U.S. patent application number 13/868753 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for combination therapies for b-cell lymphomas comprising administration of anti-cd20 antibody.
The applicant listed for this patent is Biogen Idec, Inc.. Invention is credited to Antonio J. Grillo-Lopez.
Application Number | 20130273039 13/868753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22256115 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130273039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grillo-Lopez; Antonio J. |
October 17, 2013 |
COMBINATION THERAPIES FOR B-CELL LYMPHOMAS COMPRISING
ADMINISTRATION OF ANTI-CD20 ANTIBODY
Abstract
New combined therapeutic regimens for treatment of B-cell
lymphomas are disclosed which comprise, in particular,
administration of anti-CD20 antibodies to patients having low-,
intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Inventors: |
Grillo-Lopez; Antonio J.;
(Rancho Santa Fe, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Biogen Idec, Inc. |
Weston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
22256115 |
Appl. No.: |
13/868753 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13524837 |
Jun 15, 2012 |
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13868753 |
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11840956 |
Aug 18, 2007 |
8329172 |
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13524837 |
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10196732 |
Jul 17, 2002 |
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11840956 |
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09372202 |
Aug 11, 1999 |
6455043 |
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10196732 |
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60096180 |
Aug 11, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/133.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 38/2013 20130101;
A61K 38/193 20130101; C02F 1/003 20130101; A61P 35/04 20180101;
C02F 2307/02 20130101; A61K 39/39541 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101;
A61K 51/1027 20130101; A61P 35/02 20180101; A61K 2039/545 20130101;
A61K 39/39541 20130101; A61K 31/704 20130101; A61K 31/573 20130101;
A61K 51/1069 20130101; A61K 39/39558 20130101; C07K 2317/24
20130101; C07K 2317/77 20130101; C07K 16/3061 20130101; A61P 43/00
20180101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 38/212 20130101; A61K 38/217
20130101; A61K 31/675 20130101; C07K 2317/56 20130101; C07K 16/2887
20130101; A61K 2039/505 20130101; A61K 31/475 20130101; A61P 37/00
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/133.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395 |
Claims
1. A method of treating a B-cell lymphoma patient comprising
administering rituximab to the patient, monitoring for adverse
events during therapy and discontinuing therapy if a grade 3 or
grade 4 adverse event occurs in the patient, and wherein the
adverse event is grade 3 or grade 4 arrhythmia.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/524,837 filed Jun. 15, 2012, which is a
divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/840,956, filed Aug. 18, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,329,172 issued
Dec. 11, 2012) which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/196,732, filed Jul. 17, 2002 (abandoned), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/372,202, filed
Aug. 11, 1999, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,043 issued Sep. 24, 2002)
which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) and the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/096,180 filed
Aug. 11, 1998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the use of anti-CD20 antibodies or
fragments thereof in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas,
particularly the use of such antibodies and fragments in combined
therapeutic regimens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of antibodies to the CD20 antigen as diagnostic
and/or therapeutic agents for B-cell lymphoma has previously been
reported. CD20 is a useful marker or target for B-cell lymphomas as
this antigen is expressed at very high densities on the surface of
malignant B-cells, i.e., B-cells wherein unabated proliferation can
lead to B-cell lymphomas.
[0004] CD20 or Bp35 is a B-lymphocyte-restricted differentiation
antigen that is expressed during early pre-B-cell development and
remains until plasma cell differentiation. It is believed by some
that the CD20 molecule may regulate a step in the B-cell activation
process which is required for cell cycle initiation and
differentiation. Moreover, as noted, CD20 is usually expressed at
very high levels on neoplastic ("tumor") B-cells. The CD20 antigen
is appealing for targeted therapy, because it does not shed,
modulate, or internalize.
[0005] Previous reported therapies involving anti-CD20 antibodies
have involved the administration of a therapeutic anti-CD20
antibody either alone or in conjunction with a second radiolabeled
anti-CD20 antibody, or a chemotherapeutic agent.
[0006] In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the
therapeutic use of one such anti-CD20 antibody, RITUXAN.RTM., for
use in relapsed and previously treated low-grade non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL). Also, the use of RITUXAN.RTM. in combination with a
radiolabeled murine anti-CD20 antibody has been suggested for the
treatment of B-cell lymphoma.
[0007] However, while anti-CD20 antibodies and, in particular,
RITUXAN.RTM. (U.S.; in Britain, MABTHERA.RTM.; in general
Rituximab), have been reported to be effective for treatment of
B-cell lymphomas, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the treated
patients are often subject to disease relapse. Therefore, it would
be beneficial if more effective treatment regimens could be
developed. More specifically, it would be advantageous if anti-CD20
antibodies had a beneficial effect in combination with other
lymphoma treatments, and if new combined therapeutic regimens could
be developed to lessen the likelihood or frequency of relapse.
Also, it would be helpful if current treatment protocols for B-cell
lymphoma were improved whereby patients with lymphomas which are
refractory to other treatment methods could be treated with
chimeric or radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies. It would also be
helpful if treatment with anti-CD20 antibodies, particularly in
combination with other treatments, could be used as therapy for
other types of lymphoma besides low grade, follicular non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention discloses combined therapeutic
treatments for B-cell lymphomas, and reports the benefits of
treating relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas with chimeric and
radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies. In particular, it has been found
that treatment with anti-CD20 antibody provides a beneficial
synergistic effect when administered in combination with cytokines,
radiotherapy, myeloablative therapy, or chemotherapy. Surprisingly,
patients who had prior bone marrow or stem cell transplantation had
an unexpected increase in the over-all response rate when compared
with patients with no prior therapy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1. Time to progression (TTP) for all 151 assessable
patients and TTP for 76 responders (CR or PR). Kaplan-Meier
projected overall median TTP is 9.0 months (95% confidence interval
[CI], 6.7 to 11.4); projected TTP for responders is 12.5 months
(95% CI, 11.0 to 16.0).
[0010] FIG. 2. Adverse events attributed to antibody, or cause
unknown, stratified by infusion number. As depicted by solid and
white shading, 96% of events were grade 1 or 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention encompasses combined therapeutic regimens for
the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. In general, such methods include
a method for treating relapsed B-cell lymphoma, where a patient
having prior treatment for lymphoma has relapsed and is
administered a therapeutically effective amount of a chimeric
anti-CD20 antibody. Such prior treatments can include, for example,
previous treatment with anti-CD20 antibodies, treatments which
included a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy
and chemotherapy. The previous chemotherapy may be selected from a
wide group of chemotherapeutic agents and combination regimens,
including CHOP, ICE, Mitozantrone, Cytarabine, DVP, ATRA,
Idarubicin, hoelzer chemotherapy regime, La La chemotherapy regime,
ABVD, CEOP, 2-CdA, FLAG & IDA with or without subsequent G-CSF
treatment), VAD, M & P, C-Weekly, ABCM, MOPP and DHAP.
[0012] Also included in the methods of the invention are methods
for treating a subject having B-cell lymphoma wherein the subject
is refractory for other therapeutic treatments, including all those
listed above, i.e., treatment with chimeric anti-CD20 antibody,
treatments which included a bone marrow or stem cell
transplantation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In particular,
encompassed are methods of treating a patient who has not exhibited
appreciable tumor remission or regression after administration of a
chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, comprising administering to said
patient a radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody.
[0013] In particular, the methods of treating a patient with a
radiolabeled antibody after a chimeric antibody are performed
whereby the radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody is administered from
about one week to about two years after said administration of said
chimeric anti-CD20 antibody. More particularly, the radiolabeled
anti-CD20 antibody is administered from about one week to about
nine months after said administration of said chimeric anti-CD20
antibody.
[0014] While any anti-CD20 antibodies can be used for the methods
of the present invention, a preferred chimeric antibody is C2B8
(IDEC Pharmaceuticals, Rituximab). A preferred radiolabeled
antibody is Y2B8, which is a murine antibody labeled with
yttrium-90 (.sup.90Y). However, antibodies with other radiolabels
may be used, particularly those labeled with a beta or alpha
isotope. Anti-CD 19 antibodies may also be used.
[0015] One of skill in the art would know the parameters for
choosing a particular type of anti-CD20 antibody. For instance,
chimeric and humanized antibodies are beneficial for decreased
immunogenicity, and for facilitating antibody effector mediated
immune reactions via the human constant region domains. Murine and
other mammalian antibodies, in contrast, are beneficial for
delivering a radiolabel to the tumor cell, as such antibodies
generally have a decreased half-life in vivo.
[0016] Antibody treatments performed initially to which patients
are refractory or have relapsed may include initial treatments with
chimeric antibodies or mammalian antibodies. Also encompassed are
initial treatments with other antibodies, including anti-CD19
antibodies and anti-Lym antibodies, and treatments with antibodies
labeled with cytotoxic moieties, such as toxins, and radiolabels,
e.g., ONCOLYM.RTM. (Techniclone) or BEXXAR.RTM. (Coulter).
