Cusatuzumab plus azacitidine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy (CULMINATE): part one of a randomised, phase 2, dose optimisation study.

BACKGROUND: Cusatuzumab, a high-affinity anti-CD70 antibody, has shown preliminary activity as a treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia when combined with azacitidine. We aimed to determine the optimum dose for future trials of cusatuzumab in combination with azacitidine in patients with previously untreated acute myeloid leukaemia who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: In this randomised, phase 2, open-label, dose-optimisation study we enrolled adult patients aged 18 years or older with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia not eligible for intensive chemotherapy, and with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores of 0-2, from 40 hospitals and centres across seven countries. In part one of the trial, participants were randomly allocated 1:1 to 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg intravenous cusatuzumab on days 3 and 17, combined with subcutaneous or intravenous azacitidine 75 mg/m2 on days 1-7 in 28-day cycles. The primary efficacy outcome was the rate of complete remission in the intention-to-treat group. The two dose cohorts were evaluated independently without between-cohort statistical comparison. Safety analyses were performed in all patients who received one dose of study drug. Part two of the trial was planned to be a single-arm expansion to evaluate cusatuzumab plus azacitidine at the cusatuzumab dose level selected in part one (primary hypothesis ≥35% rate of complete remission vs null hypothesis of 20%); however, changes in the acute myeloid leukaemia treatment landscape during this trial made it unlikely that enrolment to part two of the study would be clinically feasible, so the study stopped at the end of part one. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04023526. FINDINGS: 103 patients were enrolled between Aug 30, 2019, and Feb 25, 2020, and randomly assigned to either cusatuzumab 10 mg/kg (n=51) or 20 mg/kg (n=52). Median follow-up was 7·2 months (IQR 10·7 months). 57 of 103 (55%) patients were male and 46 (45%) patients were female, 78 (76%) were White, one (1%) was Asian, and 24 (23%) did not report their race. In the 10 mg/kg group, complete remission rate was 12% (six of 51 patients; 95% CI 6-23) and in the 20 mg/kg group was 27% (14 of 52; 17-40). Grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were similar between the cusatuzumab 10 mg/kg (n=51) and 20 mg/kg (n=51) cohorts and included thrombocytopenia (24 patients [47%] vs 29 [57%]), anaemia (24 [47%] vs 17 [33%]), and neutropenia (20 [39%] in both cohorts). Serious TEAEs were also similar in the two cohorts (44 [86%] vs 40 [78%]). Treatment-related TEAEs leading to death were reported in both groups (three patients [6%] in the 10 mg/kg group vs one patient [2%] in the 20 mg/kg group); the reported causes of death were pneumonia (n=2) and septic shock (n=2). INTERPRETATION: Although part one of this study was not designed to formally compare the two dose cohorts for efficacy, the totality of clinical data for cusatuzumab studies performed to date indicate that cusatuzumab 20 mg/kg plus azacitidine represents the optimal dose for further studies. A phase 1b study investigating the triple combination of cusatuzumab with venetoclax and azacitidine is underway (NCT04150887). FUNDING: Janssen Research & Development and argenx.

Ibrutinib in combination with rituximab is highly effective in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with steroid refractory and relapsed autoimmune cytopenias.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) are common complications of CLL. The optimal treatment of steroid refractory AIHA/PRCA is not well established. We conducted a multicenter study of ibrutinib and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory to steroids AIHA/PRCA and underlying CLL. Protocol included induction (ibrutinib 420 mg/day and rituximab, 8 weekly and 4 monthly infusions) and maintenance phase with ibrutinib alone until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Fifty patients were recruited (44-warm AIHA, 2-cold AIHA, 4-PRCA). After the induction 34 patients (74%) have achieved complete response, 10 (21.7%) partial response. Median time to hemoglobin normalization was 85 days. With regards to CLL response 9 (19%) patients have achieved CR, 2 (4%) patients-stabilization and 39 (78%)-PR. The median follow-up was 37.56 months. In AIHA group 2 patients had a relapse. Among 4 patients with PRCA 1 patient did not respond, and 1 patient had a relapse after CR, 2 remained in CR. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (62%), infections (72%), gastrointestinal complications (54%). In conclusion ibrutinib in combination with rituximab is an active second-line treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory AIHA/PRCA and underlying CLL.

