Post hoc analysis of daratumumab plus lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone in Black patients from final data of the GRIFFIN study.

Due in part to racial disparities and underrepresentation in clinical studies, optimal therapies for Black patients with multiple myeloma remain undefined. This final analysis of GRIFFIN by race showed that the addition of daratumumab (D) to lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) provides clinical benefit among both Black and White transplant-eligible newly diagnosed patients compared with RVd alone. However, Black patients were more likely to discontinue ≥1 drug due to treatment-emergent adverse events. In summary, these findings suggest a benefit of D-RVd front-line therapy among Black and White patients and underscore the importance of equitable treatment access for all patients.

Health-related quality of life in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with daratumumab, lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone: Patient-reported outcomes from GRIFFIN.

In the phase 2 GRIFFIN trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02874742), daratumumab added to lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (D-RVd) improved depth of response and progression-free survival (PFS) versus lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd) alone in transplant-eligible (TE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Here, we present patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item (QLQ-C30), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Multiple Myeloma Module 20-item (QLQ-MY20), and EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) tools on day 1 of cycles 1, 2, and 3; on day 21 of cycle 4 (end of induction therapy); on day 1 of cycle 5; on day 21 of cycle 6 (end of posttransplant consolidation therapy); and at months 6, 12, 18, and 24 of maintenance therapy. Meaningful improvements from baseline were seen in most of the PRO scales with both treatments after consolidation and were sustained for at least 2 years of maintenance treatment. Large reductions from baseline (~20 points) were especially observed in pain symptoms for both treatment groups, although these were numerically higher for patients receiving D-RVd during the majority of the time points. In addition, improvements in key scales, such as global health status, fatigue symptoms, and physical functioning, were also seen with both D-RVd and RVd. These improvements in health-related quality of life contribute to the totality of evidence supporting the improvement in clinical outcomes such as response rates and PFS with D-RVd in induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapy in TE patients with NDMM.

A plain language summary of the final analysis of the GRIFFIN study of daratumumab plus lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This summary describes the final analysis of the GRIFFIN study. In this study, participants were newly diagnosed with a type of blood and bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma, had never received any treatment, and were able to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant. The GRIFFIN study looked at adding the drug daratumumab (D) to a combination of standard treatments called RVd (lenalidomide [R], bortezomib [V], and dexamethasone [d]) during the treatment phases induction and consolidation, followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide (D-R) maintenance. Participants also received an autologous stem cell transplant to further help reduce multiple myeloma. The GRIFFIN study looked at whether D-RVd followed by D-R maintenance was better at killing multiple myeloma cells compared with RVd on its own followed by R maintenance on its own, and if treatments were safe. This summary also describes results from 2 other GRIFFIN publications: one that looked at participants with certain multiple myeloma characteristics or demographic factors that are associated with worse outcomes, and another that looked at how treatments impacted the participants' quality of life. WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: At the time of the final analysis of GRIFFIN, participants who were treated with D-RVd followed by D-R maintenance had very low (undetectable) levels of multiple myeloma cells and multiple myeloma markers (biological signs) and were more likely to be alive without the multiple myeloma getting worse or coming back compared with participants who received standard RVd treatment followed by R maintenance. There was also a pattern of similar benefits achieved by participants who were at risk for worse outcomes. Additionally, participants who received D-RVd treatment followed by D-R maintenance reported less pain, less fatigue (extreme tiredness), and greater improvements in their ability to conduct daily physical activities. While some side effects (unwanted or unexpected effects of treatment) were higher with D-RVd, side effects in both groups were as expected, and adding daratumumab did not reduce a participant's ability to handle treatment. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?: Results of the GRIFFIN study showed that D-RVd treatment followed by D-R maintenance was better at treating multiple myeloma than the standard treatment of RVd followed by R maintenance in adults with a new diagnosis of multiple myeloma who were able to receive an autologous stem cell transplant, with no unexpected side effects of treatment.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02874742 (GRIFFIN) (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Daratumumab plus lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Analysis of vascular thrombotic events in the GRIFFIN study.

