Researchers at John Theurer Cancer Center, a Member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, Participated in 46 Studies Presented at the 2019 American Society of Hematology's Annual Meeting & Exposition

HACKENSACK, N.J., Dec. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts at Hackensack Meridian Health John Theurer Cancer Center, a member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center consortium, participated in 46 studies presented over the last week at the American Society of Hematology's (ASH) 61st Annual Meeting & Exposition, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from December 7-10. The cutting-edge research explores the latest cancer treatments, as well as ways to predict treatment outcomes and address patient quality of life issues.

"We want to provide the most effective and innovative therapies for our patients. When we choose treatments for each patient, we are exhaustive in our scope. It is essential that we remain committed to refining cancer care for all individuals and to discovering the next generation of therapies for the most challenging and complex cases. I am so excited that our research team has had the privilege to be part of such an expansive range of studies," said Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., is Chairman and Director of John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Of the 46 studies presented at ASH that involved JTCC researchers, six particularly stood out to the JTCC team:

    1. (Abstract #754) CART for mantle cell lymphoma. KTE-X19, an Anti-CD19
       Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy, in Patients (Pts) With
       Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): Results of the
       Phase 2 ZUMA-2 Study. Abstract 754 described the first study dedicated to
       R/R MCL and CART. Previous lymphoma CAR T-cell studies had only a few MCL
       patients. ZUMA2 is also important because the focus was on MCL patients
       who have failed standard therapies and ibrutinib and generally have very
       poor survival (2-3 months). The impressive overall response rate and
       manageable toxicity observed in this study are very encouraging.
    2. (Abstracts #245 and #763) CART for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma/real
       world data (RWD). Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Receiving
       Bridging Therapy While Awaiting Manufacture of Standard of Care
       Axicabtagene Ciloleucel CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
       Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results from the
       US Lymphoma CAR-T Consortium and Experience with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel
       (Axi-cel) in Patients with Secondary CNS Involvement: Results from the US
       Lymphoma CAR T Consortium. Abstract #245 described work from the CART
       consortium, which includes some of the largest institutions in the
       country, to look at RWD in CART cells to validate trial results and put
       them into perspective for practical impact. Abstract #245 looked at the
       impact of bridging therapy--the chemotherapy given after cell collection
       while cells are being manufactured--to help control disease. Bridging
       therapy was not permitted in the pivotal ZUMA 1 trial. This study looked
       at the same 300 patients, of whom 146 (53%) received bridging therapy
       while 130 (47%) did not. There was no difference in overall response
       rate, complete response rate, and progression-free survival, indicating
       that CART worked in both groups identically. However, overall survival
       and death due to lymphoma were worse in the bridging therapy group,
       suggesting that these patients had worse outcomes. This could reflect the
       selection of a patient population with worse disease or worse underlying
       immune systems (not able to amplify enough and durably control the
       lymphoma). Abstract #763 looked at patients who received commercial CART
       in the same group and developed central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma
       relapse at or before the time of cell infusion. Results showed that these
       patients in the real-world setting had similar toxicity and outcomes when
       compared to patients without CNS disease. This is encouraging because
       this population currently has no durable treatment options.
    3. (Abstract #927) Next generation CART in multiple myeloma. Updated Results
       from an Ongoing Phase 1 Clinical Study of bb21217 Anti-Bcma CAR T-Cell
       Therapy. Abstract #927 looked at CART bb21217 a next-generation anti-BCMA
       CAR T-cell therapy based on the investigational therapy idecabtagene
       vicleucel (bb2121). Previous CART using the same target has shown a high
       overall response rate (ORR), but many patients relapse. This study
       focused on multiple myeloma patients who failed both proteasome inhibitor
       treatment and an immuno-modulatory agent or who are refractory to both
       classes of agents. CART cell persistence was observed in 6 out of 8
       patients evaluable at 6 months and in two patients evaluable at 12
       months.
    4. (Abstract #846) New formulation of decitabine will become new standard of
       care in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
       Pharmacokinetic Exposure Equivalence and Preliminary Efficacy and Safety
       from a Randomized Cross over Phase 3 Study (ASCERTAIN study) of an Oral
       Hypomethylating Agent ASTX727 (cedazuridine/decitabine) Compared to IV
       Decitabine. Abstract #846 looked at chemotherapy in elderly patients with
       MDS or AML. Epigenetic therapy has become a standard treatment, using
       intravenous hypomethylating agents (HMAs) such as decitabine (DEC) or
       azacitidine (AZA) that are given in an infusion center. This phase III
       study compared oral versus IV decitabine. Results showed similar exposure
       (i.e., inhibition measured by demethylation) and similar preliminary
       effectiveness and toxicity.
    5. (Abstract #466) New agent shows promising activity against challenging
       T-cell lymphomas. A Phase 2 Study of the Dual SYK/JAK Inhibitor
       Cerdulatinib Demonstrates Good Tolerability and Clinical Response in
       Relapsed/Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma and Cutaneous T-Cell
       Lymphoma. Abstract #466 looked at the safety and activity of the dual
       SKY/JAK inhibitor cerdulatinib in recurrent and persistent T-cell
       lymphomas. T-cell lymphoma is a rare and heterogenous disease, and
       relapsed patients have few options. Preclinical data suggested that SYK
       and JAK signaling pathways may be critical mediators in the pathogenesis
       of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
       and that inhibition of both pathways might be more efficient. In this
       study, cerdulatinib was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical activity
       against PTCL and CTCL.
    6. (Abstract #465) Targeted antiviral therapy in lymphomas. Combination of
       Oral Nanatinostat (Nstat), a Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDACi),
       and the Oral Anti-Viral, Valganciclovir (VGCV), Is Active in
       Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Positive B-Cell,
       T-Cell, and Hodgkin Lymphoma: Interim Safety and Efficacy Results from a
       Phase 1b/2a Study. Abstract #465 looked at the role of EBV in the
       pathogenesis of lymphomas. More than 95% of the global population has
       dormant EBV. To persist for the lifetime of the host, EBV maintains tight
       control over the switch between latent and lytic replication status. In
       patients with immunosuppression, EBV can "wake up" and lead to lymphomas.
       Targeting EBV has been a strategy in immunosuppressed EBV patients. This
       study looked at combining Nstat and antiviral agent ganciclovir (GCV) to
       determine the safety and activity of this combination in patients with
       persistent or recurrent EBV-positive lymphoma. Results of the Phase 1b
       study were promising, and a Phase II trial is ongoing.

For more information about the 61st ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition or the research being presented, please visit: www.hematology.org/Annual-Meeting/.

About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 15 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. John Theurer Cancer Center is a member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, one of just 16 NCI-approved cancer research consortia based at the nation's most prestigious institutions. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities. For additional information, please visit www.jtcancercenter.org.

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