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Purpose The benefit of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) as first-line treatment in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas is still a matter of debate. To address this point, we designed a randomized phase III trial to compare rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP)-14 (eight cycles) with rituximab plus high-dose sequential chemotherapy (R-HDS) with ASCT. Patients and Methods From June 2005 to June 2011, 246 high-risk patients with a high-intermediate (56%) or high (44%) International Prognostic Index score were randomly assigned to the R-CHOP or R-HDS arm, and 235 were analyzed by intent to treat. The primary efficacy end point of the study was 3-year event-free survival, and results were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis. Results Clinical response (complete response, 78% v 76%; partial response, 5% v 9%) and failures (no response, 15% v 11%; and early treatment-related mortality, 2% v 3%) were similar after R-CHOP versus R-HDS, respectively. After a median follow-up of 5 years, the 3-year event-free survival was 62% versus 65% ( P = .83). At 3 years, compared with the R-CHOP arm, the R-HDS arm had better disease-free survival (79% v 91%, respectively; P = .034), but this subsequently vanished because of late-occurring treatment-related deaths. No difference was detected in terms of progression-free survival (65% v 75%, respectively; P = .12), or overall survival (74% v 77%, respectively; P = .64). Significantly higher hematologic toxicity ( P < .001) and more infectious complications ( P < .001) were observed in the R-HDS arm. Conclusion In this study, front-line intensive R-HDS chemotherapy with ASCT did not improve the outcome of high-risk patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

TPS8071 Background: Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) mediates B-cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion. BTK inhibition has emerged as a strategy for targeting B-cell malignancies, including MCL. Zanubrutinib is a next-generation BTK inhibitor that was designed to maximize BTK occupancy and minimize off-target inhibition of TEC- and EGFR-family kinases, with favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Zanubrutinib monotherapy has been evaluated in 118 patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory MCL in 2 single-arm studies: BGB-3111-206 [NCT03206970] and BGB-3111-AU-003 [NCT02343120]. The overall response rate (ORR) by independent review committee (IRC) in both trials was 84% with median durations of response of 19.5 and 18.5 months, respectively. First-line treatment for MCL has failed to cure most pts, particularly elderly or transplant-ineligible groups, and chemotherapy-based approaches result in cumulative, long-term risks. The study described herein is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of zanubrutinib plus rituximab versus bendamustine plus rituximab in elderly pts and pts with comorbidities with previously untreated MCL who are ineligible for stem cell transplant. Methods: This ongoing phase 3, open-label study will enroll ≈500 pts to be randomized 1:1, stratified by MCL International Prognostic Index score (low vs intermediate/high), age ( < 70 vs ≥70 years), and geographic region (North America/Europe vs Asia-Pacific). In arm A, pts will receive up to six 28-day cycles of oral zanubrutinib 160 mg twice daily in combination with intravenous (IV) rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1 of each cycle. After 6 cycles, zanubrutinib will continue as a monotherapy until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. In arm B, pts will receive up to six 28-day cycles of IV bendamustine 90 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of each cycle and rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1 of each cycle, followed by observation. Eligible pts must have histologically confirmed MCL and be aged ≥70 years, or 65-69 years with defined comorbidities. Disease response will be assessed per the 2014 Lugano Classification for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) determined by IRC. Key secondary end points include PFS by investigator assessment, ORR, time to and duration of response, overall survival, and safety. Recruitment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04002297 .

8531 Background: Early results of a randomized phase III GITMO/FIL study (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00435955) comparing CHOP-R vs. R-HDS + ASCT as primary treatment in134 FL pts, aged ≤60 yrs with aaIPI>1/IIL score>2, showed superior disease control with R-HDS but no OS advantage (Ladetto et al, Blood 2008). We here present an updated analysis from July 2013 at a median follow-up (MFU) of 9.5 yr including 125 pts of 134 originally randomized pts (61 CHOP-R/64 of R-HDS). Methods: Clinical features (CF) and treatment schedules have been already reported. Briefly, median age was 51 yrs. (22-60), M/F ratio 74/51, aaIPI 2-3 90%, retrospective FLIPI >2 60%, high LDH 49%, bulky disease 62%, B-symptoms 45%, BM+ 86%. CF were balanced among the two arms. Analysis was intention to treat and EFS the primary endpoint. Minimal residual disease was done by nested and RQ-PCR. Results: CR rate was 70.4% (57% with CHOP-R and 83% with R-HDS, p < .001); 64% patients achieved a Molecular Remission (MR). At MFU, 88 patients (7...

PURPOSE: To describe molecular monitoring of minimal residual disease in patients with myeloma who have achieved complete remission (CR) after autologous or allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clonal markers based upon the rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes were generated for each patient and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of residual myeloma cells. Fifty-one patients entered the program and 36 achieved CR. After transplantation, molecular monitoring was performed on 29 patients (15 autologous and 14 allogeneic transplants) who had molecular markers. RESULTS: Our data show that molecular remissions are rarely achieved (7%) with high-dose chemotherapy followed by single or double autografting. In addition, virtually all peripheral blood progenitor cell and bone marrow samples contained residual myeloma cells, even when sample collection was scheduled after repeated courses of high-dose chemotherapy. All patients autografted with PCR-positive cells remain positive, and eight of 15 have relapsed. Two patients were autografted with PCR-negative cells: one is in clinical and molecular remission, and one relapsed 25 months after the transplant. In the allografting setting, a higher proportion of patients (50%) achieved molecular remission; there were two relapses, one in the PCR-positive group and one in the PCR-negative group. CONCLUSION: This is the first large study of molecular remissions in myeloma patients to use a PCR-based approach utilizing patient-specific tumor markers. The sizeable fraction of patients who achieved molecular remission after allografting with peripheral blood progenitor cells represents a promising finding in an incurable disease.