1
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Masetti R, Baccelli F, Leardini D, Locatelli F. Venetoclax: a new player in the treatment of children with high-risk myeloid malignancies? Blood Adv 2024; 8:3583-3595. [PMID: 38701350 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Venetoclax selectively inhibits B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and restores apoptotic signaling of hematologic malignant cells. Venetoclax, in combination with hypomethylating and low-dose cytotoxic agents, has revolutionized the management of older patients affected by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and that of patients unfit to receive intensive chemotherapy. In a single phase 1 pediatric trial conducted on relapsed or refractory AML, the combination of venetoclax and intensive chemotherapy was shown to be safe and yielded promising response rates. In addition, several retrospective studies in children with AML reported that venetoclax, when combined with hypomethylating agents and cytotoxic drugs, seems to be a safe and efficacious bridge to transplant. The promising results on the use of venetoclax combinations in advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and therapy-related MDS/AML have also been reported in small case series. This review summarizes the available current knowledge about venetoclax use in childhood high-risk myeloid neoplasms and discusses the possible integration of BCL-2 inhibition in the current treatment algorithm of these children. It also focuses on specific genetic subgroups potentially associated with response in preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Masetti
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Baccelli
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Leardini
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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2
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Ma C, Lang H, Chen Y, Yang L, Wang C, Han L, Chen X, Ma W. Azacitidine combined with venetoclax alleviates AML-MR with TP53 mutation in SDS: a case report and literature review. Anticancer Drugs 2024; 35:548-555. [PMID: 38502829 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease, which is prone to transform into myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). TP53 mutation is a driving factor involved in the transformation of SDS into MDS/AML, and in the evolution of MDS to AML. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is the only curable approach, however, challenge remains regarding the balance between efficacy and the high risk from treatment-related toxicity and mortality to achieve temporary disease control before transplantation to gain time and opportunities for transplantation. At present, pre-transplant bridging therapy has emerged as one of the important options with improved efficacy, reduced tumor burden, and less treatment-related toxicity. Here we reported azacitidine combined with venetoclax was used as pre-transplant bridging regimen in a TP53-mutant AML-MR case developed from SDS. He achieved complete remission with incomplete recovery and proceeded to Allo-HSCT. We hope to provide some evidence and insight for in-depth research and clinical treatment by presenting this case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Haiyan Lang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Chong Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Lizhen Han
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Wei Ma
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
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3
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Boer JM, Ilan U, Boeree A, Langenberg KPS, Koster J, Koudijs MJ, Hehir-Kwa JY, Nierkens S, Rossi C, Molenaar JJ, Goemans BF, den Boer ML, Zwaan CM. Oncogenic and immunological targets for matched therapy of pediatric blood cancer patients: Dutch iTHER study experience. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e122. [PMID: 39011126 PMCID: PMC11247331 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 10 years, institutional and national molecular tumor boards have been implemented for relapsed or refractory pediatric cancer to prioritize targeted drugs for individualized treatment based on actionable oncogenic lesions, including the Dutch iTHER platform. Hematological malignancies form a minority in precision medicine studies. Here, we report on 56 iTHER leukemia/lymphoma patients for which we considered cell surface markers and oncogenic aberrations as actionable events, supplemented with ex vivo drug sensitivity for six patients. Prior to iTHER registration, 34% of the patients had received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and 18% CAR-T therapy. For 51 patients (91%), a sample with sufficient tumor percentage (≥20%) required for comprehensive diagnostic testing was obtained. Up to 10 oncogenic actionable events were prioritized in 49/51 patients, and immunotherapy targets were identified in all profiled patients. Targeted treatment(s) based on the iTHER advice was given to 24 of 51 patients (47%), including immunotherapy in 17 patients, a targeted drug matching an oncogenic aberration in 12 patients, and a drug based on ex vivo drug sensitivity in one patient, resulting in objective responses and a bridge to HCT in the majority of the patients. In conclusion, comprehensive profiling of relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies showed multiple oncogenic and immunotherapy targets for a precision medicine approach, which requires multidisciplinary expertise to prioritize the best treatment options for this rare, heavily pretreated pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Boer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Uri Ilan
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Boeree
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Koster
- Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Marco J Koudijs
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Jayne Y Hehir-Kwa
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology UMC Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Corinne Rossi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology Heidelberg University Hospital Heidelberg Germany
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Bianca F Goemans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Monique L den Boer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Erasmus Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Erasmus Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam The Netherlands
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4
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Renard C, Corbel A, Paillard C, Pochon C, Schneider P, Simon N, Buchbinder N, Fahd M, Yakoub-Agha I, Calvo C. [Preventive and therapeutic strategies for relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplant for pediatric AML (SFGM-TC)]. Bull Cancer 2024:S0007-4551(24)00109-7. [PMID: 38926053 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Treatment of pediatric high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML), defined either on molecular or cytogenetic features, relies on bone marrow transplant after cytologic remission. However, relapse remains the first post-transplant cause of mortality. In this 13th session of practice harmonization of the francophone society of bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy (SFGM-TC), our group worked on recommendations regarding the management of post-transplant relapse in AML pediatric patients based on international literature, national survey and expert opinion. Overall, immunomodulation strategy relying on both measurable residual disease (MRD) and chimerism evaluation should be used for high-risk AML. In very high-risk (VHR) AML with a 5-year overall survival ≤30 %, a post-transplant maintenance should be proposed using either hypomethylating agents, combined with DLI whenever possible, or FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors if this target is present on leukemia cells. In the pre-emptive or early relapse settings (< 6 months post-transplant), treatments combining DLI, Azacytidine and Venetoclax should be considered. Access to phase I/II trails for targeted therapies (menin, IDH or JAK inhibitors) should be discussed in each patient according to the underlying molecular abnormalities of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Renard
- Service d'hématologie pédiatrique, Institut d'hématologie et d'oncologie pédiatrique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 1, place Professeur Joseph Renaut, 69008 Lyon, France.
