Frontline therapy with bendamustine rituximab (BR) and rituximab cyclophosphamide vincristine prednisone (RCVP) confers similar long-term outcomes in patients with treatment naïve Waldenström macroglobulinemia in a real-world setting: a population-based analysis

We report on outcomes of 111 patients with treatment naïve Waldenström macroglobulinemia (TN WM) treated with frontline bendamustine-rituximab (BR) (n = 57) or rituximab-cyclophosphamide-vincristine-prednisone (RCVP) (n = 54). Median follow-up was 60.7 months (range 1.9-231.6). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 60.5 months (95% CI 47.6-73.4) for BR and 79.0 months (95% CI 31.3-126.8) for RCVP (p = .96). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached for BR and 153.4 months (95% CI 114.5-192.4) for RCVP (p = .37). While overall and major response rates did not differ between treatment groups, BR had numerically higher rate of very good partial response or better response (51% vs. 37%, p = .30) and complete response (26% vs. 13%, p = .13). RCVP confers comparable outcomes to BR in a real-world population of TN WM patients and remains an effective regimen, particularly when tolerance or frailty is an issue, or in resource-limited settings.

Genetic subdivisions of follicular lymphoma defined by distinct coding and noncoding mutation patterns

Follicular lymphoma (FL) accounts for ∼20% of all new lymphoma cases. Increases in cytological grade are a feature of the clinical progression of this malignancy, and eventual histologic transformation (HT) to the aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) occurs in up to 15% of patients. Clinical or genetic features to predict the risk and timing of HT have not been described comprehensively. In this study, we analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 423 patients to compare the protein coding and noncoding mutation landscapes of untransformed FL, transformed FL, and de novo DLBCL. This revealed 2 genetically distinct subgroups of FL, which we have named DLBCL-like (dFL) and constrained FL (cFL). Each subgroup has distinguishing mutational patterns, aberrant somatic hypermutation rates, and biological and clinical characteristics. We implemented a machine learning-derived classification approach to stratify patients with FL into cFL and dFL subgroups based on their genomic features. Using separate validation cohorts, we demonstrate that cFL status, whether assigned with this full classifier or a single-gene approximation, is associated with a reduced rate of HT. This implies distinct biological features of cFL that constrain its evolution, and we highlight the potential for this classification to predict HT from genetic features present at diagnosis.

Population-level impact of ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in British Columbia, Canada

Ibrutinib has dramatically changed the treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since its availability in British Columbia (BC), Canada in 2014. We analyzed patterns of use and real-world survival outcomes in 370 patients who received ibrutinib for first-line (1 L, n = 35) and relapsed/refractory (R/R, n = 335) CLL between 2014-2018 in BC. Dose reductions and interruptions were frequent in 32% and 27%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 27.6 months, 35% of patients discontinued ibrutinib, primarily for adverse events (AEs) rather than progressive disease. Over the course of treatment, 87% of patients experienced at least one adverse event. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were excellent at 83.9% and 76.1%, respectively, with medians not reached. However, patients who discontinued ibrutinib had a median OS of 32.5 months and median EFS of only 3.8 months from time of discontinuation, highlighting the need to minimize toxicity in the real-world.

Mortality related to pulmonary embolism in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the CDC Multiple Cause of Death database

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a large number of excess deaths. COVID-19 emerged as a prothrombotic disease often complicated by pulmonary embolism (PE). In light of this, we hypothesized that PE-related mortality rates (stable before the pandemic) would be characterized by an increasing trend following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Purpose

To investigate the mortality rates associated with PE among deaths with or without COVID-19 during the 2020 pandemic in the United States (US).

Methods

For this retrospective epidemiological study, we analyzed public medically certified vital registration data (death certificates encompassing underlying and multiple causes of death) from the Mortality Multiple Cause-of-Death database provided by the Division of Vital Statistics of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; US, 2018–20). We investigated the time trends in monthly PE-related crude mortality rates for 2018–2019 and for 2020 (the latter associated vs. not associated with COVID-19), utilizing annual national population totals from the US Census Bureau. Second, we calculated the PE-related proportionate mortality among COVID-19 deaths (overall and limited to autopsy-based diagnosis). We performed subgroup analyses based on age groups, sex and race.

Results

During 2020, 49,423 deaths in association with PE were reported, vs. 39,450 in 2019 and 38,215 in 2018. The crude PE-related mortality rate without COVID-19 was 13.3 per 100,000 population in 2020 compared to 11.7 in 2018 and 12.0 in 2019 (Figure 1A). The PE-related mortality rate with COVID-19 was 1.6 per 100,000 population in 2020. Among non-COVID-19-related deaths, the crude PE-related mortality rate was higher in women; among COVID-19-related deaths, it was higher in men. PE-related mortality rates were approximately two-fold higher among black (vs. white) general population irrespective of COVID-19 status (Figures 1B and 1C). Among COVID-19 deaths, PE-related deaths corresponded to 1.4% of total; the value rose to 6.0% when an autopsy was performed. This figure was higher in men and its time evolution is depicted in Figure 2A. The proportionate mortality of PE in COVID-19 deaths was higher for younger age groups (15–44 years) compared to non-COVID-19-related deaths (Figure 2B).

Conclusion

In 2020, an overall 20%-increase in PE-related mortality was reported, not being limited to patients with COVID-19. Our findings could be interpreted in the context of undiagnosed COVID-19 cases, uncounted late sequelae, and possibly sedentary lifestyle and avoidance of healthcare facilities during the pandemic that may have prevented timely diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. Whether vaccination programs had an impact on PE-associated mortality in the year 2021, remains to be determined.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Overall Survival with Brentuximab Vedotin in Stage III or IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Five-year follow-up in a trial involving patients with previously untreated stage III or IV classic Hodgkin's lymphoma showed long-term progression-free survival benefits with first-line therapy with brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD), as compared with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). A planned interim analysis indicated a potential benefit with regard to overall survival; data from a median of 6 years of follow-up are now available.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive up to six cycles of A+AVD or ABVD. The primary end point, modified progression-free survival, has been reported previously. The key secondary end point was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 664 patients were assigned to receive A+AVD and 670 to receive ABVD. At a median follow-up of 73.0 months, 39 patients in the A+AVD group and 64 in the ABVD group had died (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 0.88; P = 0.009). The 6-year overall survival estimates were 93.9% (95% CI, 91.6 to 95.5) in the A+AVD group and 89.4% (95% CI, 86.6 to 91.7) in the ABVD group. Progression-free survival was longer with A+AVD than with ABVD (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.86). Fewer patients in the A+AVD group than in the ABVD group received subsequent therapy, including transplantation, and fewer second cancers were reported with A+AVD (in 23 vs. 32 patients). Primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was recommended after an increased incidence of febrile neutropenia was observed with A+AVD. More patients had peripheral neuropathy with A+AVD than with ABVD, but most patients in the two groups had resolution or amelioration of the event by the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received A+AVD for the treatment of stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma had a survival advantage over those who received ABVD. (Funded by Takeda Development Center Americas and Seagen; ECHELON-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01712490; EudraCT number, 2011-005450-60.).

