Glenn Close is infamous for her portrayal of a woman whose reactions to a one-night stand in “Fatal Attraction” become increasingly bizarre and hostile. Whether the character was in the throes of a mental disorder was never broached in the movie. But Ms. Close has real-life family experience; her sister has bipolar disorder and a nephew has schizophrenia.

“When I became an advocate, I realized that is a family affair for one in four of us. One in four is touched in some way by mental illness. So, it became obvious to me that we have to talk about it,” Ms. Close said in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning. In 2010, Ms. Close and her sister Jessie began Bring Change to Mind, a foundation that strives to move discussions about mental health into the mainstream.

Harm reduction and opioids

The “just say no” mantra to drug abstinence espoused by Nancy Reagan decades ago remains an option for some people today. However, according to an article in The Walrus, this approach does not cut it for many drug users. What may resonate is the harm they are inflicting on themselves and how they can lessen it by curbing drug use. In Ottawa, Canada, a program that features an individualized and flexible approach to opioid addiction, which continues to offer drugs while focusing on health instead of abstinence, is having a positive effect.

sdominick/iStock/Getty Images

“I’m an opioid addict. That goes without saying if you’re in this program,” one participant says. “Struggling with addiction while being homeless creates a unique set of challenges ... the [program] provides not only freedom from drug addiction on the street but freedom from homelessness.”

Empty nesters’ new lives

The ritual of being a parent, for many, is the bittersweet day when the last or only child heads off to college or university. A recent segment on National Public Radio gauged the reactions of some parents. For some, the initial feeling is one of relief, with days that are quieter and perhaps encouraging of more personal exploration. “After 20 years of every moment being about the girls, it was once again just the two of us. Some things are really great – walking around the house naked, going to bed before it’s dark and not having children mock us, and having a tidy house,” says Michael Pusateri of South Pasadena, Calif.

“But, we do miss the girls,” he adds. “I miss the sound of them bumping around the house. And as corny as it sounds, I miss seeing them sleep.”

For others, the polar opposite prevails. “My job as a full-time, stay-at-home mom to four kids has finally come to an end after 31 years when our baby left for college last week. I’ve been dreading drop-off day for about a decade. The hardest part was walking back into the now empty house, feeling swallowed up by the silence. The tears flowed when I walked by her room for the first time knowing she won’t be saying goodnight, Mom, from behind that door every night. Saying goodbye to the last is especially difficult as I sit here in my empty nest, missing my daughter and wondering, now what?” relates Beth Smizlof of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“A hundred people will tell you how to raise your son, but very few will talk about how to let him go,” says Julie Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
 

What is a hyperpolyglot?

An article in The New Yorker considers people whose linguistic mastery encompasses dozens of languages. To be a hyperpolyglot – defined as someone who can speak 11 or more languages – requires a lot of effort. And there may be a genetic predisposition, since there is evidence (which still requires confirmation) that “an extreme language learner has a more-than-random chance of being a gay, left-handed male on the autism spectrum, with an autoimmune disorder, such as asthma or allergies,” writes Judith Thurman.

A brain that is more apt to process the information needed to learn a new language may also be part of the picture.

Coffee and cancer warning

On Aug. 29, the Food and Drug Administration released a statement from Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, that supports a proposal to exempt coffee from California’s cancer warning law. The action was prompted by a recent ruling by a California court that the state’s Proposition 65 could require labeling of coffee with a cancer warning, because of the presence of a chemical called acrylamide, which can form in many foods during frying, roasting, and baking.

Lynda Banzi/IMNG Medical Media

“In coffee, acrylamide forms during the roasting of coffee beans. Although acrylamide at high doses has been linked to cancer in animals, and coffee contains acrylamide, current science indicates that consuming coffee poses no significant risk of cancer,” the statement reads in part.

Glenn Close is infamous for her portrayal of a woman whose reactions to a one-night stand in “Fatal Attraction” become increasingly bizarre and hostile. Whether the character was in the throes of a mental disorder was never broached in the movie. But Ms. Close has real-life family experience; her sister has bipolar disorder and a nephew has schizophrenia.

“When I became an advocate, I realized that is a family affair for one in four of us. One in four is touched in some way by mental illness. So, it became obvious to me that we have to talk about it,” Ms. Close said in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning. In 2010, Ms. Close and her sister Jessie began Bring Change to Mind, a foundation that strives to move discussions about mental health into the mainstream.

Harm reduction and opioids

The “just say no” mantra to drug abstinence espoused by Nancy Reagan decades ago remains an option for some people today. However, according to an article in The Walrus, this approach does not cut it for many drug users. What may resonate is the harm they are inflicting on themselves and how they can lessen it by curbing drug use. In Ottawa, Canada, a program that features an individualized and flexible approach to opioid addiction, which continues to offer drugs while focusing on health instead of abstinence, is having a positive effect.

sdominick/iStock/Getty Images

“I’m an opioid addict. That goes without saying if you’re in this program,” one participant says. “Struggling with addiction while being homeless creates a unique set of challenges ... the [program] provides not only freedom from drug addiction on the street but freedom from homelessness.”

Empty nesters’ new lives

The ritual of being a parent, for many, is the bittersweet day when the last or only child heads off to college or university. A recent segment on National Public Radio gauged the reactions of some parents. For some, the initial feeling is one of relief, with days that are quieter and perhaps encouraging of more personal exploration. “After 20 years of every moment being about the girls, it was once again just the two of us. Some things are really great – walking around the house naked, going to bed before it’s dark and not having children mock us, and having a tidy house,” says Michael Pusateri of South Pasadena, Calif.

“But, we do miss the girls,” he adds. “I miss the sound of them bumping around the house. And as corny as it sounds, I miss seeing them sleep.”

For others, the polar opposite prevails. “My job as a full-time, stay-at-home mom to four kids has finally come to an end after 31 years when our baby left for college last week. I’ve been dreading drop-off day for about a decade. The hardest part was walking back into the now empty house, feeling swallowed up by the silence. The tears flowed when I walked by her room for the first time knowing she won’t be saying goodnight, Mom, from behind that door every night. Saying goodbye to the last is especially difficult as I sit here in my empty nest, missing my daughter and wondering, now what?” relates Beth Smizlof of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“A hundred people will tell you how to raise your son, but very few will talk about how to let him go,” says Julie Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
 

What is a hyperpolyglot?

