Search

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) represent a heterogeneous disease group accounting for 10% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. PTCL patients have typically poorer outcomes compared to aggressive B-cell lymphomas. However, such outcomes are heavily dependent upon subtype. Although anthracycline-based regimens such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) remain the standard first-line treatment for most aggressive PTCLs, there are important variations including incorporation of novel agents, use of radiotherapy and judicious consideration of stem cell transplantation. Relapsed or refractory disease represents a significant area of unmet need where chemotherapy intensification has limited efficacy and novel agents such as brentuximab vedotin and pralatrexate provide additional opportunities for attainment of remission and potential stem cell transplant. In the future, pre-therapy prognostic biomarkers including genomic characterisation, may aid in risk stratification and help guide initial patient management to improve survival. There is an urgent need to better understand the pathogenesis of PTCLs to facilitate novel drug combinatorial approaches to improve survival. This position statement represents an evidence-based synthesis of the literature for application in Australian and New Zealand practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background Mycosis fungoides with large-cell transformation (MF-LCT) is associated with an aggressive clinical course, yet data comparing treatment outcomes in MF-LCT are sparse. Objective To compare treatment outcomes and to determine disease prevalence and characteristics associated with survival in MF-LCT. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of mycosis fungoides patients from 2012 to 2020 treated at Thomas Jefferson University. Patients with histopathologic diagnosis of MF-LCT were included. Treatment outcomes were assessed by mean changes in the modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) and stage. Results Of 171 patients with mycosis fungoides, 23 (13.4%) had histologic diagnosis of MF-LCT. The overall 5-year survival rate for MF-LCT was 74% and was not significantly associated with sex, age, or initial stage at the time of MF-LCT diagnosis. Brentuximab vedotin showed the greatest mean decrease in mSWAT (−20.53) and stage progression (change in Δ stage: –0.4) in MF-LCT compared to oral bexarotene (ΔmSWAT: +4.51; Δstage: +0.27), skin-directed therapy (ΔmSWAT: −5.93; Δstage: −0.08), and chemotherapy (ΔmSWAT: +4.97; Δstage: +0.85). Limitations Single-center retrospective design, and patients often on multiple treatment modalities. Conclusions We report superior treatment outcomes for brentuximab vedotin compared to oral bexarotene, skin-directed therapy, and chemotherapy in MF-LCT in both early and advanced disease.

New therapies are needed for patients with relapsed/refractory (rel/ref) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not benefit from or are ineligible for stem cell transplant and chimeric antigen receptor therapy. The CD30-targeted, antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) and the immunomodulator lenalidomide (Len) have demonstrated promising activity as single agents in this population. We report the results of a phase 1/dose expansion trial evaluating the combination of BV/Len in rel/ref DLBCL. Thirty-seven patients received BV every 21 days, with Len administered continuously for a maximum of 16 cycles. The maximum tolerated dose of the combination was 1.2 mg/kg BV with 20 mg/d Len. BV/Len was well tolerated with a toxicity profile consistent with their use as single agents. Most patients required granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support because of neutropenia. The overall response rate was 57% (95% CI, 39.6-72.5), complete response rate, 35% (95% CI, 20.7-52.6); median duration of response, 13.1 months; median progression-free survival, 10.2 months (95% CI, 5.5-13.7); and median overall survival, 14.3 months (95% CI, 10.2-35.6). Response rates were highest in patients with CD30+ DLBCL (73%), but they did not differ according to cell of origin (P = .96). NK cell expansion and phenotypic changes in CD8+ T-cell subsets in nonresponders were identified by mass cytometry. BV/Len represents a potential treatment option for patients with rel/ref DLBCL. This combination is being further explored in a phase 3 study (registered on https://clinicaltrials.org as NCT04404283). This trial was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02086604.

