In indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (iNHL), patients treated with rituximab, alone or in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents eventually relapse. This study evaluated the combination of ofatumumab and bendamustine, followed by maintenance ofatumumab in patients with relapsed iNHL with prior sensitivity to rituximab. Among the 49 patients enrolled, 24.5% achieved a complete response (CR) and 42.9% achieved a partial response (PR), with an overall response rate of 67.3% at the end of the induction therapy. Additionally, six patients with PR during induction phase achieved CR during the maintenance phase. Treatment-related adverse event was observed in 95.9% patients. The most common hematologic and biochemical abnormalities were decrease in lymphocytes (85.7%) and increase in glucose (91.8%), respectively. Overall, 42.9% progressed and 14.3% died during the study. Thus, ofatumumab in combination with bendamustine, followed by ofatumumab maintenance, was effective in the treatment of patients with iNHL with a manageable safety profile (NCT01294579).

Purpose Polyamines are absolutely essential for maintaining tumor cell proliferation. PG-11047, a polyamine analogue, is a nonfunctional competitor of the natural polyamine spermine that has demonstrated anticancer activity in cells and animal models of multiple cancer types. Preclinical investigations into the effects of common chemotherapeutic agents have revealed overlap with components of the polyamine metabolic pathway also affected by PG-11047. This report describes a Phase Ib clinical trial investigating PG-11047 in combination with cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic chemotherapeutic agents in patients with advanced refractory metastatic solid tumors or lymphoma. Methods A total of 172 patients were assigned to treatment arms based on cancer type to receive the appropriate standard-of-care therapy (gemcitabine, docetaxel, bevacizumab, erlotinib, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), or sunitinib as directed) along with once weekly intravenous infusions of PG-11047. PG-11047 dose escalation ranged from 50 to 590 mg. Results The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of PG-11047 in combination with bevacizumab, erlotinib, cisplatin, and 5-FU was 590 mg. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in these groups were rare (5 of 148 patients). Overall partial responses (PR) were observed in 12% of patients treated with PG-11047 and bevacizumab, with stable disease documented in an additional 40%. Stable disease occurred in 71.4% of patients in the 5-FU arm, 54.1% in the cisplatin arm, and 33.3% in the erlotinib arm. Four of the patients receiving cisplatin + PG-11047 (20%) had unconfirmed PRs. MTDs for gemcitabine, docetaxel, and sunitinib could not be determined due to DLTs at low doses of PG-11047 and small sample size. Conclusions Results of this Phase Ib trial indicate that PG-11047 can be safely administered to patients in combination with bevacizumab, erlotinib, cisplatin, and 5-FU on the once weekly dosing schedule described and may provide therapeutic benefit. The manageable toxicity profile and high MTD determination provide a safety profile for further clinical studies.

BackgroundCluster of differentiation 70 (CD70) is frequently expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and has immunomodulatory properties. An antibody‐drug conjugate targeting CD70, SGN‐CD70A, was developed to treat patients with CD70‐positive RCC.MethodsThe objective of this phase 1, open‐label, dose‐escalation, multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SGN‐CD70A and establish its maximum tolerated dose in patients with CD70‐positive, metastatic RCC (mRCC). All subtypes of RCC were permitted, and no limit was set on the number of prior therapies. Safety assessments consisted of monitoring and recording all adverse events (AEs) and dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs). Treatment response was assessed by radiographic tumor evaluation according to the Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors, version 1.1. A model‐based, modified continual‐reassessment method was used to estimate the probabilities of DLT and response.ResultsThe maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 30 μg/kg, with thrombocytopenia as the DLT. The most common AEs were fatigue (67%), anemia (61%), and thrombocytopenia (56%). Of 18 enrolled patients, 1 achieved a partial response and 13 achieved stable disease, for a clinical benefit rate of 78%. Limitations of the study included the heavily pretreated nature of patients, receipt of a median of 4 prior lines of therapy (range, 1‐8 prior lines of therapy), and diminishing response potential.ConclusionsThe modest antitumor activity of SGN‐CD70A does not support its development in mRCC. However, given the high disease control rate in a heavily pretreated population and the modest toxicity profile, CD70 remains of interest because of its immunomodulatory properties.

