EGR1-mediated metabolic reprogramming to oxidative phosphorylation contributes to ibrutinib resistance in B-cell lymphoma.

The use of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, to block B-cell receptor signaling has achieved a remarkable clinical response in several B-cell malignancies, including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Acquired drug resistance, however, is significant and affects the long-term survival of these patients. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factor early growth response gene 1 (EGR1) is involved in ibrutinib resistance. We found that EGR1 expression is elevated in ibrutinib-resistant activated B-cell-like subtype DLBCL and MCL cells and can be further upregulated upon ibrutinib treatment. Genetic and pharmacological analyses revealed that overexpressed EGR1 mediates ibrutinib resistance. Mechanistically, TCF4 and EGR1 self-regulation induce EGR1 overexpression that mediates metabolic reprogramming to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) through the transcriptional activation of PDP1, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates and activates the E1 component of the large pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Therefore, EGR1-mediated PDP1 activation increases intracellular adenosine triphosphate production, leading to sufficient energy to enhance the proliferation and survival of ibrutinib-resistant lymphoma cells. Finally, we demonstrate that targeting OXPHOS with metformin or IM156, a newly developed OXPHOS inhibitor, inhibits the growth of ibrutinib-resistant lymphoma cells both in vitro and in a patient-derived xenograft mouse model. These findings suggest that targeting EGR1-mediated metabolic reprogramming to OXPHOS with metformin or IM156 provides a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome ibrutinib resistance in relapsed/refractory DLBCL or MCL.

Safety and efficacy of zandelisib plus zanubrutinib in previously treated follicular and mantle cell lymphomas.

The combination of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) inhibitor zandelisib with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor zanubrutinib was hypothesized to be synergistic and prevent resistance to single-agent therapy. This phase 1 study (NCT02914938) included a dose-finding stage in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell malignancies (n = 20) and disease-specific expansion cohorts in follicular lymphoma (FL; n = 31) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; n = 19). The recommended phase 2 dose was zandelisib 60 mg on Days 1-7 plus zanubrutinib 80 mg twice daily continuously in 28-day cycle. In the total population, the most common adverse events (AEs; all grades/grade 3-4) were neutropenia (35%/24%), diarrhoea (33%/2%), thrombocytopenia (32%/8%), anaemia (27%/8%), increased creatinine (25%/0%), contusion (21%/0%), fatigue (21%/2%), nausea (21%/2%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (24%/6%). Three patients discontinued due to AEs. The overall response rate was 87% (complete response [CR] = 33%) for FL and 74% (CR = 47%) for MCL. The median duration of response and progression-free survival (PFS) were not reached in either group. The estimated 1-year PFS was 72.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.9-85.1) for FL and 56.3% (95% CI, 28.9-76.7) for MCL (median follow-up: 16.5 and 10.9 months respectively). Zandelisib plus zanubrutinib was associated with high response rates and no increased toxicity compared to either agent alone.

Burkitt lymphoma in the modern era: real-world outcomes and prognostication across 30 US cancer centers.

We examined adults with untreated Burkitt lymphoma (BL) from 2009 to 2018 across 30 US cancer centers. Factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate Cox models. Among 641 BL patients, baseline features included the following: median age, 47 years; HIV+, 22%; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 2 to 4, 23%; >1 extranodal site, 43%; advanced stage, 78%; and central nervous system (CNS) involvement, 19%. Treatment-related mortality was 10%, with most common causes being sepsis, gastrointestinal bleed/perforation, and respiratory failure. With 45-month median follow-up, 3-year PFS and OS rates were 64% and 70%, respectively, without differences by HIV status. Survival was better for patients who received rituximab vs not (3-year PFS, 67% vs 38%; OS, 72% vs 44%; P < .001) and without difference based on setting of administration (ie, inpatient vs outpatient). Outcomes were also improved at an academic vs community cancer center (3-year PFS, 67% vs 46%, P = .006; OS, 72% vs 53%, P = .01). In multivariate models, age ≥ 40 years (PFS, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.70, P = .001; OS, HR = 2.09, P < .001), ECOG PS 2 to 4 (PFS, HR = 1.60, P < .001; OS, HR = 1.74, P = .003), lactate dehydrogenase > 3× normal (PFS, HR = 1.83, P < .001; OS, HR = 1.63, P = .009), and CNS involvement (PFS, HR = 1.52, P = .017; OS, HR = 1.67, P = .014) predicted inferior survival. Furthermore, survival varied based on number of factors present (0, 1, 2 to 4 factors) yielding 3-year PFS rates of 91%, 73%, and 50%, respectively; and 3-year OS rates of 95%, 77%, and 56%, respectively. Collectively, outcomes for adult BL in this real-world analysis appeared more modest compared with results of clinical trials and smaller series. In addition, clinical prognostic factors at diagnosis identified patients with divergent survival rates.

Allogeneic transplant following CAR T-cell therapy for large B-cell lymphoma.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) can potentially salvage large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) patients experiencing treatment failure after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T). Nonetheless, data on the efficacy and toxicities of alloHCT after receipt of CAR T are limited. We report a multicenter retrospective study assessing the safety, toxicities, and outcomes of alloHCT in LBCL patients following CAR T failure. Eighty-eight patients with relapsed, refractory LBCL received an alloHCT following anti-CD19 CAR T failure. The median number of lines of therapy between CAR T infusion and alloHCT was one (range, 0-7). Low intensity conditioning was used in 77% (n=68) and peripheral blood was the most common graft source (86%, n=76). The most common donor types were matched unrelated donor (39%), followed by haploidentical (30%) and matched related donor (26%). Median follow-up of survivors was 15 months (range, 1-72). One-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and graft-versus-host disease-free relapse-free survival were 59%, 45%, and 39% respectively. One-year non-relapse mortality and progression/relapse were 22% and 33% respectively. On multivariate analysis, <2 lines of intervening therapy between CAR T and alloHCT and complete response at time of alloHCT were associated with better outcomes. In conclusion, alloHCT after CAR T failure can provide durable remissions in a subset of patients.

Checkpoint inhibitor-based salvage regimens prior to autologous stem cell transplant improve event-free survival in relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Clinical trials of novel salvage therapies have encouraging outcomes for relapsed/refractory transplant-eligible classic Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) but comparison with conventional chemotherapy is lacking. Herein, we report the final analysis of a multicenter retrospective cohort of R/R cHL assessing outcomes by type of salvage therapy before autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). R/R cHL patients who underwent ASCT at 14 institutions across the United States were included. Outcomes were compared among patients receiving conventional chemotherapy, brentuximab vedotin (BV) + chemotherapy, BV alone, and a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-based regimens before ASCT. Study endpoints included event-free survival (EFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). All endpoints are defined from relapse. Of 936 patients, 728 received conventional chemotherapy, 73 received BV + chemotherapy, 70 received BV alone, and 65 received CPI-based regimens prior to ASCT. When adjusted for time to relapse, pre-ASCT response and use of BV maintenance, patients receiving CPI-based regimens had superior 2-year EFS compared to conventional chemotherapy, BV + chemotherapy, and BV alone (79.7, 49.6, 62.3, and 36.9%, respectively, p < .0001). Among 649 patients transplanted after 1 line of salvage therapy, CPI-based regimens were associated with superior 2-year PFS compared to conventional chemotherapy (98% vs. 68.8%, hazard ratio: 0.1, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.5, p < .0001). OS did not differ by pre-ASCT salvage regimen. In this large multicenter retrospective study, CPI-based regimens improved EFS and PFS compared to other salvage regimens independent of pre-ASCT response. These data support earlier sequencing of CPI-based regimens in R/R cHL in the pre-ASCT setting.

