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Background Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen), an alkylating peptide-drug conjugate, plus dexamethasone showed clinical activity and manageable safety in the phase 2 HORIZON study. We aimed to determine whether melflufen plus dexamethasone would provide a progression-free survival benefit compared with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. Methods In this randomised, open-label, head-to-head, phase 3 study (OCEAN), adult patients (aged ≥18 years) were recruited from 108 university hospitals, specialist hospitals, and community-based centres in 21 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia. Eligible patients had an ECOG performance status of 0–2; must have had relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, refractory to lenalidomide (within 18 months of randomisation) and to the last line of therapy; and have received two to four previous lines of therapy (including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), stratified by age, number of previous lines of therapy, and International Staging System score, to either 28-day cycles of melflufen and dexamethasone (melflufen group) or pomalidomide and dexamethasone (pomalidomide group). All patients received dexamethasone 40 mg orally on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each cycle. In the melflufen group, patients received melflufen 40 mg intravenously over 30 min on day 1 of each cycle and in the pomalidomide group, patients received pomalidomide 4 mg orally daily on days 1 to 21 of each cycle. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by an independent review committee in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Safety was assessed in patients who received at least one dose of study medication. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03151811, and is ongoing. Findings Between June 12, 2017, and Sept 3, 2020, 246 patients were randomly assigned to the melflufen group (median age 68 years [IQR 60–72]; 107 [43%] were female) and 249 to the pomalidomide group (median age 68 years [IQR 61–72]; 109 [44%] were female). 474 patients received at least one dose of study drug (melflufen group n=228; pomalidomide group n=246; safety population). Data cutoff was Feb 3, 2021. Median progression-free survival was 6·8 months (95% CI 5·0–8·5; 165 [67%] of 246 patients had an event) in the melflufen group and 4·9 months (4·2–5·7; 190 [76%] of 249 patients had an event) in the pomalidomide group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·79, [95% CI 0·64–0·98]; p=0·032), at a median follow-up of 15·5 months (IQR 9·4–22·8) in the melflufen group and 16·3 months (10·1–23·2) in the pomalidomide group. Median overall survival was 19·8 months (95% CI 15·1–25·6) at a median follow-up of 19·8 months (IQR 12·0–25·0) in the melflufen group and 25·0 months (95% CI 18·1–31·9) in the pomalidomide group at a median follow-up of 18·6 months (IQR 11·8–23·7; HR 1·10 [95% CI 0·85–1·44]; p=0·47). The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events were thrombocytopenia (143 [63%] of 228 in the melflufen group vs 26 [11%] of 246 in the pomalidomide group), neutropenia (123 [54%] vs 102 [41%]), and anaemia (97 [43%] vs 44 [18%]). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 95 (42%) patients in the melflufen group and 113 (46%) in the pomalidomide group, the most common of which were pneumonia (13 [6%] vs 21 [9%]), COVID-19 pneumonia (11 [5%] vs nine [4%]), and thrombocytopenia (nine [4%] vs three [1%]). 27 [12%] patients in the melflufen group and 32 [13%] in the pomalidomide group had fatal treatment-emergent adverse events. Fatal treatment-emergent adverse events were considered possibly treatment related in two patients in the melflufen group (one with acute myeloid leukaemia, one with pancytopenia and acute cardiac failure) and four patients in the pomalidomide group (two patients with pneumonia, one with myelodysplastic syndromes, one with COVID-19 pneumonia). Interpretation Melflufen plus dexamethasone showed superior progression-free survival than pomalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma., Oncopeptides AB

Investigation of potential hosts of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial to understanding future risks of spillover and spillback. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to be transmitted from humans to various animals after requiring relatively few mutations.1 Mice are well adapted to human environments, frequently come in contact with humans, are used widely as infection models, and may act as reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2.2 Structural and binding data of the mouse ACE2 receptor with the Spike protein of newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed to better understand the impact of variants of concern (VOC). Previous studies have developed mouse-adapted variants and have identified some determinants of binding.3,4 Here we report the cryo-EM structures of mouse ACE2 bound to Spike ectodomains of four different VOC: Beta, Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2.12.1 and Omicron BA.4/5. These variants represent the oldest to the newest variants that are able to bind the mouse ACE2 receptor. Our high-resolution structural data complemented with bio-layer interferometry (BLI) binding assays reveal a requirement for a combination of mutations in the Spike protein to enable the binding to mouse ACE2.

