Immunomodulation therapy with lenalidomide in follicular, transformed and diffuse large B cell lymphoma: current data on safety and efficacy

The progress of novel strategies on immune-based therapy in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be cured with standard front-line immunochemotherapy, whereas nearly 30-40% of patients experience refractory or relapse. For several decades, the standard treatment strategy for fit relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL patients has been high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-SCT). However, the patients who failed in salvage treatment or those ineligible for subsequent auto-SCT have dismal outcomes. Several immune-based therapies have been developed, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and novel small molecules. Meanwhile, allogeneic SCT and radiotherapy are still necessary for disease control for fit patients with certain conditions. In this review, to expand clinical treatment options, we summarize the recent progress of immune-related therapies and prospect the future indirections in patients with R/R DLBCL.

Lenalidomide for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Although a variety of therapeutic schemes for Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) have been attempted, the clinical outcome of patients continues to be unsatisfactory especially among patients with a very high-risk profile and in the relapsed/refractory setting. For this reason, recent clinical trials have explored novel approaches, either by the use of biological agents in chemotherapy-free schedules or by integrating them with chemoimmunotherapy regimens. Areas covered: The efficacy of lenalidomide monotherapy and combination therapy established in clinical studies mainly involving relapsed/refractory MCL is reviewed. The mechanism of action of lenalidomide is also discussed. Furthermore, the current position of lenalidomide in the MCL treatment algorithm is debated. Expert opinion: Lenalidomide demonstrated high efficacy and tolerability in several clinical trials as well as in retrospective real-world reports, even in patients who relapsed or were resistant to bortezomib and ibrutinib. In 2013, lenalidomide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for relapsed/refractory MCL after two prior therapies including at least one prior treatment with bortezomib. However, the potential synergistic anti-neoplastic effects of lenalidomide in combination with other biological agents, i.e. ibrutinib and venetoclax, especially in the management of p53-mutated cases, still remain an open issue.

Toxicity Management: Development of a Novel and Immune-Mediated Adverse Events Algorithm

BACKGROUND

Novel immunotherapy and biologic agents are being developed with the potential to improve outcomes and reduce long-term toxicities among individuals with hematologic malignancies. These emerging drugs affect neoplastic cells and the surrounding microenvironment, causing unique immune-mediated toxicities.
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OBJECTIVES

The aim was to develop an algorithm for clinical staff to manage unique toxicities associated with next-generation immunotherapies indicated in the hematologic population, using a system-focused approach.
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METHODS

Data were collected using specific toxicities based on the four major novel biologic classes. Immune-mediated adverse events were reported across studies. Based on published literature, institutional experience, and group consensus, a novel algorithm for managing immune-mediated toxicities was created.
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FINDINGS

The development of this treatment algorithm provides a more streamlined approach for managing common but unique toxicities and improves safety, compliance, patient outcome, and quality of life with novel immuno-oncologic agents.

JAM-A overexpression is related to disease progression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and downregulated by lenalidomide

Cancer stem cells play an important role on tumor progression. Biomarkers of stem cell property and their relationship to extranodal involvement of malignant lymphocytes are undefined in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here we showed that junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) was highly expressed in DLBCL patients with multiple extranodal lesions. JAM-A maintained B-lymphoma cell stemness and was associated with cell invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition both in vitro and in vivo. As mechanism of action, JAM-A overexpression selectively activated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/NODAL signaling, thereby enhanced B-lymphoma cell aggressiveness and induced extranodal involvement to mesoendoderm-derived organs in DLBCL. Lenalidomide downregulated JAM-A and downstream NODAL expression, resulting in inhibition of B-lymphoma cell invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In a murine xenograft model established with subcutaneous injection of JAM-A-overexpressing B-lymphoma cells, lenalidomide retarded tumor growth and prevented cell invasion to mesoendoderm-derived organs, consistent with the downregulation of JAM-A and NODAL expression. Collectively, these findings indicated that JAM-A was related to extranodal involvement in DLBCL through modulating TGF-β/NODAL signaling. Identified as a biomarker of stem cell property, JAM-A indicated the sensitivity of B-lymphoma cells to lenalidomide. Therapeutic targeting of JAM-A/NODAL axis could thus be a promising clinical strategy to impede tumor progression in DLBCL.

