A phase II trial of RCHOP followed by radioimmunotherapy for early stage (stages I/II) diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: ECOG3402

Blood Plasma Methylated DNA Markers in the Detection of Lymphoma: Discovery, Validation, and Clinical Pilot

Lymphoma is one of the leading causes of cancer and cancer deaths and yet has not been amenable to population screening. The role of methylated DNA markers (MDMs) in the detection of lymphoma has not been extensively studied. We aimed to discover, validate, and test tissue-derived MDMs of lymphoma in archival plasma specimens. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) was performed on a discovery set of frozen tissues. MDMs identified were converted to methylation-specific PCR assays and validated on independent formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Target enrichment long-probe quantitative-amplified signal (TELQAS) assays were developed and assayed in plasma-extracted, bisulfite-converted DNA from independent treatment-naïve lymphoma patients and healthy controls. Prediction of cancer status was modeled using random forest model with in silico cross-validation. After discovery and validation in tissue, 16 TELQAS assays (ZNF503, VWA5B1, HOXA9, GABRG3, ITGA5, MAX.chr17.7190, BNC1, CDK20, MAX.chr4.4069, TPBG, DNAH14, SYT6, CACNG8, FAM110B, ADRA1D, and NRN1) were selected for testing in plasma. These detected 78% (95% CI, 74%-82%) of lymphoma cases at 90% specificity. Excluding marginal zone and T-cell lymphomas, sensitivity increased to 84% (80%-88%). MDMs in plasma show promise to detect lymphoma and are candidates for inclusion in multi-cancer detection studies.

Real-world data from yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan treatment of relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: J3Zi Study

Yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (90YIT) is a radioimmunotherapy agent in which the radioisotope yttrium-90 is bound to ibritumomab via tiuxetan as a chelating agent, and is used for relapsed or refractory low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (rr-B-NHL). We conducted a joint study to evaluate the clinical outcome of 90YIT. The J3Zi study is composed of data from patients receiving 90YIT for rr-B-NHL from the top three institutions with 10 years of 90YIT treatment experience from October 2008 to May 2018 in Japan. The efficacy, prognostic factors and safety of 90YIT were retrospectively evaluated. Data from 316 patients were analyzed; the mean age was 64.6 years and the median number of prior treatments was 2. The median PFS was 3.0 years, the final OS rate was over 60%, and the median OS was not reached during the study period. Significant factors influencing PFS were sIL-2R ≤ 500 (U/mL) and no disease progression within 24 months of first treatment. Significant factors influencing OS were number of prior treatments ≤ 2 and sIL-2R ≤ 500 (U/mL). The PFS and OS rates were found to be significantly higher in the late half era (2013 to 2018) than in the early half era (2008 to 2013) during the study period. Prognosis following 90YIT treatment was improved in the late half era compared to the early half era. As treatment using 90YIT increased, administration of 90YIT shifted to the earlier treatment line. This may have contributed to the improvement of prognosis found in the late era. (UMIN000037105).

Adverse events of radioimmunotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma continues to be a highly prevalent entity in the general population. Currently, there are multiple treatment schemes based on chemotherapeutic agents with a great success rate. However, there is a non-negligible percentage of patients who may relapse or be refractory. In this sense, new therapeutic options have emerged in the search for adequate responses, such as monoclonal antibodies that target the CD20 molecule. Another valid option is radioimmunotherapy (RIT), which combines using monoclonal antibodies for the specific targeting of malignant cells and radiation to destroy these cells. Despite the promising results that favor RIT in several clinical studies in different target populations and types of NHL, one situation to consider is the association of this therapy and second neoplasms (acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MSD)). In this sense, we have proposed this meta-analysis to analyze the published information and determine the incidence of this association and determine this therapy's safety.

Texture Analysis Improves the Value of Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT in Predicting Interim Response of Primary Gastrointestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Objectives

To explore the application of pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) texture analysis (TA) in predicting the interim response of primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PGIL-DLBCL).

