CLINICAL EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF VENETOCLAX PLUS RITUXIMAB IN RELAPSED OR REFRACTORY CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA - REAL WORLD ANALYSIS OF POLISH ADULT LEUKEMIA STUDY GROUP

Background: The introduction of venetoclax into clinical practice has improved the outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (RR-CLL). The results of the MURANO trial published in March 2018 showed significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in RR-CLL patients treated with venetoclax and rituximab (VEN-R) comparing to bendamustine and rituximab (BR) and resulted in the approval of VEN-R in the therapy of RR-CLL in the European Union and the United States. It should be noted that the results of registration studies often do not correspond with the data from real-life observations. Aims: To study the clinical efficacy and safety profile of VEN-R treatment in RR-CLL patients outside clinical trials. Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of RR-CLL patients treated with VEN-R in hematology centers of the Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group (PALG) from 2019 to 2021. Results: Clinical data of 117 RR-CLL patients treated with VEN-R were collected. Median patient age upon initiation of VEN-R therapy was 67 years (range 33 - 84 years). Seventy-two patients (61.5%) were men. Median Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) was 6 (range 2 -16). Patients were treated with a median of 2 (range 1-9) previous lines of therapy, whereas 32 patients (27.4%) had relapsed following the first line of treatment. Overall, 25 patients (21.4%) had 17p deletion, whereas TP53 mutation was identified in 13 patients (11.1%). The median follow-up was 9.96 months (range 0.27 -29.13). The overall response rate (ORR) was 95.2%. Seventeen patients (14.5%) achieved complete remission (CR), 83 (70.9%) partial remission (PR), while in 5 patients (4.3%) disease progression was noted. In the patients with 17p deletion (n=22) or TP53 mutation (n=11), CR and PR were observed in 4 (12.1%) and 29 (87.9%) patients, respectively. The median PFS in the whole cohort was 20.8 (95% CI 18.43 -not reached) months and the median OS was not reached. In our study none of the analyzed clinico-pathological factors had significant impact on ORR, PFS and OS. During the follow-up time four (3.4%) cases of Richter transformation were diagnosed. There were 18 deaths recorded during the course of observation;3 (16.7%) due to disease progression and 7 (38.9%) due to COVID-19 infection. The others were due to infections other than SARS-CoV-2 (n=3, 16.7%) and the cause of death could not be specified in five cases (27.8%). Eighty-three patients (70.9%) remain on treatment, while treatment was discontinued in thirty-four cases (29.1%). Reasons for therapy discontinuation included patient's death (52.9%), treatment-related cytopenias (17.6%), disease progression (14.7%), Richter's transformation (11.8%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (5.9%), diarrhea (2.9%) and infections (8.8%). In one case treatment discontinuation was due to consent withdrawal and one patient was lost to follow-up. The following adverse events of VEN-R treatment were reported during the study: all grade neutropenia (71.8% with grade 3/4 in 55.6%), anemia (51.3%), thrombocytopenia (47%), pneumonia (9.4%), neutropenic fever (6.8%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (4.3%), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (1.7%), diarrhea (4.3%) and in one case exacerbation of heart failure was observed. Summary/Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis the outcomes of treatment with the VEN-R regimen in real-life setting were worse than those reported in the MURANO trial.