| | - Alizee Corbel
- Service d'hémato-cancérologie pédiatrique, CHU de Rennes, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, 35200 Rennes, France
| | - Catherine Paillard
- Service d'onco-hématologie pédiatrique, Hôpital de Hautepierre CHRU de Strasbourg, avenue Molière, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Cécile Pochon
- service d'onco-hématologie pédiatrique, hôpital de Brabois CHRU de Nancy, rue du Morvan, 54511 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Pascale Schneider
- service d'hémato-oncologie pédiatrique, hôpital Charles-Nicolle CHU de Rouen, 1, rue De Germont, 76038 Rouen, France
| | - Nicolas Simon
- Université Lille, EA 7365-GRITA-groupe de recherche sur les formes injectables et les technologies associées, CHU Lille, Institut de Pharmacie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Nimrod Buchbinder
- service d'hémato-oncologie pédiatrique, hôpital Charles-Nicolle CHU de Rouen, 1, rue De Germont, 76038 Rouen, France
| | - Mony Fahd
- Service d'hématologie et immunologie pédiatrique, hôpital Robert Debré, AP-HP, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France
| | | | - Charlotte Calvo
- Service d'hématologie et immunologie pédiatrique, hôpital Robert Debré, AP-HP, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France
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5
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Graff Z, Wachter F, Eapen M, Lehmann L, Cooper T. Navigating Treatment Options and Communication in Relapsed Pediatric AML. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2024; 44:e438690. [PMID: 38862135 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_438690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite improved outcomes in newly diagnosed pediatric AML, relapsed disease remains a therapeutic challenge. Factors contributing to slow progress in improving outcomes include inherent challenges in pediatric clinical trial accrual and the scarcity of novel targeted/immunotherapy agents available for pediatric development. This paradigm is changing, however, as international collaboration grows in parallel with the development of promising targeted agents. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic landscape of relapsed pediatric AML, including conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and the challenges of drug approvals in this patient population. We highlight current efforts to improve communication among academia, industry, and regulatory authorities and discuss the importance of international collaboration to improve access to new therapies. Among the therapeutic options, we highlight the approach to second hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and discuss which patients are most likely to benefit from this potentially curative intervention. Importantly, we acknowledge the challenges in providing these high-risk interventions to our patients and their families and the importance of shared communication and decision making when considering early-phase clinical trials and second HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Graff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Franziska Wachter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mary Eapen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Leslie Lehmann
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Todd Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
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6
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Nachmias B, Aumann S, Haran A, Schimmer AD. Venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia-Clinical and biological insights. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:1146-1158. [PMID: 38296617 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Venetoclax, an oral BCL-2 inhibitor, has been widely incorporated in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. The combination of hypomethylating agents and venetoclax is the current standard of care for elderly and patient's ineligible for aggressive therapies. However, venetoclax is being increasingly used with aggressive chemotherapy regimens both in the front line and in the relapse setting. Our growing experience and intensive research demonstrate that certain genetic abnormalities are associated with venetoclax sensitivity, while others with resistance, and that resistance can emerge during treatment leading to disease relapse. In the current review, we provide a summary of the known mechanisms of venetoclax cytotoxicity, both regarding the inhibition of BCL-2-mediated apoptosis and its effect on cell metabolism. We describe how these pathways are linked to venetoclax resistance and are associated with specific mutations. Finally, we provide the rationale for novel drug combinations in current and future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Nachmias
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shlomzion Aumann
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arnon Haran
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aaron D Schimmer
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Chatzikalil E, Roka K, Diamantopoulos PT, Rigatou E, Avgerinou G, Kattamis A, Solomou EE. Venetoclax Combination Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adult Patients. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2046. [PMID: 38610812 PMCID: PMC11012941 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the prognosis in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has significantly improved. The standard intensive cytotoxic treatment approach for AYAs with AML, consisting of induction chemotherapy with anthracycline/cytarabine combination followed by consolidation chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, has lately been shifting toward novel targeted therapies, mostly in the fields of clinical trials. One of the most recent advances in treating AML is the combination of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitor venetoclax with hypomethylating agents, which has been studied in elderly populations and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients over 75 years of age or patients excluded from intensive chemotherapy induction schemas due to comorbidities. Regarding the AYA population, venetoclax combination therapy could be a therapeutic option for patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) AML, although data from real-world studies are currently limited. Venetoclax is frequently used by AYAs diagnosed with advanced hematologic malignancies, mainly acute lymphoblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as a salvage therapeutic option with considerable efficacy and safety. Herein, we aim to summarize the evidence obtained from clinical trials and observational studies on venetoclax use in AYAs with AML. Based on the available evidence, venetoclax is a safe and effective therapeutic option for R/R AML AYA patients. However, further research in larger cohorts is needed to confirm these data, establishing the benefits of a venetoclax-based regimen for this special population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Chatzikalil
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kleoniki Roka
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis T. Diamantopoulos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Efthymia Rigatou
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Avgerinou
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.R.); (E.R.); (G.A.); (A.K.)
- “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital ERN-PeadCan Center, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elena E. Solomou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, 26500 Rion, Greece
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8
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Ren Y, Liu F, Chen X, Zhang X, Zhao B, Wan Y, Lan Y, Li X, Yang W, Zhu X, Guo Y. Decitabine-containing conditioning improved outcomes for children with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:1345-1351. [PMID: 38316642 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare clonal hematopoietic disorder in children. The risk stratification system and treatment strategy for adults are unfit for children. The role of hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in higher-risk childhood MDS has not been identified. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with higher-risk MDS at one single center. A retrospective study was conducted in children with higher-risk MDS undergoing HSCT between September 2019 and March 2023 at Blood Diseases Hospital CAMS. The clinical characteristics and transplantation information were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 27 patients were analyzed, including 11 with MDS with excess blasts (MDS-EB), 14 with MDS-EB in transformation (MDS-EBt) or acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC), and 2 with therapy-related MDS/AML (t-MDS/AML). Eight patients harbored monosomy 7. Before transplantation, induction therapy was administered to 25 patients, and 19 of them achieved bone marrow blasts <5% before HSCT. The stem cell source was unmanipulated-related bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells for nineteen patients and unrelated cord blood for eight. All patients received decitabine-containing and Bu/Cy-based myeloablative conditioning; 26 patients achieved initial engraftment. The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) at 100 days were 65.4% and 42.3%, respectively. The incidence of cGvHD was 38.5%. The median follow-up was 26 (range 4-49) months after transplantation. By the end of follow-up, two patients died of complications and two died of disease progression. The probability of 3-year overall survival (OS) was 84.8% (95%CI, 71.1 to 98.5%). In summary, decitabine-containing myeloablative conditioning resulted in excellent outcomes for children with higher-risk MDS undergoing allogeneic HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Beibei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Yang Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Yang Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Wenyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Ye Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China.
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9
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Murphy LA, Winters AC. Emerging and Future Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Targeting the Leukemia Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3248. [PMID: 38137469 PMCID: PMC10741170 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare subtype of acute leukemia in the pediatric and adolescent population but causes disproportionate morbidity and mortality in this age group. Standard chemotherapeutic regimens for AML have changed very little in the past 3-4 decades, but the addition of targeted agents in recent years has led to improved survival in select subsets of patients as well as a better biological understanding of the disease. Currently, one key paradigm of bench-to-bedside practice in the context of adult AML is the focus on leukemia stem cell (LSC)-targeted therapies. Here, we review current and emerging immunotherapies and other targeted agents that are in clinical use for pediatric AML through the lens of what is known (and not known) about their LSC-targeting capability. Based on a growing understanding of pediatric LSC biology, we also briefly discuss potential future agents on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A. Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Amanda C. Winters
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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10
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Leśniak M, Lipniarska J, Majka P, Lejman M, Zawitkowska J. Recent Updates in Venetoclax Combination Therapies in Pediatric Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16708. [PMID: 38069030 PMCID: PMC10706781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Venetoclax is a strongly effective B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitor (BCL-2) with an ability to selectively restore the apoptotic potential of cancerous cells. It has been proven that in combination with immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and lower-intensity therapies such as hypomethylating agents (HMAs) or low-dose cytarabine (LDAC), the drug can improve overall outcomes for adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and multiple myeloma (MM), amongst other hematological malignancies, but its benefit in pediatric hematology remains unclear. With a number of preclinical and clinical trials emerging, the newest findings suggest that in many cases of younger patients, venetoclax combination treatment can be well-tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that in adults, despite often leading to severe infections. Studies aim to determine the activity of BCL-2 inhibitor in the treatment of both primary and refractory acute leukemias in combination with standard and high-dose chemotherapy. Although more research is required to identify the optimal venetoclax-based regimen for the pediatric population and its long-term effects on patients' outcomes, it can become a potential therapeutic agent for pediatric oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Leśniak
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.); (J.L.); (P.M.)
| | - Justyna Lipniarska
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.); (J.L.); (P.M.)
| | - Patrycja Majka
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.); (J.L.); (P.M.)
