Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Research Articles

Exceptional Responder to Immunotherapy: A Rare Case of Post- HSCT DLBCL Relapse Responding to Nivolumab

Immunotherapy is the treatment that either boosts the patient's immune system or uses human-made versions of the normal parts of the immune system to kill lymphoma cells or slow their growth. A forty-eight-year-old lady with neck nodes, axillary nodes, weight loss and fever diagnosed to have Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) in December 2009 was treated with 6 cycles of R-CHOP, and her treatment was completed in May 2010. After 2 years in July 2012, the patient developed similar symptoms and received salvage chemotherapy with R-DHAP, and her treatment was completed in January 2013. After one and a half years, in August 2014, the patient again had relapsed DLBCL. She was treated with R-ICE 4-cycles and rendered disease-free following allogeneic HSCT in June 2015. But in December 2016, the patient again developed isolated axillary lymphadenopathy and relapsed DLBCL was confirmed by HPR and IHC. This time, the patient was unwilling to go on chemotherapy, but after counselling about the new drug, Nivolumab, she became convinced, and her treatment was started with 3mg per kg every 2 weeks. After 4 cycles, she had a complete response and is now being treated with the same treatment without any symptoms of the disease or any adverse drug reactions. Nivolumab was well tolerated and exhibited antitumor activity in extensively pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory B- cell lymphomas. Additional studies are ongoing to learn more about the use of Nivolumab in these diseases.

Treatment intensity and survival in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Denmark: a real-life population-based study.

PurposeHigh-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered to be the only curative treatment option for patients with refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Due to toxicity, not all patients are eligible for this treatment leading to different treatment intensities. Here, we aim to analyze the impact of treatment intensity on survival in patients previously treated with rituximab and chemotherapy, and, furthermore, to analyze the association between socioeconomic position and treatment intensity, defined as palliation, non-salvage, and salvage regimens.Materials and methodsWe identified patients with refractory or relapsed DLBCL diagnosed in 2000–2015 in the Danish National Lymphoma Registry (n=1,228). We analyzed the impact of treatment intensity on survival in patients previously treated with rituximab (n=277) using a Cox proportional hazards model. Multinomial regression analyses were performed to identify associations between socioeconomic factors and treatment intensity for the entire cohort.ResultsIn the rituximab era, the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 31% for patients receiving salvage regimens (n=194), and 17% for patients receiving non-salvage regimens (n=83). In the adjusted analysis, HR was 1.88, 95% CI: 0.9–3.9 for patients receiving salvage regimens. Patients living alone were significantly less likely to receive salvage regimens, as were patients with two or more comorbidities.ConclusionWe observed a better OS in patients treated with salvage regimens compared with non-salvage regimens; however, the adjusted analysis contradicts this. Furthermore, our results indicate that there is a chance of remission for patients not eligible for ASCT.

Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma after Allogeneic CAR T-Cell Therapy Successfully Treated with PD1 Inhibition

Introduction Treatment options for relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) post-chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T) are limited. Here, we report the successful treatment of R/R DLBCL with programmed cell death 1 (PD1) inhibition post-allogeneic CAR-T. Case Report A previously healthy 26-year-old Caucasian man developed B-symptoms and cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy revealed DLBCL, activated B-cell subtype, double expressor and Ki-67 >80%. PET/CT scan revealed disease above and below the diaphragm. He achieved a partial response (PR) after R-CHOP, progressive disease (PD) after R-ICE, stable disease (SD) after R-ESHAP, and PD one month after autologous CD19-targeted CAR-T with CTL019 (CD3ζ/4-1BB). He then received R-lenalidomide (len) with radiation (24 Gy) to his mediastinal mass achieving a PR, followed by a myeloablative (Cy/TBI-12 Gy) allogeneic stem cell transplant (aSCT) from his 10/10 HLAmatched brother. He achieved 100% donor chimerism 30 days post-aSCT (D+30). Despite persistent full donor chimerism, D+60 PET/CT showed PD with confirmed relapse upon biopsy. Immunosuppression was discontinued, and ibrutinib with len was started, followed by donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) which led to a mixed response. He then continued on ibrutinib with weekly temsirolimus and received a second DLI achieving a PR, with PD shortly thereafter. He next proceeded to allogeneic CAR-T with axicabtagene-ciloleucel (CD3ζ/CD28), complicated by grade 1 cytokine release syndrome without neurotoxicity. Three weeks post-CAR-T, he developed diplopia due to a cranial nerve palsy. Brain MRI showed new pontine T2 changes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was negative for lymphoma and infection, but notable for T-cell predominance. One month postCAR-T, PET/CT showed a complete metabolic response (CMR). Repeat brain MRI was unchanged. Two months later, he developed dizziness and intractable nausea, and repeat brain MRI showed a new lesion in the inferior cerebellar vermis, with resolution of previous pontine change. Evaluation of the CSF and peripheral blood revealed no CAR T-cell persistence, and PET/CT confirmed disease relapse in the cerebellum and mediastinum. Patient then received focal radiation (24 Gy) to his cerebellar lesion along with pembrolizumab 200 mg IV every 3 weeks, after which his neurologic symptoms resolved. MRI one day after radiation showed near-complete resolution of enhancing vermis lesion. After 3 cycles of pembrolizumab, PET/CT showed a CMR, with no active disease on brain MRI. Three months into PD1-inhibition therapy, his disease remains in CMR, without GVHD nor treatment-related toxicities. Conclusion This case illustrates the efficacy of allogeneic CAR-T after failure of autologous CAR-T and aSCT. Furthermore, PD1 inhibition can be used safely after allogeneic CAR-T, underscoring the need for prospective clinical studies.

