Jason R. Westin

Safety and Activity of PD1 Blockade by Pidilizumab in Combination with Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma: a Single Group, Open-label, Phase 2 Trial

BACKGROUND Endogenous or iatrogenic antitumour immune responses can improve the course of follicular lymphoma, but might be diminished by immune checkpoints in the tumour microenvironment. These checkpoints might include effects of programmed cell death 1 (PD1), a co-inhibitory receptor that impairs T-cell function and is highly expressed on intratumoral T cells. We did this phase 2 trial to investigate the activity of pidilizumab, a humanised anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody, with rituximab in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma. METHODS We did this open-label, non-randomised trial at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX, USA). Adult (≥18 years) patients with rituximab-sensitive follicular lymphoma relapsing after one to four previous therapies were eligible. Pidilizumab was administered at 3 mg/kg intravenously every 4 weeks for four infusions, plus eight optional infusions every 4 weeks for patients with stable disease or better. Starting 17 days after the first infusion of pidilizumab, rituximab was given at 375 mg/m(2) intravenously weekly for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response (complete response plus partial response according to Revised Response Criteria for Malignant Lymphoma). Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00904722. FINDINGS We enrolled 32 patients between Jan 13, 2010, and Jan 20, 2012. Median follow-up was 15.4 months (IQR 10.1-21.0). The combination of pidilizumab and rituximab was well tolerated, with no autoimmune or treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4. The most common adverse events of grade 1 were anaemia (14 patients) and fatigue (13 patients), and the most common adverse event of grade 2 was respiratory infection (five patients). Of the 29 patients evaluable for activity, 19 (66%) achieved an objective response: complete responses were noted in 15 (52%) patients and partial responses in four (14%). INTERPRETATION The combination of pidilizumab plus rituximab is well tolerated and active in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma. Our results suggest that immune checkpoint blockade is worthy of further study in follicular lymphoma. FUNDING National Institutes of Health, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Cure Tech, and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Combination of ibrutinib with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) for treatment-naive patients with CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a non-randomised, phase 1b study

BACKGROUND Present first-line therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). Ibrutinib, a novel oral Brutons tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown single-drug activity in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. We investigated the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib in combination with R-CHOP for patients with previously untreated CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS In this phase 1b, open-label, non-randomised study, patients were recruited across six centres in the USA and France. Eligibility was age 18 years or older and treatment-naive histopathologically confirmed CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In the dose-escalation phase (part 1), patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle-cell lymphoma, or follicular lymphoma were enrolled. The primary objective was to determine a recommended phase 2 dose of ibrutinib with a standard R-CHOP regimen, by assessing safety in all patients who received treatment. Patients received ibrutinib 280 mg, 420 mg, or 560 mg per day in combination with a standard R-CHOP regimen every 21 days. Safety of the recommended phase 2 dose was then assessed in a dose-expansion population, which consisted of patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (part 2). Secondary objectives included assessments of the proportion of patients who had an overall response, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01569750. FINDINGS From June 22, 2012, to March 25, 2013, 33 patients were enrolled (part 1: 17; part 2: 16) and 32 received ibrutinib plus R-CHOP treatment (one patient in the part 2 cohort withdrew). The maximum tolerated dose was not reached and the recommended phase 2 dose for ibrutinib was 560 mg per day. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events included neutropenia (73% [24 of 33 patients]), thrombocytopenia (21% [seven patients]), and febrile neutropenia and anaemia (18% each [six patients]). The most frequently reported serious adverse events were febrile neutropenia (18% [six patients]) and hypotension (6% [two patients]). 30 (94%) of 32 patients who received one or more doses of combination treatment achieved an overall response. All 18 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received the recommended phase 2 dose had an overall response. For those subtyped and treated at the recommended phase 2 dose, five (71%) of seven patients with the germinal centre B-cell-like subtype and two (100%) patients with the non-germinal centre B-cell-like subtype had a complete response. R-CHOP did not affect pharmacokinetics of ibrutinib, and ibrutinib did not alter the pharmacokinetics of vincristine. Pharmacodynamic data showed Brutons tyrosine kinase was fully occupied (>90% occupancy) at the recommended phase 2 dose. INTERPRETATION Ibrutinib is well tolerated when added to R-CHOP, and could improve responses in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but our findings need confirmation in a phase 3 trial. FUNDING Janssen.

