Lenalidomide maintenance following high-dose therapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chemo-resistant or high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A phase I/II study.

Improved maintenance treatments are needed for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphomas after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Several studies with lenalidomide have been found to have activity in the treatment of relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphomas. In the present phase I/II, single-arm, open-label study, 59 patients with high-risk relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma received pretransplant BEAM chemotherapy and ASCT followed by 12 months of maintenance lenalidomide once daily on Days 1-21 (28-day cycles) beginning at post-transplantation Day 100. The most common histologies were mantle cell lymphoma (56%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (24%). The maximum tolerated dose in the dose-finding part of the study was 15 mg, but cytopenias led to the subsequent adoption of a 10 mg dose in the final study. Sixteen patients (27%) completed 12 cycles of lenalidomide maintenance. The most common reason for discontinuation was adverse events (31%). These were primarily haematologic, and 56% of patients experienced Grade 3-4 events. Two-year PFS rates (95% CIs) were 70% (56%-80%), 45% (19%-68%) and 81% (66%-90%); 2-year OS rates (95% CIs) were 91% (80%-96%), 93% (61%-99%) and 90% (76%-96%) in all patients, patients completing and patients not completing 12-month maintenance respectively. These results do not support the use of lenalidomide maintenance in this setting.

Phase 1 trial of carfilzomib in relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a unique subset of lymphomas with a poor prognosis due to limited treatment options. We performed a phase 1 study of carfilzomib in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL to determine the safety profile and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of this agent. The study was a classical 3 + 3 phase 1 design with intra-patient dose escalation allowed beginning on day 8 of cycle 1 and subsequently. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as the occurrence of any grade 3/4 adverse event. Carfilzomib was given on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of a 28-day cycle. Fifteen patients were enrolled from 3 centers. The median age of patients was 62. The median number of prior therapies for subjects on this trial was five. The MTD of carfilzomib was 36 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicities included anemia and sepsis. Serious adverse events were seen in 45% of patients. Single-agent carfilzomib leads to a complete response in one patient and a partial response in one patient. Overall, the drug was reasonably tolerated for a heavily pretreated population, but the limited response rate and short duration of response demonstrate a lack of promise for carfilzomib as a single agent in this patient population.

Emergency response to radiological and nuclear accidents and incidents.

Bone marrow damage is an important consequence of exposure to acute high-dose whole-body radiation. As such, haematologists can play an important role in managing this complication. However, these accident and incident scenarios are complex and often involve injuries to other organs and tissues from heat, projectiles and chemicals. In the case of a large-scale event there will likely be severe infrastructure disruptions and injury or death to medical personnel. Accurate estimates of dose and uniformity of exposure are needed to intelligently direct appropriate interventions, which range from antibiotics, antifungals and anti-virus drugs, molecularly-cloned haematopoietic growth factors and, in rare instances, haematopoietic cell transplants. These therapies are ones that haematologists often use in the context of anti-cancer therapy, especially therapy of haematological cancers like leukaemia. However, most haematologists have little knowledge of radiation biology and should consider updating this aspect of their expertise in continuing medical education. As in other areas of medicine, prevention is better than cure and haematologists should be active in decreasing risks of a nuclear war.

The First 2 Years of Biosimilar Epoetin for Cancer and Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in the U.S.: A Review from the Southern Network on Adverse Reactions.

