ABSTRACT
Background: The ZUMA-1 safety management Cohort 6 (N=40), which evaluated whether prophylactic corticosteroids and earlier corticosteroids and/or tocilizumab could improve safety outcomes, demonstrated an improved safety profile (no Grade >=3 cytokine release syndrome [CRS];15% Grade >=3 neurologic events [NEs]) vs pivotal Cohorts 1+2, without compromising response rate or durability (95% ORR, 80% CR rate, and 53% ongoing response rate with >=1 y of follow-up;Oluwole, et al. ASH 2021. 2832). Here, 2-y updated outcomes are reported. Method(s): Eligible pts with R/R LBCL underwent leukapheresis (followed by optional bridging therapy) and conditioning chemotherapy, then a single axi-cel infusion. Pts received corticosteroid prophylaxis (once-daily oral dexamethasone 10 mg on Days 0 [before axi-cel], 1, and 2) and earlier corticosteroids and/or tocilizumab for CRS and NE management vs Cohorts 1+2 (Oluwole, et al. Br J Haematol. 2021). The primary endpoints were incidence and severity of CRS and NEs. Secondary endpoints included ORR (investigator-assessed), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell levels in blood. Result(s): As of December 16, 2021, the median follow-up time for the 40 treated pts was 26.9 mo. Since the 1-y analysis, no new CRS events were reported (no pts had Grade >=3 CRS to date). The incidence of Grade >=3 NEs increased from 15% to 18%between the 1-y and 2-y analyses. Two new NEs occurred in 2 pts: 1 pt had Grade 2 dementia (onset on Day 685 and ongoing at time of data cutoff;not related to axi-cel) and 1 had Grade 5 axi-cel-related leukoencephalopathy. Since the 1-y analysis, 6 new infections were reported (Grades 1, 2, and 5 COVID-19 [n=1 each], Grade 3 Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [n=1], Grade 3 unknown infectious episode with inflammatory syndrome [n=1], and Grade 2 herpes zoster [n=1]). In total, 8 deaths occurred since the 1-y analysis (progressive disease [n=5], leukoencephalopathy [n=1], and COVID-19 [n=2]). The ORR was 95% (80% CR), which was unchanged from the 1-y analysis. Median DOR and PFS were since reached (25.9 mo [95% CI, 7.8-not estimable] and 26.8 mo [95% CI, 8.7-not estimable], respectively). Median OS was still not reached. Kaplan- Meier estimates of the 2-y DOR, PFS, and OS rates were 53%, 53%, and 62%, respectively. Of 18 pts (45%) in ongoing response at data cutoff, all achieved CR as the best response. By Month 24, 14/20 pts with evaluable samples (70%) had detectable CAR T cells (vs 23/36 pts [64%] in Cohorts 1+2). Conclusion(s): With 2 y of follow-up, the ZUMA-1 Cohort 6 toxicity management strategy continued to demonstrate an improved long-term safety profile of axi-cel in pts with R/R LBCL. Further, responses remained high, durable, and similar to those observed in Cohorts 1+2 (Locke, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2019).Copyright © 2023 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy that induces durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. At a median of 27.1 months follow-up on the ZUMA-1 trial, median overall survival (OS) was 25.8 months with 39% progression free survival (PFS) at 2 years post-infusion (Locke, Lancet Onc 2019). We previously reported outcomes of axi-cel patients treated with standard of care therapy at a median follow up of 12.9 months, including 42% who did not meet eligibility criteria for ZUMA-1 based on co-morbidities (Nastoupil, JCO 2020). Here we report results from this cohort at a median follow up of 32.4 months, as well as late outcomes of interest including cytopenias, infections and secondary