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BACKGROUND Proteasome inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors each have activity in various B-cell malignancies and affect distinct cellular pathways. Their combination has demonstrated synergy in vitro and in mouse models. METHODS The authors conducted a single-arm, phase 2 trial of combined temsirolimus and bortezomib in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) using a dosing scheme that was previously tested in multiple myeloma. The patients received bortezomib and temsirolimus weekly on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 35-day cycle. RESULTS Of 39 patients who received treatment, 3 achieved a complete response (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6%-21%), and 9 had a partial response (PR) (23%; 95% CI, 11%-39%). Thus, the overall response rate (12 of 39 patients) was 31% (95% CI, 17%-48%), and the median progression-free survival was 4.7 months (95% CI, 2.1-7.8 months; 2 months for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [n = 18], 7.5 months for those with mantle cell lymphoma [n = 7], and 16.5 months for those with follicular lymphoma [n = 9]). Two extensively treated patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma achieved a complete response. There were no unexpected toxicities from the combination. CONCLUSIONS The current results demonstrate that the combination of a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor and a proteasome inhibitor is safe and has activity in patients with heavily pretreated B-cell NHL. Further studies with this combination are warranted in specific subtypes of NHL. Cancer 2015;121:3435–43. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Bleeding diathesis and a hyper-fibrinolytic state often accompany a diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML). This complication can have grave effects if not successfully treated, with a 10-20% incidence of haemorrhagic death. We hypothesized that alpha-2-antiplasmin levels would correlate with the risk for bleeding, and that administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) would attenuate that risk. To assess this, we conducted a retrospective chart review analyzing 30 APML patients, 17 of whom were treated with EACA. Thirty patients were treated, 21 with primary induction therapy. Patients with low alpha-2-antiplasmin levels were treated with a coagulopathy protocol consisting of low-dose heparin, EACA and blood product support. Seventeen patients (57%) developed haemorrhagic complications during their treatment. The presence and grade of haemorrhage appeared to be associated with the alpha-2-antiplasmin level. There were no grade IV haemorrhages or episodes of haemorrhagic death. One episode of central venous catheter associated thromboembolism and three deaths from infection during chemotherapy were observed. alpha-2-Antiplasmin levels are a reliable surrogate for fibrinolysis and haemorrhagic risk in patients with APML. Treatment with EACA is a rational way to pharmacologically inhibit fibrinolysis, is associated with a low incidence of severe haemorrhagic events, and appears to be safe with a low risk of thrombosis. Randomized clinical trials further assessing the efficacy and potential toxicity of EACA in inhibiting fibrinolysis in patients with APML are needed.

Proteasome inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors each have activity in various B-cell malignancies and affect distinct cellular pathways. Their combination has demonstrated synergy in vitro and in mouse models.The authors conducted a single-arm, phase 2 trial of combined temsirolimus and bortezomib in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) using a dosing scheme that was previously tested in multiple myeloma. The patients received bortezomib and temsirolimus weekly on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 35-day cycle.Of 39 patients who received treatment, 3 achieved a complete response (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6%-21%), and 9 had a partial response (PR) (23%; 95% CI, 11%-39%). Thus, the overall response rate (12 of 39 patients) was 31% (95% CI, 17%-48%), and the median progression-free survival was 4.7 months (95% CI, 2.1-7.8 months; 2 months for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [n = 18], 7.5 months for those with mantle cell lymphoma [n = 7], and 16.5 months for those with follicular lymphoma [n = 9]). Two extensively treated patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma achieved a complete response. There were no unexpected toxicities from the combination.The current results demonstrate that the combination of a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor and a proteasome inhibitor is safe and has activity in patients with heavily pretreated B-cell NHL. Further studies with this combination are warranted in specific subtypes of NHL.

