Fixed-duration epcoritamab plus R2 drives favorable outcomes in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous CD3×CD20 bispecific antibody approved as monotherapy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL). We evaluated fixed-duration epcoritamab with rituximab plus lenalidomide (R2) in R/R FL in arm 2 of EPCORE NHL-2 (phase 1b/2). Patients received epcoritamab (2 step-up doses, then 48-mg full doses) for up to 2 years, and R2 for up to 12 cycles (28 days per cycle). The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) per investigator assessment (Lugano criteria). As of 21 September 2024, 108 patients received ≥1 epcoritamab dose in expansion (median follow-up, 28.2 months). Median age was 65 years; 57% had 1 previous line of therapy. ORR and complete response (CR) rate were 96% and 88%, respectively; CR rates in patients with high-risk features were 90% (primary refractory), 82% (refractory to anti-CD20 and an alkylating agent), and 83% (disease progression within 24 months of first-line therapy). Two-year estimates for remaining in CR, progression-free survival, overall survival, and not starting next antilymphoma therapy were 82%, 76%, 90%, and 84%, respectively. Minimal residual disease negativity was observed in 86% of evaluable patients (clonoSEQ assay). Common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included neutropenia (65%), COVID-19 (59%), and cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 51%). Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 87% of patients; 5 had grade 5 TEAEs (all COVID-19). CRS events were mostly low grade (grade 1, 38%; grade 2, 11%; grade 3, 2%), all resolved, and none led to epcoritamab discontinuation. Fixed-duration epcoritamab plus R2 demonstrated deep, durable responses with manageable safety and favorable outcomes in R/R FL, irrespective of risk features. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04663347.