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Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may have clinical benefit when administered in combination with bendamustine and rituximab and followed by rituximab maintenance therapy in older patients with untreated mantle-cell lymphoma.We randomly assigned patients 65 years of age or older to receive ibrutinib (560 mg, administered orally once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects) or placebo, plus six cycles of bendamustine (90 mg per square meter of body-surface area) and rituximab (375 mg per square meter). Patients with an objective response (complete or partial response) received rituximab maintenance therapy, administered every 8 weeks for up to 12 additional doses. The primary end point was progression-free survival as assessed by the investigators. Overall survival and safety were also assessed.Among 523 patients, 261 were randomly assigned to receive ibrutinib and 262 to receive placebo. At a median follow-up of 84.7 months, the median progression-free survival was 80.6 months in the ibrutinib group and 52.9 months in the placebo group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.59 to 0.96; P = 0.01). The percentage of patients with a complete response was 65.5% in the ibrutinib group and 57.6% in the placebo group (P = 0.06). Overall survival was similar in the two groups. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events during treatment was 81.5% in the ibrutinib group and 77.3% in the placebo group.Ibrutinib treatment in combination with standard chemoimmunotherapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival. The safety profile of the combined therapy was consistent with the known profiles of the individual drugs. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development and Pharmacyclics; SHINE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01776840.).

In the FIL MCL0208 phase III trial, lenalidomide maintenance (LEN) after transplantation (ASCT) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs observation (OBS). The host pharmacogenetic background was analyzed to decipher whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding transmembrane transporters, metabolic enzymes, or cell surface receptors might predict drug efficacy. Genotypes were obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood (PB) germ line DNA. Polymorphisms of either ABCB1 or VEGF were found in 69% and 79% of 278 patients and predicted favorable PFS vs homozygous wild type (WT) in the LEN arm: 3-year PFS 85% vs 70% (p < 0.05) and 85% vs 60% (p < 0.01), respectively. Patients carrying both ABCB1 and VEGF WT had the poorest 3-year PFS (46%) and overall survival (OS, 76%): in fact, in these patients LEN did not improve PFS vs OBS (3-year PFS 44% vs 60%, p = 0.62). Moreover, CRBN polymorphism (n = 28) was associated with lenalidomide dose reduction or discontinuation. Finally, ABCB1, NCF4, and GSTP1 polymorphisms predicted lower hematological toxicity during induction, while ABCB1 and CRBN polymorphisms predicted lower risk of grade ≥3 infections. This study demonstrates that specific SNPs represent candidate predictive biomarkers of immunochemotherapy toxicity and LEN efficacy after ASCT in MCL. This trial is registered at eudract.ema.europa.eu as 2009-012807-25.

Cox proportional hazard Models for PFS: role of MRD-negativity after 12 month of follow-up.

Cox proportional hazard Models for PFS: role of the molecular tumor burden at diagnosis.

Purpose: The role of the minimal residual disease (MRD) in follicular lymphoma is still debated. In this study, we assessed whether the BCL2/IGH rearrangement could have a prognostic role in patients receiving R-CHOP, R-FM, or R-CVP.Experimental Design: DNAs from 415 patients among the 504 cases enrolled in the FOLL05 trial (NCT00774826) were centralized and assessed for the BCL2/IGH at diagnosis, at the end of treatment, and after 12 and 24 months.Results: At diagnosis, the molecular marker was detected in 53% of cases. Patients without molecular marker or with a low molecular tumor burden (−4 copies) showed higher complete remission (CR) rate and longer progression-free survival (PFS; 3-year PFS 80% vs. 59%; P = 0.015). PFS was significantly conditioned by the PCR status at 12 and 24 months, with 3-year PFS of 66% for MRD− cases versus 41% for those MRD+ at 12 months (P = 0.015), and 84% versus 50% at 24 months (P = 0.014). The MRD negativity at 12 and 24 months resulted in an improved PFS both in CR and in partial remission (PR) patients (3-year PFS = 72% for cases CR/PCR− vs. 32% for those CR/PCR+ vs. 62% for those PR/PCR− and 25% for patients in PR/PCR+; P = 0.001). The prognostic value of MRD at 12 and 24 months of follow-up was confirmed also in multivariate analysis.Conclusions: In this study, standardized molecular techniques have been adopted and applied on bone marrow samples from a large cohort. Data reported show that the MRD detection is a powerful independent predictor of PFS in patients with follicular lymphoma receiving conventional chemoimmunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 20(24); 6398–405. ©2014 AACR.

Cox proportional hazard Models for PFS: role of MRD-negativity after 24 month of follow-up.

Supplemental Figure Legend from Minimal Residual Disease after Conventional Treatment Significantly Impacts on Progression-Free Survival of Patients with Follicular Lymphoma: The FIL FOLL05 Trial

CONSORT diagram of the study.

PURPOSE We compared 2 years of rituximab maintenance (RM) with a response-adapted postinduction approach in patients with follicular lymphoma who responded to induction immunochemotherapy. METHODS We randomly assigned treatment-naïve, advanced-stage, high-tumor burden follicular lymphoma patients to receive standard RM or a response-adapted postinduction approach on the basis of metabolic response and molecular assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD). The experimental arm used three types of postinduction therapies: for complete metabolic response (CMR) and MRD-negative patients, observation; for CMR and MRD-positive (end of induction or follow-up) patients, four doses of rituximab (one per week, maximum three courses) until MRD-negative; and for non-CMR patients, one dose of ibritumomab tiuxetan followed by standard RM. The study was designed as noninferiority trial with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary end point. RESULTS Overall, 807 patients were randomly assigned. After a median follow-up of 53 months (range, 1-92 months), patients in the standard arm had a significantly better PFS than those in the experimental arm (3-year PFS 86% v 72%; P < .001). The better PFS of the standard versus experimental arm was confirmed in all the study subgroups except non-CMR patients (n = 65; P = .274). The 3-year overall survival was 98% (95% CI, 96 to 99) and 97% (95% CI, 95 to 99) in the reference and experimental arms, respectively ( P = .238). CONCLUSION A metabolic and molecular response-adapted therapy as assessed in the FOLL12 study was associated with significantly inferior PFS compared with 2-year RM. The better efficacy of standard RM was confirmed in the subgroup analysis and particularly for patients achieving both CMR and MRD-negative.

The multicenter, phase Ib CC-122-DLBCL-001 dose-expansion study (NCT02031419) explored the cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent avadomide (CC-122) plus rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or follicular lymphoma (FL). Patients received avadomide 3 mg/day 5 days on/2 days off plus rituximab 375 mg/m

Background: Early-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) is usually managed with involved field radiotherapy (IFRT), allowing a complete and long lasting eradication of the disease only in 40-50% of patients (pts). The aim of this multicenter phase II prospective study was to evaluate the role of MRD in identifying pts unlikely to be cured by IFRT, for whom an immunotherapy consolidation could improve outcome. Methods: 110 pts with stage I/II FL were enrolled and treated with 24 Gy IFRT. Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples were centralized to the FIL (Fondazione Italiani Linfomi) MRD Network of EuroMRD-certified laboratories. In BCL2/IGH+ pts at baseline by both nested PCR (NEST) and RQ-PCR (RQ) in BM a/o PB, MRD was analyzed after IFRT and every 6 months over a 3-year period. Pts with MRD+ by both NEST and RQ in BM a/o PB after IFRT or who became MRD+ during the follow-up were treated with 8 weekly doses of the anti-CD20 MoAb ofatumumab (OFA). The primary objective of the study was to define the efficacy of immunotherapy in obtaining a negative MRD. Results: Of the 106 evaluable pts, 50 were males. Median age was 55 y (29-83). The FLIPI score was 0 in 59% of pts, 1 in 35%, 2 in 6%. 68% of pts had inguinal site involvement. At baseline, 30% of pts had a BCL2/IGH rearrangement (30 MBR, 1 MBR and mcr, 1 mcr) in BM a/ o PB;the concordance between compartments was 90%. All but one pt achieved a clinical response after IFRT;one additional pt died soon after IFRT of unrelated causes. MRD evaluation after IFRT revealed the persistence of BCL2/IGH+ cells in PB a/o BM in 60% of pts. MRD + pts, either after IFRT (n = 18) or in case of conversion to MRD+ during the follow-up (n = 6), received OFA, obtaining a conversion to MRD-in 22/24 pts (91.7%-CI 73.0-99.0), significantly superior to the expected 50% (Fig). After a median F-U of 38 m, 17 pts who achieved a MRD-with OFA are still negative;5 converted to MRD+ (2 received OFA retreatment, achieving a second MRD-;2 pts were not re-treated due to Sars-Cov2 pandemic;1 relapsed). A clinical relapse or progression was observed in 23 pts: 18 (24.6%) among the 73 “no marker” pts and 5 (15.6%) among the 32 BCL2/IGH+ at baseline (p = 0.3), with no significant difference in PFS (p = 0.25). Two early relapses were observed among the 12 pts who became MRD-after IFRT and 3 among the 24 treated at least once with OFA (1 MRD+, 1 MRD-, 1 converted from MRD-to MRD+). Only 1 Pt relapsed while MRD-after OFA. Conclusions: MRD data indicate that RT alone is often insufficient to eradicate the disease, inducing a MRD-only in 40% of pts, notably long-lasting only in half of them. The primary objective of this study-MRD conversion after immunotherapy-was largely achieved. The strategy of an immunotherapy consolidation after IFRT in MRD+ pts allowed increasing molecular responses. However, this strategy is applicable only to 30% of enrolled pts. A clinical advantage of the MRD driven treatment strategy is suggested although not significan.

