Intensive Re-Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Early Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for Relapsed/Refractory High-Grade Myeloid Neoplasms.

Outcomes for adults with relapsed/refractory (R/R) high-grade myeloid neoplasms remain poor, with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) the only therapy likely to result in cure. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the feasibility of early HCT - within 60 days of beginning reinduction chemotherapy - to see if getting patients to HCT in an expeditious manner would facilitate a larger number of patients being offered this curative option. In this proof-of-principle feasibility study, we included adults 18-75 with R/R myeloid malignancies with ≥10% blood/marrow blasts at diagnosis, who were eligible for a reduced-intensity HCT. Subjects received reinducton chemotherapy with cladribine, cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and filgrastim (CLAG-M) and proceeded to HCT with reduced-intensity conditioning (fludarabine/melphalan). We enrolled 30 patients: all received CLAG-M reinduction, although only 9 received HCT within 60 days (< 15, the predetermined threshold for feasibility "success"), with a median time to HCT of 48 days (range 42-60). Eleven additional subjects received HCT beyond the target 60 days (off-study), with a median time to transplant of 83 days (range 53-367). Barriers to early HCT included infection, physician preference, lack of an HLA-matched donor, logistical delays, and disease progression, all of which may limit real-world uptake of such early-to-transplant protocols.

Phase II study of dose-adjusted EPOCH as initial therapy for adults with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Treatments for adults with newly-diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be prohibitively toxic and/or resource-intense. To address this, we performed a phase II study of dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (DA-EPOCH). Imatinib or dasatinib was added for Ph + disease; rituximab was added when CD20+. Fifty-three patients were evaluable: 28 with Ph + disease, and 25 with Ph-. All patients had ≥1 high-risk clinical feature. Measurable residual disease-negativity by multiparameter flow cytometry within 4 cycles was achieved in 71% in patients with Ph + ALL and 64% in Ph - ALL. Median overall survival (OS) was 49 months, with a 2-year OS of 71%. Median relapse-free survival (RFS) in the 47 patients that attained morphologic remission was 24 months, with a 2-year RFS of 57%. Early mortality was 2%. In summary, DA-EPOCH yields deep and durable remissions in adults with ALL comparable to some resource-intense strategies but with a low rate of treatment-related death.

Role of stem cell transplant in CD30+ PTCL following frontline brentuximab vedotin plus CHP or CHOP in ECHELON-2.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas, the majority of which have high relapse rates following standard therapy. Despite use of consolidative stem cell transplant (SCT) following frontline therapy, there remains no consensus on its utility. The double-blind randomized phase 3 ECHELON-2 study (#NCT01777152; clinicaltrials.gov) demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival with frontline brentuximab vedotin plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (A+CHP). Herein, we conducted an exploratory subgroups analysis of the impact of consolidative SCT on PFS in patients with previously untreated CD30+ PTCL (ALK- anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL] and non-ALCL) who were in complete response (CR) after frontline treatment with A+CHP or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. Median PFS follow-up was 47.57 months. The PFS hazard ratio was 0.36, equating to a 64% reduction in the risk of a PFS event in patients who underwent SCT. The median PFS in patients who underwent SCT was not reached, vs 55.66 months in patients who did not undergo SCT. PFS results favored the use of SCT in both ALK- ALCL and non-ALCL subgroups. These data support the consideration of consolidative SCT in patients with CD30+PTCL who achieve CR following treatment with A+CHP.

Cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry and risk of central nervous system relapse after hyperCVAD in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Potential involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) by acute lymphoblastic leukemia is typically evaluated by a conventional cytospin (CC) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is generally more sensitive and specific than morphology, but data to guide its use versus CC are limited. METHODS: This study identified 92 patients who had MFC performed on their initial CSF specimen and received at least 4 cycles of hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate and cytarabine (hyperCVAD) as their initial treatment. RESULTS: Eighteen (20%) were CSF+ by MFC at the baseline, and only 6 of these patients were positive by CC. In contrast, 0 of 51 patients who were negative by MFC and had CC available were positive by CC. Despite the receipt of significantly more intra-CSF chemotherapy (P < .001), the cumulative incidence of CNS relapse by MFC was 22% among CSF+ patients versus 5% among those who were CSF- (P = .044). No such association was observed between CNS relapse and CC results (P = .42). None of the 74 CSF- patients became CSF+ during their initial treatment despite being tested a median of 5 times (range, 2-10). CSF positivity by MFC was the factor most strongly associated with CNS relapse in a series of univariate Cox models (hazard ratio, 3.7; P = .067). The initial CSF status by MFC had no significant impact on overall or event-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: MFC of CSF is superior to CC of CSF in identifying adults at high risk for CNS relapse after treatment with hyperCVAD. Surveillance of CSF by MFC has limited utility.

Intralesional TTI-621, a novel biologic targeting the innate immune checkpoint CD47, in patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome: a multicentre, phase 1 study.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous TTI-621 (SIRPα-IgG1 Fc) was previously shown to have activity in relapsed or refractory haematological malignancies. This phase 1 study evaluated the safety and activity of TTI-621 in patients with percutaneously accessible relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, or solid tumours. Here we report the clinical and translational results among patients with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome. METHODS: This multicentre, open-label, phase 1 study was conducted at five academic health-care and research centres in the USA. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older; had injectable, histologically or cytologically confirmed relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) or solid tumours; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less; and adequate haematological, renal, hepatic, and cardiac function. TTI-621 was injected intralesionally in a sequential dose escalation (cohorts 1-5; single 1 mg, 3 mg, or 10 mg injection or three 10 mg injections weekly for 1 or 2 weeks) and in expansion cohorts (cohorts 6-9; 2 week induction at the maximum tolerated dose; weekly continuation was allowed). In cohort 6, patients were injected with TTI-621 in a single lesion and in cohort 7, they were injected in multiple lesions. In cohort 8, TTI-621 was combined with pembrolizumab 200 mg injections per product labels. In cohort 9, TTI-621 was combined with the standard labelled dose of subcutaneous pegylated interferon alpha-2a 90 µg. The primary endpoint was the incidence and severity of adverse events. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02890368, and was closed by the sponsor to focus on intravenous studies with TTI-621. FINDINGS: Between Jan 30, 2017, and March 31, 2020, 66 patients with mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, other CTCL, or solid tumours were screened, 35 of whom with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome were enrolled and received intralesional TTI-621 (escalation, n=13; expansion, n=22). No dose-limiting toxicities occurred; the maximum tolerated dose was not established. In the dose expansion cohorts, the maximally assessed regimen (10 mg thrice weekly for 2 weeks) was used. 25 (71%) patients had treatment-related adverse events; the most common (occurring in ≥10% of patients) were chills (in ten [29%] patients), injection site pain (nine [26%]), and fatigue (eight [23%]). No treatment-related adverse events were grade 3 or more or serious. There were no treatment-related deaths. Rapid responses (median 45 days, IQR 17-66) occurred independently of disease stage or injection frequency. 26 (90%) of 29 evaluable patients had decreased Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity (CAILS) scores; ten (34%) had a decrease in CAILS score of 50% or more (CAILS response). CAILS score reductions occurred in adjacent non-injected lesions in eight (80%) of ten patients with paired assessments and in distal non-injected lesions in one additional patient. INTERPRETATION: Intralesional TTI-621 was well tolerated and had activity in adjacent or distal non-injected lesions in patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome, suggesting it has systemic and locoregional abscopal effects and potential as an immunotherapy for these conditions. FUNDING: Trillium Therapeutics.

