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Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jan 2020Patients with transplantation-ineligible relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) fare poorly, with limited treatment options. The antibody-drug... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Patients with transplantation-ineligible relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) fare poorly, with limited treatment options. The antibody-drug conjugate polatuzumab vedotin targets CD79b, a B-cell receptor component.
METHODS
Safety and efficacy of polatuzumab vedotin with bendamustine and obinutuzumab (pola-BG) was evaluated in a single-arm cohort. Polatuzumab vedotin combined with bendamustine and rituximab (pola-BR) was compared with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) in a randomly assigned cohort of patients with transplantation-ineligible R/R DLBCL (primary end point: independent review committee [IRC] assessed complete response [CR] rate at the end of treatment). Duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods.
RESULTS
Pola-BG and pola-BR had a tolerable safety profile. The phase Ib/II pola-BG cohort (n = 27) had a CR rate of 29.6% and a median OS of 10.8 months (median follow-up, 27.0 months). In the randomly assigned cohort (n = 80; 40 per arm), pola-BR patients had a significantly higher IRC-assessed CR rate (40.0% 17.5%; = .026) and longer IRC-assessed PFS (median, 9.5 3.7 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.36, 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.63; < .001) and OS (median, 12.4 4.7 months; HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.75; = .002; median follow-up, 22.3 months). Pola-BR patients had higher rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia (46.2% 33.3%), anemia (28.2% 17.9%), and thrombocytopenia (41% 23.1%), but similar grade 3-4 infections (23.1% 20.5%), versus the BR group. Peripheral neuropathy associated with polatuzumab vedotin (43.6% of patients) was grade 1-2 and resolved in most patients.
CONCLUSION
Polatuzumab vedotin combined with BR resulted in a significantly higher CR rate and reduced the risk of death by 58% compared with BR in patients with transplantation-ineligible R/R DLBCL.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Biomarkers, Tumor; Female; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Middle Aged; Progression-Free Survival; Survival Rate
PubMed: 31693429
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.19.00172 -
Blood Advances Jan 2022Polatuzumab vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab (pola + BR) received regulatory approvals for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) based on... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Polatuzumab vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab (pola + BR) received regulatory approvals for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) based on primary results from the randomized arms of the GO29365 study. After the randomized phase, 106 additional patients received pola + BR in a single-arm extension cohort. We report updated results from the randomized arms and results of the extension cohort. In this phase 1b/2 study, patients with R/R DLBCL who were transplant ineligible received up to six 21-day cycles of pola + BR or BR. The primary end point of the randomized arms was the complete response (CR) rate at end of treatment. Primary objectives of the extension cohort were safety, pharmacokinetic profile, and efficacy of pola + BR. As of 7 July 2020, a total of 192 patients with R/R DLBCL were enrolled in the pola + BR cohort (n = 152 [safety run-in, n = 6; randomized, n = 40; extension cohort, n = 106]) or the BR cohort (n = 40). Significant survival benefit with pola + BR vs BR persisted in the randomized arms (median progression-free survival, 9.2 vs 3.7 months [hazard ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.66]; median overall survival, 12.4 vs 4.7 months [hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.72]). In the extension cohort, the independent review committee-assessed objective response rate was 41.5%, and the CR rate was 38.7%; median independent review committee-assessed progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.6 months and 12.5 months, respectively. No new safety signals with pola + BR were identified. Pola + BR is an effective treatment option for patients with R/R DLBCL, with a well-characterized and manageable safety profile. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02257567.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Rituximab
PubMed: 34749395
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005794 -
American Journal of Hematology Feb 2023Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal protein. Clinical features include anemia, thrombocytopenia,...
DISEASE OVERVIEW
Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal protein. Clinical features include anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and rarely hyperviscosity.
DIAGNOSIS
Presence of IgM monoclonal protein associated with ≥10% clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells in bone marrow confirms the diagnosis. The L265P mutation in MYD88 is detectable in more than 90% of patients and is found in most IgM MGUS patients. MYD88 is not required for the diagnosis.
