Obinutuzumab for the First-Line Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma

Recent advances in understanding pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system-involving autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young and middle-aged women. Autoantibodies formation and immune complex deposition as well as other immune mechanisms contribute to heterogeneous clinical presentation, which leads to challenges for diagnosis and management. Although the exact pathogenesis of SLE is highly complicated, the pathophysiological understanding of SLE is constantly evolving and relevant studies were continually published, providing a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms. Moreover, new therapeutic strategies and management plans targeting pivotal factors involved in the pathogenesis of SLE got well established recently. In this article, we reviewed recent studies to provide an update in understanding pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of SLE.

Tazemetostat for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: an open-label, single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Activating mutations of EZH2, an epigenetic regulator, are present in approximately 20% of patients with follicular lymphoma. We investigated the activity and safety of tazemetostat, a first-in-class, oral EZH2 inhibitor, in patients with follicular lymphoma.

METHODS

This study was an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial done at 38 clinics or hospitals in France, the UK, Australia, Canada, Poland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, and the USA. Eligible patients were adults (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed follicular lymphoma (grade 1, 2, 3a, or 3b) that had relapsed or was refractory to two or more systemic therapies, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and had sufficient tumour tissue for central testing of EZH2 mutation status. Patients were categorised by EZH2 status: mutant (EZH2^mut) or wild-type (EZH2^WT). Patients received 800 mg of tazemetostat orally twice per day in continuous 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate based on the 2007 International Working Group criteria for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, assessed by an independent radiology committee. Activity and safety analyses were done in patients who received one dose or more of tazemetostat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01897571, and follow-up is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between July 9, 2015, and May 24, 2019, 99 patients (45 in the EZH2^mut cohort and 54 in the EZH2^WT cohort) were enrolled in the study. At data cutoff for the analysis (Aug 9, 2019), the median follow-up was 22·0 months (IQR 12·0-26·7) for the EZH2^mut cohort and 35·9 months (24·9-40·5) for the EZH2^WT cohort. The objective response rate was 69% (95% CI 53-82; 31 of 45 patients) in the EZH2^mut cohort and 35% (23-49; 19 of 54 patients) in the EZH2^{WT cohort.} Median duration of response was 10·9 months (95% CI 7·2-not estimable [NE]) in the EZH2^mut cohort and 13·0 months (5·6-NE) in the EZH2^WT cohort; median progression-free survival was 13·8 months (10·7-22·0) and 11·1 months (3·7-14·6). Among all 99 patients, treatment-related grade 3 or worse adverse events included thrombocytopenia (three [3%]), neutropenia (three [3%]), and anaemia (two [2%]). Serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in four (4%) of 99 patients. There were no treatment-related deaths.

INTERPRETATION

Tazemetostat monotherapy showed clinically meaningful, durable responses and was generally well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Tazemetostat is a novel treatment for patients with follicular lymphoma.

FUNDING

Epizyme.

The societal impact of obinutuzumab in the first-line treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma in Germany

In this study, we assessed the productivity gains associated with the use of obinutuzumab in combination with chemoimmunotherapy (G-chemo) in first-line treatment among follicular lymphoma patients. Health benefits, measured as an increase in progression-free survival, were translated into productivity gains in both paid and unpaid work using gross value added as productivity measure. From 2017 to 2030, 11,870 overall progression-free years can be gained by utilizing obinutuzumab. These progression-free years correspond to undiscounted productivity gains of about €187.9 million in paid work and about €535.9 million in unpaid work. Our study shows that the benefits of the use of obinutuzumab in the first-line treatment of follicular lymphoma extend beyond clinical advantages.

Maintenance rituximab in Veterans with follicular lymphoma

Real-world practice patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), including the adoption of maintenance rituximab (MR) therapy in the United States (US), have been reported in few studies since the release of the National LymphoCare Study almost a decade ago. We analyzed data from the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), to identify rates of adoption and effectiveness of MR in FL patients after first-line (1L) treatment. We identified previously untreated patients with FL in the VHA between 2006 and 2014 who achieved at least stable disease after chemoimmunotherapy or immunotherapy. Among these patients, those who initiated MR within 238 days of 1L composed the MR group, whereas those who did not were classified as the non-MR group. We examined the effect of MR on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A total of 676 patients met our inclusion criteria, of whom 300 received MR. MR was associated with significant PFS (hazard ratio [HR]=0.55, P < .001) and OS (HR = 0.53, P = .005) compared to the non-MR group, after adjusting by age, sex, ethnicity, geographic region, diagnosis period, stage, grade at diagnosis, hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), 1L treatment regimen, and response to 1L treatment. These results suggest that in FL patients who do not experience disease progression after 1L treatment in real-world settings, MR is associated with a significant improvement in both PFS and OS. Maintenance therapy should be considered in FL patients who successfully complete and respond to 1L therapy.

The Pharmacogenetics of Rituximab: Potential Implications for Anti-CD20 Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

There are a broad range of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but limited biomarkers exist to personalise DMT choice. All DMTs, including monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab and ocrelizumab, are effective in preventing relapses and preserving neurological function in MS. However, each agent harbours its own risk of therapeutic failure or adverse events. Pharmacogenetics, the study of the effects of genetic variation on therapeutic response or adverse events, could improve the precision of DMT selection. Pharmacogenetic studies of rituximab in MS patients are lacking, but pharmacogenetic markers in other rituximab-treated autoimmune conditions have been identified. This review will outline the wider implications of pharmacogenetics and the mechanisms of anti-CD20 agents in MS. We explore the non-MS rituximab literature to characterise pharmacogenetic variants that could be of prognostic relevance in those receiving rituximab, ocrelizumab or other monoclonal antibodies for MS.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment regimens with obinutuzumab plus chemotherapy in Japan for untreated follicular lymphoma patients

AIMS

Obinutuzumab (GA101; G) is a new treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL) that is anticipated to have greater efficacy than the current treatment, rituximab (R). The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of G plus chemotherapy (G + Chemo) against that of R plus chemotherapy (R + Chemo) for patients in Japan with previously untreated FL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We localized a previously reported cost-effectiveness model using the Japanese cost data. For estimating costs adapted in the model, FL patients treated with R were identified from Japanese hospital-based claims database and classified into three treatment regimen groups according to chemotherapies used with R: CHOP, CVP, and bendamustine (B). Based on services per patient and cost items, parameters determining the cost amounts were derived using a multivariate generalized linear mixed model to estimate the direct medical costs for each treatment regimen group for G and R. For the utility, same values in the previous model were used. Lifetime cost and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) were estimated under the payer's perspective.

RESULTS

The calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in million JPY per QALY for G-CHOP vs. R-CHOP, G-CVP vs. R-CVP, and G-B vs. R-B were 5.4, 4.3, and 4.8, respectively. ICERs were lower than 7.5 million JPY per QALY, which is the cost-effectiveness threshold for cancer treatments, and showed that G + Chemo is a cost-effective treatment regimen for Japanese patients with previously untreated FL. Lifetime direct medical costs were lowest in the R-B group because hospitalization costs that accounted for most of the total cost were lowest in this group. Limitations and conclusions: The cost-effectiveness of G + Chemo is acceptable in Japan. Differences in the direct medical costs among treatment regimen groups were mostly due to hospitalization costs. This is probably because many Japanese hematologists choose inpatient treatments over outpatient treatments in CHOP-based induction therapy.