An article in The New Yorker considers people whose linguistic mastery encompasses dozens of languages. To be a hyperpolyglot – defined as someone who can speak 11 or more languages – requires a lot of effort. And there may be a genetic predisposition, since there is evidence (which still requires confirmation) that “an extreme language learner has a more-than-random chance of being a gay, left-handed male on the autism spectrum, with an autoimmune disorder, such as asthma or allergies,” writes Judith Thurman.

A brain that is more apt to process the information needed to learn a new language may also be part of the picture.

Coffee and cancer warning

On Aug. 29, the Food and Drug Administration released a statement from Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, that supports a proposal to exempt coffee from California’s cancer warning law. The action was prompted by a recent ruling by a California court that the state’s Proposition 65 could require labeling of coffee with a cancer warning, because of the presence of a chemical called acrylamide, which can form in many foods during frying, roasting, and baking.

Lynda Banzi/IMNG Medical Media

“In coffee, acrylamide forms during the roasting of coffee beans. Although acrylamide at high doses has been linked to cancer in animals, and coffee contains acrylamide, current science indicates that consuming coffee poses no significant risk of cancer,” the statement reads in part.

Glenn Close is infamous for her portrayal of a woman whose reactions to a one-night stand in “Fatal Attraction” become increasingly bizarre and hostile. Whether the character was in the throes of a mental disorder was never broached in the movie. But Ms. Close has real-life family experience; her sister has bipolar disorder and a nephew has schizophrenia.

“When I became an advocate, I realized that is a family affair for one in four of us. One in four is touched in some way by mental illness. So, it became obvious to me that we have to talk about it,” Ms. Close said in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning. In 2010, Ms. Close and her sister Jessie began Bring Change to Mind, a foundation that strives to move discussions about mental health into the mainstream.

Harm reduction and opioids

The “just say no” mantra to drug abstinence espoused by Nancy Reagan decades ago remains an option for some people today. However, according to an article in The Walrus, this approach does not cut it for many drug users. What may resonate is the harm they are inflicting on themselves and how they can lessen it by curbing drug use. In Ottawa, Canada, a program that features an individualized and flexible approach to opioid addiction, which continues to offer drugs while focusing on health instead of abstinence, is having a positive effect.

sdominick/iStock/Getty Images

“I’m an opioid addict. That goes without saying if you’re in this program,” one participant says. “Struggling with addiction while being homeless creates a unique set of challenges ... the [program] provides not only freedom from drug addiction on the street but freedom from homelessness.”

Empty nesters’ new lives

The ritual of being a parent, for many, is the bittersweet day when the last or only child heads off to college or university. A recent segment on National Public Radio gauged the reactions of some parents. For some, the initial feeling is one of relief, with days that are quieter and perhaps encouraging of more personal exploration. “After 20 years of every moment being about the girls, it was once again just the two of us. Some things are really great – walking around the house naked, going to bed before it’s dark and not having children mock us, and having a tidy house,” says Michael Pusateri of South Pasadena, Calif.

“But, we do miss the girls,” he adds. “I miss the sound of them bumping around the house. And as corny as it sounds, I miss seeing them sleep.”

For others, the polar opposite prevails. “My job as a full-time, stay-at-home mom to four kids has finally come to an end after 31 years when our baby left for college last week. I’ve been dreading drop-off day for about a decade. The hardest part was walking back into the now empty house, feeling swallowed up by the silence. The tears flowed when I walked by her room for the first time knowing she won’t be saying goodnight, Mom, from behind that door every night. Saying goodbye to the last is especially difficult as I sit here in my empty nest, missing my daughter and wondering, now what?” relates Beth Smizlof of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“A hundred people will tell you how to raise your son, but very few will talk about how to let him go,” says Julie Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
 

What is a hyperpolyglot?

An article in The New Yorker considers people whose linguistic mastery encompasses dozens of languages. To be a hyperpolyglot – defined as someone who can speak 11 or more languages – requires a lot of effort. And there may be a genetic predisposition, since there is evidence (which still requires confirmation) that “an extreme language learner has a more-than-random chance of being a gay, left-handed male on the autism spectrum, with an autoimmune disorder, such as asthma or allergies,” writes Judith Thurman.

A brain that is more apt to process the information needed to learn a new language may also be part of the picture.

Coffee and cancer warning

On Aug. 29, the Food and Drug Administration released a statement from Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, that supports a proposal to exempt coffee from California’s cancer warning law. The action was prompted by a recent ruling by a California court that the state’s Proposition 65 could require labeling of coffee with a cancer warning, because of the presence of a chemical called acrylamide, which can form in many foods during frying, roasting, and baking.

Lynda Banzi/IMNG Medical Media

“In coffee, acrylamide forms during the roasting of coffee beans. Although acrylamide at high doses has been linked to cancer in animals, and coffee contains acrylamide, current science indicates that consuming coffee poses no significant risk of cancer,” the statement reads in part.

Adults with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to receive individual talk therapy, but when they do, they make use of it more than adults without autism.

Using Medicaid data, Brenna B. Maddox, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and her colleagues presented the results of a study looking at treatment use by 268 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1,072 without, all of whom had depression or anxiety. They published their results in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Participants with ASD were less likely than those without ASD to receive either individual talk therapy (57.1% vs. 64.3%, P less than .05) or group talk therapy (0.7% vs. 2.9%, P less than .05). However, among those who did receive talk therapy, people with ASD had a significantly higher monthly mean number of visits than those without ASD (0.64 vs. 0.44, P less than .001).

“As predicted, adults with ASD and anxiety/depression were less likely to receive individual talk therapy, consistent with reports that they often experience difficulty accessing mental health services,” wrote Dr. Maddox and her colleagues.

The authors suggested the increased number of talk therapy visits by adults with ASD could reflect a need for more session time for those patients, compared with those without ASD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy programs are often adapted to ASD patients by increasing the number of sessions.

“An alternative explanation is that talk therapy in the community is less effective with adults with ASD, who therefore stay in therapy for a longer period in pursuit of greater symptom relief,” the authors wrote.

However, they also commented on the fact that both groups received less than one session a month and that it was unlikely that anxiety and depression symptoms would be well addressed with so few visits. “This finding highlights that the problem of limited access to mental health care is not exclusive to adults with ASD.”

Almost twice as many people with ASD used antipsychotics (39.6% vs. 21.5%, P less than .001) and stimulants (11.9% vs. 6.1%, P less than .001), compared with people without ASD. There were similar numbers of benzodiazepine and antidepressant users in both groups, but people with ASD were prescribed all medication types for a significantly higher number of days per month.