RISK STRATIFICATION
Age, hemoglobin level, platelet count, β microglobulin, LDH, and monoclonal IgM concentrations are characteristics that are predictive of outcomes.
RISK-ADAPTED THERAPY
Not all patients who fulfill WM criteria require therapy; these patients can be observed until symptoms develop. Rituximab-monotherapy is inferior to regimens that combine it with bendamustine, an alkylating agent, a proteosome inhibitor, or a BTK inhibitor. The preferred Mayo Clinic induction is either rituximab and bendamustine (without rituximab maintenance) or zanubrutinib.
MANAGEMENT OF REFRACTORY DISEASE
Bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, thalidomide, everolimus, Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, bendamustine, and venetoclax have all been shown to have activity in relapsed WM. Given WM's natural history, the reduction of therapy toxicity is an important part of treatment selection.
Topics: Humans; Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia; Rituximab; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Paraproteins; Risk Assessment; Immunoglobulin M
PubMed: 36588395
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26796 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jan 2023Brexucabtagene autoleucel (KTE-X19) autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory mantle cell...
PURPOSE
Brexucabtagene autoleucel (KTE-X19) autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Outcomes after a 3-year follow-up in the pivotal ZUMA-2 study of KTE-X19 in relapsed/refractory MCL are reported, including for subgroups by prior therapy (bendamustine and type of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor [BTKi]) or high-risk characteristics.
METHODS
Patients with relapsed/refractory MCL (one to five prior therapies, including prior BTKi exposure) received a single infusion of KTE-X19 (2 × 10 CAR T cells/kg).
RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 35.6 months, the objective response rate among all 68 treated patients was 91% (95% CI, 81.8 to 96.7) with 68% complete responses (95% CI, 55.2 to 78.5); medians for duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 28.2 months (95% CI, 13.5 to 47.1), 25.8 months (95% CI, 9.6 to 47.6), and 46.6 months (95% CI, 24.9 to not estimable), respectively. Post hoc analyses showed that objective response rates and ongoing response rates were consistent among prespecified subgroups by prior BTKi exposure or high-risk characteristics. In an exploratory analysis, patients with prior bendamustine benefited from KTE-X19, but showed a trend toward attenuated T-cell functionality, with more impact of bendamustine given within 6 versus 12 months of leukapheresis. Late-onset toxicities were infrequent; only 3% of treatment-emergent adverse events of interest in ZUMA-2 occurred during this longer follow-up period. Translational assessments revealed associations with long-term benefits of KTE-X19 including high-peak CAR T-cell expansion in responders and the predictive value of minimal residual disease for relapse.
CONCLUSION
These data, representing the longest follow-up of CAR T-cell therapy in patients with MCL to date, suggest that KTE-X19 induced durable long-term responses with manageable safety in patients with relapsed/refractory MCL and may also benefit those with high-risk characteristics.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Follow-Up Studies; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 35658525
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.21.02370 -
Blood Mar 2021The last decades have seen great progress in the treatment of cold agglutinin disease (CAD). Comparative trials are lacking, and recommendations must be based mainly on... (Review)
Review
The last decades have seen great progress in the treatment of cold agglutinin disease (CAD). Comparative trials are lacking, and recommendations must be based mainly on nonrandomized trials and will be influenced by personal experience. Herein, current treatment options are reviewed and linked to 3 cases, each addressing specific aspects of therapy. Two major steps in CAD pathogenesis are identified, clonal B-cell lymphoproliferation and complement-mediated hemolysis, each of which constitutes a target of therapy. Although drug treatment is not always indicated, patients with symptomatic anemia or other bothersome symptoms should be treated. The importance of avoiding ineffective therapies is underscored. Corticosteroids should not be used to treat CAD. Studies on safety and efficacy of relevant drugs and combinations are briefly described. The author recommends that B cell-directed approaches remain the first choice in most patients requiring treatment. The 4-cycle bendamustine plus rituximab combination is highly efficacious and sufficiently safe and induces durable responses in most patients, but the time to response can be many months. Rituximab monotherapy should be preferred in frail patients. The complement C1s inhibitor sutimlimab is an emerging option in the second line and may also find its place in the first line in specific situations.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Complement Inactivating Agents; Disease Management; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Rituximab; Thrombosis
PubMed: 33512410
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019003809 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Mar 2018Venetoclax inhibits BCL2, an antiapoptotic protein that is pathologically overexpressed and that is central to the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. We... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Venetoclax inhibits BCL2, an antiapoptotic protein that is pathologically overexpressed and that is central to the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. We evaluated the efficacy of venetoclax in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
METHODS
In this randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 389 patients to receive venetoclax for up to 2 years (from day 1 of cycle 1) plus rituximab for the first 6 months (venetoclax-rituximab group) or bendamustine plus rituximab for 6 months (bendamustine-rituximab group). The trial design did not include crossover to venetoclax plus rituximab for patients in the bendamustine-rituximab group in whom progression occurred. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival.
RESULTS
After a median follow-up period of 23.8 months, the rate of investigator-assessed progression-free survival was significantly higher in the venetoclax-rituximab group (32 events of progression or death in 194 patients) than in the bendamustine-rituximab group (114 events in 195 patients); the 2-year rates of progression-free survival were 84.9% and 36.3%, respectively (hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 0.25; P<0.001 by the stratified log-rank test). The benefit was maintained across all clinical and biologic subgroups, including the subgroup of patients with chromosome 17p deletion; the 2-year rate of progression-free survival among patients with chromosome 17p deletion was 81.5% in the venetoclax-rituximab group versus 27.8% in the bendamustine-rituximab group (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.29), and the 2-year rate among those without chromosome 17p deletion was 85.9% versus 41.0% (hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.32). The benefit of venetoclax plus rituximab over bendamustine plus rituximab was confirmed by an independent review committee assessment of progression-free survival and other secondary efficacy end points. The rate of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was higher in the venetoclax-rituximab group than in the bendamustine-rituximab group, but the rates of grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia and infections or infestations were lower with venetoclax than with bendamustine. The rate of grade 3 or 4 tumor lysis syndrome in the venetoclax-rituximab group was 3.1% (6 of 194 patients).
CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, venetoclax plus rituximab resulted in significantly higher rates of progression-free survival than bendamustine plus rituximab. (Funded by Genentech and AbbVie; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02005471 .).
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Disease-Free Survival; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm, Residual; Neutropenia; Recurrence; Rituximab; Sulfonamides; Tumor Lysis Syndrome; Young Adult
PubMed: 29562156
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1713976 -
Blood Apr 2023Children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) without complete metabolic response (CMR) before autologous... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) without complete metabolic response (CMR) before autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) have poor survival outcomes. CheckMate 744, a phase 2 study for CAYA (aged 5-30 years) with R/R cHL, evaluated a risk-stratified, response-adapted approach with nivolumab plus brentuximab vedotin (BV) followed by BV plus bendamustine for patients with suboptimal response. Risk stratification was primarily based on time to relapse, prior treatment, and presence of B symptoms. We present the primary analysis of the standard-risk cohort. Data from the low-risk cohort are reported separately. Patients received 4 induction cycles with nivolumab plus BV; those without CMR (Deauville score >3, Lugano 2014) received BV plus bendamustine intensification. Patients with CMR after induction or intensification proceeded to consolidation (high-dose chemotherapy/auto-HCT per protocol). Primary end point was CMR any time before consolidation. Forty-four patients were treated. Median age was 16 years. At a minimum follow-up of 15.6 months, 43 patients received 4 induction cycles (1 discontinued), 11 of whom received intensification; 32 proceeded to consolidation. CMR rate was 59% after induction with nivolumab plus BV and 94% any time before consolidation (nivolumab plus BV ± BV plus bendamustine). One-year progression-free survival rate was 91%. During induction, 18% of patients experienced grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events. This risk-stratified, response-adapted salvage strategy had high CMR rates with limited toxicities in CAYA with R/R cHL. Most patients did not require additional chemotherapy (bendamustine intensification). Additional follow-up is needed to confirm durability of disease control. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02927769.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Young Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Brentuximab Vedotin; Hodgkin Disease; Immunoconjugates; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Nivolumab; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36564047
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017118 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Dec 2018Ibrutinib has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since 2016 but has not... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Ibrutinib has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since 2016 but has not been compared with chemoimmunotherapy. We conducted a phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy of ibrutinib, either alone or in combination with rituximab, relative to chemoimmunotherapy.
