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We are reporting from the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting!

We are been highlighting some of the top news presented each day during the meeting—and soon we’ll speak with Dr. Loretta Nastoupil on some exciting non-Hodgkin lymphoma studies, Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos on the latest in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Dr. Michael Pulsipher on some intriguing pediatric cancer research.

Welcome to OncLive News Network! I’m Gina Mauro.

Updated results from the phase 2 GRIFFIN trial showed that the combination of daratumumab, lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone continued to demonstrate deep and durable responses, including stringent complete response and minimal residual disease negativity, in patients with transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

In the phase 2 HOVON 143 trial, intermediate-fit patients with multiple myeloma were found to benefit from ixazomib, daratumumab, and dexamethasone. However, treatment discontinuation due to toxicity does remain a concern with this combination.

In light chain amyloidosis, an 18-month analysis of the phase 3 ANDROMEDA study showed that subcutaneous daratumumab with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone demonstrate sustained clinical benefits vs VCd alone in terms of hematologic and organ responses with longer follow-up. However, many patients in the D-VCd arm received single-agent daratumumab monotherapy following 6 cycles of D-VCd, and patients in the VCd group stopped study treatment.

MRD guided time-limited treatment with ibrutinib and venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia who have undetectable MRD is feasible and demonstrates a favorable benefit-risk profile, according to a primary analysis from the phase 2 VISION HO141 trial.

Also in CLL, the all-oral, once-daily, fixed-duration combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax demonstrated superior undetectable MRD responses that were deeper and better sustained post-treatment vs chlorambucil/obinutuzumab in elderly or unfit patient with previously untreated disease, as seen in the phase 3 GLOW study.

Please be sure to check out more of our coverage from the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting at OncLive.com.

That’s all for today. Tomorrow, we will sit down virtually with Dr. Nina Shah, who will unpack pivotal results in multiple myeloma.

Thank you for watching OncLive News Network: On Location, I’m Gina Mauro.

Videos

OncLive speaks with Dr. Loretta Nastoupil on some exciting non-Hodgkin lymphoma studies and Dr. Michael Pulsipher on some intriguing pediatric cancer research. 

Pivotal Data in NHL and Pediatric Cancers at ASH 2021: Insight From Drs. Loretta Nastoupil and Michael Pulsipher

Michael Pulsipher, MD, section head, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, professor of pediatrics, USC Keck School of Medicine, discusses the role of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing in pediatric patients treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.

In pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treatment with the CD-19 targeted CAR T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) demonstrated sustained rates of relapse-free survival and overall survival at 24 months, according to updated data presented at the 2018 ASH Annual Meeting. Based on an exploratory analysis from this study, Pulsipher adds, researchers might have an earlier idea of which patients will derive the most benefit from CAR T cells.

MRD testing was performed after the 28-day cycle of CAR T-cell therapy. Results showed that patients who demonstrated what was defined as an MRD-negative remission had a progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 80% that stretched into the 2-year follow-up range. On the other hand, Pulsipher says, patients who demonstrated MRD positivity had a 2-year PFS rate of 30%.

Michael Pulsipher, MD, director of cellular therapy and stem cell transplantation, professor of pediatrics, USC Keck School of Medicine, discusses the role of MRD testing in pediatric patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy.

Michael Pulsipher, MD

Articles

Pivotal Data in NHL and Pediatric Cancers at ASH 2021: Insight From Drs. Loretta Nastoupil and Michael Pulsipher

Dr. Pulsipher on MRD in Pediatric Patients Treated With CAR T Cells