First-line brentuximab vedotin plus chemotherapy to improve overall survival in patients with stage III/IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma: An updated analysis of ECHELON-1

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Background: To date, an overall survival (OS) benefit from upfront treatment for new treatment combinations over existing approaches has rarely been shown in first-line classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). With the introduction of newer active therapies for relapsed/refractory disease, demonstration of improved OS with first-line therapy has been challenging. In ECHELON-1 (NCT01712490), 5-year follow-up analyses supported the long-term progression-free survival (PFS) benefit with first-line brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) vs doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) in patients (pts) with stage III/IV cHL, independent of interim positron emission tomography status. A+AVD had a manageable long-term safety profile, with numerically fewer second malignancies and a greater number of pregnancies reported vs ABVD (Connors et al, NEJM 2018; Straus et al, Lancet Haematol 2021). We report a prespecified OS analysis after approximately 6 years’ follow-up (cut-off, June 1, 2021). Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive up to 6 cycles of A+AVD (n = 664) or ABVD (n = 670) on day 1 and 15 every 28 days. OS was the key secondary endpoint and was an event-driven, pre-specified, alpha-controlled analysis in the intention to treat population. Results: At a median follow-up of 73 months, 39 and 64 OS events occurred in A+AVD and ABVD arms, respectively: OS significantly favored A+AVD vs ABVD (HR 0.590; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.396–0.879; p = 0.009). Estimated 6-year OS rates (95% CI) were 93.9% (91.6–95.5) vs 89.4% (86.6–91.7) with A+AVD vs ABVD, respectively. There was a consistent OS benefit for A+AVD vs ABVD across prespecified subgroups. The 6-year PFS estimate was 82.3% (79.1–85.0) vs 74.5% (70.8–77.7) with A+AVD vs ABVD, respectively (HR 0.678 [95% CI 0.532–0.863]). Overall, A+AVD had a comparable long-term safety profile to ABVD. Treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy continued to resolve or improve in both arms, with 86% (379/443) and 87% (249/286) of cases in the A+AVD and ABVD arms either completely resolving (72% vs 79%) or improving (14% vs 8%) by last follow-up. Fewer second malignancies were reported in the A+AVD vs ABVD arm (23 vs 32). More female patients reported pregnancy (49 vs 28) or live births (42 vs 19 in females) in the A+AVD vs the ABVD arm; no stillbirths were reported. No new safety signals were identified. Conclusions: A+AVD treatment resulted in a statistically significant 41% reduction in the risk of death vs ABVD, with a manageable safety profile consistent with prior reports. These outcomes confirm A+AVD as a preferred option for pts with previously untreated stage III/IV cHL. Clinical trial information: NCT01712490.

Outcomes of Hodgkin variant Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma in British Columbia

Hodgkin variant Richter transformation (HvRT) is a rare and challenging complication of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) for which information on prognostic factors and treatment approaches remain limited. We analysed characteristics and survival outcomes of a population-based cohort of 32 patients with HvRT identified in British Columbia over a 40-year period. Median interval from CLL diagnosis to HvRT was 5.6 years (range, 0-33.6), with five cases diagnosed concurrently. Most patients (80%) had treatment for CLL prior to HvRT. Median age at HvRT was 71 years (range, 51-86) and the majority of patients had high-risk disease, including stage 3-4 in 87% and International Prognostic Score (IPS) ≥ 4 in 65%. Two-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from HvRT were 47% (95% CI: 29%-64%) and 57% (95% CI: 38%-72%), respectively. OS from HvRT was significantly worse in those with anaemia (p = 0.02), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.04), high IPS (p = 0.04), and worse performance status (p = 0.001). For those treated with curative-intent ABVD/ABVD-like therapy, 2-year PFS and OS were 70% (95% CI: 45%-85%) and 74% (95% CI: 49%-89%), respectively. In this real-world population-based cohort, HvRT was associated with poor clinical outcomes overall; however, those able to tolerate curative-intent therapy had similar survival to older patients with de novo HL.

Tumor associated antigen PRAME exhibits dualistic functions that are targetable in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

PRAME is a prominent member of the cancer testis antigen family of proteins, which triggers autologous T cell–mediated immune responses. Integrative genomic analysis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) uncovered recurrent and highly focal deletions of 22q11.22, including the PRAME gene, which were associated with poor outcome. PRAME-deleted tumors showed cytotoxic T cell immune escape and were associated with cold tumor microenvironments. In addition, PRAME downmodulation was strongly associated with somatic EZH2 Y641 mutations in DLBCL. In turn, PRC2-regulated genes were repressed in isogenic PRAME-KO lymphoma cell lines, and PRAME was found to directly interact with EZH2 as a negative regulator. EZH2 inhibition with EPZ-6438 abrogated these extrinsic and intrinsic effects, leading to PRAME expression and microenvironment restoration in vivo. Our data highlight multiple functions of PRAME during lymphomagenesis and provide a preclinical rationale for synergistic therapies combining epigenetic reprogramming with PRAME-targeted therapies.

A183 SUCCINATE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND OBESITY IN SUCCINATE RECEPTOR DEFICIENT MICE

Background

The incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) among the obese pediatric populations is increasing. Succinate has been identified as a possible metabolite linking the two diseases. Succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) gene knockout (KO) mice are less susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

Aims

To determine whether succinate plays a role in mice becoming obese and colitis in obesity, and whether an obese-inducing diet would change the gut microbiota. We hypothesized that SUCNR1-KO mice would not become obese and would experience less colonic inflammation despite the diet.

Methods

C57BL/6 (WT) were bred with SUCNR1-KO mice (generously provided by Amgen), and the heterozygous (HZ) F1 offspring bred to obtain F2. Two of 3 F2 litters included SUCNR1-KO mice, which were caged by sex but not genotype. These F2 mice began a high-fat/high-sugar (obese, Dytes) diet at 5 wks of age for 5 wks. Weights were recorded and stool collected. All mice then had 3% DSS replace their water, for 5 days. Mice were observed for diarrhea and occult blood. After the DSS, facility water was returned for 1 day prior to postmortem analyses. Mice were scanned using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for measures of fat, lean and fat mass, and bone density. Their colons were resected and fixed for histopathology. Stool was banked frozen until processed for sequencing using 16S Ribosomal primers.

Results

Three F2 litters were comprised of ratios of HZ:WT:SUCNR1-KO of 14:7:2. SUCNR1-KO mice (n=2 female) had a greater increase in weight compared to other genotypes during the obesity-induction phase. Weight loss during the DSS phase was similar across all genotypes. All mice had blood in their stool. DEXA measures did not differ between genotypes. All genotypes of mice had inflamed colons.

Conclusions

SUCNR1-KO mice are not resistant to obesity, nor from colitis when consuming the obese diet, outcomes that do not support our hypothesis. It remains to be determined whether the diet alters the microbiome resulting in SUCNR1-KO mice being suscueptible to colitis. Microbial sequencing is underway.

Funding Agencies

IWK Health Project Grant

CRIS: complete reconstruction of immunoglobulin V-D-J sequences from RNA-seq data

MOTIVATION

B cells display remarkable diversity in producing B-cell receptors through recombination of immunoglobulin (Ig) V-D-J genes. Somatic hypermutation (SHM) of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) genes are used as a prognostic marker in B-cell malignancies. Clinically, IGHV mutation status is determined by targeted Sanger sequencing which is a resource-intensive and low-throughput procedure. Here, we describe a bioinformatic pipeline, CRIS (Complete Reconstruction of Immunoglobulin IGHV-D-J Sequences) that uses RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets to reconstruct IGHV-D-J sequences and determine IGHV SHM status.

RESULTS

CRIS extracts RNA-seq reads aligned to Ig gene loci, performs assembly of Ig transcripts and aligns the resulting contigs to reference Ig sequences to enumerate and classify SHMs in the IGHV gene sequence. CRIS improves on existing tools that infer the B-cell receptor repertoire from RNA-seq data using a portion IGHV gene segment by de novo assembly. We show that the SHM status identified by CRIS using the entire IGHV gene segment is highly concordant with clinical classification in three independent chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient cohorts.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

The CRIS pipeline is available under the MIT License from https://github.com/Rashedul/CRIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.

Older patients (aged ≥60 years) with previously untreated advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma: a detailed analysis from the phase III ECHELON-1 study

Effective and tolerable treatments are needed for older patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. We report results for older patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated in the large phase III ECHELON-1 study of frontline brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) versus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). Modified progression-free survival per independent review facility for older versus younger patients (aged ≥60 vs. <60 years) was a pre-specified subgroup analysis; as the ECHELON- 1 study was not powered for these analyses, reported P-values are descriptive. Of 1,334 enrolled patients, 186 (14%) were aged ≥60 years (A+AVD: n=84, ABVD: n=102); results below refer to this age group. Modified progression-free survival per independent review facility was similar in the two arms at 24 months (A+AVD: 70.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 58.4–79.4], ABVD: 71.4% [95% CI: 60.5–79.8], hazard ratio (HR)=1.00 [95% CI: 0.58–1.72], P=0.993). After a median follow-up of 60.9 months, 5-year progression-free survival per investigator was 67.1% with A+AVD versus 61.6% with ABVD (HR=0.820 [95% CI: 0.494–1.362], P=0.443). Comparing A+AVD versus ABVD, grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 18% versus 3%; any-grade febrile neutropenia in 37% versus 17%; and any-grade pulmonary toxicity in 2% versus 13%, respectively, with three (3%) pulmonary toxicity-related deaths in patients receiving ABVD (none in those receiving A+AVD). Altogether, A+AVD showed overall similar efficacy to ABVD with survival rates in both arms comparing favorably to those of prior series in older patients with advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Compared to ABVD, A+AVD was associated with higher rates of neuropathy and neutropenia, but lower rates of pulmonary-related toxicity. Trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01712490; EudraCT number: 2011-005450-60.

Outcome of relapsed and refractory nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: a North American analysis

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare entity, with limited data on the outcome in the relapsed/refractory setting. We evaluated the outcome of all patients diagnosed between 04/1979 and 01/2019 with relapsed or progressive NLPHL after initial active therapy at two institutions, refractory disease being defined as lack of response to treatment and/or relapse within three months of treatment. NLPHL patients with histological evidence of transformation at time of first relapse or progression were excluded. In total, 69 patients with recurrent NLPHL were included in the study. After a median follow-up after initial diagnosis of 14 years (range, 0·5-46 years), median progression-free survival after front-line treatment (PFS-1) was four years. Second-line therapy included chemotherapy in 28 (41%) patients, biological therapy (rituximab, lenalidomide or brentuximab vedotin) in 14 (20%), high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant in 14 (20%) and radiation therapy (RT) alone in 10 (15%). The five-year PFS after second-line therapy (PFS-2) was 68% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54-79%] but the five-year overall survival (OS) after second-line therapy (OS-2) remained excellent, at 94% (95% CI, 85-99%). Due to excellent outcome in case of recurrence, studies aimed at characterizing its biology to guide therapy de-escalation are needed.

Brentuximab vedotin with chemotherapy for stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (ECHELON-1): 5-year update of an international, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma with the introduction of PET-adapted regimens, practical challenges prevent more widespread use of these approaches. The ECHELON-1 study assessed the safety and efficacy of front-line A+AVD (brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) versus ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) in patients with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The primary analysis showed improved modified progression-free survival with A+AVD. We present an updated analysis of ECHELON-1 at 5 years, an important landmark for this patient population.

METHODS

ECHELON-1 was an international, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial done at 218 clinical sites, including hospitals, cancer centres, and community clinics, in 21 countries. Previously untreated patients (≥18 years with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤2) with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive A+AVD (brentuximab vedotin, 1·2 mg/kg of bodyweight, doxorubicin 25 mg/m² of body surface area, vinblastine 6 mg/m², and dacarbazine 375 mg/m²) or ABVD (doxorubicin 25 mg/m², bleomycin 10 U/m², vinblastine 6 mg/m², and dacarbazine 375 mg/m²) intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to six cycles. Stratification factors included region (Americas vs Europe vs Asia) and International Prognostic Score risk group (low, intermediate, or high risk). The primary endpoint was modified progression-free survival; this 5-year update includes analysis of progression-free survival as per investigator assessment in the intention-to-treat population, which was an exploratory endpoint, although the 5-year analysis was not prespecified in the protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01712490) and EudraCT (2011-005450-60), and is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 19, 2012, and Jan 13, 2016, 1334 patients were randomly assigned to receive A+AVD (n=664) or ABVD (n=670). At a median follow-up of 60·9 months (IQR 52·2-67·3), 5-year progression-free survival was 82·2% (95% CI 79·0-85·0) with A+AVD and 75·3% (71·7-78·5) with ABVD (hazard ratio [HR] 0·68 [95% CI 0·53-0·87]; p=0·0017). Among PET-2-negative patients, 5-year progression-free survival was higher with A+AVD than with ABVD (84·9% [95% CI 81·7-87·6] vs 78·9% [75·2-82·1]; HR 0·66 [95% CI 0·50-0·88]; p=0·0035). 5-year progression-free survival for PET-2-positive patients was 60·6% (95% CI 45·0-73·1) with A+AVD versus 45·9% (32·7-58·2) with ABVD (HR 0·70 [95% CI 0·39-1·26]; p=0·23). Peripheral neuropathy continued to improve or resolve over time with both A+AVD (375 [85%] of 443 patients) and ABVD (245 [86%] of 286 patients); more patients had ongoing peripheral neuropathy in the A+AVD group (127 [19%] of 662) than in the ABVD group (59 [9%] of 659). Fewer secondary malignancies were reported with A+AVD (19 [3%] of 662) than with ABVD (29 [4%] of 659). More livebirths were reported in the A+AVD group (n=75) than in the ABVD group (n=50).

