Ibrutinib restores immune cell numbers and function in first-line and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Ibrutinib positively modulates many T-cell subsets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To understand ibrutinib's effects on the broader landscape of immune cell populations, we comprehensively characterized changes in circulating counts of 21 immune blood cell subsets throughout the first year of treatment in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL (n = 55, RESONATE) and previously untreated CLL (n = 50, RESONATE-2) compared with untreated age-matched healthy donors (n = 20). Ibrutinib normalized abnormal immune cell counts to levels similar to those of age-matched healthy donors. Ibrutinib significantly decreased pathologically high circulating B cells, regulatory T cells, effector/memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells (including exhausted and chronically activated T cells), natural killer (NK) T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells; preserved naive T cells and NK cells; and increased circulating classical monocytes. T-cell function was assessed in response to T-cell receptor stimulation in patients with R/R CLL (n = 21) compared with age-matched healthy donors (n = 18). Ibrutinib significantly restored T-cell proliferative ability, degranulation, and cytokine secretion. Over the same period, ofatumumab or chlorambucil did not confer the same spectrum of normalization as ibrutinib in multiple immune subsets. These results establish that ibrutinib has a significant and likely positive impact on circulating malignant and nonmalignant immune cells and restores healthy T-cell function.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Version 2.2019

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is generally characterized by an indolent disease course. Histologic transformation (also known as Richter's transformation) to more aggressive lymphomas, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma, occurs in approximately 2% to 10% of patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with histologic transformation.

Clinical activity of cirmtuzumab, an anti-ROR1 antibody, in combination with ibrutinib: Interim results of a phase Ib/II study in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

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Background: ROR1 is an onco-embryonic tyrosine kinase receptor that is re-expressed at high levels on many hematologic and solid cancers but not on normal adult tissues. ROR1 binds Wnt5a, resulting in increased tumor growth and survival, cancer cell stemness and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Cirmtuzumab (Cirm) is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit the tumor promoting activity of ROR1. In this study, we examined the safety and efficacy of Cirm in combination with ibrutinib (Ibr) in MCL or CLL. Methods: As of Jan 29, 2020, 12 pts with relapsed refractory (RR) MCL were enrolled into Part 1 Dose Escalation (DE). All MCL pts had stage 3/ 4 at original diagnosis, 25% had bulky tumor at study entry, 58% had intermediate/high risk MIPI scores and the majority (83%) had ≥ 2 prior regimens. 34 pts with CLL [12 treatment naïve (TN) and 22 RR pts] enrolled into Part 1 DE (n = 18) or Part 2 Expansion (n = 16). At least 79% of CLL pts were high risk as determined by unmutated IGHV, 17p/p53 loss, and/or del 11q. DE pts received Cirm IV q2wks x 3-5 doses then q4wks plus Ibr (starting D28). Following DE, Cirm 600mg IV q2wks x3 then q4wks plus Ibr (420mg/day CLL or 560mg/day MCL) was chosen for Expansion. Results: Safety : only grade 1/ 2 AEs were reported as possibly related to Cirm alone, whereas the safety profile attributed to Ibr or Ibr / Cirm was similar to published data, with no new or unexpected events. Efficacy for MCL: 83% ORR, 33% (4) CR, 50% (6) PR, 17% (2) SD. CRs were achieved at a median of 3.6 mos in heavily pretreated pts, including 2 with bulky disease > 5cm. Prior therapy of the 4 CR pts: 2 pts failed R-Ibr (7-10 mos) and R-hyperCVAD, 1 pt, auto-SCT and allo-SCT, 1 pt, auto-SCT and CAR-T. Efficacy for CLL : 88% ORR (92% TN, 86% RR), 3% (1) CR, 85% (22) PR/ (7) PR-L, 12% (4) SD. In addition, 3 PR pts with CLL met criteria for “Clinical CR, bone marrow biopsy not performed”. The pt achieving a CR had RR disease with del 11q; this pt remains in remission > 6 mos after stopping all therapy. At a median follow-up of 9.9 mos, 100% of CLL pts are free of disease progression and > 82% remain on study. Conclusions: Cirm in combination with Ibr is a well-tolerated and active regimen for RR MCL and TN or RR CLL. In this evaluation of 46 pts, the ORR and PFS continue to improve with longer follow-up and additional pts, supporting continued investigation of this regimen in ROR1 expressing tumors. This study is ongoing and enrolling an Expansion arm for MCL pts and an open-label randomized Phase 2 in CLL pts comparing Ibr alone to Cirm /Ibr. Clinical trial information: NCT03088878 .