Common origin of sequential cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferations with nodal involvement evidenced by genome‐wide clonal evolution

This study sought to clarify the molecular pathways underlying the putative evolution from lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) to cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (c-ALCL) and lymph node invasion (LNI). We analysed nine sequential tumours from the same patient presenting with parallel evolution of LyP (n=3) and c-ALCL (n=1) with LNI (n=1), combined with systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n=4). Clonality analysis showed a common clonal T-cell origin in the five CD30+ lesions, and a common clonal B-cell origin in the four DLBCL relapses. Array-comparative genomic hybridisation and targeted next-generation sequencing analysis demonstrated relative genomic stability of LyP lesions as compared with clonally related anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) tumours, which showed 4q and 22q13 deletions involving the PRDM8 and TIMP3 tumour suppressor genes, respectively. The three analysed CD30+ lesions showed mostly private (specific to each sample) genetic alterations, suggesting early divergence from a common precursor. In contrast, DLBCL tumours showed progressive accumulation of private alterations, indicating late divergence. Sequential cutaneous and nodal CD30+ tumours were clonally related. This suggests that LyP, c-ALCL and LNI represent a continuous spectrum of clonal evolution emerging from a common precursor of cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferations. Therefore, nodal ALCL tumours in the context of LyP should be considered as a form of transformation rather than composite lymphoma.

Multicenter Phase II Trial Addressing Lenalidomide Maintenance in Patients with Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (rDLBCL) Who Are Not Eligible for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT): Efficacy and Safety Results after a Median Follow-up of Five Years

Background: Lenalidomide (LENA) maintenance is associated with significantly improved outcome in patients (pts) with chemosensitive relapse of DLBCL not eligible for ASCT or experiencing relapse after ASCT. Preliminary results of a multicentre phase II trial (NCT00799513), reported after a median follow-up of 25 months, showed a 1-yr PFS of 70 ± 7% and a 1-yr OS of 81 ± 6%, with good tolerability (Ferreri AJM, et al. Lancet Haematol 2017). However, LENA was ongoing in 41% of pts at time of analysis, and late side effects and events after maintenance completion remained to be defined. Herein, we report efficacy and safety results of the trial after a median follow-up of 56 (range 27-100) months.Methods: HIV-neg pts (age ≥18 ys) with de novo or transformed DLBCL and relapsed disease responsive to conventional rituximab-containing salvage therapy were registered and treated with LENA 25 mg/day for 21 days out of 28, until lymphoma progression or unacceptable toxicity. A protocol amendment in 2015 allowed physicians to interrupt maintenance after a minimum duration of two years. Primary endpoint was 1-year PFS. Simon's two-stage optimal design was used. To demonstrate a 1-yr PFS improvement from 30% (P0) to 50% (P1), 47 pts (one-sided; α 5%; β 80%) were needed. Maintenance would be considered effective if ≥19 pts were progression-free survivors at 1 yr. Cell of origin was assessed by NanoString Technology (n=23) and Hans algorithm (n=39).Results: Between 3/2009 and 12/2015, we recruited 48 pts; 46 of them were assessable (median age 72 ys; range 34-86); 36 pts had de novo DLBCL, 10 had transformed DLBCL. All pts were previously treated with anthracycline- and rituximab-based combination, plus ASCT in 6 pts. Thirty-three pts were enrolled at 1st relapse; salvage therapy contained high doses of cytarabine or ifosfamide in two-thirds of cases, and response was complete in 26 pts and partial in 20. Most pts had unfavourable features: IPI ≥2 in 38 (83%) pts, advanced stage in 35 (76%), extranodal disease in 29 (63%), high LDH level in 21 (46%); 28 (61%) pts were older than 70 ys.Sixteen pts received ≥2 years of LENA (5 received >2 ys), 30 pts interrupted treatment due to progressive disease (PD; n= 17), toxicity (9) or pt refusal (4) (Table). LENA was well tolerated after an average of 18 courses/pt (range 3-82). With the exception of neutropenia, grade-4 toxicities occurred in <1% of courses. Infections were rare, and well controlled with oral antibiotics (grade 1-2 in 9 courses; grade 3 in 3). LENA dose reduction was indicated in 25 pts (transient in 21), and was due to neutropenia (13), rash (7), diarrhoea (3), or neurotoxicity (2). Three (6%) pts died of toxicity during maintenance (intestinal infarction, meningitis and sudden death) and two pts died due to myelodysplastic syndrome (Table). Grade 4-5 toxicity and SAEs were equally distributed according to maintenance duration (Table).At one year from trial registration, 31 pts were still progression free, which was significantly higher than the pre-determined efficacy threshold (n≥19). During the whole observation period, there were 24 events: progressive disease in 21 pts and death of toxicity in 3, with a 1-yr (primary endpoint) and 5-yr PFS of 67 ± 7% and 50 ± 7%, respectively. The duration of response to LENA was longer than response duration after the prior treatment line in 28 (61%) pts, and was twice as long in 21 (46%) of them. Twenty-six pts were disease-free at the last LENA course (Table), 22 of them remain relapse free after a median observation period from maintenance completion of 26 (8-92) months; 3 of the 4 relapses occurred in pts who received <1 yr of LENA (refusal or SAEs).The benefit of LENA was observed both in pts with de novo or transformed DLBCL. According to the Hans' algorithm, the 4-yr PFS was 50 ± 11% for GCB-DLBCL and 42 ± 11% for nonGCB-DLBCL (p= 0.58). Results using the Nanostring technique were consistent with the Hans' algorithm. Overall, 28 (61%) pts are alive, with a 1- and 5-yr OS of 80 ± 6% and 60 ± 8%, respectively.Conclusions: Long-term results of this trial soundly promotes the use of LENA maintenance in pts with chemosensitive relapse of DLBCL not eligible for ASCT or experiencing relapse after ASCT. LENA was well tolerated in this elderly population, without higher toxicity rates in pts treated for ≥2 years, and with enhanced survival figures. These results warrant further investigation of immunomodulatory drugs as maintenance in these high-risk pts. [Display omitted] DisclosuresFerreri:Celgene: Research Funding. Zaja:Abbvie: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria. Di Rocco:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rusconi:Celgene: Research Funding.

