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Novartis nabs first CAR T approval in Canada

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Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel is approved to treat patients aged 3-25 years who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and relapsed after allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials – JULIET and ELIANA.

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, 111 of whom received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52% and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%; the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome.

These results were presented at the 2018 annual congress of the European Hematology Association in June.

The ELIANA trial included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The overall remission rate was 81%, with 60% of patients achieving a CR and 21% achieving CR with incomplete hematologic recovery. All patients whose best response was CR with incomplete hematologic recovery were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

About 95% of patients had adverse events thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse eventss was 73% (N Engl J Med 2018; 378:439-48).

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Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel is approved to treat patients aged 3-25 years who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and relapsed after allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials – JULIET and ELIANA.

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, 111 of whom received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52% and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%; the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome.

These results were presented at the 2018 annual congress of the European Hematology Association in June.

The ELIANA trial included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The overall remission rate was 81%, with 60% of patients achieving a CR and 21% achieving CR with incomplete hematologic recovery. All patients whose best response was CR with incomplete hematologic recovery were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

About 95% of patients had adverse events thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse eventss was 73% (N Engl J Med 2018; 378:439-48).

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel is approved to treat patients aged 3-25 years who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and relapsed after allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials – JULIET and ELIANA.

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, 111 of whom received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52% and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%; the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome.

These results were presented at the 2018 annual congress of the European Hematology Association in June.

The ELIANA trial included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The overall remission rate was 81%, with 60% of patients achieving a CR and 21% achieving CR with incomplete hematologic recovery. All patients whose best response was CR with incomplete hematologic recovery were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

About 95% of patients had adverse events thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse eventss was 73% (N Engl J Med 2018; 378:439-48).

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First CAR T-cell therapy approved in Canada

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First CAR T-cell therapy approved in Canada

 

Micrograph showing ALL

 

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

 

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

 

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

 

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

 

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

 

JULIET trial

 

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

 

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

 

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

 

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

 

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

 

ELIANA trial

 

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

 

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

 

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

 

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

 

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

 

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

 

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

 

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

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Micrograph showing ALL

 

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

 

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

 

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

 

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

 

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

 

JULIET trial

 

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

 

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

 

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

 

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

 

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

 

ELIANA trial

 

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

 

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

 

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

 

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

 

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

 

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

 

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

 

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

 

Micrograph showing ALL

 

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

 

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

 

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

 

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

 

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

 

JULIET trial

 

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

 

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

 

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

 

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

 

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

 

ELIANA trial

 

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

 

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

 

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

 

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

 

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

 

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

 

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

 

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

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Regimens produce similar results in FL

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Regimens produce similar results in FL

 

follicular lymphoma
Micrograph showing

 

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

 

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

 

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

 

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

 

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

 

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

 

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

 

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

 

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

 

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

 

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

 

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

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follicular lymphoma
Micrograph showing

 

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

 

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

 

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

 

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

 

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

 

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

 

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

 

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

 

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

 

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

 

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

 

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

 

follicular lymphoma
Micrograph showing

 

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

 

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

 

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

 

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

 

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

 

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

 

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

 

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

 

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

 

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

 

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

 

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

 

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

 

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

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Ibrutinib maintains efficacy over time

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Ibrutinib maintains efficacy over time

Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

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Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

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RESONATE-2 update: First-line ibrutinib has sustained efficacy in older CLL patients

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In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

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In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

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Key clinical point: First-line ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival versus chemotherapy in older CLL patients.

Major finding: There was an 88% reduction in risk of progression-free survival events for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001).

Study details: Extended phase 3 results from the RESONATE-2 trial, including 269 older patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data.

Source: Barr PM et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

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England green-lights coverage of one CAR T-cell therapy

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Fri, 12/16/2022 - 11:03

The National Health Service (NHS) of England has announced that tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, will soon be available for certain leukemia patients.

Courtesy Novartis

Tisagenlecleucel will be available through the Cancer Drugs Fund, and patients could potentially begin receiving the treatment within weeks.

NHS England struck a deal with Novartis to lower the price of tisagenlecleucel, which costs around £282,000 per patient at its full list price. The discount offered to the NHS is confidential.

Tisagenlecleucel was recently approved by the European Commission (EC) to treat patients up to 25 years of age who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory, in relapse post transplant, or in second or later relapse.

The EC also approved tisagenlecleucel to treat adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy.

However, tisagenlecleucel will be available only for ALL patients in England, at least initially. A decision has not been made regarding funding for tisagenlecleucel in DLBCL, and Novartis previously decided to launch tisagenlecleucel in ALL first.

“It’s fantastic news for children and young people with this form of leukemia that CAR T-cell therapy will be made available on the NHS, making them the first in Europe to have routine access to this exciting new type of immunotherapy,” said Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician.

The first three NHS hospitals to go through the international accreditation process for the provision of tisagenlecleucel are in London, Manchester, and Newcastle. Subject to passing accreditation requirements, the first treatments could begin in a matter of weeks.

Another CAR T-cell therapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), has not fared as well as in England. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued draft guidance recommending against the use of axicabtagene ciloleucel in England.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel was approved by the EC to treat patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy. However, NICE said it isn’t clear how much of a benefit axicabtagene ciloleucel may provide over salvage chemotherapy. NICE also said the price of axicabtagene ciloleucel is too high for the therapy to be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources, and the therapy does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Cancer Drugs Fund.

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The National Health Service (NHS) of England has announced that tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, will soon be available for certain leukemia patients.

Courtesy Novartis

Tisagenlecleucel will be available through the Cancer Drugs Fund, and patients could potentially begin receiving the treatment within weeks.

NHS England struck a deal with Novartis to lower the price of tisagenlecleucel, which costs around £282,000 per patient at its full list price. The discount offered to the NHS is confidential.

Tisagenlecleucel was recently approved by the European Commission (EC) to treat patients up to 25 years of age who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory, in relapse post transplant, or in second or later relapse.

The EC also approved tisagenlecleucel to treat adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy.

However, tisagenlecleucel will be available only for ALL patients in England, at least initially. A decision has not been made regarding funding for tisagenlecleucel in DLBCL, and Novartis previously decided to launch tisagenlecleucel in ALL first.

“It’s fantastic news for children and young people with this form of leukemia that CAR T-cell therapy will be made available on the NHS, making them the first in Europe to have routine access to this exciting new type of immunotherapy,” said Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician.

The first three NHS hospitals to go through the international accreditation process for the provision of tisagenlecleucel are in London, Manchester, and Newcastle. Subject to passing accreditation requirements, the first treatments could begin in a matter of weeks.

Another CAR T-cell therapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), has not fared as well as in England. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued draft guidance recommending against the use of axicabtagene ciloleucel in England.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel was approved by the EC to treat patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy. However, NICE said it isn’t clear how much of a benefit axicabtagene ciloleucel may provide over salvage chemotherapy. NICE also said the price of axicabtagene ciloleucel is too high for the therapy to be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources, and the therapy does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Cancer Drugs Fund.

The National Health Service (NHS) of England has announced that tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, will soon be available for certain leukemia patients.

Courtesy Novartis

Tisagenlecleucel will be available through the Cancer Drugs Fund, and patients could potentially begin receiving the treatment within weeks.

NHS England struck a deal with Novartis to lower the price of tisagenlecleucel, which costs around £282,000 per patient at its full list price. The discount offered to the NHS is confidential.

Tisagenlecleucel was recently approved by the European Commission (EC) to treat patients up to 25 years of age who have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory, in relapse post transplant, or in second or later relapse.

The EC also approved tisagenlecleucel to treat adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy.

However, tisagenlecleucel will be available only for ALL patients in England, at least initially. A decision has not been made regarding funding for tisagenlecleucel in DLBCL, and Novartis previously decided to launch tisagenlecleucel in ALL first.

“It’s fantastic news for children and young people with this form of leukemia that CAR T-cell therapy will be made available on the NHS, making them the first in Europe to have routine access to this exciting new type of immunotherapy,” said Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician.

The first three NHS hospitals to go through the international accreditation process for the provision of tisagenlecleucel are in London, Manchester, and Newcastle. Subject to passing accreditation requirements, the first treatments could begin in a matter of weeks.

Another CAR T-cell therapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), has not fared as well as in England. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued draft guidance recommending against the use of axicabtagene ciloleucel in England.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel was approved by the EC to treat patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy. However, NICE said it isn’t clear how much of a benefit axicabtagene ciloleucel may provide over salvage chemotherapy. NICE also said the price of axicabtagene ciloleucel is too high for the therapy to be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources, and the therapy does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Cancer Drugs Fund.