Patients with multiple myeloma are at increased risk of vascular thromboembolic events (VTEs). This post hoc analysis evaluated VTEs in the randomised phase 2 GRIFFIN study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02874742) that investigated lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) ± daratumumab (D). Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) received D-RVd/RVd induction, high-dose therapy and ASCT, D-RVd/RVd consolidation and up to 2 years of lenalidomide maintenance therapy ± D. VTE prophylaxis was recommended (at least aspirin, ≥162 mg daily) in accordance with International Myeloma Working Group guidelines. In the safety population (D-RVd, n = 99; RVd, n = 102), VTEs occurred in 10.1% of D-RVd patients and 15.7% of RVd patients; grade 2-4 VTEs occurred in 9.1% and 14.7%, respectively. Median time to the first onset of VTE was longer for D-RVd versus RVd patients (305 days vs 119 days). Anti-thrombosis prophylaxis use was similar between arms (D-RVd, 84.8% vs RVd, 83.3%); among patients with VTEs, prophylaxis use at time of first VTE onset was 60.0% for D-RVd and 68.8% for RVd. In summary, the addition of daratumumab to RVd did not increase the incidence of VTEs, but the cumulative VTE incidence was relatively high in this cohort and anti-thrombotic prophylaxis use was suboptimal.

Daratumumab Improves Depth of Response and Progression-free Survival in Transplant-ineligible, High-risk, Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with high-risk, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (HR-NDMM) who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) have limited first-line treatment options. Recent meta-analyses evaluating the impact of incorporating daratumumab in the backbone regimen on progression-free survival (PFS) have found mixed results in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pooled analysis of patient-level data for ASCT-ineligible patients with HR-NDMM [ie, del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16)] from the MAIA and ALCYONE trials; stratified by study identifier and adjusting for cytogenetic abnormality subtype, baseline performance status, International Staging System stage, myeloma type, and renal impairment; was conducted. Impact of daratumumab on PFS and rates of complete response or better (≥CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, very good partial response or better (≥VGPR), and overall response (ORR) was compared to control. RESULTS: Among 101 patients in the daratumumab and 89 patients in the control cohort, median follow-up was 43.7 months. Daratumumab reduced the risk of progression or death by 41% (adjusted hazard ratio for PFS [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.59 [0.41-0.85]) versus control. At 36 months, the estimated proportion of patients who did not progress and were still alive was 41.3% in the daratumumab and 19.9% in the control cohort. Rates of ≥CR (41.6% vs. 22.5%), MRD-negative CR (24.8% vs. 5.6%), ≥VGPR (75.2% vs. 46.1%), and ORR (92.1% vs. 74.2%) were higher for daratumumab versus control. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that incorporation of daratumumab in frontline treatment regimens reduced the risk of progression or death and improved response rates among ASCT-ineligible HR-NDMM patients.

Daratumumab, lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: the GRIFFIN trial.

Lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard frontline therapy for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). The addition of daratumumab (D) to RVd (D-RVd) in transplant-eligible NDMM patients was evaluated. Patients (N = 207) were randomized 1:1 to D-RVd or RVd induction (4 cycles), ASCT, D-RVd or RVd consolidation (2 cycles), and lenalidomide or lenalidomide plus D maintenance (26 cycles). The primary end point, stringent complete response (sCR) rate by the end of post-ASCT consolidation, favored D-RVd vs RVd (42.4% vs 32.0%; odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-2.82; 1-sided P = .068) and met the prespecified 1-sided α of 0.10. With longer follow-up (median, 22.1 months), responses deepened; sCR rates improved for D-RVd vs RVd (62.6% vs 45.4%; P = .0177), as did minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (10-5 threshold) rates in the intent-to-treat population (51.0% vs 20.4%; P < .0001). Four patients (3.8%) in the D-RVd group and 7 patients (6.8%) in the RVd group progressed; respective 24-month progression-free survival rates were 95.8% and 89.8%. Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events were more common with D-RVd. More infections occurred with D-RVd, but grade 3/4 infection rates were similar. Median CD34+ cell yield was 8.2 × 106/kg for D-RVd and 9.4 × 106/kg for RVd, although plerixafor use was more common with D-RVd. Median times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were comparable. Daratumumab with RVd induction and consolidation improved depth of response in patients with transplant-eligible NDMM, with no new safety concerns. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02874742.

