Study of Venetoclax Plus DA-EPOCH-R for the Treatment of Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas (V+DA-EPOCH-R)

Phase I Study of Venetoclax Plus DA-EPOCH-R for the Treatment of Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas

This is a phase I, open label, single-arm, multi-center, dose-finding study of venetoclax in combination with DA-EPOCH-R in patients with aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma; High Grade B-Cell Lymphoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Venetoclax; Drug: Rituximab; Drug: Etoposide; Drug: Vincristine Sulfate; Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Prednisone; Drug: Doxorubicin Hydrochloride

Detailed Description

This clinical trial is for men and women with aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas which includes:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL),
• B-cell lymphoma unclassifiable with intermediate features between DLBCL and Burkitt Lymphoma (BL),
• High grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL),
• Transformed indolent NHL (TiNHL). The aggressive B-cell lymphomas enrolling on this study have been recognized to have a poor prognosis with the use of conventional chemoimmunotherapy. DA-EPOCH-R is an alternative highly effective chemoimmunotherapy platform for these lymphomas and may serve as an optimal chemotherapy backbone for the incorporation of novel agents such as venetoclax.

The Bcl-2 protein plays a significant role in the regulation of cell death in malignant cells. Overexpression of Bcl-2 family proteins is associated with chemo-resistance of a broad variety of cancers, and BCL2 abnormalities are common in aggressive B-cell Lymphomas. Venetoclax is a highly selective Bcl-2 family protein inhibitor that binds to Bcl-2 family proteins to potentially overcome resistance and enhance responses to therapy. This study has been designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of venetoclax in combination with DA-EPOCH-R.

Subjects will receive venetoclax in conjunction with six 21-day cycles of DA-EPOCH-R. Dosing for DA-EPOCH-R will follow established protocols. Venetoclax will be administered on days 3 through 12 during cycle 1 and days 1 through 10 of each subsequent cycle. Following completion of therapy, subjects will be followed every three months for up to two years. Subjects removed from study due to toxicity will be followed until resolution or stabilization of the toxicity.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 31
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02284
      • Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
  • Missouri
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
      • Washington University School of Medicine
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10065
      • Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Ohio
    • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210
      • Ohio State University Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19111
      • Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • MD Anderson Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• Adults age 18-80 years
• Histologically confirmed, biopsy-proven diagnosis of DLBCL, BCLu, HGBCL, or TiNHL.

Richter's transformation from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is not eligible.

• Subjects with DLBCL, BCLu, HGBCL NOS, or HGBCL with translocations of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6, must have had no prior chemotherapy for lymphoma. Steroids for palliation prior to enrollment are allowed.
• Subjects with TiNHL are eligible if they have received no prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for lymphoma. Steroids, rituximab, and external beam radiation therapy as prior therapy for indolent lymphoma is allowed.
• Ann Arbor stage II-IV disease (Stage I primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma will also be eligible)
• Ability to provide signed Informed Consent Form
• Ability and willingness to comply with the requirements of the study protocol
• Measureable disease (defined as at least 1.5 cm in diameter).
• Adequate organ and bone marrow function:
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at least 1,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3.
• Total bilirubin at most1.5 x the upper limit of the normal range (ULN), except Gilbert's disease
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at most 3 x ULN.
• Calculated creatinine clearance at least 30 mL/min.

Exclusion criteria:

• Known hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs
• History of other malignancy that could affect compliance with the protocol or interpretation of results
• Patients with a history of curatively treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix are generally eligible. Patients with a malignancy that has been treated, but not with curative intent, will also be excluded, unless the malignancy has been in remission without treatment for at least 2 years prior to enrollment.
• Known CNS involvement at diagnosis
• Richter's transformation from CLL
• Evidence of other clinically significant uncontrolled condition(s) including, but not limited to, uncontrolled systemic infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal)
• Major surgery within 3 weeks prior to the start of study treatment
• Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Women who are pregnant or lactating
• Female patients who are not surgically sterile or postmenopausal (for at least 1 year) must practice at least one of the following methods of birth control throughout the duration of study participation and for at least 3 months after study treatment:
• Total abstinence from sexual intercourse
• A vasectomized partner
• Hormonal contraceptives (oral, parenteral, vaginal ring, or transdermal) that started at least 3 months prior to study drug administration
• Double-barrier method (condom plus diaphragm or cervical cup with spermicidal contraceptive sponge, jellies, or cream)
• Non-vasectomized male patients must comply with at least one of the following methods of birth control throughout the duration of study participation and for at least 3 months after study treatment:
• A partner who is surgically sterile or postmenopausal (for at least 1 year) or who is taking hormonal contraceptives (oral, parenteral, vaginal ring, or transdermal) for at least 3 months prior to study drug administration
• Total abstinence from sexual intercourse
• Double-barrier method (condom plus diaphragm or cervical cup with spermicidal, contraceptive sponge, jellies, or cream)
• Malabsorption syndrome or other condition that precludes enteral route of administration
• Known allergy to both xanthine oxidase inhibitors and rasburicase
• Subjects with positive HBV core antibody or surface antigen are eligible as long as they have an undetectable HBV DNA PCR, and receive concurrent antiviral therapy with entecavir, tenofovir, or lamivudine, and continued for a minimum of 6 months after completion of therapy.
• Active hepatitis C (defined as a positive HCV viral load)
• Chronic use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 modulators (inhibitor or inducer) or any other prohibited medications. A washout period of 7 days is required prior to venetoclax dosing if a prohibited medication is discontinued.
• Chronic use of a P-gp inhibitor, or a P-gp substrate with a narrow therapeutic index. A washout period of 7 days is required prior to venetoclax dosing if a prohibited medication is discontinued.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Venetoclax plus DA-EPOCH-R; Venetoclax will be given in conjunction with 6 cycles of DA-EPOCH-R (doxorubicin hydrochloride, etoposide, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, rituximab). The dosing schedule and regimen for DA-EPOCH-R will follow established protocols. Venetoclax will be administered days 1-10 of each 21-day cycle, with the exception of cycle 1, during which venetoclax dose will commence on day 3 and continue through day 12, so as to clarify attribution of any observed TLS and/or infusion reactions, and minimize tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) risk.

Drug: Venetoclax; Venetoclax will be administered orally on days 3-12 in cycle 1, and days 1-10 with all subsequent cycles except dose level -1. If dose level -1 is required, venetoclax will be administered on days 3-7 in cycle 1 and 1-5 with subsequent cycles.; Other Names: Venclexta; Drug: Rituximab; Rituximab will be administered as an IV infusion at 375 mg/m2 on day 1 of each cycle of DA-EPOCH-R, immediately prior to the start of chemotherapy. Oral pre-medication 650 mg of acetaminophen and 50-100 mg diphenhydramine hydrochloride will be administered 30 to 60 minutes prior to starting each infusion of rituximab. The first rituximab infusion should be started at 50 mg/hr, and increased in 50-mg/hr increments every 30 minutes to a maximum rate of 400 mg/hr. If this rate of escalation is well tolerated the second and subsequent infusions can begin at a rate of 100 mg/hr and increase in 100 mg/hr increments every 30 minutes to a maximum of 400 mg/hr. CAUTION: DO NOT ADMINISTER AS AN INTRAVENOUS PUSH OR BOLUS.; Other Names: Rituxan; IDEC-C2B8; chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; Drug: Etoposide; Etoposide will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.; Other Names: VP-16; VePesid; etopophos; toposar; Drug: Vincristine Sulfate; Vincristine Sulfate will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.; Other Names: VCR; LCR; Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Cyclophosphamide will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.; Other Names: cytoxan; Drug: Prednisone; Prednisone will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. Prednisone will be given orally.; Other Names: Deltasone; Orasone; Paracort; Cortan; Drug: Doxorubicin Hydrochloride; Doxorubicin Hydrochloride will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.; Other Names: Hydroxydaunomycin Hydrochloride; Hydroxydoxorubicin Hydrochloride

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Determination of the maximal tolerated dose (MTD)	Determination of the maximal tolerated dose (MTD)	Approximately 24 months
Determination of dose limiting toxicity (DLT)	Determination of dose limiting toxicity (DLT)	Approximately 24 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Define incidence and severity of adverse events, defined according to CTCAE v 4.0.	Define incidence and severity of adverse events, defined according to CTCAE v 4.0.	Approximately 24 months
Overall response rate	Overall response rate	Approximately 24 months
Complete response rate	Complete response rate	Approximately 24 months
Event-free survival	Event-free survival	Approximately 24 months
Progression Free Survival	Progression Free Survival	Approximately 24 months
Overall survival	Overall survival	Approximately 24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Collaborators: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Massachusetts General Hospital; Genentech, Inc.
• Investigators: Study Chair: John P. Leonard, M.D., Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Study Chair: Jeremy S. Abramson, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital; Principal Investigator: Sarah Rutherford, M.D., Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Rutherford SC, Abramson JS, Bartlett NL, Barta SK, Khan N, Joyce R, Maddocks K, Ali-Shaw T, Senese S, Yuan Y, Westin J, Leonard JP. Venetoclax with dose-adjusted EPOCH-R as initial therapy for patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma: a single-arm, multicentre, phase 1 study. Lancet Haematol. 2021 Nov;8(11):e818-e827. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(21)00273-8. Epub 2021 Oct 8.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 6, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 11, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): November 11, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 27, 2017
• First Posted (Estimate): January 30, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 24, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 23, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Lymphoma; venetoclax; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; dose-adjusted EPOCH-R; aggressive B-Cell lymphoma; Double hit lymphoma
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Immune System Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Lymphatic Diseases; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Aggression; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Tubulin Modulators; Antimitotic Agents; Mitosis Modulators; Glucocorticoids; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Alkylating Agents; Myeloablative Agonists; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; Topoisomerase Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cyclophosphamide; Etoposide; Venetoclax; Rituximab; Prednisone; Doxorubicin; Liposomal doxorubicin; Vincristine
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1607017413

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No