MANAGEMENT OF RELAPSED / REFRACTORY (R/R) B-CELL NON HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (B-NHL) WITH ANTI-CD20XCD3 BISPECIFIC ANTIBODY GLOFITAMAB. A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Background: Prognosis of r/r B-NHL is detrimental. Potentially curative therapeutic approaches, such as autologous stem cell transplantation and innovative CAR-T cell therapy, require maximum disease control to achieve optimal results. Glofitamab is a new bispecific antibody, with a unique 2:1 molecular configuration resulting in superior potency compared with other CD20xCD3 bispecific antibodies with a 1:1 format. Aims: Based on these encouraging results, we included 5 heavily pretreated patients in the early access program of Glofitamab, available in our country. Methods: We collected the data of 5 consecutive patients with r/r B-NHL, who were treated with Glofitamab in our department during the last 15 months. Results: Three men and 2 women, median age of 57 years (38-62), were resistant to 4 (n = 3) and 5 (n = 2) previous lines of treatment. The underlying lymphoma was Richter's transformation of CLL after allogeneic transplantation (alloHSCT), transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after CAR-T therapy and gray zone lymphoma (GZL) transformed to DLBCL. The median number of Glofitamab cycles administered was 3 (2-7). All 5 patients responded early to treatment, which became apparent immediately after the first dose of 2.5 mg. The patient with Richter's syndrome achieved metabolic remission after the 4th cycle and underwent second alloHSCT after the 7th cycle. Unfortunately, he passed away 8 months after alloHSCT due to disseminated atypical mycobacterial infection, remaining however disease free. The patient with tFL also achieved metabolic remission, but the drug was discontinued after the 7th cycle due to COVID-19 infection. He died two months after Glofitamab interruption due to disease progression and CMV encephalitis. The patient with PMBCL, responded partially after Glofitamab and had mediastinal radiotherapy as bridging therapy to CAR-T therapy. As the latter was delayed due to CMV reactivation and CMV enteritis, our patient deceased due to progressive disease. The patient with DLBCL after CAR-T therapy had initial clinical response after two Glofitamab cycles. Due to severe COVID-19, we decided to hold Glofitamab. COVID-19 and disease progression led to his death, a few weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. Finally, the patient with transformed GZL had Glofitamab administered as bridging therapy prior to CAR-T treatment. After 3 cycles, while she was prepared to proceed to CAR-T therapy, she was diagnosed with invasive aspergillosis. She is currently been treated with antifungal agents, whereas disease is still active. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 3 out of 5 patients. In all cases it was grade 1-2 and manifested at the first administration of the drug, after 4, 32 and 10 hours respectively, from infusion initiation. CRS was managed with antipyretics and steroids, whereas none patient required Intensive Care Unit support. Only one patient required tocilizumab. No Immune effector cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) was observed. Summary/Conclusion: Glofitamab is effective in treating patients with r/r aggressive B-cell NHL. Efficacy makes it an appropriate bridging tool to autologous, alloHSCT or CAR-T therapy. Nevertheless, relapse remains a challenge for r/r disease. Adverse events, such as CRS, were generally manageable. Given the fact that it was administered to heavily pretreated patients, caution to opportunistic pathogens should be paid. Indeed, toxicity profile may be proven to be more favorable if the agent is being administered earlier in therapeutic algorithms.

Genetic algorithm based image reconstruction applying the digital holography process with the Discrete Orthonormal Stockwell Transform technique for diagnosis of COVID-19.

World Health Organization has described the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test method for the diagnosis of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the limited number of test kits, the long-term results of the tests, the high probability of the disease spreading during the test and imaging without focused images necessitate the use of alternative diagnostic methods such as chest X-ray (CXR) imaging. The storage of data obtained for the diagnosis of the disease also poses a major problem. This causes misdiagnosis and delays treatment. In this work, we propose a hybrid 3D reconstruction method of CXR images (CXRI) to detect coronavirus pneumonia and prevent misdiagnosis on CXRI. We used the digital holography technique (DHT) for obtaining a priori information of CXRI stored in created digital hologram (CDH). In this way, the elimination of the storage problem that requires high space was revealed. In addition, Discrete Orthonormal S-Transform (DOST) is applied to the reconstructed CDH image obtained by using DHT. This method is called CDH_DHT_DOST. A multiresolution spatial-frequency representation of the lung images that belong to healthy people and diseased people with the COVID-19 virus is obtained by using the CDH_DHT_DOST. Moreover, the genetic algorithm (GA) is adopted for the reconstruction process for optimization of the CDH image and then DOST is applied. This hybrid method is called CDH_GA_DOST. Finally, we compare the results obtained from CDH_DHT_DOST and CDH_GA_DOST. The results show the feasibility of reconstructing CXRI with CDH_GA_DOST. The proposed method holds promises to meet demands for the detection of the COVID-19 virus.

Veteran Experiences with Virtually Delivered Whole Health Services: Cross-Sectional Survey Findings from the Veterans Health Administration

