ALBERT

Description: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is the cancer type most susceptible to anti-programmed-death-receptor-1 (PD1) treatment and characterized by scarce Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells (HRSC) perpetuating a unique tumor microenvironment (TME). Whilst in solid tumors anti-PD1 effects appear largely mediated by cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells, HRSC frequently lack major histocompatibility complex expression and the mechanism of anti-PD1 efficacy in cHL is unclear. Rapid clinical response and high interim complete response rate to anti-PD1 based 1st-line treatment was recently reported for patients with early-stage unfavorable cHL treated in the GHSG phase II NIVAHL trial. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this very early response to anti-PD1 treatment, we analyzed paired biopsies and blood samples obtained in NIVAHL patients before and during the first days of nivolumab 1st-line cHL therapy. Mirroring the rapid clinical response, HRSC had disappeared from the tissue within days after the first nivolumab application. The TME shows a reduction of Tr1 T-cells and PD-L1+ tumor associated macrophages (TAM) already at this early timepoint of treatment. Interestingly, neither a cytotoxic immune-response nor a clonal T-cell expansion was observed in the tumors or peripheral blood. These early changes of the TMA were distinct from alterations found in a separate set of cHL biopsies at relapse during anti-PD1 therapy. We identify a unique very early histologic response pattern to anti-PD1 therapy in cHL suggestive for withdrawal of pro-survival factors rather than induction of an adaptive anti-tumor immune response as main mechanism of action.

Description: The genetic background of follicular lymphomas (FLs) diagnosed in advanced clinical stages III/IV, and which are frequently characterized by t(14;18), has been substantially unraveled. Molecular features, as exemplified in the clinicogenetic risk model m7FLIPI, are important tools in risk stratification. In contrast, little information is available concerning localized-stage FL (clinical stages I/II), which accounts for ∼20% of newly diagnosed FL in which the detection rate of t(14;18) is only ∼50%. To investigate the genetic background of localized-stage FL, patient cohorts with advanced-stage FL or localized-stage FL, uniformly treated within phase 3 trials of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group, were comparatively analyzed. Targeted gene expression (GE) profiling of 184 genes using nCounter technology was performed in 110 localized-stage and 556 advanced-stage FL patients. By penalized Cox regression, a prognostic GE signature could not be identified in patients with advanced-stage FL, consistent with results from global tests and univariate regression. In contrast, it was possible to define robust GE signatures discriminating localized-stage and advanced-stage FL (area under the curve, 0.98) by penalized logistic regression. Of note, 3% of samples harboring an “advanced-stage signature” in the localized-stage cohort exhibited inferior failure-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 7.1; P = .0003). Likewise, in the advanced-stage cohort, 7% of samples with a “localized-stage signature” had prolonged failure-free survival (HR, 2.3; P = .017) and overall survival (HR, 3.4; P = .072). These data support the concept of a biological difference between localized-stage and advanced-stage FL that might contribute to the superior outcome of localized FL.

Description: Aberrant B-cell receptor (BCR)/NF-kB signaling is a hallmark feature of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL), especially in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Recurrent mutations in this cascade, e.g. in CD79B, CARD11, or NFKBIZ, and also in the Toll-like receptor pathway transducer MyD88, all deregulate NF-kB, but their differential impact on lymphoma development and biology remains to be determined. We functionally investigate here primary mouse lymphomas that formed in recipient mice of Eµ-myc transgenic hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) stably transduced with naturally occurring NF-kB mutants. While most mutants supported Myc-driven lymphoma formation through repressed apoptosis, CARD11- or MyD88-mutant lymphoma cells selectively presented with a macrophage-activating secretion profile, which, in turn, strongly enforced TGF-b-mediated senescence in the lymphoma cell compartment. However, MyD88- or CARD11-mutant Eµ-myc lymphomas exhibited high-level expression of the immune checkpoint mediator PD-L1, thus preventing their efficient clearance by adaptive host immunity. Conversely, these mutant-specific dependencies were therapeutically exploitable by anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade, leading to direct T-cell-mediated lysis of predominantly but not exclusively senescent lymphoma cells. Importantly, mouse-based mutant MyD88- and CARD11-derived signatures marked DLBCL subgroups exhibiting mirroring phenotypes with respect to the triad of senescence induction, macrophage attraction, and evasion of cytotoxic T-cell immunity. Complementing genomic subclassification approaches, our functional, cross-species investigation unveils pathogenic principles and therapeutic vulnerabilities applicable to and testable in human DLBCL subsets that may inform future personalized treatment strategies.

Description: Richter's transformation (RT) is an aggressive lymphoma which occurs upon progression from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Transformation has been associated with genetic aberrations in the CLL-phase involving TP53, CDKN2A, MYC, and NOTCH1, however a significant proportion of RT cases lack CLL-phase associated events. Here, we report that high levels of AKT phosphorylation occurs both in high-risk CLL patients harboring TP53 and NOTCH1 mutations as well as in RT patients. Genetic over-activation of Akt in the murine Eµ-TCL1 CLL mouse model resulted in CLL to RT with significantly reduced survival and an aggressive lymphoma phenotype. In the absence of recurrent mutations, we identified a profile of genomic aberrations intermediate between CLL and DLBCL. Multi-omics assessment by phosphoproteomic/proteomic and single-cell transcriptomic profiles of this Akt-induced murine RT revealed a S100-protein-defined subcluster of highly aggressive lymphoma cells, which developed from CLL cells, through activation of Notch via Notch ligand expressed by T cells. Constitutively active Notch1 similarly induced RT of murine CLL. We identify Akt activation as an initiator of CLL transformation towards aggressive lymphoma by inducing Notch signaling between RT cells and microenvironmental T cells.

Description: Background The primary analysis of the investigator-sponsored randomized multicenter phase II GHSG NIVAHL trial showed feasibility and excellent short-term efficacy of anti-PD1 based 1st-line treatment of early-stage unfavorable classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Achieving long-term disease control without excessive treatment-related morbidity is of utmost importance when developing innovative 1st-line cHL therapies. Duration of response and development of persisting immune-related toxicities are of concern in the setting of 1st-line anti-PD1 treatment. Methods NIVAHL enrolled treatment naïve early-stage unfavorable cHL patients at 28 German centers and individuals were randomized to either receive fully concomitant 4x Nivo-AVD (group A) or sequential 4xnivolumab, followed by 2x Nivo-AVD and 2x AVD (group B). Both groups received consolidative 30Gy IS-RT and the primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate at end of study treatment. Detailed methods, patient characteristics and the primary endpoint analysis of NIVAHL have been recently published (Bröckelmann PJ et al. JAMA Oncol 2020). Herein we present extended follow-up of the NIVAHL trial to assess efficacy in terms of 2-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as well as safety with regards to long-term toxicities or organ impairment documented during the first year of follow-up after treatment. Results A total of 109 patients with cHL confirmed by central pathology review were enrolled between 04/2017 - 10/2018 and followed for a median of 20 and 21 months in groups A (n=55) and B (n=54), respectively, for the present analysis. All of the 7 patients deemed in partial remission (PR) at end of study treatment (EOT) converted into an ongoing CR after end of study without additional treatment during follow-up. With no relapse and no death observed since the primary analysis, the 2-year PFS estimates are 100% and 98% (95%CI 88-100%) in groups A and B, respectively, and the 2-year OS is 100% in both groups. With a median observation time for late-toxicities of 14 months after EOT (range 6-26 months) among 103 patients, any potentially treatment-related AE during follow-up was reported in 65% of patients (A: 74%, B: 56%). The highest documented CTCAE grade of late AEs was °I in 33%, °II in 25% and °III in 7% of patients with no °IV-V AEs observed. A total of 54% had at least one late event related to AVD, 47% to nivolumab and 32% to RT, with multiple relations attributable per event. Mean FEV1 and DLCOc did not decrease from baseline (91.1% -〉 96.4% and 86.2% -〉 83.3%, respectively). Decreased LVEF after EOT was reported in 2/56 patients with available data (4%). After EOT, 18% of patients required medication for adverse events. Corticosteroid ≥ and 〈 10mg prednisolone equivalent was required in 3% and 2% of patients, respectively, for a toxicity at any time during follow-up. No patient required corticosteroid treatment at last available follow-up. Most frequent toxicities reported after EOT included fatigue (21%), hypothyroidism (17%), respiratory tract disorders (16%), leukopenia (14%) and nervous system disorders (14%). Hypothyroidism was the event most frequently solely attributed to nivolumab during follow-up. The median time to onset after EOT was 5 months and affected patients nearly exclusively female (15/16 [94%]). After median follow-up of 10 months (range 0-21), hypothyroidism remained unchanged in 10 of 16 affected patients and resolved in 3 patients. Conclusion