Biosimilars are biologic drug products that are highly similar to reference products in analytic features, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy. Biosimilar epoetin received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2018. The manufacturer received an FDA nonapproval letter in 2017, despite receiving a favorable review by FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) and an FDA nonapproval letter in 2015 for an earlier formulation. We discuss the 2018 FDA approval, the 2017 FDA ODAC Committee review, and the FDA complete response letters in 2015 and 2017; review concepts of litigation, naming, labeling, substitution, interchangeability, and pharmacovigilance; review European and U.S. oncology experiences with biosimilar epoetin; and review the safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. In 2020, policy statements from AETNA, United Health Care, and Humana indicated that new epoetin oncology starts must be for biosimilar epoetin unless medical need for other epoetins is documented. Empirical studies report that as of 2012, reference epoetin use decreased from 40%-60% of all patients with cancer with chemotherapy-induced anemia to <5% of such patients because of safety concerns. Between 2018 and 2020, biosimilar epoetin use varied, increasing to 81% among one private insurer's patients covered by Medicare whose cancer care is administered with Oncology Analytics and to 41% with the same private insurer's patients with cancer covered by commercial health insurance and administered by the private insurer, to 0% in several Veterans Administration Hospitals, increasing to 100% in one large county hospital in California, and with yet-to-be-reported data from most oncology settings. We conclude that biosimilar epoetin appears to have overcome some barriers since 2015, although current uptake in the U.S. is variable. Pricing and safety considerations for all erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are primary determinants of biosimilar epoetin oncology uptake. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Few oncologists understand substitution and interchangeability of biosimilars with reference drugs. Epoetin biosimilar is new to the market, and physician and patient understanding is limited. The development of epoetin biosimilar is not familiar to oncologists.

Role of molecularly-cloned hematopoietic growth factors after acute high-dose radiation exposures.

Therapy of acute, high-dose whole-body exposures of humans to ionizing radiations is a complex medical challenge. Since 1944 more than 400 radiologic accidents have been registered with more than 3000 substantial radiation exposures and 127 fatalities. There are several potential interventions including supportive care, transfusions, preventative or therapeutic anti-infection drugs, molecularly-cloned myeloid growth factors and hematopoietic cell transplants. We discuss the use of the granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF and GM-CSF) to treat acute high-dose ionizing radiation exposures. Considerable data in experimental models including monkeys indicate use of these drugs accelerates bone marrow recovery and in some but not all instances increases survival. In ten accidents since 1996, 30 victims received G-CSF alone or with other growth factors. Twenty-six victims survived. In seven accidents since 1986, 28 victims received GM-CSF alone or with other growth factors; 18 victims survived. However, absent control or data from randomized trials, it is not possible to know with certainty what role, if any, receiving G-CSF or GM-CSF was of benefit. Given the favorablebenefit-to-riskratio of molecularly-cloned myeloid growth factors, their use soon after exposure to acute, high-dose whole-body ionizing radiations is reasonable.

Phase I/II study of dasatinib and exploratory genomic analysis in relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) often carry poor prognosis and pose management challenges. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of dasatinib, a broad-spectrum multi-kinase inhibitor in relapsed/refractory NHL with correlative genomic analysis in a Phase I/II trial. The study included 33 patients with various sub-types of NHL who had received at least one prior therapy. The most common sub-types were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (24%), follicular lymphoma, grade 1/2 (21%) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS; 21%). Most patients were heavily pre-treated, including 42% with more than four prior therapies, 67% with rituximab exposure and 24% with prior autologous transplant. In this cohort, dasatinib showed modest activity in evaluable patients with an objective response rate of 29% (7/24) and clinical benefit rate of 71% (17/24). In 32 patients with outcome data, median progression-free survival was 3 months and median overall survival was 22·4 months. There were two patients with sustained complete responses, both with PTCL-NOS histology. The side effect profile was consistent with prior studies, with pleural effusion being the most common non-haematological toxicity. Exploratory genomic analysis showed two cases of PTCL-NOS with sustained response had a common mutation in LRRK2 and high prevalence of FOXO1 mutation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma.

Regulatory and Clinical Experiences with Biosimilar Filgrastim in the U.S., the European Union, Japan, and Canada.

