The purpose of this study was to confirm the clinical benefit observed in the pivotal registration study, Hx-CD20-406. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) required that a randomized study be conducted in CLL patients with bulky fludarabine-refractory disease as a specific obligation for grant of conditional approval for ARZERRA™ in the European Union (EU). This study compared ofatumumab with the physicians' choice of therapy.
Patients with CLL that is refractory to fludarabine have few treatment options and a poor prognosis. There is a continued need for new therapies for these CLL patients, as demonstrated by the limited responses and substantial toxicities with existing therapies. This is supported by the lack of a consensus around standard of care treatment for CLL patients with bulky fludarabine-refractory disease. The objective of this study was to confirm the response rate and disease control in the refractory setting through a controlled trial comparing ofatumumab with the physicians' choice of therapy in fludarabine-refractory, bulky lymphadenopathy patients. After 24 weeks of treatment with ofatumumab, patients were further randomized to either extended ofatumumab treatment or observation. Patients on the physicians' choice arm had the option of receiving ofatumumab if they experience progressive disease.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
122
Ofatumumab IV, initial dose 300 mg, followed 1 week later with 2000 mg once weekly for 7 weeks, followed 4 weeks later by one infusion of 2000 mg every 4 weeks for 4 infusions, for a total of 12 infusions over 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of ofatumumab treatment, patients who have achieved at least stable disease or better, and whom the investigator would deem appropriate for the therapy to continue, would undergo a second randomisation (2:1) to either 1) an additional ofatumumab dose regimen of 2000 mg once every 4 weeks for up to an additional 24 weeks, or 2) no further therapy (i.e. observation only).
Non-ofatumumab containing regimen as per physicians' choice for up to 6 months. Permitted therapies include treatments approved for CLL, and well established standards of care for CLL.
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Independent Review Committee (IRC)
PFS is the interval of time between the date of first randomization to the date of disease progression (PD) or death due to any reason, whichever occurred first. The date of PD was defined as the first occurrence of any criteria of progression. PD criteria requires at least one of the following: progression of lymphadenopathy, \>=50% increase in liver or spleen size, \>=50% increase in number of lymphocytes per microliter, more aggressive histology, occurence of cytopenia after treatment attributable to CLL. Disease progression was determined according to the 2008 International Workshop for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (IWCLL) update of the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Working Group CLL Guidelines for Response (NCI-WG). PFS was censored at the time of the last follow up for participants who have neither progressed or died.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Investigator
PFS is the interval of time between the date of first randomization to the date of disease progression (PD) or death due to any reason, whichever occurred first. The date of PD was defined as the first occurrence of any criteria of progression. PD criteria requires at least one of the following: progression of lymphadenopathy, \>=50% increase in liver or spleen size, \>=50% increase in number of lymphocytes per microliter, more aggressive histology, occurence of cytopenia after treatment attributable to CLL. Disease progression was determined according to the 2008 International Workshop for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (IWCLL) update of the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Working Group CLL Guidelines for Response (NCI-WG). PFS was censored at the time of the last follow up for participants who have neither progressed or died.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Overall Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by the IRC
ORR is defined as the number of participants achieving either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). ORR was measured using the IWCLL updated NCI-WG guidelines 2008. CR requires all of the following criteria: no lymphadenopathy(Ly)/ hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms; neutrophils \>1500 per microliter(µL), platelets(PL) \>100,000/µL, hemoglobin(Hb) \>11 grams/deciliter(g/dL), lymphocytes(LC) \<4000/µL, bone marrow(BM) sample must be normocellular for age, \<30% LC and no lymphoid nodules. PR requires the following criteria for at least 2 months: \>=50% decrease in LC, reduction in Ly (i.e., \>=50% decrease in lymph node size or no increase or new lymph nodes), \>=50% decrease in the size of liver and spleen and at least one of the following results: PL \>100,000/µL or 50% improvement over Baseline(BL), Hb \>11 g/dL or 50% improvement over BL, neutrophils\>1500/μL. Nodular PR (nPR) indicates persistent nodules in the BM.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Novartis Investigative Site
Graz, Austria
Novartis Investigative Site
Innsbruck, Austria
Novartis Investigative Site
Linz, Austria
Novartis Investigative Site
Salzburg, Austria
Novartis Investigative Site
Vienna, Austria
Novartis Investigative Site
Brussels, Belgium
Novartis Investigative Site
Leuven, Belgium
Novartis Investigative Site
Sofia, Bulgaria
Novartis Investigative Site
Sofia, Bulgaria
Novartis Investigative Site
Sofia, Bulgaria
...and 70 more locations
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Overall Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by the Investigator
ORR is defined as the number of participants achieving either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). Overall response was measured using the IWCLL updated NCI-WG guidelines 2008. CR requires all of the following criteria: no lymphadenopathy(Ly)/ hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms; neutrophils \>1500 per microliter(µL), platelets(PL) \>100,000/µL, hemoglobin(Hb) \>11 grams/deciliter(g/dL), lymphocytes(LC) \<4000/µL, bone marrow(BM) sample must be normocellular for age, \<30% LC and no lymphoid nodules. PR requires the following criteria for at least 2 months: \>=50% decrease in LC, reduction in Ly (i.e., \>=50% decrease in lymph node size or no increase or new lymph nodes), \>=50% decrease in the size of liver and spleen and at least one of the following results: PL \>100,000/µL or 50% improvement over Baseline(BL), Hb \>11 g/dL or 50% improvement over BL, neutrophils\>1500/μL. Nodular PR (nPR) indicates persistent nodules in the BM.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Overall Survival
Overall survival (OS) is defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to estimate the reported median OS time.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Time to Progression as Assessed by IRC
Time to progression is defined as the time from the date of randomization to disease progression (PD). PD requires at least one of the following: lymphadenopathy, appearance of any new lesion such as enlarged lymph nodes (\>1.5 cm) spleen or liver or other infiltrates or an increase by 50% or more in the greatest diameter of any previous site; an increase by 50% or more in the previously noted enlargement of the liver or spleen, an increase by 50% or more in the numbers of blood lymphocytes with at least 5000 lymphocytes per microliter, transformation to a more aggressive histology, or occurrence of cytopenia attributable to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Participants who were alive and had not progressed at the time of analysis or if a progression event occurred after extensive lost-to-follow-up time were censored at the date of the last visit with adequate assessment.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Time to Next Anti-cancer Therapy by Investigator
Time to next therapy is defined as the time from randomization until the start of the next line of treatment.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Time to Response as Assessed by the IRC
Time to response is defined as the time from randomization to the first response (Complete Remission\[CR\], Complete Remission with incomplete bone marrow recovery\[CRi\], partial response\[PR\], or nodular PR\[nPR\]). CR(all the criteria at least 2 months after last treatment): no lymphadenopathy(Ly) \> 1.5 cm/ hepatomegaly/ splenomegaly/ constitutional symptoms; neutrophils \>1500 per microliter(µL), platelets(PL) \>100,000/µL, hemoglobin(Hb) \>11 grams/deciliter(g/dL), lymphocytes(LC) \<4000/µL, bone marrow(BM) sample must be normocellular for age, \<30% LC, no lymphoid nodule. CRi: CR criteria, persistent anemia/thrombocytopenia/neutropenia unrelated to CLL but related to drug toxicity. PR: \>=50% decrease in LC, Ly, size of liver and spleen and at least one of the following results: PL \>100,000/µL or 50% improvement over Baseline(BL), Hb \>11 g/dL or 50% improvement over BL. nPR: persistent nodules BM. Participants with unknown or missing responses were considered as non-responders.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Duration of Response as Assessed by the IRC
DOR is defined as the time from the initial response (CR, CRi, nPR, or PR) to the first documented sign of PD or death due to any cause. PD requires at least one of the following: lymphadenopathy, appearance of any new lesion such as enlarged lymph nodes (\>1.5 cm) spleen or liver or other infiltrates or an increase by 50% or more in the greatest diameter of any previous site; an increase by 50% or more in the previously noted enlargement of the liver or spleen, an increase by 50% or more in the numbers of blood lymphocytes with at least 5000 lymphocytes per microliter, transformation to a more aggressive histology, or occurrence of cytopenia attributable to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Par. who were alive and had not progressed at the time of analysis or if a progression event occurred after extensive lost-to-follow-up time (\>= 12 weeks) were censored at the date of the last visit with adequate assessment. Par. with unknown or missing responses were considered as non-responders.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Number of Participants With Any Adverse Event (AE), Any Serious Adverse Event (SAE), Any Fatal Serious Adverse Event (FSAE), or Deaths
An AE is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product. A SAE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose, results in death, is life threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in disability or incapacity, is a congenital anomaly or birth defect.
Time frame: From the first dose of study medication to 60 days after the last dose of study medication and until follow-up for SAEs unless initiation of subsequent anti-CLL therapy
Number of Participants With Any Adverse Event (AE) of Special Interest
AEs of special interest included cytopenias (neutropenia \[decreased neutrophil count\], anaemia \[decreased hemoglobin\], and thrombocytopenia \[decreased platelet count\]), autoimmune haematologic complications (autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia), infusion reactions, infections, mucocutaneous reactions, Tumour Lysis Syndrome (TLS), cardiovascular events, and small bowel obstruction.
Time frame: From the first dose of study medication to 60 days after the last dose of study medication and until follow-up for SAEs unless initiation of subsequent anti-CLL therapy
Mean Immunoglobulin (Ig) Antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM Over Time
Immunoglobulins or antibodies are large proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses. Their normal blood levels indicate proper immune status. Low levels indicate immuno-suppression. IgA, IgG, and IgM were measured in the blood samples of the participants. Immunoglobulin testing was performed at Screening (SCR), Cycle 3 Week 4 (C3W4), Cycle 7 Week 4 (C3W4) ,Cycle 9 Week 4 (C3W4), 6 Month Follow-up Visit (6M FU), 9 Month Follow-up (9M FU), 12 Month Follow-up (12M FU), 18 Month Follow-up (18M FU), 24 Month Follow-up (24M FU), 30 Month Follow-up (30M FU), 36 Month Follow-up (36M FU), 42 Month Follow-up (42M FU). A cycle is defined as the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next round.
Time frame: Screening and every 3 months during treatment, every 6 months after last treatment until PD or until 42 Month Follow-up Visit
Number of Participants Who Were Positive or Negative for Human Anti-Human Antibodies (HAHA) Post-OFA Therapy
The presence of HAHA in human serum was determined using a validated electrochemiluminescent assay in a multi-tier assay format. All samples were first assessed in a screening (SCR) assay, and the potential positive (Pos) samples were further tested in the confirmation (CNF) assays. Confirmed positives were reported as HAHA positive and titer was determined for each positive sample. The drug tolerance of the HAHA assay is 200 microgram/milliliter (µg/mL); thus, samples that tested negative in the assay and had ofatumumab concentrations no more than 200 µg/mL were considered as conclusive negative (Neg) results.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Changes From Baseline in European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia 16 Item Module (EORTC QLQ-CLL 16)
The EORTC QLQ-CLL16 is comprised of 16 questions that address 5 domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) important in CLL. There are 4 multi-item scales - fatigue (2 items), treatment side effects (\[TSE\], 4 items), disease symptoms (disease effects scale \[DES\], 4 items), and infection (4 items) - and single item scales (social activities \[Social Problems (SP) Scale\] and future health worries\[Future Health (FH) Scale\].). These are measured on a four point scale where 1 = not at all and 4 = very much. These scores are transformed to give a rating from 0 - 100, where 0 =no symptoms or problems and 100 = a severe symptoms or problems. EORTC QLQ-CLL16 was assessed at Screening; Week (W) 12 (W4 of Cycle\[C\] 3), W24 (W4C6), W36 (W4C9), W48 (W4C13); during Follow-up which was every month for Months (M) 1-6, every 8 weeks for M7-12 and every 3 months up to M60; and then at PD.
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.
Mean Health Change Questionnaire (HCQ) Score
The HCQ consists of a single question in which the participant is asked if he/she has experienced any change in his/her health overall since beginning the study. For HCQ, values from 1 to 9 were assigned to the 9 responses in the HCQ questionnaire, ranging from 1 for 'my health is a great deal better' to 9 for 'my health is a great deal worse' since the beginning of the study. A score of 3 or less indicates improvement from Baseline. HCQ was assessed at Screening; Week (W) 12 (W4 of Cycle\[C\] 3), W24 (W4C6), W36 (W4C9), W48 (W4C13); during follow-up which was every month for Months 1-6, every 8 weeks for M7-12 and every 3 months up to M60; and then at PD..
Time frame: From the randomization date up to 60 months post the randomization date.