Lenalidomide with or without dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma post autologous stem cell transplant.

Background: The prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) relapsing post autologous transplant (AuSCT) is poor. Even with novel therapies, only approximately 20%-25% of patients attain complete remissions, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of approximately 5-15 months. Lenalidomide has been shown to have activity in relapsed HL. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with relapsed HL post AuSCT treated with lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone at our center. Patients and methods: Records of 143 patients transplanted from November 2007 to October 2021 were reviewed. Of these patients, 41 (28%) relapsed, and 16 (39%) received lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone. Data collected included demographic, pathological, staging, and prior therapy details. Lenalidomide was administered at 10-25 mg/day on an intermittent or continuous schedule alone or in combination with dexamethasone (20-40 mg weekly). Response was assessed using PET-CT scan in accordance with Lugano criteria. Standard definitions were used for response, PFS, and overall survival (OS). Toxicities were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 21. Results: The median age of the patients was 25.5 years, and 10 were males. Eleven (69%) had advanced disease, and 7 (44%) were refractory to last systemic therapy. Nine patients received lenalidomide alone and 7 with dexamethasone. Four (25%) had complete response, and another four (25%) had partial response, with an overall response rate of 50%. The 3-year PFS and OS were 31% and 38%, respectively. Grade III/IV toxicities were only hematological, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in four and three patients, respectively. No therapy-related deaths were recorded. Conclusions: Lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone is a safe and effective therapy for relapsed HL post AuSCT and results in durable response and long-term survival in approximately one-third of the patients. However, these results needs verification in larger prospective studies.

Comparison of Outcomes of Donor Lymphocyte Infusions With or Without Lenalidomide in Patients with Hematological Malignancies Post Allogeneic HSCT.

Outcomes with DLI alone for post-transplant relapsed hematological malignancies are poor especially in acute leukemias. Addition of immunomodulatory drugs to DLI may augment GVL effect. Use of lenalidomide with DLI to augment GVL has not been previously reported. This retrospective analysis was to compare the outcomes of DLI with or without lenalidomide. All consecutive patients who received DLI from 01/2010 through 01/2020 were included. DLIs were given without any immunosuppression. Lenalidomide, when used, was given continuously, starting with 1st or subsequent DLI. Patients who received lenalidomide were compared with those who did not. Event (hematological relapse or death) free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from 1st DLI. Primary objective was to compare OS. Secondary objectives were EFS, CR rates, acute GVHD, lenalidomide toxicities and DLI related mortality (TRM). Total 61 patients received DLI-43 without and 18 with lenalidomide; all outcomes in the 2 groups were similar. There were 26 patients with HLA-A*24 and/or HLA-B*40. Among these, trend towards improvement in OS (median OS not reached vs. 8 months, 4 year OS was 62% vs. 32%, p = 0.1) and EFS (median 9 vs. 1 month, 4 year EFS 50% vs. 22%, p = 0.1) was seen with lenalidomide. Overall, there was no improvement in outcomes by adding lenalidomide to DLI. However, among patients with HLA*24 or B*40, there was a trend to improved survival with lenalidomide. Use of lenalidomide to augment the GVL effect of DLI warrants further exploration.