Background Patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/RcHL) have limited opportunities for a curative therapy. High-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) produces cure rates of 50-60%. Patients relapsing after, or ineligible for HDT-ASCT have limited therapeutic options and long-term remission is uncommon. Furthermore, few patients are candidate to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (AlSCT), a potentially curative approach. The combination of brentuximab-vedotin and bendamustine (BVB) is a promising treatment for patients with R/RcHL, regardless of SCT eligibility. Patients and methods We report a real-life experience with BVB in 41 patients with R/RcHL after failure of ≥1 therapy including ASCT, AlSCT, or BV. Results Among 40 patients evaluable for efficacy, the overall response rate and complete response (CR) rate was 75% and 50%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between primary refractory and relapsed disease, previously treated with ≤2 and ≥3 lines of therapy, or BV-exposed and BV-naive. After a median follow-up of 38 months, the median progression free survival (PFS) for the entire population is 26 months; PFS is not reached, 10.5 months and 4 months for patients achieving CR, partial response and no response, respectively (p Conclusion Our experience supports the efficacy and tolerability of the BVB combination in R/RcHL as a bridge to SCT or as a definitive therapy for SCT-ineligible patients. Larger comparative studies testing BVB against standards of care are warranted in both settings. MICROABSTRACT In the real-life setting, the combination of brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine was well tolerated and produced an ORR of 75%, CR 50% and a median PFS of 26 months. A significant proportion of heavily pretreated cHL patients may be cured with this approach.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint blockade of programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand (PD-L1) has contributed to efficacy in many tumor types, with clinical responses observed in a proportion of patients (pts) with Hodgkin lymphoma and rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes. A recent study demonstrated that combination treatment with anti-PD-L1 and anti-CD38 agents contributed to a stronger anti-tumor immune response compared with anti-PD-L1 monotherapy. Isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, is approved for use in multiple myeloma. Cemiplimab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, is approved for use in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: This Phase 1/2 open-label study (NCT03769181) was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of isatuximab in combination with cemiplimab (Isa+Cemi) in pts with relapsed and refractory classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). The primary objectives of Phase 1 were to characterize the safety and tolerability of Isa+Cemi and to confirm the recommended Phase 2 dose. Phase 2 used a Simon's 2-stage design to assess the complete response rate in Cohort A1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 naïve cHL; n=18; median age, 36 years; 55.6% male; ≥2 prior regimens, 100%) and to assess the objective response rate in Cohorts A2 (cHL progressing after PD-1/PD-L1 therapy; n=12; median age, 33 years; 58.3% male; ≥2 prior regimens, 100%), B (DLBCL; n=17; median age, 64 years; 70.6% male; ≥2 prior regimens, 100%), and C (PTCL; n=11; median age, 69 years; 63.6% male; ≥2 prior regimens, 9.1%). Pts received Isa+Cemi for up to 96 weeks. In Phase 1, the isatuximab dose was 10 mg/kg every week (Cycle 1), every 2 weeks (Cycle 2-6), or every 3 weeks (Cycle 7+). The cemiplimab dose was 250 mg every 2 weeks (Cycle 1-6) or 350 mg every 3 weeks (Cycle 7+). An interim analysis was performed when the last pt in Phase 2 was followed up for 24 weeks. The efficacy evaluation was based on Simon's 2-stage design with 85% power at a 5% 1-sided alpha level for each cohort. At least 8 (44.4%) and 3 (30.0%) responses were required in Cohorts B and C, respectively, in Phase 2 Stage 1 to advance to Phase 2 Stage 2. Results: Isa+Cemi demonstrated a manageable safety profile with no new safety signals. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, confirming the recommended Phase 2 dose. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 83.3% (Cohort A1) and 100% (Cohorts A2, B, C) of pts. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 5.6%, 8.3%, 70.6%, and 81.8% of pts in Cohorts A1, A2, B, and C, respectively. There were no pts in Cohorts A1 or A2 who reported TEAEs leading to definitive discontinuation; 5.9% and 27.3% of pts in Cohorts B and C experienced TEAEs leading to definitive discontinuation. No Grade 5 TEAEs with fatal outcome were reported in Cohorts A1 or A2. There were 4 deaths reported during the on-treatment period in Cohort B (progressive disease, n=2; intestinal perforation, n=1; urinary tract infection, n=1) and 2 in Cohort C (unknown, n=1; progressive disease, n=1). Infusion reactions were reported in 38.9%, 75.0%, 52.9%, and 72.7% of pts in Cohorts A1, A2, B, and C, respectively; there was 1 (9.1%) Grade ≥3 infusion reaction reported in Cohort C. Pharmacokinetics (PK) analyses suggested no effect of cemiplimab on isatuximab PK, and vice versa. Based on Lugano 2014 criteria, 55.6% (Cohort A1), 33.3% (Cohort A2), 5.9% (Cohort B), and 9.1% (Cohort C) of pts in the all-treated population achieved a complete or partial response. Median progression-free survival was 8.38 months (95% CI: 2.72-not calculable [NC]), 8.28 months (95% CI: 2.6-NC), 2.37 months (95% CI: 0.46-2.69), and 2.66 months (95% CI: 0.43-2.99) in Cohorts A1, A2, B, and C, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, Isa+Cemi had a manageable safety profile. Clinical efficacy was observed in pts with cHL, with increased responses observed in pts who had not previously received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy compared with those who progressed on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. For Cohorts B (DLBCL) and C (PTCL), results of the interim efficacy analysis did not meet prespecified criteria to continue enrollment in Phase 2 Stage 2. Most pts with DLBCL were primary refractory/bulky and discontinued rapidly, which may have contributed to the lack of activity with this combination. Disclosures Carlo-Stella: ADC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Honoraria; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding. Zinzani: TG Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy, Honoraria, 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; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sandoz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; ImmuneDesign: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, 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; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, 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; Merck Sharp & Dohme: 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; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BeiGene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Portola: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Sureda: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel; Bluebird: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, 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; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Casasnovas: TAKEDA: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead/Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; ROCHE: Consultancy, Research Funding. Carpio: Regeneron, TAKEDA, Celgene, Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travels and accommodation. Bouabdallah: Abbvie: Honoraria; Sandoz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses. Cartron: Roche, Celgene-BMS: Consultancy; Danofi, Gilead, Novartis, Jansen, Roche, Celgene-BMS, Abbvie, Takeda: Honoraria. Kim: Celltrion: Research Funding; Dong-A Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; IGM Biosciences: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Cordoba: Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Research Funding; Kyowa-Kirin: 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; Kite: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; ADCTherapeutics: 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; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Koh: Pfizer: Consultancy; Jassen: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Alves: Janssen, Cilag, Gilead, Takeda, Astrazeneca, Roche, Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Chamuleau: Gilead: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Lopez-Guillermo: Roche, Gilead/Kite, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, AbbVie, Spectrum: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Van Der Poel: Roche, Janssen, Abbvie: Honoraria. Abbadessa: Sanofi: Current Employment. Meng: Sanofi: Current Employment. Ji: Sanofi: Current Employment. Lepine: Sanofi: Other: Contractual relationship. Saleem: Sanofi: Current Employment. Ribrag: PharmaMar: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Research Funding; Epizyme: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Argen-X: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nanostring: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. OffLabel Disclosure: Based on the Phase III ICARIA-MM study, isatuximab (Sarclisa) is approved in a number of countries in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Based on the Phase III IKEMA study, isatuximab in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone is approved in the United States for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy, and in the European Union for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. Cemiplimab (Libtayo) is an anti-PD-1 antibody approved for the treatment of the following: 1) patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation; 2) patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma previously treated with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor or for whom a hedgehog pathway inhibitor is not appropriate; and 3) patients with NSCLC and high tumor PD-L1 expression as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations, and is locally advanced where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation or metastatic.

