Polatuzumab vedotin, venetoclax, and an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Phase 2 portion of this study evaluated safety and efficacy of polatuzumab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg and venetoclax 800 mg, plus fixed-dose obinutuzumab 1000 mg or rituximab 375 mg/m2 in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), respectively. Patients with complete response (CR) or partial response (PR)/stable disease (FL) or CR/PR (DLBCL) at end of induction (EOI; six 21-day cycles) received post-induction therapy with venetoclax and obinutuzumab or rituximab, respectively. Primary endpoint was CR rate at EOI. Safety-evaluable populations included 74 patients (FL cohort; median age 64 years; progression of disease within 24 months on first-line treatment, 25.7%; FL International Prognostic Index 3-5, 54.1%; ≥2 previous therapies, 74.3%) and 57 patients (DLBCL cohort; median age 65 years; International Prognostic Index 3-5, 54.4%; ≥2 previous therapies, 77.2%). The most common non-hematologic adverse events (mostly Grades 1-2) in the FL and DLBCL cohorts were diarrhea (55.4% and 47.4%, respectively) and nausea (47.3% and 36.8%); neutropenia was the most common Grades 3-4 toxicity (39.2% and 52.6%). Efficacy-evaluable populations included patients treated at the recommended Phase 2 dose (FL, n = 49; DLBCL, n = 48). CR rates at EOI were 59.2% (FL) and 31.3% (DLBCL); median progression-free survival was 22.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5-not evaluable) and 4.6 months (95% CI, 3.6-8.1), respectively. Polatuzumab vedotin plus venetoclax and obinutuzumab/rituximab had acceptable safety in patients with R/R FL or DLBCL, with promising response rates in R/R FL, including high-risk patients.

Molecular assessment of intratumoral immune cell subsets and potential mechanisms of resistance to odronextamab, a CD20×CD3 bispecific antibody, in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R B-NHL) have a significant need for effective treatment options. Odronextamab is an Fc-silenced, human, CD20×CD3 bispecific antibody that targets CD20-expressing cells via T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity independent of T-cell/major histocompatibility complex interaction. Phase I results in patients with R/R B-NHL demonstrated that odronextamab monotherapy could achieve deep and durable responses with a generally manageable safety profile (ELM-1; NCT02290951). As part of a biomarker analysis of the same study, we investigated potential biomarkers and mechanisms of resistance to odronextamab. METHODS: Patients with R/R B-NHL enrolled in ELM-1 received one time per week doses of intravenous odronextamab for 4×21 day cycles, then doses every 2 weeks thereafter. Patient tumor biopsies were obtained at baseline, on-treatment, and at progression. Immune cell markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: Baseline tumor biopsies showed that almost all patients had high proportions of B cells that expressed the CD20 target antigen, whereas expression of other B-cell surface antigens (CD19, CD22, CD79b) was more variable. Responses to odronextamab in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were not related to the relative level of baseline CD20 expression, cell of origin, or high-risk molecular subtype. A potential link was observed between greater tumor programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression and increased likelihood of response to odronextamab. Similarly, a trend was observed between clinical response and increased levels of CD8 T cells and regulatory T cells at baseline. We also identified an on-treatment pharmacodynamic shift in intratumoral immune cell subsets. Finally, loss of CD20 expression through inactivating gene mutations was identified as a potential mechanism of resistance in patients who were treated with odronextamab until progression, as highlighted in two detailed patient cases reported here. CONCLUSIONS: This biomarker analysis expands on clinical findings of odronextamab in patients with R/R B-NHL, providing verification of the suitability of CD20 as a therapeutic target, as well as evidence for potential mechanisms of action and resistance.

Consensus recommendations on the management of toxicity associated with CD3×CD20 bispecific antibody therapy.

ABSTRACT: Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) that target CD3 and CD20 represent a new milestone in the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These drugs have demonstrated remarkable single-agent activity in patients with heavily pretreated disease, and 3 drugs have so far received regulatory approvals in various countries. However, BsAbs can potentially lead to severe toxicity associated with T-cell activation, particularly cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The anticipated widespread use of these off-the-shelf products poses challenges for implementation and highlights the need for guidance in anticipating, mitigating, and managing adverse events. In clinical trials, guidance for the evaluation and treatment of CRS and neurotoxicity associated with BsAb therapy has been modeled after algorithms originally created for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and other immune effector therapies, yet notable differences in timing, quality, and severity exist between the toxicities of BsAbs and CAR T-cell therapies. We therefore convened an international panel of academic and community practice physicians, advanced practitioners, registered nurses, and pharmacists with experience using CD3×CD20 BsAbs in clinical trial and off-trial settings to provide comprehensive, consensus-based recommendations specific to the assessment and management of CD3×CD20 BsAb-related toxicities.

