A phase 3b study of venetoclax and azacitidine or decitabine in an outpatient setting in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Venetoclax, a highly selective BCL-2 inhibitor, combined with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) azacitidine or decitabine, is approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (ND AML) in patients who are ineligible to receive intensive chemotherapy. Previous clinical studies initiated venetoclax plus HMA in an inpatient setting owing to concerns of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). This study (NCT03941964) evaluated the efficacy and safety of venetoclax plus HMA in a United States community-based outpatient setting in patients with ND AML (N = 60) who were treatment naïve for AML, ineligible to receive intensive chemotherapy, had no evidence of spontaneous TLS at screening, and were deemed as appropriate candidates for outpatient initiation of venetoclax plus HMA by the investigator. Patients received venetoclax in combination with azacitidine (75 mg/m2) or decitabine (20 mg/m2) for up to 6 cycles during the study. With a median time on study of 18.3 weeks, the best response rate of composite complete remission was 66.7%, and the overall post-baseline red blood cell (RBC) and platelet transfusion independence rate was 55.0%, consistent with results of studies in which treatment was initiated in an inpatient setting. Key adverse events included nausea, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and white blood cell count decrease of any grade (≥50% of patients). The observed safety profile was generally consistent with that of venetoclax plus HMA observed in inpatient AML studies. With close monitoring, 2 cases of TLS were identified, appropriately managed, and the patients were able to continue study treatment. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The registration identification number is NCT03941964.

First-in-human study of JNJ-67571244, a CD33 × CD3 bispecific antibody, in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Relapsed/refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) outcomes remain poor. A targeted cluster of differentiation (CD)33 × CD3 bispecific antibody, JNJ-67571244, was assessed to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), safety and tolerability, and preliminary clinical activity in patients with r/rAML or r/rMDS. This first-in-human, open-label, phase I, dose-escalation/dose-expansion study included patients with r/rAML or r/rMDS who were ineligible for or had exhausted standard therapeutic options. JNJ-67571244 was administered intravenously or subcutaneously using step-up dosing until ≥1 discontinuation condition was met. Outcomes included safety/tolerability, preliminary clinical activity, and systemic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The study was terminated after evaluating 10 dose-escalation cohorts (n = 68) and before starting dose-expansion. Overall, 11 (16.2%) patients experienced ≥1 dose-limiting toxicity; all experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE; treatment related: 60 [88.2%]); and 64 (94.1%) experienced ≥1 TEAE of Grade ≥3 toxicity (treatment related: 28 [41.2%]). Although some patients had temporary disease burden reductions, no responses were seen. JNJ-67571244 administration increased multiple cytokines, which coincided with incidence of cytokine release syndrome, infusion-related reactions, and elevated liver function tests. A prolonged step-up strategy was tested to improve tolerability, though this approach did not prevent hepatotoxicity. T-cell activation following treatment suggested target engagement but did not correlate with clinical activity. Safely reaching the projected exposure level for JNJ-67571244 efficacy was not achieved, thus MTD and RP2D were not determined.

Post-remission cytopenia management in patients with AML treated with venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents: Pre- versus post-VIALE-A real-world experience from a predominantly US community setting.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective cohort study used an electronic health record-derived, de-identified, US patient-level database to better understand the real-world treatment experience, in a predominantly community setting (80.3% of patients), of venetoclax+hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in routine clinical care, pre- and post-VIALE-A, to determine whether the post-remission cytopenia management insight from VIALE-A was reflected in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML; N = 498), who initiated venetoclax+HMA ≤30 days from AML diagnosis from June 1, 2018, to March 31, 2021, were stratified into pre-(n = 330) and post-(n = 168) VIALE-A cohorts. RESULTS: More patients in the post-(61%) versus pre-(45%) VIALE-A cohort had their first biopsy by 28 ± 14 days post-treatment initiation. Patients underwent bone marrow (BM) assessment earlier in the post- versus pre-VIALE-A cohort, and first identification of response was also earlier (2.5 vs 5.1 months, respectively). More venetoclax schedule modifications post-remission occurred among post-(82.1%) versus pre-(73.8%) VIALE-A responders; the most common reason for modification was treatment toxicities, specifically cytopenia. Treatment survival outcomes were comparable with or without venetoclax schedule modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that venetoclax schedule modifications can be used to manage cytopenia events without adversely affecting outcomes. Opportunities remain to improve earlier BM assessment to determine venetoclax schedule modifications, providing the best chance for optimal treatment outcomes.