Long-term efficacy and safety of first-line ibrutinib treatment for patients with CLL/SLL: 5 years of follow-up from the phase 3 RESONATE-2 study

RESONATE-2 is a phase 3 study of first-line ibrutinib versus chlorambucil in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Patients aged ≥65 years (n = 269) were randomized 1:1 to once-daily ibrutinib 420 mg continuously or chlorambucil 0.5-0.8 mg/kg for ≤12 cycles. With a median (range) follow-up of 60 months (0.1-66), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil were sustained (PFS estimates at 5 years: 70% vs 12%; HR [95% CI]: 0.146 [0.098-0.218]; OS estimates at 5 years: 83% vs 68%; HR [95% CI]: 0.450 [0.266-0.761]). Ibrutinib benefit was also consistent in patients with high prognostic risk (TP53 mutation, 11q deletion, and/or unmutated IGHV) (PFS: HR [95% CI]: 0.083 [0.047-0.145]; OS: HR [95% CI]: 0.366 [0.181-0.736]). Investigator-assessed overall response rate was 92% with ibrutinib (complete response, 30%; 11% at primary analysis). Common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) included neutropenia (13%), pneumonia (12%), hypertension (8%), anemia (7%), and hyponatremia (6%); occurrence of most events as well as discontinuations due to AEs decreased over time. Fifty-eight percent of patients continue to receive ibrutinib. Single-agent ibrutinib demonstrated sustained PFS and OS benefit versus chlorambucil and increased depth of response over time.

Abstract P3-10-18: Phase 1b trial of cirmtuzumab and paclitaxel for locally advanced, unresectable and metastatic breast cancer

Background: Cirmtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the receptor tyrosine kinase like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), which is expressed on poor prognosis breast cancer, ovarian cancer, other solid tumors, CLL and mantle cell lymphoma. One clinical study showed increased expression of ROR1 in breast cancers after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a preclinical PDX breast cancer model showed cirmtuzumab and paclitaxel to have at least additive efficacy1. A recently completed Phase 1 trial of cirmtuzumab in CLL showed the antibody to be both safe and effective in inhibiting tumor cell ROR1 signaling in patients with CLL2.

Methods: The primary aim of this trial was to determine the safety of cirmtuzumab and weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced Her2 negative breast cancer based upon dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) in the first cycle of treatment. Secondary endpoints were clinical activity, pharmacokinetics and correlative biomarkers on tumor specimens. Eligible patients were those with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic Her2 negative breast cancer who had not received paclitaxel in the metastatic setting, had not developed metastatic disease within 6 months of (neo)adjuvant paclitaxel, had ECOG performance status of 0-2, and had adequate laboratory parameters. Any number of prior lines of therapy were allowed. Study treatment included fixed dose 600 mg cirmtuzumab given days 1 and 15 of cycle 1 and then day 1 of each subsequent 28-day cycle. Paclitaxel was given weekly at a dose of 80mg/m2. Patients were evaluated in dose cohorts of 5 for DLTs with a target of 15 evaluable patients.

Results: To date, 6 patients evaluable for safety and 5 patients evaluable for DLTs were treated. Age range was 30 to 59 years. Three of 6 safety-evaluable patients had triple negative breast cancer at study enrollment. Prior lines of chemotherapy in the metastatic setting ranged from 0-3. No discontinuations for toxicity and no DLTs have been observed to date. Adverse events (AEs) have been consistent with the known safety profile of paclitaxel, with 3 episodes of grade 3 neutropenia in 2 patients and 1 episode of grade 3 hyperglycemia. All other AEs were grade 1 or 2. Partial responses have been observed in 2/5 patients with one patient response ongoing with cirmtuzumab alone for at least 17 weeks after stopping paclitaxel. Pharmacokinetic analysis of serial plasma samples for free unbound antibody from two patients provided results similar to those observed in CLL patients treated with cirmtuzumabwith a projected half-life of 30 days2. No decline in antibody concentration over time was observed consistent with the absence of neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions: Preliminary information indicates that the combination of fixed dose cirmtuzumab plus paclitaxel is well-tolerated and safe. Responses to therapy have been observed and preliminary pharmacokinetic results are consistent with sustained potentially therapeutic levels. Updated safety, clinical activity, pharmacokinetics and biomarker analyses will be presented.

1Zhang S et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 116(4): 1370-1377. PMID 30622177.

2Choi MY et al. Cell Stem Cell 22(6): 951-959. PMID 29859176.

Funding sources:

CIRM UC San Diego Alpha Stem Cell Clinic and Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center; Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.; UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center Padres Pedal the Cause Grant; Gonick Breast Cancer Research Fund

Citation Format: Rebecca A Shatsky, Richard B Schwab, Teresa L Helsten, Emily I Pittman, Ruifeng Chen, James B Breitmeyer, Catriona HM Jamieson, Thomas J Kipps, Barbara A Parker. Phase 1b trial of cirmtuzumab and paclitaxel for locally advanced, unresectable and metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-18.

Preclinical evaluation of anti-ROR1 CAR T cells employing a ROR1 binding SCFV derived from the clinical stage mab cirmtuzumab

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Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells (CAR-T) were generated targeting cells expressing ROR1, which is present on many malignant cancers and has been associated with cancer stemness and chemo-resistance. The ROR1 CAR utilizes the humanized single-chain fragment variable (scFv) binding domain of UC-961 (cirmtuzumab), which exhibits high affinity and specificity for human ROR1 and has demonstrated an excellent safety profile in Phase 1 studies. Methods: CAR constructs with varying spacer regions and intracellular co-stimulatory domains, using the scFV of cirmtuzumab, were constructed and used to generate CAR-T cells from healthy donors. These ROR1 CAR-T cells were tested for cytotoxicity against lymphoid cancer cells in vitro and in vivo studies that employed immune-deficient mice engrafted with labeled human leukemia cells MEC1 or MEC1-ROR1, which had been transfected to stably express ROR1. Results: The 2nd generation and 3rd generation CAR-T-cells with analogous spacer regions were comparably potent and selectively cytotoxic for cells bearing the ROR1 target antigen. But the 2nd generation CARs demonstrated greater potency in vitro even at low effector to target ratios. For the in vivo studies, mice received a single injection of ROR1 CAR-T cells or activated T cells from the same donor as a control. The ROR1 CAR-T cells rapidly cleared the leukemic cells from the animals, whereas animals receiving control T cells or no therapy quickly succumbed to progressive disease within 3 weeks. The administered CAR-T products remained highly active following administration and could be detected for ≥ 3 months without evidence for T cell exhaustion. Conclusions: The generated CAR-T cells utilizing constructs with the Fv of cirmtuzumab, a humanized mAb highly specific for ROR1, onco-embryonic surface antigen, effectively and selectively killed neoplastic cells bearing ROR1 both in vitro and in vivo. As ROR1 expression and signaling has been associated with cancer stemness and chemo-resistance utilizing ROR1 CAR-T therapy to target cancer cells might mitigate tumor escape. These data strongly support the rationale for continued development of our ROR1 CAR-T.

Aurora B induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition by stabilizing Snail1 to promote basal-like breast cancer metastasis

Aurora B is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in regulating cell proliferation in distinct cancers, including breast cancer. Here we show that Aurora B expression is elevated in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) compared with other breast cancer subtypes. This high level of expression seems to correlate with poor metastasis-free survival and relapse-free survival in affected patients. Mechanistically, we show that elevated Aurora B expression in breast cancer cells activates AKT/GSK3β to stabilize Snail1 protein, a master regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to EMT induction in a kinase-dependent manner. Conversely, Aurora B knock down by short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) suppresses AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling, reverses EMT and reduces breast cancer metastatic potential in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we identified a specific OCT4 phosphorylation site (T343) responsible for mediating Aurora B-induced AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling and EMT that could be attenuated by Aurora B kinase inhibitor treatment. These findings support that Aurora B induces EMT to promote breast cancer metastasis via OCT4/AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling. Pharmacologic Aurora B inhibition might be a potential effective treatment for breast cancer patients with metastatic disease.

