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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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2
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Numan Y, Abaza Y, Altman JK, Platanias LC. Advances in the pharmacological management of acute myeloid leukemia in adults. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1535-1543. [PMID: 35938317 PMCID: PMC9648129 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2111212] [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: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With advances in molecular medicine and precision approaches, there has been significant improvement in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in recent years. This reflects better understanding of molecular and metabolic pathways in leukemia cells, including BCL2 upregulation that prevents apoptosis, FLT3 tyrosine kinase activating mutations that allow uncontrolled proliferation, and IDH mutations that result in differentiation block. AREAS COVERED We performed a compressive review of important pre-clinical studies in AML that involve major molecular and metabolic pathways in AML, and we discussed standard therapeutic modalities and ongoing clinical trials for patients with AML, as well as an overall update of recent efforts in this area. EXPERT OPINION Targeting these pathways has resulted in improvement in the overall survival of some groups of AML patients. Secondary AML and TP53 mutated AML remain challenging subtypes of AML with limited treatment options and represent areas of unmet research need. Ongoing work with menin inhibitors in MLL rearranged leukemia, which comprise a large portion of secondary AML cases, the development of CAR T cell products and targeting the CD47 receptor on macrophages in myeloid neoplasms including in TP53 mutated AML have provided hope for these challenging subtypes of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan Numan
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
| | - Yasmin Abaza
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jessica K Altman
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center,
Chicago, IL
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Haddad F, Daver N. An Update on Immune Based Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: 2021 and Beyond! ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1342:273-295. [PMID: 34972969 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-79308-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapse is still widely observed and represents the major cause of death among patients with AML. Treatment options in the relapse setting are limited, still relying predominantly on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and cytotoxic chemotherapy, with poor outcomes. Novel targeted and venetoclax-based combinations are being investigated and have shown encouraging results. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with low-intensity chemotherapy demonstrated encouraging response rates and survival among patients with relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) AML, especially in the pre- and post-allo-HSCT setting. Blocking the CD47/SIRPα pathway is another strategy that showed robust anti-leukemic activity, with a response rate of around 70% and an encouraging median overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and patients with AML with a TP53 mutation. One approach that was proven to be very effective in the relapsed setting of lymphoid malignancies is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. It relies on the infusion of genetically engineered T cells capable of recognizing specific epitopes on the surface of leukemia cells. In AML, different CAR constructs with different target antigens have been evaluated and demonstrated safety and feasibility in the R/R setting. However, the difficulty of potently targeting leukemic blasts in AML while sparing normal cells represents a major limitation to their use, and strategies are being tested to overcome this obstacle. A different approach is based on endogenously redirecting the patient's system cells to target and destroy leukemic cells via bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) or dual antigen receptor targeting (DARTs). Early results have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of these agents, and research is ongoing to develop BiTEs with longer half-life, allowing for less frequent administration schedules and developing them in earlier and lower disease burden settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Haddad
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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CLEC12A and CD33 coexpression as a preferential target for pediatric AML combinatorial immunotherapy. Blood 2021; 137:1037-1049. [PMID: 33094319 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells have advanced the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In contrast, long-term control of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cannot be achieved by single lineage-specific targeting while sparing benign hematopoiesis. In addition, heterogeneity of AML warrants combinatorial targeting, and several suitable immunotargets (HAVCR2/CD33 and HAVCR2/CLEC12A) have been identified in adult AML. However, clinical and biologic characteristics of AML differ between children and the elderly. Here, we analyzed 36 bone marrow (BM) samples of pediatric AML patients and 13 age-matched healthy donors using whole RNA sequencing of sorted CD45dim and CD34+CD38-CD45dim BM populations and flow cytometry for surface expression of putative target antigens. Pediatric AML clusters apart from healthy myeloid BM precursors in principal-component analysis. Known immunotargets of adult AML, such as IL3RA, were not overexpressed in pediatric AML compared with healthy precursors by RNA sequencing. CD33 and CLEC12A were the most upregulated immunotargets on the RNA level and showed the highest surface expression on AML detected by flow cytometry. KMT2A-mutated infant AML clusters separately by RNA sequencing and overexpresses FLT3, and hence, CD33/FLT3 cotargeting is an additional specific option for this subgroup. CLEC12A and CD33/CLEC12Adouble-positive expression was absent in CD34+CD38-CD45RA-CD90+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and nonhematopoietic tissue, while CD33 and FLT3 are expressed on HSCs. In summary, we show that expression of immunotargets in pediatric AML differs from known expression profiles in adult AML. We identify CLEC12A and CD33 as preferential generic combinatorial immunotargets in pediatric AML and CD33 and FLT3 as immunotargets specific for KMT2A-mutated infant AML.
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Molecular Targeted Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: New Options for Tailored Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040784. [PMID: 33668555 PMCID: PMC7917605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases in which bone marrow stem cells acquire genetic alterations and can initiate leukemia, blocking the production of mature blood cells. It is of crucial importance to identify those genetic abnormalities because some of them can be the targeted. To date only very few drugs are approved for patients manifesting this group of disorders and there is an urgent need to develop new effective therapies. This review gives an overview of the genetic of MDS and the therapeutic options available and in clinical experimentation. Abstract Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, progressive cytopenias and increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. The improved understanding of the underlying biology and genetics of MDS has led to better disease and risk classification, paving the way for novel therapeutic opportunities. Indeed, we now have a vast pipeline of targeted agents under pre-clinical and clinical development, potentially able to modify the natural history of the diverse disease spectrum of MDS. Here, we review the latest therapeutic approaches (investigational and approved agents) for MDS treatment. A deep insight will be given to molecularly targeted therapies by reviewing new agents for individualized precision medicine.
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Bouligny IM, Mehta V, Isom S, Ellis LR, Bhave RR, Howard DS, Lyerly S, Manuel M, Dralle S, Powell BL, Pardee TS. Efficacy of 10-day decitabine in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2021; 103:106524. [PMID: 33640708 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2021.106524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The azanucleotide decitabine is used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies have shown conflicting results with 10-day regimens used in previously untreated AML patients. Additionally, there is little data on 10-day decitabine regimens in the relapsed setting. This study investigated outcomes of 108 adult patients with AML in the upfront and relapsed setting treated with a 10-day decitabine regimen. In the upfront group, the overall response rate (ORR, CR + CRi) was 36.1% and the median overall survival (OS) was 6.6 months, while the relapsed/refractory group had an ORR of 25% with an OS of 4.8 months. When analyzed with respect to cytogenetics, the upfront group featured an ORR of 28.1% with an OS of 9.4 months in the intermediate cytogenetic cohort compared to a 40.5% ORR and an OS of 5.4 months in the unfavorable cytogenetic cohort. An analysis of the relapsed/refractory group demonstrated an ORR of 26.3% with an OS of 7.9 months for intermediate cytogenetics versus 25.0% with an OS of 1.8 months in the unfavorable cohort. While these response rates are similar to previously published data, the median OS appears shorter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Bouligny
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Vivek Mehta
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Scott Isom
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Leslie R Ellis
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Rupali R Bhave
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Dianna S Howard
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Susan Lyerly
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Megan Manuel
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Sarah Dralle
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Bayard L Powell
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Timothy S Pardee
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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Russkamp NF, Myburgh R, Kiefer JD, Neri D, Manz MG. Anti-CD117 immunotherapy to eliminate hematopoietic and leukemia stem cells. Exp Hematol 2021; 95:31-45. [PMID: 33484750 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Precise replacement of diseased or dysfunctional organs is the goal of regenerative medicine and has appeared to be a distant goal for a long time. In the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, this goal is now becoming tangible as gene-editing technologies and novel conditioning agents are entering the clinical arena. Targeted immunologic depletion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are at the very root of the hematopoietic system, will enable more selective and potentially more effective hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological diseases. In contrast to current conditioning regimes based on ionizing radiation and chemotherapy, immunologic conditioning will spare mature hematopoietic cells and cause substantially less inflammation and unspecific collateral damage to other organs. Biological agents that target the stem cell antigen CD117 are the frontrunners for this purpose and have exhibited preclinical activity in depletion of healthy HSCs. The value of anti-CD117 antibodies as conditioning agents is currently being evaluated in early clinical trials. Whereas mild, antibody-based immunologic conditioning concepts might be appropriate for benign hematological disorders in which incomplete replacement of diseased cells is sufficient, higher efficacy will be required for treatment and elimination of hematologic stem cell malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engaging and activating antibodies (TEAs), or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells might offer increased efficacy compared with naked antibodies and yet higher tolerability and safety compared with current genotoxic conditioning approaches. Here, we summarize the current state regarding immunologic conditioning concepts for the treatment of HSC disorders and outline potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman F Russkamp
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renier Myburgh
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan D Kiefer
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus G Manz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland.
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9
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Valent P, Bauer K, Sadovnik I, Smiljkovic D, Ivanov D, Herrmann H, Filik Y, Eisenwort G, Sperr WR, Rabitsch W. Cell-based and antibody-mediated immunotherapies directed against leukemic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia: Perspectives and open issues. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 9:1331-1343. [PMID: 32657052 PMCID: PMC7581453 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite new insights in molecular features of leukemic cells and the availability of novel treatment approaches and drugs, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a major clinical challenge. In fact, many patients with AML relapse after standard therapy and eventually die from progressive disease. The basic concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) has been coined with the goal to decipher clonal architectures in various leukemia-models and to develop curative drug therapies by eliminating LSC. Indeed, during the past few years, various immunotherapies have been tested in AML, and several of these therapies follow the strategy to eliminate relevant leukemic subclones by introducing LSC-targeting antibodies or LSC-targeting immune cells. These therapies include, among others, new generations of LSC-eliminating antibody-constructs, checkpoint-targeting antibodies, bi-specific antibodies, and CAR-T or CAR-NK cell-based strategies. However, responses are often limited and/or transient which may be due to LSC resistance. Indeed, AML LSC exhibit multiple forms of resistance against various drugs and immunotherapies. An additional problems are treatment-induced myelotoxicity and other side effects. The current article provides a short overview of immunological targets expressed on LSC in AML. Moreover, cell-based therapies and immunotherapies tested in AML are discussed. Finally, the article provides an overview about LSC resistance and strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Karin Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Irina Sadovnik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Dubravka Smiljkovic
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Daniel Ivanov
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Radiation OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Yüksel Filik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Gregor Eisenwort
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Wolfgang R. Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Werner Rabitsch
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Stem Cell Transplantation UnitMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Exhaustion during Treatment for Hematological Malignancies. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:8765028. [PMID: 33150182 PMCID: PMC7603553 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8765028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, especially based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, has achieved prominent success in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, approximately 30-50% of patients will have disease relapse following remission after receiving CD19-targeting CAR-T cells, with failure of maintaining a long-term effect. Mechanisms underlying CAR-T therapy inefficiency consist of loss or modulation of target antigen and CAR-T cell poor persistence which mostly results from T cell exhaustion. The unique features and restoration strategies of exhausted T cells (Tex) have been well described in solid tumors. However, the overview associated with CAR-T cell exhaustion is relatively rare in hematological malignancies. In this review, we summarize the characteristics, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of Tex cells as well as approaches to reverse CAR-T cell exhaustion in hematological malignancies, providing novel strategies for immunotherapies.
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Tristán-Manzano M, Justicia-Lirio P, Maldonado-Pérez N, Cortijo-Gutiérrez M, Benabdellah K, Martin F. Externally-Controlled Systems for Immunotherapy: From Bench to Bedside. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2044. [PMID: 33013864 PMCID: PMC7498544 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a very promising therapeutic approach against cancer that is particularly effective when combined with gene therapy. Immuno-gene therapy approaches have led to the approval of four advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) for the treatment of p53-deficient tumors (Gendicine and Imlygic), refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Kymriah) and large B-cell lymphomas (Yescarta). In spite of these remarkable successes, immunotherapy is still associated with severe side effects for CD19+ malignancies and is inefficient for solid tumors. Controlling transgene expression through an externally administered inductor is envisioned as a potent strategy to improve safety and efficacy of immunotherapy. The aim is to develop smart immunogene therapy-based-ATMPs, which can be controlled by the addition of innocuous drugs or agents, allowing the clinicians to manage the intensity and durability of the therapy. In the present manuscript, we will review the different inducible, versatile and externally controlled gene delivery systems that have been developed and their applications to the field of immunotherapy. We will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each system and their potential applications in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Tristán-Manzano
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Justicia-Lirio
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain.,LentiStem Biotech, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Noelia Maldonado-Pérez
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutiérrez
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
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Saxena K, Konopleva M. An expert overview of emerging therapies for acute myeloid leukemia: novel small molecules targeting apoptosis, p53, transcriptional regulation and metabolism. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:973-988. [PMID: 32746655 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1804856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy of clonal myeloid precursor cells. Curative therapy has classically involved the use of intensive induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation with additional chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. For many patients, such an approach is prohibitive because of high treatment-related toxicities. Advancements in the molecular understanding of AML have led to the introduction of new targeted therapies that are changing the treatment landscape for AML. AREAS COVERED We review emerging small molecule inhibitors that have shown preclinical efficacy for the treatment of AML. The compounds discussed affect apoptosis, p53-mediated interactions, transcriptional regulation, and cellular metabolism. We performed a literature search of PubMed and primarily included relevant sources published from 2000 to the present, though earlier sources are also referenced. EXPERT OPINION Most clinical trials for AML currently employ novel targeted therapies that demonstrate promising activity in preclinical models. We anticipate that new small molecule inhibitors will continue to enter the clinical realm and alter the treatment paradigm for AML. In a field where clinical advancement was comparatively slow for many years, it appears that we are now starting to see the rapid growth borne out of the deepening molecular understanding of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapil Saxena
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
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13
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Li Z, Philip M, Ferrell PB. Alterations of T-cell-mediated immunity in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2020; 39:3611-3619. [PMID: 32127646 PMCID: PMC7234277 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1239-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a systemic, heterogeneous hematologic malignancy with poor overall survival. While some malignancies have seen improvements in clinical outcomes with immunotherapy, success of these agents in AML remains elusive. Despite limited progress, stem cell transplantation and donor lymphocyte infusions show that modulation of the immune system can improve overall survival of AML patients. Understanding the causes of immune evasion and disease progression will identify potential immune-mediated targets in AML. This review explores immunosuppressive mechanisms that alter T-cell-mediated immunity in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary Philip
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - P. Brent Ferrell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Acute myeloid leukemia-induced T-cell suppression can be reversed by inhibition of the MAPK pathway. Blood Adv 2019; 3:3038-3051. [PMID: 31648326 PMCID: PMC6849941 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains difficult to treat due to mutational heterogeneity and the development of resistance to therapy. Targeted agents, such as MEK inhibitors, may be incorporated into treatment; however, the impact of MEK inhibitors on the immune microenvironment in AML is not well understood. A greater understanding of the implications of MEK inhibition on immune responses may lead to a greater understanding of immune evasion and more rational combinations with immunotherapies. This study describes the impact of trametinib on both T cells and AML blast cells by using an immunosuppressive mouse model of AML and primary patient samples. We also used a large AML database of functional drug screens to understand characteristics of trametinib-sensitive samples. In the mouse model, trametinib increased T-cell viability and restored T-cell proliferation. Importantly, we report greater proliferation in the CD8+CD44+ effector subpopulation and impaired activation of CD8+CD62L+ naive cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that trametinib-sensitive samples have an inflammatory gene expression profile, and we also observed increased programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on trametinib-sensitive samples. Finally, we found that trametinib consistently reduced PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in a dose-dependent manner on the myeloid population. Altogether, our data present greater insight into the impact of trametinib on the immune microenvironment and characteristics of trametinib-sensitive patient samples.
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Valent P, Sadovnik I, Eisenwort G, Bauer K, Herrmann H, Gleixner KV, Schulenburg A, Rabitsch W, Sperr WR, Wolf D. Immunotherapy-Based Targeting and Elimination of Leukemic Stem Cells in AML and CML. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4233. [PMID: 31470642 PMCID: PMC6747233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) has been developed with the idea to explain the clonal hierarchies and architectures in leukemia, and the more or less curative anti-neoplastic effects of various targeted drugs. It is now widely accepted that curative therapies must have the potential to eliminate or completely suppress LSC, as only these cells can restore and propagate the malignancy for unlimited time periods. Since LSC represent a minor cell fraction in the leukemic clone, little is known about their properties and target expression profiles. Over the past few years, several cell-specific immunotherapy concepts have been developed, including new generations of cell-targeting antibodies, antibody-toxin conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell-based strategies. Whereas such concepts have been translated and may improve outcomes of therapy in certain lymphoid neoplasms and a few other malignancies, only little is known about immunological targets that are clinically relevant and can be employed to establish such therapies in myeloid neoplasms. In the current article, we provide an overview of the immunologically relevant molecular targets expressed on LSC in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In addition, we discuss the current status of antibody-based therapies in these malignancies, their mode of action, and successful examples from the field.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- B7-H1 Antigen/immunology
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- CTLA-4 Antigen/immunology
- CTLA-4 Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Immunotherapy/trends
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/immunology
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid/therapy
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/trends
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/immunology
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Irina Sadovnik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Eisenwort
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline V Gleixner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Schulenburg
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Rabitsch
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology & Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, 1090 Innsbruck, Austria
- Medical Clinic 3, Oncology, Hematology, Immunoncology & Rheumatology, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF): Bone Marrow Failure Disease Scientific Symposium 2018. Leuk Res 2019; 80:19-25. [PMID: 30908982 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes are a group of rare disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis resulting from deficiencies in the hematopoietic stem cell compartment. Although these diseases are typically acquired, some forms (e.g., Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, Diamond Blackfan anemia, and Shwachman Diamond syndrome) are inherited. Patients with BMF syndromes can develop peripheral blood cytopenias and pancytopenia, and their disease can ultimately progress to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Research around the world is shedding light on the biology of the BMF syndromes, their clinical effects, and novel treatments. The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation (AAMDSIF) is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to help patients and family members cope with BMF syndromes. This report summarizes presentations on the latest scientific discoveries in BMF syndromes from the Sixth International Bone Marrow Failure Disease Scientific Symposium sponsored by AAMDSIF on March 22-23, 2018, in Rockville, Maryland.
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