Early CAR- CD4+ T-lymphocytes recovery following CAR-T cell infusion: A worse outcome in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

CAR- CD4+ T cell lymphopenia is an emerging issue following CAR-T cell therapy. We analyzed the determinants of CD4+ T cell recovery and a possible association with survival in 31 consecutive patients treated with commercial CAR-T for diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) or mantle cell lymphoma. Circulating immune subpopulations were characterized through multiparametric-flow cytometry. Six-month cumulative incidence of CAR- CD4+ T cell recovery (≥200 cells/μL) was 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.65). Among possible determinants of CD4+ T cell recovery, we recognized infusion of a 4-1BB product (tisagenlecleucel, TSA) in comparison with a CD28 (axicabtagene/brexucabtagene, AXI/BRX) (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 5.79 [1.16-24.12] p = 0.016). Higher CD4+ T cell counts resulted with TSA at month-1, -2 and -3. Moderate-to-severe infections were registered with prolonged CD4+ T cell lymphopenia. Early, month-1 CD4+ T cell recovery was associated with a worse outcome in the DLBCL cohort, upheld in a multivariate regression model for overall survival (HR: 4.46 [95% CI: 1.12-17.71], p = 0.03). We conclude that a faster CAR- CD4+ T cell recovery is associated with TSA as compared to AXI/BRX. Month-1 CAR- CD4+ T cell subset recovery could represent a "red flag" for CAR-T cell therapy failure in DLBCL patients.

IELSG30 phase 2 trial: intravenous and intrathecal CNS prophylaxis in primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PTL) is characterized by high risk of contralateral testis and central nervous system (CNS) relapse. Chemoimmunotherapy with intrathecal (IT) CNS prophylaxis and contralateral testis irradiation eliminates contralateral recurrences and reduces CNS relapses. The IELSG30 phase 2 study investigated feasibility and activity of an intensified IT and IV CNS prophylaxis. Patients with stage I/II PTL who had not received treatment received 2 cycles of IV high-dose methotrexate (MTX) (1.5 g/m2) after 6 cycles of the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, every 21 days). IT liposomal cytarabine was administered on day 0 of cycles 2 to 5 of 21-day R-CHOP regimen. Contralateral testis radiotherapy (25-30 Gy) was recommended. Fifty-four patients (median age: 66 years) with stage I (n = 32) or II (n = 22) disease were treated with R-CHOP, 53 received at least 3 doses of IT cytarabine, 48 received at least 1 dose of IV MTX, and 50 received prophylactic radiotherapy. No unexpected toxicity occurred. At a median follow-up of 6 years, there was no CNS relapse; 7 patients progressed, and 8 died, with 5-year progression-free and overall survival rates of 91% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79-96) and 92% (95% CI, 81-97), respectively. Extranodal recurrence was documented in 6 patients (in 2 without nodal involvement). In 4 cases, the relapse occurred >6 years after treatment. Causes of death were lymphoma (n = 4), second primary malignancy (n = 1), cerebral vasculopathy (n = 1), unknown (n = 2). Intensive prophylaxis was feasible and effective in preventing CNS relapses. Late relapses, mainly at extranodal sites, represented the most relevant pattern of failure. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00945724.

Radioimmunotherapy versus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi multicenter, randomized, phase III trial

BACKGROUND

Optimal consolidation for young patilents with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remains uncertain in the rituximab era, with an unclear benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The multicenter, randomized, phase III FLAZ12 (NCT01827605) trial compared anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with ASCT as consolidation after chemoimmunotherapy, both followed by rituximab maintenance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (age 18-65 years) with R/R FL and without significant comorbidities were enrolled and treated with three courses of conventional, investigator-chosen chemoimmunotherapies. Those experiencing at least a partial response were randomized 1 : 1 to ASCT or RIT before CD34+ collection, and all received postconsolidation rituximab maintenance. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. The target sample size was 210 (105/group).

RESULTS

Between August 2012 and September 2019, of 164 screened patients, 159 were enrolled [median age 57 (interquartile range 49-62) years, 55% male, 57% stage IV, 20% bulky disease]. The study was closed prematurely because of low accrual. Data were analyzed on 8 June 2023, on an intention-to-treat basis, with a 77-month median follow-up from enrollment. Of the 141 patients (89%), 70 were randomized to ASCT and 71 to RIT. The estimated 3-year PFS in both groups was 62% (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.69-1.80, P = 0.6662). The 3-year overall survival also was similar between the two groups. Rates of grade ≥3 hematological toxicity were 94% with ASCT versus 46% with RIT (P < 0.001), and grade ≥3 neutropenia occurred in 94% versus 41%, respectively (P < 0.001). Second cancers occurred in nine patients after ASCT and three after radioimmunotherapy (P = 0.189).