Background: Treatment with rhu-Epo ameliorates anemia in a subset of LR-MDS patients, however, effective salvage therapy is limited. LEN promotes erythroid lineage competence and expansion of primitive erythroid precursors in vitro. In the MDS-002 and MDS-005 trials, treatment with LEN improved erythropoiesis, yielding RBC transfusion-independence in 26% of azanucleoside-naïve, transfusion-dependent (TD) LR, non-del(5q) MDS patients for a median of 10.2 and 7.75 months, respectively. We previously reported that LEN restores Epo-responsiveness in MDS progenitors by inducing formation of lipid rafts enriched for signaling competent JAK2/Epo-receptor complexes and excluding large isoforms of the JAK2/lyn kinase-phosphatase CD45 (McGraw K, et. al. PLoS One 2014; Basiorka A, et. al. Cancer Res 2016). In a pilot study of Epo-refractory MDS patients, addition of EA yielded erythroid responses in 28% of patients who were unresponsive to LEN alone, suggesting that LEN may overcome resistance and augment response to rhEpo (Komrokji R, et. al. Blood 2012). To test this hypothesis, we performed a randomized phase III trial comparing treatment with LEN to LEN+EA in LR non-del(5q) MDS patients who were refractory to, or not candidates for treatment with rhEpo. Methods: Patients with Low or Intermediate-1 (Int-1) risk IPSS MDS with hemoglobin 2 units/mo) with serum Epo >500mU/mL were eligible for study. Patients were stratified by serum Epo level and prior rhEpo (EA vs. darbepoetin vs. none) then randomized to treatment with LEN 10 mg/d x21d q4wk (Arm A) or LEN + EA 60,000U SC/wk (Arm B). Primary endpoint was IWG 2006 major erythroid response (MER) rate after 4 cycles. Arm A non-responders were offered cross-over to combined therapy. Secondary endpoints included analysis of response biomarkers. Results: Between April 2009 and May 2016, 248 patients were enrolled and 195 were randomized and will be included in the primary analysis. Interim analysis of 163 patients (Arm A, 81; B, 82) accrued before July 2015 showed that the study met predefined stopping criteria. Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms. Median age was 74 years (range, 47-89) receiving a median of 2 RBC units/mo (0-8). Overall, 64 (39%) patients had Low IPSS risk and 90 (55%) Int-1 risk. Among these, 150 received prior rhuEpo (92%) and 27, azanucleosides (17%). In an ITT analysis, MER rate was significantly higher with combination therapy, Arm B 25.6% (n=21) vs. Arm A 9.9% (n=8) (P=0.015). Among 116 patients evaluable at week 16, 33.3% (20/60) and 14.3% (8/56) achieved MER, respectively (P=0.018), with a median response duration of 25.4 months vs. not reached in Arm A responders. Response to combined treatment was associated with baseline CD45-isoform distribution in erythroid precursors. Patients achieving MER had a significantly lower CD45 RA+RB:RO ratio (median, 1.51) compared to non-responders (median, 4.21; P=0.04), favoring homo-dimerization of the short CD45-RO isoform and inhibition of phosphatase activity. MER rate in Arm B patients with a low isoform ratio (< median) was 72.7% vs. 18.2% in the high ratio group (P=0.03). Thirty-four Arm A non-responders crossed over to combination-therapy with only 1 MER. There was no difference in the frequency or distribution of >Grade 3, non-hematologic AEs. Conclusions: LEN restores sensitivity to rhEpo in Epo-refractory LR-non-del(5q) MDS patients to yield durable and significantly higher rates of erythroid response to combination treatment without added toxicity. Erythroid CD45 isoform profile may serve as a response biomarker for selection of candidates for combination therapy. Disclosures Bennett: Celgne: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Altman:Syros: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Komrokji:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Schiffer:Teva: Other: DSMB member; BMS: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: DSMB member.

The well-done systematic review included a moderate number of patients from randomized controlled trials with an objective diagnosis of a brain tumor. There were mild differences between the 5 studies used in the systematic review with patients in 3 of the studies undergoing surgical resection or debulking of their disease. There was no evidence of seizure prevention overall or in the subgroup analysis. Given the small number of patients in each subgroup, these results should be interpreted with caution. Known adverse effects with anticonvulsant therapy include severe rash (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), hematologic effects, and drug-drug interactions. Therefore, we should be hesitant to place patients on these medications without a proven benefit. The relatively small number of patients in this meta-analysis means that larger scale studies could show a small clinical benefit from anticonvulsants.

