Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had unacceptably high levels of pain with or without low inflammation at 2 years after diagnosis, with joint tenderness at the 3-month follow-up predicting long-term pain despite low inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly one third of patients with early RA had unacceptable pain levels after 2 years of follow-up, with almost 80% of them also having low inflammation. At the 3-month follow-up, the difference between tender and swollen joint counts predicted the 2-year risk for unacceptable pain (odds ratio [OR] 2.00; P < .05) and unacceptable pain with low inflammation (OR 2.02; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study including 275 patients with early RA.

Disclosures: This study was supported by The Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Rheumatism Association, and Lund University. Some authors declared working as a medical solution lead in rheumatology or receiving consulting fees, speaking fees, and unrestricted grant from various sources. Three authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Eberhard A et al. Joint tenderness at 3 months follow-up better predicts long-term pain than baseline characteristics in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Jun 14). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead278

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had unacceptably high levels of pain with or without low inflammation at 2 years after diagnosis, with joint tenderness at the 3-month follow-up predicting long-term pain despite low inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly one third of patients with early RA had unacceptable pain levels after 2 years of follow-up, with almost 80% of them also having low inflammation. At the 3-month follow-up, the difference between tender and swollen joint counts predicted the 2-year risk for unacceptable pain (odds ratio [OR] 2.00; P < .05) and unacceptable pain with low inflammation (OR 2.02; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study including 275 patients with early RA.

Disclosures: This study was supported by The Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Rheumatism Association, and Lund University. Some authors declared working as a medical solution lead in rheumatology or receiving consulting fees, speaking fees, and unrestricted grant from various sources. Three authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Eberhard A et al. Joint tenderness at 3 months follow-up better predicts long-term pain than baseline characteristics in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Jun 14). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead278

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had unacceptably high levels of pain with or without low inflammation at 2 years after diagnosis, with joint tenderness at the 3-month follow-up predicting long-term pain despite low inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly one third of patients with early RA had unacceptable pain levels after 2 years of follow-up, with almost 80% of them also having low inflammation. At the 3-month follow-up, the difference between tender and swollen joint counts predicted the 2-year risk for unacceptable pain (odds ratio [OR] 2.00; P < .05) and unacceptable pain with low inflammation (OR 2.02; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study including 275 patients with early RA.

Disclosures: This study was supported by The Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Rheumatism Association, and Lund University. Some authors declared working as a medical solution lead in rheumatology or receiving consulting fees, speaking fees, and unrestricted grant from various sources. Three authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Eberhard A et al. Joint tenderness at 3 months follow-up better predicts long-term pain than baseline characteristics in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Jun 14). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead278

Key clinical point: Functional disabilities involving the hands started earlier and were more frequent and severe than those involving feet in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) who progressed toward rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or clinical inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Major finding: In patients with RA development, hand disabilities occurred earlier and were more frequent and severe (mean difference over time 0.41 units; P < .001) than foot disabilities. The evaluation of tender joints and subclinical joint inflammation showed similar findings for hand and foot involvement.

Study details: This study longitudinally assessed 600 patients with CSA who developed clinical IA or had at least 1 year of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the European Research Council and the Dutch Arthritis Society. AHM van der Helm-van Mil declared being an Editorial Board Member for RMD Open. The other authors did not report any conflicts of interest.

Source: Khidir SJH et al. Joint involvement in RA starts predominantly in the hands: Functional, clinical and imaging studies in clinically suspect arthralgia and during progression to RA. RMD Open. 2023;9:e003107 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003107

Key clinical point: Functional disabilities involving the hands started earlier and were more frequent and severe than those involving feet in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) who progressed toward rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or clinical inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Major finding: In patients with RA development, hand disabilities occurred earlier and were more frequent and severe (mean difference over time 0.41 units; P < .001) than foot disabilities. The evaluation of tender joints and subclinical joint inflammation showed similar findings for hand and foot involvement.

Study details: This study longitudinally assessed 600 patients with CSA who developed clinical IA or had at least 1 year of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the European Research Council and the Dutch Arthritis Society. AHM van der Helm-van Mil declared being an Editorial Board Member for RMD Open. The other authors did not report any conflicts of interest.