CONCLUSIONS

Even if prematurely discontinued, our study did not demonstrate the superiority of ASCT versus RIT. ASCT was more toxic and demanding for patients and health services. Both strategies yielded similar, favorable long-term outcomes, suggesting that consolidation programs milder than ASCT require further investigation in R/R FL.

Impact of immunochemotherapy with R-bendamustine or R-CHOP for treatment naïve advanced-stage follicular lymphoma: A subset analysis of the FOLL12 trial by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi

We conducted a post hoc analysis of the FOLL12 trial to determine the impact of different initial immunochemotherapy (ICT) regimens on patient outcomes. Patients were selected from the FOLL12 trial, which included adults with stage II-IV follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 1-3a and high tumor burden. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either standard ICT followed by rituximab maintenance (RM) or the same ICT followed by a response-adapted approach. ICT consisted of rituximab-bendamustine (RB) or rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHOP), per physician's decision. A total of 786 patients were included in this analysis, 341 of whom received RB and 445 R-CHOP. RB was more frequently prescribed to older subjects, females, patients without bulky disease, and those with grade 1-2 FL. After a median of 56 months of follow-up, R-CHOP and RB had similar progression-free survival (PFS) (Hazard Ratio for RB 1.11, 95% CI 0.87-1.42, p = 0.392). Standard RM was associated with improved PFS compared to response-adapted management both after R-CHOP and RB. Grade 3-4 hematologic adverse events were more frequent with R-CHOP during induction treatment and more frequent with RB during RM. Grade 3-4 infections were more frequent with RB. RB was also associated with a higher incidence of transformed FL. R-CHOP and RB showed similar activity and efficacy, but with different safety profiles and long-term events, suggesting that the treating physician should carefully select the most appropriate chemotherapy regimen for each patient based on patient's individual characteristics, choices, and risk profile.

Brain FDG-PET findings in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy neurotoxicity for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is potentially associated with treatment-related toxicities mainly consisting of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune-effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). We evaluated brain metabolic correlates of CRS with and without ICANS in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with CAR-T.

METHODS

Twenty-one refractory DLCBLs underwent whole-body and brain [18 F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET before and 30 days after treatment with CAR-T. Five patients did not develop inflammatory-related side effects, 11 patients developed CRS, while in 5 patients CRS evolved in ICANS. Baseline and post-CAR-T brain FDG-PET were compared with a local controls dataset to identify hypometabolic patterns both at single-patient and group levels (p < .05 after correction for family-wise error [FWE). Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were computed on baseline FDG-PET and compared between patients' subgroups (t-test).

RESULTS

ICANS showed an extended and bilateral hypometabolic pattern mainly involving the orbitofrontal cortex, frontal dorsolateral cortex, and anterior cingulate (p < .003 FWE-corrected). CRS without ICANS showed significant hypometabolism in less extended clusters mainly involving bilateral medial and lateral temporal lobes, posterior parietal lobes, anterior cingulate, and cerebellum (p < .002 FWE-corrected). When compared, ICANS showed a more prominent hypometabolism in the orbitofrontal and frontal dorsolateral cortex in both hemispheres than CRS (p < .002 FWE-corrected). Mean baseline MTV and TLG were significantly higher in ICANS than CRS (p < .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ICANS are characterized by a frontolateral hypometabolic signature coherently with the hypothesis of ICANS as a predominant frontal syndrome and with the more prominent susceptibility of frontal lobes to cytokine-induced inflammation.