A Prognostic Nomogram and Survival Analysis in Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients

BackgroundThe clinical course of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is variable. Although the prognostic markers and models have been developed and adapted in DLBCL, prognostic indices in relapse and refractory (r/r) DLBCL remain unclear. In order to better guide clinical practice, this study aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram in r/r DLBCL.Patients and methodsAmong 1858 DLBCL patients treated in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital in China, between 2006 and 2016, 682 were r/r DLBCL, of which 573 patients were treated with enough cycles of first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The clinical data were reviewed and evaluated. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as the time from first treatment administration to disease progression/relapse. Relapse was defined as progression after initial complete or partial remission, and refractory disease was defined as achieving less than a partial response in the first-line setting. Cell of origin (COO) was assessed at diagnosis via Hans algorithm. The concordance index (C-index) and a calibration curve were used to determine and compare their predictive and discriminatory capacity.ResultsOverall, the median age at diagnosis was 54 (range 10-91) years old. Among all the patients, 325 (56.7%) were male and 248 (43.3%) were female. There were 255 (45.1%) patients categorized as stage I-II and 310 (54.9%) categorized as stage III-IV at diagnosis. Of all the patients, 145 (27.0%) were germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and 393 (73.0%) were non-GCB. According to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) score, the majority of patients had a good performance, with 457 (79.8%) of cases presenting with an ECOG PS score of 0-1; 89 (15.5%) presenting with ECOG PS of 2; 27(4.7%) scored ≥3. In the entire group, 563 (98.3%) patients received CHOP or CHOP-like regimen and 301 (52.5%) received rituximab treatment in the first-line setting. There were 200 patients (34.9%) had refractory disease; 203 (35.4%) had relapse in the first year from treatment commence; 91 (15.9%) had relapse in the second year; and 79 (13.8%) had relapse after the first 2 years. The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis were 12, 17, 46 and 66 months, respectively in the above four groups, and OS in the entire group was shown in Figure 1. A total of 437 patients with complete clinical information were further divided into the primary (n=300) and validation (n=137) cohorts. Based on a multivariate analysis of the primary cohort, four independent prognostic factors including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level at diagnosis; response to the first-line treatment (CR with not CR); progression free survival and recurrence location (original with new with both) were identified and entered the nomogram (Figure 2). The calibration curve showed the optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. In addition, the C-index of the nomogram for OS prediction was 0.743. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.75 in the internal validation and 0.84 in the external validation. Four risk groups depending the nomogram were further developed and OS were presented in Figure 3.ConclusionsIndependent predictors of survival in r/r DLBCL have been identified and 4 indicators were used to create a nomogram. This proposed nomogram help with assess individual risks and decide on second-line treatment in clinical practice. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Clonal Evolution of a Mutation in PTPRA As a Potential Cause for Resistance Against Anti-CD19 Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) Therapy with CTL019 in DLBCL Patients

Introduction:Anti-CD 19 directed CAR-T cell therapy has shown very promising effects in treatment of diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, a substantial fraction of patients does not respond to treatment or relapses after approximately three to six months [Schuster, NEJM, 2017; Neelapu, NEJM, 2017]. Resistance mechanisms against anti-CD19 directed CAR-T cell therapy have so far only been described in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and involve mutations, splice variants or even loss of CD19 [Sotillo, Cancer Discovery, 2015]. To further elucidate mechanisms of acquired resistance in DLBCL, we obtained matched pair tumor samples from four patients before and after treatment with CTL019 treated within the phase II JULIET trial.Methods:We performed whole exome sequencing in one patient (#UKK2) employing one matched normal sample that has been sequenced at a coverage of 130x and one pre-treatment as well as two post-treatment samples that were all sequenced at a coverage of 160x. Whole exome sequencing data were used to reconstruct clonal evolution of DLBCL after treatment with CTL019 as has been described previously [Herling, Nature Communications, 2018]. Furthermore, we obtained biopsies at relapse or disease progression including matched normal samples from three more patients. Whole exome sequencing from the three missing patients as well as 3´RNA sequencing from all four patients' samples are ongoing and results will be updated for presentation at the meeting.Results:The first analyzed patient, #UKK2, is a 67 year old male patient, who had chemotherapy refractory disease after treatment with R-CHOP, R-DHAP and Pixantrone. He showed predominantly pelvic lesions including infiltration of the iliopsoas muscle. The patient achieved a complete response at month 3 (Figure 1A) after CTL019 transfusion. At month 5 he developed new cutaneous lesions on his left thigh (Figure 1B, posttreatment sample 1) as well as new muscle infiltrations on his right quadriceps femoris muscle (posttreatment sample 2) and rectus abdominis muscle. Pathological examination confirmed relapse of CD19 positive DLBCL in both posttreatment samples. Whole exome sequencing from a biopsy obtained before study entry and the above mentioned posttreament biopsies showed clonal evolution of a single missense mutation in PTPRA (N297D). PTPRA encodes for the receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha, a receptor phosphatase involved in activation of c-Src via dephosphorylation of an inhibitory tyrosine at position 530 (Y530) [Mustelin, Science Signaling, 2002 and Gut, International Journal of Oncology, 2017]. On the other hand, c-Src is an onco-protein known to cause an invasive phenotype and metastasis in different tumor entities [Ishizawar, Cancer Cell, 2004]. All other mutations observed were either already clonal before CTL019 treatment or gained clonality in only one posttreatment biopsy (Figure 1C).Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first report identifying clonal evolution during CD19 redirected CAR-T cell therapy in r/r DLBCL involving PTPRA. We hypothesize that this PTPRA mutation contributes to an invasive phenotype and extranodal lymphoma growth pattern allowing the lymphoma to escape from the pattern allowing the lymphoma to escape from the CAR-T cell attack. Genomic workup of patients with pre- and posttreatment biopsies and functional investigation of this hypothesis is ongoing and will be presented. [Display omitted] DisclosuresBalke-Want:Novartis: Honoraria. Borchmann:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Incidence and Outcome of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) in a Population-Based Cohort of 3165 Patients in Sweden

BackgroundOur knowledge around the incidence of relapse and primary refractory disease in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era is mostly derived from randomized controlled trials or specialized center cohorts presenting selected patient materials. With new therapies being evaluated and launched at diagnosis as well as in the relapsed/refractory setting there is a need for a better understanding of the response and outcome with current treatment strategies. Here we investigated the incidence of primary refractory DLBCL and first relapse as well as survival among patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL in a population-based cohort.MethodsPatients with a primary diagnosis of DLBCL in 2007-2014 were identified using the Swedish Lymphoma Register in 5 of 6 health care regions, and followed until October 31st 2017. Primary CNS lymphomas and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphomas were excluded. The register contains information about clinical characteristics, primary treatment, treatment response and relapse. Information regarding treatment response and progression/relapse was validated through medical chart review in all patients. Primary treatment with curative intent was defined as having started treatment with anthracycline-based chemotherapy (mostly R-CHOP). Early relapse was defined as having primary refractory disease (stable or progressive disease (SD/PD) at response evaluation) or relapse within a year from diagnosis. Overall and progression-free survival probabilities were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method in the entire cohort and among relapsed/refractory patients by early/late relapse and by age +/- 70 years. Additionally, cumulative incidence of relapsed/refractory disease by follow-up time was shown graphically accounting for the presence of competing risks.ResultsIn the study population of 3165 patients, median age at diagnosis was 71 years (range 18 to 97). In this unselected cohort, 80% of the patients started treatment with curative intent. Five-year overall survival (OS) for patients treated with curative intent was 78% (95% CI: 76-80) and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) was 60% (95% CI: 58-62). Patients who received non-curative intent or palliative therapy (20%) had a median OS of 4.7 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.7). The 10-year cumulative incidence of relapsed/refractory disease in patients treated with curative intent was 22% (95% CI: 20-24) and the majority relapsed within two years (n=315, 60%). Five percent of the patients starting primary treatment with curative intent, only received 1 or 2 treatment cycles and were not evaluated for response.Patients with relapsed/refractory disease had a poor prognosis. For patients with early relapse, median survival from the date of relapse was 4.6 months (95% CI: 4.1-5.7) and 5-year OS was 11% (95% CI; 8-15) whereas patients with late relapse had a median survival of 18.0 months (95% CI: 13.0-24.5) and a 5-year OS of 26% (95% CI: 20-33). Survival in younger patients (≤70 years) by early and late relapse was higher although still low; 5-year OS in early relapse was 17% (95% CI: 12-23) and in late relapse 37% (95% CI: 27-48). Among older patients (>70 years) with early relapse, 5-year OS was only 4% (95% CI: 2-9) and in patients with late relapse it was 16% (95% CI: 9-24). More information regarding treatment intensity among relapsed/refractory patients will be presented.ConclusionThe 10-year cumulative incidence of relapsed/refractory disease in patients with DLBCL treated with curative intent is 22% in this population-based study, which is lower compared to previous reports. Outcome for patients with relapsed/refractory disease continues to be poor especially for patients with early progression/relapse, even among younger patients going on to intensive second-line chemotherapy aiming for autologous stem cell transplantation. These results underscore both the urgency of new therapies for relapsed/refractory DLBCL as well as the need for identification of high-risk patients already at diagnosis.Figure 1. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among 3165 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosed in Sweden 2007-2014 treated with curative or palliative intent, and cumulative incidence of relapsed/refractory disease and survival among 529 relapsed/refractory patients by timing of relapse (early/late) and age (+/-70 years). [Display omitted] DisclosuresHarrysson:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Other: The Department have recieved partial funding from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Eloranta:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Other: S Eloranta is currently employed as a project coordinator and her salary is funded via a public-private real world evidence collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Ekberg:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Other: The department has received partial funding from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Wahlin:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Smedby:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Other: The Department have recieved partial funding from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma

Since the introduction of anti-CD20 antibodies and polychemotherapy, diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has become a treatable, and, for a high proportion of patients, curable disease. However, a sizeable proportion of patients, especially in poor-prognosis subgroups, will relapse. The landscape of therapy in DLBCL has seen some exciting changes in the past years, most notably with the introduction of CAR-T-cell therapy. All three major trials were recently updated and showed sustained responses and excellent preliminary survival data. Other immunotherapies are gaining ground as well, as the antibody–drug conjugate polatuzumab vedotin has shown to be effective in relapsed DLBCL in combination with chemo-immunotherapy (rituximab and bendamustine). Complete remission rates increased from 15 to 40% and overall survival from 4.7 to 11.8 months. Polatuzumab is also being studied in previously untreated patients and results are awaited in 2019. Checkpoint inhibitors, the mainstay of therapy in a variety of malignancies, are also being studied in DLBCL. Interim results of an ongoing phase I/II study of atezolizumab with R‑CHOP in previously untreated patients show 83% complete remissions in early data. Other novel substances, like anti-CD47-antibodies and PI3-kinase inhibitors, show promising efficacy in early trials in relapsed patients as well.

Specific Lipid and Metabolic Profiles of R-CHOP-Resistant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Elucidated by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging and in Vivo Imaging.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To treat this aggressive disease, R-CHOP, a combination of immunotherapy (R; rituximab) and chemotherapy (CHOP; cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), remains the most commonly used regimen for newly diagnosed DLBCLs. However, up to one-third of patients ultimately becomes refractory to initial therapy or relapses after treatment, and the high mortality rate highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches based upon selective molecular targets. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying relapsed DLBCL, we studied differences in the lipid and metabolic composition of nontreated and R-CHOP-resistant tumors, using a combination of in vivo DLBCL xenograft models and mass spectrometry imaging. Together, these techniques provide information regarding analyte composition and molecular distributions of therapy-resistant and sensitive areas. We found specific lipid and metabolic profiles for R-CHOP-resistant tumors, such as a higher presence of phosphatidylinositol and sphingomyelin fragments. In addition, we investigated intratumor heterogeneity and identified specific lipid markers of viable and necrotic areas. Furthermore, we could monitor metabolic changes and found reduced adenosine triphosphate and increased adenosine monophosphate in the R-CHOP-resistant tumors. This work highlights the power of combining in vivo imaging and MSI to track molecular signatures in DLBCL, which has potential application for other diseases.

The rationale for combination therapy in patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: ten questions.

Rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone immunochemotherapy remains standard of care for first-line treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation is offered to most relapsing/refractory patients who respond to salvage therapy. This Q&A review evaluates recommended management strategies for second and subsequent lines of therapy in patients with DLBCL, outlining the relative efficacies of currently available options including novel agents such as ibrutinib and CAR-T cells. The combination of pixantrone and rituximab is currently under investigation as a second-line treatment for patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation, while pixantrone monotherapy is the only therapeutic option approved for multiply relapsed and refractory DLBCL beyond the second line at this time.