Key Points Pembrolizumab improved health-related quality of life over brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed/refractory cHLPembrolizumab should be considered the preferred treatment option for relapsed/refractory cHL post-ASCT or in patients ineligible for ASCT, Visual Abstract, KEYNOTE-204 (NCT02684292) demonstrated a progression-free survival advantage for pembrolizumab over brentuximab vedotin (BV) in patients who had relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) following, or who were ineligible for, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured by patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from KEYNOTE-204, are reported from patients who received ≥1 dose of study treatment and completed ≥1 PRO assessment. The EORTC QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and EuroQoL EQ-5D were administered at baseline, every 6 weeks until week 24, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Prespecified end points included least squares mean (LSM) changes from baseline to week 24 and time to true deterioration (TTD; ≥10-point decline from baseline). Comparisons were evaluated using 2-sided P values uncontrolled for multiplicity. High compliance at baseline (>90%) and through week 24 (>80%) was demonstrated across treatment groups (PRO analysis set: pembrolizumab, n = 146; BV, n = 150). The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status (GHS)/quality of life (QoL) score improved from baseline to week 24 on pembrolizumab and worsened on BV and demonstrated significant LSM differences at 24 weeks (GHS/QoL: 8.60 [95% confidence interval, 3.89-13.31]; P = .0004). Significant improvements were observed in each QLQ-C30 domain except emotional and cognitive functioning. Compared with BV, pembrolizumab prolonged TTD for GHS/QoL (hazard ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.22-0.74]; P = .003) and each QLQ-C30 domain except cognitive functioning. In conclusion, pembrolizumab demonstrated overall improvements in PROs of HRQoL measures over BV in the KEYNOTE-204 study. These data and previously reported efficacy results support pembrolizumab as the preferred treatment option for patients with R/R cHL who are ineligible for or experience relapse after ASCT.

High-risk relapsed or refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is associated with poor outcomes after conventional salvage therapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). Post-AHCT consolidation with brentuximab vedotin (BV) improves progression-free survival (PFS), but with increasing use of BV early in the treatment course, the utility of consolidation is unclear. CD25 is often expressed on Reed-Sternberg cells and in the tumor microenvironment in HL, and we hypothesized that the addition of 90Y-antiCD25 (aTac) to carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan (BEAM) AHCT would be safe and result in a transplantation platform that is agnostic to prior HL-directed therapy. Twenty-five patients with high-risk R/R HL were enrolled in this phase 1 dose-escalation trial of aTac-BEAM. Following an imaging dose of 111In-antiCD25, 2 patients had altered biodistribution, and a third developed an unrelated catheter-associated bacteremia; therefore, 22 patients ultimately received therapeutic 90Y-aTac-BEAM AHCT. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and 0.6 mCi/kg was deemed the recommended phase 2 dose, the dose at which the heart wall would not receive >2500 cGy. Toxicities and time to engraftment were similar to those observed with standard AHCT, though 95% of patients developed stomatitis (all grade 1-2 per Bearman toxicity scale). Seven relapses (32%) were observed, most commonly in patients with ≥3 risk factors. The estimated 5-year PFS and overall survival probabilities among 22 evaluable patients were 68% and 95%, respectively, and non-relapse mortality was 0%. aTac-BEAM AHCT was tolerable in patients with high-risk R/R HL, and we are further evaluating the efficacy of this approach in a phase 2 trial. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01476839.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a distinctive type of T-cell lymphoma that arises around textured-surface breast implants. In a subset of patients, this disease can involve surrounding tissues, spread to regional lymph nodes, and rarely metastasize to distant sites. The aim of this study was to assess sequential pathologic specimens from patients with breast implant-associated ALCL to better understand the natural history of early-stage disease. To achieve this goal, we searched our files for patients who had breast implant-associated ALCL and who had undergone earlier surgical intervention with assessment of biopsy or cytologic specimens. We then focused on the patient subset in whom a definitive diagnosis was not established, and patients did not receive current standard-of-care therapy at that time. We identified a study group of ten patients with breast implant-associated ALCL in whom pathologic specimens were collected 0.5 to 4 years before a definitive diagnosis was established. A comparison of these serial biopsy specimens showed persistent disease without change in pathologic stage in three patients, progression in five patients, and persistence versus progression in two patients. Eventually, six patients underwent implant removal with complete capsulectomy and four underwent partial capsulectomy. Seven patients also received chemotherapy because of invasive disease, three of whom also received radiation therapy, two brentuximab vedotin after chemotherapy failure, and one allogeneic stem cell transplant. Eight patients achieved complete remission and two had partial remission after definitive therapy. At time of last follow-up, six patients were alive without disease, one had evidence of disease, one died of disease, and two patients died of unrelated cancers. In summary, this analysis of sequential specimens from patients with breast implant-associated ALCL suggests these neoplasms persist or progress over time if not treated with standard-of-care therapy.

Key Points BVB was an effective and tolerable retrieval regimen for pediatric patients with R/R HL and resulted in minimal toxicity.Stem cell mobilization and collection was successful in patients before autologous stem cell transplant., Visual Abstract, In patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), achieving a complete metabolic response (CMR) after salvage therapy is associated with superior outcomes, and optimal treatments must be identified. The combination of brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine (BVB), although highly active in adult patients, has not been extensively evaluated in pediatric patients with R/R HL. We performed a multicenter, retrospective review of pediatric patients

Background Brentuximab-vedotin (BV) monotherapy has shown high efficacy in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after high-dose chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of treatment with BV of HL patients and examined the predictive ability of PET-CT for response in this setting. Patients and methods Records of 49 HL patients (median age, 39 years, 55% male) treated with BV for relapse (71.4%) or consolidation (28.6%) post-ASCT were analyzed. Patients who did not reach complete response (CR) on PET/CT after 4 cycles (non-responders) discontinued BV and received the next treatment line. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between responders and non-responders. Results After a median follow-up of 19.1 months, all consolidation patients were alive and none progressed. Median OS in 23 relapsed patients that did not achieve CR after 4 cycles and continued to the next treatment was 55.0 months, while all those in CR (n = 24) were alive (P = .0120). No statistically significant differences in OS were observed between responders and non-responders with relapsed HL (P = .1072). Median PFS evaluated after 4 BV cycles was significantly longer in responders compared to non-responders (47.9 vs. 1.5 months, P Conclusions HL patients treated with BV for relapse or consolidation who achieved CR by PET-CT after 4 cycles showed improved PFS and OS compared to non-responders. Non-responders treated for relapsed HL who proceeded to the next treatment line demonstrated comparable OS to responders.

