A retrospective observational study of CAR T-cell therapy outcomes-Experience from MSE Foundation Trust

The most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive lymphoma that can be cured with standard frontline chemo-immunotherapy in 60%-70% of patients but with historically poor outcomes for relapsed/refractory disease. Patients with relapsed DLBCL after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or with chemotherapy-refractory disease have a particularly dismal prognosis, with a median overall survival (OS) of only 6 months. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, with multiple FDA approved CAR T products now commercially available in many developed world including European countries. Ongoing studies seek to move CAR T cells to earlier lines of therapy and to characterise the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell approaches in additional lymphoma histologies including relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemias. Other areas of active research address CAR T in combination with other lymphoma-directed therapies, and mechanisms of CAR T resistance. We conducted a retrospective observational study assessing the outcomes of patients referred to our tertiary centre, University College London hospital NHS foundation Trust (UCLH) from January 2018 to December 2022, over a 48-month period. We collected data including patients' demographics, types of lymphomas, prior lines of therapies including stem cell transplantation, bridging therapies as appropriate, complications and overall response rate. We also analysed the communication between teams during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glofitamab Plus R-CHOP Induces High Response Rates with Minimal Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and Previously Untreated (1L) Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Preliminary Results from a Dose-Escalation and Safety Run-in Phase Ib Study

Background: Over a third of pts with 1L DLBCL do not respond to, or relapse after, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP;[Sarkozy and Sehn. Ann Lymphoma 2019]). Despite recent advances, pts with R/R NHL have limited curative options. Glofitamab (Glofit) is a novel, T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody with a 2:1 molecular configuration that allows bivalent binding to CD20 on B cells and monovalent binding to CD3 on T cells. Unlike other CD20xCD3 bispecific antibodies, this format uniquely enables combination with anti-CD20 antibodies, including rituximab. Glofit monotherapy induces high response rates in R/R B-cell NHL (Hutchings et al. J Clin Oncol 2021). We present results of the ongoing NP40126 study (NCT03467373), designed to assess the feasibility and safety of Glofit + R-CHOP in R/R NHL (dose-escalation phase) and 1L DLBCL (safety run-in phase). Methods: R/R NHL dose-escalation: Pts (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status [ECOG PS] 0-2) received increasing Glofit doses in separate cohorts (70µg, 1800µg, 10mg and 30mg) plus standard R-CHOP for 6-8 cycles (each 21-day). To mitigate CRS risk, R- or obinutuzumab (G)-CHOP was given in Cycle (C)1, with the aim of tumor debulking. Glofit was given from C2 onwards. For 70µg and 1800µg cohorts, fixed-dose Glofit was given on C2 Day (D)8 and onwards. For 10mg and 30mg cohorts, step-up dosing was used to further mitigate CRS risk (2.5mg C2D8, 10mg C2D15, target dose C3D8 and onwards). Optional Glofit maintenance was permitted (every 2 months for <2 years;dose-escalation phase only). 1L DLBCL safety run-in: Pts (ECOG PS 0-3) received Glofit 30mg plus standard R-CHOP for 6-8 cycles (each 21-day). Pts received R-CHOP in C1;Glofit step-up dosing began in C2 (2.5mg C2D8, 10mg C2D15, 30mg C3D8 and onwards). Response rates were assessed by PET-CT (Lugano criteria;[Cheson et al. J Clin Oncol 2014]). CRS events were graded by ASTCT criteria [Lee et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2019]. Results: R/R NHL dose-escalation: At data cut-off (June 10, 2021), 31 pts (23 follicular lymphoma [FL];6 transformed FL;1 marginal-zone lymphoma;1 mantle-cell lymphoma) had received Glofit with R/G-CHOP. Median age was 62 years, median prior lines of therapy was 2 (range: 1-5). In efficacy-evaluable pts (n=31), after a median 9.0 months' (range: 0-29) follow-up, the overall response rate (ORR) was 90% (n=28) and complete response rate (CRR) was 77% (n=24). Median duration of response was not reached. The Figure shows change in tumor size. Grade (Gr) ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 28 (90%) pts, serious AEs in 21 (68%) pts and CRS in 17 (55%) pts (mostly low grade;majority after the first 2.5mg Glofit dose;Table). One (3%) pt had a Gr 5 AE (COVID-19 pneumonia not related to study treatment). AEs led to Glofit dose modification/interruption in 2 (6%) pts and Glofit withdrawal in 1 (3%) pt. Neurologic AEs (NAEs) occurred in 20 (65%) pts: Gr 1-2 (16 pts, 52%);Gr 3 (4 pts, 13%). Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)-like AEs were uncommon;a serious AE was reported in 1 pt only (Gr 3 epilepsy during the maintenance phase;resolved in 3 days). Neutropenia occurred in 24 (77%) pts. Median dose intensity was 100% for all R-CHOP components. 1L DLBCL safety run-in: At data cut-off, 13 pts were enrolled (safety population);of these, 4 pts received Glofit 30mg with R-CHOP and were efficacy-evaluable. Median age was 68 years, all pts had Ann Arbor Stage 3/4 disease. At interim assessment (C3), CRR was 100% (4/4). Of 13 pts, 1 (8%) had a CRS event (Gr 1 with fever only) after the first 2.5mg Glofit dose;no other CRS events observed. Gr ≥3 AEs occurred in 8 (62%) pts and Gr ≥3 AEs related to Glofit in 1 (8%) pt only. One (8%) pt had a serious AE and 1 (8%) pt had a Gr 5 AE (infusion-related reaction related to rituximab on C1D1). No AEs led to Glofit or R-CHOP dose interruptions. NAEs occurred in 3 (23%) pts (all Gr 1-2;none were ICANS-like). Neutropenia occurred in 6 (46%) pts. Median dose intensity was 10 % for all R-CHOP components. Conclusions: Initial data show that Glofit + R-CHOP has tolerable safety in R/R NHL and 1L DLBCL. R-CHOP dose intensity was maintained in all pts. The very low CRS rate and no neurotoxicity in 1L DLBCL may render Glofit particularly suitable for the outpatient setting without the need for hospitalization. Updated data, including end-of-treatment responses from the 1L DLBCL safety run-in phase, will be presented. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Ghosh: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;AbbVie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Karyopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria;AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria;Adaptive Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria;TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Genmab: Consultancy, Honoraria;Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Epizyme: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Genentech: Research Funding. Townsend: Celgene (Bristol-Myers Squibb): Consultancy, Honoraria;F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria. Dickinson: Amgen: Honoraria;Celgene: Research Funding;Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Takeda: Research Funding;Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria;Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria;Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodation, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Topp: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding;Janssen: Consultancy;Universitatklinikum Wurzburg: Current Employment;Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding;Novartis: Consultancy;Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding;Gilead: Research Funding;Regeneron: Consultancy, Research Funding;Macrogeniecs: Research Funding;Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Santoro: Sandoz: Speakers Bureau;Eli-Lilly: Speakers Bureau;Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau;Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Celgene: Speakers Bureau;Amgen: Speakers Bureau;AbbVie: Speakers Bureau;Roche: Speakers Bureau;BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Eisai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Takeda: Speakers Bureau;Sanofi: Consultancy;Arqule: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Speakers Bureau;Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Crump: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Kyte/Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Epizyme: Research Funding;Roche: Research Funding. Morschhauser: Epizyme: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy;Genmab: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau;BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Chugai: Honoraria;Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Servier: Consultancy;AstraZenenca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;F. Hoffmann-La Roch Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Janssen: Honoraria. Mehta: Kite/Gilead;Roche-Genetech;Celgene/BMS;Oncotartis;Innate Pharmaceuticals;Seattle Genetics;Incyte;Takeda;Fortyseven Inc/Gilead;TG Therapeutics;Merck;Juno Pharmaceuticals/BMS: Research Funding;Seattle Genetics;Incyte;TG Therapeutics: Consultancy;Seattle Genetics;Incyte;TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Panchal: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Current Employment. Wu: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Barrett: Roche Products Ltd: Current Employment;F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Humphrey: Roche: Current Employment, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Qayum: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hutchings: Novartis: Research Funding;Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding;Incyte: Research Funding;Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding;Celgene: Research Funding;Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Genmab: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Glofitamab is a full-length, humanized immunoglobulin G1 bispecific antibody with a 2:1 molecular format that facilitates bivalent binding to CD20 on B-cells, and monovalent binding to CD3 on T-cells. Glofitamab redirects T cells to engage and eliminate malignant B cells. Glofitamab is an investigational agent. Rituximab (Rituxan) is aCD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of adult pts with: relapsed or refractory, low grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent;previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first-line chemotherapy (chemo) and, in pts achieving a CR or PR to a rituximab product in combination with chemo, as single-agent maintenance therapy;non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20 positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first-line CVP chemo;previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive, NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemo regimens;previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide.

Steroid Use, Advanced Stage Disease and ≥3 Lines of Prior Chemotherapy Are Associated with a Higher Risk of Infection Following CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy for B-NHL: Real World Data from a Large UK Center

Background: Tisagenlecleucel (Tisagen) and Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axicel) CD19 CAR T-cell products are licensed in the UK for adults with relapsed/refractory high-grade B-cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). Infection rates for the first 30 days post CAR T range from 23% (Hill et al, Blood 2018) to 42% (Park et al, Clin Infect Dis 2018) with a predominance of early bacterial infections. Infection etiology is multifactorial, including pre-existing immunosuppression, poor marrow reserve, concomitant disease, delayed cytopenias and lymphodepletion. CRS has been shown to be an independent risk factor and associated treatment (Tocilizumab, steroids) may contribute. Risk assessment is limited by heterogenous cohorts in published reports and practice variations in use of prophylactic antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). To determine incidence and outcome of infection with licensed CAR T-cell products, we conducted a retrospective review at UCLH, London, UK. Methods: Electronic medical records were used to collect data on patients treated with Tisagen/Axicel from May 2019 to July 2020. Infections at ≤28 days and >28days following infusion were recorded. Infections were defined as a positive microbiological/virology result in conjunction with clinical symptoms. Invasive fungal infections were classified according to revised EORTC criteria. Infections were graded as severe (requiring systemic treatment) or life threatening (hypotension/organ support). Results: Sixty adults with B-NHL received Tisagen (n=19) or Axicel (n=41). Patients did not receive prophylactic antibiotics. IVIG was given for hypogammaglobulinaemia with recurrent infections (n=4). Within 28 days of infusion, 44 episodes of infection occurred in 28 patients (47%). Post day 28 (range 29-452), 19 episodes occurred in 9 patients (15%). Severe (n=9) and life-threatening (n=7) infection occurred in 15% and 12% of patients respectively, with two infections resulting or contributing to death (3.3%). Infections were bacterial (56%), respiratory viral (24%), other viral (14%) and fungal (6%). Six (10%) developed viral reactivations;CMV (n=1), BK virus in blood or urine (n=2), HHV6 (n=1) or AdV (n=2). PCR proven JC virus causing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was reported in 1 patient at day 116. Only one late COVID-19 infection occurred despite the program remaining operational throughout lockdown. There was no association between early infection and CRS severity (p=0.43), or use (p=0.94) and dose of Tocilizumab (p=0.54). With regard to pre-treatment variables, advanced disease at time of infusion (≥stage 3) was associated with higher risk of any infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.3- 13.4, p=0.016) and lines of prior therapy (≥3) with higher risk of early infection (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0-8.9, p=0.048). Steroid treatment was associated with a higher risk of early (and overall) infection (OR 3.0. 95% CI 1.0-8.6, p=0.048). A diagnosis of ICANS was associated with infection beyond day 30 (p=0.021). In multivariate analyses, steroid use (p=0.03) and ≥3 lines of prior therapy (p=0.021) were associated with infection ≤28 days of infusion. Steroid use (p= 0.049) and stage pre infusion (p=0.023) were associated with higher risk of any infection. Conclusion: In this real world analysis of B-NHL patients treated with Tisagen or Axicel, 47% developed early infection at ≤28 days. Severe or life-threatening infection occurred in 27% of patients. Multivariate analysis confirms significant association with (1) steroid exposure (2) ≥stage 3 disease and (3) ≥3 lines of previous therapy. There was no overt association with Tocilizumab use or CRS severity. Unlike other centers, our cohort did not receive prophylactic antibiotics or IVIG. Patients with advanced disease are high risk for CRS, ICANS and infectious complications. Risk modification strategies include bridging optimization to reduce disease burden pre CAR T with infectious prophylaxis from referral until at least 3-6 months post-infusion. In this analysis, steroids represent a significant ri k and efforts should be made to wean doses swiftly. The use of steroid sparing agents such as Anakinra may be important (clinical trial results awaited). In ≥ stage 3 disease or heavily pre-treated patients, there may be a role for prophylactic antibiotics but this should be explored within a clinical study with consideration of local antimicrobial resistance patterns. Disclosures: Neill: Novartis: Other: Funded attendance at academic conferences;Celgene: Other: Funded attendance at academic conferences. Townsend: Roche, Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ardeshna: Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;ADC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Sanofi, Genzyme, AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau;University College London (UCL)/UCL Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Unit: Other: Supported by this organisation. Cwynarski: Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support, Speakers Bureau;Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Atara: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support, Speakers Bureau;Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support, Speakers Bureau;Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support. Peggs: Autolus: Consultancy. Roddie: Celgene: Honoraria;Gilead: Honoraria;Novartis: Honoraria. O'Reilly: Gilead: Honoraria;Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Travel support.