Corrosion Resistance of Al0.5CoCrFeNiCuxAgy (x = 0.25, 0.5; y = 0, 0.1) High-Entropy Alloys in 0.5M H2SO4 Solution.

The electrochemical behavior of the as-cast Al0.5CoCrFeNiCuxAgy (x = 0.25, 0.5; y = 0, 0.1) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) in a 0.5M H2SO4 solution was studied. Polarization measurements were carried out in a standard three-electrode electrochemical cell at room temperature using a platinum counter electrode and a saturated silver chloride reference electrode. For Al0.5CoCrFeNiCu0.5 and Al0.5CoCrFeNiCu0.5Ag0.1, copper segregation along the grain boundaries was observed, which highly dissolved in the sulfuric acid solution and resulted in low corrosion resistance of the samples. Introducing Ag into Al0.5CoCrFeNiCu0.25 HEA led to the precipitation of a copper-silver eutectic structure, in which the copper regions were selectively dissolved in the sulfuric acid solution. Al0.5CoCrFeNiCu0.25 exhibited the best corrosion resistance with the corrosion current density of Icorr = 3.52 ± 0.02 µA/cm2, significantly superior to that of the Al0.5CoCrFeNi sample without copper and silver (Icorr = 6.05 ± 0.05 µA/cm2). Finally, the results indicated that suppressing elemental segregation by annealing or tailoring chemical composition is essential to improve the corrosion resistance of Al0.5CoCrFeNiCuxAgy HEAs.

Impact of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone therapy on overall survival in multiple myeloma patients: Analysis of the emerging-markets subgroup of the TOURMALINE-MM1 trial.

Ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (ixazomib-Rd) showed clinical efficacy over placebo-Rd in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) in the TOURMALINE-MM1 trial. Over a median follow-up of ∼85 months, as patients showed disease progression, they received subsequent novel therapies that confounded the overall survival (OS) benefit. Here, we conducted a post hoc analysis in 148 patients from seven countries defined as emerging markets, with limited access to novel therapies for MM during the trial period, to describe the impact of these therapies on OS. Patients were randomised to ixazomib-Rd (n = 71) or placebo-Rd (n = 77). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 18.7 versus 10.2 months, with ixazomib-Rd versus placebo-Rd (hazard ratio [HR], 0.504; p = 0.008) demonstrating a statistically significant improvement as observed in the primary trial. The median OS improved by 32.6 months with ixazomib-Rd over placebo-Rd (63.5 vs. 30.9 months; HR, 0.794; p = 0.261); however, the statistically significant benefit seen in PFS was not observed for OS. Improvement with ixazomib-Rd over placebo-Rd was observed in overall response (81.7% vs. 64.9%; odds ratio [OR], 2.38; p = 0.019) and complete response (22.5% vs. 3.9%; OR, 7.57; p < 0.001). Patient-reported quality of life and use of subsequent therapies were similar across treatment groups. No new safety concerns were identified. Compared with the main cohort, median OS was 10 months longer with ixazomib-Rd and 21 months shorter with placebo-Rd in this subgroup, indicating a clinically meaningful survival benefit of ixazomib-Rd treatment in this patient population with limited access to subsequent novel therapies.

Al0.25CoCrFeNiV High Entropy Alloy Coating Deposited by Laser Cladding on Stainless Steel.

