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The ZUMA-7 (Efficacy of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Compared to Standard of Care Therapy in Subjects With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma) study showed that axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) improved event-free survival (EFS) compared with standard of care (SOC) salvage chemoimmunotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant in primary refractory/early relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); this led to its recent US Food and Drug Administration approval in this setting. We modeled a hypothetical cohort of US adults (mean age, 65 years) with primary refractory/early relapsed DLBCL by developing a Markov model (lifetime horizon) to model the cost-effectiveness of second-line axi-cel compared with SOC using a range of plausible long-term outcomes. EFS and OS were estimated from ZUMA-7. Outcome measures were reported in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, with a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $150 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Assuming a 5-year EFS of 35% with second-line axi-cel and 10% with SOC, axi-cel was cost-effective at a WTP of $150 000 per QALY ($93 547 per QALY). axi-cel was no longer cost-effective if its 5-year EFS was ≤26.4% or if it cost more than $972 061 at a WTP of $150 000. Second-line axi-cel was the cost-effective strategy in 73% of the 10 000 Monte Carlo iterations at a WTP of $150 000. If the absolute benefit in EFS is maintained over time, second-line axi-cel for aggressive relapsed/refractory DLBCL is cost-effective compared with SOC at a WTP of $150 000 per QALY. However, its cost-effectiveness is highly dependent on long-term outcomes. Routine use of second-line chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy would add significantly to health care expenditures in the United States (more than $1 billion each year), even when used in a high-risk subpopulation. Further reductions in the cost of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy are needed to be affordable in many regions of the world.

Lymphomas with central nervous system (CNS) involvement confer a worse prognosis than those without CNS involvement, and patients currently have limited treatment options. T cells genetically engineered with CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are effective against B-cell malignancies and show tremendous potential in the treatment of systemic lymphoma. We aimed to leverage this strategy toward a more effective therapy for patients with lymphoma with CNS disease. NOD-scid IL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice with CNS and/or systemic lymphoma were treated with CD19-CAR T cells via intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intravenous (IV) injection. CAR T cells isolated after treatment were rigorously examined for phenotype, gene expression, and function. We observed that CAR T cells infused ICV, but not IV, completely and durably eradicated both CNS and systemic lymphoma. CAR T cells delivered ICV migrated efficiently to the periphery, homed to systemic tumors, and expanded in vivo, leading to complete elimination of disease and resistance to tumor rechallenge. Mechanistic studies indicated that ICV-delivered CAR T cells are conditioned by exposure to cerebrospinal fluid in the ICV environment for superior antilymphoma activity and memory function compared with IV-delivered CAR T cells. Further analysis suggested that manipulating cellular metabolism or preactivating therapeutic CAR T cells with antigen ex vivo may improve the efficacy of CAR T cells in vivo. Our demonstration that ICV-delivered CD19-CAR T cells had activity against CNS and systemic lymphoma could offer a valuable new strategy for treatment of B-cell malignancies with CNS involvement.

Supplementary Figures and Legends

PDF - 1267KB, The established MCL cell lines, JVM-2, JVM-13, MAVER, NCEB-1, and Z-138 were treated with 20 nM CFZ for 0, 6, 12, or 24 hours and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-binding assays. Representative histograms (left panel) and percentages of apoptotic cells (right panel) are shown.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) remains incurable due to its inevitable pattern of relapse after treatment with current existing therapies. However, the promise of a cure for MCL lies in the burgeoning area of novel agents. In this study, we elucidated the therapeutic effect and mechanism of carfilzomib, a novel long-acting second-generation proteasome inhibitor, in MCL cells. We found that carfilzomib induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in both established MCL cell lines and freshly isolated primary MCL cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, carfilzomib was less toxic to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals. The carfilzomib-induced apoptosis of MCL cells was mediated by the activation of JNK, Bcl-2, and mitochondria-related pathways. In addition, carfilzomib inhibited the growth and survival signaling pathways NF-κB and STAT3. Interestingly, we discovered that expression of immunoproteasome (i-proteasome) subunits is required for the anti-MCL activity of carfilzomib in MCL cells. In MCL-bearing SCID mice/primary MCL-bearing SCID-hu mice, intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg carfilzomib on days 1 and 2 for 5 weeks slowed/abrogated tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival. Our preclinical data show that carfilzomib is a promising, potentially less toxic treatment for MCL. Furthermore, an intact i-proteasome, especially LMP2, appears to be necessary for its anti-MCL activity, suggesting that i-proteasome could serve as a biomarker for identifying patients who will benefit from carfilzomib. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(11); 2494–504. ©2013 AACR.

