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Prophylactic high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is often used for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients at high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse, despite limited evidence demonstrating efficacy or the optimal delivery method. We conducted a retrospective, international analysis of 1384 patients receiving HD-MTX CNS prophylaxis either intercalated (i-HD-MTX) (n = 749) or at the end (n = 635) of R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like therapy (EOT). There were 78 CNS relapses (3-year rate 5.7%), with no difference between i-HD-MTX and EOT: 5.7% vs 5.8%, P = .98; 3-year difference: 0.04% (−2.0% to 3.1%). Conclusions were unchanged on adjusting for baseline prognostic factors or on 6-month landmark analysis (n = 1253). In patients with a high CNS international prognostic index (n = 600), the 3-year CNS relapse rate was 9.1%, with no difference between i-HD-MTX and EOT. On multivariable analysis, increasing age and renal/adrenal involvement were the only independent risk factors for CNS relapse. Concurrent intrathecal prophylaxis was not associated with a reduction in CNS relapse. R-CHOP delays of ≥7 days were significantly increased with i-HD-MTX vs EOT, with 308 of 1573 (19.6%) i-HD-MTX treatments resulting in a delay to subsequent R-CHOP (median 8 days). Increased risk of delay occurred in older patients when delivery was later than day 10 in the R-CHOP cycle. In summary, we found no evidence that EOT delivery increases CNS relapse risk vs i-HD-MTX. Findings in high-risk subgroups were unchanged. Rates of CNS relapse in this HD-MTX-treated cohort were similar to comparable cohorts receiving infrequent CNS prophylaxis. If HD-MTX is still considered for certain high-risk patients, delivery could be deferred until R-CHOP completion.

The 9p24.1 chromosomal alteration in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is associated with increased expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/PD-L2 and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Blockade of PD-L1/PD-1 interactions with avelumab (anti–PD-L1) is hypothesized to restore antitumor immunity. JAVELIN Hodgkins was a phase 1b, multiple-dose, open-label, randomized, parallel-arm trial of avelumab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) cHL. Primary end points included avelumab target occupancy by dose/schedule in peripheral blood immune cells and pharmacokinetic parameters. Secondary end points included safety and antitumor activity. Four dose levels and 2 dosing schedules were investigated: 70, 350, and 500 mg administered every 2 weeks; 500 mg every 3 weeks; and 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Thirty-one patients with R/R cHL were randomized; 9 (29.0%) and 20 (64.5%) had received 3 or ≥4 prior anticancer treatments, respectively. Target occupancy of >90% was observed across all treatment arms, throughout the dosing interval. Avelumab pharmacokinetic data were similar to those previously reported. The most common treatment-related adverse events of any grade were infusion-related reaction (30.0%), nausea (20.0%), increased alanine aminotransferase and rash (16.7% each), and fatigue (13.3%). The objective response rate (ORR) in all randomized patients was 41.9%, with a complete response rate of 19.4%; ORR in those with prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) was 55.6%. Due to decreased use of allo-HSCT in patients with R/R cHL, the expansion phase enrolling post–allo-HSCT patients was terminated. Avelumab was tolerable and demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with cHL, suggesting that PD-L1 blockade may be sufficient for therapeutic benefit in cHL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02603419.