Outcomes and prognostic factors in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: final report from the international T-cell Project.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a unique subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) with distinct clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis. We performed a subset analysis of 282 patients with AITL enrolled between 2006 and 2018 in the international prospective T-cell Project (NCT01142674). The primary and secondary end points were 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. We analyzed the prognostic impact of clinical covariates and progression of disease within 24 months (POD24) and developed a novel prognostic score. The median age was 64 years, and 90% of patients had advanced-stage disease. Eighty-one percent received anthracycline-based regimens, and 13% underwent consolidative autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in first complete remission (CR1). Five-year OS and PFS estimates were 44% and 32%, respectively, with improved outcomes for patients who underwent ASCT in CR1. In multivariate analysis, age ≥60 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >2, elevated C-reactive protein, and elevated ß2 microglobulin were associated with inferior outcomes. A novel prognostic score (AITL score) combining these factors defined low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups with 5-year OS estimates of 63%, 54%, and 21%, respectively, with greater discriminant power than established prognostic indices. Finally, POD24 was a powerful prognostic factor with 5-year OS of 63% for patients without POD24 compared with only 6% for patients with POD24 (P < .0001). These data will require validation in a prospective cohort of homogeneously treated patients. Optimal treatment of AITL continues to be an unmet need, and novel therapeutic approaches are required.

Fatal Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Due to Sézary Syndrome.

Sézary syndrome (SS) is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), demonstrating leukemic involvement of malignant T-cells. Known systemic sequelae of SS include hemophagocytic syndrome-induced anemia, normocytic anemia secondary to bone marrow infiltration, and pancytopenia. We report a patient with SS, initially demonstrating widespread morbilliform eruption, who presented with malignancy-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). Our findings represent a novel presentation of SS that will inform the differential diagnosis and treatment of future SS patients presenting with anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Dose-dense brentuximab vedotin plus ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide for second-line treatment of relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma: a single centre, phase 1/2 study.

BACKGROUND: Relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma could be treated with multiagent salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The aim of this study is to establish the safety and activity of dose-dense brentuximab vedotin combined with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (BV-ICE) chemotherapy in second-line treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS: We conducted a single-arm, open-label, phase 1/2 study of dose-dense BV-ICE at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, University of Washington (Seattle, WA, USA). Eligibility criteria were age 18 years or older; diagnosis of first relapse, primary refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after one previous line of therapy; measurable disease of at least 1 cm in the longest axis, CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis with PET within the past 28 days; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1; and adequate organ function. A 3 + 3 dose escalation study was done for the phase 1 part of the trial to establish the maximum tolerated dose to be used for the phase 2 study. Brentuximab vedotin was delivered on days 1 and 8 at either 1·2 mg/kg (dose level 1) or 1·5 mg/kg (dose level 2) intravenously (capped at 150 mg) with standard dosing of ICE on days 1-3 (ifosfamide 5 g/m2 plus mesna 5 g/m2 intravenously over 24 h on day 2, carboplatin area under the curve 5 on day 2 in one intravenous injection, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1-3 in one intravenous injection per day) for two 21-day cycles. The primary endpoint was to establish the recommended phase 2 dose (phase 1 part) and complete response rate after two cycles, with a prespecified target of 78% (phase 2 part). Safety analysis was done in all enrolled participants and the primary activity analysis was done in all patients with evaluable response data. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02227199); enrolment and study treatment are complete. FINDINGS: Between Oct 16, 2014, and Feb 10, 2020, we enrolled 45 patients with a median age of 31 years (IQR 28-45). The recommended phase 2 dose of brentuximab vedotin was established to be 1·5 mg/kg. After a median follow-up of 3·1 years (IQR 1·7-4·1), 32 (74%; 95% CI 58·8-86·5) of 43 evaluable patients had complete responses after two cycles of treatment. Grade 3-4 haematological toxic effects were common, including neutropenia (33 [73%]), anaemia (six [13%]), and thrombocytopenia (36 [80%]). The most common grade 3-4 non-haematological toxic effects were febrile neutropenia (four [9%]), sepsis (six [13%]), increased alanine aminotransferase (five [11%]), hyperglycaemia (three [7%]), pulmonary embolism (two [4%]), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (two [4%]). There was one (2%) on-treatment death due to multisystem organ failure that was considered treatment related. Serious adverse events occurred in 13 (29%) patients. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that dose-dense BV-ICE is a rapidly administered and active salvage regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma despite a complete response in this trial lower than the prespecified phase 2 target. Although cross-trial comparisons should be made with caution, activity results seem to be similar to previously presented brentuximab vedotin chemotherapy salvage combinations delivered over much longer durations and can be considered in young (<60 years), transplantation-eligible patients for second-line therapy. FUNDING: Seagen, Lymphoma Research Foundation, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, and generous philanthropic donations to the University of Washington from numerous individuals and families in support of lymphoma research.

ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma: features and outcomes of 235 patients from the International T-Cell Project.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK- ALCL) is an aggressive neoplasm of T-cell/null-cell lineage. The T-Cell Project is a global prospective cohort study that consecutively enrolled patients newly diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, registered through a centralized computer database between September 2006 and February 2018. Of 1553 validated cases from 74 sites in 13 countries worldwide, 235 were reported as ALK- ALCL. The median age at diagnosis was 54 years (range, 18-89 years), with a male predominance (62%). Stage III to IV disease was identified in 71% of patients, bulky disease and bone marrow involvement were uncommon, and 66% of patients presented with a low (0-1) International Prognostic Index score. Of all treated patients, 85% received multiagent initial chemotherapy, and 8% were consolidated with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. The initial overall and complete response rates were 77% and 63%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 52 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-63), the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 41 months (95% CI, 17-62) and 55 months (95% CI, 36-75), respectively. The 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 52% and 43%, and the 3- and 5-year OS rates were 60% and 49%. Treatments containing both anthracycline and etoposide were associated with superior OS (P = .05) but not PFS (P = .18). In this large prospective cohort study, outcomes comparable to those previously reported in the retrospective International Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Project were observed. The study underscores the need for introducing novel platforms for ALK- ALCL and establishes a benchmark for future clinical trials. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01142674.

Combined oral 5-azacytidine and romidepsin are highly effective in patients with PTCL: a multicenter phase 2 study.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are uniquely vulnerable to epigenetic modifiers. We demonstrated in vitro synergism between histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in preclinical models of T-cell lymphoma. In a phase 1 trial, we found oral 5-azacytidine and romidepsin to be safe and effective, with lineage-selective activity among patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) PTCL. Patients who were treatment naïve or who had R/R PTCL received azacytidine 300 mg once per day on days 1 to 14, and romidepsin 14 mg/m2 on days 8, 15, and 22 every 35 days. The primary objective was overall response rate (ORR). Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on tumor samples to correlate mutational profiles and response. Among 25 enrolled patients, the ORR and complete response rates were 61% and 48%, respectively. However, patients with T-follicular helper cell (tTFH) phenotype exhibited higher ORR (80%) and complete remission rate (67%). The most frequent grade 3 to 4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (48%), neutropenia (40%), lymphopenia (32%), and anemia (16%). At a median follow-up of 13.5 months, the median progression-free survival, duration of response, and overall survival were 8.0 months, 20.3 months, and not reached, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.0 months and 20.6 months, respectively, in patients with R/R disease. Patients with tTFH enjoyed a particularly long median survival (median not reached). Responders harbored a higher average number of mutations in genes involved in DNA methylation and histone deacetylation. Combined azacytidine and romidepsin are highly active in PTCL patients and could serve as a platform for novel regimens in this disease. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01998035.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: T-Cell Lymphomas, Version 1.2021.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare subtype of T-cell lymphoma associated with an aggressive clinical course and a worse prognosis. HSTCL develops in the setting of chronic immune suppression or immune dysregulation in up to 20% of cases and is most often characterized by spleen, liver, and bone marrow involvement. Diagnosis and management of HSTCL pose significant challenges given the rarity of the disease along with the absence of lymphadenopathy and poor outcome with conventional chemotherapy regimens. These Guidelines Insights focus on the diagnosis and treatment of HSTCL as outlined in the NCCN Guidelines for T-Cell Lymphomas.