Molecular response after obinutuzumab plus high-dose cytarabine induction for transplant-eligible patients with untreated mantle cell lymphoma (LyMa-101): a phase 2 trial of the LYSA group

BACKGROUND

Obinutuzumab monotherapy has shown promising efficacy in mantle cell lymphoma. We aimed to investigate the activity of obinutuzumab plus DHAP (dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin), measured by minimal residual disease quantitative (q)PCR status in the bone marrow after four cycles.

METHODS

LyMa-101 was a prospective, open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial. Participants were enrolled from 28 hospitals in France. Newly diagnosed patients with mantle cell lymphoma (aged 18 to <66 years) who were eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation received four cycles of obinutuzumab plus DHAP (obinutuzumab 1000 mg/m² intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 at cycle 1 and day 1 at cycles 2, 3, and 4; dexamethasone 40 mg intravenously on days 1-4, cytarabine 2 g/m² intravenously every 12 h on day 1, and according to local investigator, cisplatin 100 mg/m² by continuous infusion over 24 h on day 1 or carboplatin area under the curve 5 or oxaliplatin 130 mg/m²) every 21 days before transplantation, and 3 years of obinutuzumab (1000 mg/m² every 2 months) maintenance followed by minimal residual disease-based obinutuzumab on-demand maintenance. The primary outcome was minimal residual disease negativity in the bone marrow after four cycles of obinutuzumab plus DHAP at the end of induction, measured in the efficacy set (all minimal residual disease-informative [bone marrow or peripheral blood] patients who received at least one dose of obinutuzumab). Obinutuzumab plus DHAP was considered effective if bone marrow minimal residual disease negativity was 70% or more by intention to treat. The trial is closed to recruitment and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02896582.

FINDINGS

86 patients were enrolled between Nov 29, 2016, and May 2, 2018. 81 patients completed induction, 73 underwent autologous stem-cell transplantation, and 69 started maintenance therapy. 55 (75%) of 73 patients in the efficacy set reached minimal residual disease negativity in bone marrow at end of induction. According to the protocol definition, 18 (25%) of 73 patients in the efficacy set were minimal residual disease-positive: 12 patients who were minimal residual disease-positive in the bone marrow, plus two patients who progressed during induction, and four patients who did not have minimal residual disease assessment. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events were anaemia (grade 3, 26 [31%] of 85 patients; grade 4, three [4%] of 85 patients) and neutropenia (grade 3, 13 [15%] of 85 patients; grade 4, 32 [38%] of 85 patients). 58 serious adverse events occurred during the induction phase. There were no treatment-related deaths.

INTERPRETATION

Obinutuzumab plus DHAP is a well tolerated regimen and has good activity for inducing minimal residual disease negativity in the bone marrow of transplant-eligible patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Obinutuzumab plus DHAP has potential activity as induction chemotherapy, with bone marrow minimal residual disease negativity potentially predicting long-term disease control.

FUNDING

Roche SAS.

Obinutuzumab-Induced B Cell Depletion Reduces Spinal Cord Pathology in a CD20 Double Transgenic Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

B cell-depleting therapies have recently proven to be clinically highly successful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to determine the effects of the novel type II anti-human CD20 (huCD20) monoclonal antibody (mAb) obinutuzumab (OBZ) on spinal cord degeneration in a B cell-dependent mouse model of MS. Double transgenic huCD20xHIGR3 (CD20dbtg) mice, which express human CD20, were immunised with the myelin fusion protein MP4 to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Both light and electron microscopy were used to assess myelination and axonal pathology in mice treated with OBZ during chronic EAE. Furthermore, the effects of the already established murine anti-CD20 antibody 18B12 were assessed in C57BL/6 wild-type (wt) mice. In both models (18B12/wt and OBZ/CD20dbtg) anti-CD20 treatment significantly diminished the extent of spinal cord pathology. While 18B12 treatment mainly reduced the extent of axonal pathology, a significant decrease in demyelination and increase in remyelination were additionally observed in OBZ-treated mice. Hence, the data suggest that OBZ could have neuroprotective effects on the CNS, setting the drug apart from the currently available type I anti-CD20 antibodies.

Precision medicine in follicular lymphoma: Focus on predictive biomarkers

Current care for patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) offers most of them long-term survival. Improving it further will require careful patient selection. This review focuses on predictive biomarkers (ie, those whose outcome correlations depend on the treatment strategy) in FL, because awareness of what patient subsets benefit most or least from each therapy will help in this task. The first part of this review aims to summarize what biomarkers are predictive in FL, the magnitude of the effect and the quality of the evidence. We find predictive biomarkers in the setting of (a) indication of active treatment, (b) front-line induction (use of anthracyline-based regimens, CHOP vs bendamustine, addition of rituximab), (c) post-(front-line)induction (rituximab maintenance, radioimmunotherapy), and (d) relapse (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) and targeted agents. The second part of this review discusses the challenges of precision medicine in FL, including (a) cost, (b) clinical relevance considerations, and (c) difficulties over the broad implementation of biomarkers. We then provide our view on what biomarkers may become used in the next few years. We conclude by underscoring the importance of assessing the potential predictiveness of available biomarkers to improve patient care but also that there is a long road ahead before reaching their broad implementation due to remaining scientific, technological, and economic hurdles.

What is an estimand & how does it relate to quantifying the effect of treatment on patient-reported quality of life outcomes in clinical trials?

BACKGROUND

Published in 2019, a new addendum to the ICH E9 guideline presents the estimand framework as a systematic approach to ensure alignment among clinical trial objectives, trial execution/conduct, statistical analyses, and interpretation of results. The use of the estimand framework for describing clinical trial objectives has yet to be extensively considered in the context of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We discuss the application of the estimand framework to PRO objectives when designing clinical trials in the future, with a focus on PRO outcomes in oncology trial settings as our example. MAIN: We describe the components of an estimand and take a naïve PRO trial objective to illustrate how to apply attributes described in the estimand framework to inform construction of a detailed clinical trial objective and its related estimand. We discuss identifying potential post-randomization events that alter the interpretation of the endpoint or render its observation impossible (also defined as intercurrent events) in the context of PRO endpoints, and the implications of how to handle intercurrent events in the construction of the PRO objective. Using a simple objective statement, "What is the effect of treatment X on patient's quality of life?", we build up an example estimand statement and also use a previously published phase III oncology clinical trial to illustrate how an estimand for a PRO objective could have been written to align to the estimate framework.

CONCLUSION

The use of the estimand framework, as described in the new ICH E9 (R1) addendum guideline will become a key common framework for developing clinical trial objectives for evaluating effects of treatment. In the context of considering PROs, the framework provides an opportunity to more precisely specify and build the rationale for patient-focused objectives. This will help to ensure that clinical trials used for registration are designed and analysed appropriately, enabling all stakeholders to accurately interpret conclusions about the treatment effects for patient-focused outcomes.

