Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a biologically and clinically heterogenous disease. Transcriptomic and genetic characterization of DLBCL have increased the understanding of its intrinsic pathogenesis and provided potential therapeutic targets. However, the role of the microenvironment in DLBCL biology remains less understood. Here, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of the microenvironment of 4,655 DLBCLs from multiple independent cohorts and described four major lymphoma microenvironment categories that associate with distinct biological aberrations and clinical behavior. We also found evidence of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms deployed by cancer cells to evade microenvironmental constrains of lymphoma growth; supporting the rationale for implementing DNA hypomethylating agents in selected DLBCL patients. In addition, our work uncovered new therapeutic vulnerabilities in the biochemical composition of the extracellular matrix that were exploited to decrease DLBCL proliferation in pre-clinical models. This novel classification provides a roadmap for the biological characterization and therapeutic exploitation of the DLBCL microenvironment.

PTCL with T-follicular helper phenotype (PTCL-TFH) has recurrent mutations affecting epigenetic regulators, which may contribute to aberrant DNA methylation and chemoresistance. This phase 2 study evaluated oral azacitidine (CC-486), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, plus CHOP as initial treatment for PTCL (ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03542266). CC-486 at 300 mg daily was administered for 7 days prior to C1 of CHOP, and for 14 days before CHOP C2-6. The primary endpoint was end-of-treatment CR. Secondary endpoints included ORR, safety and survival. Correlative studies assessed mutations, gene expression and methylation in tumor samples. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities were mostly neutropenia (71%), with febrile neutropenia uncommon (14%). Non-hematologic toxicities included fatigue (14%) and GI symptoms (5%). In 20 evaluable patients, CR was 75%, including 88.2% for PTCL-TFH (n=17). At a median follow-up of 21 months, 2-yr PFS was 65.8% for all and 69.2% for PTCL-TFH, while 2-yr OS was 68.4% for all and 76.1% for PTCL-TFH. The frequencies of the TET2, RHOA, DNMT3A, and IDH2 mutations were 76.5%, 41.1%, 23.5% and 23.5%, respectively, with TET2 mutations significantly associated with CR (p=0.007), favorable PFS (p=0.004) and OS (p=0.015), and DNMT3A mutations associated with adverse PFS (p=0.016). CC-486 priming contributed to the reprograming of the tumor microenvironment by upregulation of genes related to apoptosis (p<0.01) and inflammation (p<0.01). DNA methylation did not show significant shift. This safe and active initial therapy regimen is being further evaluated in the ALLIANCE randomized study A051902 in CD30-negative PTCL.

INTRODUCTION: Nodal PTCL with T-follicular helper phenotype (PTCL-TFH), which includes angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, is characterized by recurrent mutations affecting epigenetic regulators. Azacitidine, a DNA demethylating agent, has shown clinical activity as a single agent and in combination in R/R PTCL. We report the mature findings, including survival outcome and biomarker analysis, of the first study of oral azacitidine (CC-486) plus CHOP as initial treatment for PTCL (ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03542266). METHODS: This phase 2 study prioritized enrollment of PTCL-TFH. Subjects received CHOP on day 1 of each cycle for 6 cycles. Oral azacitidine (aza) priming at 300 mg daily was administered for 7 days prior to C1 of CHOP, and for 14 days before CHOP C2-6. The primary endpoint was CR per 2014 IWG criteria. Secondary endpoints included ORR, safety and survival. Correlative biomarker studies assessed mutation profile by whole exome NGS with germline control, genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing by RRBS, and gene expression by RNA-sequencing of paired tumor samples before and after aza priming prior to C1D1 chemotherapy. Survivals were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and log-rank tests were performed to correlate biomarkers to survival outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 21 subjects with previously untreated PTCL, including 17 with PTCL-TFH (81%), 3 with PTCL-NOS (14%), were enrolled and received treatment at 4 centers. The median age was 66 years (range 22-77), 19 (90%) had stage III/IV disease, 10 (48%) had elevated LDH, 7 (35%) had bone marrow involvement, and 9 (43%) had IPI 3-5. Treatment-emergent grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (71%), thrombocytopenia (10%) and anemia (14%), with febrile neutropenia uncommon (14%). Grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities included fatigue (14%), hyponatremia (14%), diarrhea (5%), anorexia (5%), vomiting (5%), rash (5%), and elevated ALT (4.8%). There was no treatment-related mortality on study. As of July 2021 at a median follow-up of 21 months (range 16-30 months), 20 subjects were evaluable for primary endpoint, with one withdrawal after cycle 1. The end-of-treatment responses were all CRs, including CR at 75% (90%CI of 54.4 - 89.6%) for all evaluable patients (n=20) and 88.2% for PTCL-TFH (n=17). The 2-yr PFS was 65.8% (95%CI of 43.4-88.1%) for all patients, and 69.2% (95%CI of 46.7-91.7%) for PTCL-TFH. The 2-yr OS was 68% (95%CI of 46.7-89.2%) for all patients, and 75.6% (95%CI of 54.8-96.5%) for PTCL-TFH. The median PFS was estimated at 36 months (95%CI: 8 months - not reached). Consolidative stem cell transplant was performed in 10 subjects (9 auto and 1 allo), which did not impact PFS or OS. Mutational status was determined in 17 patients. The frequencies of the TET2, RHOA, DNMT3A, and IDH2 mutations were 76.5%, 41.1%, 23.5% and 23.5%, respectively, with RHOA and IDH2 mutations occurring in the hotspot positions (RHOA G17V, IDH2 R172G/T). For all patients, TET2 mutations were significantly associated with CR (p=0.007), favorable PFS (p=0.004) and OS (p=0.015), while DNMT3A mutations were associated with adverse PFS (p=0.016). Within the PTCL-TFH subgroup, TET2 mutations were associated with favorable PFS (p=0.014). RNAseq and RRBS assays were performed in 5 paired tumor samples before and after aza priming. Differentially upregulated genes revealed enrichment of gene sets related to apoptosis (p<0.01) and inflammation (p<0.01). Gene expression-based cell subtype deconvolution revealed a decreasing trend in TFH lymphoma cells, proliferation rate, as well as TCRB clonality in response to aza treatment, while DNA methylation did not show significant shift. Clonal evolution with emergence of DNMT3A mutant clones in a paired baseline-relapse samples in an early relapse patient suggested possible resistance mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that priming with oral azacitidine (CC486) in combination with CHOP as initial therapy is safe, effective, and produces sustained remission in PTCL-TFH subtype. Epigenetic priming with azacitidine appears to inhibit the proliferation of TFH lymphoma cells, providing potential synergistic mechanism of action with chemotherapy. This active combination will be further evaluated in the upcoming ALLIANCE/ US Intergroup randomized study A051902, comparing oral azacitidine-CHO(E)P vs duvelisib-CHO(E)P against CHO(E)P in CD30 negative PTCL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Ruan: Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Seagen: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding. Moskowitz: Janpix Ltd.: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Miragen: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Beigene: Research Funding; Imbrium Therapeutics L.P./Purdue: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding. Mehta-Shah: C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Innate Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Ono Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Secura Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Kiowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Verastem: Research Funding. Sokol: Dren Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kyowa-Kirin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kotlov: BostonGene Corp: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company, Patents & Royalties. Horwitz: ADC Therapeutics, Affimed, Aileron, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Forty Seven, Inc., Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Millennium /Takeda, Seattle Genetics, Trillium Therapeutics, and Verastem/SecuraBio.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Acrotech Biopharma, Affimed, ADC Therapeutics, Astex, Merck, Portola Pharma, C4 Therapeutics, Celgene, Janssen, Kura Oncology, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Myeloid Therapeutics, ONO Pharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics, Shoreline Biosciences, Inc, Takeda, Trillium Th: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Crispr Therapeutics: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Forty Seven, Inc.: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; ONO Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Secura Bio: Consultancy; Shoreline Biosciences, Inc.: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Trillium Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tubulis: Consultancy; Verastem/Securabio: Research Funding. Coleman: Merck: Research Funding; Innocare: Research Funding; BeiGene: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Bristol Myers: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; immunomedics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Pfizer: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Melnick: Constellation: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; KDAC Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Elemento: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; One Three Biotech: Consultancy, Other: Current equity holder; Freenome: Consultancy, Other: Current equity holder in a privately-held company; Champions Oncology: Consultancy; Volastra Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: Current equity holder, Research Funding; Johnson and Johnson: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Owkin: Consultancy, Other: Current equity holder. Leonard: ADC Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS/Celgene, Epizyme, Inc., Genmab, Gilead/Kite, Karyopharm, BMS/Celgene, Regeneron, MEI Pharma, Miltenyi, Roche/Genentech, Sutro: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy. Martin: ADCT: Consultancy. Cerchietti: Celgene: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Oral azacitidine for treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma

<p>Supplementary Figures</p>

<div>Abstract<p>Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a biologically and clinically heterogeneous disease. Transcriptomic and genetic characterization of DLBCL has increased the understanding of its intrinsic pathogenesis and provided potential therapeutic targets. However, the role of the microenvironment in DLBCL biology remains less understood. Here, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of the microenvironment of 4,655 DLBCLs from multiple independent cohorts and described four major lymphoma microenvironment categories that associate with distinct biological aberrations and clinical behavior. We also found evidence of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms deployed by cancer cells to evade microenvironmental constraints of lymphoma growth, supporting the rationale for implementing DNA hypomethylating agents in selected patients with DLBCL. In addition, our work uncovered new therapeutic vulnerabilities in the biochemical composition of the extracellular matrix that were exploited to decrease DLBCL proliferation in preclinical models. This novel classification provides a road map for the biological characterization and therapeutic exploitation of the DLBCL microenvironment.</p>Significance:<p>In a translational relevant transcriptomic-based classification, we characterized the microenvironment as a critical component of the B-cell lymphoma biology and associated it with the DLBCL clinical behavior establishing a novel opportunity for targeting therapies.</p><p><i>This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1307</i></p></div>