A plain language summary of daratumumab plus lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone in transplant-eligible Black patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the GRIFFIN study.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a summary of a publication about Black participants of the GRIFFIN clinical study that was published in Blood Cancer Journal in April 2022. The GRIFFIN clinical study looked at the treatment combination of daratumumab plus a standard therapy for multiple myeloma (called RVd therapy, which stands for lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone) in adult patients who had not been treated before for multiple myeloma and so were considered to have newly diagnosed multiply myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer of plasma cells. Based on the participants' age, medical history, and indicators of good general health, the participants in the GRIFFIN study were also eligible to receive autologous stem cell transplant as part of their therapy. This summary describes results for the Black participants of the GRIFFIN clinical study who received daratumumab plus RVd therapy (called D-RVd) to see if D-RVd therapy is better than RVd therapy at reducing the amount of multiple myeloma cancer cells in a patient's body. WHY DID THE RESEARCHERS EVALUATE THE RESULTS FOR BLACK PATIENTS IN THE GRIFFIN STUDY?: Due to racial disparities leading to historically low representation of minority groups in clinical studies, optimal treatments are not defined for Black patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Since previously published results from the overall population in the GRIFFIN study indicated that D-RVd therapy was better than RVd therapy, the researchers wanted to determine if this was also the case among Black participants. WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: Out of 207 participants in the GRIFFIN study, 15% (32 participants) were Black and 78% (161 participants) were White. In both Black and White participants, D-RVd therapy reduced the amount of myeloma cancer cells more than RVd therapy. Additionally, D-RVd and RVd therapy had similar safety results for Black and White participants. WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN?: This analysis of GRIFFIN by race shows that Black people benefit from the daratumumab-containing D-RVd therapy as much as White people. Additionally, D-RVd therapy had similar safety results to RVd therapy for both Black and White people. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02874742 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Daratumumab, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed and relapsed multiple myeloma: LYRA study.

This United States community study evaluated the combination of daratumumab, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (D-VCd) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and relapsed multiple myeloma (RMM). Patients received 4-8 induction cycles of bortezomib 1·5 mg/m2 , cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly. Intravenous daratumumab 16 mg/kg was administered as approved except for a split-first dose in Cycle 1. Eligible patients underwent autologous stem cell transplantation. All patients received ≤12 daratumumab maintenance doses monthly. Eighty-six NDMM and 14 RMM patients received ≥1 treatment dose. In NDMM patients, very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) and overall response rates after 4 induction cycles were 44% (primary endpoint) and 79%, respectively, and 56% and 81% at end of induction. The 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 87%. Efficacy was also observed in RMM patients. Fatigue (59%) and neutropenia (13%) were the most frequent treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) and grade 3/4 TEAE, respectively. Infusion reactions occurred in 54% of patients, primarily during the first dose, and were mild (2% grade 3). The first 2 daratumumab infusions were 4·5 and 3·8 h (median). Overall, D-VCd was well tolerated, split-first daratumumab dosing was feasible, the ≥VGPR rate after 4 cycles was 44% and the 1-year PFS rate was 87%.

