1
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Pearson AD, DuBois SG, Macy ME, de Rojas T, Donoghue M, Weiner S, Knoderer H, Bernardi R, Buenger V, Canaud G, Cantley L, Chung J, Fox E, Friend J, Glade-Bender J, Gorbatchevsky I, Gore L, Gupta A, Hawkins DS, Juric D, Lang LA, Leach D, Liaw D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Lindberg G, Lindberg W, Ludwinski D, Marshall L, Mazar A, McDonough J, Nysom K, Ours C, Pappo A, Parsons DW, Rosenfeld A, Scobie N, Smith M, Taylor D, Weigel B, Weinstein A, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric strategy forum for medicinal product development of PI3-K, mTOR, AKT and GSK3β inhibitors in children and adolescents with cancer. Eur J Cancer 2024; 207:114145. [PMID: 38936103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114145] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signalling pathway is a crucial path in cancer for cell survival and thus represents an intriguing target for new paediatric anti-cancer drugs. However, the unique clinical toxicities of targeting this pathway (resulting in hyperglycaemia) difficulties combining with chemotherapy, rarity of mutations in childhood tumours and concomitant mutations have resulted in major barriers to clinical translation of these inhibitors in treating both adults and children. Mutations in PIK3CA predict response to PI3-K inhibitors in adult cancers. The same mutations occur in children as in adults, but they are significantly less frequent in paediatrics. In children, high-grade gliomas, especially diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), have the highest incidence of PIK3CA mutations. New mutation-specific PI3-K inhibitors reduce toxicity from on-target PI3-Kα wild-type activity. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus is approved for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. In paediatric cancers, mTOR inhibitors have been predominantly evaluated by academia, without an overall strategy, in empiric, mutation-agnostic clinical trials with very low response rates to monotherapy. Therefore, future trials of single agent or combination strategies of mTOR inhibitors in childhood cancer should be supported by very strong biological rationale and preclinical data. Further preclinical evaluation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors is required. Similarly, even where there is an AKT mutation (∼0.1 %), the role of AKT inhibitors in paediatric cancers remains unclear. Patient advocates strongly urged analysing and conserving data from every child participating in a clinical trial. A priority is to evaluate mutation-specific, central nervous system-penetrant PI3-K inhibitors in children with DMG in a rational biological combination. The choice of combination, should be based on the genomic landscape e.g. PTEN loss and resistance mechanisms supported by preclinical data. However, in view of the very rare populations involved, innovative regulatory approaches are needed to generate data for an indication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ronald Bernardi
- Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Vickie Buenger
- Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2), Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - John Chung
- Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Whippany, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Abha Gupta
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Princess Margaret Hospital Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Leigh Anna Lang
- Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Joe McDonough
- The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | - Christopher Ours
- National Human Genome Research Institute/National Institutes of Health, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Weinstein
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, Atlanta, USA
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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2
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Bautista F, Verdú-Amorós J, Geoerger B, Rubio-San-Simón A, Paoletti X, Zwaan CM, Casanova M, Marshall LV, Carceller F, Doz F, Lecinse C, Vassal G, Pearson ADJ, Kearns P, Moreno L. Evolution of the Innovative Therapies for Children With Cancer Consortium Trial Portfolio for Drug Development for Children With Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:2516-2526. [PMID: 38743911 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01237] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) consortium is to improve access to novel therapies for children and adolescents with cancer. The evolution of the ITCC clinical trial portfolio since 2003 was reviewed. METHODS All ITCC-labeled phase I/II trials opened between January 1, 2003 and February 3, 2018 were analyzed in two periods (2003-2010 and 2011-2018), and data were extracted from the ITCC database, regulatory agencies' registries, and publications. RESULTS Sixty-one trials (62% industry-sponsored) enrolled 3,198 patients. The number of trials in the second period increased by almost 300% (16 v 45). All biomarker-driven trials (n = 14) were conducted in the second period. The use of rolling six and model-based designs increased (1 of 9, 11% v 21 of 31, 68%), and that of 3 + 3 designs decreased (5 of 9, 55% v 5 of 31, 16%; P = .014). The proportion of studies evaluating chemotherapeutics only decreased (5 of 16, 31% v 4 of 45, 9%), the proportion of single-agent targeted therapies did not change (9 of 16, 56.2% v 24 of 45, 53.3%), the proportion of combination targeted therapies trials increased (2 of 16, 12%, v 17 of 45, 38%), the proportion of randomized phase II trials increased (1 of 7, 14% v 8 of 14, 57%). More trials were part of a pediatric investigation plan in the second period (4 of 16, 25% v 21 of 45, 46%). The median time for Ethics Committees' approvals was 1.7 times longer for academic compared with industry-sponsored trials. CONCLUSION This study reports a shift in the paradigm of early drug development for childhood cancers, with more biologically relevant targets evaluated in biomarker-driven trials or in combination with other therapies and with more model-based or randomized designs and a greater focus on fulfilling regulatory requirements. Improvement of trial setup and recruitment could increase the number of patients benefiting from novel agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Bautista
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaime Verdú-Amorós
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Biomedical Research Institute, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Alba Rubio-San-Simón
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Paoletti
- Institut Curie & Université Versailles St Quentin & INSERM U900 STAMPM, Paris, France
| | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Lynley V Marshall
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francois Doz
- SIREDO Cancer Center (Care, Innovation and Research in Pediatric, Adolescents, and Young Adults Oncology), Curie Institute Paris, and University Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Carole Lecinse
- Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela Kearns
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Pathania AS, Chava H, Chaturvedi NK, Chava S, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. The miR-29 family facilitates the activation of NK-cell immune responses by targeting the B7-H3 immune checkpoint in neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:428. [PMID: 38890285 PMCID: PMC11189583 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06791-7] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that originates from immature nerve cells, presenting significant treatment challenges due to therapy resistance. Despite intensive treatment, approximately 50% of high-risk NB cases exhibit therapy resistance or experience relapse, resulting in poor outcomes often associated with tumor immune evasion. B7-H3 is an immune checkpoint protein known to inhibit immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Our study aims to explore the impact of miRNAs on B7-H3 regulation, the anti-tumor immune response, and tumorigenicity in NB. Analysis of NB patients and patient-derived xenograft tumors revealed a correlation between higher B7-H3 expression and poorer patient survival. Notably, deceased patients exhibited a depletion of miR-29 family members (miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c), which displayed an inverse association with B7-H3 expression in NB patients. Overexpression and knockdown experiments demonstrated that these miRNAs degrade B7-H3 mRNA, resulting in enhanced NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. In vivo, experiments provided further evidence that miR-29 family members reduce tumorigenicity, macrophage infiltration, and microvessel density, promote infiltration and activation of NK cells, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. These findings offer a rationale for developing more effective combination treatments that leverage miRNAs to target B7-H3 in NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Haritha Chava
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Srinivas Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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4
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Hu Z, Liu S, Zhao Y, Du S, Hamuro L, Shen J, Roy A, Zhu L. Nivolumab and ipilimumab population pharmacokinetics in support of pediatric dose recommendations-Going beyond the body-size effect. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol 2024; 13:476-493. [PMID: 38115545 PMCID: PMC10941504 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.13098] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Body size has historically been considered the primary source of difference in the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) between children aged greater than or equal to 2 years and adults. The contribution of age-associated differences (e.g., ontogeny) beyond body-size differences in the pediatric PKs of mAbs has not been comprehensively evaluated. In this study, the population PK of two mAbs (nivolumab and ipilimumab) in pediatric oncology patients were characterized. The effects of age-related covariates on nivolumab or ipilimumab PKs were assessed using data from 13 and 10 clinical studies, respectively, across multiple tumor types, including melanoma, lymphoma, central nervous system tumors (CNSTs), and other solid tumors. Clearance was lower in pediatric patients (aged 1-17 years) with solid tumors or CNST than in adults after adjusting for other covariates, including the effect of body size. In contrast, clearance was similar in pediatric patients with lymphoma to that in adults with lymphoma. The pediatric effects characterized have increased the accuracy of the predictions of the model, facilitating its use in subsequent exposure comparisons between pediatric and adult patients, as well as for exposure-response analyses to inform pediatric dosing. This study approach may be applicable to the optimization of pediatric dosing of other mAbs and possibly other biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyi Hu
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Sihang Liu
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | | | | | - Jun Shen
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Amit Roy
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Li Zhu
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
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5
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Pearson ADJ, de Rojas T, Karres D, Reaman G, Scobie N, Fox E, Lesa G, Ligas F, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Weigel B, Weiner SL, Vassal G. Impact of ACCELERATE Paediatric Strategy Forums: a review of the value of multi-stakeholder meetings in oncology drug development. J Natl Cancer Inst 2024; 116:200-207. [PMID: 37975877 PMCID: PMC10852613 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In a landscape of an increasing number of products and histology and age agnostic trials for rare patient cancer, prioritization of products is required. Paediatric Strategy Forums, organized by ACCELERATE and the European Medicines Agency with participation of the US Food and Drug Administration, are multi-stakeholder meetings that share information to best inform pediatric drug development strategies and subsequent clinical trial decisions. Academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates are equal members, with patient advocates highlighting unmet needs of children and adolescents with cancer. The 11 Paediatric Strategy Forums since 2017 have made specific and general conclusions to accelerate drug development. Conclusions on product prioritization meetings, as well as global master protocols, have been outputs of these meetings. Forums have provided information for regulatory discussions and decisions by industry to facilitate development of high-priority products; for example, 62% of high-priority assets (agreed at a Forum) in contrast to 5% of those assets not considered high priority have been the subject of a Paediatric Investigational Plan or Written Request. Where there are multiple products of the same class, Forums have recommended a focused and sequential approach. Class prioritization resulted in an increase in waivers for non-prioritized B-cell products (44% to 75%) and a decrease in monotherapy trials, proposed in Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIP) submissions of checkpoint inhibitors from 53% to 19%. Strategy Forums could play a role in defining unmet medical needs. Multi-stakeholder forums, such as the Paediatric Strategy Forum, serve as a model to improve collaboration in the oncology drug development paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregory Reaman
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium, Europe
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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6
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Rossig C, Pearson AD, Vassal G, Scobie N, Bird N, Blanc P, Vormoor HJ, Calkoen FG, Locatelli F, Bufalo FD, Rives S, Jacoby E, Balduzzi A, Bourquin JP, Baruchel A. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Products for Pediatric Cancers: Why Alternative Development Paths Are Needed. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:253-257. [PMID: 38011605 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Nick Bird
- Solving Kids' Cancer UK, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - H Josef Vormoor
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Friso G Calkoen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
- AND Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Susana Rives
- CAR T-cell Unit, Leukemia and Lymphoma Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona /Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elad Jacoby
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adriana Balduzzi
- Pediatrics, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Bourquin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Immunology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Baruchel
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Immunology, Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP and Université Paris Cité), Paris, France
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7
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Ebrahimi S, Habibzadeh A, Khojasteh-Kaffash S, Valizadeh P, Samieefar N, Rezaei N. Immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy as the game-changing approach for pediatric lymphoma: A brief landscape. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104225. [PMID: 38049077 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104225] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphoma is known as the third most common malignancy in children, and its prevalence and mortality are increasing. Common treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and also surgery, despite their efficacy, have many side effects and, have a high chance of disease relapse. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) offer a promising alternative with potentially fewer risks of relapse and toxicity. This review article aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of ICIs, either as monotherapy or in combination, for pediatric lymphoma patients. ICIs have revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years and have shown remarkable results in several adult cancers. However, their efficacy in treating pediatrics requires further investigation. Nevertheless, some ICIs, including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab, have demonstrated encouraging outcomes. ICIs therapy is not without risks and can cause side effects, including rash, itching, vitiligo, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysphagia, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, thyroid, and pituitary dysfunction. Overall, this review article highlights the potential benefits and risks of ICIs in treating pediatric lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ebrahimi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Adrina Habibzadeh
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Soroush Khojasteh-Kaffash
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Parya Valizadeh
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noosha Samieefar
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; USERN Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Das A, Tabori U, Sambira Nahum LC, Collins NB, Deyell R, Dvir R, Faure-Conter C, Hassall TE, Minturn JE, Edwards M, Brookes E, Bianchi V, Levine A, Stone SC, Sudhaman S, Sanchez Ramirez S, Ercan AB, Stengs L, Chung J, Negm L, Getz G, Maruvka YE, Ertl-Wagner B, Ohashi PS, Pugh T, Hawkins C, Bouffet E, Morgenstern DA. Efficacy of Nivolumab in Pediatric Cancers with High Mutation Burden and Mismatch Repair Deficiency. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4770-4783. [PMID: 37126021 PMCID: PMC10690097 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy for children with unselected solid and brain tumors. We report the first prospective pediatric trial (NCT02992964) using nivolumab exclusively for refractory nonhematologic cancers harboring tumor mutation burden (TMB) ≥5 mutations/megabase (mut/Mb) and/or mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients were screened, and 10 were ultimately included in the response cohort of whom nine had TMB >10 mut/Mb (three initially eligible based on MMRD) and one patient had TMB between 5 and 10 mut/Mb. RESULTS Delayed immune responses contributed to best overall response of 50%, improving on initial objective responses (20%) and leading to 2-year overall survival (OS) of 50% [95% confidence interval (CI), 27-93]. Four children, including three with refractory malignant gliomas are in complete remission at a median follow-up of 37 months (range, 32.4-60), culminating in 2-year OS of 43% (95% CI, 18.2-100). Biomarker analyses confirmed benefit in children with germline MMRD, microsatellite instability, higher activated and lower regulatory circulating T cells. Stochastic mutation accumulation driven by underlying germline MMRD impacted the tumor microenvironment, contributing to delayed responses. No benefit was observed in the single patient with an MMR-proficient tumor and TMB 7.4 mut/Mb. CONCLUSIONS Nivolumab resulted in durable responses and prolonged survival for the first time in a pediatric trial of refractory hypermutated cancers including malignant gliomas. Novel biomarkers identified here need to be translated rapidly to clinical care to identify children who can benefit from checkpoint inhibitors, including upfront management of cancer. See related commentary by Mardis, p. 4701.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Das
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Uri Tabori
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Lauren C. Sambira Nahum
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Natalie B. Collins
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Rina Dvir
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Jane E. Minturn
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa Edwards
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Elissa Brookes
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Vanessa Bianchi
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Adrian Levine
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Simone C. Stone
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Sumedha Sudhaman
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Santiago Sanchez Ramirez
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Ayse B. Ercan
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Lucie Stengs
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Jill Chung
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Logine Negm
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Gad Getz
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Birgit Ertl-Wagner
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Pamela S. Ohashi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Trevor Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Daniel A. Morgenstern
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
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9
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Valle-Simón P, Borobia AM, Pérez-Martínez A. Clinical research with targeted drugs in paediatric oncology. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103672. [PMID: 37330039 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of targeted drugs in paediatric oncology has been notoriously slow, in part due to the peculiarities of this rare and highly heterogeneous population. To provide therapeutic breakthroughs for the highest risk subgroups of childhood cancer, innovative research solutions have been implemented in the last several years by different international collaborative groups and regulators. Here, we discuss and summarise some of these approaches, as well as challenges and unmet needs that are still being addressed. A wide range of topics were covered in this review including molecular diagnosis optimisation, innovative research methodologies, big data approaches, trial enrolment strategies, and improvements in regulation and preclinical research platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Valle-Simón
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto M Borobia
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Wang J, Zhang B, Peng L, Liu X, Sun J, Su C, Wang H, Zhao Z, Si L, Duan J, Zhang H, Li M, Zhu B, Zhang L, Li J, Guo J, Luo R, Qiu W, Ye D, Chu Q, Cui J, Dong X, Fan Y, Gao Q, Guo Y, He Z, Li W, Lin G, Liu L, Liu Y, Qin H, Ren S, Ren X, Wang Y, Xue J, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yue L, Zhan X, Zhang J, Ma J, Qin S, Wang B. Chinese expert consensus recommendations for the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors to special cancer patient populations. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231187205. [PMID: 37484525 PMCID: PMC10357053 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231187205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death 1, programmed cell death ligand 1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 have shown significantly durable clinical benefits and tolerable toxicities and have improved the survival of patients with various types of cancer. Since 2018, the National Medical Products Administration of China has approved 17 ICIs as the standard treatment for certain advanced or metastatic solid tumors. As ICIs represent a broad-spectrum antitumor strategy, the populations eligible for cancer immunotherapy are rapidly expanding. However, the clinical applications of ICIs in cancer patient populations with special issues, a term that refers to complex subgroups of patients with comorbidities, special clinical conditions, or concomitant medications who are routinely excluded from prospective clinical trials of ICIs or are underrepresented in these trials, represent a great real-world challenge. Although the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has provided recommendations for screening before the use of ICIs in special populations, the recommendations for full-course management remain insufficient. The CSCO Expert Committee on Immunotherapy organized leading medical oncology and multidisciplinary experts to develop a consensus that will serve as an important reference for clinicians to guide the proper application of ICIs in special patient populations. This article is a translation of a study first published in Chinese in The Chinese Clinical Oncology (ISSN 1009-0460, CN 32-1577/R) in May 2022 (27(5):442-454). The publisher of the original paper has provided written confirmation of permission to publish this translation in Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital; Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine; Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Bicheng Zhang
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Peng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Qinhuai Medical District, Eastern Theater Command General Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianguo Sun
- Cancer Institute, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunxia Su
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Thoracic Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shannxi Cancer Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Lu Si
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianchun Duan
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xian, China
| | - Mengxia Li
- Cancer Center, Daping Hospital and Research Institute of Surgery, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Cancer Institute, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rongcheng Luo
- Cancer Center, Jinshazhou Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wensheng Qiu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dingwei Ye
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaorong Dong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Fan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Quanli Gao
- Department of Immunology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ye Guo
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong He
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Gen Lin
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lian Liu
- Department of Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haifeng Qin
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shengxiang Ren
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Thoracic Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- GCP Center/Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junli Xue
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhou Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Yue
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Xianbao Zhan
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biotherapy, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology, Harbin, China
| | - Shukui Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Qinhuai Medical District, Eastern Theater Command General Hospital, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Baocheng Wang
- Department of Oncology, The 960th Hospital, The People’s Liberation Army, Jinan 250031, China
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Pearson ADJ, Federico S, Gatz SA, Ortiz M, Lesa G, Scobie N, Gounaris I, Weiner SL, Weigel B, Unger TJ, Stewart E, Smith M, Slotkin EK, Reaman G, Pappo A, Nysom K, Norga K, McDonough J, Marshall LV, Ludwinski D, Ligas F, Karres D, Kool M, Horner TJ, Henssen A, Heenen D, Hawkins DS, Gore L, Bender JG, Galluzzo S, Fox E, de Rojas T, Davies BR, Chakrabarti J, Carmichael J, Bradford D, Blanc P, Bernardi R, Benchetrit S, Akindele K, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of DNA damage response pathway inhibitors in children and adolescents with cancer: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2023; 190:112950. [PMID: 37441939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.112950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage response inhibitors have a potentially important therapeutic role in paediatric cancers; however, their optimal use, including patient selection and combination strategy, remains unknown. Moreover, there is an imbalance between the number of drugs with diverse mechanisms of action and the limited number of paediatric patients available to be enrolled in early-phase trials, so prioritisation and a strategy are essential. While PARP inhibitors targeting homologous recombination-deficient tumours have been used primarily in the treatment of adult cancers with BRCA1/2 mutations, BRCA1/2 mutations occur infrequently in childhood tumours, and therefore, a specific response hypothesis is required. Combinations with targeted radiotherapy, ATR inhibitors, or antibody drug conjugates with DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor-related warheads warrant evaluation. Additional monotherapy trials of PARP inhibitors with the same mechanism of action are not recommended. PARP1-specific inhibitors and PARP inhibitors with very good central nervous system penetration also deserve evaluation. ATR, ATM, DNA-PK, CHK1, WEE1, DNA polymerase theta and PKMYT1 inhibitors are early in paediatric development. There should be an overall coordinated strategy for their development. Therefore, an academia/industry consensus of the relevant biomarkers will be established and a focused meeting on ATR inhibitors (as proof of principle) held. CHK1 inhibitors have demonstrated activity in desmoplastic small round cell tumours and have a potential role in the treatment of other paediatric malignancies, such as neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. Access to CHK1 inhibitors for paediatric clinical trials is a high priority. The three key elements in evaluating these inhibitors in children are (1) innovative trial design (design driven by a clear hypothesis with the intent to further investigate responders and non-responders with detailed retrospective molecular analyses to generate a revised or new hypothesis); (2) biomarker selection and (3) rational combination therapy, which is limited by overlapping toxicity. To maximally benefit children with cancer, investigators should work collaboratively to learn the lessons from the past and apply them to future studies. Plans should be based on the relevant biology, with a focus on simultaneous and parallel research in preclinical and clinical settings, and an overall integrated and collaborative strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D J Pearson
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Sara Federico
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michael Ortiz
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ioannis Gounaris
- Merck Serono Ltd (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Feltham, UK
| | | | | | - T J Unger
- Repare Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gregory Reaman
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, MD, USA
| | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joe McDonough
- The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Lynley V Marshall
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA; Children's Oncology Group, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lia Gore
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Teresa de Rojas
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Juliet Carmichael
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Diana Bradford
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, MD, USA
| | | | - Ronald Bernardi
- Genentech, a Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sylvie Benchetrit
- National Agency for the Safety of Medicine and Health Products, Paris, France
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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12
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Moreno L, Teira P, Croop JM, Gerber NU, André N, Aerts I, Gros Subias L, De Wilde B, Bautista F, Turpin B, Kunduri S, Hamidi A, Lawrence T, Streby KA. A phase 1, first-in-child, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the oncolytic herpes virus talimogene laherparepvec in pediatric patients with advanced solid tumors. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1183295. [PMID: 37292376 PMCID: PMC10244735 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1183295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The survival rates for pediatric patients with relapsed and refractory tumors are poor. Successful treatment strategies are currently lacking and there remains an unmet need for novel therapies for these patients. We report here the results of a phase 1 study of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and explore the safety of this oncolytic immunotherapy for the treatment of pediatric patients with advanced non-central nervous system tumors. Methods T-VEC was delivered by intralesional injection at 106 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml on the first day, followed by 108 PFU/ml on the first day of week 4 and every 2 weeks thereafter. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety and tolerability as assessed by the incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Secondary objectives included efficacy indicated by response and survival per modified immune-related response criteria simulating the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (irRC-RECIST). Results Fifteen patients were enrolled into two cohorts based on age: cohort A1 (n = 13) 12 to ≤21 years old (soft-tissue sarcoma, n = 7; bone sarcoma, n = 3; neuroblastoma, n = 1; nasopharyngeal carcinoma, n = 1; and melanoma, n = 1) and cohort B1 (n = 2) 2 to <12 years old (melanoma, n = 2). Overall, patients received treatment for a median (range) of 5.1 (0.1, 39.4) weeks. No DLTs were observed during the evaluation period. All patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), and 53.3% of patients reported grade ≥3 TEAEs. Overall, 86.7% of patients reported treatment-related TEAEs. No complete or partial responses were observed, and three patients (20%) overall exhibited stable disease as the best response. Conclusions T-VEC was tolerable as assessed by the observation of no DLTs. The safety data were consistent with the patients' underlying cancer and the known safety profile of T-VEC from studies in the adult population. No objective responses were observed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02756845. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02756845.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Moreno
- Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Teira
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
| | - James M. Croop
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nicolas U. Gerber
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas André
- SMARTC Unit Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Inserm U1068, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Service d'Hématologie & Oncologie Pédiatrique, Timone Hospital, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Francisco Bautista
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brian Turpin
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Ali Hamidi
- Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | | | - Keri A. Streby
- Department of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Oda K, Ito Y, Yamada A, Yutani S, Itoh K, Ozono S. Evaluation of the Immunological Response of Childhood Cancer Patients Treated with a Personalized Peptide Vaccine for Refractory Soft Tissue Tumor: A Four-Case Series. Kurume Med J 2023. [PMID: 37183020 DOI: 10.2739/kurumemedj.ms682012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This case series aimed to evaluate the peptide-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response, clinical effectiveness, and the safety of a personalized peptide vaccine (PPV) in four children with refractory solid cancer. Although the pre-vaccination IgG responses were suppressed, IgG levels against the vaccinated peptides after 12 vaccinations were increased in all three cases who received at least 12 vaccinations. Vaccination-related adverse effects were grade 1 injection-site local skin lesions. One patient, whose diagnosis was relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma, remains in sustained remission after 37 months. Although the pre-vaccination immune response in this patient was low, IgG levels against 2 of the 4 peptide vaccines were increased after the sixth vaccination, followed by a strong increase at the eighteenth vaccination against all 4 peptides, with a >100-fold increase vs. 2 peptides. The remaining three patients exhibited progressive disease and eventually died of their original cancer. The results of the current case series suggest that in cases of childhood solid tumors, when the tumor is controlled at the time of entry PPV may have some consolidation effect. Therefore, PPV could be a new immunotherapy modality for refractory childhood solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Oda
- Department of Healthcare Management, College of Healthcare Management
- Kurume University Cancer Vaccine Center
| | - Yasuhiko Ito
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya City University
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya East Medical Center
| | - Akira Yamada
- Kurume University Cancer Vaccine Center
- Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University
| | | | | | - Shuichi Ozono
- Department of Pediatrics, Kurume University School of Medicine
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Lasala R, Santoleri F, Zanon D, Romagnoli A, Abrate P, Costantini A, Musicco F. Available information about paediatric use of onco-haematological drugs authorized by EMA since 2016. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2023; 29:83-87. [PMID: 34693799 DOI: 10.1177/10781552211053251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment options available to children with cancer are limited. This is why for more than 10 years, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has stated that all drugs to be marketed must be tested on the paediatric population in accordance with the Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP). The objective of this study is to make a cross sectional analysis of the information related to the use of cancer drugs authorised on the European market in the paediatric population. METHOD The European Public Assessment Reports and PIPs have been considered. The following data were extracted for onco-haematological drugs approved since 2016: paediatric indications, information about the paediatric population in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and presence and characteristics of PIPs. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the drugs was made from the point of view of the paediatric population. RESULTS Forty-eight drugs with onco-haematological indications have been authorised for marketing since 2016, 7 (15%) of these have paediatric indications. Two (4%) drugs have no paediatric indication but have information related to the paediatric population within SmPC. Forty-one (85%) drugs have no reference to the paediatric population in SmPC. Seventeen (35%) drugs out of 48 do not have PIPs and 11 have been granted a waiver to present the results of paediatric studies. The other 19 active ingredients have a total of 28 PIPs. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Most of the onco-haematological drugs approved by EMA since 2016 have neither paediatric indications nor mentions about paediatric use in SmPC. PIPs represent an opportunity, but demand for the paediatric population is still huge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Davide Zanon
- Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 18705"Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Romagnoli
- Hospital Pharmacy of "Santo Spirito" General Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | | | | | - Felice Musicco
- Hospital Pharmacy, 18659IFO Regina Elena San Gallicano, Rome, Italy
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15
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Zang B, Ding L, Liu L, Arun Kumar S, Liu W, Zhou C, Duan Y. The immunotherapy advancement targeting malignant blastomas in early childhood. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1015115. [PMID: 36874100 PMCID: PMC9978522 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1015115] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant blastomas develop relentlessly in all functional body organs inflicting severe health ailments in younger children. Malignant blastomas exhibit diverse clinical characteristics in compliance with their emergence in functional body organs. Surprisingly, neither of these preferred treatment types (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) showed promise or were effective in treating malignant blastomas among child patients. N ew, innovative immunotherapeutic procedures including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric-antigen based receptor (CAR) cell therapy, coupled with the clinical study of reliable therapeutic targets and immune regulatory pathways targeting malignant blastomas, have attracted the attention of clinicians recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Zang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Luyue Ding
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Senthil Arun Kumar
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chongchen Zhou
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongtao Duan
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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16
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Pearson AD, Allen C, Fangusaro J, Hutter C, Witt O, Weiner S, Reaman G, Russo M, Bandopadhayay P, Ahsan S, Barone A, Barry E, de Rojas T, Fisher M, Fox E, Bender JG, Gore L, Hargrave D, Hawkins D, Kreider B, Langseth AJ, Lesa G, Ligas F, Marotti M, Marshall LV, Nasri K, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Rossato G, Scobie N, Smith M, Stieglitz E, Weigel B, Weinstein A, Viana R, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibitors: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2022; 177:120-142. [PMID: 36335782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway is activated in many paediatric cancers, it is an important therapeutic target. Currently, a range of targeted MAPK pathway inhibitors are being developed in adults. However, MAPK signals through many cascades and feedback loops and perturbing the MAPK pathway may have substantial influence on other pathways as well as normal development. In view of these issues, the ninth Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on MAPK inhibitors. Development of MAPK pathway inhibitors to date has been predominantly driven by adult indications such as malignant melanoma. However, these inhibitors may also target unmet needs in paediatric low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia and several other paediatric conditions. Although MAPK inhibitors have demonstrated activity in paediatric cancer, the response rates and duration of responses needs improvement and better documentation. The rapid development and evaluation of combination approaches, based on a deep understanding of biology, is required to optimise responses and to avoid paradoxical tumour growth and other unintended consequences including severe toxicity. Better inhibitors with higher central nervous systempenetration for primary brain tumours and cancers with a propensity for central nervous system metastases need to be studied to determine if they are more effective than agents currently being used, and the optimum duration of therapy with MAPK inhibition needs to be determined. Systematic and coordinated clinical investigations to inform future treatment strategies with MAPK inhibitors, rather than use outside of clinical trials, are needed to fully assess the risks and benefits of these single agents and combination strategies in both front-line and in the refractory/relapse settings. Platform trials could address the investigation of multiple similar products and combinations. Accelerating the introduction of MAPK inhibitors into front-line paediatric studies is a priority, as is ensuring that these studies generate data appropriate for scientific and regulatory purposes. Early discussions with regulators are crucial, particularly if external controls are considered as randomised control trials in small patient populations can be challenging. Functional end-points specific to the populations in which they are studied, such as visual acuity, motor and neuro psychological function are important, as these outcomes are often more reflective of benefit for lower grade tumours (such as paediatric low-grade glioma and plexiform neurofibroma) and should be included in initial study designs for paediatric low-grade glioma. Early prospective discussions and agreements with regulators are necessary. Long-term follow-up of patients receiving MAPK inhibitors is crucial in view of their prolonged administration and the important involvement of this pathway in normal development. Further rational development, with a detailed understanding of biology of this class of products, is crucial to ensure they provide optimal benefit while minimising toxicity to children and adolescents with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carl Allen
- Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Caroline Hutter
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria; Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Pratiti Bandopadhayay
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Broad Institute, USA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, USA
| | | | - Amy Barone
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, USA
| | - Elly Barry
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Michael Fisher
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Lia Gore
- Children's Hospital Colorado, USA; University of Colorado, USA
| | - Darren Hargrave
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London UK
| | - Doug Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, USA; Children's Oncology Group, Seattle, USA
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | | | - Lynley V Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, (EMA), Netherlands; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ruth Viana
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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Karres D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Benchetrit S, Galluzzo S, Van Malderen K, Sterba J, van Dartel M, Renard M, Sisovsky P, Wang S, Norga K. European regulatory strategy for supporting childhood cancer therapy developments. Eur J Cancer 2022; 177:25-29. [PMID: 36323049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulatory decisions on paediatric investigation plans (PIPs) aim at making effective and safe medicines timely available for children with high unmet medical need. At the same time, scientific knowledge progresses continuously leading frequently to the identification of new molecular targets in the therapeutic area of oncology. This, together with further efforts to optimise next generation medicines, results in novel innovative products in development pipelines. In the context of global regulatory development requirements for these growing pipelines of innovative products (e.g. US RACE for children Act), it is an increasing challenge to complete development efforts in paediatric oncology, a therapeutic area of rare and life-threatening diseases with high unmet needs. OBJECTIVE Regulators recognise feasibility challenges of the regulatory obligations in this context. Here, we explain the EU regulatory decision making strategy applied to paediatric oncology, which aims fostering evidence generation to support developments based on needs and robust science. Because there is a plethora of products under development within given classes of or within cancer types, priorities need to be identified and updated as evidence evolves. This also includes identifying the need for third or fourth generation products to secure focused and accelerated drug development. CONCLUSION An agreed PIP, as a plan, is a living document which can be modified in light of new evidence. For this to be successful, input from the various relevant stakeholders, i.e. patients/parents, clinicians and investigators is required. To efficiently obtain this input, the EMA is co-organising with ACCELERATE oncology stakeholder engagement platform meetings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sylvie Benchetrit
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Du Médicament et des Produits de Santé (ANSM), Paris, France; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sara Galluzzo
- Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), Rome, Italy; Scientific Advice Working Party and Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karen Van Malderen
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno, And Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Dartel
- College Ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen, Utrecht, Netherlands; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marleen Renard
- University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter Sisovsky
- State Institute for Drug Control, Bratislava, Slovakia; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Siri Wang
- Norwegian Medicines Agency, Oslo, Norway; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium
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Lucarini V, Melaiu O, D’Amico S, Pastorino F, Tempora P, Scarsella M, Pezzullo M, De Ninno A, D’Oria V, Cilli M, Emionite L, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, De Ioris MA, Barillari G, Alaggio R, Businaro L, Ponzoni M, Locatelli F, Fruci D. Combined mitoxantrone and anti-TGFβ treatment with PD-1 blockade enhances antitumor immunity by remodelling the tumor immune landscape in neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:326. [PMID: 36397148 PMCID: PMC9670422 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor infiltration of functioning T cells renders tumors unresponsive to checkpoint-blocking immunotherapies. Here, we identified a combinatorial in situ immunomodulation strategy based on the administration of selected immunogenic drugs and immunotherapy to sensitize poorly T-cell-infiltrated neuroblastoma (NB) to the host antitumor immune response. Methods 975A2 and 9464D NB cell lines derived from spontaneous tumors of TH-MYCN transgenic mice were employed to study drug combinations able of enhancing the antitumor immune response using in vivo and ex vivo approaches. Migration of immune cells towards drug-treated murine-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS) were assessed by microfluidic devices. Activation status of immune cells co-cultured with drug-treated MDOTS was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. The effect of drug treatment on the immune content of subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors was comprehensively analyzed by flow-cytometry, immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence. The chemokine array assay was used to detect soluble factors released into the tumor microenvironment. Patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (PDOTS) were generated from human NB specimens. Migration and activation status of autologous immune cells to drug-treated PDOTS were performed. Results We found that treatment with low-doses of mitoxantrone (MTX) recalled immune cells and promoted CD8+ T and NK cell activation in MDOTS when combined with TGFβ and PD-1 blockade. This combined immunotherapy strategy curbed NB growth resulting in the enrichment of a variety of both lymphoid and myeloid immune cells, especially intratumoral dendritic cells (DC) and IFNγ- and granzyme B-expressing CD8+ T cells and NK cells. A concomitant production of inflammatory chemokines involved in remodelling the tumor immune landscape was also detected. Interestingly, this treatment induced immune cell recruitment against PDOTS and activation of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Conclusions Combined treatment with low-dose of MTX and anti-TGFβ treatment with PD-1 blockade improves antitumor immunity by remodelling the tumor immune landscape and overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment of aggressive NB. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02525-9.
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Pearson ADJ, de Rojas T, Karres D, Reaman G, Scobie N, Fox E, Lesa G, Ligas F, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Weigel B, Weiner S, Vassal G. ACCELERATE Paediatric Strategy Forums: an advance for oncological drug development? Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:1354-1357. [PMID: 36328007 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
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20
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Avelumab in paediatric patients with refractory or relapsed solid tumours: dose-escalation results from an open-label, single-arm, phase 1/2 trial. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2485-2495. [PMID: 35262780 PMCID: PMC9463244 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03159-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We report dose-escalation results from an open-label, phase 1/2 trial evaluating avelumab (anti-PD-L1) in paediatric patients with refractory/relapsed solid tumours. METHODS In phase 1, patients aged < 18 years with solid (including central nervous system [CNS]) tumours for which standard therapy did not exist or had failed were enrolled in sequential cohorts of 3-6 patients. Patients received avelumab 10 or 20 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). RESULTS At data cut-off (27 July 2021), 21 patients aged 3-17 years had received avelumab 10 mg/kg (n = 6) or 20 mg/kg (n = 15). One patient had three events that were classified as a DLT (fatigue with hemiparesis and muscular weakness associated with pseudoprogression; 20 mg/kg cohort). Grade ≥ 3 AEs occurred in five (83%) and 11 (73%) patients in the 10 and 20 mg/kg cohorts, respectively, and were treatment-related in one patient (7%; grade 3 [DLT]) in the 20 mg/kg cohort. Avelumab exposure in paediatric patients receiving 20 mg/kg dosing, but not 10 mg/kg, was comparable or higher compared with approved adult dosing (10 mg/kg or 800 mg flat dose). No objective responses were observed. Four patients with CNS tumours (20 mg/kg cohort) achieved stable disease, which was ongoing in two patients with astrocytoma at cut-off (for 24.7 and 30.3 months). CONCLUSION In paediatric patients with refractory/relapsed solid tumours, avelumab monotherapy showed a safety profile consistent with previous adult studies, but clinical benefits were limited.
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21
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Anderson J, Majzner RG, Sondel PM. Immunotherapy of Neuroblastoma: Facts and Hopes. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3196-3206. [PMID: 35435953 PMCID: PMC9344822 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
While the adoption of multimodal therapy including surgery, radiation, and aggressive combination chemotherapy has improved outcomes for many children with high-risk neuroblastoma, we appear to have reached a plateau in what can be achieved with cytotoxic therapies alone. Most children with cancer, including high-risk neuroblastoma, do not benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that have revolutionized the treatment of many highly immunogenic adult solid tumors. This likely reflects the low tumor mutation burden as well as the downregulated MHC-I that characterizes most high-risk neuroblastomas. For these reasons, neuroblastoma represents an immunotherapeutic challenge that may be a model for the creation of effective immunotherapy for other "cold" tumors in children and adults that do not respond to ICI. The identification of strong expression of the disialoganglioside GD2 on the surface of nearly all neuroblastoma cells provided a target for immune recognition by anti-GD2 mAbs that recruit Fc receptor-expressing innate immune cells that mediate cytotoxicity or phagocytosis. Adoption of anti-GD2 antibodies into both upfront and relapse treatment protocols has dramatically increased survival rates and altered the landscape for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. This review describes how these approaches have been expanded to additional combinations and forms of immunotherapy that have already demonstrated clear clinical benefit. We also describe the efforts to identify additional immune targets for neuroblastoma. Finally, we summarize newer approaches being pursued that may well help both innate and adaptive immune cells, endogenous or genetically engineered, to more effectively destroy neuroblastoma cells, to better induce complete remission and prevent recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Anderson
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robbie G. Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Paul M. Sondel
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Oncology and Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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22
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Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of multi-targeted kinase inhibitors in bone sarcomas: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2022; 173:71-90. [PMID: 35863108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The eighth Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (mTKIs) in osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. The development of curative, innovative products in these tumours is a high priority and addresses unmet needs in children, adolescents and adults. Despite clinical and investigational use of mTKIs, efficacy in patients with bone tumours has not been definitively demonstrated. Randomised studies, currently being planned or in progress, in front-line and relapse settings will inform the further development of this class of product. It is crucial that these are rapidly initiated to generate robust data to support international collaborative efforts. The experience to date has generally indicated that the safety profile of mTKIs as monotherapy, and in combination with chemotherapy or other targeted therapy, is consistent with that of adults and that toxicity is manageable. Increasing understanding of relevant predictive biomarkers and tumour biology is absolutely critical to further develop this class of products. Biospecimen samples for correlative studies and biomarker development should be shared, and a joint academic-industry consortium created. This would result in an integrated collection of serial tumour tissues and a systematic retrospective and prospective analyses of these samples to ensure robust assessment of biologic effect of mTKIs. To support access for children to benefit from these novel therapies, clinical trials should be designed with sufficient scientific rationale to support regulatory and payer requirements. To achieve this, early dialogue between academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates is essential. Evaluating feasibility of combination strategies and then undertaking a randomised trial in the same protocol accelerates drug development. Where possible, clinical trials and development should include children, adolescents, and adults less than 40 years. To respond to emerging science, in approximately 12 months, a multi-stakeholder group will meet and review available data to determine future directions and priorities.
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23
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ACCELERATE – Five years accelerating cancer drug development for children and adolescents. Eur J Cancer 2022; 166:145-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Holterhus M, Altvater B, Kailayangiri S, Rossig C. The Cellular Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Childhood Solid Cancers: Informing More Effective Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092177. [PMID: 35565307 PMCID: PMC9105669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092177] [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: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Common pediatric solid cancers fail to respond to standard immuno-oncology agents relying on preexisting adaptive antitumor immune responses. The adoptive transfer of tumor-antigen specific T cells, such as CAR-gene modified T cells, is an attractive strategy, but its efficacy has been limited. Evidence is accumulating that local barriers in the tumor microenvironment prevent the infiltration of T cells and impede therapeutic immune responses. A thorough understanding of the components of the functional compartment of the tumor microenvironment and their interaction could inform effective combination therapies and novel engineered therapeutics, driving immunotherapy towards its full potential in pediatric patients. This review summarizes current knowledge on the cellular composition and significance of the tumor microenvironment in common extracranial solid cancers of childhood and adolescence, such as embryonal tumors and bone and soft tissue sarcomas, with a focus on myeloid cell populations that are often present in abundance in these tumors. Strategies to (co)target immunosuppressive myeloid cell populations with pharmacological anticancer agents and with selective antagonists are presented, as well as novel concepts aiming to employ myeloid cells to cooperate with antitumor T cell responses.
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Lederer CW, Koniali L, Buerki-Thurnherr T, Papasavva PL, La Grutta S, Licari A, Staud F, Bonifazi D, Kleanthous M. Catching Them Early: Framework Parameters and Progress for Prenatal and Childhood Application of Advanced Therapies. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040793. [PMID: 35456627 PMCID: PMC9031205 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are medicines for human use based on genes, cells or tissue engineering. After clear successes in adults, the nascent technology now sees increasing pediatric application. For many still untreatable disorders with pre- or perinatal onset, timely intervention is simply indispensable; thus, prenatal and pediatric applications of ATMPs hold great promise for curative treatments. Moreover, for most inherited disorders, early ATMP application may substantially improve efficiency, economy and accessibility compared with application in adults. Vindicating this notion, initial data for cell-based ATMPs show better cell yields, success rates and corrections of disease parameters for younger patients, in addition to reduced overall cell and vector requirements, illustrating that early application may resolve key obstacles to the widespread application of ATMPs for inherited disorders. Here, we provide a selective review of the latest ATMP developments for prenatal, perinatal and pediatric use, with special emphasis on its comparison with ATMPs for adults. Taken together, we provide a perspective on the enormous potential and key framework parameters of clinical prenatal and pediatric ATMP application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten W. Lederer
- The Molecular Genetics Thalassemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (P.L.P.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +357-22-392764
| | - Lola Koniali
- The Molecular Genetics Thalassemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (P.L.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Panayiota L. Papasavva
- The Molecular Genetics Thalassemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (P.L.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Amelia Licari
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic;
| | - Donato Bonifazi
- Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche (CVBF) and European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI), 70122 Bari, Italy;
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- The Molecular Genetics Thalassemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (P.L.P.); (M.K.)
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Brivio E, Baruchel A, Beishuizen A, Bourquin JP, Brown PA, Cooper T, Gore L, Kolb EA, Locatelli F, Maude SL, Mussai FJ, Vormoor-Bürger B, Vormoor J, von Stackelberg A, Zwaan CM. Targeted inhibitors and antibody immunotherapies: Novel therapies for paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma. Eur J Cancer 2022; 164:1-17. [PMID: 35121370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite improved outcomes achieved in the last decades for children with newly diagnosed leukaemia and lymphoma, treatment of patients with refractory/relapsed disease remains a challenge. The cure rate is still unsatisfactory and often achieved at the cost of significant morbidity. Exploring treatment with novel agents should offer less toxic therapeutic options, without compromising efficacy. Bispecific and antibody-drug conjugates targeting CD19 and CD22 (blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin) play an important role in the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL); antibodies targeting CD123 and CD38 are also under investigation for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and T-ALL, respectively. Targeted therapy with small molecules is of primary importance for specific genetic subtypes, such as BCR-ABL-positive ALL, FLT3-ITD AML and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. KMT2A-directed targeted therapy with menin inhibitors holds promise to be of relevance in KMT2A-rearranged leukaemias, known to have dismal prognosis. Target inhibition in cellular pathways such as BCL-2, RAS, MEK, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, JAK-STAT or CDK4/CDK6 inhibition may be suitable for different diseases with common mutated pathways. Nevertheless, development and approval of new agents for paediatric cancers lags behind adult therapeutic options. New regulations were implemented to accelerate drug development for children. Considering the number of oncology medicinal products available for adults and the rarity of paediatric cancers, prioritisation based on scientific evidence and medical need, as well as international collaboration, is critical. Herein, we review the current status of drug development for children with leukaemia and lymphoma, excluding cellular therapy despite its well-known significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Brivio
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - André Baruchel
- Hématologie-Immunologie Pédiatrique, Hoˆ pital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP) and Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Auke Beishuizen
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Pierre Bourquin
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Todd Cooper
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lia Gore
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, USA
| | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Shannon L Maude
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francis J Mussai
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cancer Research UK Birmingham Centre, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Josef Vormoor
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | | | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer Consortium, Paris, France.
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27
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Aru B, Soltani M, Pehlivanoglu C, Gürlü E, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M, Yanikkaya Demirel G. Comparison of Laboratory Methods for the Clinical Follow Up of Checkpoint Blockade Therapies in Leukemia: Current Status and Challenges Ahead. Front Oncol 2022; 12:789728. [PMID: 35155232 PMCID: PMC8829140 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.789728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the monoclonal antibodies that modulate the interaction between immune checkpoint molecules or their ligands on the immune cells or tumor tissue has revolutionized cancer treatment. While there are various studies proving their efficacy in hematological malignancies, there is also a body of accumulating evidence indicating that immune checkpoint inhibitors’ clinical benefits are limited in such diseases. In addition, due to their regulatory nature that balances the immune responses, blockade of immune checkpoints may lead to toxic side effects and autoimmune responses, and even primary or acquired resistance mechanisms may restrict their success. Thus, the need for laboratory biomarkers to identify and monitor patient populations who are more likely respond to this type of therapy and the management of side effects seem critical. However, guidelines regarding the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in hematological cancers and during follow-up are limited while there is no consensus on the laboratory parameters to be investigated for safety and efficacy of the treatment. This review aims to provide an insight into recent information on predictive and prognostic value of biomarkers and laboratory tests for the clinical follow up of hematological malignancies, with an emphasis on leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basak Aru
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mojdeh Soltani
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Cemil Pehlivanoglu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hatay Training and Research Hospital, Antakya, Turkey
| | - Ege Gürlü
- Faculty of Medicine 4thYear Student, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
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28
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Bailey S, André N, Gandola L, Massimino M, Wheatley K, Gates S, Homer V, Rutkowski S, Clifford SC. Clinical Trials in High-Risk Medulloblastoma: Evolution of the SIOP-Europe HR-MB Trial. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:374. [PMID: 35053536 PMCID: PMC8773789 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma patients receive adapted therapies stratified according to their risk-profile. Favourable, standard, and high disease-risk groups are each defined by the status of clinical and pathological risk factors, alongside an evolving repertoire of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Medulloblastoma clinical trials in Europe are coordinated by the International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP-Europe) brain tumour group. Favourable and standard-risk patients are eligible for the SIOP-PNET5-MB clinical trial protocol. In contrast, therapies for high-risk disease worldwide have, to date, encompassed a range of different treatment philosophies, with no clear consensus on approach. Higher radiotherapy doses are typically deployed, delivered either conventionally or in hyper-fractionated/accelerated regimens. Similarly, both standard and high-dose chemotherapies were assessed. However, trials to date in high-risk medulloblastoma have commonly been institutional or national, based on modest cohort sizes, and have not evaluated the relative performance of different strategies in a randomised fashion. We describe the concepts and design of the SIOP-E high-risk medulloblastoma clinical trial (SIOP-HR-MB), the first international biomarker-driven, randomised, clinical trial for high-risk medulloblastoma. SIOP-HR-MB is programmed to recruit >800 patients in 16 countries across Europe; its primary objectives are to assess the relative efficacies of the alternative established regimens. The HR-MB patient population is molecularly and clinically defined, and upfront assessments incorporate a standardised central review of molecular pathology, radiology, and radiotherapy quality assurance. Secondary objectives include the assessment of (i) novel therapies within an upfront 'window' and (ii) therapy-associated neuropsychology, toxicity, and late effects, alongside (iii) the collection of materials for comprehensive integrated studies of biological determinants within the SIOP-HR-MB cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bailey
- Great North Children’s Hospital, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK;
| | - Nicolas André
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department, Hôpital Pour Enfants de La Timone, AP-HM, 13005 Marseille, France;
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, SMARTc Unit, Inserm U1068, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Lorenza Gandola
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Keith Wheatley
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birimingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.W.); (S.G.); (V.H.)
| | - Simon Gates
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birimingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.W.); (S.G.); (V.H.)
| | - Victoria Homer
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birimingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.W.); (S.G.); (V.H.)
| | - Stefan Rutkowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Steven C. Clifford
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK;
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29
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Abstract
There are encouraging signs in our collective progress to leverage the immune system to treat pediatric cancers. Here, we summarize interim successes in cancer immunotherapy and opportunities to translate from the adult world to pediatrics, and highlight challenges that could benefit from additional development, focusing on solid tumors. Just a decade ago, other than antibodies targeting disialoganglioside (GD2) in neuroblastoma, pediatric cancer immunotherapy was mostly relegated to obscure preclinical studies in a few academic labs. Today there are numerous clinical trials of a variety of antibody, cellular, gene, and viral therapies and vaccines designed to either promote antitumor immunity or specifically attack validated immunotherapy targets. Understanding those targets and their pediatric relevance is paramount. While much work is underway to evaluate the utility of numerous immunologic targets, the lack of regulatory approvals is emblematic of the challenges that remain. Herein we focus our review on the most promising targeted immunotherapies in clinical trials for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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30
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Adoptive Cellular Therapy for Pediatric Solid Tumors: Beyond Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy. Cancer J 2022; 28:322-327. [PMID: 35880942 PMCID: PMC9847472 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Children and adolescents with high-risk (metastatic and relapsed) solid tumors have poor outcomes despite intensive multimodal therapy, and there is a pressing need for novel therapeutic strategies. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) has demonstrated activity in multiple adult cancer types, and opportunity exists to expand the use of this therapy in children. Employment of immunotherapy in the pediatric population has realized only modest overall clinical trial results, with success thus far restricted mainly to antibody-based therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies for lymphoid malignancy. As we improve our understanding of the orchestrated cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in ACT, this will provide biologic insight and improved ACT strategies for pediatric malignancies. This review focuses on ACT strategies outside of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, including completed and ongoing clinical trials, and highlights promising preclinical data in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes that enhance the clinical efficacy of ACT for high-risk pediatric solid tumors.
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31
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Pearson AD, Rossig C, Mackall C, Shah NN, Baruchel A, Reaman G, Ricafort R, Heenen D, Bassan A, Berntgen M, Bird N, Bleickardt E, Bouchkouj N, Bross P, Brownstein C, Cohen SB, de Rojas T, Ehrlich L, Fox E, Gottschalk S, Hanssens L, Hawkins DS, Horak ID, Taylor DH, Johnson C, Karres D, Ligas F, Ludwinski D, Mamonkin M, Marshall L, Masouleh BK, Matloub Y, Maude S, McDonough J, Minard-Colin V, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Pearce L, Pieters R, Pule M, Quintás-Cardama A, Richardson N, Schüßler-Lenz M, Scobie N, Sersch MA, Smith MA, Sterba J, Tasian SK, Weigel B, Weiner SL, Zwaan CM, Lesa G, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells in children and adolescents with cancer: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2021; 160:112-133. [PMID: 34840026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The seventh multi-stakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells for children and adolescents with cancer. The development of CAR T-cells for patients with haematological malignancies, especially B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL), has been spectacular. However, currently, there are scientific, clinical and logistical challenges for use of CAR T-cells in BCP-ALL and other paediatric malignancies, particularly in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), lymphomas and solid tumours. The aims of the Forum were to summarise the current landscape of CAR T-cell therapy development in paediatrics, too identify current challenges and future directions, with consideration of other immune effector modalities and ascertain the best strategies to accelerate their development and availability to children. Although the effect is of limited duration in about half of the patients, anti-CD19 CAR T-cells produce high response rates in relapsed/refractory BCP-ALL and this has highlighted previously unknown mechanisms of relapse. CAR T-cell treatment as first- or second-line therapy could also potentially benefit patients whose disease has high-risk features associated with relapse and failure of conventional therapies. Identifying patients with very early and early relapse in whom CAR T-cell therapy may replace haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and be definitive therapy versus those in whom it provides a more effective bridge to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a very high priority. Development of approaches to improve persistence, either by improving T cell fitness or using more humanised/fully humanised products and co-targeting of multiple antigens to prevent antigen escape, could potentially further optimise therapy. Many differences exist between paediatric B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) and BCP-ALL. In view of the very small patient numbers with relapsed lymphoma, careful prioritisation is needed to evaluate CAR T-cells in children with Burkitt lymphoma, primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma and other NHL subtypes. Combination trials of alternative targets to CD19 (CD20 or CD22) should also be explored as a priority to improve efficacy in this population. Development of CD30 CAR T-cell immunotherapy strategies in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma will likely be most efficiently accomplished by joint paediatric and adult trials. CAR T-cell approaches are early in development for AML and T-ALL, given the unique challenges of successful immunotherapy actualisation in these diseases. At this time, CD33 and CD123 appear to be the most universal targets in AML and CD7 in T-ALL. The results of ongoing or planned first-in-human studies are required to facilitate further understanding. There are promising early results in solid tumours, particularly with GD2 targeting cell therapies in neuroblastoma and central nervous system gliomas that represent significant unmet clinical needs. Further understanding of biology is critical to success. The comparative benefits of autologous versus allogeneic CAR T-cells, T-cells engineered with T cell receptors T-cells engineered with T cell receptor fusion constructs, CAR Natural Killer (NK)-cell products, bispecific T-cell engager antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates require evaluation in paediatric malignancies. Early and proactive academia and multi-company engagement are mandatory to advance cellular immunotherapies in paediatric oncology. Regulatory advice should be sought very early in the design and preparation of clinical trials of innovative medicines, for which regulatory approval may ultimately be sought. Aligning strategic, scientific, regulatory, health technology and funding requirements from the inception of a clinical trial is especially important as these are very expensive therapies. The model for drug development for cell therapy in paediatric oncology could also involve a 'later stage handoff' to industry after early development in academic hands. Finally, and very importantly, strategies must evolve to ensure appropriate ease of access for children who need and could potentially benefit from these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Rossig
- University Children´s Hospital Muenster, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Germany
| | - Crystal Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Stanford University, Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nirali N Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - Andre Baruchel
- Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP) and Université de Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Berntgen
- Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shannon Maude
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Veronique Minard-Colin
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Martina Schüßler-Lenz
- Chair of CAT (Committee for Advanced Therapies), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands; Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jaroslav Sterba
- University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah K Tasian
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - Christian Michel Zwaan
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Netherlands; Haematological Malignancies Co-Chair Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer Consortium (ITCC), Europe; Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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Ferreras C, Fernández L, Clares-Villa L, Ibáñez-Navarro M, Martín-Cortázar C, Esteban-Rodríguez I, Saceda J, Pérez-Martínez A. Facing CAR T Cell Challenges on the Deadliest Paediatric Brain Tumours. Cells 2021; 10:2940. [PMID: 34831165 PMCID: PMC8616287 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumours comprise 25% of the paediatric cancer diagnoses and are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Current treatments for paediatric CNS tumours are far from optimal and fail for those that relapsed or are refractory to treatment. Besides, long-term sequelae in the developing brain make it mandatory to find new innovative approaches. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy has increased survival in patients with B-cell malignancies, but the intrinsic biological characteristics of CNS tumours hamper their success. The location, heterogeneous antigen expression, limited infiltration of T cells into the tumour, the selective trafficking provided by the blood-brain barrier, and the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment have emerged as the main hurdles that need to be overcome for the success of CAR T cell therapy. In this review, we will focus mainly on the characteristics of the deadliest high-grade CNS paediatric tumours (medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and high-grade gliomas) and the potential of CAR T cell therapy to increase survival and patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreras
- Translational Research in Paediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.); (L.C.-V.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Lucía Fernández
- Haematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Department, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.F.); (M.I.-N.)