Anti-tumor Drug Targets Analysis: Current Insight and Future Prospect

The incidence and mortality of malignant tumors are on the rise, which has become the second leading cause of death in the world. At present, anti-tumor drugs are one of the most common methods for treating cancer. In recent years, with the in-depth study of tumor biology and related disciplines, it has been gradually discovered that the essence of cell carcinogenesis is the infinite proliferation of cells caused by the disorder of cell signal transduction pathways, followed by a major shift in the concept of anti-tumor drugs research and development. The focus of research and development is shifting from traditional cytotoxic drugs to a new generation of anti-tumor drugs targeted at abnormal signaling system targets in tumor cells. In this review, we summarize the targets of anti-tumor drugs and analyse the molecular mechanisms of their effects, which lay a foundation for subsequent treatment, research and development.

Obinutuzumab (GA101) vs. rituximab significantly enhances cell death, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and improves overall survival against CD20+ primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) in a xenograft NOD-scid IL2Rgnull (NSG) mouse model: a potential targeted agent in the treatment of PMBL

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL), a distinct mature B-cell lymphoma, expresses CD20 and has recently been successfully treated with the combination of a type I anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, with multiple combination chemotherapy regimens. Obinutuzumab is a glycoengineered type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb), recognizing a unique CD20 extracellular membrane epitope with enhanced antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) vs rituximab. We hypothesize that obinutuzumab vs rituximab will significantly enhance in-vitro and in-vivo cytotoxicity against PMBL. PMBL cells were treated with equal dose of obinutuzumab and rituximab for 24 hours (1–100 μg/ml). ADCC were performed with ex-vivo expanded natural killer cells at 10:1 E: T ratio. Mice were xenografted with intravenous injections of luciferase expressing Karpas1106P cells and treated every 7 days for 8 weeks. Tumor burden was monitored by IVIS spectrum system. Compared with rituximab, obinutuzumab significantly inhibited PMBL cell proliferation (p = 0.01), promoted apoptosis (p = 0.05) and enhanced ADCC (p = 0.0002) against PMBL. Similarly, in PMBL xenografted NOD scid gamma mice, obinutuzumab significantly enhanced survival than rituximab when treated with equal doses (p = 0.05). Taken together our results suggest that obinutuzumab significantly enhanced natural killer cytotoxicity, reduced PMBL proliferation and prolonged the overall survival in humanized PMBL xenografted NOD scid gamma mice.

Treatment management of haematological malignancies in people living with HIV

Although the incidence of HIV-associated lymphomas decreased after the introduction of effective combination antiretroviral therapy, they became the most common AIDS-related cancer in high-income countries. Moreover, as people living with HIV live longer, a wide range of non-AIDS-related cancer has emerged, including other haematological malignancies. Nonetheless, combination antiretroviral therapy has offered people with HIV the opportunity to receive the same therapies as those provided to the general population, and intensive curative therapies have become the standard. However, several population-based studies highlight a major health-care disparity between people with HIV and those without, with people who are HIV positive often excluded from using innovative therapies and participating in prospective trials. In addition, patients from low-income countries frequently receive inappropriate treatment. The hope is that with increased awareness of effective curative options these disparities will decrease, and people with HIV will be given the same therapeutic opportunities and enrolled in clinical trials alongside patients who are HIV negative.

Avadomide plus obinutuzumab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (CC-122-NHL-001): a multicentre, dose escalation and expansion phase 1 study

BACKGROUND

Avadomide (CC-122) is a novel oral cereblon-modulating agent with promising activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We aimed to examine the safety and preliminary activity of avadomide plus obinutuzumab in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

METHODS

CC-122-NHL-001 was a phase 1b dose escalation and expansion study at eight sites in France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Eligible patients (aged ≥18 years) had histologically confirmed CD20-positive relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and had received previous treatment. In the dose expansion phase, only patients with previously treated relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (grade 1, 2, or 3a) were included. Avadomide was administered in escalating doses and two formulations: active pharmaceutical ingredient in capsule in 1·0 mg, 2·0 mg, 3·0 mg, and 4·0 mg doses and as formulated capsules in 3·0 mg and 4·0 mg doses orally once daily on days 1-5 followed by 2 days off (5-7-day schedule) every week of each 28-day cycle. Obinutuzumab 1000 mg was administered intravenously on days 2, 8, and 15 of cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 2-8. Primary objectives were to determine the safety and tolerability, the non-tolerated dose, maximum tolerated dose, and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). All patients who received treatment were included in the safety analyses. Efficacy-evaluable patients completed at least one cycle of treatment and had baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02417285 and EudraCT 2014-003333-26, and is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between June 24, 2015, and Dec 5, 2018, 73 patients were enrolled and treated; 19 had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 53 follicular lymphoma, and one marginal zone lymphoma. Median follow-up was 253 days (IQR 127-448). The median number of previous anticancer regimens was three (IQR 2-4). The maximum tolerated dose and non-tolerated dose were not reached in the dose escalation phase. On the basis of safety and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic data, the avadomide RP2D was established as 3·0 mg as formulated capsules on a 5-7-day schedule in combination with 1000 mg of obinutuzumab. Patients enrolled in the expansion cohort received the established RP2D of avadomide. Across all doses, three patients had dose-limiting toxicities; one patient treated at the RP2D had dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 sepsis). The most common adverse events of grade 3 and above were neutropenia (41 [56%] of 73) and thrombocytopenia (17 [23%] of 73). 34 (47%) patients had serious adverse events, which were considered to be avadomide-related in 23 (32%) of 73 patients and obinutuzumab-related in 20 (27%) of 73 patients. Two treatment-related deaths occurred, one owing to tumour flare and one from acute myeloid leukaemia after study discontinuation.

INTERPRETATION

Avadomide plus obinutuzumab has a manageable toxicity, being a tolerable treatment option for most patients. Although the prespecified threshold for activity was not met in the trial, we believe that the preliminary antitumour activity of cereblon modulators plus next-generation anti-CD20 antibodies in heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma warrants further investigation as a chemotherapy-free option in this setting.

FUNDING

Celgene Corporation.

Chemotherapy combinations for B-cell lymphoma and chemo-free approach in elderly patients: an update on best practice

INTRODUCTION

Elderly patients represent a consistent portion of new diagnoses of B cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). The treatment approach in this setting can be challenging for clinicians due to treatment toxicities and patients' comorbidities to deal with. Immunochemotherapy still represents the main option in the front-line setting for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), with different options to choose depending on patient characteristics. In the last decade, a number of new drugs and combinations have been investigated, demonstrating efficacy and safety even in the older population and extending the spectrum of treatment choices for this setting.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews the majority data in literature on immunochemotherapy regimens and chemo-free approaches available for DLBCL, FL, and MCL in the elderly, both in front-line and relapse/refractory setting, the incoming drugs and how to identify the best option for each patient.

EXPERT OPINION

The therapeutic approach for elderly B-NHL is challenging and a tailored approach guided by a geriatric assessment is mandatory, in order to optimize efficacy and minimize treatment-related toxicities. The more extended use of biological drugs may potentially lead to prolonged survival with reduction of toxicities and improved quality of life.

Tumor Segmentation and Feature Extraction from Whole-Body FDG-PET/CT Using Cascaded 2D and 3D Convolutional Neural Networks

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is commonly used in clinical practice and clinical drug development to identify and quantify metabolically active tumors. Manual or computer-assisted tumor segmentation in FDG-PET images is a common way to assess tumor burden, such approaches are both labor intensive and may suffer from high inter-reader variability. We propose an end-to-end method leveraging 2D and 3D convolutional neural networks to rapidly identify and segment tumors and to extract metabolic information in eyes to thighs (whole body) FDG-PET/CT scans. The developed architecture is computationally efficient and devised to accommodate the size of whole-body scans, the extreme imbalance between tumor burden and the volume of healthy tissue, and the heterogeneous nature of the input images. Our dataset consists of a total of 3664 eyes to thighs FDG-PET/CT scans, from multi-site clinical trials in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumors were segmented and reviewed by board-certified radiologists. We report a mean 3D Dice score of 88.6% on an NHL hold-out set of 1124 scans and a 93% sensitivity on 274 NSCLC hold-out scans. The method is a potential tool for radiologists to rapidly assess eyes to thighs FDG-avid tumor burden.

First-line treatment with R-CHOP or rituximab-bendamustine in patients with follicular lymphoma grade 3A-results of a retrospective analysis

Based on centroblast frequency, follicular lymphoma (FL) is subdivided into grades 1-2, 3A, and 3B. Grade FL3A frequently coexists with FL1-2 (FL1-2-3A). Based on clinical trials, FL1-2 is treated with rituximab (R) or obinutuzumab plus bendamustine (B) or CHOP, while FL3B is treated with R-CHOP. In contrast, there are little data guiding therapy in FL3A. We present a retrospective, multicenter analysis of 95 FL3A or FL1-2-3A and 203 FL1-2 patients treated with R-CHOP or R-B first-line. R-CHOP facilitated a higher response rate (95% versus 76%) and longer overall survival (OS) (3-year OS 89% versus 73%, P = 0.008) in FL3A or FL1-2-3A, whereas the difference in progression-free survival (PFS) did not reach statistical significance. While transformation rates into aggressive lymphoma were similar between both groups, there were more additional malignancies after R-B compared with R-CHOP (6 versus 2 cases). In FL1-2, R-B achieved a higher 3-year PFS (79% versus 47%, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference regarding OS or transformation. With the limitations of a retrospective analysis, these results suggest a benefit for R-CHOP over R-B in FL3A or FL1-2-3A. Confirmatory data from prospective clinical trials are needed.

Mechanisms of Resistance to Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) in Lymphoid Malignancies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Passive immunotherapy with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, especially hematological malignancies over the last 20 years. While use of mAbs has improved outcomes, development of resistance is inevitable in most cases, hindering the long-term survival of cancer patients. This review focuses on the available data on mechanisms of resistance to rituximab and includes some additional information for other mAbs currently in use in hematological malignancies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mechanisms of resistance have been identified that target all described mechanisms of mAb activity including altered antigen expression or binding, impaired complement-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), altered intracellular signaling effects, and inhibition of direct induction of cell death. Numerous approaches to circumvent identified mechanisms of resistance continue to be investigated, but a thorough understanding of which resistance mechanisms are most clinically relevant is still elusive. In recent years, a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment and targeting the apoptotic pathway has led to promising breakthroughs. Resistance may be driven by unique patient-, disease-, and antibody-related factors. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to mAbs will guide the development of strategies to overcome resistance and re-sensitize cancer cells to these biological agents.

Comparison of Access to Novel Drugs for Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Between India and the United States

This review will compare and contrast the costs and access to novel drugs for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma in the United States and India during the last 5 years. Clinical outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies have improved significantly since the approval of immunotherapeutic and targeted therapies. These new treatments have had an impact on overall outcomes and have helped determine the design for translational research and future trials. Although most of these novel drugs called “innovators” are initially approved and marketed in the United States, several have also become available in countries such as India. With the expiration of patents, generic versions of innovator drugs have increased and accessibility has improved for patients. The advent of biosimilars is another route for expanding access to biologic compounds. As a result, the development costs for developing these drugs are lower, and consequently, the costs for the patient are often lower. Although the delivery of cancer care is not the same in India as it is in the United States, the introduction of biosimilars and generics has helped bridge the gap. This has made treatment of CLL and lymphoma similar in both countries and has had the same impact on patient outcomes and quality of life. Compulsory licensing for essential medications, as stipulated by the Doha Declaration, and capping of drug prices could improve global access to treatments for CLL and lymphoma.

DDX5-targeting fully human monoclonal autoantibody inhibits proliferation and promotes differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells by increasing ROS production

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) therapy involves the compounds cytotoxic to both malignant tumor and normal cells. Relapsed APL is resistant to subsequent chemotherapy. Novel agents are in need to kill APL cells selectively with minimal toxicity. DDX5 has been recognized to be a novel target to suppress acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the role of DDX5 remains elusive in APL. Here a DDX5-targeting fully human monoclonal autoantibody named after 2F5 was prepared. It is demonstrated that 2F5 selectively inhibited APL cell proliferation without toxicity to normal neutrophil and tissues. Moreover, 2F5 was confirmed to induce G0/G1 phase arrest in APL cells, and promote APL cell differentiation combined with decreased DDX5 expression and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Knockdown of DDX5 by siRNA also inhibited proliferation, promoted cell differentiation and enhanced ROS production in APL cells. However, the ROS inhibitor reversed the effects of 2F5 on DDX5 and ROS in APL cells. Thus, we conclude that DDX5-targeting 2F5 inhibits APL cell proliferation, and promotes cell differentiation via induction of ROS. 2F5 showed the therapeutic value of fully human monoclonal autoantibody in APL, which provides a novel and valid approach for treatment of relapse/refractory APL.

Follicular lymphoma in the modern era: survival, treatment outcomes, and identification of high-risk subgroups

Patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) frequently require multiple treatments during their disease course; however, survival based on lines of treatment remains poorly described in the post-rituximab era. Also, the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) score was developed to predict survival at diagnosis, yet it remains unknown whether increase in FLIPI score following an initial observation period is associated with less-favorable outcomes. To address these knowledge gaps, we retrospectively studied 1088 patients with FL grade 1–3A managed between 1998 and 2009 at our institution. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after first-line treatment were not reached and 4.73 years, respectively. Following successive lines of treatment, years of median OS and PFS were, respectively: after second-line, 11.7 and 1.5; third-line, 8.8 and 1.1; fourth-line, 5.3 and 0.9; fifth-line, 3.1 and 0.6; sixth-line, 1.9 and 0.5. In initially observed, subsequently treated patients, FLIPI score increase after observation was associated with inferior survival following first-line treatment. The reduced survival we observed after second-line and later therapy supports the development of new treatments for relapsed patients and benchmarks historical targets for clinical endpoints. This study also highlights the utility of changes in FLIPI score at diagnosis and after observation in identifying patients likely to have worse outcomes.

Excellent outcomes of transformed lymphomas in the rituximab era without autologous stem cell transplantation: an Australian, single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

Histologic transformation (HT) is an important event with adverse prognosis in the natural history of indolent lymphomas. There is minimal data on HT in the Australian setting.

AIM

To characterise patients with biopsy-proven HT and their outcomes identified at a tertiary Australian Hospital.