The CRISPR-guided caspase (Craspase) complex is an assembly of the target-specific RNA nuclease known as Cas7-11 bound to CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and an ancillary protein known as TPR-CHAT (tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR) fused with a CHAT domain). The Craspase complex holds promise as a tool for gene therapy and biomedical research, but its regulation is poorly understood. TPR-CHAT regulates Cas7-11 nuclease activity via an unknown mechanism. In the present study, we use cryoelectron microscopy to determine structures of the Desulfonema magnum (Dm) Craspase complex to gain mechanistic insights into its regulation. We show that DmTPR-CHAT stabilizes crRNA-bound DmCas7-11 in a closed conformation via a network of interactions mediated by the DmTPR-CHAT N-terminal domain, the DmCas7-11 insertion finger and Cas11-like domain, resulting in reduced target RNA accessibility and cleavage.

Summary Background The PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV trials aimed to compare the novel monopegylated interferon ropeginterferon alfa-2b with hydroxyurea, the standard therapy for patients with polycythaemia vera, over 3 years of treatment. Methods PROUD-PV and its extension study, CONTINUATION-PV, were phase 3, randomised, controlled, open-label, trials done in 48 clinics in Europe. Patients were eligible if 18 years or older with early stage polycythaemia vera (no history of cytoreductive treatment or less than 3 years of previous hydroxyurea treatment) diagnosed by WHO's 2008 criteria. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to ropeginterferon alfa-2b (subcutaneously every 2 weeks, starting at 100 μg) or hydroxyurea (orally starting at 500 mg/day). After 1 year, patients could opt to enter the extension part of the trial, CONTINUATION-PV. The primary endpoint in PROUD-PV was non-inferiority of ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus hydroxyurea regarding complete haematological response with normal spleen size (longitudinal diameter of ≤12 cm for women and ≤13 cm for men) at 12 months; in CONTINUATION-PV, the coprimary endpoints were complete haematological response with normalisation of spleen size and with improved disease burden (ie, splenomegaly, microvascular disturbances, pruritus, and headache). We present the final results of PROUD-PV and an interim analysis at 36 months of the CONTINUATION-PV study (per statistical analysis plan). Analyses for safety and efficacy were per-protocol. The trials were registered on EudraCT, 2012-005259-18 (PROUD-PV) and 2014-001357-17 (CONTINUATION-PV, which is ongoing). Findings Patients were recruited from Sept 17, 2013 to March 13, 2015 with 306 enrolled. 257 patients were randomly assigned, 127 were treated in each group (three patients withdrew consent in the hydroxyurea group), and 171 rolled over to the CONTINUATION-PV trial. Median follow-up was 182·1 weeks (IQR 166·3–201·7) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b and 164·5 weeks (144·4–169·3) in the standard therapy group. In PROUD-PV, 26 (21%) of 122 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and 34 (28%) of 123 patients in the standard therapy group met the composite primary endpoint of complete haematological response with normal spleen size. In CONTINUATION-PV, complete haematological response with improved disease burden was met in 50 (53%) of 95 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus 28 (38%) of 74 patients in the hydroxyurea group, p=0·044 at 36 months. Complete haematological response without the spleen criterion in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus standard therapy group were: 53 (43%) of 123 patients versus 57 (46%) of 125 patients, p=0·63 at 12 months (PROUD-PV), and 67 (71%) of 95 patients versus 38 (51%) of 74 patients, p=0·012 at 36 months (CONTINUATION-PV). The most frequently reported grade 3 and grade 4 treatment-related adverse events were increased γ-glutamyltransferase (seven [6%] of 127 patients) and increased alanine aminotransferase (four [3%] of 127 patients) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group, and leucopenia (six [5%] of 127 patients) and thrombocytopenia (five [4%] of 127 patients) in the standard therapy group. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in three (2%) of 127 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and five (4%) of 127 patients in the hydroxyurea group. One treatment-related death was reported in the standard therapy group (acute leukaemia). Interpretation In patients with early polycythaemia vera, who predominantly presented without splenomegaly, ropeginterferon alfa-2b was effective in inducing haematological responses; non-inferiority to hydroxyurea regarding haematological response and normal spleen size was not shown at 12 months. However, response to ropeginterferon alfa-2b continued to increase over time with improved responses compared with hydroxyurea at 36 months. Considering the high and durable haematological and molecular responses and its good tolerability, ropeginterferon alfa-2b offers a valuable and safe long-term treatment option with features distinct from hydroxyurea. Funding AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG.

Investigation of potential hosts of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial to understanding future risks of spillover and spillback. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to be transmitted from humans to various animals after requiring relatively few mutations.[1] There is significant interest in describing how the virus interacts with mice as they are well adapted to human environments, are used widely as infection models and can be infected.[2] Structural and binding data of the mouse ACE2 receptor with the Spike protein of newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed to better understand the impact of immune system evading mutations present in variants of concern (VOC). Previous studies have developed mouse-adapted variants and identified residues critical for binding to heterologous ACE2 receptors.[3,4] Here we report the cryo-EM structures of mouse ACE2 bound to trimeric Spike ectodomains of four different VOC: Beta, Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2.12.1 and Omicron BA.4/5. These variants represent the oldest to the newest variants known to bind the mouse ACE2 receptor. Our high-resolution structural data complemented with bio-layer interferometry (BLI) binding assays reveal a requirement for a combination of mutations in the Spike protein that enable binding to the mouse ACE2 receptor.AUTHOR SUMMARYThe SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect different types of animals beyond humans. The virus uses its Spike protein on its surface to bind to cells. These cells have a protein called ACE2 that the Spike protein recognizes. Animals have slightly different ACE2 receptors compared to humans. Mice are widely used as a research animal and live in the same environments as humans so scientists are particularly interested. Understanding how Spike proteins binds to the mouse ACE2 receptor allows us to understand the impact of immune evading mutations found in new variants. We use a high resolution imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy to look at how different Spike variants bind to the ACE2 receptor from mouse at a resolution where we can see the amino acids. We can see directly the individual amino acids and mutations on the Spike protein that interact with the mouse ACE2 receptor. Many of the mutations found in variants of concern also increase the strength of binding to the mouse ACE2 receptor. This result suggests that mutations in the Spike protein of future variants may have an additional effect in influencing how it binds to not only human ACE2 receptors but to mice and also different animals.

A six-subunit ATPase ring forms the central hub of the replication forks in all domains of life. This ring performs a helicase function to separate the two complementary DNA strands to be replicated and drives the replication machinery along the DNA. Disruption of this helicase/ATPase ring is associated with genetic instability and diseases such as cancer. The helicase/ATPase rings of eukaryotes and archaea consist of six minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins. Prior structural studies have shown that MCM rings bind one encircled strand of DNA in a spiral staircase, suggesting that the ring pulls this strand of DNA through its central pore in a hand-over-hand mechanism where the subunit at the bottom of the staircase dissociates from DNA and re-binds DNA one step above the staircase. With high-resolution cryo-EM, we show that the MCM ring of the archaeal organism Saccharolobus solfataricus binds an encircled DNA strand in two different modes with different numbers of subunits engaged to DNA, illustrating a plausible mechanism for the alternating steps of DNA dissociation and re-association that occur during DNA translocation.

Background: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles increasingly gain attention as promising carriers of exogenous bioactive molecules to the human cells. Due to their various edible sources they are distinctly biocompatible, biodegradable and easily available in significant amounts. Methods: In present work, extracellular vesicles from grapefruit juice were isolated by differential centrifugation and characterized in terms of size, quantity, and morphology by nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). In Cryo-EM experiments we have visualized grapefruit vesicles with average size of 41 ± 13 nm, confirmed their round-shaped morphology and estimated the thickness of their lipid bilayer as 5.3 ± 0.8 nm. Results: Using in vitro cell culture models, we have shown that grapefruit-derived extracellular vesicles (GF-EVs) are highly efficient carriers for the delivery of the exogenous Alexa flour 647 labelled BSA and HSP70 proteins into human colon cancer HCT-116 and DLD1 cells. Both proteins when loaded to plant vesicles were captured by human intestinal cells much more efficiently compare to their free state. Additionally, the functional activity of human recombinant HSP70 delivered by GF-EVs in the tissue culture cells has been confirmed. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate the high potential of native plant vesicles for the safe delivery of therapeutic proteins into human cells. Here, we reported the first demonstration of effective loading of natural plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles with exogenous proteins and their successful delivery into human cells.

Voltage-gated ion channels endow membranes with excitability and the means to propagate action potentials that form the basis of all neuronal signaling. We determined the structure of a voltage-gated sodium channel, two-pore channel 3 (TPC3), which generates ultralong action potentials. TPC3 is distinguished by activation only at extreme membrane depolarization (V 50 ∼ +75 mV), in contrast to other TPCs and Na V channels that activate between −20 and 0 mV. We present electrophysiological evidence that TPC3 voltage activation depends only on voltage sensing domain 2 (VSD2) and that each of the three gating arginines in VSD2 reduces the activation threshold. The structure presents a chemical basis for sodium selectivity, and a constricted gate suggests a closed pore consistent with extreme voltage dependence. The structure, confirmed by our electrophysiology, illustrates the configuration of a bona fide resting state voltage sensor, observed without the need for any inhibitory ligand, and independent of any chemical or mutagenic alteration.

This was an open-label, multicenter, phase-1 study to evaluate the drug interaction between steady-state ibrutinib and moderate (erythromycin) and strong (voriconazole) CYP3A inhibitors in patients with B-cell malignancies and to confirm dosing recommendations. During cycle 1, patients received oral ibrutinib 560 mg qd alone (Days 1-4 and 14-18), and ibrutinib 140 mg (Days 5-13; 19-27) plus erythromycin 500 mg tid (Days 5-11) and voriconazole 200 mg bid (Days 19-25). Twenty-six patients (median [range] age: 64.5 [50-88] years) were enrolled. Geometric mean ratio (90% confidence intervals) after co-administration of ibrutinib 140 mg with erythromycin and voriconazole was 74.7 (53.97-103.51) and 143.3 (107.77-190.42), respectively, versus ibrutinib 560 mg alone. The most common (≥20%) adverse events were diarrhea (27%) and neutropenia (23%). The results demonstrate that ibrutinib 140 mg with voriconazole or erythromycin provides exposure within the clinical range for patients with B-cell malignancies.

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Background AFM11 is a bispecific, tetravalent T cell-engaging antibody construct binding to CD19 on B cell origin malignant cells such as B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and to CD3 on T cells. By engaging CD3-positive T cells, AFM11 elicits T cell-mediated killing of CD19-positive (CD19+) leukemia and lymphoma cells. In vivo anti-tumor activity of AFM11 was investigated in a Raji tumor xenograft model in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/scid) mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Tumor growth in all AFM11-treated animal groups was significantly reduced. In the highest dose group, all animals achieved complete tumor remission. (Reusch et al., 2015). An ongoing Phase 1 study assesses safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and preliminary efficacy of AFM11 in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CD19+ B-ALL. Methods Patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory CD19+ B-ALL are being enrolled into escalating cohorts of 1-6 pts. The primary objective of the study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of AFM11 administered as a 2-week continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion. AFM11 is administered over the first 2 weeks (wks) of each 4 wk cycle for up to 3 cycles. Pts with rapidly progressing disease receive pre-treatment with 200 mg cyclophosphamide and 10 mg/m2 dexamethasone over 3-5 days before initiating AFM11. A lower starting dose is employed during the first wk of cycle 1 and escalated to a target dose during the second wk of cycle 1 and all subsequent cycles. An accelerated titration design is used until toxicity is observed, followed by a classical 3+3 design. PD activity is assessed by flow cytometry of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum cytokine measurements. Tumor response is evaluated by local bone marrow and peripheral blood laboratory results between days 15 and 18 of each cycle. Results As of June 29, 2018, fourteen pts (8 female/6 male) have been treated in 5 cohorts. The median age is 41.5 years (range 19-67) and the median number of prior therapies is 5 (range 1-12). AFM11 was well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) observed in the first 5 cohorts. The study switched to 3+3 design in cohort 3 due to the occurrence of grade 2 AFM11-related events in cohort 2. Enrollment into cohort 6 is ongoing and the MTD has not yet been reached. The most frequent (≥2 pts) AFM11-related adverse events were pyrexia (29%), myalgia (14%), and tremor (14%). Most of the events were Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03 grade 1-2, with one grade 3 and no grade 4 events observed. Transient and reversible neurological events occurred in 3 of 14 (21%) pts: grade 1 paresthesia (n=1), grade 1/grade 2 tremor (n=1 each), grade 2 lethargy (n=1); and grade 3 altered state of consciousness (n=1). The grade 3 event occurred during the third cycle of treatment and was managed with treatment interruption and steroids and resolved within 48 hours. The pt then completed the third cycle at a reduced AFM11 dose without incident. Peripheral B cell reductions were observed in multiple pts in cohorts 4 and 5 and notable cytokine release was detected in two pts. Two pts achieved complete remission with complete hematological recovery (CR): one pt in cohort 4 achieved CR after the first cycle and progressed 2 wks later; one pt in cohort 5 achieved CR after the first cycle which was sustained after the second and third cycles and was assessed as minimal residual disease (MRD) negative after cycle 3. As a result, this pt became eligible to receive stem cell transplantation upon study completion. Both CR pts had peripheral B-cell aplasia after the first few days of treatment. Updated data will be presented. Conclusions The CD19/CD3-targeting tetravalent bispecific T cell engager AFM11 was well-tolerated in pts with R/R B-ALL across the first 5 cohorts of an ongoing Phase 1 study, and the MTD has not been reached. Pyrexia was the most frequently observed related adverse event. Transient neurological events were observed and were consistent with those associated with other CD19-targeted therapies. Peripheral B cell reductions and complete remissions observed in pts treated in the higher dose cohorts suggest that AFM11 is active in pts with R/R B-ALL and that the study is nearing determination of the therapeutic dose and schedule. Disclosures Salogub: Affimed: Research Funding. Mayer:Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding. Folber:Affimed: Research Funding. Grosicki:Affimed: Research Funding. Skotnicki:Affimed: Research Funding. Prochwicz:Affimed: Research Funding. Myasnikov:Affimed: Research Funding. Gural:Affimed: Research Funding. Schoenborn-Kellenberger:Affimed: Consultancy. Brindley:Affimed: Consultancy. Knackmuss:Affimed: Employment. Schwarz:Affimed: Employment. Schmich:Affimed: Employment. Choe-Juliak:Affimed: Employment. Strassz:Affimed: Employment. Alland:Affimed: Employment. Doubek:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Affimed: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy.

Background:Ibrutinib, a potent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, is indicated for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (including 17p deletion), and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Because ibrutinib is extensively cleared by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, concomitant treatment with CYP3A inhibitors has been shown to increase ibrutinib exposure in healthy adults. However, sparse PK data from uncontrolled phase 2 studies with moderate CYP3A inhibitors showed a lower magnitude of drug-drug interactions (DDI) than observed in studies with healthy subjects or in silico simulations under nonfasted conditions (data on file). This phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate potential DDIs between ibrutinib and CYP3A inhibitors in patients with B-cell malignancies and to confirm recommended dose adjustments. Methods: This was an open-label, multicenter, DDI study of ibrutinib with erythromycin (moderate CYP3A inhibitor) and voriconazole (strong CYP3A inhibitor) in patients (≥ 18 years) with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancy. During the first treatment cycle, patients received an oral dose of 560 mg ibrutinib on days 1-4 (steady-state) and days 14-18. On days 5-13 and 19-27, the dose was reduced to 140 mg ibrutinib and combined with erythromycin (500 mg tid on days 5-11) and then with voriconazole (200 mg bid on days 19-25). On PK sampling days (days 4 [alone], 11 [with erythromycin], and 25 [with voriconazole]), ibrutinib was administered 30 min before a standard breakfast. On these PK sampling days, the morning doses of voriconazole and erythromycin were administered 1 hr prior to ibrutinib and together with ibrutinib, respectively. PK samples were taken pre- and up to 24 hr postdose; key PK parameters were summarized for ibrutinib, PCI-45227 (ibrutinib metabolite), erythromycin, and voriconazole. After completion of the DDI assessment during cycle 1, patients continued treatment with ibrutinib monotherapy at therapeutic doses. Safety was evaluated throughout the study. Results:All patients (N = 26) completed the PK assessments in cycle 1; 54% were men, and the median age was 65 years. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) for dose-normalized maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 24 hr (AUC24h) for ibrutinib was 3.35 and 2.99, respectively, when given in combination with erythromycin (Table). When ibrutinib was coadministered with voriconazole, the GMR for Cmax and AUC24h was 6.71 and 5.74, respectively (Table). Four out of 26 patients showed either no interaction between ibrutinib and erythromycin or a lower ibrutinib exposure (AUC ratios 0.27-0.99). Three of these 4 patients also displayed minimal interaction with voriconazole (AUC ratios 1.08-1.96); baseline ibrutinib AUCs for the 3 patients were at the high end of the range, indicating lower CYP3A abundance and thus less impact from CYP inhibition. Physiologically-based PK modeling under fed conditions predicted a 5.5- and 7.1-fold increase in the GMR for ibrutinib Cmax and AUC, respectively, when dosed with erythromycin and an increase of 6.3- and 7.6-fold, respectively, when dosed with voriconazole. The simulated interaction factor for voriconazole is contained in the 90% CI of the observed GMRs (borderline for AUC), whereas the model over-predicted Cmax and AUC by ~50% and ~130%, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 22/26 patients (85%); The most common TEAEs (all causality, ≥ 10% of patients) were diarrhea (27%); neutropenia (23%); abdominal pain, fatigue, pyrexia, and thrombocytopenia (15% each); anemia, dry mouth, cough, dyspnea, and hypertension (12% each). Drug-related TEAEs ≥ grade 3 were neutropenia (15.4%); hypertension (7.7%); and diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, herpes zoster, cough, dyspnea, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac failure (3.8% each). Conclusions:PK data indicate that 140 mg ibrutinib, when combined with a moderate or strong CYP3A inhibitor, achieved exposures generally consistent with those after a 560 mg dose given alone. Coadministration of 140 mg ibrutinib with erythromycin or voriconazole demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, and the adverse event profile was consistent with the ibrutinib safety profile at therapeutic doses. These findings support the 140 mg/day ibrutinib dose when given in combination with erythromycin or voriconazole. Disclosures de Jong: Janssen: Employment. Hellemans:Janssen: Employment, Equity Ownership. De Wilde:Janssen: Employment. Patricia:Janssen: Employment. Masterson:Janssen: Employment. Osmanov:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Cordoba:Janssen: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Panizo:Roche Pharmaceuticals: 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. de Zwart:Janssen: Employment. Snoeys:Janssen: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chauhan:Janssen: Consultancy. Jiao:Janssen: Employment. Sukbuntherng:Pharmacyclics, LLC: Employment, Equity Ownership; Global Blood Therapeutics: Equity Ownership. Ouellet:Janssen: Employment.

BCD-020 (Acellbia, rituximab biosimilar candidate) was shown to be highly similar to innovator rituximab (MabThera®/Rituxan®) in terms of its quality characteristics, in vitro biological activity, as well as toxicology and PK/PD characteristics in non-human primates. International multicenter comparative randomized open-label clinical study was carried out in a period from 2011 to 2013 and involved over 30 centers in Russia, Ukraine and India. Its methodology and design complies with current EMA guidelines on similar biological products containing monoclonal antibodies (EMA/CHMP/BMWP/403543/2010). 92 patients with follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage I-IV by Ann Arbor, or marginal zone lymphoma, stage I-IV by Ann Arbor, ECOG 0-2, who had at least 1 measurable lesion were enrolled. According to study protocol patients with secondary transformed B-cell lymphomas or with highly aggressive types of tumor, bulky disease, severe concomitant somatic disorders and some other conditions were excluded. If a patient had previous story of chemotherapy or radiation he could be included after at least 3 weeks post-treatment. Participation of patients who were previously treated with any kind of monoclonal antibodies was prohibited. After signing standard informed consent form and completion of 28-days screening period eligible patients underwent stratification in accordance to their prognostic risk (FLIPI or IPI) and previous treatment (naïve or pretreated). Subsequently patients were randomized (1:1) into 2 groups: 46 patients were included in the main group where Acellbia (rituximab biosimilar) was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2 as a slow IV infusion on day 1, 8, 15 and 22; 46 patients were included in the reference group where MabThera was used at the same regimen. Use of any other medicines for the treatment of lymphoma was strictly prohibited. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of computed tomography and bone marrow evaluation which were performed 1 month after the completion of treatment. Median age of patients in each group was 57.5 years (main group [50.0-64.0], reference group [47.0-65.0]). Manageable comorbidities were reported in 50% of patients in the main group and 34.78% of patients in the reference group, p=0.2053. Comparative analysis of the prognostic risk factors confirmed the equivalence of study groups. The number of pretreated patients in both groups was equal – 8 individuals per group. Statistical analysis didn’t find any difference in overall response rate in general population of patients (39.52% patients in the main group vs. 36.57% patients in the reference group, p=0.8250), as well as in population of pretreated patients (28.6% vs 37.5% respectively, p=1.00) and in population of naïve patients (42.8% vs 39.4% respectively, p=1.00). The lower limit of the two-tailed 95% CI for difference in proportions of ORR was equal to -0.17 and exceeded the predefined non-inferiority margin -0.2, which confirmed non-inferiority of Acellbia to MabThera in terms of efficacy. Treatment-associated AE of any grade were reported in 21.74% patients in both arms, in the absence of statistically or clinically significant difference (p = 0.8005). There were 2 cases of CTCAE 4.03 grade 3-4 AEs in each group. PK and PD parameters were shown to be equivalent in both study groups. Thus, study results suggest that Acellbia has same efficacy and safety in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Disclosures Chernyaeva: JCS BIOCAD: Employment. Ivanov:JCS BIOCAD: Employment. Isaev:JCS BIOCAD: Employment.

The population of new ANHL patients is heterogeneous in terms of their biological parameters and the IPI scoring system is widely used to make the disease prognosis. Recently heterogeneity of ANHL patients in terms of their QoL has been shown. There are four groups of patients with the following grades of QoL impairment: none, mild, significant, and critical impairment. We aimed to study the distribution of new ANHL patients according to the grades of QoL impairment and to identify the relationship between the QoL impairment groups and the IPI groups. 73 new aggressive NHL lymphoma patients (Stage IIB-IV, mean age 55.2 SD=17.6, males/females – 39/34) were involved in this study. QoL assessment was conducted before treatment using SF-36. The method of integral profiles was used to calculate the integral QoL index (IQLI). Patients were stratified using IQLI. Gamma correlation between ranges of QoL impairment groups and IPI groups was used. The following distribution of ANHL patients was demonstrated on the basis of different grades of QoL impairment: 9% - no impairment (IQLI - 0.6); 12% - mild impairment (0.3); 24% - significant impairment (0.13); 55% - critical impairment (0.02). The distribution of patients in these groups who were classified as high-intermediate or high risk according to the IPI was 28%, 67%, 83%, and 90%, respectively. High correlation between ranges of QoL impairment groups and IPI groups was observed: Gamma correlation – 0.6 (p In conclusion, aggressive NHL patients are heterogeneous in terms of their QoL. The majority of patients exhibit significant or critical QoL impairment. The higher the grade of QoL impairment, the higher the risk according to the IPI. Stratification of aggressive NHL patients based on IQLI along with the traditional IPI stratification could contribute to the improvement of the prognostic model for this heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies.