ABSTRACT
Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) were approved for use at the end of 2013 and have since been used for indications including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia and mantle cell lymphoma. The use of BTKis has increased significantly in the UK since they achieved NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) approval for frontline treatment of CLL in 2021. However, they are associated with significant adverse cardiovascular events. In September 2021 the British Journal of Haematology published good practice guidelines for the management of cardiovascular complications of BTKis. Our aim was to see whether these guidelines had been adhered to for patients taking BTKis. Method(s): Data was collected for all patients being prescribed BTKis (ibrutinib and acalabrutinib) in the South Tees NHS Trust in July 2022. Patients' medical records were used to assess whether their management adhered to the good practice guidelines. Data was collated for 67 patients in total. Result(s): The data showed that although all patients were consented for the risk of atrial fibrillation only 6% were consented for hypertension and only 1.5% for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The guidelines recommend a baseline ECG (electrocardiogram) on commencement of treatment;however, only 7% had this completed and 0% had the minimum monitoring recommendation of 6-monthly ECGs. Thirty patients (45%) had an indication for a baseline echocardiogram;however, only one had this completed. For patients reporting symptoms of syncope, dizziness or palpitations only 50% had an ECG completed. Three patients developed worsening heart failure. The recommendations suggest referral to a cardio-oncologist;however, due to lack of availability of this service the referrals were instead made to the usual cardiologist. Conclusion(s): Although there was a lack of compliance with guideline recommendations, it should be considered that most usual checks were affected by COVID-19 outbreaks and a drop in face-to- face clinics, which were replaced by phone clinics and home delivery of medications. However, the premade consent forms for BTKis need to be updated to include consent for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. There also needs to be routine procedures in place to ensure that regular blood pressure testing and ECG monitoring occurs and that there is prompt recognition of cardiovascular complications. Action and implementation: To ensure improved compliance with these guidelines we plan to update our consent forms and create a proforma for clinic use to ensure that clinicians are aware of the various monitoring criteria required.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with lymphoproliferatie diseases (LPD) appear particularly ulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, partly because of the effects of the anti-neoplastic regimens (chemotherapy, signaling pathway inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies) on the immune system. The real impact of COVID-19 on the life expectancy of patients with different subtypes of lymphoma and targeted treatment is still unknown. Aims: The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the outcome of COVID-19 patients with underlying LPD treated with targeted drugs such as monoclonal antibodies (obinutuzumab, ofatumumab, brentuximab, niolumab or pembrolizumab), BTK inhibitors (ibrutinib, acalabrutinib), PI3K inhibitors (idelalisib), BCL2 inhibitors (enetoclax) and IMIDs, (lenalidomide). Methods: The surey was supported by EPICOVIDEHA registry. Adult patients with baseline CLL or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) treated with targeted drugs and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosed between January 2020 and January 2022 were selected. Results: The study included 368 patients (CLL n=205, 55.7%;NHL n=163, 44.3%) treated with targeted drugs (Table 1). Median follow-up was 70.5 days (range 19-159). Most used targeted drugs were ITKs (51.1%), anti-CD20 other than rituximab (16%), BCL2 inhibitors (7.3%) and lenalidomide (7.9%). Of note, only 16.0% of the patients were accinated with 2 or more doses of accine at the onset of COVID-19. Pulmonary symptoms were present at diagnosis in 244 patients (66.2%). Seere COVID-19 was obsered in 47.8 % patients while 21.7% were admitted to to intensie care unit (ICU), being 55 (26.8%) CLL patients and 25 (15.3%) NHL patients. More comorbidities were reported in patients with seere-critical COVID-19 compared to those with mild- asymptomatic infection (p=0.002). This difference was releant in patients with chronic heart diseases (p=0.005). Oerall, 134 patients (36.4%) died. Primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 92 patients (68.7%), LPD in 14 patients (10.4%), and a combination of both in 28 patients (20.9%).Mortality was 24.2% (89/368) at day 30 and 34.5%(127/368) at day 200. After a Cox multiariable regression age >75 years (p<0.001, HR 1.030), actie malignancy (p=0.011, HR 1.574) and admission to ICU (p<0.00, HR 4.624) were obsered as risk factors. Surial in patients admitted to ICU was 33.7% (LLC 38.1%, NHL 24%). Mortality rate decreased depending on accination status, being 34.2% in not accinated patients, 15.9-18% with one or two doses, decreasing to 9.7% in patients with booster dose (p<0.001). There was no difference in OS in NLH s CLL patients (p=0.344), nor in ITKs s no ITKs treated patients (p=0.987). Additionally, mortality rate dropped from the first semester 2020 (41.3%) to last semester 2021 (25%). Summary/Conclusion: - Our results confirm that patients with B--mallignancies treatted with targeted drugs hae a high risk off seere infection (47.8%) and mortality (36.4%) from COVID-19. - Pressence of comorbidities,, especially heart disease,, is a risk factor for seere COVIID--19 infection in ourr series. - Age >75 years,, actie mallignancy att COVIID--19 onset and ICU admission were mortality risk factors. - COVIID--19 acination was a protectie factor for mortality,, een iin this popullation wiitth humorall immunity impairment. - The learning cure in the management of the infection throughout the pandemiic and the deelopmentt off COVIID--19 treatments showed benefit in this partticullarlly ullnerablle popullation? (Table Presented).
ABSTRACT
Background: The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor acalabrutinib is approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL). Acalabrutinib induces durable remissions in most CLL patients, which mostly are partial remissions (PR), and therefore treatment typically is given as long-term monotherapy. As a potential alternative we developed a time-limited regimen, combining acalabrutinib with obinutuzumab. Aims: Here, we report early results from 14 treatment-naïve patients with CLL who enrolled in this ongoing phase 2 trial (NCT04505254) since September, 2020 at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Methods: Patients and Study Design: Treatment-naïve CLL patients requiring therapy as per iwCLL criteria receive acalabrutinib 100 mg orally twice a day for 24 cycles, combined with monthly obinotuzumab for 6 doses, starting in cycle 3. The first dose of obinutuzumab is divided into 100 mg on day 1 and 900 mg on day 2 of cycle 3;1000 mg are given during subsequent cycles (cycles 4-8). Patients who do not achieve a complete remission (CR) after cycle 8 can receive an additional 6 monthly doses of obinotuzumab during cycles 9 -14. Treatment is discontinued after 24 cycles, and patients will be monitored. The primary objective is to determine the durability of remissions after treatment discontinuation, secondary objectives are to determine clinical and laboratory characteristics that predict for early versus late relapse after time-limited therapy. Results: The median age of the patients is 70 yrs (range, 40 -83 yrs), 14% had del17p or TP53 mutation, 43% had an unmutated IgHV and 71% advance stage disease (RAI stage III and IV). The median baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and b2 microglobulin at start of therapy were 39.2x109/L (range: 7.1 - 188.4 x 109/L) and 4.2 mg/L (range: 2.2 - 7.9 mg/L), respectively. After a median follow-up of 7 months (2 - 16 months), 13 (93%) of patients remain on study;one patient died (7%) due from complications from a presumed bacterial (COVID19-negative) pneumonia after 2 months on therapy. The estimated one-year PFS and OS for the cohort is 92.8 %. Seven patients were evaluable for response assessment after 8 months of therapy. No patient has yet discontinued therapy. All patients achieved a PR (one patient with undetectable minimal residual disease/U-MRD in the bone marrow), accounting for an overall responsonse rate of 100%. The median levels of bone marrow infiltration by CLL cells, quantified by flow cytometry, declined from 83.6% (range: 54.3 - 94.0 %) at baseline to 4.1% (range, 0.0 - 63.3%, n=7, p<0.05, see figure) after 6 cycles of combination treatment. Sixty-four percent of patients completed all doses of obinotuzumab, 50% requiered a dose reduction of acalabrutinib to 100 mg per day due to adverse events (AE). Grade 33 AE were observed in 4 patients (29%), which included decreased neutrophil counts (n=2), syncope (n=1), and grade 5 lung infection (COVID19 not detected, n=1). The most frequently reported non-serious related AE (3 2 patients) were anemia (n=5 [36%]), decreased platelets counts (n=3 [21%]), bruising (n=3 [21%]), limbs edema (n=2 [15%]) and headache (n=2 [15%]). All these events were grade 1. Importantly, no bleeding or atrial fibrillation events were observed. 3285 (Figure Presented ) Summary/Conclusion: Our preliminary data indicate that combination therapy of acalabrutinib plus obinotuzumab induces remissions with a major reduction in bone marrow disease after 6 months of combination therapy. Longer treatment and follow-up is warranted to determine the durability of responses after therapy discontinuation.
