US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network and Ontada Announce Data Presentations across Areas of Critical Need at 2021 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and[...]

Highlights include clinical, real-world and health economic findings from studies of blood cancer treatments and hematological side effects in the community oncology setting

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 9, 2021 - Investigators from US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network (The Network), and Ontada^TM will share results from more than 30 studies exploring areas such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and hematological adverse event management in the community oncology setting at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. The ASH Annual Meeting, a leading scientific event in malignant and non-malignant hematology, will take place in Atlanta, Georgia and virtually from Dec. 11-14, 2021.

"We are making tremendous strides in caring for a wide array of hematological malignancies, including hard-to-treat blood cancers, and have much more to offer patients than in years past. However, there is still need for advances," said Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, chief scientific officer, US Oncology Research. "We are excited about presenting our latest findings and coming back together with the community as we continue to learn, collaborate and innovate towards improved patient outcomes."

In a late-breaking abstract session on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am ET, results will be presented from "The POLARIX Study: Polatuzumab Vedotin with Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (pola-R-CHP) Versus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisone (R-CHOP) Therapy in Patients with Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma."

"Approximately 40 percent of patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are not cured with the current standard of care regimen known as R-CHOP," said study co-author John Burke, MD, a hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, a practice in The Network. "In the Phase 3 POLARIX study, we compared a combination of the CD79b-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, polatuzumab vedotin, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone, or pola-R-CHP, with R-CHOP. The results of the POLARIX study may have significant implications for the way we treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the front-line setting in the future and look forward to the findings being shared at the ASH Meeting."

Additionally, Dr. Burke will present an abstract titled, "Efficacy and Safety of Umbralisib, Ublituximab (U2), and U2 Plus Bendamustine in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)," in an oral presentation Sunday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 pm.

"Patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL generally have a poor prognosis, particularly if they are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation or experience relapse following approved CAR-T therapies. In the UNITY-NHL study, we systematically explored the efficacy and tolerability of the PI3K-d/CK1-e inhibitor, umbralisib, alone, and in combination with the glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody ublituximab, followed by a cohort treated with umbralisib, ublituximab and bendamustine," said lead author Dr. Burke. "We found that the triplet regimen was effective and well tolerated in patients with relapse or refractory DLBCL who were unsuitable for transplant or who had relapsed following transplant."

In an oral abstract session on Monday, Dec. 13 at 4:45 pm, results will be presented from the study, "Completed Induction Phase Analysis of Magnify: Phase 3b Study of Lenalidomide + Rituximab (R2) Followed By Maintenance in Relapsed/Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma."

"Unfortunately, people with relapsed indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma have limited standard treatment options," said study co-author David Andorsky, MD, hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. "Therefore, our analysis from the induction phase of the Phase 3b MAGNIFY trial which provides additional evidence that lenalidomide combined with rituximab is active with a tolerable safety profile in a wide range of patients with relapsed or refractory disease is encouraging."

Jerome Goldschmidt, MD, oncologist at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, a practice in The Network, will present results during a poster presentation titled, "Understanding Hematological Adverse Event Management through Health Care Resource Utilization, Costs, and Treatment Patterns of Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated in the Community Oncology Setting," on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Dr. Goldschmidt, lead author of the abstract, worked with Ontada researchers on this retrospective, observational study. Ontada is an oncology real-world data and evidence, clinical education and provider technology business dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients.

"Our study found that there is significant burden of myelosuppressive hematological adverse events among extensive stage small cell lung cancer patients in the community oncology setting. Notably, patients with grade ≥3 hematological adverse events appear to have more dose reductions, treatment delays and healthcare service utilizations than those without," said Dr. Goldschmidt. "Future research should strive to understand the full scope of hematologic adverse event management and define the role therapies that protect bone marrow from these adverse events can play in reducing this burden."

Robert Rifkin, MD, medical director of biosimilars for McKesson, associate chair of hematology research and myeloma disease lead for The US Oncology Network, and hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, co-authored an analysis of outcomes among people with triple-class refractory multiple myeloma titled, "Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical, Economic, and Humanistic Burden in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Analysis of the Connect® Multiple Myeloma (MM) Disease Registry." The oral presentation will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10:00 am.

"Treatment resistance remains a challenge for most multiple myeloma patients and their outcomes and health-related quality of life worsens with each line of therapy. Patients who are refractory to immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and anti-CD38 antibodies, or triple-class refractory, have an especially bleak prognosis and high disease burden," said Dr. Rifkin. "Data presented from the ongoing prospective Connect® MM Disease Registry confirm that people with triple-class refractory multiple myeloma experience poor survival, substantial hospitalizations and a clinically meaningful decline in health-related quality of life and suggest that novel tolerable and efficacious therapeutic agents are urgently needed to address the burden of illness in triple-refractory multiple myeloma."

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].

About US Oncology Research

US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 165 locations, managing about 400 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 85,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.

About The US Oncology Network

Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps approximately 1,400 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to patients - close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.

About Ontada

Ontada^TM is an oncology real-world data and evidence, clinical education and provider technology business dedicated to transforming the fight against cancer. Part of McKesson Corporation, we support science through our data, technology and channels, which accelerate innovation for life sciences companies, support the education of community oncology providers and advance patient care. Together with our partners, we improve the lives of cancer patients. For more information, visit ontada.com or follow @OntadaOncology.

PR Contact

US Oncology Research
Claire Crye, Public Relations
281-825-9927
[email protected]

GCI Health on behalf of US Oncology Research
Edie DeVine, Public Relations
209-814-9564
[email protected]

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