Efficacy and Toxicity Profile of Investigational Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Acute Gvhd

• Published in: Blood 2020-11, Vol.136 (Supplement 1), p.13-13
• Main Authors: Durer, Ceren, Durer, Seren, Hoilat, Gilles Jad, Khan, Rashad, Anwer, Faiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2020-140893

Introduction: Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) carries high morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Corticosteroids remain the mainstay treatment approach for aGVHD, with limited efficacy (≤50%). Different treatment modalities have been studied to improve outcomes. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are currently being tested, especially for steroid-refractory (SR) aGVHD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search, from 2015 to 2020, was performed using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane. MeSH terms and keywords were HSCT, acute GVHD, and monoclonal antibodies. PRISMA guideline was used for study selection. Results: A total of 11 studies were identified, including 241 patients. Extracted outcomes were depicted in Table 1. Ten studies included patients with SR aGVHD (n=221), with most of them having GI involvement. Most of the patients had ≥grade III-IV aGVHD and concomitant organ involvement. Most of the studies continued systemic steroids and gradually tapered based on the therapy responses. Natalizumab: In a phase II trial, 20 patients with newly diagnosed lower GI aGVHD received natalizumab along with methylprednisone. 55% of the patients had grade III-IV. The overall response rate (ORR) was 62% at day 56, and overall survival (OS) was 52% at six months. GVHD free survival was 37.5% on day 56, and two patients died from GVHD. Vedolizumab: Four studies evaluated vedolizumab in SR GI aGVHD patients (grade ≥III-IV). In a study of 29 patients, durable responses were reported; ORR and complete response (CR) were 64% and 28% at day 56, respectively. Overall survival (OS)was 47% at 12 months. In this study, patients received vedolizumab as a 2nd line. Another study, n= 29 patients, also showed positive results with ORR of 79% with CR 28%. OS at 12 months was 27.5%. The other two small studies, however, reported low response rates with high mortality. Remarkably, in these studies, vedolizumab was given as a 4th or 5th line. Brentuximab vedotin: Ina phase I study, n= 34 SR aGVHD patients (70% grade ≥III-IV) demonstrated ORR of 38% at day 28. OS was 41% at six months, and 38% at 12 months. In this study, dose revision was made (from 0.6 mg/kg weekly to 0.6-0.8 mg/kg every-2-weekly) after deaths due to neutropenic sepsis. Begelomab: A phase I/II study evaluated 28 patients with SR aGVHD. All patients had gut, skin, and liver involvement before the therapy (75% grade III-IV).ORR at day 28 was 75%, CR 11%, and OS was 50% at 12 months