This paper studies the microstructure, composition and properties of a Al0.25CoCrFeNiV high entropy alloy coating (HEAC) deposited by laser cladding on austenitic-grade stainless steel. Laser cladding was carried out in an argon atmosphere on a FL-Clad-R-4 laser metal deposition complex with the following parameters: the laser power was 1400 W, the spot diameter was 3 mm, the track displacement was 1.2 mm, and the scanning speed was set to 10 mm/s. A change in the microstructure of the coating after laser cladding was revealed in comparison with as-cast high entropy alloy (HEA) Al0.25CoCrFeNiV. A significant decrease was found in the size of vanadium precipitates, from 20-40 µm in the as-cast state to 1-3 µm after laser cladding. A change in microhardness over the thickness of the coating from 370 HV0.3 at the outer surface to 270 HV0.3 at the boundary with the substrate was established, which may be due to the diffusion of Fe from the stainless steel into the coating material during laser cladding. Despite these features, the resulting coating adheres tightly to the substrate, and has no cracks or other defects, which indicates the possibility of using laser cladding to create coatings from high entropy alloys.

Efficacy and Safety of CT-P10 Versus Rituximab in Untreated Low-Tumor-Burden Follicular Lymphoma: Final Results of a Randomized Phase III Study.

INTRODUCTION: This double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled phase III trial (NCT02260804) assessed CT-P10 and rituximab safety and efficacy in patients with previously untreated low-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma (LTBFL), including after a single switch from rituximab to CT-P10. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LTBFL patients were randomized (1:1) to receive CT-P10 or rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously; day 1 of 4 7-day cycles). Patients achieving disease control entered a 2-year maintenance period. CT-P10 or rituximab were administered every 8 weeks (6 cycles) in year 1; all patients could receive CT-P10 (every 8 weeks; 6 cycles) in year 2. Secondary endpoints (reported here) were overall response rate (ORR) during the study period, progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). Safety and immunogenicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Between  November 9, 2015 and  January 4, 2018, 258 patients were randomized (130 for CT-P10; 128 for rituximab). ORR was similar between groups over the study period (CT-P10: 88%; rituximab: 87%). After 29.2 months' median follow-up, median PFS, TTP, and OS were not estimable; 24-month Kaplan-Meier estimates suggested similarity between groups. Overall, 114 (CT-P10: 88%), and 104 (rituximab: 81%) patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events. The single switch was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: These updated data support therapeutic similarity of CT-P10 and rituximab and support the use of CT-P10 monotherapy for previously untreated LTBFL.

High-Temperature Oxidation of High-Entropic Alloys: A Review.

Over the past few years, interest in high-entropic alloys (HEAs) has been growing. A large body of research has been undertaken to study aspects such as the microstructure features of HEAs of various compositions, the effect of the content of certain elements on the mechanical properties of HEAs, and, of course, special properties such as heat resistance, corrosion resistance, resistance to irradiation with high-energy particles, magnetic properties, etc. However, few works have presented results accumulated over several years, which can complicate the choice of directions for further research. This review article presents the results of studies of the mechanisms of high-temperature oxidation of HEAs of systems: Al-Co-Cr-Fe-Ni, Mn-Co-Cr-Fe-Ni, refractory HEAs. An analysis made it possible to systematize the features of high-temperature oxidation of HEAs and propose new directions for the development of heat-resistant HEAs. The presented information may be useful for assessing the possibility of the practical application of HEAs in the aerospace industry, in nuclear and chemical engineering, and in new areas of energy.

Properties of WC-10%Co-4%Cr Detonation Spray Coating Deposited on the Al-4%Cu-1%Mg Alloy.

One of the methods of local improvement of the wear resistance of aluminum alloy parts is the deposition of hard tungsten carbide-based coatings on the surfaces subjected to intense external influence. This paper is devoted to the characterization of the WC-10Co-4Cr (wt.%) coating deposited on an Al-4Cu-1Mg (wt.%) alloy by the detonation spray method. In comparison with the common thermal spray techniques like High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) or Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS), the heat input delivered to the substrate during detonation spray is significantly lower, that is especially important in case of coating deposition on aluminum alloys. The paper presents the results of morphology investigation, microstructure, phase composition, microhardness, and cohesive strength of deposited carbide-based detonation spray coating. Results showed that the coating has a porosity less than 0.5% and the carbide grain refinement down to the submicron size during coating deposition was detected. According to the investigation, the variation of spraying distance from 270 to 230 mm does not influence on the coating microstructure and composition.