Those with ASD also were more likely to be prescribed different classes of medications at the same time. However, they also were less likely to show substance use.

Dr. Maddox and her colleagues cited several limitations. For example, the diagnosis of psychiatric and medical conditions was made using ICD-9 codes, and those conditions were not validated using clinical evaluation.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. No conflicts of interest were declared.

SOURCE: Maddox BB et al. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2018 Apr 11. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.03.009.

Adults with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to receive individual talk therapy, but when they do, they make use of it more than adults without autism.

Using Medicaid data, Brenna B. Maddox, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and her colleagues presented the results of a study looking at treatment use by 268 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1,072 without, all of whom had depression or anxiety. They published their results in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Participants with ASD were less likely than those without ASD to receive either individual talk therapy (57.1% vs. 64.3%, P less than .05) or group talk therapy (0.7% vs. 2.9%, P less than .05). However, among those who did receive talk therapy, people with ASD had a significantly higher monthly mean number of visits than those without ASD (0.64 vs. 0.44, P less than .001).

“As predicted, adults with ASD and anxiety/depression were less likely to receive individual talk therapy, consistent with reports that they often experience difficulty accessing mental health services,” wrote Dr. Maddox and her colleagues.

The authors suggested the increased number of talk therapy visits by adults with ASD could reflect a need for more session time for those patients, compared with those without ASD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy programs are often adapted to ASD patients by increasing the number of sessions.

“An alternative explanation is that talk therapy in the community is less effective with adults with ASD, who therefore stay in therapy for a longer period in pursuit of greater symptom relief,” the authors wrote.

However, they also commented on the fact that both groups received less than one session a month and that it was unlikely that anxiety and depression symptoms would be well addressed with so few visits. “This finding highlights that the problem of limited access to mental health care is not exclusive to adults with ASD.”

Almost twice as many people with ASD used antipsychotics (39.6% vs. 21.5%, P less than .001) and stimulants (11.9% vs. 6.1%, P less than .001), compared with people without ASD. There were similar numbers of benzodiazepine and antidepressant users in both groups, but people with ASD were prescribed all medication types for a significantly higher number of days per month.

Those with ASD also were more likely to be prescribed different classes of medications at the same time. However, they also were less likely to show substance use.

Dr. Maddox and her colleagues cited several limitations. For example, the diagnosis of psychiatric and medical conditions was made using ICD-9 codes, and those conditions were not validated using clinical evaluation.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. No conflicts of interest were declared.

SOURCE: Maddox BB et al. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2018 Apr 11. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.03.009.

Adults with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to receive individual talk therapy, but when they do, they make use of it more than adults without autism.

Using Medicaid data, Brenna B. Maddox, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and her colleagues presented the results of a study looking at treatment use by 268 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1,072 without, all of whom had depression or anxiety. They published their results in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Participants with ASD were less likely than those without ASD to receive either individual talk therapy (57.1% vs. 64.3%, P less than .05) or group talk therapy (0.7% vs. 2.9%, P less than .05). However, among those who did receive talk therapy, people with ASD had a significantly higher monthly mean number of visits than those without ASD (0.64 vs. 0.44, P less than .001).

“As predicted, adults with ASD and anxiety/depression were less likely to receive individual talk therapy, consistent with reports that they often experience difficulty accessing mental health services,” wrote Dr. Maddox and her colleagues.

The authors suggested the increased number of talk therapy visits by adults with ASD could reflect a need for more session time for those patients, compared with those without ASD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy programs are often adapted to ASD patients by increasing the number of sessions.

“An alternative explanation is that talk therapy in the community is less effective with adults with ASD, who therefore stay in therapy for a longer period in pursuit of greater symptom relief,” the authors wrote.

However, they also commented on the fact that both groups received less than one session a month and that it was unlikely that anxiety and depression symptoms would be well addressed with so few visits. “This finding highlights that the problem of limited access to mental health care is not exclusive to adults with ASD.”

Almost twice as many people with ASD used antipsychotics (39.6% vs. 21.5%, P less than .001) and stimulants (11.9% vs. 6.1%, P less than .001), compared with people without ASD. There were similar numbers of benzodiazepine and antidepressant users in both groups, but people with ASD were prescribed all medication types for a significantly higher number of days per month.

Those with ASD also were more likely to be prescribed different classes of medications at the same time. However, they also were less likely to show substance use.

Dr. Maddox and her colleagues cited several limitations. For example, the diagnosis of psychiatric and medical conditions was made using ICD-9 codes, and those conditions were not validated using clinical evaluation.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. No conflicts of interest were declared.

SOURCE: Maddox BB et al. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2018 Apr 11. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.03.009.

A new study offers insight into the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by linking the severity of the disease to colonization by different Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) types over time.

The research “suggests that different CC types might harbor different virulence factors and that the patient’s immune system needs to adjust to this,” concluded the authors of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

There is a strong association between disease severity and colonization with S. aureus in patients with AD, and as many as 90% are colonized with the microbe but, the authors pointed out, it’s not entirely clear how S. aureus affects the development of AD.

They added that there’s been little research into the possible effects of changes in S. aureus clonal types over time. Still, “new studies indicate that specific clonal types could be linked to specific host phenotypes, illustrating that host-microbe interactions might be important for colonization of AD skin,” they said.

The authors, led by Maja-Lisa Clausen, MD, of the department of dermatology at the University of Copenhagen, tracked 63 adult patients with AD at Denmark’s Bispebjerg Hospital from 2013-2015 to a 2016-2017 follow-up period. Their mean age was 36 years.

They analyzed bacterial swabs taken from the nose, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Of the 63 participants, 47 (75%) were colonized with S. aureus in at least one location when the study began, and 27 of those (57%) were still colonized at follow-up. Of the 16 patients not colonized at baseline, 7 patients (44%) had become colonized by follow-up.

Of the 27 patients who were colonized at both time points, 14 (52%) had no change in CC type.

Those who were colonized at follow-up in at least one of the three sites sampled had more severe disease, with a mean SCORAD – or disease severity score – of 37, compared with those who were not colonized at that time, with a mean SCORAD of 28 (P = .067).

There was a much bigger gap in mean SCORAD score between the 14 patients who had the same CC type at both baseline and follow-up (a mean score of 30), compared with the 11 patients with different CC types at follow-up (a mean score of 47), a statistically significant difference (P = .03). Mean severity scores went up in those who changed CC types and down in those whose CC types remained the same.

The findings “illustrate that colonization changes over time, and also probably reflect the relapsing course of this disease, as colonization likely occurs in relation to worsening of the eczema,” the study authors wrote. They cautioned that “other factors should be taken into considerations as these are known to influence AD severity, including change in treatment regimens, climate, or other disease.”

Novo Nordisk Foundation funded the study. No relevant disclosures were reported.

SOURCE: Clausen, ML et al. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug 2. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17033.

A new study offers insight into the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by linking the severity of the disease to colonization by different Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) types over time.

The research “suggests that different CC types might harbor different virulence factors and that the patient’s immune system needs to adjust to this,” concluded the authors of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

There is a strong association between disease severity and colonization with S. aureus in patients with AD, and as many as 90% are colonized with the microbe but, the authors pointed out, it’s not entirely clear how S. aureus affects the development of AD.

They added that there’s been little research into the possible effects of changes in S. aureus clonal types over time. Still, “new studies indicate that specific clonal types could be linked to specific host phenotypes, illustrating that host-microbe interactions might be important for colonization of AD skin,” they said.

The authors, led by Maja-Lisa Clausen, MD, of the department of dermatology at the University of Copenhagen, tracked 63 adult patients with AD at Denmark’s Bispebjerg Hospital from 2013-2015 to a 2016-2017 follow-up period. Their mean age was 36 years.

They analyzed bacterial swabs taken from the nose, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Of the 63 participants, 47 (75%) were colonized with S. aureus in at least one location when the study began, and 27 of those (57%) were still colonized at follow-up. Of the 16 patients not colonized at baseline, 7 patients (44%) had become colonized by follow-up.

Of the 27 patients who were colonized at both time points, 14 (52%) had no change in CC type.

Those who were colonized at follow-up in at least one of the three sites sampled had more severe disease, with a mean SCORAD – or disease severity score – of 37, compared with those who were not colonized at that time, with a mean SCORAD of 28 (P = .067).

There was a much bigger gap in mean SCORAD score between the 14 patients who had the same CC type at both baseline and follow-up (a mean score of 30), compared with the 11 patients with different CC types at follow-up (a mean score of 47), a statistically significant difference (P = .03). Mean severity scores went up in those who changed CC types and down in those whose CC types remained the same.

The findings “illustrate that colonization changes over time, and also probably reflect the relapsing course of this disease, as colonization likely occurs in relation to worsening of the eczema,” the study authors wrote. They cautioned that “other factors should be taken into considerations as these are known to influence AD severity, including change in treatment regimens, climate, or other disease.”

Novo Nordisk Foundation funded the study. No relevant disclosures were reported.

SOURCE: Clausen, ML et al. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug 2. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17033.

A new study offers insight into the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by linking the severity of the disease to colonization by different Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) types over time.

The research “suggests that different CC types might harbor different virulence factors and that the patient’s immune system needs to adjust to this,” concluded the authors of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

There is a strong association between disease severity and colonization with S. aureus in patients with AD, and as many as 90% are colonized with the microbe but, the authors pointed out, it’s not entirely clear how S. aureus affects the development of AD.

They added that there’s been little research into the possible effects of changes in S. aureus clonal types over time. Still, “new studies indicate that specific clonal types could be linked to specific host phenotypes, illustrating that host-microbe interactions might be important for colonization of AD skin,” they said.

The authors, led by Maja-Lisa Clausen, MD, of the department of dermatology at the University of Copenhagen, tracked 63 adult patients with AD at Denmark’s Bispebjerg Hospital from 2013-2015 to a 2016-2017 follow-up period. Their mean age was 36 years.

They analyzed bacterial swabs taken from the nose, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Of the 63 participants, 47 (75%) were colonized with S. aureus in at least one location when the study began, and 27 of those (57%) were still colonized at follow-up. Of the 16 patients not colonized at baseline, 7 patients (44%) had become colonized by follow-up.

Of the 27 patients who were colonized at both time points, 14 (52%) had no change in CC type.

Those who were colonized at follow-up in at least one of the three sites sampled had more severe disease, with a mean SCORAD – or disease severity score – of 37, compared with those who were not colonized at that time, with a mean SCORAD of 28 (P = .067).

There was a much bigger gap in mean SCORAD score between the 14 patients who had the same CC type at both baseline and follow-up (a mean score of 30), compared with the 11 patients with different CC types at follow-up (a mean score of 47), a statistically significant difference (P = .03). Mean severity scores went up in those who changed CC types and down in those whose CC types remained the same.

The findings “illustrate that colonization changes over time, and also probably reflect the relapsing course of this disease, as colonization likely occurs in relation to worsening of the eczema,” the study authors wrote. They cautioned that “other factors should be taken into considerations as these are known to influence AD severity, including change in treatment regimens, climate, or other disease.”

Novo Nordisk Foundation funded the study. No relevant disclosures were reported.

SOURCE: Clausen, ML et al. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug 2. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17033.

A combination intervention that included standard of care antiretroviral therapy (ART), systems navigation, and psychosocial counseling showed success in HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID), according to the results of a randomized study in the Lancet.

andrewsafonov/Thinkstock

The intervention patients showed an increase in both the use of ART and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for drug use. In addition, they showed a reduced mortality, compared with standard-of-care controls. The study was carried out in one community site in the Ukraine and two health center sites in Vietnam.

A unique aspect of the study was that each HIV-positive PWID recruited one or more HIV-negative injection partners who were followed throughout the study to determine any change in their HIV status, according to a report by William C. Miller, MD, PhD, of the Ohio State University, Columbus, and his colleagues.

The study included 502 eligible and enrolled HIV-positive PWID along with 806 eligible and enrolled injection partners. The subjects comprised 85% men, with 65% of the participants between the ages of 30-39 years at time of enrollment. Patients were randomized to the intervention group (25%) or the standard of care–only group (75%).

At 1 year, self-reported ART use was higher among the index participants in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (probability ratio,1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.9) and viral suppression also was higher with the intervention group than with standard of care (PR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). In addition, MAT use was higher with the intervention than with standard of care (PR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). Seven HIV infections occurred during the study, all in the injection partners of the standard of care group, with none in the intervention group partners, but the study was not powered to determine if this was a significant difference.

Mortality was lower in the intervention group than in the standard of care group with 5.6 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 2.6-10.6) in the intervention group vs. 12.1 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 9.1-15.6) in the standard of care group (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI 0.22-0.90). Similarly, mortality also was lower among injection partners in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (0.46 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 0.01-2.6 vs. 2.6 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.5-4.1, respectively (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.01-0.84).

“This vanguard study provides evidence that a flexible, scalable intervention increases ART and MAT use and reduced mortality among PWID,” according to the authors. “The intervention might have reduced HIV incidence, but incidence was low in both groups of uninfected partners. This low incidence presents a challenge for any similar future trial assessing transmission and precludes a future randomized controlled trial,” they concluded.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the authors reported no conflicts of interest within the scope of the study.

mlesney@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Miller WC et al. Lancet 2018;392:747-59.

A combination intervention that included standard of care antiretroviral therapy (ART), systems navigation, and psychosocial counseling showed success in HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID), according to the results of a randomized study in the Lancet.

andrewsafonov/Thinkstock

The intervention patients showed an increase in both the use of ART and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for drug use. In addition, they showed a reduced mortality, compared with standard-of-care controls. The study was carried out in one community site in the Ukraine and two health center sites in Vietnam.

A unique aspect of the study was that each HIV-positive PWID recruited one or more HIV-negative injection partners who were followed throughout the study to determine any change in their HIV status, according to a report by William C. Miller, MD, PhD, of the Ohio State University, Columbus, and his colleagues.

The study included 502 eligible and enrolled HIV-positive PWID along with 806 eligible and enrolled injection partners. The subjects comprised 85% men, with 65% of the participants between the ages of 30-39 years at time of enrollment. Patients were randomized to the intervention group (25%) or the standard of care–only group (75%).

At 1 year, self-reported ART use was higher among the index participants in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (probability ratio,1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.9) and viral suppression also was higher with the intervention group than with standard of care (PR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). In addition, MAT use was higher with the intervention than with standard of care (PR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). Seven HIV infections occurred during the study, all in the injection partners of the standard of care group, with none in the intervention group partners, but the study was not powered to determine if this was a significant difference.

Mortality was lower in the intervention group than in the standard of care group with 5.6 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 2.6-10.6) in the intervention group vs. 12.1 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 9.1-15.6) in the standard of care group (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI 0.22-0.90). Similarly, mortality also was lower among injection partners in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (0.46 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 0.01-2.6 vs. 2.6 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.5-4.1, respectively (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.01-0.84).

“This vanguard study provides evidence that a flexible, scalable intervention increases ART and MAT use and reduced mortality among PWID,” according to the authors. “The intervention might have reduced HIV incidence, but incidence was low in both groups of uninfected partners. This low incidence presents a challenge for any similar future trial assessing transmission and precludes a future randomized controlled trial,” they concluded.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the authors reported no conflicts of interest within the scope of the study.

mlesney@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Miller WC et al. Lancet 2018;392:747-59.

A combination intervention that included standard of care antiretroviral therapy (ART), systems navigation, and psychosocial counseling showed success in HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID), according to the results of a randomized study in the Lancet.

andrewsafonov/Thinkstock

The intervention patients showed an increase in both the use of ART and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for drug use. In addition, they showed a reduced mortality, compared with standard-of-care controls. The study was carried out in one community site in the Ukraine and two health center sites in Vietnam.

A unique aspect of the study was that each HIV-positive PWID recruited one or more HIV-negative injection partners who were followed throughout the study to determine any change in their HIV status, according to a report by William C. Miller, MD, PhD, of the Ohio State University, Columbus, and his colleagues.

The study included 502 eligible and enrolled HIV-positive PWID along with 806 eligible and enrolled injection partners. The subjects comprised 85% men, with 65% of the participants between the ages of 30-39 years at time of enrollment. Patients were randomized to the intervention group (25%) or the standard of care–only group (75%).

At 1 year, self-reported ART use was higher among the index participants in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (probability ratio,1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.9) and viral suppression also was higher with the intervention group than with standard of care (PR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). In addition, MAT use was higher with the intervention than with standard of care (PR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). Seven HIV infections occurred during the study, all in the injection partners of the standard of care group, with none in the intervention group partners, but the study was not powered to determine if this was a significant difference.

Mortality was lower in the intervention group than in the standard of care group with 5.6 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 2.6-10.6) in the intervention group vs. 12.1 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI, 9.1-15.6) in the standard of care group (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI 0.22-0.90). Similarly, mortality also was lower among injection partners in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (0.46 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 0.01-2.6 vs. 2.6 deaths/100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.5-4.1, respectively (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.01-0.84).

“This vanguard study provides evidence that a flexible, scalable intervention increases ART and MAT use and reduced mortality among PWID,” according to the authors. “The intervention might have reduced HIV incidence, but incidence was low in both groups of uninfected partners. This low incidence presents a challenge for any similar future trial assessing transmission and precludes a future randomized controlled trial,” they concluded.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the authors reported no conflicts of interest within the scope of the study.

mlesney@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Miller WC et al. Lancet 2018;392:747-59.

The CDC developed the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) to provide direct colorectal cancer (CRC) screening services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured populations known to have low CRC screening rates. However, early evaluators found the program was insufficient to detect impact at the state level. In response to those findings, the CDC redesigned CRCCP and funded a new 5-year grant period beginning in 2015. How did the program fare this time? CDC researchers say it “shows promise.”

The CRCCP funds 23 states, 6 universities, and 1 tribal organization to partner with health care systems, implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs). In this study, the researchers analyzed data reported by 387 of 413 clinics of varying sizes, representing 3,438 providers, and serving a screening-eligible population of 722,925 patients.

The researchers say their evaluation suggests that the CRCCP is working as intended: Program reach was measurable and “substantial,” clinics enhanced EBIs in place or implemented new ones, and the overall average screening rate rose.

At baseline, the screening rate was low (43%), and lowest in rural clinics—although evidence indicates that death rates for CRC are highest among people living in rural areas. In the first year, the overall screening rate increased by 4.4 percentage points. Still, that 47.3% is “much lower” than the commonly cited 67.3% from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the researchers note. They add, though, that the results confirm that grantees are working with clinics serving the intended populations and indicate the significant gap in CRC screening rates between those reached by the CRCCP and the US population overall.

Many clinics had ≥ 1 EBI or supporting activity (SA) already in place. Grantees used CRCCP resources to implement new or to enhance EBIs in 95% of the clinics, most often patient reminder activities and provider assessment and feedback. Most of the clinics used CRCCP resources for SAs, such as small media and provider education. Only 12% of clinics used resources for supporting community health workers. However, nearly half the clinics conducted planning activities for future implementation of community health workers and patient navigators.

Nearly 80% of the clinics reported having a CRC screening champion, 73% had a CRC screening policy, and 50% had either 3 or 4 EBIs in place at the end of the first year—all factors that the researchers suggest may support greater screening rate increases.

The CDC developed the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) to provide direct colorectal cancer (CRC) screening services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured populations known to have low CRC screening rates. However, early evaluators found the program was insufficient to detect impact at the state level. In response to those findings, the CDC redesigned CRCCP and funded a new 5-year grant period beginning in 2015. How did the program fare this time? CDC researchers say it “shows promise.”

The CRCCP funds 23 states, 6 universities, and 1 tribal organization to partner with health care systems, implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs). In this study, the researchers analyzed data reported by 387 of 413 clinics of varying sizes, representing 3,438 providers, and serving a screening-eligible population of 722,925 patients.

The researchers say their evaluation suggests that the CRCCP is working as intended: Program reach was measurable and “substantial,” clinics enhanced EBIs in place or implemented new ones, and the overall average screening rate rose.

At baseline, the screening rate was low (43%), and lowest in rural clinics—although evidence indicates that death rates for CRC are highest among people living in rural areas. In the first year, the overall screening rate increased by 4.4 percentage points. Still, that 47.3% is “much lower” than the commonly cited 67.3% from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the researchers note. They add, though, that the results confirm that grantees are working with clinics serving the intended populations and indicate the significant gap in CRC screening rates between those reached by the CRCCP and the US population overall.

Many clinics had ≥ 1 EBI or supporting activity (SA) already in place. Grantees used CRCCP resources to implement new or to enhance EBIs in 95% of the clinics, most often patient reminder activities and provider assessment and feedback. Most of the clinics used CRCCP resources for SAs, such as small media and provider education. Only 12% of clinics used resources for supporting community health workers. However, nearly half the clinics conducted planning activities for future implementation of community health workers and patient navigators.

Nearly 80% of the clinics reported having a CRC screening champion, 73% had a CRC screening policy, and 50% had either 3 or 4 EBIs in place at the end of the first year—all factors that the researchers suggest may support greater screening rate increases.

The CDC developed the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) to provide direct colorectal cancer (CRC) screening services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured populations known to have low CRC screening rates. However, early evaluators found the program was insufficient to detect impact at the state level. In response to those findings, the CDC redesigned CRCCP and funded a new 5-year grant period beginning in 2015. How did the program fare this time? CDC researchers say it “shows promise.”

The CRCCP funds 23 states, 6 universities, and 1 tribal organization to partner with health care systems, implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs). In this study, the researchers analyzed data reported by 387 of 413 clinics of varying sizes, representing 3,438 providers, and serving a screening-eligible population of 722,925 patients.

The researchers say their evaluation suggests that the CRCCP is working as intended: Program reach was measurable and “substantial,” clinics enhanced EBIs in place or implemented new ones, and the overall average screening rate rose.

At baseline, the screening rate was low (43%), and lowest in rural clinics—although evidence indicates that death rates for CRC are highest among people living in rural areas. In the first year, the overall screening rate increased by 4.4 percentage points. Still, that 47.3% is “much lower” than the commonly cited 67.3% from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the researchers note. They add, though, that the results confirm that grantees are working with clinics serving the intended populations and indicate the significant gap in CRC screening rates between those reached by the CRCCP and the US population overall.

Many clinics had ≥ 1 EBI or supporting activity (SA) already in place. Grantees used CRCCP resources to implement new or to enhance EBIs in 95% of the clinics, most often patient reminder activities and provider assessment and feedback. Most of the clinics used CRCCP resources for SAs, such as small media and provider education. Only 12% of clinics used resources for supporting community health workers. However, nearly half the clinics conducted planning activities for future implementation of community health workers and patient navigators.

Nearly 80% of the clinics reported having a CRC screening champion, 73% had a CRC screening policy, and 50% had either 3 or 4 EBIs in place at the end of the first year—all factors that the researchers suggest may support greater screening rate increases.

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is effective for patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a recent study has found.

Partial or complete remission was achieved by a majority of patients; others currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, reported Natalie Galanina, MD, of Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, and her colleagues. Earlier this year, investigators reported similar responses to checkpoint inhibitors in two patients with KS that wasn’t associated with HIV.

“An association has been demonstrated between chronic viral infection, malignancy, and up-regulation of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) on CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes,” the authors wrote in Cancer Immunology Research. In particular, “HIV-specific CD8+ T cells have increased PD-1 expression, which … promotes a cellular milieu conducive to oncogenesis.” These factors, together with the results from the previous study, have suggested that checkpoint inhibitors may be effective for patients with HIV-associated KS.

The retrospective study involved 320 patients treated with immunotherapy at Moores Cancer Center from August 2013 through December 2017. From this group, nine cases of HIV-associated KS were found. Median CD4 count was 256 cells/mcL and median viral load was 20 copies/mL. Eight patients were treated with nivolumab and one was treated with pembrolizumab. Median age was 44 years. All patients were male and receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Six patients (67%) achieved remission, with five attaining partial remission and one attaining complete remission (gastrointestinal disease). Of the remaining three patients, two currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, and one has stable disease lasting longer than 3 months.

Muscle aches, pruritus, and low-grade fever were the most common adverse events. No grade 3 or higher drug-related adverse events occurred.

“Most of our patients received one to four prior lines of therapy but still responded to checkpoint blockade,” the authors wrote. “Our observations suggest that patients with HIV-associated KS have high [response rates] to PD-1 checkpoint blockade, without significant toxicity, even in the presence of low [tumor mutational burden] and/or lack of PD-L1 expression.”

Authors reported compensation from Incyte, Genentech, Merck, Pfizer, and others.

SOURCE: Galanina et al. Cancer Immunol Res. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-18-0121.

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is effective for patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a recent study has found.

Partial or complete remission was achieved by a majority of patients; others currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, reported Natalie Galanina, MD, of Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, and her colleagues. Earlier this year, investigators reported similar responses to checkpoint inhibitors in two patients with KS that wasn’t associated with HIV.

“An association has been demonstrated between chronic viral infection, malignancy, and up-regulation of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) on CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes,” the authors wrote in Cancer Immunology Research. In particular, “HIV-specific CD8+ T cells have increased PD-1 expression, which … promotes a cellular milieu conducive to oncogenesis.” These factors, together with the results from the previous study, have suggested that checkpoint inhibitors may be effective for patients with HIV-associated KS.

The retrospective study involved 320 patients treated with immunotherapy at Moores Cancer Center from August 2013 through December 2017. From this group, nine cases of HIV-associated KS were found. Median CD4 count was 256 cells/mcL and median viral load was 20 copies/mL. Eight patients were treated with nivolumab and one was treated with pembrolizumab. Median age was 44 years. All patients were male and receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Six patients (67%) achieved remission, with five attaining partial remission and one attaining complete remission (gastrointestinal disease). Of the remaining three patients, two currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, and one has stable disease lasting longer than 3 months.

Muscle aches, pruritus, and low-grade fever were the most common adverse events. No grade 3 or higher drug-related adverse events occurred.

“Most of our patients received one to four prior lines of therapy but still responded to checkpoint blockade,” the authors wrote. “Our observations suggest that patients with HIV-associated KS have high [response rates] to PD-1 checkpoint blockade, without significant toxicity, even in the presence of low [tumor mutational burden] and/or lack of PD-L1 expression.”

Authors reported compensation from Incyte, Genentech, Merck, Pfizer, and others.

SOURCE: Galanina et al. Cancer Immunol Res. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-18-0121.

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is effective for patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a recent study has found.

Partial or complete remission was achieved by a majority of patients; others currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, reported Natalie Galanina, MD, of Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, and her colleagues. Earlier this year, investigators reported similar responses to checkpoint inhibitors in two patients with KS that wasn’t associated with HIV.

“An association has been demonstrated between chronic viral infection, malignancy, and up-regulation of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) on CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes,” the authors wrote in Cancer Immunology Research. In particular, “HIV-specific CD8+ T cells have increased PD-1 expression, which … promotes a cellular milieu conducive to oncogenesis.” These factors, together with the results from the previous study, have suggested that checkpoint inhibitors may be effective for patients with HIV-associated KS.

The retrospective study involved 320 patients treated with immunotherapy at Moores Cancer Center from August 2013 through December 2017. From this group, nine cases of HIV-associated KS were found. Median CD4 count was 256 cells/mcL and median viral load was 20 copies/mL. Eight patients were treated with nivolumab and one was treated with pembrolizumab. Median age was 44 years. All patients were male and receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Six patients (67%) achieved remission, with five attaining partial remission and one attaining complete remission (gastrointestinal disease). Of the remaining three patients, two currently have stable disease lasting longer than 6 months, and one has stable disease lasting longer than 3 months.

Muscle aches, pruritus, and low-grade fever were the most common adverse events. No grade 3 or higher drug-related adverse events occurred.

“Most of our patients received one to four prior lines of therapy but still responded to checkpoint blockade,” the authors wrote. “Our observations suggest that patients with HIV-associated KS have high [response rates] to PD-1 checkpoint blockade, without significant toxicity, even in the presence of low [tumor mutational burden] and/or lack of PD-L1 expression.”

Authors reported compensation from Incyte, Genentech, Merck, Pfizer, and others.

SOURCE: Galanina et al. Cancer Immunol Res. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-18-0121.

Micrograph showing ALL

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

JULIET trial

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

ELIANA trial

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

Micrograph showing ALL

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

JULIET trial

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

ELIANA trial

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

Micrograph showing ALL

Health Canada has authorized use of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™), making it the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to receive regulatory approval in Canada.

Tisagenlecleucel (formerly CTL019) is approved to treat patients ages 3 to 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) or are otherwise ineligible for SCT, have experienced second or later relapse, or have refractory disease.

Tisagenlecleucel is also approved in Canada to treat adults who have received two or more lines of systemic therapy and have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.

Novartis, the company marketing tisagenlecleucel, said it is working with qualified treatment centers in Canada to prepare for the delivery of tisagenlecleucel. Certification and training are underway at these centers, and Novartis is enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs.

Tisagenlecleucel has been studied in a pair of phase 2 trials—ELIANA and JULIET.

JULIET trial

JULIET enrolled 165 adults with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and 111 of them received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel. Ninety-two percent of patients received bridging therapy, and 93% received lymphodepleting chemotherapy prior to tisagenlecleucel.

The overall response rate was 52%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 40%. The median duration of response was not reached with a median follow-up of 13.9 months. At last follow-up, none of the responders had gone on to SCT.

The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 49%, and the median OS was 11.7 months. The median OS was not reached for patients in CR.

Within 8 weeks of tisagenlecleucel infusion, 22% of patients had developed grade 3/4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Other adverse events (AEs) of interest included grade 3/4 neurologic events (12%), grade 3/4 cytopenias lasting more than 28 days (32%), grade 3/4 infections (20%), and grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (15%).

These results were presented at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in June (abstract S799).

ELIANA trial

ELIANA included 75 children and young adults with relapsed/refractory ALL. The patients’ median age was 11 (range, 3 to 23).

All patients received a single infusion of tisagenlecleucel, and 72 received lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

The median duration of follow-up was 13.1 months. The study’s primary endpoint was overall remission rate, which was defined as the rate of a best overall response of either CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) within 3 months.

The overall remission rate was 81% (61/75), with 60% of patients (n=45) achieving a CR and 21% (n=16) achieving a CRi. All patients whose best response was CR/CRi were negative for minimal residual disease. The median duration of response was not met.

Eight patients proceeded to SCT while in remission. At last follow-up, four were still in remission, and four had unknown disease status.

At 6 months, the event-free survival rate was 73%, and the OS rate was 90%. At 12 months, the rates were 50% and 76%, respectively.

Ninety-five percent of patients had AEs thought to be related to tisagenlecleucel. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs was 73%.

AEs of special interest included CRS (77%), neurologic events (40%), infections (43%), febrile neutropenia (35%), cytopenias not resolved by day 28 (37%), and tumor lysis syndrome (4%).

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February.

follicular lymphoma

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

follicular lymphoma

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

follicular lymphoma

Rituximab plus lenalidomide had efficacy similar to that of rituximab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) in a phase 3 trial.

Patients with previously untreated FL had similar complete response (CR) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates whether they received rituximab-based chemotherapy or rituximab plus lenalidomide.

These results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial, RELEVANCE, included 1,030 patients with previously untreated FL. They were randomized to receive rituximab plus chemotherapy (n=517) or rituximab plus lenalidomide (n=513) for 18 cycles.

Patients in the chemotherapy arm received one of three regimens—R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), rituximab and bendamustine, or R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone).

Patients in both treatment arms went on to receive rituximab maintenance every 8 weeks for 12 cycles. The total duration of treatment was 120 weeks. The median age of the combined groups was 59 years.

The coprimary endpoints were CR (confirmed or unconfirmed) and PFS. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the rates of coprimary endpoints were similar between the treatment arms.

CR was observed in 48% of the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 53% of the rituximab-chemotherapy arm (P=0.13).

The interim 3-year PFS rate was 77% in the rituximab-lenalidomide arm and 78% in the rituximab-chemotherapy arm. The hazard ratio for progression or death from any cause was 1.10 (P=0.48).

The efficacy of rituximab plus chemotherapy was greater in low-risk patients (based on Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores) and in patients whose disease was Ann Arbor stage I or II, whereas the efficacy of rituximab-lenalidomide was independent of prognostic factors.

Safety was the biggest area of difference, with some adverse events (AEs) being more common in one arm than the other.

AEs that were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide include cutaneous reactions (43% vs 24%), diarrhea (37% vs 19%), rash (29% vs 8%), abdominal pain (15% vs 9%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), muscle spasms (13% vs 4%), myalgia (14% vs 6%), and tumor flare reaction (6% vs <1%).

AEs that were more common with rituximab-chemotherapy were anemia (89% vs 66%), fatigue (29% vs 23%), nausea (42% vs 20%), vomiting (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (7% vs 2%), leukopenia (10% vs 4%), and peripheral neuropathy (16% vs 7%).

Grade 3/4 cutaneous reactions were more common with rituximab-lenalidomide (7% vs 1%), and grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with rituximab-chemotherapy (50% vs 32%).

The RELEVANCE trial was sponsored by Celgene and the Lymphoma Academic Research Organisation. The study authors reported various disclosures, including financial ties to Celgene.

Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

Micrograph showing CLL

Extended follow-up of the RESONATE-2 trial showed that first-line ibrutinib sustained efficacy in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who received ibrutinib had a long-term progression-free survival benefit over those who received chlorambucil.

The depth of response to ibrutinib improved over time, which meant there was a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response.

Additionally, rates of some serious adverse events associated with ibrutinib decreased over time.

Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester in New York, and his colleagues reported these findings in Haematologica.

Previously reported results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in the risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized to receive ibrutinib (n=136) or chlorambucil (n=133).

At a median follow-up of 29 months, 79% (107/136) of patients remained on ibrutinib.

There was an 88% reduction in the risk of progression or death for patients randomized to ibrutinib (P<0.0001).

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months to 15% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months (maximum follow-up).

The overall response rate (ORR) with ibrutinib was 92%, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups. The ORR was 100% in patients with del(11q) and 95% in those with unmutated IGHV.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42%, compared to 7% of patients who received chlorambucil.

Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 52% in chlorambucil recipients, with complete resolution in 56% and 22%, respectively.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time.

The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia decreased from 8.1% in the first 12 months of treatment to 0% in the third year. The rate of grade 3 or higher anemia decreased from 5.9% to 1%. And the rate of grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia decreased from 2.2% to 0%.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up. However, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse event were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

This study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.

In older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), first-line treatment with ibrutinib resulted in a long-term progression-free survival benefit versus chemotherapy, according to extended follow-up results of a phase 3 trial.

The quality of response to ibrutinib continued to improve over time in the study, including a substantial increase in the proportion of patients achieving complete response, the updated results of the RESONATE-2 trial show.

Rates of serious adverse events decreased over time in the study, while common reasons for initiating treatment, such as marrow failure and disease symptoms, all improved to a greater extent than with chlorambucil, reported Paul M. Barr, MD, of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and colleagues.

“These data support the use of ibrutinib in the first-line treatment of CLL as a chemotherapy-free option that can be taken continuously, achieving long-term disease control for the majority of patients, including those with high-risk features,” Dr. Barr and coauthors said in the journal Haematologica.

Previously reported primary results of the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed an 84% reduction in risk of death for ibrutinib versus chlorambucil with a median follow-up of 18 months, led to the approval of ibrutinib for first-line CLL treatment, the authors said.

The study included 269 patients with untreated CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who had active disease and were at least 65 years of age. They were randomized 1:1 to ibrutinib or chlorambucil.

Out of 136 ibrutinib-treated patients, 107 (79%) remained on therapy at this extended analysis, which had a median follow-up of 29 months.

The extended analysis also showed an 88% reduction in risk of progression or death for those patients randomized to ibrutinib (P less than .0001), with significant improvements in subgroups evaluated, which include groups typically considered high risk, according to Dr. Barr and colleagues.

The rate of complete response improved over time in ibrutinib-treated patients, from 7% at 12 months, to 15% at 24 months, and to 18% with a maximum of 36 months’ follow-up, they said.

The overall response rate for ibrutinib was 92% in this extended analysis, with comparable findings in high-risk subgroups, including those with del(11q) at 100% and unmutated IGHV at 95%, according to the report.

Lymphadenopathy improved in most ibrutinib-treated patients, with complete resolution in 42% versus 7% with chlorambucil. Splenomegaly improved by at least 50% in 95% of ibrutinib-treated patients versus 52% for chlorambucil, with complete resolution in 56% of ibrutinib-treated patients and 22% of chlorambucil-treated patients.

Adverse events of grade 3 or greater were generally seen more often in the first year of ibrutinib therapy and decreased over time. Rates of grade 3 or greater neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were 8.1%, 5.9%, and 2.2%, respectively, in the first 12 months of treatment; those decreased to 0%, 1%, and 0% in the third year.

The rate of atrial fibrillation increased from 6% in the primary analysis to 10% in extended follow-up; however, investigators said ibrutinib dose reductions and discontinuations because of this adverse effect were uncommon and less frequent with extended treatment.

“Atrial fibrillation therefore appears manageable and does not frequently necessitate ibrutinib discontinuation,” they concluded.

The study was supported by Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the MD Anderson Moon Shot Program in CLL. Pharmacyclics designed the study and performed analysis of the data. Several study authors reported funding from various companies, including Pharmacyclics.

SOURCE: Barr PM, et al. Haematologica. 2018;103(9):1502-10.