ALBERT

Description: Zanolimumab (previously referred to as HuMax-CD4) is a fully human monoclonal IgG1k antibody, targeting the CD4 molecule on T-cells. It exhibits cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects and has previously shown efficacy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. We report the early safety and peripheral CD4+ cell depletion results from the open-label, dose escalation part of a US phase III efficacy study. So far, 21 patients have been recruited and the results from the 4 mg/kg dose group (9 patients) and 8 mg/kg dose group (6 patients) are available. Zanolimumab was administered iv, once weekly for 12 weeks. In total, 2 Serious Adverse Events have been reported. Of these, 1 case of large cell transformation in a patient with large cells present prior to inclusion was judged possibly related to treatment by investigator. No increase in toxicity was seen upon dose escalation. Marked depletion of CD4+ T-cells was observed after just 1 infusion of zanolimumab at both dose levels. One week following the last dose, the median (range) peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell count compared to baseline values was decreased from 831 per μL (167–1928) to 24 per μL (4–141) in 4 mg/kg dose-group and from 638 per μL (182–1024) to 9 per μL (4–19) in the 8 mg/kg dose-group. These initial data indicate that zanolimumab has an acceptable tolerability profile at the doses tested and results in a rapid and pronounced decrease in peripheral CD4+ counts in MF CTCL patients.

Description: Abstract 920 Background: Belinostat is a pan-HDAC inhibitor of the hydroxamate chemical class that is well-tolerated and has shown clinical activity. Methods: Open label, multicenter trial enrolling patients (pts) with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who failed ≥ 1 prior systemic therapy. Pts received 1000 mg/m2 IV belinostat over 30 min on days 1 to 5 of a 3-wk cycle. Primary endpoint was objective response (OR) assessed by IWG criteria for PTCL and by SWAT (cutaneous lesions) and IWG criteria (non-cutaneous lesions) for CTCL. Pruritus in pts with CTCL was assessed using a 10-point scale; relief defined as reduction of pruritus score of ≥ 3 points in pts with baseline score ≥ 3. ECGs were monitored and reviewed centrally (pre-/ post-infusion ECGs on all treatment days in cycle 1, and pre-/ post-infusion ECGs on day 1 of subsequent cycles) to evaluate potential cardiac toxicity. Results: The study enrolled a total of 53 treated pts, including 20 and 29 evaluable pts with a diagnosis of PTCL and CTCL, respectively. The 20 pts with PTCL [10 PTCL-unspecified (PTCL-U), 3 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), 3 angioimmunoblastic TCL (AITL), 3 NK/T-cell lymphoma, and 1 subcutaneous panniculitis-like TCL (SPTCL)] had received a median of 3 prior systemic therapies (range 1 – 10), and 40 % of them had stage IV disease. 5/20 (25%) PTCL pts responded with 2 CR (both in patients with PTCL-U) and 3 PR (PTCL-U, AITL, ALCL). The 5 responding pts had a median duration of response of 159+ days (range 1 – 504+). Additionally, SD was observed in 5 pts (2 PTCL-U, 2 NK/T-cell, and 1 ALCL) with median duration of SD of 109+ days (range 80 -185+). The 29 pts with CTCL [15 mycosis fungoides (MF), 7 Sezary syndrome (SS), 5 non MF/SS, 2 unclassified] had received a median of 1 prior skin directed therapies (range 0 – 4) and 3 prior systemic therapies (range 1 – 9), and 55 % of them had stage IV disease. 4/29 (14%) CTCL pts responded with 2 CR (ALCL, MF) and 2 PR (MF, SS). The 4 responding pts had a median duration of response of 273 days (range 48 - 469+). Importantly, time to response was short with a median of 16 days (range 14-35). In addition, SD was observed in 17 pts (10 MF, 3 SS, 2 non MF/SS, 2 unclassified) with current duration of up to 127 days. Pruritus relief (score reduction ≥ 3) was seen in 7 of 14 pts with significant baseline pruritis. Median time to pruritus relief was also short, 16 days (range 7-45). Hematological toxicity was minimal without any grade 4 events (shift from baseline) and only one pt each experiencing grade 3 neutropenia and grade 3 thrombocytopenia, respectively. No grade 3 QTcF prolongation was detected in more than 700 ECGs. Four grade 3/4 drug-related AEs were reported: pruritis, rash/erythema, edema, and adynamic ileus. Conclusions: Belinostat monotherapy is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in pts with recurrent/refractory T-cell lymphoma with durable remissions in both CTCL and PTCL. These results are the basis for a pivotal study with belinostat monotherapy in pts with PTCL. Disclosures: Advani: Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Duvic:Topotarget: research support for conduct of clinical trial. Fagerberg:TopoTarget A/S: Employment, Equity Ownership. Foss:Eisai : Speakers Bureau.

Description: Alternative medicine has become more common as patients seek approaches to diseases where traditional medicine has failed. Treatment with ozone has been purported to have benefits for a variety of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Treatment can be administered by the intra arterial, intravenous, intra rectal and subcutaneous routes as well as ozonated autohaemotherapy. We describe a 44 year old woman who received treatment at an alternative medical center for recurrent breast cancer including laetrile, perflurocarbon emulsion, high dose ascorbic acid, vitamin K and extracorporeal treatment of her blood with ozone and ultraviolet light. After receiving her second treatment, she presented to our hospital with a syncopal episode and was found to be anemic (Hb 4 gm/dl). The LDH was 8X〉 ULN, the serum haptoglobin was undetectable, and the reticulocyte count was increased. The peripheral blood smear showed aniscocytosis, poikilocytosis and polychromasia. There was also severe acanthocytosis. Heinz bodies were not detected. The patient refused blood products and after 48h of hospitalization, her Hb rose to 7gm and she was discharged. She did not return for follow-up evaluation. Acanthocytosis has been associated with impairment of cholesterol membrane fluidity seen with acquired hepatic disease as well as some congenital diseases. Oxidative stress can lead to peroxidation of membrane phospholipids, and if the intrinsic repair mechanism of the RBC is overwhelmed, the RBCs transform into acanthocytes. To date, there has been no literature describing hemolysis associated with any of the individual treatments which this patient received; however the combination of treatments exposed the RBC’s to multiple oxidative stresses which might lead to lipid peroxidation and formation of acanthocytes. This case illustrates the potential problems that face clinicians when encountering patients who seek alternative therapy.