Three-year follow-up analysis of axicabtagene ciloleucel in relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ZUMA-5)

ABSTRACT

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL). Approval was supported by the phase 2, multicenter, single-arm ZUMA-5 study of axi-cel for patients with R/R indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL; N = 104), including FL and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). In the primary analysis (median follow-up, 17.5 months), the overall response rate (ORR) was 92% (complete response rate, 74%). Here, we report long-term outcomes from ZUMA-5. Eligible patients with R/R iNHL after ≥2 lines of therapy underwent leukapheresis, followed by lymphodepleting chemotherapy and axi-cel infusion (2 × 106 CAR T cells per kg). The primary end point was ORR, assessed in this analysis by investigators in all enrolled patients (intent-to-treat). After median follow-up of 41.7 months in FL (n = 127) and 31.8 months in MZL (n = 31), ORR was comparable with that of the primary analysis (FL, 94%; MZL, 77%). Median progression-free survival was 40.2 months in FL and not reached in MZL. Medians of overall survival were not reached in either disease type. Grade ≥3 adverse events of interest that occurred after the prior analyses were largely in recently treated patients. Clinical and pharmacokinetic outcomes correlated negatively with recent exposure to bendamustine and high metabolic tumor volume. After 3 years of follow-up in ZUMA-5, axi-cel demonstrated continued durable responses, with very few relapses beyond 2 years, and manageable safety in patients with R/R iNHL. The ZUMA-5 study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03105336.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a CIBMTR analysis

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis and considered incurable with conventional chemotherapy. Small observational studies reported allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers durable remissions in patients with BPDCN. We report an analysis of patients with BPDCN who received an allo-HCT, using data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). We identified 164 patients with BPDCN from 78 centers who underwent allo-HCT between 2007 and 2018. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rates were 51.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.5-59.8), 44.4% (95% CI, 36.2-52.8), 32.2% (95% CI, 24.7-40.3), and 23.3% (95% CI, 16.9-30.4), respectively. Disease relapse was the most common cause of death. On multivariate analyses, age of ≥60 years was predictive for inferior OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.16; 95% CI, 1.35-3.46; P = .001), and higher NRM (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.13-4.22; P = .02). Remission status at time of allo-HCT (CR2/primary induction failure/relapse vs CR1) was predictive of inferior OS (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.14-3.06; P = .01) and DFS (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.11-2.76; P = .02). Use of myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation (MAC-TBI) was predictive of improved DFS and reduced relapse risk. Allo-HCT is effective in providing durable remissions and long-term survival in BPDCN. Younger age and allo-HCT in CR1 predicted for improved survival, whereas MAC-TBI predicted for less relapse and improved DFS. Novel strategies incorporating allo-HCT are needed to further improve outcomes.

Survival with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel in Large B-Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

In an analysis of the primary outcome of this phase 3 trial, patients with early relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who received axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, as second-line treatment had significantly longer event-free survival than those who received standard care. Data were needed on longer-term outcomes.

METHODS

In this trial, we randomly assigned patients with early relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma in a 1:1 ratio to receive either axi-cel or standard care (two to three cycles of chemoimmunotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation in patients who had a response). The primary outcome was event-free survival, and key secondary outcomes were response and overall survival. Here, we report the results of the prespecified overall survival analysis at 5 years after the first patient underwent randomization.

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients underwent randomization to receive axi-cel (180 patients) or standard care (179 patients). At a median follow-up of 47.2 months, death had been reported in 82 patients in the axi-cel group and in 95 patients in the standard-care group. The median overall survival was not reached in the axi-cel group and was 31.1 months in the standard-care group; the estimated 4-year overall survival was 54.6% and 46.0%, respectively (hazard ratio for death, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.98; P = 0.03 by stratified two-sided log-rank test). This increased survival with axi-cel was observed in the intention-to-treat population, which included 74% of patients with primary refractory disease and other high-risk features. The median investigator-assessed progression-free survival was 14.7 months in the axi-cel group and 3.7 months in the standard-care group, with estimated 4-year percentages of 41.8% and 24.4%, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.67). No new treatment-related deaths had occurred since the primary analysis of event-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

At a median follow-up of 47.2 months, axi-cel as second-line treatment for patients with early relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma resulted in significantly longer overall survival than standard care. (Funded by Kite; ZUMA-7 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03391466.).

Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with ZMYM2::FGFR1 rearrangement: A complex trilineage phenotypic and clonal evolution with associated genomic alterations

We report a case of myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with ZMYM2::FGFR1 rearrangement (MLN^ZMYM2::FGFR1) exhibiting a complex disease evolution. This neoplasm initially presented as T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) in lymph node and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with eosinophilia in bone marrow, then transitioned to systemic mastocytosis (SM) likely accompanied by additional JAK3 and other mutations and finally transformed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accompanied by additional/secondary genetic abnormality (gain of chromosome 21, der(13)t(8;13), and RUNX1 mutation). To our knowledge, this is the first case of MLN^ZMYM2::FGFR1 with a complex trilineage/phenotypic [T-cell (T-LBL), mast cell (SM), and myeloid (MPN and AML)] lineage evolution.

Clinical and patient (pt)-reported outcomes (PROs) in a phase 3, randomized, open-label study evaluating axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) versus standard-of-care (SOC) therapy in elderly pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL; ZUMA-7)

7548

Background: Elderly pts with R/R LBCL are at risk of inferior outcomes, increased toxicity, and inability to tolerate second-line (2L) SOC treatment (Tx) (Di M, et al. Oncologist. 2021). Further 2L SOC Tx is often associated with poor health-related quality of life (QoL) (Lin V, et al. J Clin Oncol . 2020;38:e20070). In the pivotal Phase 3 ZUMA-7 study, we assessed outcomes, including PROs, of 2L axi-cel (an autologous anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy) versus SOC in elderly pts with R/R LBCL. Methods: Pts aged ≥65 y were assessed in a planned subgroup analysis. Pts with ECOG PS 0-1 and R/R LBCL ≤12 mo after 1L chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) were randomized 1:1 to axi-cel or SOC (2-3 cycles of platinum-based CIT; pts with partial or complete response [CR] proceeded to HDT-ASCT). PRO instruments, including the EORTC QLQ-C30 (Global Health [GH] and Physical Functioning [PF]) and the EQ-5D-5L VAS, were administered at timepoints including baseline (BL; prior to Tx), Day (D) 50, D100, D150, and Month (M) 9, then every 3 mo up to 24 mo or time of event-free survival event (EFS), whichever occurred first. The QoL analysis set included all pts who had a BL PRO and ≥1 completed measure at D50, D100, or D150. A clinically meaningful change was defined as 10 points for each EORTC QLQ-C30 score, 7 points for EQ-5D-5L VAS score. Results: As of 03/18/2021, 51 and 58 elderly pts were randomized to the axi-cel and SOC arms, respectively, with median ages (range) of 70 y (65-80) and 69 y (65-81). At BL, more axi-cel versus SOC pts had high-risk features, including 2L age-adjusted IPI 2-3 (53% vs 31%) and elevated LDH (61% vs 41%). EFS was superior with axi-cel versus SOC (HR, 0.276, P< 0.0001), with higher CR rates (75% vs 33%). Grade ≥3 Tx-emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 94% and 82% of axi-cel and SOC pts, respectively, and Grade 5 Tx-related AEs occurred in 0 and 1 pt. In the QoL analysis set comprising 46 axi-cel and 42 SOC pts, there were statistically significant and clinically meaningful differences in mean change of scores from BL at D100 favoring axi-cel for EORTC QLQ-C30 GH ( P<0.0001) and PF ( P=0.0019) and EQ-5D-5L VAS ( P<0.0001). For all 3 domains, scores also favored ( P<0.05) axi-cel over SOC at D150. The mean estimated scores numerically returned to or exceeded BL scores earlier in the axi-cel arm (by D150) but never equaled or exceed BL scores by M15 in the SOC arm. Conclusions: Axi-cel demonstrated superiority over 2L SOC in pts ≥65 y with significantly improved EFS and a manageable safety profile. Compared with SOC, axi-cel also showed meaningful improvement in QoL over SOC, measured by multiple validated PRO instruments, with suggested faster recovery to pre-Tx QoL. The superior clinical outcomes and pt experience with axi-cel over SOC should help inform Tx choices in 2L R/R LBCL for pts ≥65 y. Clinical trial information: NCT03391466.