Lenalidomide for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Although the combination of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy has widely improved survival of patients with B-cell lymphoma, the disease still relapses. A better understanding of the biology of lymphomas has highlighted the role of the cell of origin in response to treatment and outcome. Lenalidomide represents an attractive therapeutic option due to its original mechanism of action.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors describe the pharmacological properties of lenalidomide, and the rational for its use in B-cell lymphomas; focusing on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). They discuss the mechanism of action of the drug and its current and future clinical development. They also review the current data in relapsed/refractory situations as well as in first-line treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Lenalidomide is an oral non-chemotherapy immunomodulatory agent with an acceptable toxicity profile and manageable side-effects. Efficacy has widely been demonstrated, especially in MCL, FL and non-Germinal Center DLBCL patients. Further studies are now warranted to better define the strategy for the use of lenalidomide in B-NHL patients, and clarify which subgroup of patients will really benefit of lenalidomide as part of first-line treatment or in a relapsed/refractory setting.

Role of IgG4 serology in identifying common orbital lymphoproliferative disorders

AIM

To explore the role of IgG4 serology in identifying common orbital lymphoproliferative disorders.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with orbital lymphoproliferative diseases were treated in the Department of Ocular Oncology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University between September 2010 and December 2012. Serum IgG4 levels were measured in 46 cases of idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor (IOIP), 17 benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLEL), 12 cases of orbital mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and 6 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) using immuno-scatter turbidmetry (ISTM).

RESULTS

The frequency of elevated IgG4 levels in patients with IOIP, BLEL, MALT, and DLBL was 30.43% (14/46), 76.47% (13/17), 8.33% (1/12), and 0.00 (0/6), respectively. Among the patients with elevated serum IgG4 levels, all IgG-IOIP patients were male, and 92.31% of the IgG4-BLEL patients were female (12/13). The mean serum IgG4 level of IgG4-IOIP patients was lower than that of individuals with IgG4-BLEL, but the variation in serum IgG4 levels was larger in IgG4-IOIP than IgG4-BLEL patients. Only one case of IgG4-MALT with elevated serum IgG4 levels had a medical history >10y, which was significantly longer than the MALT patients with normal serum IgG4 levels. There was no significant elevation of serum IgG4 levels in patients with DLBL.

CONCLUSION

Detecting serum IgG4 levels plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of orbital lymphoproliferative diseases.

Rational combination therapies targeting survival signaling in aggressive B-cell leukemia/lymphoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The identification of oncogenic 'driver' mutations and activated survival pathways in selected aggressive B-cell malignancies directs the development of novel adjunctive therapies using targeted small molecule inhibitors. With a focus on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 'not otherwise specified', Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this review will provide an up-to-date account of the current literature on the development of new molecularly targeted treatment modalities for aggressive B-cell malignancies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Subclassification of B-cell malignancies depending on their particular genetic 'driver' lesions and transcriptional and/or signaling signatures has led to the development of targeted therapeutic approaches using small molecule inhibitors to amend current combination chemotherapy.

SUMMARY

Treatment outcome with current combination chemotherapy is still poor for subsets of aggressive B-cell malignancies, and demands development of targeted therapeutic approaches. Advanced gene expression profiling and genomic sequencing have revealed a more detailed landscape of recurrent alterations, allowing a better subclassification of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias. Many alterations directly or indirectly lead to activation of survival signaling pathways and expression of key oncoproteins and prosurvival molecules, including Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCLl-2). Small molecule inhibitors targeting these proteins and pathways are currently being tested in clinical trials and preclinically to improve chemotherapeutic regimes and treatment outcomes.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Elderly: A Matched Case-Control Analysis

Background

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the elderly has rarely been reported. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of this entity.

Methods

In situ hybridization (ISH) analysis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and immunohistochemistry was performed in 230 tumor specimens from consecutive de novo DLBCL patients over 50 years old. A matched-case control analysis (1:3) was utilized to compare EBV-positive and EBV-negative DLBCL in the elderly.

Results

A total of 16 patients (7.0%) were diagnosed with EBV-positive DLBCL. Of these 16 cases, the median age was 62 years, with a male to female ratio of 11:5. Elderly EBV-positive DLBCL patients had a higher incidence of non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtypes (87.5%) and high Ki67 (75%) and CD30 expression (93.8%). For EBV-positive patients undergoing initial chemotherapy, 7 of 16 (43.8%) had complete remission, 2 (12.5%) had partial remission, 2 (12.5%) had stable disease, and 5 (31.3%) had progressive disease. The median overall survival was 9 months for the EBV-positive patients. A matched-case control analysis suggested that EBV-positive patients had inferior survival outcomes compared with EBV-negative patients (3-year progression-free survival [PFS]: 25% vs. 76.7%, respectively; 3-year overall survival [OS]: 25% vs. 77.4%, respectively; P<0.001).