Methods

Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT images of 30 PGIL-DLBCL patients were studied retrospectively. The interim response was evaluated after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy. The complete response (CR) rates in patients with different clinicopathological characteristics were compared by Fisher's exact test. The differences in the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and texture features between the CR and non-CR groups were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test. Feature selection was performed according to the results of the Mann-Whitney U test and feature categories. The predictive efficacies of the SUVmax, MTV, and the selected texture features were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. A prediction probability was generated by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

The SUVmax, MTV, some first-order texture features, volume, and entropy were significantly higher in the non-CR group. The energy was significantly lower in the non-CR group. The SUVmax, volume, and entropy were excellent predictors of the interim response, and the areas under the curves (AUCs) were 0.850, 0.805, and 0.800, respectively. The CR rate was significantly lower in patients with intestinal involvement. The prediction probability generated from the combination of the SUVmax, entropy, volume, and intestinal involvement had a higher AUC (0.915) than all single parameters.

Conclusions

TA has potential in improving the value of pretreatment PET/CT in predicting the interim response of PGIL-DLBCL. However, prospective studies with large sample sizes and validation analyses are needed to confirm the current results.

Rituximab-PECC induction followed by 90 Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan consolidation in relapsed or refractory DLBCL patients who are ineligible for or have failed ASCT: results from a phase II HOVON study

Patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after, or ineligible for, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have a dismal prognosis. This phase II study evaluated treatment with R-PECC (rituximab, prednisolone, etoposide, chlorambucil, lomustine), every 28 days for 4 cycles in 62 patients, followed by radio-immunotherapy consolidation with ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan in responsive patients. Primary endpoints were failure-free survival (FFS) and incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events from start of ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. The overall response rate after R-PECC was 50%. Twenty-nine of 31 responsive patients proceeded to ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. Five out of 15 partial remission patients converted to complete remission after ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. One-year FFS and overall survival (OS) from start of ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33-68%) and 62% (95% CI, 42-77%), respectively. One-year FFS and OS from start of R-PECC was 28% (95% CI, 17-39%) and 49% (95% CI, 36-61%), respectively. Toxicities of R-PECC and ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan were mainly haematological. In conclusion, for relapsed DLBCL patients the largely oral R-PECC regimen achieves promising response rates, combined with an acceptable safety profile. Consolidation with ⁹⁰ Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan resulted in long-term response durations in approximately one third of the patients that received it.

Radioimmunotherapy as the first line of treatment in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematologic malignancy. The estimated deaths and new cases of NHL in the USA in 2018 have reached 19,910 and 74,680, respectively, with 5-year survival rate of 71%. Therapeutic interventions for NHL consist of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a potential alternative treatment for NHL that is currently used in different lines of treatment. Studies show that nuclear medicine physicians and radiation oncologists are not yet certain about the proper line for administration of RIT. Herein, we have reviewed the efficiency and toxicity of RIT as the first line of treatment, and discussed potential novel indications, and strategies such as modifying induction therapy and using rituximab maintenance to optimize the efficiency of RIT as the first line of treatment. Our review indicates that it is more logical to postpone conventional therapies to the second or third lines of treatment instead of RIT.

Limited Stage Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: What Is Optimal Therapy?

OPINION STATEMENT

The seminal SWOG trial S8736 trial established the success of a short course of chemotherapy followed by involved field radiation in treating limited stage aggressive NHL lymphoma. Addition of rituximab offered a surprisingly modest improvement in this disease subset. Radioimmunotherapy could hold a slight advantage over rituximab, but that should be investigated in a randomized trial setting. The role of radiation therapy continues to be widely debated, with interpretation complicated by different trial populations, methods of assessing risk, as well as by differences in timing and dose of radiation. Prolonged course of chemotherapy followed by radiation is certainly not justified in all patients with limited stage disease. Three to four cycles of R-CHOP followed closely by IFRT/ISRT, or six cycles of R-CHOP chemoimmunotherapy (based on the MInT trial) are acceptable options. PET/CT scans may further limit radiation to minority of patients who have residual PET-positive masses. PET/CT-directed treatment strategy is being tested in a US intergroup trial. There is evidence that localized DLBCL has a different biology as compared to advanced stage disease. This relates to propensity of limited stage disease to be proportionately more germinal center B-cell like (GCB) and to have late relapses beyond 5 years. Both biology and imaging need to be integrated in the study of limited stage disease without presumption that it should be approached the same as advanced stage disease.