Thrombocytopenia is among the strongest predictors of decreased survival for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) across all prognostic risk groups. The safety and efficacy of CC-486 (oral azacitidine) was investigated in early-phase studies; we assessed clinical outcomes among subgroups of MDS patients from these studies, defined by presence or lack of pretreatment thrombocytopenia (<= 75 x 10(9)/L platelet count). Patients received CC-486 300 mg once-daily for 14 or 21 days of repeated 28-day cycles. Overall, 81 patients with MDS, median age 72 years, comprised the Low Platelets (n = 45) and High Platelets (n = 36) cohorts. Pretreatment median platelet counts were 34 x 10(9)/L and 198 x 10(9)/L, respectively. Grade 3-4 bleeding events occurred in 2 patients in the Low Platelets and 1 patient in the High Platelets groups; events resolved without sequelae. Treatment-related mortality was reported for 7 patients, 5 of whom had pretreatment platelet values < 25 x 10(9)/L. Overall response rates were 38% and 46% in the Low Platelets and High Platelets groups, respectively. Five thrombocytopenic patients attained complete remission and 9 attained platelet hematologic improvement. In both cohorts, platelet counts dropped during the first CC-486 treatment cycle, then increased thereafter. Extended CC-486 dosing was generally well tolerated and induced hematologic responses in these patients regardless of pretreatment thrombocytopenia.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-delta (PI3K delta) signaling is critical for proliferation, survival, homing, and tissue retention of malignant B cells. Idelalisib, a selective oral inhibitor of PI3K delta, has shown considerable single-agent activity in patients with heavily pretreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This study evaluated the safety and clinical activity of idelalisib in combination with bendamustine (IB) or rituximab (IR) or both (IBR) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CLL. Idelalisib was given continuously at 100 or 150mg twice daily in combination with rituximab (375mg/m(2) weekly x 8 doses), bendamustine (70 or 90 mg/m(2), days 1 and 2 every 4 weeks x 6 cycles) or BR (rituximab, 375mg/m(2) every 4 weeks and bendamustine, 70mg/m(2), days 1 and 2 every 4 weeks x 6 cycles). The primary endpoint was safety; secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Fifty-two patients (median age 64 years) with a median of 3 prior therapies were enrolled. ORR was 84.6% (89.5% IR group, 77.8% IB group, and 86.7% IBR group). The overall median PFS was 25.6 months, and median DOR was 26.6 months. The most common grade >= 3 adverse events (>= 10% of patients) were pneumonia (19.2%), diarrhea (13.5%), and febrile neutropenia (17.3%). Idelalisib-based combination therapy with bendamustine and/or rituximab was highly active, resulting in durable tumor control in patients with heavily pretreated R/R CLL. However, its tolerability profile suggests that these regimens should be used cautiously in this patient population.

Background Cytotoxic therapy for relapsed and refractory germ cell tumors or metastatic sex cord stromal tumors is rarely effective and is often accompanied by high adverse event rates. Expression of CD30 has been observed in testicular cancers, and patients with CD30-expressing embryonal carcinomas have worse progression-free survival and overall survival than those with CD30-negative tumors. The objective of this study (NCT01461538) was to characterize the antitumor activity of brentuximab vedotin in patients with CD30-expressing nonlymphomatous malignancies. Enrolled patients included seven patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors or metastatic sex cord stromal tumors described in this case series. Materials and methods Forty patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors, metastatic sex cord stromal tumors, or testicular tumors were screened for CD30 expression; 14 patients had tumors that expressed CD30. Seven patients with CD30-expressing testicular cancer were enrolled in the treatment study: five patients with germ cell tumors, one patient with a Leydig cell tumor, and one patient with a Sertoli cell tumor. Patients were treated with brentuximab vedotin at initial doses of 1.8 or 2.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Response assessments were performed at cycles 2 and 4 and every 4 cycles thereafter while the patient was receiving treatment. Results Two of seven patients achieved an objective response, including one durable complete response and one partial response at a single time point. Both responding patients had germ cell tumors. Treatment with brentuximab vedotin was generally well tolerated. Conclusion Treatment of relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors with brentuximab vedotin can induce durable responses with a manageable toxicity profile. Implications for practice This case series of seven patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-expressing germ cell tumors (GCTs) or sex cord stromal tumors demonstrates that brentuximab vedotin has activity against GCTs and is well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients with these aggressive tumor types. One patient achieved a complete response that has been durable for almost 4 years since the discontinuation of treatment with brentuximab vedotin. Therefore, brentuximab vedotin may be a valuable option for physicians who care for this difficult-to-treat patient population.