Related Article from Cancer Vaccines: Moving toward Prevention?

Purpose:In classical Hodgkin lymphoma, the malignant Reed–Sternberg cells express the cell surface marker CD30. Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) that selectively delivers a potent cytotoxic agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), to CD30-positive cells. Although brentuximab vedotin elicits a high response rate (75%) in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, most patients who respond to brentuximab vedotin eventually develop resistance.Patients and Methods:We developed two brentuximab vedotin–resistant Hodgkin lymphoma cell line models using a pulsatile approach and observed that resistance to brentuximab vedotin is associated with an upregulation of multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1). We then conducted a phase I trial combining brentuximab vedotin and cyclosporine A (CsA) in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.Results:Here, we show that competitive inhibition of MDR1 restored sensitivity to brentuximab vedotin in our brentuximab vedotin–resistant cell lines by increasing intracellular MMAE levels, and potentiated brentuximab vedotin activity in brentuximab vedotin–resistant Hodgkin lymphoma tumors in a human xenograft mouse model. In our phase I trial, the combination of brentuximab vedotin and CsA was tolerable and produced an overall and complete response rate of 75% and 42% in a population of patients who were nearly all refractory to brentuximab vedotin.Conclusions:This study may provide a new therapeutic strategy to combat brentuximab vedotin resistance in Hodgkin lymphoma. This is the first study reporting an effect of multidrug resistance modulation on the therapeutic activity of an ADC in humans. The expansion phase of the trial is ongoing and enrolling patients who are refractory to brentuximab vedotin to confirm clinical activity in this population with unmet need.

Supplementary Table 1 from Effect of Long-term Storage in TRIzol on Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profiling

Purpose:We performed detailed genomic analysis on 87 cases of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center type (GCB DLBCL) to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone).Experimental Design:The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of IHC, cell-of-origin gene expression profiling (GEP; NanoString), double-hit GEP (DLBCL90), FISH cytogenetic analysis for double/triple-hit lymphoma, copy-number analysis, and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes.Results:We identified four distinct biologic subgroups with different survivals, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from two large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the double-hit signature, but no abnormalities of TP53, and those lacking EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation, had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the double-hit signature had an extremely poor prognosis. This latter finding was validated using two independent cohorts.Conclusions:We propose a practical schema to use genomic variables to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies.

Supplementary Figure 2

Supplemental Material

Supplementary Figure 1

Background: Although TRIzol is widely used for preservation and isolation of RNA, there is suspicion that prolonged sample storage in TRIzol may affect array-based gene expression profiling (GEP) through premature termination during reverse transcription.Methods: GEP on Illumina arrays compared paired aliquots (cryopreserved or stored in TRIzol) of primary samples of multiple myeloma (MM) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Data were analyzed at the “probe level” (a single consensus value) or “bead level” (multiple measurements provided by individual beads).Results: TRIzol storage does not affect standard probe-level comparisons between sample groups: different preservation methods did not generate differentially expressed probes (DEP) within MM or AML sample groups, or substantially affect the many DEPs distinguishing between these groups. Differences were found by gene set enrichment analysis, but these were dismissible because of instability with permutation of sample labels, unbalanced restriction to TRIzol aliquots, inconsistency between MM and AML groups, and lack of biological plausibility. Bead-level comparisons found many DEPs within sample pairs, but most (73%) were Conclusions: TRIzol preserves RNA quality well, without a deleterious effect on GEP. Samples stored frozen with and without TRIzol may be compared by GEP with only minor concern for systematic artifacts.Impact: The standard practice of prolonged sample storage in TRIzol is suitable for GEP. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(10); 2445–52. ©2010 AACR.