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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11
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Tseng S, Lee ME, Lin PC. A Review of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis and Novel Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1614. [PMID: 38004478 PMCID: PMC10674205 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in children. The incidence of childhood AML is much lower than acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which makes childhood AML a rare disease in children. The role of genetic abnormalities in AML classification, management, and prognosis prediction is much more important than before. Disease classifications and risk group classifications, such as the WHO classification, the international consensus classification (ICC), and the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) classification, were revised in 2022. The application of the new information in childhood AML will be upcoming in the next few years. The frequency of each genetic abnormality in adult and childhood AML is different; therefore, in this review, we emphasize well-known genetic subtypes in childhood AML, including core-binding factor AML (CBF AML), KMT2Ar (KMT2A/11q23 rearrangement) AML, normal karyotype AML with somatic mutations, unbalanced cytogenetic abnormalities AML, NUP98 11p15/NUP09 rearrangement AML, and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Current risk group classification, the management algorithm in childhood AML, and novel treatment modalities such as targeted therapy, immune therapy, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are reviewed. Finally, the indications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in AML are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Tseng
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Mu-En Lee
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
| | - Pei-Chin Lin
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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12
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Wachter F, Pikman Y, Bledsoe J, Kapadia M, Baumeister S, Rowe J, Shimamura A, Place AE, Prockop S, Whangbo J, Lehmann L, Horan J, Pollard J. Treatment of recurrent pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clin Case Rep 2023; 11:e8190. [PMID: 38028059 PMCID: PMC10665583 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of recurrent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains challenging. We present a 4-year-old girl experiencing early MDS relapse post-HCT treated with a multimodal strategy encompassing a second HCT and innovative targeted therapies. We underscore the potential of a comprehensive treatment approach in managing recurrent pediatric MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Wachter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yana Pikman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jacob Bledsoe
- Department of PathologyBoston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Malika Kapadia
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Susanne Baumeister
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jared Rowe
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Akiko Shimamura
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Andrew E. Place
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Susan Prockop
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jennifer Whangbo
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Leslie Lehmann
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - John Horan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jessica Pollard
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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13
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Rubio-San-Simón A, van Eijkelenburg NKA, Hoogendijk R, Hasle H, Niemeyer CM, Dworzak MN, Zecca M, Lopez-Yurda M, Janssen JM, Huitema ADR, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Laille EJ, van Tinteren H, Zwaan CM. Azacitidine (Vidaza ®) in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed Advanced MDS and JMML: Results of a Phase I/II Study by the ITCC Consortium and the EWOG-MDS Group (Study ITCC-015). Paediatr Drugs 2023; 25:719-728. [PMID: 37695474 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-023-00588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) are rare hematological malignancies in children. A second allograft is recommended if a relapse occurs after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but the outcome is poor. OBJECTIVE We conducted a phase I/II multicenter study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of azacitidine in children with relapsed MDS/JMML prior to the second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS Patients enrolled from June 2013 to March 2019 received azacitidine intravenously/subcutaneously once daily on days 1-7 of a 28-day cycle. The MDS and JMML cohorts followed a two-stage design separately, with a safety run-in for JMML. Response and safety data were used to evaluate efficacy and establish the recommended dose. Pharmacokinetics was also analyzed. The study closed prematurely because of low recruitment. RESULTS Six patients with MDS and four patients with JMML received a median of three and five cycles, respectively. Azacitidine 75 mg/m2 was well tolerated and plasma concentration-time profiles were similar to observed in adults. The most prevalent grade 3-4 adverse event was myelotoxicity. No responses were seen in patients with MDS, but 83% achieved stable disease; four patients underwent an allotransplant. Overall response rate in the JMML cohort was 75% (two complete responses; one partial response) and all responders underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. One-year overall survival was 67% (95% confidence interval 38-100) in MDS and 50% (95% confidence interval 19-100) in JMML. CONCLUSIONS Azacitidine 75 mg/m2 prior to a second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is safe in children with relapsed MDS/JMML. Although the long-term advantage remains to be assessed, this study suggests that azacitidine is an efficacious option for relapsed JMML. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT 2010-022235-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rubio-San-Simón
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Niño Jesús Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natasha K A van Eijkelenburg
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raoull Hoogendijk
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte M Niemeyer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael N Dworzak
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Zecca
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Lopez-Yurda
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biometrics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julie M Janssen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alwin D R Huitema
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric J Laille
- Cellectis, New York, NY, USA
- Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Harm van Tinteren
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian M Zwaan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- European Consortium for Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC), Villejuif, France
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14
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Jacob M, Wiedemann S, Brücher D, Pieper NM, Birkhold M, Särchen V, Jeroch J, Demes MC, Gretser S, Braun Y, Gradhand E, Rothweiler F, Michaelis M, Cinatl J, Vogler M. Increased MCL1 dependency leads to new applications of BH3-mimetics in drug-resistant neuroblastoma. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1667-1678. [PMID: 37723317 PMCID: PMC10646009 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02430-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a paediatric cancer that is characterised by poor prognosis for chemoresistant disease, highlighting the need for better treatment options. Here, we asked whether BH3-mimetics inhibiting BCL2 proteins may eliminate chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells. METHODS We utilised cisplatin-adapted neuroblastoma cell lines as well as patient tissues before and after relapse to study alterations of BCL2 proteins upon chemoresistance. RESULTS In a direct comparison of cisplatin-resistant cells we identified a prominent loss of sensitivity to BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitors that is associated with an increase in MCL1 dependency and high expression of MCL1 in patient tumour tissues. Screening of FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs in chemoresistant cells identified therapeutics that may be beneficial in combination with the clinically tested BH3-mimetic ABT263, but no synergistic drug interactions with the selective MCL1 inhibitor S63845. Further exploration of potential treatment options for chemoresistant neuroblastoma identified immunotherapy based on NK cells as highly promising, since NK cells are able to efficiently kill both parental and chemoresistant cells. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight that the application of BH3-mimetics may differ between first line treatment and relapsed disease. Combination of NK cell-based immunotherapy with BH3-mimetics may further increase killing of chemoresistant neuroblastoma, outlining a new treatment strategy for relapsed neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Jacob
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sara Wiedemann
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniela Brücher
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadja M Pieper
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Moni Birkhold
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Särchen
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan Jeroch
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Melanie C Demes
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Steffen Gretser
- Department of Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yannick Braun
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elise Gradhand
- Department of Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Rothweiler
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Michaelis
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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15
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Schneider P, Crump NT, Arentsen-Peters STCJM, Smith AL, Hagelaar R, Adriaanse FRS, Bos RS, de Jong A, Nierkens S, Koopmans B, Milne TA, Pieters R, Stam RW. Modelling acquired resistance to DOT1L inhibition exhibits the adaptive potential of KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:81. [PMID: 37740239 PMCID: PMC10517487 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00445-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive malignancy, oncogenic KMT2A-fusion proteins inappropriately recruit DOT1L to promote leukemogenesis, highlighting DOT1L as an attractive therapeutic target. Unfortunately, treatment with the first-in-class DOT1L inhibitor pinometostat eventually leads to non-responsiveness. To understand this we established acquired pinometostat resistance in pediatric KMT2A::AFF1+ B-ALL cells. Interestingly, these cells became mostly independent of DOT1L-mediated H3K79 methylation, but still relied on the physical presence of DOT1L, HOXA9 and the KMT2A::AFF1 fusion. Moreover, these cells selectively lost the epigenetic regulation and expression of various KMT2A-fusion target genes such as PROM1/CD133, while other KMT2A::AFF1 target genes, including HOXA9 and CDK6 remained unaffected. Concomitantly, these pinometostat-resistant cells showed upregulation of several myeloid-associated genes, including CD33 and LILRB4/CD85k. Taken together, this model comprehensively shows the adaptive potential of KMT2A-rearranged ALL cells upon losing dependency on one of its main oncogenic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Schneider
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas T Crump
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Hugh and Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alastair L Smith
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rico Hagelaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Romy S Bos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anja de Jong
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca Koopmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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16
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Ye F, Zhang W, Fan C, Dong J, Peng M, Deng W, Zhang H, Yang L. Antileukemic effect of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents via caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:606. [PMID: 37679782 PMCID: PMC10486003 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04481-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identifying of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) as a therapeutic target has led to a paradigm shift in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. Pyroptosis is a novel antitumor therapeutic mechanism due to its cytotoxic and immunogenic effects. The combination of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents (HMAs) has been shown to lead to durable responses and significantly improve prognosis in patients with AML. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this combinatorial activity is evolving. METHODS We investigated whether the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax induces AML cell pyroptosis and identified pyroptosis effector proteins. Via using western blotting, immunoprecipitation, RNA interference, CCK8 assays, and LDH assays, we explored the mechanism underlying the pyroptotic effect. The relationship between the expression of the pyroptosis effector protein GSDME and AML prognosis was investigated. The effect of GSDME demethylation combined with venetoclax treatment on pyroptosis was investigated and confirmed in mouse models and clinical samples. RESULTS Venetoclax induces pyroptosis that is mediated by caspase-3-dependent GSDME cleavage. Mechanistically, venetoclax upregulates caspase-3 and GSDME cleavage by activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. GSDME is downregulated in AML by promoter methylation, and low GSDME expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis, based on public databases and patient sample analysis. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that GSDME overexpression or HMAs-mediated restoration of GSDME expression significantly increased venetoclax-induced pyroptosis in AML. CONCLUSION GSDME-mediated pyroptosis may be a novel aspect of the antileukemic effect of Bcl-2 inhibitors. This finding offers new insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, identifying an important mechanism explaining the clinical activity of venetoclax and HMAs in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanghua Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenying Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Deng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangchun Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Masetti R, Baccelli F, Leardini D, Gottardi F, Vendemini F, Di Gangi A, Becilli M, Lodi M, Tumino M, Vinci L, Erlacher M, Strahm B, Niemeyer CM, Locatelli F. Venetoclax-based therapies in pediatric advanced MDS and relapsed/refractory AML: a multicenter retrospective analysis. Blood Adv 2023; 7:4366-4370. [PMID: 37216275 PMCID: PMC10432591 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Masetti
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli,” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Baccelli
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli,” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Leardini
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli,” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Gottardi
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli,” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Vendemini
- Pediatric Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Gangi
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Becilli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Lodi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Tumino
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Center, Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Vinci
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Erlacher
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Strahm
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte M. Niemeyer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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18
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MacDonell-Yilmaz RE, Sampino EV, Moynihan L, Chang WI, Sprinz PG. Prolonged Survival Using Outpatient Palliative Chemotherapy in Two Children With Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023; 45:e764-e767. [PMID: 37494613 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapy options for relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are limited. Palliative chemotherapy options have been explored in adult patients, but little evidence exists in children. OBJECTIVES Describe the clinical course of 2 pediatric patients with refractory AML who transitioned to outpatient palliative chemotherapy with good disease control and quality of life on these regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patient 1 was a 2-year-old girl who received a total of 4 cycles of standard chemotherapy with multiple complications and 15% to 20% blasts on marrow subsequent evaluation. An outpatient regimen of decitabine and vorinostat was consequently chosen for her. Patient 2 was a 16-year-old boy with residual disease after induction 1 with arm A with cytarabine, daunorubicin, and etoposide. His induction 2 course was complicated by multiorgan failure secondary to multiple infections including Klebsiella pneumonia and radiographically identified pulmonary fungal disease. On recovery, the marrow showed no disease but after the toxicities of initial therapy, the patient pursued a palliative regimen with azacitidine and lenalidomide. RESULTS Patient 1 tolerated her regimen for 14 months, requiring weekly blood products and only one hospitalization for a central-line infection. Her blast count then increased precipitously, the disease progressed, and she died comfortably while receiving hospital-based end-of-life care. Patient 2 tolerated 14 months of his regimen. On a surveillance marrow sample, he was found to have 0.02% minimal residual disease. He then elected to pursue marrow transplantation. He maintained remission until his 6-month posttransplant surveillance bone marrow biopsy, which revealed 0.04% minimal residual disease. CONCLUSION We describe 2 pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory AML who achieved disease control and acceptable quality of life utilizing outpatient palliative chemotherapy for over 12 months. These regimens should be considered in patients who no longer desire cytotoxic chemotherapy or are ineligible for further aggressive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Vistica Sampino
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Laura Moynihan
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Wen-I Chang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Philippa G Sprinz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI
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Marinoff AE, Aaronson K, Agrawal AK, Braun BS, Golden C, Huang BJ, Michlitsch J, Southworth E, Thrall A, Vo KT, Stieglitz E. Venetoclax in combination with chemotherapy as treatment for pediatric advanced hematologic malignancies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30335. [PMID: 37036306 PMCID: PMC10133180 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venetoclax is frequently used as salvage treatment in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. However, more data are needed from real-world studies to guide the safe and appropriate use of venetoclax in this population. PROCEDURE We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies less than 30 years of age treated with venetoclax outside of clinical trials at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospitals from 2016 to 2022. RESULTS We identified 13 patients (acute myeloid leukemia, n = 8; B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, n = 3; myelodysplastic syndrome, n = 2) aged 4 months to 27 years. A median of 3 prior lines of therapy weregiven (range 0-5). All patients received venetoclax in combination with either a hypomethylating agent or conventional chemotherapy. Three (23%) patients achieved complete remission (CR); two (15%) achieved partial remission (PR); 3 (23%) had stable disease (SD), and five (42%) had progressive disease. Median survival and time to progression from venetoclax initiation was 9 months (range 2.5-52 months) and 3 months (range 2 weeks to 7.5 months), respectively. Six patients (46%) developed grade 3 or higher infections while receiving venetoclax, including bacteremia due to atypical organisms, invasive pulmonary infections with Aspergillus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, skin infections, and encephalitis with bacterial brain abscesses. CONCLUSIONS Venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents or cytotoxic chemotherapy was effective in a subset of pediatric/AYA patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, but multiple severe infections were observed, particularly among patients who received venetoclax in combination with chemotherapy. Prospective studies will be required to determine the optimal dose and duration of venetoclax in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E. Marinoff
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Kathryn Aaronson
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Anurag K. Agrawal
