The evolving use of measurable residual disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia clinical trials.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) status in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), assessed on and after treatment, correlates with increased progression-free and overall survival benefit. More recently, MRD assessment has been included in large clinical trials as a primary outcome and is increasingly used in routine practice as a prognostic tool, a therapeutic goal, and potentially a trigger for early intervention. Modern therapy for CLL delivers prolonged remissions, causing readout of traditional trial outcomes such as progression-free and overall survival to be inherently delayed. This represents a barrier for the rapid incorporation of novel drugs to the overall therapeutic armamentarium. MRD offers a dynamic and robust platform for the assessment of treatment efficacy in CLL, complementing traditional outcome measures and accelerating access to novel drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of recent major clinical trials of CLL therapy, focusing on small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibody combinations that have recently emerged as the standard frontline and relapse treatment options. We explore the assessment and reporting of MRD (including novel techniques) and the challenges of standardization and provide a comprehensive review of the relevance and adequacy of MRD as a clinical trial endpoint. We further discuss the impact that MRD data have on clinical decision-making and how it can influence a patient's experience. Finally, we evaluate how upcoming trial design and clinical practice are evolving in the face of MRD-driven outcomes.

Safety and effectiveness of a prothrombin complex concentrate in approved and off-label indications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) in approved and off-label indications. BACKGROUND: PCCs are approved for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Data concerning the efficacy, safety and dosing for off-label indications are limited, but they are included in massive bleeding protocols. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of cases treated with four-factor PCCs (4F-PCCs) between January 2009 and 2016. Efficacy end-points include: (i) VKA reversal efficacy assessed by international normalised ratio (INR) normalisation (<1·5) and (ii) clinical efficacy as bleeding cessation and/or decreased number of transfused blood components and 24-h mortality in bleeding coagulopathy. The safety end-point is the incidence of thromboembolic events. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients were included (51·8% male, median age 78 years old). Indications were as follows: VKA reversal (66·6%), bleeding coagulopathy (30·5%) and direct anticoagulant (DOAC) reversal due to bleeding (2·5%). VKA reversal was effective in 97·1% of patients, and 76·5% demonstrated complete reversal (INR < 1·5); only 34·3% patients needed hemoderivatives. Prior to emergency procedures, PCCs achieved global responses in 83% of patients, with no bleeding complication during intervention. DOAC reversal was effective in 88·9% of patients. Bleeding cessation was associated with the dose administered (P = 0·002). In coagulopathy bleeding, haemorrhage cessation, established by the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostais (ISTH) definition, occurred in 56·7% of massive bleeding events and in 42·5% of other coagulopathies; 24-h mortality was 30%, mainly related to active bleeding. Ten thrombotic episodes were observed (3·1%). CONCLUSION: 4F-PCC was effective as adjuvant treatment with an acceptable safety profile, not only for the emergent reversal of VKAs but also for refractory coagulopathy associated with major bleeding.

Impact of intended and relative dose intensity of R-CHOP in a large, consecutive cohort of elderly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with curative intent: no difference in cumulative incidence of relapse comparing patients by age.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in ageing populations places a significant burden on healthcare systems. Co-morbidity, frailty, and reduced organ and physiological reserve contribute to treatment-related complications. The optimal dose intensity of R-CHOP to optimize outcome across different ages with variable frailty and comorbidity burden is unclear. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We examined the influence of intended (IDI) and relative (RDI) dose intensity of the combination of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, age and comorbidity on outcomes for DLBCL patients ≥70 years in a representative, consecutive cohort across eight UK centres (2009-2018). We determined predictors of survival using multivariable Cox regression, and predictors of recurrence before death using competing risks regression. RESULTS: Porgression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly inferior in patients ≥80 vs. 70-79 years (P < 0.001). In contrast, 2-year cumulative relapse incidence, when accounting for non-relapse mortality as a competing risk, was no different between 70-79 vs. ≥80 years (P = 0.27) or comorbidity status (CIRS-G: 0-6 vs. >6) (P = 0.27). In 70-79 years, patients with an IDI ≥80% had a significantly improved PFS and OS (P < 0.001) compared to IDI < 80%. Conversely, in patients ≥80 years, there was no difference in PFS (P = 0.88) or OS (P = 0.75) according to IDI <80% vs. ≥80%. On multivariable analysis, when comparing by age, there was a significantly higher cumulative relapse rate for patients aged 70-79 years with an IDI <80% (vs. >80%) (P = 0.04) but not for patients ≥80 years comparing IDI (P = 0.32). CONCLUSION: 'R-mini-CHOP' provides adequate lymphoma-specific disease control and represents a reasonable treatment option in elderly patients ≥80 years aiming for cure.

Implementation of a management protocol for massive bleeding reduces mortality in non-trauma patients: Results from a single centre audit.

OBJECTIVE: To audit the impact upon mortality of a massive bleeding management protocol (MBP) implemented in our center since 2007. DESIGN: A retrospective, single-center study was carried out. Patients transfused after MBP implementation (2007-2012, Group 2) were compared with a historical cohort (2005-2006, Group 1). BACKGROUND: Massive bleeding is associated to high mortality rates. Available MBPs are designed for trauma patients, whereas specific recommendations in the medical/surgical settings are scarce. PATIENTS: After excluding patients who died shortly (<6h) after MBP activation (n=20), a total of 304 were included in the data analysis (68% males, 87% surgical). INTERVENTIONS: Our MBP featured goal-directed transfusion with early use of adjuvant hemostatic medications. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Primary endpoints were 24-h and 30-day mortality. Fresh frozen plasma-to-red blood cells (FFP:RBC) and platelet-to-RBC (PLT:RBC) transfusion ratios, time to first FFP unit and the proactive MBP triggering rate were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: After MBP implementation (Group 2; n=222), RBC use remained stable, whereas FFP and hemostatic agents increased, when compared with Group 1 (n=82). Increased FFP:RBC ratio (p=0.053) and earlier administration of FFP (p=0.001) were also observed, especially with proactive MBP triggering. Group 2 patients presented lower rates of 24-h (0.5% vs. 7.3%; p=0.002) and 30-day mortality (15.9% vs. 30.2%; p=0.018) - the greatest reduction corresponding to non-surgical patients. Logistic regression showed an independent protective effect of MBP implementation upon 30-day mortality (OR=0.3; 95% CI 0.15-0.61). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the implementation of a goal-directed MBP for prompt and aggressive management of non-trauma, massive bleeding patients is associated to reduced 24-h and 30-day mortality rates.

Obinutuzumab in follicular lymphoma.

The CD20 marker continues to be exploited as a therapeutic target for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Obinutuzumab is part of a new generation of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, which are synthesized using molecular engineering technology, resulting in novel target epitopes and unprecedented optimization of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. Rituximab is the current gold standard for anti-CD20 therapy, yet despite outstanding results published over the past decade, many patients continue to relapse after anti-CD20 regimens. Obinutuzumab is slowly positioning itself in the treatment of CD20+ B-cell neoplasms. On the basis of favorable results from the phase III GADOLIN trial, obinutuzumab was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in combination with bendamustine followed by obinutuzumab maintenance, for the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients who relapsed or are refractory to a rituximab-containing regimen. Additional phase III trials are underway to test obinutuzumab as a first-line anti-CD20 agent in FL with good preliminary results (GALLIUM trial); thus, it is likely that obinutuzumab will soon achieve a first-line indication. It is plausible that obinutuzumab will replace rituximab as the gold standard for chemoimmunotherapy in FL, although some safety concerns still need to be resolved. This review will address the preclinical pharmacology and the main aspects of the clinical development of obinutuzumab for the treatment of FL.

[Safety and efficacy of a prothrombin complex concentrate in patients with coagulopathy and hemorrhage]. / Seguridad y eficacia de un concentrado de complejo protrombínico en pacientes con coagulopatía y hemorragia.

BACKGROUND: Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) are approved for urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Recently, PCC have been used in the management of massive bleeding-associated coagulopathy. The present work evaluates safety and efficacy of PCC in a case series of both VKA reversal and massive bleeding. METHODS: Retrospective review of cases treated with CCP (January 2010 to February 2013). Safety endpoints were infusion reactions and incidence of thromboembolic events. Efficacy endpoints were: 1) VKA reversal efficacy and 2) Massive bleeding coagulopathy reversal and 24h mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included (22 male), median age 61 years (range 30-86). No infusion reactions were detected, and only 1 thrombotic episode was observed. VKA reversal was effective in 100% of patients (6/6), all of them with complete reversal of INR value. In massive bleeding, 24-hour survival was 64% (16/25). Invasive hemostatic procedures were required in 28% of patients (7/25). CCP use was correlated with bleeding control in 44% of cases (11/25), and also significantly associated with survival (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: CCP are safe and effective for the novel indication of adjuvant treatment in massive bleeding patients, as well as for traditional urgent reversal of VKA.