Results of an early access treatment protocol of daratumumab in United States patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Daratumumab is a human CD38-directed monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: A multicenter, open-label treatment protocol provided early access to daratumumab for patients who had progressive MM after they received ≥3 prior lines of therapy that included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent or if they were refractory to both a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. Patients received daratumumab 16 mg/kg weekly for 8 weeks, every other week for 16 weeks, and monthly until they developed disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or 60 days after the drug gained US approval. Treatment-emergent grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and AEs of special interest were collected. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled at 39 US sites between June and December 2015. Patients received study therapy for a median of 1.9 months (range, 0.03-6.0 months). Fifty-two percent of patients transitioned to commercially-available daratumumab and 37% discontinued because of progressive disease. Grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 50% of patients, including thrombocytopenia (15%) and anemia (14%). Serious AEs occurred in 35% of patients (12% were drug-related), including infections (11%). Infusion reactions occurred in 56%, 2%, and 2% of patients during the first, second, and all subsequent infusions, respectively; respiratory symptoms (cough, dyspnea, throat irritation, nasal congestion) were common. The infusion reaction rate for the first infusion was 38% in 50 patients at 2 sites who received montelukast as premedication for their first infusion and 59% in patients who did not receive montelukast. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings are consistent with previously reported trials and confirm the safety profile of daratumumab in heavily pretreated US patients who have relapsed or refractory MM. Cancer 2018;124:000-000.

Ofatumumab monotherapy in rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma: results from a multicenter study.

New treatments are required for rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). In the present study, patients with rituximab-refractory FL received 8 weekly infusions of ofatumumab (CD20 mAb; dose 1, 300 mg and doses 2-8, 500 or 1000 mg; N = 116). The median age of these patients was 61 years, 47% had high-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores, 65% were chemotherapy-refractory, and the median number of prior therapies was 4. The overall response rate was 13% and 10% for the 500-mg and 1000-mg arms, respectively. Among 27 patients refractory to rituximab monotherapy, the overall response rate was 22%. The median progression-free survival was 5.8 months. Forty-six percent of patients demonstrated tumor reduction 3 months after therapy initiation, and the median progression-free survival for these patients was 9.1 months. The most common adverse events included infections, rash, urticaria, fatigue, and pruritus. Three patients experienced grade 3 infusion-related reactions, none of which were considered serious events. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in a subset of patients. Ofatumumab was well tolerated and modestly active in this heavily pretreated, rituximab-refractory population and is therefore now being studied in less refractory FL and in combination with other agents in various B-cell neoplasms. The present study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00394836.

Daratumumab in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: final analysis of clinically relevant subgroups in GRIFFIN.

The randomized, phase 2 GRIFFIN study (NCT02874742) evaluated daratumumab plus lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (D-RVd) in transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). We present final post hoc analyses (median follow-up, 49.6 months) of clinically relevant subgroups, including patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs) per revised definition (del[17p], t[4;14], t[14;16], t[14;20], and/or gain/amp[1q21]). Patients received 4 induction cycles (D-RVd/RVd), high-dose therapy/transplant, 2 consolidation cycles (D-RVd/RVd), and lenalidomide±daratumumab maintenance (≤ 2 years). Minimal residual disease-negativity (10-5) rates were higher for D-RVd versus RVd in patients ≥ 65 years (67.9% vs 17.9%), with HRCAs (54.8% vs 32.4%), and with gain/amp(1q21) (61.8% vs 28.6%). D-RVd showed a trend toward improved progression-free survival versus RVd (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) in patients ≥ 65 years (0.29 [0.06-1.48]), with HRCAs (0.38 [0.14-1.01]), and with gain/amp(1q21) (0.42 [0.14-1.27]). In the functional high-risk subgroup (not MRD negative at the end of consolidation), the hazard ratio was 0.82 (0.35-1.89). Among patients ≥ 65 years, grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) rates were higher for D-RVd versus RVd (88.9% vs 77.8%), as were TEAEs leading to discontinuation of ≥ 1 treatment component (37.0% vs 25.9%). One D-RVd patient died due to an unrelated TEAE. These results support the addition of daratumumab to RVd in transplant-eligible patients with high-risk NDMM. Video Abstract.

Daratumumab-based quadruplet therapy for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with high cytogenetic risk.