The outcome of patients with non-chemosensitive relapsed and refractory DLBCL salvaged with radiation therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant.

e19507Background: For patients with relapsed or refractory (rel/ref) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who respond to salvage chemotherapy (CMT), autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the s...

Cd20 Expression and Effects on Outcome of Relapsed/ Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma after Treatment with Rituximab

Introduction:Down regulation of CD20 expression has been reported in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)). Therefore, it is important to determine whether chemotherapy with rituximab induces CD20 down regulation and effects survival.Objectives:To determine the incidence of down regulation of CD20 expression in relapsed DLBCL after treatment with rituximab and to compare outcomes and assess pattern of relapse between CD20 negative and CD20 positive cases.Methodology:We retrospectively reviewed patients with relapsed DLBCL who received rituximab in the first line setting at Aga Khan University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2014. Data were recorded on predesigned questionnaires, with variables including demographics, details regarding date of diagnosis and relapse, histology, staging, international prognostic index, treatment and outcomes at initial diagnosis and at relapse. The Chi square test was applied to determine statistical significance between categorical variables. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method.Results:A total of 54 patients with relapsed DLBCL were included in our study, 38 (70 %) males and 16(30%) females. Some 23 (43%) patients were at stage IV at the time of diagnosis and 34 (63%) had B symptoms. The most frequent R-IPI at diagnosis was II in 24 (44%) patients. Only 6 (11%) did not show CD20 expression on re-biopsy for relapsed/refractory disease, 2 with CD20 negative DLBCL responding to second line chemotherapy. A complete response after salvage chemotherapy was noted in 16 (29.6%) cases with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Seven (13%) patients underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant as consolidation after second line treatment. Median overall survival was 18 months in CD20 positive vs. 13 months in CD20 negative patients.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that a small percentage of patients treated with rituximab lose their CD20 expression at the time of relapse. However, it is unclear whether this is associated with an inferior outcome.

Antiviral therapy in hepatitis C-infected patients prevents relapse of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

IntroductionHepatitis C infection (HCV) is highly prevalent worldwide and has a well-known association with B-cell lymphoid malignancies. While several studies have demonstrated that antiviral therapy (AT) is effective to induce a complete hematological response in HCV-related low-grade B cell lymphoma, in HCV-related high-grade B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) chemotherapy is the only possible choice. However, the role of AT to reduce relapse of DLBCL after an effective chemotherapy containing rituximab (CT-R) has not been analyzed in previous studies. Therefore we analyzed whether patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) to AT had over time a reduction of lymphoma relapse compared to no-SVR patients.Material and methodsThe study included 21 consecutive HCV-infected patients affected by DLBCL. The patients were treated with AT (direct-acting antivirals or pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin) concomitantly or after CT-R. Over time, we evaluated relapse of DLBCL in patients treated with CT-R according to response to AT.ResultsAn SVR was achieved in 16 of 21 patients. Five patients relapsed on AT with PegIFN/R (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin). Over time lymphoma relapse was more frequent in patients without a virological response compared with patients with an SVR (RR = 12.0, 95% CI: 1.66-86, p < 0.01 Fisher’s exact test).ConclusionsAT during or after CT-R is an important strategy to prevent relapse of DLBCL in HCV patients when the patients have achieved an SVR. Our results suggest that eradication of HCV infection may result in long-term prevention of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma relapse.

Lenalidomide in combination with R‐ESHAP in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: A phase 2 study from the Spanish group GELTAMO

Introduction: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with relapsed or refractory disease after rituximab-containing therapy have poor outcomes with current salvage regimens. We conducted a phase 1b/2 trial to analyze the safety and efficacy of adding lenalidomide to R-ESHAP regimen (LR-ESHAP). The phase 1b part of the trial has been completed, and lenalidomide 10 mg/day was identified as the maximum tolerated dose (Br J Haematol 2016; 173: 245-52). Here we present the preliminary results of the phase 2 part (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02340936). Methods: Eligible patients must have relapsed or refractory DLBCL after first-line treatment with rituximab combined with an anthracycline-containing regimen. Subjects received 3 cycles of lenalidomide 10 mg given on days 1 to 14 of every 21-day cycle, in combination with R-ESHAP at standard doses. Responding patients received BEAM conditioning followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) after 3 cycles of therapy. Secondary end points were complete remission (CR) rate, stem-cell mobilization activity, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Results: A total of 46 patients (median age 58 [23-69] years, 56.5% male) were included (January 2012-November 2015). Evaluable population per-protocol consisted of 44 patients. Forty-two serious adverse events were reported during 128 cycles of LR-ESHAP, including 14 episodes of febrile neutropenia (11%), 12 infections (9%), 2 renal disorders, 3 cardiac disorders, 3 thrombosis, and 8 other toxicities, all of them recovered except 1 case of colon adenocarcinoma. There were no treatment-related deaths. Forty out of 44 patients (91%) received the planned 3 cycles of treatment (2 without lenalidomide in the third cycle). ORR to LR-ESHAP was 68% (41% CR). Patients with relapsed disease had significantly better ORR and CR rates (87% and 67%, respectively) than patients in PR after first-line (77% and 31%) or with primary refractory disease (<PR) (37% and 25%) (p = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Evaluation of response according to cell of origin (COO) is ongoing. So far, 30 and 21 patients, respectively, have been analyzed according to Hans' algorithm (ORR of 62% and 44% in germinal-center B-cell-like [GCB] [n = 21] and non-GCB [n = 9] groups, respectively, p > 0.1) and gene expression profiling (ORR of 71%, and 75% in GCB [n = 14], and activated B-cell-like [ABC] [n = 4] groups, respectively, p > 0.1). Thirty-nine out of 42 patients (93%) were successfully mobilized after one (n = 32) or 2 (n = 7) mobilization procedures, and 28 (64% of evaluable patients) underwent ASCT according to protocol, one of them after bone-marrow harvest. With a median follow-up of 15 months (11-53), the estimated 2-year PFS and OS were 54% and 52%, respectively. Conclusions: LR-ESHAP is safe, feasible, and associated with high-response rates in rituximab-pretreated relapsed or refractory DLBCL patients. Efficacy analysis according to COO and other biological factors is ongoing. Keywords: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); lenalidomide; salvage treatment

Return to work for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and transformed indolent lymphoma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

BackgroundAutologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or transformed indolent lymphoma (TIL). The treatment is mainly considered for younger patients still available for the work market. In this study, social outcomes after ASCT in terms of return to work (RTW) are described.Patients and methodsInformation from national administrative registers was combined with clinical information on patients, who received ASCT for relapse of DLBCL or TIL between 2000 and 2012. A total of 164 patients were followed until RTW, disability or old-age pension, death, or December 31, 2015, whichever came first. A total of 205 patients were followed with disability pension as the event of interest. Cox models were used to determine cause-specific hazards.ResultsDuring follow-up, 82 (50%) patients returned to work. The rate of returning to work in the first year following ASCT was decreased for patients being on sick leave at the time of relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3 [0.2;0.5]) and increased for patients aged ≥55 years (HR 1.9 [1.1;3.3]). In all, 56 (27%) patients were granted disability pension. Being on sick leave at the time of relapse was positively associated with receiving a disability pension in the first 2 years after ASCT (HR 3.7 [1.8;7.7]).ConclusionPatients on sick leave at the time of relapse have a poorer prognosis regarding RTW and have a higher rate of disability pension. Furthermore, patients >55 are more likely to RTW compared to younger patients. These results indicate an unmet need for focused social rehabilitation.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in hepatitis C virus-infected patients: A case-control study of 84 patients.

7553 Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with development of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Preliminary data showed particular characteristics of HCV-associated DLBCL; such as frequent transformation from indolent lymphomas and aggressive oncologic courses. We studied herein the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of HCV-infected patients (pts) with transformed DLBCL. Methods: In this case control study, the medical records and pathology reports of HCV-infected (cases) and HCV-uninfected (controls) pts with transformed DLBCL seen at our institution (6/2004 - 5/2015) were reviewed. Included pts had a concomitant or a history of a low grade lymphoma. To determine their clinicopathologic characteristics, cases were compared to controls at a ratio of 1:3. To determine predictors of oncologic relapse, we compared pts with DLBCL relapse after first line chemotherapy to those who did not relapse in univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: Twenty-one cases were compared to 63 controls. Compared to controls, cases were younger (median year age [interquartile range], 54 [49-62] v 62 [53-66], P = .01), had advanced Ann Arbor stages, 3-4 (95% v 76%, P = .05), and upper gastro-intestinal involvement (48% v 25%, P = .05). Immunophenotypically, cases had more CD10-negative B-cells (76% v 43%, P = .008) and CD5-positive B-cells (39% v 7%, P = .004) compared to controls, consistent with an activated B-cell phenotype. A comparison between pts who relapsed after first line chemotherapy (n = 42) and those who did not (n = 40) revealed that having CD5-positive B-cells was the only factor associated with DLBCL relapse in univariate (24% v 6%, P = .03) and multivariate analyses (OR = 10.7, P= .02). Conclusions: HCV-infected pts with transformed DLBCL are younger, present with advanced stages, are more commonly CD5-positive, and have an activated B-cell phenotype, suggesting more frequent transformation from MZL compared to HCV-uninfected pts. The higher frequency of CD5-positive B-cells might explain the higher DLBCL relapses previously described in HCV-infected pts.