INTERPRETATION

With 5 years of follow-up, A+AVD showed robust and durable improvement in progression-free survival versus ABVD, regardless of PET-2 status, and a consistent safety profile. On the basis of these findings, A+AVD should be preferred over ABVD for patients with previously untreated stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

FUNDING

Millennium Pharmaceuticals (a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company), and Seagen.

Outcomes after initial refusal of curative treatment in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in British Columbia

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Background: Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is considered a highly curable cancer. With standard combination chemotherapy regimens, long-term survival exceeds 95% for limited-stage and 85% for advanced-stage patients. Despite these excellent outcomes some patients delay or decline conventional treatment for cHL. We retrospectively assessed the impact of initial treatment refusal on outcomes of patients with cHL in British Columbia (BC). Methods: Using the BC Cancer Lymphoid Cancer Database, we identified all patients aged 18-70 diagnosed between 1st Jan 1999- 31st Dec 2020 that had documented treatment refusal at initial presentation (‘refusers’ defined as not receiving or delaying treatment > 16 weeks). We identified a control cohort (min. 3 controls/refuser) treated within 8 weeks of diagnosis, matched for age, stage, diagnosis date within 3 years, and blinded for outcome. All patients had centrally reviewed biopsies and were treated with ABVD or ABVD-like regimens +/- radiotherapy if appropriate. Patient and disease characteristics at baseline and at time of treatment were analyzed with Chi-squared test and one-way ANOVA test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and statistical significance between groups was determined using the log-rank test. Results: We identified a cohort of 15 patients who initially refused treatment and 47 matched controls. The control cohort was well-matched, with no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics (age, sex, Ann Arbor stage, B symptoms, International Prognostic Score (IPS) score, ECOG PS, and disease bulk) between groups. The most common reason for initial treatment refusal was to pursue alternative therapy (73%). 13 of 15 refusers eventually accepted treatment (mean time to treatment 76 weeks [range 26-214] vs. 5 weeks [range 1-8] for controls, p < 0.001). At time of treatment, the proportion of refusers with advanced-stage disease increased from 20% to 62% (p = 0.03) and had an associated alteration of treatment plan, and 62% of patients developed higher risk disease with increased IPS score (p = 0.02). At median follow-up of 5 years (0.4-21 years) for all living patients, estimated 5-year PFS was 65% vs 84%, and 5-year OS was 93% vs 98% for refusers and controls respectively. With extended follow up, 13% of refusers (1 late death at 8 years) compared to only 4% of controls died of cHL specifically. Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of treatment refusal in this highly curable malignancy. Initial refusal of treatment is associated with progression of stage, worsening prognostic score, escalation to more prolonged treatment than required at diagnosis, and increased risk of death from cHL. This analysis may help to provide guidance to counselling physicians, as well as inform patients who may be considering alternatives to standard of care for cHL.

Brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in patients with advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A prespecified subgroup analysis of high-risk patients from the ECHELON-1 study

Approximately one-third of patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma presenting with Stage IV disease do not survive past 5 years. We present updated efficacy and safety analyses in high-risk patient subgroups, defined by Stage IV disease or International Prognostic Score (IPS) of 4-7, enrolled in the ECHELON-1 study that compared brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A + AVD) versus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) as first-line therapy after a median follow-up of 37.1 months. Among patients treated with A + AVD (n = 664) or ABVD (n = 670), 64% had Stage IV disease and 26% had an IPS of 4-7. Patients with Stage IV disease treated with A + AVD showed consistent improvements in PFS at 3 years as assessed by investigator (hazard ratio [HR], 0.723; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.537-0.973; p = 0.032). Similar improvements were seen in the subgroup of patients with IPS of 4-7 (HR, 0.588; 95% CI, 0.386-0.894; p = 0.012). The most common adverse events (AEs) in A + AVD-treated versus ABVD-treated patients with Stage IV disease were peripheral neuropathy (67% vs. 40%) and neutropenia (71% vs. 55%); in patients with IPS of 4-7, the most common AEs were peripheral neuropathy (69% vs. 45%), neutropenia (66% vs. 55%), and febrile neutropenia (23% vs. 9%), respectively. Patients in high-risk subgroups did not experience greater AE incidence or severity than patients in the total population. This updated analysis of ECHELON-1 shows a favorable benefit-risk balance in high-risk patients.

Cancer and thrombosis: new insights to an old problem

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in patients with cancer and portends a poor prognosis. Our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of VTE in cancer has advanced since Trousseau first described hypercoagulability in patients with malignancy and Virchow described his famous triad of thrombosis formation. Malignancy itself induces a thrombophilic state by increasing the risk of venous stasis, endothelial injury and an imbalance of pro and anti-thrombotic factors leading to a hypercoaguable state. Additional insults to this thrombotic balance are introduced by patient-specific, treatment related and tumor-specific factors. The importance of understanding the factors associated with increased thrombosis in cancer is paramount in order to adequately identify patients who will benefit from thromboprophylaxis.

Tattoos and Hematologic Malignancies in British Columbia, Canada

BACKGROUND

Tattoos may cause a variety of adverse reactions in the body, including immune reactions and infections. However, it is unknown whether tattoos may increase the risk of lymphatic cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma.

METHODS

Participants from two population-based case-control studies were included in logistic regression models to examine the association between tattoos and risk of NHL and multiple myeloma.

RESULTS

A total of 1,518 participants from the NHL study (737 cases) and 742 participants from the multiple myeloma study (373 cases) were included in the analyses. No statistically significant associations were found between tattoos and risk of NHL or multiple myeloma after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, education, body mass index, and family history.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not identify any significant associations between tattoos and risk of multiple myeloma, NHL, or NHL subtypes in these studies.

IMPACT

Though biologically plausible, tattoos were not associated with increased risk of NHL or multiple myeloma in this study. Future studies with greater detail regarding tattoo exposure may provide further insights.

Genetic and evolutionary patterns of treatment resistance in relapsed B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients are typically treated with immunochemotherapy containing rituximab (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin-vincristine (Oncovin), and prednisone [R-CHOP]); however, prognosis is extremely poor if R-CHOP fails. To identify genetic mechanisms contributing to primary or acquired R-CHOP resistance, we performed target-panel sequencing of 135 relapsed/refractory DLBCLs (rrDLBCLs), primarily comprising circulating tumor DNA from patients on clinical trials. Comparison with a metacohort of 1670 diagnostic DLBCLs identified 6 genes significantly enriched for mutations upon relapse. TP53 and KMT2D were mutated in the majority of rrDLBCLs, and these mutations remained clonally persistent throughout treatment in paired diagnostic-relapse samples, suggesting a role in primary treatment resistance. Nonsense and missense mutations affecting MS4A1, which encodes CD20, are exceedingly rare in diagnostic samples but show recurrent patterns of clonal expansion following rituximab-based therapy. MS4A1 missense mutations within the transmembrane domains lead to loss of CD20 in vitro, and patient tumors harboring these mutations lacked CD20 protein expression. In a time series from a patient treated with multiple rounds of therapy, tumor heterogeneity and minor MS4A1-harboring subclones contributed to rapid disease recurrence, with MS4A1 mutations as founding events for these subclones. TP53 and KMT2D mutation status, in combination with other prognostic factors, may be used to identify high-risk patients prior to R-CHOP for posttreatment monitoring. Using liquid biopsies, we show the potential to identify tumors with loss of CD20 surface expression stemming from MS4A1 mutations. Implementation of noninvasive assays to detect such features of acquired treatment resistance may allow timely transition to more effective treatment regimens.

Outcome of elderly patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in British Columbia

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Background: Outcomes in elderly patients (pts) with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have traditionally been poor. We evaluated the survival of elderly pts (>60 years [y]) with classical HL in British Columbia (BC). Methods: All pts aged >60 y newly diagnosed with classical HL from 1961 to 2019 were identified in the BC Cancer Lymphoid Cancer Database. Limited stage was defined as non-bulky (<10 cm) stage 1A/IB or 2A (before 2000 1B = advanced stage), with the remainder considered advanced stage. Results: Following exclusions (HIV positive n=4, incomplete data n=21, prior or concurrent other lymphoproliferative disease n=67), 713 pts were identified. With a median follow up of 6.0 y (0.1 - 24.0 y) in living pts, there has been an improvement in 5 y DSS/OS (both p<.001) by decade comparison: 1960s (n=52) 25%/17%; 1970s (n=75) 38%/31%; 1980s (n=90) 51%/43%; 1990s (n=115) 53%/42%; 2000s (n=180) 66%/57%; 2010s (n=201) 63%/53%. To account for advances in diagnosis, staging, supportive care, and therapy in the modern era, we evaluated the outcome of pts diagnosed since 01/1995. A total of 368 pts were treated with curative intent (Table). Most pts received multi-agent chemotherapy (n=359, 98%: ABVD[like] n=351, alkylator-based n=7, CHOP n=1), 8 pts had radiotherapy (RT) alone, and 1 pt had surgery (primary CNS HL). The 5 y DSS, PFS, and OS were 74%, 57%, and 62%, respectively. Increasing age was associated with inferior outcomes (5 y DSS/PFS/OS): 61-70 y (81%/70%/74%), 71-80 y (69%/47%/52%), and >80 y (59%/27%/31%) (DSS p=.011; PFS p<.0001; OS p<.0001). Of 318 pts that received bleomycin, 60 (19%) developed pulmonary toxicity, including 22 cases that occurred after cycles 1 and 2. Overall, 24/368 pts (7%) died of acute treatment toxicity (pulmonary [bleomycin n=10, radiation n=1], infection n=10, cardiac n=3). There was no association between age and developing bleomycin (p=.80) or lethal treatment toxicities (p=.74). Conclusions: The outcome of elderly pts with HL has improved in recent decades. However, treatment related toxicity remains a concern and use of multi-agent chemotherapy, particularly bleomycin-containing regimens, should be undertaken with caution. [Table: see text]

Birth Order, Sibship Size, Childhood Environment and Immune-Related Disorders, and Risk of Lymphoma in Lymphoid Cancer Families

BACKGROUND

Familial aggregation of lymphoid cancers and immune-related disorders suggests a role for genetic susceptibility; however, few studies examine environmental factors. According to the hygiene hypothesis, adult-onset immune-related diseases may be a consequence of reduced childhood infectious exposures and aberrant immune development. In a cohort of 196 multiple-case lymphoid cancer families, we analyzed environmental factors related to the hygiene hypothesis.

METHODS

Family structure, childhood environment, and immune-related disorders were examined among 196 lymphoid cancer families, in relation to risk of lymphoid cancer. We report on 450 lymphoid cancer cases and 1,018 unaffected siblings using logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to estimate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for association.

RESULTS

The risk of lymphoma tended to decrease with later birth order (OR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78-0.89) and larger sibship size (OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.79-0.85). High maternal education, above average family income during childhood, allergies (OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.44-3.51), and tonsillectomy (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.14-2.78) were independent risk factors for lymphoma. Familial lymphoid cancer cases were more likely to report environment (OR = 1.90; 95% CI, 1.21-2.98) and drug (OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.41-3.73) allergies.

CONCLUSIONS

These associations underscore the complex etiology of familial lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the largest multiple-case family-based study that supports the hygiene hypothesis contributing to lymphoid cancer risk.

IMPACT

Understanding the mechanism by which environmental and lifestyle factors affect lymphoid cancer risk may advance cancer prevention, even in the familial context.

Resources-Stratified Guidelines for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a haematological malignancy predominantly affecting young adults. Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable disease by current treatment standards. Latest treatment guidelines for Hodgkin lymphoma however imply access to diagnostic and treatment modalities that may not be available in settings with restricted healthcare resources. Considerable discrepancies in Hodgkin lymphoma patient survival exist, with poorer outcomes reported in resources-constrained settings. Resources-stratified guidelines for diagnosis, staging and treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma were derived in an effort to optimize patient outcome provided a given setting of available resources. These guidelines were derived based on the framework of the Breast Health Global Initiative stratifying resource levels in basic, core, advanced and maximal categories.

Validation of a simplified international prognostic score (IPS-3) in patients with advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma

A novel prognostic score (IPS-3), comprised of only three of the seven IPS-7 indicators (age ≥45, stage IV, haemoglobin <105 g/l), was recently proposed as a simplified model for advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). We aimed to validate this model in advanced-stage cHL patients treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) in British Columbia. The estimated five-year freedom from progression (FFP) for scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 were very similar to the original report at 84%, 76%, 72% and 68% respectively. The IPS-3 score is highly reproducible in this independent dataset and its simplicity makes it appealing for everyday clinical practice.

Single Cell Phenotypic Profiling of 27 DLBCL Cases Reveals Marked Intertumoral and Intratumoral Heterogeneity

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histologic subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is notorious for its clinical heterogeneity. Patient outcomes can be predicted by cell-of-origin (COO) classification, demonstrating that the underlying transcriptional signature of malignant B-cells informs biological behavior in the context of standard combination chemotherapy regimens. In the current study, we used mass cytometry (CyTOF) to examine tumor phenotypes at the protein level with single cell resolution in a collection of 27 diagnostic DLBCL biopsy specimens from treatment naïve patients. We found that malignant B-cells from each patient occupied unique regions in 37-dimensional phenotypic space with no apparent clustering of samples into discrete subtypes. Interestingly, variable MHC class II expression was found to be the greatest contributor to phenotypic diversity. Within individual tumors, a subset of cases showed multiple phenotypic subpopulations, and in one case, we were able to demonstrate direct correspondence between protein-level phenotypic subsets and DNA mutation-defined subclones. In summary, CyTOF analysis can resolve both intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity among primary samples and reveals that each case of DLBCL is unique and may be comprised of multiple, genetically distinct subclones. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is the first approved novel agent for salvage treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In this study, a literature-based analysis was undertaken to assess, via an indirect treatment comparison, the comparative efficacy of BV to salvage chemotherapy as treatment for R/R cHL patients following ASCT. This comparative effectiveness research was undertaken to support a reimbursement submission for BV to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Retrospective analysis of individual patient data from four data sources demonstrated that the use of BV as first salvage treatment in cHL patients relapsing or progressing post-ASCT achieved improvements in both clinical response and overall survival. More specifically, BV was associated with an incremental improvement of 22% in overall response rate compared to salvage chemotherapy. Five-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 92·2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 85·5-99·3%] and 32·2% (95% CI: 19·1-54·6%) respectively for BV, compared to 30·5% (95% CI: 22·2-42·0%) and 3·2% (95% CI: 1·1-8·9%) respectively for salvage chemotherapy. The encouraging results from this conservative analysis have the potential to support informed clinical management and funding decisions for the first salvage of cHL patients demonstrating recurrence after ASCT.

Abstract 3480: TMEM30A loss-of-function mutations drive lymphomagenesis and confer therapeutically exploitable vulnerability in B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype worldwide, accounting for 40% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. DLBCL presents as an aggressive disease requiring immediate treatment. Although significant improvement in outcome has been achieved, ~40% of patients still experience treatment failure. Here, we characterized the recurrent genetic alterations and transcriptomic signatures in diagnostic biopsies from a population registry-based cohort of 347 patients with de novo DLBCL uniformly treated with R-CHOP. This analysis revealed bi-allelic loss of function mutations of TMEM30A that were associated with favorable treatment outcome. TMEM30A is a chaperone protein, involved in maintaining the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine, an integral component of the plasma membrane and “eat-me” signal recognized by macrophages. Using TMEM30A knockout systems by CRISPR genome editing techniques, we have functionally characterized this loss-of-function mutation in representative human and mouse DLBCL cell line models. We have discovered that TMEM30A loss is associated with increased B-cell signaling following antigen stimulation, including a two-fold increase in the diffusion rate of B-cell receptor (BCR) clustering, using high resolution Single Particle Tracking (SPT) technology. In addition, we have measured three-fold increase in chemotherapeutic drug accumulation in both knockout cell lines and randomly selected patient biopsies with TMEM30A biallelic loss. This observation was validated in a xenograft mouse model, which presented improved survival and limited tumor growth following vincristine treatment in mice injected with TMEM30A null DLBCL cell lines compared with native cell lines. This phenotype explains the improved prognosis observed in DLBCL patients following R-CHOP treatment. Furthermore, we have observed over two fold higher numbers of tumor-associated macrophages in B-cell lymphoma syngeneic mouse models with Tmem30a loss-of-function, prior to any form of treatment, suggesting the existence of “hot” and primed tumors. Our data highlight a multi-faceted role for TMEM30A and plasma membrane physiology in B-cell lymphomagenesis, and characterize intrinsic and extrinsic vulnerabilities of cancer cells that can be therapeutically exploited. Characterization of these mechanisms will address a missing link in the cancer field as related insights in lymphoma will outline therapeutic approaches that can be extended to cancer therapy in general.

Citation Format: Shannon Healy, Daisuke Ennishi, Ali Bashashati, Saeed Saberi, Christoffer Hother, Anja Mottok, Fong Chun Chan, Lauren Chong, Robert Kridel, Merrill Boyle, Barbara Meissner, Tomohiro Aoki, Katsuyoshi Takata, Bruce W. Woolcock, Elena Vigano, Libin Abraham, Michael Gold, Adele Telenius, Pedro Farinha, Graham Slack, Susana Ben-Neriah, Daniel Lai, Allen W. Zhang, Sohrab Salehi, Hennady P. Shulha, Derek S. Chiu, Sara Mostafavi, Alina S. Gerrie, Diego Villa, Laurie H. Sehn, Kerry J. J. Savage, Andrew J. J. Mungall, Andrew P. Weng, Marcel Bally, Ryan D. Morin, Gabriela V. Cohen Freue, Joseph M. Connors, Marco A. Marra, Sohrab P. Shah, Randy D. Gascoyne1, David W. Scott, Christian Steidl, Ulrich Steidl. TMEM30A loss-of-function mutations drive lymphomagenesis and confer therapeutically exploitable vulnerability in B-cell lymphoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3480.

Brentuximab vedotin with chemotherapy for stage 3/4 classical Hodgkin lymphoma: Three-year update of the ECHELON-1 study

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Background: The phase 3 ECHELON-1 study demonstrated that BV with AVD (A+AVD) was superior to ABVD for the frontline treatment of Stage 3/4 cHL. Maturing data from RATHL and SWOG S0816 show limitations to PET2-adapted strategies, including short and long-term toxicities in PET2+ patients (pts) switched to BEACOPP and still frequent relapse in PET2- pts. Pts in the RATHL trial with Stage 3/4 disease ≤60 yrs had a 3-yr PFS of 79.8% (82.1% PET2-); SWOG S0816 reported a 5-yr PFS of 74% (76% PET2-) in the same population. As an alternative to PET-adapted therapy, here we present a 3-year update of the ECHELON-1 study, including ITT PFS and outcomes by PET status. Methods: Pts with Stage 3/4 cHL were randomized 1:1 to receive up to six cycles of A+AVD (n=664) or ABVD (n=670). Interim PET scan after cycle 2 was conducted. All analyses of PFS are exploratory and per investigator assessment. Results: At a median follow-up of 37 months, analysis of PFS in the ITT population favors the A+AVD treatment arm (Table), with a 3-yr PFS of 83.1% for A+AVD vs 76.0% for ABVD; the 3-yr PFS for PET2- pts <60 yrs was 87.2% vs 81.0%, respectively. Trend toward benefit for PET2+ pts <60 yrs treated with A+AVD was also observed, with a 3-yr PFS of 69.2% vs 54.7% with ABVD. Data from prespecified subgroups and safety follow-up, including peripheral neuropathy, will be presented. Conclusions: Follow-up at 3-yrs demonstrates that frontline treatment of Stage 3/4 cHL with A+AVD provides a durable treatment benefit vs ABVD that is independent of PET2 status. While direct comparisons cannot be made, A+AVD compares favorably to PET-adapted strategies without requiring interim PET assessment, escalation of therapy, or bleomycin. Clinical trial information: NCT01712490. [Table: see text]

Molecular and Genetic Characterization of MHC Deficiency Identifies EZH2 as Therapeutic Target for Enhancing Immune Recognition

We performed a genomic, transcriptomic, and immunophenotypic study of 347 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to uncover the molecular basis underlying acquired deficiency of MHC expression. Low MHC-II expression defines tumors originating from the centroblast-rich dark zone of the germinal center (GC) that was associated with inferior prognosis. MHC-II-deficient tumors were characterized by somatically acquired gene mutations reducing MHC-II expression and a lower amount of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In particular, we demonstrated a strong enrichment of EZH2 mutations in both MHC-I- and MHC-II-negative primary lymphomas, and observed reduced MHC expression and T-cell infiltrates in murine lymphoma models expressing mutant Ezh2 ^Y641. Of clinical relevance, EZH2 inhibitors significantly restored MHC expression in EZH2-mutated human DLBCL cell lines. Hence, our findings suggest a tumor progression model of acquired immune escape in GC-derived lymphomas and pave the way for development of complementary therapeutic approaches combining immunotherapy with epigenetic reprogramming. SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate how MHC-deficient lymphoid tumors evolve in a cell-of-origin-specific context. Specifically, EZH2 mutations were identified as a genetic mechanism underlying acquired MHC deficiency. The paradigmatic restoration of MHC expression by EZH2 inhibitors provides the rationale for synergistic therapies combining immunotherapies with epigenetic reprogramming to enhance tumor recognition and elimination.See related commentary by Velcheti et al., p. 472.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 453.

Brentuximab Vedotin plus Chemotherapy in North American Subjects with Newly Diagnosed Stage III or IV Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate safety and efficacy outcomes for subjects on the ECHELON-1 study treated in North America (NA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ECHELON-1 is a global, open-label, randomized phase III study comparing doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in combination with brentuximab vedotin (A+AVD) versus ABVD (AVD + bleomycin) as first-line therapy in subjects with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL; NCT01712490). Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive A+AVD or ABVD intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles.

RESULTS

The NA subgroup consisted of 497 subjects in the A+AVD (n = 250) and ABVD (n = 247) arms. Similar to the primary analysis based on the intent-to-treat population, the primary endpoint [modified progression-free survival (PFS) per independent review] demonstrated an improvement among subjects who received A+AVD compared with ABVD (HR = 0.60; P = 0.012). For PFS, the risk of progression or death was also reduced (HR = 0.50; P = 0.002). Subsequent anticancer therapies were lower in the A+AVD arm. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were more common, but there were fewer study discontinuations due to AEs in the A+AVD arm as compared with ABVD. Noted differences between arms included higher rates of febrile neutropenia (20% vs. 9%) and peripheral neuropathy (80% vs. 56%), but lower rates of pulmonary toxicity (3% vs. 10%) in subjects treated with A+AVD versus ABVD.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy benefit and manageable toxicity profile observed in the NA subgroup of ECHELON-1 support A+AVD as a frontline treatment option for patients with stage III or IV cHL.

Double-Hit Gene Expression Signature Defines a Distinct Subgroup of Germinal Center B-Cell-Like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

PURPOSE

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) has a poor outcome after standard chemoimmunotherapy. We sought to understand the biologic underpinnings of HGBL-DH/TH with BCL2 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology through examination of gene expression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed RNA sequencing data from 157 de novo germinal center B-cell-like (GCB)-DLBCLs, including 25 with HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2, to define a gene expression signature that distinguishes HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2 from other GCB-DLBCLs. To assess the genetic, molecular, and phenotypic features associated with this signature, we analyzed targeted resequencing, whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry data.

RESULTS

We developed a 104-gene double-hit signature (DHITsig) that assigned 27% of GCB-DLBCLs to the DHITsig-positive group, with only one half harboring MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2). DHITsig-positive patients had inferior outcomes after rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone immunochemotherapy compared with DHITsig-negative patients (5-year time to progression rate, 57% and 81%, respectively; P < .001), irrespective of HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2 status. The prognostic value of DHITsig was confirmed in an independent validation cohort. DHITsig-positive tumors are biologically characterized by a putative non-light zone germinal center cell of origin and a distinct mutational landscape that comprises genes associated with chromatin modification. A new NanoString assay (DLBCL90) recapitulated the prognostic significance and RNA sequencing assignments. Validating the association with HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2, 11 of 25 DHITsig-positive-transformed follicular lymphomas were classified as HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2 compared with zero of 50 in the DHITsig-negative group. Furthermore, the DHITsig was shared with the majority of B-cell lymphomas with high-grade morphology tested.

CONCLUSION

We have defined a clinically and biologically distinct subgroup of tumors within GCB-DLBCL characterized by a gene expression signature of HGBL-DH/TH- BCL2. This knowledge has been translated into an assay applicable to routinely available biopsy samples, which enables exploration of its utility to guide patient management.

Molecular classification of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma using routinely available tissue specimens

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is recognized as a distinct entity in the World Health Organization classification. Currently, the diagnosis relies on consensus of histopathology, clinical variables, and presentation, giving rise to diagnostic inaccuracy in routine practice. Previous studies have demonstrated that PMBCL can be distinguished from subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) based on gene expression signatures. However, requirement of fresh-frozen biopsy material has precluded the transfer of gene expression-based assays to the clinic. Here, we developed a robust and accurate molecular classification assay (Lymph3Cx) for the distinction of PMBCL from DLBCL subtypes based on gene expression measurements in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. A probabilistic model accounting for classification error, comprising 58 gene features, was trained on 68 cases of PMBCL and DLBCL. Performance of the model was subsequently evaluated in an independent validation cohort of 158 cases and showed high agreement of the Lymph3Cx molecular classification with the clinicopathological diagnosis of an expert panel (frank misclassification rate, 3.8%). Furthermore, we demonstrate reproducibility of the assay with 100% concordance of subtype assignments at 2 independent laboratories. Future studies will determine Lymph3Cx's utility for routine diagnostic purposes and therapeutic decision making.

Outcome of patients with relapsed or refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma who have failed brentuximab vedotin

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate that is highly effective in patients with relapsed/refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). However, survival outcomes following suboptimal response or subsequent relapse are not well known. We conducted a multicenter study analyzing outcomes of patients with relapsed/refractory ALCL who have received BV with a secondary focus on survival after progression following BV. A total of 56 patients were treated with BV for relapsed or refractory ALCL. The overall response rate to BV was 73% with complete response (CR) rate of 46%. The median failure-free survival and overall survival (OS) after BV were 15.5 month and not reached, respectively. The median duration of response was 27.6 months in patients who achieved CR by BV, while the median OS of those who did not achieve CR by BV was 9.5 months. There was no significant difference in OS between those who underwent stem cell transplant (SCT) and those who did not in patients who achieved CR after BV. However, if patients were in PR after BV, SCT was associated with significantly longer OS. Thirty patients experienced progressive disease on BV or required a subsequent treatment. The median OS after BV failure was 2.9 months with 2-year OS of 27.1%. There were seven long-term survivors (≥12 months) following failure. After an adequate response to subsequent salvage therapy, five patients underwent subsequent SCT (three allogeneic and two autologous), four of which were long-term survivors (17+, 25+, 32+, and 50+ months). In conclusion, BV failure is associated with a poor outcome in patients with ALCL, which defines a small but important group with unmet need. SCT may have benefit in patients with relapsed/refractory ALCL who failed BV.

A gene signature that distinguishes conventional and leukemic nonnodal mantle cell lymphoma helps predict outcome

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell malignancy, but some patients have a very indolent evolution. This heterogeneous course is related, in part, to the different biological characteristics of conventional MCL (cMCL) and the distinct subgroup of leukemic nonnodal MCL (nnMCL). Robust criteria to distinguish these MCL subtypes and additional biological parameters that influence their evolution are not well defined. We describe a novel molecular assay that reliably distinguishes cMCL and nnMCL using blood samples. We trained a 16-gene assay (L-MCL16 assay) on the NanoString platform using 19 purified leukemic samples. The locked assay was applied to an independent cohort of 70 MCL patients with leukemic presentation. The assay assigned 37% of cases to nnMCL and 56% to cMCL. nnMCL and cMCL differed in nodal presentation, lactate dehydrogenase, immunoglobulin heavy chain gene mutational status, management options, genomic complexity, and CDKN2A/ATM deletions, but the proportion with 17p/TP53 aberrations was similar in both subgroups. Sequential samples showed that assay prediction was stable over time. nnMCL had a better overall survival (OS) than cMCL (3-year OS 92% vs 69%; P = .006) from the time of diagnosis and longer time to first treatment. Genomic complexity and TP53/CDKN2A aberrations predicted for shorter OS in the entire series and cMCL, whereas only genomic complexity was associated with shorter time to first treatment and OS in nnMCL. In conclusion, the newly developed assay robustly recognizes the 2 molecular subtypes of MCL in leukemic samples. Its combination with genetic alterations improves the prognostic evaluation and may provide useful biological information for management decisions.

The Super-Seniors Study: Phenotypic characterization of a healthy 85+ population

Background

To understand why some people live to advanced age in good health and others do not, it is important to study not only disease, but also long-term good health. The Super-Seniors Study aims to identify factors associated with healthy aging.

Methods

480 healthy oldest-old ‘Super-Seniors’ aged 85 to 105 years and never diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, or major pulmonary disease, were compared to 545 mid-life controls aged 41–54, who represent a group that is unselected for survival from late-life diseases. Health and lifestyle information, personal and family medical history, and blood samples were collected from all participants. Super-Seniors also underwent four geriatric tests.

Results

Super-Seniors showed high cognitive (Mini-Mental State Exam mean = 28.3) and functional capacity (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale mean = 21.4), as well as high physical function (Timed Up and Go mean = 12.3 seconds) and low levels of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale mean = 1.5). Super-Seniors were less likely to be current smokers than controls, but the frequency of drinking alcohol was the same in both groups. Super-Seniors were more likely to have 4 or more offspring; controls were more likely to have no children. Female Super-Seniors had a mean age of last fertility 1.9 years older than controls, and were 2.3 times more likely to have had a child at ≥ 40 years. The parents of Super-Seniors had mean ages of deaths of 79.3 years for mothers, and 74.5 years for fathers, each exceeding the life expectancy for their era by a decade.

Conclusions

Super-Seniors are cognitively and physically high functioning individuals who have evaded major age-related chronic diseases into old age, representing the approximately top 1% for healthspan. The familiality of long lifespan of the parents of Super-Seniors supports the hypothesis that heritable factors contribute to this desirable phenotype.

New Treatment Algorithms in Hodgkin Lymphoma: Too Much or Too Little?

Hodgkin lymphoma treatment continues to evolve as new means of assessing response to treatment, new appreciation of important risk factors, and more effective therapeutic agents become available. Treatment algorithms integrating functional imaging now provide the opportunity to modify therapy during its delivery, allowing adjustment of duration and intensity of chemotherapy and rationale identification of patients who may benefit from the addition of therapeutic irradiation. Novel agents, including the antibody drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin and checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab can improve the effectiveness of treatment while keeping toxicity within acceptable limits. Carefully designed clinical trials permit the identification of superior approaches in which efficacy is enhanced and toxicity minimized. Clinicians treating patients with Hodgkin lymphoma now have access to novel treatment approaches, which will require detailed assessment of each patient and careful discussion of the goals and risks of treatment at the time of planning primary treatment, again during delivery of that treatment as data indicating ongoing effectiveness become available, at the conclusion of initial intervention, and, when the need arises, at the time of recurrence of disease.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma morphology

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) is a newly defined entity in the latest World Health Organization Classification. Accurate diagnosis would appear to mandate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for all tumors with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology. We present the results of FISH, cell-of-origin, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing from 1228 DLBCL biopsies from 3 clinical trials and a population-based registry. HGBL-DH/TH made up 7.9% of the DLBCL, confined primarily to the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB; 13.3%) compared with activated B-cell-like (ABC; 1.7%) subtype (P < .001). HGBL-DH/TH with BCL2 rearrangement is a GCB phenomenon with no cases observed in 415 ABC DLBCL. A screening strategy restricting FISH testing to tumors of GCB subtype (by Lymph2Cx or Hans IHC) plus dual protein expression of MYC and BCL2 by IHC could limit testing to 11% to 14% of tumors, with a positive predictive value of 30% to 37%; however, this strategy would miss approximately one-quarter of tumors with HBGL-DH/TH with BCL2 rearrangement and one-third of all HGBL-DH/TH. These results provide accurate estimation of the proportion of HGBL-DH/TH among tumors with DLBCL morphology and allow determination of the impact of various methods available to screen DLBCL tumors for FISH testing.