Double hit lymphoma: The MD Anderson Cancer Center clinical experience

We report our experience with 129 cases of double hit lymphoma (DHL), defined as B‐cell lymphoma with translocations and/or extra signals involving MYC plus BCL2 and/or BCL6. All cases were reviewed for histopathological classification. Median age was 62 years (range, 18–85), 84% of patients had advanced‐stage disease, and 87% had an International Prognostic Index score ≥2. Fourteen patients (11%) had a history of low‐grade follicular lymphoma. MYC translocation was present in 81%, and extra signals of MYC in 25% of patients. IGH‐BCL2 translocation was present in 84% and extra signals of BCL2 in 12% of patients. Two‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rates in all patients and patients who received R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone), R‐EPOCH (rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin), and R‐HyperCVAD/MA (rituximab, hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, alternating with cytarabine plus methotrexate) were 33%, 25%, 67% and 32%, respectively. In patients achieving complete response with initial therapy (n = 71), 2‐year EFS rates in patients who did (n = 23) or did not (n = 48) receive frontline stem cell transplantation were 68% and 53%, respectively (P = 0·155). The cumulative incidence of central nervous system involvement was 13% at 3 years. Multivariate analysis identified performance status ≥2 and bone marrow involvement as independent adverse prognostic factors for EFS and OS. Further research is needed to identify predictive and/or targetable biological markers and novel therapeutic approaches for DHL patients.

Safety and activity of lenalidomide and rituximab in untreated indolent lymphoma: an open-label, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND Standard treatments for indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas are often toxic, and most patients ultimately relapse. Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, is effective as monotherapy for relapsed indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide plus rituximab in patients with untreated, advanced stage indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS In this phase 2 trial, undertaken at one instution, patients with follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma were given lenalidomide, orally, at 20 mg/day on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle. For patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma, dosing began at 10 mg/day to avoid tumour flare, with an escalation of 5 mg/month to 20 mg/day. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m(2) as an intravenous infusion on day 1 of each cycle. Patients responding after six cycles could continue therapy for up to 12 cycles. The primary endpoint was overall response, defined as the proportion of patients who achieved a partial or complete response; patients were assessed for response if they had any post-baseline tumour assessment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00695786. FINDINGS 110 patients with follicular lymphoma (n=50), marginal zone lymphoma (n=30), and small lymphocytic lymphoma (n=30) were enrolled from June 30, 2008, until Aug 12, 2011. 93 of 103 evaluable patients had an overall response (90%, 95% CI 83-95). Complete responses occurred in 65 (63%, 95% CI 53-72) and partial responses in 28 patients (27%, 19-37). Of 46 evaluable patients with follicular lymphoma, 40 (87%) patients had a complete response and five (11%) had a partial response. Of 27 evaluable patients with marginal zone lymphoma, 18 (67%) had a complete response and six (22%) had a partial response. Of 30 evaluable patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma, seven (23%) had a complete response and 17 (57%) had a partial response. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (38 [35%] of 110 patients), muscle pain (ten [9%]), rash (eight [7%]), cough, dyspnoea, or other pulmonary symptoms (five [5%]), fatigue (five [5%]), thrombosis (five [5%]), and thrombocytopenia (four [4%]). INTERPRETATION Lenalidomide plus rituximab is well tolerated and highly active as initial treatment for indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. An international phase 3 study (NCT01476787) to compare this regimen with chemotherapy in patients with untreated follicular lymphoma is in progress. FUNDING Celgene Corporation and Richard Spencer Lewis Memorial Foundation and Cancer Center Support Grant.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy — assessment and management of toxicities

Immunotherapy using T cells genetically engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is rapidly emerging as a promising new treatment for haematological and non-haematological malignancies. CAR-T-cell therapy can induce rapid and durable clinical responses, but is associated with unique acute toxicities, which can be severe or even fatal. Cytokine-release syndrome (CRS), the most commonly observed toxicity, can range in severity from low-grade constitutional symptoms to a high-grade syndrome associated with life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction; rarely, severe CRS can evolve into fulminant haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Neurotoxicity, termed CAR-T-cell-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES), is the second most-common adverse event, and can occur concurrently with or after CRS. Intensive monitoring and prompt management of toxicities is essential to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with this potentially curative therapeutic approach; however, algorithms for accurate and consistent grading and management of the toxicities are lacking. To address this unmet need, we formed a CAR-T-cell-therapy-associated TOXicity (CARTOX) Working Group, comprising investigators from multiple institutions and medical disciplines who have experience in treating patients with various CAR-T-cell therapy products. Herein, we describe the multidisciplinary approach adopted at our institutions, and provide recommendations for monitoring, grading, and managing the acute toxicities that can occur in patients treated with CAR-T-cell therapy.

Ibrutinib in combination with rituximab in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma: a single-centre, open-label, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND Ibrutinib is approved in the EU, USA, and other countries for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who received one previous therapy. In a previous phase 2 study with single-agent ibrutinib, the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response was 68%; 38 (34%) of 111 patients had transient lymphocytosis. We hypothesised that adding rituximab could target mantle cell lymphoma cells associated with redistribution lymphocytosis, leading to more potent antitumour activity. METHODS Patients with a confirmed mantle cell lymphoma diagnosis (based on CD20-positive and cyclin D1-positive cells in tissue biopsy specimens), no upper limit on the number of previous treatments received, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 2 or less were enrolled in this single-centre, open-label, phase 2 study. Patients received continuous oral ibrutinib (560 mg) daily until progressive disease or unacceptable toxic effects. Rituximab 375 mg/m(2) was given intravenously once per week for 4 weeks during cycle 1, then on day 1 of cycles 3-8, and thereafter once every other cycle up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response in the intention-to-treat population and safety assessed in the as-treated population. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01880567, and is still ongoing, but no longer accruing patients. FINDINGS Between July 15, 2013, and June 30, 2014, 50 patients were enrolled. Median age was 67 years (range 45-86), and the median number of previous regimens was three (range 1-9). At a median follow-up of 16·5 months (IQR 12·09-19·28), 44 (88%, 95% CI 75·7-95·5) patients achieved an objective response, with 22 (44%, 30·0-58·7) patients achieving a complete response, and 22 (44%, 30·0-58·7) a partial response. The only grade 3 adverse event in >=10% of patients was atrial fibrillation, which was noted in six (12%) patients. Grade 4 diarrhoea and neutropenia occurred in one patient each. Adverse events led to discontinuation of therapy in five (10%) patients (atrial fibrillation in three [6%] patients, liver infection in one [2%], and bleeding in one [2%]). Two patients died while on-study from cardiac arrest and septic shock; the latter was deemed possibly related to treatment. INTERPRETATION Ibrutinib combined with rituximab is active and well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Our results provide preliminary evidence for the activity of this combination in clinical practice. A phase 3 trial is warranted for more definitive data. FUNDING Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company.

Steroid-Refractory Acute GVHD: Predictors and Outcomes.

Patients with steroid-resistant acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) have a dismal prognosis, with mortality rates in excess of 90%. We sought to identify a subgroup of patients less likely to benefit from initial therapy with corticosteroids as well as the impact of response on day 14 on outcome. Retrospective evaluation was performed of patients with biopsy-proven aGVHD treated with corticosteroids after allogeneic HSCT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1998 through 2002 (N = 287). Overall response to first-line therapy on day 14 was 56%. Grade III-IV aGVHD and hyperacute GVHD were the most significant factors predicting failure. Patients who fail to respond to steroids by day 14 should be considered for clinical trials. Severity of aGVHD, hyperacute GVHD, and sex mismatch could be integrated into prognostic scoring systems which may allow for pretreatment identification of patients unlikely to benefit from standard therapy with corticosteroids.

Outcomes in refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Results from the international SCHOLAR-1 study

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although 5-year survival rates in the first-line setting range from 60% to 70%, up to 50% of patients become refractory to or relapse after treatment. Published analyses of large-scale outcome data from patients with refractory DLBCL are limited. SCHOLAR-1, an international, multicohort retrospective non-Hodgkin lymphoma research study, retrospectively evaluated outcomes in patients with refractory DLBCL which, for this study, was defined as progressive disease or stable disease as best response at any point during chemotherapy (>4 cycles of first-line or 2 cycles of later-line therapy) or relapsed at ≤12 months from autologous stem cell transplantation. SCHOLAR-1 pooled data from 2 phase 3 clinical trials (Lymphoma Academic Research Organization-CORAL and Canadian Cancer Trials Group LY.12) and 2 observational cohorts (MD Anderson Cancer Center and University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence). Response rates and overall survival were estimated from the time of initiation of salvage therapy for refractory disease. Among 861 patients, 636 were included on the basis of refractory disease inclusion criteria. For patients with refractory DLBCL, the objective response rate was 26% (complete response rate, 7%) to the next line of therapy, and the median overall survival was 6.3 months. Twenty percent of patients were alive at 2 years. Outcomes were consistently poor across patient subgroups and study cohorts. SCHOLAR-1 is the largest patient-level pooled retrospective analysis to characterize response rates and survival for a population of patients with refractory DLBCL.

Predictors of Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients Receiving Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE Few studies to date have evaluated factors associated with the development of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), especially in patients treated with contemporary radiation techniques. These patients represent a unique group owing to the often large radiation target volumes within the mediastinum and to the potential to receive several lines of chemotherapy that add to pulmonary toxicity for relapsed or refractory disease. Our objective was to determine the incidence and clinical and dosimetric risk factors associated with RP in lymphoma patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at a single institution. METHODS AND MATERIALS We retrospectively reviewed clinical charts and radiation records of 150 consecutive patients who received mediastinal IMRT for HL and NHL from 2009 through 2013. Clinical and dosimetric predictors associated with RP according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute toxicity criteria were identified in univariate analysis using the Pearson χ(2) test and logistic multivariate regression. RESULTS Mediastinal radiation was administered as consolidation therapy in 110 patients with newly diagnosed HL or NHL and in 40 patients with relapsed or refractory disease. The overall incidence of RP (RTOG grades 1-3) was 14% in the entire cohort. Risk of RP was increased for patients who received radiation for relapsed or refractory disease (25%) versus those who received consolidation therapy (10%, P=.019). Several dosimetric parameters predicted RP, including mean lung dose of >13.5 Gy, V20 of >30%, V15 of >35%, V10 of >40%, and V5 of >55%. The likelihood ratio χ(2) value was highest for V5 >55% (χ(2) = 19.37). CONCLUSIONS In using IMRT to treat mediastinal lymphoma, all dosimetric parameters predicted RP, although small doses to large volumes of lung had the greatest influence. Patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma who received salvage chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were at higher risk for symptomatic RP.

Status of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors in lymphoma

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is well known to regulate a wide variety of essential cellular functions, including glucose metabolism, translational regulation of protein synthesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and survival. Aberrations in the PI3K pathway are among the most frequently observed in cancer, and include amplifications, rearrangements, mutations, and loss of regulators. As a net result of these anomalies, the PI3K pathway is activated in many malignancies, including in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and yields a competitive growth and survival advantage, increased metastatic ability, and resistance to conventional therapy. Numerous inhibitors targeting various nodes in the PI3K pathway are undergoing clinical development, and their current status in lymphoma will be the focus of this review.