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Researchers find drug target in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma

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Preclinical research indicates that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective in treating anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Courtesy M.Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna
Dr. Lukas Kenner examined the role of TYK2 signalling in ALCL.

Researchers found evidence to suggest that TYK2 “is highly expressed in all cases of human ALCL.”

The team also discovered that TYK2 inhibition induces apoptosis in human ALCL cells, and it delays tumor onset, and prolongs survival in a mouse model of ALCL.

Olaf Merkel, PhD, of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, and his colleagues detailed these findings in Leukemia.

The researchers said their analyses suggest TYK2 is expressed in all types of ALCL, regardless of ALK status, and TYK2 mediates the same anti-apoptotic response across ALCLs.

“Therefore, we could consider TYK2 signaling as the Achilles’ heel of ALCL, as, in all patients we have analyzed, the tumor cells relied on this activity to support the essential survival signal,” Dr. Merkel said in a statement.

He and his colleagues found that disrupting TYK2 – either via gene knockdown or with small-molecule TYK2 inhibitors – induced apoptosis in human ALCL cells in vitro.

In a mouse model of NPM-ALK-induced lymphoma, Tyk2 deletion slowed the rate of tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival. The median survival was 53.3 weeks in mice with Tyk2 deletion and 16.0 weeks in control mice (P less than .0001).

Additional experiments in human ALCL cell lines showed that “TYK2 is activated by autocrine production of IL-10 and IL-22 and by interaction with specific receptors expressed by the cells,” the researchers said.

They also found that “activated TYK2 leads to STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, activated expression of MCL1, and aberrant ALCL cell survival.”

Taking these findings together, the researchers concluded that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective for treating ALCL.

“We are looking forward to TYK2 inhibitors becoming available,” said study coauthor Lukas Kenner, MD, of the Medical University of Vienna. “[I]n the more rare lymphomas, we urgently need better therapies.”

The researchers received grant funding from various organizations but reported having no conflicts of interest.

SOURCE: Prutsch N et al. Leukemia. 2018 Aug 21. doi: 10.1038/s41375-018-0239-1.

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Preclinical research indicates that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective in treating anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Courtesy M.Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna
Dr. Lukas Kenner examined the role of TYK2 signalling in ALCL.

Researchers found evidence to suggest that TYK2 “is highly expressed in all cases of human ALCL.”

The team also discovered that TYK2 inhibition induces apoptosis in human ALCL cells, and it delays tumor onset, and prolongs survival in a mouse model of ALCL.

Olaf Merkel, PhD, of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, and his colleagues detailed these findings in Leukemia.

The researchers said their analyses suggest TYK2 is expressed in all types of ALCL, regardless of ALK status, and TYK2 mediates the same anti-apoptotic response across ALCLs.

“Therefore, we could consider TYK2 signaling as the Achilles’ heel of ALCL, as, in all patients we have analyzed, the tumor cells relied on this activity to support the essential survival signal,” Dr. Merkel said in a statement.

He and his colleagues found that disrupting TYK2 – either via gene knockdown or with small-molecule TYK2 inhibitors – induced apoptosis in human ALCL cells in vitro.

In a mouse model of NPM-ALK-induced lymphoma, Tyk2 deletion slowed the rate of tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival. The median survival was 53.3 weeks in mice with Tyk2 deletion and 16.0 weeks in control mice (P less than .0001).

Additional experiments in human ALCL cell lines showed that “TYK2 is activated by autocrine production of IL-10 and IL-22 and by interaction with specific receptors expressed by the cells,” the researchers said.

They also found that “activated TYK2 leads to STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, activated expression of MCL1, and aberrant ALCL cell survival.”

Taking these findings together, the researchers concluded that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective for treating ALCL.

“We are looking forward to TYK2 inhibitors becoming available,” said study coauthor Lukas Kenner, MD, of the Medical University of Vienna. “[I]n the more rare lymphomas, we urgently need better therapies.”

The researchers received grant funding from various organizations but reported having no conflicts of interest.

SOURCE: Prutsch N et al. Leukemia. 2018 Aug 21. doi: 10.1038/s41375-018-0239-1.

Preclinical research indicates that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective in treating anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Courtesy M.Bernkopf/Vetmeduni Vienna
Dr. Lukas Kenner examined the role of TYK2 signalling in ALCL.

Researchers found evidence to suggest that TYK2 “is highly expressed in all cases of human ALCL.”

The team also discovered that TYK2 inhibition induces apoptosis in human ALCL cells, and it delays tumor onset, and prolongs survival in a mouse model of ALCL.

Olaf Merkel, PhD, of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, and his colleagues detailed these findings in Leukemia.

The researchers said their analyses suggest TYK2 is expressed in all types of ALCL, regardless of ALK status, and TYK2 mediates the same anti-apoptotic response across ALCLs.

“Therefore, we could consider TYK2 signaling as the Achilles’ heel of ALCL, as, in all patients we have analyzed, the tumor cells relied on this activity to support the essential survival signal,” Dr. Merkel said in a statement.

He and his colleagues found that disrupting TYK2 – either via gene knockdown or with small-molecule TYK2 inhibitors – induced apoptosis in human ALCL cells in vitro.

In a mouse model of NPM-ALK-induced lymphoma, Tyk2 deletion slowed the rate of tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival. The median survival was 53.3 weeks in mice with Tyk2 deletion and 16.0 weeks in control mice (P less than .0001).

Additional experiments in human ALCL cell lines showed that “TYK2 is activated by autocrine production of IL-10 and IL-22 and by interaction with specific receptors expressed by the cells,” the researchers said.

They also found that “activated TYK2 leads to STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, activated expression of MCL1, and aberrant ALCL cell survival.”

Taking these findings together, the researchers concluded that TYK2 inhibitors could be effective for treating ALCL.

“We are looking forward to TYK2 inhibitors becoming available,” said study coauthor Lukas Kenner, MD, of the Medical University of Vienna. “[I]n the more rare lymphomas, we urgently need better therapies.”

The researchers received grant funding from various organizations but reported having no conflicts of interest.

SOURCE: Prutsch N et al. Leukemia. 2018 Aug 21. doi: 10.1038/s41375-018-0239-1.

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Key clinical point: Preclinical research suggests TYK2 inhibitors could treat anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Major finding: TYK2 was expressed in all types of ALCL studied and mediated the same anti-apoptotic response across ALCLs.

Study details: A preclinical study of mouse and human ALCL cell lines.

Disclosures: The researchers received grant funding from various organizations but reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Prutsch N et al. Leukemia. 2018 Aug 21. doi: 10.1038/s41375-018-0239-1.

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Adverse events outweigh promise of SGN-CD70A against NHL

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Fri, 12/16/2022 - 12:37

 

An investigational antibody-drug conjugate labeled SGN-CD70A showed signs of efficacy against relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas in a phase 1 trial, but its future is clouded by a high incidence of treatment-associated thrombocytopenia, investigators reported.

Among 20 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, and other histologies, SGN-CD70A was associated with one complete remission (CR) and three partial remissions (PR), two of which were ongoing at nearly 43 weeks of follow-up.

However, 15 of the 20 patients (75%) had treatment-related thrombocytopenias, and 13 of these adverse events (AEs) were grade 3 or greater in severity, reported Tycel Phillips, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his colleagues.

Notwithstanding the antibody-drug conjugate’s apparent efficacy in this early trial, “the applicability of SGN-CD70A is limited by the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia, despite the long-term of response with limited drug exposure. Given that we are currently unable to mitigate this AE, the rationale for further investigation of SGN-CD70A remains limited and is, therefore, not planned,” they wrote in the journal Investigational New Drugs.

SGN-CD70A consists of an antibody directed against the plasma membrane protein CD70, a protease-cleavable linker, and a DNA-crosslinking pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer drug. Its mechanism of action is via double-strand DNA breaks in CD70-positive cells that eventually cause programmed cell death.

Dr. Phillips and his colleagues reported on the high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma cohort in the phase 1 trial. The cohort included nine patients with DLBCL, five with mantle cell lymphoma, two with transformed DLBCL, one with T- cell/histocyte–rich large B cell lymphoma, and three with unspecified NHL histologies.

The patients had undergone a median of 3.5 prior lines of systemic therapy, and all had relatively good performance status, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores of 0 or 1.

Patients were started on intravenous SGN-CD70A at a dose of 8 mcg/kg on day 1 of each 3-week cycle, with a planned dose escalation to 200 mcg/kg, The protocol was amended to dosing every 6 weeks, however, after the investigators observed prolonged thrombocytopenias in some patients. A total of 12 patients were treated every 3 weeks, and 8 were treated every 6 weeks.

The most common treatment-related AEs were thrombocytopenias, which occurred in three-quarters of all patients, and were largely grade 3 or greater in severity. Other treatment-related AEs of grade 3 or greater occurring in more than one patient include neutropenia in six patients; anemia in five patients; and congestive heart failure, Clostridium difficile infections, dyspnea, and decreased forced expiratory volume in two patients each.

Other common AEs were nausea and fatigue.

The investigators noted that the cause of the deep and durable thrombocytopenias could not be determined, despite assessment of known biomarkers for this complication.

The duration of the thrombocytopenia and the fact that some of the few responses that did occur were also durable after the end of treatment suggest that the dimer drug, the cytotoxic “payload” of the antibody-drug conjugate, was responsible for the effects they observed, the authors said.

The study was funded by Seattle Genetics. Dr. Phillips reported advisory board membership with the company, and four of the coauthors are employees of the company with equity interests.

SOURCE: Phillips T et al. Invest New Drugs. 2018 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s10637-018-0655-0.

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An investigational antibody-drug conjugate labeled SGN-CD70A showed signs of efficacy against relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas in a phase 1 trial, but its future is clouded by a high incidence of treatment-associated thrombocytopenia, investigators reported.

Among 20 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, and other histologies, SGN-CD70A was associated with one complete remission (CR) and three partial remissions (PR), two of which were ongoing at nearly 43 weeks of follow-up.

However, 15 of the 20 patients (75%) had treatment-related thrombocytopenias, and 13 of these adverse events (AEs) were grade 3 or greater in severity, reported Tycel Phillips, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his colleagues.

Notwithstanding the antibody-drug conjugate’s apparent efficacy in this early trial, “the applicability of SGN-CD70A is limited by the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia, despite the long-term of response with limited drug exposure. Given that we are currently unable to mitigate this AE, the rationale for further investigation of SGN-CD70A remains limited and is, therefore, not planned,” they wrote in the journal Investigational New Drugs.

SGN-CD70A consists of an antibody directed against the plasma membrane protein CD70, a protease-cleavable linker, and a DNA-crosslinking pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer drug. Its mechanism of action is via double-strand DNA breaks in CD70-positive cells that eventually cause programmed cell death.

Dr. Phillips and his colleagues reported on the high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma cohort in the phase 1 trial. The cohort included nine patients with DLBCL, five with mantle cell lymphoma, two with transformed DLBCL, one with T- cell/histocyte–rich large B cell lymphoma, and three with unspecified NHL histologies.

The patients had undergone a median of 3.5 prior lines of systemic therapy, and all had relatively good performance status, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores of 0 or 1.

Patients were started on intravenous SGN-CD70A at a dose of 8 mcg/kg on day 1 of each 3-week cycle, with a planned dose escalation to 200 mcg/kg, The protocol was amended to dosing every 6 weeks, however, after the investigators observed prolonged thrombocytopenias in some patients. A total of 12 patients were treated every 3 weeks, and 8 were treated every 6 weeks.

The most common treatment-related AEs were thrombocytopenias, which occurred in three-quarters of all patients, and were largely grade 3 or greater in severity. Other treatment-related AEs of grade 3 or greater occurring in more than one patient include neutropenia in six patients; anemia in five patients; and congestive heart failure, Clostridium difficile infections, dyspnea, and decreased forced expiratory volume in two patients each.

Other common AEs were nausea and fatigue.

The investigators noted that the cause of the deep and durable thrombocytopenias could not be determined, despite assessment of known biomarkers for this complication.

The duration of the thrombocytopenia and the fact that some of the few responses that did occur were also durable after the end of treatment suggest that the dimer drug, the cytotoxic “payload” of the antibody-drug conjugate, was responsible for the effects they observed, the authors said.

The study was funded by Seattle Genetics. Dr. Phillips reported advisory board membership with the company, and four of the coauthors are employees of the company with equity interests.

SOURCE: Phillips T et al. Invest New Drugs. 2018 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s10637-018-0655-0.

 

An investigational antibody-drug conjugate labeled SGN-CD70A showed signs of efficacy against relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas in a phase 1 trial, but its future is clouded by a high incidence of treatment-associated thrombocytopenia, investigators reported.

Among 20 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, and other histologies, SGN-CD70A was associated with one complete remission (CR) and three partial remissions (PR), two of which were ongoing at nearly 43 weeks of follow-up.

However, 15 of the 20 patients (75%) had treatment-related thrombocytopenias, and 13 of these adverse events (AEs) were grade 3 or greater in severity, reported Tycel Phillips, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his colleagues.

Notwithstanding the antibody-drug conjugate’s apparent efficacy in this early trial, “the applicability of SGN-CD70A is limited by the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia, despite the long-term of response with limited drug exposure. Given that we are currently unable to mitigate this AE, the rationale for further investigation of SGN-CD70A remains limited and is, therefore, not planned,” they wrote in the journal Investigational New Drugs.

SGN-CD70A consists of an antibody directed against the plasma membrane protein CD70, a protease-cleavable linker, and a DNA-crosslinking pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer drug. Its mechanism of action is via double-strand DNA breaks in CD70-positive cells that eventually cause programmed cell death.

Dr. Phillips and his colleagues reported on the high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma cohort in the phase 1 trial. The cohort included nine patients with DLBCL, five with mantle cell lymphoma, two with transformed DLBCL, one with T- cell/histocyte–rich large B cell lymphoma, and three with unspecified NHL histologies.

The patients had undergone a median of 3.5 prior lines of systemic therapy, and all had relatively good performance status, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores of 0 or 1.

Patients were started on intravenous SGN-CD70A at a dose of 8 mcg/kg on day 1 of each 3-week cycle, with a planned dose escalation to 200 mcg/kg, The protocol was amended to dosing every 6 weeks, however, after the investigators observed prolonged thrombocytopenias in some patients. A total of 12 patients were treated every 3 weeks, and 8 were treated every 6 weeks.

The most common treatment-related AEs were thrombocytopenias, which occurred in three-quarters of all patients, and were largely grade 3 or greater in severity. Other treatment-related AEs of grade 3 or greater occurring in more than one patient include neutropenia in six patients; anemia in five patients; and congestive heart failure, Clostridium difficile infections, dyspnea, and decreased forced expiratory volume in two patients each.

Other common AEs were nausea and fatigue.

The investigators noted that the cause of the deep and durable thrombocytopenias could not be determined, despite assessment of known biomarkers for this complication.

The duration of the thrombocytopenia and the fact that some of the few responses that did occur were also durable after the end of treatment suggest that the dimer drug, the cytotoxic “payload” of the antibody-drug conjugate, was responsible for the effects they observed, the authors said.

The study was funded by Seattle Genetics. Dr. Phillips reported advisory board membership with the company, and four of the coauthors are employees of the company with equity interests.

SOURCE: Phillips T et al. Invest New Drugs. 2018 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s10637-018-0655-0.

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Key clinical point: A high incidence of unexplained thrombocytopenias led to abandonment of further study of SGN-CD70A in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Major finding: In total, 15 of 20 patients had treatment-related thrombocytopenias; 13 of these adverse events were grade 3 or greater in severity.

Study details: A 20-patient NHL cohort of a phase 1 dose-finding, pharmacologic, safety, and preliminary efficacy trial of the antibody-drug conjugate SGN-CD70A.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Seattle Genetics. Dr. Phillips reported advisory board membership with the company, and four of the coauthors are employees of the company with equity interests.

Source: Phillips T et al. Invest New Drugs. 2018 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s10637-018-0655-0.

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Predicting early outcomes in DLBCL

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Predicting early outcomes in DLBCL

 

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Measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be a new and useful tool for predicting survival outcomes and response to therapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to researchers.

 

Pretreatment ctDNA levels predicted 24-month event-free survival as well as overall survival in a prospective study.

 

Changes in ctDNA during treatment were prognostic for outcomes as early as 21 days into therapy.

 

Ash A. Alizadeh, MD, PhD, of Stanford University in California, and his colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

 

ctDNA was detected in 98% of the 217 patients evaluated, which demonstrated the “potentially universal applicability” of this approach, the researchers wrote.

 

In an evaluation of pretreatment ctDNA levels, the researchers found a 2.5 log haploid genome equivalents per milliliter threshold stratified patient outcomes. Event-free survival was significantly inferior at 24 months in patients with ctDNA above that threshold, with hazard ratios of 2.6 (P=0.007) for frontline treatment and 2.9 (P=0.01) for salvage therapy.

 

On-treatment ctDNA levels were favorably prognostic for outcomes in patients receiving frontline therapy.

 

An early molecular response (EMR), defined as a 2-log decrease in ctDNA levels after one cycle of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 83% versus 50% for no EMR (P=0.0015).

 

Major molecular response (MMR), defined as a 2.5-log drop in ctDNA after two cycles of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 82% versus 46% for no MMR in patients on frontline therapy (P<0.001).

 

In one cohort of patients receiving salvage therapy, EMR also predicted superior 24-month event-free survival.

 

The EMR measure was also favorably prognostic for overall survival in both the frontline and salvage settings.

 

The prognostic value of measuring ctDNA was independent of International Prognostic Index and interim PET/CT studies, results of multivariable analyses showed.

 

Patients had “excellent outcomes” if they had both molecular response and favorable interim PET results, according to researchers. Conversely, patients were at “extremely high risk” for treatment failure if they had no molecular response and a positive PET scan.

 

“The identification of patients at exceptionally high risk (i.e., interim PET/CT positive and not achieving EMR/MMR) could provide an opportunity for early intervention with alternative treatments, including autologous bone marrow transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor T cells,” the researchers wrote.

 

Patients in the study were all treated with combination immunochemotherapy according to local standards.

 

Dr. Alizadeh reported disclosures related to CiberMed, Forty Seven, Janssen Oncology, Celgene, Roche/Genentech, and Gilead, as well as patent filings on ctDNA detection assigned to Stanford University.

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Image by Spencer Phillips
DNA helix

 

Measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be a new and useful tool for predicting survival outcomes and response to therapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to researchers.

 

Pretreatment ctDNA levels predicted 24-month event-free survival as well as overall survival in a prospective study.

 

Changes in ctDNA during treatment were prognostic for outcomes as early as 21 days into therapy.

 

Ash A. Alizadeh, MD, PhD, of Stanford University in California, and his colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

 

ctDNA was detected in 98% of the 217 patients evaluated, which demonstrated the “potentially universal applicability” of this approach, the researchers wrote.

 

In an evaluation of pretreatment ctDNA levels, the researchers found a 2.5 log haploid genome equivalents per milliliter threshold stratified patient outcomes. Event-free survival was significantly inferior at 24 months in patients with ctDNA above that threshold, with hazard ratios of 2.6 (P=0.007) for frontline treatment and 2.9 (P=0.01) for salvage therapy.

 

On-treatment ctDNA levels were favorably prognostic for outcomes in patients receiving frontline therapy.

 

An early molecular response (EMR), defined as a 2-log decrease in ctDNA levels after one cycle of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 83% versus 50% for no EMR (P=0.0015).

 

Major molecular response (MMR), defined as a 2.5-log drop in ctDNA after two cycles of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 82% versus 46% for no MMR in patients on frontline therapy (P<0.001).

 

In one cohort of patients receiving salvage therapy, EMR also predicted superior 24-month event-free survival.

 

The EMR measure was also favorably prognostic for overall survival in both the frontline and salvage settings.

 

The prognostic value of measuring ctDNA was independent of International Prognostic Index and interim PET/CT studies, results of multivariable analyses showed.

 

Patients had “excellent outcomes” if they had both molecular response and favorable interim PET results, according to researchers. Conversely, patients were at “extremely high risk” for treatment failure if they had no molecular response and a positive PET scan.

 

“The identification of patients at exceptionally high risk (i.e., interim PET/CT positive and not achieving EMR/MMR) could provide an opportunity for early intervention with alternative treatments, including autologous bone marrow transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor T cells,” the researchers wrote.

 

Patients in the study were all treated with combination immunochemotherapy according to local standards.

 

Dr. Alizadeh reported disclosures related to CiberMed, Forty Seven, Janssen Oncology, Celgene, Roche/Genentech, and Gilead, as well as patent filings on ctDNA detection assigned to Stanford University.