[0017] It should be clear that the combined therapeutic regimens of
the present invention can be performed whereby said therapies are
given simultaneously, i.e., the anti-CD20 antibody is administered
concurrently or within the same time frame (i.e., the therapies are
going on concurrently, but the agents are not administered
precisely at the same time). The anti-CD20 antibodies of the
present invention may also be administered prior to or subsequent
to the other therapies. Sequential administration may be performed
regardless of whether the patient responds to the first therapy to
decrease the possibility of remission or relapse.
[0018] The combined therapies of the present invention include a
method for treating B-cell lymphoma comprising administering at
least one chimeric anti-CD20 antibody and at least one cytokine. In
particular, the invention includes a method for treating B-cell
lymphoma comprising administering a synergistic therapeutic
combination comprising at least one anti-CD20 antibody and at least
one cytokine, wherein the therapeutic effect is better than the
additive effects of either therapy administered alone. Preferred
cytokines are selected from the group consisting of alpha
interferon, gamma interferon, IL-2, GM-CSF and G-CSF. Again, the
anti-CD20 antibody and the cytokine(s) may be administered
sequentially, in either order, or in combination.
[0019] Also included in the present invention is a method for
treating B-cell lymphoma comprising administering to a patient a
therapeutically effective amount of a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody
before, during or subsequent to a chemotherapeutic regimen. Such a
chemotherapy regimen may be selected from the group consisting of,
at the very least, CHOP, ICE, Mitozantrone, Cytarabine, DVP, ATRA,
Idarubicin, hoelzer chemotherapy regime, La La chemotherapy regime,
ABVD, CEOP, 2-CdA, FLAG & IDA with or without subsequent G-CSF
treatment), VAD, M & P, C-Weekly, ABCM, MOPP and DHAP.
[0020] Also encompassed are methods for treating B-cell lymphoma
comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective
amount of a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody before, during or
subsequent to a bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplant.
Such bone marrow transplant may also be accompanied by other
therapeutic regimens such as chemotherapy. The antibodies of the
present invention may also be used in a method of reducing residual
CD20+ tumor cells in bone marrow or stem cells before or after
myeloablative therapy by administering to a patient a chimeric
anti-CD20 antibody. It may also be possible to use such antibodies
in vitro to induce apoptosis of tumor cells and reduce or cure bone
marrow or stem cell preparations of residual tumor cells before
they are infused back into the patient.
[0021] It should be understood that stem cell transplants may be
allogeneic or autologous. If the transplant is allogeneic, i.e.,
from another person, the disclosed therapeutic regimens may include
treatments with immunosuppressive drugs before administration of
the anti-CD20 antibodies. Coadministration of other drugs designed
to enhance acceptance of the transplant and stimulate the
production and differentiation of immune cells is also
contemplated. For instance, it has been shown that administration
of GM-CSF to marrow transplant recipients promotes the development
of specific bone marrow cells which in turn produces circulating
infection-fighting neutrophils, and increased the survival rate of
marrow transplant recipients.
[0022] The methods of the present invention may be used to treat a
variety of B-cell lymphomas, including low grade/follicular
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), small lymphocytic (SL) NHL,
intermediate grade/follicular NHL, intermediate grade diffuse NHL,
high grade immunoblastic NHL, high grade lymphoblastic NHL, high
grade small non-cleaved cell NHL, bulky disease NHL and
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. It should be clear to those of
skill in the art that these lymphomas will often have different
names due to changing systems of classification, and that patients
having lymphomas classified under different names may also benefit
from the combined therapeutic regimens of the present
invention.
[0023] For instance, a recent classification system proposed by
European and American pathologists is called the Revised European
American Lymphoma (REAL) Classification. This classification system
recognizes Mantle cell lymphoma and Marginal cell lymphoma among
other peripheral B-cell neoplasms, and separates some
classifications into grades based on cytology, i.e., small cell,
mixed small and large, large cell. It will be understood that all
such classified lymphomas may benefit from the combined therapies
of the present invention.
[0024] The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCl) has in turn divided
some of the REAL classes into more clinically useful "indolent" or
"aggressive" lymphoma designations. Indolent lymphomas include
follicular cell lymphomas, separated into cytology "grades,"
diffuse small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(CLL), lymphoplasmacytoid/Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, Marginal
zone lymphoma and Hairy cell leukemia. Aggressive lymphomas include
diffuse mixed and large cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma/diffuse
small non-cleaved cell lymphoma, Lymphoblastic lymphoma, Mantle
cell lymphoma and AIDS-related lymphoma. These lymphomas may also
benefit from the combined therapeutic regimens of the present
invention.
[0025] Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has also been classified on the basis
of "grade" based on other disease characteristics including
low-grade, intermediate-grade and high-grade lymphomas. Low-grade
lymphoma usually presents as a nodal disease, and is often indolent
or slow-growing. Intermediate- and high-grade disease usually
presents as a much more aggressive disease with large extranodal
bulky tumors. Intermediate- and high-grade disease, as well as low
grade NHL, may benefit from the combined therapeutic regimens of
the present invention.
[0026] The Ann Arbor classification system is also commonly used
for patients with NHL. In this system, stages I, II, III, and IV of
adult NHL can be classified into A and B categories depending on
whether the patient has well-defined generalized symptoms (B) or
not (A). The B designation is given to patients with the following
symptoms: unexplained loss of more than 10% body weight in the 6
months prior to diagnosis, unexplained fever with temperatures
above 38.degree. C. and drenching night sweats.
Occasionally, specialized staging systems are used: Stage
I--involvement of a single lymph node region or localized
involvement of a single extralymphatic organ or site. Stage
II--involvement of two or more lymph node regions on the same side
of the diaphragm or localized involvement of a single associated
extralymphatic organ or site and its regional lymph nodes with or
without other lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm.
Stage III--involvement of lymph node regions on both sides of the
diaphragm, possibly accompanying localized involvement of an
extralymphatic organ or site, involvement of the spleen, or both.
Stage IV--disseminated (multifocal) involvement of 1 or more
extralymphatic sites with or without associated lymph node
involvement or isolated extralymphatic organ involvement with
distant (non-regional) nodal involvement. For further details, see
The International Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognostic Factors
Project: A predictive model for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
New England J. Med. 329(14): 987-994 (1993).
[0027] Preferred antibodies, dosage regimens and particular
combinations of therapy will now be illustrated by way of the
following exemplary data.
Rituximab and Y2B8
[0028] Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) affects approximately 250,000
people in the United States. The majority of patients with NHL are
not cured by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or high-dose treatment
with autologous bone marrow (ABMT) or peripheral blood stem cell
(PBSC) support.
[0029] Approximately 80% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are B-cell
malignancies and >95% of these express the CD20 antigen on the
cell surface. This antigen is an attractive target for
immunotherapy because it is found exclusively on B-cells, and not
on hematopoietic stem cells, pro-B-cells, normal plasma cells, or
other normal tissues. It is not shed from the cell surface and does
not modulate upon antibody binding (1).
[0030] Rituximab is one of a new generation of monoclonal
antibodies developed to overcome limitations encountered with
murine antibodies, including short half-life, limited ability to
stimulate human effector functions, and immunogenicity (2,3).
[0031] Rituximab is a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody
with murine light- and heavy-chain variable regions and human gamma
I heavy-chain and kappa light-chain constant regions. The chimeric
antibody is composed of two heavy chains of 451 amino acids and two
light chains of 213 amino acids and has an approximate molecular
weight of 145 kD. Rituximab is more effective than its murine
parent in fixing complement and mediating ADCC, and it mediates CDC
in the presence of human complement (4). The antibody inhibits cell
growth in the B-cell lines FL-18, Ramos, and Raji, sensitizes
chemoresistant human lymphoma cell lines to diphtheria toxin,
ricin, CDDP, doxorubicin, and etoposide, and induces apoptosis in
the DHL-4 human B-cell lymphoma line in a dose-dependent manner
(5). In humans, the half-life of the antibody is approximately 60
hours after the first infusion and increases with each dose to 174
hours after the fourth infusion. The immunogenicity of the antibody
is low; of 355 patients in seven clinical studies, only three
(<1%) had a detectable anti-chimeric antibody (HACA)
response.
[0032] Rituximab was genetically engineered using the murine 2B8
antibody. The 2B8 antibody has also been conjugated to different
radiolabels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To this end,
copending application Ser. Nos. 08/475,813 (now U.S. Pat. No.
6,682,734); 08/475,815 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,061) and 08/478,967
(now U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,439), all herein incorporated by reference
in their entirety, disclose radiolabeled anti-CD20 conjugates for
diagnostic "imaging" of B-cell lymphoma tumors before
administration of therapeutic antibody. "In2B8" conjugate comprises
a murine monoclonal antibody, 2B8, specific to human CD20 antigen,
that is attached to Indium[111] (.sup.111In) via a bifunctional
chelator, i.e., MX-DTPA (diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid),
which comprises a 1:1 mixture of
1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyl-DTPA and
1-methyl-3-isothiocyanatobenzyl-DTPA. Indium-[111] is selected as a
diagnostic radionuclide because it emits gamma radiation and finds
prior usage as an imaging agent.
