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Abstract 933 Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable, indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although survival has improved with the introduction of rituximab (Rituxan®, R), relapse is inevitable and new therapies are needed. Bortezomib (Velcade®, V) plus rituximab is active in relapsed or refractory (rel/ref) FL (de Vos et al, ASH 2006). Bendamustine (Treanda®, B) plus R has also shown activity in rel/ref FL (Robinson et al, J Clin Oncol 2008), and V has been safely combined with B in patients (pts) with advanced multiple myeloma (Fenk et al, Leuk Lymph 2007). The single-arm, multicenter, phase 2 VERTICAL study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of V and R in combination with B (VBR) in pts with rel/ref FL. Here we report preliminary phase 2 efficacy and safety findings from pts treated with VBR at doses determined in the dose-escalation phase of this study (Matous et al, ASCO 2009). Pts with rel/ref FL who had received ≥4 prior doses of R (no prior V or B), and had ≥1 measurable tumor mass, no active central nervous system lymphoma, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥50%, adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function, and no grade ≥2 peripheral neuropathy (PN) were eligible. Pts could receive up to five 35-d cycles of V 1.6 mg/m2 (d 1, 8, 15, 22), B 90 mg/m2 (d 1, 2), and R 375 mg/m2 (d 1, 8, 15, 22, cycle 1; d 1, cycles 2–5). Response was assessed by the investigator using International Working Group criteria (Cheson et al, J Clin Oncol 2007). Adverse events (AEs) were graded using the CTCAE v3.0, and by laboratory assessment of hematologic toxicity. Sixty-three pts received VBR; median age was 58 years, 63% were male and 25% had KPS ≤80%. At diagnosis, 47% had grade 1, 26% grade 2, and 8% grade 3 histology, and 18% unknown histology; 35% had high-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score. Pts had received a median of 2 prior therapies (range 1–11), and 39% were refractory to their last prior rituximab-containing therapy. The median time from diagnosis was 48 months. As of data cut-off (14 Aug 2009), pts had received a median of 3 cycles (range 1–5); 29 pts remain on therapy and 10 have completed treatment. In the 49 pts with at least one post baseline response assessment, to date, the overall best response rate was 84%; 23 (47%) pts achieved a complete response (CR) and 18 (37%) a partial response (PR). VBR was generally well tolerated, with manageable toxicities. The most common treatment-related AEs were primarily grade 1 and 2 and included nausea (79%; 3% grade 3), fatigue (65%; 10% grade 3), diarrhea (57%; 3% grade 3), and vomiting (44%; 5% grade 3). Other non-hematologic grade 3/4 AEs that occurred in more than one pt included syncope (n=2; 3%) and PN (see below). Grade 3/4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia were seen in 25%, 6%, and 3% of pts, respectively. Treatment-related serious AEs were reported in 17 (27%) pts, including 3 (5%) with febrile neutropenia and 1 (2%) with grade 3 herpes zoster who did not receive antiviral prophylaxis and discontinued therapy. Of the 17 (27%) pts with treatment-related PN, only 4 (6%) had grade 3 (2 discontinued therapy; no grade 4); PN has resolved in 5 (29%) pts to date. There was one on-study death (cardiac arrest) that was considered treatment-related. Additional follow-up is required to assess long-term outcomes, including progression-free and overall survival. VBR is active in this heavily pre-treated, high-risk population, with high CR rates, and was generally well tolerated. Efficacy and safety data will be updated and reported at ASH. Disclosures: Fowler: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Kahl:Milllennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cephalon: Consultancy, Research Funding. Rosen:Biogen Idec: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Southern California Lymphoma Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen : Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Tower Cancer Research Foundation: Employment. Matous:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cephalon: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Amin:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Oncotype DX: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Williams:Milllennium: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding. Smith:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cephalon: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shi:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Parasuraman:Milllennium: Employment. Cheson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Cephalon: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of rituximab (Rituxan®, R) plus CHOP induction therapy followed by maintenance R in previously untreated patients with aggressive NHL. The initial results of R-CHOP induction therapy are reported here. Methods: 105 patients with aggressive NHL (diffuse large B-cell or follicle center/follicular grade III by REAL; Type D, F, G or H by IWF) were enrolled into this open-label, multi-center, community based, single-arm, Phase II trial. Patients received 6 or 8 cycles (per standard practice at each site) of R-CHOP induction therapy (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 1, prednisone 100 mg/day Days 1–5). R 375 mg/m2 was given on Day 1 of each cycle, except for cycle 1, when it was given 2–3 days before CHOP administration. Subjects with documented responses (CR/CRu or PR) to induction receive maintenance R (4 weekly infusions) beginning 28 days after the completion of induction and repeated every 6 months for 2 years. The primary endpoints were CR/CRu after the completion of induction and the incidence of R infusion-related toxicity in induction and maintenance. Overall response rate (ORR), infusion times, serious adverse events (SAE), and the partial rituximab pharmacokinetic profile were also measured. Results: Baseline characteristics of patients enrolled were: median age 59 y (49.5% ≥60 y), IPI ≥3 in 31.4 % patients, Ann Arbor Stage II,III, IV in 21.9%, 39.0%, and 39.0% of patients, respectively. CR/CRu at the end of induction in 105 patients was 51.4% (80.0% ORR). 1.9% of patients had progressive disease (PD) during induction. SAE occurred in 33% of subjects during induction with the most common event being febrile neutropenia (14.3%). 5 subjects died during induction (pulmonary embolus, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, pneumonia x2, unknown cause). Grade 3–4 rituximab infusion-related toxicity occurred in 3.9% of subjects during Cycle 1 which decreased to 0% by Cycle 5. 64.3% of patients received their R infusion within 3 hours on Cycle 2; this increased to 74.7% patients at cycle 6. The partial pharmacokinetic profile (peak and trough concentration) of R was measured in 10 patients and will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion: Rituximab + CHOP chemotherapy is well tolerated and has an excellent response rate when given in the community setting. The outcomes of maintenance therapy in this study await further follow-up.