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91 Rituximab, Lenalidomide, and Zanubrutinib (ZR2) with Sequential CAR-T Cell As First-Line Therapy for High-Risk Large B Cell Lymphoma

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts
Type: Oral
Session: 704. Cellular Immunotherapies: Early Phase Clinical Trials and Toxicities: CAR-T Cell Therapies for Lymphomas and ALL: New Strategies and Toxicities
Hematology Disease Topics & Pathways:
Research, Clinical trials, Lymphomas, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Clinical Research, Diseases, Lymphoid Malignancies
Saturday, December 7, 2024: 9:30 AM

Mingming Zhang1*, Yongxian Hu1*, Guoqing Wei1*, Shan Fu1*, Jingjing Feng1*, Ruimin Hong1*, Alex H. Chang, Ph.D2,3* and He Huang4*

1Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
2Shanghai YaKe Biotechnology Ltd., Shanghai, China
3Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, Shanghai, China
4Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

Introduction

CAR-T cell therapy has made a breakthrough in refractory or relapsed large b cell lymphoma (LBCL), but data as a first-line therapy is still scarce. ZUMA-12 study showed significant efficacy of CAR-T cell as first-line therapy for high-risk LBCL. However, some patients have difficulty tolerating chemotherapy prior to CAR-T cell therapy, especially elderly and frail patients. Here we report the results of rituximab, lenalidomide, and zanubrutinib (ZR2) with sequential CAR-T cell as first-line therapy for high-risk LBCL.

Methods

We conducted a single-group trial of first-line therapy in adults with newly diagnosed high-risk LBCL. High risk LBCL included high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations, HGBL not otherwise specified, and DLBCL not otherwise specified with an IPI score of ≥3. Patients received two cycles of ZR2 (rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenous once on day 1, lenalidomide 25 mg once per day on days 1-21, and zanubrutinib 160 mg twice daily continuously of each 28-day cycle), and those with efficacy assessment of partial response or stable disease received sequential CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. The primary endpoint was complete remission (CR) rate after CAR-T cell therapy. Here we report initial results from this study.

Results

At the cut-off date of 31 June 2024, 23 patients were enrolled. The median age was 68.5 (range 50-84) years old. All the 23 patients finished 2 cycles of ZR2 which was well tolerated. Among them, 18 patients have received sequential CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. During CAR-T cell therapies, only 5 grade 1 cytokine release syndrome was observed, and no grade 2 or higher cytokine release syndrome or Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome was observed. The most common adverse events were hematological, which were thought to be associated with lymphodepleting chemotherapy and recovered in a short time without blood transfusion. After CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, 17/18 (94.4%) patients achieved CR. One patient with stable disease after CAR-T cell therapy received several lines of salvage chemotherapy, and finally achieved CR. After a median follow-up of 24 months, 2 patients experienced disease relapse at 6 and 16 months after CAR-T cell therapy, respectively. Both 2 patients received chemotherapy of RCHOP, and achieved CR again. As of date cut-off, all the 18 patients after CAR-T cell therapy remained in CR. The overall survival rate was 100% and the progression free survival rate at 1 year was 85.7%.

Conclusions

ZR2 with sequential CAR-T cell therapy has enabled chemo-free treatment in newly diagnosed high-risk LBCL. This treatment is characterized by high CR rate, high long-term survival, and low toxicity.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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