KITE-363: A phase 1 study of an autologous anti-CD19/CD20 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell lymphoma (BCL)

TPS7579

Background: One mechanism by which B-cell tumors can resist the effects of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy is through CD19 antigen escape (Neelapu et al. ASH 2019). Recent analyses in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) demonstrated that approximately one-third to two-thirds of relapses after infusion of CAR T-cell therapy were CD19 negative (Plaks et al. Blood. 2021; Spiegel, Dahiya et al. Blood. 2021; Spiegel et al. Nat Med. 2021). KITE-363 is an autologous CAR T cell transduced with a bicistronic vector with resultant expression of a CD19 CAR with a CD28 costimulatory domain and a CD20 CAR with a 41BB costimulatory domain. In preclinical studies, KITE-363 recognized and eliminated tumor cells expressing CD19 and/or CD20. KITE-363 CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to rescue CD19-negative relapsing patients with BCL as well as prevent CD19 antigen escape by minimizing selective pressure through upfront therapeutic dual targeting. This Phase 1, first-in-human, open-label, multicenter study (NCT04989803) will evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of KITE-363 in patients with R/R BCL. Methods: The Phase 1 design includes a 3+3 dose-escalation portion (1A), with 5 planned CAR T-cell levels, and a dose expansion portion (1B). Patients may receive optional corticosteroid bridging therapy following leukapheresis. Patients will then receive conditioning chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and fludarabine) on Day ‒5 to Day ‒3 followed by KITE-363 infusion on Day 0. The primary endpoint for Phase 1A is the incidence of adverse events defined as dose-limiting toxicities. The primary endpoint for Phase 1B is investigator-assessed objective response rate per Lugano criteria (Cheson et al. J Clin Oncol. 2014). Secondary endpoints include complete response rate, time to next treatment, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety, and levels of CAR T cells in blood and cytokines in serum. Eligible adult patients have histologically confirmed BCL, including LBCL, indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and BCL, unclassifiable (with features intermediate between diffuse LBCL and classical HL), that is R/R after ≥2 lines of therapy (patients with LBCL may have primary refractory disease). Other key inclusion criteria are adequate bone marrow and organ function and ECOG performance status 0‒1. Key exclusion criteria are central nervous system (CNS) involvement from lymphoma, active infection including hepatitis B and C, and clinically significant CNS disorder. This study is currently open and accruing patients. Clinical trial information: NCT04989803.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in combination with rituximab (Rtx) for the treatment (Tx) of refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R-LBCL): Outcomes of the phase 2 ZUMA-14 study