| | - Laura Clares-Villa
- Translational Research in Paediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.); (L.C.-V.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Marta Ibáñez-Navarro
- Haematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Department, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.F.); (M.I.-N.)
| | - Carla Martín-Cortázar
- Translational Research in Paediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.); (L.C.-V.); (C.M.-C.)
| | | | - Javier Saceda
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Translational Research in Paediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (C.F.); (L.C.-V.); (C.M.-C.)
- Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Department, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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33
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Que Y, Hu Y, Hong D, Zhang Y. Trends in clinical development of pediatric cancer for PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors: an analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002920. [PMID: 34583971 PMCID: PMC8479973 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, positive findings have been acquired through the approach of blocking the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway with antibodies that exert inhibitory effects on PD-1 or cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1). Results from clinical trials showed great potential in adult patients with cancers, such as melanoma, non-small cell carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, studies of checkpoint inhibitors specifically targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in pediatric patients are limited. We evaluated ongoing clinical trials using PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors alone or in combination with other therapies to treat pediatric cancer. The proportion of PD-1/PD-L1 combination clinical trials has increased since 2018; the three most common trials over the past 2 years used CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy, and therapies that target the vascular endothelial growth factor axis. This commentary aimed to provide trends and specific insights into methods for conducting clinical trials of immunotherapy in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Que
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dongchun Hong
- Department of Medical Melanoma and Sarcoma, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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34
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Abstract
Results of immunotherapy in childhood solid cancer have been so far, with the exception of neuroblastoma, quite disappointing. Lack of knowledge of the immune contexture of these tumors may have contributed to the failure of immunotherapies so far. Here, we systematically reviewed the literature regarding the immunology of Wilms tumor (WT), one of the most frequent pediatric solid tumors of the abdomen. In Wilms tumor patients the high cure rate of >90%, achieved by the combination of surgery and radio-chemotherapy, is at the expense of a high early and late toxicity. Moreover, treatment-resistant entities, such as diffuse anaplastic tumors or recurrent disease, still pose unsolved clinical problems. Successful immunotherapy could represent a novel and possibly less-toxic treatment option. Employing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) method of literature search, we analyzed the current knowledge of the immunological landscape of Wilms tumors in terms of tumor microenvironment, prognostic implications of single biomarkers, and immunotherapy response.
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35
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Pearson ADJ, Barry E, Mossé YP, Ligas F, Bird N, de Rojas T, Zimmerman ZF, Wilner K, Woessmann W, Weiner S, Weigel B, Venkatramani R, Valteau D, Trahair T, Smith M, Singh S, Selvaggi G, Scobie N, Schleiermacher G, Richardson N, Park J, Nysom K, Norga K, Merino M, McDonough J, Matloub Y, Marshall LV, Lowe E, Lesa G, Irwin M, Karres D, Gajjar A, Doz F, Fox E, DuBois SG, Donoghue M, Casanova M, Caron H, Buenger V, Bradford D, Blanc P, Barone A, Reaman G, Vassal G. Second Paediatric Strategy Forum for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition in paediatric malignancies: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with the participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2021; 157:198-213. [PMID: 34536944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The first (2017) and sixth (2021) multistakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forums focused on anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition in paediatric malignancies. ALK is an important oncogene and target in several paediatric tumours (anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL], inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour [IMT], neuroblastoma and hemispheric gliomas in infants and young children) with unmet therapeutic needs. ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been demonstrated to be active both in ALK fusion-kinase positive ALCL and IMT. ALK alterations differ, with fusions occurring in ALCL, IMT and gliomas, and activating mutations and amplification in neuroblastoma. While there are many ALK inhibitors in development, the number of children diagnosed with ALK driven malignancies is very small. The objectives of this ALK Forum were to (i) Describe current knowledge of ALK biology in childhood cancers; (ii) Provide an overview of the development of ALK inhibitors for children; (iii) Identify the unmet needs taking into account planned or current ongoing trials; (iv) Conclude how second/third-generation inhibitors could be evaluated and prioritised; (v) Identify lessons learnt from the experience with ALK inhibitors to accelerate the paediatric development of other anti-cancer targeted agents in the new regulatory environments. There has been progress over the last four years, with more trials of ALK inhibitors opened in paediatrics and more regulatory submissions. In January 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved crizotinib for the treatment of paediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory ALCL and there are paediatric investigation plans (PIPs) for brigatinib and for crizotinib in ALCL and IMT. In ALCL, the current goal is to investigate the inclusion of ALK inhibitors in front-line therapy with the aim of decreasing toxicity with higher/similar efficacy compared to present first-line therapies. For IMT, the focus is to develop a joint prospective trial with one product in children, adolescents and adults, taking advantage of the common biology across the age spectrum. As approximately 50% of IMTs are ALK-positive, molecular analysis is required to identify patients to be treated with an ALK inhibitor. For neuroblastoma, crizotinib has not shown robust anti-tumour activity. A focused and sequential development of ALK inhibitors with very good central nervous system (CNS) penetration in CNS tumours with ALK fusions should be undertaken. The Forum reinforced the strong need for global academic collaboration, very early involvement of regulators with studies seeking possible registration and early academia-multicompany engagement. Innovations in study design and conduct and the use of 'real-world data' supporting development in these rare sub-groups of patients for whom randomised clinical trials are not feasible are important initiatives. A focused and sequenced development strategy, where one product is evaluated first with other products being assessed sequentially, is applicable for ALK inhibitors and other medicinal products in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yael P Mossé
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Lynley V Marshall
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research, UK
| | - Eric Lowe
- Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, France
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36
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Nigro O, Ferrari A, Casanova M, Orbach D, Leruste A, Gatz SA, Frappaz D, Massimino M. Controversies on the possible role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric cancers: balancing irAEs and efficacy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 107:276-281. [PMID: 33877022 DOI: 10.1177/03008916211010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric cancers are not the equivalent of adult cancers occurring at a younger age and the prospect of immunotherapy in children has not been received with the same enthusiasm as in the adult setting. Although most pediatric malignancies are considered immunologically cold, we are learning more about PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability in several pediatric cancers. The side effects of immunotherapy are an important consideration. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) engender a unique constellation of inflammatory toxicities known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Three early-phase trials-KEYNOTE-051, iMATRIX, and ADVL1412-were the first to describe irAEs in pediatric patients and ICIs were well tolerated. There was concern about unknown late irAEs in pediatric patients, as they have much more time to develop than in adult or elderly patients. Academic clinicians, biopharmaceutical companies, and parents' advocates concluded that no benefit could be expected from further monotherapy trials employing other ICIs with the same mechanism of action until more scientific knowledge becomes available. On the other hand, ICIs could be useful in combination with other therapies to prevent the functional inactivation of several pathways in the hostile microenvironment. Future clinical studies on ICIs in children need to build on strong biological premises, taking into account the distinctive immunobiology of pediatric cancers vis-à-vis ICI-responsive adult cancers. We need to gain and share experiences of new therapies for managing pediatric patients with cancer, clarifying to what extent we can extrapolate the data obtained in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Nigro
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniel Orbach
- SIREDO Pediatric Cancer Center, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Amaury Leruste
- SIREDO Pediatric Cancer Center, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Didier Frappaz
- Département de Neuro-Oncologie, Centre Léon-Bérard, Institut d'Hématologie et Oncologie Pédiatrique et Adulte, Lyon, France
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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Kieran MW, Caron H, Winther JF, Henderson TO, Haupt R, Hjorth L, Hudson MM, Kremer LCM, van der Pal HJ, Pearson ADJ, Pereira L, Reaman G, Skinner R, Vassal G, Weiner SL, Horton Taylor D. A global approach to long-term follow-up of targeted and immune-based therapy in childhood and adolescence. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29047. [PMID: 33860611 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
While considerable efforts and progress in our understanding of the long-term toxicities of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in children with cancer have been made over the last 5 decades, there continues to be a wide gap in our knowledge of the long-term health impact of most novel targeted and immunotherapy agents. To address this gap, ACCELERATE, a multi-stakeholder collaboration of clinical and translational academics, regulators from the EMA and FDA, patient/family advocates and members spanning small biotechnology through to large pharmaceutical companies have initiated the development of an international long-term follow-up data registry to collect this important information prospectively. Providing critical safety data on the long-term use of these approved and investigational therapies in children will support the regulatory requirements and labeling information. It will also provide the necessary insight to help guide physicians and families on the appropriateness of a targeted or immune therapy for their child and inform survivorship planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Kieran
- ACCELERATE Platform LTFU Working Group Co-Chair, ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Oncology, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hubert Caron
- Global Development Leader for Pediatric Oncology, Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeanette Falck Winther
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University and University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tara O Henderson
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Riccardo Haupt
- PanCare, Bussum, The Netherlands.,Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit and DOPO Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Lars Hjorth
- PanCare, Bussum, The Netherlands.,Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Melissa M Hudson
- Cancer Survivorship Division, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Leontien C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, and Wilhemina Children's Hospital, UMC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,PanCare, Bussum, The Netherlands
| | - Helena J van der Pal
- Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, and Wilhemina Children's Hospital, UMC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,PanCare, Bussum, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Gregory Reaman
- Pediatric Oncology Program, Oncology Center of Excellence and Office of Oncologic Diseases, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Roderick Skinner
- PanCare, Bussum, The Netherlands.,Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Haematology/Oncology, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium.,Paediatric Oncology Department, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris-Sud University, Villejuif, France
| | - Susan L Weiner
- Children's Cancer Cause, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Danielle Horton Taylor
- ACCELERATE Platform LTFU Working Group Co-Chair, ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium.,ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium.,Paediatric Oncology Reference Team (PORT), London, England
| | -
- ACCELERATE Platform LTFU Working Group Co-Chair, ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium
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Rzeniewicz K, Larkin J, Menzies AM, Turajlic S. Immunotherapy use outside clinical trial populations: never say never? Ann Oncol 2021; 32:866-880. [PMID: 33771665 PMCID: PMC9246438 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.03.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on favourable outcomes in clinical trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), most notably programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, are now widely used across multiple cancer types. However, due to their strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinical studies often do not address challenges presented by non-trial populations. DESIGN This review summarises available data on the efficacy and safety of ICIs in trial-ineligible patients, including those with autoimmune disease, chronic viral infections, organ transplants, organ dysfunction, poor performance status, and brain metastases, as well as the elderly, children, and those who are pregnant. In addition, we review data concerning other real-world challenges with ICIs, including timing of therapy switch, relationships to radiotherapy or surgery, re-treatment after an immune-related toxicity, vaccinations in patients on ICIs, and current experience around ICI and coronavirus disease-19. Where possible, we provide recommendations to aid the often-difficult decision-making process in those settings. CONCLUSIONS Data suggest that ICIs are often active and have an acceptable safety profile in the populations described above, with the exception of PD-1 inhibitors in solid organ transplant recipients. Decisions about whether to treat with ICIs should be personalised and require multidisciplinary input and careful counselling of patients with respect to potential risks and benefits. Clinical judgements need to be carefully weighed, considering factors such as underlying cancer type, feasibility of alternative treatment options, or activity in trial-eligible patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rzeniewicz
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK; Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - J Larkin
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, Sydney, Australia
| | - S Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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Barry E, Walsh JA, Weinrich SL, Beaupre D, Blasi E, Arenson DR, Jacobs IA. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape to Develop Pediatric Oncology Drugs: Expert Opinion Recommendations. Paediatr Drugs 2021; 23:381-394. [PMID: 34173206 PMCID: PMC8275539 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-021-00455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory changes have been enacted in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to encourage the development of new treatments for pediatric cancer. Here, we review some of the factors that have hampered the development of pediatric cancer treatments and provide a comparison of the US and EU regulations implemented to address this clinical need. We then provide some recommendations for each stage of the oncology drug development pathway to help researchers maximize their chance of successful drug development while complying with regulations. A key recommendation is the engagement of key stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, pediatric oncologists, academic researchers, patient advocacy groups, and a Pediatric Expert Group early in the drug development process. During drug target selection, sponsors are encouraged to consult the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the FDA target list, in addition to relevant US and European consortia that have been established to characterize and prioritize oncology drug targets. Sponsors also need to carefully consider the resourcing requirements for preclinical testing, which include ensuring appropriate access to the most relevant databases, clinical samples, and preclinical models (cell lines and animal models). During clinical development, sponsors can account for the pharmacodynamic (PD)/pharmacokinetic (PK) considerations specific to a pediatric population by developing pediatric formulations, selecting suitable PD endpoints, and employing sparse PK sampling or modeling/simulation of drug exposures where appropriate. Additional clinical considerations include the specific design of the clinical trial, the potential inclusion of children in adult trials, and the value of cooperative group trials.
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40
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Pasqualini C, Rubino J, Brard C, Cassard L, André N, Rondof W, Scoazec JY, Marchais A, Nebchi S, Boselli L, Grivel J, Aerts I, Thebaud E, Paoletti X, Minard-Colin V, Vassal G, Geoerger B. Phase II and biomarker study of programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor nivolumab and metronomic cyclophosphamide in paediatric relapsed/refractory solid tumours: Arm G of AcSé-ESMART, a trial of the European Innovative Therapies for Children With Cancer Consortium. Eur J Cancer 2021; 150:53-62. [PMID: 33892407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE AcSé-ESMART is a European multicentre, proof-of-concept multiarm phase I/II platform trial in paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory cancer. Arm G assessed the activity and safety of nivolumab in combination with metronomic cyclophosphamide +/- irradiation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Following a Phase II Simon two-stage design, nivolumab was administered intravenously at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks of a 28-day cycle, oral cyclophosphamide at 25 mg/m2 twice a day, 1 week on/1 week off. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Irradiation/radioablation of primary tumour or metastasis could be administered as per physician's choice. Biomarker evaluation was performed by tumour immunohistochemistry, whole exome and RNA sequencing, and immunophenotyping of peripheral blood by flow cytometry. RESULTS Thirteen patients were treated with a median age of 15 years (range: 5.5-19.4). The main histologies were high-grade glioma, neuroblastoma, and desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT). The safety profile was similar to those of single-agent nivolumab, albeit haematologic toxicity, mainly lymphocytopenia, was commonly reported with the addition of cyclophosphamide +/- irradiation. Two patients with DSRCT and ependymoma presented unconfirmed partial response and prolonged disease stabilisation. Low mutational load with modest intratumour CD3+ T-cell infiltration and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment were observed in the tumour samples. Under combined treatment, no positive modulation of circulating T cells was displayed, while derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio increased. CONCLUSIONS Nivolumab in combination with cyclophosphamide was well tolerated but had limited activity in this paediatric setting. Metronomic cyclophosphamide did not modulate systemic immune response that could compensate limited T-cell infiltration and the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER NCT2813135.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pasqualini
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jonathan Rubino
- Clinical Research Direction, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Caroline Brard
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lydie Cassard
- Laboratory of Immune-Monitoring in Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nicolas André
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hôpital de La Timone, AP-HM, Marseille, France; UMR Inserm 1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix Marseille Université U105, Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), Marseille, France; Metronomics Global Health Initiative, Marseille, France
| | - Windy Rondof
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- Department of Medical Biology and Pathology of Translational Research and Biobank, AMMICA, Laboratory INSERM US23/CNRS UMS3655, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Antonin Marchais
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Souad Nebchi
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lisa Boselli
- Laboratory of Immune-Monitoring in Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jonathan Grivel
- Laboratory of Immune-Monitoring in Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Aerts
- SIREDO Oncology Center (Care, Innovation and Research for Children and AYA with Cancer), Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Thebaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France
| | - Xavier Paoletti
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Véronique Minard-Colin
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Clinical Research Direction, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France; INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
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41
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Tsotridou E, Vasileiou E, Mantadakis E, Tragiannidis A. Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Children and Young Adults with Haematological Malignancies: Review and Future Perspectives. Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:20-33. [PMID: 33970848 DOI: 10.2174/1871525719666210510171132] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the marked improvement in overall survival rates of paediatric patients with haematological malignancies that has been achieved during the last decades, there is still a pressing need for novel therapeutic approaches for the subset of patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Immune checkpoint inhibitors aim to induce potent anti-tumour immune responses by targeted blockade of inhibitory receptors and have shown great promise in preclinical models and studies in the adult population. However, paediatric malignancies present unique features and so far, experience with these agents remains limited. In the current review we present an overview of efficacy and safety data from case reports, case series and clinical trials employing the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in children, adolescents and young adults with haematological malignancies. We also discuss new possibilities involving novel targets and combination treatments and provide a summary of the currently registered clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Tsotridou
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Childhood and Adolescent Hematology Oncology Unit, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Vasileiou
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Childhood and Adolescent Hematology Oncology Unit, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elpis Mantadakis
- Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, Democritus University of Thrace Faculty of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tragiannidis
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Childhood and Adolescent Hematology Oncology Unit, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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42
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Laetsch TW, DuBois SG, Bender JG, Macy ME, Moreno L. Opportunities and Challenges in Drug Development for Pediatric Cancers. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:545-559. [PMID: 33277309 PMCID: PMC7933059 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of targeted small-molecule therapeutics and immunotherapeutics has been limited to date in pediatric oncology. Recently, the number of pediatric approvals has risen, and regulatory initiatives in the United States and Europe have aimed to increase the study of novel anticancer therapies in children. Challenges of drug development in children include the rarity of individual cancer diagnoses and the high prevalence of difficult-to-drug targets, including transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. Ongoing pediatric adaptation of biomarker-driven trial designs and further exploration of agents targeting non-kinase drivers constitute high-priority objectives for future pediatric oncology drug development. SIGNIFICANCE: Increasing attention to drug development for children with cancer by regulators and pharmaceutical companies holds the promise of accelerating the availability of new therapies for children with cancer, potentially improving survival and decreasing the acute and chronic toxicities of therapy. However, unique approaches are necessary to study novel therapies in children that take into account low patient numbers, the pediatric cancer genomic landscape and tumor microenvironment, and the need for pediatric formulations. It is also critical to evaluate the potential for unique toxicities in growing hosts without affecting the pace of discovery for children with these life-threatening diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W Laetsch
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Margaret E Macy
- Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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43
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Suwala AK, Stichel D, Schrimpf D, Kloor M, Wefers AK, Reinhardt A, Maas SLN, Kratz CP, Schweizer L, Hasselblatt M, Snuderl M, Abedalthagafi MSJ, Abdullaev Z, Monoranu CM, Bergmann M, Pekrun A, Freyschlag C, Aronica E, Kramm CM, Hinz F, Sievers P, Korshunov A, Kool M, Pfister SM, Sturm D, Jones DTW, Wick W, Unterberg A, Hartmann C, Dodgshun A, Tabori U, Wesseling P, Sahm F, von Deimling A, Reuss DE. Primary mismatch repair deficient IDH-mutant astrocytoma (PMMRDIA) is a distinct type with a poor prognosis. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:85-100. [PMID: 33216206 PMCID: PMC7785563 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02243-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse IDH-mutant astrocytoma mostly occurs in adults and carries a favorable prognosis compared to IDH-wildtype malignant gliomas. Acquired mismatch repair deficiency is known to occur in recurrent IDH-mutant gliomas as resistance mechanism towards alkylating chemotherapy. In this multi-institutional study, we report a novel epigenetic group of 32 IDH-mutant gliomas with proven or suspected hereditary mismatch repair deficiency. None of the tumors exhibited a combined 1p/19q deletion. These primary mismatch repair-deficient IDH-mutant astrocytomas (PMMRDIA) were histologically high-grade and were mainly found in children, adolescents and young adults (median age 14 years). Mismatch repair deficiency syndromes (Lynch or Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency Syndrom (CMMRD)) were clinically diagnosed and/or germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH6, MSH2) were found in all cases, except one case with a family and personal history of colon cancer and another case with MSH6-deficiency available only as recurrent tumor. Loss of at least one of the mismatch repair proteins was detected via immunohistochemistry in all, but one case analyzed. Tumors displayed a hypermutant genotype and microsatellite instability was present in more than half of the sequenced cases. Integrated somatic mutational and chromosomal copy number analyses showed frequent inactivation of TP53, RB1 and activation of RTK/PI3K/AKT pathways. In contrast to the majority of IDH-mutant gliomas, more than 60% of the samples in our cohort presented with an unmethylated MGMT promoter. While the rate of immuno-histochemical ATRX loss was reduced, variants of unknown significance were more frequently detected possibly indicating a higher frequency of ATRX inactivation by protein malfunction. Compared to reference cohorts of other IDH-mutant gliomas, primary mismatch repair-deficient IDH-mutant astrocytomas have by far the worst clinical outcome with a median survival of only 15 months irrespective of histological or molecular features. The findings reveal a so far unknown entity of IDH-mutant astrocytoma with high prognostic relevance. Diagnosis can be established by aligning with the characteristic DNA methylation profile, by DNA-sequencing-based proof of mismatch repair deficiency or immunohistochemically demonstrating loss-of-mismatch repair proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail K Suwala
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Damian Stichel
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Schrimpf
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kloor
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University Hospital Heidelberg, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annika K Wefers
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annekathrin Reinhardt
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sybren L N Maas
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian P Kratz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Leonille Schweizer
- Department of Neuropathology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Division of Neuropathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, USA
- Division of Molecular Pathology and Diagnostics, NYU Langone Health, New York, USA
| | - Malak Sameer J Abedalthagafi
- Pathology Department, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Genomics Research Department, Saudi Human Genome Project, King Fahad Medical City and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zied Abdullaev
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Camelia M Monoranu
- Institute of Pathology, Julius-Maximilians-University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Bergmann
- Institute of Clinical Neuropathology, Bremen-Mitte Medical Center, Bremen, Germany
| | - Arnulf Pekrun
- Professor Hess Children's Hospital, Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christof M Kramm
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Felix Hinz
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Sievers
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Sturm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology and Neurooncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Unterberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Hartmann
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrew Dodgshun
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Children's Haematology and Oncology Center, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Uri Tabori
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Haematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers/VUmc and Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David E Reuss
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Algeri M, Locatelli F. Pembrolizumab (and friends) in pediatric malignancies: should we consider Hodgkin lymphoma a world of its own? ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1112. [PMID: 33145331 PMCID: PMC7576004 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2020.04.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Algeri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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45
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Thompson LL, Chang MS, McCormack L, Polyakov NJ, Song H, Huang JT, Chen ST. Discordance between recommended and delivered therapies for immunotherapy-associated cutaneous toxicities in pediatric populations. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28653. [PMID: 32798306 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leah L Thompson
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael S Chang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lindsay McCormack
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicole J Polyakov
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hannah Song
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer T Huang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Steven T Chen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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46
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Pearson AD, Stegmaier K, Bourdeaut F, Reaman G, Heenen D, Meyers ML, Armstrong SA, Brown P, De Carvalho D, Jabado N, Marshall L, Rivera M, Smith M, Adamson PC, Barone A, Baumann C, Blackman S, Buenger V, Donoghue M, Duncan AD, Fox E, Gadbaw B, Hattersley M, Ho P, Jacobs I, Kelly MJ, Kieran M, Lesa G, Ligas F, Ludwinski D, McDonough J, Nikolova Z, Norga K, Senderowicz A, Taube T, Weiner S, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of epigenetic modifiers for children: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2020; 139:135-148. [PMID: 32992153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The fifth multistakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focussed on epigenetic modifier therapies for children and adolescents with cancer. As most mutations in paediatric malignancies influence chromatin-associated proteins or transcription and paediatric cancers are driven by developmental gene expression programs, targeting epigenetic mechanisms is predicted to be a very important therapeutic approach in paediatric cancer. The Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act FDARA amendments to section 505B of the FD&C Act was implemented in August 2020, and as there are many epigenetic targets on the FDA Paediatric Molecular Targets List, clinical evaluation of epigenetic modifiers in paediatric cancers should be considered early in drug development. Companies are also required to submit to the EMA paediatric investigation plans aiming to ensure that the necessary data to support the authorisation of a medicine for children in EU are of high quality and ethically researched. The specific aims of the forum were i) to identify epigenetic targets or mechanisms of action associated with epigenetic modification relevant to paediatric cancers and ii) to define the landscape for paediatric drug development of epigenetic modifier therapies. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors/hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors were largely excluded from discussion as the aim was to discuss those targets for which therapeutic agents are currently in early paediatric and adult development. Epigenetics is an evolving field and could be highly relevant to many paediatric cancers; the biology is multifaceted and new targets are frequently emerging. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric malignancy has in most circumstances yet to reach or extend beyond clinical proof of concept, as many targets do not yet have available investigational drugs developed. Eight classes of medicinal products were discussed and prioritised based on the existing level of science to support early evaluation in children: inhibitors of menin, DOT1L, EZH2, EED, BET, PRMT5 and LSD1 and a retinoic acid receptor alpha agonist. Menin inhibitors should be moved rapidly into paediatric development, in view of their biological rationale, strong preclinical activity and ability to fulfil an unmet clinical need. A combination approach is critical for successful utilisation of any epigenetic modifiers (e.g. EZH2 and EED) and exploration of the optimum combination(s) should be supported by preclinical research and, where possible, molecular biomarker validation in advance of clinical translation. A follow-up multistakeholder meeting focussing on BET inhibitors will be held to define how to prioritise the multiple compounds in clinical development that could be evaluated in children with cancer. As epigenetic modifiers are relatively early in development in paediatrics, there is a clear opportunity to shape the landscape of therapies targeting the epigenome in order that efficient and optimum plans for their evaluation in children and adolescents are developed in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust/Institute of Cancer Research, UK
| | | | | | - Peter C Adamson
- Sanofi US, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics and Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
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47
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Samoa RA, Lee HS, Kil SH, Roep BO. Anti-PD-1 Therapy-Associated Type 1 Diabetes in a Pediatric Patient With Relapsed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:2293-2295. [PMID: 32616607 PMCID: PMC7440902 DOI: 10.2337/dc20-0740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) perturb T-cell regulatory pathways to enhance antitumor immunity. However, an increase reporting of ICI-associated diabetes is observed in adults. To our knowledge, no cases have been reported in the pediatric population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We describe a pediatric case of ICI-associated type 1 diabetes in a 12-year-old Hispanic boy with Hodgkin lymphoma. The patient had a history of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and was treated with pembrolizumab after disease progression. RESULTS The patient was admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis after five cycles of pembrolizumab. The patient was discharged with daily insulin injections and has continued on exogenous insulin ever since. CONCLUSIONS The expanded ICI use may lead to more cases in pediatric patients as has been observed in adults. Considering the acute manifestation of diabetes and the added burden of lifelong insulin therapy, in particular for pediatric patients and their families, monitoring and education of ICI-associated diabetes in children is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynald A Samoa
- Department of Clinical Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Hayley S Lee
- Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Sung H Kil
- Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Bart O Roep
- Department of Diabetes Immunology, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
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48
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Pearson ADJ, Zwaan CM, Kolb EA, Karres D, Guillot J, Kim SY, Marshall L, Tasian SK, Smith M, Cooper T, Adamson PC, Barry E, Benettaib B, Binlich F, Borgman A, Brivio E, Capdeville R, Delgado D, Faller D, Fogelstrand L, Fraenkel PG, Hasle H, Heenen D, Kaspers G, Kieran M, Klusmann JH, Lesa G, Ligas F, Mappa S, Mohamed H, Moore A, Morris J, Nottage K, Reinhardt D, Scobie N, Simko S, Winkler T, Norga K, Reaman G, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development for acute myeloid leukaemia in children and adolescents: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2020; 136:116-129. [PMID: 32688206 PMCID: PMC7789799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The current standard-of-care for front-line therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) results in short-term and long-term toxicity, but still approximately 40% of children relapse. Therefore, there is a major need to accelerate the evaluation of innovative medicines, yet drug development continues to be adult-focused. Furthermore, the large number of competing agents in rare patient populations requires coordinated prioritisation, within the global regulatory framework and cooperative group initiatives. Methods: The fourth multi-stakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on AML in children and adolescents. Results: CD123 is a high priority target and the paediatric development should be accelerated as a proof-of-concept. Efforts must be coordinated, however, as there are a limited number of studies that can be delivered. Studies of FLT3 inhibitors in agreed paediatric investigation plans present challenges to be completed because they require enrolment of a larger number of patients than actually exist. A consensus was developed by industry and academia of optimised clinical trials. For AML with rare mutations that are more frequent in adolescents than in children, adult trials should enrol adolescents and when scientifically justified, efficacy data could be extrapolated. Methodologies and definitions of minimal residual disease need to be standardised internationally and validated as a new response criterion. Industry supported, academic sponsored platform trials could identify products to be further developed. The Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society PedAL/EUpAL initiative has the potential to be a major advance in the field. Conclusion: These initiatives continue to accelerate drug development for children with AML and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ITCC, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Julie Guillot
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Leukaemia Lymphoma Society, Target Paediatric AML, USA
| | | | - Lynley Marshall
- Royal Marsden Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, UK
| | - Sarah K Tasian
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Malcolm Smith
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | | | - Peter C Adamson
- Sanofi US, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics & Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Erica Brivio
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ITCC, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Linda Fogelstrand
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | | | - Gertjan Kaspers
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ITCC, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Andrew Moore
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Koen Norga
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, FAMHP, Belgium
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE/ITCC, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, France
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49
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Karres D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Annunen P, van Dartel M, Demolis P, Galluzzo S, Herold R, van Criekingen OK, Stoyanova-Beninska V, Norga K. Can a Multistakeholder Prioritization Structure Support Regulatory Decision Making? A Review of Pediatric Oncology Strategy Forums Reflecting on Challenges and Opportunities of this Concept. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020; 108:553-556. [PMID: 32559312 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Timely and successful drug development for rare cancer populations, such as pediatric oncology, requires consolidated efforts in the spirit of shared responsibility. In order to advance tailored development efforts, the concept of multistakeholder Strategy Forum involving industry, academia, patient organizations, and regulators has been developed. In this study, we review the first five pediatric oncology Strategy Forums co-organized by the European Medicines Agency between 2017 and 2020, reflecting on the outcomes and the evolution of the concept over time and providing an outline of how a "safe space" for multistakeholder engagement facilitated by regulators could be of potential value beyond pediatric oncology drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pia Annunen
- Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea), Helsinki, Finland
- EMA's Paediatric Committee (PDCO), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Dartel
- EMA's Paediatric Committee (PDCO), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre Demolis
- Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM), SAINT-DENIS CEDEX, France
- EMA's Scientific Advice Working Party, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Galluzzo
- EMA's Paediatric Committee (PDCO), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Italian Medicine Agency (AIFA), Rome, Italy
| | - Ralf Herold
- Oncology and Haematology Office, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), The Netherlands
| | | | - Violeta Stoyanova-Beninska
- Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- EMA's Paediatric Committee (PDCO), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium
- EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Paediatric Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
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