ASCO2015: A phase I/II Trial of the Combination of Romidepsin and Lenalidomide in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma and Myeloma: Activity in T-cell Lymphoma.

Picture2By Dr. Jia Ruan 

Romidepsin, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, have previously shown efficacy and a lack of cumulative toxicity in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma and myeloma. Results from phase I of this trial were previously reported in ASCO 2014. The maximum tolerated dose in cycle 1 for romidepsin was 14 mg/mIV on days 1, 8, and 15, while lenalidomide was 25 mg oral on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle. In this trial patients were treated to progression or intolerance.  Results of patients with t-cell lymphoma were reported at the 2015 ASCO meeting.

21 patients (10 CTCL, 11 PTCL) with a median age of 64 were enrolled in this trial. 15 of these patients were treated at the maximum tolerated dose. 19 of these patients were evaluable for efficacy with an overall response rate of 53%. For patients the median time of response was 7.3 weeks, median event free survival was 15.5 weeks, and median overall survival was not reached. 10 out of 21 patients remained on therapy with 7 discontinued for disease progression, 3 for toxicity, and 1 for stem cell transplant. Side effects were generally expected and manageable.

Results from this study confirm that the romidepsin and lenalidomide combination has significant activity in relapsed and refractory T-cell lymphoma. This study demonstrated that novel biologic agent and combinations can be effective and well-tolerated treatment options for patients with T-cell lymphoma, who may be poor candidates for intensive therapy or have chemotherapy-resistant disease.

New Clinical Trial: Phase 3 Study to Compare Rituximab + Lenalidomide to Rituximab + Placebo in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Indolent Lymphoma

The Weill Cornell Lymphoma Program has recently opened a new clinical trial for men and women with relapsed/refractory indolent lymphoma. The study sponsor is the Celgene Corporation, and the principal investigator at Weill Cornell is Dr. John Leonard. For more information about the study, please call Amelyn Rodgriguez, RN at (212) 746-1362 or e-mail Amelyn at amr2017@med.cornell.edu.

Key Eligibility

  • Men and women age 18 and older
  • Histologically confirmed MZL or Grade 1,2, or 3a FL
  • Relapsed, refractory, or progressive disease after treatment with systemic therapy, and must be rituximab-sensitive if had received rituximab or R-chemo regimen therapy
  • Detailed eligibility reviewed when you contact the study team

Study Details 

This phase 3 multicenter, double-blind, randomized study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab plus lenalidomide versus rituximab plus placebo. Subjects must have an investigator-assessed diagnosis of relapsed/refractory indolent lymphoma, defined in this clinical trial as Grade 1, 2 or 3a follicular lymphoma or marginal zone lymphoma, must have been previously treated for their lymphoma with systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or chemo immunotherapy), must be refractory to or have relapsed after their last treatment, may be rituximab-naïve or rituximab-sensitive, must have at least one measurable lesion by computed axial tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and must have adequate bone marrow function, liver function and renal function.

The study is divided into the Screening Period (up to 28 days), Treatment Period (up to 12 28-day cycles), and Follow-up Period. Approximately 350 subjects are planned to be randomized with 5 subjects at WCMC. Each patient will receive rituximab weekly during cycle 1 and then on day 1 of cycles 2-5. Depending on randomization, subjects will also receive either lenalidomide or placebo on days 1-21 of cycles 1-12.

Lenalidomide and Rituximab Combination Displays Promise for the Treatment of Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Investigators from around the world are taking notice of our results in treating patients with mantle cell lymphoma. (MCL) In the below video, Dr. Laurie Sehn from the University of British Columbia shares her thoughts on Dr. Jia Ruan’s clinical trial of lenalidomide plus rituximab for previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma.

 

 

In the following video Dr. Ruan further discusses results of her trial with lenalidomide and rituximab combination for patients with MCL.