In the MASTER study (NCT03224507), daratumumab+carfilzomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (D-KRd) demonstrated promising efficacy in transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). In GRIFFIN (NCT02874742), daratumumab+lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (D-RVd) improved outcomes for transplant-eligible NDMM. Here, we present a post hoc analysis of patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs; del[17p], t[4;14], t[14;16], t[14;20], or gain/amp[1q21]). Among 123 D-KRd patients, 43.1%, 37.4%, and 19.5% had 0, 1, or ≥2 HRCAs. Among 120 D-RVd patients, 55.8%, 28.3%, and 10.8% had 0, 1, or ≥2 HRCAs. Rates of complete response or better (best on study) for 0, 1, or ≥2 HRCAs were 90.6%, 89.1%, and 70.8% for D-KRd, and 90.9%, 78.8%, and 61.5% for D-RVd. At median follow-up (MASTER, 31.1 months; GRIFFIN, 49.6 months for randomized patients/59.5 months for safety run-in patients), MRD-negativity rates as assessed by next-generation sequencing (10-5) were 80.0%, 86.4%, and 83.3% for 0, 1, or ≥2 HRCAs for D-KRd, and 76.1%, 55.9%, and 61.5% for D-RVd. PFS was similar between studies and superior for 0 or 1 versus ≥2 HRCAs: 36-month PFS rates for D-KRd were 89.9%, 86.2%, and 52.4%, and 96.7%, 90.5%, and 53.5% for D-RVd. These data support the use of daratumumab-containing regimens for transplant-eligible NDMM with HCRAs; however, additional strategies are needed for ultra-high-risk disease (≥2 HRCAs). Video Abstract.

A multicentre, phase II trial of ofatumumab monotherapy in relapsed/progressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

This international, multicentre phase II study was conducted to assess ofatumumab, a human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in patients with relapsed/progressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (TI) or who had relapse/progression after transplantation (PT). Eighty-one patients received ofatumumab 300 mg intravenously (IV) on Day 1, followed by seven weekly IV infusions of 1000 mg. Patients in the TI and PT groups had received a median of 3 (range, 1-7) and 5 (range, 2-7) prior therapies, respectively. One-third of patients did not respond to the last prior therapy, and 53% had failed two or more rituximab-containing therapies. Overall response rate was 13% for the TI group (seven partial responses) and 8% for the PT group (two complete responses). Median progression-free survival was 2·6 months, and median duration of response was 9·5 months. The most common Grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (11%), leucopenia (6%), lymphopenia (6%) and thrombocytopenia (6%). Sixteen deaths have been reported, with disease progression as the most common cause of death. In conclusion, ofatumumab monotherapy was well tolerated and provided clinical benefit to some DLBCL patients in this study.

Clinical Administration Characteristics of Subcutaneous and Intravenous Administration of Daratumumab in Patients With Multiple Myeloma at Mayo Clinic Infusion Centers.

PURPOSE: Median duration of daratumumab (DARA) administration for treatment of multiple myeloma is 3-7 hours for the intravenous formulation (DARA IV) and 3-5 minutes for the subcutaneous formulation (DARA SC). Here, we describe clinical administration characteristics of DARA using a novel method for data extraction from electronic health records. METHODS: Time-based measurements were extracted using a scheduling/pharmacy software program that tracked patient movement through appointments for patients initiating DARA in Mayo Clinic infusion centers from April 5, 2017, to October 14, 2021. Cohorts included patients who received DARA IV or DARA SC, or converted from DARA IV to DARA SC. The DARA SC cohort was further analyzed before (DARA SC initial) and after (DARA SC shortened) a reduction in the postadministration observation time mandated by the treatment plan. Events associated with administration-related reactions (ARRs) were also identified. RESULTS: Median total clinic times were 2.7-3.0 hours shorter for DARA SC versus DARA IV. Median clinic times were highest at dose 1 and decreased with subsequent doses. Median total chair times were 2.7-2.8 hours shorter for DARA SC versus DARA IV. Incidences of ARR-related events with DARA SC were low across doses. CONCLUSION: Reduced clinic times were observed with DARA SC, indicating that use of DARA SC as a treatment option results in time savings that may free clinic resources. Furthermore, novel methods of electronic health record data extraction can provide insights that may help inform clinic resource optimization.