Background Obinutuzumab with polatuzumab vedotin or lenalidomide showed tolerability and activity in phase 1b/2 trials that recruited patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. We aimed to examine whether the novel polatuzumab vedotin-obinutuzumab-lenalidomide (Pola-G-Len) combination might enhance antitumour response in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Methods This multicentre, single-arm phase 1b/2 study tested Pola-G-Len in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, and polatuzumab vedotin in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Here we report the results from the cohort of patients with follicular lymphoma. The trial was done in 18 cancer centres across three countries (Spain, UK, and USA). Patients (a18 years old) with CD20-positive relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (excluding grade 3b) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less who had previously received anti-CD20-containing chemotherapy were eligible for inclusion. During the dose-escalation phase, patients received six 28-day cycles of induction treatment with intravenous obinutuzumab 1000 mg (all cohorts), and intravenous polatuzumab vedotin and oral lenalidomide (Celgene, Summit, N), USA) in the following doses: 1.4 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin and 10 mg lenalidomide (cohort 1); 1.8 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin and 10 mg lenalidomide (cohort 2); 1.4 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin and 15 ing lenalidomide (cohort 3); 1.8 mg/kg polatuzutnab vedotin and 15 mg lenalidotnide (cohort 4); 1- 4 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin and 20 mg lenalidomide (cohort 5); and 1.8 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin and 20 mg lenalidomide (cohort 6). Polatuzumab vedotin was administered on day 1, lenalidomide on days 1-21, and obinutuzumab on days 1, 8, and 15 of cycle one and day 1 of cycles two to six of each 28-day cycle. During phase 2 (dose expansion phase), patients received six cycles of induction with Pola-G-Len at the recommended phase 2 dose established during dose-escalation. Patients who had a response or stable disease at the end of induction were eligible to enter the maintenance phase, in which they received obinutuzumab for 24 months at 1000 mg on day 1 of every other 28-day cycle for a total of 12 doses, and lenalidomide for 12 months at 10 mg on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle for a maximum of 12 cycles. The primary activity endpoint was complete response at the end of induction. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. The primary safety objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of Pola-G-Len. Analyses were in the safety population, which included all patients that received at least one dose of any of the component drugs (ie, all patients who entered the induction phases in both the escalation and expansion phases), and activity-evaluable population, which included all patients who received at least one dose of any of the component drugs at the recommended phase 2 dose (ie, all patients who received the recommended phase 2 dose in the dose escalation investigation and all patients who entered induction in the dose expansion investigation). This ongoing trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02600897. Findings Between March 24, 2016, and August 23, 2018, 56 patients (33 [59%] men and 23 [41%] women; 49 [88%] non-Hispanic or Latino) were enrolled. Two of four patients in cohort 2 reported dose-limiting toxicity events during dose escalation (one patient had grade 4 amylase and lipase elevation and one patient had grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 thrombocytopenia), and there were no dose-limiting toxicities observed in cohorts 3 or 5; therefore, the recommended phase 2 dose for the dose-expansion was 1.4 mg/kg polatuzumab vedotin plus 20 mg lenalidomide. 46 (82%) patients were included in the activity-evaluable population. After a median follow up of 26.7 months (IQR 22.2-31.3) the objective response rate was 76% (90% CI 64-86) and complete response rate was 63% (90 CI 50-75). After a median follow-up of 27.0 months (IQR 18.7-34.0), the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (31 [55%] of 56 patients) and thrombocytopenia (14 [25%] patients). 61 serious adverse events were reported in 35 (63%) patients; the most common of which were febrile neutropenia (five [W] patients; a sixth patient had febrile neutropenia, but this was not considered serious by the investigator), pneumonia (four [7%] patients), and pyrexia (four [7%] patients). One fatal adverse event (grade 5 septic shock) occurred in a patient who had discontinued study treatment due to disease progression and had initiated a new anti-lymphoma tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. This was not considered related to study treatment by the investigator. Interpretation Pola-G-Len showed high complete response rates, although it did not reached the prespecified threshold for activity, in patients who were heavily pretreated with refractory follicular lymphoma. Our findings compare favourably with available thera pies and support future investigation of Pola-G-Len in a larger patient population. Copyright (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Content: Warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) is a rare disorder that can have serious complications. In this disorder, autoantibodies bind to antigens on red blood cells leading to phagocytosis and destruction of the cells. This is mediated by Fcg receptors on macrophages through a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-dependent pathway. Fostamatinib is a potent, oral SYK inhibitor approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Fostamatinib prevents platelet destruction by inhibition of platelet phagocytosis mediated through Fcg receptor and SYK in macrophages. Fostamatinib was evaluated for wAIHA in an open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study (NCT02612558). This study demonstrated markedly improved hemoglobin levels in 11 of 25 patients (44%) after fostamatinib treatment. Adverse events (AEs) were consistent with the safety database (>4000 patients across multiple diseases). Based on this phase 2 study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global phase 3 study (NCT03764618) was initiated in wAIHA patients to investigate the safety and efficacy of fostamatinib. The phase 3 study began enrolling patients at 103 sites in 22 countries (North America, Europe and Australia) in 2020 with a goal of enrolling approximately 90 patients. This is the first phase 3 study to evaluate a SYK inhibitor for the treatment of wAIHA. Inclusion criteria include: age ?18;documented diagnosis of primary or secondary wAIHA;failure of ?1 prior wAIHA treatment;haptoglobin below normal or total bilirubin above normal or lactate dehydrogenase above normal;and baseline hemoglobin ?9 g/dl or, if hemoglobin >9 g/dl and 1.5 x normal. Randomization of eligible patients will be 1:1 to fostamatinib or placebo for 24 weeks. Randomized patients will be stratified by concomitant steroid use and baseline anemia severity. Fostamatinib is started at 100 mg BID and increased to 150 mg BID at Week 4, if tolerated. The dose may be reduced for AEs. Patients may continue selected concurrent wAIHA therapies (maximum of 2) throughout the study. A steroid taper will be allowed in patients with a hemoglobin response. Rescue therapy will also be allowed. Patients who complete the study can rollover to an open-label extension. Efficacy endpoints will include hemoglobin response, ( ?10 g/dl with a ?2 g/dl increase from baseline without rescue therapy);duration of hemoglobin response;and the need for rescue therapy. Safety endpoints will be the recording of AEs. Patients will be evaluated in the clinic at two-week intervals. Using the Cochran Mantel Haenszel test at a two-sided significance level of 0.05, to detect a difference in response between the active and placebo groups with 80% power would require 90 subjects randomized 1:1. The response rate will be compared between groups using a chi-square test adjusted for randomization stratification factors. As of 11 January 2021, 62 sites are open to screening (subject to local COVID-19 regulations), and 64 patients have been randomized.

High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is increasingly used as prophylaxis for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) at high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse. However, there is limited evidence to guide whether to intercalate HD-MTX (i-HD-MTX) between R-CHOP-21 (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone given at 21-day intervals) or to give it at the end of treatment (EOT) with R-CHOP-21. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter analysis of 334 patients with DLBCL who received CNS prophylaxis with i-HD-MTX (n = 204) or EOT HD-MTX (n = 130). Primary end points were R-CHOP delay rates and HD-MTX toxicity. Secondary end points were CNS relapse rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The EOT group had more patients with a high CNS international prognostic index (58% vs 39%; P < .001) and more concurrent intrathecal prophylaxis (56% vs 34%; P < .001). Of the 409 cycles of i-HD-MTX given, 82 (20%) were associated with a delay of next R-CHOP (median, 7 days). Delays were significantly increased when i-HD-MTX was given after day 9 post–R-CHOP (26% vs 16%; P = .01). On multivariable analysis, i-HD-MTX was independently associated with increased R-CHOP delays. Increased mucositis, febrile neutropenia, and longer median inpatient stay were recorded with i-HD-MTX delivery. Three-year cumulative CNS relapse incidence was 5.9%, with no differences between groups. There was no difference in survival between groups. We report increased toxicity and R-CHOP delay with i-HD-MTX compared with EOT delivery but no difference in CNS relapse or survival. Decisions on HD-MTX timing should be individualized and, where i-HD-MTX is favored, we recommend scheduling before day 10 of R-CHOP cycles.

Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is uncommon but is associated with poor outcomes. In selected high risk patients (pts), high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is often used as CNS prophylaxis with frontline (1L) DLBCL therapy despite uncertain efficacy, optimum dose and timing of delivery. A recent UK study (Wilson et al 2020) showed that intercalated HDMTX (i-HDMTX) was associated with increased toxicity and R-CHOP delays compared to end of treatment (EOT) delivery. Although hypothesis generating, the study size was insufficient to determine whether EOT was non-inferior in terms of CNS relapse risk. Methods: We conducted an international, multicentre retrospective analysis of consecutive DLBCL or high grade BCL pts between 2007-20 from 47 centers in Europe, Australia and N. America. Pts were included if they received R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like 1L therapy with curative intent as well as HDMTX CNS prophylaxis (≥1 cycle). Concurrent intrathecal (IT) prophylaxis was permitted. Pts with known CNS involvement at baseline and those treated with more intensive protocols (e.g. R-DA-EPOCH) were excluded. i-HDMTX was defined as any pt receiving a HD-MTX cycle before the final R-CHOP cycle. CNS relapse events were excluded if occurring after first systemic lymphoma relapse/progression. Time to event endpoints were measured from diagnosis to first event or censor and analysed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. Time to CNS relapse was analysed using competing risk Fine and Gray method (for death and non-synchronous systemic relapse). To mitigate for possible immortality bias in the EOT arm, a landmark analysis for pts alive and free from progression at 6 months was conducted. We aimed to exclude a 5% difference in 2-year (y) CNS relapse rates. Results: 1,384 pts were analysed. 750 received i-HDMTX and 634 received EOT HDMTX. Key baseline characteristics are summarised in Table 1. Median follow up was 37.9 months. 44.2% had high CNS IPI (4-6) with no significant difference between i-HDMTX and EOT groups (45.1% vs 43.1%, p=0.087). ≥2 cycles of HDMTX were used in 86.6% with no difference between groups (85.6% vs 87.9%, p=0.22). Concurrent IT prophylaxis use was higher for EOT pts (55.6% vs 38.1% p 78 CNS relapses (42 i-HDMTX, 36 EOT) were observed: parenchymal in 41 (53%), parenchymal and leptomeningeal in 16 (21%) and isolated leptomeningeal in 21 (27%). There was no significant difference in 2y CNS relapse rates between i-HDMTX and EOT in all pts: 5.2% vs 3.9%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.92 (95% CI 0.58-1.47), p=0.74, 2y difference -0.2% (-2.0-2.5) or landmark analysis: 2.8% vs 4.1%, HR: 0.93 (0.56-1.55), p=0.79, 2y difference: -0.3% (-1.8-2.2%) (Fig 1a/b). Exploratory analyses focusing on pts with isolated CNS relapse (n=57) demonstrated similar results (2y rates 3.6% vs 3.0%, p=0.99). On multivariable analysis (MVA) of risk factors for CNS relapse, renal/adrenal involvement was the only variable associated with increased CNS relapse risk (adjusted HR 1.74 (1.03-2.92), p=0.038). Notably, IT prophylaxis was not associated with reduction in CNS relapse. In 600 high CNS IPI (4-6) pts, there was no difference in CNS relapse risk between i-HD-MTX and EOT (3y rates 9.4% vs 8.6%, HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.52-1.62)). In a composite high risk group including CNS IPI 4-6 and/or any of the following: ≥3 extranodal sites, renal, adrenal, testicular or breast involvement (n=885) there was no difference in 3y CNS relapse rates between groups (i-HDMTX 7.6% vs EOT 7.4%, HR 0.94 (0.58-1.53)). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the i-HDMTX and EOT groups were as follows: 3y PFS 70.7% vs 76.7% (p=0.098), 3y OS 79.9% vs 87.0% (p=0.0016). However, there were no PFS/OS differences between groups on landmark analysis (n=1259) (Fig 1c). On analysis of pts experiencing ≥1 R-CHOP delay of ≥7 days, use of i-HDMTX was the only factor on MVA associated with increased delays (p Discussion: We found no evidence that EOT delivery increases CNS relapse risk when compared to i-HDMTX in this large analysis of pts treated with 1L R-CHOP. Delays to R-CHOP cycles were increased with i-HDMTX. Findings in a high risk subgroup were unchanged and rates of CNS relapse in this HDMTX treated group were similar to published comparable high risk cohorts receiving infrequent CNS prophylaxis. Where HDMTX prophylaxis is used, delivery could be deferred until R-CHOP completion. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Wilson: Takeda: Other: Conference fees; Janssen: Other: Conference fees; Abbvie: Honoraria. Eyre: Janssen: Honoraria; Secura Bio: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead/KITE: Honoraria, Other: Travel support for conferences, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel to conferences; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Beigene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Ahearne: Pfizer: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria. Schorb: Roche: Research Funding; Riemser Pharma GmbH: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding. Ku: Antegene: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Genor Biopharma: Consultancy. Narkhede: Genentech/Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Genmab: Other: Medical writing support, Research Funding; TG Therapeautics: Research Funding. Lewis: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties; Novartis: Patents & Royalties; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Øvlisen: Abbvie: Other: Travel expenses. Santarsiere: Janssen: Honoraria. Shah: Abbvie, Janssen and Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Roulin: Janssen: Other: Travel and meetings. Manos: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Travel and meetings. Hamad: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Lopez-Garcia: Roche: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Travel and accommodation grants; Janssen: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Advisor, Travel and accommodation grants, Research Funding; Abbvie: Other: Speaker Honoraria, Advisor, Travel and accommodation grants; Celgene: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Fresenius: Other: Speaker Honoraria; Novonordisk: Other: Speaker Honoraria. El-Galaly: ROCHE Ltd: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Abbvie: Other: Speakers fee. Cheah: Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Loxo/Lilly: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory and travel expenses, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory; Ascentage pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory. Ferreri: Gilead, Novartis, Juno, PletixaPharm, Roche, Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS, Beigene, Pharmacyclics, Hutchison Medipharma, Amgen, Genmab, ADC Therapeutics, Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer: Research Funding. Fox: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Other: speaker fees. Cwynarski: Gilead: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Atara: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences; Roche: Consultancy, Other: travel to scientific conferences, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Other: travel to scientific conferences. McKay: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; KITE: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Beigene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

