Rituximab-containing Regimens Research Articles

Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Who Received ≥3 Lines of Therapies

Introduction: Treatment options continued to evolve in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), with many novel treatments available in recent years. The current study aimed to describe characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with R/R DLBCL who received ≥3 lines of therapy (LOT) using recent real-world data. Methods: This study used the PharMetrics Plus administrative claims database to identify adult patients who had ≥1 inpatient claim or ≥2 outpatient claims for DLBCL (ICD-10: C83.3) between 10/01/2015 and 09/30/2019. Patients were selected if they had ≥6-months of continuous eligibility before the first DLBCL diagnosis (index diagnosis). To capture newly diagnosed patients, the study excluded patients who had a claim for a possible DLBCL diagnosis and other hematologic malignancies (except hematologic conditions that may transform into DLBCL) before the index diagnosis and those who had stem cell transplantation (SCT) as the first treatment without prior chemotherapy (CT). An algorithm was developed to define LOT. In general, a new LOT was indicated by addition of a new drug or re-initiation of the previous LOT after a gap of ≥90 days. Pharmacologic therapies were categorized as CT or chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) or novel agent-based therapy (including brentuximab vedotin, ibrutinib, venetoclax, lenalidomide, obinutuzumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab). SCT was counted as consolidation therapy instead of a separate line, while chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) was counted as a separate line with preparation included (e.g., leukapheresis, bridging therapy, and lymphodepletion). Patients who received a third LOT (3L) comprised the study population, with the index date defined as the initiation date of 3L pharmacologic therapy or the infusion date of 3L SCT or CAR-T. 3L treatment distribution was described separately before and after the first CAR-T approval for DLBCL (10/18/2017). Treatment duration of 3L pharmacologic therapies was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. The proportion of patients initiating 4L during the observed follow-up period were described for all patients receiving a 3L. Due to the limited follow-up time and a high proportion of censoring, the current data was not mature to estimate rates of 4L initiation at different time points based on the KM analysis. All analyses were conducted for the overall study population and by treatment. Results: Among the 3,559 DLBCL patients receiving ≥1L treatment, 92.3% were treated with rituximab-containing regimens and 68.9% with R-CHOP or similar in 1L. There were 160 (4.5%) patients who received ≥3 LOT, with a mean age of 58.5 years and 64.4% male. Before CAR-T approval, 51 patients received 3L: 52.9% received CT/CIT, 33.3% received novel agent-based therapy, and 13.7% received SCT. After CAR-T approval, 109 patients received 3L: 45.9%, 30.3%, 7.3%, and 16.5% received CT/CIT, novel agent-based therapy, SCT and CAR-T, respectively. There were some differences in patient characteristics across treatment groups. Specifically, CAR-T patients had a relatively lower mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score (2.9). The novel therapy group had a shorter median time from index diagnosis to index date (10.3 months). SCT patients were younger (mean 56.6 years) but with a relatively higher mean CCI score (4.2). The median follow-up time was 5.0 months and varied across treatments: from 3.9 months for CAR-T to 5.7 months for SCT. Among patients receiving pharmacologic treatments, the median treatment duration was 3.1 months and 2.8 months for the CT/CIT and novel agent-based therapy groups, respectively. During a median follow-up time of <6 months, a total of 51 (31.9%) patients initiated 4L. The proportion was 27.8% in the CAR-T group, 28.6% in the CT/CIT group, 38.0% in the novel therapy group and 33.3% in the SCT group. Conclusions: In patients with R/R DLBCL receiving 3L treatment post CAR-T approval, about 76% were treated with CT/CIT or novel agent-based therapies, though most of the novel agents are not indicated for DLBCL. CAR-T and SCT were used in 17% and 7% of patients, respectively. Treatment duration of 3L CT/CIT or novel agent-based therapies was short. A relatively high proportion of patients moved to the next LOT during a short follow-up period. These findings highlight the unmet need for more effective treatments among R/R DLBCL patients in 3L and later lines. Disclosures Xie: Analysis Group, Inc.: Other: Employee of Analysis Group, Inc., which has received consultancy fees from ADC Therapeutics, Inc.. Wu:Analysis Group, Inc.: Other: Employee of Analysis Group, Inc., which has received consultancy fees from ADC Therapeutics, Inc.. Liao:ADCT: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Du:Analysis Group, Inc.: Other: Employee of Analysis Group, Inc., which has received consultancy fees from ADC Therapeutics, Inc.. Noman:Analysis Group, Inc.: Other: Employee of Analysis Group, Inc., which has received consultancy fees from ADC Therapeutics, Inc.. Liang:Analysis Group, Inc.: Other: Employee of Analysis Group, Inc., which has received consultancy fees from ADC Therapeutics, Inc.. Camardo:ADCT: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Chen:ADCT: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