ABSTRACT
Background: CNS involvement in CLL is rare and it usually occurs in late-stage CLL disease. There is usual delay in the diagnosis due to its variable manifestations, challenging diagnosis process and possible misdiagnosis with a mimicker condition. I am sharing our relative successful experience with this challenging case that had satisfied outcome after going through comprehensive investigations and treatment journey treating his symptoms until arriving the final diagnosis and getting the best treatment option. Material(s) and Method(s): A 42 years old male, with recent COVID-19 infection, presented with multiple progressive neurologic symptoms over one month;started as numbness around the mouth, reduced facial sensation and a feeling of band like sensation below the costal margins. On exam, he had left abduction restriction, diplopia on left gaze and upbeat nystagmus, reduced facial sensation and hyperesthesia. The reflexes were 1+ in the upper limbs, 3+ in the lower limbs, up going planters, tingling from the feet up to T6 level and postural tremor bilaterally. His CSF showed high protein level. MRI brain/ spine revealed left frontal juxtacortical white matter and bilateral middle cerebral peduncles lesions with post-contrast enhancement and long segment spinal cord demyelinating plaques. He was initially treated as a case of Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) post viral infection in a background of CLL. The delayed diagnosis was due to temporal relation of neurological manifestation to viral infection, similar MRI lesions to ADEM and multiple negative CSF results of cytology and flow cytometry. He had persistent disabling symptoms and enhancing lesions in MRI despite being treated with IVMP, IVIG and PLEX. He was managed for ADEM based on responsiveness to the recommended therapy step by step. Firstly, he received a high-dose corticosteroids, secondly IV immunoglobulin but he was still progressing and considered as steroid-unresponsive ADEM. lastly, plasma exchange was done when he exhibited progressive symptoms with fair improvement. Interestingly, the patient showed significant improvement in the clinical and radiological parameters after starting him with a new anti-leukemia medication (Acalabrutinib) for his concurrent active condition. He run out of his medication for around 1 week and he experienced recurrent of the neurological manifestation and the previous lesions in the images. A repeated flow cytometry for the third time came positive for CLL cells and the final diagnosis of CNS involvement by CLL was established. The diagnosis was made after the exclusion of other etiologies. Result(s): The patient received Ibrutinib at a standard dose and as a monotherapy. It is an efficient chemotherapy that crosses the blood brain barrier and has showed a favorable clinical, biological and radiological outcome. The patient is back to his work and his daily activities have improved. Conclusion(s): In case of inconclusive work up, CSF analysis should be repeated testing for cytology and flow cytometry\immunophenotypes as the false negative results are common. Our patient had an active CLL proved in his investigations, and the fact that the patient responded very well to the new chemotherapy should alert the diagnosis of CNS involvement by CLL and directs towards repeating investigations and introducing aggressive treatment strategy to target both hematological and neurological complications of the condition.
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, is the third coronavirus with an associated severe acute respiratory syndrome since SARS-CoV [1]. Patients with severe COVID-19 suffer from immune hyperactivity, also referred to as a cytokine storm, which causes increased vascular permeability and multiorgan dysfunction and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality.1 Because Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) activity is thought to play a role in the cytokine storm, with elevated activity found in monocytes, it has been explored as a target for intervention for COVID- 19.2 METHODS : This observational, case-control study included 49 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Of the 49 patients, 11 patients received off-label Acalabrutinib between May 2020 through June 2020. The purpose of the study is the assess the use of Acalabrutinib as a potential strategy for management of COVID-19 patients. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. The response variable was patient outcome (remission discharge or death). The main predictor of interest was the administration of Acalabrutinib on patients (Yes/No). For the multivariate analysis the covariates included were age, gender, change in CRP levels (Discharge CRP - Admission CRP), hypertension, COPD, and comorbidities status (Yes/No). Stata Version 17.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas USA) was used in all analyses. RESULTS : The median age of patients was 58 with a majority being male (51%). The average length of hospitalization was 17 days with 23 (46.9%) patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Bivariate analysis revealed that acalabrutinib was protective against death from COVID-19. However, these results were nonsignificant (OR 0.36, 95 CI [0.04, 2.87], P=0.31). The multivariate analysis supported the results of the bivariate analysis. However, we did not observe a significant association between outcome and acalabrutinib when adjusted for the study covariates (OR 0.32, 95% CI [0.03, 3.79], P=0.37). CONCLUSION: Acalabrutinib did not significantly reduce morbidity or mortality on severe COVID-19 patients. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of BTK inhibitors for COVID-19 in a larger clinical trial. (Table Presented).
ABSTRACT
The B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is functional and has critical cell survival implications in B cell malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Orally administered small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors of members of the BCR signaling pathway have proven to be transformational in treatment of CLL. The first-generation inhibitor, ibrutinib, covalently binds to the C481 amino acid of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), thereby irreversibly inhibiting its kinase activity, and interferes with the biology of the cells, ultimately resulting in CLL cell death and therapeutic response. Remissions are not deep to the point of considering discontinuation for most patients, but BTK-inhibitor-based therapy provides exceptional long-term disease control with continuous treatment. There are in-class toxicities and more selective second- and subsequent-generation agents and reversible inhibitors have been developed with the intent of reducing toxicities. Also, strategies to subvert resistance have included tighter or alternative, non-covalent, inhibitor binding. Furthermore, other strategies to deplete BTK protein, such as degraders, are in development and being tested in the clinic. Ultimately, the development and approval of these agents targeting BTK have ushered in a new era of chemotherapy-free treatments with remarkably improved survival outcomes for patients with CLL.
ABSTRACT
The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has undergone profound change in recent years. Targeted therapies have outnumbered chemotherapy-based treatment approaches demonstrating superior efficacy and tolerability profiles across nearly all CLL patient subgroups in the frontline and relapsed disease treatment setting. Individual selection of these novel agents is rather driven by patients' comorbidities and personal preferences than fitness and age. Given the high amount of currently licensed novel agents in both treatment-naïve as well as relapsed CLL patients and currently limited evidence from comparative clinical trials, clinicians sometimes appear spoilt for choice when selecting optimal therapy. This short review discusses recent clinical trial data focusing on treatment with targeted drugs and aims to help guide CLL treatment selection in individual patients.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for an ongoing global pandemic. Phase III trials have demonstrated excellent efficacies of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in large population studies (Baden LR, NEJM, 2021;Polack FP, NEJM, 2020). Immunosuppressed individuals such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients are at risk for a suboptimal response to 2 vaccine doses (Herishanu Y, Blood, 2021). The French National Authority for Health recommends the use of a third dose in immunosuppressed patients. However, seroconversion rate after the triple-dose vaccine is not yet known. The objective of our study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses after the first, second and third doses of the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines. Data were collected from 17 French Innovative Leukemia Organization (FILO) investigating centers and the French CLL patients' association (SILLC). SARS-CoV-2 IgG anti-Spike levels were measured at 4-6 weeks after each vaccine dose. A total of 530 patients and 14 controls were included in the study. Vaccine response was evaluated post-dose 1 for 158 CLL patients, post-dose 2, for 506 patients and post-dose 3 for 66 patients. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were studied post-dose 2 by flow cytometry in 80 CLL patients and 14 controls. The median age of the patients was 71 years (range 37-93), 218 (40%) were treatment-naïve (TN), 136 (26%) had a prior CLL treatment and 176 (34%) were on therapy. Post-dose 1, the global response rate was 27% (43/158). TN patients had a response rate of 34% (23/67), similar to those who had a prior CLL treatment (33%,12/36), and higher compared to on-therapy patients (15%, 8/55, P=0.02). Post-dose 2, the global response rate was 52% (265/506). TN patients had the highest response rate of 72% (151/210) compared to previously treated patients, mostly by immunochemotherapy (60%, 78/130, P=0.02) and on-therapy patients (22%, 36/166, P<0.001) (Figure 1A). Among the 166 on-therapy patients, mostly receiving targeted agents, those receiving venetoclax monotherapy achieved a significantly higher response rate (52%, 12/23) than those treated with BTK inhibitors (BTKi) ibrutinib or acalabrutinib (22%, 23/104, P<0.001). Patients treated with venetoclax+anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (n=19) or venetoclax+BTKi (n=6) were all seronegative after the second dose of vaccine (Figure 1B). In multivariate analysis, the variables found to be significantly associated with seroconversion were age >65 years (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92, P=0.02), ongoing CLL treatment (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.07-0.23, P<0.001) and gamma-globulins ≤6g/L (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.88, P=0.03). Flow cytometry results suggest a differential balance of the T CD4+ cell subpopulations in Binet stage A and in patients on targeted therapy compared to healthy controls. Post-dose 2 seronegative patients were proposed a third dose and to date, 66 have been tested for the antibody response 4-6 weeks post-dose 3. The post-dose 3 response rate was 42% (28/66). TN patients and previously treated patients had a significantly higher response rate (57%, 16/28) compared to on-therapy patients (32%, 12/38, P=0.03). We further analyzed patients tested post-dose 2 with the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG anti-Spike assay (n=24). Those who achieved seroconversion after the third dose (n=10) had significantly higher titers post-dose 2 (median 12, IQR 3.0-40.8) compared to those who remained seronegative (n=14) (median 2.2, IQR 0.5-5.1, p<0.01), although both median values are considered below the threshold by the manufacturer. An additional cohort of 40 CLL patients who presented a SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to vaccination participated to the study and was analyzed independently. All patients achieved seroconversion after infection and a single dose of vaccine, even though 30% (n=12) had an ongoing CLL treatment. In conclusion, double-dose mRNA vaccination generated a humoral response in 52% of our CLL cohort and a third dose induced seroconversion in 42% of the patients who remained seronegat ve after the second dose. The major independent predictor of negative antibody response was ongoing treatment with BTKi. The strongest boost to immune response against the virus seems to be SARS CoV-2 infection, as a substantial increase in anti-Spike antibodies was observed in all CLL patients with prior infection, after a single dose vaccination.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) therapy is remarkably effective in a number of B-cell malignancies;however, its continuous use is limited by adverse events (AE) leading to discontinuation. Zanubrutinib is a potent and selective BTKi with the potential to be a safe and effective therapy after intolerance to previous BTKi therapy. Here, we report preliminary results of a phase 2 study of zanubrutinib in patients with B-cell malignancies intolerant to ibrutinib and/or acalabrutinib based on a median follow-up of 6 months. Methods: Patients meeting protocol criteria for intolerance to ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, or both (without documented progressive disease on ibrutinib or acalabrutinib) were given zanubrutinib monotherapy (160mg twice daily or 320mg once daily at investigator's discretion). Recurrence of adverse events that led to intolerance to prior BTKi and additional safety measures were assessed based on the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs v5.0. Investigators determined responses using disease status at study entry as baseline and standard established disease response criteria. Results: As of 1 March 2021 (cutoff), 64 patients (n=48 chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, n=10 Waldenström macroglobulinemia, n=3 mantle cell lymphoma, n=3 marginal zone lymphoma) were enrolled, received ≥1 dose of zanubrutinib, and were analyzed for safety. The median age was 71 y (range, 49-91);the median duration of treatment was 5.9 months (range, 0.6-16.6). The median number of prior regimens was 2 (range, 1-12). Regarding prior BTKi, 55 patients had received ibrutinib monotherapy, eight had received ibrutinib combination therapy, and seven had received acalabrutinib monotherapy. The median number of ibrutinib- or acalabrutinib-intolerant adverse events per patient was 2 (range, 1-5). Most ibrutinib- (75%) and acalabrutinib-intolerant events (75%) did not recur with zanubrutinib (Table 1). A majority (90%) of the recurrent ibrutinib-intolerant events were less severe with zanubrutinib than with ibrutinib. Ibrutinib intolerance events present in >1 patient that did not recur on zanubrutinib were alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate transaminase increased, neutropenia, and pain in extremity. The ibrutinib-intolerant events that recurred were diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, constipation, myalgia, stomatitis, arthralgia, headache, muscle spasm, rash, atrial fibrillation, fatigue, hemorrhage, and hypertension. One-third of the recurrent acalabrutinibintolerant events were less severe with zanubrutinib than with acalabrutinib. The acalabrutinib-intolerant events that recurred were myalgia and arthralgia. Two events of arthralgia that induced acalabrutinib intolerance did not recur with zanubrutinib. No ibrutinib- or acalabrutinib-intolerant events recurred at a higher severity while patients were on zanubrutinib. At cutoff, 57 patients remained on treatment;one withdrew consent due to zanubrutinib-unrelated grade 3 syncope. Grade ≥3 adverse events were reported in 14 patients (21.9%), serious adverse events in five patients (7.8%;pain in jaw;COVID-19 pneumonia;anemia;febrile neutropenia and salmonella infection [occurred in the same patient]), adverse events requiring dose interruptions in 15 patients (23.4%), and adverse events leading to dose reduction in three patients (4.7%). Adverse events led to zanubrutinib discontinuation for three patients (4.7%). One death was reported (COVID-19 pneumonia). Among efficacy evaluable patients (n=48), the disease control rate was 89.6% and the overall response rate was 50.0%. Conclusions: In patients with B-cell malignancies intolerant to ibrutinib and/or acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib therapy was effective and controlled patient's disease or induced responses to therapy, and was well-tolerated;most adverse events that led to discontinuation of previous BTKi therapy did not recur while patients were on zanubrutinib.
ABSTRACT
Background: First-line conventional chemoimmunotherapy in MCL can be improved. Promising results have been seen with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) in combination with venetoclax (V) and an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory or TN MCL. Acalabrutinib (A) is a next-generation, highly selective, covalent BTKi currently approved for relapsed/refractory MCL. We report initial safety and efficacy results of the ongoing, multicenter, open-label phase 1b study of A, V, and rituximab (R) (AVR) in TN MCL. Methods: TN MCL pts aged ≥18 y with ECOG PS ≤2 were eligible. Starting on cycle 1 day 1, A was administered at 100 mg BID until disease progression or discontinuation for other reasons. R was administered at 375 mg/m 2 on day 1 of each 28-day cycle for 6 cycles, followed by maintenance every other cycle for pts achieving complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), through cycle 24. Starting on cycle 2 day 1, V was administered via an initial 5-wk ramp-up schedule (20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/d) to 400 mg/d, through cycle 25. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was assessed from cycle 2 day 1 to cycle 3 day 28. Primary endpoint was AVR safety. Secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), and progression-free survival (PFS) per Lugano criteria. Positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scans were performed after 3 and 6 cycles and to confirm CR at any time. CT scans were performed after 3, 6, 9, and 12 cycles, and then every 6 cycles. Longitudinal minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed using the clonoSEQ assay in peripheral blood at PR, CR, every 6 cycles post-CR, and treatment end. Results: 21 pts were enrolled (median age 66 y [range 51-85];ECOG PS ≤1 20 [95%];Ann Arbor stage IV disease 19 [90%];bulky disease >5 cm 7 [33%];intermediate- and high-risk simplified MCL International Prognostic Index scores 11 [52%] and 4 [19%], respectively;blastoid variant 1 [5%];and Ki-67 proliferation index ≥50% 3 [14%]). Fifteen (71%) pts had bone marrow (BM) involvement at baseline. As of March 19, 2021, median time on study was 16 mo (range 8-26.2). Median (range) number of cycles administered was 15 (7-27) for A, 13.5 (5-23) for 400 mg daily V, and 12 (6-15) for R. Seventeen (81%) pts remain on study treatment and 4 (19%) have discontinued (progressive disease: n=1;COVID-19 infection: n=3). No DLTs were observed;V 400 mg daily after ramp-up was the dose chosen for triple therapy. Most common any-grade AEs in ≥20% of pts were diarrhea (13 [62%]), headache (11 [52%]), fatigue (10 [48%]), neutropenia (6 [29%]), paresthesia (6 [29%]), cough (6 [29%]), dyspnea (6 [29%]), myalgia (5 [24%]), dizziness (5 [24%]), and hypoesthesia (5 [24%]). Grade 3/4 AEs in ≥2 pts were neutropenia (5 [24%]) and pneumonia (2 [10%]). Serious any-grade AEs in ≥2 pts were COVID-19 infection (4 [19%]) and pneumonia (2 [10%]). In the 4 pts with COVID-19 infection, the events led to triple-drug discontinuation and death in 3 pts and to dose holds of A and V and event resolution in 1 pt (all considered unrelated to study treatment). Diarrhea led to V dose reduction in 1 pt. AEs led to dose holds in 12 (57%) pts and were associated with A, V, and R in 52%, 48%, and 14%, respectively. Events of clinical interest are shown in Table 1. At the end of cycle 6, ORR was 100%, with CR/PR in 90%/10% by PET/CT alone (11 of the 13 CRs by PET/CT lacked BM confirmation);the CR/PR rate by Lugano criteria with BM confirmation was 38%/62% (Table 2). Median DOR was 19 mo (95% CI 17-not estimable [NE]) overall, and not reached when the 3 pts with COVID-19 deaths were censored. Median PFS and OS were not reached. The 1-y PFS and OS rates were 89% (95% CI 62-97) and 95% (95% CI 71-99), respectively. Treating the 3 COVID-19 deaths as censored, the 1-y PFS rate was 93.8% (95% CI 63.2-99.1). Median time to initial response and best response was 2.8 mo. Twelve of 16 (75%) pts with available MRD results at cycle 6 achieved MRD negativity (10 -6), including 6 pts with
ABSTRACT
The use of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors has changed the management and clinical history of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). BTK is a critical molecule that interconnects B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling. BTKis are classified into two categories: irreversible (covalent) inhibitors and reversible (non-covalent) inhibitors. Ibrutinib was the first irreversible BTK inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013 as a breakthrough therapy in CLL patients. Subsequently, several studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of new agents with reduced toxicity when compared with ibrutinib. Two other irreversible, second-generation BTK inhibitors, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib, were developed to reduce ibrutinib-mediated adverse effects. Additionally, new reversible BTK inhibitors are currently under development in early-phase studies to improve their activity and to diminish adverse effects. This review summarizes the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety, dosing, and drug-drug interactions associated with the treatment of CLL with BTK inhibitors and examines their further implications.
ABSTRACT
Background: Continuous Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibition represents an effective and easily administered oral therapy for patients with CLL;however, it is not curative, can have serious side effects, and is expensive. Novel combinations may provide deep remissions allowing fixed duration therapy. The second generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib (ACALA) has demonstrated an improved safety profile compared to ibrutinib. Importantly, unlike ibrutinib, ACALA does not inhibit anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (VanDerMeid et al, Cancer Immuno Res 2018). Using standard doses, rituximab (RTX) rapidly exhausts the finite innate immune system cytotoxic capacity (Pinney, et al Blood 2020) and also causes loss of cell membrane CD20 from CLL cells by trogocytosis. Previous studies have shown that high frequency low dose (HFLD) IV RTX (20mg/m 2 three times per week) was effective and limited loss of CD20 (Zent, et al Am J Hematol, 2014). Subcutaneous (SQ) RTX is FDA approved in CLL, has similar efficacy and pharmacokinetics, and can be self-administered. This phase II study tested the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of ACALA and HFLD RTX as initial treatment for patients with treatment-naïve CLL. Methods: Eligible patients were treated with 50mg RTX on day 1 and 3 of each week for six 28-day cycles. The first dose was administered IV over 2 hours. If tolerated, subsequent doses were SQ and could be self-administered at home by trained patients. ACALA 100mg BID therapy was initiated on cycle 1 day 8 for a minimum of 12 cycles. Treatment response was assessed during cycles 12 and 24. Patients achieving an iwCLL complete response (CR) with undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) by 6-color flow cytometry (£ 1:10 -4)at either time point could stop therapy. The primary objective was to determine the rate of iwCLL CR with a secondary endpoint of rate of uMRD. Results: 37 patients have been treated with a median follow-up of 14 months. Baseline demographics were male/female (22/15) and median age 67 years (range 40-78). High-risk genetic features included TP53 mutation (21.6%), del17p (13.5%), del 11q (16.2%), unmutated IGHV (62.2%), NOTCH1 mutation (21.6%) and SF3B1 mutation (10.8%). Grade 3/4 AEs occurring in ≥5% of patients were infections (13.5%), neutropenia (8.1%) and anemia (8.1%). No patients discontinued therapy due to AEs and there were no deaths on treatment. The most common (≥20%) AEs (all grades and all causality) were infusion-related reactions (62.1%), infections (56.8%) (upper respiratory infections in 29.7% of patients, urinary tract infections in 18.9%, COVID-19 pneumonia in 8.1%), fatigue (51.3%), anemia (51.3%), headache (43.2%), rash or other skin changes (32.4%), thrombocytopenia (29.7%), bruising (27.0%), and diarrhea (21.6%). Injection site reactions (8.1%) from SQ RTX were grade 1. Three patients contracted COVID-19 while on study during times of high community transmission prior to the availability of vaccines. Two required hospitalization, one contracted the virus following cycle 1 requiring a delay in RTX, and all patients remained on ACALA while COVID-19 positive. 27 patients have completed 12 cycles and been evaluated for response. All patients responded with 1 MRD+ CR, 20 partial responses (PR), and 6 PR with sustained lymphocytosis. 10 of these patients have completed 24 cycles and had a sustained PR. One patient with del17p and TP53 mutation had progressive disease after 25 cycles of therapy. All other patients remain on treatment per protocol. Conclusion: HFLD RTX and ACALA is a tolerable, effective and convenient therapy that could be the basis for regimens incorporating other novel agents. It is notable that three patients have contracted COVID-19 during the trial;however, none required intubation, and all remained on ACALA during their infection. This at-home combination markedly decreased patient infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. This regimen has the potential to enable RTX to be administered at facilities with limited medica IV infusion capacity which could be very useful in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. While all patients have responded to therapy, no patients to date have achieved an uMRD CR, suggesting that additional agents are required to allow for time-limited treatment. Disclosures: Baran: AstraZeneca/Acerta: Research Funding. Friedberg: Novartis: Other: DSMC;Acerta: Other: DSMC;Bayer: Other: DSMC. Reagan: Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy;Genentech: Research Funding;Seagen: Research Funding;Curis: Consultancy. Casulo: Verastem: Research Funding;Genentech: Research Funding;BMS: Research Funding;Gilead: Research Funding. Zent: TG Therapeutics: Research Funding;Acerta/AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Barr: Morphosys: Consultancy;Janssen: Consultancy;Bristol Meyers Squibb: Consultancy;AstraZeneca: Consultancy;Genentech: Consultancy;TG Therapeutics: Consultancy;Beigene: Consultancy;Seattle Genetics: Consultancy;Abbvie/Pharmacyclics: Consultancy;Gilead: Consultancy.
ABSTRACT
Background: Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are important tools to treat B-cell malignancies. However, duration of treatment may be limited by adverse events (AEs). Zanubrutinib (zanu) is a BTKi approved for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and is in development for other hematologic malignancies. Data from phase 3 head-to-head trials of zanu vs ibrutinib (ibr) in pts with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) demonstrated that pts treated with zanu showed lower rates of AEs leading to discontinuation (Blood 2020;136(18):2038-50;EHA 2021 LB1900). Preliminary results from BGB-3111-215 (NCT04116437) show that zanu was well-tolerated in pts who discontinued ibr and/or acalabrutinib (acala) treatment due to AEs (EHA 2021 EP642). Here, we report updated results from the BGB-3111-215 study with a median follow-up of 9 months. Methods: This study is an ongoing US, phase 2, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study. The safety and efficacy of zanu monotherapy (160 mg twice daily or 320 mg once daily) were evaluated in pts with B-cell malignancies who met criteria for continued treatment after having become intolerant to prior BTKi therapy. Pts were divided into cohort 1 (pts who were intolerant to ibr only) and cohort 2 (pts who were intolerant to acala alone/and ibr). Pts with documented progressive disease (PD) on prior BTKi therapy were excluded. Efficacy and safety, including recurrence of intolerant AEs to the prior BTKi, were evaluated. AEs were assessed for severity, seriousness, and relation to zanu;as well as dose reductions, holds, or discontinuations. Response was assessed by investigators based on response criteria for their respective indications (Blood 2008;131:2745;J Clin Oncol 2012;30:2820;J Clin Oncol 2014;32:3059;Br J Haemtol 2013;160:171). Disease parameters from study entry were the baseline for response assessment. Mutational analysis was performed on pts who discontinued treatment, and data will be shared once available. To support clinical findings, kinase selectivity was assessed using Kinome profiling at 100X IC50 (against BTK) for zanu, ibr, acala and its major metabolite, M27 (Reaction Biology Corp). Results: As of 7 June 2021 (data cutoff), 57 pts (n=44 CLL/SLL;n=9 WM;n=2 MCL;n=2 marginal zone lymphoma [MZL]) were enrolled in cohort 1, and 7 pts were enrolled in cohort 2 (n=4 CLL;n=1 WM;n=1 MCL;n=1 MZL). All received ≥1 dose of zanu and were analyzed for safety. The median age was 71 years (range, 49-91) in cohort 1 and 71 years (range, 65-76) in cohort 2;median duration of treatment was 8.7 months (range, 0.6-17.9) in cohort 1 and 8.2 months (range, 6.4-11.4) in cohort 2;median number of prior regimens was 1 (range, 1-12) in cohort 1 and 3 (range, 2-5) in cohort 2. Within cohort 2, 5 pts were intolerant to both ibr and acala. Median number of intolerant events per pt for both cohorts 1 and 2 was 2 (range, 1-5). Overall, 73% of pts did not experience recurrence of their ibr or acala intolerant events and 79% of recurrent events recurred at a lower severity (Figure 1). At cutoff, 54 pts remained on treatment. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were AEs (n=4), PD (n=4), physician's decision (n=1), and consent withdrawal (n=1). Grade ≥3 AEs were reported in 18 pts (28%), and serious AEs occurred in 7 pts (11%). AEs requiring dose interruptions occurred in 17 pts (27%), and AEs leading to dose reduction occurred in 3 pts (5%). One death, due to COVID-19, was reported. Pts demonstrated maintained (41%) and improved (53%) response with zanu treatment from their reported best overall response on prior BTKis for a total disease control rate of 94% (including a 42% partial response rate in pts with CLL/SLL, 30% in pts with WM, and a 20% very good partial response rate in pts with WM). Zanu also demonstrated good selectivity by kinase profiling. It showed >50% inhibition on 7/370 kinases, while ibr, acala, and M27 had more off-target binding (17, 15 and 23 kinases, respectively) at their respective 100X IC50 (BTK) c ncentrations (Figure 2). Conclusion: In pts with B-cell malignancies intolerant to ibr and/or acala, zanu treatment resulted in continued disease control or improved response. Zanu was well-tolerated, and most AEs that led to discontinuation of previous BTKi therapy did not recur or recurred at a lower grade. In support of clinical findings, differentiation between BTKi selectivity profiles favor zanu over ibr and acala. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Shadman: Abbvie, Genentech, AstraZeneca, Sound Biologics, Pharmacyclics, Beigene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Morphosys, TG Therapeutics, Innate Pharma, Kite Pharma, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Epizyme, Eli Lilly, and Atara Biotherapeutics, Adaptimmune: Consultancy;Mustang Bio, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pharmacyclics, Gilead, Genentech, Abbvie, TG Therapeutics, Beigene, AstraZeneca, Sunesis, Atara Biotherapeutics, GenMab: Research Funding;Abbvie, Genentech, AstraZeneca, Sound Biologics, Pharmacyclics, Beigene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Morphosys, TG Therapeutics, Innate Pharma, Kite Pharma, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Epizyme, Eli Lilly, and Atara Biotherapeutics, Adaptimmune: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flinn: Nurix Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Seagen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;MorphoSys: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Forty Seven: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Calithera Biosciences: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Verastem: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Curis: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Takeda: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Yingli Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;IGM Biosciences: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: All Consultancy and Research Funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Portola Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Trillium Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Rhizen Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Incyte: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Acerta Pharma: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Agios: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Karyopharm Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Forma Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Genentech: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;ArQule: Other: All research funding payments mad to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Triphase Research & Development Corp.: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Roche: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Pfizer: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Teva: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Celgene: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Loxo: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Merck: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Novartis: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Great Point Partners: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made toSarah Cannon Research Institute;BeiGene: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Janssen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Century Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Hutchison MediPharma: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Vincerx Pharma: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Sarah Cannon Research Institute: Current Employment;Servier Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Yingli Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Seagen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Servier Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute;Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding;Johnson & Johnson: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company;Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Levy: Epizyme: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker;Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;GSK: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker;Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker;Dova: Consultancy, Other: Promotional speaker;TG Therapeutics: Co sultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau;Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Promotional speaker, Speakers Bureau. Burke: SeaGen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;Beigene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;MorphoSys: Consultancy;Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy;AstraZeneca: Consultancy;Epizyme: Consultancy;Verastem: Consultancy;Kura: Consultancy;Kymera: Consultancy;AbbVie: Consultancy;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy;Roche/Genentech: Consultancy;X4 Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Cultrera: Beigene: Research Funding. Yimer: Astrazeneca: Speakers Bureau;Karyopharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Speakers Bureau;Beigene: Speakers Bureau;GSK: Speakers Bureau;Sanofi: Speakers Bureau;Amgen: Speakers Bureau;Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau;Texas Oncology: Current Employment. Chaudhry: Medical Oncology Associates, PS (dba Summit Cancer Centers): Current Employment;Novartis, Immunomedics: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Gandhi: TG Therapeutics: Honoraria;Karyopharm Therapeutics: Honoraria;GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria. Kingsley: Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada: Current Employment. Tumula: Texas Oncology: Current Employment. Manda: Morphosys: Honoraria;Genmab: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Chen: BeiGene: Current Employment, Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Cohen: BeiGene: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses. By: BeiGene, Ltd: Current Employment. Xu: Beigene: Current Employment;AstraZeneca: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Liu: BeiGene Co., Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Sharman: TG Therapeutics: Consultancy;Centessa: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy;BMS: Consultancy;AbbVie: Consultancy;BeiGene: Consultancy;AstraZeneca: Consultancy;Lilly: Consultancy.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Clinical availability of highly effective novel agents (including Bruton tyrosine kinase [BTK] and B-cell lymphoma 2 [BCL-2] inhibitors) is rapidly altering the therapeutic landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) necessitating a review of treatment guidelines. However, there is limited real-world data to validate if the availability of these novel agents has translated to a true shift in treatment paradigm for patients treated in the community. As the majority of CLL patients are treated in non-academic community-based settings, we investigated the clinical adoption trends of commercially available FDA approved novel agents for treatment of CLL patients. In addition, given that the COVID-19 pandemic led to major alteration in clinical oncology practices, we further studied if this contributed to an alteration in the selection of therapeutic agents resulting in changes of CLL treatment patterns and the utilization of novel agents in the real-world setting. Thus, the objectives of this study were to examine the utilization pattern of various CLL therapies, as well as evaluate the pattern of adoption of novel agents for treatment and the impact of COVID. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the Flatiron Health database that comprised EHR-derived de-identified data. Adult patients (≥18 years) with newly diagnosed CLL from January 2014 to May 2021, with no prior treatment and who were continuously enrolled for at least 6 months before and 3 months after the index date, defined as the first date of CLL/SLL diagnosis were included. Treatment regimens were classified into seven mutually exclusive categories: bendamustine-based chemotherapy, other chemotherapy, anti-CD20-based therapy, ibrutinib, idelalisib, acalabrutinib and venetoclax. Further treatment categorization included chemotherapy vs. targeted therapy, and traditional IV vs. novel oral agents. The impact of the pandemic was examined by comparing the pre- and post-COVID cohorts (defined as 15 months pre- and post- of March 1, 2021). Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the frequency of use of treatment regimens by quarter in each year, line of therapy and between different age, gender, US geographical region, insurance status, and race/ethnicity subgroups. Multivariable regression was conducted to examine factors associated with the likelihood of adoption of novel and oral agents. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: A total of 3,037 newly diagnosed CLL patients (median age =73) were included in the study. Over half were male (62.3%), white (74.6%) and commercially-insured (54.1%). Patients were primarily treated in community practices (92%). Overall, a significant trend in adoption of novel agents was observed throughout the years following their approval (Figure 1A). Across the evaluation period, a significant decrease in chemotherapy use was observed from 61.3% (quarter 1, 2014) to 20% (quarter 2, 2021) in favor of targeted therapy as first-line therapy (Figure 1B). In contrast, the utilization of novel oral agents (vs. traditional IV agents) for first-line therapy increased from 9.5% to 70.9% for the same period (Figure 1C). Similar trends were observed for second-line and third-line therapies. Encouragingly, this change in treatment patterns was adopted comparably in all sociodemographic subgroups with no evidence of disparity. While there was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-COVID treatment landscape, the adoption of target and novel oral agents has been more pronounced with the COVID pandemic. Conclusions: Results from real-world data suggest that there is a clear shift towards the adoption of novel therapies with preference given to targeted agents and oral therapies in the US since 2014. Further research examining real-world outcomes associated with treatment regimens are needed to inform decision makers. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Chanan-Khan: Cellectar: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Alpha2 P armaceuticals, NonoDev, Starton: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company;Ascentage: Research Funding;Alpha2 Pharmaceuticals: Patents & Royalties: Tabi;Ascentage, Starton, Cellectar, NonoDev, Alpha2 Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;BeiGene, Jansen, Ascentage: Honoraria;BieGene, Jansen, Ascentage: Consultancy. Yang: BeiGene, Ltd.: Current Employment. Liu: BeiGene, Ltd.: Current Employment. Zimmerman: BeiGene, Ltd.: Current Employment. Tang: BeiGene, Ltd.: Current Employment. Ailawadhi: Karyopharm: Consultancy;AbbVie: Consultancy;Genentech: Consultancy;Takeda: Consultancy;GSK: Consultancy, Research Funding;Xencor: Research Funding;Cellectar: Research Funding;Medimmune: Research Funding;Ascentage: Research Funding;Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding;Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding;Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding;Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding;BeiGene, Ltd.: Consultancy;Sanofi: Consultancy;Oncopeptides: Consultancy.
ABSTRACT
Humoral and cellular adaptive immunity likely contribute to protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Neutralizing antibodies and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cells have been detected in convalescent and immunized immunocompetent individuals. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and its treatment, particularly anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis), blunt the antibody response to vaccines. To understand the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with CLL, assessment of the T-cell response is urgently needed. Between December 22, 2020 and May 7, 2021, 57 patients with CLL were immunized with either 2 doses of BNT162b2 (n = 30) or mRNA-1273 (n = 25) or 1 dose of Ad26.COV2.S (n = 2). Qualitative and semi-quantitative anti-spike antibodies were measured with serology tests authorized by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization. A positive humoral response to vaccination was defined as the detection of anti-spike antibodies. Ultra-deep TCRß sequencing (Adaptive Biotechnologies) was performed on total peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected before and after vaccination. These data were analyzed in the immunoSEQ Analyzer. Differential abundance was calculated using the beta-binomial model and two-sided α=.05. SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T cells were identified in the T-MAP COVID ImmuneCODE database. A positive cellular response to vaccination was defined as significant expansion of ≥1 spike-specific clonotype. Anti-spike antibodies were detected in 61% (35/57) of patients at a median (interquartile range, IQR) of 45 (30-56) days after the last dose of vaccine. The median (IQR) antibody titer was 19.1 U/mL (3.6-150.9) among 27 patients with humoral response. There were 4 patients with titers above the upper limit of quantification (>250 U/mL) and 4 patients who had qualitative testing only. The rate of humoral response was 71% (15/21) in treatment naïve (TN) patients, 57% (16/28) in patients treated with BTKi, and 0% (0/4) in patients treated with venetoclax and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Among 16 BTKi-treated patients with anti-spike antibodies, 2 interrupted BTKi during the vaccination period. One patient treated with venetoclax monotherapy and 3 previously treated patients had detectable anti-spike antibodies. The immediate prior therapies were acalabrutinib >1 year before vaccination for 2 patients and chemoimmunotherapy >8 years before vaccination for 1 patient. Vaccination with mRNA-1273 induced numerically higher titers compared to BNT162b2 (median 85.5 U/mL versus 11.0 U/mL;P=.1), but the rate of seroconversion was not significantly different (P=.4). No patients reported a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were negative in 100% (50/50) of patients tested. Circulating CD8 + T cells increased from a median (IQR) of 13.2% (7.8-18.8) at baseline to 14.3% (8.8-20.6) after vaccination (P=.015). CD3 + and CD4 + T cells did not significantly change. TCRß sequencing results are available in 7 patients (Table). The median (IQR) number of productive templates, which corresponds to the number of T cells sequenced in each sample, was 447,805 (377,738-503,097). Cellular response was observed in 57% (4/7) of patients. A total of 10 expanded spike-specific clonotypes were identified and ranged between 1 and 6 clonotypes per patient. The cumulative frequency of spike-specific clonotypes after vaccination ranged between 0.0036% and 1.55% per patient. None of these clonotypes were found at baseline despite the large number of productive templates generated in each sample. Spike-specific T cells were detected in 50% (2/4) of patients with anti-spike antibodies and 67% (2/3) of patients without seroconversion. In conclusion, patients with CLL have impaired humoral and cellular responses to COVID-19 vaccination. Seroconversion occurred less often in patients treated with BTKi than TN patients and was absent in patients treated with venetoclax and anti-CD20 mAb. Cellular responses w re seen in the absence of humoral responses. TCRß sequencing is ongoing in additional patients. Updated data will be presented at the meeting. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Sun: Genmab: Research Funding. Wiestner: Merck: Research Funding;Nurix: Research Funding;Genmab: Research Funding;Verastem: Research Funding;Acerta Pharma: Research Funding;Pharmacyclics: Research Funding.
ABSTRACT
Background: Ibrutinib (IBR) and venetoclax (VEN) combination is a highly effective therapy for patients (pts) with CLL (Jain, NEJM 2019;Wierda, ASH 2020;Kater, EHA 2021). We previously reported results of the first-line cohort of a phase II trial of combined IBR and VEN for high-risk pts with CLL (Jain, NEJM 2019;Jain, JAMA Oncology 2021). Here we report updated data for these pts with focus on MRD. Methods: Pts with previously untreated CLL meeting IWCLL treatment criteria were enrolled. All pts had at least one high-risk feature: del(17p), mutated TP53, del(11q), unmutated IGHV, or age ≥65 years (yrs). Pts received IBR 420 mg daily for 3 cycles followed by addition of VEN (weekly dose-escalation to 400mg daily). Combined therapy was given for 24 cycles (28 days/cycle). Pts with bone marrow (BM) undetectable MRD (U-MRD) (flow cytometry;sensitivity 10 -4) at 24 cycles of combined therapy discontinued both VEN and IBR;MRD+ pts continued IBR. A trial amendment allowed an additional 12 cycles of combined VEN and ibrutinib for pts who remained BM MRD+ after Cycle 24. Response assessments were performed using BM and CT imaging studies (2008 IWCLL criteria). U-MRD was defined as <0.01%;low MRD+ 0.01% to <1%;high MRD+ ≥1%. Progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed as the time from the start of study drug to CLL progression, Richter transformation, or death from any cause. Blood MRD was monitored every 6 months in pts off treatment or on ibrutinib monotherapy beyond 24 cycles of combined treatment. Results: A total of 80 pts were enrolled. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. The median follow-up was 44.1 months. Five pts came off study during 1 st 3 cycles of IBR monotherapy;75 pts initiated VEN. We previously reported that after 12 cycles of the combination, 45/80 (56%) achieved BM U-MRD remission;24/80 (30%) were BM MRD-positive (low MRD+, n=19;high MRD+, n=5). After 24 cycles of the combination, 53/80 (66%) achieved BM U-MRD remission;14/80 (17%) were BM MRD+ (low MRD+, n=13;high MRD+, n=1). Overall, 60/80 (75%) achieved BM U-MRD as the best response. Updated PFS is provided in Figure 1. Of the 53 pts who were BM U-MRD at the end of cycle 24 of the combination, 52 pts had a subsequent blood MRD assessment done in follow-up (1 missed due to COVID-19);51/53 discontinued all therapy, 2 pts continued IBR per treatment physician discretion. With a median time of 18.4 months post Cycle 24, 8 pts had recurrence of blood MRD (defined as MRD ≥ 0.01% in 2 consecutive visits) in follow-up with 1 pt with CLL progression. The sole pt with CLL progression had mutated IGHV with del(11q) and NOTCH1 mutation. The pt had delayed achievement of BM U-MRD with the pt achieving U-MRD for the first time at the end of Cycle 24 of combined therapy. She was noted to have disease progression 22 months off therapy;BTK or PLCG2 mutation were not detected and the patient is currently in clinical remission on acalabrutinib. The time to MRD conversion for these 53 pts is shown in Figure 2. There were 14 pts who were BM MRD+ at the end of cycle 24 of the combination (low MRD+, n=13;high MRD+, n=1). The only pt with high-MRD+ at end of cycle 24 was noted to have Richter transformation at that time. The remaining 13 pts (all low MRD+ in BM, range 0.01-0.56%) continued IBR monotherapy. With a recent trial amendment, MRD+ pts after Cycle 24 could get 12 additional cycles of venetoclax;9/13 pts have resumed VEN. 6/9 pts have achieved U-MRD remission. 2 pts had Richter transformation and 3 pts have died (Jain, JAMA Oncology 2021). Conclusions: We report long term follow-up of combined IBR and VEN in first-line CLL. Remissions were durable with some pts having recurrence of blood MRD in follow-up, which may be an early indicator of relapse. In a small subset of the pts with BM MRD+ disease at 24 cycles of combined therapy, additional VEN appears to lead to U-MRD remission in majority of the pts. Whether this will lead to improved long-term PFS remains to be determined. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Jain: TG Therapeutics: Honoraria;Beigene: Honoraria;Janssen: Honoraria;Fate Therapeutics: Research Funding;Aprea Therapeutics: Research Funding;Precision Biosciences: Honoraria, Research Funding;Incyte: Research Funding;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Research Funding;Cellectis: Honoraria, Research Funding;ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding;Servier: Honoraria, Research Funding;Pfizer: Research Funding;Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding;Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding;AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding;Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Thompson: AbbVie: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Amgen: Other: Institution: Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Genentech: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Adaptive Biotechnologies: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding, Expert Testimony;Pharmacyclics: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Grant/Funding;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria;Gilead: Other: Institution: Advisory/Consultancy, Honoraria. Ferrajoli: BeiGene: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding;Janssen: Other: Advisory Board;AstraZeneca: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding. Burger: Novartis: Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Speakers Bureau;TG Therapeutics: Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Speakers Bureau;Beigene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Pharmacyclics LLC: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;AstraZeneca: Consultancy. Borthakur: GSK: Consultancy;ArgenX: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Current Employment;Protagonist: Consultancy;Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Astex: Research Funding;Ryvu: Research Funding;Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Takahashi: Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Novartis: Consultancy;Celgene/BMS: Consultancy;GSK: Consultancy. Sasaki: Daiichi-Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kadia: Cellonkos: Other;Aglos: Consultancy;Dalichi Sankyo: Consultancy;AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Grant/research support;BMS: Other: Grant/research support;Amgen: Other: Grant/research support;Cure: Speakers Bureau;Jazz: Consultancy;Genentech: Consultancy, Other: Grant/research support;Liberum: Consultancy;Novartis: Consultancy;Pfizer: Consultancy, Other;Pulmotech: Other;Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy;AstraZeneca: Other;Astellas: Other;Genfleet: Other;Ascentage: Other. Konopleva: Sanofi: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Cellectis: Other: grant support;Calithera: Other: grant support, Research Funding;KisoJi: Research Funding;Agios: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Ascentage: Other: grant support, Research Funding;AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Grant Support, Research Funding;Ablynx: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding;Eli Lilly: Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights, Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Rafael Pharmaceuticals: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: grant support, Research Funding;F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: grant support;Forty Seven: Other: grant support, Research Funding;Novartis: Other: research funding pending, Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights;Reata Pharmaceuticals: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Patents & Royalties: intellectual property rights. Alvarado: BerGenBio: Research Funding;Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;Astex Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;Sun Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding;MEI Pharma: Research Funding;FibroGen: Research Funding;Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding;CytomX Therapeutics: Consultancy. Yilmaz: Pfizer: Research Funding;Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding. DiNardo: Notable Labs: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Novartis: Honoraria;Takeda: Honoraria;Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company: Honoraria, Research Funding;Forma: Honoraria, Research Funding;AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding;GlaxoSmithKline: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding;ImmuneOnc: Honoraria, Research Funding;Agios/Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Foghorn: Honoraria, Research Funding. Bose: Kartos Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding;Sierra Oncology: Honoraria;Novartis: Honoraria;Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;NS Pharma: Research Funding;Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding;Blueprint Medicines: Honoraria, Research Funding;Pfizer: Research Funding;Promedior: Research Funding;Astellas: Research Funding;Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding;BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding;CTI BioPharma: Honoraria, Research Funding. Pemmaraju: Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy;LFB Biotechnologies: Consultancy;Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: Research Support, Research Funding;ASCO Leukemia Advisory Panel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Dan's House of Hope: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisorycommittees;Roche Diagnostics: Consultancy;MustangBio: Consultancy, Other;Affymetrix: Consultancy, Research Funding;Samus: Other, Research Funding;ImmunoGen, Inc: Consultancy;ASH Communications Committee: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Aptitude Health: Consultancy;Plexxicon: Other, Research Funding;Springer Science + Business Media: Other;Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy;HemOnc Times/Oncology Times: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Clearview Healthcare Partners: Consultancy;Abbvie Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other, Research Funding;CareDx, Inc.: Consultancy;Sager Strong Foundation: Other;Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Other, Research Funding;Incyte: Consultancy;Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other, Research Funding;Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.: Consultancy;DAVA Oncology: Consultancy;Pacylex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy;Celgene Corporation: Consultancy;Cellectis S.A. ADR: Other, Research Funding. Jabbour: Amgen, AbbVie, Spectrum, BMS, Takeda, Pfizer, Adaptive, Genentech: Research Funding. Wang: Stemline Therapeutics: Honoraria. Kantarjian: Taiho Pharmaceutical Canada: Honoraria;Precision Biosciences: Honoraria;Immunogen: Research Funding;Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding;Jazz: Research Funding;BMS: Research Funding;AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding;Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding;Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding;NOVA Research: Honoraria;KAHR Medical Ltd: Honoraria;Ipsen Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria;Astra Zeneca: Honoraria;Astellas Health: Honoraria;Aptitude Health: Honoraria;Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding;Ascentage: Research Funding. Wierda: Juno Therapeutics: Research Funding;AstraZeneca: Research Funding;Xencor: Research Funding;Janssen: Research Funding;Loxo Oncology, Inc.: Research Funding;Cyclacel: Research Funding;Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding;Miragen: Research Funding;KITE Pharma: Research Funding;Sunesis: Research Funding;Gilead Sciences: Research Funding;Acerta Pharma Inc.: Rese rch Funding;Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding;Karyopharm: Research Funding;Genentech: Research Funding;GSK/Novartis: Research Funding;Genzyme Corporation: Consultancy;AbbVie: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: The combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax is not FDA approved
ABSTRACT
The BTK inhibitors ibrutinib and acalabrutinib are FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of B cell malignances. Both drugs have demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety profiles superior to chemoimmunotherapy regimens in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Mounting preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that both ibrutinib and acalabrutinib are versatile and have direct effects on many immune cell subsets as well as other cell types beyond B cells. The versatility and immunomodulatory effects of both drugs have been exploited to expand their therapeutic potential in a wide variety of human diseases. Over 470 clinical trials are currently registered at ClinicalTrials.gov to test the efficacy of ibrutinib or acalabrutinib not only in almost every type of B cell malignancies, but also in hematological malignancies of myeloid cells and T cells, solid tumors, chronic graft versus host disease (cGHVD), autoimmune diseases, allergy and COVID-19 (http:www.clinicaltrials.gov). In this review, we present brief discussions of the clinical trials and relevant key preclinical evidence of ibrutinib and acalabrutinib as monotherapies or as part of combination therapies for the treatment of human diseases beyond B cell malignancies. Adding to the proven efficacy of ibrutinib for cGVHD, preliminary results of clinical trials have shown promising efficacy of ibrutinib or acalabrutinib for certain T cell malignancies, allergies and severe COVID-19. However, both BTK inhibitors have no or limited efficacy for refractory or recurrent solid tumors. These clinical data together with additional pending results from ongoing trials will provide valuable information to guide the design and improvement of future trials, including optimization of combination regimens and dosing sequences as well as better patient stratification and more efficient delivery strategies. Such information will further advance the precise implementation of BTK inhibitors into the clinical toolbox for the treatment of different human diseases.
ABSTRACT
The clinical success of the two BTK inhibitors, ibrutinib and acalabrutinib, represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and has also revolutionized the treatment options for other B cell malignancies. Increasing evidence indicates that in addition to their direct effects on B lymphocytes, both BTK inhibitors also directly impact the homeostasis, phenotype and function of many other cell subsets of the immune system, which contribute to their high efficacy as well as adverse effects observed in CLL patients. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview on the overlapping and differential effects of ibrutinib and acalabrutinib on specific receptor signaling pathways in different immune cell subsets other than B cells, including T cells, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, osteoclasts, mast cells and platelets. The shared and distinct effects of ibrutinib versus acalabrutinib are mediated through BTK-dependent and BTK-independent mechanisms, respectively. Such immunomodulatory effects of the two drugs have fueled myriad explorations of their repurposing opportunities for the treatment of a wide variety of other human diseases involving immune dysregulation.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) regulates B cell and macrophage signaling, development, survival, and activation. Inhibiting BTK has been hypothesized to ameliorate lung injury in patients with severe COVID-19, however clinical outcome data is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of BTK inhibitors (BTKinibs) in patients with COVID-19. EVIDENCE REVIEW: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science:Core on December 30, 2020. Clinical studies with at least 5 COVID-19 patients treated with BTKinibs were included. Case reports and reviews were excluded. FINDINGS: 125 articles were identified, 6 of which met inclusion criteria. The most common clinical outcomes measured were oxygen requirements (4/6) and hospitalization rate or duration (3/6). Three studies showed decreased oxygen requirements in patients who started or continued BTKinibs. All three studies that evaluated hospitalization rate or duration found favorable outcomes in those on BTKinibs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: BTKinib use was associated with decreased oxygen requirements and decreased hospitalization rates and duration.