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Keenan C, Albeituni S, Oak N, Stroh A, Tillman HS, Wang Y, Freeman BB, Alemán-Arteaga S, Meyer LK, Woods R, Verbist KC, Zhou Y, Cheng C, Nichols KE. Differential effects of itacitinib, fedratinib, and ruxolitinib in mouse models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Blood 2024; 143:2386-2400. [PMID: 38446698 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) comprises a severe hyperinflammatory phenotype driven by the overproduction of cytokines, many of which signal via the JAK/STAT pathway. Indeed, the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials in HLH. Nevertheless, concerns remain for ruxolitinib-induced cytopenias, which are postulated to result from the blockade of JAK2-dependent hematopoietic growth factors. To explore the therapeutic effects of selective JAK inhibition in mouse models of HLH, we carried out studies incorporating the JAK1 inhibitor itacitinib, JAK2 inhibitor fedratinib, and JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. All 3 drugs were well-tolerated and at the doses tested, they suppressed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-induced STAT1 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Itacitinib, but not fedratinib, significantly improved survival and clinical scores in CpG-induced secondary HLH. Conversely, in primary HLH, in which perforin-deficient (Prf1-/-) mice are infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), itacitinib, and fedratinib performed suboptimally. Ruxolitinib demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in both HLH models. RNA-sequencing of splenocytes from LCMV-infected Prf1-/- mice revealed that itacitinib targeted inflammatory and metabolic pathway genes in CD8 T cells, whereas fedratinib targeted genes regulating cell proliferation and metabolism. In monocytes, neither drug conferred major transcriptional impacts. Consistent with its superior clinical effects, ruxolitinib exerted the greatest transcriptional changes in CD8 T cells and monocytes, targeting more genes across several biologic pathways, most notably JAK-dependent proinflammatory signaling. We conclude that JAK1 inhibition is sufficient to curtail CpG-induced disease, but combined inhibition of JAK1 and JAK2 is needed to best control LCMV-induced immunopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Keenan
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Sabrin Albeituni
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Ninad Oak
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Alexa Stroh
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Heather S Tillman
- Department of Comparative Pathology Core, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Yingzhe Wang
- Preclinical PK Shared Resource, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Burgess B Freeman
- Preclinical PK Shared Resource, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Silvia Alemán-Arteaga
- Experimental Therapeutics & Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lauren K Meyer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Rolanda Woods
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Katherine C Verbist
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Yinmei Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Kim E Nichols
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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Song Y, Zhou F, Du F, Wang Z, Bai L, Yao Y, Liu L, Ma X, Chen S, Wu D, He X. Combined emapalumab and ruxolitinib in patients with haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:70. [PMID: 38658542 PMCID: PMC11043404 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01056-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Feng Du
- Department of hematology, Soochow Hopes Hematonosis Hospital, Suzhou, 215128, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyan Wang
- Department of hematology, Soochow Hopes Hematonosis Hospital, Suzhou, 215128, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liyun Bai
- Department of hematology, Soochow Hopes Hematonosis Hospital, Suzhou, 215128, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifang Yao
- Department of hematology, Soochow Hopes Hematonosis Hospital, Suzhou, 215128, Jiangsu, China
| | - Limin Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Suning Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Depei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China.
| | - Xuefeng He
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China.
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Van Laar JAM. Expanding treatment options by selectively targeting the cytokine storm with ruxolitinib in primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Haematologica 2024; 109:374-375. [PMID: 37675517 PMCID: PMC10828630 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan A M Van Laar
- Section of Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine and Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam.