Final analysis from RESONATE: Up to six years of follow-up on ibrutinib in patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma

Ibrutinib, a once-daily oral inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, is approved in the United States and Europe for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The phase 3 RESONATE study showed improved efficacy of single-agent ibrutinib over ofatumumab in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL, including those with high-risk features. Here we report the final analysis from RESONATE with median follow-up on study of 65.3 months (range, 0.3-71.6) in the ibrutinib arm. Median progression-free survival (PFS) remained significantly longer for patients randomized to ibrutinib vs ofatumumab (44.1 vs 8.1 months; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.148; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.113-0.196; P˂.001). The PFS benefit with ibrutinib vs ofatumumab was preserved in the genomic high-risk population with del(17p), TP53 mutation, del(11q), and/or unmutated IGHV status (median PFS 44.1 vs 8.0 months; HR: 0.110; 95% CI: 0.080-0.152), which represented 82% of patients. Overall response rate with ibrutinib was 91% (complete response/complete response with incomplete bone marrow recovery, 11%). Overall survival, censored for crossover, was better with ibrutinib than ofatumumab (HR: 0.639; 95% CI: 0.418-0.975). With up to 71 months (median 41 months) of ibrutinib therapy, the safety profile remained consistent with prior reports; cumulatively, all-grade (grade ≥3) hypertension and atrial fibrillation occurred in 21% (9%) and 12% (6%) of patients, respectively. Only 16% discontinued ibrutinib because of adverse events (AEs). These long-term results confirm the robust efficacy of ibrutinib in relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL irrespective of high-risk clinical or genomic features, with no unexpected AEs. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01578707).

Genetic dynamics in untreated CLL patients with either stable or progressive disease: a longitudinal study

Clonal evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) often follows chemotherapy and is associated with adverse outcome, but also occurs in untreated patients, in which case its predictive role is debated. We investigated whether the selection and expansion of CLL clone(s) precede an aggressive disease shift. We found that clonal evolution occurs in all CLL patients, irrespective of the clinical outcome, but is faster during disease progression. In particular, changes in the frequency of nucleotide variants (NVs) in specific CLL-related genes may represent an indicator of poor clinical outcome.

Wnt5a induces ROR1 to recruit cortactin to promote breast-cancer migration and metastasis

ROR1 is a conserved oncoembryonic surface protein expressed in breast cancer. Here we report that ROR1 associates with cortactin in primary breast-cancer cells or in MCF7 transfected to express ROR1. Wnt5a also induced ROR1-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin (Y421), which recruited ARHGEF1 to activate RhoA and promote breast-cancer-cell migration; such effects could be inhibited by cirmtuzumab, a humanized mAb specific for ROR1. Furthermore, treatment of mice bearing breast-cancer xenograft with cirmtuzumab inhibited cortactin phosphorylation in vivo and impaired metastatic development. We established that the proline at 841 of ROR1 was required for it to recruit cortactin and ARHGEF1, activate RhoA, and enhance breast-cancer-cell migration in vitro or development of metastases in vivo. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the interaction of ROR1 with cortactin plays an important role in breast-cancer-cell migration and metastasis.

Phase I Trial: Cirmtuzumab Inhibits ROR1 Signaling and Stemness Signatures in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Cirmtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets ROR1, an oncoembryonic orphan receptor for Wnt5a found on cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aberrant expression of ROR1 is seen in many malignancies and has been linked to Rho-GTPase activation and cancer stem cell self-renewal. For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), self-renewing, neoplastic B cells express ROR1 in 95% of cases. High-level leukemia cell expression of ROR1 is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. We conducted a phase 1 study involving 26 patients with progressive, relapsed, or refractory CLL. Patients received four biweekly infusions, with doses ranging from 0.015 to 20 mg/kg. Cirmtuzumab had a long plasma half-life and did not have dose-limiting toxicity. Inhibition of ROR1 signaling was observed, including decreased activation of RhoA and HS1. Transcriptome analyses showed that therapy inhibited CLL stemness gene expression signatures in vivo. Cirmtuzumab is safe and effective at inhibiting tumor cell ROR1 signaling in patients with CLL.

A multicenter phase 1 study of plerixafor and rituximab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

CXCR4 directs chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) trafficking within protective tissue niches, and targeting CXCR4 with plerixafor may enhance drug sensitivity. We performed a phase 1 dose escalation study of plerixafor (NCT00694590) with rituximab in 24 patients with relapsed/refractory CLL. Patients received rituximab 375 mg/m² on days 1, 3, and 5, followed by bi-weekly rituximab plus dose-escalated plerixafor for 4 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose of plerixafor was 320 µg/kg. The most common toxicities were fatigue (13 patients, 57%), nausea (11, 48%), chills (10, 43%), and diarrhea and dyspnea (seven, 30% each). No patients developed symptomatic hyperleukocytosis or tumor lysis syndrome. A median 3.3-fold increase (range 1.2-12.4) in peripheral blood CLL was seen following the first dose of plerixafor, confirming CLL cell mobilization. The overall response rate was 38% and correlated with higher doses of plerixafor. Plerixafor is well-tolerated in patients with CLL; further tumor sensitization studies with CXCR4 antagonists are warranted.

Long-term safety of single-agent ibrutinib in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 3 pivotal studies

Ibrutinib, a first-in-class once-daily oral Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is continued until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. We conducted an integrated safety analysis of single-agent ibrutinib from randomized phase 3 studies PCYC-1112 (RESONATE, n = 195) and PCYC-1115/1116 (RESONATE-2, n = 135), and examined longer-term safety separately in the phase 1b/2 PCYC-1102/1103 study (n = 94, 420 mg/d). In the integrated analysis (ibrutinib treatment up to 43 months), the most common adverse events (AEs) were primarily grade 1/2; diarrhea (n = 173, 52% any-grade; n = 15, 5% grade 3) and fatigue (n = 119, 36% any-grade; n = 10, 3% grade 3). The most common grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (n = 60, 18%) and pneumonia (n = 38, 12%). Over time, prevalence of AEs of interest (diarrhea, fatigue, grade ≥3 infection, bleeding, and neutropenia) trended down; prevalence of hypertension increased, but incidence decreased after year 1. AEs led to dose reductions in 42 (13%) patients and permanent discontinuations in 37 (11%); dose modifications due to AEs were most common during year 1 and decreased in frequency thereafter. The most common AEs (preferred term) contributing to discontinuation included pneumonia (n = 4), anemia (n = 3), and atrial fibrillation (n = 3). With long-term follow-up on PCYC-1102/1103 (ibrutinib treatment up to 67 months), grade 3/4 AEs were generally similar to those in the integrated analysis. Overall, AEs were primarily grade 1/2 and manageable during prolonged ibrutinib treatment in patients with CLL. These trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01578707, #NCT01722487, #NCT01724346, #NCT01105247, and #NCT01109069.

Activation of hedgehog signaling associates with early disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Targeted sequencing of 103 leukemia-associated genes in leukemia cells from 841 treatment-naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) identified 89 (11%) patients as having CLL cells with mutations in genes encoding proteins that putatively are involved in hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Consistent with this finding, there was a significant association between the presence of these mutations and the expression of GLI1 (χ2 test, P < .0001), reflecting activation of the Hh pathway. However, we discovered that 38% of cases without identified mutations also were GLI1+ Patients with GLI1+ CLL cells had a shorter median treatment-free survival than patients with CLL cells lacking expression of GLI1 independent of IGHV mutation status. We found that GANT61, a small molecule that can inhibit GLI1, was highly cytotoxic for GLI1+ CLL cells relative to that of CLL cells without GLI1. Collectively, this study shows that a large proportion of patients have CLL cells with activated Hh signaling, which is associated with early disease progression and enhanced sensitivity to inhibition of GLI1.

Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab in Patients with CLL and Coexisting Conditions

BACKGROUND

The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax has shown activity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but its efficacy in combination with other agents in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions is not known.

METHODS

In this open-label, phase 3 trial, we investigated fixed-duration treatment with venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with previously untreated CLL and coexisting conditions. Patients with a score of greater than 6 on the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating more impaired function of organ systems) or a calculated creatinine clearance of less than 70 ml per minute were randomly assigned to receive venetoclax-obinutuzumab or chlorambucil-obinutuzumab. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival. The safety of each regimen was also evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 432 patients (median age, 72 years; median Cumulative Illness Rating Scale score, 8; median creatinine clearance, 66.4 ml per minute) underwent randomization, with 216 assigned to each group. After a median follow-up of 28.1 months, 30 primary end-point events (disease progression or death) had occurred in the venetoclax-obinutuzumab group and 77 had occurred in the chlorambucil-obinutuzumab group (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 to 0.53; P<0.001). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the percentage of patients with progression-free survival at 24 months was significantly higher in the venetoclax-obinutuzumab group than in the chlorambucil-obinutuzumab group: 88.2% (95% CI, 83.7 to 92.6) as compared with 64.1% (95% CI, 57.4 to 70.8). This benefit was also observed in patients with TP53 deletion, mutation, or both and in patients with unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 52.8% of patients in the venetoclax-obinutuzumab group and in 48.1% of patients in the chlorambucil-obinutuzumab group, and grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 17.5% and 15.0%, respectively. All-cause mortality was 9.3% in the venetoclax-obinutuzumab group and 7.9% in the chlorambucil-obinutuzumab group. These differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with untreated CLL and coexisting conditions, venetoclax-obinutuzumab was associated with longer progression-free survival than chlorambucil-obinutuzumab. (Funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche and AbbVie; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02242942.).

Final Results of a Randomized, Phase III Study of Rituximab With or Without Idelalisib Followed by Open-Label Idelalisib in Patients With Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

PURPOSE

A randomized, double-blind, phase III study of idelalisib (IDELA) plus rituximab versus placebo plus rituximab in patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was terminated early because of superior efficacy of the IDELA-plus-rituximab (IDELA/R) arm. Patients in either arm could then enroll in an extension study to receive IDELA monotherapy. Here, we report the long-term efficacy and safety data for IDELA-treated patients across the primary and extension studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive rituximab in combination with either IDELA 150 mg twice daily (IDELA/R; n = 110) or placebo (placebo/R; n = 110). Key end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

The long-term efficacy and safety of treatment with IDELA was assessed in 110 patients who received at least one dose of IDELA in the primary study, 75 of whom enrolled in the extension study. The IDELA/R-to-IDELA group had a median PFS of 20.3 months (95% CI, 17.3 to 26.3 months) after a median follow-up time of 18 months (range, 0.3 to 67.6 months). The ORR was 85.5% (94 of 110 patients; n = 1 complete response). The median OS was 40.6 months (95% CI, 28.5 to 57.3 months) and 34.6 months (95% CI, 16.0 months to not reached) for patients randomly assigned to the IDELA/R and placebo/R groups, respectively. Prolonged exposure to IDELA increased the incidence of all-grade, grade 2, and grade 3 or greater diarrhea (46.4%, 17.3%, and 16.4%, respectively), all-grade and grade 3 or greater colitis (10.9% and 8.2%, respectively) and all-grade and grade 3 or greater pneumonitis (10.0% and 6.4%, respectively) but did not increase the incidence of elevated hepatic aminotransferases.

CONCLUSION

IDELA improved PFS and OS compared with rituximab alone in patients with relapsed CLL. Long-term IDELA was effective and had an expected safety profile. No new IDELA-related adverse events were identified with longer exposure.

Growth dynamics in naturally progressing chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

How the genomic features of a patient's cancer relate to individual disease kinetics remains poorly understood. Here we used the indolent growth dynamics of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) to analyse the growth rates and corresponding genomic patterns of leukaemia cells from 107 patients with CLL, spanning decades-long disease courses. We found that CLL commonly demonstrates not only exponential expansion but also logistic growth, which is sigmoidal and reaches a certain steady-state level. Each growth pattern was associated with marked differences in genetic composition, the pace of disease progression and the extent of clonal evolution. In a subset of patients, whose serial samples underwent next-generation sequencing, we found that dynamic changes in the disease course of CLL were shaped by the genetic events that were already present in the early slow-growing stages. Finally, by analysing the growth rates of subclones compared with their parental clones, we quantified the growth advantage conferred by putative CLL drivers in vivo.

SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions: The Conundrum in Assessing the Therapy Response of Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

In 2018, the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) updated the guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment, and supportive management of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Included were definitions for response, which incorporated consideration of the significance of minimal residual disease. Here we discuss the clinical significance of complete response or partial response, as defined in the 2018 iwCLL guidelines, and the relative value of assessing for minimal residual disease.

Final analysis from RESONATE: Six-year follow-up in patients (pts) with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) on ibrutinib

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Background: Ibrutinib (ibr), a first-in-class, once-daily Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has redefined treatment paradigms for CLL/SLL. We report final analysis with up to 6 years of follow-up on ibr from the phase 3 RESONATE study of single-agent ibr vs ofatumumab (ofa) in pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL/SLL. Methods: Pts were randomized to receive oral ibr 420 mg daily until PD or intravenous ofa for up to 24 weeks. Long-term efficacy endpoints were investigator-assessed. Results: Among 391 pts randomized to receive ibr (n=195) or ofa (n=196), 86% and 79%, respectively, were in the genomic high-risk population (del(17p), del(11q), TP53 mutation, and/or unmutated IGHV). At final analysis, median follow-up was 64 mo (range, 0.3-72) on ibr. Of pts randomized to ofa, 68% crossed over to receive ibr. Significant sustained PFS benefit was observed with ibr vs ofa, with median PFS 44.1 vs 8.1 mo (HR 0.15; 95% CI 0.11-0.20; P˂0.0001) and was consistent across baseline subgroups. Median PFS in genomic high-risk population was 44.1 vs 8.0 mo on ibr vs ofa (HR 0.11; 95% CI 0.08-0.15). ORR with ibr was 88% (CR/CRi in 11%). Initial ibr treatment conferred better OS than ofa when censored for crossover (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42-0.98). Median duration of ibr was 41 mo (range 0.2-71); 41% of pts received ibr >4 yrs. AE profile with ibr remained consistent with prior reports. Cumulatively during long-term ibr therapy, all-grade (grade ≥3) hypertension and atrial fibrillation occurred in 21% (9%) and 12% (6%) of pts, respectively; major hemorrhage occurred in 10%. Most common reasons for ibr discontinuation (DC) prior to study closure were PD (37%) and AEs (16%); DC due to AEs occurred in 6%, 3%, 4%, 4%, 6% and 4% of pts during yrs 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6, respectively. Conclusions: With up to 6 years of follow-up, extended ibr treatment showed sustained efficacy in pts with R/R CLL, including in pts with high-risk genomic features. Safety remained acceptable with low rates of DC due to AEs, and with no new safety signals over long-term therapy. These results establish long-term benefit and tolerability for continuous ibr treatment in pts with R/R CLL. Clinical trial information: NCT01578707.

Phase 1/2 trial of cirmtuzumab and ibrutinib: Planned analysis of phase 1 CLL cohorts

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Background: Cirmtuzumab (C) is a humanized mAb that binds ROR1 and blocks Wnt5a from binding and activating ROR1 on CLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL); C does not bind normal adult tissues. A phase 1 trial of C showed excellent safety and inhibition of Wnt5a-ROR1 signaling. Ibrutinib (Ibr) does not inhibit the ROR1 pathway, and C+Ibr exert synergistic effects in CLL and MCL. The current clinical trial combines C+Ibr for patients (pts) with CLL and MCL. A planned analysis of the phase 1 CLL portion is presented. Methods: Eligible pts had CLL needing treatment according to iwCLL guidelines. C was given at 2, 4, 8, or 16 mg/kg q 2 wk for 8 wk, then q 28 d to 52 wk. Ibr 420 mg PO daily was started on d 28. Results: 3 pts were treated at each C dose level with age 57-86; 75% were previously treated (median 2); 3 pts had del(11q), 3 had trisomy 12, and 6 pts had unmutated IGVH genes. There were no discontinuations for toxicity and no dose limiting toxicities. Treatment with C alone and combined with Ibr was well-tolerated. One SAE occurred with C monotherapy (hospitalization for tonsillitis). Adverse events on C+Ibr were consistent with the known Ibr safety profile, with one grade 3 hyperkalemia and 1 atrial fibrillation event. All other AEs were grade 1 or 2. The overall response rate after 16-48 weeks of treatment was 67% with 1 confirmed complete response (CR) with no morphologic evidence of CLL in the marrow, 1 clinical CR, 6 partial responses (PR) and 4 stable disease. No patient had progressive disease. The typical redistributive lymphocytosis seen with Ibr was blunted, with only a 50% mean rise in ALC, rapidly returning to baseline. PRs were observed in all C dose levels. Conclusions: The combination of C+Ibr is well-tolerated and effective. CRs were observed in 2 cases, a result that would be highly unusual with Ibr monotherapy in CLL. Based on these findings, Cirm 600 mg was selected as the RP2D for the randomized phase 2 portion of this protocol, which will prospectively compare the complete response rates between C+Ibr and Ibr alone. Clinical trial information: NCT03420183.