Primary Analysis of the Tegar Study: A Phase II Study Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Atezolizumab in Combination with Obinutuzumab or Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL), or Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM)

Primary Analysis of the Tegar Study: A Phase II Study Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Atezolizumab in Combination with Obinutuzumab or Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL), or Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM)

Venetoclax, Lenalidomide and Rituximab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma - Data from the Nordic Lymphoma Group NLG-MCL7 (VALERIA) Phase I Trial: Stopping Treatment in Molecular Remission Is Feasible

Venetoclax, Lenalidomide and Rituximab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma - Data from the Nordic Lymphoma Group NLG-MCL7 (VALERIA) Phase I Trial: Stopping Treatment in Molecular Remission Is Feasible

Ibrutinib-Lenalidomide-Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Final Results from the Nordic Lymphoma Group MCL6 (PHILEMON) Phase II Trial

Introduction: In spite of improvements in treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), this is still considered an incurable lymphoma entity, and the majority of patients eventually relapse. Ibrutinib is a very active agent in MCL, but in vitro has been shown to partially antagonize the activity of rituximab, by suppression of NK cell activity and subsequent ADCC. Lenalidomide, on the other hand, improves rituximab-induced ADCC. In this multi-centre open-label phase II trial, we evaluated safety and efficacy of this triplet combination in patients with relapsed or refractory MCL. Methods: Patients with MCL, relapsing after or refractory to at least one rituximab-containing chemotherapy regimen, WHO PS 0-3, and measurable disease were eligible. The primary endpoint was maximal overall response rate (ORR) measured with CT and PET/CT. Minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by PCR was performed during follow-up, according to EuroMRD criteria. Ion Torrent sequencing of the most frequently mutated genes in MCL was performed on frozen tumor cells from bone marrow at time of relapse. Health-related quality of life was assessed by the EORTC-QLQ C30 questionnaire before and during treatment. Treatment schedule: Induction phase: Up to twelve 28-day cycles with: Lenalidomide 15 mg p o daily, days 1-21, Ibrutinib 560 mg p o days 1-28, Rituximab 375 mg/m2 i v day 1 in cycle 1, then 1400 mg s c (or 375 mg/m2i v) days 8, 15 and 22 in cycle 1, then day 1 in cycles 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Maintenance phase: For patients in CR, PR or SD, not in need of other treatment, given until progression, cycle duration 56 days. Ibrutinib: 560 mg p o days 1-56, 2. Rituximab 1400 mg s c (or 375 mg/m2i v) day 1 of each cycle. Results: Accrual of 50 pts was completed in June 2016, at 10 centres in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The median age was 69.5 years, with a median MIPI score of 6.2. Patients had received a median of two previous regimens, four had progressed after single agent ibrutinib, and three had received prior allo-SCT. A TP53 mutation was detected in 11 of 49 evaluable cases (22%), 8 cases were of blastoid/pleomorphic histology, and 22 of 40 evaluable cases had a Ki67 >30%. Treatment emergent-AEs of any grade in ≥20% of patients were rash (24%) and fatigue (20%). Five pts (10%) experienced rash grade 3, mainly during cycle 1. Hematological toxicity was generally of low grade, apart from grade 3-4 neutropenia in 5 patients. One patient died due to possible treatment-related toxicity (septic shock). In total, 27 patients achieved CR (54%) and 10 PR (20%). Among evaluable patients with a TP53 mutation, blastoid/pleomorphic histology or Ki67 >30%, the CR rates were 7/11 (64%), 15/8 (62%) and 11/22 (50%), respectively. After a median follow-up of 40 months, the median PFS is 18 months (95% CI 6.5-28), and median OS 47 months (95% CI 30-64). Patients with a detectable TP53 mutation at relapse (n=11) had a median PFS of 13 months (95% CI 4.2-21), whereas pts without a TP53 mutation had a median PFS of 34 months (95% CI 8.3-60). Of the 28 patients evaluable for MRD at 6 months, 15/27 (56%) patients achieved molecular remission in blood and 12/28 (43%) in bone marrow. After 12 months, MRD-negativity in BM was 68% (13/19). Out of 4 patients with TP53-mutated MCL, 2 were MRD-negative in BM after 12 months, as well as 2 out of 4 patients with blastoid/pleomorphic histology. By self-reported HRQOL, a lower level of emotional functioning (EF), as well as a higher level of pain (PA) at baseline, was associated with inferior PFS. In addition, low EF was associated with inferior OS. By a Cox regression multivariable analysis, including MIPI, TP53, histology, Ki67, EF and PA, only MIPI was prognostic for PFS or OS with this regimen. Conclusions: The combination of ibrutinib, lenalidomide and rituximab has been shown to be an active and well tolerated regimen in this cohort of high risk R/R MCL, associated with a high rate of molecular remission. The activity in TP53 mutated MCL is lower than in unmutated disease, but this regimen may still serve as an option for a bridge to an allogeneic transplantation or CAR-T therapy in this category of patients. Disclosures Jerkeman: Roche: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding. Hutchings:Genmab: Honoraria; Genmab: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Roche: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Daiichi: Research Funding; Sankyo: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy; Takeda: Honoraria.