BACKGROUND:Myelodysplastic syndromes are characterised by ineffective erythropoiesis leading to anaemia. Sotatercept (ACE-011) is a novel activin receptor type IIA fusion protein that acts as a ligand trap to neutralise negative regulators of late-stage erythropoiesis. The aim of the study was to establish a safe and effective dose of sotatercept for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS:This open-label, multicentre, dose-ranging, phase 2 trial took place at 11 treatment centres in the USA and France. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had International Prognostic Scoring System-defined low-risk or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, had anaemia requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and were ineligible for, or refractory to, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Patients were not eligible if they had chromosome 5q deletion myelodysplastic syndromes without documented failure of lenalidomide. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0·1 or 0·3 mg/kg sotatercept subcutaneously, using a permuted-block method with stratification for serum erythropoietin concentration and transfusion burden. Patients were assigned to 0·5, 1·0, and 2·0 mg/kg groups in a non-randomised fashion. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved haematological improvement-erythroid (HI-E), according to International Working Group 2006 criteria. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01736683 and at EU Clinical Trials Register, number 2012-002601-22, and is ongoing. FINDINGS:Between Dec 5, 2012, and July 22, 2015, 74 patients were enrolled into the study (seven to receive 0·1 mg/kg sotatercept, six to 0·3 mg/kg, 21 to 0·5 mg/kg, 35 to 1·0 mg/kg, and five to 2·0 mg/kg). 36 (49%; 95% CI 38-60) of 74 patients achieved HI-E; 29 (47%; 95% CI 35-59) of 62 patients with a high transfusion burden achieved HI-E (RBC-transfusion reduction from baseline of 4 or more units for at least 56 days), and seven (58%; 95% CI 32-81) of 12 patients with a low transfusion burden achieved HI-E (haemoglobin increase of 1·5 g/dL or more sustained for at least 56 days in the absence of transfusions). The most commonly reported adverse events were fatigue in 19 (26%) of 74 patients and peripheral oedema in 18 (24%) of 74 patients. Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 25 (34%) of 74 patients; four (5%) patients had grade 3-4 TEAEs that were considered to be treatment related. The most common grade 3-4 TEAEs were lipase increase and anaemia, which each occurred in three (4%) of 74 patients. 17 (23%) of 74 patients had at least one serious TEAE, and one patient died from a treatment-emergent subdural haematoma due to a fall. INTERPRETATION:Sotatercept, a novel activin-receptor fusion protein, was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in whom previous ESA treatment had failed. Treatment with sotatercept could be beneficial for these patients who have few available treatment options. FUNDING:Celgene Corporation.

Purpose This first-in-human study evaluated SGN-CD70A, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed against the integral plasma membrane protein CD70 and linked to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer, in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CD70-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and Grade 3b follicular lymphoma (FL3b). Methods SGN-CD70A was administered intravenously on Day 1 of 3-week cycles beginning at 8 mcg/kg with planned dose escalation to 200 mcg/kg. Due to observations of prolonged thrombocytopenia, the study was amended to dose every 6 weeks (q6wk). Results Twenty patients were enrolled and treated with SGN-CD70A. The maximum tolerated dose of SGN-CD70A was 30 mcg/kg q6wk. The most common adverse events (AEs) reported were thrombocytopenia (75%), nausea (55%), anemia (50%), and fatigue (50%). The onset for treatment-related thrombocytopenia typically occurred during Cycle 1. Most of the treatment-related events of thrombocytopenia were ≥ Grade 3. Antitumor activity in patients included 1 complete remission (CR) and 3 partial remissions (PRs), 2 of which were ongoing for at least 42.9 weeks. SGN-CD70A exposures were approximately dose proportional, with a mean terminal half-life of 3 to 5 days. Conclusions While modest single-agent activity was observed in heavily pretreated NHL patients, the applicability of SGN-CD70A is limited by the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia, despite the long-term response with limited drug exposure.

Introduction: Entospletinib is an orally bioavailable, selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase. Targeting the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) and PI3Kd inhibitors (BTKi and PI3Kdi), approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), has been a successful therapeutic strategy. Entospletinib is active in CLL and preclinical data suggest that entospletinib may be effective even in the context of resistance to BTKi, including that conferred by activation of PLCγ2 (Liu et. al. Blood 2015).

Abstract Background: Injectable HMAs (azacitidine [AZA], decitabine) are the standard of care in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) (NCCN, 2016). When other treatment (Tx) options are no longer feasible, HMAs may be used to treat patients (pts) with lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS) and have demonstrated efficacy in older pts with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Dombret, Blood, 2015; Kantarjian, JCO, 2012). Injectable HMAs induce hematologic response or improvement (HI) in ~50% of pts (Grinblatt, Haematologica, 2014; Lyons, JCO, 2009; Silverman, JCO, 2002), but responses may lack durability. There are no standard Tx options indicated for use after HMA failure; the mainstay of Tx in this setting for pts ineligible for stem cell transplant is a clinical trial or supportive care. CC-486, the oral formulation of AZA, was evaluated in 3 phase 1/2 studies that did not exclude pts who had received HMA Tx before study entry. Aim: Determine clinical outcomes for pts with MDS, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), or AML, treated with CC-486 monotherapy who had previously failed injectable HMA Tx. Methods: Pts with MDS, CMML, or AML from 3 phase 1/2 CC-486 studies (2 of which included dose-finding periods) who had received HMA Tx before receiving CC-486 are included in these analyses. CC-486 Tx regimens were: 120-600mg x7 days (d) following a single SC AZA cycle (75mg/m2/d x7d), or 300mg QD or 200mg BID x14d or 21d (with no initial SC AZA cycle). All dosing regimens were administered in repeated 28d cycles. Overall response rate (ORR) included complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi; AML pts only), HI, and transfusion independence (TI). Marrow CR (mCR) was assessed in MDS pts with ≥5% bone marrow blasts at baseline. Results: In all, 40 pts had received prior HMA Tx: 26 pts with MDS, 2 with CMML, and 12 with AML. In the MDS/CMML and AML groups, respectively, median ages were 75 years (range 55-84) and 71 years (60-93) and median times since diagnosis were 28 (2-140) and 4 (0-32) months (Table). Before receiving CC-486, 12 pts (30%) had failed >1 prior injectable HMA course. Most pts (58%) had previously received >4 HMA Tx cycles. Six pts with AML (50%) had received prior HMAs for Tx of antecedent MDS. Of 29 pts for whom outcomes with prior HMAs were known, 16 pts relapsed and 13 pts were refractory to the injectable HMA. The median number of CC-486 Tx cycles was 5 (range 1-52). For all pts treated with CC-486, ORR was 35%. ORR and rates of specific responses were similar between pts with MDS/CMML and pts with AML (Figure). Five of 13 pts (38%) who were refractory to prior HMAs responded, including 1 AML pt who attained CR with CC-486. Six of 16 pts (38%) who had relapsed during or after prior HMA Tx responded. During CC-486 Tx, 32% of pts attained any HI and 31% achieved RBC TI. Of pts who had received ≥6 cycles of prior HMA Tx (n=20), ORR was 35% (7/20). ORR was not statistically different between 7d (n=26) and extended (n=14) CC-486 dosing (P=0.288). The most frequent (≥10%) grade 3-4 hematologic TEAEs were anemia (33%), thrombocytopenia (23%), neutropenia (15%), and febrile neutropenia (10%); the most frequent grade 3-4 gastrointestinal TEAEs were diarrhea and vomiting (10% each). Conclusions: Among pts who were relapsed or refractory to prior HMA Tx, 35% had a hematologic response to CC-486, suggesting that prior HMA failure does not preclude future response to CC-486. Notably, the majority of pts had received >4 prior HMA Tx cycles; thus, prior failures to injectable HMAs were not likely due to inadequate duration of Tx. The ORR with CC-486 in pts who had received ≥6 cycles of the prior injectable HMA was the same as the ORR with CC-486 in all pts. Hypomethylating effects of HMAs are transient; unlike injectable HMAs, oral CC-486 can be administered over extended dosing periods (>7d) of the Tx cycle to produce sustained hypomethylating activity. There was no statistical difference in ORR between CC-486 7d and extended dosing in this small pt group. Nevertheless, given the short half-life and S-phase-restricted DNA incorporation of AZA (Li, Cancer Res, 1970), extending AZA exposure to >7d/cycle with CC-486 could increase the opportunity for cycling cells to incorporate AZA and expose more malignant progenitor cells to AZA, which may optimize therapeutic effects. Extended hypomethylation due to longer exposure to CC-486 may induce pts to respond to CC-486 who had failed prior injectable HMA Tx. Disclosures Savona: TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gore:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Scott:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cogle:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Conkling:USOncology Research: Research Funding; Amgen Inc.: Research Funding. Hetzer:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dong:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kumar:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ukrainskyj:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Skikne:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Idelalisib, a first-in-class oral inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase δ, has shown considerable antitumor activity as a monotherapy in recurrent indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL). To evaluate the safety and activity of idelalisib in combination with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or both, 79 patients with relapsed/refractory iNHL were enrolled based on investigator preference in 3 treatment groups. Patients received continuous idelalisib in combination with (1) rituximab (IR; 375 mg/m2 weekly × 8 doses), (2) bendamustine (IB; 90 mg/m2 per day × 2, for 6 cycles), or (3) both bendamustine and rituximab at aforementioned doses (IBR; monthly × 6 cycles). Patients had a median age of 61 years, a median of 3 prior therapies, and 46% had refractory disease. The overall response rate was 75% (22% complete response) for IR, 88% (36%) for IB, and 79% (43%) for IBR. The median progression-free survival was 37.1 months overall: 29.7 months for IR, 32.8 for IB, and 37.1 months for IBR. The median duration of response was 28.6 months in the IR group and has not been reached in the IB and IBR groups. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were neutropenia (41%), pneumonia (19%), transaminase elevations (16%), diarrhea/colitis (15%), and rash (9%). The safety and efficacy reflected in these early data, however, stand in contrast with later observations of significant toxicity in subsequent phase 3 trials in frontline chronic lymphocytic leukemia and less heavily pretreated iNHL patients. Our findings highlight the limitations of phase 1 trial data in the assessment of new regimens. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01088048 (an extension study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01090414).

Introduction LY2603618 is a selective inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) protein kinase, a key regulator of the DNA damage checkpoint, and is predicted to enhance the effects of antimetabolites, such as pemetrexed. This phase II trial assessed the overall response rate, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of LY2603618 and pemetrexed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods In this open-label, single-arm trial, patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC progressing after a prior first-line treatment regimen (not containing pemetrexed) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 received pemetrexed (500 mg/m2, day 1) and LY2603618 (150 mg/m2, day 2) every 21 days until disease progression. Safety was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Serial blood samples were collected for PK analysis after LY2603618 and pemetrexed administration. Expression of p53, as measured by immunohistochemistry and genetic variant analysis, was assessed as a predictive biomarker of response. Results Fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study. No patients experienced a complete response; a partial response was observed in 5 patients (9.1 %; 90 % CI, 3.7–18.2) and stable disease in 20 patients (36.4 %). The median progression-free survival was 2.3 months (range, 0–27.1). Safety and PK of LY2603618 in combination with pemetrexed were favorable. No association between p53 status and response was observed. Conclusions There was no significant clinical activity of LY2603618 and pemetrexed combination therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. The results were comparable with historical pemetrexed single-agent data, with similar safety and PK profiles being observed.

Introduction: As outcomes in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remain suboptimal, new, effective treatment options with a favorable safety profile are needed. Ibrutinib is a first-in-class, oral, covalent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a key component of B-cell signaling involved in B-cell survival, proliferation and function. In lymphomas, ibrutinib is FDA-approved for treatment of mantle cell lymphoma in pts with ≥1 prior therapy. A phase 1 dose-escalation study with ibrutinib showed single-agent activity in pts with R/R B-cell malignancies (overall response rate [ORR] 60%; complete remission [CR] in 16%) including FL (Advani JCO 2013). In this trial, the 560 mg/day fixed dose was well tolerated and led to full BTK occupancy. We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of single-agent ibrutinib by low- vs. high-dose groups with longer follow-up in pts with relapsed FL.

Background Treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who are elderly or who have comorbidities is challenging because fludarabine-based chemoimmunotherapies are mostly not suitable. Chlorambucil remains the standard of care in many countries. We aimed to investigate whether the addition of ofatumumab to chlorambucil could lead to better clinical outcomes than does treatment with chlorambucil alone, while also being tolerable for patients who have few treatment options.Methods We carried out a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial for treatment-naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 109 centres in 16 countries. We included patients who had active disease needing treatment, but in whom fludarabine-based treatment was not possible. We randomly assigned patients (1: 1) to receive oral chlorambucil (10 mg/m(2)) on days 1-7 of a 28 day treatment course or to receive chlorambucil by this schedule plus intravenous ofatumumab (cycle 1: 300 mg on day 1 and 1000 mg on day 8; subsequent cycles: 1000 mg on day 1) for three to 12 cycles. Assignment was done with a randomisation list that was computer generated at GlaxoSmithKline, and was stratified, in a block size of two, by age, disease stage, and performance status. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population and assessment was done by an independent review committee that was masked to group assignment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00748189.Findings We enrolled 447 patients, median age 69 years (range 35-92). Between Dec 22, 2008, and May 26, 2011, we randomly assigned 221 patients to chlorambucil plus ofatumumab and 226 patients to chlorambucil alone. Median progression-free survival was 22.4 months (95% CI 19.0-25.2) in the group assigned to chlorambucil plus ofatumumab compared with 13.1 months (10.6-13.8) in the group assigned to chlorambucil only (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.72; p<0.0001). Grade 3 or greater adverse events were more common in the chlorambucil plus ofatumumab group (109 [50%] patients; vs 98 [43%] given chlorambucil alone), with neutropenia being the most common event (56 [26%] vs 32 [14%]). Grade 3 or greater infections had similar frequency in both groups. Grade 3 or greater infusion-related adverse events were reported in 22 (10%) patients given chlorambucil plus ofatumumab. Five (2%) patients died during treatment in each group.Interpretation Addition of ofatumumab to chlorambucil led to clinically important improvements with a manageable side-effect profile in treatment-naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who were elderly or had comorbidities. Chlorambucil plus ofatumumab is therefore an important treatment option for these patients who cannot tolerate more intensive therapy.

Abstract Introduction BCL2 is an anti-apoptotic protein overexpressed in CLL and critical in the pathogenesis of the disease; venetoclax (VEN) is an orally available, selective BCL2 inhibitor. Bendamustine (B) and rituximab (R) combination has demonstrated efficacy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) and previously untreated (frontline, 1L) patients (pts) with CLL. Preclinical data suggest that VEN+BR may provide synergistic activity in pts with CLL. Clinical data from VEN, both as a single-agent and in combination with R, support VEN+BR combination in CLL. We report an ongoing phase 1b study (NCT01671904) that is evaluating as primary objectives the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of VEN when combined with BR, plus safety, tolerability, and order of administration to reduce toxicities of this combination in R/R or 1L CLL pts. Methods Pts with ECOG PS ≤1, 0-3 prior chemotherapy lines, and adequate marrow, hepatic, renal and coagulation function are being enrolled in dose finding cohorts and subsequent safety expansion cohorts, ranging from VEN 100 to 400 mg/day (3+3 dose escalation design). Pts are assigned to one of two dosing schedules (Fig 1) with VEN (Schedule A) or BR (Schedule B) introduced first; both include a gradual VEN dose ramp-up and other prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and risk stratification for TLS (high, intermediate and low). On completing combination therapy, pts continue single-agent VEN until disease progression (R/R CLL) or up to 18 months (1L CLL). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) data are reviewed after all pts in a cohort have completed 21 days of combination treatment at the target VEN dose and focus on TLS and cytopenias. Efficacy is assessed by investigators (iwCLL guidelines; Hallek et al. 2008). Results At data cutoff (April 30, 2015), 30 pts have been treated; 20 R/R pts, 12 on Schedule A (3 at 100 mg, 3 at 200 mg, and 6 at 400 mg) and 8 on Schedule B (all at 400 mg), and 10 1L pts, 6 on Schedule A and 4 on Schedule B (all at 400 mg). Baseline characteristics are shown in Fig 2. Of 10 pts with reported cytogenetics, 2 have del(17p). Median time on study is 5.5 (range, 0.03-15.2) months. No safety difference between Schedules A and B was seen in the DLT observation period for R/R CLL pts; neither schedule exhibited any toxicities precluding choice of the highest administered dose of 400 mg daily VEN. Schedule B was chosen for R/R safety expansion due to potential for tumor debulking prior to VEN. Dose finding in 1L Schedule A also selected 400 mg; dose finding for Schedule B is ongoing. Of 30 safety-evaluable, 27 (90%) pts experienced any adverse event (AEs; Fig 3). Most common AEs were neutropenia and nausea. Most G3 AEs were hematological toxicities; common non-hematological included diarrhea and hypertension. No TLS events (laboratory or clinical) were observed. There were 13 serious AEs in 10 (33.3%) pts, 8 (26.7%) due to study treatment. No deaths were reported. Of all 30 pts, 25 received VEN, with 5 still completing the BR only portion of Schedule B. Dose interruptions were seen in 13 pts mainly due to neutropenia for both VEN and BR; 8 pts had a VEN dose reduction. Early drug discontinuations (any reason): VEN, 2pts (gastroenteritis norovirus, progressive disease); BR together, 3 pts; B, 7 pts (commonly for neutropenia or physician decision); R, 1 pt. Across cohorts, 17/20 R/R CLL pts had response assessments; 100% responded, with 3 CRi. Response evaluation for 1L pts is early and evaluation across all cohorts and patients is ongoing. Full MRD data will be presented at the meeting, but early analysis shows pts exhibiting MRD negativity in peripheral blood, many as early as Cycle 4. Conclusion These early results report the first study evaluating the VEN+BR combination in pts with CLL. Daily VEN 400 mg can be safely combined with BR in patients with R/R CLL using both administration schedules (VEN or BR first), with 400 mg also established as safe for 1L pts with CLL under Schedule A. No TLS was observed with either administration schedule, despite many pts at medium (53%) or high (33%) TLS risk. VEN+BR is, as expected, associated with frequent hematologic toxicity, which appears manageable in most pts being treated, although 10 pts discontinued either B or BR prior to completing 6 cycles of administration. Early response and MRD data are promising. Disclosures Salles: Celgene Corporation; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation; Roche and Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Roche: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Venetoclax is an investigational drug that is not yet approved in this indication. Boyd:Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; US Oncology: Research Funding. Morschhauser:Genentech Inc./Roche: Other: Advisory boards. Wendtner:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Hallek:Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Boehringher Ingelheim: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards; AbbVie: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Honoraria, Other: Speakers Bureau and/or Advisory Boards, Research Funding. Eichhorst:AbbVie: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Kozloff:Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy. Cartron:Gilead: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Li:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Hilger:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Mobasher:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Stilgenbauer:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding.