AVENuE - Avelumab in the frontline treatment of advanced classic Hodgkin lymphoma - a window study Background Response adapted ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) has become a standard of care in many countries for advanced stage classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL), as investigated in the RATHL study: following 2 cycles of ABVD patients with negative (Deauville 1-3) interim PET (iPET2) proceeded to 4 cycles of AVD; those with positive (Deauville 4-5) iPET2 intensified therapy to escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisolone (escBEACOPP) or BEACOPP every 14 days. Overall this strategy was associated with a 3-year progression free survival (PFS) of 82.6%, and outcomes for patients with positive iPET2 were disappointing with 3y progression-free survival (PFS) of 67.5%. More intensive treatment such as upfront use of escBEACOPP has been reported to produce higher PFS (89% at 5 years), but it is unclear whether overall survival (OS) is improved. More intensive treatment is, however, associated with higher risk of toxicity. Inhibitors of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) have established efficacy in relapsed / refractory cHL with response rates of 55-87%. In the front line setting PD-1 inhibitors have a reported complete metabolic response (CMR) rate of 18-37%. Response to PD-L1 inhibitors in the frontline setting has not been explored. Serial serum TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine) is reported to be prognostic in the frontline treatment of cHL and may aid response assessment because PET interpretation with checkpoint inhibitors is often complex. In the context of PD-1 inhibition, PD-1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and 9p24.1 copy gain by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) are reported to correlate with response. Methods AVENuE is a Phase II single-arm multicentre study with sites in the UK and Australia assessing the safety and efficacy of 2 cycles (4 doses) of the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab for untreated high-risk stage II-IV cHL prior to the iPET2 response adapted approach described above. Eligible patients must be 16-60 years, ECOG 0-1, and have adequate organ function. Patients with; compressive symptoms from lymphoma, autoimmune disorders or immunosuppressive treatment within 2 months are excluded. The primary endpoint is the centrally reviewed PET CMR rate to avelumab. Secondary endpoints are: the safety and tolerability of sequential avelumab and combination chemotherapy as assessed by CTCAE v 5.0; the iPET2 CMR rate after avelumab and 2 cycles of ABVD; PFS and OS at one year. Using a single stage A'hern design, target recruitment is 47 patients to give 90% power at a 0.05% one sided alpha to exclude an overall response rate (ORR) to 2 cycles of avelumab of < 20%; an ORR of 40% would be considered worthy of further study. Recruitment has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. 29 patients have been enrolled. Exploratory endpoints include correlating disease response with baseline PD-1 copy number by FISH and PD-1 expression by IHC. Serial serum TARC is being explored as an aid to response assessment and changes in peripheral blood immune cell subset are being investigated as possible biomarkers of response. Trial funder: Pfizer Ltd in alliance with Merck KGaA Pfizer Ltd is providing funding as part of an Alliance between Pfizer and Merck KGaA Clinical trials.gov NCT03617666 EUDRACT No.: 2018-002227-42 Disclosures Hawkes: Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel and accommodation expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Regeneron: Speakers Bureau; Merck KgA: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Merck Sharpe Dohme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Antigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squib/Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Specialised Therapeutics: Consultancy. Barrington: Bristol Myers Squibb international corporation: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc: Research Funding; Amgen Ltd: Research Funding; Takeda Speakers Bureau: Honoraria. McKay: Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; KITE: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Beigene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Iyengar: Janssen: Other: conference support, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Other: conference support; Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: conference support, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: conference support, Speakers Bureau. Radford: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria. Shah: Abbvie, Janssen and Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Clifton-Hadley: Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd..: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Amgen: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Celgene: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Merck Sharp and Dohme: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Janssen-Cilag: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Pfizer: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.; Millennium pharmaceutics inc.: Other: The haematology team at the CTC has received funding (which in part pays staff salary) to Sponsor and coordinate clinical trials.. Collins: Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celleron: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Avelumab prior to frontline chemotherapy in advanced stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

7512 Background: The combination of Pola-R-Len may enhance anti-tumor response in R/R DLBCL. We report the primary analysis of the R/R DLBCL cohort in a Phase 1b/2 study (GO29834; NCT02600897). Methods: Pts received induction with 6 x 28-Day (D) cycles (C) of: Pola 1.8mg/kg intravenous (IV; C1−6: D1); R 375mg/m2 IV (C1−6: D1) and oral Len 10–20mg (dose escalation) or recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) daily on D1–21. Pts with a response at end of induction (EOI) received 6 months (mo) consolidation with R 375mg/m2 (D1 every 2 mo) and Len 10mg (D1–21 monthly). Primary endpoints were safety/tolerability and positron emission tomography (PET)-complete response (CR) rate at EOI by independent review committee (IRC) by modified Lugano criteria. Results: At primary analysis (Sep 08, 2020), 57 pts were enrolled. Median age was 71 years (range 28–92); male (67%); Ann Arbor Stage III–IV (86%); International Prognostic Index 3–5 (60%); median 2 prior therapies; prior bone marrow transplant (11%); prior CAR-T therapy (5%); primary refractory (49%) and refractory to last therapy (65%). Grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs) were experienced by 75% of pts, most commonly, neutropenia (58%), thrombocytopenia (14%), infections (14%) and anemia (11%). AEs led to Len dose reduction in 25% and interruption in 63% of pts. One Grade 5 treatment-related AE (neutropenic sepsis) was reported. In total, 49 pts were treated at RP2D (Pola 1.8mg/kg + Len 20mg). IRC PET-CR rate at EOI was 29% (Table). A best overall response (BOR) assessed by investigator (INV) was seen in 36/49 (74%) pts with 17/49 (35%) pts achieving a CR; of these, 14/17 (82%) remain in remission at the cutoff date. Median duration of response (DOR) was 8.1 mo (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7–not evaluable [NE]). After a median follow-up of 9.7 mo, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 6.3 mo (95% CI: 4.5–9.7) and 10.9 mo (95% CI: 7.4–NE), respectively. Conclusions: Our study of the novel triplet combination, Pola-R-Len, demonstrates a tolerable safety profile. This first efficacy report of Pola-R-Len shows promising activity in a difficult-to-treat R/R DLBCL population, particularly in pts achieving CR, a large proportion of whom remain in remission at the cutoff date. Further evaluation of Pola-R-Len and the impact of consolidation therapy is warranted to address the significant unmet need in this patient population. Clinical trial information: NCT02600897. [Table: see text]

Delayed lymphocyte and T-cell immune reconstitution following bendamustine-rituximab (BR) for indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) has been described, but no information is available for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We present a population-based retrospective analysis of immune reconstitution and risk of infection following BR. Outcomes included timing/correlates of CD4+ recovery and risk of ≥grade 3 infections. Consecutively treated patients (1 April 2014 to 31 January 2017) were included (n = 295),with a median age of 65 years (range 33-92); 57% were 1st line treatments. Median cumulative bendamustine dose was 1080 mg/m2 (range 140-1440 mg/m2 ). CD4/CD8/CD19/NK subsets were available for 148 patients. Median follow-up was 24 months. Median times to lymphocyte count (ALC) recovery (≥1 × 109 /l) and CD4+ recovery (≥0·2 × 109 /l) were 26 and 24 months, respectively. Bendamustine total dose >1080 mg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 0·4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·2-0·8), end-of-treatment ALC ≤0·4 × 109 /l (HR 0·53; 95% CI: 0·3-0·9) and CD4+ 3 years was a significant risk factor for ≥grade 3 infections (Odds ratio 3·4; 95% CI: 1·4-6·9). CD4+ recovery after BR is unexpectedly delayed and late recovery is associated with risk of serious infections. Monitoring CD4+ following BR could identify patients at high risk of delayed infections.

Relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is associated with a poor outcome when standard chemotherapy fails. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate licensed for use at relapse after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or following two prior therapies in those unsuitable for ASCT. There are limited data assessing the ability of BV to enable curative SCT. We performed a UK-wide retrospective study of 99 SCT-naïve relapsed/refractory cHL. All had received 2 prior lines and were deemed fit for transplant but had an insufficient remission to proceed. The median age was 32 years. Most had nodular sclerosis subtype, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1 and advanced stage disease. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5·6 months and median overall survival (OS) was 37·2 months. The overall response rate was 56% (29% complete response; 27% partial response). 61% reached SCT: 34% immediately post-BV and 27% following an inadequate BV response but were salvaged and underwent deferred SCT. Patients consolidated with SCT had a superior PFS and OS to those not receiving SCT (P < 0·001). BV is an effective, non-toxic bridge to immediate SCT in 34% and deferred SCT in 27%. 39% never reached SCT with a PFS of 3·0 months, demonstrating the unmet need to improve outcomes in those unsuitable for SCT post-BV.

Introduction: Polatuzumab vedotin (Pola) combined with obinutuzumab (G) demonstrated activity and tolerability in a Phase Ib/II trial of patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL; Phillips et al. Blood 2016). In addition, the doublet combination of G plus lenalidomide (Len) showed favorable activity and an acceptable safety profile in a Phase II study of pts with R/R FL (Morschhauser et al. Lancet 2019). We sought to determine whether Pola-G-Len might further enhance anti-tumor response in R/R FL. Here, for the first time, we present the full primary analysis of efficacy and safety data from a Phase Ib/II study (GO29834; NCT02600897) of Pola-G-Len in pts with R/R FL. Methods: GO29834 is an open-label, multicenter study of pts with R/R FL (excluding grade 3b) who had received ≥1 prior anti-CD20-containing chemo-immunotherapy regimen. An initial 3+3 dose-escalation phase to define the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) combination for Pola + Len was expanded into Phase II. Pts in the expansion cohort received induction treatment with six 28-day cycles of: G 1000mg IV (Cycle [C]1: Day [D] 1, D8, D15; C2-6: D1); Pola 1.4mg/kg IV (D1), and Len 20mg PO (D1-21). Responders received maintenance treatment for 24 months (G 1000mg on D1 every 2 months and Len 10mg on D1-21 during Months 1-12). The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) at end of induction (EOI), as determined by the Independent Review Committee (IRC) based on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans (by modified Lugano 2014 criteria). In addition, progression-free survival (PFS) was determined by the investigator. Results: At the time of the primary analysis (March 12, 2019), a total of 56 pts from the Phase Ib and Phase II populations were enrolled and had entered induction; the median duration of follow-up was 11.79 months. Baseline characteristics were: median age, 62 years; male, 59%; Ann Arbor Stage III-IV, 88%; Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index high-risk (≥3), 55%; bulky disease (≥7cm), 16%; ≥2 prior lines of therapy, 77%; refractory to last line of prior regimen, 50%; and refractory to last line of anti-CD20 treatment, 45%. All pts had at least one adverse event (AE), 31 (55%) had a serious AE, and 44 (79%) had a grade 3-4 AE. The most common grade 3-4 AEs were neutropenia (28 pts, 50%), thrombocytopenia (13 pts, 23%), infections (9 pts, 16%), and anemia (8 pts, 14%). AEs leading to a dose reduction or interruption of any drug occurred in 19 (34%) and 41 (73%) of pts, respectively; the majority were modifications of Len. In addition, 14 (25%) pts had an AE that led to the discontinuation of any study drug. One grade 5 AE was reported (septic shock); however, it was not considered to be related to study treatment as the pt was receiving a new anti-lymphoma treatment after experiencing disease progression (PD). In the primary efficacy population (n=46), the IRC-assessed modified Lugano objective response rate was 76%, with a CR rate of 65% (Table). A sub-group analysis showed that 71% (15/21) of pts who were refractory to their last treatment achieved a CR. In total, five pts experienced PD, three in C1 or C2 and two at the month 12 response assessment. With a median follow-up duration of 11.27 months, median PFS was not reached. Conclusions: Our study of the novel triplet combination, Pola-G-Len, demonstrates a safety profile consistent with the known profiles of the individual drugs. This first report of the full efficacy population showed high CR rates at EOI in a heavily pre-treated and refractory population, which compares favorably with currently available R/R FL therapies. These compelling findings support the further investigation of this triplet combination in a larger pt population. To determine the median PFS, a longer period of follow-up, through and beyond maintenance treatment, is ongoing. Disclosures Diefenbach: MEI: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Millenium/Takeda: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Denovo: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding. Kahl:Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy. Banerjee:Gilead: Other: Travel; Takeda: Other: Travel; Novartis: Other: Travel. McMillan:Sandoz: Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Miall:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Conference registration travel expenses. Briones:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding. Cordoba:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa-Kirin: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; FUNDACION JIMENEZ DIAZ UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: Employment; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy. Hirata:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Equity Ownership; Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Chang:Roche Canada: Employment. Musick:Roche/Genentech: Employment, Equity Ownership. Abrisqueta:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, expenses, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, expenses, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, expenses, Speakers Bureau. OffLabel Disclosure: Polatuzumab vedotin (POLIVY, Genentech, Inc.) is a CD79b-directed antibody-drug conjugate. It was approved by the FDA in June 2019 in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for the treatment of adults with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after at least two prior therapies.

7505 Background: Pola-G-Len may enhance anti-tumor immune response in R/R FL. We report a pre-planned interim analysis of the safety/efficacy of induction and maintenance with Pola-G-Len in pts with R/R FL in a phase Ib/II study. Methods: Pts received induction treatment with 6x 28-D cycles of: G 1000mg IV (C1: D1, D8, D15; C2–6: D1); Pola 1.4mg/kg or 1.8mg/kg (dose escalation [DE]) or RP2D (expansion) IV (D1); and Len 10–20mg (DE) or RP2D (expansion) PO (D1–21). Pts with CR/PR/SD at the end of induction (EOI) received G 1000mg (D1 every 2mo, for 24mo), and Len (10mg, D1–21 monthly, 12mo). Primary endpoints: C1 DLTs, safety/tolerability, CR rate at EOI (modified Lugano criteria). Results: At the interim data cut-off (7/6/2018), 52 pts were enrolled: 9 discontinued the study (adverse events [AE], n=3; death due to PD, n=4; pt withdrawal, n=1; other, n=1). Median pt age was 62 (range 32–87) years; 58% FLIPI 3–5; 79% ≥2 prior therapy lines; 50% refractory to last treatment. Grade ≥3 AEs were experienced by 75% of pts: neutropenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (17%), anemia (12%) and infections (12%) were most common. AEs leading to Len dose reduction/interruption occurred in 31%/52% of pts. One Grade 5 AE was reported (septic shock after PD in pt receiving subsequent therapy). RP2D: Pola 1.4mg/kg + Len 20mg. Preliminary efficacy data suggest high activity (Table). Median PFS not reached (median follow-up duration 8.95mo; efficacy-evaluable population [EEP]). Conclusions: The safety profile of Pola-G-Len is consistent with known profiles of the individual drugs. Response rates at EOI with Pola-G-Len are promising, with high CR compared with available R/R FL treatments. Responses at EOI (EEP; RP2D; N=18). Clinical trial information: NCT02600897. [Table: see text]

We thank the patient and her family for participating in this clinical trial and the GP28331 study site staff on the Hope Unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. We also thank Dr Gregory Vosganian and his colleagues at Genentech and Roche for their help and review of the case. Studies were supported by the Leicester Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (C325/A15575 Cancer Research UK/UK Department of Health).

Introduction: Standard treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is poorly tolerated in older patients and results are disappointing. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is a CD30 targeted antibody‐drug conjugate licenced for the treatment of relapsed or refractory HL on the basis of excellent safety and efficacy demonstrated in the pivotal phase 2 clinical trial. BREVITY trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of BV monotherapy in previously untreated patients (pts) with HL unfit for standard treatment due to age, frailty or co‐morbidity. Methods: This response adaptive phase II, Simon 2‐stage, single arm study required 30 evaluable pts. Primary outcome was complete metabolic response (CMR, Deauville Score 1‐3) by centrally reviewed PET‐CT after 4 cycles of BV. Secondary outcomes included PFS, OS, toxicity and comorbidity assessment (CIRS‐G). Inclusion criteria were previously untreated HL stage 2 (with B symptoms and/or mediastinal bulk) to stage 4 with cardio‐respiratory compromise (at any age), or ECOG PS ≤3 and considered unfit for standard chemotherapy (in pts ≥60 yrs). BV dose was 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks, reduced to 1.2 mg/kg for toxicity. Pts responding after 4 doses of BV continued to a maximum of 16 cycles if CT/PET‐CT every 4 cycles confirmed ongoing response. Pts also underwent exploratory blinded PET‐CT after cycle 2. Results: 38 pts were recruited from Feb 2014‐Oct 2015 at 12 UK centres; demographics are shown in Table 1. 35 treated pts were evaluable for toxicity, 31 were evaluable for response. A median of 4 cycles was given (range 1‐16). Dose was reduced in 28 cycles across 14 pts due to toxicity and 11 pts stopped treatment due to adverse events (AEs). 716 AEs were reported, 626 (88%) were grade 1/2. 27 (77%) pts had at least one AE ≥ grade 3, most commonly infection, myelosuppression or neuropathy. CMR at PET4 was 26% (95% CI 14, 43) and overall objective response was 84% (95%CI: 67, 93). There was a significant correlation of interim PET2 with PET4 (Rho = 0.67, p < 0.001) with a CMR rate at PET 2 of 32% (95% CI 17, 52). To date 28 of 31 evaluable pts have progressed and median PFS is 7.4 months (95% CI 5.3, 10.2). Conclusions: In this study BV monotherapy produced a high overall response rate although the CMR rate after 4 cycles did not meet the pre‐specified 40% level, and PFS was short. Toxicity was greater than in the pivotal study in a younger/fitter population and led to treatment termination in some pts. A follow‐on study aims to improve CMR and PFS by using a lower dose of BV in combination with other agents. Table 1Patient Characteristicn=38 Median (Range)Age 76 (59, 90) CIRS‐G ScoreNo. categories endorsed Severity Total score 3 (0, 7) 1.5 (0, 3) 6 (0, 11) n (%) GenderMale Female 22 (57.9) 16 (42.1) StageStage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 7 (18.4) 13 (34.2) 18 (47.4) B symptoms 27 (71.1) Bulky Disease 5 (13.2) Extranodal disease 22 (57.9) ECOG Performance Status0 1 2 3 4 3 (7.9) 16 (42.1) 11 (28.9) 7 (18.4) 1 (2.6)

Approximately 70% of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients present with early stage disease, therefore defining which patients will progress and require treatment is a major clinical challenge. Here, we present the largest study of prognostic markers ever carried out in Binet stage A patients (n = 1154) with a median follow-up of 8 years. We assessed the prognostic impact of lymphocyte doubling time (LDT), immunoglobulin gene (IGHV) mutation status, CD38 expression, ZAP-70 expression and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetics with regards to time to first treatment (TTFT) and overall survival (OS). Univariate analysis revealed LDT as the most prognostic parameter for TTFT, with IGHV mutation status most prognostic for OS. CD38 expression, ZAP-70 expression and FISH were also prognostic variables; combinations of these markers increased prognostic power in concordant cases. Multivariate analysis revealed that only LDT, IGHV mutation status, CD38 and age at diagnosis were independent prognostic variables for TTFT and OS. Therefore, IGHV mutation status and CD38 expression have independent prognostic value in early stage CLL and should be performed as part of the routine diagnostic workup. ZAP-70 expression and FISH were not independent prognostic markers in early stage disease and can be omitted at diagnosis but FISH analysis should be undertaken at disease progression to direct treatment strategy.

There is much interest in the relationship between coagulation status and complications of pregnancy. The thrombelastograph (TEG) has been proposed as a useful, inexpensive tool to screen for patients with hypercoagulable states.We investigated 588 unselected pregnant women at booking, obtaining blood samples for TEG and thrombophilia investigation. Pregnancy outcome data was recorded.We found significant correlations between TEG parameters and the Prothrombin time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin time (APTT) (p0.01) and with plasma Antithrombin level (p0.01). There was no correlation between TEG and other thrombophilic defects (protein C, protein S, Factor V Leiden mutation, Prothrombin G20210A mutation, MTHFR C677T mutation and Lupus Anticoagulant). There was a significant association of TEG parameters with mid-trimester loss (MTL) but not with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.The correlation between TEG and PT, APTT and antithrombin level supports its value in providing a global measure of haemostasis. Coagulation status at booking is associated with increased risk of MTL but not with complications occurring later in pregnancy.

The WHO classification of lymphomas allows for a group of diseases that have features intermediate between those of Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. These are a diverse group of diseases whose genetics and clinical course are yet to be fully described. We report an unusual case of high grade B-cell lymphoma, intermediate between DLBCL and BL, lacking CD10 expression in which the chromosomal translocation t(3;8)(q27;q24) was found to be the sole chromosomal abnormality. FISH analysis demonstrated juxtaposition of theBCL6andMYCloci without obvious involvement of theIGHlocus, suggesting constitutiveMYCexpression due to promoter substitution. The patient responded to intensive chemotherapy and remains in remission two years after finishing therapy.

Patients with advanced-stage, low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma have conventionally undergone watchful waiting until disease progression. We assessed whether rituximab use could delay the need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy compared with watchful waiting and the effect of this strategy on quality of life (QoL).Asymptomatic patients (aged ≥18 years) with low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma (grades 1, 2, and 3a) were randomly assigned centrally (1:1:1), by the minimisation approach stratified by institution, grade, stage, and age, to watchful waiting, rituximab 375 mg/m(2) weekly for 4 weeks (rituximab induction), or rituximab induction followed by a maintenance schedule of 12 further infusions given at 2-monthly intervals for 2 years (maintenance rituximab). On Sept 30, 2007, recruitment into the rituximab induction group was closed and the study was amended to a two-arm study. The primary endpoints were time to start of new treatment and QoL at month 7 (ie, 6 months after completion of rituximab induction). All randomly assigned patients were included in the analysis of time to start of new treatment on an intention-to-treat basis. The main study is now completed and is in long-term follow-up. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00112931.Between Oct 15, 2004, and March 25, 2009, 379 patients from 118 centres in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and Poland were randomly assigned to watchful waiting or maintenance rituximab. 84 patients were recruited to the rituximab induction group before it was closed early. There was a significant difference in the time to start of new treatment, with 46% (95% CI 39-53) of patients in the watchful waiting group not needing treatment at 3 years compared with 88% (83-92) in the maintenance rituximab group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·21, 95% CI 0·14-0·31; p0·0001). 78% (95% CI 69-87) of patients in the rituximab induction group did not need treatment at 3 years, which was significantly more than in the watchful waiting group (HR 0·35, 95% CI 0·22-0·56; p0·0001), but no different compared with the maintenance rituximab group (0·75, 0·41-1·34; p=0·33). Compared with the watchful waiting group, patients in the maintenance rituximab group had significant improvements in the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale score (p=0·0004), and Illness Coping Style score (p=0·0012) between baseline and month 7. Patients in the rituximab induction group did not show improvements in their QoL compared with the watchful waiting group. There were 18 serious adverse events reported in the rituximab groups (four in the rituximab induction group and 14 in the maintenance rituximab group), 12 of which were grade 3 or 4 (five infections, three allergic reactions, and four cases of neutropenia), all of which fully resolved.Rituximab monotherapy should be considered as a treatment option for patients with asymptomatic, advanced-stage, low-tumour-burden follicular lymphoma.Cancer Research UK, Lymphoma Research Trust, Lymphoma Association, and Roche.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells encounter T-cells and proliferate in response to T-cell signals in the lymph node microenvironment. In this report we determined interleukin 21 (IL21) function in CLL and showed that IL21 and interleukin 4 (IL4) act co-operatively to promote leukaemic cell proliferation without apoptosis or differentiation We further show that IL21 increased side population (SP) cells, which are associated with resistance to chemotherapy and increased self-renewal capacity in CLL. IL21 and IL4 are the major cytokines produced by the recently described CD4(+) T follicular helper (Tfh) cell subset. Determination of Tfh cells in peripheral blood showed that patients had significantly increased numbers as compared to normal subjects although no association was found between Tfh numbers and IGHV gene mutational status or clinical stage. Our data suggests that the Tfh cytokines, IL4 and IL21, contribute to driving leukaemic cell proliferation in the lymph node microenvironment, and may contribute to the specific production of cells resistant to conventional chemotherapy. We suggest that increased circulating Tfh cells is a component of T-cell dysregulation in CLL. Our findings have implications for the therapeutic use of IL21.

The prognosis and preferred management of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is dependent on whether lymphoproliferative cells are confined to within the fibrous capsule, in an effusion or lining the fibrous capsule, or if there is spread beyond the capsule in the form of a mass lesion. We describe a case where 18F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT was used to confirm localized disease and guide management decisions.

The world of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research is awash with prognosticmarkers. However, very few of the current group play a clearly defined role in the pathology of this disease and even fewer represent a tractable therapeutic target. One such marker that fulfils both of these criteria is the integrin CD49d. This molecule been implicated in the capacity of CLL cells to migrate into lymphoid tissues and there is a CD49d blocking antibody, Natalizumab, currently in clinical trials. Here we carried out the largest multi-centre evaluation of CD49d as a prognosticmarker in 652 primary CLL samples. We confirm that CD49d is predictive for time to first treatment (P < 0.0001) and overall survival (P < 0.0001) and increases the prognostic power of CD38, ZAP-70 and IGHV gene mutation status in concordant cases. Furthermore, CD49d retained independentprognostic significance in multivariate analysis. In contrast to previous studies, we showed no correlation between CD49dexpression and in vitro resistance to fludarabine in liquid cultures (P = 0.28) but CD49dhi cells were significantly more resistant than CD49dlo cells when assays were carried out on fibronectin-coated plates (P = 0.03). Furthermore, we showed for the first time that the expression of CD49d is strongly associated with expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 suggesting a co-ordinated role for these molecules in the trafficking of CLL cells to the lymphoid tissues. Taken together, our data support the introduction of CD49d into routine immunophenotyping panels for CLL and indicate that the therapeutic targeting of this molecule may prove useful in this disease

Abstract 3684 CD4+ T-cells can be distinguished into subsets on the basis of surface marker expression and growth factor production. Follicular helper T-cells (Tfh cells) are characterized by the co-expression of surface markers (CD4, ICOS, PD1 and CXCR5) and nuclear BCL6. Normal germinal centre formation requires Tfh cells but is repressed by another CD4+ T-cell subset, Tregs, (demonstrating CD4 and CD25 expression with nuclear FoxP3). The numbers and architecture of infiltrating T-cells predict clinical outcome in follicular lymphoma but although T-cells are a component of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the relative numbers of CD4+ T-cells and their Tfh and Treg subsets or their association with clinical outcome is not known. We used immunohistochemistry to investigate infiltration by total CD4+, Treg and Tfh cells in cases (n=23) from one centre. The male:female was 1.3:1.0, the age range was 30 to 78 years (median 65 years) and the anticipated association between overall survival and LDH (logrank test, P=0.02) was observed. Patients were treated with R-CHOP with a 21-day cycle. Histological sections were stained with anti-CD4, anti-PD1 and anti-FoxP3 antibodies. For each antibody the area of staining was measured using ImageJ software from 10 high power fields from the same area of each histological section. Tfh cells were identified by strong surface expression of PD1 and Tregs by nuclear expression of FoxP3. CD4+ T-cell infiltration varied by ∼50-fold, and could be diffuse or focal. In 13 cases (57%) the majority of CD4+ T-cells were neither FoxP3+ nor PD1+. Total CD4+ T-cell numbers were positively correlated with FoxP3 (P=0.04) (Figure 1) and with PD1 (P=0.009) (Figure 2) expressing cells suggesting that these subsets were expanded as part of a reaction to the lymphoma capable of stimulating several CD4+ T-cell subsets. High CD4+ (Figure 3) and PD1+ staining predicted good clinical outcome (logrank test, P=0.08) with median survival not being reached at 5 years, but the amount of FoxP3+ staining appeared to be a superior prognostic marker (logrank test, P=0.0069) (Figure 4). There was no association between the cell of origin classification of DLBCL (GCB or ABC) as defined immunohistochemically, and CD4, FoxP3 or PD1 expression. In summary, we have shown that numbers of infiltrating CD4+ T-cells vary between cases of DLBCL and comprises several T-cell subsets including Treg and Tfh cells. No consensus has been reached on the clinical significance of FoxP3+ cell infiltration in DLBCL. Whilst some workers have shown FoxP3 to be associated with a good clinical outcome (Tzankov A., et al. 2008; Lee N., et al. 2008), others have not found a relationship to prognosis (Hasselblom S. et al., 2007). Our data shows that the FoxP3+ Treg cell subset is associated with good clinical outcome but surprisingly we found that both increased total CD4+ T-cells and PD1+ Tfh cells also carry a good prognosis. Disclosures: Wagner: Roche: Honoraria.

Abstract 6 Patients with asymptomatic, advanced stage, follicular lymphoma have shown no benefit of immediate chemotherapy when compared with a watchful-waiting approach, whereby chemotherapy is deferred until disease progression. Deferring chemotherapy may spare the patient the side effects of the chemotherapy in the short term and historically this has been the preferred approach. With the advent of rituximab and its relatively favourable side effect profile we designed this study to compare a watchful waiting approach with immediate treatment with rituximab. Adult patients with asymptomatic stage 2, 3 or 4 follicular lymphoma (grades 1–2 & 3a) and adequate bone marrow reserve were randomly assigned with a ratio 1:1:1 to watchful waiting (arm A) or rituximab 375mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks (arm B) or rituximab 375mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks followed by rituximab maintenance every 2 months for 2 years (starting at month 3 until month 25)(arm C). The primary endpoints were a) time to initiation of new therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) and b) effect on quality of life. The study was designed to detect an improvement in the median time to initiation of therapy in each of the rituximab arms of 18 months (from 30 months to 48 months) with 2.5% significance level and 90% power. A total of 230 events were required and 600 patients were planned. In September 2007, a decision was made to discontinue arm B as evidence of the efficacy of maintenance rituximab became clear. With the two arms comparison, using a significance level of 5%, a total of 360 patients in Arm A and Arm C were planned. Between September 2004 and May 2009 462 patients were randomised (186 Arm A, 84 Arm B, and 192 Arm C). 95% of patients had low tumour burden (GELF criteria) the other 5% had raised LDH but fulfilled the remaining GELF criteria. 98% were entered into the study within 4 months of diagnostic biopsy. Median age 60yr (range27-87). 54% female. ECOG performance status 0=91% & 1=9%. Grade 1–2=89%. Stage 2(21%), stage 3(40%), stage 4 (39%). 42% had bone marrow involvement. FLIPI score: 0=9%, 1=26%, 2=41%, 3=22%, 4=2%. In March 2010 the Data Monitoring committee concluded that the data regarding time to initiation of new therapy was mature and recommended full analysis of data to be performed and presented in the knowledge that rituximab maintenance was still ongoing in 20 patients. To date 45 SAEs have been reported (Arms A=14, B=6, C=25), 14 SAE were considered possibly, probably or definitely related to the study drug (Arm B=4, C=10). 5 allergic reactions (two grade 3), 6 infections, 3 episodes of grade 4 neutropenia. Responses were assessed at month 7, 13 and 25. CT was compulsory at months 7 and 25. Bone marrow was only required if CR on clinical and CT criteria. An interim analysis was performed on 9 Feb 2010. At month 7: Arm A: spontaneous remission was seen in 3%, PR=6%, NC (no change) =74%, PD=17%. Arm B: CR+CRu=45%, PR=33%, NC=19%, PD=3%. Arm C: CR+CRu=49%, PR=36%, NC=11%, PD=3%. At the time of the interim analysis 93 (20%) patients had initiated new treatment. Of these 93 patients 84 (90%) had clinically reported progression. New treatment was chemotherapy in 78 (84%), radiotherapy in 10 (11%), rituximab monotherapy in 2 (2%), surgery in 1(1%),currently not known in 2 (2%). The estimated median time to initiation of new therapy in arm A was 33 months, similar to our previous trial of watchful waiting (Ardeshna et al Lancet 2003). The time to initiation of new therapy was significantly longer in the rituximab arms (fig 1, p value of log-rank test 0.5). These data indicate that initial treatment with rituximab significantly delays the need for new therapy and this finding may change the management of patients with newly diagnosed asymptomatic follicular lymphoma. Disclosures: Ardeshna: Roche: Funding data manager, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Rituximab is currently not licensed for use as a single agent in previously untreated patients with with asymptomatic advanced stage follicular lymphoma. Pocock:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cunningham:Roche: Research Funding. Davies:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding. Walewski:Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Linch:Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Patients with clinical or radiological splenic abnormalities are frequently referred to the lymphoma service for assessment. Previously diagnosis would require open biopsy or diagnostic splenectomy, with significant associated morbidity. Cytological examination of fine needle aspiration biopsy material is insufficient for accurate diagnosis and classification of lymphoma. Concerns regarding the risk of splenic core biopsy have limited its application. We report our experience with an ultrasound (US) guided technique, with particular reference to diagnostic yield, accuracy and complication rate. Sixty-two procedures were performed in 57 patients, 28 males and 34 females, median age 61 years (range 18–84). Biopsy was requested for diagnosis of isolated splenic abnormalities (n=28) or where the spleen represented the primary clinical or radiographic abnormality (n=34). Splenic abnormalities evaluated by US or computed tomography were defined as diffuse (n=26), multiple focal (n=24) or solitary focal (n=12) lesions. Using a subcostal or intercostal approach, a cutting needle was passed under US guidance during tidal respiration. Seven patients received platelet transfusion prior to biopsy for platelet counts