Stem Cell Mobilization Yields with Daratumumab- and Lenalidomide-Containing Quadruplet Induction Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Findings from the MASTER and GRIFFIN Trials.

For eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), standard of care includes induction therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Daratumumab as monotherapy and in combination treatment is approved across multiple lines of therapy for multiple myeloma (MM), and lenalidomide is an effective and commonly used agent for induction and maintenance therapy in MM. However, there is concern that lenalidomide and daratumumab given as induction therapy might impair mobilization of stem cells for ASCT. Therefore, we assessed stem cell mobilization in patients following frontline induction therapy in the MASTER and GRIFFIN phase 2 clinical studies by examining stem cell mobilization yields, apheresis attempts, and engraftment outcomes for patients from each study. Adult transplantation-eligible patients with NDMM received induction therapy consisting of daratumumab plus carfilzomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (D-KRd) for four 28-day cycles in the single-arm MASTER trial or lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) with or without daratumumab (D) for four 21-day cycles in the randomized GRIFFIN trial, followed by stem cell mobilization and ASCT in both studies. Institutional practice differed regarding plerixafor use for stem cell mobilization; the strategies were upfront (ie, planned plerixafor use) or rescue (ie, plerixafor use only after mobilization parameters indicated failure with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF] alone). Descriptive analyses were used to summarize patient characteristics, stem cell mobilization yields, and engraftment outcomes. In MASTER, 116 D-KRd recipients underwent stem cell mobilization and collection at a median of 24 days after completing induction therapy. In GRIFFIN, 175 patients (D-RVd, n = 95; RVd, n = 80) underwent mobilization at a median of 27 days after completing D-RVd induction therapy and 24 days after completing RVd induction therapy. Among those who underwent mobilization and collection, 7% (8 of 116) of D-KRd recipients, 2% (2 of 95) of D-RVd recipients, and 6% (5 of 80) of RVd recipients did not meet the center-specific minimally required CD34+ cell yield in the first mobilization attempt; however, nearly all collected sufficient stem cells for ASCT on remobilization. Among patients who underwent mobilization, plerixafor use, either upfront or as a rescue strategy, was higher in patients receiving D-KRd (97%; 112 of 116) and D-RVd (72%; 68 of 95) compared with those receiving RVd (55%; 44 of 80). The median total CD34+ cell collection was 6.0 × 106/kg (range, 2.2 to 13.9 × 106/kg) after D-KRd induction, 8.3 × 106/kg (range, 2.6 to 33.0 × 106/kg) after D-RVd induction, and 9.4 × 106/kg (range, 4.1 to 28.7 × 106/kg) after RVd induction; the median days for collection were 2, 2, and 1, respectively. Among patients who underwent mobilization, 98% (114 of 116) of D-KRd patients, 99% (94 of 95) of D-RVd patients, and 98% (78 of 80) of RVd patients underwent ASCT using median CD34+ cell doses of 3.2 × 106/kg, 4.2 × 106/kg, and 4.8 × 106/kg, respectively. The median time to neutrophil recovery was 12 days in all 3 treatment groups across the 2 trials. Because both trials used different criteria to define platelet recovery, data on platelet engraftment using the same criteria are not available. Four cycles of daratumumab- and lenalidomide-based quadruplet induction therapy had a minimal impact on stem cell mobilization and allowed predictable stem cell harvesting and engraftment in all patients who underwent ASCT. Upfront plerixafor strategy may be considered, but many patients were successfully collected with the use of G-CSF alone or rescue plerixafor.

Addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for transplantation-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (GRIFFIN): final analysis of an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (D-RVd) in the GRIFFIN study improved the stringent complete response rate by the end of consolidation in transplantation-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Here, we report the findings of the predefined final analysis. METHODS: GRIFFIN was an open-label, randomised, active-controlled, phase 2 trial done in 35 research centres in the USA. Patients had newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with measurable disease by M protein or free light chain, were aged 18-70 years, had an ECOG performance score of 0-2, and were eligible for autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to four D-RVd or RVd induction cycles, autologous HSCT, two D-RVd or RVd consolidation cycles, and lenalidomide with or without daratumumab maintenance therapy for 2 years. Patients received 21-day cycles of oral lenalidomide (25 mg on days 1-14), subcutaneous bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11), oral dexamethasone (40 mg weekly) with or without intravenous daratumumab (16 mg/kg weekly, cycles 1-4; day 1, cycles 5-6). Maintenance therapy (28-day cycles) was oral lenalidomide (10 mg on days 1-21) with or without daratumumab (16 mg/kg intravenously every 4 or 8 weeks, or 1800 mg subcutaneously monthly). Patients could continue lenalidomide maintenance after study treatment completion. The primary endpoint was stringent complete response rate by the end of consolidation in the response-evaluable population, and has already been reported. Here we report updated stringent complete response rates and secondary outcomes including progression-free survival and overall survival. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02874742) and ended on April 8, 2022. FINDINGS: Between Dec 20, 2016, and April 10, 2018, 104 patients were randomly assigned to the D-RVd group and 103 were randomly assigned to the RVd group; most patients were White (85 [82%] in the D-RVd group and 76 [74%] in the RVd group) and male (58 [56%] in the D-RVd group and 60 [58%] in the RVd group). At a median follow-up of 49·6 months (IQR 47·4-52·1), D-RVd improved rates of stringent complete response (67 [67%] of 100] vs 47 [48%] of 98]; odds ratio 2·18 [95% CI 1·22-3·89], p=0·0079), and 4-year progression-free survival was 87·2% (95% CI 77·9-92·8) for D-RVd versus 70·0% (95% CI 55·9-80·3) for RVd, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0·45 (95% CI 0·21-0·95, p=0·032) for risk of disease progression or death with D-RVd. Median overall survival was not reached for either group (HR 0·90 [95% CI 0·31-2·56], p=0·84). The most common grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events in the D-RVd versus RVd groups were neutropenia (46 [46%] of 99 vs 23 [23%] of 102), lymphopenia (23 [23%] vs 23 [23%]), leukopenia (17 [17%] vs eight [8%]), thrombocytopenia (16 [16%] vs nine [9%]), pneumonia (12 [12%] vs 14 [14%]), and hypophosphataemia (ten [10%] vs 11 [11%]). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 46 (46%) of 99 patients in the D-RVd group and in 53 (52%) of 102 patients in the RVd group. One patient in each treatment group reported a treatment-emergent adverse event that resulted in death (bronchopneumonia in the D-RVd group; cause unknown in the RVd group); neither was related to study treatment. No new safety concerns occurred with maintenance therapy. INTERPRETATION: Addition of daratumumab to RVd improved the depth of response and progression-free survival in transplantation-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. These results justify further evaluation in phase 3 studies. FUNDING: Janssen Oncology.

Chemoimmunotherapy with ofatumumab in combination with CHOP in previously untreated follicular lymphoma.

An international, Phase II trial was conducted to assess two doses of ofatumumab, a human CD20 monoclonal antibody, combined with cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m(2) ), doxorubicin (50 mg/m(2) ), prednisone (100 mg days 3-7) and vincristine (1·4 mg/m(2) ) (O-CHOP), as frontline treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL). 59 patients with previously untreated FL were randomized to ofatumumab 500 mg (n = 29) or 1000 mg (n = 30) day 1, with CHOP on day 3 every 3 weeks for six cycles. Median duration of FL was 0·1 years for both dose groups; 34% and 38% of patients had high-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) scores in the 500- and 1000-mg dose groups, respectively. Overall response rate was 90% for the 500-mg group and 100% for the 1000-mg group. 62% of patients achieved complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR (CRu). 76% of patients with FLIPI score 3-5 attained CR/CRu. Longer follow-up time is needed for analysis of survival end points. The most common Common Terminology Criteria grade 3-4 investigator-reported adverse events were leucopenia (29%) and neutropenia (22%). No deaths have been reported. O-CHOP was safe and efficacious in patients with previously untreated FL, including high-risk FLIPI groups. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00494780).

Phase 1/2 study of lumiliximab combined with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Preclinical data demonstrate enhanced antitumor effect when lumiliximab, an anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, is combined with fludarabine or rituximab. Clinical data from a phase 1 trial with lumiliximab demonstrated an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We therefore pursued a phase 1/2 dose-escalation study of lumiliximab added to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) in previously treated CLL patients. Thirty-one patients received either 375 mg/m(2) (n = 3) or 500 mg/m(2) (n = 28) of lumiliximab in combination with FCR for 6 cycles. The toxicity profile was similar to that previously reported for FCR in treatment of relapsed CLL. The overall response rate was 65%, with 52% of patients achieving a complete response (CR), which compares favorably with the CR rate previously reported for the FCR regimen alone in relapsed CLL. The estimated median progression-free survival for all responders was 28.7 months. The addition of lumiliximab to FCR therapy is feasible, achieves a high CR rate, and does not appear to enhance toxicity in previously treated patients with CLL. A randomized trial comparing lumiliximab plus FCR with FCR alone is underway to define the benefit of this combination in relapsed CLL. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00103558.

17-DMAG targets the nuclear factor-kappaB family of proteins to induce apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: clinical implications of HSP90 inhibition.

The HSP90 client chaperone interaction stabilizes several important enzymes and antiapoptotic proteins, and pharmacologic inhibition of HSP90 results in rapid client protein degradation. Therefore, HSP90 inhibition is an attractive therapeutic approach when this protein is active, a phenotype commonly observed in transformed but not normal cells. However, preclinical studies with HSP90 inhibitors such as 17-AAG demonstrated depletion of only a subset of client proteins and very modest tumor cytotoxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Herein, we describe another HSP90 inhibitor, 17-DMAG, which is cytotoxic to CLL but not normal lymphocytes. Treatment with 17-DMAG leads to depletion of the HSP90 client protein IKK, resulting in diminished NF-kappaB p50/p65 DNA binding, decreased NF-kappaB target gene transcription, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, treatment with 17-DMAG significantly decreased the white blood cell count and prolonged the survival in a TCL1-SCID transplant mouse model. The ability of 17-DMAG to function as an NF-kappaB inhibitor is of great interest clinically, as few currently available CLL drugs target this transcription factor. Therefore, the effect of 17-DMAG on NF-kappaB signaling pathways represents a novel therapy warranting further clinical pursuit in this and other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.

Epigenetic changes during disease progression in a murine model of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Epigenetic alterations, including gain or loss of DNA methylation, are a hallmark of nearly every malignancy. Changes in DNA methylation can impact expression of cancer-related genes including apoptosis regulators and tumor suppressors. Because such epigenetic changes are reversible, they are being aggressively investigated as potential therapeutic targets. Here we use the Emu-TCL1 transgenic mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to determine the timing and patterns of aberrant DNA methylation, and to investigate the mechanisms that lead to aberrant DNA methylation. We show that CLL cells from Emu-TCL1 mice at various stages recapitulate epigenetic alterations seen in human CLL. Aberrant methylation of promoter sequences is observed as early as 3 months of age in these animals, well before disease onset. Abnormally methylated promoter regions include binding sites for the transcription factor FOXD3. We show that loss of Foxd3 expression due to an NF-kappaB p50/p50:HDAC1 repressor complex occurs in TCL1-positive B cells before methylation. Therefore, specific transcriptional repression is an early event leading to epigenetic silencing of target genes in murine and human CLL. These results provide strong rationale for the development of strategies to target NF-kappaB components in CLL and potentially other B-cell malignancies.