Introduction. The administration of immuno-chemotherapy (ICT) followed by rituximab maintenance (RM) is the recommended approach for the front-line therapy of high tumor burden follicular lymphoma (HTB-FL) patients. Among available ICT regimens, RB (Rituximab-bendamustine) and R-CHOP regimen, are preferred options with high, similar efficacy. Regarding RM, its use is strongly supported after R-CHOP by the results of the PRIMA randomized trial; conversely, no prospective data are available to confirm the efficacy of RM in patients initially treated with RB. The FOLL12 trial was conducted to try to demonstrate that a response adapted post induction management of patients with HTB-FL could be as effective as standard RM in terms of Progression Free Survival (PFS). The trial actually showed the better efficacy of standard RM compared to the experimental approach thus providing indirect confirmation of the efficacy of RM after ICT, 10 years after the PRIMA trial. We here analyse the impact of initial ICT in the FOLL12 study that left treatment choice between RB and R-CHOP at physician discretion and on an individual patient basis. Methods. FOLL12 is a multicenter, randomized, phase III trial that compared standard RM vs. a response adapted post induction management in treatment naïve adult patients with grade 1-3a, stage II-IV and a HTB-FL. All patients received induction immunochemotherapy with 6 cycles of either R-CHOP or R-Bendamustine both followed by two additional doses of rituximab. Choice of ICT was at the physicians' discretion. After ICT, patients in the standard arm received bimonthly rituximab for up to two years. Patients in the experimental arm were managed according to centrally reviewed metabolic and molecular response. Patients achieving complete metabolic (CMR) and molecular response were managed with observation only, those in CMR with molecular persistence received 4 weekly rituximab doses. Patients not achieving CMR were treated with radioimmunotherapy with ibritumomab tiuxetan followed by standard RM. Primary study endpoint was 3 years progression free survival (PFS). Results. A total of 786 eligible patients were enrolled and 1:1 randomized either to standard or experimental arm. By backbone therapy, 341 patients received RB and 445 received RCHOP induction immunochemotherapy. RB was more frequently prescribed in older and female patients (OR 1.6, p=0.001) whereas RCHOP was preferred in patients with bulky disease (>6cm) and grade 3a histology (OR 0.65, p=0.013). The median follow-up of the analysis was 56 months (range 1-71). In the non-randomized comparison between RB and RCHOP, no difference in terms of PFS was observed between the two regimens (HR for RB 1.07, 95%CI 0.83-1.38, p=0.597, Figure 1). Standard maintenance arm was more effective than experimental arm both in patients initially treated with RCHOP and in those treated with RB (HR RCHOP 1.61, 95% CI 1.16-2.25; HR RB 1.89, 95% CI 1.27-2.82). An unequal interaction between RB and RCHOP and post-induction therapy was observed for sex and for bone marrow involvement. Considering grade 3 to 5 adverse events (AEs), neutropenia was less frequently observed in RB (35.7%) compared to RCHOP (46.2%). Among extra-hematological AEs, higher frequency of grade 3-4 infections and of cutaneous toxicity were observed in RB treated patients (3.8% vs. 1.2% and 2.4% vs. 0.2%). Overall, 54 second malignancies (SM) have been observed including 23 hematologic malignancies and 31 solid cancers. Cumulative incidence of secondary cancer (excluding non melanoma skin cancers) at 3 and 5 years was 3.7% (95%CI 2.4-5.3%) and 8.1% (95%CI 5.8-10.9%). Conclusion. The current update of the FOLL12 trial demonstrated superiority of standard RM compared to the response adapted post induction management irrespective of prescribed regimen thus proving a first prospective non-randomized evidence of RM efficacy in patients with high tumor burden follicular lymphoma patients treated with RB. Both R-CHOP and RB were associated with a similar efficacy profile. Figure 1. Progression free survival for the standard maintenance arm (A) versus response oriented experimental arm (B) of the FOLL12 trial in patients treated with R-CHOP or R-Bendamustine (RB). Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Luminari: Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Janssen: Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Regeneron: Consultancy; GENELAB SRL: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Tucci: janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gentili: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ferrero: Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Morphosys: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clinigen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Speakers Bureau. Arcaini: Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Bayer, Celgene, Gilead Sciences, Roche, Sandoz, Janssen-Cilag, VERASTEM: Consultancy; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Celgene, Roche, Janssen-Cilag, Gilead: Other: Travel expenses. Pulsoni: Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda, Pfizer, Sandoz, Merk: Consultancy; Gilead, Bristol: Speakers Bureau. Musuraca: Janssen, Roche, Incyte: Honoraria; Janssen, Roche, Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen, Incyte, Roche: Consultancy.

The R-BAC regimen is considered among standard first-line treatment for elderly fit patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In the previous R-BAC500 FIL trial, patients with the blastoid variant and/or high Ki67 proliferative index (High Risk - HR-) had a significantly higher risk of progression (2-years PFS of 40%), as compared to classical histologies and low proliferative index (Low Risk -LR-). When treated with R-BAC, LR patients had excellent outcome (median PFS not reached after 7 years), although no maintenance therapy was delivered. For this reason we designed a phase 2 trial that enrolled patients from 35 centers of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL). At study entry, patients were centrally reviewed and stratified as "low risk (LR)", or "high risk (HR)", depending on morphology (blastoid versus others), Ki67 expression (≥30% versus others), TP53 mutation/TP53 deletions (present versus not). Patients with any of the three risk factors were classified as HR. The primary endpoint was 2-years progression-free survival (PFS) for the HR patients. Patients had to be aged ≥65 years and fit according to the geriatric CGA assessment, or age ≤64 years if not eliglible to high-dose chemotherapy plus transplantation. Asymptomatic patients with non-nodal disease were excluded. Treatment consisted of 6 cycles of R-BAC (rituximab 375 mg/m2 d 1; bendamustine 70 mg/m2 d 1,2; cytarabine 500 mg/m2 d 1,2,3) for LR patients. HR patients received abbreviated induction with a maximum of 4 R-BAC followed by consolidation (4 months, 800 mg/d), and maintenance (20 months, 400 mg/d) with venetoclax. First patient was included on the 3rd of september, 2018, and last patient on the 20th of july, 2021. Overall, 140 patients were enrolled, of whom 52 were HR (37%). Median age was 72 (range 57-79), and 75% were males. The prevalence of TP53 mutations and deletions in the whole series was 21%, and 13%, respectively; Ki67 was ≥30% in 24%, and the blastoid variant was diagnosed in 9%. Demographic characteristics of HR versus LR patients (127 patients with available data at the present time) are reported in Table 1A. Median follow-up was 9 months (range 0-34). The two groups (HR and LR) had similar age, gender, and MIPI, but differed for LDH, and SUVmax at diagnosis, both being significantly more elevated in the HR group. The VR-BAC trial represents the first prospective study that stratified patients with MCL to different frontline treatments according to centralized on-time evaluation of the risk profile. We have shown that almost 40% of elderly patients with MCL in need of treatment have HR features. Data on tolerance, and tumor response will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Tisi: GILEAD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BWS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Zilioli: Roche, Italfarmaco: Consultancy, Honoraria; MSD, Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations; Takeda: Other: travel expenses, accommodation; Gentili, Takeda, Gilead, Servier: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Corradini: AbbVie, ADC Theraputics, Amgen, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead/Kite, GSK, Incyte, Janssen, KyowaKirin, Nerviano Medical Science, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda: Honoraria; BMS: Other: Travel and accommodation; Novartis; Gilead; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel and accommodations; Amgen; Takeda; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel and accommodations; KiowaKirin; Incyte; Daiichi Sankyo; Janssen; F. Hoffman-La Roche; Kite; Servier: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy; AbbVie, ADC Theraputics, Amgen, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead/Kite, GSK, Incyte, Janssen, KyowaKirin, Nerviano Medical Science, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis, Janssen, Celgene, BMS, Takeda, Gilead/Kite, Amgen, AbbVie: Other: travel and accomodations. Musuraca: janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Puccini: Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cavallo: Servier: Speakers Bureau; ROCHE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Speakers Bureau. Merli: EUSA Pharma: Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead Science: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses; Celgene: Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses. Ferreri: PletixaPharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Beigene: Research Funding; Hutchison Medipharma: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Adienne: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genmab: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; x Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ospedale San Raffaele srl: Patents & Royalties; Pfizer: Research Funding. Santoro: AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Speakers Bureau; Eli-Lilly: 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; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Servier: 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. Zinzani: KYOWA KIRIN: Other, Speakers Bureau; SERVIER: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; SANDOZ: Other: Advisory board; TG Therapeutics: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; ROCHE: Other, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; TAKEDA: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Other, Speakers Bureau; EUSAPHARMA: Consultancy, Other, Speakers Bureau; Beigene: Other, Speakers Bureau; ADC Therap.: Other; Incyte: Other, Speakers Bureau; JANSSEN-CILAG: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; GILEAD: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; CELLTRION: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; VERASTEM: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Venetoclax is off-label in Italy in mantle cell lymphoma

Introduction Symptomatic patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (RR-WM) treated with standard rituximab plus chemotherapy as second-line salvage therapy, generally show a 18-months progression free survival (PFS) of about 50%. On behalf of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi, a multicenter phase II study was designed to assess whether a combination of bendamustine, rituximab and bortezomib (BRB) (EudraCT Number:2013-005129-22) could be considered a promising new treatment in this setting. Patients and Methods This single-arm phase II study tested the hypothesis that 18-months PFS is at least 65%. The required sample size was 38 patients (alpha=0.10; beta=0.25; minimum follow up=24 months). Treatment plan provided: rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 followed by intravenously bendamustine 90 mg/m2 on day 1 and 2 and subcutaneous bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 15 and 22, every 28 days for 6 months (6 cycles). MYD88 L265P and CXCR4 S338X mutations were tested by ddPCR in bone marrow (BM), plasma and peripheral blood (PB) samples, both at baseline (as mutational screening) and at the end of treatment (for minimal residual disease purposes, MRD). Results Median age was 66.8 years (8 patients were older than 75 years). Many patients had features of advanced disease such as cytopenia (anemia 71%, thrombocytopenia 20%), systemic symptoms (40%) and symptomatic splenomegaly (24%). Sixteen (42%) patients had at least one comorbidity, mostly cardiovascular disease (21%) or metabolic disorders (16%), such as diabetes mellitus. Thirty patients completed six cycles, 7 patients stopped therapy for toxicity and 1 for progressive disease. Overall response rate at the end of therapy was 82%, including 4 (11%) complete, 15 (39%) very good partial, 12 (32%) partial responses according to IWM response criteria. At 18, 24, and 30 months PFS was 84% (95% CI 68-92%), 81% (95%CI 65-91) and 79% (95%CI 62-89) respectively. At 18 months OS was 92% (95%CI 77-97%) and no deaths were observed between 18 and 30 months. Nineteen patients (50%) experienced grade ≥3 hematological toxicity, mainly thrombocytopenia, 12 patients (31.5%) developed grade ≥3 extra-hematological toxicity of which only one cutaneous toxicity related to bendamustine. Bortezomib-related nervous system disorders were observed in 6 patients (5 of grade 1-2 and 1 of grade 3), with no discontinuations. Mutational data were available for 21 patients: all patients scored MYD88 L265P in BM, 18/19 (95%) in plasma and only 18/21 (86%) in PB, prospectively confirming the risk of false negative results when only PB of rituximab pre-treated patients is analyzed. CXCR4 S338X was detected only in one patient at baseline. MRD negativization rates after treatment differed across investigated tissues: in detail, 5/17 (29%) in BM, 6/14 (43%) in plasma and 12/16 (75%) in PB. Overall, a good concordance was observed between BM and plasma (Cohen's kappa= 0.714), suggesting the possibility of avoiding BM aspiration for mutational screening and MRD analysis. Conclusion The final results of FIL BRB phase II trial showed that BRB regimen, used as second-line therapy, is an effective and well-tolerated salvage treatment for RR-WM patients. The deep anti-tumor activity of the novel combination is highlighted by an absolute increase of PFS rate in comparison to historical controls (30-months PFS of 79%), as well as by high rates of clinical response, with an ORR (CR+VGPR+PR) of 82% (95%CI 66-92). Moreover, MRD monitoring showed promising efficacy of BRB regimen in clearing the residual disease. Disclosures Benevolo: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Speakers Bureau. Ferrero: Morphosys: Research Funding; Servier: Speakers Bureau; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clinigen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cavallo: ROCHE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau. Gaidano: Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Astrazeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Musuraca: janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Varettoni: AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vitolo: Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kite: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a schedule of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) with 4 Gy (2 Gy x 2) in a cohort of unselected MALT or MZL patients. Methods: We retrospectively collected all patients receiving LDRT, either for cure or palliation, for a stage I–IV histologically proven MALT or MZL between 2016 and 2020. Response to LDRT was evaluated with the Lugano criteria. Local control (LC), distant relapse-free survival (DRFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were stratified for treatment intent (curative vs palliative) and estimated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit. Results: Among 45 consecutively enrolled patients with a median age of 68 years (range 22–86), 26 (58%) were female. Thirty-one patients (69%) with a stage I–II disease received LDRT as first line therapy and with a curative intent. Overall response rate was 93%, with no significant difference among curative and palliative intent. With a median follow-up of 18 months, LC, DRFS, PFS and OS at 2 years were 93, 92, 76 and 91%, respectively, in the overall population. Patients receiving curative LDRT had a better PFS at 2 years (85% vs 54%, p < 0.01) compared to patients receiving palliative treatment. LDRT was well tolerated in all patients, without any significant acute or chronic side-effect. Conclusions: LDRT is effective and well tolerated in patients affected with MALT or nodal MZL, achieving high response rates and durable remission at 2 years. Advances in knowledge: This study shows the efficacy of LDRT in the treatment of MALT and MZL.