Idelalisib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: First Results from the Nordic Lymphoma Group NLG-LBC-07 (ILIAD) Phase II Trial

Idelalisib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: First Results from the Nordic Lymphoma Group NLG-LBC-07 (ILIAD) Phase II Trial

Bayesian Network Modelling As a New Tool in Predicting of the Early Progression of Disease in Follicular Lymphoma Patients

Bayesian Network Modelling As a New Tool in Predicting of the Early Progression of Disease in Follicular Lymphoma Patients

Prognosis of Intravascular Large B Cell Lymphoma (IVLBCL): Analysis of 182 Patients from Global Case Series.

PurposeThis study provides an overview of the prognosis of intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) over the past 10 years and analyzes the possible relevant factors.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a literature search of case reports, case series, and retrospective studies of IVLBCL published from January 2008 to July 2018. After excluding inappropriate data, 103 publications were selected for the analysis. Statistical analyses of different treatment modalities, the effect of blood–brain barrier (BBB)-penetrating drugs, and prognostic factors for outcomes were performed.ResultsIn total, 182 pathologically confirmed cases of IVLBCL were included in our study. The results revealed that the 1- and 3-year overall survival rates were 42.3 and 11.5%, respectively, whereas the median overall survival was 340 days. Overall survival (450 days vs 180 days) and progression-free survival (420 days vs 150 days) were significantly longer in patients who received rituximab-containing regimens than in those treated with other regimens. For IVLBCL involving the CNS, regimens containing BBB-penetrating drugs failed to provide an additional survival benefit. In addition, lactic dehydrogenase levels ≥700 U/L, CNS involvement, and hemophagocytic syndrome were identified as unfavorable risk factors in patients with IVLBCL, whereas skin involvement appeared to be a protective factor.ConclusionRituximab-containing chemotherapy can improve the outcomes of patients with IVLBCL, but the prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Treatment regimens containing BBB-penetrating drugs failed to improve outcomes in patients with CNS-involved IVLBCL. Several factors affect the prognosis of patients with IVLBCL, and further research on the underlying mechanisms is needed.

Prognostic Impact of Age at the Time of Diagnosis in Korean Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era: A Single Institution Study.