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Benjamin S. Braun
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Carla Golden
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Benjamin J. Huang
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer Michlitsch
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Erica Southworth
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Allyson Thrall
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Kieuhoa T. Vo
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
| | - Elliot Stieglitz
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Oakland and San Francisco, California
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Ma J, Morimoto K, Pulsipher MA, Parekh C. Venetoclax and Azacitidine in the Treatment of NPM1-Mutated Donor Cell-Derived Leukemia in a Patient With Fanconi Anemia: Case Report and Literature Review. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2200693. [PMID: 37315262 PMCID: PMC10309544 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ma
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kenji Morimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center, Fontana, CA
| | - Michael A. Pulsipher
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Chintan Parekh
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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21
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Bobeff K, Pastorczak A, Urbanska Z, Balwierz W, Juraszewska E, Wachowiak J, Derwich K, Samborska M, Kalwak K, Dachowska-Kalwak I, Laguna P, Malinowska I, Smalisz K, Gozdzik J, Oszer A, Urbanski B, Zdunek M, Szczepanski T, Mlynarski W, Janczar S. Venetoclax Use in Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Centres in Poland: A 2022 Survey. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10040745. [PMID: 37189994 DOI: 10.3390/children10040745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Venetoclax, the best established BH3-mimetic, is a practice-changing proapoptotic drug in blood cancers in adults. In paediatrics the data are fewer but exciting results were recently presented in relapsed or refractory leukaemias demonstrating significant clinical activity. Importantly, the in-terventions could be potentially molecularly guided as vulnerabilities to BH3-mimetics were re-ported. Currently venetoclax is not incorporated into paediatric treatment schedules in Poland but it has been already used in patients that failed conventional therapy in Polish paediatric haemato-oncology departments. The aim of the study was to gather clinical data and correlates of all paediatric patients treated so far with venetoclax in Poland. We set out to gather this experience to help choose the right clinical context for the drug and stimulate further research. The questionnaire regarding the use of venetoclax was sent to all 18 Polish paediatric haemato-oncology centres. The data as available in November 2022 were gathered and analysed for the diagnoses, triggers for the intervention, treatment schedules, outcomes and molecular associations. We received response from 11 centres, 5 of which administered venetoclax to their patients. Clinical benefit, in most cases consistent with hematologic complete remission (CR), was reported in 5 patients out of ten, whereas 5 patient did not show clinical benefit from the intervention. Importantly, patients with CR included subtypes expected to show venetoclax vulnerability, such as poor-prognosis ALL with TCF::HLF fusion. We believe BH3-mimetics have clinical activity in children and should be available to pae-diatric haemato-oncology practitioners in well-selected applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bobeff
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Pastorczak
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Urbanska
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Walentyna Balwierz
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Edyta Juraszewska
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Jacek Wachowiak
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Derwich
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Samborska
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kalwak
- Department of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology, and Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Dachowska-Kalwak
- Department of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology, and Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Laguna
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Independent Public Children's Teaching Hospital, Zwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Malinowska
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Independent Public Children's Teaching Hospital, Zwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Smalisz
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Independent Public Children's Teaching Hospital, Zwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Gozdzik
- Stem Cell Transplant Center, Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, University Children's Hospital, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Oszer
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartosz Urbanski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej Zdunek
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szczepanski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Silesia, 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Wojciech Mlynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Szymon Janczar
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
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22
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Chianese U, Papulino C, Megchelenbrink W, Tambaro FP, Ciardiello F, Benedetti R, Altucci L. Epigenomic machinery regulating pediatric AML: clonal expansion mechanisms, therapies, and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:84-101. [PMID: 37003397 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with a genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional etiology mainly presenting somatic and germline abnormalities. AML incidence rises with age but can also occur during childhood. Pediatric AML (pAML) accounts for 15-20% of all pediatric leukemias and differs considerably from adult AML. Next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled the research community to "paint" the genomic and epigenomic landscape in order to identify pathology-associated mutations and other prognostic biomarkers in pAML. Although current treatments have improved the prognosis for pAML, chemoresistance, recurrence, and refractory disease remain major challenges. In particular, pAML relapse is commonly caused by leukemia stem cells that resist therapy. Marked patient-to-patient heterogeneity is likely the primary reason why the same treatment is successful for some patients but, at best, only partially effective for others. Accumulating evidence indicates that patient-specific clonal composition impinges significantly on cellular processes, such as gene regulation and metabolism. Although our understanding of metabolism in pAML is still in its infancy, greater insights into these processes and their (epigenetic) modulation may pave the way toward novel treatment options. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the function of genetic and epigenetic (mis)regulation in pAML, including metabolic features observed in the disease. Specifically, we describe how (epi)genetic machinery can affect chromatin status during hematopoiesis, leading to an altered metabolic profile, and focus on the potential value of targeting epigenetic abnormalities in precision and combination therapy for pAML. We also discuss the possibility of using alternative epidrug-based therapeutic approaches that are already in clinical practice, either alone as adjuvant treatments and/or in combination with other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Chianese
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Chiara Papulino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Wout Megchelenbrink
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy; Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Francesco Paolo Tambaro
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Pediatric Oncology Department AORN Santobono Pausilipon, 80129, Naples Italy.
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy; Biogem Institute of Molecular and Genetic Biology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy; IEOS, Institute for Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), 80131 Naples, Italy.
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23
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Trabal A, Gibson A, He J, McCall D, Roth M, Nuñez C, Garcia M, Buzbee M, Toepfer L, Bidikian A, Daver N, Kadia T, Short NJ, Issa GC, Ravandi F, DiNardo CD, Montalban Bravo G, Garces S, Marcogliese A, Paek H, Dreyer Z, Brackett J, Redell M, Yi J, Garcia-Manero G, Konopleva M, Stevens A, Cuglievan B. Venetoclax for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Pediatric Patients: A Texas Medical Center Experience. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071983. [PMID: 37046645 PMCID: PMC10093646 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax improves survival for adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in combination with lower-intensity therapies, but its benefit in pediatric patients with AML remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed two Texas Medical Center institutions’ experience with venetoclax in 43 pediatric patients with AML; median age 17 years (range, 0.6–21). This population was highly refractory; 44% of patients (n = 19) had ≥3 prior lines of therapy, 37% (n = 16) had received a prior bone marrow transplant, and 81% (n = 35) had unfavorable genetics KMT2A (n = 17), WT1 (n = 13), FLT3-ITD (n = 10), monosomy 7 (n = 5), TP53 (n = 3), Inv(3) (n = 3), IDH1/2 (n = 2), monosomy 5 (n = 1), NUP98 (n = 1) and ASXL1 (n = 1). The majority (86%) received venetoclax with a hypomethylating agent. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events included febrile neutropenia in 37% (n = 16), non-febrile neutropenia in 12% (n = 5), anemia in 14% (n = 6), and thrombocytopenia in 14% (n = 6). Of 40 patients evaluable for response, 10 patients (25%) achieved complete response (CR), 6 patients (15%) achieved CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi), and 2 patients (5%) had a partial response, (CR/CRi composite = 40%; ORR = 45%). Eleven (25%) patients received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant following venetoclax combination therapy, and six remain alive (median follow-up time 33.6 months). Median event-free survival and overall survival duration was 3.7 months and 8.7 months, respectively. Our findings suggest that in pediatric patients with AML, venetoclax is well-tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that in adults. More studies are needed to establish an optimal venetoclax-based regimen for the pediatric population.
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24
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Wen X, Wu Y, Huang P, Zheng H. Combined treatment with venetoclax, dasatinib, and FLT3 inhibitors for NUP98-NSD1+/FLT3-ITD+ acute myeloid leukemia: A pediatric case report. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30308. [PMID: 36965174 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojia Wen
- Hematology Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Beijing, China
- National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Hematology, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Hematology Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Beijing, China
- National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Hematology, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Pengli Huang
- Hematology Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Beijing, China
- National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Hematology, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Huyong Zheng
- Hematology Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Beijing, China
- National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Hematology, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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25
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Cheung LC, Aya-Bonilla C, Cruickshank MN, Chiu SK, Kuek V, Anderson D, Chua GA, Singh S, Oommen J, Ferrari E, Hughes AM, Ford J, Kunold E, Hesselman MC, Post F, Faulk KE, Breese EH, Guest EM, Brown PA, Loh ML, Lock RB, Kees UR, Jafari R, Malinge S, Kotecha RS. Preclinical efficacy of azacitidine and venetoclax for infant KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals a new therapeutic strategy. Leukemia 2023; 37:61-71. [PMID: 36380143 PMCID: PMC9883157 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a dismal prognosis. Survival outcomes have remained static in recent decades despite treatment intensification and novel therapies are urgently required. KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells are characterized by an abundance of promoter hypermethylation and exhibit high BCL-2 expression, highlighting potential for therapeutic targeting. Here, we show that hypomethylating agents exhibit in vitro additivity when combined with most conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, in a subset of samples an antagonistic effect was seen between several agents. This was most evident when hypomethylating agents were combined with methotrexate, with upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters identified as a potential mechanism. Single agent treatment with azacitidine and decitabine significantly prolonged in vivo survival in KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL xenografts. Treatment of KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cell lines with azacitidine and decitabine led to differential genome-wide DNA methylation, changes in gene expression and thermal proteome profiling revealed the target protein-binding landscape of these agents. The selective BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, exhibited in vitro additivity in combination with hypomethylating or conventional chemotherapeutic agents. The addition of venetoclax to azacitidine resulted in a significant in vivo survival advantage indicating the therapeutic potential of this combination to improve outcome for infants with KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence C Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Carlos Aya-Bonilla
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Sung K Chiu
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Vincent Kuek
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Denise Anderson
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Grace-Alyssa Chua
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sajla Singh
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Joyce Oommen
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Emanuela Ferrari
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anastasia M Hughes
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jette Ford
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elena Kunold
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Maria C Hesselman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Frederik Post
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kelly E Faulk
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Erin H Breese
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Erin M Guest
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre/School of Women's and Children's Health/UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Ursula R Kees
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rozbeh Jafari
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Malinge
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rishi S Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
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26
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Targeted Epigenetic Interventions in Cancer with an Emphasis on Pediatric Malignancies. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010061. [PMID: 36671446 PMCID: PMC9855367 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, novel hallmarks of cancer have been described, including the altered epigenetic landscape of malignant diseases. In addition to the methylation and hyd-roxymethylation of DNA, numerous novel forms of histone modifications and nucleosome remodeling have been discovered, giving rise to a wide variety of targeted therapeutic interventions. DNA hypomethylating drugs, histone deacetylase inhibitors and agents targeting histone methylation machinery are of distinguished clinical significance. The major focus of this review is placed on targeted epigenetic interventions in the most common pediatric malignancies, including acute leukemias, brain and kidney tumors, neuroblastoma and soft tissue sarcomas. Upcoming novel challenges include specificity and potential undesirable side effects. Different epigenetic patterns of pediatric and adult cancers should be noted. Biological significance of epigenetic alterations highly depends on the tissue microenvironment and widespread interactions. An individualized treatment approach requires detailed genetic, epigenetic and metabolomic evaluation of cancer. Advances in molecular technologies and clinical translation may contribute to the development of novel pediatric anticancer treatment strategies, aiming for improved survival and better patient quality of life.
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27
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Strachan DC, Gu CJ, Kita R, Anderson EK, Richardson MA, Yam G, Pimm G, Roselli J, Schweickert A, Terrell M, Rashid R, Gonzalez AK, Oviedo HH, Alozie MC, Ilangovan T, Marcogliese AN, Tada H, Santaguida MT, Stevens AM. Ex Vivo Drug Sensitivity Correlates with Clinical Response and Supports Personalized Therapy in Pediatric AML. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246240. [PMID: 36551725 PMCID: PMC9777060 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that accounts for ~20% of all childhood leukemias, and more than 40% of children with AML relapse within three years of diagnosis. Although recent efforts have focused on developing a precise medicine-based approach towards treating AML in adults, there remains a critical gap in therapies designed specifically for children. Here, we present ex vivo drug sensitivity profiles for children with de novo AML using an automated flow cytometry platform. Fresh diagnostic blood or bone marrow aspirate samples were screened for sensitivity in response to 78 dose conditions by measuring the reduction in leukemic blasts relative to the control. In pediatric patients treated with conventional chemotherapy, comprising cytarabine, daunorubicin and etoposide (ADE), ex vivo drug sensitivity results correlated with minimal residual disease (r = 0.63) and one year relapse-free survival (r = 0.70; AUROC = 0.94). In the de novo ADE analysis cohort of 13 patients, AML cells showed greater sensitivity to bortezomib/panobinostat compared with ADE, and comparable sensitivity between venetoclax/azacitidine and ADE ex vivo. Two patients showed a differential response between ADE and bortezomib/panobinostat, thus supporting the incorporation of ex vivo drug sensitivity testing in clinical trials to further evaluate the predictive utility of this platform in children with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - George Yam
- Notable Labs, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | | | | | | | - Maci Terrell
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Raushan Rashid
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alan K. Gonzalez
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hailey H. Oviedo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michelle C. Alozie
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tamilini Ilangovan
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alexandra M. Stevens
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
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Kyriakidis I, Mantadakis E, Stiakaki E, Groll AH, Tragiannidis A. Infectious Complications of Targeted Therapies in Children with Leukemias and Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205022. [PMID: 36291806 PMCID: PMC9599435 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Targeted therapies in children with hematological malignancies moderate the effects of cytotoxic therapy, thus improving survival rates. They have emerged over the last decade and are used in combination with or after the failure of conventional chemotherapy and as bridging therapy prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Nowadays, there is a growing interest in their efficacy and safety in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed disease. The compromised immune system, even prior to therapy, requires prompt monitoring and treatment. In children with hematological malignancies, targeted therapies are associated with a comparable incidence of infectious complications to adults. The exact impact of these agents that have different mechanisms of action and are used after conventional chemotherapy or HSCT is difficult to ascertain. Clinicians should be cautious of severe infections after the use of targeted therapies, especially when used in combination with chemotherapy. Abstract The aim of this review is to highlight mechanisms of immunosuppression for each agent, along with pooled analyses of infectious complications from the available medical literature. Rituximab confers no increase in grade ≥3 infectious risks, except in the case of patients with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin links with high rates of grade ≥3 infections which, however, are comparable with historical cohorts. Pembrolizumab exhibits a favorable safety profile in terms of severe infections. Despite high rates of hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) with blinatumomab, low-grade ≥3 infection rates were observed, especially in the post-reinduction therapy of relapsed B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Imatinib and nilotinib are generally devoid of severe infectious complications, but dasatinib may slightly increase the risk of opportunistic infections. Data on crizotinib and pan-Trk inhibitors entrectinib and larotrectinib are limited. CAR T-cell therapy with tisagenlecleucel is associated with grade ≥3 infections in children and is linked with HGG and the emergence of immune-related adverse events. Off-label therapies inotuzumab ozogamicin, brentuximab vedotin, and venetoclax demonstrate low rates of treatment-related grade ≥3 infections, while the addition of bortezomib to standard chemotherapy in T-cell malignancies seems to decrease the infection risk during induction. Prophylaxis, immune reconstitution, and vaccinations for each targeted agent are discussed, along with comparisons to adult studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kyriakidis
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, University Hospital of Heraklion & Laboratory of Blood Diseases and Childhood Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elpis Mantadakis
- Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eftichia Stiakaki
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, University Hospital of Heraklion & Laboratory of Blood Diseases and Childhood Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andreas H. Groll
- Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Athanasios Tragiannidis
- Pediatric and Adolescent Hematology-Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +30-2310-994803
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Cesaro S, Donadieu J, Cipolli M, Dalle JH, Styczynski J, Masetti R, Strahm B, Mauro M, Alseraihy A, Aljurf M, Dufour C, de la Tour RP. Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients Affected by Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome: Expert Consensus and Recommendations From the EBMT Severe Aplastic Anaemia Working Party. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28:637-649. [PMID: 35870777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is a rare disorder that can develop malignant and nonmalignant hematological complications. Overall, 10% to 20% of Shwachman-Diamond patients need hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but most centers have a limited experience and different approaches. The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation-Severe Aplastic Anaemia Working Party promoted an expert consensus to propose recommendations regarding key issues in the management of Shwachman-Diamond patients with hematological complications. The main items identified as relevant for improving survival were: the importance of regular and structured hematologic follow-up, the potential reduction of transplant-related mortality by using reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, the limitation of total body irradiation, particularly for non-malignant severe cytopenia/bone marrow failure, the early diagnosis of clonal malignant evolution and early recognition of an indication for HSCT. Finally, the poor results of HSCT in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, irrespective of cytoreductive chemotherapy treatment received prior to transplantation, highlights the need for innovative approaches. © 2023 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cesaro
- Paediatric Haematology Oncology, Department of Mother and Child, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy.
| | - Jean Donadieu
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Registre National des Neutropénies Chroniques, AP-HP Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marco Cipolli
- Cystic Fibrosis and Shwachman Diamond Regional Centre, Italian Registry of Shwachman Diamond Disease, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Jean Hugues Dalle
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Robert Debré Hospital, GHU APHP Nord Université de Paris, France
| | - Jan Styczynski
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Jurasz University Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Riccardo Masetti
- Paediatric Oncology and Haematology "Lalla Seràgnoli," Paediatric Unit-IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Brigitte Strahm
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Margherita Mauro
- Paediatric Haematology Oncology, Department of Mother and Child, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Amal Alseraihy
- Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Aljurf
- Oncology Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlo Dufour
- Haematology Unit, IRCCS G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Regis Peffault de la Tour
- French Reference Centre for Aplastic Anaemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, APHP, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
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30
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Obszański P, Kozłowska A, Wańcowiat J, Twardowska J, Lejman M, Zawitkowska J. Molecular-Targeted Therapy of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123911. [PMID: 35745032 PMCID: PMC9230975 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounts for approximately 15–20% of all childhood leukemia cases. The overall survival of children with acute myeloid leukemia does not exceed 82%, and the 5-year event-free survival rates range from 46% to 69%. Such suboptimal outcomes are the result of numerous mutations and epigenetic changes occurring in this disease that adversely affect the susceptibility to treatment and relapse rate. We describe various molecular-targeted therapies that have been developed in recent years to meet these challenges and were or are currently being studied in clinical trials. First introduced in adult AML, novel forms of treatment are slowly beginning to change the therapeutic approach to pediatric AML. Despite promising results of clinical trials investigating new drugs, further clinical studies involving greater numbers of pediatric patients are still needed to improve the outcomes in childhood AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Obszański
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.O.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Kozłowska
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.O.); (A.K.)
| | - Jakub Wańcowiat
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.W.); (J.T.)
| | - Julia Twardowska
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.W.); (J.T.)
| | - Monika Lejman
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
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31
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High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Pediatric Prospective. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061405. [PMID: 35740427 PMCID: PMC9220202 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia is a clonal disorder characterized by malignant transformation of the hematopoietic stem cell. The incidence and the outcome remain inferior when compared to pediatric ALL, although prognosis has improved in the last decades, with 80% overall survival rate reported in some studies. The standard therapeutic approach is a combined cytarabine and anthracycline-based regimen followed by consolidation with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) for high-risk AML and allo-SCT for non-high-risk patients only in second complete remission after relapse. In the last decade, several drugs have been used in clinical trials to improve outcomes in pediatric AML treatment.
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Madhavan K, Balakrishnan I, Lakshmanachetty S, Pierce A, Sanford B, Fosmire S, Elajaili HB, Walker F, Wang D, Nozik ES, Mitra SS, Dahl NA, Vibhakar R, Venkataraman S. Venetoclax cooperates with ionizing radiation to attenuate Diffuse Midline Glioma tumor growth. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:2409-2424. [PMID: 35344040 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-4002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor relapse after radiation therapy (RT) is a major hurdle in treating pediatric H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs). RT-induced stress increases association of BCL2 family of proteins with BH3 pro-apoptotic activators preventing apoptosis. We hypothesized that inhibition of RT-induced BCL2 with a clinically relevant inhibitor, venetoclax, will block BCL2 activity leading to increased apoptosis. BCL2 has never been implicated in DMG as a RT-induced resistant mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed an integrated genomic analysis to determine genes responsible for radioresistance and a targeted drug screen to identify drugs that synergize with radiation in DMG. Effect of venetoclax on radiation-na�ve and 6Gy radiation on cells was evaluated by studying cell death, changes in BCL2 phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis, as well as BCL2 association with BH3 apoptosis initiators. The efficacy of combining venetoclax with radiation was evaluated in vivo using orthotopic xenograft models. RESULTS BCL2 was identified as a key regulator of tumor growth after radiation in DMGs. Radiation sensitizes DMGs to venetoclax treatment independent of p53 status. Venetoclax as a monotherapy was not cytotoxic to DMG cells. Post-radiation venetoclax treatment significantly increased cell death, reduced BCL2-BIM association and augmented mitochondrial ROS leading to increased apoptosis. Combining venetoclax with RT significantly enhanced the survival of mice with DMG tumors. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that venetoclax impedes the anti-apoptotic function of radiation-induced BCL2 in DMG leading to increased apoptosis. Results from these pre-clinical studies demonstrate the potential use of the BCL2 inhibitor, venetoclax, combined with RT for pediatric DMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Madhavan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | | | | | - Angela Pierce
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Bridget Sanford
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, United States
| | - Susan Fosmire
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Hanan B Elajaili
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Faye Walker
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Dong Wang
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Eva S Nozik
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Siddhartha S Mitra
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Nathan A Dahl
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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33
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Petersen MA, Rosenberg CA, Brøndum RF, Aggerholm A, Kjeldsen E, Rahbek O, Ludvigsen M, Hasle H, Roug AS, Bill M. Immunophenotypically defined stem cell subsets in paediatric AML are highly heterogeneous and demonstrate differences in BCL-2 expression by cytogenetic subgroups. Br J Haematol 2022; 197:452-466. [PMID: 35298835 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), immunophenotypic differences enable discrimination of leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) from healthy haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, immunophenotypic stem cell characteristics are less explored in paediatric AML. Employing a 15-colour flow cytometry assay, we analysed the expression of eight aberrant surface markers together with BCL-2 on CD34+ CD38- bone marrow stem cells from 38 paediatric AML patients and seven non-leukaemic, age-matched controls. Furthermore, clonality was investigated by genetic analyses of sorted immunophenotypically abnormal stem cells from six patients. A total of 50 aberrant marker positive (non-HSC-like) subsets with 41 different immunophenotypic profiles were detected. CD123, CLEC12A, and IL1RAP were the most frequently expressed markers. IL1RAP, CD93, and CD25 expression were not restricted to stem cells harbouring leukaemia-associated mutations. Differential BCL-2 expression was found among defined cytogenetic subgroups. Interestingly, only immunophenotypically abnormal non-HSC-like subsets demonstrated BCL-2 overexpression. Collectively, we observed pronounced immunophenotypic heterogeneity within the stem cell compartment of paediatric AML patients. Additionally, certain aberrant markers used in adults seemed to be ineligible for detection of leukaemia-representing stem cells in paediatric patients implying that inference from adult studies must be done with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne A Petersen
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carina A Rosenberg
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rasmus F Brøndum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anni Aggerholm
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eigil Kjeldsen
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Rahbek
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Maja Ludvigsen
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Hasle
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne S Roug
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Marie Bill
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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34
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Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia—Past, Present, and Future. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030504. [PMID: 35159956 PMCID: PMC8837075 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review reports about the main steps of development in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) concerning diagnostics, treatment, risk groups, and outcomes. Finally, a short overview of present and future approaches is given.
