A gene expression assay based on chronic lymphocytic leukemia activation in the microenvironment to predict progression

Gene expression; Chronic lymphocytic leukemiaExpresión génica; Leucemia linfocítica crónicaExpressió gènica; Leucèmia limfocítica crònicaSeveral gene expression profiles with a strong correlation with patient outcomes have been previously described in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), although their applicability as biomarkers in clinical practice has been particularly limited. Here we describe the training and validation of a gene expression signature for predicting early progression in patients with CLL based on the analysis of 200 genes related to microenvironment signaling on the NanoString platform. In the training cohort (n = 154), the CLL15 assay containing a 15-gene signature was associated with the time to first treatment (TtFT) (hazard ratio [HR], 2.83; 95% CI, 2.17-3.68; P < .001). The prognostic value of the CLL15 score (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.15-2.52; P = .007) was further confirmed in an external independent validation cohort (n = 112). Notably, the CLL15 score improved the prognostic capacity over IGHV mutational status and the International Prognostic Score for asymptomatic early-stage (IPS-E) CLL. In multivariate analysis, the CLL15 score (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.32-2.56; P < .001) and the IPS-E CLL (HR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.59-3.12; P < .001) were independently associated with TtFT. The newly developed and validated CLL15 assay successfully translated previous gene signatures such as the microenvironment signaling into a new gene expression–based assay with prognostic implications in CLL.This work was supported by research funding from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer grant [5U01CA157581-05, ECRIN-M3 - A29370] and in part by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [PI17/00950, M.C., PI17/00943, F.B, PI18/01392, P.A.], and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [CIBERONC-CB16/12/00233], the Education Council or Health Council of the Junta de Castilla y León [GRS 2036/A/19], and Gilead Sciences [GLD15/00348]. This work was supported by research funding from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer grant [5U01CA157581-05, ECRIN-M3 - A29370] and in part by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [PI17/00950, M.C., PI17/00943, F.B, PI18/01392, P.A.], and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [CIBERONC-CB16/12/00233], the Education Council or Health Council of the Junta de Castilla y León [GRS 2036/A/19], Gilead Sciences [GLD15/00348] and Gilead Fellowships [GLD16/00144, GLD18/00047, F.B.], and Fundació la Marató de TV3 [201905-30-31 F.B]. All Spanish funding was cosponsored by the European Union FEDER program “Una manera de hacer Europa”. M.C. holds a contract from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades [RYC-2012-2018]

Long-term outcomes from the Phase II L-MIND study of tafasitamab (MOR208) plus lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Tafasitamab (MOR208), an Fc-modified, humanized, anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, combined with the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide was clinically active with a good tolerability profile in the open-label, single-arm, phase II L-MIND study of patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation. To assess long-term outcomes, we report an updated analysis with ≥35 months' follow-up. Patients were aged >18 years, had received one to three prior systemic therapies (including ≥1 CD20-targeting regimen) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2. Patients received 28-day cycles of tafasitamab (12 mg/kg intravenously), once weekly during cycles 1-3, then every 2 weeks during cycles 4-12. Lenalidomide (25 mg orally) was administered on days 1-21 of cycles 1-12. After cycle 12, progression-free patients received tafasitamab every 2 weeks until disease progression. The primary endpoint was best objective response rate. After ≥35 months' follow-up (data cut-off: October 30, 2020), the objective response rate was 57.5% (n=46/80), including a complete response in 40.0% of patients (n=32/80) and a partial response in 17.5% of patients (n=14/80). The median duration of response was 43.9 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 26.1-not reached), the median overall survival was 33.5 months (95% CI: 18.3-not reached) and the median progression-free survival was 11.6 months (95% CI: 6.3-45.7). There were no unexpected toxicities. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent long-term efficacy results across most subgroups of patients. This extended follow-up of L-MIND confirms the long duration of response, meaningful overall survival, and well-defined safety profile of tafasitamab plus lenalidomide followed by tafasitamab monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02399085

