Faculty Bibliography

Introduction: Historically, outcomes for BL have improved in adults using dose intensive chemotherapy regimens and early CNS prophylaxis. More recent data using a less intensive regimen, DA-EPOCH, have been reported. We analyzed detailed patient (pt) & disease characteristics and treatment patterns across 26 US CCs over a recent 9 year (yr) period and also determined survival rates & prognostication. XXMethod(s): We conducted a large multicenter retrospective study of newly diagnosed (dx) adult BL pts (6/2009 - 6/2018). Dx was established by institutional expert pathology review; all cases were verified for BL based on 2016 WHO criteria (high grade B cell lymphoma, BL like, etc were excluded). Survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier with differences assessed by log rank test. Univariate (UVA) associations were derived via Cox model with variables P <=0.05 entered stepwise into a multivariate (MVA) model. Using significant factors from the MVA, a prognostic survival model was constructed. XXResult(s): Among N=557 verified BL cases, clinical features included: median age 47 yrs (17-88 yrs; 24% >=60 yrs); male 76%; HIV+ 22%; ECOG PS 0/1 76%; B symptoms 51%; elevated LDH 78% (3, 5, & 10x elevation: 44%, 29% & 15%, respectively); hemoglobin <10.5 gm/dL 32%; albumin <3.5 30%; bone marrow (BM) involved 35%; non-BM extranodal (EN) in 80%; >1 EN 43%; and 76% stage 3-4 disease (10% stage 1). Additionally, 16% and 3% of pts had baseline leptomeningeal (CSF or cranial nerve palsy) or parenchymal CNS involvement, respectively (see Zayac A et al. ASH 2019 for details). For MYC partner, 68% had t(8;14), 4% light chain, 5% negative FISH (otherwise classic BL) and 23% + break apart probe. HIV+ pts had several clinical differences: CSF+ 23% vs 12% P=0.003; CNS 19% vs 8% P<0.001; ECOG PS 2-4 32% vs 21% P=0.002; BM 64% vs 34% P=0.03; and >1 EN 60% vs 38% P<0.001. For all pts, 87% had Tx at an academic CC (13% at community CC). Tx regimens were: CODOX-M/IVAC (Magrath) 31%, HyperCVAD/MA 29%, DA-EPOCH 28%, other 10% (mostly CHOP-based & CALGB Tx) & 1% were never treated. 90% of pts received rituximab as part of Tx (69% inpatient (inpt) & 31% outpatient) & 2% had consolidative autologous SCT. Response among all pts were CR 72%, PR 6%, SD 1%, PD 14%, 7% not evaluable. The treatment related mortality (TRM) rate across all pts was 8.9% (HIV+ vs not: 13% vs 8% P=0.09); most common: sepsis 48%, GI bleed/perforation 14% & respiratory failure 12%. TRM by Tx: hyperCVAD/MA 11.5%, EPOCH 6.4%, Magrath 6.3% & other 18.9%. With 39 month median follow-up, 3 year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 65% and 72%, respectively (Fig 1A). Among all pts who experienced disease progression, 90% occurred <12 months from dx (4% after 2 yrs). There were 20 cases (4%) of 2XX cancers seen including 7 secondary MDS/AML (median 26 months) & 6 cases of Hodgkin or other NHL (median 54 months). For prognostication, outcomes were inferior for pts ages >=40 yrs & LDH >3x normal (Fig 1B/C). Notably, survival rates were not different based on HIV status (Fig 1D) or by the 3 most common Tx regimens (Fig 1E). However, there were important Tx differences based on presence of CNS involvement (see Zayac A et al. ASH 2019). Additionally, use of rituximab was associated with improved PFS & OS (Fig 1F), while outcomes were similar whether rituximab was given inpt vs outpatient (inpt PFS HR 1.25, P=0.19). Furthermore, Tx at an academic CC was associated with improved outcomes, which persisted on MVA (PFS HR 0.54, 95%CI 0.33-0.88 P=0.01; OS HR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.87 P=0.01) & achievement of initial CR was strongly prognostic (Fig 1G). Baseline factors significant on UVA for PFS & OS were: age >=40 yrs; PS 2-4; LDH >3x; anemia, low albumin; BM involvement; Stage 3-4; CSF+; & >1 EN. On MVA, factors associated with inferior survival were: age >=40 yrs (PFS HR 1.57, P<0.001; OS HR 1.89, P=0.001); PS 2-4 (PFS HR 1.57, P=0.002; OS HR 2.16, PXX3x (PFS HR 2.28, P<0.0001; OS HR 1.96, P<0.0001). Collectively, these factors yielded a BL survival model (Fig 1H/I). XXConclusion(s): Outcomes for adult BL in this contemporary, large, multicenter RW analysis appear inferior to smaller published series. Interestingly, despite increased adverse prognostic factors, survival rates appeared similar in HIV+ pts. In addition, use of rituximab, achievement of initial CR, and Tx at an academic CC were associated with improved survival. Finally, a novel BL-specific survival model identified pts with markedly divergent outcomes. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Evens: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Tesaro: Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria. Danilov: Janssen: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; MEI: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Takeda Oncology: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Aptose Biosciences: Research Funding; Verastem Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Travel Reimbursement, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding; MEI: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding. Reddy: KITE Pharma: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Genentech: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy. Farooq: Celgene: Honoraria; Kite Pharma: Research Funding. Khan: Janssen: Other: Educational Content/Symposium; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers: Other: Research Funds; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Yazdy: Genentech: Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy; Octapharma: Consultancy. Karmali: Gilead/Kite; Juno/Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Astrazeneca: Speakers Bureau; Takeda, BMS: Other: Research Funding to Institution. Martin: Janssen: Consultancy; Teneobio: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; I-M Consultancy. Diefenbach: LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; MEI: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Denovo: Research Funding. Epperla: Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Verastem Oncology: Speakers Bureau. Feldman: Eisai: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Cell Medica: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Corvus: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Viracta: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Kite Pharma: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; Portola Pharma: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Lossos: Janssen Scientific: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NIH: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Naik: Celgene: Other: Advisory board. Kamdar: Celgene: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; University of Colorado: Employment; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Portell: AbbVie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acerta/AstraZeneca: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Olszewski: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Research Funding. Alderuccio: Agios: Other: Immediate family member; Puma Biotechnology: Other: Immediate family member; Foundation Medicine: Other: Immediate family member; Targeted Oncology: Honoraria; Inovio Pharmaceuticals: Other: Immediate family member; OncLive: Consultancy.XXCopyright