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35
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Naviglio S, Grasso AG, Iacono C, Zanella G, Kiren V, Giurici N, Verzegnassi F, Maximova N, Rabusin M. Case report: Venetoclax therapy in a boy with acute myeloid leukemia in Shwachman Diamond syndrome. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1059569. [PMID: 36699295 PMCID: PMC9869240 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1059569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone abnormalities, progressive cytopenia, and predispositions to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML, in these patients, is associated with a poor prognosis and with an increased risk of organ toxicity and infectious complications from chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), thus leading to high rates of treatment-related morbidity and mortality. The BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax has revolutionized the treatment of AML in elderly adults, especially for treatment-naive elderly patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. There is limited evidence on the use of venetoclax in pediatric patients with SDS-related MDS or AML. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old boy with SDS with AML arising from MDS. The patient was treated with two cycles of conventional chemotherapy with fludarabine and cytarabine with an initial good response but immediate relapse and substantial toxicity. Treatment with venetoclax and azacitidine was started, with a substantial reduction of leukemic burden (good response on peripheral leukemic infiltration and partial response in the bone marrow after one course). However, it was followed by multiple infectious complications and worsening of the general condition not allowing treatment to be continued, and the patient eventually died from multiorgan failure. With the limitations of observation of a single patient, our experience suggests that venetoclax/azacitidine combination therapy may represent a therapeutic possibility for patients with SDS and AML, even though it may be associated with significant toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Naviglio
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Giacomo Grasso
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Iacono
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giada Zanella
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Kiren
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Nagua Giurici
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Verzegnassi
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Natalia Maximova
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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Venetoclax for Children and Adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010150. [PMID: 35008312 PMCID: PMC8750927 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoma (LBL) currently have unsatisfactory outcomes, and novel treatment options are needed. Venetoclax is approved for adult patients with several types of leukemia and is being investigated in the pediatric population. Here, we retrospectively reviewed the safety and efficacy of venetoclax for the treatment of ALL/LBL in the pediatric and young adult populations. The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that venetoclax is safe and effective to use in pediatric patients with ALL/LBL and should be considered in both the relapsed and upfront settings. Abstract Venetoclax is approved for adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. Expanding its use to the pediatric population is currently under investigation, but more robust data are needed. We retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of venetoclax in children/AYA with ALL/LBL. We identified 18 patients (T-cell ALL, n = 7; T-cell LBL, n = 6; B-cell ALL, n = 5) aged 6–22 years. No new venetoclax safety signals were identified; the most common toxicity was myelosuppression. No deaths occurred within 30 days from the start of the therapy. A mean of 2.6 (range 0–8) prior lines of therapy were given. The mean duration of venetoclax was 4.06 months (range 0.2–24.67 months). Complete remission was achieved in 11 (61%) patients. Of the eight patients who remain alive, four are continuing on venetoclax combination therapy, and four proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Three patients who initially achieved CR, later relapsed, and are deceased. Nine patients are deceased, and one patient was lost to follow-up. Overall survival is 9.14 months (range 1.1–33.1), and progression-free survival is 7.34 months (range 0.2–33.1). This is the largest cohort of pediatric/AYA patients who received venetoclax for ALL/LBL. Our data support the consideration of venetoclax-based regimens in pediatric patients with R/R ALL/LBL and its investigation as upfront therapy for T-cell ALL/LBL.
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Mishra AK, Mullanfiroze K, Chiesa R, Vora A. Azacitidine and venetoclax for post-transplant relapse in a case of CBFA2T3/GLIS2 childhood acute myeloid leukaemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29221. [PMID: 34260140 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Chiesa
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ajay Vora
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
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38
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Báez-Gutiérrez N, Rodríguez-Ramallo H, Moreno MAP, Arboli ER, Abdel-Kader Martín L. Venetoclax combination therapy with hypomethylating agents in young adults with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukaemia. Ther Adv Hematol 2021; 12:20406207211040335. [PMID: 34471510 PMCID: PMC8404627 DOI: 10.1177/20406207211040335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, one of the most successful advances in treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has been the combination of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor venetoclax with hypomethylating agents (decitabine or azacytidine). This combination treatment has an accelerated approval by the Food and Drug Administration for newly diagnosed AML adults who are 75 years of age or older or who have comorbidities and are not eligible to receive intensive induction chemotherapy. AML is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 68 years. Consequently, most of the patients included in the studies are elderly. Traditionally, young patients achieve higher remission rates compared with the elderly AML population. Although venetoclax combination therapy could become a treatment option for treating young patients with relapsed/refractory AML, this regimen has not been systematically tested in this setting. In this study, we summarize the currently available evidence on the treatment of venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents for the treatment of young relapsed/refractory AML patients, in addition to our experience in clinical practice with two case reports. Venetoclax, combined with hypomethylating agents, seems to be an effective option for young relapsed/refractory AML patients. However, due to the poor quality of the evidence, additional well-designed studies with greater numbers of patients are needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of venetoclax combination regimens for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Báez-Gutiérrez
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Héctor Rodríguez-Ramallo
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo-Rodriguez Arboli
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS/CSIC/CIBERONC), University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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Mayerhofer C, Niemeyer CM, Flotho C. Current Treatment of Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3084. [PMID: 34300250 PMCID: PMC8305558 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare pediatric leukemia characterized by mutations in five canonical RAS pathway genes. The diagnosis is made by typical clinical and hematological findings associated with a compatible mutation. Although this is sufficient for clinical decision-making in most JMML cases, more in-depth analysis can include DNA methylation class and panel sequencing analysis for secondary mutations. NRAS-initiated JMML is heterogeneous and adequate management ranges from watchful waiting to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Upfront azacitidine in KRAS patients can achieve long-term remissions without HSCT; if HSCT is required, a less toxic preparative regimen is recommended. Germline CBL patients often experience spontaneous resolution of the leukemia or exhibit stable mixed chimerism after HSCT. JMML driven by PTPN11 or NF1 is often rapidly progressive, requires swift HSCT and may benefit from pretransplant therapy with azacitidine. Because graft-versus-leukemia alloimmunity is central to cure high risk patients, the immunosuppressive regimen should be discontinued early after HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mayerhofer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (C.M.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Charlotte M. Niemeyer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (C.M.); (C.M.N.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Flotho
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (C.M.); (C.M.N.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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