Real‐world evidence of tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of relapsed or refractory large B‐cell lymphoma

Tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) is a second-generation autologous CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). The approval was based on the results of phase II JULIET trial, with a best overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate in infused patients of 52% and 40%, respectively. We report outcomes with tisa-cel in the standard-of-care (SOC) setting for R/R LBCL. Data from all patients with R/R LBCL who underwent leukapheresis from December 2018 until June 2020 with the intent to receive SOC tisa-cel were retrospectively collected at 10 Spanish institutions. Toxicities were graded according to ASTCT criteria and responses were assessed as per Lugano 2014 classification. Of 91 patients who underwent leukapheresis, 75 (82%) received tisa-cel therapy. Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity occurred in 5% and 1%, respectively; non-relapse mortality was 4%. Among the infused patients, best ORR and CR were 60% and 32%, respectively, with a median duration of response of 8.9 months. With a median follow-up of 14.1 months from CAR T-cell infusion, median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3 months and 10.7 months, respectively. At 12 months, patients in CR at first disease evaluation had a PFS of 87% and OS of 93%. Patients with an elevated lactate dehydrogenase showed a shorter PFS and OS on multivariate analysis. Treatment with tisa-cel for patients with relapsed/refractory LBCL in a European SOC setting showed a manageable safety profile and durable complete responses

ICO-ICS Praxis para el tratamiento de la leucemia linfática crónica

Tractament mèdic; Tractament amb irradiació; Leucèmia limfàtica crònicaMedical treatment; Irradiation treatment; Chronic lymphocytic leukemiaTratamiento médico; Tratamiento con irradiación; Leucemia linfática crónicaLa leucèmia limfàtica crònica (LLC) és una alteració hematopoètica monoclonal caracteritzada per una expansió progressiva de limfòcits de la línia B. Aquests limfòcits, madurs des del punt de vista morfològic, però menys madurs des del punt de vista immunològic, s’acumulen a la sang, la medul·la òssia, els nòduls limfàtics i la melsa. Els principals objectius d’aquesta ICO-ICSPraxi són: - Desenvolupar, difondre, implementar i avaluar resultats de la ICO-ICSPraxi de la leucèmia limfàticacrònica (LLC). - Disminuir la variabilitat terapèutica entre els pacients tractats als diferents centres d'aquesta xarxa. - Implementar els resultats de la terapèutica en els pacients amb LLC tractats d'acord amb lesrecomanacions d'aquesta guia

ICO-ICS Praxis para el tratamiento médico y con irradiación del linfoma B difuso de célula grande

Tractament mèdic; Tractament amb irradiació; Limfoma B difús de cèl·lula granMedical treatment; Irradiation treatment; Diffuse large cell B lymphomaTratamiento médico; Tratamiento con irradiación; Linfoma B difuso de célula grandeEls limfomes no hodgkinians (LNH) són neoplàsies originades en cèl·lules limfoides en diferents estats maduratius, la qual cosa explica la gran heterogeneïtat biològica i clínica d’aquests tumors. Hi ha diversos sistemes de classificació, però el més utilitzat és la Classificació euroamericana revisada de limfomes de l'Organització Mundial de la Salut. El limfoma B difús de cèl·lula gran suposa aproximadament entre el 30-40% dels limfomes dels adults. Habitualment afecta adults amb una edat mitjana superior a 60 anys i el 60% dels pacients presenten els anomenats símptomes B (febre de 38 ºC o més, pèrdua de pes de més del 10% i/o sudoració nocturna. La majoria de casos són formes de novo però també poden ser deguts a la progressió o transformació d’una malaltia limfoproliferativa prèvia. Els objectius d'aquest document són: Desenvolupar, difondre, implementar i avaluar resultats de la ICO-ICSPraxi del limfoma B difús de cèl·lula gran. - Disminuir la variabilitat terapèutica entre els pacients tractats als diferents centres d'aquesta institució. - Implementar els resultats de la terapèutica en els pacients amb limfoma B difús de cèl·lula gran tractats d’acord amb les recomanacions d’aquesta guia

Tratamiento de primera línea con rituximab combinado con fludarabina, ciclofosfamida y mitoxantrone (RFCM) y mantenimiento con rituximab en pacientes con leucemia linfática crónica

[spa] La leucemia linfática crónica (LLC) es la leucemia más frecuente en la edad adulta en los países occidentales, y se caracteriza por la acumulación y proliferación de linfocitos clonales B maduros CD5+ en la sangre, médula ósea, y ganglios linfáticos. La mediana de supervivencia de los pacientes es de alrededor de 10 años aunque su curso clínico es heterogéneo. Durante varias décadas el tratamiento de esta enfermedad se había basado en el empleo de agentes alquilantes como el clorambucilo, en los análogos de la purinas, o en la asociación de ambos, como la combinación de fludarabina y ciclofosfamida (FC). Posteriormente las combinaciones de rituximab, un anticuerpo monoclonal anti-CD20, con quimioterapia, en general FC, lo que ha pasado a denominarse tratamiento inmunoquimioterápico, revolucionaron el tratamiento de esta enfermedad al alcanzar intervalos de supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) superiores a cinco años, lo que se tradujo en una mayor supervivencia de los enfermos. Sin embargo, a pesar de estos buenos resultados, los pacientes siguen recayendo de su enfermedad y la LLC continúa siendo incurable más allá del trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos. Con el fin de mejorar estos resultados se han diseñado nuevas combinaciones de quimioterapia como la asociación de FC con mitoxantrone (FCM), una anthracenedione con capacidad de inhibir la topoisomerasa II. Por otro lado, las estrategias de mantenimiento o las terapias de consolidación dirigidas a controlar la enfermedad mínima residual (EMR) persistente tras el tratamiento inicial, podrían derivar en una mejora en la evolución de los pacientes con LLC. Con estos antecedentes, diseñamos un ensayo clínico multicéntrico fase II en pacientes jóvenes (= 70 años) con LLC previamente no tratados que consistió en un tratamiento inicial con rituximab 500 mg/m2 (día 1) (375mg/m2 en el primer ciclo), fludarabina 25mg/m2 (días 1-3), ciclofosfamida 200mg/m2 (días 1-3), y mitoxantrone 6mg/m2 (día 1), (R-FCM), cada cuatro semanas, hasta un total de seis ciclos. Posteriormente, aquellos pacientes que obtuvieron al menos una respuesta parcial (RP) tras el tratamiento inicial fueron elegibles para la fase de mantenimiento, que consistió en 375mg/m2 de rituximab cada tres meses durante dos años. Además, se analizó la EMR mediante citometría de flujo de forma simultánea en sangre periférica y médula ósea. El objetivo principal del estudio fue el determinar la eficacia de R-FCM medida a través de la tasa de respuestas, incluyendo la tasa de respuestas con EMR negativa. Como objetivos secundarios se planteó el determinar la duración de la respuesta y la SLP, el análisis de las variables clínico-biológicas que influyen en la respuesta, y el perfil de toxicidad del tratamiento. Se incluyeron 81 pacientes en el estudio, con una mediana de edad de 60 años (rango, 40 a 70 años). La tasa de respuesta global obtenida tras el tratamiento inicial con R-FCM fue del 93%, con una tasa de respuesta completa (RC) con EMR negativa, tasa de RC con EMR positiva y de RP del 46%, 36% y 11%, respectivamente. Los factores que se correlacionaron con una menor tasa de RC fueron el estadio clínico avanzado al inicio del tratamiento, la deleción de 17p, y un valor elevado de ß2-microglobulina. En general, el tratamiento con R-FCM fue bien tolerado y aunque se observó algún grado de neutropenia en un 41% de los ciclos administrados, ésta fue grave únicamente en una 13% de los ciclos. En cuanto a la toxicidad infecciosa, se observó un evento infeccioso mayor en un 8% de los ciclos administrados. Sesenta y siete pacientes recibieron el tratamiento de mantenimiento con rituximab. Al finalizar el mantenimiento, un 40.6% de los pacientes presentaban una RC con EMR negativa, un 40.6% una RC con EMR positiva, un 4.8% un RP, y un 14% se consideraron como fallo de tratamiento. Seis de los 29 pacientes (21%) que se hallaban en RC con EMR positiva o en RP tras R-FCM mejoraron su respuesta mediante el tratamiento de mantenimiento. La SLP y la supervivencia global estimada a los cuatro años fueron del 74.8% y 93.7%, respectivamente. El nivel de EMR obtenido tras el tratamiento con R-FCM fue la variable con mayor poder predictivo de la SLP. Se observó neutropenia grave en el 8.5% de los ciclos de mantenimiento y 16 pacientes tuvieron un episodio infeccioso grado 3–4. En conclusión, la combinación de R-FCM es un tratamiento de primera línea altamente eficaz en pacientes jóvenes con LLC. Esta combinación obtuvo una alta tasa de RC, consiguiendo en gran parte de ellas la negativización de la EMR. El tratamiento de mantenimiento con rituximab tras R-FCM consiguió una SLP prolongada y mejoró la calidad de las respuestas en un porcentaje de pacientes, particularmente en aquellos con persistencia de enfermedad detectable tras R-FCM.[eng] Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a frequent malignancy composed of CD5+ B-lymphocytes, is predominant in older people, and has a variable clinical course. The median survival of patients with CLL is approximately 10 years, but the individual prognosis is extremely variable. The addition of monoclonal antibodies to chemotherapy has significantly improved treatment of CLL. Based on excellent results with the chemotherapy-only regimen fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone (FCM), we built a new chemoimmunotherapy combination—rituximab plus FCM (R-FCM). The effectiveness of R-FCM followed by rituximab maintenance therapy as first-line treatment for younger patients with CLL (age = 70) has been investigated in a phase 2 clinical trial that included an initial treatment with rituximab 500 mg/m2 on day 1 (375 mg/m2 the first cycle), fludarabine 25 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3, cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3, and mitoxantrone 6 mg/m2 on day 1 (R-FCM), for 6 cycles. Patients achieving response received maintenance with rituximab 375 mg/m2 every 3 months for 2 years. Eighty-one patients (median age, 60 years; range, 40 to 70 years) were enrolled in the study. The overall response, minimal residual disease (MRD)–negative complete response (CR), MRD positive CR, and partial response (PR) rates were 93%, 46%, 36%, and 11%, respectively. Severe neutropenia developed in 13% of patients. Major and minor infections were reported in 8% and 5% of cycles, respectively. Advanced clinical stage, del(17p), or increased serum ß2-microglobulin levels correlated with a lower CR rate. Sixty-seven patients having achieved CR or PR with R-FCM were given maintenance therapy. At the end of maintenance, 40.6% of patients were in CR MRD-negative, 40.6% were in CR MRD-positive, 4.8% remained in PR, and 14% were considered failures. Six of 29 patients (21%) who were in CR MRD-positive or in PR after R-FCM improved their response upon rituximab maintenance. The 4-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates were 74.8% and 93.7%, respectively. MRD status after R-FCM induction was the strongest predictor of PFS. R-FCM is highly effective in previously untreated CLL, with an 82% CR rate and a high proportion of MRD-negative CRs (46%). Treatment toxicity is acceptable. Maintenance with rituximab after R-FCM improved the quality of the response, particularly in patients MRD-positive after initial treatment, and obtained a prolonged PFS

Real-world characteristics and outcome of patients treated with single-agent ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Spain (IBRORS-LLC Study)

Background: Ibrutinib demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable tolerability in patients with untreated or relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including those with high-risk genetic alterations. The IBRORS-CLL study assessed the characteristics, clinical management and outcome of CLL patients receiving ibrutinib in routine clinical practice in Spain. Patients: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study in CLL patients who started single-agent ibrutinib as first-line treatment or at first or second relapse between January 2016 and January 2019. Results: A total of 269 patients were included (median age: 70.9 years; cardiovascular comorbidity: 55.4%, including hypertension [47.6%] and atrial fibrillation [AF] [7.1%]). Overall, 96.7% and 69% of patients underwent molecular testing for del(17p)/TP53 mutation and IGHV mutation status. High-risk genetic features included unmutated IGHV (79%) and del(17p)/TP53 mutation (first-line: 66.3%; second-line: 23.1%). Overall, 84 (31.2%) patients received ibrutinib as first-line treatment, and it was used as second- and third-line therapy in 121 (45.0%) and 64 (23.8%) patients. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached irrespective of del(17p)/TP53, or unmutated IGHV. Common grade ≥3 adverse events were infections (12.2%) and bleeding (3%). Grade ≥3 AF occurred in 1.5% of patients. Conclusion: This real-world study shows that single-agent ibrutinib is an effective therapy for CLL, regardless of age and high-risk molecular features, consistent with clinical trials. Additionally, single-agent ibrutinib was well tolerated, with a low rate of cardiovascular events. This study also emphasized a high molecular testing rate of del(17p)/TP53 mutation and IGHV mutation status in clinical practice according to guideline recommendations

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and complex karyotype show an adverse outcome even in absence of TP53/ATM FISH deletions

Genomic complexity identified by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) predicts a worse clinical outcome in CLL patients treated either with standard or new treatments. Herein, we analyzed the clinical impact of complex karyotypes (CK) with or without high-risk FISH deletions (ATM and/or TP53, HR-FISH) in a cohort of 1045 untreated MBL/CLL patients. In all, 99/1045 (9.5%) patients displayed a CK. Despite ATM and TP53 deletions were more common in CK (25% vs 7%; P < 0.001; 40% vs 5%; P < 0.001, respectively), only 44% (40/90) patients with TP53 deletions showed a CK. CK group showed a significant higher two-year cumulative incidence of treatment (48% vs 20%; P < 0.001), as well as a shorter overall survival (OS) (79 mo vs not reached; P < 0.001). When patients were categorized regarding CK and HR-FISH, those with both characteristics showed the worst median OS (52 mo) being clearly distinct from those non-CK and non-HR-FISH (median not reached), but no significant differences were detected between cases with only CK or HR-FISH. Both CK and TP53 deletion remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis for OS. In conclusion, CK group is globally associated with advanced disease and poor prognostic markers. Further investigation in larger cohorts with CK lacking HR-FISH is needed to elucidate which mechanisms underlie the poor outcome of this subgrou

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and complex karyotype show an adverse outcome even in absence of TP53/ATM FISH deletions

Genomic complexity identified by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) predicts a worse clinical outcome in CLL patients treated either with standard or new treatments. Herein, we analyzed the clinical impact of complex karyotypes (CK) with or without high-risk FISH deletions (ATM and/or TP53, HR-FISH) in a cohort of 1045 untreated MBL/CLL patients. In all, 99/1045 (9.5%) patients displayed a CK. Despite ATM and TP53 deletions were more common in CK (25% vs 7%; P < 0.001; 40% vs 5%; P < 0.001, respectively), only 44% (40/90) patients with TP53 deletions showed a CK. CK group showed a significant higher two-year cumulative incidence of treatment (48% vs 20%; P < 0.001), as well as a shorter overall survival (OS) (79 mo vs not reached; P < 0.001). When patients were categorized regarding CK and HR-FISH, those with both characteristics showed the worst median OS (52 mo) being clearly distinct from those non-CK and non-HR-FISH (median not reached), but no significant differences were detected between cases with only CK or HR-FISH. Both CK and TP53 deletion remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis for OS. In conclusion, CK group is globally associated with advanced disease and poor prognostic markers. Further investigation in larger cohorts with CK lacking HR-FISH is needed to elucidate which mechanisms underlie the poor outcome of this subgroup