Treating relapsed/refractory mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms with tislelizumab: a multicenter open-label phase 2 study

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) mature T- and natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasms lack effective treatments after failure of standard therapies. This phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor tislelizumab in these patients. Seventy-seven patients were treated with 200 mg tislelizumab every 3 weeks. Twenty-two patients with extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphomas were enrolled in cohort 1; 44 patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) were enrolled in cohort 2 (21 patients had PTCL not otherwise specified, 11 patients had angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and 12 patients had anaplastic large-cell lymphoma). Cohort 3 comprised 11 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, of which 8 patients had mycosis fungoides (MF) and 3 had Sézary syndrome. Of the 77 patients, 76.6% had advanced-stage disease, 51.9% had refractory disease, and 49.4% received ≥3 prior systemic regimens. Promising efficacy was observed in cohort 3 (median follow-up [FU], 16.6 months; overall response rate [ORR], 45.5%; complete response [CR], 9.1%; median duration of response [DOR], 11.3 months; median progression-free survival, 16.8 months; median overall survival, not reached). Modest efficacy was observed in cohort 1 (median FU, 8.4 months; ORR, 31.8%; CR, 18.2%; median DOR, not reached) and cohort 2 (median FU, 9.3 months; ORR, 20.5%; CR, 9.1%; median DOR, 8.2 months). Most treatment-related adverse events were grade 1 or 2, and the safety profile was consistent with the known safety profile of tislelizumab. In conclusion, tislelizumab was well tolerated, achieving modest efficacy in R/R mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms, with some long-lasting remissions. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03493451.

Long-term follow-up of rituximab plus bendamustine and cytarabine in older patients with newly diagnosed MCL

The combination of rituximab, bendamustine, and low-dose cytarabine (R-BAC) has been studied in a phase 2 prospective multicenter study from Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (RBAC500). In 57 previously untreated elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), R-BAC was associated with a complete remission rate of 91% and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 81% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68-89). Here, we report the long-term survival outcomes, late toxicities, and results of minimal residual disease (MRD) evaluation. After a median follow-up of 86 months (range, 57-107 months), the median overall survival (OS) and PFS were not reached. The 7-year PFS and OS rates were 55% (95% CI, 41-67), and 63% (95% CI, 49-74), respectively. Patients who responded (n = 53) had a 7-year PFS of 59% (95% CI, 44-71), with no relapse or progression registered after the sixth year. In the multivariate analysis, blastoid/pleomorphic morphology was the strongest adverse predictive factor for PFS (P = .04). Patients with an end of treatment negative MRD had better, but not significant, outcomes for both PFS and OS than patients with MRD-positive (P = 0.148 and P = 0.162, respectively). There was no signal of late toxicity or an increase in secondary malignancies during the prolonged follow-up. In conclusion, R-BAC, which was not followed by maintenance therapy, showed sustained efficacy over time in older patients with MCL. Survival outcomes compare favorably with those of other immunochemotherapy regimens (with or without maintenance), including combinations of BTK inhibitors upfront. This study was registered with EudraCT as 2011-005739-23 and at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01662050.

Triple Combination Therapy With 2 Antivirals and Monoclonal Antibodies for Persistent or Relapsed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Immunocompromised Patients

BACKGROUND

Severely immunocompromised patients are at risk for prolonged or relapsed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of combination treatment in immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

We included all immunocompromised patients with prolonged/relapsed COVID-19 treated with combination therapy with 2 antivirals (remdesivir plus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, or molnupiravir in case of renal failure) plus, if available, anti-spike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), between February and October 2022. The main outcomes were virological response at day 14 (negative Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] swab) and virological and clinical response (alive, asymptomatic, with negative SARS-CoV-2 swab) at day 30 and the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Overall, 22 patients (Omicron variant in 17/18) were included: 18 received full combination of 2 antivirals and mAbs and 4 received 2 antivirals only; in 20 of 22 (91%) patients, 2 antivirals were nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus remdesivir. Nineteen (86%) patients had hematological malignancy, and 15 (68%) had received anti-CD20 therapy. All were symptomatic; 8 (36%) required oxygen. Four patients received a second course of combination treatment. The response rate at day 14, day 30, and last follow-up was 75% (15/20 evaluable), 73% (16/22), and 82% (18/22), respectively. Day 14 and 30 response rates were significantly higher when combination therapy included mAbs. Higher number of vaccine doses was associated with better final outcome. Two patients (9%) developed severe side effects (bradycardia leading to remdesivir discontinuation and myocardial infarction).

CONCLUSIONS

Combination therapy including 2 antivirals (mainly remdesivir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) and mAbs was associated with high rate of virological and clinical response in immunocompromised patients with prolonged/relapsed COVID-19.

Divergent Oxidative Stress in Normal Tissues and Inflammatory Cells in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reported mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum redox stress in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) of treatment-naïve Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Here, we assessed whether this response also applies to non-HL (NHL) patients, and whether the oxidative damage is a selective feature of PBMCs or, rather, also affects tissues not directly involved in the inflammatory response.