Background: Approximately 40% of patients (pts) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have disease that will relapse or is refractory to chemotherapy and/or immunotherapies; management of these pts remains a challenge. Although follicular lymphoma (FL) generally responds well to first-line treatment (tx), this disease is characterized by frequent relapses with shorter intervals between tx lines. Pts with early relapse (ER) (progressive disease Methods: CC-122-NHL-001 (NCT02417285) is an ongoing, open-label, phase 1b study of avadomide in combination with obinutuzumab conducted at 8 sites in 3 European countries with dose-escalation and dose-expansion parts in R/R FL. Eligible pts (age ≥18 y) had histologically confirmed, CD20-positive R/R NHL. Pts with FL (grade 1, 2, or 3a) had ≥1 prior standard regimen. Avadomide active ingredient in capsule (1.0-4.0 mg) or formulated capsules (3.0 or 4.0 mg) was administered orally once daily on days 1-5 followed by 2 days off (5/7-day schedule) every week of each 28-day cycle. Obinutuzumab 1000 mg was given intravenously on days 2, 8, and 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of cycles 2-8. Primary objectives were to determine the safety and tolerability of the combination, including the non-tolerated dose, maximum tolerated dose, and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Response was assessed using Cheson 2007 criteria every 2 cycles to cycle 6, then every 3 cycles to cycle 12, and every 6 cycles thereafter. Median duration of response (mDOR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: As of January 10, 2020, 73 pts with R/R NHL were enrolled and treated, including 19 with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 1 with marginal zone lymphoma, and 53 with R/R FL; all 35 pts in the dose-expansion part of the study had R/R FL. The median age among treated pts was 61 y (range, 26-83), the median number of prior antilymphoma therapies was 3 (range 1-11), and 26 pts (36%) had prior autologous stem cell transplantation. As of July 14, 2020, tx was ongoing in 3/38 pts (8%) in dose-escalation (all ongoing in cycle >24, 1 pt ongoing in cycle >40). In the dose-expansion, tx was ongoing in 15/35 pts (43%); of these pts, all were ongoing in cycle >21 and 1 was ongoing in cycle 30. The RP2D of avadomide was established as 3.0 mg formulated capsule. In the expansion part of the study, pts received a median of 15 tx cycles (range, 1-33), and median tx duration was 60 wk (range, 1-132). The most common (≥10%) grade 3/4 TEAEs were neutropenia, reported in 19 pts (54%) and thrombocytopenia, reported in 7 pts (20%). Sixteen pts (46%) had a serious TEAE; only pyrexia (11%) and sepsis (9%) occurred in >2 pts. The objective response rate (ORR) among the 35 pts with R/R FL in the dose-expansion part of the study was 71%, including 40% with a complete response (CR). The mDOR was 14.6 mo (95% CI, 14.6-not estimable [NE]), and mPFS was 16.4 mo (95% CI, 8.3-NE). The median duration of PFS follow-up in dose-expansion was 14.4 mo (range, 0.8-30.3). Two pts had CRs lasting 13.7 mo and 15.3 mo before discontinuation owing to receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Response rates were similar among all 53 R/R FL pts in both parts of the study (dose escalation and dose expansion) and in high-risk (ER and/or DR) FL pts (Table). Conclusions: Long-term follow-up results demonstrate that avadomide plus obinutuzumab has a manageable safety profile and durable responses in patients with R/R FL. The antitumor activity of cereblon modulators plus next-generation anti-CD20 antibodies in heavily pretreated R/R NHL warrants further investigation as a novel chemotherapy-free option. Disclosures Michot: Genentech: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Debiopharm: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Kyowa: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Other, Research Funding; Gustave Roussy: Honoraria, Other: Abbvie, Aduro, Agios, Amgen, Argen-x, Astex, AstraZeneca, Aveo pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Beigene, Blueprint, BMS, Boeringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Chugai, Clovis, Daiichi Sankyo, Debiopharm, Eisai, Eos, Exelixis, Forma, Gamamabs, Genentech, Gortec, GSK, H3 bio, Research Funding; Janssen: Other, Research Funding; Celgene: Other; Mundi Pharma: Other; Eos: Research Funding; AZD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Research Funding; Medimmune: Research Funding; Lytix Biopharma: Research Funding; Lysarc: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Argen-x: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other; Exelixis: Research Funding. Doorduijn:Roche: Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company). Boccomini:SC Ematologia, ASOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy: Current Employment. Kersten:Takeda: Research Funding; Miltenyi Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Janssen/Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company). Chiappella:Servier: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Gilead-Kite: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Iqone: Honoraria. Zinzani:Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TG Therapeutics, Inc.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kirin Kyowa: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Immune Design: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Eusapharma: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Portola: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Immune Design: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Salles:Abbvie, Autolus, BMS/Celgene, Debiopharm, Genmab, Kite/Gilead, Epizyme, Janssen, Karyopharm, Morphosys, Novartis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Takeda: Consultancy; Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Gilead, Janssen, Kite, Morphosys, Novartis, Roche, Takeda: Other: Participation to educational events; Abbvie, Autolus, BMS/Celgene, Debiopharm, Genmab, Kite/Gilead, Epizyme, Janssen, Karyopharm, Morphosys, Novartis, Roche, Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Gilead, Janssen, Kite, Morphosys, Novartis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Takeda: Honoraria. Hentrup:Neuronetics, Inc: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; BMS Consultant: Current Employment. Rhee:I own stocks for publicly-traded companies: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Hagner:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Klein:Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Patents & Royalties. Pourdehnad:Celgene: Ended employment in the past 24 months, Patents & Royalties: Various CC-122 patents; Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Patents & Royalties: Various CC-122 patents. Hege:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Patents & Royalties: numerous, Research Funding; Celgene (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb): Ended employment in the past 24 months; Mersana Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arcus Biosciences (Former Board of Directors): Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Dobmeyer:BMS: Consultancy. Nikolova:Celgene, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company). Ribrag:nanostring: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; gustave roussy comprehensive cancer center: Current Employment; servier: Consultancy; pharmamar: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; argenX: Research Funding; epizyme (EPZ): Research Funding; 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; EPZ: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AZD: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other; Infinity: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. OffLabel Disclosure: This is a phase I study evaluating the safety and efficacy of avadomide in combination with obinutuzumab in patients with R/R B-cell NHL. Avadomide is an investigational agent and has not yet been approved in the US.

Background and Aims. Prediction of treatment efficacy is an active and growing field of pharmacology. In the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) MCL0208 phase III trial (NCT02354313), a 24 months lenalidomide maintenance (LM, 15 mg days 1-21 every 28 days) after high-dose immuno-chemotherapy followed by autologous transplantation (ASCT) in 300 frontline mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients showed substantial clinical activity in terms of Progression-Free Survival (PFS) vs observation (OBS). However, this benefit seemed not uniform across patient series. To deeper investigate the differential pattern of response to lenalidomide, a wide analysis of the host pharmacogenomics (PG) background was planned, in order to dissect whether specific germline polymorphisms of transmembrane transporters, metabolic enzymes or cell surface receptors (ABCB1, ABCG2, VEGFA, FCGR2A, NCF4, GSTP1, CRBN) might predict the drug efficacy. Actually, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCB1 exert an effect on substrate affinity of lenalidomide for the transmembrane transporter. Moreover, VEGFA is involved in the anti-angiogenic activity of lenalidomide and might eventually upregulate ABCB1 expression, too. Patients and methods. Genotypes for SNPs were obtained through allele-specific (ASO) probes on germline DNA from peripheral blood. Minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were obtained and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was checked. Genotypes were used to infer individual haplotypes by Arlequin and Haploview softwares. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed with ASO primers on either IGH or BCL-1/IGH rearrangements by RQ-PCR in bone marrow samples. TP53 disruption was identified by NGS targeting resequencing and copy number variation analysis. Clinical-biological correlations were screened by automated machine learning methods and validated by both Kaplan-Meier at univariate level and Cox models for multivariate analysis (MV). A logistic regression was implemented to investigate correlations between polymorphisms and MRD kinetics. Results. 278 out of 300 patients (93%) were fully genotyped. The MAF values of the SNPs were very similar to published data and the HWE was confirmed. Most notably, ABCB1 c.2677G>T/A(W) and VEGFA c.2055A>C were significantly associated to outcome and are thus described in this abstract. In the case of ABCB1, the three loci were in strong linkage disequilibrium (p Disclosures Ferrero: Servier: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; EUSA Pharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Boccomini:SC Ematologia, ASOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy: Current Employment. Maria:Roche: Consultancy, Other: travel, accomodations, expenses; Abbvie: Consultancy, Other: travel, accomodations, expenses; BMS: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: travel, accomodations, expenses; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: travel, accomodations, expenses, Research Funding. Ferreri:Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Hutchinson: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Palumbo:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Galimberti:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Lenalidomide maintenance in mantle cell lymphoma

Chemo-refractory NHL has a very poor outcome; the addiction of RIT to salvage regiment pre ASCT had recently demonstrated promising results.We performed a retrospective sequential study to determine the feasibility of standard Zevalin with BEAM in high-risk relapse/refractory NHL. A matched cohort analysis with a group treated with standard BEAM without Zevalin was performed as secondary endpoint. Between October 2006 and January 2013, 37 NHL patients at high risk for progression or early (

Follicular lymphoma (FL) patients experience multiple remissions and relapses and commonly receive multiple treatment lines. A crucial question is whether anthracyclines should be used at first-line or whether they would be better “reserved” for relapse and whether FL outcome can be optimized by definite sequences of treatments. Randomized trials can be hardly designed to address this question. In this retrospective multi-institutional study, time-to-next-treatment after first relapse was analyzed in 510 patients who had received either alkylating agents- or anthracycline- or nucleoside analogs-based chemotherapy with/without rituximab at first-line and different second-line therapies. After a median of 42 months, median time-to-next-treatment after relapse was 41 months (CI95%:34–47 months). After adjustment for covariates, first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy with/without rituximab was associated with better time-to-next-treatment after any salvage than alkylating agents-based chemotherapy with/without rituximab or nucleoside analogs-based chemotherapy with/without rituximab (HR:0.74, P = 0.027). The addition of rituximab to first-line chemotherapy had no significant impact (HR:1.22, P = 0.140). Autologs stem cell transplantation performed better than any other salvage treatment (HR:0.53, P