Drug Discovery by Molecular Imaging and Monitoring Therapy Response in Lymphoma

Molecular imaging allows a noninvasive assessment of biochemical and biological processes in living subjects. Treatment strategies for malignant lymphoma depend on histology and tumor stage. For the last two decades, molecular imaging has been the mainstay diagnostic test for the staging of malignant lymphoma and the assessment of response to treatment. This technology enhances our understanding of disease and drug activity during preclinical and clinical drug development. Here, we review molecular imaging applications in drug development, with an emphasis on oncology. Monitoring and assessing the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies in preclinical or clinical models are essential and the multimodal molecular imaging approach may represent a new stage for pharmacologic development in cancer. Monitoring the progress of lymphoma therapy with imaging modalities will help patients. Identifying and addressing key challenges is essential for successful integration of molecular imaging into the drug development process. In this review, we highlight the general usefulness of molecular imaging in drug development and radionuclide-based reporter genes. Further, we discuss the different molecular imaging modalities for lymphoma therapy and their preclinical and clinical applications.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: R-CHOP failure-what to do?

Although rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) is the standard treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), ∼30% to 50% of patients are not cured by this treatment, depending on disease stage or prognostic index. Among patients for whom R-CHOP therapy fails, 20% suffer from primary refractory disease (progress during or right after treatment) whereas 30% relapse after achieving complete remission (CR). Currently, there is no good definition enabling us to identify these 2 groups upon diagnosis. Most of the refractory patients exhibit double-hit lymphoma (MYC-BCL2 rearrangement) or double-protein-expression lymphoma (MYC-BCL2 hyperexpression) which have a more aggressive clinical picture. New strategies are currently being explored to obtain better CR rates and fewer relapses. Although young relapsing patients are treated with high-dose therapy followed by autologous transplant, there is an unmet need for better salvage regimens in this setting. To prevent relapse, maintenance therapy with immunomodulatory agents such as lenalidomide is currently undergoing investigation. New drugs will most likely be introduced over the next few years and will probably be different for relapsing and refractory patients.

Clinical approach to diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of lymphoma. We now recognize that DLBCL corresponds to a biologically heterogeneous family of diseases. Given the potential for cure for most DLBCL patients, appropriate diagnostic and staging evaluation and therapy are essential. Here we review areas of consensus as well as controversy in the evaluation, treatment and monitoring of patients with DLBCL and its related subtypes.

Comparison between Three Promising ß-emitting Radionuclides, (67)Cu, (47)Sc and (161)Tb, with Emphasis on Doses Delivered to Minimal Residual Disease

PURPOSE: Radionuclide therapy is increasingly seen as a promising option to target minimal residual disease. Copper-67, scandium-47 and terbium-161 have a medium-energy β^- emission which is similar to that of lutetium-177, but offer the advantage of having diagnostic partner isotopes suitable for pretreatment imaging. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ⁶⁷Cu, ⁴⁷Sc and ¹⁶¹Tb to irradiate small tumors.

METHODS: The absorbed dose deriving from a homogeneous distribution of ⁶⁷Cu, ⁴⁷Sc or ¹⁶¹Tb in water-density spheres was calculated with the Monte Carlo code CELLDOSE. The diameters of the spheres ranged from 5 mm to 10 µm, thus simulating micrometastases or single tumor cells. All electron emissions, including β^- spectra, Auger and conversion electrons were taken into account. Because these radionuclides differ in electron energy per decay, the simulations were run assuming that 1 MeV was released per µm³, which would result in a dose of 160 Gy if totally absorbed.

