Phase 1/2 study of intratumoral G100 (TLR4 agonist) with or without pembrolizumab in follicular lymphoma

Intratumoral injection of G100, a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist, was shown pre-clinically to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses and tumor regression. This open-label, multicenter, phase 1/2 trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of intratumoral G100 injections following localized low-dose radiation in patients with follicular lymphoma (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02501473). The study was comprised of a G100 dose escalation (5 or 10 µg/dose, or 20 µg/dose for large tumors); a randomized component comparing G100 to G100 plus pembrolizumab; and G100 20 µg/dose expansion. Adverse events grade ≥3 were uncommon in patients treated with G100, and no unexpected toxicities were observed when combined with pembrolizumab. G100 20 µg (n = 18) resulted in an overall response rate of 33.3% and abscopal tumor regression in 72.2% of patients. This early-phase study provides a foundation for combining an intratumoral TLR4 agonist with agents to produce immune-mediated responses in follicular lymphoma with limited added toxicity.

Referral rates and supportive care metrics for a first-year community oncology AYA program

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Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients have a unique set of needs compared to younger and older patients that are often not addressed by primary providers in a busy clinical setting. Genetic counseling, fertility preservation, clinical trial enrollment and psychosocial support are a few of the key needs to address in this group. The AYA Cancer Program was created to specifically address these issues and mitigate the disparity in care and outcomes often seen in the AYA cohort. This study examines the number of patients referred to the AYA Cancer Program in its first year and evaluates the role of the program in addressing the supportive care needs of AYA patients. Methods: The study assessed patients actively under treatment between ages 15-39 from September 1, 2016 to September 1, 2017. The number of referrals to the AYA program, participation in the AYA program, and met supportive care needs (fertility, genetics, clinical trial participation) were examined. Results: During the first year of the clinic, 63 (22%) of the 288 AYA patients seen throughout the whole institution were seen in the AYA clinic. An additional 34 (12%) patients were referred but did not come to the appointment. 192 (69%) patients were not referred. Compared to non-referred patients, AYA clinic patients were more likely to be enrolled on a clinical trial (54% vs. 18%), have a documented fertility counseling discussion (94% vs. 16%) and receive a genetics referral (69% vs. 43%). Patients that were referred to the clinic but did not come were slightly more likely than non-referred patients to be offered the above services as well but still trailed the group of patients seen in the AYA clinic. Conclusions: Patients that were seen in the AYA program were more likely to receive fertility referrals, genetic referrals and had increased clinical trial participation compared to patients that were not referred. This highlights the essential role of the AYA clinic in meeting these under addressed needs in the AYA population. [Table: see text]

Intratumoral G100 to induce systemic immune responses and abscopal tumor regression in patients with follicular lymphoma

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Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable malignancy with patients (pts) ultimately relapsing following standard therapies. Active immunotherapy has the potential to induce life-long host anti-tumor immunity and disease control. G100 consists of glucopyranosyl lipid-A (GLA), a TLR-4 agonist in a specific formulation. Preclinically, G100 activates dendritic cells, T cells and NK cells, and triggers systemic anti-tumor immunity. In Merkel Cell carcinoma pts, G100 administered intratumorally (IT) induced tumor inflammation and responses including a CR after G100 alone. This is the first study of G100 IT in pts with NHL. Methods: Previously treated or naïve pts with FL with an injectable tumor site and distal sites of disease were eligible. In Part 1, G100 cohorts of 5 or 10µg were enrolled in a 3+3 design, followed by a large tumor ( > 4cm) cohort at 20µg. Pts received 6-9 doses of G100 IT ~qwk after radiation (RT, 2 Gy x2 doses) to the lesion. A 2nd course of G100 could be given without RT to an additional site. Results: As of 31Dec16, all 9 pts in Part 1 dose escalation (3 pts each at 5, 10, or 20 µg/dose) were evaluable for safety and efficacy. An additional 13 pts at 10µg/dose were included in the safety analysis only. No G100-related DLTs or SAEs were observed at any dose level. Of 22 safety pts, all G100 related AEs were grade 1/2 and none occurred in > 2 pts. Tumor biopsies following G100 demonstrated diffuse infiltration of CD8+ T cells in 5/5 pts and T cell repertoire analyses indicated an increased frequency of clonal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Best responses include: 4 PRs (45%), 3 SDs (33%) and 2 pending (22%). Of the 4 PR pts, tumor regression ranged 58-89% including up to 56% shrinkage of abscopal (distal) sites. Conclusions: G100 IT was safe, well-tolerated, induced CD8+ T cell infiltration and expansion of TIL clones. G100/RT treated and abscopal lesion regressions were observed signifying the induction or boosting of systemic anti-tumor immunity. The induction of immune responses, favorable safety profile and clinical activity indicate that G100 IT is an active agent that warrants further investigation. Part 2 enrollment continues with randomization to G100/RT ± pembrolizumab. Clinical trial information: NCT02501473.

Contemporary treatment of APL

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by coagulopathy, leukopenic presentation and sensitivity to anthracyclines, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). For the last 25 years, APL has been treated with a combination of ATRA and chemotherapy for induction followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy. This general treatment approach has resulted in cure rates of 80-90 %. ATO, originally approved in relapsed APL, has been incorporated into contemporary upfront treatment regimens with excellent response rates. Recent studies show that most patients with APL can be cured with ATRA and ATO alone, eliminating cytotoxic chemotherapy and resulting in superior outcomes compared to standard treatment. We will herein review historical treatment of APL, treatment considerations in specific patient populations, and therapeutic updates.

Acute myeloid leukemia presenting with panhypopituitarism or diabetes insipidus: a case series with molecular genetic analysis and review of the literature

Central diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare finding in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), usually occurring in patients with chromosome 3 or 7 abnormalities. We describe four patients with AML and concurrent DI and a fifth patient with AML and panhypopituitarism. Four of five patients had monosomy 7. Three patients had chromosome 3q21q26/EVI-1 gene rearrangements. The molecular genotype of patients with AML and DI is not known. Therefore, we performed gene sequencing of 30 genes commonly mutated in AML in three patients with available leukemia cell DNA. One patient had no identifiable mutations, and two had RUNX1 F158S mutations.