Panobinostat acts synergistically with ibrutinib in diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells with MyD88 L265P mutations.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) frequently harbors genetic alterations that activate the B cell receptor (BCR) and TLR pathways, which converge to activate NF-κB. While selective inhibition of BTK with ibrutinib causes clinical responses in relapsed DLBCL patients, most responses are partial and of a short duration. Here, we demonstrated that MyD88 silencing enhanced ibrutinib efficacy in DLBCL cells harboring MyD88 L265P mutations. Chemical downregulation of MyD88 expression with HDAC inhibitors also synergized with ibrutinib. We demonstrate that HDAC inhibitor regulation of MyD88 expression is mediated by STAT3. In turn, STAT3 silencing caused a decrease in MyD88 mRNA and protein levels, and enhanced the ibrutinib antilymphoma effect in MyD88 mutant DLBCL cells. Induced mutations in the STAT3 binding site in the MyD88 promotor region was associated with a decrease in MyD88 transcriptional activity. We also demonstrate that treatment with the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat decreased phosphorylated STAT3 binding to the MyD88 promotor. Accordingly, combined treatment with panobinostat and ibrutinib resulted in enhanced inhibition of NF-κB activity and caused regression of DLBCL xenografts. Our data provide a mechanistic rationale for combining HDAC inhibitors and ibrutinib for the treatment of DLBCL.

Lenalidomide maintenance in patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: an open label, single-arm, multicentre phase 2 trial

Patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or having relapse after ASCT have a low likelihood of cure. Single-drug maintenance after salvage therapy might be an attractive strategy to prolong survival in these patients. Lenalidomide is a suitable candidate for long-lasting maintenance as it is an oral drug, active against DLBCL that can be taken for years with an acceptable toxicity profile. We designed a study to investigate safety and efficacy of lenalidomide maintenance in patients with chemosensitive relapse of DLBCL not eligible for ASCT or having relapse after ASCT. In this open-label, single group, multicentre phase 2 trial, we recruited HIV-negative adults with de novo or transformed DLBCL and relapsed disease responsive to conventional rituximab-containing salvage therapy from 12 oncology-haematology centres in Italy. All patients were given oral lenalidomide 25 mg per day for 21 of 28 days until lymphoma progression or unacceptable toxicity (severely compromises organ function, quality of life, or both). Primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival. The estimated sample size was 47 patients; maintenance was deemed efficacious if at least 19 patients were progression-free survivors at 1 year. All enrolled patients were included in primary analyses, with the exception of patients who post-hoc objectively did not meet the eligibility criteria (modified intention-to-treat). This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov registry, number NCT00799513. Between March 24, 2009, and Dec 22, 2015, we recruited 48 patients. 46 of 48 enrolled patients were assessable (two patients had unconfirmed diagnoses). 36 (78%) of 46 patients had de novo DLBCL and ten (22%) of 46 patients had transformed DLBCL. At a median follow-up of 25 months (IQR 12-56), 556 lenalidomide courses had been delivered, with an average mean of 12 courses (range 3-41) per patient; 19 patients were still in treatment at a median follow-up of 25 months. Lenalidomide was well tolerated; with the exception of neutropenia, grade 3-4 toxicities were uncommon. We recorded ten severe adverse events in nine patients due to febrile neutropenia (n=4), diarrhoea (n=2), melena, stroke, vomiting, and intestinal infarction; all but one patient recovered, and six of these patients continued with lenalidomide treatment. The exception was the only death due to toxicity (intestinal infarction). At 1 year from trial registration, 28 patients were progression free, which was much higher than the predetermined efficacy threshold. During the whole observation period, 21 events occurred: progressive lymphoma in 19 patients, death due to toxicity in one, death while off therapy in one, 1-year progression-free survival was 70% (95% CI 57-83). With the limitations of a non-randomised design, this trial supports the use of lenalidomide maintenance in patients with chemo-sensitive relapse of DLBCL who are not eligible for ASCT or who had relapse after ASCT. These results warrant further investigation of immunomodulatory drugs as maintenance in high-risk patients with DLBCL. Celgene Corp.

Oncogenic events rather than antigen selection pressure may be the main driving forces for relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Little is known on the phylogenetic relationship between diagnostic and relapse clones of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We applied high throughput sequencing (HTS) of the VDJ locus of Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV) on 14 DLBCL patients with serial samples, including tumor biopsies and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Phylogenetic data were consolidated with targeted sequencing and cytogenetics. Phylogeny clearly showed that DLBCL relapse could occur according either an early or a late divergent mode. These two modes of divergence were independent from the elapsed time between diagnosis and relapse. We found no significant features for antigen selection pressure in complementary determining region both at diagnosis and relapse for 9/12 pairs and a conserved negative selection pressure for the three remaining cases. Targeted HTS and conventional cytogenetics revealed a branched vs. linear evolution for 5/5 IGHV early divergent cases, but unexpected such "oncogenetic" branched evolution could be found in at least 2/7 IGHV late divergent cases. Thus, if BCR signaling is mandatory for DLBCL emergence, oncogenetic events under chemotherapy selection pressure may be the main driving forces at relapse. Finally, circulating subclones with divergent IGHV somatic hypermutations patterns from initial biopsy could be detected in PBMC at diagnosis for 4/6 patients and, for two of them, at least one was similar to the ones found at relapse. This study highlights that oncogenetic intraclonal diversity of DLBCL should be evaluated beyond the scope a single biopsy and represents a rationale for future investigations using peripheral blood for lymphoid malignancies genotyping. Am. J. Hematol. 92:68-76, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.