METHODS

Isolated PBMCs of 28 HL, 9 diffuse large B cell lymphoma, 8 less aggressive-NHL, and 45 controls underwent flow cytometry to evaluate redox stress and uptake of the glucose analogue 2-NBDG. This analysis was complemented with the assay of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enzymatic activity of glucose-6P-dehydrogenase and hexose-6P-dehydrogenase (H6PD). In all lymphoma patients, ¹⁸F-fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake was estimated in the myocardium and skeletal muscles.

RESULTS

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and MDA levels were increased only in HL patients as well as H6PD activity and 2-NBDG uptake. Similarly, myocardial FDG retention was higher in HL than in other groups as opposed to a similar tracer uptake in the skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

Redox stress of PBMCs is more pronounced in HL with respect to both NHL groups. This phenomenon is coherent with an increased activity of H6PD that also extends to the myocardium.

Outcome of early treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with haematological disorders

Outcome of early treatment of COVID-19 with antivirals or anti-spike monoclonal antibodies (MABs) in patients with haematological malignancies (HM) is unknown. A retrospective study of HM patients treated for mild/moderate COVID-19 between March 2021 and July 2022 was performed. The main composite end-point was treatment failure (severe COVID-19 or COVID-19-related death). We included 328 consecutive patients who received MABs (n = 120, 37%; sotrovimab, n = 73) or antivirals (n = 208, 63%; nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, n = 116) over a median of two days after symptoms started; 111 (33.8%) had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); 89 (27%) were transplant/CAR-T (chimaeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) recipients. Most infections (n = 309, 94%) occurred during the Omicron period. Failure developed in 31 patients (9.5%). Its independent predictors were older age, fewer vaccine doses, and treatment with MABs. Rate of failure was lower in the Omicron versus the pre-Omicron period (7.8% versus 36.8%, p < 0.001). During the Omicron period, predictors of failure were age, fewer vaccine doses and diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS). Independent predictors of longer viral shedding were age, comorbidities, hospital admission at diagnosis, NHL/CLL, treatment with MABs. COVID-19-associated mortality was 3.4% (n = 11). The mortality in those who developed severe COVID-19 after early treatment was 26% in the Omicron period. Patients with HM had a significant risk of failure of early treatment, even during the Omicron period, with high mortality rate.

Punctual and kinetic MRD analysis from the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi MCL0208 phase 3 trial in mantle cell lymphoma

Minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis is a known predictive tool in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We describe MRD results from the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi phase 3 MCL0208 prospective clinical trial assessing lenalidomide (LEN) maintenance vs observation after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the first prospective comprehensive analysis of different techniques, molecular markers, and tissues (peripheral blood [PB] and bone marrow [BM]), taken at well-defined time points. Among the 300 patients enrolled, a molecular marker was identified in 250 (83%), allowing us to analyze 234 patients and 4351 analytical findings from 10 time points. ASCT induced high rates of molecular remission (91% in PB and 83% in BM, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [RQ-PCR]). Nevertheless, the number of patients with persistent clinical and molecular remission decreased over time in both arms (up to 30% after 36 months). MRD predicted early progression and long-term outcome, particularly from 6 months after ASCT (6-month time to progression [TTP] hazard ratio [HR], 3.83; P < .001). In single-timepoint analysis, BM outperformed PB, and RQ-PCR was more reliable, while nested PCR appeared applicable to a larger number of patients (234 vs 176). To improve MRD performance, we developed a time-varying kinetic model based on regularly updated MRD results and the MIPI (Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index), showing an area under the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve (AUROC) of up to 0.87 using BM. Most notably, PB reached an AUROC of up to 0.81; with kinetic analysis, it was comparable to BM in performance. MRD is a powerful predictor over the entire natural history of MCL and is suitable for models with a continuous adaptation of patient risk. The study can be found in EudraCT N. 2009-012807-25 (https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/).

CD19-Targeted Immunotherapies for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were, for many years, the only available cancer treatments. Recently, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies has emerged as promising alternative. These cancer immunotherapies are aimed to support or harness the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Preclinical and clinical studies, based on the use of T cells and more recently NK cells genetically modified with chimeric antigen receptors retargeting the adoptive cell therapy towards tumor cells, have already shown remarkable results. In this review, we outline the latest highlights and progress in immunotherapies for the treatment of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, focusing on CD19-targeted immunotherapies. We also discuss current clinical trials and opportunities of using immunotherapies to treat DLBCL patients.

