Clinical trials that led to ibrutinib's approval for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia showed that its side effects differ from those of traditional chemotherapy. Reasons for ...discontinuation in clinical practice have not been adequately studied. We conducted a retrospective analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with ibrutinib either commercially or on clinical trials. We aimed to compare the type and frequency of toxicities reported in either setting, assess discontinuation rates, and evaluate outcomes. This multicenter, retrospective analysis included ibrutinib-treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients at nine United States cancer centers or from the Connect® Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Registry. We examined demographics, dosing, discontinuation rates and reasons, toxicities, and outcomes. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Six hundred sixteen ibrutinib-treated patients were identified. A total of 546 (88%) patients were treated with the commercial drug. Clinical trial patients were younger (mean age 58
61 years,
=0.01) and had a similar time from diagnosis to treatment with ibrutinib (mean 85
87 months,
=0.8). With a median follow-up of 17 months, an estimated 41% of patients discontinued ibrutinib (median time to ibrutinib discontinuation was 7 months). Notably, ibrutinib toxicity was the most common reason for discontinuation in all settings. The median progression-free survival and overall survival for the entire cohort were 35 months and not reached (median follow-up 17 months), respectively. In the largest reported series on ibrutinib- treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, we show that 41% of patients discontinued ibrutinib. Intolerance as opposed to chronic lymphocytic leukemia progression was the most common reason for discontinuation. Outcomes remain excellent and were not affected by line of therapy or whether patients were treated on clinical studies or commercially. These data strongly argue in favor of finding strategies to minimize ibrutinib intolerance so that efficacy can be further maximized. Future clinical trials should consider time-limited therapy approaches, particularly in patients achieving a complete response, in order to minimize ibrutinib exposure.
Steroid-refractory (SR) acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is associated with significant mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients. We ...retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of tocilizumab for the treatment of SR biopsy-proven acute lower GI GVHD in 16 consecutive adult transplant recipients between October 2015 and July 2016. Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg was administered every 2 weeks until achievement of complete response, defined as resolution of all manifestations of GI GVHD, or until patients had progression or initiation of other therapy. Ten of 16 patients (62.5%; 95% CI, 0.39-82) achieved a complete response after a median time of 11 days (range, 2-28 days) from tocilizumab initiation. The median time to response onset (improvement in stage by at least 1) was 1 day (range, 1-4 days). Tocilizumab was administered at a median of 9 days (range, 3-75 days) from GVHD diagnosis and 10 days (range, 3-75 days) from initiation of high-dose steroids. At a median follow-up of 7.6 months (range, 0.8-27.7 months) from initiation of tocilizumab, 6/16 (37.5%) patients are alive and free of their underlying hematologic malignancy. Tocilizumab appears to be a highly active agent for the treatment of severe SR lower GI acute GVHD.
Background
Pharmacologic immunosuppression and incomplete immune reconstitution after allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) may impair a patient's ability to mount an immune response to vaccines, ...including currently available COVID-19 vaccines. Since immunocompromised patients are susceptible to severe COVID-19 and likely to respond poorly to vaccination, we sought to characterize SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses after vaccination in alloSCT patients to determine predictors of serologic response, which may inform timing of vaccine administration.
Methods
This retrospective analysis included adult patients who underwent alloSCT at the University of Pennsylvania between 1/1/2019 and 1/1/2021. Chart review identified patients who had received COVID-19 vaccines and had post-vaccination antibody titers drawn by July 2021 as part of routine care (n=63). Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain were detected using an assay developed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Variables analyzed include interval between transplant date and initial vaccination, active GVHD, concurrent immunosuppressive therapy, absolute CD4 count greater than or equal to 200 cells/mm3 peri-vaccination, and total IgG greater than or equal to 400 mg/dL peri-vaccination. Immunosuppressive therapy was defined as tacrolimus, rituximab, ruxolitinib, prednisone 10 mg daily or greater, or extracorporeal photopheresis. Predictors of positive antibody response were assessed using a multivariate, binary logistic regression.
Results
Median transplant to vaccine interval was 458 days (range 125 to 813) for the 63 vaccinated patients with serologies available. GVHD was present in 23/63 (37%), and 19/63 (30%) were receiving immunosuppressive therapies at the time of vaccination. CD4 count greater than 200 cells/mm3 was observed in 49 patients (78%), and total IgG greater than 400 mg/dL was observed in 51 patients (81%). In total, 50/63 patients (79%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Positive serologies were observed in 41/49 (84%) with CD4 counts greater than 200 cells/mm3, compared to 9/14 (64%) with CD4 less than 200 cells/mm3. Our model found that peri-vaccination CD4 count greater than 200 cells/mm3 was a significant predictor of positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG serologies in this population (OR 2.14, 97.5% CI = 0.7 to 3.8, p= 0.005). Transplant to vaccine interval, total IgG levels, GVHD status, and immunosuppressive therapies were not significant predictors of serologic response. As of July 2021 no patients had developed COVID-19 after vaccination, regardless of serologic response.
Conclusions
This retrospective observational study demonstrates that the majority of alloSCT patients vaccinated against COVID-19 within 2 years of transplant, including those with active GVHD and on immunosuppressive therapies, can mount serologic responses. CD4 count greater than 200 cells/mm3 is a significant predictor of positive serologic response, though even among patients with CD4 counts under 200 cells/mm3 over 60% developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.
Perry: Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie,: Speakers Bureau; Kadmon: Consultancy. Pratz: University of Pennsylvania: Current Employment; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cellgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy; Millenium: Research Funding. Luger: Syros: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Brystol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Onconova: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Hoffman LaRoche: Research Funding; Kura: Research Funding. Perl: Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Loxo: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Syndax: Consultancy; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Fujifilm: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forma: Consultancy; Arog: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Actinium: Consultancy; Onconova: Consultancy; Sumitomo Dainippon: Consultancy. Porter: ASH: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; DeCart: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: Honoraria; Kite/Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; National Marrow Donor Program: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Tmunity: Patents & Royalties; Wiley and Sons Publishing: Honoraria. Hexner: Blueprint medicines: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; PharmaEssentia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Tmunity Therapeutics: Research Funding. Frey: Sana Biotechnology: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Syndax Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a diverse group of medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Chronic ...lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia diagnosed in the western hemisphere, and 16.5% to 66% of patients have reported using CAM. Most patients use spiritual/mind–body techniques and high doses of vitamins and herbs (most commonly polyphenols, including teas). We have reviewed the reported data on green tea and turmeric use in CLL patients.
Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant adverse event in adults receiving pegaspargase (PEG) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PEG increases VTE risk by depletion of ...antithrombin III (AT). Heparin requires adequate AT for anticoagulation. Younger adults with T-cell ALL receiving prednisone may be particularly at risk. Retrospective series (most with L-asparaginase) suggest AT supplementation may decrease VTE, however prospective data in adults beyond induction is limited while the optimal dose of AT remains undefined and varies across series. We reviewed adults at our institution who received PEG for ALL to assess the incidence of VTE within our AT supplementation practice. Laboratory and cost data for AT repletion were also analyzed.
Methods: Adults who received PEG for ALL between 11/2015 and 7/2018 were retrospectively identified. Institutional recommendations were to supplement AT if serum AT < 60% following PEG for at least the first 2 courses (induction/consolidation). AT levels were assessed twice weekly until normalized. AT supplementation following additional cycles was recommended for all patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation. Pharmacists calculated the AT dose using a repletion factor of 80-120%, rounded to the nearest vial. After VTE, patients received therapeutic enoxaparin throughout all remaining PEG doses, with enoxaparin held only if platelets < 50,000/mcL or for procedures. After 3/2018, all patients receiving PEG also received enoxaparin prophylaxis when platelets >30,000/mcL. A retrospective analysis was done to assess the incidence of VTE. Secondary endpoints included an assessment of VTE risk factors, ability to achieve therapeutic AT levels with supplementation and to characterize drug therapy costs with AT supplementation.
Results: Thirty-one patients (30 newly diagnosed, 1 in relapse) with ALL received ≥ 1 dose of PEG followed by AT supplementation. Seventeen of 31 patients were adolescent/young adults (AYA) and 13/31 had T cell ALL. Additional patient characteristics are summarized in table 1. The incidence of VTE was 19%, with 7 VTEs identified in 6 patients. Two patients developed CNS thrombosis (1 fatal), 1 had a pulmonary embolism, and the remainder were upper extremity VTE. Six of 7 VTE occurred during the first two courses at a mean of 66 days (range 6-225) following the first PEG dose. Patients with VTE had a median platelet count of 118/mcL (range 34-377) and a mean AT nadir of 53% (36-98) within 72 hours of VTE. Two of 7 events occurred despite enoxaparin prophylaxis. Five of 6 (83%) patients with VTE had T-ALL; which was more common in the VTE vs. no-VTE group (p = 0.01). The incidence of VTE within the T-ALL group was 38%. Patients with VTE were all AYA and were younger than those without VTE (median 31 vs. 42 years, p = 0.06). Patients with VTE received a higher mean PEG dose than patients without VTE (4589 vs. 3504 units, p < 0.0001), reflective of the more aggressive dosing in the AYA regimen. Six of 7 VTEs occurred during a course containing prednisone (p = 0.08 vs. dexamethasone). AT nadirs during cycles with VTE were similar to cycles without VTE. No clinically significant bleeding occurred. Characteristics of patients with VTE are summarized in table 2.
Overall the mean time to AT nadir was 11 days. Therapeutic AT (> 60%) following supplementation occurred 56% of the time. Most AT doses (89%) were calculated with a correction factor of 80-89%. The probability of obtaining a therapeutic AT increased when a higher repletion factor (> 90%) was used (76% vs. 52%, p = 0.06). Patients received a mean of 1.9 (0-6) doses of AT per PEG dose, and a mean of 5.9 (1-21) AT doses throughout treatment. The mean AT supplementation cost per PEG dose was $11,663 with 186 doses administered ($3.22/unit).
Conclusions: VTE occurred in 19% of patients receiving AT supplementation following PEG, with 2/7 events involving the CNS. The risk of VTE was greatest in younger adults with T-ALL receiving concurrent prednisone and higher doses of PEG. AT levels were low at the time of VTE in most patients, however nadirs were similar compared to courses not complicated by VTE. Routine or augmented VTE prophylaxis and a higher AT repletion goal (> 90%) may further limit VTE risk but given the cost and patient inconvenience, prospective evaluation is needed to confirm the benefit.
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Frey:Servier Consultancy: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Perl:Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arog: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; NewLink Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Porter:Genentech: Other: Spouse employment; Novartis: Other: Advisory board, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Other: Advisory board.
Patients undergoing haploidentical or mismatched unrelated donor (haplo/MMUD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) receiving post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) are at high ...risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Experience with letermovir (LET) in this population is limited. This single center retrospective cohort study compared CMV and transplant outcomes between LET and a historical control with high-dose valacyclovir (HDV) prophylaxis in adults undergoing haplo/MMUD alloHCT. Thirty-eight CMV seropositive patients were included, 19 in each arm. LET reduced the incidence of CMV infection (5% vs. 53%, RR 0.01, 95% CI 0.014-0.71, p = .001) and need for CMV treatment by day +100 (5% vs. 37%, RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.18-0.99, p = .017) compared to HDV. Median CMV event-free-survival was improved with LET (not reached vs. 80 days, HR 0.114, 95% CI 0.07-0.61, p = .004). These data support the efficacy of LET in alternative donor transplants.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction: Rasburicase, a recombinant form of urate oxidase, is a highly effective treatment for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Although the FDA-approved dose for rasburicase is 0.2 mg/kg/day for up ...to five days, many centers have adopted alternative dosing strategies to decrease cost, the most common being a single 6 mg dose. We hypothesized that further reducing the dose to 3 mg would result in similar efficacy and yield significant cost savings compared to the 6 mg dose strategy.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the comparative effectiveness of a single 3 mg dose of rasburicase versus a single 6 mg dose in 108 adults with hematological malignancies presenting with a baseline uric acid (UA) ≤ 12 mg/dL between June 2009 and February 2015. Prior to January 2012, our institutional policy recommended a single 6 mg dose for all patients who met criteria for rasburicase for TLS. In January 2012, the policy was amended to recommend a single 3 mg dose for patients with a baseline UA ≤ 12 mg/dL. Thus, the study included 56 patients with UA ≤ 12 who received a single 6 mg dose prior to the policy modification and 52 patients with UA ≤ 12 given the 3 mg dose after the amendment. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who achieved a UA ≤ 8 mg/dL (the upper limit of normal at our institution) 24 hours after a single dose of rasburicase. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze categorical variables and t-tests were used to analyze continuous variables. The a priori level of significance was set at α < 0.05.
Results: The mean baseline UA was 9.3 mg/dL and 9.8 mg/dL in the 3 mg arm and 6 mg arm, respectively (P = .19). At 24 hours there was no difference in the percentage of patients who achieved a UA ≤ 8 mg/dL (92% vs. 98%; P = 0.36). In addition, there was no difference in the percentage of patients who achieved a UA ≤ 8 mg/dL at 48 hours (98% vs. 100%; P = 0.48). Six (11.5%) patients in the 3 mg arm and one (1.8%) patient in the 6 mg arm required a second dose of rasburicase to achieve a UA <8 mg/dL (P = 0.1). Of note, the 6 mg group had a greater percent reduction in UA from baseline compared to the 3 mg group at both 24 hours (-68.1% vs. -48.6%; P < .01) and 48 hours (-69.3% vs. -51.3%; P = 0.02) after rasburicase administration. There was no difference in the percent change of serum creatinine between the two dosing strategies at 24 hours (-6.5% vs. 0.1%; P = 0.11) or 48 hours (-4.5% vs. -2.5%; P = 0.22). In addition, no difference was observed with respect to the percent of patients who required renal replacement therapy within 7 days of rasburicase administration (8.9% vs. 9.6% P = 1.0). Based on the average wholesale price of $815 for one 1.5 mg vial of rasburicase, the single 3 mg dose was associated with approximately $1,500 cost savings per encounter compared to the 6 mg dose.
Conclusion: A single 3 mg dose of rasburicase was as effective as 6 mg in normalizing UA within 24 hours. Our findings demonstrate that administering a single 3 mg dose of rasburicase is a cost-effective alternative for TLS management in patients with hematological malignancies presenting with a UA ≤ 12 mg/dL.
Svoboda:Immunomedics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding. Ganetsky:Onyx: Speakers Bureau.
Abstract only
e19043
Background: Ibrutinib (IBR), a BTK inhibitor, is FDA approved for CLL, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. Despite limited data, IBR ...is being utilized as a therapy for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (RR) DLBCL and FL. In an effort to further characterize the efficacy of IBR in these settings, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of IBR-treated pts with DLBCL, RT or FL. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of DLBCL, RT and FL pts treated with IBR was completed. Data collected included demographics, stage, IPI, prior treatments, IBR dose/duration, reasons for discontinuation, and response. PFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. Results: 44 pts were identified (DLBCL: n = 24, 55%; FL: n = 12, 27%; RT: n = 8, 18%). Baseline characteristics: age (range 19 – 80), 61% male, 95% ECOG 0 - 1, 71% stage IV, 62% elevated LDH, 48% R-IPI ≥ 4. DLBCL subtypes (Hans criteria) were 46% non-GC (n = 11), 29% GC (n = 7), 25% unclassifiable (n = 6). In FL, 8% were grade 1, 59% grade 2, and 33% grade 3a. Med number of prior therapies was 5 (range 1-11). Most common reasons for IBR discontinuation were progression (35%), toxicity (20%), bridge to CAR-T (10%). PFS and OS data are shown in the table below. In DLBCL, cell of origin (Hans) did not impact outcomes (p = .97, LR test). PFS was superior in RT as compared to DLBCL (p = .03, LR test). Conclusions: In the largest single-center, real-world experience of IBR use in DLBCL, RT and FL, we validate findings reported in clinical trials. In FL, responses appear to be durable (median PFS > 10 months). Outcomes are poor in DLBCL and use of IBR as monotherapy is not recommended. Perhaps IBR is best used as a short-term bridge to more definitive therapies. Cell of origin (Hans) may not predict PFS and should not be used to select pts for IBR. Pts with RT appear to have more durable responses (vs. DLBCL) suggesting differing dependence on BTK signaling. Table: see text