Phase 1/2 Study of the Pan-PIM Kinase Inhibitor INCB053914 Alone or in Combination With Standard-of-Care Agents in Patients With Advanced Hematologic Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: The Proviral Integration site of Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases are implicated in tumorigenesis; the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, INCB053914, demonstrated antitumor activity in hematologic malignancy preclinical models. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase 1/2 study evaluated oral INCB053914 alone or combined with standard-of-care agents for advanced hematologic malignancies (NCT02587598). In Parts 1/2 (monotherapy), patients (≥18 years) had acute leukemia, high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm, myelofibrosis (MF), multiple myeloma, or lymphoproliferative neoplasms. In Parts 3/4 (combination therapy), patients had relapsed/refractory or newly diagnosed (≥65 years, unfit for intensive chemotherapy) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or MF with suboptimal ruxolitinib response. RESULTS: Parts 1/2 (n = 58): 6 patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), most commonly aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase-elevated (AST/ALT; each n = 4). Fifty-seven patients (98.3%) had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), most commonly ALT-elevated and fatigue (36.2% each); 48 (82.8%) had grade ≥3 TEAEs, most commonly anemia (31.0%); 8 (13.8%) had grade ≥3 ALT/AST-elevated TEAEs. Parts 3/4 (n = 39): for INCB053914 + cytarabine (AML; n = 6), 2 patients experienced DLTs (grade 3 maculopapular rash, n = 1; grade 3 ALT-elevated and grade 4 hypophosphatemia, n = 1); for INCB053914 + azacitidine (AML; n = 16), 1 patient experienced a DLT (grade 3 maculopapular rash). Two complete responses were observed (1 with incomplete count recovery). For INCB053914 + ruxolitinib (MF; n = 17), no DLTs occurred; 3 patients achieved best reduction of >25% spleen volume at week 12 or 24. CONCLUSION: INCB053914 was generally well tolerated as monotherapy and in combinations; TEAEs were most commonly ALT/AST-elevated. Limited responses were observed with combinations. Future studies are needed to identify rational, effective combination strategies.

The impact of early versus late tocilizumab administration in patients with cytokine release syndrome secondary to immune effector cell therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Cytokine release syndrome is a life-threatening hyper-inflammatory state induced by immune effector cell therapy. Anti-interleukin 6-(IL-6) therapy, such as tocilizumab, is the standard treatment for cytokine release syndrome since it reverses symptoms without compromising immune effector cell therapy efficacy. Glucocorticoids are reserved for refractory or severe cytokine release syndrome due to concern for attenuating antitumor activity. Optimizing the timing of tocilizumab could avoid glucocorticoid use and improve outcomes. This study assesses tocilizumab timing on patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-institution analysis of 28 patients who received tocilizumab for cytokine release syndrome secondary to immune effector cell therapy. Patients were categorized into two groups: Early Tocilizumab (within 24 h) or Late Tocilizumab groups (more than 24 h) from fever onset. The composite primary endpoint was glucocorticoid use, intensive care unit admission, or inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes include comparing the various presentations of cytokine release syndrome, need for vasopressors, length of stay, rates of neurotoxicity, and C-reactive protein and ferritin trends. RESULTS: The Early Tocilizumab group presented with more rapid fever onset (35 vs.113 h, P = 0.017) and higher maximum cytokine release syndrome grade (Median, Grade 2 vs. Grade 1, P = 0.025). Additionally, the Early Tocilizumab group required more doses of tocilizumab (Median, 2 vs. 1, P = 0.037). Despite the difference in cytokine release syndrome presentation, the primary composite endpoint was not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: Earlier onset of fever appears to be associated with more severe, progressive cytokine release syndrome requiring multiple doses of anti-interleukin-6 therapy. Prompt and aggressive tocilizumab treatment could be protective against the negative consequences of cytokine release syndrome.