Objectives Therapy of patients with relapsed and refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r cHL) after PD-1 inhibitors failure remains an unresolved issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of nivolumab with brentuximab vedotin (Nivo + BV) after nivolumab monotherapy failure. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 21 patients with r/r cHL who were treated with the combination of Nivo + BV after Nivo failure. The response was evaluated by PET–CT scan according to the LYRIC criteria. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed according to NCI CTCAE v.4.03. Results Median follow-up was 19 (9–47) months. The ORR was 57%. The median OS was not reached, 24 month OS was 80% (95% CI 50–93%). Median PFS was 12 months with 24 month PFS of 31% (95% CI 12–53%). Any grade AEs were observed in 12 patients (63%), 3–4 grade AEs in 2 patients (10%). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) after Nivo + BV was performed in 8 (38%) patients. The median time between Nivo + BV and allo-HSCT was 8 (5–21) months. Conclusions Combination of Nivo + BV in r/r cHL after nivolumab monotherapy failure is potentially an effective and safe approach. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10147-021-02085-6.

The management of Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has undergone significant changes in recent years. Due to the predilection of HL to affect younger patients, balancing cure and treatment related morbidity is a constant source of concern, for physicians and patients alike. PET adapted therapy has been developed for both early and advanced stage HL to try and improve the outcome of treatment, whilst minimising toxicities. The aim of this review is to digest the plethora of studies recently conducted and provide some clear, evidence-based practice statements to simplify the management HL. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Utilization of novel agents such as brentuximab vedotin (BV) and check-point inhibitors (CI) has increased in patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL). We conducted a retrospective study of 209 patients who had ASCT for r/r cHL at our institution and compared outcomes of those who had ASCT from 2010-2018 (cohort 2, n = 110) with those who had ASCT between 2000 and 2009 (cohort 1, n = 99). The median OS was 7.6 years for cohort 1 [HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.14-3.80; p = 0.017] and not reached for cohort 2; with 4-year improved OS difference of 15% (80% vs 65%) in cohort 2 vs cohort 1. The median PFS of cohort 1 was 30 months vs 39 months for cohort 2[HR 1.24; 95% CI 0.82-1.88; p = 0.3]. This study highlights improved OS of r/r cHL patients who have received ASCT in the novel agent era due to the exposure to agents such as BV and CIs.

We analysed long-term outcome of patients receiving haematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as a first transplant for high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). One hundred and ninety patients were included in this study, 63% of them had previously received brentuximab vedotin and/or checkpoint inhibitors. Seventy patients (37%) received an unrelated donor allo-HSCT, 99 (51%) had myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and 60% had in vivo T-cell/depleted grafts (TCD). The 100-day cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 25% and the 3-year CI of chronic GVHD was 38%. The 3-year CI of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse rate were 21% and 38% respectively. After a median follow-up of 58 months, 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 58% and 41% respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, in comparison to reduced-intensity conditioning regimens with or without TCD, MAC using TCD had similar NRM and a lower risk of relapse leading to significantly better OS and PFS. MAC without TCD was associated with higher NRM and worse survival outcomes. These results suggest that in patients with high-risk HL and candidates of allo-HSCT, a MAC strategy with TCD might be the best option.

Up to 20–40% of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma will eventually relapse after treatment, among which early relapse confers a poor outcome. With salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), the long-term remission rate is 30%. We report our experience of using a modified-BEAM conditioning regimen without BCNU consisting of etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (EAM) in a patient with relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Before transplantation, the patient achieved second complete remission (CR2) using brentuximab vedotin and ESHAP (BR-ESHAP) chemotherapy. The ASCT went well without significant complications. This case demonstrated the considerable efficacy of EAM protocol as a conditioning regimen in terms of sufficient ablative capabilities, and the patient showed a successful hematopoietic engraftment. Although durability of the disease-free survival needs further observation, it had nearly 18 months of complete remission and the patient was in good performance status at the time of writing this manuscript.

Introduction Brentuximab vedotin (BV) showed high overall remission rates in refractory/relapsed classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). Although the efficacy of BV has been reported in clinical trials, its efficacy as a frontline therapy in real world for patients with CD30 positive subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) such as peripheral T-cell lymphoma with T-follicular helper cell (TFH) phenotype (PTCL, TFH), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) in China has not been well documented. Methods Analysis of a real-world, observational, retrospective case series in patients suffering from AITL, sALCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma with T-follicular helper phenotype (PTCL-TFH) and other types of PTCL treated with BV in frontline treatment was conducted. The patients were given treatment from May 2020 till June 28, 2021. All patients were pathologically diagnosed to have PTCL before treatment and expressed CD30. Patients received BV (1.8 mg/kg) combined with CEP (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, prednisone acetate every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was objective response rates (ORR), and secondary endpoints were duration of response and incidence of adverse events (AEs). Exploratory endpoints such as progression-free survival (PFS) are discussed even though after such a short period. Results Nineteen patients completed ≥ 1 cycles of BV-CEP treatment (16 cases completed ≥ 4 cycles, 3 cases only completed 1 cycle). Among them, the ORR reached 89.5% [CR 52.7%; partial response (PR) 36.8%]. In the ALCL group, CR reached 100% with the median duration of response of up to 8 months, while in the AITL group, the ORR was 75% and 2 patients had disease progression after treatment with BV + CEP. We also observed that BV-CEP may extend the PFS compared to traditional chemotherapy such as the CHOEP regimen (BV-CEP: not evaluable, CHOEP: 6.5 months), although the median follow-up was only 6.7 months. Adverse events (AEs), including incidence and severity of febrile neutropenia (26% patients in the BV-CEP group and 30% in the CHOEP group), were similar between groups. There was no incidence of AEs leading to treatment withdrawal or death under BV-CEP treatment. Conclusion BV is a promising treatment in patients with ALCL, AITL and PTCL-TFH in frontline treatment settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01943-z.