METHODS

All patients with biopsy-proven HT during a 15-year period (2002-2017) were included. Clinico-pathological data were systematically collected from review of patient records. Survival estimates were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Associations between variables and clinical outcomes were evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A cohort of 45 patients was identified with a median age of 66 years and the majority (59%) having high-risk disease (Revised-International Prognostic Index score ≥ 3). R-CHOP induction was used in 69% with an overall response rate of 82% (complete response (CR), 75%). 61% of these induction-responders received consolidation, with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) performed in only 17% and rituximab maintenance given to 31%. With a median follow-up of 47 months (range: 4-136), the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 69% (95% CI: 52%, 81%). Chemotherapy-naivety at HT was associated with a superior rate of CR (84% vs. 54%, p = 0.057) and 5-year OS (82% vs. 46%, p = 0.012). Rituximab maintenance was associated with a durable progression-free survival in induction-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent OS was observed in this modern cohort of patients treated with rituximab-containing induction and low rate of consolidation by ASCT, particularly in those who were chemotherapy-naïve at HT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Initial Treatment of High Tumor Burden Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is the most common indolent B-cell lymphoma, with most patients presenting with advanced-stage disease. Patients who are symptomatic or otherwise meet the criteria for high tumor burden merit immediate intervention with combination immunochemotherapy, although more recently, "chemotherapy-free" approaches including novel therapies have shown benefit in this treatment-naïve population. In this review, the authors critically appraise the criteria for high tumor burden, the various options available for initial therapy, and the optimal post-treatment surveillance strategies.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Inhibition in Follicular Lymphoma

Chemoimmunotherapy is the standard frontline treatment for symptomatic or high tumor burden follicular lymphoma. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lymphomagenesis has led to the development of drugs targeting these pathways. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway is an important signaling pathway in B-cell lymphomas. Three drugs in this class have received FDA approval. We describe the efficacy and toxicities of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitors. Response rates in highly refractory disease are high, demonstrate few long-term remissions, and have high long-term toxicity. Early data on dosing and combination strategies are promising and may change how we use these agents in the coming years.

Immunomodulatory Agents in Follicular Lymphoma

New treatment strategies in follicular lymphoma (FL) are driven by a deeper understanding of microenvironmental cues supporting lymphomagenesis, chemoresistance, and immuno-escape. These immune-mediated signaling pathways contribute to initial learnings and clinical successes with lenalidomide, the first, oral, non-chemotherapeutic immunomodulatory drug, combined with anti-CD20 antibodies. This combination of lenalidomide with rituximab showed similar efficacy to chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in first-line patients requiring therapy, and is approved in relapsed/refractory FL. We review the biology supporting the rationale for adequate inhibitory receptor/ligand pathways targeting the tissue immune microenvironment of FL cells, and potential immunomodulating combinations to replace CIT in the near future.

Infectious Complications of Biological and Small Molecule Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapies

The past 2 decades have seen a revolution in our approach to therapeutic immunosuppression. We have moved from relying on broadly active traditional medications, such as prednisolone or methotrexate, toward more specific agents that often target a single receptor, cytokine, or cell type, using monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, or targeted small molecules. This change has transformed the treatment of many conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease, but along with the benefits have come risks. Contrary to the hope that these more specific agents would have minimal and predictable infectious sequelae, infectious complications have emerged as a major stumbling block for many of these agents. Furthermore, the growing number and complexity of available biologic agents makes it difficult for clinicians to maintain current knowledge, and most review articles focus on a particular target disease or class of agent. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge about infectious complications of biologic and small molecule immunomodulatory agents, aiming to create a single resource relevant to a broad range of clinicians and researchers. For each of 19 classes of agent, we discuss the mechanism of action, the risk and types of infectious complications, and recommendations for prevention of infection.

A Three-Arm Randomized Phase II Study of Bendamustine/Rituximab with Bortezomib Induction or Lenalidomide Continuation in Untreated Follicular Lymphoma: ECOG-ACRIN E2408

PURPOSE

We sought to improve upon frontline bendamustine/rituximab (BR) induction therapy followed by rituximab maintenance in untreated high-risk follicular lymphoma (FL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized to BR induction followed by 2-year rituximab maintenance (BR-R), BR with bortezomib and rituximab maintenance (BVR-R), or BR followed by lenalidomide (1 year) with rituximab maintenance (BR-LR). Dual primary objectives were complete remission (CR) rate and 1-year disease-free survival (DFS); 289 patients enrolled (NCT01216683).

RESULTS

For induction, 92%, 87%, and 86% of patients randomized to BR-R, BVR-R, or BR-LR received six cycles, respectively. CR rate with BR versus BVR induction was 62% versus 75%, respectively (P = 0.04). One-year DFS rates with BR-R versus BR-LR were 85% versus 67%, respectively (P = 0.0009). This was due to an imbalance in CR rates post-BR induction and discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs). The most common grade 3-4 AEs for BVR versus BR were neutropenia and sensory neuropathy (12% vs <1%); 83% of the latter occurred with intravenous bortezomib. The most common grade 3-4 AEs related to LR versus rituximab maintenance were neutropenia 66% versus 21%, respectively (P < 0.0001), and febrile neutropenia 10% versus 2%, respectively (P = 0.05). The overall treatment-related mortality was 1.4%. With 5-year median follow-up, 3-year PFS rates for BR-R, BVR-R, and BR-LR were 77%, 82%, and 76%, respectively (P = 0.36) with OS rates of 87%, 90%, and 84%, respectively (P = 0.79). For prognostication, CR rate and POD-24 were associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, neither bortezomib added to BR induction nor lenalidomide added to rituximab maintenance immediately post-BR induction is recommended in untreated FL.

A randomized, open-label, Phase III study of obinutuzumab or rituximab plus CHOP in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma: final analysis of GOYA

BACKGROUND

Rituximab (R) plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) is the current standard therapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Obinutuzumab (G), a glycoengineered, type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown activity and an acceptable safety profile when combined with CHOP (G-CHOP) in patients with advanced DLBCL. We present the final analysis results of the Phase III GOYA study (NCT01287741), which compared the efficacy and safety of G-CHOP versus R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated DLBCL.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 18 years with previously untreated advanced DLBCL were randomly assigned to receive eight 21-day cycles of R or G, plus six or eight cycles of CHOP. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival, other time-to-event endpoints, and safety; investigator-assessed PFS by cell of origin subgroup was an exploratory endpoint.

RESULTS

A total of 1418 patients were randomized, with 1414 included in this final analysis (G-CHOP, N = 704; R-CHOP, N = 710). Five-year PFS rates were 63.8% and 62.6% for G-CHOP and R-CHOP, respectively (stratified hazard ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.78-1.12; p = 0.48). The results of the secondary efficacy endpoints did not show a benefit of G-CHOP over R-CHOP. In the exploratory analysis, a trend towards benefit with G-CHOP over R-CHOP was apparent in the patients with germinal center B cell DLBCL. The safety profile of G-CHOP was as expected, and no new safety signals were observed. More grade 3-5 (75.1% vs 65.8%), serious (44.4% vs 38.4%), and fatal (6.1% vs 4.4%) adverse events (AEs) were observed in the G-CHOP arm compared with the R-CHOP arm, respectively, with the most common fatal AEs being infections. A higher incidence of late-onset neutropenia occurred in the G-CHOP arm (8.7%) versus the R-CHOP arm (4.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The final analysis, similar to the primary analysis, did not show a PFS benefit of G-CHOP over R-CHOP in previously untreated patients with DLBCL. The results of the secondary endpoints were consistent with the primary endpoint. Further exploratory analyses and investigation of biomarkers are ongoing.

Assessment of Hazard Ratios in Oncology Clinical Trials Terminated Early for Superiority: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Group sequential designs allow potential early trial termination at the interim analysis, before study completion. Traditional maximum likelihood estimate is commonly used to quantify the treatment effect in group sequential design trials; however, in published clinical trials, a bias-adjusted estimator has rarely been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize the need for considering overestimation of treatment effect by applying 2 bias-adjusted estimators to previously published, early-terminated oncology clinical trials.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

Trials published from 2013 to 2017 were identified by searching MEDLINE and Embase on February 23, 2018. This review was restricted to oncology clinical trials using group sequential designs with a single preplanned interim analysis as well as 2-arm randomized clinical trials that were subsequently stopped for efficacy reasons. Each article was independently reviewed by 3 biostatisticians during text screening, and differences in opinion were resolved by discussion. This report presents the unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of an experimental arm to a reference arm and 2 bias-adjusted HRs calculated by using the conditional mean-adjusted estimator (CMAE) and weighted CMAE (WCMAE).

FINDINGS

In total, 198 abstracts were screened for eligibility, of which, 19 eligible clinical trials were identified as applicable to the bias-adjusted estimators. Unadjusted HRs ranged from 0.203 (95% CI, 0.150-0.276) to 0.71 (95% CI, 0.60-0.84), number of events at the interim analysis from 58 to 540, and information time from 48% to 82%. In each study, the HRs adjusted by CMAE and WCMAE were higher than the unadjusted HR. Bias-adjusted estimates in large trials (243 and 414 events at the interim analysis) were similar to the unadjusted HR. However, in small trials (eg, with 58 events at the interim analysis), bias-adjusted estimates were highly disparate from the unadjusted HR. In trials with large treatment effects (eg, HRs of 0.20 and 0.22), the difference between unadjusted and bias-adjusted HRs was small even though the number of events at the interim analysis was small; larger differences were observed when the unadjusted HR was greater than 0.5.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this systematic review of oncology clinical trials that were stopped for efficacy at the interim analysis, relatively large differences were noted between the unadjusted and adjusted HRs when the number of events at the interim analysis was small or when the unadjusted HR was close to the boundaries. These findings suggest presenting the 2 bias-adjusted HRs along with the unadjusted HR in the data monitoring committee meeting.

Pretreatment SUVmax may influence the clinical benefit of BR over R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated FL

In 2 randomized phase 3 trials BR resulted in longer progression-free survival (PFS) than frontline R-CHOP in patients with indolent and mantle cell lymphoma. However, in subset analyses of follicular lymphoma (FL), the results were incongruent. We conducted a retrospective matched-pair analysis to compare the outcome of patients with advanced stage FL, receiving frontline BR (N = 73) or R-CHOP (N = 73), matched by age, gender, stage, and FL International Prognostic Index score. On multivariable analysis, baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) >13 was associated with use of R-CHOP (p = .001). After a median follow-up of 69 months for the BR arm and 126 months for the R-CHOP arm, 5-year PFS was 80% and 70%, respectively (p = .07). After adjusting for SUV_max >13, the trend for better PFS in BR was not maintained. Prospective studies are needed to validate the role of pretreatment SUV_max as a stratification factor in future randomized therapeutic trials in FL.

Drug cost savings in phase III hematological oncology clinical trials in a university hospital

The rapid emergence of expensive anticancer therapies is leading to exponential growth in healthcare expenses. In clinical trials, most investigational drugs are provided free of charge by industrial and academic sponsors. This results in drug cost savings for healthcare payers, who are no longer charged with the cost of the standard-of-care treatment, which would have been administered outside the trial. This study aims to estimate drug cost savings resulting from patient enrolment in hematological oncology clinical trials, from a public payer perspective. Retrospective screening identified all patients with hematological malignancies included from 2011 to 2016 in a phase III trial and having received at least one sponsor-provided cycle. Drug cost savings were defined as the standard treatment costs not charged to the payer due to sponsor provision of treatment. For each patient, cost savings were determined by the number of cycles received in the trial and the cost of standard (control arm) treatment. Of the 345 patients included in eligible trials during study period, 272 received sponsor-provided drugs. Drug cost savings could be estimated for 177 patients (65.1%) included in 27 trials. Total cost savings were €5218 million (US$ 6804 million) for 1720 sponsor-provided cycles. Mean cost saving per patient was €19 182.7 ± 29 865.7 ($25 015.24 ± 39 478.25). Most cost-saving trials were industry-sponsored (77.8%), although academic trials generated 40.15% of total cost savings. Enrolling patients in clinical trials, whether industry-sponsored or academic, leads to substantial drug cost savings for payers. Implications are significant for public payers facing increasing financial constraints, as savings can be reallocated to patient care.

A comparison between the assessments of progression-free survival by local investigators versus blinded independent central reviews in phase III oncology trials

PURPOSE

In this study, we compared the assessments of progression-free survival (PFS) carried out by the local investigator or by a blinded independent central review in the framework of phase III registration randomized controlled trials (RCT) in oncology.

METHODS

We carried out a search in the clinicatrials.gov database, looking at the RCTs reporting the results of both independently assessed and investigator-assessed PFS. The hazard ratios (HRs) of investigator-assessed PFS and independently assessed PFS were recorded, and a discrepancy index was obtained by calculating the ratio of their respective HRs. Moreover, we investigated possible factors of discrepancy by analyzing the trials in different groups (by year, by tumor type, by drug type, by study design).

RESULTS

We analyzed 28 RCTs meeting the search criteria. The estimated mean discrepancy index was 0.98 (confidence interval 0.927-1.032 (n = 32)). Subgroup analysis showed that the confidence intervals in all cases included the value 1, except in the subgroup of studies started in the period 2003-2006.

CONCLUSION

In phase III oncology trials, we found no significant differences between the hazard ratios estimated by local investigators and those estimated by blinded independent central reviews. A relatively higher variability, in terms of large CI, was found in trials with biological agents.

Follicular lymphoma genomics

Although outcomes for follicular lymphoma (FL) continue to improve, it remains incurable for the majority of patients. Through next generation sequencing (NGS) studies, we now recognize that the genomic landscape of FL is skewed toward highly recurrent mutations in genes that encode epigenetic regulators co-occurring with the pathognomonic t(14;18) translocation. Adopting these technologies to study longitudinal and spatially-derived lymphomas has provided unique insights into the tumoral heterogeneity, clonal evolution of the disease and supports the existence of a tumor-repopulating population, considered the Achilles' heel of this lymphoma. An in-depth understanding of the genomics and its contribution to the disease pathogenesis is identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can be translated into clinical practice and, in the not too distant future, enable us to start considering precision-based approaches to the management of FL.

Progression of disease within 2 years (POD24) is a clinically relevant endpoint to identify high-risk follicular lymphoma patients in real life

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with heterogeneous outcomes. Progression or relapse of FL within 2 years (so-called POD24) after diagnosis is associated with a poor outcome for patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) in clinical trials. POD24 needs further validation before it can be used as a relevant endpoint to assess treatment efficacy. In the present retrospective monocentric study, we investigated the predictive value of POD24 in a cohort of grade 1, 2, or 3a FL patients treated in our institution (Nantes Medical University, France) and registered in our local database. We investigated the nature of treatment lines, patients' outcomes, and the prognostic value of POD24. Between 2007 and 2016, 317 patients were included. After first-line therapy, 60 patients relapsed within 2 years (POD24-pos cohort), and 254 patients did not relapse within 2 years (PO24-neg cohort). Thirty-three patients died, and 34 patients had an aggressive transformation. The median follow-up is 59.9 months (1.6-395.5). The median PFS is 59.9 months. Overall survival (OS) at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years is 98.4% [97.0-99.8], 95.1% [92.6-97.6], and 92.5% [89.3-95.9], respectively. The 5-year OS was statistically lower for POD24-pos patients (82% [71.9-93.5]) than for POD24-neg patients (93.3% [88.98-97.8]) (p = 10^-5). In multivariate analyses, transformation was predictive of OS, and PS (≥ 1) was predictive of POD24. POD24 is predictive of a worse OS and may be recommended as a relevant endpoint in clinical trials and in real life in particular for patients with advanced disease.

Functional diversification of IgGs through Fc glycosylation

IgG antibodies are secreted from B cells and bind to a variety of pathogens to control infections as well as contribute to inflammatory diseases. Many of the functions of IgGs are mediated through Fcγ receptors (FcγRs), which transduce interactions with immune complexes, leading to a variety of cellular outcomes depending on the FcγRs and cell types engaged. Which FcγRs and cell types will be engaged during an immune response depends on the structure of Fc domains within immune complexes that are formed when IgGs bind to cognate antigen(s). Recent studies have revealed an unexpected degree of structural variability in IgG Fc domains among people, driven primarily by differences in IgG subclasses and N-linked glycosylation of the CH2 domain. This translates, in turn, to functional immune diversification through type I and type II FcγR-mediated cellular functions. For example, Fc domain sialylation triggers conformational changes of IgG1 that enable interactions with type II FcγRs; these receptors mediate cellular functions including antiinflammatory activity or definition of thresholds for B cell selection based on B cell receptor affinity. Similarly, presence or absence of a core fucose alters type I FcγR binding of IgG1 by modulating the Fc's affinity for FcγRIIIa, thereby altering its proinflammatory activity. How heterogeneity in IgG Fc domains contributes to human immune diversity is now being elucidated, including impacts on vaccine responses and susceptibility to disease and its sequelae during infections. Here, we discuss how Fc structures arising from sialylation and fucosylation impact immunity, focusing on responses to vaccination and infection. We also review work defining individual differences in Fc glycosylation, regulation of Fc glycosylation, and clinical implications of these pathways.

The combination of ibrutinib and rituximab demonstrates activity in first-line follicular lymphoma

This phase 2 study evaluated the activity and safety of ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, plus rituximab in adults with previously untreated follicular lymphoma. Patients received once-daily ibrutinib 560 mg continuously plus once-weekly rituximab 375 mg/m2 for 4 weeks beginning Week 1 (Arm 1, n = 60) or Week 9 (following an 8-week ibrutinib lead-in) to explore biomarkers (Arm 2, n = 20). The primary endpoint was the best overall response rate (ORR). The median age was 58 years; most had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 (74%) and Stage III/IV disease (84%). At a median study follow-up of 34 months in Arm 1 and 29 months in Arm 2, ORRs were 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 73-93] and 75% (95% CI 51-91), respectively, with complete responses in 40% and 50%. The median duration of response was not reached in either arm; 30-month progression-free and overall survival rates were 67% and 97% (Arm 1) and 65% and 100% (Arm 2). The most common adverse events were fatigue, diarrhoea and nausea. Higher grade (Grade 3/4) haematological, haemorrhagic and cardiac events occurred infrequently. Ibrutinib plus rituximab was active and tolerable in first-line follicular lymphoma.

Lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) can predict bendamustine therapeutic efficacy in low-grade B-cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Bendamustine has been reported to be effective against low-grade B-cell lymphoma. We examined the effect of bendamustine on the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) in low-grade B-cell lymphoma patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 127 cases of first line or relapse/refractory low-grade B-cell lymphoma in three individual institutions (Asahikawa Municipal Hospital, Aiiku Hospital, and Hakodate Municipal Hospital). Only patients who had received at least three courses of bendamustine therapy were selected; the LMR was evaluated at starting the initial course of bendamustine therapy. Time to next treatment (TTNT) was used to ascertain the efficacy of bendamustine therapy.

RESULTS

Follicular lymphoma (FL), at 68.5% (87/127), is the most common histological subtype of low-grade B-cell lymphoma. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the LMR showed a cutoff value of 2.0, and 33 cases (26.0%) had an LMR ≤2.0. Cases with LMR ≤2.0 had a significantly earlier progression than those with LMR > 2.0, based on the TTNT (P = .0007). Additionally, LMR ≤2.0 indicates earlier progression in TTNT when comparing only FL and low-grade B-cell lymphoma cases without FL (P = .007, 0.002). For multivariate analysis, the factors associated with an LMR ≤2.0 (HR, 2.741; 95% CI, 1.4330-5.245; P = .002) were considered as early progression factors with regard to the TTNT.

CONCLUSION

Lymphocyte-monocyte ratio effectively predicts the efficacy of bendamustine therapy for low-grade B-cell lymphoma, particularly FL; its application may improve treatment strategies for this disease.

Advances and perspectives of dendritic cell-based active immunotherapies in follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a remarkably immune-responsive malignancy, which is still considered incurable. As, standard immunochemotherapy is complex, toxic and not curative, improvement in FL care is now a crucial topic in hemato-oncology. Recently, we and others have shown that dendritic cell (DC)-based therapies allow a specific immune response associated with sustained lymphoma regression in a proportion of low-tumor burden FL patients. Importantly, the rate of objective clinical response (33-50%) and of sustained remission is remarkably higher compared to similar studies in solid tumors, corroborating the assumption of the immune responsiveness of FL. Our experimental intra-tumoral strategy combined injection with rituximab and interferon-α-derived dendritic cells (IFN-DC), a novel DC population particularly efficient in biasing T-helper response toward the Th1 type and in the cross-priming of CD8 + T cells. Noteworthy, intra-tumoral injection of DC is a new therapeutic option based on the assumption that following the induction of cancer-cell immunogenic death, unloaded DC would phagocytize in vivo the tumor associated antigens and give rise to a specific immune response. This approach allows the design of easy and inexpensive schedules. On the other hand, advanced and straightforward methods to produce clinical-grade antigenic formulations are currently under development. Both unloaded DC strategies and DC-vaccines are suited for combination with radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators and metronomic chemotherapy. In fact, studies in animal models have already shown impressive results, while early-phase combination trials are ongoing. Here, we summarize the recent advances and the future perspectives of DC-based therapies in the treatment of FL patients.

