PS1066 AXICABTAGENE CILOLEUCEL (AXI‐CEL) IN REFRACTORY LARGE B CELL LYMPHOMA: OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS ≥ OR &lt; 65 YEARS OF AGE IN THE PIVOTAL PHASE 1/2 ZUMA‐1 STUDY
Authors: S.S. Neelapu, C.A. Jacobson, O.O. Oluwole, J. Munoz, A. Deol, D.B. Miklos, N.L. Bartlett, I. Braunschweig, Y. Jiang, J.J. Kim, L. Zheng, J.M. Rossi, F.L. Locke
Journal: HemaSphere (2019)

Background: Axi‐cel is an autologous anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy approved in the European Union and United States for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory large B cell lymphoma with ≥ 2 prior systemic therapies. In the 2‐year follow‐up of ZUMA‐1, the objective response rate was 83%, with a complete response rate of 58%, and 39% of patients were in ongoing response (Locke et al. Lancet Oncol . 2019). Aims: To assess efficacy and safety outcomes of axi‐cel in patients ≥ or &lt;65 years of age from ZUMA‐1. Methods: Eligible patients with refractory large B cell lymphoma underwent leukapheresis and conditioning chemotherapy followed by a target dose of 2 × 10 6 anti‐CD19 CAR T cells/kg. The Phase 2 primary endpoint was investigator‐assessed objective response rate. Additional key endpoints were adverse events, overall survival, and levels of CAR gene‐marked cells in peripheral blood. Efficacy was evaluated for Phase 2 patients; safety was evaluated for all treated patients (Phases 1 and 2). Patients were analyzed by age ≥ 65 years vs &lt;65 years. Results: As of August 11, 2018, 108 patients were treated. Patients ≥ 65 years (n = 27) vs &lt;65 years (n = 81) had a median age of 69 years vs 55 years, respectively, and were 81% vs 63% male; 70% vs 36% had an International Prognostic Index score of 3–4, 59% vs 57% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1, 67% vs 72% had ≥ 3 prior therapies, and median tumor burdens were 3790 mm 2 vs 3574 mm 2 . Median follow‐up was 27.1 months for Phase 2 patients (n = 101). The objective response rate for patients ≥ 65 years (n = 24) and &lt;65 years (n = 77) was 92% and 81% (complete response rate, 75% and 53%), respectively, with ongoing responses in 42% and 38% of patients (ongoing complete response, 42% and 35%). The 24‐month overall survival rate was 54% for patients ≥ 65 years and 49% for patients &lt;65 years. Most patients experienced Grade ≥ 3 adverse events (100% of patients ≥ 65 years; 98% of patients &lt;65 years), and 4% of each group (1/27 patients ≥ 65 years and 3/81 patients &lt;65 years) died due to adverse events as previously reported. Grade ≥ 3 neurologic events and cytokine release syndrome occurred in 44% vs 28% and 7% vs 12% of patients ≥ 65 years vs &lt;65 years, respectively. CAR T cell expansion by peak level (43 vs 35 cells/μL) or area under the curve (562 vs 448 days × cells/μL) was similar in patients ≥ 65 years vs &lt;65 years, respectively. Summary/Conclusion: The 2‐year follow‐up of ZUMA‐1 demonstrates that axi‐cel can induce high rates of durable responses with a manageable safety profile for patients ≥ and &lt;65 years. Axi‐cel offers substantial clinical benefit for older patients with refractory large B cell lymphoma who otherwise have limited treatment options.