Background. Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are rare heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative diseases characterized by primarily involving skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Half of these cases are mycosis fungoides (MF), for about 25% are cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative diseases (CD30+ LPD): primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP). During the initiating treatment of patients with MF and Szary syndrome (SS), carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation, for about 30% of patients are resistant to various therapeutic effects, especially in the later stages. The problem of the treatment of CD30+ LPD is extracutaneous dissemination in case of pcALCL, steadily relapsing course of LyP without symptom-free intervals. These characteristics of the therapy of cutaneous lymphomas demand for the need to search for new treatment options. Brentuximab vedotin, according to the results of the international randomized ALCANZA trial, has shown high efficiency in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of brentuximab vedotin application in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas in adverse risk group received at least one line of systemic therapy. Materials and methods. The study included 21 patients: 16 men and 5 women. The diagnosis of MF was verified in 8 patients, SS in 5 patients, cutaneous CD30+ LPD in 6 patients (5 patients pcALCL, 1 patient LyP) and a primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified in 2 patients. The diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was verified on the basis of the anamnesis of the disease, on the character of cutaneous lesions, on histological, immunohistochemical and in some cases on molecular genetic testing of the biopted sample of the skin (the assessment of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement). Results. The late stages of the disease were diagnosed in 12 of 13 patients with MF/SS. Extracutaneous lesions were diagnosed in 57% of cases. The median of prior lines therapy was 3 (18 variants of treatment). The overall response to the treatment was achieved in 91% of cases (in 19 of 21 patients): the complete remission was obtained in 53% of cases, very good partial remission in 31% of cases and partial remission in 16% of cases. The progression of the disease was determined in 2 patients (after the first and fourth cycles). Some patients with partial remission as a result of therapy using brentuximab vedotin had the additional therapy (radiation therapy, interferon , the cycles of systemic therapy) and these acts gave an option of achieving deeper antitumor response. The early relapse was diagnosed in 2 of 19 patients who had responded to the treatment. The treatment tolerability was acceptable, and the toxicity did not exceed the already known one described in earlier studies. Thus, the stable overall antitumor response had been persisting in 89% of patients (the median of the observation was 10 months). Conclusion. The use of targeted therapy with brentuximab vedotin gave an option of achieving high treatment results in group of patients with advanced stages of the disease and inefficiency of several lines of therapy.

Lung lesions of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are rare and difficult to diagnose by nonsurgical biopsy. We herein present the case of a 72‐year‐old Japanese male who presented with accumulation of lung infiltrates and masses bilaterally on the lungs for 3 years. Although transbronchial lung biopsy (TBB) and computed tomography‐guided biopsy were conducted several times, his diagnosis remained inconclusive. On further deterioration of lung lesions, the patient was transferred to our hospital. Positron emission tomography revealed increased accumulation in the bilateral lungs and right supraclavicular lymph nodes. Surgical biopsy of the lymph node was performed. He was finally diagnosed with HL and underwent chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, and brentuximab vedotin. After chemotherapy, the lung lesion showed significant regression. A literature review indicated that the diagnostic success rate of TBB was low (18.5%) in cases of lung lesions in HL., Here, we report a case of undiagnosed HL with lung lesions despite multiple TBBs. Our literature review indicated that the diagnostic success rate of TBB was low (18.5%) in cases of lung lesions in HL. Surgical biopsy should be considered early to avoid a delay in diagnosis because the diagnostic ability of TBB for HL patients with lung lesions is limited.

A 26-year-old man with limited-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) achieved complete response after standard treatment with combined modality treatment of involved-field radiation and four cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy. Fourteen years later, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were revealed by computed tomography, and based on identical histological findings, he was diagnosed with cHL, considered to be a recurrence of the initial disease. HL is a rare subtype of malignant lymphoma in Japan, and there are limited data on well-documented cases in Japanese, especially very late recurrence. Our case has shown that CR could be achieved again with the use of brentuximab vedotin (BV) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for such late recurrence. Although the possible risk factors for relapse of cHL remain uncertain, patients with late-relapse cHL that occurs 5 or more years after the end of initial therapy show better survival after additional treatment than that in patients with early-relapse cHL. Due to the possible occurrence of very late relapse, as described in the present case report, a reconsideration of strategies for long-term follow-up after chemoradiotherapy for limited-stage cHL is warranted.

High programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression and copy number alterations (CNAs) of the corresponding genomic locus 9p24.1 in Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg cells (HRSC) have been shown to be associated with favourable response to anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibition in relapsed/refractory (r/r) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). In the present study, we investigated baseline 9p24.1 status as well as PD-L1 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II protein expression in 82 biopsies from patients with early stage unfavourable cHL treated with anti-PD-1-based first-line treatment in the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) NIVAHL trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03004833). All evaluated specimens showed 9p24.1 CNA in HRSC to some extent, but with high intratumoral heterogeneity and an overall smaller range of alterations than reported in advanced-stage or r/r cHL. All but two cases (97%) showed PD-L1 expression by the tumour cells in variable amounts. While MHC-I was rarely expressed in >50% of HRSC, MHC-II expression in >50% of HRSC was found more frequently. No obvious impact of 9p24.1 CNA or PD-L1 and MHC-I/II expression on early response to the highly effective anti-PD-1-based NIVAHL first-line treatment was observed. Further studies evaluating an expanded panel of potential biomarkers are needed to optimally stratify anti-PD-1 first-line cHL treatment.

© 2021 Edizioni Scientifi che per l'Informazione su Farmaci e Terapia.The prognosis is poor for relapsed or refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) patients. The brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and bendamustine (B) combination has been used as a preferable salvage regimen in R/R cHL patient trials. We retrospectively evaluated response rates, toxicities, and the survival in R/R cHL patients treated with the BvB combination. In a multi-centre real-life study, 61 R/R HL patients received intravenous doses of 1.8 mg/kg Bv on the first day plus 90 mg/m2 B on the first and second days of a 21-day cycle as a second-line or beyond-salvage regimen. Patients’ median age at BvB initiation was 33 (range: 18–76 years). BvB was given as median third-line treatment for a median of four cycles (range: 2–11). The overall and complete response rates were 82% and 68.9%, respectively. After BvB initiation, the median follow-up was 14 months, and one- and two-year overall survival rates were 85% and 72%, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (24.6%), lymphopenia (40%), thrombocytopenia (13%), anaemia (13%), infusion reactions (8.2%), neuropathy (6.5%), and others. The BvB combination could be given as salvage regimen aiming a bridge to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), in patients relapse after ASCT or to transplant-ineligible patients with manageable toxicity profiles.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) noted in the World Health Organization — European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO/EORTC) update of 2018. FMF is characterized as a subtype with a worse prognosis than classic MF. The situation changed recently when authorities proposed dividing FMF into two prognostically different subtypes: indolent and aggressive. Indolent FMF allows 92% of patients to survive five years, and 72% 10 years. But only 55% and 28% of patients with aggressive FMF can survive respectively five and 10 years. FMF with internal organ involvement on the day of diagnosis shortens lives drastically (23% survive five years, only 2% survive 10 years). There are many clinical subtypes (with plaques with follicular accentuation, alopecia, comedones, erythematous follicular papules, acneiform lesions mimicking rosacea, milia, ‘spikes’, and facial involvement known as leonine face), as well as histopathological variants (with attern with intact hair follicles, folliculotropism with or without mucinosis, basaloid folliculolymphoid hyperplasia with folliculotropism, granulomatous dermatitis associated with folliculotropism, eosinophilic folliculitis, follicular cysts with folliculotropism) of FMF. This all makes diagnosis even more difficult. Combined topical and systemic treatment can be useful, with topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, radiotherapy, bexarotene, interferon, as well as with methotrexate and brentuximab vedotin. If the disease does not respond to these therapies, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) should be considered. Chemotherapy (gemcitabine, liposomal doxorubicin, polychemotherapy) is often associated with a merely temporary response, and that is why it should be employed only in non-responsive cases and/or as a bridge to allo-HSCT.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare neoplasms that recently have been the subject of much research into their complex pathophysiology. PTCLs are a heterogeneous group of tumors consisting of nodal and extranodal leukemic and cutaneous neoplasms. PTCLs are associated with complex biology and arduous pathology which is currently being studied. According to this research, the pathophysiology of PTCLs can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Among the intrinsic mechanisms, scientists have described JAK-STAT pathway deregulation, as well as different somatic mutations including RB1, PTEN, TP53 and structural changes to the receptors. Also, there are scientific papers that correlate Epstein-Barr virus or human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infections with the occurrence of the neoplasm. PTCLs are most likely to develop in Asian and African populations. Due to poor clinical outcomes, PTCL treatment is the subject of intense clinical research. As a result of that, new drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use among patients with refractory PTCL: pralatrexate, an antifolate drug; romidepsin, belinostat, an inhibitor for histone deacetylase, and brentuximab vedotin, a CD30 antibody. Also, clinical trials with mogamulizumab are being carried out for PTCL treatment. In addition to this, lenalidomide, as a substance that regulates the immune system and has shown antineoplastic effect in several hematological studies, could possibly be considered as treatment.

Background Relapsed/refractory (R/R) classical HL (cHL) and systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (sALCL) treatment options are limited in China and there is a need for new therapies. Research design and methods This single-arm, open-label, multicenter, Phase II study assessed efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of single-agent brentuximab vedotin in Chinese patients with R/R cHL or sALCL. Patients received brentuximab vedotin as a 1.8 mg/kg intravenous infusion on Day 1 of a 3-week cycle (maximum 16 cycles). Results Patients (N=39) received a median of 10 cycles (range: 2-16) of brentuximab vedotin. The objective response rate was 69% (95% CI: 52-83%). Median duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival were 12.1 months, 13.5 months (95% CI: 6.8 months-not estimable) and not reached after a median follow-up of 16.6 months. Twenty seven (69%) patients achieved an objective response (complete response: n=11 [28%]; partial response: n=16 [41%]). Brentuximab vedotin was well-tolerated with no on-study deaths. AEs were generally manageable and reversible. No new safety signals were identified. PK were consistent with those previously described in Western populations. Conclusion Brentuximab vedotin had a positive benefit-risk profile for Chinese patients with R/R cHL or sALCL confirming it as a potential treatment option. Clinical trial registration www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT02939014.

BACKGROUND Brentuximab vedotin (BV) was approved as a therapy for mycosis fungoides (MF) based on the ALCANZA trial. Little real-world data, however, are available. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BV in patients with MF/Sezary Syndrome (SS) with variable CD30 positivity in a real-world cohort and to explore potential predictors of response. METHODS Data from 72 patients with MF/SS across nine EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) centres were included. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the proportion of patients with: overall response (ORR), ORR lasting over 4 months (ORR4), time to response (TTR), response duration (RD), progression-free survival (PFS) and time to next treatment (TTNT). Secondary aims included a safety evaluation and the association of clinicopathological features with ORR, RD and TTNT. RESULTS All 72 patients had received at least one systemic treatment. ORR was achieved in 45 of 67; ORR4 in 28 of 67 with a median TTR of 8 weeks [interquartile range (IQR) 5·5-14] and with a median RD of 9 months (IQR 3·4-14). Median PFS was 7 months (IQR 2-12) and median TTNT was 30 days (6-157·5). Patient response, RD, PFS and TTNT were not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics. In the MF group, patients with stage IIB/III vs. IV achieved longer PFS and had a higher percentage of ORR4. There was a statistically significant association between large-cell transformation and skin ORR (P = 0·03). ORR4 was more frequently achieved in patients without lymph node involvement (P = 0·04). CONCLUSIONS BV is an effective option for patients with MF/SS, including those with variable CD30 positivity, large-cell transformation, SS, longer disease duration and who have been treated previously with several therapies.

Summary Background Relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma could be treated with multiagent salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The aim of this study is to establish the safety and activity of dose-dense brentuximab vedotin combined with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (BV-ICE) chemotherapy in second-line treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods We conducted a single-arm, open-label, phase 1/2 study of dose-dense BV-ICE at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, University of Washington (Seattle, WA, USA). Eligibility criteria were age 18 years or older; diagnosis of first relapse, primary refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after one previous line of therapy; measurable disease of at least 1 cm in the longest axis, CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis with PET within the past 28 days; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–1; and adequate organ function. A 3 + 3 dose escalation study was done for the phase 1 part of the trial to establish the maximum tolerated dose to be used for the phase 2 study. Brentuximab vedotin was delivered on days 1 and 8 at either 1·2 mg/kg (dose level 1) or 1·5 mg/kg (dose level 2) intravenously (capped at 150 mg) with standard dosing of ICE on days 1–3 (ifosfamide 5 g/m2 plus mesna 5 g/m2 intravenously over 24 h on day 2, carboplatin area under the curve 5 on day 2 in one intravenous injection, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1–3 in one intravenous injection per day) for two 21-day cycles. The primary endpoint was to establish the recommended phase 2 dose (phase 1 part) and complete response rate after two cycles, with a prespecified target of 78% (phase 2 part). Safety analysis was done in all enrolled participants and the primary activity analysis was done in all patients with evaluable response data. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02227199); enrolment and study treatment are complete. Findings Between Oct 16, 2014, and Feb 10, 2020, we enrolled 45 patients with a median age of 31 years (IQR 28–45). The recommended phase 2 dose of brentuximab vedotin was established to be 1·5 mg/kg. After a median follow-up of 3·1 years (IQR 1·7–4·1), 32 (74%; 95% CI 58·8–86·5) of 43 evaluable patients had complete responses after two cycles of treatment. Grade 3–4 haematological toxic effects were common, including neutropenia (33 [73%]), anaemia (six [13%]), and thrombocytopenia (36 [80%]). The most common grade 3–4 non-haematological toxic effects were febrile neutropenia (four [9%]), sepsis (six [13%]), increased alanine aminotransferase (five [11%]), hyperglycaemia (three [7%]), pulmonary embolism (two [4%]), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (two [4%]). There was one (2%) on-treatment death due to multisystem organ failure that was considered treatment related. Serious adverse events occurred in 13 (29%) patients. Interpretation Our data suggest that dose-dense BV-ICE is a rapidly administered and active salvage regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma despite a complete response in this trial lower than the prespecified phase 2 target. Although cross-trial comparisons should be made with caution, activity results seem to be similar to previously presented brentuximab vedotin chemotherapy salvage combinations delivered over much longer durations and can be considered in young ( Funding Seagen, Lymphoma Research Foundation, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, and generous philanthropic donations to the University of Washington from numerous individuals and families in support of lymphoma research.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin (BV) in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) in the clinical practice setting using most recent results. A total of 32 observational studies reporting on treatment patterns, overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR) rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were found. After four cycles, a random-effect model yielded pooled ORR and CR rates of 62.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 56.0-68.9; I-2 = 9.7%) and 32.9% (95% CI, 20.8-46.3, I-2 = 64.8%), respectively. Regarding survival, 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year PFS ranged from 52.1% to 63.2%, 45.2% to 56.2%, and 31.9% to 33.0%, respectively. OS rates were 68.2-82.7%, 58.0-81.9%, and 58.0-62.0%, respectively. Most common adverse events were hematological toxicities (neutropenia: 13.3-23%, anemia: 8.8-39.0%, and thrombocytopenia: 4-4.6%), and grade >= 3 peripheral neuropathy (3.3-7.3%). This study supports the effectiveness and safety of BV in R/R cHL patients in the real-world setting.

The most common types of CTCL are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). In both MF and SS, complete responses to treatment are uncommon. Recent developments and understanding of the biology of MF/SS have led to novel agents which may offer prolonged responses with less toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy approaches.In this review, we discuss the efficacy and safety of new nonchemotherapy treatment options including antibody agents, small molecule inhibitors, fusion proteins, and CAR T-cell therapy. We also reflect on older immunomodulatory treatments including retinoids and histone deacetylase inhibitors.Patients with MF/SS who require systemic therapy often progress through multiple agents sequentially, thus the need for additional novel agents in the treatment armamentarium. Antibody-based therapies such as alemtuzumab are highly effective in the blood compartment of disease, while brentuximab vedotin has shown higher activity in skin and lymph nodes. Checkpoint inhibitors may play a role in treating MF/SS but may induce hyperprogression, and engineered T cells and bispecific antibodies recruiting immune effectors are being developed and may show promise in the future.

PURPOSE To improve curability and limit long-term adverse effects for newly diagnosed early-stage (ES), unfavorable-risk Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS In this multicenter study with four sequential cohorts, patients received four cycles of brentuximab vedotin (BV) and doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD). If positron emission tomography (PET)-4–negative, patients received 30-Gy involved-site radiotherapy in cohort 1, 20-Gy involved-site radiotherapy in cohort 2, 30-Gy consolidation-volume radiotherapy in cohort 3, and no radiotherapy in cohort 4. Eligible patients had ES, unfavorable-risk disease. Bulk disease defined by Memorial Sloan Kettering criteria (> 7 cm in maximal transverse or coronal diameter on computed tomography) was not required for cohorts 1 and 2 but was for cohorts 3 and 4. The primary end point was to evaluate safety for cohort 1 and to evaluate complete response rate by PET for cohorts 2-4. RESULTS Of the 117 patients enrolled, 116 completed chemotherapy, with the median age of 32 years: 50% men, 98% stage II, 86% Memorial Sloan Kettering–defined disease bulk, 27% traditional bulk (> 10 cm), 52% elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 21% extranodal involvement, and 56% > 2 involved lymph node sites. The complete response rate in cohorts 1-4 was 93%, 100%, 93%, and 97%, respectively. With median follow-up of 3.8 years (5.9, 4.5, 2.5, and 2.2 years for cohorts 1-4), the overall 2-year progression-free and overall survival were 94% and 99%, respectively. In cohorts 1-4, the 2-year progression-free survival was 93%, 97%, 90%, and 97%, respectively. Adverse events included neutropenia (44%), febrile neutropenia (8%), and peripheral neuropathy (54%), which was largely reversible. CONCLUSION BV + AVD × four cycles is a highly active and well-tolerated treatment program for ES, unfavorable-risk Hodgkin lymphoma, including bulky disease. The efficacy of BV + AVD supports the safe reduction or elimination of consolidative radiation among PET-4–negative patients.

PURPOSE Brentuximab vedotin, an effective anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate approved for use in adults with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), was introduced in this frontline trial to reduce prescribed radiation in children and adolescents with classical HL. METHODS Open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial for patients (age ≤ 18 years) with stage IIB, IIIB, or IV classical HL was conducted. Brentuximab vedotin replaced each vincristine in the OEPA/COPDac (vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and dacarbazine) regimen according to GPOH-HD2002 treatment group 3 (TG3); two cycles of AEPA and four cycles of CAPDac. Residual node radiotherapy (25.5 Gy) was given at the end of all chemotherapy only to nodal sites that did not achieve a complete response (CR) at the early response assessment (ERA) after two cycles of therapy. Primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and efficacy (complete remission at ERA) of this combination and the 3-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS). The trials are registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01920932 ). RESULTS Of the 77 patients enrolled in the study, 27 (35%) achieved complete remission at ERA and were spared radiation. Patients who were irradiated received radiation to individual residual nodal tissue. At a median follow-up of 3.4 years, the 3-year EFS was 97.4% (SE 2.3%) and the OS was 98.7% (SE 1.6%). One irradiated patient experienced disease progression at the end of therapy and now remains disease free more than 6 years following salvage therapy, and one unexpected death occurred. Only 4% of patients experienced grade 3 neuropathy. CONCLUSION The integration of brentuximab vedotin in the frontline treatment of pediatric high-risk HL is highly tolerable, facilitated significant reduction in radiation exposure, and yielded excellent outcomes.

The cutaneous lymphomas are malignancies of T-cell and B-cell lymphocytes in which the skin is the primary organ of involvement. The cutaneous T-cell lymphomas include variants that can mimic the presentation of common skin diseases or arthropod bites. Mycosis fungoides, the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, usually presents as fixed asymptomatic patches or plaques in sun-protected areas. The cutaneous B-cell lymphomas have fewer variants that often present as papules or nodules that can mimic nonmelanoma skin cancers. Some therapies for cutaneous lymphoma have unique side effects such as central hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy.

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) related lymphoproliferative diseases may occur in immunocompromised patients or patients with a history of drug use causing immunodeficiency. EBV positive mucocutaneous ulceration in the new classification of lymphoproliferative diseases in 2016 is very rare in children. Involvement occurs in the skin, oral mucosa, and gastrointestinal system. Gastric involvement is very rare in the literature. There is no case of gastric involvement in children. There are no specified modalities in the treatment of EBV positive mucocutaneous ulceration. We presented our pediatric patient with ataxia telangiectasia who presented with abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing and diagnosed with EBV positive mucocutaneous ulceration in the stomach. We started brentuximab vedotin during the treatment process, and complete remission was achieved after 6 cures of treatment. Our patient is the first case of EBV positive mucocutaneous ulceration in the pediatric case series.

Background CD30 is variably expressed in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but its prognostic potential for the affected patients remains debatable and unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the frequency of CD30 expression in DLBCL and its potential for prognostic determination. Methods An electronic systematic review was performed using multiple databases, followed by a quantitative meta-analysis to assess the frequency of CD30 expression with a positivity cut-off values of > 0% and > 20%, and to determine its association with clinicopathological features and patients' survival. Results Using a cut-off value > 0%, we observed that 3.5% to 59.1% of the cases were considered positive for CD30. There was a significant association of the protein expression with a lower number of extra-nodal sites affected by the neoplasm, with Ann Arbor advanced stage, the absence of B-symptoms, the lack of MYC and BCL2 translocations, and a lower ECOG performance. Using a cut-off value > 20%, we observed that 2.5% to 36.7% of the cases were considered positive for CD30, being significantly associated with a lower number of extra-nodal sites affected by the neoplasm, Ann-Arbor stages III/IV, non-GCB tumors, the lack of MYC and BCL2 translocations, and a lower ECOG value. CD30 expression was significantly associated with a better survival rate, regardless of what cut-off parameter was used. Conclusion Despite variations in the cut-off values used to determine CD30 positivity in DLBCL, the expression of this protein seems to be associated with a higher survival rate and better prognosis.

Effective and tolerable treatments are needed for older patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. We report results for older patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated in the large phase III ECHELON-1 study of frontline brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) versus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). Modified progression-free survival per independent review facility for older versus younger patients (aged ≥60 vs.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) represent the majority of primary cutaneous lymphomas (CL). Mycosis fungoides (MF) and cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders account for 80% of all CTCL. CTCL show overlapping histological features. Thus clinical-pathological correlation is of importance to achieve final diagnosis. MF shows a characteristic evolution with patches, plaques, and in a subset of patients (10%-20%) with tumors. Therapy is stage-adapted with skin-directed therapies such as UV-light therapies and corticosteroids in early disease stage (i.e., patch and limited plaque stage) and systemic therapies (retinoids, interferon, mono chemotherapy, targeted therapy) and/or radiation therapy (local or total skin beam electron) in advanced stages. Novel therapies include targeted therapy such as mogamulizumab (anti-CCR4) or brentuximab vedotin (anti-CD30) and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Considering the impact of targeted therapies, biomarkers such as CD30 are not only crucial for the diagnosis and correct classification of an individual lymphoma case, but also for therapy as they may represent therapeutic targets. In the recently revised WHO classification 2017 and the updated WHO-EORTC classification for CL 2018, primary cutaneous CD8+ acral T-cell lymphoma has been introduced as a new still provisional entity. It displays characteristic clinical, histological, and phenotypic features and exhibits an excellent prognosis. Rare, but aggressive CTCL include cutaneous primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8-positive T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma, which present with rapid onset of necrotic or ulcerated plaques and tumors. As they have a poor prognosis, treatment includes multiagent chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.