Introduction: Outcomes of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma are excellent, and the intent of frontline therapy for even advanced stage disease has been curative. This review summarizes the role of brentuximab vedotin in the upfront treatment of advanced stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the context of reducing therapy-related toxicity without compromising the high cure rate. Areas covered: Strategies to reduce bleomycin-induced lung toxicity include a response-adapted approach investigated in the RATHL study and a replacement of bleomycin with brentuximab vedotin in frontline chemotherapy regimens. In both studies, omission of bleomycin in the non-standard arms decreased the rate of pulmonary toxicity while maintaining high progression-free survival and overall survival rates. Expert opinion: The approval of A+AVD in North America offers a new bleomycin-free regimen for the treatment of advanced stage HL, but it must be balanced against a risk-adapted approach. Recently presented subset analyses raise a question about which patients benefit most from this therapy.

An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Introduction: Pola-G-Len may enhance anti-tumor immune response in R/R FL. We report a pre-planned interim analysis of the safety/efficacy of induction and maintenance with Pola-G-Len in pts with R/R FL in a phase Ib/II study (NCT02600897).
Method(s): Pts received induction treatment with 6x 28-day (D) cycles (C) of: G 1000mg IV (C1: D1, D8, D15; C2-6: D1); Pola 1.4mg/kg or 1.8mg/kg dose escalation (DE) or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D; expansion) IV (D1); and Len 10-20mg (DE) or RP2D (expansion) PO (D1-21). Pts with complete response (CR)/partial response (PR)/stable disease (SD) at the end of induction (EOI) received G 1000mg (D1 every 2mo, for 24mo), and Len (10mg, D1-21 monthly, 12mo). Primary endpoints were C1 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), safety/tolerability, CR rate at EOI (modified Lugano criteria). Results At the interim data cut-off (6 July 2018), 52 pts were enrolled: 9 discontinued the study (adverse events [AE], n=3; death due to PD, n=4; pt withdrawal, n=1; other, n=1). At baseline, the median pt age was 62 (range 32-87) years; 60% were male; 58% had FLIPI score 3-5; 79% had received >=2 prior therapy lines; 50% were refractory to their last treatment; 17% had bulky disease (>=7cm). Two DLTs were reported in the cohort receiving Pola 1.8mg/kg + Len 10mg during the DE period (Gr 4 lipase/amylase elevation; asymptomatic, resolved with supportive care; Gr 3 thrombocytopenia leading to a delay in the initiation of cycle 2). Gr >=3 AEs were experienced by 75% of pts: neutropenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (17%), anemia (12%) and infections (12%) were the most common AEs. Len dose reduction or interruption occurred in 31% and 52% of pts, respectively. One Gr 5 AE was reported (septic shock after PD in pt receiving subsequent therapy). The RP2D was determined as Pola 1.4mg/kg + Len 20mg. Preliminary efficacy data suggest high activity, with an independent review committee-assessed Modified Lugano response rate of 89% and a CR rate of 67% (Table). Median progression-free survival was not reached (median follow-up duration 8.95 mo in the efficacy-evaluable population). Conclusions The safety profile of Pola-G-Len is consistent with known profiles of the individual drugs. Response rates at EOI with Pola-G-Len are promising, with high CR comparedwith available R/R FL treatments. (Table Presented)

Background: Relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) remains a significant clinical problem. We hypothesized that activating the immune microenvironment, and concurrently targeting tumor cells with brentuximab vedotin (B) could overcome tumor resistance. Here we report the extended follow-up for all patients treated on Phase 1 of E4412 with the combinations of B (1.2 or 1.8 mg/kg), nivolumab (N) 3mg/kg and ipilimumab (I) (1 or 3mg).
Method(s): Patients with confirmed R/R HL were enrolled sequentially in cohorts of B-I (n=21), B-N (n=18), and B-N-I (n=22). Schedule was: B-N q 21 days for 16 cycles and N an additional 12 months; I q 3 weeks for 4 cycles and then q 3 months (B-I), or every 12 weeks for up to 24 months (B-N-I). Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined within the first cycle of therapy.
Result(s): As of 3/1/2019, 64 patients were enrolled of which 61 were eligible, 3 were ineligible due to prior treatment or laboratory values. The median age was 33; median prior therapies 2 (excluding SCT) across all cohorts, range: 1-9 (B-I), 1-6 (B-N), and 1-5 (B-N-I). Twentyfive patients (40%) had prior SCT: 9 (B-I), 7 (B-N), and 9 (B-N-I). Seven patients: 3 (B-I), 4 (B-N) and 1 (B-N-I) had prior BV. Safety: All enrolled patients are evaluable for safety. There were 2 grade 5 pneumonitis deaths, one each in B-N and B-N-I. There were 5 DLTs: pneumonitis and typhlitis (B-N), and one each grade 4 diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia, transient grade 3 AST elevation, and post AlloSCT grade 4 GVHD (B-N-I). Significant grade 3 AEs included rash (12%), and colitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, and arthritis each in 1 patient. Common toxicities considered at least possibly related to drug, included: fatigue (28%), transaminitis (36%), rash predominantly with B-I (25%) versus 8% combined B-N, and B-N-I, peripheral neuropathy (53%) and diarrhea (43%), primarily grade 1-2. Response: Five patients: (1 each B-I, B-N, and 3 B-N-I) were unevaluable for response. For the entire cohort the ORR/CR is 76%/57% (B-I), 88%/61% (B-N), and 82%/73% (B-N-I). For patients with at least 2 cycles of therapy and one imaging time point the ORR/CR is 80%/60%, 94%/64%, and 95%/84% for B-I, B-N and B-NI respectively. With a median follow-up of 2.98 years, 2 years, and 1.35 years the 1 year PFS is 60%, 68%, and 72% for B-I, B-N and BN- I respectively The median OS has not been reached for any of the arms (Figure 1).
Conclusion(s): All combinations were well tolerated, with mainly grade 1-2 immune toxicities, however deaths secondary to pneumonitis were noted in N containing cohorts. The ORR and CR rate in the N containing cohorts is superior to that of B-I doublet; the CR of B-N-I is higher than both doublet combinations and some patients have durable responses. It remains to be seen if a higher CR rate will eventually translate into more durable response rates. The ongoing randomized phase 2 study (E4412) is comparing the B-N doublet to the B-N-I triplet (NCT01896999)

The bone marrow microenvironment has a key role in regulating haematopoiesis, but its molecular complexity and response to stress are incompletely understood. Here we map the transcriptional landscape of mouse bone marrow vascular, perivascular and osteoblast cell populations at single-cell resolution, both at homeostasis and under conditions of stress-induced haematopoiesis. This analysis revealed previously unappreciated levels of cellular heterogeneity within the bone marrow niche and resolved cellular sources of pro-haematopoietic growth factors, chemokines and membrane-bound ligands. Our studies demonstrate a considerable transcriptional remodelling of niche elements under stress conditions, including an adipocytic skewing of perivascular cells. Among the stress-induced changes, we observed that vascular Notch delta-like ligands (encoded by Dll1 and Dll4) were downregulated. In the absence of vascular Dll4, haematopoietic stem cells prematurely induced a myeloid transcriptional program. These findings refine our understanding of the cellular architecture of the bone marrow niche, reveal a dynamic and heterogeneous molecular landscape that is highly sensitive to stress and illustrate the utility of single-cell transcriptomic data in evaluating the regulation of haematopoiesis by discrete niche populations.