Phase 2 study of acalabrutinib in ibrutinib (IBR)-intolerant patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

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Background: In CLL pts treated with the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor IBR, the most common reason for discontinuation was adverse events (AEs; 50%-63%; Mato et al, 2018). This Phase 2 trial evaluated acalabrutinib, a highly selective, potent, covalent BTK inhibitor, in IBR-intolerant pts with R/R CLL. Methods: Pts with R/R CLL (≥1 prior therapy) who discontinued IBR due to Gr 3/4 AEs or persistent/recurrent Gr 2 AEs and had progressive disease (PD) after IBR discontinuation were eligible. Acalabrutinib was given at 100 mg BID PO in 28-d cycles until PD or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Results: 60 pts were treated (median age 70 y [range 43-88]). Pt characteristics included bulky disease ≥5 cm (33%), Rai stage III/IV (47%), del17p (28%), del11q (23%) and unmutated IGHV (79%). 52/55 (95%) pts with available baseline samples were wild type for BTK and PLCG2. Median number of prior therapies was 2 (range 1-10). Median duration of prior IBR therapy was 6 mo (range <1-55); common AEs that led to IBR discontinuation were atrial fibrillation/flutter (25%), diarrhea (12%), arthralgia (10%) and rash (12%). At a median follow-up of 19 mo (range 1-31), 67% of pts remain on acalabrutinib; discontinuations were mostly due to PD (13%) and AEs (10%; pneumonia [n=2], diarrhea, headache, ascites, arthralgia, subdural hematoma [all n=1]). Efficacy outcomes are in the Table. Common AEs (any grade) were diarrhea (48%), headache (40%), contusion (35%) and dizziness (32%). Serious AEs (≥2 pts) were pneumonia (10%), anemia (3%) and syncope (3%). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 3 pts (5%; all Gr 1/2) and major hemorrhage in 2 (3%; Gr 3 hematuria and Gr 2 subdural hematoma). Gr 5 AEs were pneumonia (n=2), bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (n=1) and ventricular fibrillation (n=1), all considered not related to treatment. Conclusions: Acalabrutinib is tolerable and effective in IBR-intolerant pts, providing a viable strategy for continuing BTK inhibitor therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02717611. [Table: see text]

Long-term follow-up of the RESONATE phase 3 trial of ibrutinib vs ofatumumab

Ibrutinib, a once-daily oral inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase, has greatly improved outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The phase 3 RESONATE trial, which compared single-agent ibrutinib to ofatumumab in high-risk, relapsed patients with CLL, provided support for approval of ibrutinib in the United States and Europe. We describe long-term follow-up of patients treated in RESONATE, where continued superiority of progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.133; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.099-0.178) was observed. Overall survival benefit continues (HR, 0.591; 95% CI, 0.378-0.926), although with decreased magnitude relative to that seen before crossover to ibrutinib was implemented for patients on ofatumumab (HR, 0.426; 95% CI, 0.220-0.823). Notably, overall response to ibrutinib increased over time, with 91% of patients attaining a response. The PFS benefit with ibrutinib was independent of baseline risk factors, although patients with ≥2 prior therapies had shorter PFS than those with <2 prior therapies, and the presence of TP53 or SF3B1 mutations showed a trend toward shorter PFS vs without these factors. Median duration of ibrutinib was 41 months, with 46% remaining on treatment at a median follow-up of 44 months. Grade ≥3 adverse events generally decreased over time, causing only a small proportion of patients to cease therapy. Ibrutinib was discontinued due to progressive disease in 27% of patients. This long-term study provides support for sustained efficacy and safety of ibrutinib in relapsed/refractory CLL and consideration of study provisions that allow crossover to investigational therapy when benefit has been clearly demonstrated. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01578707.