7011 Background: IDELA is a first-in-class PI3Kδ inhibitor approved in combination with rituximab for pts with relapsed CLL. Methods: Pts with R/R CLL were treated continuously with 150 mg BID oral IDELA and a limited # of cycles (C) of CIT to evaluate safety and efficacy of combination regimens. Pts could enroll in extension study after 48 wks. Responses were evaluated by published criteria (Hallek 2008; Cheson 2012). Results: 114 pts (37F/77M) median (med) age 65 (range 41-87) yrs enrolled with: extensive prior therapies (med 3, range 1-9), refractory disease (51%), high risk Rai (60%), del17p/TP53 mutation (29%), del11q (13%), unmutated IGHV (79%). Med exposure was 14.6 (range 0-49) mos. 61 pts (54%) enrolled in extension study. 21 (34%) were continuing on study. Most common and select AEs independent of causality (any Grade/Gr ≥ 3): diarrhea/colitis (52%/19%), pyrexia (45%/4%), cough (37%/1%), nausea (29%/1%), fatigue (32%/4%), pneumonia (23%/15%), dyspnea (22%/3%), rash (21%/4%), pneumonitis (4%/4%). AST/ALT elevation Gr ≥ 3 was seen in 12%. Most common reasons for discontinuation were AEs (25%) or PD (25%). 2 pts discontinued due to AST/ALT elevation, 1 due to Richter’s transformation. 20 (18%) deaths were reported on study; 6 pts experienced PD before death. ORR was 82.5% in all pts, 70% in pts with del17p/TP53 mut, and 87% among pts without. SD/PD was reported in 10%/3%. Med overall PFS was 26.1 mos, 20.3 mos for pts with del17p/TP53 mut, and 36.8 mos for pts without. Med OS for all pts or pts with del17p/TP53 mut was not reached. Estimated OS at 36 mos was 73.1% for all pts, 57.3% for pts with del17p/TP53, and 78.3% for pts without. Conclusions: IDELA in combination with CIT shows a manageable safety profile without increased toxicities and has substantial clinical activity in heavily pretreated, refractory, and high-risk CLL including presence of del17p/TP53mutation. Phase 3 trials of IDELA with O or BR in pts with R/R CLL are ongoing (NCT01659021, NCT01732926). Clinical trial information: NCT01088048.Idelalisib +. Rituximab (R) N=19 Ofatumumab (O) N=21 Bendamustine (B) N=18 BR N=15 Fludarabine (F) (oral) N=12 Chlorambucil (Chl) N=15 ChlR N=14 8 wks up to 6 C up to 12 C

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogeneous group of clonalmyeloid malignancies characterized by multilineage cytopenias, recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities, and risk of progression to acutemyeloid leukemia (AML). AML, which can occur de novo as well as secondary to MDS, is characterized by malignant clones of myeloid lineage in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, with dissemination into tissues. The cytidine nucleoside analog and epigenetic modifier azacitidine is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of all French-American-British subtypes of MDS and in many countries for the treatment of AML with 20%-30% blasts and multilineage dysplasia according to the World Health Organization classification. Benefits of azacitidine treatment of patients with AML with >30% blasts have also been shown in a recent phase III trial. Oral administration of azacitidine may enhance patient convenience, eliminate injection-site reactions, allow for alternative dosing and scheduling, and enable long-term treatment. Phase I studies with oral azacitidine (CC-486) have shown biological activity, clinical responses, and tolerability in patients with MDS and AML. Extended dosing schedules of oral azacitidine (for 14 or 21 days of 28-day cycles) are currently under investigation as frontline therapy in patients with lower risk MDS, as maintenance therapy for patients with AML not eligible for stem cell transplant, and as maintenance therapy for patients with MDS or AML following stem cell transplant. This review presents clinical data supporting the use of injectable azacitidine in MDS and AML and examines the rationale for and results of the clinical development of oral azacitidine.

Parenteral azacitidine improves overall survival in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. An oral azacitidine formulation would allow extended dosing schedules, potentially improving safety and/or efficacy. Two Phase 1 studies evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral azacitidine in subjects with hematologic malignancies. Study 1 evaluated different oral formulations (immediate release tablet [IRT], enteric-coated tablet, and capsule; N=16). Study 2 assessed the effect of food (Part 1; N=17) and gastric pH modulation with omeprazole (Part 2; N=14) on oral azacitidine PK. Azacitidine plasma concentration-time profiles for IRT and capsule formulations were similar, with more rapid time to maximum plasma concentration (T-max) than the enteric-coated tablet. Study 2 evaluated only IRT formulations of oral azacitidine. Under fed condition, T-max was delayed approximate to 1.5hours but area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentrations (C-max) were comparable under fed and fasted conditions. Mean azacitidine AUC and C-max increased upon omeprazole co-administration (18.3% and 13.2%, respectively, vs. oral azacitidine alone), but not to a clinically meaningful extent. High inter-subject variability in AUC and C-max (%CV range 46.4-68.9%) was observed. Oral azacitidine is rapidly absorbed with little or no effect of food on PK parameters, and does not require dose adjustments when taking a proton-pump inhibitor.

Introduction: PI3Kδ signaling is critical for the proliferation, survival and homing/tissue retention of malignant B cells. Idelalisib is a first-in-class, highly selective, oral inhibitor of PI3Kδ recently approved for the treatment of relapsed CLL in combination with R. This report summarizes the long-term follow-up of the Phase 1 combination experience of idelalisib with anti-CD20 antibodies.

BACKGROUND:IMO-2055 is a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist that potentially enhances the efficacy of antitumor agents through immune stimulation. The objective of this phase Ib dose-escalation trial (3 + 3 design) was to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of IMO-2055 when combined with erlotinib and bevacizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).METHODS:Patients with stage 3/4 NSCLC and progressive disease (PD) following chemotherapy received IMO-2055 0.08, 0.16, 0.32, or 0.48 mg/kg once weekly plus erlotinib 150 mg daily and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Patients could receive treatment until PD or unacceptable toxicity.RESULTS:Thirty-six patients were enrolled; 35 received at least one treatment dose. Two dose-limiting toxicities were observed across the dose range (Grade 3 dehydration and fatigue) with neither suggestive of a consistent toxicity pattern. IMO-2055 0.32 mg/kg was adopted as RP2D based on clinical and pharmacodynamic data. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were diarrhea (74 %), nausea (51 %), fatigue (51 %), rash (51 %), and injection-site reactions (49 %). Four patients experienced serious TEAEs considered to be study drug related. Five patients died, all due to PD. High-grade neutropenia and electrolyte disturbances previously reported with TLR9 agonists combined with platinum-based therapy were not observed in this study. Five of 33 patients evaluable for response (15 %) achieved partial response; another 20 (61 %) had stable disease, including 13 with stable disease ≥4 months.CONCLUSIONS:IMO-2055 demonstrated good tolerability and possible antitumor activity in combination with erlotinib and bevacizumab in heavily pretreated patients with advanced NSCLC.