Source: Khidir SJH et al. Joint involvement in RA starts predominantly in the hands: Functional, clinical and imaging studies in clinically suspect arthralgia and during progression to RA. RMD Open. 2023;9:e003107 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003107

Key clinical point: Functional disabilities involving the hands started earlier and were more frequent and severe than those involving feet in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) who progressed toward rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or clinical inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Major finding: In patients with RA development, hand disabilities occurred earlier and were more frequent and severe (mean difference over time 0.41 units; P < .001) than foot disabilities. The evaluation of tender joints and subclinical joint inflammation showed similar findings for hand and foot involvement.

Study details: This study longitudinally assessed 600 patients with CSA who developed clinical IA or had at least 1 year of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the European Research Council and the Dutch Arthritis Society. AHM van der Helm-van Mil declared being an Editorial Board Member for RMD Open. The other authors did not report any conflicts of interest.

Source: Khidir SJH et al. Joint involvement in RA starts predominantly in the hands: Functional, clinical and imaging studies in clinically suspect arthralgia and during progression to RA. RMD Open. 2023;9:e003107 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003107

Key clinical point: First-line therapy with biologics, including abatacept and certolizumab pegol but not tocilizumab, all in combination with methotrexate, was clinically superior to conventional therapy with bridging glucocorticoids in patients with moderate-to-severe early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Compared with active conventional therapy, the Clinical Disease Activity Index-based remission rates at week 48 were significantly higher with abatacept (adjusted difference +20.1%; P < .001) and certolizumab pegol (adjusted difference +13.1%; P = .021) but not with tocilizumab, whereas the radiographic progression was low and lacked between-group differences.

Study details: Findings are from the NORD-STAR trial including 812 treatment-naive patients with moderate-to-severe early RA who were randomly assigned to receive methotrexate combined with active conventional therapy, certolizumab pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Academy of Finland, Finska Läkaresällskapet, and other sources. Several authors declared chairing the committees of or receiving travel support, research grants, or fees for lectures, speaking, consultancy, advisory roles, or other services from various sources.

Source: Østergaard M et al, on behalf of the NORD-STAR study group. Certolizumab pegol, abatacept, tocilizumab or active conventional treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis: 48-week clinical and radiographic results of the investigator-initiated randomised controlled NORD-STAR trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 (Jul 9). Doi: 10.1136/ard-2023-224116

Key clinical point: First-line therapy with biologics, including abatacept and certolizumab pegol but not tocilizumab, all in combination with methotrexate, was clinically superior to conventional therapy with bridging glucocorticoids in patients with moderate-to-severe early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Compared with active conventional therapy, the Clinical Disease Activity Index-based remission rates at week 48 were significantly higher with abatacept (adjusted difference +20.1%; P < .001) and certolizumab pegol (adjusted difference +13.1%; P = .021) but not with tocilizumab, whereas the radiographic progression was low and lacked between-group differences.

Study details: Findings are from the NORD-STAR trial including 812 treatment-naive patients with moderate-to-severe early RA who were randomly assigned to receive methotrexate combined with active conventional therapy, certolizumab pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Academy of Finland, Finska Läkaresällskapet, and other sources. Several authors declared chairing the committees of or receiving travel support, research grants, or fees for lectures, speaking, consultancy, advisory roles, or other services from various sources.

Source: Østergaard M et al, on behalf of the NORD-STAR study group. Certolizumab pegol, abatacept, tocilizumab or active conventional treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis: 48-week clinical and radiographic results of the investigator-initiated randomised controlled NORD-STAR trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 (Jul 9). Doi: 10.1136/ard-2023-224116

Key clinical point: First-line therapy with biologics, including abatacept and certolizumab pegol but not tocilizumab, all in combination with methotrexate, was clinically superior to conventional therapy with bridging glucocorticoids in patients with moderate-to-severe early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Compared with active conventional therapy, the Clinical Disease Activity Index-based remission rates at week 48 were significantly higher with abatacept (adjusted difference +20.1%; P < .001) and certolizumab pegol (adjusted difference +13.1%; P = .021) but not with tocilizumab, whereas the radiographic progression was low and lacked between-group differences.