Methods: We are fielding an online survey to approximately 2,000 Veterans using tele-WH services across 10 VHA facilities. The survey contains internally developed questions and validated patient-reported outcome measures (e.g., Perceived Stress Scale). Survey content was developed iteratively and refined based on Veteran feedback. The survey is collecting data on Veteran: (1) use of and interest in, (2) experiences and satisfaction with, (3) perceived outcomes of, and (4) sources of information about tele-WH services. Results: Data collection is underway. We will present data on the percent of respondents who: (1) used and (2) are interested in using each tele-WH service/therapy, (3) learned about tele-WH through various sources, (4) reported satisfaction with tele-WH services/therapies, and (5) reported that tele-WH participation helped them improve outcomes. We will use multivariate analyses to identify factors independently associated with use of tele-WH services and therapies, interest in future use, and perceived impacts on outcomes. Background: The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) transformation into a 'Whole Health system of care' (WHS) has encompassed a shift in organizational culture, wherein care delivery is focused on Veteran goals and preferences rather than diagnoses alone. VHA's WHS includes offering commensurate services and therapies to Veterans, including complementary and integrative health services. In the wake of COVID-19, VHA rapidly shifted service delivery to a virtual format. For most Whole Health programs, the virtual format (i.e., 'tele-Whole Health' (tele-WH)) was a novel delivery platform. Our goal was to assess Veteran experiences with and perceptions of tele-WH services. Conclusion: Following the pandemic-related shift in services, interest in tele-WH continues to rise. Our data will provide insights regarding Veteran perceptions of tele-WH, including interest in continued use of tele-WH offerings and factors that can be addressed to facilitate participation. Such information can be used by healthcare institutions to plan future availability of tele-WH services.