Purpose: mAbs such as anti-CD20 rituximab are proven therapies in B-cell malignancies, yet many patients develop resistance. Novel therapies against alternative targets are needed to circumvent resistance mechanisms. We sought to generate mAbs against human B-cell–activating factor receptor (BAFF-R/TNFRSF13C), which has not yet been targeted successfully for cancer therapy.Experimental Design: Novel mAbs were generated against BAFF-R, expressed as a natively folded cell surface immunogen on mouse fibroblast cells. Chimeric BAFF-R mAbs were developed and assessed for in vitro and in vivo monotherapy cytotoxicity. The chimeric mAbs were tested against human B-cell tumor lines, primary patient samples, and drug-resistant tumors.Results: Chimeric antibodies bound with high affinity to multiple human malignant B-cell lines and induced potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against multiple subtypes of human lymphoma and leukemia, including primary tumors from patients who had relapsed after anti-CD20 therapy. Chimeric antibodies also induced ADCC against ibrutinib-resistant and rituximab-insensitive CD20-deficient variant lymphomas, respectively. Importantly, they demonstrated remarkable in vivo growth inhibition of drug-resistant tumor models in immunodeficient mice.Conclusions: Our method generated novel anti–BAFF-R antibody therapeutics with remarkable single-agent antitumor effects. We propose that these antibodies represent an effective new strategy for targeting and treating drug-resistant B-cell malignancies and warrant further development. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1114–23. ©2017 AACR.

Supplementary Figure legends

Supplementary Table 2 from Effect of Long-term Storage in TRIzol on Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profiling

Supplementary Table 3 from Effect of Long-term Storage in TRIzol on Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profiling

Supp. Fig. 1 Anti human BAFF-R monoclonal antibody generation and clone selection. Supp. Fig. 2 Verification that selected hybridoma clones bind MCL cells. Supp. Fig. 3 Dose-dependent binding of purified mAbs to human BAFF-R. Supp. Fig. 4 (h)BAFF-R mAbs recognized non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines in vitro. Supp. Fig. 5 (h)BAFF-R mAbs recognized lymphoma patient samples. Supp. Fig. 6 BAFF-R antibody specific binding was correlated to BAFF-R expression on NHL lines and primary samples. Supp. Fig. 7 Chimeric antibodies required NK cells for cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Supp. Fig. 8 Limited internalization was observed with BAFF-R mAbs. Supp. Fig. 9 BAFF-R antibody induced cytotoxicity in BAFF-R expressing lines. Supp. Fig. 10 BAFF-R mAb induced ADCC in BAFF-R expressing primary MCL samples. Supp. Fig. 11 CD20 knock out clones generated with CRISPR Supp. Fig. 12 Ibrutinib treatment failed to protected mice challenged with ibrutinib-resistant Z-138 cells. ( Supp. Fig. 13 Chimeric antibodies targeting human BAFF-R elicited in vivo therapeutic effects against Z-138 ibrutinib-resistant tumors. Supp. Fig. 14 Characterization of BAFF-R binding against normal B cells. Supp. Fig. 15 BAFF-R mAb elicited ADCC effects on normal human B cells.

Supplementary Materials and Methods

Supplementary Table 1

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is constitutively activated in human myeloma, has been implicated in bone destruction by this cancer, but the processes it recruits are obscure. In this study, we show that p38 activity in myeloma inhibits osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, but also enhances osteoclast maturation and bone resorption. p38 regulated the expression and secretion of the Wnt pathway antagonist DKK-1 and the monocyte chemoattractant MCP-1. Attenuating p38, DKK-1, or MCP-1 were each sufficient to reduce bone lesions in vivo. Although it is well known that DKK-1 inhibits osteoblast differentiation, we found that together with MCP-1, it could also promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The latter effects were mediated by enhancing expression of RANK in osteoclast progenitor cells and by upregulating secretion of its ligand RANKL from stromal cells and mature osteoblasts. In summary, our study defined the mechanisms by which p38 signaling in myeloma cells regulates osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and bone destruction. Our findings, which may have implications for bone invasion by other cancers where p38 is elevated, strongly suggests that targeting p38 for inhibition may offer an effective therapeutic approach to treat osteolytic bone lesions in patients with myeloma. Cancer Res; 72(24); 6393–402. ©2012 AACR.