Outcomes of Patients with Transformed Mycosis Fungoides: Analysis from a Prospective Multicenter US Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: We examined patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients with transformed mycosis fungoides (tMF) from COMPLETE: a large, multicenter, prospective cohort study of peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients in the United States. METHODS: Patients with tMF were enrolled in COMPLETE at the time of transformation. For this analysis, we identified patients with tMF with completed baseline, treatment, and follow-up records. Median survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. RESULTS: Of the 499 patients enrolled in COMPLETE, 17 had tMF. Median age was 61; 53% were male, 9 had elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and 9 had lymph node involvement. Approximately one-quarter of the patients were African American and 47% had CD30+ disease. Median time to transformation was 53 months. All patients received systemic therapy, with 19% receiving concomitant radiotherapy. Most patients (87%) received single agents, including liposomal doxorubicin, pralatrexate, and gemcitabine. Eight patients (50%) had reported responses to therapy. Median survival was 18 months. One- and 2-year survival rates were 56% and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: tMF often expresses CD30 and presents with lymph node involvement. Responses have been seen with single agents, but survival remains poor. Novel treatment approaches are urgently needed to improve outcomes.

Considerations for Managing Patients With Hematologic Malignancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Seattle Strategy.

In January 2020, the first documented patient in the United States infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was diagnosed in Washington State. Since that time, community spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the state has changed the practice of oncologic care at our comprehensive cancer center in Seattle. At the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the primary oncology clinic for the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Consortium, our specialists who manage adult patients with hematologic malignancies have rapidly adjusted clinical practices to mitigate the potential risks of COVID-19 to our patients. We suggest that our general management decisions and modifications in Seattle are broadly applicable to patients with hematologic malignancies. Despite a rapidly changing environment that necessitates opinion-based care, we provide recommendations that are based on best available data from clinical trials and collective knowledge of disease states.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas, Version 2.2020.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and Sézary syndrome (SS) is a rare erythrodermic and leukemic subtype of CTCL characterized by significant blood involvement. Although early-stage disease can be effectively treated predominantly with skin-directed therapies, systemic therapy is often necessary for the treatment of advanced-stage disease. Systemic therapy options have evolved in recent years with the approval of novel agents such as romidepsin, brentuximab vedotin, and mogamulizumab. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the diagnosis and management of MF and SS (with a focus on systemic therapy).

Survival outcomes of patients with extranodal natural-killer T-cell lymphoma: a prospective cohort study from the international T-cell Project.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer (NK) T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a unique clinicopathological entity, typically associated with poor survival outcomes. Most published data have come from east Asian study groups, with little information available from international cohorts. The effects of treatment advances on routine clinical practice across continental territories has not been clear. We aimed to improve understanding of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with ENKTL. METHODS: We did a substudy of patients with ENKTL from the T-cell Project, a global prospective cohort study. The T-cell Project registered consecutively diagnosed adults (>18 years) with newly diagnosed, untreated mature T-cell or NK lymphomas (WHO 2001 or 2008 classifications) from 74 centres in 13 countries (in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America). In total, 1695 patients with mature T-cell or NK lymphomas were enrolled between Oct 12, 2006 and Feb 28, 2018 in the T-cell Project. The first patient with ENKTL was enrolled on Feb 15, 2007, and the last on May 26, 2017. Data on baseline characteristics, first-line treatment, treatment response, and survival outcomes were recorded in a central database (locked March 30, 2019). The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival. The T-cell Project is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01142674. FINDINGS: 166 patients were diagnosed with ENKTL, comprising 11% of 1553 eligible registered cases and distributed across 40 participating centres in four continents. At a median follow-up of 44 months (IQR 20-61), overall survival at 5 years was 54% (95% CI 44-63) in patients with nasal disease (n=98) and 34% (27-46) in patients with extranasal disease (n=68). INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this study presents the largest international cohort of patients with ENKTL. We describe a clinically significant improvement in the survival of patients with ENKTL treated in routine clinical practice over the past decade, likely to be attributable to the increasing use of treatment protocols specific for ENKTL. FUNDING: The Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Modena, the Associazione Angela Serra per la Ricerca sul Cancro, the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi, Allos Therapeutics, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

Pembrolizumab with R-CHOP in previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: potential for biomarker driven therapy.

Tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with inferior outcomes. The first-line immunologically-replete setting may be an opportune time for PD-1 inhibition. We evaluated pembrolizumab in combination with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in untreated patients with DLBCL. Eligible patients were age 18 or older, had adequate organ function, and had DLBCL requiring full-course therapy. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg/cycle with R-CHOP, primarily to assess toxicity. Response assessment utilized standard criteria, and PD-L1 staining was performed at a validated central laboratory. Among 30 patients, toxicity was comparable to standard R-CHOP but with two grade ≥3 immune related adverse events (rash, pneumonitis). The overall and complete response rate was 90% and 77%. With 25·5 months of median follow-up, 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) is 83%. PD-L1 expression was associated with non-GCB subtype, and improved PFS and survival. Pembrolizumab can safely be added to R-CHOP, and is associated with a high CR rate and 2-year PFS. Improved PFS with PR-CHOP in PD-L1 expressing tumors contradicts historical data in R-CHOP treated patients, supporting evaluation of PD-L1 as a biomarker to identify DLBCL patients who may benefit from this first-line strategy.

Outcomes for Relapsed and Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Patients after Front-Line Therapy from the COMPLETE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) who fail to achieve complete response (CR) or relapse after front-line therapy are poor with lack of prospective outcomes data. OBJECTIVES: COMPLETE is a prospective registry of 499 patients enrolled at academic and community sites in the United States detailing patient demographics, treatment and outcomes for patients with aggressive T cell lymphomas. We report results for patients with primary refractory and relapsed disease. METHODS: Primary refractory disease was defined as an evaluable best response to initial treatment (induction ± maintenance or consolidation/transplant) other than CR, and included a partial response, progressive disease, or no response/stable disease. Relapsed disease was defined as an evaluable best response to initial treatment of CR, followed by disease progression at a later date, irrespective of time to progression. Patients were included in the analysis if initial treatment began within 30 days of enrollment and treatment duration was ≥4 days. RESULTS: Of 420 evaluable patients, 97 met the definition for primary refractory and 58 with relapsed disease. In the second-line setting, relapsed patients received single-agent therapies more often than refractory patients (52 vs. 28%; p = 0.01) and were more likely to receive single-agent regimens (74 vs. 53%; p = 0.03). The objective response rate to second-line therapy was higher in relapsed patients (61 vs. 40%; p = 0.04) as was the proportion achieving a CR (41 vs. 14%; p = 0.002). Further, relapsed patients had longer overall survival (OS) compared to refractory patients, with a median OS of 29.1 versus 12.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of newer active single agents, refractory patients were less likely to receive these therapies and continue to have inferior outcomes compared to those with relapsed disease. PTCL in the real world remains an unmet medical need, and improvements in front-line therapies are needed.

Pembrolizumab in Relapsed and Refractory Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome: A Multicenter Phase II Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with advanced relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: CITN-10 is a single-arm, multicenter phase II trial of 24 patients with advanced MF or SS. Patients were treated with pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to 24 months. The primary end point was overall response rate by consensus global response criteria. RESULTS: Patients had advanced-stage disease (23 of 24 with stage IIB to IV MF/SS) and were heavily pretreated with a median of four prior systemic therapies. The overall response rate was 38% with two complete responses and seven partial responses. Of the nine responding patients, six had 90% or more improvement in skin disease by modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool, and eight had ongoing responses at last follow-up. The median duration of response was not reached, with a median response follow-up time of 58 weeks. Immune-related adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in four patients. A transient worsening of erythroderma and pruritus occurred in 53% of patients with SS. This cutaneous flare reaction did not result in treatment discontinuation for any patient. The flare reaction correlated with high PD-1 expression on Sézary cells but did not associate with subsequent clinical responses or lack of response. Treatment responses did not correlate with expression of PD-L1, total mutation burden, or an interferon-γ gene expression signature. CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab demonstrated significant antitumor activity with durable responses and a favorable safety profile in patients with advanced MF/SS.