Laparoscopic lymph node biopsy for lymphoma with a novel use of indocyanine green fluorescence in a 66-year-old male patient

Introduction

Indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescence is primarily employed in detecting Intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping or to evaluate the extent of radical lymphadenectomy mainly in colo-rectal and gastric cancer. To date there are no reports indicating the use of this dye to detect pathologic lymphatic tissue when a lymph node biopsy for suspected lymphoproliferative disease is performed.

Presentation of case

A 66-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital for severe pain of left renal colic type. A computed tomography (CT) scan and a positron emission tomography (PET) showed a left hydroureteronephrosis due to ureter compression by paraortic solid tissue of lymphomatous aspect with a standardized uptake value (SUV) of 15. Multiple lymphadenopathies on paracaval, para-aortic and common iliac sites were present as well.

Discussion

A laparoscopic lymph node biopsy (LLB) was planned for diagnostic purposes. After induction of anesthesia a ICG solution was injected Intradermally at both inguinal regions. At laparoscopy a complete visualization of the pathologic lymphnodes was achieved, enabling incisional biopsies of the lymphomatous mass. Histopathological examination showed an extranodal localization of an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Conclusion

ICG-fluorescence seems to offer a simple and safe method for pathologic lymph node detection. LLB in the suspicion of intra abdominal lymphoma can largely take advantage by this novel opportunity not yet tested to date. More studies with large case series are needed to confirm the efficacy of ICG-fluorescence for detecting pathologic lymph nodes.

•

First report in literature concerning the use of indocyanine green (ICG) for laparoscopic lymph node biopsy

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Periaortic and iliac lymph nodes visualized at PET as pathological, at laparoscopy turned out to be stained up by ICG.

•

Deep lymph nodes staining with ICG is possible by means of a preoperative injection of an ICG solution into the inguinal regions.

•

ICG-fluorescence seems to offer a useful, expeditious, and easy reproductible method for pathologic lymph node [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19]] laparoscopic lymph node biopsy (LLB).

Safety of the Anti-CD19 antibody Tafasitamab in Long Term Responders from A Phase II Trial for Relapsed Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Information about the long-term tolerability of tafasitamab is still limited.

METHODS

5 of 92 patients treated within a phase IIa study of single-agent tafasitamab in relapsed or refractory B NHL were followed for up to five years or longer for long-term tolerability.

RESULTS

Treatment was very well tolerated in an outpatient setting with no hospitalizations needed and mild and tolerable adverse events that occurred mostly within the first two years of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the excellent tolerability and efficacy of tafasitamab this agent can be used to induce remission in relapsed or refractory lymphoma either alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

Total metabolic tumor volume as a survival predictor for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the GOYA study

This retrospective analysis of the phase III GOYA study investigated the prognostic value of baseline metabolic tumor volume parameters and maximum standardized uptake values for overall and progression-free survival (PFS) in treatment-naïve diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Baseline total metabolic tumor volume (determined for tumors >1 mL using a threshold of 1.5 times the mean liver standardized uptake value +2 standard deviations), total lesion glycolysis, and maximum standardized uptake value positron emission tomography data were dichotomized based on receiver operating characteristic analysis and divided into quartiles by baseline population distribution. Of 1,418 enrolled patients, 1,305 had a baseline positron emission tomography scan with detectable lesions. Optimal cut-offs were 366 cm³ for total metabolic tumor volume and 3,004 g for total lesion glycolysis. High total metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis predicted poorer PFS, with associations retained after adjustment for baseline and disease characteristics (high total metabolic tumor volume hazard ratio: 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35– 2.18; total lesion glycolysis hazard ratio: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.15–1.86). Total metabolic tumor volume was prognostic for PFS in subgroups with International Prognostic Index scores 0–2 and 3–5, and those with different cell-of-origin subtypes. Maximum standardized uptake value had no prognostic value in this setting. High total metabolic tumor volume associated with high International Prognostic Index or non-germinal center B-cell classification identified the highest-risk cohort for unfavorable prognosis. In conclusion, baseline total metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis are independent predictors of PFS in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after first-line immunochemotherapy.