PDF file - 96K, Supplemental experimental procedures, including immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting analysis, Real-time PCR, cytokine array, ELISA, in vitro osteoclast and osteoblast formation and activity analysis and statistical analysis

PDF file - 81K, Schematic representation of the mechanism underlying myeloma cell p38-induced osteoclastogenesis activation and osteoblastogenesis inhibition

We hypothesized that combining adoptively transferred autologous T cells with a cancer vaccine strategy would enhance therapeutic efficacy by adding antimyeloma idiotype (Id)–keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) vaccine to vaccine-specific costimulated T cells. In this randomized phase 2 trial, patients received either control (KLH only) or Id-KLH vaccine, autologous transplantation, vaccine-specific costimulated T cells expanded ex vivo, and 2 booster doses of assigned vaccine. In 36 patients (KLH, n = 20; Id-KLH, n = 16), no dose-limiting toxicity was seen. At last evaluation, 6 (30%) and 8 patients (50%) had achieved complete remission in KLH-only and Id-KLH arms, respectively (P = .22), and no difference in 3-year progression-free survival was observed (59% and 56%, respectively; P = .32). In a 594 Nanostring nCounter gene panel analyzed for immune reconstitution (IR), compared with patients receiving KLH only, there was a greater change in IR genes in T cells in those receiving Id-KLH relative to baseline. Specifically, upregulation of genes associated with activation, effector function induction, and memory CD8+ T-cell generation after Id-KLH but not after KLH control vaccination was observed. Similarly, in responding patients across both arms, upregulation of genes associated with T-cell activation was seen. At baseline, all patients had greater expression of CD8+ T-cell exhaustion markers. These changes were associated with functional Id-specific immune responses in a subset of patients receiving Id-KLH. In conclusion, in this combination immunotherapy approach, we observed significantly more robust IR in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the Id-KLH arm, supporting further investigation of vaccine and adoptive immunotherapy strategies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01426828.

INTRODUCTION: This double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled phase III trial (NCT02260804) assessed CT-P10 and rituximab safety and efficacy in patients with previously untreated low-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma (LTBFL), including after a single switch from rituximab to CT-P10. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LTBFL patients were randomized (1:1) to receive CT-P10 or rituximab (375 mg/m(2) intravenously; day 1 of 4 7-day cycles). Patients achieving disease control entered a 2-year maintenance period. CT-P10 or rituximab were administered every 8 weeks (6 cycles) in year 1; all patients could receive CT-P10 (every 8 weeks; 6 cycles) in year 2. Secondary endpoints (reported here) were overall response rate (ORR) during the study period, progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). Safety and immunogenicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Between November 9, 2015 and January 4, 2018, 258 patients were randomized (130 for CT-P10; 128 for rituximab). ORR was similar between groups over the study period (CT-P10: 88%; rituximab: 87%). After 29.2 months' median follow-up, median PFS, TTP, and OS were not estimable; 24-month Kaplan-Meier estimates suggested similarity between groups. Overall, 114 (CT-P10: 88%), and 104 (rituximab: 81%) patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events. The single switch was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: These updated data support therapeutic similarity of CT-P10 and rituximab and support the use of CT-P10 monotherapy for previously untreated LTBFL.

Rituximab biosimilars are a cornerstone of treatment of advanced-stage follicular lymphoma (FL). This double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial randomized (1:1) adults (≥18 years) with stage III to IV indolent B-cell lymphoma, including grades 1 to 3a FL, to receive CT-P10 or rituximab (375 mg/m2 IV), with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone, every 3 weeks for 8 cycles (induction period). Patients achieving complete response (CR), unconfirmed CR, or partial response (PR) received CT-P10 or rituximab maintenance for 2 years (375 mg/m2, every 8 weeks). Primary end points were previously reported, proving noninferiority of efficacy and pharmacokinetic equivalence of CT-P10 to rituximab. Secondary end points included overall response rate (PR+CR) during the induction period per 2007 International Working Group (IWG) criteria, survival analyses, and overall safety. Between 28 July 2014 and 29 December 2015, 140 patients were randomized (70 per group). Median follow-up was 39.9 months (interquartile range, 36.7-43.5). Per 1999 IWG criteria, 4-year Kaplan-Meier estimates (95% confidence interval [CI]) for CT-P10 and rituximab were 61% (47% to 73%) and 55% (36% to 70%) for progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.33 [95% CI, 0.67-2.63]; P=.409), respectively, and 88% (77% to 94%) and 93% (83% to 97%) for overall survival (5.29 [0.84-33.53]; P=.077). Overall, 90% (CT-P10) and 86% (rituximab) of patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events. Long-term safety profiles were similar between groups. Findings confirm favorable outcomes for CT-P10–treated patients with advanced-stage FL and demonstrate comparable long-term efficacy and overall safety between CT-P10 and rituximab. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02162771.