BACKGROUND:Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) polatuzumab vedotin (pola) and pinatuzumab vedotin (pina) showed clinical activity and tolerability in phase 1 trials. The aim of this multicentre, open-label, phase 2 study was to compare rituximab plus pola (R-pola) or pina (R-pina) in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. METHODS:rituximab plus 2·4 mg/kg ADCs) every 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity up to 1 year. Treatment allocations were not masked to the investigator, patients or sponsor after the patients were enrolled and randomly assigned. The primary objectives were safety and tolerability, and antitumour response. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01691898, and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS/RESULTS:81 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 42 with follicular lymphoma were recruited between Sept 27, 2012, and Oct 10, 2013, and were assigned to treatment. 81 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 41 patients with follicular lymphoma were eligible for analysis. Of the 42 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received R-pina, 25 (60%, 95% CI 43-74) achieved an objective response and 11 (26%, 95% CI 14-42) achieved a complete response. Of the 39 patients in this cohort who received R-pola, 21 (54%, 95% CI 37-70) achieved an objective response, and eight (21%, 95% CI 9-36) achieved a complete response. Of the 21 patients in the follicular lymphoma cohort who received R-pina, 13 (62%, 95% CI 38-82) achieved an objective response, and one (5%, 95% CI 0·1-24) achieved a complete response. Of the 20 patients in this cohort who received R-pola, 14 (70%, 95% CI 46-88) achieved an objective response, and nine (45%, 95% CI 23-68) achieved a complete response. In the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cohort, grade 3-5 adverse events occurred in 33 (79%) of 42 patients receiving R-pina (most common were neutropenia [29%] and hyperglycaemia [10%]; nine [21%] grade 5 adverse events, five of which were infection-related), and in 30 (77%) of 39 patients receiving R-pola (most common were neutropenia [23%], anaemia [8%] and diarrhoea [8%]; no grade 5 adverse events). In the follicular lymphoma cohort, grade 3-5 adverse events occurred in 13 (62%) of 21 patients receiving R-pina (most common were neutropenia [29%] and hyperglycaemia [14%]; no grade 5 adverse events) and in ten (50%) of 20 patients receiving R-pola (most common were neutropenia [15%] and diarrhoea [10%]; one grade 5 adverse event). INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSIONS:R-pina and R-pola are potential treatment options in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Pola was selected by the study funder for further development in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, partly because of longer durations of response than pina, and an overall benefit-risk favouring R-pola. FUNDING/BACKGROUND:F Hoffmann-La Roche.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell lymphoma characterized by cyclin D1 expression. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) consolidation after induction chemotherapy is often used for eligible patients; however, the benefit remains uncertain in the rituximab era. Herein we retrospectively assessed the impact of AHCT consolidation on survival in a large cohort of transplantation-eligible patients age 65 years or younger. PATIENTS AND METHODS/METHODS:We retrospectively studied transplantation-eligible adults age 65 years or younger with newly diagnosed MCL treated between 2000 and 2015. The primary objective was to assess for improved progression-free survival (PFS) with AHCT consolidation and secondarily to assess for improved overall survival (OS). Cox multivariable regression analysis and propensity score-weighted (PSW) analysis were performed. RESULTS:Data were collected from 25 medical centers for 1,254 patients; 1,029 met inclusion criteria. Median follow-up for the cohort was 76 months. Median PFS and OS were 62 and 139 months, respectively. On unadjusted analysis, AHCT was associated with improved PFS (75 v 44 months with v without AHCT, respectively; P < .01) and OS (147 v 115 months with v without AHCT, respectively; P < .05). On multivariable regression analysis, AHCT was associated with improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.66; P < .01) and a trend toward improved OS (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.01; P = .06). After PSW analysis, AHCT remained associated with improved PFS (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.84; P < .05) but not improved OS (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.1; P = .2). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In this large cohort of younger, transplantation-eligible patients with MCL, AHCT consolidation after induction was associated with significantly improved PFS but not OS after PSW analysis. Within the limitations of a retrospective analysis, our findings suggest that in younger, fit patients, AHCT consolidation may improve PFS.

While up to 80% of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are cured with first-line therapy, relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease remains a clinical challenge and is fatal for many young patients. HL is unique in that the tumor cells (Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg; HRS cells) are a small fraction (<1%) of the tumor bulk, with the remaining tumor composed of the cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The support and integrity of the TME is necessary for HRS cell growth and survival. Targeting the programmed death 1 pathway has shown exciting activity in relapsed HL and led to United States Food and Drug Administration approval of the checkpoint inhibitors, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, for R/R HL. Novel combinations with checkpoint blockade therapy (CBT), targeted approaches such as combinations of CBT with brentuximab vedotin or chemotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and the use of CBT to potentially sensitize to subsequent therapy are being investigated as treatment approaches. As understanding of the HL TME grows, hopefully this will increase the number of rational therapeutic targets.