting dose of either Cohort A: 20 mg PO 3/week, q 2 weeks on a 28-day cycle, or Cohort B: 10 mg PO daily for 7 days, q 2 weeks on a 28-day cycle, for 12 cycles. Dose level -1 was cohort A: 15 mg 3/week; and cohort B: 10 mg 4/week. Patients with clinically significant cardiac diseases, bradycardia, QTc > 470 msec, bifascicular block were ineligible. EKG was performed on pre- and post-dose on day 1 & 5 of cycle 1, and pre-dose on day 1 of cycles 2-4. Relative dose intensity (RDI), a ratio of amount of drug actually delivered in mg over the amount of planned dose in mg, was calculated to evaluate the treatment feasibility as a surrogate measure. Results: The median age of the entire cohort was 60 (range, 40-73) years with a male/female = 18/12. Disease characteristics are summarized in the Table. Patients initiated pano maintenance at a median of 131 (range 91 - 178) days after autologous HCT. As of 8/1/2019, 16 patients (8 in each cohort) completed full 12 cycles of pano. The RDI for the entire cohort, cohort A, and cohort B was 94.1% (33,750mg/35,860, 98% (16,350mg/16,680mg), and 90.7% (17,400mg/19,180mg), respectively. One patient in cohort A had dose reduction, and 6 patients in cohort B had dose reductions with cytopenias (43%) and GI toxicities (43%) being the most common reasons. No patients required dose modifications due to QT prolongation thus far. There were 3 possibly treatment-associated serious adverse events (pneumonia=2; colitis=1) but all patients successfully resumed pano. Three patients progressed while on pano maintenance. No mortality has been observed thus far. Ten patients are still on pano treatment. The median follow-up is 11 (range, 1-29) months. Conclusions: RDI is 90% overall and panobinostat as a single oral maintenance agent either at 20 mg three times per week or 10 mg po daily for 7 days on alternating weeks appears to be overall well tolerated. There were more dose reductions required in the 10 mg starting dose (cohort B). Panobinostat is a safe alternative for maintenance therapy after autologous HCT. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm the utility of this approach and updated results will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures Nishihori: Novartis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Baz:Sanofi: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Shain:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: 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; AbbVie: Research Funding; Sanofi Genzyme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy. Brayer:Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Locke:Kite: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis: Other: Scientific Advisor; Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy. Alsina:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Panobinostat single agent maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for multiple myeloma

Experience with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) in Patients with Secondary CNS Involvement: Results from the US Lymphoma CAR T Consortium

Experience with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) in Patients with Secondary CNS Involvement: Results from the US Lymphoma CAR T Consortium

Fever Characteristics Associated with Toxicity and Outcome after Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy for Aggressive Lymphoma

Background: Fever is a cardinal symptom of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) after CAR T-cell therapy with 84% of patients experiencing fever on the ZUMA-1 trial of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel). Knowledge of the patterns of fever and associated symptoms may inform the clinical management of these patients. Methods: We performed a single center retrospective study in 78 patients receiving axi-cel for large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) as of 12/31/2018. We evaluated all the patients who developed fever during lymphodepleting chemotherapy with fludarabine (Flu) and cyclophosphamide (Cy), after CAR T-cell infusion, and after administration of tocilizumab (toci); and analyzed the association of fever with toxicity rates (grade 3+ CRS and neurotoxicity) and efficacy [overall response rates (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate 6 months post CAR T-cell infusion]. Fever was defined per the Lee criteria [equal to or greater than 38 °C], CRS used the modified Lee criteria and neurotoxicity used the CARTOX grading system. Results: Fever occurred in 71/78 (91%) of patients. Rates of grade 3+ CRS and neurotoxicity were 9% (7/78) and 26% (20/78) respectively. The CR rate at 6 months was 41% (32/78). Toxicities and outcomes in patients with the described fever characteristics are shown in the Table. During lymphodepletion with Flu/Cy, fever was observed in 11% (9/78) of patients. Fever occurred within 24 hours of axi-cel infusion in 47% (37/78) and within 72 hours of axi-cel infusion in 71% (55/78) of the patients. In total, 41% (32/78) of patients were treated with anti-IL6R therapy (tocilizumab; toci) for CAR T toxicity. After the first dose of toci, fever recurred in 69% of patients (22/32), of which 34% (11/32) experienced fever recurrence within 24 hours of toci infusion. Conclusions: This is the first study to our knowledge that describes in detail the characteristics of fever after CAR T-cell therapy with axi-cel. Fever was common and occurred in 71% of the patients within 72 hours of axi-cel infusion. When toci was used, fever recurred in a majority of patients (69%) and in 1/3 of patients the fever recurred within 24 hours of toci infusion. These descriptive data may be used by clinicians to inform their expectations of fever occurring after treatment with axi-cel and/or toci. Table Disclosures Bachmeier: Kite/Gilead: Speakers Bureau. Chavez:Genentech: Speakers Bureau; Kite Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Speakers Bureau. Shah:AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Spectrum/Astrotech: Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene/Juno: Honoraria. Pinilla Ibarz:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Teva: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Nishihori:Novartis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Lazaryan:Kadmon: Consultancy. Davila:Bellicum: Consultancy; Anixa: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Atara: Research Funding. Locke:Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis: Other: Scientific Advisor. Jain:Kite/Gilead: Consultancy.

