Brentuximab vedotin in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Safety and efficacy results from the safety run-in period of the phase 3 ECHELON-3 study.
Authors: Bartlett Nancy L. , Yasenchak Christopher A. , Ashraf Khaleel K. , Harwin William N. , Orcutt James Michael , Kuriakose Philip , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Mamidipalli Adrija , Fenton Keenan , Glenn Consuelo , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. 
Published: June 2022

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Background: Patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who relapse after or are ineligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy generally have poor outcomes. Preclinical data provide the rationale for combining brentuximab vedotin (BV), lenalidomide (len), and rituximab for the treatment of R/R DLBCL. BV+len showed promising clinical activity in a Phase 1 trial with a 57% overall response rate (ORR), 10.2-month median progression-free survival, and 14.3-month overall survival (Ward 2021). We report the results of the open-label safety run-in that was conducted prior to the randomized portion of the study. Methods: ECHELON-3 (NCT04404283) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active-comparator, multicenter Phase 3 study. Prior to randomization, an open-label safety run-in was conducted; pts received BV (1.2 mg/kg) and rituximab (375 mg/m2) both q3w, and len 20 mg qd. Pts must have received ≥2 prior lines of therapy and be previously treated with or were ineligible for HSCT or CAR-T, ECOG score ≤2, and PET-avid, bidimensional measurable disease ( > 1.5 cm by CT). Pts with negligible CD30 expression ( < 1%) were eligible. Response was assessed by the investigator according to the Lugano Classification Revised Staging System (Cheson 2014). Results: 10 pts with R/R DLBCL were enrolled. Median age was 70.5 years, 7 pts were male, and all had an ECOG ≤1. Median prior lines of therapy was 3 (range, 2 to 6); no pts received prior HSCT and 6 pts received prior CAR-T. At a median follow-up of 6.9 months (range, 2.3 to 14.1), the most common treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) were fatigue (n = 5), anemia (n = 4) and constipation (n = 4). Grade ≥3 events were experienced by 8 pts, most commonly anemia and pneumonia (n = 3 each), and neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (n = 2 each). Serious adverse events were observed in 7 pts. Seven pts each had BV and rituximab dose modifications, and 6 pts had a len dose modification. The most common reasons for any dose modification were anemia (n = 3), neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, or pneumonia (n = 2 each). 4 pts discontinued treatment due to an AE, 2 of which were treatment related (n = 1 each of Grade 2 fatigue; Grade 3 anemia). There was 1 death due to a TEAE that was not treatment related. The ORR (best response) was 70%, including 4 pts with a complete metabolic response, 2 pts with a partial metabolic response, and 3 pts with progressive disease. Responses were seen in both CD30 (+) and (-) pts, as well as in 4 pts who received prior CAR-T. Conclusions: This novel triplet regimen appears active in R/R DLBCL with an acceptable safety profile. The randomized portion of the study is currently enrolling. Clinical trial information: NCT04404283.