Zandelisib with continuous or intermittent dosing as monotherapy or in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancy: a multicentre, first-in-patient, dose-escalation and dose-expansion, phase 1b trial.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110δ (PI3Kδ) inhibitors are efficacious in B-cell malignancies. Immune-related adverse events might be mitigated with intermittent dosing. We aimed to evaluate the safety and antitumour activity of zandelisib, a potent novel PI3Kδ inhibitor, with continuous or intermittent dosing as monotherapy or in combination with rituximab, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancy. METHODS: We conducted a first-in-patient, dose-escalation and dose-expansion, phase 1b trial at ten treatment centres across Switzerland and the USA. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancy (limited to follicular lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia during dose escalation) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and had received at least one previous line of therapy and no previous PI3Kδ inhibitor treatment. In the dose-escalation study, participants received oral zandelisib once daily (60 mg, 120 mg, or 180 mg; we did not evaluate four additional planned dose levels). The 60 mg dose was further evaluated as monotherapy or with intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 3-6, using a continuous daily schedule or intermittent dosing therapy (days 1-28 of cycles 1-2 and days 1-7 of subsequent cycles) in 28-day cycles. Treatment was continued until evidence of disease progression, intolerance, or withdrawal of consent by the patient. Primary endpoints were safety (dose-limiting toxicities and maximum tolerated dose), minimum biologically effective dose, and a composite endpoint to assess the activity of each dose level, and were analysed by intention to treat. The zandelisib monotherapy and zandelisib-rituximab combination cohorts have completed accrual, but accrual to a cohort evaluating zandelisib with zanubrutinib is ongoing. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02914938. FINDINGS: Between Nov 17, 2016, and June 2, 2020, 100 patients were assessed for eligibility and 97 were enrolled and received zandelisib monotherapy (n=56) or zandelisib plus rituximab (n=41), with zandelisib administered on either a continuous schedule (n=38) or with intermittent dosing (n=59). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, the objective of determining the maximum tolerated dose was abandoned, and antitumour activity was similar across the evaluated doses activity (objective responses in 11 [92%; 95% CI 61·5-99·8] of 12 patients at both 60 mg and 120 mg doses, and in five [83%; 95% CI 35·9-99·6] of six patients at 180 mg). With a median duration of exposure of 15·2 months (IQR 3·7-21·7), the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutrophil count decrease (ten [17%] of 59 patients in the intermittent dosing group and four [11%] of 38 in the continuous dosing group), diarrhoea (three [5%] and eight [21%]), pneumonia (one [2%] and six [16%]), alanine aminotransferase increase (three [5%] and two [5%]), and colitis (two [3%] and one [3%]). 26 (44%) of 59 patients in the intermittent dosing group and 29 (76%) of 38 patients in the continuous dosing group had grade 3-4 adverse events. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in eight (21%) patients in the continuous dosing group and five (8%) patients in the intermittent dosing group. There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: Zandelisib 60 mg once daily on an intermittent dosing schedule was safe, with low frequency of grade 3 or worse adverse events, warranting the ongoing global phase 2 and phase 3 trials. FUNDING: MEI Pharma.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 2.2022.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon malignancy of B-cell origin. Classical HL (cHL) and nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL are the 2 main types of HL. The cure rates for HL have increased so markedly with the advent of modern treatment options that overriding treatment considerations often relate to long-term toxicity. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for HL focusing on (1) radiation therapy dose constraints in the management of patients with HL, and (2) the management of advanced-stage and relapsed or refractory cHL.

Outcomes of Burkitt lymphoma with central nervous system involvement: evidence from a large multicenter cohort study.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) poses a major therapeutic challenge, and the relative ability of contemporary regimens to treat CNS involvement remains uncertain. We described prognostic significance of CNS involvement and incidence of CNS recurrence/progression after contemporary immunochemotherapy using real-world clinicopathologic data on adults with BL diagnosed between 2009 and 2018 across 30 US institutions. We examined associations between baseline CNS involvement, patient characteristics, complete response (CR) rates, and survival. We also examined risk factors for CNS recurrence. Nineteen percent (120/641) of patients (age 18-88 years) had CNS involvement. It was independently associated with HIV infection, poor performance status, involvement of ≥2 extranodal sites, or bone marrow involvement. First-line regimen selection was unaffected by CNS involvement (P=0.93). Patients with CNS disease had significantly lower rates of CR (59% versus 77% without; P<0.001), worse 3-year progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.06, P=0.004) and overall survival (aHR, 1.62, 95%CI, 1.18-2.22, P=0.003). The 3-year cumulative incidence of CNS recurrence was 6% (95%CI, 4-8%). It was significantly lower among patients receiving other regimens (CODOX-M/IVAC, 4%, or hyperCVAD/MA, 3%) compared with DA-EPOCH-R (13%; adjusted sub-HR, 4.38, 95%CI, 2.16-8.87, P<0.001). Baseline CNS involvement in BL is relatively common and portends inferior prognosis independent of first-line regimen selection. In real-world practice, regimens with highly CNS-penetrant intravenous systemic agents were associated with a lower risk of CNS recurrence. This finding may be influenced by observed suboptimal adherence to the strict CNS staging and intrathecal therapy procedures incorporated in DA-EPOCH-R.

Impact of initial chemotherapy regimen on outcomes for patients with double-expressor lymphoma: A multi-center analysis.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma featuring overexpression of MYC and B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (double expressor lymphoma, DEL) is associated with poor outcomes. Existing evidence suggesting improved outcomes for DEL with the use of more intensive regimens than R-CHOP is restricted to younger patients and based on limited evidence from low patient numbers. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of intensive frontline regimens versus R-CHOP in a multicenter analysis across 7 academic medical centers in the United States. We collected 90 cases of DEL, 46 out of 90 patients (51%) received R-CHOP and 44/90 (49%) received an intensive regimen, which was predominantly DA-EPOCH-R. Treatment cohorts were evenly balanced for demographics and disease characteristics, though the intensive group had a higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, 326 vs. 230 U/L p = 0.06) and presence of B-symptoms (50% vs. 22%, p = 0.01) compared to the R-CHOP cohort. There was no difference in PFS (median 53 vs. 38 months, p = 0.49) or overall survival (67 vs. not reached months, p = 0.14) between the R-CHOP and intensive therapy cohorts, respectively. On multivariate analysis, intensive therapy was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.35 (95% CI 0.74-7.41), though this was not statistically significant. Additionally, a subgroup analysis of intermediate high-risk lymphoma defined by IPI ≥3 did not identify a difference in survival outcomes between regimens. We conclude that in our multi-center cohort there is no evidence supporting the use of intensive regimens over R-CHOP, suggesting that R-CHOP remains the standard of care for treating DEL.

Outcomes of rituximab-BEAM versus BEAM conditioning regimen in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma undergoing autologous transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Although rituximab-based high-dose therapy is frequently used in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT), data supporting the benefits are not available. Herein, we report the impact of rituximab-based conditioning on auto-HCT outcomes in patients who have DLBCL. METHODS: Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry, 862 adult DLBCL patients undergoing auto-HCT between 2003 and 2017 using BEAM (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) conditioning regimen were included. All patients received frontline rituximab-containing chemoimmunotherapy and had chemosensitive disease pre-HCT. Early chemoimmunotherapy failure was defined as not achieving complete remission (CR) after frontline chemoimmunotherapy or relapse within 1 year of initial diagnosis. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The study cohort was divided into 2 groups: BEAM (n = 667) and R-BEAM (n = 195). On multivariate analysis, no significant difference was seen in OS (P = .83) or progression-free survival (PFS) (P = .61) across the 2 cohorts. No significant association between the use of rituximab and risk of relapse (P = .15) or nonrelapse mortality (P = .12) was observed. Variables independently associated with lower OS included older age at auto-HCT (P < .001), absence of CR at auto-HCT (P < .001) and early chemoimmunotherapy failure (P < .001). Older age (P < .0002) and non-CR pre-HCT (P < .0001) were also associated with inferior PFS. There was no significant difference in early infectious complications between the 2 cohorts. CONCLUSION: In this large registry analysis of DLBCL patients undergoing auto-HCT, the addition of rituximab to the BEAM conditioning regimen had no impact on transplantation outcomes. Older age, absence of CR pre auto-HCT, and early chemoimmunotherapy failure were associated with inferior survival.

Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) provide recommendations for the management of adult patients with HL. The NCCN panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant data, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. Current management of classic HL involves initial treatment with chemotherapy alone or combined modality therapy followed by restaging with PET/CT to assess treatment response. Overall, the introduction of less toxic and more effective regimens has significantly advanced HL cure rates. This portion of the NCCN Guidelines focuses on the management of classic HL.

Fludarabine and Busulfan versus Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide, and Rituximab as Reduced-Intensity Conditioning for Allogeneic Transplantation in Follicular Lymphoma.

Large, multicenter studies comparing commonly used reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) approaches in follicular lymphoma (FL) have not been performed. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database, we report the outcomes of the 2 most commonly used RIC approaches, fludarabine and busulfan (Flu/Bu) versus fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) in FL patients. We evaluated 200 FL patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) who received RIC with either Flu/Bu (n = 98) or FCR (n = 102) during 2008 to 2014. All patients received peripheral blood grafts, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was limited to calcineurin inhibitor-based approaches. Median follow-up of survivors in the Flu/Bu and FCR groups was 48 months and 46 months, respectively. On univariate analysis in the Flu/Bu and FCR groups, the 3-year rates of nonrelapse mortality (11% versus 11%, P = .94), relapse/progression (18% versus 15%, P = .54), progression-free survival (PFS) (71% versus 74%, P = .65), and overall survival (OS) (73% versus 81%, P = .18) were not significantly different. On multivariate analysis no difference was seen between the FCR and Flu/Bu cohorts in terms of grades II to IV (relative risk [RR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], .59 to 1.93; P = .84) or grades III to IV (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, .47 to 2.99; P = .72) acute GVHD, nonrelapse mortality (RR, .83; 95% CI, .38 to 1.82; P = .64), relapse/progression (RR, .99; 95% CI, .49 to 1.98; P = .97), PFS (RR, .92; 95% CI, .55 to 1.54; P = .76), or OS (RR, .70; 95% CI, .40 to 1.23; P = .21) risk. However, RIC with FCR was associated with a significantly reduced chronic GVHD risk (RR, .52; 95% CI, .36 to .77; P = .001). RIC with either Flu/Bu or FCR in patients with FL undergoing allo-HCT provides excellent 3-year OS, with acceptable rates of nonrelapse mortality. FCR-based conditioning was associated with a lower risk of chronic GVHD.

Autologous Transplantation in Follicular Lymphoma with Early Therapy Failure: A National LymphoCare Study and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Analysis.

Patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) experiencing early therapy failure (ETF) within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy have poor overall survival (OS). We analyzed data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) and the National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) to determine whether autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (autoHCT) can improve outcomes in this high-risk FL subgroup. ETF was defined as failure to achieve at least partial response after frontline chemoimmunotherapy or lymphoma progression within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy. We identified 2 groups: the non-autoHCT cohort (patients from the NLCS with ETF not undergoing autoHCT) and the autoHCT cohort (CIBMTR patients with ETF undergoing autoHCT). All patients received rituximab-based chemotherapy as frontline treatment; 174 non-autoHCT patients and 175 autoHCT patients were identified and analyzed. There was no difference in 5-year OS between the 2 groups (60% versus 67%, respectively; P = .16). A planned subgroup analysis showed that patients with ETF receiving autoHCT soon after treatment failure (≤1 year of ETF; n = 123) had higher 5-year OS than those without autoHCT (73% versus 60%, P = .05). On multivariate analysis, early use of autoHCT was associated with significantly reduced mortality (hazard ratio, .63; 95% confidence interval, .42 to .94; P = .02). Patients with FL experiencing ETF after frontline chemoimmunotherapy lack optimal therapy. We demonstrate improved OS when receiving autoHCT within 1 year of treatment failure. Results from this unique collaboration between the NLCS and CIBMTR support consideration of early consolidation with autoHCT in select FL patients experiencing ETF.

Autologous transplantation versus allogeneic transplantation in patients with follicular lymphoma experiencing early treatment failure.

BACKGROUND: Early treatment failure (ETF) in follicular lymphoma (FL), defined as relapse or progression within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy, is a newly recognized marker of poor survival and identifies a high-risk group of patients with an expected 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of approximately 50%. Transplantation is an established option for relapsed FL, but its efficacy in this specific ETF FL population has not been previously evaluated. METHODS: This study compared autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT) with either matched sibling donor (MSD) or matched unrelated donor (MUD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) as the first transplantation approach for patients with ETF FL (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing auto-HCT or allo-HCT between 2002 and 2014. The primary endpoint was OS. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, relapse, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). RESULTS: Four hundred forty FL patients had ETF (auto-HCT, 240; MSD hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HCT], 105; and MUD HCT, 95). With a median follow-up of 69 to 73 months, the adjusted probability of 5-year OS was significantly higher after auto-HCT (70%) or MSD HCT (73%) versus MUD HCT (49%; P = .0008). The 5-year adjusted probability of NRM was significantly lower for auto-HCT (5%) versus MSD (17%) or MUD HCT (33%; P < .0001). The 5-year adjusted probability of disease relapse was lower with MSD (31%) or MUD HCT (23%) versus auto-HCT (58%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high-risk FL, as defined by ETF, undergoing auto-HCT for FL have low NRM and a promising 5-year OS rate (70%). MSD HCT has lower relapse rates than auto-HCT but similar OS. Cancer 2018;124:2541-51. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 1.2018.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) provide recommendations for the management of adult patients with HL. The NCCN Guidelines Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within the NCCN Member Institutions, examine relevant data, and reevaluate and update the recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize recent updates centered on treatment considerations for relapsed/refractory classic HL.

Predictive factors and outcomes for ibrutinib therapy in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma-a "real world" study.

Ibrutinib has demonstrated significant activity in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in clinical trials. However, the impact of hematopoietic cell transplantation on the outcomes of ibrutinib and the predictive factors for ibrutinib response has not been well studied. Hence, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study of MCL patients who received ibrutinib to (1) determine the overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of ibrutinib in routine clinical practice, (2) examine characteristics predictive of response to ibrutinib therapy, and (3) describe the outcomes of patients failing ibrutinib. Ninety-seven patients met the eligibility criteria. Overall response rate and median DOR to ibrutinib were 65% and 17 months, respectively. Only lack of primary refractory disease was predictive of ibrutinib response on multivariate analysis. Twenty-nine patients received postibrutinib therapies, with an ORR of 48% and a median DOR of 3 months. The median OS and PFS for the entire group (n = 97) was 22 and 15 months, respectively. On multivariate analysis, ibrutinib response, low MCL international prognostic index, and absence of primary refractory disease were predictors of better PFS, while ibrutinib response and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1 were predictors of better OS. The median OS postibrutinib failure was 2.5 months. Our results confirm the high ORR and DOR of ibrutinib in MCL and that prior hematopoietic cell transplantation does not negatively influence ibrutinib outcomes. Survival following ibrutinib failure is poor with no specific subsequent therapy showing superior activity in this setting. As a result, for select (transplant eligible) patients, allogeneic transplant should be strongly considered soon after ibrutinib response is documented to provide durable responses.

Hodgkin Lymphoma Version 1.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

This portion of the NCCN Guidelines for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) focuses on the management of classical HL. Current management of classical HL involves initial treatment with chemotherapy or combined modality therapy followed by restaging with PET/CT to assess treatment response using the Deauville criteria (5-point scale). The introduction of less toxic and more effective regimens has significantly advanced HL cure rates. However, long-term follow-up after completion of treatment is essential to determine potential long-term effects.

JAK inhibition enhances checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Unleashing antitumor T cell activity by checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy is effective in cancer patients, but clinical responses are limited. Cytokine signaling through the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway correlates with checkpoint immunotherapy resistance. We report a phase I clinical trial of the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in Hodgkin lymphoma patients relapsed or refractory following checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The combination yielded a best overall response rate of 53% (10/19). Ruxolitinib significantly reduced neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and percentages of myeloid suppressor cells but increased numbers of cytokine-producing T cells. Ruxolitinib rescued the function of exhausted T cells and enhanced the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in preclinical solid tumor and lymphoma models. This synergy was characterized by a switch from suppressive to immunostimulatory myeloid cells, which enhanced T cell division.

Relevance of Bone Marrow Biopsies for Response Assessment in US National Cancer Institute National Clinical Trials Network Follicular Lymphoma Clinical Trials.

PURPOSE: Bone marrow biopsies (BMB) are performed before/after therapy to confirm complete response (CR) in patients with lymphoma on clinical trials. We sought to establish whether BMB add value in assessing response or predict progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) outcomes in follicular lymphoma (FL) subjects in a large, multicenter, multitrial cohort. METHODS: Data were pooled from seven trials of 580 subjects with previously untreated FL through Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) and SWOG Cancer Research Network (SWOG) completing enrollment from 2008 to 2016. RESULTS: Only 5/580 (0.9%) had positive baseline BMB, CR on imaging, and subsequent positive BMB (P < .0001). Therefore, BMB were irrelevant to response in 99% of subjects. A sensitivity analysis of 385 FL subjects treated on an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study was included. In the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group cohort, 5/385 (1.3%) had BMB that affected response assessment. Since some subjects do not undergo confirmatory BMB, we performed a landmark survival analysis from first radiologic CR with data from 580 subjects from Alliance and SWOG. Of subjects with CR on imaging (n = 187), PFS and OS were not significantly different among those with negative BMB to confirm CR (n = 47) versus those without repeat BMB (n = 140; PFS: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10, 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.94, log-rank P = .686; OS: hazard ratio, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.53, log-rank P = .276). CONCLUSION: We conclude that BMB add little value to response assessment in subjects with FL treated on clinical trials and we recommend eliminating BMB from clinical trial requirements. BMB should also be removed from diagnostic guidelines for FL except in scenarios in which it may change management including confirmation of limited stage and assessment of cytopenias. This would reduce cost, patient discomfort, resource utilization, and potentially remove a barrier to trial enrollment.

Overall survival of patients with cHL who progress after autologous stem cell transplant: results in the novel agent era.

In the pre-novel agent era, the median postprogression overall survival (PPS) of patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) who progress after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was 2 to 3 years. Recently, checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) and brentuximab vedotin (BV) have improved the depth and durability of response in this population. Here, we report the estimate of PPS in patients with relapsed cHL after ASCT in the era of CPI and BV. In this multicenter retrospective study of 15 participating institutions, adult patients with relapsed cHL after ASCT were included. Study objective was postprogression overall survival (PPS), defined as the time from posttransplant progression to death or last follow-up. Of 1158 patients who underwent ASCT, 367 had progressive disease. Median age was 34 years (range, 27-46) and 192 were male. Median PPS was 114.57 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 91-not achieved) or 9.5 years. In multivariate analysis, increasing age, progression within 6 months, and pre-ASCT positive positron emission tomography scan were associated with inferior PPS. When adjusted for these features, patients who received CPI, but not BV, as first treatment for post-ASCT progression had significantly higher PPS than the no CPI/no BV group (hazard ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.6-7.8; P = .001). Receipt of allogeneic SCT (Allo-SCT) did not improve PPS. In the era of novel agents, progressive cHL after ASCT had long survival that compares favorably with previous reports. Patients who receive CPI as first treatment for progression had higher PPS. Receipt to Allo-SCT was not associated with PPS in this population.