Consensus Grading of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) in Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) Treated with Tisagenlecleucel on the JULIET Study

Consensus Grading of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) in Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) Treated with Tisagenlecleucel on the JULIET Study

A Phase I/Ib Study of Nivolumab for Relapsed Hematologic Malignancies after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (alloHCT)

A Phase I/Ib Study of Nivolumab for Relapsed Hematologic Malignancies after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (alloHCT)

Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Real World Experience

Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Real World Experience

2-Year Follow-up and High-Risk Subset Analysis of Zuma-1, the Pivotal Study of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) in Patients with Refractory Large B Cell Lymphoma

2-Year Follow-up and High-Risk Subset Analysis of Zuma-1, the Pivotal Study of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) in Patients with Refractory Large B Cell Lymphoma

Grading of Neurotoxicity in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) Receiving Tisagenlecleucel Treatment in the JULIET Study

Grading of Neurotoxicity in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) Receiving Tisagenlecleucel Treatment in the JULIET Study

Radiation Therapy As a Bridging Strategy for Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Patients Awaiting CAR T Manufacturing of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel

Background: CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is FDA approved for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) and variants. Due to active lymphoma, “bridging” therapy may be needed to maintain disease control during the 3 or more weeks required for autologous CAR T manufacturing. Bridging therapy was not allowed in trials of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), but could improve outcomes by reducing tumor burden. Bridging chemotherapy is one option, however toxicity and chemo-refractory disease are potential concerns. Here we report a case series of patients receiving bridging radiation therapy (XRT) prior to axi-cel therapy, of which the majority had double hit lymphoma.Patient Characteristics: As of July 31, 2018 eight patients received XRT as part of their bridging therapies. Overall, patients had a median of 3 prior lines of chemotherapy (range 2 to 5). Two were primary refractory to their first two lines of chemotherapy. Six of the 8 patients had double hit lymphoma by FISH. All patients received 3-4 Gy per fraction to a total median dose of 20 Gray (range 9 - 30 Gy). The most commonly used regimen was 30 Gy in 10 fractions (3/7 patients). Four patients received bridging chemotherapy in addition to XRT, mainly oral cytoxan. In 2 patients the XRT was given up until the day of leukapheresis and in 1 of these patients it was continued after leukapheresis. In 6 additional patients the XRT started after leukapheresis. Overall, XRT was completed at a median of 9 days (range 3 - 22 days) prior to starting Flu/Cy conditioning. The median mass diameter receiving XRT was 13.6 cm (range 3 - 30 cm).Outcomes: No significant adverse events were noted at the local site of XRT before or after CAR T infusion. Response assessment within the field of radiation is complicated by a short duration between end of XRT and restaging prior to Flu/Cy conditioning. Nonetheless, only one patient experienced progressive disease in-field after XRT and most had stable disease in-field. Of the 4 cases where the baseline LDH was elevated, only the patient with PD saw their LDH rise after the completion of XRT, while the other 3 of 4 patients had declining LDH at the time of Flu/Cy conditioning.In 7 patients evaluable for toxicity, there was one case of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS). This event occurred in the patient who progressed through XRT and had rising LDH and declining performance status prior to CAR T infusion (this patient later died of infection). In the other 6 patients the maximum CRS was grade 1 or 2. Three out of the 7 patients had grade 3 or 4 CAR T related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES). For lymphoma outcomes at day 30, 1 patient was in CR, 2 patients PR, 2 patients with SD and 1 patient with PD (Lugano criteria). Two patients are evaluable at day 90 with PR, although one of these patients subsequently relapsed at month 4 (in-field to the prior radiation).Conclusions: Bridging XRT (with or without chemotherapy) can be safely administered and provides disease control in refractory poor risk DLBCL patients prior to axi-cel therapy. All patients were able to receive axi-cel. CAR T-related toxicity occurred, but in this case series was most likely related to disease aggressiveness (6 of 8 patients were double hit) and tumor burden. Further research should focus on the immunologic effects of XRT and its impact on CAR T cell efficacy and toxicity. [Display omitted] DisclosuresChavez:Humanigen: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kite: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Merck: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Davila:Celyad: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Locke:Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor.