PurposeIn contrast to the Western diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), prognostic impact of age in a Korean population with DLBCL has not been fully evaluated.Materials and MethodsSix hundred and eight DLBCL patients treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapeutic regimens from January 2002 to March 2012 in Asan Medical Center were enrolled. Survival models using the restricted cubic spine–transformed age variable were constructed to evaluate non-linear relationships between age and survival outcome. Finally, age was categorized according to the conventional international prognostic index (IPI), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-IPI, and Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO)-IPI schemes and the prognostic implications were evaluated.ResultsThe relative hazard did not change significantly during the first to fifth decades, but began to increase exponentially in patients aged over 62 years. This pattern or relationship was also retained in a multivariate model fitted to the age-adjusted IPI and relative dose intensity. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that age > 75 years, but not age > 60 years, was associated independently with poor overall and progression-free survival when the relative dose intensity and age-adjusted IPI were taken into account.ConclusionThe outcome of DLBCL in Korean populations may deteriorate rapidly as age exceeds 62 years. Therefore, a consensus cutoff value for age in Korean DLBCL patients should be determined to better predict prognosis.

Prognostic significance of histologic grade and Ki-67 proliferation index in follicular lymphoma.

The prognostic value of histologic grading and the Ki-67 proliferation index in follicular lymphoma (FL) is controversial. This study investigated the clinical usefulness of these two factors in Asian FL patients. Four hundred and thirty-three patients diagnosed with FL were retrospectively reviewed with a median follow-up time of 47.0 months (range, 24.0-168.0). The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate and progression-free survival (PFS) rate were 91.0% and 47.1%, respectively. Grade 3B and grade 3B with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showed a better PFS than grade 1-3A (P < 0.001), and similar findings were noted in patients who received rituximab-containing regimens (P = 0.002). In contrast, no significant differences in terms of OS or PFS were observed between grades 1-2 and 3A. In addition, patients with Ki-67 ≥ 30% had a significantly better PFS than patients with Ki-67 < 30% (P = 0.014), although the difference was eliminated in the multivariate analysis. Both grade and Ki-67 index had no impact on prognosis in patients who did not receive rituximab treatment. In conclusion, grade 3A is closely related to grade 1-2, as reflected by a similar indolent clinical course and a lower PFS rate than grade 3B/3B + DLBCL. In addition, a higher Ki-67 index seems to have a positive effect on PFS in FL patients.

A phase 3 randomized study (HOMER) of ofatumumab vs rituximab in iNHL relapsed after rituximab-containing therapy

AbstractBecause of high relapse rates with rituximab combinations, there is an unmet need for new therapeutic agents for treatment of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) or follicular lymphoma (FL). In previous trials, ofatumumab in combination with chemotherapy showed good results in relapsed/refractory FL pretreated with rituximab. This phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-agent ofatumumab vs single-agent rituximab in rituximab-sensitive relapsed FL that relapsed at least 6 months after completing the last prior treatment with single-agent rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either ofatumumab (1000 mg) or rituximab (375 mg/m2) every week for 4 weeks for the induction phase, followed by once every 2 months for 4 additional doses. The primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints, overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. Overall, 438 patients were assigned to receive ofatumumab (n = 219) and rituximab (n = 219). Baseline characteristics were similar in both arms. The independent review committee assessed whether median PFS was shorter in the ofatumumab arm than in the rituximab arm (16.33 vs 21.29 months), with no significant difference (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.49;P= .29) and also showed a lower ORR (50%) compared with the rituximab arm (66%). At the time of analysis, data were not matured for OS results. The number of grade >3 adverse events was higher in the ofatumumab arm (37%) than the rituximab arm (28%). Ofatumumab showed no superiority over rituximab in patients with FL who had relapsed after a rituximab-containing therapy. This study was registered atwww.clinicaltrials.govas #NCT01200589.

Rituximab maintenance significantly reduces early follicular lymphoma progressions in patients treated with frontline R-CHOP.