Study details: Findings are from the NORD-STAR trial including 812 treatment-naive patients with moderate-to-severe early RA who were randomly assigned to receive methotrexate combined with active conventional therapy, certolizumab pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Academy of Finland, Finska Läkaresällskapet, and other sources. Several authors declared chairing the committees of or receiving travel support, research grants, or fees for lectures, speaking, consultancy, advisory roles, or other services from various sources.

Source: Østergaard M et al, on behalf of the NORD-STAR study group. Certolizumab pegol, abatacept, tocilizumab or active conventional treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis: 48-week clinical and radiographic results of the investigator-initiated randomised controlled NORD-STAR trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 (Jul 9). Doi: 10.1136/ard-2023-224116

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tofacitinib led to a modest yet statistically significant reduction in disease activity at 3 months compared with adalimumab; however, the reduction in disease activity was not significantly different between the treatment groups at 9 months.

Major finding: The difference in the mean Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints using C-reactive protein between patients treated with tofacitinib vs adalimumab was modest yet statistically significant at 3 months (average treatment effect [ATE] −0.2; P = .02), whereas there was no significant difference at 9 months (ATE −0.03; P = .60).

Study details: This observational study emulated a randomized controlled trial using the data of 842 biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with RA from the OPAL dataset who initiated adalimumab (n = 569) or tofacitinib (n = 273).

Disclosures: This study did not declare any specific funding source. Four authors declared being a director of, serving on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus for, or receiving personal fees for consultancy from various sources.

Source: Deakin CT et al, for the OPAL Rheumatology Network. Comparative effectiveness of adalimumab vs tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Australia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(6):e2320851 (Jun 29). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.20851

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tofacitinib led to a modest yet statistically significant reduction in disease activity at 3 months compared with adalimumab; however, the reduction in disease activity was not significantly different between the treatment groups at 9 months.

Major finding: The difference in the mean Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints using C-reactive protein between patients treated with tofacitinib vs adalimumab was modest yet statistically significant at 3 months (average treatment effect [ATE] −0.2; P = .02), whereas there was no significant difference at 9 months (ATE −0.03; P = .60).

Study details: This observational study emulated a randomized controlled trial using the data of 842 biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with RA from the OPAL dataset who initiated adalimumab (n = 569) or tofacitinib (n = 273).

Disclosures: This study did not declare any specific funding source. Four authors declared being a director of, serving on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus for, or receiving personal fees for consultancy from various sources.

Source: Deakin CT et al, for the OPAL Rheumatology Network. Comparative effectiveness of adalimumab vs tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Australia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(6):e2320851 (Jun 29). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.20851

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tofacitinib led to a modest yet statistically significant reduction in disease activity at 3 months compared with adalimumab; however, the reduction in disease activity was not significantly different between the treatment groups at 9 months.

Major finding: The difference in the mean Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints using C-reactive protein between patients treated with tofacitinib vs adalimumab was modest yet statistically significant at 3 months (average treatment effect [ATE] −0.2; P = .02), whereas there was no significant difference at 9 months (ATE −0.03; P = .60).

Study details: This observational study emulated a randomized controlled trial using the data of 842 biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with RA from the OPAL dataset who initiated adalimumab (n = 569) or tofacitinib (n = 273).

Disclosures: This study did not declare any specific funding source. Four authors declared being a director of, serving on advisory boards or speakers’ bureaus for, or receiving personal fees for consultancy from various sources.

Source: Deakin CT et al, for the OPAL Rheumatology Network. Comparative effectiveness of adalimumab vs tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Australia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(6):e2320851 (Jun 29). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.20851

Key clinical point: Compared with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) alone, BTKi + anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) demonstrated better efficacy in patients with untreated, relapsed, or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) without causing safety concerns.