METHODS
Patients 65 years of age or older who had untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive bendamustine plus rituximab, ibrutinib, or ibrutinib plus rituximab. The primary end point was progression-free survival. The Alliance Data and Safety Monitoring Board made the decision to release the data after the protocol-specified efficacy threshold had been met.
RESULTS
A total of 183 patients were assigned to receive bendamustine plus rituximab, 182 to receive ibrutinib, and 182 to receive ibrutinib plus rituximab. Median progression-free survival was reached only with bendamustine plus rituximab. The estimated percentage of patients with progression-free survival at 2 years was 74% with bendamustine plus rituximab and was higher with ibrutinib alone (87%; hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26 to 0.58; P<0.001) and with ibrutinib plus rituximab (88%; hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.59; P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the ibrutinib-plus-rituximab group and the ibrutinib group with regard to progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.62; P=0.49). With a median follow-up of 38 months, there was no significant difference among the three treatment groups with regard to overall survival. The rate of grade 3, 4, or 5 hematologic adverse events was higher with bendamustine plus rituximab (61%) than with ibrutinib or ibrutinib plus rituximab (41% and 39%, respectively), whereas the rate of grade 3, 4, or 5 nonhematologic adverse events was lower with bendamustine plus rituximab (63%) than with the ibrutinib-containing regimens (74% with each regimen).
CONCLUSIONS
Among older patients with untreated CLL, treatment with ibrutinib was superior to treatment with bendamustine plus rituximab with regard to progression-free survival. There was no significant difference between ibrutinib and ibrutinib plus rituximab with regard to progression-free survival. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and Pharmacyclics; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01886872 .).
Topics: Adenine; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Immunotherapy; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Male; Piperidines; Progression-Free Survival; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines; Rituximab; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 30501481
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1812836 -
Blood Cancer Journal Apr 2021Newer, more effective and non-cytotoxic therapies are an unmet need for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other B-cell malignancies. Recently... (Review)
Review
Newer, more effective and non-cytotoxic therapies are an unmet need for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other B-cell malignancies. Recently approved agents include polatuzumab with bendamustine and rituximab, selinexor, and tafasitamab plus lenalidomide. Three CAR-T cell products are currently approved by the FDA, with others in clinical trials. Additional agents in development include bispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates. Combinations of targeted therapies should lead to further improvement in the outcome of patients with B-cell malignancies.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bispecific; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Drug Development; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Lenalidomide; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Rituximab
PubMed: 33820908
DOI: 10.1038/s41408-021-00456-w -
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Feb 2022Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma and is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. In addition to significant biologic... (Review)
Review
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma and is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. In addition to significant biologic heterogeneity, the clinical trajectory for patients is variable, with some being observed for many years, and others having aggressive disease requiring multiple treatment courses. Unfortunately, FL remains incurable, and continues to cause early mortality. Improved understanding of the genetic and immune biology of FL has led to several FDA-approved therapies in the relapsed and refractory setting, including PI3K inhibitors; immunomodulatory agents; the EZH2 inhibitor, tazemetostat; and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel. This review outlines the current approach to the diagnosis and treatment of FL with a focus on emerging investigational therapies, including targeted protein inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and novel combination strategies.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Benzamides; Biphenyl Compounds; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Genetic Testing; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunoconjugates; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Lenalidomide; Lymphoma, Follicular; Maintenance Chemotherapy; Morpholines; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Prednisone; Pyridones; Rituximab; Sulfonamides; Vincristine
PubMed: 35180337
DOI: 10.46883/2022.25920946