malignancies. Methods and Results: The US Lymphoma CAR-T Consortium comprised of 17 US academic centers who contributed data independent of the manufacturer. Two hundred and ninety-eight patients underwent leukapheresis with intent to manufacture standard of care axi-cel as of September 30, 2018. In infused patients (n=275), OS and PFS were calculated from date of infusion. After median follow-up of 32.4 months (95% CI 31.1 - 34.3), median OS was not reached (95% CI 25.6 - not evaluable) (Figure 1A) with 1-, 2- and 3-year OS of 68.5% (95% CI 62.6-73.7), 56.4% (95% CI 50.1-62.2) and 52.2% (95% CI 45.7-58.2%), respectively. Median PFS was 9 months (95% CI 5.9-19.6) (Figure 1B);1-, 2- and 3-year PFS was 47.4% (95% CI 41.4-53.2), 41.6% (95% CI 35.6-47.5) and 37.3% (95% CI 31.3-43.2), respectively. Twenty-seven PFS events occurred at or after 1 year post infusion;19 events were progressive lymphoma, with the latest relapse observed 28 months after axi-cel infusion. Eight patients died while in remission from their lymphoma: 4 from secondary malignancy, 3 from infection, and 1 from unknown causes. Results of multivariable modeling were similar to our prior analysis: factors associated with both a shorter PFS and shorter OS included male sex, elevated pre-lymphodepletion LDH, and poor ECOG status. Complete blood count and B- and T-cell recovery data were collected at 1 and 2-years post-infusion, excluding patients who had relapsed or been treated for secondary malignancy at time of collection (Table 1). Rates of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≤1000) at 1- and 2- years were 9.2% (10/109) and 11.2% (9/80) and rates of CD4 count ≤200/ul were 62% (23/37) and 27% (7/26). Recovery of B cells was seen in 54% (15/28) and 57% (13/23) at 1-and 2-years post infusion. Infections were reported in 31.2% (34/109) patients between 6- and 12-months post infusion, and 17% (18/109) were severe, requiring either hospitalization and/or IV antibiotics. Twenty-one patients (24%, 21/89) had an infection between 1- and 2- years, 11% of which were severe. Twenty percent (10/49) of patients between 2- and 3-years had an infection and 4 (8%) were severe. Neutropenia, low CD4 counts, and IgG levels were not associated with infection, though patients with infection between 6-12 months were more likely to have received IVIG (p<0.001). No patient in this cohort died of COVID-19. Twenty-two of 275 (8%) patients were diagnosed with subsequent malignancy after axi-cel treatment: 14/275 (5%) patients were diagnosed with myeloid malignancies (MDS (n=12), AML (n=1), CMML (n=1));other malignancies included squamous cell carcinoma of skin (n=3);sarcoma (n=1);endometrial (n=1);lung (n=1);mesothelioma (n=1) and AITL (n=1). Patients with myeloid malignancy had a median age of 62 at axi-cel apheresis (IQR 56-67), 64% were male and median lines of prior therapy was 4 (IQR 3-6), including 36% with a prior autologous stem cell transplant. Eleven patients were in remission from lymphoma at myeloid malignancy diagnosis, while 3 were diagnosed after progression and interval therapy. Conclusion: This multi-center retrospective study showed similar long-term results to the ZUMA-1 trial, despite including patients who did not meet ZUMA-1 eligibility criteria ba ed on comorbidities. Sixteen percent of PFS events were seen after 1 year, largely due to disease progression. Late infection was common but was not explained by persistent neutropenia or low CD4 counts. Subsequent malignancy, including MDS, occurred in 8% of patients and require further study to better identify patients at risk. (Figure Presented).
ABSTRACT
Background Patients with hematologic malignancies have poor outcomes from COVID infection with associated mortality of up to 30-40%. Studies have shown that these patients are less likely to mount an antibody response after COVID infection 1. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID mRNA vaccines have been shown to be 94% effective in preventing severe disease in the general population. There is limited data on the efficacy of these vaccines in lymphoma patients, and to suggest the optimal timing of vaccination to elicit immunity in patients receiving immunochemotherapy. Methods This is a retrospective study of adult lymphoma patients who received the COVID vaccine between 12/2020 and 04/2021. The primary endpoint was a positive anti-COVID spike protein antibody titer following 2 doses of the COVID mRNA vaccines or 1 dose of the COVID adenovirus vaccine. Additional outcomes of interest included key variables, such as lymphoma subtype and treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Subgroups were compared using Fisher's exact test, and unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used for univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) analyses. Results One-hundred thirty-seven patients were identified with baseline characteristics as shown in Table 1. Overall, the study population was older at a median age of 69 (IQR 59-78) years old, 52% of patients were male, and 72% of patients were white. The most frequent comorbidities were cardiovascular disease (39%) and former smoking history (34%), and 45 (33%) patients were obese (BMI >= 30). Testing for anti-COVID spike protein antibodies occurred at a median 48 (IQR 25-62) days [range 6-120] after second vaccination. Lymphoma subtypes in our cohort were: indolent lymphomas (35%), CLL/SLL (20%), 27 (20%) patients with Burkitt's, DLBCL, PMBCL combined, and 25 (18%) patients with Hodgkin's and T-cell lymphomas (HL/TCL) combined. Majority of patients received COVID mRNA vaccines, and we were able to confirm the specific type in 71 (52%) patients. Only 1 person received the COVID adenovirus vaccine. Ninety-two patients (67.2%) developed anti-COVID spike protein antibodies after receiving a COVID vaccine. Of 27 patients who received an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody-containing regimen in the last 12 months prior to vaccination, 14 (52%) patients produced antibodies. This rate was numerically lower than 72% (26/36) of those who developed antibodies and received an anti-CD20 antibody greater than 12 months prior to vaccination. There were differences observed in the ability to produce serology towards the COVID vaccine amongst lymphoma subtypes. Of 28 patients with CLL, 12 (43%) produced antibodies. There were 6 CLL patients receiving anticancer treatment at the time of vaccination, of which 2 patients produced antibodies. CLL/SLL patients were less likely to mount an antibody response to the COVID vaccine when compared to those with other types of lymphoma, and this difference was significant on UVA (OR 0.270, 95% CI 0.112-0.648), p=0.003) and MVA (OR 0.259, 95% CI 0.104-0.643, p=0.004). For patients with HL/TCL, 22 of 25 (88%) patients produced antibodies. Among the 3 HL/TCL patients that did not produce antibodies, 1 patient had HIV/AIDS post-transplant, 1 had relapsed AITL, and 1 received rituximab. All HL/TCL patients who received anticancer treatment in the last 6 months (10 of 10) produced antibodies at a median titer of 120 AU/mL (reference >=15 AU/mL), with 4 patients having a robust response of antibody titers >400 AU/mL. On statistical analysis, HL/TCL patients were more likely to elicit an antibody response to the COVID vaccine when compared to those with other types of lymphoma, and this response was significant on UVA (OR 4.084, 95% CI 1.149-14.515, p=0.03) and MVA (OR 4.442, 95% CI 1.219-16.191, p=0.024). Conclusion Lymphoma patients are capable of mounting a humoral response to the COVID mRNA vaccines. CLL/SLL appears predictive of a negative antibody response to the COVID vaccine, while HL/TCL histologies appeared to correlate to a positive antibody response even with treatment within 6 months of vaccination. Our study suggests anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in the last 12 months may affect the ability to produce serology towards a COVID vaccine. Further studies are required to confirm our findings, including whether T-cell immunity would be of clinical relevance in this patient population. 1. Passamonti et al, Br J Haematol 2021 [Formula presented] Disclosures: Leslie: Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria;BeiGene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;PCYC/Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Seagen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Karyopharm Therapeutics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Merck: Consultancy;Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy. Goy: Acerta: Consultancy, Research Funding;Bristol Meyers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Genentech/Hoffman la Roche: Research Funding;AbbVie/Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Vincerx pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Rosewell Park: Consultancy;LLC(Targeted Oncology): Consultancy;Elsevier's Practice Update Oncology, Intellisphere, LLC(Targeted Oncology): Consultancy;Michael J Hennessey Associates INC: Consultancy;Hoffman la Roche: Consultancy;Xcenda: Consultancy;Medscape: Consultancy;Physicians' Education Resource: Consultancy, Other: Meeting/travel support;Vincerx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;AbbVie/Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;Bristol Meyers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Incyte: Honoraria;MorphoSys: Honoraria, Other;Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria;OncLive Peer Exchange: Honoraria;Xcenda: Consultancy, Honoraria;AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;Elsevier PracticeUpdate: Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria;Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Genomic Testing Cooperative: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Leadership role;COTA (Cancer Outcome Tracking Analysis): Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Leadership role;Hackensack Meridian Health, Regional Cancer Care Associates/OMI: Current Employment;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;Infinity/Verastem: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding;Karyopharm: Research Funding;Phamacyclics: Research Funding;Constellation: Research Funding. Feldman: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Other: Study investigator.