R-CHP Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin Regimen Improved Progression-Free Survival Compared to R-CHOP Among Elderly Patients With DLBCL
Results from the Phase 3 POLARIX Trial
Results from the Phase 3 POLARIX Trial
According to findings from the phase 3 POLARIX trial, polatuzumab vedotin, a CD79b-directed antibody-drug conjugate, plus rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) significantly improved the progression-free survival among elderly patients ≥ 70 years old with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), compared to treatment with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone).
Bei Hu, MD, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC, and coauthors presented the data from the POLARIX trial at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, Illinois.
284 patients ≥ 70 years old with previously untreated DLBCL were enrolled in this trial and randomized 1 to 1 to receive either 6 cycles of polatuzumab vedotin plus R-CHOP (Pola-R-CHP) (n = 141) or R-CHOP along with 2 cycles of rituximab (n = 143). Safety analyses were conducted on 280 patients, with 137 in the Pola-R-CHP arm and 143 in the R-CHOP arm.
At a median follow-up of 24.2 months, the Pola-R-CHP arm had a significantly lower risk of progression, relapse, or death than the R-C HOP arm. The incidence of death due to any cause was 14.2% in the Pola-R-CHP arm and 1`9.6% in the R-CHOP arm. The 2-year progression-free survival rate was 77.1% in the Pola-R-CHP arm and 67% in the R-CHOP arm. The 2-year overall survival rate was 86.2% in the Pola-R-CHP arm and 82.8% in the R-CHOP arm.
In terms of safety, there were no major differences across both arms. 101 patients experienced grade 3 to 5 adverse events in the Pola-R-CHP arm versus 100 in the R-CHOP arm. Adverse events included, but were not limited to, peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, and infection.
As all endpoints were met, Dr Hu et al concluded, “Pola-R-CHP and R-CHOP demonstrated similar safety profiles in pts aged ≥70 years with previously untreated DLBCL. The risk-benefit profile favored Pola-R-CHP vs R-CHOP.”
Source:
Hu B, Reagan PM, Sehn LH, et al. Subgroup analysis of elderly patients (pts) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the phase 3 POLARIX study. Presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting; June 2-6, 2023; Chicago, Illinois. Abstract 218290