Major finding: The BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb therapy vs BTKi monotherapy group had significantly improved progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.70; 95% CI 0.51-0.97), complete response rate (relative risk [RR] 2.03; 95% CI 1.01-4.06), and undetectable minimal residual disease rate (RR 6.43; 95% CI 3.54-11.67) and a similar risk for grade ≥3 adverse events (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.80-1.45).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials including 1056 patients who received a BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb or BTKi monotherapy for untreated, relapsed, or refractory CLL.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Council in Taiwan and the industry-academia cooperation program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Nguyen TT et al. Efficacy and safety of add-on anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2023;13:9775 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36279-x

Key clinical point: Compared with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) alone, BTKi + anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) demonstrated better efficacy in patients with untreated, relapsed, or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) without causing safety concerns.

Major finding: The BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb therapy vs BTKi monotherapy group had significantly improved progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.70; 95% CI 0.51-0.97), complete response rate (relative risk [RR] 2.03; 95% CI 1.01-4.06), and undetectable minimal residual disease rate (RR 6.43; 95% CI 3.54-11.67) and a similar risk for grade ≥3 adverse events (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.80-1.45).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials including 1056 patients who received a BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb or BTKi monotherapy for untreated, relapsed, or refractory CLL.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Council in Taiwan and the industry-academia cooperation program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Nguyen TT et al. Efficacy and safety of add-on anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2023;13:9775 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36279-x

Key clinical point: Compared with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) alone, BTKi + anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) demonstrated better efficacy in patients with untreated, relapsed, or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) without causing safety concerns.

Major finding: The BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb therapy vs BTKi monotherapy group had significantly improved progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.70; 95% CI 0.51-0.97), complete response rate (relative risk [RR] 2.03; 95% CI 1.01-4.06), and undetectable minimal residual disease rate (RR 6.43; 95% CI 3.54-11.67) and a similar risk for grade ≥3 adverse events (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.80-1.45).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials including 1056 patients who received a BTKi + anti-CD20 mAb or BTKi monotherapy for untreated, relapsed, or refractory CLL.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Council in Taiwan and the industry-academia cooperation program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Nguyen TT et al. Efficacy and safety of add-on anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2023;13:9775 (Jun 16). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36279-x

Key clinical point: The presence of one or more lymph nodes >56.5 mm before starting venetoclax is an independent risk factor for early progression during venetoclax therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Major finding: After a median follow up of 14.3 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached and the estimated 3‐year PFS rate was 54%. Multivariable analysis revealed a >56.5 mm diameter of at least one lymph node before therapy initiation to be a significant predictive factor for progression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.01; P =.005).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 128 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL treated with ibrutinib, idelalisib, or both who switched to venetoclax due to progression or adverse events, of which 28 patients experienced progressive disease.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Autore F et al. Lymphadenopathy as a predictor of progression during venetoclax treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A campus chronic lymphocytic leukemia study. Hematol Oncol. 2023 (Jul 1). Doi: 10.1002/hon.3199

Key clinical point: The presence of one or more lymph nodes >56.5 mm before starting venetoclax is an independent risk factor for early progression during venetoclax therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Major finding: After a median follow up of 14.3 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached and the estimated 3‐year PFS rate was 54%. Multivariable analysis revealed a >56.5 mm diameter of at least one lymph node before therapy initiation to be a significant predictive factor for progression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.01; P =.005).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 128 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL treated with ibrutinib, idelalisib, or both who switched to venetoclax due to progression or adverse events, of which 28 patients experienced progressive disease.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Autore F et al. Lymphadenopathy as a predictor of progression during venetoclax treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A campus chronic lymphocytic leukemia study. Hematol Oncol. 2023 (Jul 1). Doi: 10.1002/hon.3199

Key clinical point: The presence of one or more lymph nodes >56.5 mm before starting venetoclax is an independent risk factor for early progression during venetoclax therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Major finding: After a median follow up of 14.3 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached and the estimated 3‐year PFS rate was 54%. Multivariable analysis revealed a >56.5 mm diameter of at least one lymph node before therapy initiation to be a significant predictive factor for progression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.01; P =.005).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 128 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL treated with ibrutinib, idelalisib, or both who switched to venetoclax due to progression or adverse events, of which 28 patients experienced progressive disease.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Autore F et al. Lymphadenopathy as a predictor of progression during venetoclax treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A campus chronic lymphocytic leukemia study. Hematol Oncol. 2023 (Jul 1). Doi: 10.1002/hon.3199

Key clinical point: High serum levels of the M2 macrophage marker soluble CD163 could be used as an independent negative prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: Above-median levels of soluble CD163 (>3000 ng/mL) were significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.48; P =.006) and overall survival (aHR 4.33; P =.016).

Study details: This study analyzed serum samples from 131 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MCL who received immunochemotherapy or targeted treatments (mainly rituximab, ibrutinib, and lenalidomide), respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society and others. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members or scientific advisors or receiving research funding or honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Nikkarinen A et al. Soluble CD163 predicts outcome in both chemoimmunotherapy and targeted therapy-treated mantle cell lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 30). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010052

Key clinical point: High serum levels of the M2 macrophage marker soluble CD163 could be used as an independent negative prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: Above-median levels of soluble CD163 (>3000 ng/mL) were significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.48; P =.006) and overall survival (aHR 4.33; P =.016).

Study details: This study analyzed serum samples from 131 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MCL who received immunochemotherapy or targeted treatments (mainly rituximab, ibrutinib, and lenalidomide), respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society and others. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members or scientific advisors or receiving research funding or honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Nikkarinen A et al. Soluble CD163 predicts outcome in both chemoimmunotherapy and targeted therapy-treated mantle cell lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 30). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010052

Key clinical point: High serum levels of the M2 macrophage marker soluble CD163 could be used as an independent negative prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: Above-median levels of soluble CD163 (>3000 ng/mL) were significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.48; P =.006) and overall survival (aHR 4.33; P =.016).

Study details: This study analyzed serum samples from 131 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MCL who received immunochemotherapy or targeted treatments (mainly rituximab, ibrutinib, and lenalidomide), respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society and others. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members or scientific advisors or receiving research funding or honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Nikkarinen A et al. Soluble CD163 predicts outcome in both chemoimmunotherapy and targeted therapy-treated mantle cell lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 30). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010052

Key clinical point: Ibrutinib showed efficacy in a real-world cohort of patients with previously untreated high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) carrying 17p- or TP53 mutations (TP53 aberrations).

Major finding: At 24 months, the median overall survival was not reached; the estimated treatment persistence and survival rates were 63.4% (95% CI 60.0%-67.0%) and 82.6% (95% CI 79.9%-85.4%), respectively. The median time to treatment discontinuation was 37.4 months (95% CI 34.8-42.2 months). Disease progression or death were the reasons for discontinuation in 45.8% of patients.

Study details: This real-world registry study analyzed the data of 747 patients with CLL and TP53 aberrations treated with first-line ibrutinib.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the University of Ferrara, Italy, and others. Some authors, including the lead author, declared receiving research support, travel grants, or honoraria for speakers’ bureau or advisory board participation from various sources.

Source: Rigolin GM et al. Outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and TP53 aberration who received first-line ibrutinib: A nationwide registry study from the Italian Medicines Agency. Blood Cancer J. 2023;13:99 (Jun 28). Doi: 10.1038/s41408-023-00865-z

Key clinical point: Ibrutinib showed efficacy in a real-world cohort of patients with previously untreated high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) carrying 17p- or TP53 mutations (TP53 aberrations).

Major finding: At 24 months, the median overall survival was not reached; the estimated treatment persistence and survival rates were 63.4% (95% CI 60.0%-67.0%) and 82.6% (95% CI 79.9%-85.4%), respectively. The median time to treatment discontinuation was 37.4 months (95% CI 34.8-42.2 months). Disease progression or death were the reasons for discontinuation in 45.8% of patients.

Study details: This real-world registry study analyzed the data of 747 patients with CLL and TP53 aberrations treated with first-line ibrutinib.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the University of Ferrara, Italy, and others. Some authors, including the lead author, declared receiving research support, travel grants, or honoraria for speakers’ bureau or advisory board participation from various sources.

Source: Rigolin GM et al. Outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and TP53 aberration who received first-line ibrutinib: A nationwide registry study from the Italian Medicines Agency. Blood Cancer J. 2023;13:99 (Jun 28). Doi: 10.1038/s41408-023-00865-z

Key clinical point: Ibrutinib showed efficacy in a real-world cohort of patients with previously untreated high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) carrying 17p- or TP53 mutations (TP53 aberrations).

Major finding: At 24 months, the median overall survival was not reached; the estimated treatment persistence and survival rates were 63.4% (95% CI 60.0%-67.0%) and 82.6% (95% CI 79.9%-85.4%), respectively. The median time to treatment discontinuation was 37.4 months (95% CI 34.8-42.2 months). Disease progression or death were the reasons for discontinuation in 45.8% of patients.

Study details: This real-world registry study analyzed the data of 747 patients with CLL and TP53 aberrations treated with first-line ibrutinib.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the University of Ferrara, Italy, and others. Some authors, including the lead author, declared receiving research support, travel grants, or honoraria for speakers’ bureau or advisory board participation from various sources.

Source: Rigolin GM et al. Outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and TP53 aberration who received first-line ibrutinib: A nationwide registry study from the Italian Medicines Agency. Blood Cancer J. 2023;13:99 (Jun 28). Doi: 10.1038/s41408-023-00865-z

Key clinical point: Front-line chemo-free combination therapy with rituximab and lenalidomide was moderately active in elderly frail patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were ineligible for conventional cytotoxic therapy.

Major finding: The overall response rate was 50.8% (95% CI 38.1%-63.4%), with 27.7% of patients achieving a complete response. After a 24-month median follow-up, the median progression-free survival was 14.0 months (95% CI 6.8-not reached) and the 2-year duration of response rate was 64.6% (95% CI 42.1%-80.1%). The grade ≥3 extra-hematological toxicity event rate was 52.3%.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective phase 2 FIL_ReRi trial including 65 frail patients aged ≥70 years with untreated DLBCL who received ≤6 cycles of lenalidomide+rituximab; patients with partial or complete response at cycle 6 received lenalidomide for 12 cycles or until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL), Alessandria, Italy. Some authors declared participating on data safety monitoring or advisory boards of, serving in leadership roles in, or receiving consulting fees or speaker honoraria from various sources, including FIL.

Source: Gini G et al. Lenalidomide plus rituximab for the initial treatment of elderly frail patients with DLBCL: The FIL_ReRi phase 2 study. Blood. 2023 (Jul 7). Doi: 10.1182/blood.2022019173

Key clinical point: Front-line chemo-free combination therapy with rituximab and lenalidomide was moderately active in elderly frail patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were ineligible for conventional cytotoxic therapy.

Major finding: The overall response rate was 50.8% (95% CI 38.1%-63.4%), with 27.7% of patients achieving a complete response. After a 24-month median follow-up, the median progression-free survival was 14.0 months (95% CI 6.8-not reached) and the 2-year duration of response rate was 64.6% (95% CI 42.1%-80.1%). The grade ≥3 extra-hematological toxicity event rate was 52.3%.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective phase 2 FIL_ReRi trial including 65 frail patients aged ≥70 years with untreated DLBCL who received ≤6 cycles of lenalidomide+rituximab; patients with partial or complete response at cycle 6 received lenalidomide for 12 cycles or until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL), Alessandria, Italy. Some authors declared participating on data safety monitoring or advisory boards of, serving in leadership roles in, or receiving consulting fees or speaker honoraria from various sources, including FIL.

Source: Gini G et al. Lenalidomide plus rituximab for the initial treatment of elderly frail patients with DLBCL: The FIL_ReRi phase 2 study. Blood. 2023 (Jul 7). Doi: 10.1182/blood.2022019173

Key clinical point: Front-line chemo-free combination therapy with rituximab and lenalidomide was moderately active in elderly frail patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were ineligible for conventional cytotoxic therapy.