 

Image by Spencer Phillips
DNA helix

 

Measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be a new and useful tool for predicting survival outcomes and response to therapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to researchers.

 

Pretreatment ctDNA levels predicted 24-month event-free survival as well as overall survival in a prospective study.

 

Changes in ctDNA during treatment were prognostic for outcomes as early as 21 days into therapy.

 

Ash A. Alizadeh, MD, PhD, of Stanford University in California, and his colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

 

ctDNA was detected in 98% of the 217 patients evaluated, which demonstrated the “potentially universal applicability” of this approach, the researchers wrote.

 

In an evaluation of pretreatment ctDNA levels, the researchers found a 2.5 log haploid genome equivalents per milliliter threshold stratified patient outcomes. Event-free survival was significantly inferior at 24 months in patients with ctDNA above that threshold, with hazard ratios of 2.6 (P=0.007) for frontline treatment and 2.9 (P=0.01) for salvage therapy.

 

On-treatment ctDNA levels were favorably prognostic for outcomes in patients receiving frontline therapy.

 

An early molecular response (EMR), defined as a 2-log decrease in ctDNA levels after one cycle of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 83% versus 50% for no EMR (P=0.0015).

 

Major molecular response (MMR), defined as a 2.5-log drop in ctDNA after two cycles of treatment, was associated with a 24-month event-free survival of 82% versus 46% for no MMR in patients on frontline therapy (P<0.001).

 

In one cohort of patients receiving salvage therapy, EMR also predicted superior 24-month event-free survival.

 

The EMR measure was also favorably prognostic for overall survival in both the frontline and salvage settings.

 

The prognostic value of measuring ctDNA was independent of International Prognostic Index and interim PET/CT studies, results of multivariable analyses showed.

 

Patients had “excellent outcomes” if they had both molecular response and favorable interim PET results, according to researchers. Conversely, patients were at “extremely high risk” for treatment failure if they had no molecular response and a positive PET scan.

 

“The identification of patients at exceptionally high risk (i.e., interim PET/CT positive and not achieving EMR/MMR) could provide an opportunity for early intervention with alternative treatments, including autologous bone marrow transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor T cells,” the researchers wrote.

 

Patients in the study were all treated with combination immunochemotherapy according to local standards.

 

Dr. Alizadeh reported disclosures related to CiberMed, Forty Seven, Janssen Oncology, Celgene, Roche/Genentech, and Gilead, as well as patent filings on ctDNA detection assigned to Stanford University.

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New BTK inhibitor under review in China

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Fri, 12/16/2022 - 12:37

 

The China Drug Administration is reviewing the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor zanubrutinib for the treatment of relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted the drug fast track designation for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.


The application in China is supported by results from a phase 2, single-arm trial of 86 patients with relapsed/refractory MCL who received 160 mg zanubrutinib orally twice daily. The overall response rate was 84%, which included 59% of patients with a complete response. At 8.3 months of follow-up, the median duration of response had not been reached, according to the drug’s sponsor BeiGene.

Zanubrutinib is being studied in several ongoing trials, including for the treatment of untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in combination with obinutuzumab, and comparing it to ibrutinib in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

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The China Drug Administration is reviewing the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor zanubrutinib for the treatment of relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted the drug fast track designation for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.


The application in China is supported by results from a phase 2, single-arm trial of 86 patients with relapsed/refractory MCL who received 160 mg zanubrutinib orally twice daily. The overall response rate was 84%, which included 59% of patients with a complete response. At 8.3 months of follow-up, the median duration of response had not been reached, according to the drug’s sponsor BeiGene.

Zanubrutinib is being studied in several ongoing trials, including for the treatment of untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in combination with obinutuzumab, and comparing it to ibrutinib in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

 

The China Drug Administration is reviewing the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor zanubrutinib for the treatment of relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted the drug fast track designation for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.


The application in China is supported by results from a phase 2, single-arm trial of 86 patients with relapsed/refractory MCL who received 160 mg zanubrutinib orally twice daily. The overall response rate was 84%, which included 59% of patients with a complete response. At 8.3 months of follow-up, the median duration of response had not been reached, according to the drug’s sponsor BeiGene.

Zanubrutinib is being studied in several ongoing trials, including for the treatment of untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in combination with obinutuzumab, and comparing it to ibrutinib in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

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