First-in-human study of JNJ-63709178, a CD123/CD3 targeting antibody, in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

This study aimed to identify a recommended phase II dose and evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and preliminary clinical activity of JNJ-63709178, a CD123/CD3 dual-targeting antibody, in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of JNJ-63709178 were evaluated. The i.v. infusions were administered once every 2 weeks (cohorts 1-5 [n = 17]) or twice weekly (cohorts 6-11 [n = 36]). A twice-weekly s.c. dosing regimen with step-up dosing was also studied (s.c. cohorts 1-2 [n = 9]). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) greater than or equal to grade 3 were observed in 11 (65%) patients in cohorts 1-5 and 33 (92%) patients in cohorts 6-11. At the highest i.v. dose (4.8 µg/kg), 5 (71%) patients discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. For s.c. administration (n = 9), eight (89%) patients experienced TEAEs greater than or equal to grade 3 and injection site reactions (≤ grade 3) emerged in all patients. At 4.8 µg/kg (i.v. and s.c.), the mean maximum serum concentrations were 30.3 and 3.59 ng/ml, respectively. Increases in multiple cytokines were observed following i.v. and s.c. administrations, and step-up dosing strategies did not mitigate cytokine production or improve the safety profile and led to limited duration of treatment. Minimal clinical activity was observed across all cohorts. The i.v. and s.c. dosing of JNJ-63709178 was associated with suboptimal drug exposure, unfavorable safety profiles, limited clinical activity, and inability to identify a recommended phase II dose.

Lenalidomide and Eltrombopag for Treatment of Low- or Intermediate-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Result of a Phase II Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Thrombocytopenia is a serious complication of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with an increased bleeding risk and worse prognosis. Eltrombopag (ELT), a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, can increase platelet counts and reverse anti-megakaryopoietic effects of lenalidomide (LEN) in preclinical studies. We hypothesized ELT would reduce the incidence of thrombocytopenia in MDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a Phase II multicenter trial of ELT and LEN in adult patients with low- or intermediate-1-risk MDS with symptomatic or transfusion-dependent anemia or thrombocytopenia (NCT01772420). Thrombocytopenic patients were started on ELT and subsequently treated with LEN after platelets were increased. Patients without thrombocytopenia were started on LEN monotherapy and treated with ELT if they became thrombocytopenic. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled; mean age was 71 years (range 34-93). Overall response rate (ORR) in the intention-to-treat population was 35% (18/52). ELT monotherapy led to ORR of 33.3% (7/21), 29% achieving hematologic improvement (HI)-Platelets, and 24% bilineage responses. LEN monotherapy had 38% ORR (6/16) with all responders achieving HI-Erythroid. Fifteen patients received both ELT and LEN with ORR of 33.3%, 20% achieved HI-Erythroid, and 20% HI-Platelets with 13% bilineage responses. Median duration of response was 40 weeks for ELT (range 8-ongoing), 41 weeks (25-ongoing) for LEN, and 88 weeks (8.3-ongoing) for ELT/LEN. Non-hematologic grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were infrequent. Among patients on ELT, 2 had major bleeding events, 1 had a reversible increase in peripheral blasts, and 1 developed marrow fibrosis after 6 years on ELT. CONCLUSIONS: ELT and LEN are well tolerated and effective in achieving hematologic improvement in patients with low-/intermediate-risk MDS.

Venetoclax and Hypomethylating Agents as First-line Treatment in Newly Diagnosed Patients with AML in a Predominately Community Setting in the US.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with venetoclax + hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is standard-of-care for newly diagnosed (ND) patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) aged ≥75 years, or with comorbidities precluding intensive chemotherapy. We describe real-world venetoclax + HMA treatment practices and outcomes in patients with ND AML in the US. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used an electronic health record-derived, US nationwide, de-identified database, and included adults with ND AML, initiating venetoclax + HMA treatment ≤30 days from diagnosis (June 1, 2018-January 31, 2020). Venetoclax treatment variables included dosing information, schedule modifications, and drug-drug interactions. The median venetoclax + HMA treatment duration and overall survival (OS) from venetoclax initiation to discontinuation, death, or end of follow-up (August 31, 2020) were examined by Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 169 patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 77 years; 85.2% of patients were treated in community practice. Ninety-five of 169 patients (56.2%) had evaluable bone marrow response data following the start of treatment; 53.7% were assessed approximately at the end of cycle 1. Following the first treatment cycle, treatment schedule modifications were recorded in 101 patients and dose changes in 56, primarily due to toxicity. The median treatment duration was 5.2 months; the median OS was 8.6 months (median follow-up was 7.2 months). Venetoclax dose changes did not modify efficacy outcomes, but longer median OS was associated with venetoclax treatment schedule modifications (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects early real-world experience with venetoclax + HMAs in a predominantly community setting and emphasizes the importance of appropriate venetoclax management in optimizing patient outcomes.