Major finding: The overall response rate was 50.8% (95% CI 38.1%-63.4%), with 27.7% of patients achieving a complete response. After a 24-month median follow-up, the median progression-free survival was 14.0 months (95% CI 6.8-not reached) and the 2-year duration of response rate was 64.6% (95% CI 42.1%-80.1%). The grade ≥3 extra-hematological toxicity event rate was 52.3%.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective phase 2 FIL_ReRi trial including 65 frail patients aged ≥70 years with untreated DLBCL who received ≤6 cycles of lenalidomide+rituximab; patients with partial or complete response at cycle 6 received lenalidomide for 12 cycles or until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL), Alessandria, Italy. Some authors declared participating on data safety monitoring or advisory boards of, serving in leadership roles in, or receiving consulting fees or speaker honoraria from various sources, including FIL.

Source: Gini G et al. Lenalidomide plus rituximab for the initial treatment of elderly frail patients with DLBCL: The FIL_ReRi phase 2 study. Blood. 2023 (Jul 7). Doi: 10.1182/blood.2022019173

Key clinical point: Nivolumab+brentuximab vedotin (BV) showed long-term efficacy and safety in patients with treatment-resistant relapsed or refractory (R/R) primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 39.6 months, the objective response rate was 73.3% (95% CI 54.1%-87.7%), with 40.0% and 33.3% of patients achieving complete and partial responses, respectively. The median duration of response or overall survival was not reached, and the median progression-free survival was 26.0 (95% CI 2.6-not reached) months. No new safety signals were reported.

Study details: This 3-year follow-up study of phase 1/2 CheckMate 436 trial included 30 patients age ≥15 years with R/R PMBL previously treated with high-dose chemotherapy+autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation or ≥2 prior multiagent chemotherapies who received 240 mg nivolumab and 1.8 mg/kg BV once every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Seagen. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members and receiving consulting fees, honoraria, or research grants from BMS, Seagen, and others. Three authors declared being employees of or holding stocks in BMS or Seagen.

Source: Zinzani PL et al. Nivolumab combined with brentuximab vedotin for R/R primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: A 3-year follow-up. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010254

Key clinical point: Nivolumab+brentuximab vedotin (BV) showed long-term efficacy and safety in patients with treatment-resistant relapsed or refractory (R/R) primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 39.6 months, the objective response rate was 73.3% (95% CI 54.1%-87.7%), with 40.0% and 33.3% of patients achieving complete and partial responses, respectively. The median duration of response or overall survival was not reached, and the median progression-free survival was 26.0 (95% CI 2.6-not reached) months. No new safety signals were reported.

Study details: This 3-year follow-up study of phase 1/2 CheckMate 436 trial included 30 patients age ≥15 years with R/R PMBL previously treated with high-dose chemotherapy+autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation or ≥2 prior multiagent chemotherapies who received 240 mg nivolumab and 1.8 mg/kg BV once every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Seagen. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members and receiving consulting fees, honoraria, or research grants from BMS, Seagen, and others. Three authors declared being employees of or holding stocks in BMS or Seagen.

Source: Zinzani PL et al. Nivolumab combined with brentuximab vedotin for R/R primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: A 3-year follow-up. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010254

Key clinical point: Nivolumab+brentuximab vedotin (BV) showed long-term efficacy and safety in patients with treatment-resistant relapsed or refractory (R/R) primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 39.6 months, the objective response rate was 73.3% (95% CI 54.1%-87.7%), with 40.0% and 33.3% of patients achieving complete and partial responses, respectively. The median duration of response or overall survival was not reached, and the median progression-free survival was 26.0 (95% CI 2.6-not reached) months. No new safety signals were reported.

Study details: This 3-year follow-up study of phase 1/2 CheckMate 436 trial included 30 patients age ≥15 years with R/R PMBL previously treated with high-dose chemotherapy+autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation or ≥2 prior multiagent chemotherapies who received 240 mg nivolumab and 1.8 mg/kg BV once every 3 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Seagen. Some authors declared serving as advisory board members and receiving consulting fees, honoraria, or research grants from BMS, Seagen, and others. Three authors declared being employees of or holding stocks in BMS or Seagen.

Source: Zinzani PL et al. Nivolumab combined with brentuximab vedotin for R/R primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: A 3-year follow-up. Blood Adv. 2023 (Jun 23). Doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010254