The excellent disease control of concomitant and sequential nivolumab and AVD in early-stage unfavorable cHL is confirmed with the currently available follow-up. Treatment-related toxicities ongoing or emerging during follow-up are predominantly associated with chemo- and/or RT. The most frequent nivolumab-associated late toxicity is hypothyroidism. No patient currently requires chronic corticosteroid treatment. Disclosures Bröckelmann: Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD Sharp & Dohme: Research Funding. Keller:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau. Meissner:Celgene: Other: Travel support; Bristol Myers Squibb: Other: Travel support; Takeda: Other: Travel support; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Other: Travel support; Hexal: Other: Travel support. Trautmann:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Kerkhoff:BMS: Honoraria. Hüttmann:Celgene: Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Lead Discovery Center GmbH: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany: Current Employment; Roche: Other: Travel expenses; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company). Zimmermann:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Travel Expenses; MSD: Other: Travel Expenses; Novartis: Other: Travel Expenses. Fuchs:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Affimed: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. von Tresckow:Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; MSD Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Borchmann:Takeda: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Engert:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Affimed Therapeutics: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Nivolumab 240mg Q2W alone or in combination with AVD for 1st-line treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Description: Introduction:Considering the increasing numbers of lymphoma patients (pts) surviving long-term, late effects of current treatment strategies such as secondary (sec) malignancies gain increasing importance. Many treatment regimens used in pts with lymphoma (R-CHOEP, DA-EPOCH-R, BEACOPP) include etoposide, a cytotoxic agent reported to increase sec leukemias. In order to further investigate the role of etoposide in inducing sec malignancies in pts with aggressive lymphoma we analyzed the R-MegaCHOEP trial (Schmitz et al., Lancet Oncology 2012) where young, high-risk pts with aggressive B-cell lymphomas had received R-CHOEP or R-MegaCHOEP, a regimen containing very high doses of etoposide (4g/m2). We compared rates of secondary tumors to incidences found in young patients treated with R-CHOP only. Methods:We analyzed 1536 pts aged 18-60 years with aggressive B-cell lymphoma treated in the prospective phase 3 trials FLYER (NCT00278421; n=588, median observation time (OT)=66 months), UNFOLDER (NCT00278408; n=695, median OT=72 months) and MegaCHOEP (NCT00129090; n=253, median OT=112 months) to compare the cumulative incidences of sec neoplasms. We performed a competing risk analysis for time from randomization to occurrence of sec malignancy (myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) or other) according to first-line therapy with R-CHOP (n=1283) vs. R-CHOEP (n=127) vs. R-MegaCHOEP (n=126). We used a cause-specific hazard model adjusted for gender, age (〉50 vs. 50 years showed a trend for increasing sec AML. We found very similar incidences of sec solid tumors (not MDS/AML) affecting 4% of pts treated with R-CHOP or R-MegaCHOEP and 6% of pts following R-CHOEP regimen. The only factor significantly increasing the risk of sec solid tumors was age 〉50 years (HR 2.6, 95%CI (1.5; 4.3), p

Description: Introduction Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive lymphomas, which usually carry a poor prognosis. Malignant T-cells may overexpress programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which signals via programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, and provides an inhibitory signal on normal T-cells further suppressing antitumor immunity. They can also express PD1 which may act as a tumor suppressor on malignant T-cells (Wartewig et al, Nature 2017). Thus, blocking the PD1/PDL1 synapse in PTCL may lead to tumor regression or progression. The NIVEAU trial is an ongoing international, multicenter, randomized, open label, phase 3 study testing Nivolumab (Nivo) in combination with (Rituximab), Gemcitabine, Oxaliplatin ((R-)GemOx) for patients with aggressive (B and T-cell) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in first relapse or progression not eligible for High-Dose Chemotherapy (NCT03366272). Here, we performed a preliminary analysis of the experimental arm (Nivo-GemOx) of the PTCL cohort to assess the safety and efficacy of this regimen in this population. Methods Key eligibility criteria include: first relapse or progression of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), ineligibility for high dose therapy (defined as 〉65 years of age or older than 18 years if HCT-CI score 〉 2), only one prior chemotherapy regimen including an anthracycline. Pts were planned to receive 8 cycles Nivolumab (3mg/kg) plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin in 2-wk intervals followed by additional 18 Nivolumab (3mg/kg) biweekly as consolidation or until progression. Response was evaluated after 4 and 8 cycles of GemOx. Each progression/relapse of PTCL had to be reported as a SAE. Results The analysis (data cut-off 13-July-2020) included 12 PTCL pts enrolled in the experimental arm (Table 1): 4 (33%) PTCL NOS, 3 (25%) AITL, 1 (8%) PTCL TFH-type, 2 (17%) ALCL ALK-, 1 (8%) EATL, and 1 (8%) MEITL. Median age was 69.5 years (range, 53-80), 7 (58%) patients were male, 2 (17%) had received a prior autologous stem cell transplantation, and 5 (42%) were refractory to first line therapy. At enrollment, performance status was 0-1 in 9 (75%) pts and 2 in 3 (25%) pts, 11 (92%) had Ann Arbor stage III-IV, 2 (17%) had B-symptoms, 7 (58%) had more than one extra-nodal site and 4 (33%) had elevated LDH. PD1 and PD-L1 were expressed by the tumor cells in 6/10 (60%) and 2/11 (18%) patients, respectively (Table 1). Pts have received a median of 6 (1-8) cycles of GemOx and 7 (1-26) infusions of nivolumab. Treatment was prematurely discontinued in 9 pts (7 during induction and 2 during consolidation), due to lymphoma progression (n=6), toxicity (n=2) and an intercurrent disease (n=1). There were 26 SAE in 10 patients, including 8 progressive diseases. Nine (75%) patients achieved an objective response (4 CR and 5 PR). Two patients (pt 9: MEITL PD1-negative; and pt 12: PTCL-NOS strongly PD1-positive) experienced primary progression upon Nivo-GemOx (Table 1). Median PFS2 (time from randomisation to 2nd rel/prog/death) was 6.9 months (95% CI: 1.9-11.9) vs 7.7 months (95% CI: 7.2-8.2) for PFS1 (time from diagnosis to 1st rel/prog). PFS2 was superior to PFS1 in 2 out of 8 patients (25%), and not informative in 4 pts: 3 who are still on therapy (ongoing PFS) and 1 who died prematurely due to infection (pt 8) (Figure 1). Median OS was 24.8 months (95% CI: 0-49.8). After a median follow-up of 22.8 months, 7 patients have died (5 from lymphoma and 2 from infection (1 COVID-19 infection and 1 yeast septicemia)), and 5 remain alive. Conclusions Nivolumab in combination with GemOx was well tolerated in PTCL. The response rate and PFS2 (compared to PFS1) are encouraging. Marked differences in PFS2 might reflect heterogeneity of biology and susceptibility to PD-1 blockade in combination with GemOx chemotherapy. Furthermore, the translational research program of the study might help to identify markers which are predictive for efficacy of PD-1 blockade in PTCL. This phase 3 trial is actively enrolling patients and an update of these results will be presented at the meeting. Disclosure: ISR financially supported by Bristol Myers Squibb. Disclosures Houot: Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Kite: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Poeschel:Roche: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Amgen: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Abbvie: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses. André:Abbvie: Consultancy; Celgene: Other, Research Funding; Roche: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Karyopharm: Consultancy; CHU UCL Namur, site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium: Current Employment; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding. Dreyling:Beigene: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Tilly:BMS: Honoraria. Casasnovas:Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accomodations, expenses, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria. Le Gouill:Roche Genentech, Janssen-Cilag and Abbvie, Celgene, Jazz pharmaceutical, Gilead-kite, Loxo, Daiichi-Sankyo and Servier: Honoraria; Loxo Oncology at Lilly: Consultancy. Cartron:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Jansen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kerkhoff:BMS: Honoraria. De Leval:Lausanne University Hospital & Lausanne University Institute of Pathology: Current Employment; Lunaphore Technologies SA: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Roche Diagnostics: Honoraria. Gaulard:takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; innate pharma: Research Funding. Held:Roche: Consultancy, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; MSD: Consultancy; Acrotech, Spectrum: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Other: Travel Grants, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Nivolumab in peripheral T-cell lymphoma