Venetoclax, Obinutuzumab and Atezolizumab (PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitor) for First-Line Treatment for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Background: Dysfunction of T cells, NK cells and other immune subsets is common in patients (pts) with CLL. Venetoclax (VEN), a BCL-2 inhibitor and obinutuzumab (OBIN), a CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) are approved for pts with CLL (Fischer, NEJM 2019). Atezolizumab, a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), is approved for melanoma, lung cancer and other solid tumors. Preclinical studies showed synergy of VEN and CD20 mAb with CPI (Kohlhapp, Cancer Discovery 2021;Westin, Lancet Oncology 2014). Clinical studies showed activity of PD1 inhibition in pts with Richter's transformation, but not CLL (Ding, Blood 2017;Jain, ASH 2018). To our knowledge, no prior study has evaluated PD-L1 inhibition in pts with CLL, nor combined CPI, VEN and OBIN. We hypothesized that combined VEN, OBIN and atezolizumab will be synergistic. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated Phase II trial of combined VEN, OBIN and atezolizumab in pts with previously untreated CLL meeting 2008 IWCLL treatment criteria (NCT02846623). Eligibility criteria included age ≥18 years, adequate organ function (total bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN, ALT and AST ≤2.5 x ULN, creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN). OBIN was given at a flat dose of 100mg IV Cycle (C)1 Day (D)1, 900 mg C1D2, 1000mg on C1D8, 1000mg on C1D15 and then 1000mg on C2-9 D1. Atezolizumab was given at a flat dose of 1680 mg IV (split over 2 days) on C1D3-4 and then C2-9D1-2. VEN was initiated at the start of C3 with the weekly dose-escalation (20mg daily to a target dose of 400mg daily) and continued daily until end of C14 (total 12 cycles of VEN). All pts stopped therapy at the end of C14. Response assessments were done with CT imaging and bone marrow aspirate/biopsy with MRD assessment (multi-color flow cytometry;sensitivity 10 -4) at the end of C2 (prior to VEN initiation), end of C6, end of C9, and end of C14. Results: From July 2019 to December 2020, a total of 26 pts were enrolled. The median age was 60 years (range, 21-74). The baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. A total of 19/26 (73%) had unmutated IGHV gene. Though the study did not restrict pts with del(17p) or mutated TP53, no pt in the current cohort had del(17p)/ mutated TP53. A total of 14 (54%) pts had a baseline lymph node >5cm. The median follow-up is 13.3 months. One pt came off study in C1 (details below). A total of 25 pts initiated VEN. The TLS risk categories at the start of C1 were high (n=9, 36%), medium (n=12, 48%), and low (n=4, 16%). After 2 cycles of OBIN and atezolizumab (prior to VEN initiation), the majority of pts had downgrading of TLS risk category [high (n=2, 8%), medium (n=3, 12%), and low (n=20, 80%)]. After C6 (about 3 cycles of VEN 400mg daily), bone marrow undetectable (U)-MRD rate was 19/25 (76%);4/25 (16%) had low+ MRD and 2/25 (8%) had high+ MRD. After C9 (about 6 cycles of VEN 400mg daily), among the 21 pts (4 pts have not reached this time-point), the bone marrow U-MRD rate was 18/21 (86%);2/21 (10%) had low+ MRD and 1/21 (5%) had high+ MRD. A total of 14 pts completed C14 (9 pts have not reached this time-point;2 pts came off study prior to completing C14, details below);13/14 (93%) achieved bone marrow U-MRD and 1/14 (7%) has low+ MRD. No patient had disease progression or MRD relapse so far. One pt died (details below). Three pts came off study (one developed retroperitoneal hematoma after receiving enoxaparin for DVT in C1;one developed CPI-induced colitis and removed from the study in C10;one died from COVID-19 pneumonia in C14 while in bone marrow U-MRD remission). Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 14/26 (54%) pts. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 5/26 (19%) pts;no pt had G4 thrombocytopenia. A total of 4 pts developed CPI-induced toxicities (colitis, G3, n=1;mucositis, G3, n=1;nephritis, G2, n=1;myositis, G2, n=1). A total of 10/25 (40%) pts had dose reduction of VEN, the majority due to neutropenia. Atezolizumab was discontinued early in 3 pts due to CPI-induced toxicities. Laboratory correlative studies including scRNAseq and CyTOF are ongoing. Conclusions: Treatment with combined VE , OBIN and atezolizumab leads to high rate of early U-MRD remission with 76% bone marrow U-MRD remission at the end of C6 (about 3 cycles of VEN 400mg daily). Four pts had CPI-induced toxicities. The enrollment in this trial continues and updated data and correlative studies will be presented at the ASH meeting. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Jain: Pfizer: Research Funding;Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding;Precision Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding;Aprea Therapeutics: Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding;Servier: Honoraria, Research Funding;Incyte: Research Funding;Pharmacyclics: Research Funding;Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding;AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding;TG Therapeutics: Honoraria;Janssen: Honoraria;Beigene: Honoraria;Fate Therapeutics: Research Funding;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Research Funding;Cellectis: Honoraria, Research Funding;ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding. Ferrajoli: Janssen: Other: Advisory Board;AstraZeneca: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding;BeiGene: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding. Yilmaz: Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding;Pfizer: Research Funding. Thompson: AbbVie: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Gilead: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria;Pharmacyclics: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding, Expert Testimony;Genentech: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Amgen: Other: Institution: Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding. Konopleva: Novartis: Other: research funding pending, Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights;Reata Pharmaceuticals: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights;Eli Lilly: Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights, Research Funding;KisoJi: Research Funding;Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding;Sanofi: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Other: grant support, Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Cellectis: Other: grant support;F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: grant support;Calithera: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Ascentage: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Ablynx: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: grant support, Research Funding;Forty Seven: Other: grant support, Research Funding;AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Grant Support, Research Funding;Agios: Other: grant support, Research Funding. Neelapu: Takeda Pharmaceuticals and related to cell therapy: Patents & Royalties;Kite, a Gilead Company, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Poseida, Cellectis, Celgene, Karus Therapeutics, Unum Therapeutics (Cogent Biosciences), Allogene, Precision BioSciences, Acerta and Adicet Bio: Research Funding;Kite, a Gilead Company, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Celgene, Pfizer, Allogene, Kuur, Incyte, Precision BioSciences, Legend, Adicet Bio, Calibr, and Unum Therapeutics: Other: personal fees;Kite, a Gilead Company, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Celgene, Pfizer, Allogene Therapeutics, Cell Medica/Kuur, Incyte, Precision Biosciences, Legend Biotech, Adicet Bio, Calibr, Unum Therapeutics and Bluebird Bio: Honoraria. Takahashi: Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Celgene/BMS: Consultancy;Novartis: Consultancy;GSK: Consultancy. Burger: TG Therapeutics: Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Beigene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Speakers Bureau;Pharmacyclics LLC: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Rese rch Funding, Speakers Bureau;AstraZeneca: Consultancy;Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Speakers Bureau. Khoury: Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding;Kiromic: Research Funding;Angle: Research Funding. Kantarjian: Jazz: Research Funding;NOVA Research: Honoraria;Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding;KAHR Medical Ltd: Honoraria;Precision Biosciences: Honoraria;Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding;Astra Zeneca: Honoraria;AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding;Ipsen Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria;Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding;Astellas Health: Honoraria;Aptitude Health: Honoraria;Taiho Pharmaceutical Canada: Honoraria;Immunogen: Research Funding;Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding;BMS: Research Funding;Ascentage: Research Funding. Wierda: Karyopharm: Research Funding;Miragen: Research Funding;Acerta Pharma Inc.: Research Funding;Cyclacel: Research Funding;Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding;Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding;Sunesis: Research Funding;Juno Therapeutics: Research Funding;Gilead Sciences: Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Research Funding;Genentech: Research Funding;Loxo Oncology, Inc.: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding;Xencor: Research Funding;GSK/Novartis: Research Funding;KITE Pharma: Research Funding;Genzyme Corporation: Consultancy;AbbVie: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Atezolizumab is not approved for CLL