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Vastert SJ, Canny SP, Canna SW, Schneider R, Mellins ED. Cytokine Storm Syndrome Associated with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1448:323-353. [PMID: 39117825 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-59815-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) has widely been referred to as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). In this chapter, we use the term sJIA-associated CSS (sJIA-CSS) when referring to this syndrome and use the term MAS when referencing publications that specifically report on sJIA-associated MAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan J Vastert
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology & Immunology and Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Susan P Canny
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott W Canna
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rayfel Schneider
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth D Mellins
- Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Chen S, Zhang C, Chen D, Dong L, Chang T, Tang ZH. Advances in attractive therapeutic approach for macrophage activation syndrome in COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1200289. [PMID: 37483597 PMCID: PMC10358730 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, people have relaxed their vigilance against COVID-19 due to its declining infection numbers and attenuated virulence. However, COVID-19 still needs to be concern due to its emerging variants, the relaxation of restrictions as well as breakthrough infections. During the period of the COVID-19 infection, the imbalanced and hyper-responsive immune system plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a fatal complication of immune system disease, which is caused by the excessive activation and proliferation of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells (CTL). COVID-19-related hyperinflammation shares common clinical features with the above MAS symptoms, such as hypercytokinemia, hyperferritinemia, and coagulopathy. In MAS, immune exhaustion or defective anti-viral responses leads to the inadequate cytolytic capacity of CTL which contributes to prolonged interaction between CTL, APCs and macrophages. It is possible that the same process also occurred in COVID-19 patients, and further led to a cytokine storm confined to the lungs. It is associated with the poor prognosis of severe patients such as multiple organ failure and even death. The main difference of cytokine storm is that in COVID-19 pneumonia is mainly the specific damage of the lung, while in MAS is easy to develop into a systemic. The attractive therapeutic approach to prevent MAS in COVID-19 mainly includes antiviral, antibiotics, convalescent plasma (CP) therapy and hemadsorption, extensive immunosuppressive agents, and cytokine-targeted therapies. Here, we discuss the role of the therapeutic approaches mentioned above in the two diseases. And we found that the treatment effect of the same therapeutic approach is different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyao Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deng Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liming Dong
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Teding Chang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Tang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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He L, Yang C, Wang Y. Biological therapies for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: current knowledge and future perspectives. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:1005-1013. [PMID: 37614018 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2251885] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome with a dismal prognosis. The underlying causes of HLH are diverse. However, the overabundance of cytokines was shared by all forms of HLH. Cytokine-targeted biotherapies have been increasingly used in HLH treatment. AREAS COVERED In this review, we aim to provide an overview of biological treatment options for HLH. EXPERT OPINION Biological therapies offer alternative treatment options for patients with refractory/relapsed HLH or who are intolerant to conventional chemotherapies. As a complement to traditional treatment, biological agents improve response rates, maintain more protracted periods of remission, and reduce treatment related toxicity. A combination of biological agents may be a promising direction for HLH treatment. However, they may induce HLH to deteriorate and even trigger HLH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo He
- Department of General Practice, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of General Practice, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yini Wang
- Department of General Practice, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Lee BJ, Cao Y, Vittayawacharin P, É'Leima G, Rezk S, Reid J, Brem EA, Ciurea SO, Kongtim P. Anakinra versus etoposide-based therapy added to high-dose steroids for the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Eur J Haematol 2023. [PMID: 37385631 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14030] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening, hyperinflammatory syndrome usually treated with high-dose steroids (HDS), often complemented with adjunct therapies, such as etoposide (HLH-94 protocol). Anakinra has been reported to effectively treat HLH; however, has not been comparatively examined with etoposide-based therapies. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of these treatment approaches. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients diagnosed with secondary HLH between January 2011 and November 2022 who received anakinra and HDS, the HLH-94 protocol, HDS alone, or supportive care. RESULTS Thirty adult patients with secondary HLH were included. Cumulative incidence (CI) of response at 30 days was 83.3%, 60%, and 36.4% for patients treated with anakinra, the HLH-94 protocol, and HDS alone, respectively. CI of relapse at 1 year was 50%, 33.3%, and 0% with the HLH-94 protocol, HDS, and anakinra and HDS, respectively. Overall survival at 1 year was higher with anakinra and HDS compared to the HLH-94 protocol, yet was not statistically significant (77.8% vs. 33.3%; hazard ratio: 0.29; p = .25). CONCLUSION Treatment with anakinra and HDS in adults with secondary HLH was associated with higher response rates with longer survival compared with alternative therapies and should be further investigated in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Yen Cao
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Pongthep Vittayawacharin
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ghaydá É'Leima
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Sherif Rezk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Jack Reid
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Brem
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Stefan O Ciurea
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
| | - Piyanuch Kongtim
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine Health, Orange, California, USA
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Fadanni GP, Calixto JB. Recent progress and prospects for anti-cytokine therapy in preclinical and clinical acute lung injury. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 71-72:13-25. [PMID: 37481378 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.07.002] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous cause of respiratory failure that has a rapid onset, a high mortality rate, and for which there is no effective pharmacological treatment. Current evidence supports a critical role of excessive inflammation in ARDS, resulting in several cytokines, cytokine receptors, and proteins within their downstream signalling pathways being putative therapeutic targets. However, unsuccessful trials of anti-inflammatory drugs have thus far hindered progress in the field. In recent years, the prospects of precision medicine and therapeutic targeting of cytokines coevolving into effective treatments have gained notoriety. There is an optimistic and growing understanding of ARDS subphenotypes as well as advances in treatment strategies and clinical trial design. Furthermore, large trials of anti-cytokine drugs in patients with COVID-19 have provided an unprecedented amount of information that could pave the way for therapeutic breakthroughs. While current clinical and nonclinical ARDS research suggest relatively limited potential in monotherapy with anti-cytokine drugs, combination therapy has emerged as an appealing strategy and may provide new perspectives on finding safe and effective treatments. Accurate evaluation of these drugs, however, also relies on well-founded experimental research and the implementation of biomarker-guided stratification in future trials. In this review, we provide an overview of anti-cytokine therapy for acute lung injury and ARDS, highlighting the current preclinical and clinical evidence for targeting the main cytokines individually and the therapeutic prospects for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Pasetto Fadanni
- Centre of Innovation and Preclinical Studies (CIEnP), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Centre of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - João Batista Calixto
- Centre of Innovation and Preclinical Studies (CIEnP), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Centre of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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Albeituni S, Oak N, Tillman HS, Stroh A, Keenan C, Bloom M, Nichols KE. Cellular and transcriptional impacts of Janus kinase and/or IFN-gamma inhibition in a mouse model of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1137037. [PMID: 37228616 PMCID: PMC10204641 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1137037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (pHLH) is an inherited inflammatory syndrome driven by the exuberant activation of interferon-gamma (IFNg)-producing CD8 T cells. Towards this end, ruxolitinib treatment or IFNg neutralization (aIFNg) lessens immunopathology in a model of pHLH in which perforin-deficient mice (Prf1-/-) are infected with Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). However, neither agent completely eradicates inflammation. Two studies combining ruxolitinib with aIFNg report conflicting results with one demonstrating improvement and the other worsening of disease manifestations. As these studies used differing doses of drugs and varying LCMV strains, it remained unclear whether combination therapy is safe and effective. Methods We previously showed that a ruxolitinib dose of 90 mg/kg lessens inflammation in Prf1-/- mice infected with LCMV-Armstrong. To determine whether this dose controls inflammation induced by a different LCMV strain, we administered ruxolitinib at 90mg/kg to Prf1-/- mice infected with LCMV-WE. To elucidate the impacts of single agent versus combination therapy, Prf1-/- animals were infected with LCMV, treated or not with ruxolitinib, aIFNg or both agents, and analyzed for disease features and the transcriptional impacts of therapy within purified CD8 T cells. Results Ruxolitinib is well-tolerated and controls disease regardless of the viral strain used. aIFNg, administered alone or with ruxolitinib, is most effective at reversing anemia and reducing serum IFNg levels. In contrast, ruxolitinib appears better than aIFNg, and equally or more effective than combination therapy, at lessening immune cell expansion and cytokine production. Each treatment targets distinct gene expression pathways with aIFNg downregulating IFNg, IFNa, and IL-6-STAT3 pathways, and ruxolitinib downregulating IL-6-STAT3, glycolysis, and reactive oxygen species pathways. Unexpectedly, combination therapy is associated with upregulation of genes driving cell survival and proliferation. Conclusions Ruxolitinib is tolerated and curtails inflammation regardless of the inciting viral strain and whether it is given alone or in combination with aIFNg. When administered at the doses used in this study, the combination of ruxolitinb and aIFNg appears no better than treatment with either drug alone in lessening inflammation. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the optimal doses, schedules, and combinations of these agents for the treatment of patients with pHLH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrin Albeituni
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ninad Oak
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Heather S. Tillman
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Alexa Stroh
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Camille Keenan
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Mackenzie Bloom
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Kim E. Nichols
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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Lee PY, Cron RQ. The Multifaceted Immunology of Cytokine Storm Syndrome. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1015-1024. [PMID: 37011407 PMCID: PMC10071410 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cytokine storm syndromes (CSSs) are potentially fatal hyperinflammatory states that share the underpinnings of persistent immune cell activation and uninhibited cytokine production. CSSs can be genetically determined by inborn errors of immunity (i.e., familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) or develop as a complication of infections, chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., Still disease), or malignancies (e.g., T cell lymphoma). Therapeutic interventions that activate the immune system such as chimeric Ag receptor T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition can also trigger CSSs in the setting of cancer treatment. In this review, the biology of different types of CSSs is explored, and the current knowledge on the involvement of immune pathways and the contribution of host genetics is discussed. The use of animal models to study CSSs is reviewed, and their relevance for human diseases is discussed. Lastly, treatment approaches for CSSs are discussed with a focus on interventions that target immune cells and cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Y. Lee
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Randy Q. Cron
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children’s of Alabama, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
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Recent advances in the treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and macrophage activation syndrome. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 22:364-370. [PMID: 36206094 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The approach to treating patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) has shifted in recent years with the aim to limit exposure to genotoxic agents, such as etoposide, yet dampen hyperinflammation by targeting the activity of specific HLH/MAS-associated cytokines. In this review, we discuss recent efforts to reduce the dose of etoposide and/or incorporate cytokine-targeted therapies for the treatment of HLH/MAS. RECENT FINDINGS There is emerging evidence that reduced-dose etoposide and/or cytokine-targeted therapies, including agents that neutralize or inhibit signaling induced by interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-18, and IL-6, can effectively ameliorate the clinical and laboratory manifestations of HLH/MAS and improve overall outcomes. SUMMARY The application of novel regimens containing lower doses of etoposide and/or cytokine-directed agents to treat HLH/MAS holds potential to dampen inflammation while minimizing therapy-associated toxicities. Nevertheless, further research is needed to better understand, which patients represent the most appropriate candidates to receive cytokine-targeted therapies, elucidate the optimal timing and dose of these therapies, and decipher whether they should be administered alone or in combination with conventional HLH-directed therapies, such as dexamethasone and standard-dose or reduced-dose etoposide.
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