Dose-dense ABVD as first-line therapy in early-stage unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma: results of a prospective, multicenter double-step phase II study by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi

We investigated the feasibility and activity of an intensified dose-dense ABVD (dd-ABVD) regimen in patients with early-stage unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). This prospective, multicenter, phase II study enrolled 96 patients with newly diagnosed, unfavorable stage I or II classical HL. The patients received four cycles of dd-ABVD followed by radiotherapy. Interim PET (PET-2) was mandatory after two courses. Primary endpoints were the evaluation of dd-ABVD feasibility and activity (incidence of PET-2 negativity). The feasibility endpoint was achieved with 48/52 (92.3%) patients receiving > 85% of the programmed dose. The mean dose intensity in the overall patient population (n = 96) was 93.7%, and the median duration of dd-ABVD was 85 days (range, 14-115) versus an expected duration of 84 days. PET-2 was available for 92/96 (95.8%) patients, of whom 79 were PET-2 negative (85.9%). In total, 90 (93.8%) patients showed complete response at the end of treatment. With a follow-up of 80.9 months (3.3-103.2), the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached. At 84 months, PFS and OS rates were 88.4% and 95.7%, respectively. No evidence for a difference in PFS or OS was observed for PET-2-negative and PET-2-positive patients. Infections were documented in 8.3% and febrile neutropenia in 6.2% of cases. Four patients died: one had alveolitis at cycle 3, one death was unrelated to treatment, and two died from a secondary cancer. dd-ABVD is feasible and demonstrates activity in early-stage unfavorable HL. The predictive role of PET-2 positivity in early-stage unfavorable HL remains controversial. The study was registered in the EudraCT (reference number, 2011-003,191-36) and the ClinicalTrials.gov (reference number, NCT02247869) databases.

Single-Port vs. Conventional Multi-Port Laparoscopic Lymph Node Biopsy

Background and Objectives

The purpose of the investigation was to compare clinical results and diagnostic accuracy for conventional multiport laparoscopic lymph node biopsy (MPLB) and single-port laparoscopic lymph node biopsy (SPLB) operations at a single institution.

Methods

A set of 20 SPLB patients operated on from October 2016 to May 2019 were compared to an historical series of 35 MPLB patients. Primary endpoints were the time of surgery, estimated blood loss, surgical conversion, length of stay and morbidity. The secondary endpoint was the diagnostic accuracy of the technique.

Results

SPLB was completed laparoscopically in all cases. Two MPLB patients (5.7%) experienced a surgical conversion due to intraoperative difficulties. Duration of surgery was similar in SPLB and MPLB groups respectively (84 ± 31.7 min vs. 81.1 ± 22.2; P = .455). A shorter duration of hospital stay was shown for patients operated on by SPLB compared to the MPLB group (1.7 ± 0.9 days vs. 2.1 ± 1.2 days; P = .133). The postoperative course was uneventful in both groups. In 95% of the SPLB and 97.1% of the MPLB cases respectively, LLB achieved the necessary information for the diagnosis.

Conclusion

SPLB has shown good procedural and postoperative outcomes as well as a high diagnostic yield, comparable to traditional MPLB. Therefore, our results show that this approach is safe and effective and can be an equally valid option to MPLB to obtain a diagnosis or to follow the progression of a lymphoproliferative disease. Further studies are necessary to support these results before its widespread adoption.

Feasibility of Single-Port Laparoscopic Lymph Node Biopsy for Intra-Abdominal Lymphoma: A Case Series

Background: Laparoscopic lymph node biopsy through a multi-port access (MPLB) is a well-established technique for intra-abdominal lymphoma diagnosis. The aim of the current study is to assess the feasibility and the diagnostic accuracy of the single-port laparoscopic lymph node biopsy (SPLB) in intra-abdominal lymphoma. Materials and Methods: Between October 2016 and February 2019, 15 patients underwent SPLB to rule out or to follow the progression of a lymphoma. The clinical outcome and the pathology reports were analyzed retrospectively. Results: SPLB was completed laparoscopically in all cases. The total number of biopsies performed for each procedure was sometimes multiple (median: 2; range: 1-3). Duration of surgery was 85 ± 32 minutes (range: 75-105 minutes). Length of hospitalization was 1.8 ± 0.7 days (range: 1-3 days). No major postoperative complications occurred. A cutaneous infection managed conservatively was observed in a patient. In 10 patients, SPLB was used to establish a diagnosis whereas in 5 patients it was performed to follow a progression of a lymphoproliferative disease. In 93.3% of the cases, SPLB achieved the correct diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic decisions. Conclusion: SPLB has shown good procedure and postoperative outcomes as well as a high diagnostic yield, comparable to literature data on traditional MPLB. Therefore, our results show that this approach is safe and effective and can be an equally valid option to MPLB to obtain a diagnosis or to follow the progression of a lymphoproliferative disease. Further studies are necessary to support these results before its widespread adoption.

Serial monitoring of isavuconazole blood levels during prolonged antifungal therapy

BACKGROUND

Isavuconazole is the newest triazole antifungal approved for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and invasive mucormycosis in adult patients.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the assessment of the blood levels of isavuconazole and their association with efficacy and toxicity.

METHODS

From January 2017 to May 2018, blood samples obtained from patients receiving isavuconazole were analysed for therapeutic drug monitoring. Factors influencing the blood concentrations of isavuconazole, such as weight, length of treatment, route of administration and results of selected liver function tests, were analysed in univariate and multivariate models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was analysed to detect the best cut-off for isavuconazole toxicity.

RESULTS

A total of 264 isavuconazole blood concentrations in 19 patients were analysed. The median value of isavuconazole concentration in all patients during the first 30 days of therapy was 3.69 mg/L (range 0.64-8.13 mg/L). A linear increase of 0.032 mg/L (range 0.023-0.041 mg/L) for each day of treatment (P = 0.002) was observed. In multivariate analysis the association between the length of treatment and higher levels of isavuconazole (P < 0.001) and higher serum GGT and lower isavuconazole levels (P = 0.001) was confirmed. Adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal, were reported in six patients (31.6%). Based on time-dependent and fixed-time ROC curve analysis, 4.87 mg/L and 5.13 mg/L, respectively, were the identified thresholds for toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Isavuconazole was efficacious and well tolerated. Side effects, mainly gastrointestinal, were associated with prolonged administration and high serum levels.

WT1 overexpression at diagnosis may predict favorable outcome in patients with de novo non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia

We reviewed the frequency and prognostic significance of FLT3 (fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3) and NPM (nucleophosmin) gene mutations and WT1 (Wilms' tumor) and BAALC (brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic) gene expression in 100 consecutive patients with intermediate and poor cytogenetic risk de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving conventional anthracycline-AraC based therapy. We observed a strict relationship between unfavorable karyotype and BAALC >1000 (p = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis of 81 patients with intermediate karyotype revealed that younger age (p = 0.00009), NPM gene mutation (p = 0.002), and WT1 >75th percentile (>2365) (p = 0.003) were independent, positive factors for complete remission (CR). WT1 expression above 2365 was correlated also to longer event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) in the same subset of patients (p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively); the same finding occurred in younger patients with AML with intermediate karyotype (p = 0.008 and p = 0.01, respectively). In patients with intermediate karyotype, FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) negatively affected EFS (EFS at 30 months: 30% vs. 6% in FLT3-ITD negative and FLT3 positive patients, respectively; p = 0.01) and OS (OS at 30 months: 38% vs. 20%, p = 0.03). The positive prognostic value of high WT1 expression does not have a clear explanation; it may be implicated either with WT1 anti-oncogenic function, or with the stimulating effect of WT1 oncogene on the leukemic cellular cycle, possibly associated with an enhanced response to chemotherapy.

Seventeen years of experience with ATRA-based therapy for acute promyelocytic leukaemia: long-term follow-up of patients treated at S. Martino Hospital, Genoa

We conducted a long-term follow-up retrospective study on 91 consecutive newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients. Induction and consolidation therapy were well-tolerated by most patients. Of the 79 patients who were initially treated with the all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-containing regimens, there were 3 haemorrhagic deaths during the first period of therapy (4%) and one in consolidation which was due to infection. Following consolidation, molecular assessment of response was performed on 67 patients, and 66 were found to have achieved cytogenetic and molecular remission (98%). After a median follow-up of 100 months (12-192), 10 of the 75 patients who achieved complete remission (13%) relapsed. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were expected to be alive at 14 years from diagnosis, i.e., 90 and 48% of patients of intermediate-low risk and high risk at presentation, respectively (p=0.0009). Sixty-nine patients were in molecular remission after first-line and/or salvage therapy (74%). To date, 4 patients out of the 91 have undergone salvage allogeneic transplant (4%).