Introduction

In the Phase 3 ZUMA-7 study (NCT03391466), axi-cel, an autologous anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, showed superior event-free survival (EFS; Locke FL, et al. NEJM 2022), response rate, and overall survival (OS) vs standard of care (Westin JR, et al. NEJM 2023) in transplant-intended R/R LBCL. Axi-cel is approved in many countries for R/R LBCL within 12 mo after first-line therapy. A Phase 2 trial (ALYCANTE; NCT04531046) additionally demonstrated high response and durable remissions in transplant-ineligible pts (Houot R, et al. Nat Med 2023). In the real world, pts receiving second-line (2L) axi-cel may have a broader range of pt and/or disease characteristics that would have precluded eligibility in these trials. This study evaluated early real-world effectiveness and safety outcomes of US pts who received axi-cel as a 2L treatment of R/R LBCL.

Methods

Adult pts with R/R LBCL who received commercial axi-cel in 2L between Apr 2022-July 2023 in the US and enrolled in the CIBMTR® data registry were included. Descriptive statistics summarized baseline pt characteristics and post-infusion outcomes in the overall population, by ZUMA-7 eligibility (adapted to data available in CIBMTR), and in pts with PMBCL. When sufficient data were available, 12-mo data were reported; otherwise, 6-mo data were reported.

Results

Across 89 centers, 446 pts received axi-cel (DLBCL, 78%; PMBCL, 3%; high grade B-cell lymphoma, 18%; follicular lymphoma grade IIIB, 1%). Median age at infusion was 63.9 y (range, 19.5-86.0; 47% ≥65 y); 64% of pts were male; 97% had ECOG 0 or 1; 72% were non-Hispanic White, 12% were Hispanic, 6% were non-Hispanic Asian, and 5% were non-Hispanic Black. Most had ≥1 clinically significant comorbidity (71%; Sorror ML, et al. Blood 2005). Prior to infusion, 48% had elevated lactate dehydrogenase and 25% had complete response (CR) as best response to last line of therapy prior to leukapheresis. Median vein-to-vein time was 29 days (IQR, 27-35). Most received bridging therapy (66%; systemic, 53%; radiation, 16%). Lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimens were mostly cyclophosphamide plus fludarabine (75%) or bendamustine (22%). Half (52%) would have been ineligible for ZUMA-7, mainly due to organ impairment (34%) and prior malignancy (16%).

Among all pts, at a median follow-up of 12.0 mo, objective response rate (ORR) was 79% (95% CI, 75-82), with a CR rate of 64% (95% CI, 60-69). The 12-mo rate (95% CI) of duration of response (DOR) was 66% (59-71), progression-free survival (PFS) was 53% (48-58), EFS was 53% (48-58), and OS was 71% (66-76). Any-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were reported in 87% (Grade [Gr] ≥3, 5%) and 50% (Gr ≥3, 22%), respectively. To treat pts with any CRS and/or ICANS (n=398, 89%), tocilizumab, corticosteroids, and anakinra were given to 80%, 65%, and 18%, respectively. Median duration of CRS and ICANS was 5 days (IQR, 4-7) and 6 days (IQR, 3-10), respectively. Prolonged cytopenias (by Day 30; n=440) were reported in 16% of pts (neutropenia, 7%; thrombocytopenia, 11%); infections were reported in 44%. Cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality at 6 mo was 4%.

When assessed by ZUMA-7 eligibility, ORRs (95% CI) in ineligible pts (n=219; excluding pts with PMBCL) and eligible or unknown pts (n=214) were 79% (72-84) and 79% (73-85), respectively, with CR rates of 63% (56-69) and 65% (58-72). The 12-mo rates (95% CI) of DOR in ZUMA-7 ineligible and eligible or unknown pts were 60% (50-68) and 69% (60-77), PFS was 48% (40-55) and 58% (51-65), EFS was 48% (40-55) and 58% (50-64), and OS was 62% (53-69) and 80% (73-85), respectively. Incidence of any-grade CRS was 88% in ZUMA-7 ineligible pts and 87% in ZUMA-7 eligible or unknown pts.

Among 13 pts with PMBCL, ORR was 69% (95% CI, 39-91); all with CR. The 6-mo rates (95% CI) of DOR, PFS, EFS, and OS were 100%, 68% (36-87), 68% (36-87), and 100%, respectively. Incidence of any-grade CRS and ICANS was 85% (Gr ≥3, 0%) and 54% (Gr ≥3, 9%), respectively. Prolonged cytopenias were reported in 8% of pts. Incidence of infections was 38%.