Successful Treatment of Patients With Refractory PLA2R-Associated Membranous Nephropathy With Obinutuzumab: A Report of 3 Cases

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Rituximab, a type I anti-CD20 antibody, has been shown to be an effective therapy in treatment of patients with MN associated with M-type phospholipase A₂ receptor (PLA₂R) antibodies. Despite its effectiveness, up to 40% of patients may fail to respond to rituximab, which may be related to higher PLA₂R antibody titers. Obinutuzumab, a type II anti-CD20 depleter, has been shown to produce a more profound CD20 depletion and be more efficacious in treating certain hematologic malignancies compared with rituximab. We report 3 patients with PLA₂R-associated MN for whom rituximab failed to induce immunologic or clinical remisison, but who were successfully treated with obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab resulted in complete immunologic remission in all 3 cases and was followed by partial remission in 2 of the cases. Obinutuzumab appears to be a promising treatment strategy for PLA₂R-associated MN that fails to respond to rituximab.

Durable Complete Remission and Long-Term Survival in FDG-PET Staged Patients with Stage III Follicular Lymphoma, Treated with Wide-Field Radiation Therapy

Advanced-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) is generally considered incurable with conventional systemic therapies, but historic series describe long-term disease-free survival in stage III disease treated with wide-field radiation therapy (WFRT), encompassing all known disease sites. We report outcomes for patients staged with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and treated with CT-planned WFRT, given as either comprehensive lymphatic irradiation (CLI) or total nodal irradiation (TNI). This analysis of a prospective cohort includes PET-staged patients given curative-intent WFRT as a component of initial therapy, or as sole treatment for stage III FL. Thirty-three PET-staged patients with stage III FL received WFRT to 24–30Gy between 1999 and 2017. Fifteen patients also received planned systemic therapy (containing rituximab in 11 cases) as part of their primary treatment. At 10 years, overall survival and freedom from progression (FFP) were 100% and 75%, respectively. None of the 11 rituximab-treated patients have relapsed. Nine relapses occurred; seven patients required treatment, and all responded to salvage therapies. A single death occurred at 16 years. The principal acute toxicity was transient hematologic; one patient had residual grade two toxicity at one year. With FDG-PET staging, most patients with stage III FL experience prolonged FFP after WFRT, especially when combined with rituximab.

Targeting an adenosine-mediated "don't eat me signal" augments anti-lymphoma immunity by anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

A growing body of evidence suggests that macrophage immune checkpoint molecules are potential targets in the era of cancer immunotherapy. Here we showed that extracellular adenosine, an abundant metabolite in the tumor microenvironment, critically impedes the therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against B-cell lymphoma. Using a syngeneic B-cell lymphoma model, we showed that host deficiency of adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR), but not A2BR, remarkably improved lymphoma control by anti-CD20 mAb therapy. Conditional deletion of A2AR in myeloid cells, and to a lesser extent in NK cells, augmented therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 mAb. Indeed, adenosine signaling impaired antibody-mediated cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) by macrophages and limited the generation of anti-lymphoma CD8⁺ T cells. Pharmacological inhibition of A2AR overcame the adenosine-mediated negative regulation of ADCP by rituximab in a xeno-transplanted lymphoma model. Moreover, aberrant overexpression of CD39, an apical ecto-enzyme for adenosine generation, showed a negative impact on prognosis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, as well as on preclinical efficacy of rituximab. Together, adenosine acts as a "don't eat me signal", and may be a potential target to harness anti-lymphoma immunity.

Follicular lymphomas in vulnerable/older patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Unlike for diffuse large-cell lymphoma, both the management of elderly patients with follicular lymphoma and the role of comprehensive geriatric evaluation to optimize treatment choices have been rarely addressed. This review analyses available evidence on follicular lymphoma occurring in aged persons.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most retrospective studies and expert recommendations agree that the diagnostic approach and the treatment algorithm in elderly follicular lymphoma should not differ from younger patients up to the age of 80. However, slowly progressing follicular lymphoma low-tumor burden should start treatment even though asymptomatic. Prospective identification of those unfit patients is needed where a treatment deintensification may not be detrimental. Octogenarians have more aggressive disease and do not benefit from chemoimmunotherapy more than from single-agent rituximab. An activity of daily living loss significantly impact on their outcome and specific prognostic scores may help in the better manage these oldest patients.

SUMMARY

Given the lack of prospective studies there is an urgent need to investigate if geriatric assessment including comorbidities, geriatric parameters, patient's reported outcomes and quality of life issues, may help selecting those frail elderly follicular lymphoma patients less suitable for full-dose treatments. In addition, the potential usefulness of the new noncytotoxic agents of proven efficacy in follicular lymphoma warrants specific investigations in older patients.

Immunotherapy of lymphomas

Lymphoid malignancies typically promote an infiltrate of immune cells at sites involved by the disease. While some of the immune cells present in lymphoma have effector function, the immune system is unable to eradicate the malignant clone. Therapies that optimize immune function therefore have the potential to improve the outcome of lymphoma patients. In this Review, we discuss immunologic approaches that directly target the malignant cell as well as approaches to optimize both the innate and adaptive immune response to the tumor. While many of these therapies have shown single-agent activity, the future will clearly require thoughtful combinations of these approaches.

Outcomes of bendamustine- or cyclophosphamide-based first-line chemotherapy in older patients with indolent B-cell lymphoma

Clinical trials comparing bendamustine/rituximab (BR) with cyclophosphamide-based regimens (RCHOP/RCVP) have pooled various histologies of indolent B-cell lymphomas. We examined real-life outcomes of older patients with follicular (FL), mantle cell (MCL), or marginal zone/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (MZL/LPL), treated with these first-line regimens. We identified Medicare beneficiaries with FL, MCL, or MZL/LPL, who received either first-line BR or RCHOP/RCVP in 2009-2016, and matched groups using a propensity score. Outcomes of claims-based event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), toxicity, secondary cancers, and costs were compared in the aggregate cohort (N = 2736), and in separately matched histology-specific subcohorts. In the aggregate cohort, EFS was better with BR than with RCHOP/RCVP (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.87). Acute toxicity was lower with BR, including rates of hospitalizations (33% vs 45%), infections (21% vs 30%), cardiovascular events, and transfusions, yet OS did not differ (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.17) and Medicare spending was higher. There was no difference in the cumulative incidence of secondary cancers (subhazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.83-1.48). The EFS advantage of BR was pronounced in MCL (N = 690; HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.54-0.76), but less so in FL (N = 1330; HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98) and absent in MZL/LPL (N = 574; HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.73-1.17). Despite improved EFS and lower toxicity, the shift from RCHOP/RCVP to BR in clinical practice did not improve OS for older patients with indolent B-cell lymphomas. Frequent infections and hospitalizations underscore the need for safer treatment approaches in this population. Secondary cancers do not appear to be increased after BR compared with RCHOP/RCVP.

Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in patients with marginal zone lymphoma

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) belongs to the group of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which is characterized by an indolent course. In this mostly elderly patient population, the development of chemotherapy-free approaches is of particular interest. In this situation, single-agent treatment with the next-generation anti-CD20 antibody obinutuzumab is an attractive approach, which promises high efficacy without major toxicity. We describe here an open-label, multicentric Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of obinutuzumab in de novo MZL patients, who are treatment naive for systemic therapy and not eligible for or failed local treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03322865.