Biosimilar filgrastims are primarily indicated for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia prevention. They are less expensive formulations of branded filgrastim, and biosimilar filgrastim was the first biosimilar oncology drug administered in European Union (EU) countries, Japan, and the U.S. Fourteen biosimilar filgrastims have been marketed in EU countries, Japan, the U.S., and Canada since 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively. We reviewed experiences and policies for biosimilar filgrastim markets in EU countries and Japan, where uptake has been rapid, and in the U.S. and Canada, where experience is rapidly emerging. U.S. regulations for designating biosimilar interchangeability are under development, and such regulations have not been developed in most other countries. Pharmaceutical substitution is allowed for new filgrastim starts in some EU countries and in Canada, but not Japan and the U.S. In EU countries, biosimilar adoption is facilitated with favorable hospital tender offers. U.S. adoption is reportedly 24%, while the second filgrastim biosimilar is priced 30% lower than branded filgrastim and 20% lower than the first biosimilar filgrastim approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Utilization is about 60% in EU countries, where biosimilar filgrastim is marketed at a 30%-40% discount. In Japan, biosimilar filgrastim utilization is 45%, primarily because of 35% discounts negotiated by Central Insurance and hospital-only markets. Overall, biosimilar filgrastim adoption barriers are small in many EU countries and Japan and are diminishing in Canada in the U.S. Policies facilitating improved U.S. adoption of biosimilar filgrastim, based on positive experiences in EU countries and Japan, including favorable insurance coverage; larger price discount relative to reference filgrastim pricing; closing of the "rebate trap" with transparent pricing information; formal educational efforts of patients, physicians, caregivers, and providers; and allowance of pharmaceutical substitution of biosimilar versus reference filgrastim, should be considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: We reviewed experiences and policies for biosimilar filgrastims in Europe, Japan, Canada, and the U.S. Postmarketing harmonization of regulatory policies for biosimilar filgrastims has not occurred. Acceptance of biosimilar filgrastims for branded filgrastim, increasing in the U.S. and in Canada, is commonplace in Japan and Europe. In the U.S., some factors, accepted in Europe or Japan, could improve uptake, including acceptance of biosimilars as safe and effective; larger cost savings, decreasing "rebate traps" where pharmaceutical benefit managers support branded filgrastim, decreased use of patent litigation/challenges, and allowing pharmacists to routinely substitute biosimilar for branded filgrastim.

Effects of center type and socioeconomic factors on early mortality and overall survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Aim: To examine whether the center type and socioeconomic factors significantly impact 1-month mortality and overall survival (OS) of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from 2006 to 2012 (postrituximab era). Results: Among 185,183 patients, 33% were treated at academic centers. The receipt of therapy at larger volume centers was associated with improved 1-month mortality. Academic centers had better OS than nonacademic centers in univariable analysis. Younger age, private insurance, lower Charlson comorbidity score and lower lymphoma stage were associated with improved 1-month mortality and OS. Conclusion: The receipt of therapy at larger volume centers and socioeconomic factors were associated with improved survival.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Lymphomas can affect any organ in the body, present with a wide range of symptoms, and be seen by primary care physicians and physicians from most specialties. They are traditionally divided into Hodgkin's lymphoma (which accounts for about 10% of all lymphomas) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is the topic of this Seminar. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma represents a wide spectrum of illnesses that vary from the most indolent to the most aggressive malignancies. They arise from lymphocytes that are at various stages of development, and the characteristics of the specific lymphoma subtype reflect those of the cell from which they originated. Since this topic was last reviewed in The Lancet in 2012, advances in understanding the biology and genetics of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the availability of new diagnostic methods and therapies have improved our ability to manage patients with this disorder.

Is watch and wait still acceptable for patients with low-grade follicular lymphoma?

Follicular lymphoma (FL) represents more than 20% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas worldwide and approximately 30% of the non-Hodgkin lymphomas diagnosed in the United States. Although occasionally localized at the time of diagnosis, most patients have disseminated disease. However, patients are frequently asymptomatic, and this, in combination with a long median survival, led to the initial studies of observing asymptomatic patients without initial therapy, ie, "watch and wait." Since the initial report of watch and wait as a treatment strategy for patients with low-grade FL, our understanding of the biology of the disease has advanced; multiple active new agents have been introduced into practice, and the survival of patients with low-grade FL has improved. Given these changes, is watch and wait still an acceptable treatment recommendation for a newly diagnosed patient with low-grade FL?

Global microRNA expression profiling uncovers molecular markers for classification and prognosis in aggressive B-cell lymphoma.

We studied the global microRNA (miRNA) expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n = 79), Burkitt lymphoma (BL; n = 36), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL; n = 12), B-cell lines (n = 11), and normal subsets of naïve B cells, centroblasts (CBs), and peripheral blood B cells along with their corresponding gene expression profiles (GEPs). The normal B-cell subsets have well-defined miRNA signatures. The CB miRNA signature was significantly associated with germinal center B-cell (GCB)-DLBCL compared with activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL (P = .002). We identified a 27-miRNA signature that included v-myc avian myelomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC) targets and enabled the differentiation of BL from DLBCL, a distinction comparable with the "gold standard" GEP-defined diagnosis. Distinct miRNA signatures were identified for DLBCL subgroups, including GCB-DLBCL, activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL, and PMBL. Interestingly, most of the unclassifiable-DLBCL by GEP showed a strong similarity to the ABC-DLBCL by miRNA expression profiling. Consistent results for BL and DLBCL subgroup classification were observed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, making such tests practical for clinical use. We also identified predictive miRNA biomarker signatures in DLBCL, including high expression of miR-155, which is significantly associated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) treatment failure. This finding was further supported by the observation that high expression of miR-155 sensitizes cells to v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog-1 inhibitors in vitro, suggesting a novel treatment option for resistant DLBCL.

Myeloid Growth Factors, Version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

Myeloid growth factors (MGFs) are given as supportive care to patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy to reduce the incidence of neutropenia. This selection from the NCCN Guidelines for MGFs focuses on the evaluation of regimen- and patient-specific risk factors for the development of febrile neutropenia (FN), the prophylactic use of MGFs for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced FN, and assessing the risks and benefits of MGF use in clinical practice.

The aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphomas: 2017.

BACKGROUND: T-cell lymphomas make up approximately 10%-15% of lymphoid malignancies. The frequency of these lymphomas varies geographically, with the highest incidence in parts of Asia. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis of aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is usually made using the World Health Organization classification. The ability of hematopathologists to reproducibly diagnose aggressive PTCL is lower than that for aggressive B-cell lymphomas, with a range of 72%-97% for the aggressive PTCLs. Risk Stratification: Patients with aggressive PTCL are staged using the Ann Arbor Classification. Although somewhat controversial, positron emission tomography scans seem to be useful as they are in aggressive B-cell lymphomas. The specific subtype of aggressive PTCL is an important risk factor with the best survival seen in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma-particularly young patients with the anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive subtype. RISK-ADAPTED THERAPY: Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is the only subgroup to have a good response to a CHOP-like regimen. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma has a prolonged disease-free survival in only ∼20% of patients, but younger patients who have an autotransplant in remission seem to do better. PTCL-not otherwise specified is not one disease. Anthracycline-containing regimens have disappointing results, and a new approach is needed. Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma localized to the nose and nasal sinuses seems to be best treated with radiotherapy-containing regimens and the majority of patients are cured. Enteropathy-associated PTCL and hepatosplenic PTCL are rare disorders with a generally poor response to therapy although selected patients with enteropathy- associated PTCL seem to benefit from intensive therapy.

Leukemic transformation in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms: a population-based retrospective study.

AIM: This study determined the epidemiology of developing leukemic transformation in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). METHODS: We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 13 database to identify 83 cases of leukemic transformation in MPN (n = 9335). RESULTS: The 5-year cumulative incidence of leukemic transformation was higher in male versus female (2.17 vs 1.09%; p < 0.001), and in myelofibrosis (2.19%; 95% CI: 1.36-3.34%), compared with essential thrombocythemia (0.37%; 95% CI: 0.19-0.65%) and polycythemia vera (0.72%; 95% CI: 0.46-1.07%; p < 0.001). Patients had a median survival of 2 months after leukemic transformation, worse in older patients and without any impact of prior MPN subtypes. CONCLUSION: Myelofibrosis has a higher risk of leukemic transformation. Overall survival is dismal regardless of MPN subtypes.