Background
- Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV)-associated primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an
aggressive B cell neoplasm with clinicopathologic and molecular profiles distinct
from other AIDS-related lymphomas.
- There are no prospective studies on these rare lymphomas. Clinical experience is
limited; however, reported prognosis is poor, with median survival estimated at less
than 6 months using conventional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine,
prednisone (CHOP)-like chemotherapy.
- Novel treatment is urgently needed for KSHV-associated lymphomas, and the
therapeutic approach must take into account concurrent KSHV-associated malignancies
which are commonly seen in this patient population
- Lenalidomide, an immune-modulatory derivative of thalidomide (IMiD drug) has in
vitro direct antitumor effect in KSHV-lymphomas as well as immune modulatory and
anti-angiogenic effects that may be beneficial in treating PEL.
- Rituximab, an anti-cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) monoclonal antibody, has
recently been shown to be an active agent in the management of KSHV-MCD. Although
PEL is a CD20-negative tumor, advances in the understanding the biology of
KSHV-infection of B-cells, the pathobiology of IL-6 syndromes in KSHV-Multicentric
Castleman disease (MCD) and KSHV-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and clinical experience
using rituximab in the treatment of KSHV-MCD, support use of rituximab in the
treatment of PEL, especially in patients with concurrent KSHV-MCD.
- Modified dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and
doxorubicin (DA)-EPOCH is an anthracycline-based regimen that allows for
personalization of dose-intensity showing that inclusion of etoposide and infusional
administration decreases tumor cell resistance.
- The use of DA-EPOCH in combination with rituximab for the treatment of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or Burkitt
lymphoma has been shown to be safe and effective.
- Given the central role of controlling HIV viremia with combination antiretroviral
therapy (cART) in the management of KSHV-associated malignancies, as well as the
likely contribution of uncontrolled HIV viremia to PEL pathogenesis, cART will be
employed as an important part of the treatment regimen.
Objectives
Phase I
- Evaluate safety and tolerability of lenalidomide in combination with DA-EPOCH-R and
determine the maximum tolerated dose and/or recommended phase II dose of this
regimen.
Phase II
- Evaluate overall survival in treatment-naive participants with KSHV-positive
aggressive B cell lymphomas treated with lenalidomide in combination with DA-EPOCH
and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R^2).
Eligibility
- Adult participants >= 18 years with pathology confirmed any KSHV-positive aggressive
B cell lymphomas, such as primary effusion lymphoma, and KSHV-associated large cell
lymphoma
- Lymphoma that is measurable or assessable
- Any HIV status
- Hematologic and biochemical parameters within pre-specified limits at screening
- Willing to use effective birth control, as defined in the full protocol
- Neither pregnant nor breast feeding
- Excluded if other serious co-morbid condition that would prohibit administration of
planned chemotherapeutic intervention is present
Design
- This is a phase I/ II study of lenalidomide in combination rituximab and modified
DA-EPOCH (EPOCH-R^2) in participants with KSHV-positive aggressive B cell lymphomas.
- Phase I of the study will evaluate lenalidomide 25 mg days 1-10 in combination with
modified DA-EPOCH-R to determine safety and tolerability. Dose de-escalation doses
of lenalidomide are 20 mg and 15 mg.
- Participants with HIV will generally be prescribed cART.
- In phase I, with up to 3 dose levels, 6-18 participants will be accrued (3-6
participants per level).
- In the phase II portion of the study, 15 evaluable participants will be enrolled
over 48-60 months and 12 months follow-up after the last participant has enrolled, a
1-tailed 0.10 alpha level test would have 80% power to determine if overall survival
(OS) curve would demonstrate a 1-year OS consistent with 45% or better and ruling
out 20% or worse.