Conclusions

This is the largest real-world analysis of pts with R/R LBCL who received 2L commercial axi-cel. Despite a broader pt population beyond the ZUMA-7 and ALYCANTE trials, outcomes at median follow-up of 12 mo were consistent with those observed in ZUMA-7.

DCL, SK, and MSOB contributed equally.

Disclosures

Kambhampati:ADC-Therapeutics: Research Funding; Ipsen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genmab: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Genentech: Research Funding. Adedokun:Amgen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Travel support; Kite, a Gilead Company: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Travel support. Shadman:BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics: Consultancy; Mustang Bio, Genentech, AbbVie/Pharmacyclics, Beigene, AstraZeneca, Genmab, Morphosys/Incyte, Vincerx, BMS, TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Koi Biotherapeutics: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; AbbVie/Pharmacyclics, Genentech, AstraZeneca, Genmab, Janssen, Beigene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Morphosys/Incyte, Kite Pharma, Eli Lilly, Fate Therapeutics, Nurix, Merck, ADC Therapeutics, MEI Pharma, MustangBio, Regeneron: Consultancy; BMS: Other: Current employment of spouse; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptimmune: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Atara Biotherapeutic: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Lilly: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy; MEI Pharma: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; MorphoSys/Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Mustang Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Regeneron: Consultancy; Sound Biologics: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding. Herrera:AbbVie: Consultancy; Genmab: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; KiTE Pharma: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Regeneron: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Adicet Bio: Consultancy; Caribou Biosciences: Consultancy; Allogene Therapeutics: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tubulis: Consultancy. Lee:ScientiaCME: Consultancy; Aptitude Health: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; SEI: Consultancy. Jacobson:Miltenyi: Consultancy; Instil Bio: Consultancy; ImmPACT Bio: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene: Consultancy; Ipsen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Caribou Biosciences: Consultancy; Synthekine: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abintus Bio: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy. Hamadani:Sanofi Genzyme: Speakers Bureau; Byondis: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Forte Biosciences: Consultancy; Autolus: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; Genmab: Consultancy; Caribou: Consultancy; Allovir: Consultancy; CRISPR: Consultancy; Omeros: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Myeloid Therapeutics: Speakers Bureau; BeiGene: Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Speakers Bureau; CRISPR: Speakers Bureau; DMC, Inc: Speakers Bureau; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Dahiya:Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Kite-Pharma-Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy. Hu:Kite, a Gilead Company: Current Employment; Gilead Sciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Speth:Kite, a Gilead Company: Current Employment, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. To:Kite, a Gilead Company: Current Employment; Gilead Sciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Mirjah:Kite, a Gilead company: Current Employment; Gilead Sciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Best:Kite, a Gilead Company: Current Employment; BMS: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Gilead Sciences: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Locke:Legend Biotech: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Calibr: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Wugen: Consultancy; Aptitude Health: Honoraria; BioPharma: Honoraria; Moffit Cancer Center: Patents & Royalties: cellular immunotherapy; Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG): Consultancy; Caribou: Consultancy; A2: Consultancy; Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer: Honoraria; iMedX: Honoraria; Clinical Care Options Oncology: Honoraria; Communications CARE Education: Honoraria; Gilead Company: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Iovance: Consultancy; GammaDelta Therapeutics: Consultancy; Emerging Therapy Solutions Gerson Lehman Group: Consultancy; ecoR1: Consultancy; 2SeventyBio: Research Funding; Umoja: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Allogene: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; ASH: Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Aptitude Health: Honoraria; CERo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Sana: Consultancy; Cowen: Consultancy; Cellular Biomedicine Group: Consultancy; National Cancer Institute: Research Funding; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research: Research Funding. Ahmed:Kite, a Gilead Company: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Tees:Juno: Research Funding; Allogene: Research Funding; Merck&Co./Arqule: Research Funding; NKarta: Research Funding; Kite: Research Funding; Syneos: Research Funding; Nurix: Research Funding; 2seventy: Research Funding; STEP: Research Funding; Accutar: Research Funding; Cargo: Research Funding. Pasquini:Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Honoraria, Research Funding. Ahmed:Merck: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Nektar: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Xencor: Research Funding.

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