Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has caused high mortality in patients with hematological malignancies (HM). 1 The newly emerged omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 harbor multiple novel spike protein mutations that raise concerns about vaccine efficiency and antiviral efficacy of the available therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. 2 The first published clinical data in immunocompetent patients have found that infection with omicron variants is associated with reduced vaccine efficiency compared to the delta variants, but decreased hospital admission and mortality. 3,4 Preliminary, prepublished, data from a large case-control study have shown that the vaccine effect against omicron in immunocompromised patients, including HM patients, is even more reduced, but data regarding clinical outcomes are lacking. 5 The aim of this study was to describe risk factors, antiviral treatment and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection in 593 HM patients included in the EPICOVIDEHA registry.EPICOVIDEHA is an international open web-based registry for patients with HM infected with SARS-CoV-2. 1,6 Both hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients are eligible for inclusion. The questionnaire includes data on the HM, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2 virus variant, antiviral treatment, and outcomes including mortality (eFigure 1 and eTable 4).

PURPOSE Frail patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma have an inferior outcome, mainly because of a high discontinuation rate due to toxicity. We designed a phase II trial specifically for frail patients, evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of ixazomib-daratumumab-low-dose-dexamethasone (Ixa-Dara-dex). METHODS Sixty-five patients, who were frail according to the International Myeloma Working Group frailty index, were treated with nine induction cycles Ixa-Dara-dex followed by maintenance with Ixa-Dara for a maximum of 2 years. RESULTS The overall response rate on induction therapy was 78%. After a median follow-up of 22.9 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13.8 months and 12-month overall survival (OS) was 78%. Median PFS and 12-month OS were 21.6 months and 92% in patients who were frail based on age > 80 years alone, versus 13.8 months and 78%, and 10.1 months and 70% in patients who were frail based on additional frailty parameters either ≤ 80 or > 80 years of age, respectively. In 51% of patients, induction therapy had to be discontinued prematurely, of which 6% because of noncompliance to study treatment, 9% because of toxicity, and 9% because of death (8% within 2 months, of which 80% because of toxicity). Quality of life improved during induction treatment, being clinically meaningful already after three induction cycles. CONCLUSION Ixa-Dara-dex lead to a high response rate and improved quality of life. However, treatment discontinuation because of toxicity and early mortality, negatively influencing PFS and OS, remains a concern in frail patients. The outcome was heterogeneous across frail subpopulations. This should be taken into account in the design and interpretation of future studies in frail patients, to pave the way for more precise treatment guidance.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes life-threatening COVID-19 in hematologic malignancy (HM) patients, associated with high morbidity and mortality in this particularly vulnerable population. 1 After more than 2 years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several prophylactic and therapeutic strategies have been developed against SARS-CoV-2, including targeted antivirals, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, leading

Patients with MYC-rearrangement positive large B-cell lymphoma (MYC+ LBCL) have an inferior prognosis following standard first-line therapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) as compared to patients without MYC rearrangement. Although intensive chemotherapy regimens yield higher remission rates, toxicity remains a concern. Lenalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory drug which downregulates MYC and its target genes thereby providing support using lenalidomide as additional therapeutic option for MYC+ LBCL. A phase II trial was conducted evaluating the efficacy of lenalidomide (15 mg day 1-14) in combination with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in newly diagnosed MYC+ LBCL patients identified through a nationwide MYC-FISH screening program. The primary endpoint was complete metabolic response (CMR) on centrally reviewed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-computer tomography (CT)-scan at end-of-treatment. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and event-free survival (EFS). Eighty-two patients with stage II-IV MYC+ LBCL were treated with 6 cycles of R2CHOP. At EOT, 67% (confidence interval (CI) 58-75%) of the patients reached CMR. With a median follow-up of 25.4 months, 2-year estimates (95% CI) for OS, DFS, EFS were 73% (62-82%), 75% (63-84%) and 63% (52-73%) respectively. In this prospective trial for newly diagnosed MYC+ LBCL patients, we found that administering R2CHOP was safe, and yields comparable CMR and survival rates as in studies applying more intensive chemotherapy regimens. Hence, these findings offer new prospects for MYC+ LBCL patients and warrant comparison in prospective randomized clinical trials. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu (#2014-002654-39).

Background: Patients with MYC rearrangement positive large B cell lymphoma other than Burkitt lymphoma (MYC+ LBCL), have a dismal prognosis following standard first line therapy with R-CHOP. Retrospective studies report complete remission rates < 50% and 2-year overall survival (OS) of approximately 35%. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug and is able to down-regulate MYC and its target genes and proteins in B cells that harbor a MYC rearrangement. We report data of a prospective phase II study evaluating the efficacy of lenalidomide in combination with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in newly diagnosed MYC+ LBCL patients. Methods: A national screening program for MYC rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in newly diagnosed LBCL patients. Patients with a proven MYC rearrangement, ≥ 18 year, Ann Arbor stage II-IV, were offered participation in a single arm phase II study. Treatment consisted of 6 cycles R-CHOP21 plus lenalidomide 15 mg on day 1-14, followed by two additional rituximab administrations. Use of G-CSF was mandatory. All patients received intrathecal methotrexate prophylaxis. 18F-FDG PET-CT (PET-CT) scans were performed at baseline, midterm (after 3 cycles) and end-of-treatment (EOT). Diagnostic lymphoma samples were centrally reviewed including immunohistochemical (IHC) work-up and complementary BCL2 and BCL6 FISH analysis. Cell of origin classification was determined by IHC (Hans) and by gene expression profiling (Lymph2Cx). The primary endpoint was complete metabolic response rate (CMR) on EOT PET-CT scan, according to the Deauville criteria and assessed by 2 independent nuclear medicine physicians performing central review. In case of discordance, a third adjudicator reviewed. Confirmation of bone marrow (BM) negativity at EOT for patients with positive BM at diagnosis was not required for CMR. Secondary endpoints included disease free survival (DFS), progression free survival (PFS), OS and predictive value of midterm PET-CT for EOT PET-CT scan. Data cut-off was July 4th 2018. Results: From April 2015 to February 2018, 85 patients were included at 20 hospitals. Planned interim analysis (after 26 consecutive patients completed treatment) revealed no safety concerns. At data cut-off, central data management, pathology and imaging review processes were completed for the first 60 patients. The remaining patients (60 to 85) are still on treatment or have recently finished treatment. Among the first 60 patients, 2 were declared ineligible, leaving 58 patients for this analysis (demographics and disease characteristics in table 1). Central pathology review confirmed diagnosis of MYC+ LBCL in all patients. Additional FISH analysis revealed that 41/58 patients (71%) had MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (double hit or triple hit), 11/58 (19%) had a single MYC rearrangement, 6/58 (10%) had a MYC rearrangement but no information on BCL2 and BCL6. At EOT PET-CT scan (primary endpoint), 36/58 patients (62%) were in CMR (95% confidence interval (CI) 50%-71%). 2/58 patients (3%) reached a partial metabolic response (PMR), and 20/58 patients (34%) had progressive disease (PD). At midterm PET-CT, 39/58 patients (67%) were in CMR; of these 29 were still in CMR and 10 showed PD at EOT PET-CT. 18/58 patients (31%) were in PMR at midterm; 7 of them converted to CMR, 2 remained in PMR, 9 showed PD at EOT. One patient went off protocol after two cycles due to progression. With a median follow-up of 17.2 months, 1-year estimates for OS were 79% (CI 66%-88%), for DFS 74% (CI 59%-85%), and for PFS 60% (CI 47%-72%). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events (AE) were seen in 26 (43%) respectively 9 patients (15%). Most common grade 3-4 AEs were gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and neutropenia. 55 serious AEs were reported in 27 patients (all hospitalization). 1 patient went off protocol due to grade 3 diarrhea. Univariate regression analyses revealed no significant prognostic factors for achieving CMR or prolonged survival yet. Conclusion: These data represent the first prospective trial worldwide for newly diagnosed MYC rearrangement positive LBCL patients. Treatment with R2CHOP demonstrates acceptable toxicity and promising efficacy with 62% CMR on centrally reviewed PET-CT scan and a 1-year OS rate of 79%. In December 2018, all 85 registered patients will have finished treatment and complete analysis of the primary endpoint and additional biological studies will be available. Disclosures Chamuleau: Gilead: Research Funding; celgene: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Mous:Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; JANSSEN CILAG: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; sandoz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lugtenburg:takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; servier: Consultancy, Research Funding; roche: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; GenMab: Research Funding. Kersten:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Only few studies have analyzed the efficacy of tixagevimab/cilgavimab to prevent severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related complications in hematologic malignancies (HM) patients. Here, we report cases of breakthrough COVID-19 after prophylactic tixagevimab/cilgavimab from the EPICOVIDEHA registry). We identified 47 patients that had received prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab in the EPICOVIDEHA registry. Lymphoproliferative disorders (44/47, 93.6%) were the main underlying HM. SARS-CoV-2 strains were genotyped in 7 (14.9%) cases only, and all belonged to the omicron variant. Forty (85.1%) patients had received vaccinations prior to tixagevimab/cilgavimab, the majority of them with at least two doses. Eleven (23.4%) patients had a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, 21 (44.7%) a moderate infection, while 8 (17.0%) had severe infection and 2 (4.3%) critical. Thirty-six (76.6%) patients were treated, either with monoclonal antibodies, antivirals, corticosteroids, or with combination schemes. Overall, 10 (21.3%) were admitted to a hospital. Among these, two (4.3%) were transferred to intensive care unit and one (2.1%) of them died. Our data seem to show that the use of tixagevimab/cilgavimab may lead to a COVID-19 severity reduction in HM patients; however, further studies should incorporate further HM patients to confirm the best drug administration strategies in immunocompromised patients.

Introduction Data from clinical trials indicate that elderly non-transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (nte-NDMM) patients also benefit from novel therapies. However, overall survival is inferior in unfit and frail compared to fit patients as defined by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) frailty index, caused by a high discontinuation rate due to toxicity. Therefore, there is a need for less toxic treatment for unfit and frail patients. In view of the favorable safety profile of ixazomib and daratumumab, we investigated the efficacy and feasibility of treatment with ixazomib, daratumumab and low dose dexamethasone (IDd) in unfit and frail patients. This trial was registered at www.trialregister.nl as NTR6297. Methods In this prospective multicenter phase II trial treatment consisted of 9 28 day-induction cycles consisting of ixazomib (I) 4 mg (days 1, 8, 15), daratumumab (D) 16 mg/kg (cycle 1-2: days 1, 8, 15, 22; cycle 3-6: days 1, 15; cycle 7-9: day 1) and dexamethasone (in combination with daratumumab (d); cycle 1-2: 20 mg; subsequent cycles 10 mg) followed by maintenance therapy with I (days 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, 43) and D (day 1) of 8-week cycles, until progression for a maximum of 2 years. The primary objective is to determine the overall response rate (ORR) on induction therapy. Aiming for an ORR of at least 65% and considering 50% as a too low ORR, with an optimal Simon 2-Stage design, α = 0.10 and β = 0.20, 60 unfit and 60 frail patients should be included, increased to 66 for both populations to account for ineligibility. A pre-specified safety analysis was planned when for the first 10 unfit and 10 frail patients separately the data of the first 4 cycles of induction therapy are available. Inclusion criteria were NDMM, either being unfit or frail according to the IMWG frailty index. Main exclusion criteria were severe cardiac dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an FEV1 <50% of expected and a creatinine clearance of <20 ml/minute. We here report the results of the planned safety interim analysis of the first 10/32 included frail patients who completed the first 4 induction cycles. The safety interim analysis of the first 10 unfit patients is planned in September, of which the results will be available at the ASH meeting. In addition, we here report the severe adverse events (SAE) for 58 eligible patients (26 unfit, 32 frail) who were included in the study until July 16, 2018. Results The demographic data of the first 10 frail patients are described in Table 1. Median FU of the first 10 frail patients is 5.2 months (range 0.6-9) and of the 58 included patients 1.6 months (range 0-9). Toxicity is described in Table 2. Hematological toxicity was limited, being mainly thrombocytopenia; 3/10 grade 3, 1/10 grade 4, the latter being disease-related. Non-hematological toxicity was manageable, with only 2 grade 3 gastro-intestinal events and 1 pulmonary embolism. No infusion related reactions and neuropathy were reported. There were minor dose reductions only. The median and inter-quartile range of relative dose intensity (RDI) were 1.0 (0.9, 1.0) for ixazomib, 0.9 (0.9, 1.0) for daratumumab and 1.0 (0.9, 1.0) for dexamethasone. SAEs occurred in 9/26 unfit and 14/32 frail patients, mainly caused by prolongation of hospitalization (82% and 88% respectively). Two patients died during cycle 1, both not related to therapy. One 81-year old patient unexpectedly died at home at day 35 of cycle 1 (delay due to low platelet count) after having recovered from thrombocytopenia and a decreased renal function, grade 3, probably caused by cotrimoxazole and valaciclovir. The second 81-year old patient had a thrombocytopenia of 18x109/l related to MM and died of gastrointestinal bleeding for which he declined therapy at day 15 of cycle 1. In the first included 58 patients a total of 4 patients died (6.9%, 4/32 frail (12.5%) and 0/26 unfit (0%)), of whom 2 not related to therapy (see above) and 2 possibly therapy-related; 1 due to Influenza B and 1 acute pre-renal failure due to vomiting and diarrhea. Preliminary response during the first 4 cycles of therapy is promising is; ORR 70% of which 20% VGPR, 10% MR, 10% SD and 10% not evaluable. Conclusion This planned safety analysis of frail patients in the HOVON 143 showed that Ixazomib-Daratumumab-low dose dexamethasone is feasible with a low rate of therapy-related toxicity and mortality. Preliminary response rates are promising. Disclosures Levin: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. van de Donk:Janssen Pharmceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Sonneveld:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding. Zweegman:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene Corp.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Introduction Elderly non-transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (nte-NDMM) patients also benefit from novel therapies, however, overall survival (OS) is inferior in unfit and frail compared to fit patients as defined by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) frailty index. This is caused by a high discontinuation rate due to toxicity. Therefore, a less toxic effective treatment for unfit and frail patients is needed. In view of the favorable safety profile of ixazomib (Ixa) and daratumumab (Dara), we investigated the efficacy and feasibility of treatment with Ixa and Dara plus low dose dexamethasone (Ixa-Dara-dex) in unfit and frail patients. This trial was registered at www.trialregister.nlwww.trialregister.nl as NTR6297. Methods In this prospective multicenter phase II trial, treatment consisted of nine 28 day-induction cycles consisting of Ixa 4 mg (days 1, 8, 15), Dara 16 mg/kg (cycle 1-2: days 1, 8, 15, 22; cycle 3-6: days 1, 15; cycle 7-9: day 1) and dex (in combination with Dara; cycle 1-2: 20 mg; subsequent cycles 10 mg) followed by maintenance therapy with Ixa (days 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, 43) and Dara (day 1) of 8-week cycles, until progression for a maximum of 2 years. A pre-specified efficacy analysis was planned for the first eligible 23 unfit and 23 frail patients separately at the time the data of the first 9 cycles induction therapy was available. Inclusion criteria were unfit or frail NDMM patients according to the IMWG frailty index. Main exclusion criteria were severe cardiac dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an FEV1 &lt;50% of expected and a creatinine clearance of &lt;20 ml/minute. We here report the overall response rate (ORR) on induction treatment, progression free survival (PFS) and OS, treatment discontinuation and toxicity of the first 23/65 eligible unfit and 23/65 frail patients during induction therapy. In addition, we present the mortality rate for all patients who were included in the study (65 unfit, 67 frail), with data cut-off June 18, 2019. Results The demographics of the first 23 unfit and 23 frail patients are described in Table 1. Median follow-up of these first 23 unfit and 23 frail patients is 12.7 months (range 9.1-18.3) and 13.4 months (range 9.2-17.7), respectively. ORR during induction was 87% in unfit (48% partial response [PR] and 39% very good partial response [VGPR]) and 78% in frail (48% PR, 26% VGPR, 4% stringent complete response). Nine months PFS rates were 78% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 55-90) and 61% (95% CI 38-77), respectively. Nine months OS rates were 100% and 83% (95% CI 60-93), respectively. Sixteen/23 (70%) unfit and 14/23 (61%) frail patients completed induction treatment with Ixa-Dara-dex. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were progressive disease (PD, n=5), toxicity (n=1) and incompliance (n=1) in unfit and intercurrent death (n=3, all within 3 cycles), PD (n=2), incompliance (n=2) and other reasons (n=2) in frail. The median and inter-quartile range of relative dose intensity (RDI) for respectively unfit and frail were 0.96 and 0.91 for Ixa, 0.98 and 0.96 for Dara and 1.0 and 0.99 for dex. Toxicity is described in Table 2. Hematological toxicity was limited, being mainly neutropenia (in unfit both 4% grade 3 and 4; in frail 4% grade 3 and 13% grade 4) and thrombocytopenia occurring only in frail (17% grade 3, 4% grade 4). Non-hematological toxicity was manageable, with grade 3 infections occurring in 9% of both unfit and frail patients. In both arms, there were no infusion related reactions and only 4% grade 3 neuropathy was reported. Additionally, we investigated the mortality rate of all included 65 unfit and 67 frail patients, with a limited follow-up of 7.1 months (range 1-18.3) and 8.8 months (range 0.4-17.7), respectively. The mortality rate was only 2% in unfit (1/65 due to PD). Thirteen/67 (19%) of frail patients died, which was caused by infections (n=6; 3 pneumonia, 1 influenza B, 1 erysipelas), sudden death (n=2), organ dysfunction (n=2), incompliance (n=1) and PD (n=2). Early death rate (≤3 months of registration) was 0% in unfit and 8/67 (12%) in frail. Conclusion Ixa-Dara-dex is an effective therapeutic regimen in unfit patients with limited toxicity, not giving rise to (early) mortality. Additionally, in the majority of frail patients this regimen is active and feasible. However, better identification and support of those patients is warranted, as we observed early mortality due to vulnerability and infections. Disclosures Van De Donk: Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AMGEN: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sonneveld:SkylineDx: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Levin:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational grant ; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational Grant; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational Grant; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational Grant; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational grant . Zweegman:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.