Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable B-cell lymphoma with striking variability in tumor biology and clinical behavior across patients. Noninvasive blood-based biomarkers that monitor disease and treatment response may guide clinical decisions throughout disease course. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a highly tumor-specific biomarker detectable in the blood of virtually all MCL patients. Within a prospective clinical trial, we studied Adaptive's next-generation sequencing assay to detect and quantify ctDNA in serum throughout therapy. Previously, we reported that ctDNA clearance after induction predicts both PFS and OS (Roschewski et al. ASCO 2018). Bortezomib (BZ) is a proteasome inhibitor shown to improve PFS when added to combination chemotherapy (Robak et al. N Eng J Med 2015). Herein, we analyze the clinical significance of ctDNA dynamics during therapy in patients treated with BZ + DA-EPOCH-R without consolidation. Methods: Untreated MCL patients received BZ monotherapy x 1 cycle then induction with BZ + DA-EPOCH-R up to 6 cycles. After induction, patients were randomized to observation vs. BZ maintenance x 18m. Patients had serum prospectively collected pre-Tx, after BZ monotherapy, before each cycle, after induction, and with each surveillance visit. Surveillance visits were paired with CT scans q4mos x 2y, q6mos in years 2-4, then annually. Pre-treatment specimens (FFPE or frozen cells) were analyzed for tumor-specific clonotypes. Tumor DNA was amplified using locus-specific primer sets for the Ig heavy-chain and light-chain loci, CCND1, and BCL2 translocations. Amplified products were sequenced, and patients without a high-frequency tumor clonotype were excluded. Levels of ctDNA at baseline, after BZ monotherapy, and after 1, 2 cycles of induction were analyzed. Results: 53 untreated MCL patients received BZ + DA-EPOCH-R between September 2005 and January 2016. After median potential f/u of 10y, median PFS is 29.3m and the 5-yr OS is 78.2%. BZ maintenance had no impact on PFS or OS. Of 52 patients w/available biopsies, 50 (96%) had a tumor-specific clonotype identified. Of 48 patients w/pre-treatment serum, 46 (96%) had detectable ctDNA. ctDNA was successfully tracked in 625 of 647 (97%) serum samples. The median level of baseline ctDNA was 742.98 cell equivalents/mL (range 0 to 101,008.58). Baseline ctDNA correlated with total metabolic tumor volume on PET scan (rs=0.74) but was not associated with PFS (p=0.45) or OS (p=0.22). Of 42 patients who received BZ monotherapy, 26 (62%) had decreases in ctDNA, 15 (36%) had increases, and 1 (2%) had no change. The median absolute decrease in ctDNA was 35 cell equivalents/ml (range -20,901 to +6,667) and the median relative decrease was 24% (range -100% to +530%). Notably, lower absolute ctDNA levels after BZ window were associated with improved PFS compared to patients with ctDNA above the median (34m vs 22m, p=0.02)(Figure 1). Clearance of ctDNA after 1 cycle of DA-EPOCH-R + BZ was strongly associated with a superior median PFS (76.4m vs 20.7m, p=0.0037)(Figure 2) and a trend towards superior 4-yr OS (92.3% vs 73.0%, p=0.23). Clearance of ctDNA after 2 cycles of DA-EPOCH-R + BZ was also associated with a superior median PFS (32.4m vs 21.4m, p=0.015) and a trend towards superior median OS (82.2m vs 73.2m, p=0.15). Conclusions: Circulating tumor DNA is detectable in nearly all patients with MCL. Dynamic changes that occur very early during therapy may predict clinical outcomes and may be an early readout for the activity of targeted agents. Given its broad applicability, ctDNA should be prospectively studied as part of response-adapted approaches in MCL. This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of NCI and Adaptive Biotechnologies, Inc. Disclosures Jacob: Adaptive Biotechnologies: Employment, Equity Ownership. Yusko:Adaptive Biotechnologies: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wiestner:Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding.
Background: Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN), defined by neutrophil count less than 1•5 k/uL in the absence of other causes, is an asymptomatic condition more commonly observed in individuals of African ancestry. However, the natural history of this condition has been less well described.Methods: Individuals with BEN were retrospectively identified by chart review or referral to hematology clinics. They were then invited to enroll in a prospective natural history study. Retrospective and prospective clinical and laboratory data were combined for descriptive analyses.Findings: 46 participants, younger and older adults from 2 institutions, had BEN. Hypertension was reported in 30%, musculoskeletal disorders in 15%, and upper respiratory infection in 33% of these adults. Their leukopenia resulted from isolated neutropenia, ranging from 1000 and 1500 cells/uL. The severity of infections was mild and the frequency was similar to other healthy individuals in the ambulatory clinic.Interpretation: In this group of BEN participants, their leukopenia was stable over time, and they had low rates of infections or common medical disorders, confirming the benign nature of this condition. The presence of BEN in children, younger adults, and older adults suggest a hereditary pattern for BEN.
Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a highly versatile analyte and an emerging biomarker for detection of tumour-specific sequences in lymphoid malignancies. Since ctDNA is derived from tumour cells throughout the body, it overcomes fundamental limitations of tissue biopsies by capturing the complete molecular profile of tumours, including those from inaccessible anatomic locations. Assays for ctDNA are minimally invasive and serial sampling monitors the effectiveness of therapy and identifies minimal residual disease below the detection limit of standard imaging scans. Dynamic changes in ctDNA levels measure real-time tumour kinetics, and early reductions in ctDNA during treatment correlate with clinical outcomes in multiple Bcell lymphomas. After therapy, ctDNA can effectively discriminate between patients who achieved a complete molecular remission from those with residual treatment-resistant disease. Serial monitoring of ctDNA after therapy can detect early molecular relapse and identify drug-resistant clones that harbour targetable mutations. In order for ctDNA to reach its full potential, the standardization and harmonization of the optimal pre-analytical and analytical techniques for B-cell lymphomas is a critically necessary requirement. Prospective validation of ctDNA within clinical studies is also required to determine its clinical utility as an adjunctive decision-making tool.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.