In patients with treatment-naive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the POLARIX study (A Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Polatuzumab Vedotin With Rituximab-Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone [R-CHP] Versus Rituximab-Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone [R-CHOP] in Participants With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma) reported a 6.5% improvement in the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS), with no difference in overall survival (OS) or safety using polatuzumab vedotin, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (pola-R-CHP) compared with standard rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pola-R-CHP for DLBCL. We modeled a hypothetical cohort of US adults (mean age, 65 years) with treatment-naive DLBCL by developing a Markov model (lifetime horizon) to model the cost-effectiveness of pola-R-CHP and R-CHOP using a range of plausible long-term outcomes. Progression rates and OS were estimated from POLARIX. Outcome measures were reported in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, with a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $150 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Assuming a 5-year PFS of 69.6% with pola-R-CHP and 62.7% with R-CHOP, pola-R-CHP was cost-effective at a WTP of $150 000 (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $84 308/QALY). pola-R-CHP was no longer cost-effective if its 5-year PFS was 66.1% or lower. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that pola-R-CHP is cost-effective up to a cost of $276 312 at a WTP of $150 000. pola-R-CHP was the cost-effective strategy in 56.6% of the 10 000 Monte Carlo iterations at a WTP of $150 000. If the absolute benefit in PFS is maintained over time, pola-R-CHP is cost-effective compared with R-CHOP at a WTP of $150 000/QALY. However, its cost-effectiveness is highly dependent on its long-term outcomes and costs of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Routine usage of pola-R-CHP would add significantly to health care expenditures. Price reductions or identification of subgroups that have maximal benefit would improve cost-effectiveness.

Background: In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the presence of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations, so-called double-hit lymphoma (DH), has been associated with an aggressive clinical course. Recently, it was reported that gene expression profiling (GEP) could also identify cases with the biological and clinical characteristics of DH lymphoma, including some without the requisite translocations (DHITsig-positive cases)1. The purpose of this study was to develop a molecular subtyping schema for germinal center B-cell type (GCB) DLBCL using genomic studies such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetic analysis, GEP, and mutation analysis to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. Method and Results: We performed a detailed genomic analysis of 87 cases of de novo GCB DLBCL to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP. The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of immunohistochemistry, cell-of-origin GEP (Nanostring), DH GEP (DLBCL90)1, FISH cytogenetic analysis for DH lymphoma, copy number analysis (CNA), and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes. These studies were used to divide the cases into four groups. GCB1: DHITsig-positive with TP53 inactivation (DHIT+TP53): DLBCL with TP53 mutations and/or deletions has a poor prognosis in patients treated with R-CHOP. We found 7 cases (8% of all cases) of GCB DLBCL that were DHITsig-pos with TP53 abnormalities. By FISH analysis, two cases had a triple-hit (TH), one was DH with MYC/BCL2, and 2 cases had a MYC translocation only. Cases in GCB1 had the worst overall survival (OS; Hazard Ratio (HR)=9.2, P=0.0018) and shortest progression-free survival (PFS; HR=6.1, P=0.002) compared to other groups (Figures 1 A/B). However, cases with TP53 abnormalities that were DHITsig-neg did not have the same poor survival. GCB2: DHITsig-positive (DHITsig-pos): The other 8 cases (9%) who were DHITsig-pos from the DBLCL90 GEP but lacked TP53 abnormalities showed a predilection (88%) for having an EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation (EZB of Schmitz et al2). These cases also had a high frequency of MYC mutations (63%) but lacked mutations in SGK1 and had a low frequency of mutations in linker histone genes (e.g. HIST1H1E). By