Treatment Discontinuation Patterns for Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in Real-World Settings: Results From a Multi-Center International Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed treatment discontinuation patterns and reasons among chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients initiating first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) treatments in real-world settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using deidentified electronic medical records from the CLL Collaborative Study of Real-World Evidence, premature treatment discontinuation was assessed among FCR, BR, BTKi-based, and BCL-2-based regimen cohorts. RESULTS: Of 1364 1L patients (initiated in 1997-2021), 190/13.9% received FCR (23.7% discontinued prematurely); 255/18.7% received BR (34.5% discontinued prematurely); 473/34.7% received BTKi-based regimens, of whom 28.1% discontinued prematurely; and 43/3.2% received venetoclax-based regimens, of whom 16.3% discontinued prematurely (venetoclax monotherapy: 7/0.5%, of whom 42.9% discontinued; VG/VR: 36/2.6%, of whom 11.1% discontinued). The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were adverse events (FCR: 25/13.2%; BR: 36/14.1%; BTKi-based regimens: 75/15.9%) and disease progression (venetoclax-based: 3/7.0%). Of 626 2L patients, 20/3.2% received FCR (50.0% discontinued); 62/9.9% received BR (35.5% discontinued); 303/48.4% received BTKi-based regimens, of whom 38.0% discontinued; and 73/11.7% received venetoclax-based regimens, of whom 30.1% discontinued (venetoclax monotherapy: 27/4.3%, of whom 29.6% discontinued; VG/VR: 43/6.9%, of whom 27.9% discontinued). The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were adverse events (FCR: 6/30.0%; BR: 11/17.7%; BTKi-based regimens: 60/19.8%; venetoclax-based: 6/8.2%). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the continued need for tolerable therapies in CLL, with finite therapy offering a better tolerated option for patients who are newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory to prior treatments.

Targeting MCL-1 and BCL-2 with polatuzumab vedotin and venetoclax overcomes treatment resistance in R/R non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Results from preclinical models and a Phase Ib study.

The treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoid neoplasms represents a significant clinical challenge. Here, we identify the pro-survival BCL-2 protein family member MCL-1 as a resistance factor for the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines and primary NHL samples. Mechanistically, we show that the antibody-drug conjugate polatuzumab vedotin promotes MCL-1 degradation via the ubiquitin/proteasome system. This targeted MCL-1 antagonism, when combined with venetoclax and the anti-CD20 antibodies obinutuzumab or rituximab, results in tumor regressions in preclinical NHL models, which are sustained even off-treatment. In a Phase Ib clinical trial (NCT02611323) of heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory NHL, 25/33 (76%) patients with follicular lymphoma and 5/17 (29%) patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma achieved complete or partial responses with an acceptable safety profile when treated with the recommended Phase II dose of polatuzumab vedotin in combination with venetoclax and an anti-CD20 antibody.

Odronextamab, a human CD20×CD3 bispecific antibody in patients with CD20-positive B-cell malignancies (ELM-1): results from the relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma cohort in a single-arm, multicentre, phase 1 trial.

BACKGROUND: Odronextamab is a hinge-stabilised, fully human IgG4-based CD20 × CD3 bispecific antibody that binds CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells. We aimed to evaluate the safety and antitumour activity of odronextamab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS: This single-arm, multicentre, phase 1, dose-escalation and dose-expansion (ELM-1) trial was conducted at ten academic sites across the USA and Germany. Patients aged 18 years or older with CD20-positive relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies who previously received CD20-directed antibody therapy and who had at least one measurable lesion, and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 were included. Patients received intravenous odronextamab, according to a step-up dosing schedule in cycle 1, followed by treatment once per week at target doses ranging from 0·1 mg to 320 mg during cycles 2-4 (each cycle was 21 days). After cycle 4, maintenance treatment occurred every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of safety was assessed by the incidence of adverse events and dose-limiting toxicities to determine the maximum tolerated dose or phase 2 dose of odronextamab, or both. Preliminary antitumour activity, as measured by objective response rate, was a secondary endpoint. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02290951. FINDINGS: From Feb 4, 2015, to Sept 25, 2021, 145 heavily pretreated patients (median of 3 (IQR 2-5] previous therapies) were enrolled (94 to the dose-escalation and 51 to the dose-expansion part of the study). The median age of patients was 67·0 years (IQR 57·0-73·0); 101 (70%) were male and 44 (30%) were female; most participants were White (119 [82%]) and not Hispanic or Latino (132 [91%]). 42 (29%) patients received previous CAR T therapy and 119 (82%) were refractory to the last line of therapy. Median duration of follow-up was 4·2 months (IQR 1·5-11·5). During dose escalation, odronextamab was administered up to the maximum dose of 320 mg once per week and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The recommended dose for expansion in patients with follicular lymphoma grade 1-3a was 80 mg and was 160 mg for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cytokine release syndrome and neurological treatment-emergent adverse events were predominantly low grade and did not result in treatment discontinuation. The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events were anaemia (36 [25%]), lymphopenia (28 [19%]), hypophosphataemia (27 [19%]), neutropenia (27 [19%]), and thrombocytopenia (20 [14%]). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 89 (61%) of 145 patients; the most frequent were cytokine release syndrome (41 [28%]), pyrexia (11 [8%]), pneumonia (nine [6%]), and infusion-related reaction (six [4%]). Four deaths were considered related to treatment (gastric perforation in a patient with gastric involvement by lymphoma, lung infection, pneumonia, and tumour-lysis syndrome). Objective response rate was 51% (95% CI 42-59; 72 of 142). In patients with follicular lymphoma who received odronextamab doses of 5 mg or higher, the objective response rate was 91% (95% CI 75-98; 29 of 32) and the complete response rate was 72% (95% CI 53-86; 23 of 32). In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma without previous CAR T-cell therapy who received doses of 80 mg or higher, the objective response rate was 53% (eight of 15) and all responses were complete responses. In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who had previous CAR T-cell therapy and received doses of 80 mg or higher, the objective response rate was 33% (ten of 30) and complete response rate was 27% (eight of 30). INTERPRETATION: Odronextamab monotherapy showed a manageable safety profile and encouraging preliminary activity, including durable responses in heavily pretreated patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, supporting further clinical investigation in phase 2 and 3 trials. FUNDING: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Fixed-duration ibrutinib plus venetoclax for first-line treatment of CLL: primary analysis of the CAPTIVATE FD cohort.

CAPTIVATE (NCT02910583) is an international phase 2 study in patients aged ≤70 years with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Results from the cohort investigating fixed-duration (FD) treatment with ibrutinib plus venetoclax are reported. Patients received 3 cycles of ibrutinib lead-in then 12 cycles of ibrutinib plus venetoclax (oral ibrutinib [420 mg/d]; oral venetoclax [5-week ramp-up to 400 mg/d]). The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate. Hypothesis testing was performed for patients without del(17p) with prespecified analyses in all treated patients. Secondary endpoints included undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) rates, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Of the 159 patients enrolled and treated, 136 were without del(17p). The median time on study was 27.9 months, and 92% of patients completed all planned treatment. The primary endpoint was met, with a CR rate of 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48-64) in patients without del(17p), significantly higher than the prespecified 37% minimum rate (P < .0001). In the all-treated population, CR rate was 55% (95% CI, 48-63); best uMRD rates were 77% (peripheral blood [PB]) and 60% (bone marrow [BM]); 24-month PFS and OS rates were 95% and 98%, respectively. At baseline, 21% of patients were in the high tumor burden category for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) risk; after ibrutinib lead-in, only 1% remained in this category. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (33%) and hypertension (6%). First-line ibrutinib plus venetoclax represents the first all-oral, once-daily, chemotherapy-free FD regimen for patients with CLL. FD ibrutinib plus venetoclax achieved deep, durable responses and promising PFS, including in patients with high-risk features.

Pembrolizumab plus dinaciclib in patients with hematologic malignancies: the phase 1b KEYNOTE-155 study.

Preclinical data demonstrated that combining an anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor with a cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor provided enhanced antitumor activity with no significant toxicities, suggesting this combination may be a potential therapeutic option. The multicohort, phase 1 KEYNOTE-155 study evaluated the safety and antitumor activity of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab plus the CDK9 inhibitor dinaciclib in patients with relapsed or refractory (rr) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and multiple myeloma (MM). Patients enrolled were ≥18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of CLL, DLBCL, or MM. The study included 2 phases: a dose-evaluation phase to determine dose-limiting toxicities and a signal-detection phase. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks plus dinaciclib 7 mg/m2 on day 1 and 10 mg/m2 on day 8 of cycle 1 and 14 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of cycles 2 and later. Primary endpoint was safety, and a key secondary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Seventy-two patients were enrolled and received ≥1 dose of study treatment (CLL, n = 17; DLBCL, n = 38; MM, n = 17). Pembrolizumab plus dinaciclib was generally well tolerated and produced no unexpected toxicities. The ORRs were 29.4% (5/17, rrCLL), 21.1% (8/38, rrDLBCL), and 0% (0/17, rrMM), respectively. At data cutoff, all 72 patients had discontinued treatment, 38 (52.8%) because of progressive disease. These findings demonstrate activity with combination pembrolizumab plus dinaciclib and suggest that a careful and comprehensive approach to explore anti-PD-1 and CDK9 inhibitor combinations is warranted. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02684617.

Immunotherapies Old and New: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells, and Bispecific Antibodies for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is curable in a majority of patients; however, a significant portion of patients develop relapsed or refractory disease. High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant is the standard approach in appropriately selected patients. Many patients are not candidates for transplant and many who do receive autologous transplant relapse. Therapies which harness T cells including chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) and bispecific antibodies are active in this chemotherapy-resistant population. We review the role of autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplant, CAR-T therapy, and bispecific antibodies in the treatment of relapsed or refractory DLBCL. RECENT FINDINGS: Phase I studies of bispecific antibodies directed against CD20 × CD3 have shown activity in heavily pre-treated DLBCL including in patients who have progressed following autologous transplant and/or CAR-T therapy. Two CAR-T products have received regulatory approval in relapsed or refractory DLBCL, with other products in clinical trials. CAR-T treatment has resulted in durable remissions and trials are ongoing to determine if CAR-T should replace autologous transplant as second-line therapy for DLBCL. The development of multiple T cell-directed therapies for DLBCL offers new treatment options for chemotherapy-resistant disease. We discuss our approach to relapsed or refractory DLBCL patients and the open question of optimal sequencing of autologous transplant (a current standard treatment), CAR-T therapy (FDA approved), and bispecific antibodies (in clinical trials).

Impact of Insurance Status on Survival Outcomes in Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): A Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic factors including race, ethnicity, and poverty level have been associated with disparities in survival among adult patients with acute leukemia. Insurance status is also likely to affect survival outcomes in these patients but has not been well studied. We investigated the impact of insurance status at time of diagnosis on survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with B-lineage ALL between January 1, 2007 and October 31, 2017 were included, with follow-up through January 19, 2018. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for the 2 groups. Cox proportional hazard regression methods were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients were included in the study, 29 without insurance and 107 with insurance at time of diagnosis. Patients without insurance were younger and more likely to be Hispanic or Latino compared with insured patients. When controlling for confounding variables, patients without insurance had worse PFS. There was no statistically significant difference in OS between the 2 groups. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity was associated with improved PFS and OS in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with ALL without health insurance at time of diagnosis had worse PFS when controlling for other relevant clinical factors. Lack of insurance may be an obstacle to timely, effective maintenance therapy in the outpatient setting. Further research is needed to understand how insurance status impacts survival and ways to mitigate any disparities.

Prognostic Factors for Complete Response to Ibrutinib in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Pooled Analysis of 2 Clinical Trials.

Importance: Ibrutinib, a first-in-class Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor taken once daily, is approved in the United States for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma and allows for treatment without chemotherapy. Extended treatment with ibrutinib has demonstrated increased complete response (CR) rates over time. Objective: To analyze baseline factors that predict CR in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma treated with ibrutinib. Design, Setting, and Participants: Univariate and multivariate analyses of pooled data from 2 clinical trials were used to assess the prognostic value of baseline factors associated with CR in 327 patients from the PCYC-1102 and PCYC-1112 studies treated with single-agent ibrutinib. Participants were followed up in academic and community medical centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Spain, and Austria. Main Outcomes and Measures: Odds ratio (OR) of CR rate. Results: The 327 patients included in this analysis had a median age of 67 years (range, 30-86 years) and 227 (69.4%) were male. At baseline, 185 patients (56.6%) had bulky disease (lymph node ≥5 cm), 184 (56.3%) had advanced-stage disease, and 182 (55.7%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 or higher. Thirty-one patients (9.5%) were in the first-line setting; 38 (11.6%) had undergone 1 previous therapy, 81 (24.8%) had undergone 2, and 177 (54.1%) had undergone 3 or more; patients with relapsed/refractory disease had undergone a median of 3 (range, 0-12) previous therapies. Median time on study was 26.4 months (range, 0.3-55.6 months). Thirty-two of the 327 patients (9.8%) treated with ibrutinib had a CR (PCYC-1102: relapsed/refractory, 12 of 101 [11.9%]; treatment-naive, 8 of 31 [25.8%]; and PCYC-1112: 12 of 195 [6.2%]). The median time to CR for these patients was 14.7 months (range, 4.6-47.1 months). Univariate analysis of baseline factors showed that bulky disease, clinical stage, number of previous therapies, and ß2-microglobulin concentration had a significant effect on the odds of CR. The final multivariate model showed that patients with no previous therapy vs patients with at least 1 previous therapy (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.01-6.95; P = .047) and patients without bulky disease (lymph node <5 cm) vs those with bulky disease (lymph node ≥5 cm [OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 1.91-12.91; P = .001]) had an increased likelihood of CR. Conclusions and Relevance: Patients receiving ibrutinib as a first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and those without bulky disease had a better likelihood of CR to treatment. The CR rate with continued longer-term ibrutinib treatment was higher than in previous reports. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01105247 and NCT01578707.

Phase 1 safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib administered every three weeks in patients with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Dinaciclib is a potent inhibitor of cell cycle and transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases. This Phase 1 study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of various dosing schedules of dinaciclib in advanced solid tumour patients and assessed pharmacodynamic and preliminary anti-tumour activity. METHODS: In part 1, patients were enrolled in escalating cohorts of 2-h infusions administered once every 3 weeks, utilising an accelerated titration design until a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was defined. In part 2, 8- and 24-h infusions were evaluated. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for all schedules. Pharmacodynamic effects were assessed with an ex vivo stimulated lymphocyte proliferation assay performed in whole blood.Effects of dinaciclib on retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation and other CDK targets were evaluated in skin and tumour biopsies. In addition to tumour size, metabolic response was evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled to parts 1 and 2. The RP2Ds were 50, 7.4 and 10.4 mg m-2 as 2- 8- and 24-hour infusions, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicities included pancytopenia, neutropenic fever, elevated transaminases, hyperuricemia and hypotension. Pharmacokinetics demonstrated rapid distribution and a short plasma half-life. Dinaciclib suppressed proliferation of stimulated lymphocytes. In skin and tumour biopsies, dinaciclib reduced Rb phosphorylation at CDK2 phospho-sites and modulated expression of cyclin D1 and p53, suggestive of CDK9 inhibition. Although there were no RECIST responses, eight patients had prolonged stable disease and received between 6 and 30 cycles. Early metabolic responses occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib is tolerable at doses demonstrating target engagement in surrogate and tumour tissue.

Influenza Adherence Tool Kit: Implementation and Evaluation Among Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation Recipients
.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic transplantation is associated with significant complications, such as influenza, a common virus in the post-transplantation setting that can be detrimental to patients. Therefore, patients should adhere to influenza vaccinations.
. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project were to improve influenza adherence rates from 2015-2016, to increase transplantation recipients' knowledge of the importance of vaccination, and to evaluate the barriers to and facilitators of adherence rates to influenza vaccinations.
. METHODS: A pre-/postscreening survey was used, as well as a tool kit with an education pamphlet and financial incentive, and a reminder letter. 
. FINDINGS: Forty-eight eligible patients participated in the study, and 32 completed the prescreening questionnaire. The adherence rate for the 2015-2016 influenza season improved compared to the baseline vaccination rate. The findings revealed a strong association between provider recommendation and vaccination adherence.

Combined Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (Dinaciclib) and AKT (MK-2206) Blocks Pancreatic Tumor Growth and Metastases in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models.

KRAS is activated by mutation in the vast majority of cases of pancreatic cancer; unfortunately, therapeutic attempts to inhibit KRAS directly have been unsuccessful. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) reduces pancreatic cancer growth and progression, through blockage of the centrally important RAL effector pathway, downstream of KRAS. In the current study, the therapeutic effects of combining the CDK inhibitor dinaciclib (SCH727965; MK-7965) with the pan-AKT inhibitor MK-2206 were evaluated using orthotopic and subcutaneous patient-derived human pancreatic cancer xenograft models. The combination of dinaciclib (20 mg/kg, i.p., three times a week) and MK-2206 (60 mg/kg, orally, three times a week) dramatically blocked tumor growth and metastasis in all eight pancreatic cancer models examined. Remarkably, several complete responses were induced by the combination treatment of dinaciclib and MK-2206. The striking results obtained in these models demonstrate that the combination of dinaciclib with the pan-AKT inhibitor MK-2206 is promising for therapeutic evaluation in pancreatic cancer, and strongly suggest that blocking RAL in combination with other effector pathways downstream from KRAS may provide increased efficacy in pancreatic cancer. Based on these data, an NCI-CTEP-approved multicenter phase I clinical trial for pancreatic cancer of the combination of dinaciclib and MK-2206 (NCT01783171) has now been opened.

Randomized phase II trial of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (MK-7965) versus capecitabine in patients with advanced breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Effective therapies after failure of treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes are needed for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Dinaciclib (MK-7965, formerly SCH727965), a small-molecule cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor activity in phase I studies with solid-tumor patients. This phase II trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of dinaciclib compared with that of capecitabine in women with previously treated advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either dinaciclib at 50 mg/m(2), administered as a 2-hour infusion every 21 days, or 1250 mg/m(2) capecitabine, administered orally twice daily in 21-day cycles. RESULTS: An unplanned interim analysis showed that the time to disease progression was inferior with dinaciclib treatment compared with capecitabine treatment; therefore, the trial was stopped after 30 patients were randomized. Dinaciclib treatment demonstrated antitumor activity in 2 of 7 patients with estrogen receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer (1 confirmed and 1 unconfirmed partial response), as well as acceptable safety and tolerability. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were common and included neutropenia, leukopenia, increase in aspartate aminotransferase, and febrile neutropenia. Population pharmacokinetic model-predicted mean dinaciclib exposure (area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity [AUC[I]]) at 50 mg/m(2) was similar to that observed in a previous phase I trial, and no drug accumulation was observed after multiple-dose administration. CONCLUSION: Although dinaciclib monotherapy demonstrated some antitumor activity and was generally tolerated, efficacy was not superior to capecitabine. Future studies may be considered to evaluate dinaciclib in select patient populations with metastatic breast cancer and in combination with other agents.

Randomized phase 2 study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (MK-7965) versus erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Dinaciclib (MK-7965, formerly SCH 727965), a novel, small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, has been shown to induce apoptosis in preclinical studies of human tumor cell lines, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC as second- or third-line therapy. This phase 2, randomized, multicenter, open-label study compared dinaciclib with erlotinib in patients with previously treated NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was comprised of 2 parts: in part 1, patients were randomized to either intravenous (IV) dinaciclib (50 mg/m2) or oral erlotinib (150 mg) using an adaptive Bayesian design that adjusted the randomization ratio in favor of the more active arm, and in part 2, patients who had progressed on erlotinib were permitted to cross over to receive dinaciclib at the same dosage as in part 1. Patients were followed until disease progression or death, initiation of nonstudy cancer treatment, discontinuation, or withdrawal of consent. The primary efficacy end point was time-to-progression (TTP) in part 1 and objective response rate (ORR) in part 2. RESULTS: Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates, the median TTP was 1.49 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 2.63) following initial treatment with dinaciclib, compared with 1.58 months (95% CI: 1.38, 2.83) with erlotinib. No objective responses were observed following initial treatment with dinaciclib. Common severe (grade 3 or 4) drug-related adverse effects included neutropenia, leukopenia, vomiting, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib, administered IV, was well tolerated at the 50 mg/m2 dose, but does not have activity as monotherapy in previously treated NSCLC. Evaluation of dinaciclib in combination with other agents for other indications including breast cancer and multiple myeloma is in progress.

A first-in-human, phase 1, dose-escalation study of dinaciclib, a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, administered weekly in subjects with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Dinaciclib, a small-molecule, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, inhibits cell cycle progression and proliferation in various tumor cell lines in vitro. We conducted an open-label, dose-escalation study to determine the safety, tolerability, and bioactivity of dinaciclib in adults with advanced malignancies. METHODS: Dinaciclib was administered starting at a dose of 0.33 mg/m2, as a 2-hour intravenous infusion once weekly for 3 weeks (on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle), to determine the maximum administered dose (MAD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and safety and tolerability. Pharmacodynamics of dinaciclib were assessed using an ex vivo phytohemagglutinin lymphocyte stimulation assay and immunohistochemistry staining for retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation in skin biopsies. Evidence of antitumor activity was assessed by sequential computed tomography imaging after every 2 treatment cycles. RESULTS: Forty-eight subjects with solid tumors were treated. The MAD was found to be 14 mg/m2 and the RP2D was determined to be 12 mg/m2; DLTs at the MAD included orthostatic hypotension and elevated uric acid. Forty-seven (98%) subjects reported adverse events (AEs) across all dose levels; the most common AEs were nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, and fatigue. Dinaciclib administered at the RP2D significantly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, demonstrating a pharmacodynamic effect. Ten subjects treated at a variety of doses achieved prolonged stable disease for at least 4 treatment cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib administered every week for 3 weeks (on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle) was generally safe and well tolerated. Initial bioactivity and observed disease stabilization support further evaluation of dinaciclib as a treatment option for patients with advanced solid malignancies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT00871663.

Clinical and laboratory studies of the novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (SCH 727965) in acute leukemias.

PURPOSE: Dinaciclib inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases 1, 2, 5, and 9 with a better therapeutic index than flavopiridol in preclinical studies. This study assessed the activity of dinaciclib in acute leukemia both in the clinic and in vitro. METHODS: Adults with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (n = 14) and acute lymphoid leukemia (n = 6) were treated with dinaciclib 50 mg/m(2) given as a 2-h infusion every 21 days. RESULTS: Most patients had dramatic but transient reduction in circulating blasts; however, no remissions were achieved on this schedule. The most common toxicities were gastrointestinal, fatigue, transaminitis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of tumor lysis syndrome, including one patient who died of acute renal failure. Dinaciclib pharmacokinetics showed rapid (2 h) achievement of maximum concentration and a short elimination/distribution phase. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated in vivo inhibition of Mcl-1 expression and induction of PARP cleavage in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells 4 h after dinaciclib infusion, but the effects were lost by 24 h and did not correlate with clinical outcome. Correlative in vitro studies showed that prolonged exposures to dinaciclib, at clinically attainable concentrations, result in improved leukemia cell kill. CONCLUSIONS: While dinaciclib given as a 2-h bolus did not exhibit durable clinical activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data support the exploration of prolonged infusion schedules in future trials in patients with acute leukemias.

Effect of aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib in patients with advanced malignancies.

PURPOSE: Dinaciclib, a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1, CDK2, CDK5, and CDK9, is metabolized via CYP3A4. Aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, is an inhibitor and inducer of CYP3A4. We conducted a randomized, crossover study to investigate the effects of single oral doses of aprepitant when coadministered with dinaciclib. METHODS: As part of a phase 1 dose-escalation trial, subjects with advanced malignancies were randomized into a 2-period, multi-cycle, crossover study to investigate the effect of single doses of oral aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of 29.6 mg/m(2) dinaciclib administered by 2-h intravenous infusion. During cycle 1 and cycle 2, subjects received dinaciclib with aprepitant in one cycle and dinaciclib without aprepitant in the other cycle; aprepitant was administered at a dose of 125 mg orally on day 1 and 80 mg orally on days 2 and 3, along with standard dosing regimens of ondansetron and dexamethasone. RESULTS: Twelve patients completed the study; T (max) occurred approximately 2 h after the initiation of the infusion. The percent geometric mean ratio (dinaciclib + aprepitant vs. dinaciclib alone) was 106 % (90 % confidence interval [CI] 89-126 %) and 111 % (90 % CI 93-132 %) for dinaciclib C(max) and AUC([I]), respectively. The half-life and clearance of dinaciclib were similar, with or without aprepitant. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of dinaciclib with aprepitant resulted in no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics and did not alter the safety profile of dinaciclib in patients with advanced malignancies.