End of Phase 1 Results from Zuma-6: Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) in Combination with Atezolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

End of Phase 1 Results from Zuma-6: Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) in Combination with Atezolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Patient-Reported and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Patients Treated with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel

Background: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is a CD19 targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy that may induce durable responses in relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients whose survival prospects are otherwise poor. Recent FDA approval of axi-cel and other CAR T-cell therapies is expected to lead to a growing population of cancer survivors treated with these therapies. Little is known about patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as symptomatology and quality of life (QOL) in these patients. The goal of the current observational study was to examine PROs and neurocognitive functioning in adult patients in the first 90 days after treatment with axi-cel.Methods: Patients who were scheduled to undergo axi-cel therapy as part of a clinical trial or standard of care at Moffitt Cancer Center were recruited prior to conditioning chemotherapy. Patients completed items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) at enrollment and 14, 30, 60, and 90 days post-CART. A total of 20 symptoms were selected for inclusion based on clinician-rated toxicity of CART reported on clinical trials as well as symptoms likely to be of concern to cancer patients (e.g., fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, decreased appetite). Patients also completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) QOL measure at baseline and 90 days. Neurocognitive assessments were completed at baseline and 30 days using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Means, SDs, frequencies, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to characterize outcomes and change over time.Results: Participants were 29 patients (28% female; mean age=58, SD=13; 52% treated on an interventional trial). Participants were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (76%), follicular lymphoma or transformed follicular lymphoma (10%), mediastinal large b cell lymphoma (3%), or other indications (11%). Of these, 11 completed neurocognitive testing at baseline and 30 days. Patient-reported symptoms spiked at 14 days post-CAR-T before returning to levels similar to baseline. The most common symptoms at 14 days post-CAR-T were decreased appetite (95% any severity, 48% moderate to severe), fatigue (95% any severity, 43% moderate to severe), and dry mouth (85% any severity, 38% moderate to severe). By 90 days post-CAR-T, the most common symptoms were fatigue (82% any severity), insomnia (55% any severity), and joint pain (45% any severity); no patients reported moderate to severe symptoms at this time. Non-significant improvements were observed in physical health QOL (mean increase=1.43; p=0.37) and mental health QOL (mean increase=2.66, p=0.07) from baseline to 90 days. Patients demonstrated non-significant declines in total RBANS percentile score from baseline to day 30 (mean decrease=-8.18, p=0.32). Updated results will be presented at the meeting.Conclusions: This study is the first to our knowledge to report on both PROs and neurocognitive outcomes in patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy. Results indicate that moderate-to-severe patient-reported symptoms were transient following axi-cel, although a majority of patients reported ongoing, low-grade symptoms at 90 days post-treatment. Quality of life and neurocognition did not significantly change over time. These preliminary findings warrant larger future studies with longer follow-up to better understand changes in PROs and neurocognition in cancer survivors treated with CAR-T. DisclosuresJim:Janssen: Consultancy; RedHill Biopharma: Consultancy. Locke:Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor; Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy.

Long-Term Follow up of Front-Line Therapy with Ofatumumab, High Dose Methylprednisolone and Lenalidomide (HiLO trial) for Treatment-Naïve Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background: New targeted therapies continue to show improved efficacy in various stages of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), sparing patients from chemoimmunotherapy. However, cure remains elusive. Here, we present a front-line alternative based on a combination of high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) and ofatumumab, followed by consolidative therapy with lenalidomide plus ofatumumab.Methods: This is a phase II, single-center study in patients with treatment-naive (TN) CLL/SLL. During the first treatment phase (cycles 1-3) patients received HDMP 1000 mg/m2 IV and ofatumumab 2000 mg (300 mg given week 1 then 2000 mg for a total of 12 doses) IV infusions weekly x 4 doses in cycle 1 of a 28 day cycle, then every 2 weeks for cycles 2 and 3. During the second treatment phase (cycles 4-12), patients received renally adjusted lenalidomide 5-10 mg daily and ofatumumab 2000mg IV once every 8 weeks. Growth factor support was permitted at the discretion of treating physician. Prophylactic medications included allopurinol for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) 3 days before C1D1 through C1; and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and fluconazole through cycle 4, and acyclovir through C12. Patients received aspirin 81 mg/day as thrombosis prophylaxis while on lenalidomide. Patients were assessed for response by iwCLL 2008 criteria (including imaging assessment) after completion of cycles 3 and 12. The study allowed continuation of lenalidomide if patients achieved complete (CR), partial (PR) response or stable disease (SD). Primary endpoints were efficacy, adverse events (AEs) profile, and time-to-treatment failure (TTF).Results: Between January 2012 and September 2015, the study enrolled a total of 45 patients. Median follow-up was 50.4 (5.6-72.8) months. The median age was 62.6 (48.2-86.1) years. Chromosomal analysis by FISH demonstrated Del17p in 8 (17.8%), Del11q (+/- others, except Del17p) in 10 (22.2%), Trisomy 12 (+/- others, except Del17p and Del11q) in 8 (17.8%), Del13q in 10 (22.2%), no mutations in 9 (20%) patients. The IGHV status was unmutated in 34 (75.6%) cases. Indications to start treatment were: symptomatic lymphadenopathy, symptomatic splenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in 5 (11.1%), 10 (22.2%), 12 (26.7%), and 18 (40%), respectively. The median duration of treatment was 35.6 (2.7-66.9) months. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were: progressive disease (PD) in 9 (20%), AEs in 15 (33.3%), transplantation in 3 (6.7%), consent withdrawal in 1 (2.2%), and secondary malignancies in 2 (4.4%) cases. The overall response rates (PR+CR) at 3, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months were 75.6%, 77.8%, 66.7%, 44.4%, and 37.8%, respectively. The CR rates at 3, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months were 2.2%, 11.1%, 20%, 17.8%, and 13.3% respectively. Fifteen patients remain in PR/CR and on treatment at the time of this analysis. The intention-to-treat median TTF was 45.2 (2.9-69.7) months, and was not different among high risk groups such as Del17p, Del11q and/or unmutated IgHV. In patients who discontinued for reasons other than PD the median duration of response without treatment was 30.7 (9.8-69.7) months. Three (6.7%) patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation after a median of 3 (3 - 4) treatment cycles.Treatment was well tolerated with grade 3/4 infusion reaction in 1 (2.2%) patient. Grade 3/4 treatment-related hematological AEs were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia in 33 (73.3%), 5 (11.1%), and 1 (2.2%), respectively. Grade 3/4 infections occurred in 6 (13.3%) patients. No grade 3/4 tumor flares were observed, and there were no cases of TLS or thrombosis.Conclusion: The combination of ofatumumab, HDMP and lenalidomide is effective and well tolerated in treatment-naive CLL/SLL, even when poor prognostic features are present. DisclosuresKomrokji:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Locke:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor; Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor. Kharfan-Dabaja:Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Incyte Corp: Speakers Bureau; Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau. Sokol:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.

Prediction of CAR T-Related Toxicities in R/R DLBCL Patients Treated with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Using Point of Care Cytokine Measurements

Introduction: One of the main complications of adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) is the en-masse activation of tumor-reactive T cells inducing a large release of cytokines followed by activation of other immune cells leading to adverse events. These are classified as a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity described as a CAR T Related Encephalopathy Syndrome (CRES). Several biomarkers have been associated with CRS and/or neurotoxicity such as LDH, ferritin and CRP. Cytokines have also been associated with CRS and and/or CRES, but present approaches rely on retrospective study of collected biomarkers. Here, we report the results of cytokine analysis using a point of care (POC) device to predict immune-related toxicities in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R)DLBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel).Methods: Patients with R/R DLBCL treated with commercial axi-cel were included in this study. Baseline serum samples were collected prior to lymphodepleting chemotherapy and then daily during hospitalization. To select which cytokines to monitor, we retrospectively analyzed 38 serum cytokines in a cohort of 53 patients with R/R B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) who were treated with 19-28z CAR T cells. The patients were divided into those requiring treatment with tocilizumab and/or steroids versus those who did not require treatment. We observed several cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, IL-15 and IFNg, which were significantly elevated in patients with CRS and/or CRES requiring treatment (Figure 1a). Based on this analysis and results of published studies, eight serum proteins were selected in our study including IL-1b, IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IFNg, TNFa, and angiopoietin-1 &2. We monitored these proteins using a POC device that allows for rapid daily monitoring with a turnaround time of two hours. We established that the results from the POC device strongly correlate with a current gold standard device(Luminex), which has a typical two day turn around time. CRS and CRES were prospectively graded using revised Lee criteria (Lee et al Blood 2014) and the CARTOX group (Neelapu et al. NRCO 2017) respectively by an experienced clinical team and confirmed by chart review retrospectively.Results: A total of 20 patients with R/R DLBCL treated with commercial axi-cel were identified. Median age 64 years ( range 43-73) with 80% male.In our cohort, grades 1-3 CRS were observed in 45%, 40% and 5% respectively. There were no observed grade 0 or grade 4 CRS. There were two patients (10%) who died in the setting of severe toxicity. Patients with grade 5 CRS had higher levels of IL-6 and angiopoietin 2/angiopoietin 1 ratio at day one, which correlated with severity of toxicity r=0.52 (p= 0.039) , and r=0.53 (p=0.033) respectively (Fig. 1b). Furthermore, patients with high grades CRS had elevated levels of IL-15 at day seven (r=0.83, p=0.006). The majority of patients (55%) had grade 1-2 CRES.There were no significant correlations between serum cytokine levels and CRES or between those who required tocilizumab/steroids vs. those who did not, likely due to the small sample size. In select cases, daily monitoring of cytokines using the POC device provided clinical insight that wasn't evident from standard biomarkers. For example, one patient who developed delayed CRS had high serum levels of IL-6 but did not have elevated levels of CRP(Fig.1c).Discussion: In this analysis of 20 patients, we observed a correlation between severe CRS and elevated serum cytokine levels of IL-6 and angiopoietin 2/angiopoietin 1 ratio at day one suggesting that these biomarkers may be utilized to predict severe toxicity in patients treated with ACT. While this study is limited by small sample size, our observations correlate with previously published biomarkers data in patients enrolled in clinical trials. To our knowledge this is the first reported cytokine data using commercial axi-cel. Monitoring of cytokines using a POC device is feasible and will be useful clinically. High risk patients may be identified early and help guide intervention in real time, for example day one elevated IL-6 levels might inform earlier use of tocilizumab. We continue to enroll patients to validate cytokines as predictive biomarkers with the goal of informing the development of preventative strategies to mitigate CAR T cell therapy immune related adverse events. DisclosuresLocke:Cellular BioMedicine Group Inc.: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Other: Scientific Advisor; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisor. Brentjens:Juno Therapeutics, a Celgene Company: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Park:Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Shire: Consultancy. Davila:Celyad: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Novartis invests in CAR-T in China

Novartis will inject $40 million into Cellular Biomedicine Group (CBMG), a Chinese firm that will produce Novartis’s Kymriah CAR T-cell treatment for people with cancer in China. Although Kymriah has yet to be approved in China, Novartis expects the government will give the go-ahead because China is home to the world’s largest group of people with the types of cancers that Kymriah treats. As part of the deal between the two companies, CBMG will receive an increasing percentage of the drug’s sales in China as the market grows.

Preliminary Results of Prophylactic Tocilizumab after Axicabtageneciloleucel (axi-cel; KTE-C19) Treatment for Patients with Refractory,Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

▪Background: ZUMA-1 is a pivotal, multicenter trial of axi-cel, an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, for the treatment of patients with refractory, aggressive NHL. The objective response rate (ORR) was 82% with a 54% rate of complete response and 44% of responses were ongoing at the time of the primary analysis (Locke et al. AACR 2017. #9986). Grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events (NE) occurred in 13% and 28% of patients, respectively. A safety expansion cohort was added to further characterize mechanisms underlying CRS and NE associated with CAR T cell therapy and to evaluate the impact of prophylactic use of tocilizumab and levetiracetam on the rates of these adverse events (AEs).Methods: Patients (≥ 18 years) must have had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1 and refractory or relapsed transplant ineligible disease. Patients received low-dose conditioning of 500 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide and 30 mg/m2 fludarabine for 3 days followed by axi-cel at a target dose of 2 × 106 CAR T cells/kg. Patients also received prophylactic treatment with 750 mg of levetiracetam twice a day on day 0 and 8 mg/kg of tocilizumab on day 2 post axi-cel infusion. To evaluate the mechanisms of NE, paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were obtained for all patients prior to conditioning chemotherapy and after axi-cel infusion (day 5).Results: As of April 26, 2017, 31 patients received axi-cel. Median age was 51 years (range, 21-74), 52% were male, 65% had stage III-IV disease, 74% were refractory to ≥ second-line therapy, and 19% relapsed ≤ 12 months after autologous stem cell transplant. Most patients (97%) experienced at least 1 grade ≥ 3 AE. The most common grade ≥ 3 AEs were neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased (71%), anemia (55%), thrombocytopenia/platelet count decreased (52%), leukopenia/white blood cell count decreased (35%), febrile neutropenia (29%), encephalopathy (23%), and hypotension (23%). One patient (3%) experienced a grade ≥ 3 (grade 4) CRS. Grade 3 and 4 NE occurred in 29% and 6% of patients, respectively. One patient died of cerebral edema; there were no other deaths due to AE.Updated efficacy, safety, subgroups, and paired blood/serum/CSF biomarker associative analyses will be presented.Conclusions: Early use of tocilizumab may reduce the incidence of severe CRS but not NE in patients treated with CAR T cell therapy. These data provide evidence that the underlying pathophysiology of NE may differ from that of CRS. Understanding the mechanisms of NE may help to further improve the benefit:risk profile for CAR T cell therapy.Drs Locke and Neelapu contributed equally to this work. DisclosuresLocke:Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc: Consultancy. Neelapu:Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jacobson:Pharmacyclics, LLC: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy. Braunschweig:Kite Pharma: Equity Ownership. Oluwole:Kite Pharma: Consultancy. Siddiqi:Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Juno: Other: Steering committee for JCAR017; Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie Company: Other: Steering committee for ibrutinib, Speakers Bureau. Timmerman:Celgene: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Research Funding; ImmuneGene: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Genmab: Consultancy, Equity Ownership. Reagan:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Bot:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rossi:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sherman:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Navale:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Jiang:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Aycock:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Elias:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wiezorek:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Go:Kite Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miklos:Pharmacyclics, LLC: Consultancy, Other: Travel expenses, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Other: Travel expenses; Roche: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Sanofi: Honoraria.

INSIDE INDUSTRY

Cellular Biomedicine Group (CBMG) and GE Healthcare Life Sciences China Announce Strategic Partnership to Establish Joint Technology Laboratory to Develop Control Processes for the Manufacture of CAR-T and Stem Cell Therapies. Zuellig Pharma to Invest over $50 Million in Singapore-Based Innovation Centre. Holmusk: Using Data to Improve Clinical Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease in Singapore. Singapore Eye Bank Sets Another Record in Local Cornea Donations in 2016. Plasticell and King’s College London to Collaborate in Trials of Blood Platelet Substitute. Merck Partners with University of California, San Diego (UCSD) to Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases. Mundipharma Wins Approval for Antineoplastic Agent mundesine® as Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma in Japan. Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) Brings Clinical Trials to Cancer Patients in Asia and Provides Early Access to Effective Drugs. APBN Interview with Professor Chng Wee Joo.