7567

Background: Despite the success of axi-cel, ≈60% of patients (pts) have no response or relapse within ̃2 y after Tx (Jacobson C, et al. ASH 2021. #1764), highlighting the need for more therapeutic strategies. In preclinical studies, Rtx augmented CD19 CAR T-cell function and increased tumor reduction and survival in murine models via synergistic targeting with CAR T-cells (Mihara K, et al. Br J Haematol. 2010). Here, we report outcomes of ZUMA-14, a Phase 2, multicenter study of axi-cel in combination with Rtx in pts with R-LBCL after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥18 y with R/R LBCL. Pts received one Rtx dose (375 mg/m2) on Day -5, a conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine on Days -5, -4, and -3, and a single axi-cel infusion of 2×106 CAR T cells/kg on Day 0. Starting on Day 21 post–axi-cel infusion, pts received 1 Rtx dose every 28 d for up to 5 doses. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed complete response (CR) rate. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and biomarker assessments. The analysis reported here occurred after all treated pts had ≥12 mo of follow-up. Results: As of 12/2/21, 27 pts were enrolled, and 26 received axi-cel and ≥1 Rtx dose (15 pts received all 6 Rtx doses); 1 pt discontinued Tx due to an adverse event (AE). Median age was 63 y (range, 38-82), 54% of pts were male, 81% had stage III/IV disease, 62% had extranodal disease, 38% had elevated LDH, and 85% had an aaIPI ≥1 (35% aaIPI 2). The CR rate was 65% (95% CI, 44-83), and the ORR was 88% (95% CI, 70-98). With a median follow-up of 17 mo, 65% of the pts had ongoing response, with 57% ongoing in CR. Medians for DOR, PFS and OS were not reached. The estimated DOR and PFS rates at 12 mo were 64% and 56%, respectively. The estimated 12 mo OS rate was 76%, and 6 pts (23%) died of progressive disease. Most pts (92%) experienced Grade ≥3 AEs. Grade ≥3 cytopenias were reported in 85% of pts, with 38% ongoing on Day 30. Grade ≥3 neurologic events (NEs) occurred in 4 pts (15%), and there was no Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Median times to onset of CRS and NEs were 4 d (range, 1-7) and 6 d (range, 3-32), respectively, with median durations of 5 d (range, 2-15) and 7 d (range, 1-39). No pts experienced myelodysplastic syndrome. Median peak CAR T-cell levels were comparable to the ZUMA-1 pharmacokinetic profile. Immune-modulating cytokines, including granzyme B, IL-6, CXCL10, IFN-g and IL-2, were induced in pts following axi-cel and Rtx infusion and were more prominently elevated in responders vs non-responders. Peak Rtx levels were also elevated in responders vs non-responders. Conclusions: Results from ZUMA-14 demonstrated that axi-cel in combination with Rtx elicited a high CR rate with no new safety signals detected in pts with R-LBCL. Clinical trial information: NCT04002401.

Pembrolizumab-Associated Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis in a Patient With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Seronegative myasthenia gravis is a rare, but potential adverse effect of immune checkpoint inhibition. There have been few but increasing number of cases reported in recent years, and early recognition is important for prompt diagnosis and management. Here, we describe the case of a 65-year-old male with metastatic renal cell carcinoma on pembrolizumab diagnosed with new-onset seronegative myasthenia gravis and review literature on its management.

Community health status and outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in the United States

BACKGROUND

The association of community factors and outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has not been comprehensively described. Using the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), this study evaluated the impact of community health status on allogeneic HCT outcomes.

METHODS

This study included 18,544 adult allogeneic HCT recipients reported to the CIBMTR by 170 US centers in 2014-2016. Sociodemographic, environmental, and community indicators were derived from the CHRR, an aggregate community risk score was created, and scores were assigned to each patient (patient community risk score [PCS]) and transplant center (center community risk score [CCS]). Higher scores indicated less healthy communities. The impact of PCS and CCS on patient outcomes after allogeneic HCT was studied.

RESULTS

The median age was 55 years (range, 18-83 years). The median PCS was -0.21 (range, -1.37 to 2.10; standard deviation [SD], 0.42), and the median CCS was -0.13 (range, -1.04 to 0.96; SD, 0.40). In multivariable analyses, a higher PCS was associated with inferior survival (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD increase, 1.04; 99% CI, 1.00-1.08; P = .0089). Among hematologic malignancies, a tendency toward inferior survival was observed with a higher PCS (HR, 1.04; 99% CI, 1.00-1.08; P = .0102); a higher PCS was associated with higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM; HR, 1.08; 99% CI, 1.02-1.15; P = .0004). CCS was not significantly associated with survival, relapse, or NRM.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients residing in counties with a worse community health status have inferior survival as a result of an increased risk of NRM after allogeneic HCT. There was no association between the community health status of the transplant center location and allogeneic HCT outcomes.