Twenty percent of patients with high‐tumor‐burden (HTB) follicular lymphoma (FL) develop progression/relapse of disease (POD) within 24 months of frontline immunochemotherapy. Unfortunately, about 50% of these patients die within 5 years since POD event. Rituximab maintenance was proven to reduce relapse rate in responding FL, but its role on preventing POD was not defined. We analyzed 1360 HTB‐FL patients from the Czech Lymphoma Study Group registry treated with frontline rituximab‐containing regimen. Of those, 950 cases received rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP) and achieved complete or partial remission: 712 patients received rituximab maintenance (MAINT) and 238 were a historical observational cohort (OBS). We have proposed a modified POD24 (mPOD24) endpoint for the chemosensitive patients calculated from the end‐of‐induction (EOI). Survival rates since EOI were as follows: 5‐year overall survival (OS) 86.2% versus 94.5% in the OBS and MAINT groups, respectively (P < .001) and 5‐year progression‐free survival 58.5% (OBS) and 75.4% (MAINT) (P < .001). The Cox proportional hazards model showed a decrease in mPOD24 incidence in the MAINT group with the overall hazard rate reduced by 56% (hazard ratio = 0.44; P < .001). The cumulative incidence of mPOD24 was reduced from 24.1% in OBS to 10.1% in MAINT (P < .001). Comparison of non‐mPOD24 cases showed OS similar to that in the general population. Rituximab maintenance given after R‐CHOP resulted in a 2.4‐fold reduction in mPOD24 incidence. Once the non‐POD24 status is achieved, FL does not shorten the patients’ life expectancy.

Treatment of relapsed/refractory paediatric aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) accounts for ≈60% of NHL in children/adolescents. In newly diagnosed Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, short intensive multiagent chemotherapy is associated with a five-year event-free survival of around 90%. Very few children/adolescents with aggressive B-NHL show a relapsed/refractory (r/r) disease. The outcome is poor, with cure rates <30%, and there is no standard of care. Rituximab-containing salvage regimens may provide a complete/partial response in 60-70% of cases. However, long-term survival is <10% for non-transplanted patients. Autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant is, nowadays, the best option for responding patients, with survival rates around 50%. The benefit of autologous versus allogeneic HSCT is not clear. Numerous novel therapies for r/r B-NHL are currently being tested in adults, including next-generation monoclonal antibodies, novel cellular therapy strategies and therapies directed against new targets. Some are under investigation also in children/adolescents, with promising preliminary results.

Deepening of response after completing rituximab-containing therapy in patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Rituximab-containing regimens are commonly used for frontline therapy in patients with symptomatic Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). We had observed that a portion of WM patients experienced deepening of response months to years after therapy completion. We carried a retrospective study aimed at describing this phenomenon. We gathered baseline data, and responses at end of induction, end of maintenance and best response. Deepening of response was defined as ≥25% decrease in serum IgM achieved at a later time from therapy completion. Of 178 patients included, 116 (65%) received maintenance therapy and 62 (35%) were observed. In patients who received maintenance, 44 (38%) had ≥25% decrease in serum IgM level after the end of maintenance with a median time from end of maintenance to lowest IgM level of 1.6 years (range 0.1-7.9 years). In patients who were observed, 19 (31%) had ≥25% decrease in serum IgM level after the end of induction with a median time from end of induction to lowest IgM level of 1.6 years (range 0.2-5.1 years). Baseline hemoglobin <11.5 g/dL, bone marrow involvement ≥50%, CXCR4 mutations and serum IgM ≥4000 mg/dL were associated with lower odds of deepening of response after therapy completion. Deepening of response was associated with better progression-free survival (PFS; HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.80; P = .006) and better survival after frontline treatment initiation (SAFTI; HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.73; P = .01). In conclusion, deepening of response occurs in one third of WM patients after completing rituximab-containing regimens and was associated with better PFS and SAFTI.

Autoimmune cytopenia in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment response and survival of 83patients with CLL complicated by immune cytopenia (IC) were analyzed. Treatment schedules in 58medicated patients included corticosteroids; chemotherapy (COP, CHOP regimens), immunotherapy (rituximab alone), immunochemotherapy (rituximab-containing regimens- R-COP, R-CHOP). Twenty-five patients underwent splenectomy. The use of corticosteroids, as the first line of treatment, resulted in short-term remission in most patients. Chemotherapy was effective in a half of CLL patients, but duration of the remission did not exceed 32months in CLL associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia. After rituximab monotherapy (10patients) the stable remission was reached in 60% of the patients with median relapse-free survival of 40months. Rituximab containing chemotherapy (22patients) caused the long-term remission in 72% of the patients with median relapse-free survival of 76months. Splenectomy performed in 25patients with CLL complicated by IC was effective in 70% of the patients. The outcome of splenectomy depends on IC entity. The best response was registered in associated immune thrombocytopenia (median overall survival 118months), the worst- in Fisher- Evans syndrome (15months). The treatment of patients with CLL complicated by ICs should be individualized. For CLL patients without significant enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen, low lymphocytosis, associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia or immune thrombocytopenia, the monotherapy with rituximab is optimal. In case of occurrence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia or Fisher- Evans syndrome in CLL patients with enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, significant lymphocytosis, the use of R-COP or R-CHOP schemes, 4-6courses, is the most effective. Splenectomy is indicated in patients with massive splenomegaly, the resistance to medication, recurrent relapses after adequate therapy.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of limited-stage mantle cell lymphoma: Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma report.

Limited-stage (Ann Arbor stage I or II) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an extremely rare disease. Thus, there is little data on the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with early-stage MCL. We examined consecutive stage I or II MCL 41 cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 in 16 institutions of the Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma group. All cases were pathologically confirmed and systemic evaluation was performed for staging. The clinical features were reviewed, and the treatment outcomes were analyzed. The median age of patients was 66years (range 19-85years); there were more men (n = 31, 75.6%) than women. Most patients (n = 28, 68.3%) had stage 2 disease, and 29 (70.7%) were symptomatic. The elevation of lactate dehydrogenase (n = 2, 4.9%) was not common; thus, 39 patients (95.1%) had a low-risk score (0 or 1) for the International Prognostic Index, and 28 (68.3%) had a low-risk score (1-3) for the MCL International Prognostic Index. Most patients (n = 37, 90.1%) received chemotherapy as the first therapeutic strategy, while some received radiotherapy (n = 2), surgical resection (n = 1), or no treatment (n = 1). Of the patients who received chemotherapy, 23 (56.9%) received a rituximab-containing regimen, and R-CHOP (n = 17) and R-bendamustine (n = 5) were commonly used. The best response was noted in 97.4% (n = 38) of patients, including 32 who showed a complete response (78%). With a median follow-up duration of 40.6months, the 42months relapse-free survival was 59.1%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 80.4%. Limited-state MCL showed indolent clinical and low-risk prognostic features. Chemotherapy could be effective for controlling localized MCL lesions, with high complete response rates.

Single-agent ibrutinib in RESONATE-2\u2122 and RESONATE\u2122 versus treatments in the real-world PHEDRA databases for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

After analyzing treatment patterns in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (objective 1), we investigated the relative effectiveness of ibrutinib versus other commonly used treatments (objective 2) in patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory CLL, comparing patient-level data from two randomized registration trials with two real-world databases. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics. Rituximab-containing regimens were often prescribed in clinical practice. The most frequently prescribed regimens were fludarabine + cyclophosphamide + rituximab (FCR, 29.3%), bendamustine + rituximab (BR, 17.7%), and other rituximab-containing regimens (22.0%) in the treatment-naïve setting (n = 604), other non-FCR/BR rituximab-containing regimens (38.7%) and non-rituximab–containing regimens (28.5%) in the relapsed/refractory setting (n = 945). Adjusted HRs (95% CI) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively, with ibrutinib versus real-world regimens were 0.23 (0.14–0.37; p < 0.0001) and 0.40 (0.22–0.76; p = 0.0048) in the treatment-naïve setting, and 0.21 (0.16–0.27; p < 0.0001) and 0.29 (0.21–0.41; p < 0.0001) in the relapsed/refractory setting. When comparing real-world use of ibrutinib (n = 53) versus other real-world regimens in relapsed/refractory CLL (objective 3), adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 0.37 (0.22–0.63; p = 0.0003) for PFS and 0.53 (0.27–1.03; p < 0.0624) for OS. This adjusted analysis, based on nonrandomized patient data, suggests ibrutinib to be more effective than other commonly used regimens for CLL.

Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms in Patients with Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Results from the Phase II GIBB Study of the Combination of Obinutuzumab and Bendamustine

Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms in Patients with Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Results from the Phase II GIBB Study of the Combination of Obinutuzumab and Bendamustine

Targeting MDM2 and XIAP By Idasanutlin in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose: The combination of rituximab and chemotherapy has improved overall survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients in recent decades. Relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients previously treated with rituximab-containing regimen had significantly poorer response to salvage therapy. To study the mechanisms of this resistance, our laboratory developed several rituximab resistant cell lines. Previous study from our group found demonstrated an aberrant imbalance in the levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in these cell lines, including Bak/Bak, Mcl-1/BCLxL/Survivin and inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family proteins resulting in acquired chemotherapy resistance. MDM2 is an E3 ligase which regulates the degradation of multiple cellular protein targets such as pRB, HIF-1, p73, NF-kB, and E2F1 as well as FOXO3a. It is also the major negative regulator of p53. Recently, we found that MX69 (a MDM2 inhibitor), which blocks the MDM2 protein-XIAP RNA interaction, led to both MDM2 and XIAP degradation, and induced apoptosis-dependent cell killing activity. Moreover, MX69 re-sensitized resistant DLBCL cell lines to chemotherapy agents or small inhibitors (i.e. Venetoclax) in vitro. However, MX69 cannot be used clinically stressing the need to use a clinically available MDM2 inhibitor. To this end, we evaluated Idasanutlin, an investigational Nutlin family MDM2 antagonist, in B-cell lymphoma pre-clinical models. Methods: We used a panel of different DLBCL subtypes cell lines including activated B-cell lymphoma cell lines (TMD8, U2932); germinal center B-cell lymphoma (DOHH2, VAL, OCILY2, DH4, DH6, ROS50); rituximab-sensitive cell lines (Raji and RL); and rituximab/-resistant cell lines (Raji 4RH and RL 4RH). Cells were exposed to escalating doses of Idasanutlin (1nM-100µM) without or with other chemotherapeutic agents for 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Differences in cell viability were evaluated utilizing PrestoBlue. IC50 was calculated by GraphPad and Coefficient of synergy was calculated using CalcuSyn. Low mitochondrial potential was detected by staining cell with DiOC6 10ng/ml for 30 minutes and followed by flow cytometric analysis. Western blot was used to detect the changes of MDM2, XIAP and PUMA expression before and after exposure to Idasanutlin 1uM for 24h. Results:In vitro exposure Idasanutlin to DLBCL cell lines demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent cell death. IC50 dosage of the cells was ranged from 0.7uM to 63.07uM at 48h. Low dose of Idasanutlin (1uM) was able to disrupt mitochondria and induced low mitochondrial membrane potential in both ABC and GCB cell lines. At molecular level, Idasanutlin reduced expression level of MDM2 in TMD8, U2932, VAL, OCILy2 DHL4 and ROS50 cell lines. XIAP was reduced in Val and DHL4. Meanwhile, PUMA, the downstream of p53 activation, was increased after Idasanutlin exposure. Idasanutlin enhanced the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors (carfilzomib, ixazomib), Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax and Bryton kinase inhibitor ibrutinib. Conclusion: Idasanutlin showed potent anti-tumor activity as a single agent in DLBCL pre-clinical setting. Idasanutlin was able to decrease cellular mitochondrial membrane potential. At molecular level, Idasanutlin decreased MDM2 and XIAP protein level and induced PUMA expression. Moreover, Idasanutlin enhanced anti-tumor activities of other small inhibitors. Taking together, Idasanutlin could be used as a novel and promising drug in the clinical setting of DLBCL with relapsed/refractory disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Complete Response Status According to RECIL 2017 Criteria Shows High Concordance with Lugano 2014 Criteria and Is Highly Prognostic for Outcome in Previously Untreated Patients with CD20-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Complete Response Status According to RECIL 2017 Criteria Shows High Concordance with Lugano 2014 Criteria and Is Highly Prognostic for Outcome in Previously Untreated Patients with CD20-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Obinutuzumab Alone or Combined with Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated (Fit or Unfit) or Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients: Final Results from the Phase IIIb GREEN Safety Study with a Focus on Efficacy

Obinutuzumab Alone or Combined with Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated (Fit or Unfit) or Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients: Final Results from the Phase IIIb GREEN Safety Study with a Focus on Efficacy