RESULTS: The absorbed dose was similar for the three radionuclides in the 5-mm sphere (146-149 Gy), but decreased differently in smaller spheres. In particular, ¹⁶¹Tb delivered higher doses compared to the other radionuclides. For instance, in the 100-µm sphere, the absorbed dose was 24.1 Gy with ⁶⁷Cu, 14.8 Gy with ⁴⁷Sc and 44.5 Gy with ¹⁶¹Tb. Auger and conversion electrons accounted for 71% of ¹⁶¹Tb dose. The largest dose differences were found in cell-sized spheres. In the 10-µm sphere, the dose delivered by ¹⁶¹Tb was 4.1 times higher than that from ⁶⁷Cu and 8.1 times that from ⁴⁷Sc.

CONCLUSION: ¹⁶¹Tb can effectively irradiate small tumors thanks to its decay spectrum that combines medium-energy β^- emission and low-energy conversion and Auger electrons. Therefore ¹⁶¹Tb might be a better candidate than ⁶⁷Cu and ⁴⁷Sc for treating minimal residual disease in a clinical setting.

90 Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan: a nearly forgotten opportunityr

Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan (90Y-IT) combines the benefits of a monoclonal antibody with the efficacy of radiation in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a remarkably radiosensitive hematologic malignancy. 90Y-IT activity has been well established in the indolent setting, being approved in front-line treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients as well as salvage therapy. However, no advantage in OS was observed with respect to standard treatment. Promising data are available also for aggressive B-cell lymphoma. In particular, the addition of RIT to short-course first line chemotherapy enables reduction of chemotherapy while maintaining cure rates in elderly, untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Furthermore, 90Y-IT improves response rate and outcomes of relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients, eligible and ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Clinical results have shown a role of 90Y-IT even in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). RIT might improve responses and treat minimal residual disease when used as consolidation after first-line chemotherapy in MCL. Moreover, 90Y-IT has demonstrated its efficacy in combination with high-dose chemotherapies as conditioning regimen for ASCT, with evidence suggesting the ability to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Herein, we review the available evidence for this approved drug and examine the recently published and ongoing trials for potential novel indication in aggressive B-cell NHL.

Dose Deposits from 90Y, 177Lu, 111In, and 161Tb in Micrometastases of Various Sizes: Implications for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

Radiopharmaceutical therapy, traditionally limited to refractory metastatic cancer, is being increasingly used at earlier stages, such as for treating minimal residual disease. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of (90)Y, (177)Lu, (111)In, and (161)Tb at irradiating micrometastases. (90)Y and (177)Lu are widely used β(-)-emitting radionuclides. (161)Tb is a medium-energy β(-) radionuclide that is similar to (177)Lu but emits a higher percentage of conversion and Auger electrons. (111)In emits γ-photons and conversion and Auger electrons.

METHODS

We used the Monte Carlo code CELLDOSE to assess electron doses from a uniform distribution of (90)Y, (177)Lu, (111)In, or (161)Tb in spheres with diameters ranging from 10 mm to 10 μm. Because these isotopes differ in electron energy per decay, the doses were compared assuming that 1 MeV was released per μm(3), which would result in 160 Gy if totally absorbed.

RESULTS

In a 10-mm sphere, the doses delivered by (90)Y, (177)Lu, (111)In, and (161)Tb were 96.5, 152, 153, and 152 Gy, respectively. The doses decreased along with the decrease in sphere size, and more abruptly so for (90)Y. In a 100-μm metastasis, the dose delivered by (90)Y was only 1.36 Gy, compared with 24.5 Gy for (177)Lu, 38.9 Gy for (111)In, and 44.5 Gy for (161)Tb. In cell-sized spheres, the dose delivered by (111)In and (161)Tb was higher than that of (177)Lu. For instance, in a 10-μm cell, (177)Lu delivered 3.92 Gy, compared with 22.8 Gy for (111)In and 14.1 Gy for (161)Tb.

CONCLUSION

(177)Lu, (111)In, and (161)Tb might be more appropriate than (90)Y for treating minimal residual disease. (161)Tb is a promising radionuclide because it combines the advantages of a medium-energy β(-) emission with those of Auger electrons and emits fewer photons than (111)In.