[0033] Patents relating to chelators and chelator conjugates are
known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,175 of Gansow
is directed to polysubstituted diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
chelates and protein conjugates containing the same, and methods
for their preparation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,099,069, 5,246,692,
5,286,850, and 5,124,471 of Gansow also relate to polysubstituted
DTPA chelates. These patents are incorporated herein in their
entirety.
[0034] The specific bifunctional chelator used to facilitate
chelation in application Ser. Nos. 08/475,813, 08/475,815 and
08/478,967 (now U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,682,734; 6,399,061; and.
5,843,439, respectively) was selected as it possesses high affinity
for trivalent metals, and provides for increased tumor-to-non-tumor
ratios, decreased bone uptake, and greater in vivo retention of
radionuclide at target sites, i.e., B-cell lymphoma tumor sites.
However, other bifunctional chelators are known in the art and may
also be beneficial in tumor therapy.
[0035] Also disclosed in application Ser. Nos. 08/475,813,
08/475,815 and 08/478,967 are radiolabeled therapeutic antibodies
for the targeting and destruction of B-cell lymphomas and tumor
cells. In particular, the Y2B8 conjugate comprises the same
anti-human CD20 murine monoclonal antibody, 2B8, attached to
yttrium-[90] (.sup.90Y) via the same bifunctional chelator. This
radionuclide was selected for therapy for several reasons. The 64
hour half-life of .sup.90Y is long enough to allow antibody
accumulation by the tumor and, unlike e.g. .sup.131I, it is a pure
beta emitter of high energy with no accompanying gamma irradiation
in its decay, with a range of 100 to 1000 cell diameters. The
minimal amount of penetrating radiation allows for outpatient
administration of .sup.90Y-labeled antibodies. Furthermore,
internalization of labeled antibodies is not required for cell
killing, and the local emission of ionizing radiation should be
lethal for adjacent tumor cells lacking the target antigen.
[0036] Because the .sup.90Y radionuclide was attached to the 2B8
antibody using the same bifunctional chelator molecule MX-DTPA, the
Y2B8 conjugate possesses the same advantages discussed above, e.g.,
increased retention of radionuclide at a target site (tumor).
However, unlike .sup.111In, it cannot be used for imaging purposes
due to the lack of gamma radiation associated therewith. Thus, a
diagnostic "imaging" radionuclide, such as .sup.111In, can be used
for determining the location and relative size of a tumor prior to
and/or following administration of therapeutic chimeric or
.sup.90Y-labeled antibodies in the combined regimens of the
invention. Additionally, indium-labeled antibody enables dosimetric
assessment to be made.
[0037] Depending on the intended use of the antibody, i.e., as a
diagnostic or therapeutic reagent, other radiolabels are known in
the art and have been used for similar purposes. For instance,
radionuclides which have been used in clinical diagnosis include
.sup.131I, .sup.125I, .sup.123I, .sup.99Tc, .sup.67Ga, as well as
.sup.111In. Antibodies have also been labeled with a variety of
radionuclides for potential use in targeted immunotherapy (Peirersz
et al. (1987) The use of monoclonal antibody conjugates for the
diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Immunol. Cell Biol. 65:
111-125). These radionuclides include .sup.188Re and .sup.186Re as
well as .sup.90Y, and to a lesser extent .sup.199Au and .sup.67Cu.
I-(131) has also been used for therapeutic purposes. U.S. Pat. No.
5,460,785 provides a listing of such radioisotopes and is herein
incorporated by reference.
[0038] As reported in copending application Ser. Nos. 08/475,813,
08/475,815 and 08/478,967 (now U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,682,734; 6,399,061;
and. 5,843,439, respectively), administration of the radiolabeled
Y2B8 conjugate, as well as unlabeled chimeric anti-CD20 antibody,
resulted in significant tumor reduction in mice harboring a B-cell
lymphoblastic tumor. Moreover, human clinical trials reported
therein showed significant B-cell depletion in lymphoma patients
infused with chimeric anti-CD20 antibody. In fact, chimeric 2B8 has
recently been heralded the nation's first FDA-approved anti-cancer
monoclonal antibody under the name of RITUXAN.RTM.. Thus, at least
one chimeric anti-CD20 antibody has been shown to demonstrate
therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma.
[0039] In addition, U.S. application Ser. No. 08/475,813 (now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,682,734) herein incorporated by reference, discloses
sequential administration of RITUXAN.RTM., a chimeric anti-CD20,
with both or either indium-labeled or yttrium-labeled marine
monoclonal antibody. Although the radiolabeled antibodies used in
these combined therapies are murine antibodies, initial treatment
with chimeric anti-CD20 sufficiently depletes the B-cell population
such that the HAMA response is decreased, thereby facilitating a
combined therapeutic and diagnostic regimen.
[0040] Thus, in this context of combined immunotherapy, murine
antibodies may find particular utility as diagnostic reagents.
Moreover, it was shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/475,813 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,061) that a therapeutically effective dosage of
the yttrium-labeled anti-CD20 antibody following administration of
RITUXAN.RTM. is sufficient to (a) clear any remaining peripheral
blood B-cells not cleared by the chimeric anti-CD20 antibody; (b)
begin B-cell depletion from lymph nodes; or (c) begin B-cell
depletion from other tissues.
[0041] Thus, conjugation of radiolabels to cancer therapeutic
antibodies provides a valuable clinical tool which may be used to
assess the potential therapeutic efficacy of such antibodies,
create diagnostic reagents to monitor the progress of treatment,
and devise additional therapeutic reagents which may be used to
enhance the initial tumor killing potential of the chimeric
antibody. Given the proven efficacy of an anti-CD20 antibody in the
treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the known sensitivity of
lymphocytes to radioactivity, it would be highly advantageous for
such chimeric and radiolabeled therapeutic antibodies to find use
in combined therapeutic regimens which decrease the frequency of
relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In addition, it
would be beneficial if such combined therapeutic regimens found use
in the treatment of other B-cell lymphomas.
Low-Grade or Follicular NHL
[0042] Single-Agent Studies with Relapsed or Refractory NHL
[0043] FDA approval of Rituximab was based on five single-agent
studies primarily in patients with low-grade or follicular NHL. An
early Phase I study of single Rituximab infusions ranging from
10-500 mg/m.sup.2 demonstrated that the maximum tolerated dose had
not been reached; however, the length of infusion time at the
highest dose was not considered feasible for outpatient therapy.
The ORR in 15 patients was 13% (Table 1)(6).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Rituximab: Summary of Efficacy Results
Median Median DR TIP Study Description Indication N* ORR CR PR
(months) (months) References Phase I/II, Single-Dose Relapsed
B-Cell Lymphoma 15 2 (13%) 0 (0%) 2 (13%) NA.dagger. 8.1 6 Single
Agent Phase I/II, Multiple-Dose Relapsed Low-, Intermediate-, 34 17
(50%) 3 (9%) 14 (41%) 8.6 10.2 7 Dose-Ranging and High-Grade
Lymphoma Phase II; Multiple-Dose Newly Diagnosed and Relapsed 38 38
(100%) 22 (58%) 16 (42%) 35.3+ 36.7+ 21, 22 Combined with CHOP
Low-Grade or Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma Phase III, Multiple-Dose
Relapsed Low-Grade or 151 76 (50%) 9 (6%) 67 (44%) 11.6 13.2 8, 9
Single-Agent Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma Phase II, Multiple-Dose
Relapsed Low-Grade or 35 21 (60%) 5 (14%) 16 (46%) 13.4+ 19.4+ 13
Single-Agent Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma Phase II, Multiple-Dose,
Relapsed Low-Grade or 38 17 (45%) 4 (11%) 13 (34%) 22.3+ 25.2+ 29
Combined with Interferon Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma Phase II,
Multiple-Dose, Relapsed Low-Grade or 28 12 (43%) 1 (4%) 11 (39%)
5.9 8.1 14 Single-Agent Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma, Bulky Disease
Phase II, Multiple-Dose, Relapsed Low-Grade or 57 23 (40%) 6 (11%)
17 (29%) 15.0+ 16.7+ 19, 20 Single-Agent Follicular B-Cell
Lymphoma, Retreatment Phase II, Multiple-Dose Previously Untreated
30 29 (96%) 19 (63%) 10 (33%) 1 I+ 17+ 34 Combined with CHOP
Intermediate- or High-Grade Modality Lymphoma Phase II, Alternative
Intermediate- or High-Grade B- 54 17 (32%) 5 (9%) 12 (22%)
NA.dagger. 8.2+ 33 Multiple Dosing Cell Lymphoma
[0044] In Phase I of a Phase I/II dose-ranging study, patients
received 125-375 mg/m.sup.2 administered as four weekly infusions.
No dose-related toxicities were demonstrated, and 375 mg/m.sup.2
was chosen as the Phase II dose. Tumor regressions were observed in
17 of 37 (46%) patients who received this dose, including 3 (8%)
complete responses (CR) and 14 (38%) partial responses PR (7).
Rituximab Pivotal Trial in Low-Grade or Follicular Lymphoma
[0045] Purpose:
[0046] The CD20 antigen is expressed on more than 90% of B-cell
lymphomas. It is appealing for targeted therapy, because it does
not shed or modulate. A chimeric monoclonal antibody more
effectively mediates host effector functions and is itself less
immunogenic than are murine antibodies.
[0047] Patients and Methods:
[0048] This was a multiinstitutional trial of the chimeric
anti-CD20 antibody, IDEC-C2B8. Patients with relapsed low grade or
follicular lymphoma received an outpatient treatment course of
IDEC-C2B8 375 mg/m.sup.2 intravenously weekly for four doses.
[0049] Results:
[0050] From 31 centers, 166 patients were entered. Of this
intent-to-treat group, 48% responded. With a median follow-up
duration of 11.8 months, the projected median time to progression
for responders is 13.0 months. Serum antibody levels were sustained
longer after the fourth infusion than after the first, and were
higher in responders and in patients with lower tumor burden. The
majority of adverse events occurred during the first infusion and
were grade 1 or 2; fever and chills were the most common events.
Only 12% of patients had grade 3 and 3% grade 4 toxicities. A human
antichimeric antibody was detected in only one patient.
[0051] Conclusion:
[0052] The response rate of 48% with IDEC-C2B8 is comparable to
results with single-agent cytotoxic chemotherapy. Toxicity was
mild. Attention needs to be paid to the rate of antibody infusion,
with titration according to toxicity. Further investigation of this
agent is warranted, including its use in conjunction with standard
chemotherapy.
Patients and Methods
Eligibility
[0053] Adult patients with relapsed low grade or follicular B-cell
lymphoma, histologically confirmed and positive for CD20, were
eligible. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(lymphocytes>5.times.10.sup.9/L) were excluded. Patients had to
have either not responded to primary therapy or relapsed (not more
than four times), have progressive measurable disease, and sign an
institutional review board-approved informed consent. They had to
be at least 3 weeks beyond prior standard therapy including
corticosteroids, and have recovered from significant toxicities
from prior therapies. Patients had to have good performance status
(Zubrod 0 to 2) and adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic
function. Patients were excluded if they had lesions>10 cm in
diameter, CNS lymphoma, AIDS-related lymphoma, pleural effusions or
ascites secondary to lymphoma, active opportunistic infection,
serious nonmalignant disease, prior investigational therapies
including prior anti-CD20 therapy, or recent major surgery.
Therapy
[0054] The antibody dose was 375 mg/m.sup.2, administered
intravenously once weekly for a total of four infusions (days 1, 8,
15, and 22) on an outpatient basis. IDEC-C2B8 was produced and
supplied by IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp. The drug was reconstituted
in normal saline to a concentration of 1 mg/mL and given through a
0.22-.mu.m in-line filter. Oral premedication with acetaminophen or
diphenhydramine was permitted; corticosteroids were prohibited. The
initial infusion rate was 50 mg/h, with subsequent infusion rate
increase if no toxicity was seen. Guidelines were specified for
interruption of infusion, with resumption once adverse events
subsided.
Definition of End Points
[0055] Complete response (CR) required the resolution of all
symptoms and signs of lymphoma, including bone marrow clearing, for
at least 28 days. Partial response (PR) required a .gtoreq.50%
decrease in the sum of the products of perpendicular measurements
of lesions, without any evidence of progressive disease for at
least 28 days. Patients who did not achieve a CR or PR were
considered nonresponders, even if there was a net decrease
(<50%) of measurable disease. Time to progression was measured
from the first infusion until progression.
[0056] An independent panel of nine radiologists and lymphoma
specialists reviewed and verified all CT scans of patients who
exhibited a .gtoreq.40% reduction in tumor size as measured by the
investigator. This refereed response designation is the one used
for this report.
Results
Response
[0057] The overall response rate for the intent-to-treat group of
all 166 patients was 48%, of which 6% were CRs and the remainder
PRs.
[0058] A detailed analysis of efficacy was also performed on a
subset of 151 patients, excluding 15 patients for the following
reasons: one never started treatment for personal reasons; eight
received one or more doses of corticosteroids during the evaluation
period (a protocol violation that was strictly enforced to avoid
any confusion about the efficacy of the antibody); one had surgery
within 4 weeks of study entry (an exclusion criterion); one lacked
measurable lesions; and four did not complete all four doses
because of grade 3 or 4 adverse events (they were included in the
toxicity analysis).
[0059] The response rate for these 151 assessable patients was
virtually identical to that of the intent-to-treat group, with a
50% response rate, including 6% CRs. Among those who did not
achieve a CR or PR, the majority (56 of 75) nonetheless had a net
decrease of measurable disease (mean decrease, 32%). With a median
follow-up duration of 11.8 months, the projected median time to
progression for responders is 13.0 months for the intent-to-treat
group and 12.5 months for the assessable group (FIG. 1); 53 of 76
responders have not yet relapsed. To date, only nine patients have
died, all of progressive lymphoma.
[0060] Table 2 lists response according to clinical features.
Significantly lower response rates were noted for patients with the
following: SL lymphoma compared with other cell types; positive
bone marrow; .gtoreq.two extranodal sites; and, among the subset of
118 patients with follicular lymphomas, those without detectable
bcl-2 gene rearrangement by PCR in the peripheral blood or bone
marrow. Unexpectedly, the 23 patients whose prior therapy had
included high-dose regimens with stem-cell or bone marrow
transplantation had a significantly higher response rate than those
who had not received transplant regimens (78% v 43%, P<0.01).
Patients who had achieved a CR or PR with their last prior
chemotherapy course had a nonsignificant but somewhat better
response to the antibody than those who were resistant to
chemotherapy (53% v 36%, P=0.06).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Patient Features and Response No. of %
Patients CR + PR P Feature All patients 166 48 -- Assessable
patients* 151 50 -- Age .gtoreq.60 years 67 51 NS Sex: male 95 48
NS Histology Small lymphocytic 30 13 <.01.dagger. Follicular
small cleaved 60 60 Follicular mixed 48 60 Follicular large cell 10
60 Other 3 33 Elevated LDH.sctn. 46 43 NS Elevated
.beta..sub.2-microglobulin.sctn. 41 56 NS Bulk.sctn. <5 cm 88 56
NS .gtoreq.5 cm 61 43 Marrow.sctn. Negative 66 61 .03 Positive 83
42 bcl-2 in peripheral blood Negative 62 52 .04 Positive 55 71
bcl-2 in bone marrow Negative 60 52 .05 Positive 52 71 .gtoreq.2
extranodal site 75 39 .01 Abbreviations: LDH, lactate
dehydrogenase; NS, not significant. *Subset analyses conducted on
the assessable group of 151 patients (see text); results for the
intent-to-treat group were virtually identical. .dagger.Comparison
of SL versus follicular histologies. One each with:
mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT); low-grade B-cell
lymphoma, not otherwise specified; and marginal-zone lymphoma.
.sctn.Data available for LDH on 143, .beta..sub.2-microglobulin on
148, bulk on 149, and marrow status on 149. For follicular lymphoma
only.
Adverse Events
[0061] Adverse events generally occurred during therapy or within
the first 30 days following therapy (Table 3). The majority were
observed during the first infusion (FIG. 2) and were grade 1 or 2.
After the first infusion, most patients (55%) had no toxicity for
the remainder of treatment.
[0062] Adverse events were typically brief. The median duration of
nausea was 1 hour, fever 3 hours, bronchospasm less than 30
minutes, hypotension 1.6 hours, and rash and pruritus 2 hours. The
antibody infusion rate was titrated according to adverse events.
The mean duration of the first dose was 5.2 hours (range, 2.5 to
20); 33% of patients had interruptions. During the second, third,
and fourth doses, the frequency of interruptions decreased to 6%,
2%, and 1%, respectively, and the mean durations of the infusions
were 3.5, 3.3, and 3.3 hours, respectively.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Adverse Events During Therapy NCI Grade % of
1-2 3 4 Patients Event Any 599 18 2 84 General Fever 84 -- -- 43
Chills 51 2 -- 28 Headache 26 1 -- 14 Asthenia 25 -- -- 13 Pain 22
-- -- 11 Pruritus 21 1 -- 13 Rash 16 -- -- 10 Urticaria 9 1 -- 6
Angioedema 27 1 -- 14 Dizziness 11 -- -- 6 Digestive Nausea 34 1 --
18 Vomiting 13 1 -- 8 Diarrhea 10 -- -- 4 Respiratory Bronchospasm
15 1 -- 8 Dyspnea 1 1 -- 1 Rhinitis 14 1 -- 7 Cough increase 4 1 --
3 Cardiovascular Hypotension 18 1 -- 10 Arrhythmia 5 2 1 2
Hematologic Anemia 1 1 -- 1 Thrombocytopenia 5 1 -- 3 Leukopenia 12
1 -- 7 Neutropenia 6 -- 1 4 NOTE. Includes all grade 3 or 4 events
that were considered related to the antibody, and most frequent
(.gtoreq. 10 occurrences) other events, for all patients (N = 165
since 1 patient withdrew before receiving any antibody). "During
Therapy" includes from day 1 to 30 days after the fourth infusion;
for later events, see text. Abbreviation: NCI, National Cancer
Institute.
[0063] Thirteen patients had hemoglobin levels decrease to as low
as 8 to 10 g/dL, and four had levels of 7.6 to 7.9; recovery
occurred in a median of 7 days. Three patients with pretreatment
platelet counts of 76,000 to 85,000.times.10.sup.9/L had counts
decrease to 63,000 to 72,000 at a median of 19 days, with recovery
by a median of 7 days; one patient with a pretreatment platelet
count of 90,000 had a count of 27,000 at day 23, with recovery to
86,000 in 6 days. Fourteen patients had granulocytes decrease to a
level of 1 to 1.5.times.10.sup.9/L at median of 41 days, with
recovery by a median of 8 days; two patients had granulocytes
decrease to 0.5 to 0.9 at day 9 and day 23, with recovery to
greater than 2.0 by 6 to 7 days; one had a granulocyte count of 0.1
at day 51, with recovery by 4 days. The remainder of patients, 86%
of the population, had no cytopenias. Thus, the median (.+-.SE)
values for hemoglobin, platelets, leukocytes, and granulocytes
remained within normal limits throughout the treatment period.
[0064] Infections that occurred either during therapy or for up to
a year thereafter were predominantly bacterial (37 of 68), and the
vast majority were minor (61 of 68 grade 1 or 2; none grade 4). The
respiratory tract was the source in 19 and the urinary tract in
three; gastroenteritis occurred in three. There were three episodes
of bacteremia, one with Listeria detected before the third
infusion, one staphylococcal, and one polymicrobial, which was felt
to be catheter-related; all resolved with antibiotics. Viral
infections included herpes simplex in 10 and herpes zoster in
five.
[0065] After therapy and during the first year of follow-up
evaluation, a total of 98 related adverse events were reported in
45 patients, of which 81% were grade 1 or 2. The most common late
(from 31 days to 1 year after the last antibody infusion) adverse
events were hematologic: 13 neutropenia (five grade 3, one grade
4), 10 leukopenia (one grade 3, no grade 4), and one RBC
aplasia.
Discussion
[0066] The response rate was 50% with this outpatient four-dose
course of therapy with IDEC-C2B8 for patients with relapsed low
grade or follicular lymphoma.
[0067] The toxicity of the current program was notably mild,
particularly with respect to myelosuppressive toxicities that are
typical of standard chemotherapy or RIT. Adverse events occurred
mainly with the first infusion, in a constellation that typically
included modest (grade 1 or 2) and brief (minutes to hours) fever,
chills, and aches. By the second and subsequent infusions, the
majority of patients experienced no further infusion-related
toxicities
[0068] The overall response rate (ORR) was 48% with a 6% CR and a
42% PR rate(8). The median time to progression (TTP) for responders
was 13.2 months and the median duration of response (DR) was 11.6
months. Twenty-two of 80 (28%) responders remain in ongoing
remission at 20.9+ to 32.9+ months (9).
[0069] Administration of Rituximab resulted in a rapid and
sustained depletion of B-cells. Circulating B-cells were depleted
within the first three doses with sustained depletion for up to six
to nine months post-treatment in 83% of patients. Median B-cell
levels returned to normal by 12 months following treatment.
Although median NK cell counts remained unchanged, a positive
correlation was observed between higher absolute NK cell counts at
baseline and response to Rituximab (10).
[0070] Several baseline prognostic factors were analyzed to
determine their correlation to response. Significantly, in 23
patients relapsed after ABMT or PBSC, the ORR was 78% versus 43% in
patients who did not undergo prior high-dose therapy (p<0.01).
In a multivariate analysis, the ORR was higher in patients with
follicular NHL as compared with small lymphocytic lymphoma (58% vs.
12%, p<0.01), and higher in patients with chemosensitive relapse
as compared with chemoresistant relapse (53% vs. 36%, p=0.06). No
effect on response rate was associated with: age>60 years,
extranodal disease, prior anthracycline therapy, or bone marrow
involvement.
[0071] A statistically significant correlation was found between
the median serum antibody concentration and response at multiple
time points during treatment and follow up (11).
[0072] Serum levels of antibody were higher in patients with
follicular NHL compared with small lymphocytic lymphoma. Mean serum
antibody was also inversely correlated with measurements of tumor
bulk and with the number of circulating B-cells at baseline. The
association of lower serum antibody concentrations with higher
numbers of circulating NHL cells and with higher tumor bulk suggest
that the main mode of antibody clearance is to tumor cells. The
association of high serum antibody concentrations with response and
lower tumor bulk or circulating cells suggests that higher or more
doses of Rituximab may be necessary to induce responses in some
subsets of patients, such as those with bulky disease.
[0073] Nevertheless, responses were seen with Rituximab in 43% of
patients with tumors>5 cm and in 35% of patients with
tumors>7 cm, suggesting that treatment of patients with bulky
disease with Rituximab is feasible. This is surprising considering
it was long thought that antibody therapy is not conducive to
treating bulky disease due to the compact nature of the tumors.
[0074] In a study conducted in Japan (12), patients with relapsed
B-cell lymphoma were treated with either 250 mg/m.sup.2 (N=4) or
375 mg/m.sup.2 (N=8) of Rituximab weekly times four. Of 11
evaluable patients, 8 had follicular NHL, 2 had diffuse large-cell
NHL, and one had mantle-cell lymphoma. Two of the 11 had a CR and 5
had a PR for an ORR of 64%; all responders had follicular
histology.
[0075] Because Rituximab serum levels and response were positively
correlated in previous studies, a Phase II study of eight weekly
doses of 375 mg/m.sup.2 Rituximab was conducted in low-grade or
follicular NHL patients. The ORR was 60% in evaluable patients,
with a 14% CR and a 46% PR rate. Median values for TTP in
responders and DR were 13.4+ months and 19.4+ months, respectively
(13). Though it is difficult to compare across studies, it appears
that TTP and DR may be improved by using more doses.
[0076] Contrary to early assumptions about antibody therapy being
useful only in micrometastatic disease, Rituximab.RTM. is quite
active in high bulk disease. In a separate study, 31 patients with
relapsed or refractory, bulky low-grade NHL (single lesion of
>10 cm in diameter) received 375 mg/m.sup.2 Rituximab as four
weekly infusions. Twelve of 28 evaluable patients (43%)
demonstrated a CR (1, 4%) or PR (11, 39%)(14).
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
[0077] Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a malignancy wherein
B lymphocytes secrete excessive amounts of IgM antibodies. WM
usually occurs in people over sixty, but has been detected in
adults in their early thirties. WM today is considered a rare
incurable indolent malignancy, which has in the past been treated
by plasmaphoresis to reduce serum viscosity. Chemotherapeutic drugs
such as an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid are often
prescribed. The most recommended drug for WM has been Leustatin
(2CdA).
[0078] A report on seven patients with Waldenstrom's
macroglobulinemia where the patients were treated with Rituximab
(375 mg/m.sup.2 weekly times 4)(15) noted responses in 4 (57%) of
patients. Median progression-free survival was 8 months (range
3-27+ months). Thus, Rituximab should be useful in combined
therapeutic protocols, particularly with chemotherapeutic reagents
such as 2CdA.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
[0079] CLL is the liquid (leukemic) equivalent of small lymphocytic
lymphoma (SLL). Patients with SLL had lower serum levels and a
lower response rate when treated with the standard dose of
Rituximab than patients with other low-grade NHL subtypes. This is
probably due to the very high levels of circulating tumor cells in
patients with CLL, and because malignant cells involved in CLL are
thought to have reduced levels of expression of CD20 on the cell
surface.
[0080] Nevertheless, the present inventors have discovered that
hematologic malignancies such as CLL may be treated with Rituximab.
A recent clinical study evaluated treatment of CLL patients at
higher doses of Rituximab (16). All patients receive a first dose
of 375 mg/m.sup.3 to minimize infusion-relapsed side effects.
Subsequent weekly dosages (3) remained the same but were given at
an increased dose level. Sixteen patients have been treated at
dosages of 500-1500 mg/m.sup.3. Medium age was 66 years (range,
25-78). Eighty-one percent had end-stage III-IV disease. Medium
white blood cell count was 40.times.10.sup.9/L (range, 4-200), Hgb
11.6 g/dl (range, 7.7-14.7), platelets 75.times.10.sup.9/L, (range,
16-160), median .beta..sub.2 immunoglobulin was 4.5 mg/L (range,
3.1-9.2). Median numbers of prior therapies was 2.5 (range 1-9).
Sixty percent of patients were refractory to treatment. Two
patients developed severe hypertension with the first dose (375
mg/m.sup.2); another one received further therapy. Toxicity at
subsequent escalated dosages has been mild although no patient at
the 1500 mg/m.sup.2 dose level has been fully evaluated. Eight
patients have completed therapy (4 at 500 mg/m.sup.2, 3 at 650
mg/m.sup.2, 1 at 825 mg/m.sup.2). One patient treated at 560
mg/m.sup.2 achieved full remission. One patient has progressive
lympocytosis on treatment and all other patients had reduction in
peripheral blood lymphocytosis but less effect on lymph nodes. Dose
escalation studies are ongoing.
[0081] Another approach to improving response in CLL patients is to
upregulate the CD20 antigen using cytokines. In an in vitro study,
mononuclear cells from CLL patients were incubated for 24 hours
with various cytokines. Flow cytometry results showed significant
up-regulation by IL-4, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha (17). In fact, recent
data suggests that the upregulation of CD20 observed on CLL cells
may be limited to tumor cells (Venogopal et al. Poster--PanPacific
Lymphoma meeting, June 1999. Cytokine-induced upregulation of CD20
antigen expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells may
be limited to tumor cells). Preliminary data also suggest that
interferon alpha also upregulates CD20 on CLL cells after only 24
hours when applied at a concentration of 500 to 1000 U/ml.
[0082] Thus, by administering certain cytokines to CLL patients
prior to or concurrently with administration of Rituximab, the
expression of CD20 on the surface of malignant B-cells may be
upregulated, thereby rendering CD20, as well as other cell surface
markers such as CD 19, a more attractive target for immunotherapy.
A collaborative study has been initiated to test for optimal
cytokine doses for CD20 upregulation in vivo. The study protocol
involves treating ten patients initially with GM-CSF at 250
mcg/m.sup.2 SQ QD X 3, ten patients with IL-4 mcg/kg SQ QD X 3, and
ten patients with G-CSF at 5 mcg/kg SQ QD X 3. Mononuclear cells
will be separated by Ficon Hypaque centrifugation for apoptotic
studies to determine if upregulation of CD20 translates to enhanced
killing of tumor cells by Rituximab.
[0083] Antibody treatment of CLL can be combined with other
conventional chemotherapeutic treatments known to be useful for the
treatment of CLL. The most frequently used single agent for CLL is
chlorambucil (leukeran), given either as 0.1 mg/kg daily or 0.4 to
1.0 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Chlorambucil is often combined with oral
prednisone (30 to 100 mg/m.sup.2/d), which is useful in the
management of autoimmune cytopenias. Cyclophosphamide is an
alternative to chlorambucil, the usual dose being 1-2 g/m.sup.2
every 3-4 weeks together with vincristine and steroids (e.g., COP
regimen).
[0084] Various drug combinations have been used for CLL, including
COP (cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, and prednisone), and CHOP (these
three drugs plus doxorubicin). Fludarabine has shown an effect in
the treatment of CLL, and gave an ORR of 50% in a group of patients
treated with 25-30 mg/m.sup.2/d every 3-4 weeks.
http://www.cancernetwork.com. Although some patients have been
shown to be refractory for fludarabine. Such patients may also be
resistant to 2-CdA because often, patients who are refractory to
fludarabine are also refractory to 2-CDA (O'Brien et al. N. Engl.
J. Med. 330: 319-322 (1994)).
[0085] Hence, anti-CD20 antibody therapy will be particularly
useful for patients who are refractory or who have relapsed after
treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Rituximab therapy may also
be combined with radiotherapy in these patients. TBI with a low
fraction size of 15 cGy to total doses of 75 to 150 cGy has been
shown to be effective in about one-third of patients.
[0086] A Phase II trial is currently being conducted by CALGB in
CLL patients. Rituximab and fludarabine are administered
concurrently, followed by Rituximab consolidation versus
fludarabine induction followed by Rituximab.
Rituximab with Myeloablative Therapy
[0087] Myeloablative therapy has yielded responses in indolent
lymphomas; however, residual tumor cells may remain despite
high-dose therapy and the PBSC reinfused may contain tumor cells.
Rituximab is being used before stem cell mobilization and after
transplant to reduce residual CD20+ tumor cells and contamination
of the bone marrow or stem cells harvested. Interim results
demonstrated that no CD20+ cells were detectable in harvested
cells. Eighteen of 24 patients achieved engraftment and the
treatment was well tolerated. PCR testing is ongoing to evaluate
residual tumor cells (18).
Retreatment of Relapsed Low-Grade NHL with Rituximab
[0088] A trial evaluating retreatment of 53 patients who had
responded to Rituximab and later relapsed has been reported (19).
Seven of 56 evaluable patients (13%) obtained a CR and 16 a PR
(29%), for an ORR of 42%. Four patients who had a second response
received a third treatment; 3 of these responded.
[0089] After treatment with two courses of Rituximab, one patient's
tumor, initially classified as follicular, small cleaved cell NHL,
no longer expressed the CD20 antigen and was unresponsive to
Rituximab at the time of transformation to diffuse, large-cell NHL
(20).
[0090] Thus, while retreatment with Rituximab is effective for
treating patients who have relapsed after prior treatment with
Rituximab, there may be an increased incidence of CD20-tumor cells
after secondary treatment. This observation supports the utility of
the combined therapeutic treatment regimens described herein.
Combination of Rituximab and CHOP Chemotherapy for Low-Grade
NHL
[0091] Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) is an effective first-line
therapy for low-grade or follicular NHL. Though initial response
rates are high, relapse eventually occurs and subsequent
chemotherapy regimens produce remissions with shorter durations. A
Phase II trial was initiated to evaluate the combination of CHOP
and Rituximab (21) in newly diagnosed and relapsed low-grade or
follicular NHL because their mechanisms of action are not
cross-resistant, and Rituximab is synergistic with certain
cytotoxic drugs, including doxorubicin (5).
[0092] Twenty-nine of 38 patients received no prior anticancer
therapy. CHOP was administered at standard doses every three weeks
for six cycles with six infusions of Rituximab (375 mg/m.sup.2).
Rituximab infusions 1 and 2 were administered on Days 1 and 6
before the first CHOP cycle, which started on Day 8. Rituximab
infusions 3 and 4 were given 2 days before the third and fifth CHOP
cycles, respectively, and infusions 5 and 6 were given on Days 134
and 141, respectively, after the sixth CHOP cycle.
[0093] In this combination study, 100% of the 38 patients treated
responded (CR, 58%; PR, 42%). Of 35 evaluable patients who
completed treatment, there were 63% CR, and 37% PR(21). Median DR
is 35.3+ months with median progression-free survival not reached
after a median observation time of 36.7+ months. Twenty patients
are still in remission after 36+ months to 53.4+ months (22). This
DR is impressive even for first-line treatment, and 24% of this
trial population had relapsed after chemotherapy.
[0094] In a study to be conducted by CALGB, 40 patients with
low-grade NHL will receive Rituximab weekly times 8 and oral
cyclophosphamide daily starting on Day 8. Twenty patients will
receive Rituximab alone for 8 weekly doses.
[0095] A Phase III study conducted by ECOG in patients with
low-grade NHL is comparing the combination of cyclophosphamide and
fludarabine (Arm A) with standard CVP therapy (Arm B). In the
randomization to Arm A or Arm B, patients are stratified by age,
tumor burden, histology, and B symptoms. Responders in both arms
will undergo a second randomization to Rituximab maintenance
therapy (375 mg/m.sup.2 weekly times 4 every 6 months for 2 years
(Arm C) or to observation (Arm D).
Combination of Rituximab with Cytokines
[0096] Rituximab Plus Interferon Alpha
[0097] Interferon is a cytokine involved in modulating the immune
system (23). Mechanisms by which interferon may increase the
effectiveness of antibodies include the potentiation of antigen
expression (24), increased targeting of antibodies into tumors
(25,26), and enhanced cytotoxicity of immunotoxins (27).
[0098] In a combination trial, interferon-alpha (Roferon-A), a
cytokine with a single-agent clinical activity in NHL (28), and
Rituximab were given to patients with relapsed low-grade or
follicular NHL. Interferon-alpha (2.5 or 5 MIU) was administered
subcutaneously, three times weekly for 12 weeks. Rituximab.RTM. was
administered by IV infusion weekly for four doses (375 mg/m.sup.2)
starting on the fifth week of treatment. The ORR was 45% (17/38
patients); 11% had a CR and 34% had a PR. Kaplan-Meier estimates of
the median DR and TTP in responders were 22.3+ and 25.2+ months,
respectively (29). Previous combination studies of interferon-alpha
and chemotherapeutic regimens containing anthracyclines yielded
prolonged time to progression, but did not consistently increase
response or survival rates (30-32). These early results suggest
that the combination of Rituximab and interferon-alpha may prolong
the time to progression relative to Rituximab alone.
[0099] Rituximab Plus G-CSF
[0100] In a separate study, Rituximab and G-CSF are being evaluated
in relapsed low-grade NHL. It has been demonstrated in vitro as
well as in vivo in healthy volunteers that G-CSF, via its effect on
myeloid precursor cells, induces FcRI-positive neutrophils that are
capable of functioning as effector cells in ADCC. Therefor, a Phase
VII study was initiated to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of
the combined treatment.
[0101] Both in Phase I and Phase II, patients were administered a
standard dose of G-CSF (5 .mu.g/kg/day) administered for three
days, starting 2 days before administration of Rituximab. Phase I
consisted of a dose escalation of Rituximab (125, 250, or 375
mg/m.sup.2 weekly X4). Early results in 9 patients evaluated so far
yielded an ORR of 67% (44% CR, 22% PR) with minor toxicity in 8 of
the 9 patients (33). The most frequent adverse events were fever
(4/8 patients), rhinitis (4/8), chills (3/8) and headaches (3/8),
which were comparable to the adverse events observed previously in
administration of Rituximab alone. The Phase II part of the study
has been initiated, which will examine the efficacy of the
combination of G-CSF and 375 mg/m.sup.2 Rituximab X4.
[0102] Rituximab Plus IL-2
[0103] High-dose therapy with autologous peripheral blood stem
cells (PBSC) or bone marrow (BM) rescue has been used to treat NHL,
however success remains limited by the high risk of relapse, which
is 50-80%. In an effort to improve durable remissions
post-transplant, immunotherapy including high dose and low dose
therapy with IL-2 has been studied in a number of treatment
centers. Such studies have suggested that IL-2 therapy does
demonstrate early post-transplant anti-Tumor activity.
[0104] Initially following autologous transplant, patients display
delayed immune reconstitution which potentially results in
diminished immune-mediated tumor eradication (43, 44). Indeed, it
has been shown that both CD$+ T cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells
are depressed (45-49). In vitro assays have demonstrated a profound
suppression of T cell cytolytic and proliferative responses as well
as decreased production of IL-2 in response to mitogens and soluble
antigens. However, soluble IL-2 is able to restore these immune
responses suggesting that immune cells in patients after autologous
transplant are capable of responding to exogenous IL-2 (47).
Peripheral blood NK activity also remains lower following BMT than
control values and the NK activity is also augmented by addition of
exogenous IL-2 (49). These data suggest that administration of IL-2
to patients shortly after stem cell transplant may enhance immune
responsiveness at a critical period when tumor burden is minimal
and when immune responsiveness in the absence of IL-2 is
lacking.
[0105] For instance, Caligiuru et al. have shown that IL-2
(Hoffman-LaRoche) administered at 0.45.times.10.sup.6 U/M.sup.2/day
by 24 hour CIV for 12 weeks was able to expand the absolute number
of CD56 bright NK cells (50-52). This regimen was administered to
non-transplant patients in the outpatient setting with little
toxicity.
[0106] Animal models have shown that non-LAK inducing low doses of
IL-2 dramatically enhances anti-tumor activity when administered
with tumor-specific T effector cells (53). In addition, Soiffer et
al. (54) administered low doses of IL-2 to 13 autologous BMT or T
cell depleted allogeneic BMT recipients undergoing treatment for
relapsed leukemia or lymphoma. Enhanced immunological
responsiveness was demonstrated in the laboratory with a 5- to
40-fold increase in circulating CD56 bright CD16+ CD3- NK cells.
Moreover, this low dose regimen of IL-2 resulted in augmented in
vitro killing of the NK targets K562. When Soiffer et al. (55)
updated the outcome of 29 allogeneic BMT patients who received low
dose IL-2, they found superior survival for these patients (70%)
compared to histological controls (30%, p=0.41).
[0107] Lauria et al. (56) treated 11 patients with high grade NHL
at a median of 42 days after ABMT with IL-2 at a dose of
2.times.10.sup.6 IU/m.sup.2 god for two weeks and then
3.times.10.sup.6 IU/m.sup.2 twice a week for a year. Phenotypic
analysis showed a persistent and significant (p=0.001) increase in
the proportion and absolute number of total lymphocytes and
especially of both CD16 and CD56 NK cells after 6 months of
therapy. None of the patients progressed with a median follow-up of
twenty-two months (range 10-42 months) after starting therapy. In
addition, two patients with residual disease after ABMT, one in the
liver and second in the lymph nodes, obtained a complete response
after 7 and 10 months of IL-2 therapy.
[0108] Vey et al. (57) treated 25 patients with refractory or
relapsed HD (11 patients) and NHL (14 patients) with low dose
IL-2.48% of the patients had resistant disease at transplant and
84% achieved CR after ABMT. IL-2 was started at a mean of 54 days
after transplant and consisted of a first cycle of 5 days followed
by 4 cycles of 2 days every other week. Patients received a mean of
160.times.10.sup.6 IU/m.sup.2 of IL-2. After a five year follow-up,
the probability of survival and DFS is 72% (HD 73% and NHL 70%) and
45% (HD 36% and NHL 48%).
[0109] A group at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(FHCRC) has recently found that low dose IL-2 therapy was
well-tolerated in the outpatient setting, and that remissions in
patients treated with low dose IL-2 tended to be longer than
without IL-2 treatment. IL-2 therapy was associated with an
increase in the number of certain populations of immune cells,
including CD8+ CD69+ cells; CD16+ CD8+ cells; CD16+CD69+ cells;
CD16+ CD56+ cells; CD16+ CD122+ cells; CD16+ Dr+ cells; and
CD8+CD56+ cells. There was also an increase in the expression of
lytic activity against the tumor targets K562 and Daudi, with a
median of 5.9-fold and 6.5-fold increase, respectively. Relapses,
when they occurred, occurred at a median of 17.8 months after
transplant, and therefor remissions were reported to be
characteristically longer than what was historically seen in
transplant recipients without IL-2 therapy.
[0110] Given the encouraging data gathered from single therapy
studies with IL-2 on ABMT transplant recipients, it seemed
reasonable to combine IL-2 therapy with Rituximab post transplant,
given that Rituximab's biological activity appears to be mediated
through ADCC and complement-mediated lytic activity. Thus, a Phase
I trial has been initiated in collaboration with the FHCRC to
evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of a combined
therapeutic regimen.
[0111] A separate Phase II study is also being performed to
evaluate the efficacy and the incidence of HACA formation in
patients receiving low-dose IL-2 and RITUXAN.RTM.. A specific
objective of this study is to assess whether ADCC is enhanced by in
vivo exposure to IL-2 and whether ADCC activity correlates with
clinical response. Inclusion criteria for patients are
histologically confirmed stage II-IV low-grade, follicular B-cell
or mantle cell lymphoma. Mantle cell lymphoma, for the purposes of
this clinical study, is defined as CD5+, CD23-(if available) and/or
bcl-1+ by immunohistochemistry. Patients who did not respond to or
have relapsed following their first treatment with a standard
therapy, i.e., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, ABMT and/or
immunotherapy, are eligible.
[0112] Rituximab Plus GM-CSF for the Treatment of Relapsed Low
Grade or Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma
[0113] Two separate Phase II trials have also been initiated to
test the efficacy of combined treatment with Rituximab and GM-CSF.
One study involves 40 patients with relapsed low grade B-cell
lymphoma, and comprises administering Rituximab at 375 mg/m.sup.2
weekly .times.4 (d. 1, 8, 15, 22) and GM-CSF (Leukine, Immunex) at
250 mcg sc three times weekly for 8 weeks, starting one hour before
the first dose of Rituximab. This study will be used to evaluate
the clinical efficacy (overall response rate (ORR), overall
complete response rate, time to progression and failure-free
survival) of the combined therapeutic regimen, to characterize the
safety (qualitative, quantitative, duration and reversibility of
adverse events) of the combined therapy, and to determine the
effects of the combined therapy on relevant lymphocyte subsets and
cytokines. The second study plans to also monitor immunologic
parameters to assess the mechanism of killing (complement C3 and
C4, CH50, flow cytometry for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19 and CD56 and
ADCC assay).
[0114] Rituximab Plus Gamma-Interferon
[0115] Gamma-interferon may also be useful in combined therapy with
Rituximab for treating patients with low-grade or higher-grade
lymphomas. It is has recently been found that gamma-interferon
upregulates CD20 expression on multiple myeloma (MM) patient plasma
cells, patient B-cells, as well as on normal donor B-cells (Treon
et al., Lugano, 1999). In fact, Treon and colleagues have shown
that gamma-interferon augments binding of these cells to Rituximab.
Induction of CD20 expression on plasma cells occurred in a dose
dependent manner, with upregulation seen with as little as 1 U/ml
of interferon gamma. A plateau occurred at 100 U/ml at 48 hours.
Thus, gamma-interferon may also be beneficial when administered in
combination with Rituximab.
Intermediate-Grade and High-Grade NHL
Single-Agent Studies
[0116] In a study conducted in Europe and Australia, alternative
dosing schedules were evaluated in 54 relapsed or refractory
intermediate- or high-grade NHL patients (34). Rituximab was
infused at 375 mg/m.sup.2 weekly for 8 doses or at 375 mg/m.sup.2
once followed by 500 mg/m.sup.2 weekly for 7 doses. The ORR was
31%; (CR 9%, PR 22%) no significant difference between the dosing
regimens was observed. Patients with diffuse large-cell lymphoma
(N=30) had an ORR of 37% and those with mantle-cell lymphoma (N=12)
had an ORR of 33%.
Combination of Rituximab and CHOP Chemotherapy
[0117] In another study, 31 patients with intermediate- or
high-grade NHL (19 females, 12 males, median age 49) received
Rituximab on Day 1 of each of six 21-day cycles of CHOP (35). Of 30
evaluable patients, there were 19 CR (63%) and 10 PR (33%), for an
ORR of 96%. This regimen was considered well tolerated and may
result in higher response rates than with Rituximab or CHOP
alone.
[0118] The NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis is
collaborating with IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation to explore
Rituximab treatment in other indications. A Phase II trial of CHOP
versus CHOP and Rituximab is being conducted by ECOG, CALGB, and
SWOG in older patients (>60 years) with mixed, diffuse large
cell, and immunoblastic large cell histology NHL (N=630 planned).
This study includes a secondary randomization to maintenance with
Rituximab versus non-maintenance.
[0119] A Phase III trial of Rituximab and CHOP in 40 patients with
previously untreated mantle-cell lymphoma is also ongoing at the
Dana Farber Institute. Rituximab.RTM. is administered on Day 1 and
CHOP is given on Days 1-3 every 21 days for 6 cycles. Accrual for
this study has been completed. A Phase II trial of CHOP followed by
Rituximab in newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma conducted by SWOG
has also been completed. Results of these two trials are being
analyzed.
[0120] A Phase II trial of CHOP and Rituximab versus CHOP alone in
HIV-related NHL conducted by the AIDS Malignancy Consortium is
ongoing; 120 patients are planned.
Rituximab after Myeloablative Therapy Relapse
[0121] Rituximab has shown promising early results in patients with
relapsed intermediate-grade NHL after high-dose therapy with
autologous PBSC support. Six of seven patients responded (1 CR and
5 PR) and one patient had stable disease; therapy was well
tolerated (36).
Safety Experience
[0122] Adverse events and clinical laboratory data from 315
patients in the five single-agent U.S. studies were combined to
provide a safety profile of Rituximab in patients with low-grade or
follicular NHL. The majority of adverse events were
infusion-related and occurred with decreasing frequency after the
first infusion. The most common infusion-related events were fever
(49%), chills (32%), nausea (18%), fatigue (16%), headache (14%),
angioedema (13%), pruritus (10%), and occasionally, hypotension
(10%) and bronchospasm (8%). During the treatment period (up to 30
days following the last dose), 10% of patients experienced Grade 3
or 4 adverse events, which were primarily infusion-related or
hematologic. Thrombocytopenia (<50,000 platelets/mm.sup.3)
occurred in 1.3% of patients, neutropenia (<1000/mm.sup.3)
occurred in 1.9%, and anemia (<8 gm/dL) occurred in 1.0%.
Although Rituximab induced B-cell depletion in 70%-80% of patients,
abnormally decreased serum immunoglobulins were observed in a
minority of patients and the incidence of infection did not appear
to be increased.
[0123] Hypotension requiring interruption of the Rituximab infusion
occurred in 10% of patients and was Grade 3 or 4 in 1%. Angioedema
was reported in 13% of patients and was considered serious in one
patient. Bronchospasm occurred in 8% of patients; 2% were treated
with bronchodilators. A single report of bronchiolitis obliterans
was noted. Most patients experienced no further infusion-related
toxicities by the second and subsequent infusions. The percentage
of patients reporting adverse events upon retreatment was similar
to that reported following the first course (14).
[0124] Four patients developed arrhythmias during Rituximab
infusion. One of the four discontinued treatment because of
ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardias. The
other three patients experienced trigeminy (N=1) and irregular
pulse (N=2) and did not require discontinuation of therapy. Angina
was reported during infusion and myocardial infarction occurred
four days post-infusion in one subject with a prior history of
myocardial infarction.
[0125] The overall incidence of adverse events and Grade 3 and 4
adverse events was higher in patients with bulky disease than in
patients with non-bulky disease. The incidence of dizziness,
neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, myalgia, anemia, and chest pain was
higher in patients with lesions>10 cm. The incidence of Grade 3
or 4 neutropenia, anemia, hypotension, and dyspnea was also higher
in patients with bulky disease compared with patients with
lesions<10 cm (19).
[0126] Since FDA approval of Rituximab for treatment of relapsed or
refractory low-grade or follicular NHL in 1997, an estimated 17,000
patients have been treated. In May, 1998, descriptions of eight
post-marketing reports of severe infusion-related adverse events
associated with the use of Rituximab that resulted in fatal
outcomes were summarized. In seven of the eight fatalities, severe
symptoms occurred during the first Rituximab infusion. The cause of
death was not reported or remains unknown for two of the eight
cases. Severe respiratory events, including hypoxia, pulmonary
infiltrates, or adult respiratory distress syndrome contributed to
six of the eight reported deaths. One patient had a pretreatment
lymphocyte count of 600,000/mm.sup.3; another, a creatinine of 8; a
third, a respiratory rate of 40; and a fourth, pancytopenia.
Patients with a high tumor burden or with a high number of
circulating malignant cells may be at higher risk and these
patients should be monitored closely throughout each infusion.
[0127] Most of the adverse events recently described were
previously observed in Rituximab clinical studies. One notable
exception is an infusion-related syndrome associated with rapid
tumor lysis, that was reported in six patients with high numbers of
circulating tumor cells (37,38). This syndrome was characterized by
fever, rigors, bronchospasm with associated hypoxemia, a rapid
decline in peripheral lymphocytes, laboratory evidence of tumor
destruction, and transient, severe thrombocytopenia. These patients
had diagnoses of B-prolymphocytic leukemia (N=2), chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (N=2), mantle-cell lymphoma (N=1), or
transformed NHL (N=1); all had elevated circulating lymphocytes,
bulky adenopathy, and organomegaly. Although five of these six
patients required hospitalization, symptoms resolved and subsequent
Rituximab treatments were well tolerated; the last patient refused
further therapy and died of progressive disease two weeks
later.
[0128] In a separate report of seven patients with CLL and one
patient with mantle-cell lymphoma, tumor lysis syndrome was
observed after the first Rituximab infusion in those patients with
lymphocyte counts>10.times.10.sup.9 L, (39).
Radioimmunotherapy with .sup.90Yttrium-Labeled Anti-CD20 Antibody
in Combination with Rituximab
[0129] Another therapeutic approach to NHL under evaluation is a
radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody (IDEC-Y2B8) in combination with
Rituximab. IDEC-Y2B8 (.sup.90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan) is a murine
IgG.sub.1 kappa anti-CD20 antibody conjugated to .sup.90Y via a
chelator, MX-DTPA, which is covalently bound to the antibody.
Rituximab (250 mg/m2) is administered prior to IDEC-Y2B8 to deplete
peripheral B lymphocytes and improve biodistribution of the
radiolabeled antibody.
[0130] In a recently reported Phase I/II study (40-42), patients
with low-grade NHL (N=34), intermediate-grade NHL (N=14), or
mantle-cell lymphoma (N=3) were treated with IDEC-Y2B8. The median
age was 60, 71% were male, and 96% were Caucasian. Of 51 patients
with relapsed or refractory NHL, 34 (67%) responded to single doses
of 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 mCi/kg of IDEC-Y2B8. The ORR was 82% (28/34)
for patients with low-grade or follicular NHL and was 43% (6/14)
for patients with intermediate-grade lymphoma. No patients with
mantle-cell disease responded.
[0131] A Phase III randomized study comparing IDEC-Y2B8 with
Rituximab (375 mg/m.sup.2 weekly times 4) for treatment of
low-grade follicular or transformed NHL patients is ongoing.
Another Phase III trial is also being conducted in patients with
relapsed NHL who are refractory to Rituximab.
SUMMARY
[0132] In the absence of curative therapy for NHL, the objective of
treatment is to achieve control of the disease for a meaningful
duration and provide relief of tumor-related symptoms without undue
toxicity. Treatment with Rituximab is a brief, 22-day outpatient
therapy with limited adverse events in most patients. In clinical
studies, 50% of evaluable relapsed or chemotherapy refractory
low-grade or follicular NHL patients achieved complete or partial
responses. These responses were durable without maintenance
therapy; the median TTP for responders was 13.2 months and the
median DR was 11.6 months in the pivotal study.
[0133] Rituximab is approved as a safe and effective treatment for
patients with relapsed low-grade or follicular B-cell NHL. It has
significant clinical activity, a novel mechanism of action, and
compares favorably with alternative therapies in response rate and
response duration. Completion of ongoing studies will verify the
role of alternative Rituximab regimens and Rituximab in the
treatment of other CD20+ B-lymphocyte malignancies.
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References