Atezolizumab alone or in combination did not demonstrate a favorable risk-benefit profile in myelodysplastic syndrome.

We present primary results from the phase 1b GO29754 study evaluating the safety and tolerability of atezolizumab, a programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitor, alone and in combination with azacitidine, a hypomethylating agent (HMA), in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) or HMA-naïve myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients with R/R MDS received atezolizumab for 12 months (cohort A) or atezolizumab plus azacitidine for 6 cycles followed by atezolizumab as maintenance for 8 cycles (cohort B). Patients with HMA-naïve MDS received atezolizumab plus azacitidine until loss of clinical benefit (cohort C). Safety, activity, and exploratory end points were investigated. Forty-six patients were enrolled and received treatment (cohort A, n = 11; cohort B, n = 14; cohort C, n = 21). All patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE) on study, and all patients discontinued atezolizumab. In cohort A, 7 patients (63.6%) died, and no patients responded. In cohort B, 8 patients (57.1%) discontinued azacitidine, 11 (78.6%) died, and 2 (14.3%) responded. In cohort C, all 21 patients discontinued azacitidine, 13 died (61.9%), and 13 (61.9%) responded. The study was terminated by the sponsor before completion of recruitment because of the unexpected high early death rate in cohort C (6 [46.2%] of 13 deaths were due to AEs and occurred within the first 4 treatment cycles.). The high death rate and poor efficacy observed in this study do not support a favorable risk-benefit profile for atezolizumab as a single agent or in combination with azacitidine in R/R or HMA-naïve MDS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02508870.

KTE-X19 anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in adult relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: ZUMA-3 phase 1 results.

ZUMA-3 is a phase 1/2 study evaluating KTE-X19, an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, in adult relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We report the phase 1 results. After fludarabine-cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion, patients received a single infusion of KTE-X19 at 2 × 106, 1 × 106, or 0.5 × 106 cells per kg. The rate of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) within 28 days after KTE-X19 infusion was the primary end point. KTE-X19 was manufactured for 54 enrolled patients and administered to 45 (median age, 46 years; range, 18-77 years). No DLTs occurred in the DLT-evaluable cohort. Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events (NEs) occurred in 31% and 38% of patients, respectively. To optimize the risk-benefit ratio, revised adverse event (AE) management for CRS and NEs (earlier steroid use for NEs and tocilizumab only for CRS) was evaluated at 1 × 106 cells per kg KTE-X19. In the 9 patients treated under revised AE management, 33% had grade 3 CRS and 11% had grade 3 NEs, with no grade 4 or 5 NEs. The overall complete remission rate correlated with CAR T-cell expansion and was 83% in patients treated with 1 × 106 cells per kg and 69% in all patients. Minimal residual disease was undetectable in all responding patients. At a median follow-up of 22.1 months (range, 7.1-36.1 months), the median duration of remission was 17.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8-17.6 months) in patients treated with 1 × 106 cells per kg and 14.5 months (95% CI, 5.8-18.1 months) in all patients. KTE-X19 treatment provided a high response rate and tolerable safety in adults with R/R B-ALL. Phase 2 is ongoing at 1 × 106 cells per kg with revised AE management. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02614066.

A phase Ib study to assess the efficacy and safety of vismodegib in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The JAK inhibitor (JAKi) ruxolitinib is standard treatment for myelofibrosis (MF), but some patients are unresponsive. Pre-clinical and clinical data suggest that addition of a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HPI) to ruxolitinib might improve response. Vismodegib is an HPI approved for treatment of locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma. The MYLIE study assessed the safety and efficacy of combining ruxolitinib with vismodegib in ruxolitinib-naive patients with MF and characterized the pharmacokinetics (PK) of vismodegib in this setting. METHODS: In this phase Ib study, ten patients with intermediate- or high-risk primary or secondary MF received open-label vismodegib (150 mg/day orally) and ruxolitinib (15 or 20 mg orally twice daily, depending on baseline platelet count) for up to 48 weeks, or until withdrawal or discontinuation. PK samples were collected throughout the study for comparison with other patient populations. Efficacy outcomes at week 24 included spleen response (≥ 35% reduction in volume by imaging) and improvement in bone marrow fibrosis by central and investigator assessment, symptom response (≥ 50% reduction in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom score), and anemia response (per International Working Group for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment revised response criteria). RESULTS: As of November 17, 2017, eight patients had completed 48 weeks of treatment with vismodegib and ruxolitinib; two discontinued treatment early. At week 24 (± 1 week), three patients experienced a spleen response by central review and no patients showed a 1-grade improvement in bone marrow fibrosis by central review. Five patients experienced symptom response at week 24, and no patients experienced an anemia response. The most common adverse events were muscle spasm (100% of patients), alopecia (70%), dysgeusia (50%), thrombocytopenia (50%), and nausea (40%); these events were predominantly grade 1/2. Three patients experienced a total of six serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of vismodegib and ruxolitinib was tolerable and no new safety signals were seen, but there was no evidence that the addition of vismodegib to ruxolitinib improved any of the efficacy outcome measures assessed. Further evaluation of this combination will not be pursued. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02593760 . Registered November 2, 2015.

A Phase II Trial Evaluating the Safety of Rapid Infusion of Ofatumumab in Patients with Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

LESSONS LEARNED: Ofatumumab infusion reactions can be diminished by escalating the dose rate in individual patients in sequential infusions. BACKGROUND: Ofatumumab (OFA) is a fully humanized, anti-CD20 antibody approved for use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The recommended administration requires long infusion times. We evaluated an accelerated infusion regimen of 2 hours. METHODS: The first dose of OFA (300 mg) was given on week 1 day 1 starting at 3.6 mg/hour and doubling every 30 minutes until a rate of 240 mg/hour was reached. If tolerated, the second dose (1,000 mg) was given on week 1 day 3 starting at 50 mg/hour and doubling every 30 minutes until a rate of 800 mg/hour was reached. If tolerated, the third dose (2,000 mg) was given on week 2 day 1 at 800 mg/hour over the first 30 minutes and, if tolerated, at 1,068 mg/hour over the next 90 minutes (goal infusion time: 120 minutes). Subsequent OFA infusions were administered weekly in the same manner for 8 weeks, and then monthly for 4 months. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were treated. Most infusion-related reactions occurred during the first and second infusion. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of patients finished the third infusion within 15 minutes of the planned 2 hours and only one had an infusion reaction. CONCLUSION: Using this stepped-up dosing regimen, a rapid infusion of OFA is safe and well tolerated.

Phase II study of bendamustine, bortezomib and dexamethasone (BBD) in the first-line treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who are not candidates for high dose chemotherapy.

The combination of bendamustine, bortezomib and dexamethasone (BBD) was evaluated as a first-line therapy for multiple myeloma. The original treatment regimen of bendamustine 80 mg/m2 , days 1, 4; bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 , days 1, 4, 8, 11; dexamethasone 40 mg, days 1, 2, 3, 4 on a 28-day cycle (up to 8 cycles) was efficacious but determined relatively toxic in an interim analysis. The regimen was amended to bendamustine 80 mg/m2 , days 1, 2; bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 , days 1, 8, 15; dexamethasone 20 mg, days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 every 28 days (up to 8 cycles), then maintenance 1·3 mg/m2 IV bortezomib every 2 weeks. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. Primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate. The original schema was given for a median of 7 cycles (range 1-8); modified schema was given for a median of 8 cycles (range 1-8) plus maintenance. Overall response was 91%, CR was 9%. Median follow-up was 19·1 months; median progression-free survival was 11·1 months and 18·9 months on the original and modified regimens, respectively. The most common Grade 3/4 adverse events were fatigue and neuropathy. The combination of BBD is tolerable and efficacious in this patient population. Modifications to decrease intensity but increase duration translated to better outcomes.