Final 5-year findings from the phase 3 HELIOS study of ibrutinib plus bendamustine and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

We report final analysis outcomes from the phase 3 HELIOS study (NCT01611090). Patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma without deletion 17p (n = 578) were randomized 1:1 to 420 mg daily ibrutinib or placebo plus ≤6 cycles of bendamustine plus rituximab (BR), followed by ibrutinib or placebo alone. Median follow-up was 63.7 months. Median investigator-assessed progression-free survival was longer with ibrutinib plus BR (65.1 months) than placebo plus BR (14.3 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.229 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.183-0.286]; p < .0001). Despite crossover of 63.3% of patients from the placebo plus BR arm to ibrutinib treatment upon disease progression, ibrutinib plus BR versus placebo plus BR demonstrated an overall survival benefit (HR 0.611 [95% CI 0.455-0.822]; p = .0010; median not reached in either arm). Long-term follow-up data confirm the survival benefit of ibrutinib plus BR over BR alone. Safety profiles were consistent with those known for ibrutinib and BR.

Venetoclax plus LDAC for newly diagnosed AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy: a phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Effective treatment options are limited for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy. Adults age ≥18 years with newly diagnosed AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy were enrolled in this international phase 3 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Patients (N = 211) were randomized 2:1 to venetoclax (n = 143) or placebo (n = 68) in 28-day cycles, plus low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) on days 1 to 10. Primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included response rate, transfusion independence, and event-free survival. Median age was 76 years (range, 36-93 years), 38% had secondary AML, and 20% had received prior hypomethylating agent treatment. Planned primary analysis showed a 25% reduction in risk of death with venetoclax plus LDAC vs LDAC alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-1.07; P = .11), although not statistically significant; median OS was 7.2 vs 4.1 months, respectively. Unplanned analysis with additional 6-month follow-up demonstrated median OS of 8.4 months for the venetoclax arm (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.98; P = .04). Complete remission (CR) plus CR with incomplete blood count recovery rates were 48% and 13% for venetoclax plus LDAC and LDAC alone, respectively. Key grade ≥3 adverse events (venetoclax vs LDAC alone) were febrile neutropenia (32% vs 29%), neutropenia (47% vs 16%), and thrombocytopenia (45% vs 37%). Venetoclax plus LDAC demonstrates clinically meaningful improvement in remission rate and OS vs LDAC alone, with a manageable safety profile. Results confirm venetoclax plus LDAC as an important frontline treatment for AML patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03069352.

A Study of Characteristics of Aluminum Bronze Coatings Applied to Steel Using Additive Technologies.

The influence of laser power on the microstructural, strength, and tribological characteristics of aluminum bronze coatings applied to steel by laser cladding was studied. It was found that with an increase in laser power, the morphology of the coating surface becomes more uniform without extreme height differences. This study revealed that the coating microstructure corresponds to that of a composite material and consists of a bronze matrix and iron dendrites of different sizes (depending on the laser power). Such a microstructure affects the microhardness indices, which have a scatter of values over the coating thickness. There is a diffusion zone at the steel-bronze interface, which promotes adhesion of the matrix and coating materials. According to the results of tribological tests, the dry friction coefficient for the studied samples is in the range of 0.389-0.574.

