1.
Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab after autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for adult patients with high-risk classic Hodgkin lymphoma: a multicentre, phase 2 trial
Herrera, A. F., Chen, L., Nieto, Y., Holmberg, L., Johnston, P., Mei, M., Popplewell, L., Armenian, S., Cao, T., Farol, L., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND After autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), consolidation with brentuximab vedotin in patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma has been shown to improve progression-free survival compared with placebo. Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab is a safe and effective treatment for relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the safety and activity of this drug combination post-autologous HSCT consolidation in patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS We did a multicentre phase 2 trial at five centres in the USA. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma, had an ECOG performance status of 0-2, and had adequate organ and bone marrow function. Enrolled patients received brentuximab vedotin (1·8 mg/kg) and nivolumab (3 mg/kg) intravenously starting 30-60 days after autologous HSCT on day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles. Nivolumab dose reduction was not allowed. Brentuximab vedotin dose reduction to 1·2 mg/kg was permitted. If one drug was discontinued because of a toxic effect, the other could be continued. The primary endpoint was 18-month progression-free survival in all treated patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03057795. FINDINGS Between May 3, 2017, and July 13, 2019, 59 patients were enrolled and received the study therapy. Patients initiated brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT and received a median of 8 cycles (8-8). 34 (58%) of 59 patients were male, 29 (49%) completed 8 cycles of brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab, and 45 (76%) completed 8 cycles of at least one drug. The median follow-up time was 29·9 months (IQR 24·6-34·8). The 18-month progression-free survival in all 59 patients was 94% (95% CI 84-98). The most common adverse events were sensory peripheral neuropathy (31 [53%] of 59) and neutropenia (25 [42%]), and immune-related adverse events requiring corticosteroids occurred in 17 (29%) of 59 patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed. INTERPRETATION Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab was highly active post-autologous HSCT consolidation for patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma, most of whom had previous exposure to either brentuximab vedotin or PD-1 blockade. Combination immunotherapy in this setting should be further studied in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma with further refinement of the regimen to mitigate toxic effects, particularly in high-risk patients in whom more intensive therapy to prevent relapse is warranted. FUNDING Bristol Myers Squibb, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with high-risk relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma from five centres in the USA (n=59)
Intervention
Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT
Comparison
None
Outcome
Patients initiated brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT and received a median of 8 cycles (8-8). 34 (58%) of 59 patients were male, 29 (49%) completed 8 cycles of brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab, and 45 (76%) completed 8 cycles of at least one drug. The median follow-up time was 29·9 months (IQR 24·6-34·8). The 18-month progression-free survival in all 59 patients was 94% (95% CI 84-98). The most common adverse events were sensory peripheral neuropathy (31 [53%] of 59) and neutropenia (25 [42%]), and immune-related adverse events requiring corticosteroids occurred in 17 (29%) of 59 patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed.
2.
Provisional Title: Safety Analysis of Brentuximab Vedotin From the Phase 3 AETHERA Trial in Hodgkin Lymphoma in the Posttransplant Consolidation Setting
Nademanee, A., Sureda, A., Stiff, P., Holowiecki, J., Abidi, M., Hunder, N. N., Pecsok, M., Uttarwar, M., Purevjal, I., Sweetenham, J.
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2018
Abstract
The phase 3 AETHERA trial demonstrated brentuximab vedotin's (BV) efficacy as consolidation therapy in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at high risk of relapse or progression following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT; hazard ratio [HR]=0.57; P<0.001). The objective of this analysis is to provide further detail on the most common and clinically important treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in the AETHERA BV arm including their occurrence and management. AEs of clinical importance occurring in patients who participated in AETHERA (BV + best supportive care [BSC], n=165; placebo + BSC, n=164) were evaluated for time to onset, manageability through dose modification, and resolution. As previously reported, peripheral neuropathy (PN; 67%), infections (60%), and neutropenia (35%) were the most common BV-associated TEAEs. Neutropenia was managed with dose delays and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; no dose reductions or discontinuations were required. The majority (57%) of PN cases were managed with dose delays and reductions. The median time to PN onset was 13.7 (range, 0.1-47.4) weeks. After end of treatment, PN continued to resolve; symptom resolution was similar to that in the placebo arm at 3 years, demonstrating reversibility. BV had no significant impact on preexisting PN. Patients with PN-related dose modifications had progression-free survival (PFS) comparable to patients without. Other less common but serious AEs, including pulmonary toxicities, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity, were rare in both arms and managed with BV dose modifications or discontinuations. Secondary malignancies were rare and reported in patients with comorbidities or other risk factors. Consolidation therapy with BV for patients with HL at high risk of relapse after auto-HSCT is associated with sustained PFS. The most common AEs in the BV arm were manageable and reversible. Awareness of these AEs and management approaches will enable healthcare providers and patients to plan the safest and most effective treatment plan.