Introduction Limited stage follicular lymphoma (FL) is usually managed with involved field radiotherapy (IFRT), although different approaches are currently carried out, ranging from watch and wait to combined treatment. RT on involved lymph nodes allows eradication of the disease only in 40-50% of patients. Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), widely used in advanced stage FL, are likely to be effective in reducing the relapse risk, although no scientific evidence of their role has been provided. The aim of this multicenter phase II prospective study was to evaluate the role of MRD in identifying patients unlikely to be cured by RT, for whom an immunotherapy-based consolidation could improve outcome. Methods 110 patients with stage I/II FL were enrolled. IFRT was administered to all patients at a dose of 24 Gy. Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples were centralized to the Italian FIL (Federazione Italiani Linfomi) MRD Network of EuroMRD-certified laboratories: the presence of a BCL2/IGH rearrangement was investigated at baseline in all patients by nested PCR (NEST) and RQ-PCR (RQ), the latter according to the EuroMRD guidelines. In patients BCL2/IGH+ at baseline by both NEST and RQ in BM and/or PB, MRD was analyzed in both tissues after IFRT and every 6 months over a three-year follow-up period. Patients with positive MRD by both NEST and RQ in BM and/or PB after IFRT or who became positive during the follow-up were treated with 8 weekly doses of the anti-CD20 MoAb ofatumumab. The primary objective of the study was to define the efficacy of immunotherapy in obtaining the disappearance of BCL2/IGH rearranged cells. Results Preliminary data are available for 107 patients, 57 males, 50 females. Median age was 55 years (29-83). 17% had G1 FL, 32% G2, 40% G3A, 11% NOS. The FLIPI score was 0 in 59% of patients, 1 in 35%, 2 in 6%. 69% of patients had inguinal site involvement. Despite a negative BM biopsy, at baseline 30% of patients (n=32) had a BCL2/IGH rearrangement (30 MBR, 1 MBR and mcr, 1 mcr) in the BM and/or PB; the concordance between compartments was 90%, with 10% of negative PB showing a positive BM. No significant differences were observed in relapse probability between patients with or without a molecular marker. All patients were submitted to IFRT and all obtained a clinical response, which was complete in 79 of the 101 evaluated patients (78%) and partial in 22 (22%). MRD evaluation after treatment revealed the persistence of BCL2/IGH rearranged cells in the PB and/or BM in 60% of patients. According to the design of the protocol, MRD-positive patients, either after IFRT (n=18) or in case of conversion to a positive signal during the follow-up (n=7), received 8 weekly administration of ofatumumab. A conversion to MRD negativity, evaluated in 23 treated patients, was obtained in 20 (87% - CI 65.1-97.1). This result was significantly superior to the expected 50%. One death occurred after IFRT, due to ischemic stroke. Adverse events likely correlated to ofatumumab occurred in 7/25 treated patients, consisting of infusion reactions in 5, leading to a permanent interruption of immunotherapy in 3. After a median follow-up of 18 months, all patients who achieved a MRD negativity with ofatumumab underwent a regular molecular follow-up and are still MRD-negative. Overall, clinical relapse or progression were observed in 17 patients: 13 (18%) among the 73 "no marker" patients; 2 relapses (16%) were observed among the 12 MRD-negative patients after IFRT and 2 relapses were observed among the 23 patients treated with the anti-CD20 MoAb (8.7%), 1 having achieved a MRD negativity and 1 not. No significant differences in event-free survival have so far been observed between the three groups. Conclusions The MRD data of this phase II trial for early stage FL indicate that RT alone is often insufficient to eradicate the disease, being capable of inducing a negative MRD only in 40% of evaluable cases, with a long-lasting effect only in half of them. The primary objective of this study - MRD negativity after immunotherapy - was achieved, obtaining the disappearance of BCL2/IGH rearranged cells in the majority of patients treated with ofatumumab. The strategy of an immunotherapy consolidation after IFRT in MRD-positive patients allowed to increase molecular responses. A longer follow-up and further studies on larger patient populations will allow to conclusively define the impact of this MRD-driven strategy also on clinical outcome. Disclosures Pulsoni: Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Merk: Consultancy; Bristol Meyer Squibb: Speakers Bureau. Ferrero:Servier: Speakers Bureau; EUSA Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Luminari:ROCHE: Other: Role as Advisor ; CELGENE: Other: Role as Advisor & Travel Grant; TAKEDA: Other: Travel Grant; GILEAD: Other: Lecturer . Liberati:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Clinical trial support; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Clinical trial support; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Janssen: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Clinical trial support; Roche: Other: Clinical trial support; Novartis: Other: Clinical trial support. Ferreri:Roche: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy. Nassi:Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy. Corradini:Roche: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; kite: Honoraria; KiowaKirin: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Mannina:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arcaini:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Bayer, Celgene, Gilead Sciences, Roche, Sandoz, Janssen-Cilag, VERASTEM: Consultancy; Celgene, Roche, Janssen-Cilag, Gilead: Other: Travel expenses. Galimberti:Roche: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Ladetto:AbbVie: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria; Acerta: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; J&J: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Foà:Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: The anti-CD20 MoAb Ofatumomab is employed to eradicate Minimal Residual Disease in early stage Follicular Lymphoma(FL). The drug is registered for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, not for FL.

SummaryCurrent data suggests that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is comparable to that observed in patients with solid tumours, although more robust confirmatory analyses are required. With that in mind, we investigated the occurrence of VTE in a pooled analysis of 12 “Fondazione Italiana Linfomi” (FIL) prospective clinical studies. Specifically, we wished to assess the cumulative incidence of VTE in NHL patients, evaluate the predictive value of the Khorana Score (KS), and identify other potential risk factors for VTEs. Data for VTE occurrence were retrieved from study databases and pharmacovigilance reports. Our analysis includes 1717 patients from 12 prospective phase II and III trials, including newly diagnosed NHL. We observed 53 VTEs (any grade) in 46 patients, with 20 severe VTEs in 17 patients. The cumulative incidences for „all-grade” or grade ≥3 VTEs were 2.9% (95% CI: 2.1–3.8) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6–1.6), respectively. KS categories were positively associated with the risk of VTE of any grade, and with severe events (i. e. grade ≥3; Gray’s test p-values = 0.048 and 0.012, respectively). Among NHL patients, those with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showed a greater risk of (any grade) VTE (HR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.32–8.84, p-value = 0.011). Our study indicates that 1) VTE is a relevant complication for NHL patients, 2) KS is predictive of VTE events and 3) DLBCL histotype is an independent risk factor for VTE incidence, for which preventative interventions could be considered.Supplementary Material to this article is available at www.thrombosis-online.com.

BACKGROUND: Standard rituximab plus chemotherapy salvage treatment has shown moderate activity in patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (RR-WM), with 18-months progression free survival (18-PFS) of about 50%. On behalf of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (F.I.L.) we designed a multicenter phase II study to assess the efficacy of a combination of bendamustine, rituximab and bortezomib (BRB) in improving these results. METHODS and PATIENTS: This single-arm phase II study tested the hypothesis that 18-PFS is at least 65%. The required sample size was 38 patients (alpha=0.10; beta=0.25; minimum follow up=24 months). Treatment plan was: rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 followed by intravenously bendamustine 90 mg/m2 on day 1 and 2 and subcutaneous bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 15 and 22, every 28 days for 6 months. Patients with RR-WM after first line of therapy were enrolled in 18 F.I.L. centers, from October 2014 to November 2017. In the last 23 patients MYD88L265Pwas tested by the recently described droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay both on bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples, both at baseline (as mutational screening) and at the end of treatment (for minimal residual disease purposes, MRD). RESULTS: At the time of analysis, 29 patients completed the six cycles of therapy, six patients stopped therapy for toxicity, two patients died and one had just finished therapy and was not yet evaluated. 18-PFS was 84% (95%CI: 61-94%), with two progressions and two deaths without evidence of progression (one cerebrovascular accident during the fifth cycle and one pulmonary embolism at three months follow up). On an intention-to-treat analysis (N=37), overall response rate was 70%, (N=26) including 4 (11%) complete, 11 (30%) very good partial, 10 (27%) partial responses and 1 (3%) minimal response according to IWM response criteria. Overall, treatment was well tolerated, the most common adverse events of any grade included 13 patients (34%) experiencing grade 3-4 neutropenia, especially in cycle 4 (leading in four cases to treatment discontinuation). Peripheral nervous system toxicity was observed in five patients (13%; 4 of grade 1-2 and 1 of grade 3-4), with no discontinuations. Serious adverse events were observed only in three patients, mainly rash, all resolved. All the 23 patients assessed for MYD88L265Pat baseline scored positive in BM, while only 18/23 (78%) in PB, prospectively confirming the risk of false negative results when only PB of rituximab pre-treated patients is analyzed. Among the 21 patients monitored for MRD after treatment 5 scored MRD negative in BM and 13 in PB, highlighting the deep activity of the BRB regimen in clearing the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with RR-WM after first line of therapy, BRB regimen is a well-tolerated salvage treatment, resulting in high rates of PFS at 18 months. Moreover, the deep anti-tumor activity of this regimen is highlighted by the promising rates of both clinical and molecular responses. More complete and mature results will be presented during the meeting. (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02371148). Disclosures Gaidano: AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Vitolo:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Single-center experiences have shown that intensified treatments with autologous transplantation are a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with high-risk follicle-center lymphoma (FCL) at diagnosis, whereas data from prospective multicenter trials are still lacking. This paper describes the results of a prospective multicenter study of an intensified purging-free high-dose sequential (i-HDS) chemotherapy schedule with peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) autografting. The main feature of this program is harvesting stem cells after intensified chemotherapeutic debulking, with no ex vivo manipulation of PBPCs. Ninety-two previously untreated patients aged 60 or younger with advanced-stage FCL were enrolled by 20 Italian centers and evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis. i-HDS proved feasible with limited toxicity (87% patients completed the planned treatment schedule). i-HDS led to a complete remission rate of 88%. The projected overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were, respectively, 84% and 67% at 4 years. Centralized molecular analysis showed that polymerase chain reaction-negative harvests could be collected in 47% of cases. Following autograft, 65% of molecularly evaluable patients achieved clinical and molecular remission. The projected DFS at 4 years of this subgroup is 85%. This result emphasizes the importance of achieving maximal tumor reduction in these patients. In conclusion, our data show that highly effective intensified treatments can now be routinely offered to young patients with poor-risk FCL even at small institutions, with no need for sophisticated and expensive cell manipulation procedures.

[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) is emerging as a strong diagnostic and prognostic tool in follicular lymphoma (FL) patients.In a subset analysis of the FOLL05 trial (NCT00774826), we investigated the prognostic role of post-induction PET (PI-PET) scan. Patients were eligible to this study if they had a PI-PET scan carried out within 3 months from the end of induction immunochemotherapy. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary study end point.A total of 202 patients were eligible and analysed for this study. The median age was 55 years (range 33-75). Overall, PI-PET was defined as positive in 49 (24\%) patients. Conventional response assessment with CT scan was substantially modified by PET: 15\% (22/145) of patients considered as having a complete response (CR) after CT were considered as having partial response (PR) after PI-PET and 53\% (30/57) patients considered as having a PR after CT were considered as a CR after PI-PET. With a median follow-up of 34 months, the 3-year PFS was 66\% and 35\%, respectively, for patients with negative and positive PI-PET (P

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, typically affected mature adults and elderly, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years. The natural history of FL appears to have been favorably impacted by the introduction of Rituximab. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy induction has improved the overall survival and new strategies of chemo-immunotherapy, such as Bendamustine combined with Rituximab, showed optimal results on response and lower hematological toxicity, becoming one of the standard treatments, particularly in elderly. Moreover maintenance therapy with Rituximab demonstrated improvement of progression-free survival. Despite these exciting results, FL is still an incurable disease. It remains a critical unmet clinical need finding new prognostic factors to better identify poor outcome patients, to reduce the risk of transformation and to explore new treatment strategies, especially for patients not candidate to intensive chemotherapy regimens, such as elderly patients. Some progresses were already done with novel agents, but larger and more validated studies are needed. Elderly patients are the larger portion of patients with FL and represent a subgroup with higher treatment difficulties, because of comorbidities and smaller spectrum for treatment choice. Further studies, focused on elderly follicular lymphoma patients, with their peculiar characteristics, are needed in order to define the best tailored treatment at diagnosis and at the time of relapse in this setting.

Background Recent studies show that the risk of VTE in NHL pts is similar to that observed in high risk solid tumors (i.e. pancreatic, ovarian cancer). VTE in NHL occurs in most cases within three months from diagnosis and can have substantial impact on treatment delivery and outcome as well as on quality of life. However few data are available on potential predictors. Aims To better clarify the epidemiology of early (within six months from treatment start) VTE in NHL we conducted a pooled data analysis of 12 clinical trials from FIL. Our analysis included basic demographic features, lymphoma-related characteristics as well the Khorana score (based on histology, BMI, platelets WBC and HB counts) which is extensively used in solid tumors to predict VTE risk. Patients and methods From Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2014, all pts with B-cell NHL enrolled in prospective clinical trials from FIL for frontline treatment were included. For 9 studies study period included the entire trial population was included. The analyses were conducted based on CRFs as well as pharmacovigilance reports. VTE definition and grading was stated according to standard criteria of toxicity (CTCAE V4.0). Cumulative incidence of VTE from the study enrollment was estimated using the method described by Gooley et al. accounting for death from any causes as a competing risk. The Fine & Gray survival model was used to identify predictors of VTE among NHL pts. Factors predicting the grade of VTE were investigated using an ordinal logistic regression model. This pooled data analysis was approved by local IRB. Results Overall, 1,717 patients belonging to 12 studies were evaluated. Eight were phase I/II or II (25% of pts) and 4 phase III (75% of pts). M/F ratio was 1.41, Median age was 57, (IQ range (IQR) 49-66). Histologies were: DLCL-B 34%, FL 41%, MCL 18%, other 6%. Median BMI was 25 (IQR 22-28). Median Hb, WBC and platelets counts were 13g/dl) (IQR 11.5-14.2), 7.1*10^9/l (IQR 5.6-10.3), 224*10^9/l (IQR 169-298), respectively. 1189 pts were evaluable Khorana score: 58% low risk, 30% intermediate risk, 12% were high risk. Human erythropoetin support was given to 9% of patients. All pts received Rituximab. Planned therapeutic programs included ASCT in 27% of pts, conventional chemotherapy in 67% a conventional chemotherapy plus lenalidomide in 6%. Overall 59 any grade VTE episodes occurred in 51 pts (2.9%), including 21 grade III-IV VTE (18 pts). None was fatal. Median time from study enrolment to VTE was 63 days (IQR: 35-110). Considering death as a competitive event the 6 months cumulative incidence of VTE was 2,2% in low risk Khorana score, 4.5% (95%IC: 2.3-6.7) in intermediate and 6.6% (95%IC: 2.4-10.8) in high risk (p = 0.012) (figure 1). Khorana score was predictive also for grade III-IV events as they were 0,7% (95% CI:0.1-1.4) in low risk and 2.0% (95% CI:0.8-3.3) in intermediate-high risk (p = 0.048). The results were similar also after excluding lenalidomide containing studies. The Fine and Gray multivariate analyses, adjusted for age and stage, showed that Khorana score (intermediate risk adjHR = 1.96; 95%IC: 0.84-4.56 and high risk adjHR = 3.81; 95%IC: 1.51-9.58) and DLCL-B histotype (adjHR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.01-6.55) were independently associated to an increased risk of VTE. Moreover an ordinal logistical regression model indicated that the increase of one point in the Khorana score resulted in an increased risk of VTE (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.23-2.79). Download : Download high-res image (130KB) Download : Download full-size image Fig. 1 . Conclusions Our results suggest that DLCL-B histotype and Khorana score are predictors of VTE in NHL. The latter might become a simple and effective tool to assess the risk of VTE in NHL. Prospective validation including also patients not eligible for clinical trials is needed.

Introduction: we previously reported (Vitolo U, JCO 2013) the results of a randomized study with brief first-line chemoimmunotherapy followed by rituximab maintenance vs observation. With a median follow-up of 42 months, 3-year Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were 66% and 89%, respectively. The addition of Rituximab maintenance gave a benefit to the patients: 2-year PFS was 81% for rituximab maintenance versus 69% for observation with a HR of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.38-1.05, p=0.079), although not statistically significant. Moreover we also found that achievement of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) negativity predicted a better PFS: 3-year PFS 72% vs 39%, HR 3.1 (Ladetto M, Blood 2013). Overall these data showed the good efficacy of this brief chemoimmunotherapy regimen in elderly FL patients. Aim of this analysis was to report long-term outcome and long-term toxicities of this regimen. Methods: From January 2004 to December 2007, 242 treatment-naive patients aged 60-75 years with FL Grade I, II and IIIa were enrolled by 33 FIL centres. Patients had to have advanced (high tumor burden stage II or stage III-IV) disease requiring treatment: 4 monthly courses of R-FND (standard doses of Rituximab, Fludarabine, Mitoxantrone, Dexamethasone) every 28 days followed by 4 weekly Rituximab infusions as consolidation. Responders patients [complete remission (CR) + unconfirmed CR + partial remission (PR)] were randomized to brief rituximab maintenance (Arm A), once every 2 months for a total of 4 doses, or observation (Arm B). MRD for the bcl-2/IgH translocation was determined on bone marrow cells in a centralized laboratory belonging to Euro-MRD consortium, using qualitative and quantitative PCR. Results: a total of 234 patients began chemoimmunotherapy: after induction and consolidation treatment overall response rate was 86%, with 69% CR. Of these, 210 completed the planned treatment and 202 responders were randomized. Up to date, median follow-up were 96 months from enrollment and 87 months from randomization; additional follow-up data were available for 127/146 (87%) not relapsed/progressed patients. Five- and 7-year PFS for the whole population were 57% and 51%, respectively; 5- and 7-year OS for the whole population were 85% and 80%, respectively. From enrollment, an advantage in term of PFS and also OS was observed in FLIPI low risk patients: 7-year PFS was 67% for low risk versus 38% for intermediate-high risk patients (p Conclusions: the present long-term results of this trial with a prolonged follow-up of 7 years confirm that a good outcome is achievable in elderly FL patients with a short-term chemoimmunotherapy (R-FND + Rituximab consolidation) with a 7-year PFS of 51% and low toxicity. In addition these results did not show clear evidence in favor of a shortened Rituximab maintenance after R-fludarabine containing chemotherapy. Conversely, the achievement of PCR negativity maintains predictive value for a better outcome. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Off Label Use: Rituximab maintenance was not licensed in first-line treatment for follicular lymphoma at that time in Italy; Rituximab was provided free by Roche.

Abstract 1706 Poster Board I-732 Introduction in order to maintain efficacy and reduce toxicity of the treatment in elderly follicular lymphoma (FL) patients, we designed a study with a short chemo-immunotherapy R-FND with Rituximab consolidation followed by randomization between R maintenance or observation. Material and methods: From January 2004 to December 2007, 242 patients (age 60-75) with untreated advanced stage FL were enrolled by 33 IIL centres. Treatment plan was: 4 courses of R-FND (standard doses of Rituximab, Fludarabine, Mitoxantrone, Dexamethasone) every 28 days followed by 4 weekly Rituximab infusions as consolidation; responding (CR+CRu+PR) patients were randomized between Rituximab maintenance, one dose every 2 months for a total of 4 doses or observation. Qualitative and quantitative PCR monitoring for IgH/Bcl-2 rearrangement on bone marrow (BM) was performed at diagnosis, after R-FND and R consolidation and during maintenance/observation. Results 234 patients were eligible for the study: median age was 66 yrs; advanced stage II 14%, stage III 21% and stage IV 65%; BM involvement and B symptoms were documented in 55% and 18% respectively. FLIPI score was: Low 11%, Intermediate 34%, High 55%. One and 2 or more comorbidities were present in 36% and 23% of the patients respectively. Qualitative PCR analysis for IgH/Bcl-2 was performed in 223 patients at diagnosis and 51% were positive. Two hundred and two (86%) patients completed the induction treatment and were randomized between maintenance or observation; 32 were not because of: stable/progressive disease (16), adverse events (10) or other causes (6). Overall response at the end of treatment was 86% with 69% CR and 18% PR; PCR negativity at the end of treatment was 75%. Rituximab consolidation was able to induce CR in 37/90 (41%) partial responders and to increase PCR negativity from 61% to 75%. With a median follow-up of 22 months, two-years OS and PFS were 92% (95% CI 87%-95%) and 75% (95% CI 68%-81%), respectively (see Figure). Two-years PFS rates according to FLIPI score were 85% for low/intermediate risk and 65% for high risk (p < 0.001); 2-years PFS rates were 57% and 79% respectively in patients with and without B symptoms (p < 0.001). The patients in more advanced decade (> 70 years) or those with 2 or more comorbidities did as well as younger ones or those with one or no comorbidities: 2-yr PFS rates for patients more or less seventy were 73% vs 76% (p = 0.39); for patients with ≥2 comorbidities or one or none were 84% vs 67% vs 76%, respectively (p = 0.82). A total of 1119 courses were delivered; the most frequent CTC grade 3-4 toxicity was neutropenia in 25% of the courses, with only 13 serious infections. One patients developed acute myelogenous leukaemia during treatment and died. Two toxic deaths during treatment (0.8%) occurred: 1 HBV reactivation and 1 Steven Johnson syndrome. So far 212 patients are alive; besides the above mentioned deaths, 15 patients died of lymphoma, 2 died of cardiac failure, 1 died of stroke and 1 died of drowning. So far too few events occurred to proper analyse the efficacy of the Rituximab maintenance. In the maintenance/observation phase the following severe (WHO grade 3-4) toxicities were recorded: 15 patients experienced neutropenia, seven cardiac events, four infections; no other relevant toxicities were recorded. The cumulative incidences of toxic events accounting for competing events at 18 months for maintenance arm (Arm A) versus observation arm (Arm B) were as follows: neutropenia 17% vs 1% (p Conclusions a short term chemo-immunotherapy R-FND + Rituximab consolidation is safe and effective with a good 2-yr PFS rate also in patients with high risk FLIPI score or in patients in more advanced decade or with comorbidities. Rituximab maintenance is safe with a more frequent neutropenia that was not associated with an increased risk of infections. Final results of the study will provide insights on the role of Rituximab maintenance after R-chemotherapy. Disclosures Vitolo: Roche: Lecture fees; Mundipharma: Lecture fees. Off Label Use: Study was supported by Roche: Rituximab maintenance in first line treatment is off-label. Boccomini:Roche: Lecture fees. Ladetto:Roche Italy: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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...

8530 Background: The final results of FOLL05 for the initial therapy of advanced stage follicular lymphoma (FL) were recently reported with a median follow–up of 34 months. This trial showed that R...

The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in elderly patients has increased in recent years. Approximately 36% of elderly patients with NHL are diagnosed with diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL), an aggressive lymphoma subtype. Some authors have suggested that lymphoma in the elderly is intrinsically different from that seen in younger patients. Diffuse large-cell lymphoma, for example, is curable in about 50% of patients younger than 65 years of age but has a significantly lower cure rate in older subjects. Elderly patients with DLCL represent a group that is difficult to treat because of comorbidity, diminished organ functions, altered drug metabolism, and irregular drug clearance rates. These factors must be carefully considered when evaluating treatment options for older patients. The quality of life (QOL) associated with various regimens should obviously be evaluated, though QOL has so far received little attention in clinical trials. Analyses of the results from numerous phase II and phase III trials in patients with advanced aggressive NHL have demonstrated that overall survival is reduced when chemotherapy regimens more toxic than CHOP (cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/ vincristine/prednisone) are employed, whereas therapeutic regimens that are less toxic are often less effective. CHOP, therefore, may be regarded as the current gold standard of therapy for elderly patients with DLCL. The addition of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors to CHOP chemotherapy is recommended to limit myelosuppression. Intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation has recently been extended to patients older than 60 years, with encouraging results, albeit in a highly selected groups of patients. Other promising lymphoma treatments with improved toxicity profiles are being developed. Clinical trials are recommended to determine if these new therapies are safe and active in elderly patients with DLCL.

Background FDG PET/CT (PET) is commonly used in the management of patients with lymphomas and is recommended for both initial staging and response assessment after treatment in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. In follicular lymphoma (FL), PET proved to be more accurate than conventional imaging for initial staging and for restaging and a positive PET after induction treatment (piPET) has been recently confirmed as a negative prognostic factor for progression Free Survival (PFS). So far however a clear definition and standardization of how the assessment of piPET must be done is lacking. In this work we tested the 5 point Deauville scale (5PS), applied by an expert panel to piPET to determine if it could be a reliable and accurate tool to support the prognostic role of piPET in patients with FL. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on patients with advanced stage untreated FL enrolled in the FOLL05 randomized trial for whom pi- and baseline PET were available in DICOM format. Scans were then interpreted using visual assessment with the Deauville 5-point scale by an international expert panel (EP). Two EP readers scored piPET independently and a third one was asked to resolve the discrepancies. Binary (+ve vs –ve) and overall concordance rates were calculated using k Cohen’s and Fleiss’s kappa coefficients, respectively using the scores obtained on independent reading. Central review results were correlated with patients features, and with patients outcome using PFS as principal endpoint. Results Among 534 patients randomized to the FOLL05 trial we could retrieve a digital PET-DICOM file in 121 patients; 31 patients were excluded for poor quality of the images with a total of 90 pts available for the central review. Median age was 54 (range 36 to 75), 80 (89%) had stage III-IV, 33.3% had high risk FLIPI (score 3-5). After review two different cutoffs were used to classify piPET as +ve or –ve. Using a cut off at 3, rate of +ve piPET was (18%) with a low Cohen’s K index of 0.23. Using a cutoff at 4 +ve piPET rate was 11% but Cohen’s K index improved to 0.62. Using the cut-off at 3 and at 4 concordance rate was 81%, and 94.5% respectively. When 5PS results were correlated with patients features no correlation was shown. Overall at time of current analysis and with a median follow-up of 25.9 months 56 pts (62%) were in continuous CR and 34 (38%) had progressed or relapsed. Overall Results of the 5PS were confirmed to be predictive of PFS (Log rank = 9, P Conclusions The central review of FDG-PET scans using the 5PS confirmed that a qualitative assessment of response is feasible also for patients with FL. With the qualitative assessment of response the prognostic role of piPET had the best ratio between reproducibility and clinical informative power using a cut off at 4. These results confirm piPET-response as relevant prognostic factor for patients with FL, and warrants the adoption of the 5PS in future studies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction A randomized multicenter study of 134 Follicular Lymphoma (FL) patients, selected for age less than 60 yrs. and poor prognostic features according to age-adjusted IPI (2-3) and IIL-score (3 or greater) was conducted between March 2000 and May 2005, among 30 Italian Centers. The study compared efficacy and tolerability of CHOP-R vs. R-HDS with autograft as primary treatment in poor-risk FL. Initial results have been already reported (Ladetto M et al, Blood 2008), showing superior disease control with R-HDS without any survival advantage. We have recently updated the long-term outcome and the results at long-term are here presented at a median follow-up of 9.5 yrs. Patients and Methods Of the original 134 randomized patients, the long-term outcome has been updated for 125 patients, 61 of CHOP-R and 64 of R-HDS arms. Clinical characteristics at study entry and treatment schedules have been already reported. Briefly, the main features of the updated patients included: median age 51 yrs. (22-60), M/F ratio 74/51, aaIPI 2-3 90%, FLIPI >2 (retrospectively assigned) 60%, high LDH 49%, bulky disease 62%, B-symptoms 45%, BM involvement 86%. Clinical characteristics were balanced among the two arms. Treatment schedule consisted of: i. standard arm: 6 courses of cyclo-phosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone followed by 4-weekly rituximab courses (CHOP-R); ii. experimental arm: rituximab-supplemented high-dose sequential chemotherapy with autografting (R-HDS). The analysis was intention to treat with event-free survival as the primary endpoint. Minimal residual disease was evaluated post treatment in 58 patients with a bcl-2/IgH MBR or mcr translocation confirmed at diagnosis by nested PCR. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as no. NCT00435955. The long-term outcome has been updated in July 2013 by 28 out of 30 participating Centers accounting for 125 patients (93% of the whole series). Results Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 88 (70.4%) patients, including 35 (57%) with CHOP-R and 53 (83%) with R-HDS (p < .001); in addition, 37 out of 58 (64%) patients achieved a Molecular Remission (MR). At a median follow-up (MFU) of 9.5 yrs., 88 patients (70.4%) are alive. Overall, 19 patients died for lymphoma progression (11 in the CHOP-R, 8 in the R-HDS arms), there were nine deaths for secondary malignancy (3 in the CHOP-R, 6 in the R-HDS arms), nine more patients died for other causes, including four early toxic deaths. The overall survival projection for the whole series is 78% and 70% at 5 and 10 yrs., respectively. As shown in Figure 1, there were no main differences in the long-term OS between the two arms, with 5 and 10 yrs projections respectively of 75% and 70% for CHOP-R and 81% and 70% for R-HDS (p=0.96). Response to primary treatment had a major impact on the OS, with 5 and 10 yr survival projections respectively of 90% and 80% for patients achieving CR, and of 49 and 43 for those with less than CR (p < .001) (Figure 2A). Similarly, MR achievement was associated with prolonged overall survival, with 5 and 10 yr survival projections respectively of 89% and 83% for patients with PCR-ve on BM cells, and of 76 and 57 for those with persistent PCR-positivity (p = .03) (Figure 2B). Conclusion The long-term follow-up of the randomized CHOP-R vs. R-HDS trial indicate that: i. poor risk FL may now experience a prolonged survival, with approximately 70% of patients alive at 10 yrs., due to the combined efficacy of both primary chemo-immunotherapy and salvage treatments; ii. the superior disease control of R-HDS compared to CHOP-R does not translate in any survival advantage, with analogous OS regardless of which treatment is used; iii. also in FL like in other lymphoproliferative malignancies, achieving CR and MR is crucial not only for the disease control but also for long-term overall survival; iv. lymphoma progression remains the major cause of death, while secondary neoplasms, in particular secondary leukemias represent the second cause of treatment failure. Thus, efforts are still needed in order to increase the anti-tumor efficacy while reducing any potential late effect in treatment options for FL. Disclosures: Tarella: Roche Co.: support and honoraria for Conference participation Other. Ladetto:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Abstract 787 Background: Many studies support the value of PCR-based MRD detection using the bcl-2-IgH translocation as an outcome predictor in FL but some failed to confirm this observation. Concerns have been raised particularly for programs which are highly Rituximab (Rtx) intensive (with or without maintenance) and non-ASCT-based. The ML17638 study, contained an extensive centralized MRD monitoring program, whose results are here presented. Patients and methods: Clinical results of study have been already reported (Vitolo et al, ASH 2011). The program consisted of 4 R-FND courses (Rtx, fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone) followed by 4 doses of weekly Rtx. Patients (pts) achieving 3partial response (PR) were randomized to Rtx maintenance (arm A) or observation (arm B). A total of 234 untreated elderly (age 60–75 years) pts at diagnosis were enrolled. With a median follow-up from randomization of 34 months, 3-year PFS and OS were 66% (95%CI:59-72%) and 89% (95%CI:85-93%), with a clear trend in favor of arm A for 2-year PFS (81% vs 69%). At enrolment, pts were screened for a molecular marker based on the bcl-2/IgH MBR or mcr. If found, pts were tested at 8 fixed timepoints: at month 5 (M5) after 4-R-FND, at the end of induction therapy (M8) and during maintenance/observation and follow-up (M12,M18,M24,M30,M36 and M42) or until relapse. MRD was assessed by both nested PCR (n-PCR) and real time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) on BM cells. Methods have been already reported (Ladetto Exp Hematol 2001). RQ-PCR was performed and analyzed according to the Euro-MRD guidelines (Van der Velden Leukemia 2007). The lab performs routine quality controls in the context of Euro-MRD and was blinded to clinical results and radomization arm. The impact of MRD on PFS was evaluated by log-rank tests and Cox models including age, sex, FLIPI, ECOG PS and complete remission (CR). In addition, the effect of PCR negativity on PFS during the whole follow-up period was evaluated by a time-varying covariate included in the models, also considered in a cumulative way (0, 1, 2, 3 or more consecutive PCR-negative timepoints). Results: 229 of 234 enrolled pts (98%) were screened at study entry. A molecular marker was found in 118 (51.5%). Of these, 9 were excluded due to withdrawal before M5 (7) or inadequate sampling (2). Overall, 800 follow-up samples were expected. Of these, 707 (88%) were received and analysed: 98% of pts were evaluable for 350% of timepoints and 87% for 375%. Pts with and without a marker had identical PFS (61% at 42m for both). Sixty six per cent of pts achieved PCR-negativity after R-FND and 81% at the end of treatment, with a mean tumor burden reduction of 11 natural logaritm after R-FND and a further decrease of 1.6 after the 4 weekly Rtx. At randomization, PCR-positivity rate was similar in the two arms while during and after maintenance pts in Arm A had a lower rate of PCR-positivity (9% vs 17% p=0.02). The achievement of PCR-negativity by both n-PCR and RQ-PCR at timepoints M8,12,18 and 24 predicted a better PFS (M5 not predictive, M30, 36, 42 have too early follow up for meaningful evaluation). After M8, 2-year PFS was significantly better in PCR-negative than PCR-positive pts: 72% vs 39% (p=0.007, Fig. 1). Achieving a double PCR-negativity at M8-M12 or triple molecular negativity at M8-M12-M18 was associated with a further increase of PFS (82% vs 46% for months 8–12, p=0.001 and 87% vs 53% for months 8–12-18, p=0.001). PCR-negativity at M8 ensured a subsequent better PFS both in CR (p=0.023, HR=0.33, 95%CI: 0.13–0.86) and PR (p=0.074, HR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.07–1.13) pts (Fig. 2). Disclosures: Ladetto: Hoffman-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Rossi:Roche: Honoraria. Musto:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Gamba:Roche: Employment. Vitolo:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssin-Cilag: Honoraria; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract 154 Background Follicular lymphoma (FL) has an indolent course during which patients (pts) receive multiple lines of active treatments ranging from single-agent chemotherapy (CHT) or monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), to high-dose therapy with stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In relapsed patients the efficacy of salvage treatments may be affected by the type and the intensity of the previous treatments and it is currently not known whether a definite sequence of treatments throughout the course of the disease could optimize the outcome of patients. Since randomized trials can hardly be designed to answer this important clinical question, the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) launched an observational, multicenter, retrospective study (REFOLL) to analyze if combinations of different first-line and salvage treatments could be identified, able to achieve a better long-term outcome. Patients and Methods Of 582 pts with FL at first relapse between 2000 and 2008 registered from 25 Institutions, 548 were included in the study. They had received either alkylating- (AA) (22%), or anthracycline- (AC) (61%) or nucleoside analogues-based (NA)(17%) CHT as first-line treatment, with the addition of rituximab (R) in 284 (52%). AA pts were older (P Results The median follow-up after first relapse was 41 months (range 1–122) and the median TTNT (50%) was 41 months (CI95% 35–47 months). Among first-line treatments, AC+/−R was associated with a better TTNT after any salvage than AA+/−R or NA+/−R (HR: 0.71, P=0.007; HR: 0.73, P=0.021 after adjustment by age, stage and year of diagnosis). The addition of R to first-line CHT did not adversely impact on the efficacy of salvage treatments (P=0.156). As salvage treatment, auto-HSCT had a significantly better outcome when compared to any other program +/−R (HR ranging from 1.79 to 2.40). Patients receiving auto-HSCT were younger (P Considering the combinations of first-line and salvage treatments received, using multiple Cox regression, the TTNT after relapse was significantly better in pts receiving first-line anthracycline CHT +/−R followed by auto-HSCT as salvage (HR ranging from 1.88 to 3.3 compared to any other sequence, including AA/NA CHT followed by auto-HSCT). Other factors independently influencing TTNT after HSCT were R maintenance (HR: 0.66), duration of first remission > 12 months (HR: 0.8), and stage III-IV at diagnosis (HR: 1.89). PFS after relapse was 35% at 5 years, superimposable to TTNT (36% at 5 years); in fact treatment sequences had the same effects on PFS as on TTNT. Overall survival from diagnosis was 89% at 5-yr (CI95% 85–91%) and the sequences CHT->HSCT and CHT->CHT with R showed a better outcome than CHT ->CHT without R (HR:0.55, P=0.015; HR 0.61, P=0.047 after adjusting by age and stage at diagnosis). Conclusions Auto-HSCT obtained the best TTNT after relapse compared to any other regimen but its efficacy was maximized when anthracycline-containing CHT was used as first-line treatment, compared to other CHT programs. The addition of R to first-line CHT did not adversely impact on the results of any salvage. This study supports the concept that different sequences of active treatments do not necessarily obtain similar long-term results, which is important in the management of indolent diseases like FL and warrants further studies. The sequence of AC-CHT at diagnosis and auto-HSCT at relapse may be tested as the reference sequence of active treatments in FL patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 2636 Background and objectives: Quality of response assessed with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose - Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) is confirmed as a strong independent prognostic factor in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Recently the prognostic role of response assessment with PET was also shown in patients with Follicular Lymphoma (FL) (Trotman et al JCO 2011). We conducted a retrospective analysis to investigate the role of FDG-PET after immunochemotherapy in FL. Patients and methods: The study was designed as a retrospective unplanned analysis of newly diagnosed FL patients randomized among R-CVP, R-CHOP, R-FM in the FOLL05 clinical trial (NCT00774826). To be included in the study patients should have confirmed eligibility for the FOLL05 trial, have available data on clinical presentation, treatment details and results, and on follow-up. As mandatory patients should have undergone staging and restaging at the end of treatment with FDG-PET. Local PET interpretation was used to identify clearly positive and clearly negative cases. For this phase of the study uncertain cases were not analyzed for study endpoints: centralized review is ongoing. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scans were also collected to confirm quality of response: in particular a cut off of 1.5 cm for the maximum transverse diameter of residual lymph nodes was considered to separate Complete vs. Partial remissions according to International Workshop Criteria (IWC) (Cheson et al JCO 1999). The primary study endpoint was Progression Free Survival. Results: Among 534 patients enrolled in the FOLL05 trial, 114 cases fulfilled eligibility criteria for this study. Baseline patients characteristics did not differ from the overall FOLL05 patient population. In particular FLIPI was 0–1 in 23%, 2 in 42% and 3–5 in 35%. First-line immunochemotherapy, included R-CHOP (36 pts.), R-CVP (33), and R-FM (45). No maintenance therapy with Rituximab was given. Overall response rate at the end of therapy, defined according to IWC, was 97% including a 78% complete remissions (CR) rate. Baseline PET scan was positive in all patients. In 16 cases an interim PET was also available and resulted clearly positive in 6 patients (38%). At the end of treatment 10 cases had inconclusive final PET results and were excluded from subsequent analyses; a clearly positive PET scan was recorded in 26 out of the remaining 104 (25%). In univariate logistic analysis number of nodal sites (>4) was predictive of final positive PET. Although a trend towards a higher rate of PET positive scans was observed with increasing FLIPI and FLIPI2 this difference was not statistically significant. The rate of patients with negative final PET was 81%, 57%, and 60% for those in CR, PR, and less than PR (Fisher exact test: P=0.021). Assessing response with International Harmonization Project (IHP) criteria (Cheson et al JCO 2007), that also consider PET, 14/74 (19%) of patients previously defined in CR according to IWC were changed to PR and 13/23 (57%) of those in PR were switched to CR. The CR rate changed from 78% to 75% with an agreement rate of 70% between IWC and IHP. With a median follow up of 28 months (range 9–56), 3 year PFS was 68% (95% IC 54%–79%). In univariate analysis a shorter 3yr PFS was observed in post-treatment PET+ vs. PET- patients: 48% vs 84% (log rank p=0.036, HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.03–5.3). A positive final PET was confirmed as a poor prognostic factor when adjusted by FLIPI and FLIPI2 (HR 2.33 P=0.048, and HR 2.41 P=0.039, respectively). Prognostic role of final PET was not affected by treatment arm or by any of analyzed prognostic factors. Finally a trend toward a prolonged duration of remission was observed for patients who achieved a PET negative CR, compared with PET+ CRs and and both PET+/− PRs. Conclusions: This FOLL05 ancillary study confirms that post-treatment PET-CT can modify response allocation and is a predictor of PFS after first line immunochemotherapy in patients with FL. If the prognostic role of PET assessment of response will be confirmed in a larger series and in prospective studies a response adapted treatment strategy could be tested also in FL. Disclosures: Di Raimondo: Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Abstract 3107 High dose chemotherapy (HDC) and ASCT is actually considered an effective treatment for relapsed NHL. Standard dose Zevalin (0.4 mCi/kg) combined with conventional BEAM (Z-BEAM) is a promising conditioning regimen for the treatment of high risk relapsed/resistant NHL. We evaluated the feasibility and the efficacy of Z-BEAM in a group of relapsed/refractory patients treated in a single institution. Between October 2006 and December 2010 twenty nine pts were treated with Zevalin (day –14) followed by standard dose BEAM (day –7 to –1) and ASCT. Patients were included into the study and considered at high risk of failure if showed: progression or early relapse ( Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 1784 Introduction. The outcome of MCL is unfavourable, with continuous relapses. The MIPI, a clinical score, defined performance status, age, LDH and leucocyte counts as predictors of MCL outcome. Ki-67 as cell proliferation index was evaluated in biological-MIPI (MIPI-b). Aim of the study was to tested MIPI on a retrospective group of MCL patients treated with Rituximab-chemotherapy with or without High Dose Chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (R-HDC); secondary endpoints were: to evaluate the feasibility of MIPI-b on a retrospective population and to quantify the predictive discrimination of IPI, MIPI, MIPI-b on the outcome of MCL in the Rituximab era. Methods. Between 1999 and 2009, 206 MCL >18 years at diagnosis consecutively treated in seven Italian institutions were included into the study. Histology was centrally reviewed and, if possible, Ki-67 evaluation was performed. Overall survival (OS) and failure-free survival (FFS) curves were estimated both overall and stratified by MIPI, MIPI-b and IPI score. Differences between curves were tested using the 2-tailed log-rank test. In order to quantify the predictive discrimination of MIPI, MIPI-b and IPI scores, a Cox's model analysis and univariate logistic models (with death and failure event as binary outcomes) were fitted and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (c-index) was estimated in a subgroup of 120 patients that fulfilled MIPI, MIPI-b and IPI scores. Results. Clinical characteristics were: median age 61 (34-85) years, 78% stage IV, 73% with bone marrow involvement, 16% with blastoid variant; median leucocyte counts at diagnosis was 7.53×103 (2.38-175). First-line treatments were: R-HDC in 51%, Rituximab-Fludarabine based chemotherapy in 12%, Rituximab-CHOP in 32% and other Rituximab containing regimens in 5%. Ki-67 evaluation was performed in 135 patients; median Ki-67 value was 30%. Patients at high-risk (HR) were 29% according to MIPI, 18% according to MIPI-b and 33% to IPI. With a median follow-up of 48 months, 4-year OS was 72% (95% CI:65-78) and 4-year FFS was 49% (95%CI: 41–56). Four-year OS according to MIPI by risk groups was: LR 94% (95%CI: 85–97), IR 66% (95%CI: 47–80), HR 41% (95%CI: 26–55) and according to IPI: LR 87% (95%CI: 73–94), IR 88% (95%CI: 74–95), HR 41% (95%CI: 26–55) (Figure 1). In the subgroup of 120 patients that fulfilled MIPI, MIPI-b and IP scores an univariate logistic model and a Cox's model analysis were fitted. The c-index and Cox-index for death event were 76% and 75% for MIPI, 69% and 69% for MIPIb, 76% and 71% for IPI respectively; the c-index and Cox-index for failure event were 61% and 68% for MIPI, 59% and 64% for MIPIb, 68% and 66% for IPI respectively. A sub-analysis was conducted to validate the role of MIPI in R-HDC group; an univariate logistic model and a Cox's model analysis were fitted and the c-index and Cox-index for death event and for failure event were calculated (Table 1). Conclusions. MIPI score was confirmed as a good predictor of death event in MCL retrospective patients treated with Rituximab-chemotherapy regimens. MIPI score should be a good predictor of death event also in patients treated with R-HDC. The impact of MIPI-b score should be tested in prospective trials, with central histology review. New therapeutic strategies are warranted to improve the outcome of MCL namely in MIPI-HR group. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 99 Introduction. The PET scan has a definite role to assess the response at the end of treatment of DLBCL. The evaluation of response by PET after few courses of chemotherapy might be useful to predict chemosensitivity and possibly the outcome in this subset of patients. So far, the predictive value of interim PET in DLBCL pts is still contradictory. The visual analysis of PET results by dichotomous evaluation as positive or negative is often difficult to apply and standardized criteria of interpretation of interim PET have not been established yet. Moreover, published data are often based on retrospective studies, including miscellanea of subtypes and therapies. Our study was aimed to determine the predictive value of interim and final PET on PSF in DLBCL patients. Patients and Methods. From April 2004 to December 2008, 82 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated in 5 Hematology Department were included. Clinical features were as follows: median age 56 years (range 19-81); 42 males and 40 females, 29 patients stage I-II and 53 stage III-IV; according to IPI score 47 at low/low-intermediate risk and 35 at intermediate/intermediate-high. All patients were treated according to planned therapy, not modified by PET-2 results, with 6-8 R-CHOP. All patients had PET scan performed at the diagnosis, during treatment (PET-2) and at the end of therapy (PET-3). All PET results were defined as positive or negative by visual dichotomous consensus response criteria. Results. All patients were evaluable for response. PET-2 was performed after 2 R-CHOP in 46 pts, after 3 in 13 and after 4 in 23. At the end of therapy 73 pts (89%) achieved a CR and 9 (11%) were non responders. Fifty-five patients (67%) were negative and 27 (33%) positive at the PET-2 and 69 pts (84%) were negative and 13 (16%) positive at the PET-3. The concordance between clinical CR and PET-3 negativity was 99%: one CR pt was false PET-3 positive due to parothid carcinoma . Correlation between PET results and outcome was evaluated. There was correlation between PET-2 results and CR rate: CR 96% in PET-2 negative pts vs 74% in PET-2 positive (p .004). With a median FU of 18 months, PFS was 78%. PET-2 did not correlate with PFS (p .198): 46/55 (84%) PET-2 negative patients were in CCR and 20/27 (74%) PET-2 positive patients did not progres (Figure 1A). Conversely PET-3 strongly predicted PFS (p .015): 58/69 (84%) were in CCR and 8/13 (61%) did not progressed. (Figure 1B). A further analysis for progression event was performed to adjust the effect of PET-2 analysis for other known risk factors (age up to/over 60, stage, Performance status, LDH, number of extranodal sites, IPI, bulky, Bone Marrow involvement): only LDH (p .005)and IPI 0-2 vs 3-5 (p .001 ) were confirmed as independent predictors of progression event. Conclusions. Our results indicate that in this omogeneous group of DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP interim PET failed to predict outcome. However, a longer follow up is necessary to validate our data. Conversely PET results at the end of treatment strongly correlate with PFS. Prospective larger studies will be needed to establish the real role of interim PET to predict the outcome in this subset of patients. Disclosures: Ladetto: CELGENE: Honoraria; JANSSEN-CILAG: Research Funding. Vitolo:Roche: lecture fees.

Introduction: The addition of antibody monoclonal anti CD20 Rituximab to CHOP chemotherapy resulted in improved CR, progression free survival and overall survival rates for patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). RIT with Zevalin, as single agent, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of relapsed refractory elderly DLBCL, namely in Rituximab naïve patients. However, in patients pretreated with Rituximab the reported response rate was lower. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Zevalin in a group of patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive lymphoma, all heavily pretreated with Rituximab containing regimens. Patients and methods: Inclusion criteria were as follows: age over 18 yrs; relapsed or refractory CD20+ aggressive lymphoma (follicular grade IIIb, PML or DLBCL); WHO performance status of 0 to 2; stage II bulky, III or IV; bone marrow involvement 150 × 109/l received Zevalin at 0.4 mCi/kg whereas those with platelets < 150 109/l received 0.3 mCi/kg. Results: 24 patients were treated with RIT. Five patients had stage II, and 19 stage III/IV; bone marrow involvement was present in 11/24. Nine patients had grade IIIb follicular, 14 DLBCL and one mantle cell lymphoma. Eighteen patients received 0.4 mCi/kg and six patients 0.3 mCi/kg. Eleven patients were treated with RIT alone, six received RIT after standard salvage chemoimmunotherapy and seven were treated with RIT in combination with BEAM and subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Status of disease before Zevalin treatment was: progressive disease (PD) in 14; complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) after salvage chemoimmunotherapy in 4 and 6 patients respectively. All patients in CR before RIT (4/24) maintained a continous CR after treatment. Overall response rate (ORR) after RIT for patients not in CR (20/24) was: 4 patients (20%) achieved a CR, 7 patients (35%) a PR and 9 patients experienced no response/progression (ORR 11/20 patients 55%). Six of seven patients treated with RIT + BEAM + ASCT achieved a response (CR 4 patients and PR 2 patients), one patient progressed immediately after the end of program. ORR in 11 patients treated with RIT alone and in six patients treated with chemotherapy + RIT were 46% and 50% respectively. With a median follow up of 32 months, OS and PFS rates were 67% and 52%. Eight patients died, all because of lymphoma. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Discussion: the results of this study suggest that RIT with 90Y-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan is a safe and effective treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma even if they were pretreated with Rituximab containing chemotherapy.

Introduction: The clinical course of MCL is characterized by a continuous pattern of relapse and a poor long term outcome with a median Overall Survival (OS) of four years and a 15% of long term survivors. Recently a new clinical prognostic score (MIPI), including performance status, age, LDH level and leukocyte count has been reported. This score allows a more reliable estimation of individual clinical course. We retrospectively applied the MIPI score to patients with MCL. Patients and methods: Between 1999 and 2007, 40 patients with MCL diagnosed and treated in a single institution entered into the study. Clinical characteristics were as follows: median age 56 years (range 37–81), 80% male; 82% stage IV; 78% bone marrow involvement and 15% MCL with blastoid variant. First line treatments were: high dose chemoimmunotherapy including Rituximab (R) with autologous stem cell transplantation (R-HDC) in 26 patients and Rituximab-CHOP like chemotherapy (R-CHOP) in 14. Crude Kaplan-Meier OS and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were estimated both overall and stratified by MIPI and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. Differences between curves were tested using the 2-tailed log-rank test. In order to quantify the predictive discrimination of MIPI and IPI scores, univariate logistic models (with death and progression event as binary outcomes) were fitted and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (c index) was estimated. Results: According to MIPI score 17 patients (43%) were at low risk (LR, score 0–3), 13 patients (32%) at intermediate risk (IR, score 4–5) and 10 patients (25%) at high risk (HR, score >5). According to IPI score 14 patients (35%) were at low risk (LR), 16 patients (40%) at low-intermediate risk (LIR) and 10 patients (25%) at intermediate-high and high risk (IH-HR). At the end of the treatment, 30 patients achieved a CR, five a PR and five did not respond. Relapses occurred in 17 patients and seven of them died of lymphoma. With a median follow-up (FU) of 29 months, OS was 85% (95% CI: 66%–93%); with a median FU of 21 months, PFS was 70% (95% CI: 51%–83%). Twenty-nine months OS rates for MIPI score were: LR 100%, IR 81%, HR 66% respectively (p=.07) and for IPI score were: LR 92%, LIR 94%, IH-HR 65% respectively (p=.09). Twenty-one months PFS rates for MIPI score were: LR 92%, IR 59%, HR 45% respectively (p=.006) and for IPI score were: LR 73%, LIR 87%, IH-HR 44% respectively (p=.09). MIPI score was more predictive than IPI score for the death event and for the progression event: the c index was 74% and 73% for MIPI compared to 72% and 69% for IPI respectively. In a subgroup analysis performed on 26 R-HDC patients, OS and PFS rates stratified for MIPI were: for OS, LR 100% vs IR 80% vs HR 69% (p=.4) and for PFS, LR 91% vs IR 80% vs HR 57% (p=.04) respectively. Discussion: in our retrospective series of patients, MIPI prognostic score discriminates among patients with different PFS. Relapses remain the most important issue for all patients affected by MCL, namely in HR group according to MIPI. New therapeutic strategies are warranted to improve the prognosis of MCL.

Introduction: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody commonly used in B-DLCL both in salvage regimens and in combination with first-line chemotherapy. Some studies have reported delays in neutrophil or platelet engraftment after ASCT in patients treated with high dose chemotherapy and Rituximab prior to ASCT. We investigated the effect of adding Rituximab prior to ASCT on peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest, time to engraftment and short-term toxicity post ASCT. Patients and methods: We analyze stem cell mobilization, engraftment (median time to absolute neutrophil count > 500/mm3 for three consecutive days and platelets > 50.000) and short-term toxicity after ASCT (< 30 days) in two groups of patients affected by B-DLCL at diagnosis enrolled into two consecutive trials with or without Rituximab in combination with chemotherapy. All patients were < 61 years with B-DLCL at age-adjusted IPI Intermediate-High (IH) or High (H) risk and/or with bone marrow (BM) involvement. Group A: an intensified chemoimmunotherapy regimen R-MegaCEOP (Rituximab 375 mg/m2 day 1, CTX 1200 mg/m2 + EPI 110 mg/m2 + VCR 1.4 mg/m2 day 3 and PDN 40 mg/m2 days 3 to 7) every 14 days with G-CSF support for 4 courses; patients in complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) received two courses of intensified chemotherapy R-MAD (Mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2 + ARA-C 2000 mg/m2/12h + Dexamethasone 4 mg/m2/12h days 1 to 3 and Rituximab 375 mg/m2 day 4 and before PBSC harvest). Group B: MACOP-B 8 weeks + 2 courses of MAD (in patients in CR or PR) without Rituximab. Both groups were given ASCT with BEAM as conditioning regimen. Clinical characteristics at diagnosis were well balanced between the two groups. Results: 68 patients are evaluable: 35 pts in group A (with Rituximab) and 33 pts in group B (without Rituximab). All patients in both groups collected more than 2 x 106 CD34+ cell/kg. Median CD34+ cell/kg in group A was 13 x 106 (range 0-37) compared with 41 x 106 in group B (range 0–253) with no statistically significant difference. Median time to neutrophils engraftment after ASCT was similar in the two groups: 9 days in group A and 10 days in group B. No delay in the platelet recovery was observed in patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy: 15 days in group A vs 16 days in group B. Few severe early toxicities (WHO grade 3–4) were reported with no differences between group A vs B: severe mucositis in 11 pts vs 23 pts, gastrointestinal in 6 pts vs 4 pts. Severe infections occurred in 10 patients: group A 6 patients (2 Gram+ sepsis, 1 Gram- sepsis, 1 FUO, 2 bacterial pneumonia); group B 4 patients (2 FUO, 1 bacterial and 1 viral pneumonia). One patient in group A died of bacterial pneumonia after ASCT. Conclusions: Treatment with Rituximab may be safely included in a pre-ASCT high dose chemotherapy regimen with no delay in stem cell harvest, engraftment and without increased early toxicity after ASCT.

Introduction: the addition of Rituximab to standard chemotherapy CHOP improves the outcome of advanced stage B-DLCL, however pts at high risk continue to have a poor outcome. The combination of Rituximab with dose-dense and intensified chemotherapy is still poorly studied so far. Patients and methods: from January 2001 to June 2004, 92 previously untreated pts Results: Median age was 47 years (19–60); 6% were at LI risk (enrolled because of BM involvement), 53% at IH and 41% at H risk according to IPI; 27% had BM involvement and 80% LDH level >normal. So far, 72 pts who completed the treatment are evaluable for response and toxicity. Fifty-seven pts (79%) achieved a CR;one a PR (1.4%); ten pts (14%) progressed before (7 pts) or shortly after (3 pts) ASCT. Four pts (5.6%) died of infectious toxicities (2 bacterial sepsis and 2 pneumonia) which occurred during neutropenic period post MAD (3 pts) or after ASCT (1 pt). Sixteen pts did not completed the planned treatment because of disease progression before ASCT (7 pts) or inadequate PBSC yield (5 pts) or toxicity (4 pts). With a median follow-up of 2 yrs, only 2 pts relapsed. Two-yrs FFS and OS were: 72% and 77%. Fourteen pts developed infections (WHO>2): 2 interstitial pneumonia, 5 neutropenic Gram- and 2 Gram+ sepsis, 1 disseminated herpes zoster, 1 Ps. Aeruginosa and 1 Staph. aureus pneumonia, 1 bacterial pancreatitis and 1 perianal abscess. A molecular marker has been detected at diagnosis in 27 patients. So far, 12 PBSC harvest has been analyzed and 11/12 were PCR negative. Conclusions: this interim analysis suggests that the concurrent use of Rituximab with dose-dense and high dose chemotherapy followed by myeloablative therapy with ASCT support is effective to achieve a high CR and a high 2-yr FFS rate in a group of B-DLCL patients at poor prognosis. Furthermore, the addition of Rituximab during mobilitation procedure with R-MAD may allow to collect lymphoma-free PBSC harvest.