On December 2, 2020 During the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition, principal investigators from The US Oncology Network (The Network) and US Oncology Research reported that it will share detailed results from 30 studies covering topics that include Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and the effects of cancers on older patient populations (Press release, US Oncology, DEC 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234572098]). The ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, a leading scientific event in malignant and non-malignant hematology, will be taking place virtually from Dec. 5-8, 2020.

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"In this landscape impacted by COVID-19, real-world evidence shows that our collective fight against cancer must include advancing clinical research and empowering patients through timely health screenings," said Robert L. Coleman, MD, chief scientific officer, US Oncology Research. "At this year’s ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) virtual meeting, we are looking forward to sharing the latest advances from investigators in The Network and to exploring ways we can continue working together to navigate the unprecedented challenges and risks that patients with cancer are facing today."

Christopher A. Yasenchak, MD, associate chair of hematology research for US Oncology Research and a hematologist with Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center, will present an oral abstract titled, "Frontline Brentuximab Vedotin as Monotherapy or in Combination for Older Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients," on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2:15 p.m. ET.

"Older patients with Hodgkin lymphoma often have poorer outcomes than younger patients due to comorbidities and the toxicity of conventional first-line chemotherapy," said Dr. Yasenchak. "Brentuximab vedotin, as monotherapy and in combination with other agents, shows high response rates and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival and tolerability compared to conventional combination chemotherapy. The study, SGN35-015, presents compelling evidence underscoring the growing interest and urgency in research to advance cancer treatment and care for older populations."

In addition, Robert Rifkin, MD, FACP, medical director of biosimilars for McKesson, associate chair of hematology research and myeloma disease lead for US Oncology Research and a hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, a practice in The Network, co-authored "The Phase 3 TOURMALINE-MM2 Trial: Oral Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (IRd) Vs Placebo-Rd for Transplant-Ineligible Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM)." The oral presentation will take place on Monday, Dec. 7, at 7:45 a.m. ET.

"Patients who are newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma and not eligible for autologous stem cell transplants need additional treatment options," said Dr. Rifkin. "We believe the findings from TOURMALINE-MM2 emphasize the need for all-oral, proteasome inhibitor-based treatment options and will help pave the way for future innovation on behalf of the multiple myeloma community."

Dr. Rifkin will also present a trial-in-progress poster, "DREAMM-7: A Phase III Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Belantamab Mafodotin (Belamaf) With Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (B-Vd) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)," on Monday, Dec. 7, from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.

Another oral abstract, "Subgroup Analyses of Elderly Patients Aged ≥ 70 Years in MAGNIFY: A Phase IIIb Interim Analysis of Induction R2 Followed By Maintenance in Relapsed/Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma," was co-authored by David Andorsky, MD, a hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. The presentation will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

"Results from MAGNIFY indicate an important option for older, high-risk patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who have relapsed or did not respond to previous treatment with chemotherapy," said Dr. Andorsky. "In this patient population, lenalidomide combined with rituximab—with close attention to dose reduction—demonstrated encouraging efficacy and a tolerable safety profile."

Mitul Gandhi, MD, a medical oncologist with Virginia Cancer Specialists, a practice in The Network, co-authored the poster, "Safety and Antitumor Activity Study Evaluating Loncastuximab Tesirine and Rituximab Versus Immunochemotherapy in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma." The presentation will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.

"Options are critically needed to improve outcomes for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who did not respond to previous therapy, are unsuitable for autologous stem cell transplantation or relapsed shortly after a transplantation," said Dr. Gandhi. "I am looking forward to presenting findings that indicate the potential to meet the needs of more patients with this aggressive form of lymphoma."

Furthermore, Houston Holmes, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology, a practice in The Network, co-authored the oral abstract "Single-Agent Mosunetuzumab Is a Promising Safe and Efficacious Chemotherapy-Free Regimen for Elderly/Unfit Patients With Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B‑Cell Lymphoma." The presentation will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 12:15 p.m. ET.

"Among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, approximately 30% over age 75 do not receive standard chemotherapy as a first-line treatment due to concerns about frailty and comorbidities," said Dr. Holmes. "Based on early clinical data, single-agent mosunetuzumab could offer a promising chemotherapy-free regimen for these patients who otherwise have limited options."

Researchers with McKesson Data, Evidence and Insights also worked with US Oncology Research and The US Oncology Network physicians on studies advancing the applications of real-world evidence, which will be presented this year.

Dr. Yasenchak will present a real-world evidence study titled, "Real-World Adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Regarding the Usage of PET/CT and Reported Deauville Scores in Advanced Stage Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Community Oncology Practice Perspective." The poster presentation will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.

"Providers may not always have the comprehensive information needed to optimize treatment modifications for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma," added Dr. Yasenchak. "Based on our findings, there is an opportunity to educate oncologists and radiologists about the importance of consistently reporting PET/CT Deauville scores in the initial staging and assessment of treatment response for these patients."

An additional real-world evidence poster, "NHL Patients and Nurses in the US Prefer Subcutaneous Rituximab Injection Versus Intravenous Rituximab Infusion: A Real-World Study," will be presented by Dr. Gandhi on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic adds new barriers to our health systems and the completion of clinical trials, real-world evidence is pivotal in providing insights into how we can improve outcomes," said Nicholas J. Robert, MD, medical director, McKesson Data, Evidence and Insights. "By leveraging data from our electronic medical records, healthcare providers and researchers are making an impact and optimizing care for patients managing cancer."

The full schedule of affiliated data presentations, including timing and author information, can be found here. For more information or to interview a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or [email protected] or Edie DeVine at 209.814.9564 or [email protected].