Maintenance eculizumab dose adjustment in the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) patients treated with eculizumab may require higher doses to achieve and maintain optimal clinical response. Further studies are warranted to elucidate optimal dosing regimens of eculizumab in aHUS patients, and whether dosing regimens can be predicted based on mutational status, eculizumab levels, or other testing.

Tele-Oncology: A Joint Web-Based Clinical Conference Between the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center

Abstract 47

Background:

The increasing incidence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has highlighted gaps in access to quality cancer care and subsequent poor outcomes. Two of the factors responsible for this disparity are the limited availability of diagnostic methods and the lack of trained oncologists. Tele-oncology, the application of web-based medical communications, has the potential to bridge the healthcare gap. Here we describe our 3-year experience linking resources between the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) in Seattle, WA and the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) Kampala, Uganda, via a monthly conference.

Methods:

We created a monthly teleconference, each focused on a specific disease group, to provide a clinical treatment and research forum between the UCI and FHCRC. Guided by patients seen at the UCI, clinicians in Uganda present clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data. Case presentations and supporting documents are provided and loaded on a central site. Faculty members from the FHCRC (medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, pathology, and radiology, as applicable) are identified in advance and serve as discussants and assist in interpreting data, as well as provide guidance on clinical decision-making. Web conferencing is performed utilizing the Cisco WebEx platform.

Results:

To date, we have held 36 case conferences and have discussed the following malignancies: Leukemia (including myelodysplasia) (6), gastrointestinal (5), head/neck/lung (5), genitourinary (3), gynecologic (3), lymphoma (2), breast (2), plasma cell dyscrasia (1), soft tissue sarcoma (1), central nervous system (1) and other (5). Two conferences have focused specifically on palliative care. Two locally-relevant treatment guidelines, co-authored by colleagues from Uganda and Seattle, have been published for HIV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma as a direct result of these conferences.

Conclusions:

The monthly teleconference has enhanced education, clinical practice, and collaboration between colleagues in Uganda and Seattle. Future opportunities include the initiation of a core oncology training curriculum, as well as video conferencing capabilities. Similar twinning programs between institutions in resource-rich and resource-limited countries are recommended.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Fred Okuku No relationship to disclose Manoj Menon No relationship to disclose Rachel Kansiime No relationship to disclose Jason Barrett No relationship to disclose Warren Phipps No relationship to disclose Nixon Niyonzima No relationship to disclose Matthew Ulrickson Speakers' Bureau: Incyte Jackson Orem No relationship to disclose Corey Casper Leadership: Temptime Corporation Consulting or Advisory Role: Janssen Pharmaceuticals Research Funding: Janssen Pharmaceuticals Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Glaxo Smith Kline, Temptime Corporation

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in sub-Saharan Africa

The incidence and economic burden of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is increasing, and innovative strategies are needed to improve prevention and care in this population. This article uses a case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in Uganda to propose guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in resource-limited settings. These guidelines were developed from the consensus opinion of specialists at the Uganda Cancer Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center as part of an established collaboration. Areas for future investigation that can improve the care of patients in this region are identified.

Busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu/Cy) as a preparative regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a single-institution experience

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been established as a standard form of therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). While many high-dose chemotherapy combinations are used, no single regimen has proved superior over another. Here, we report our single center's experience in patients with NHL undergoing ASCT with the combination of busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu/Cy). This study is a retrospective analysis of 78 consecutive patients with NHL who underwent ASCT with Bu/Cy at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Data were collected through review of electronic medical records. A total of 78 patients with NHL underwent ASCT with Bu/Cy preparative therapy between 1996 and 2006. Median follow-up for survivors was 5.0 years (range, 6 months to 12 years). Significant transplantation-associated complications included 9 documented bacterial infections, 4 cases of engraftment syndrome, 3 cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), 6 cases of cardiac complications, and 2 cases of pulmonary fibrosis. The 100-day treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 1%. At 3 years, progression-free survival (PFS) was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI]=37% to 59%) and overall survival (OS) was 65% (95% CI=53% to 74%). Our data indicate that in patients with NHL undergoing ASCT, Bu/Cy has efficacy and toxicity comparable to that of other reported regimens.