Can Less Intensive Chemotherapy and an Autotransplant Cure Adult T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a rare disease usually treated with intensive, high-dose consolidation chemotherapy followed by an allotransplant in a substantial number of patients. The data of the RALL-2009 study on 125 adult T-ALL patients suggest that similar total chemotherapy doses given less intensively over a longer interval without interruptions and with an auto- rather than an allotransplant produce outcomes like current more intensive protocols and an allotransplant: 9-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), leukemia-free survival (LFS), and survival were 24% (95% CI 16-33%), 70% (95% CI 59-79%) and 62% (95% CI 51-72%). In a landmark analysis, subjects achieving a complete remission and receiving an autotransplant had a lower 9-year CIR (9% [95% CI 2-22%] vs. 29% [95% CI 16-43%]; p = 0.0076) and better LFS (91% [95% CI 79-98%] vs. 58% [95% CI 41-74%]; p = 0.0009) and survival (92% [95% CI 77-99%] vs. 60% [95% CI 44-77%]; p = 0.001) compared with subjects not receiving an autotransplant. In a multivariate analysis, white blood cells ≥100 × 109/L at study entry were significantly associated with worse LFS (HR = 2.842 [95% CI 1.131-7.143]; p = 0.0263) and survival (HR = 6.085 [95% CI 1.918-19.3]; p = 0.0022) because of more early deaths (HR = 2.42 [95% CI 1.04-5.67]; p = 0.041). Receiving an autotransplant correlated with a lower CIR (HR = 0.23 [95% CI 0.07-0.73]; p = 0.0136) and better LFS (HR = 0.27 [95% CI 0.08-0.85]; p = 0.0256) and survival (HR = 0.158 [95% CI 0.045-0.550]; p = 0.0037).

A Study of the Structural Characteristics of Titanium Alloy Products Manufactured Using Additive Technologies by Combining the Selective Laser Melting and Direct Metal Deposition Methods.

Titanium alloy product manufacturing is traditionally considered to be a rather difficult task. Additive manufacturing technologies, which have recently become quite widespread, can ensure the manufacture of titanium alloys products of an arbitrary geometrical shape. During this study, we have developed a methodology for manufacturing titanium alloys products using additive technologies on FL-Clad-R-4 complex of laser melting of metals by combined Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) methods. Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4Mo-1V alloys were used for the manufacture of samples. We studied the microstructure of the obtained details and measured the microhardness of the samples. We discovered a gradient of the structure throughout the height of the details walls, which is connected with the peculiarities of thermal cycles of the technology used. This affected the microhardness values: in the upper part of the details, the microhardness is 10-25% higher (about 500 HV) than in the lower part (about 400 HV). Products made according to the developed technique do not have visible defects and pores. The obtained results indicate the competitiveness of the proposed methodology.

Systemic Exposure of Rituximab Increased by Ibrutinib: Pharmacokinetic Results and Modeling Based on the HELIOS Trial.

INTRODUCTION: In the HELIOS trial, bendamustine/rituximab (BR) plus ibrutinib (BR-I) improved disease outcomes versus BR plus placebo in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Here, we describe the pharmacokinetic (PK) observations, along with modeling to further explore the interaction between ibrutinib and rituximab. METHODS: 578 subjects were randomized to ibrutinib or placebo with BR (6 cycles). Ibrutinib PK samples and tumor measurements were obtained from all subjects; a subset was evaluated for bendamustine and rituximab PK. Population rituximab PK was assessed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: Dose-normalized plasma concentration-time bendamustine data were comparable between the arms. Systemic rituximab exposure was higher with BR-I versus BR; mean trough serum concentrations were 2- to 3-fold higher in the first three cycles and 1.2- to 1.7-fold higher subsequently. No relevant safety differences were observed. In the modeling, including treatment arm as a categorical covariate and tumor burden as a continuous time-varying covariate on overall rituximab clearance significantly improved fitting of the data. CONCLUSIONS: BR-I led to higher dose-normalized systemic rituximab exposure versus BR and more rapid steady-state achievement. The modeling data suggest that rituximab disposition is, at least in part, target mediated. Determining the clinical significance of these findings requires further assessments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01611090 .

Randomized Phase III Trial of Ibrutinib and Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone in Non-Germinal Center B-Cell Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Ibrutinib has shown activity in non-germinal center B-cell diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This double-blind phase III study evaluated ibrutinib and rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in untreated non-germinal center B-cell DLBCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned at a one-to-one ratio to ibrutinib (560 mg per day orally) plus R-CHOP or placebo plus R-CHOP. The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and the activated B-cell (ABC) DLBCL subgroup. Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: A total of 838 patients were randomly assigned to ibrutinib plus R-CHOP (n = 419) or placebo plus R-CHOP (n = 419). Median age was 62.0 years; 75.9% of evaluable patients had ABC subtype disease, and baseline characteristics were balanced. Ibrutinib plus R-CHOP did not improve EFS in the ITT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.934) or ABC (HR, 0.949) population. A preplanned analysis showed a significant interaction between treatment and age. In patients age younger than 60 years, ibrutinib plus R-CHOP improved EFS (HR, 0.579), PFS (HR, 0.556), and OS (HR, 0.330) and slightly increased serious adverse events (35.7% v 28.6%), but the proportion of patients receiving at least six cycles of R-CHOP was similar between treatment arms (92.9% v 93.0%). In patients age 60 years or older, ibrutinib plus R-CHOP worsened EFS, PFS, and OS, increased serious adverse events (63.4% v 38.2%), and decreased the proportion of patients receiving at least six cycles of R-CHOP (73.7% v 88.8%). CONCLUSION: The study did not meet its primary end point in the ITT or ABC population. However, in patients age younger than 60 years, ibrutinib plus R-CHOP improved EFS, PFS, and OS with manageable safety. In patients age 60 years or older, ibrutinib plus R-CHOP was associated with increased toxicity, leading to compromised R-CHOP administration and worse outcomes. Further investigation is warranted.

Association between bortezomib dose intensity and overall survival in mantle cell lymphoma patients on frontline VR-CAP in the phase 3 LYM-3002 study.

The pivotal LYM-3002 study compared frontline rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) with bortezomib, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (VR-CAP) in newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients for whom stem cell transplantation was not an option. This post hoc subanalysis of the VR-CAP data from LYM-3002 evaluated the effect of bortezomib dose intensity on OS in patients who completed ≥6 cycles of treatment. From the end of cycle 6, patients receiving ≥4.6 mg/m2/cycle of bortezomib had significantly longer OS (but not PFS) compared with those receiving <4.6 mg/m2/cycle by univariate analysis (HR 0.43 [95% CI: 0.23-0.80]; p = .0059). This association remained significant in multivariate analysis adjusting for baseline patient and disease characteristics (HR 0.40 [95% CI: 0.20-0.79]; p = .008]. Higher bortezomib dose intensity was the strongest predictor of OS in newly diagnosed MCL patients receiving VR-CAP. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00722137.

Ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab versus chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (iLLUMINATE): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Both single-agent ibrutinib and chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab have shown superior efficacy to chlorambucil monotherapy and are standard first-line treatments in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We compared the efficacy of the combination of ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab with chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in first-line chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. METHODS: iLLUMINATE is a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial done at 74 academic and community hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, the EU, and the USA in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, either aged 65 years or older or younger than 65 years with coexisting conditions. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using a blocked randomisation schedule, stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and cytogenetics, to receive ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab (oral ibrutinib [420 mg once daily continuously] combined with intravenous obinutuzumab [100 mg on day 1, 900 mg on day 2, 1000 mg on day 8, and 1000 mg on day 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of subsequent 28-day cycles, for a total of six cycles]) or chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (oral chlorambucil [0·5 mg/kg bodyweight on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for six cycles] combined with the same obinutuzumab regimen). Allocation concealment was achieved using an interactive web response system. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by a masked independent review committee in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02264574), and patient enrolment is complete. FINDINGS: Between Oct 6, 2014, and Oct 12, 2015, 229 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab (n=113) or chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (n=116). After a median follow-up of 31·3 months (IQR 29·4-33·2), median progression-free survival was significantly longer in the ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab group (median not reached [95% CI 33·6-non-estimable]) than in the chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab group (19·0 months [15·1-22·1]; hazard ratio 0·23; 95% CI 0·15-0·37; p<0·0001). Estimated 30-month progression-free survival was 79% (95% CI 70-85) in the ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab group and 31% (23-40) in the chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab group. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events in both groups were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Serious adverse events occurred in 65 (58%) of 113 patients treated with ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab and 40 (35%) of 115 patients treated with chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. Ibrutinib or chlorambucil treatment-related deaths were reported in one (1%) of 113 patients in the ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab group (sudden death) and one (1%) of 115 patients in the chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab group (neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin). INTERPRETATION: Ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab is an efficacious and safe chemotherapy-free combination treatment in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma independent of high-risk features and provides an alternative first-line treatment option for these patients. FUNDING: Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, and Janssen Research and Development.

Efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of the biosimilar CT-P10 in comparison with rituximab in patients with previously untreated low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and advanced follicular lymphoma have shown that CT-P10, a rituximab biosimilar, has equivalent or non-inferior efficacy and pharmacokinetics to rituximab. We aimed to assess the therapeutic equivalence of single-agent CT-P10 and rituximab in patients with newly diagnosed low-tumour burden follicular lymphoma. METHODS: In this ongoing, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, phase 3 trial, adult patients (≥18 years) with stage II-IV low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma were randomly assigned (1:1) using an interactive web or voice response system stratified by region, stage, and age to CT-P10 or US-sourced rituximab. Patients received CT-P10 or rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenous) on day 1 of four 7-day cycles (induction period). Patients who had disease control after the induction period continued to a maintenance period of CT-P10 or rituximab administered every 8 weeks for six cycles and, if completed, a second year of maintenance therapy of additional CT-P10 (every 8 weeks for six cycles) was offered. The study was partially unmasked after database lock (Feb 23, 2018) for all data up to 7 months (before cycle 3 of the maintenance period). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an overall response by 7 months in the intention-to-treat population. Efficacy equivalence was shown if the two-sided 90% CIs for the treatment difference in the proportion of responders between CT-P10 and rituximab was within the equivalence margin of 17%. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02260804. FINDINGS: Between Nov 9, 2015, and Jan 4, 2018, 402 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 258 were randomly assigned: 130 to CT-P10 and 128 to rituximab. 108 (83%) of 130 patients assigned to CT-P10 and 104 (81%) of 128 assigned to rituximab achieved an overall response by month 7 (treatment difference estimate 1·8%; 90% CI -6·43 to 10·20). Therapeutic equivalence was shown (90% CIs were within the prespecified margin of 17%). The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events were decreased neutrophil count (two grade 3 in the CT-P10 group) and neutropenia (one in each group); all other grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in one patient each. Six (5%) of 130 patients who received CT-P10 and three (2%) of 128 who received rituximab experienced at least one treatment-emergent serious adverse event. INTERPRETATION: CT-P10 was equivalent to rituximab in terms of efficacy and was well tolerated. CT-P10 monotherapy is suggested as a new therapeutic option for patients with low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma. FUNDING: Celltrion, Inc.

Patient-reported health-related quality of life from the phase III TOURMALINE-MM1 study of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone versus placebo-lenalidomide-dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

TOURMALINE-MM1 is a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd) versus placebo-Rd in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma following 1-3 prior lines of therapy. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) in the IRd arm versus placebo-Rd arm (median 20.6 vs 14.7 months, hazard ratio 0.74, P = .01), with limited additional toxicity. Patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was a secondary endpoint of TOURMALINE-MM1. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30) and Multiple Myeloma Module 20 (QLQ-MY20) were completed at screening, the start of cycles 1 and 2, every other cycle, the end of treatment, and every 4 weeks until progression. Over median follow-up of 23.3 and 22.9 months in the IRd and placebo-Rd arms, mean QLQ-C30 global health status (GHS)/QoL scores were maintained from baseline over the course of treatment in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between groups. EORTC QLQ-C30 function domain scores were also generally maintained from baseline; similarly, physical, emotional, and social function domains were maintained with IRd versus placebo-Rd, with slightly higher mean change from baseline scores at earlier time points with IRd. Findings from this double-blind study demonstrate that addition of ixazomib to Rd significantly improved efficacy while HRQoL was maintained, reflecting the limited additional toxicity seen with IRd versus placebo-Rd, and support the feasibility of long-term IRd administration.