Conclusion

EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly is associated with an inferior clinical course and inferior survival outcomes. The role of EBV in this disease and the optimal management of this subgroup warrants further investigation.

A phase 1 study of the bispecific anti-CD30/CD16A antibody construct AFM13 in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

AFM13 is a bispecific, tetravalent chimeric antibody construct (TandAb) designed for the treatment of CD30-expressing malignancies. AFM13 recruits natural killer (NK) cells via binding to CD16A as immune effector cells. In this phase 1 dose-escalation study, 28 patients with heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma received AFM13 at doses of 0.01 to 7 mg/kg body weight. Primary objectives were safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics, antitumor activity, and pharmacodynamics. Adverse events were generally mild to moderate. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Pharmacokinetics assessment revealed a half-life of up to 19 hours. Three of 26 evaluable patients achieved partial remission (11.5%) and 13 patients achieved stable disease (50%), with an overall disease control rate of 61.5%. AFM13 was also active in brentuximab vedotin-refractory patients. In 13 patients who received doses of ≥1.5 mg/kg AFM13, the overall response rate was 23% and the disease control rate was 77%. AFM13 treatment resulted in a significant NK-cell activation and a decrease of soluble CD30 in peripheral blood. In conclusion, AFM13 represents a well-tolerated, safe, and active targeted immunotherapy of Hodgkin lymphoma. A phase 2 study is currently planned to optimize the dosing schedule in order to further improve the therapeutic efficacy. This phase 1 study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01221571.

Constitutive AKT activation in follicular lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K) pathway is involved in the growth of various human cancers, including lymphoid malignancies. However its role in the pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma (FL) has not been yet described.

METHODS

To clarify this point, biopsy tissue samples from 38 human FL cases were investigated for PIK3CA somatic mutations in exon 9 and 20 using direct sequencing. The same samples were analyzed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry to detect expression of AKT, phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), and PTEN proteins. Two cases of benign lymphadenitis were used as controls.

RESULTS

AKT expression was present in all FL and lymphadenitis cases. 14/38 (37%) FL and 2/2 lymphadenitis cases expressed pAKT. 9/38 (24%) FL samples showed high level of pAKT, whereas 5/38 (13%) FL cases and 2/2 benign lymphadenitis samples expressed low level of pAKT. PTEN expression was observed in 30/38 (79%) FL and 2/2 benign lymphadenitis cases, whereas 8/38 (21%) FL cases showed loss of PTEN expression. 3 cases with positive pAKT did not express PTEN. PIK3CA mutations were not detected in any sample.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway could be activated in a subset of FL cases, due to either AKT phosphorylation or PTEN downregulation, in the absence of PIK3CA mutations.

Primary effusion lymphoma in an elderly patient effectively treated by lenalidomide: case report and review of literature

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare aggressive subset of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. It is caused by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus type 8 (KSHV/HHV8). It occurs mainly, but not exclusively, in HIV-positive patients. PEL predominantly develops in serous cavities and occasionally in extracavitary regions. PEL carries a very poor prognosis with a median survival time of <6 months. Indeed, currently used treatment modalities such as CHOP chemotherapy are far from achieving complete and sustainable remission. Therefore, there is no clear standard of care established in the treatment of PEL patients, stressing the need for novel-targeted approaches. Here, we have attempted a comprehensive assessment of the treatment of PEL, discussed avant-garde therapies and updated the state of preclinical research with promising clinical applications in the field. These include inhibitors of viral replication, modulators of cell signaling and inflammation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and histone deacetylase inhibitors, and recently the combination of arsenic trioxide and interferon-alpha. Some of these targeted therapies have not yet reached clinical studies, although others were used in a few individual case reports with low numbers of patients. We also describe the first case of a 77-year-old, HIV-negative, HHV8-positive patient diagnosed with PEL limited to the pleural and peritoneal cavities. He received lenalidomide 25 mg/day for 21 days every 28 days. Treatment was well tolerated with no side effects. He rapidly improved after 1 month of treatment and progressively achieved complete remission persistent after 18 months of therapy. We believe that this review will bridge an important gap between classical chemotherapy and modern approaches of targeted therapy. Finally, our findings warrant further evaluation of lenalidomide in future prospective clinical studies.