FISH analysis, 3 cases were DH lymphoma with MYC/BCL2, 2 cases were TH lymphoma, and 1 case had a MYC translocation only. Typically DHITsig-pos cases have a poor OS when compared to DHITsig-neg cases1, however this group demonstrated good survival in our study, after removing the cases with TP53 abnormalities. GCB3: DHITsig-negative and EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation (EZB-like): We had 28 cases (32%) that were DHITsig-neg and had an EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation. These were categorized as EZB-like with some overlapping features with the DLBCL in Cluster 3 of Chapuy et al3. The survival of this group was intermediate compared to the other groups (Figures 1A/B). GCB4: DHITsig-negative and not EZB-like (GCB Other): The largest group of cases (51%) were DHITsig-neg and lacked EZH2 mutations and BCL2 translocations. These cases had frequent mutations in SGK1 (16%) and histone modifying genes (50%), as well as TET2 mutations (25%). These cases have similarities to Cluster 4 of Chapuy et al3 and the ST2 group from Wright et al4. The survival of this group was excellent (Figures 1 A/B). These groups were validated in an independent cohort of 188 cases of GCB DLBCL4 (Figures 1 C/D). Conclusions: We have identified four distinct biologic subgroups of GCB DLBCL with different survival rates, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from recent large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the DH signature but no abnormalities of TP53 (GCB2), and those lacking EZH2 mutation and BCL2 translocation (GCB4), had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile (GCB3) had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the DH signature (GCB1) had an extremely poor prognosis. We propose this as a practical schema to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies. Figure 1 Disclosures Herrera: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Zain:Kyowa Kirlin: Research Funding; Mundai Pharma: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Popplewell:Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Kwak:Celltrion Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CJ Healthcare: Consultancy; Sellas Life Sciences Grp: Consultancy; Enzychem Life Sciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Antigenics: Other: equity; InnoLifes, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pepromene Bio: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Xeme Biopharma/Theratest: Other: equity; Celltrion, Inc.: Consultancy. Scott:NIH: Consultancy, Other: Co-inventor on a patent related to the MCL35 assay filed at the National Institutes of Health, United States of America.; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoString, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Lymphomas with central nervous system (CNS) involvement confer a worse prognosis than those without CNS involvement, and patients currently have limited treatment options. T cells genetically engineered with CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are effective against B-cell malignancies and show tremendous potential in the treatment of systemic lymphoma. We aimed to leverage this strategy toward a more effective therapy for patients with lymphoma with CNS disease. NOD-scid IL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice with CNS and/or systemic lymphoma were treated with CD19-CAR T cells via intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intravenous (IV) injection. CAR T cells isolated after treatment were rigorously examined for phenotype, gene expression, and function. We observed that CAR T cells infused ICV, but not IV, completely and durably eradicated both CNS and systemic lymphoma. CAR T cells delivered ICV migrated efficiently to the periphery, homed to systemic tumors, and expanded in vivo, leading to complete elimination of disease and resistance to tumor rechallenge. Mechanistic studies indicated that ICV-delivered CAR T cells are conditioned by exposure to cerebrospinal fluid in the ICV environment for superior antilymphoma activity and memory function compared with IV-delivered CAR T cells. Further analysis suggested that manipulating cellular metabolism or preactivating therapeutic CAR T cells with antigen ex vivo may improve the efficacy of CAR T cells in vivo. Our demonstration that ICV-delivered CD19-CAR T cells had activity against CNS and systemic lymphoma could offer a valuable new strategy for treatment of B-cell malignancies with CNS involvement.

B-cell malignancies can potentially be cured by CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Although clinical response rates can be up to 93% in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treatment-related antigen loss and lack of therapeutic persistence contribute to disease relapse. These shortcomings of current CAR T-cell therapy indicate the need for biologically relevant target selection and for improving the efficacy and persistence of the CAR T cells, which we have addressed by developing a novel B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) CAR T-cell therapy with improved therapeutic persistence. BAFF-R is a B-cell survival receptor and highly expressed in B-cell malignancies. We developed a prototype CAR T cell that efficiently and specifically eliminated BAFF-R expressing human B-cell tumors in several xenogeneic mouse models, including models of CD19 antigen loss. We proceeded with translational development and validation of BAFF-R CAR T cells produced under current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). cGMP-grade BAFF-R CAR T cells underwent in vitro and in vivo validation in established models to confirm that the potency and efficacy of our original research modeling was replicated. Food and Drug Administration required release testing was performed to ensure our BAFF-R CAR T cells meet specifications for new drug products. Completing and exceeding these requirements, the data fully support the initiation of a first-in-human Phase 1 trial for BAFF-R-positive relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-ALL. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00262-020-02614-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

7568 Background: In patients with treatment naive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the POLARIX study demonstrated a 6.5% improvement in the 2-year (yr) progression-free survival (PFS) with no difference in overall survival or safety using polatuzumab vedotin + R-CHP compared to standard RCHOP. We evaluated the cost effectiveness of pola-R-CHP for DLBCL. Methods: We modeled a hypothetical cohort of US adults (mean age, 58 yrs) with treatment naïve DLBCL by developing a Markov model with a 1-month cycle and 20-yr horizon. The cost-effectiveness of two strategies were directly compared (pola-R-CHP, RCHOP) using a range of plausible long-term outcomes. A patient with DLBCL in remission after treatment could develop subsequent progression or relapse, death, or alternative toxicity. Progression rates and overall survival were estimated from POLARIX study. Outcome measures were reported in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), with a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $150,000/quality-adjusted life-yr (QALY). Results: Assuming a 5-yr PFS of 69.6% with pola-R-CHP and 62.6% with RCHOP, pola-R-CHP was more effective (0.81 incremental QALYs) but more costly ($66,218) and was cost-effective at a WTP of 150,000 (ICER $82,220/QALY). Its cost effectiveness was highly dependent on the 5-yr PFS of pola-R-CHP with it no longer being cost effective if the 5-yr PFS was < 65%. One way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that pola-R-CHP is cost effective up to a cost of $270,506 at a WTP of $150,000. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was derived from performing 10,000 Monte-Carlo model iterations and demonstrated that pola-R-CHP was the cost-effective strategy in 61.3% of iterations with RCHOP being cost-effective in 38.6% of iterations at a WTP of $150,000. Conclusions: If the absolute benefit in PFS is maintained over time, frontline pola-R-CHP for treatment of DLBCL would be cost effective at its current cost when compared to RCHOP at a WTP of $150,000/QALY. However, its cost effectiveness is highly sensitive to changes in long-term PFS and the cost of pola-R-CHP. If pola-R-CHP is adopted as frontline therapy for the 29,108 incident cases of DLBCL annually in the US, this will lead to an additional 1.8 billion dollars in healthcare expenditures. This highlights the importance of decreasing the cost of pola-R-CHP and identifying sub-populations that derive the highest benefit from it.[Table: see text]

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting CD19 mediate potent antitumor effects in B-cell malignancies including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but antigen loss remains the major cause of treatment failure. To mitigate antigen escape and potentially improve the durability of remission, we developed a dual-targeting approach using an optimized, bispecific CAR construct that targets both CD19 and BAFF-R. CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells exhibited antigen-specific cytokine release, degranulation, and cytotoxicity against both CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- variant human ALL cells in vitro. Immunodeficient mice engrafted with mixed CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- variant ALL cells and treated with a single dose of CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells experienced complete eradication of both CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- ALL variants, whereas mice treated with monospecific CD19 or BAFF-R CAR T cells succumbed to outgrowths of CD19-/BAFF-R+ or CD19+/BAFF-R- tumors, respectively. Further, CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells showed prolonged in vivo persistence, raising the possibility that these cells may have the potential to promote durable remissions. Together, our data support clinical translation of BAFF-R/CD19 dual CAR T cells to treat ALL.

HIV vaccine candidates with improved immunogenicity and induction of mucosal T-cell immunity are needed. A prime-boost strategy using a novel HIV glycoprotein 120 DNA vaccine was employed to immunize rhesus macaques. The DNA vaccine encoded a chimeric gp120 protein in fusion with monocyte chemoattractant protein-3, which was hypothesized to improve the ability of antigen-presenting cells to capture viral antigen through chemokine receptor-mediated endocytosis. DNA vaccination induced virus-reactive T cells in peripheral blood, detectable by T cell proliferation, INFgamma ELISPOT and sustained IL-6 production, without humoral responses. With a peptide-cocktail vaccine containing a set of conserved polypeptides of HIV-1 envelope protein, given by nasogastric administration, primed T-cell immunity was significantly boosted. Surprisingly, long-term and peptide-specific mucosal memory T-cell immunity was detected in both vaccinated macaques after one year. Therefore, data from this investigation offer proof-of-principle for potential effectiveness of the prime-boost strategy with a chemokine-fused gp120 DNA and warrant further testing in the nonhuman primate models for developing as a potential HIV vaccine candidate in humans.

PURPOSE: We performed detailed genomic analysis on 87 cases of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center type (GCB DLBCL) to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of immunohistochemistry, cell-of-origin gene expression profiling (Nanostring), double-hit gene expression profiling (DLBCL90), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetic analysis for double/triple-hit lymphoma, copy number analysis (CNA), and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes. RESULTS: We identified four distinct biologic subgroups with different survivals, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from two large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the double-hit signature but no abnormalities of TP53, and those lacking EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation, had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the double-hit signature had an extremely poor prognosis. This latter finding was validated using two independent cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a practical schema to utilize genomic variables to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies.