John Theurer Cancer Center Investigators Publish Research on New Treatment Option for Large B-Cell Lymphoma

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center investigators co-authored a publication in the New England Journal of Medicine that will change the paradigm in managing aggressive lymphoma who failed standard therapy. Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center is a part of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The research, titled “Axicabtagene Ciloleucel as Second-Line Therapy for Large B-Cell Lymphoma,” explored the use of CAR t cell therapy aci-cel or Yescarta - currently approved as 3rd line therapy in aggressive lymphoma - in a large global randomized trial against the current standard of care using high dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

The trial named ZUMA-7 showed dramatic improvement in favor of axi-cel over standard salvage and ASCT with a >4-fold greater median event free survival (EFS) – which was the primary endpoint, a > 33% increase in overall response rate (ORR) and doubling of the complete remission (CR) rate. There were no concerning toxicities, and the benefit of axi-cel in 2nd line therapy was confirmed across key prognostic subgroups including pts with high grade lymphoma and refractory to their initial chemotherapy.

Dr. Lori A. Leslie, M.D., PI for the ZUMA-7 study, director of the Indolent Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Programs at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and assistant professor, Hackensack School of Medicine, says, “Our team found that axi-cel was safe, effective and resulted in significant improvements over standard of care therapies. The entire research team at John Theurer Cancer Center is proud to partner with our international colleagues on this groundbreaking research, which provides hope and new treatment options for patients with recurrent large B-cell lymphoma.” 

“John Theurer Cancer Center is an international leader in research for all types of blood cancers, and Dr. Leslie’s participation in this study illustrates how collaborative efforts can help change a paradigm established in the 80’s. This will provide earlier access to revolutionary therapy in patients with aggressive lymphoma, which is the most common blood cancer with more than 85000 new cases annually,” said Andre Goy, M.D., MS, chairman and executive director of the John Theurer Cancer Center.