Background Proteosome inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are each known to have activity for various B-cell malignancies, and affect distinct cellular pathways. Preclinical data show synergy between bortezomib and various mTOR inhibitors, supporting this combination in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We conducted a phase II trial of temsirolimus and bortezomib in relapsed and refractory B-cell NHL, using a weekly dosing scheme that was previously tested in multiple myeloma (Ghobrial et al, Lancet Oncology, 2011; 263-272). Methods Wisconsin Oncology Network study HO10407 is a single-arm phase II study of IV bortezomib and temsirolimus for patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell NHL. A 35 day cycle was employed with bortezomib given at 1.6 mg/m2 and temsirolimus given at 25 mg IV weekly on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Initially temsirolimus was also given on day 29 but, due to a high rate of thrombocytopenia, after the first 14 patients were enrolled the protocol was amended and the day 29 temsirolimus dose was removed. Patients were enrolled from 10 sites within the Wisconsin Oncology Network. The primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were to determine safety, tolerability, complete response (CR) rate, duration of response (DOR), and overall survival (OS). Results Forty patients were enrolled between February 2011 and May 2013; however one patient withdrew consent immediately after enrollment and was never treated. We are therefore reporting results for 39 patients. The median age was 68, with 72% male. NHL subtypes consisted of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, n=17), follicular lymphoma (FL, n=10), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL, n=7), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL, n=3), and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL, n=2). Patients received a median of 4 prior therapies (range 1 to 11). Three patients were previously treated with bortezomib, one of whom was refractory to a prior bortezomib-containing regimen. As of July, 24, 2013, two patients remained on protocol therapy. The median number of cycles given was 3. Out of 39 patients, CR was achieved in 3 patients (7.7% (95% CI: 1.6% - 21%)), partial response (PR) in 9 patients (23% (95% CI: 11% - 39%)), and stable disease in 9 patients (23% (95% CI: 11% - 39%)). The ORR was therefore 12/39 (31% (95% CI: 17-48%)). Among responders, the DOR ranged from 1.7 to 13.8 months, with a median DOR of 8.5 months (95% CI: 2.9-11.5). The median PFS was 4.7 months (95% CI: 2.1-7.8). The ORR for DLBCL was 18% (3/17, with 2 CR), for FL was 50% (5/10, with no CR), and for MCL was 57% (4/7, with 1 CR). In one patient, protocol therapy led to a partial response which served as a bridge to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Grade 3/4 adverse events were experienced by 69% of patients. The grade 3/4 adverse events that occurred in at least 10% of patients were anemia (13%), lymphopenia (15%), neutropenia (23%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and gastrointestinal toxicities (15%). Conclusions In this phase II study, the combination of temsirolimus and bortezomib demonstrated activity in a group of heavily pre-treated patients. In some patients dramatic responses were seen, including two DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after having previously progressed following autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. Toxicities were manageable and treatment was delivered on an outpatient basis. Further studies with this combination or other proteosome inhibitor + mTOR inhibitor combinations are warranted in specific subtypes of NHL. Disclosures: Fenske: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Use of the combination of bortezomib and temsirolimus for relpased and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ahuja:Bayer healthcare pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Kahl:Millennium: Consultancy.

Abstract 3647 Introduction: BR chemoimmunotherapy was shown to have an overall response rate (ORR) of 59%, a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 14.7 months, and an acceptable toxicity profile in R/R CLL (Fischer K, et al. J Clin Oncol 2011). Given the single-agent activity of lenalidomide in R/R CLL/SLL, we hypothesized that maintenance lenalidomide after BR induction could improve PFS. Methods: Thirty-four patients requiring therapy for R/R CLL/SLL were treated with bendamustine 90 mg/m2 IV on days 1 & 2 and rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV on day 1 every 28 days for a maximum of 6 cycles. Growth factor support was permitted. Patients achieving at least a minor response (objective improvement even if not meeting criteria for partial response) were eligible to proceed with 12 cycles of maintenance therapy with lenalidomide 5–10 mg/day orally given continuously in each 28-day cycle. Patients were eligible if they had histologically proven CLL/SLL and had received >1 but ≤5 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens (retreatment with an identical regimen was not counted as a separate treatment). The primary endpoint was PFS. Results: Baseline characteristics include median age 67 (range 38–86), 25 men/9 women, 26 CLL/8 SLL, and median of 2 prior therapies (range 1–4). Cytogenetic profiling by FISH analysis was available in 22 patients (65%), with 11/22 demonstrating presence of 17p and/or 11q deletions. Twenty-five patients (74%) completed 6 cycles of induction BR. Two patients died from toxicities of pneumonia and heart failure during cycle 1; 7 patients received Conclusions: In our multicenter trial for patients with R/R CLL/SLL, the BR induction produced an ORR that is comparable to historical observations (65% vs 59%). However, the median PFS is longer (24.3 vs 14.7 months), suggesting maintenance lenalidomide may be contributing to an improved response duration. Based upon these promising results, we have initiated a successor study in which patients will receive lenalidomide plus rituximab maintenance after a BR induction. Disclosures: Chang: Celgene: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide as maintenance therapy for CLL after induction rituximab + bendamustine chemoimmunotherapy. Fenske:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kahl:Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding.