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Hoferkova E, Seda V, Kadakova S, Verner J, Loja T, Matulova K, Skuhrova Francova H, Ondrouskova E, Filip D, Blavet N, Boudny M, Mladonicka Pavlasova G, Vecera J, Ondrisova L, Pavelkova P, Hlavac K, Kostalova L, Michaelou A, Pospisilova S, Dorazilova J, Chochola V, Jaros J, Doubek M, Jarosova M, Hampl A, Vojtova L, Kren L, Mayer J, Mraz M. Stromal cells engineered to express T cell factors induce robust CLL cell proliferation in vitro and in PDX co-transplantations allowing the identification of RAF inhibitors as anti-proliferative drugs. Leukemia 2024; 38:1699-1711. [PMID: 38877102 PMCID: PMC11286525 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02284-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Several in vitro models have been developed to mimic chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) proliferation in immune niches; however, they typically do not induce robust proliferation. We prepared a novel model based on mimicking T-cell signals in vitro and in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Six supportive cell lines were prepared by engineering HS5 stromal cells with stable expression of human CD40L, IL4, IL21, and their combinations. Co-culture with HS5 expressing CD40L and IL4 in combination led to mild CLL cell proliferation (median 7% at day 7), while the HS5 expressing CD40L, IL4, and IL21 led to unprecedented proliferation rate (median 44%). The co-cultures mimicked the gene expression fingerprint of lymph node CLL cells (MYC, NFκB, and E2F signatures) and revealed novel vulnerabilities in CLL-T-cell-induced proliferation. Drug testing in co-cultures revealed for the first time that pan-RAF inhibitors fully block CLL proliferation. The co-culture model can be downscaled to five microliter volume for large drug screening purposes or upscaled to CLL PDXs by HS5-CD40L-IL4 ± IL21 co-transplantation. Co-transplanting NSG mice with purified CLL cells and HS5-CD40L-IL4 or HS5-CD40L-IL4-IL21 cells on collagen-based scaffold led to 47% or 82% engraftment efficacy, respectively, with ~20% of PDXs being clonally related to CLL, potentially overcoming the need to co-transplant autologous T-cells in PDXs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hoferkova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Seda
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sona Kadakova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Verner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Loja
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kvetoslava Matulova
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Skuhrova Francova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Ondrouskova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Filip
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nicolas Blavet
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Boudny
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Josef Vecera
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Laura Ondrisova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pavelkova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Krystof Hlavac
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Kostalova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Androniki Michaelou
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sarka Pospisilova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Dorazilova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Chochola
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Jaros
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Doubek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Jarosova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Hampl
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucy Vojtova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Leos Kren
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Mraz
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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2
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Vom Stein AF, Hallek M, Nguyen PH. Role of the tumor microenvironment in CLL pathogenesis. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:142-154. [PMID: 38220499 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2023.12.004] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells extensively interact with and depend on their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME encompasses a heterogeneous array of cell types, soluble signals, and extracellular vesicles, which contribute significantly to CLL pathogenesis. CLL cells and the TME cooperatively generate a chronic inflammatory milieu, which reciprocally reprograms the TME and activates a signaling network within CLL cells, promoting their survival and proliferation. Additionally, the inflammatory milieu exerts chemotactic effects, attracting CLL cells and other immune cells to the lymphoid tissues. The intricate CLL-TME interactions also facilitate immune evasion and compromise leukemic cell surveillance. We also review recent advances that have shed light on additional aspects that are substantially influenced by the CLL-TME interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Vom Stein
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany
| | - Phuong-Hien Nguyen
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany.
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3
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Haselager MV, van Driel BF, Perelaer E, de Rooij D, Lashgari D, Loos R, Kater AP, Moerland PD, Eldering E. In Vitro 3D Spheroid Culture System Displays Sustained T Cell-dependent CLL Proliferation and Survival. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e938. [PMID: 37637994 PMCID: PMC10448932 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on microenvironmental cells and signals. The lymph node (LN) is the critical site of in vivo CLL proliferation and development of resistance to both chemotherapy and targeted agents. We present a new model that incorporates key aspects of the CLL LN, which enables investigation of CLL cells in the context of a protective niche. We describe a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture system using ultra-low attachment plates to create spheroids of CLL cells derived from peripheral blood. Starting from CLL:T cell ratios as observed in LN samples, CLL activation was induced by either direct stimulation and/or indirectly via T cells. Compared with two-dimensional cultures, 3D cultures promoted CLL proliferation in a T cell-dependent manner, and enabled expansion for up to 7 weeks, including the formation of follicle-like structures after several weeks of culture. This model enables high-throughput drug screening, of which we describe response to Btk inhibition, venetoclax resistance, and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity as examples. In summary, we present the first LN-mimicking in vitro 3D culture for primary CLL, which enables readouts such as real-time drug screens, kinetic growth assays, and spatial localization. This is the first in vitro CLL system that allows testing of response and resistance to venetoclax and Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the context of the tumor microenvironment, thereby opening up new possibilities for clinically useful applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V. Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca F. van Driel
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Eduard Perelaer
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis de Rooij
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Danial Lashgari
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Loos
- Center for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Perry D. Moerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Methodology Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Munir T, Moreno C, Owen C, Follows G, Benjamini O, Janssens A, Levin MD, Osterborg A, Robak T, Simkovic M, Stevens D, Voloshin S, Vorobyev V, Yagci M, Ysebaert L, Qi K, Qi Q, Parisi L, Srinivasan S, Schuier N, Baeten K, Howes A, Caces DB, Niemann CU, Kater AP. Impact of Minimal Residual Disease on Progression-Free Survival Outcomes After Fixed-Duration Ibrutinib-Venetoclax Versus Chlorambucil-Obinutuzumab in the GLOW Study. J Clin Oncol 2023:JCO2202283. [PMID: 37279408 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.02283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In GLOW, fixed-duration ibrutinib + venetoclax showed superior progression-free survival (PFS) versus chlorambucil + obinutuzumab in older/comorbid patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The current analysis describes minimal residual disease (MRD) kinetics and any potential predictive value for PFS, as it has not yet been evaluated for ibrutinib + venetoclax treatment. METHODS Undetectable MRD (uMRD) was assessed by next-generation sequencing at <1 CLL cell per 10,000 (<10-4) and <1 CLL cell per 100,000 (<10-5) leukocytes. PFS was analyzed by MRD status at 3 months after treatment (EOT+3). RESULTS Ibrutinib + venetoclax achieved deeper uMRD (<10-5) rates in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB), respectively, in 40.6% and 43.4% of patients at EOT+3 versus 7.6% and 18.1% of patients receiving chlorambucil + obinutuzumab. Of these patients, uMRD (<10-5) in PB was sustained during the first year post-treatment (EOT+12) in 80.4% of patients receiving ibrutinib + venetoclax and 26.3% receiving chlorambucil + obinutuzumab. Patients with detectable MRD (dMRD; ≥10-4) in PB at EOT+3 were more likely to sustain MRD levels through EOT+12 with ibrutinib + venetoclax versus chlorambucil + obinutuzumab. PFS rates at EOT+12 were high among patients treated with ibrutinib + venetoclax regardless of MRD status at EOT+3: 96.3% and 93.3% in patients with uMRD (<10-4) and dMRD (≥10-4) in BM, respectively, versus 83.3% and 58.7% for patients receiving chlorambucil + obinutuzumab. PFS rates at EOT+12 also remained high in patients with unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region (IGHV) receiving ibrutinib + venetoclax, independent of MRD status in BM. CONCLUSION Molecular and clinical relapses were less frequent during the first year post-treatment with ibrutinib + venetoclax versus chlorambucil + obinutuzumab regardless of MRD status at EOT+3 and IGHV status. Even for patients not achieving uMRD (<10-4), PFS rates remained high with ibrutinib + venetoclax; this is a novel finding and requires additional follow-up to confirm its persistence over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol Moreno
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Josep Carreras Research Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tadeusz Robak
- Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
| | - Martin Simkovic
- University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | | | - Sergey Voloshin
- Russian Scientific and Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology, St Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Munci Yagci
- Gazi Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Loic Ysebaert
- Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Keqin Qi
- Janssen Research & Development, Titusville, NJ
| | - Qianya Qi
- Janssen Research & Development, Raritan, NJ
| | | | - Srimathi Srinivasan
- Oncology Translational Research, Janssen Research & Development, Lower Gwynedd Township, PA
| | | | - Kurt Baeten
- Janssen Research & Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Angela Howes
- Janssen Research & Development, High Wycombe, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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5
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Kielbassa K, Haselager MV, Bax DJC, van Driel BF, Dubois J, Levin MD, Kersting S, Svanberg R, Niemann CU, Kater AP, Eldering E. Ibrutinib sensitizes CLL cells to venetoclax by interrupting TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and protein translation. Leukemia 2023:10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w. [PMID: 37100883 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells upregulate Bcl-2 proteins within the lymph node (LN) microenvironment. Signaling via B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors and CD40 collectively reduce sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Time-limited treatment with venetoclax plus the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib results in deep remissions, but how this combination affects LN-related signaling is not yet completely clear. Therefore, samples obtained from the HOVON141/VISION phase 2 clinical trial were used to analyze this. Two cycles of lead-in ibrutinib monotherapy resulted in decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 proteins in circulating CLL cells. Strikingly, at this timepoint CD40-induced venetoclax resistance was strongly attenuated, as was expression of CD40. Since CD40 signaling occurs within the CLL LN, we tested various LN-related signals that could affect CD40 signaling. While BCR stimulation had only a minor effect, TLR9 stimulation via CpG led to significantly increased CD40 expression and importantly, reverted the effects of ibrutinib treatment on venetoclax sensitivity by inducing overall protein translation. Together, these findings identify a novel effect of ibrutinib: interruption of TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and translation of pro-survival proteins. This mechanism may potentially further inhibit priming of CLL cells in the LN microenvironment for venetoclax resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kielbassa
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marco V Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danique J C Bax
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca F van Driel
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julie Dubois
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Carsten U Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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6
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Haselager MV, Thijssen R, Bax D, Both D, De Boer F, Mackay S, Dubois J, Mellink C, Kater AP, Eldering E. JAK-STAT signalling shapes the NF-κB response in CLL towards venetoclax sensitivity or resistance via Bcl-XL. Mol Oncol 2022. [PMID: 36550750 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13364] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventing or overcoming resistance to the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax is an emerging unmet clinical need in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 members through signalling pathways within the tumor microenvironment appears as a major factor leading to resistance to venetoclax. Previously, we reported that T cells can drive resistance through CD40 and non-canonical NF-κB activation and subsequent Bcl-XL induction. Moreover, the T cell-derived cytokines IL-21 and IL-4 differentially affect Bcl-XL expression and sensitivity to venetoclax via unknown mechanisms. Here, we mechanistically dissected how Bcl-XL is regulated in the context of JAK-STAT signalling in primary CLL. First, we demonstrated a clear antagonistic role of IL-21/STAT3 signalling in the NF-κB-mediated expression of Bcl-XL, whereas IL-4/STAT6 further promoted the expression of Bcl-XL. In comparison, Bfl-1, another NF-κB target, was not differentially affected by either cytokine. Second, STAT3 and STAT6 affected Bcl-XL transcription by binding to its promoter without disrupting the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Third, in situ proximity ligation assays (isPLAs) indicated crosstalk between JAK-STAT signalling and NF-κB, in which STAT3 inhibited canonical NF-κB by accelerating nuclear export, and STAT6 promoted non-canonical NF-κB. Finally, NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) inhibition interrupted the NF-κB/STAT crosstalk and resensitized CLL cells to venetoclax. In conclusion, we uncovered distinct crosstalk mechanisms that shape the NF-κB response in CLL towards venetoclax sensitivity or resistance via Bcl-XL, thereby revealing new potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection & Immunity, The Netherlands.,Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rachel Thijssen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danique Bax
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection & Immunity, The Netherlands.,Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Demi Both
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection & Immunity, The Netherlands.,Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Simon Mackay
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Julie Dubois
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens Mellink
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam institute for Infection & Immunity, The Netherlands.,Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection & Immunity, The Netherlands.,Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Macrophage- and BCR-derived but not TLR-derived signals support the growth of CLL and Richter syndrome murine models in vivo. Blood 2022; 140:2335-2347. [PMID: 36084319 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A large amount of circumstantial evidence has accumulated suggesting that Toll-like receptor (TLR) signals are involved in driving chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell proliferation, but direct in vivo evidence for this is still lacking. We have now further addressed this possibility by pharmacologically inhibiting or genetically inactivating the TLR pathway in murine CLL and human Richter syndrome (RS) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells. Surprisingly, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of TLR signaling by treatment with an IRAK1/4 inhibitor delays the growth of the transplanted malignant cells in recipient mice, but genetic inactivation of the same pathway by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of IRAK4 or its proximal adaptor MyD88 has no effect. We further show that treatment with the IRAK1/4 inhibitor results in depletion of macrophages and demonstrate that these cells can support the survival and enhance the proliferation of both murine Eμ-TCL1 leukemia and human RS cells. We also show that genetic disruption of the B-cell receptor (BCR) by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the immunoglobulin M constant region gene inhibits the growth of human RS-PDX cells in vivo, consistent with our previous finding with murine Eμ-TCL1 leukemia cells. Finally, we show that genetic disruption of IRAK4 does not result in negative selection of human CLL cell lines xenografted in immunodeficient mice. The obtained data suggest that TLR signals are unlikely to represent a major driver of CLL/RS cell proliferation and provide further evidence that signals from macrophages and the BCR promote the growth and survival of CLL and RS cells in vivo.
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8
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In Vitro and In Vivo Models of CLL–T Cell Interactions: Implications for Drug Testing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133087. [PMID: 35804862 PMCID: PMC9264798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells in the peripheral blood and lymphoid microenvironment display substantially different gene expression profiles and proliferative capaci-ty. It has been suggested that CLL–T-cell interactions are key pro-proliferative stimuli in immune niches. We review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL-T-cell interactions to trigger CLL proliferation and study therapy resistance. We focus on studies describing the co-culture of leukemic cells with T cells, or supportive cell lines expressing T-cell factors, and simplified models of CLL cells’ stimulation with recombinant factors. In the second part, we summarize mouse models revealing the role of T cells in CLL biology and implications for generating patient-derived xenografts by co-transplanting leukemic cells with T cells. Abstract T cells are key components in environments that support chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), activating CLL-cell proliferation and survival. Here, we review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL–T-cell interactions, since these are critical for CLL-cell division and resistance to some types of therapy (such as DNA-damaging drugs or BH3-mimetic venetoclax). We discuss approaches for direct CLL-cell co-culture with autologous T cells, models utilizing supportive cell lines engineered to express T-cell factors (such as CD40L) or stimulating CLL cells with combinations of recombinant factors (CD40L, interleukins IL4 or IL21, INFγ) and additional B-cell receptor (BCR) activation with anti-IgM antibody. We also summarize strategies for CLL co-transplantation with autologous T cells into immunodeficient mice (NOD/SCID, NSG, NOG) to generate patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and the role of T cells in transgenic CLL mouse models based on TCL1 overexpression (Eµ-TCL1). We further discuss how these in vitro and in vivo models could be used to test drugs to uncover the effects of targeted therapies (such as inhibitors of BTK, PI3K, SYK, AKT, MEK, CDKs, BCL2, and proteasome) or chemotherapy (fludarabine and bendamustine) on CLL–T-cell interactions and CLL proliferation.
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9
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Imbery JF, Heinzelbecker J, Jebsen JK, McGowan M, Myklebust C, Bottini N, Stanford SM, Skånland SS, Tveita A, Tjønnfjord GE, Munthe LA, Szodoray P, Nakken B. T‐helper cell regulation of
CD45
phosphatase activity by galectin‐1 and
CD43
governs chronic lymphocytic leukaemia proliferation. Br J Haematol 2022; 198:556-573. [PMID: 35655388 PMCID: PMC9329260 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is characterised by malignant mature‐like B cells. Supportive to CLL cell survival is chronic B‐cell receptor (BCR) signalling; however, emerging evidence demonstrates CLL cells proliferate in response to T‐helper (Th) cells in a CD40L‐dependent manner. We showed provision of Th stimulation via CD40L upregulated CD45 phosphatase activity and BCR signalling in non‐malignant B cells. Consequently, we hypothesised Th cell upregulation of CLL cell CD45 activity may be an important regulator of CLL BCR signalling and proliferation. Using patient‐derived CLL cells in a culture system with activated autologous Th cells, results revealed increases in both Th and CLL cell CD45 activity, which correlated with enhanced downstream antigen receptor signalling and proliferation. Concomitantly increased was the surface expression of Galectin‐1, a CD45 ligand, and CD43, a CLL immunophenotypic marker. Galectin‐1/CD43 double expression defined a proliferative CLL cell population with enhanced CD45 activity. Targeting either Galectin‐1 or CD43 using silencing, pharmacology, or monoclonal antibody strategies dampened CD45 activity and CLL cell proliferation. These results highlight a mechanism where activated Th cells drive CLL cell BCR signalling and proliferation via Galectin‐1 and CD43‐mediated regulation of CD45 activity, identifying modulation of CD45 phosphatase activity as a potential therapeutic target in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Imbery
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Julia Heinzelbecker
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Jenny K. Jebsen
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Marc McGowan
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Camilla Myklebust
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Nunzio Bottini
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine University of California, San Diego La Jolla California USA
| | - Stephanie M. Stanford
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine University of California, San Diego La Jolla California USA
| | - Sigrid S. Skånland
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Anders Tveita
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Geir E. Tjønnfjord
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
- Department of Haematology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Ludvig A. Munthe
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Peter Szodoray
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Britt Nakken
- Department of Immunology Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignances, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
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10
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Kater AP, Levin MD, Dubois J, Kersting S, Enggaard L, Veldhuis GJ, Mous R, Mellink CHM, van der Kevie-Kersemaekers AMF, Dobber JA, Poulsen CB, Frederiksen H, Janssens A, Schjødt I, Dompeling EC, Ranti J, Brieghel C, Mattsson M, Bellido M, Tran HTT, Nasserinejad K, Niemann CU. Minimal residual disease-guided stop and start of venetoclax plus ibrutinib for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (HOVON141/VISION): primary analysis of an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:818-828. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Zhang J, Lu X, Li J, Miao Y. Combining BTK inhibitors with BCL2 inhibitors for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. Biomark Res 2022; 10:17. [PMID: 35379357 PMCID: PMC8981798 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of BTK inhibitors has changed the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The first-in-class BTK inhibitor ibrutinib has shown remarkable therapeutic effects and manageable toxicities in multiple clinical trials. The second-generation BTK inhibitors, including acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib, also show remarkable efficacies. However, using BTK inhibitors as monotherapies requires continuous treatment. Resistance to BTK inhibitors and severe side effects unavoidably occur during BTK inhibitor monotherapy, frequently resulting in treatment failure. The addition of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax to BTK inhibitor may improve the therapeutic effects and result in deeper responses, providing a potential fixed-duration treatment, especially for patients with CLL. In this review, by focusing on CLL and MCL, we discussed the rationale for the combinational use and summarized the current data on the combinations of BTK inhibitors and venetoclax in patients with CLL and MCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueying Lu
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Pukou CLL Center, Nanjing, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yi Miao
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Pukou CLL Center, Nanjing, China.
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12
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Combined ibrutinib and venetoclax treatment vs single agents in the TCL1 mouse model for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood Adv 2021; 5:5410-5414. [PMID: 34555843 PMCID: PMC9153000 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The covalent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase ibrutinib and the specific Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax are both highly efficacious single agent drugs in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Based on their complementary modes of action, ibrutinib and venetoclax are hypothesized to act in synergistic fashion. Currently, it is unclear whether combined treatment is indeed superior to continuous single agent treatment, and what mechanisms could underlie resistance to combination treatment. In addition, effects of such treatment on the skewed T cell compartment characteristic for CLL are as yet unknown. In the murine Eµ-TCL1 adoptive transfer model, resembling aggressive CLL, we found that combined treatment resulted in deepest responses with longest duration due to a combination of decreased proliferation and increased induction of apoptosis. In addition, alterations in T cell subsets were most prominent upon combination treatment with increased naïve cells and reduced effector memory cells. Remarkably, effects of single agents but also combination treatment were eventually interrupted by relapse, and we found downregulation of BIM expression as a plausible cause of acquired drug resistance. Nevertheless, in this murine model, combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib has increased efficacy over single agents accompanied by a restoration of the T cell compartment.
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13
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Yeh CT, Chen TT, Satriyo PB, Wang CH, Wu ATH, Chao TY, Lee KY, Hsiao M, Wang LS, Kuo KT. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) mediates resistance to EGFR inhibition in non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:56. [PMID: 34315851 PMCID: PMC8316404 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are current standard of care for patients with EGFR mutation and metastatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), but most patients using EGFR TKIs acquire resistance later. So, overcoming resistance of EGFR TKIs has become an important issue in the treatment of NSCLC. Previously, therapeutics targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) have been successful in treating several hematologic malignancies. However, the role of BTK in NSCLC is still unknown. In this study, by examining surgical specimens from 80 NSCLC patients and their clinicopathologic parameters, we found significant correlation between high BTK expression and tumor differentiation, p-stage, lymph node metastatic status, maximum tumor size, and poor prognosis of patients. Using two NSCLC cell lines A540 and PC9, we demonstrated that BTKpos cells exhibited more stemness (OCT4, SOX2) and EMT (E-Cadherin, Slug) markers than BTKneg cells. Knockdown of BTK sensitized the NSCLC cells to Gefitinib. Meanwhile, the second-generation BTK inhibitor Acalabrutinib effectively suppressed SOX2, STAT3/JAK2/Akt axis and potentiated the anti-proliferative effect of Gefitinib and Osimertinib in NSCLC cells, including the T790M H1975 cells. Furthermore, Acalabrutinib and Osimertinib combination exhibited significant tumor growth inhibition of H1975-derived tumors in vivo. Our findings suggested that BTK mediates stemness and EMT properties, and inhibition of BTK potentiates the effect of Gefitinib and Osimertinib in NSCLC cells resistant to TKI. This implies a new approach to treat the NSCLC patients with resistance to previous TKI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tai Yeh
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Tao Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pamungkas Bagus Satriyo
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.,Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Chun-Hua Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Alexander T H Wu
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Yi Chao
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Shun Wang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Tai Kuo
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. .,Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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14
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miR-29 modulates CD40 signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by targeting TRAF4: an axis affected by BCR inhibitors. Blood 2021; 137:2481-2494. [PMID: 33171493 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and T-cell interactions play a pivotal role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis and disease aggressiveness. CLL cells can use microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets to modulate microenvironmental interactions in the lymph node niches. To identify miRNA expression changes in the CLL microenvironment, we performed complex profiling of short noncoding RNAs in this context by comparing CXCR4/CD5 intraclonal cell subpopulations (CXCR4dimCD5bright vs CXCR4brightCD5dim cells). This identified dozens of differentially expressed miRNAs, including several that have previously been shown to modulate BCR signaling (miR-155, miR-150, and miR-22) but also other candidates for a role in microenvironmental interactions. Notably, all 3 miR-29 family members (miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-29c) were consistently down-modulated in the immune niches, and lower miR-29(a/b/c) levels associated with an increased relative responsiveness of CLL cells to BCR ligation and significantly shorter overall survival of CLL patients. We identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) as a novel direct target of miR-29s and revealed that higher TRAF4 levels increase CLL responsiveness to CD40 activation and downstream nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling. In CLL, BCR represses miR-29 expression via MYC, allowing for concurrent TRAF4 upregulation and stronger CD40-NF-κB signaling. This regulatory loop is disrupted by BCR inhibitors (bruton tyrosine kinase [BTK] inhibitor ibrutinib or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K] inhibitor idelalisib). In summary, we showed for the first time that a miRNA-dependent mechanism acts to activate CD40 signaling/T-cell interactions in a CLL microenvironment and described a novel miR-29-TRAF4-CD40 signaling axis modulated by BCR activity.
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15
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Ondrisova L, Mraz M. Genetic and Non-Genetic Mechanisms of Resistance to BCR Signaling Inhibitors in B Cell Malignancies. Front Oncol 2020; 10:591577. [PMID: 33154951 PMCID: PMC7116322 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.591577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The approval of BTK and PI3K inhibitors (ibrutinib, idelalisib) represents a revolution in the therapy of B cell malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), or Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). However, these "BCR inhibitors" function by interfering with B cell pathophysiology in a more complex way than anticipated, and resistance develops through multiple mechanisms. In ibrutinib treated patients, the most commonly described resistance-mechanism is a mutation in BTK itself, which prevents the covalent binding of ibrutinib, or a mutation in PLCG2, which acts to bypass the dependency on BTK at the BCR signalosome. However, additional genetic aberrations leading to resistance are being described (such as mutations in the CARD11, CCND1, BIRC3, TRAF2, TRAF3, TNFAIP3, loss of chromosomal region 6q or 8p, a gain of Toll-like receptor (TLR)/MYD88 signaling or gain of 2p chromosomal region). Furthermore, relative resistance to BTK inhibitors can be caused by non-genetic adaptive mechanisms leading to compensatory pro-survival pathway activation. For instance, PI3K/mTOR/Akt, NFkB and MAPK activation, BCL2, MYC, and XPO1 upregulation or PTEN downregulation lead to B cell survival despite BTK inhibition. Resistance could also arise from activating microenvironmental pathways such as chemokine or integrin signaling via CXCR4 or VLA4 upregulation, respectively. Defining these compensatory pro-survival mechanisms can help to develop novel therapeutic combinations of BTK inhibitors with other inhibitors (such as BH3-mimetic venetoclax, XPO1 inhibitor selinexor, mTOR, or MEK inhibitors). The mechanisms of resistance to PI3K inhibitors remain relatively unclear, but some studies point to MAPK signaling upregulation via both genetic and non-genetic changes, which could be co-targeted therapeutically. Alternatively, drugs mimicking the BTK/PI3K inhibition effect can be used to prevent adhesion and/or malignant B cell migration (chemokine and integrin inhibitors) or to block the pro-proliferative T cell signals in the microenvironment (such as IL4/STAT signaling inhibitors). Here we review the genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of resistance and adaptation to the first generation of BTK and PI3K inhibitors (ibrutinib and idelalisib, respectively), and discuss possible combinatorial therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance or to increase clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ondrisova
- Molecular Medicine, CEITEC Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marek Mraz
- Molecular Medicine, CEITEC Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
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16
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Haselager MV, Kater AP, Eldering E. Proliferative Signals in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; What Are We Missing? Front Oncol 2020; 10:592205. [PMID: 33134182 PMCID: PMC7578574 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.592205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells cycle between lymphoid tissue sites where they actively proliferate, and the peripheral blood (PB) where they become quiescent. Strong evidence exists for a crucial role of B cell receptor (BCR) triggering, either by (self-)antigen or by receptor auto-engagement in the lymph node (LN) to drive CLL proliferation and provide adhesion. The clinical success of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors is widely accepted to be based on blockade of the BCR signal. Additional signals in the LN that support CLL survival derive from surrounding cells, such as CD40L-presenting T helper cells, myeloid and stromal cells. It is not quite clear if and to what extent these non-BCR signals contribute to proliferation in situ. In vitro BCR triggering, in contrast, leads to low-level activation and does not result in cell division. Various combinations of non-BCR signals delivered via co-stimulatory receptors, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and/or soluble cytokines are applied, leading to comparatively modest and short-lived CLL proliferation in vitro. Thus, an unresolved gap exists between the condition in the patient as we now understand it and applicable knowledge that can be harnessed in the laboratory for future therapeutic applications. Even in this era of targeted drugs, CLL remains largely incurable with frequent relapses and emergence of resistance. Therefore, we require better insight into all aspects of CLL growth and potential rewiring of signaling pathways. We aim here to provide an overview of in vivo versus in vitro signals involved in CLL proliferation, point out areas of missing knowledge and suggest future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V. Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Academic University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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17
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Mechanisms of B Cell Receptor Activation and Responses to B Cell Receptor Inhibitors in B Cell Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061396. [PMID: 32481736 PMCID: PMC7352865 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The B cell receptor (BCR) pathway has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in a number of common B cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone B cell lymphoma, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. This finding has resulted in the development of numerous drugs that target this pathway, including various inhibitors of the kinases BTK, PI3K, and SYK. Several of these drugs have been approved in recent years for clinical use, resulting in a profound change in the way these diseases are currently being treated. However, the response rates and durability of responses vary largely across the different disease entities, suggesting a different proportion of patients with an activated BCR pathway and different mechanisms of BCR pathway activation. Indeed, several antigen-dependent and antigen-independent mechanisms have recently been described and shown to result in the activation of distinct downstream signaling pathways. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the mechanisms responsible for the activation of the BCR pathway in different B cell malignancies and to correlate these mechanisms with clinical responses to treatment with BCR inhibitors.
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Hofland T, de Weerdt I, ter Burg H, de Boer R, Tannheimer S, Tonino SH, Kater AP, Eldering E. Dissection of the Effects of JAK and BTK Inhibitors on the Functionality of Healthy and Malignant Lymphocytes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:2100-2109. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Morande PE, Sivina M, Uriepero A, Seija N, Berca C, Fresia P, Landoni AI, Di Noia JM, Burger JA, Oppezzo P. Ibrutinib therapy downregulates AID enzyme and proliferative fractions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2019; 133:2056-2068. [PMID: 30814061 PMCID: PMC7022232 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-09-876292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) initiates somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination of the immunoglobulin genes. As a trade-off for its physiological function, AID also contributes to tumor development through its mutagenic activity. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), AID is overexpressed in the proliferative fractions (PFs) of the malignant B lymphocytes, and its anomalous expression has been associated with a clinical poor outcome. Recent preclinical data suggested that ibrutinib and idelalisib, 2 clinically approved kinase inhibitors, increase AID expression and genomic instability in normal and neoplastic B cells. These results raise concerns about a potential mutagenic risk in patients receiving long-term therapy. To corroborate these findings in the clinical setting, we analyzed AID expression and PFs in a CLL cohort before and during ibrutinib treatment. We found that ibrutinib decreases the CLL PFs and, interestingly, also reduces AID expression, which correlates with dampened AKT and Janus Kinase 1 signaling. Moreover, although ibrutinib increases AID expression in a CLL cell line, it is unable to do so in primary CLL samples. Our results uncover a differential response to ibrutinib between cell lines and the CLL clone and imply that ibrutinib could differ from idelalisib in their potential to induce AID in treated patients. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between preclinical and clinical findings, and their effect on treatment safety, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Elías Morande
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariela Sivina
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Angimar Uriepero
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Noé Seija
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Catalina Berca
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Fresia
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Inés Landoni
- Hospital Maciel, Administración de los Servicios de Salud del Estado, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Javier M Di Noia
- Division of Immunity and Viral Infections, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; and
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jan A Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Pablo Oppezzo
- Research Laboratory on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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20
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Schleiss C, Ilias W, Tahar O, Güler Y, Miguet L, Mayeur-Rousse C, Mauvieux L, Fornecker LM, Toussaint E, Herbrecht R, Bertrand F, Maumy-Bertrand M, Martin T, Fournel S, Georgel P, Bahram S, Vallat L. BCR-associated factors driving chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells proliferation ex vivo. Sci Rep 2019; 9:701. [PMID: 30679590 PMCID: PMC6345919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36853-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A chronic antigenic stimulation is believed to sustain the leukemogenic development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and most of lymphoproliferative malignancies developed from mature B cells. Reproducing a proliferative stimulation ex vivo is critical to decipher the mechanisms of leukemogenesis in these malignancies. However, functional studies of CLL cells remains limited since current ex vivo B cell receptor (BCR) stimulation protocols are not sufficient to induce the proliferation of these cells, pointing out the need of mandatory BCR co-factors in this process. Here, we investigated benefits of several BCR co-stimulatory molecules (IL-2, IL-4, IL-15, IL-21 and CD40 ligand) in multiple culture conditions. Our results demonstrated that BCR engagement (anti-IgM ligation) concomitant to CD40 ligand, IL-4 and IL-21 stimulation allowed CLL cells proliferation ex vivo. In addition, we established a proliferative advantage for ZAP70 positive CLL cells, associated to an increased phosphorylation of ZAP70/SYK and STAT6. Moreover, the use of a tri-dimensional matrix of methylcellulose and the addition of TLR9 agonists further increased this proliferative response. This ex vivo model of BCR stimulation with T-derived cytokines is a relevant and efficient model for functional studies of CLL as well as lymphoproliferative malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Schleiss
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Wassila Ilias
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ouria Tahar
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Plateau Technique de Biologie, Pôle de Biologie, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yonca Güler
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Miguet
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Caroline Mayeur-Rousse
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Mauvieux
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Luc-Matthieu Fornecker
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Service d'Hématologie Adulte, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elise Toussaint
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Service d'Hématologie Adulte, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Raoul Herbrecht
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Service d'Hématologie Adulte, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Bertrand
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut de Recherche Mathématique Avancée IRMA, CNRS UMR 7501, Strasbourg, France
| | - Myriam Maumy-Bertrand
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut de Recherche Mathématique Avancée IRMA, CNRS UMR 7501, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thierry Martin
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS UPR 9021 - Immunologie et Chimie Thérapeutiques, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et cellulaire (IBMC), Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylvie Fournel
- CNRS UMR7199, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Philippe Georgel
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Seiamak Bahram
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. .,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. .,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Plateau Technique de Biologie, Pôle de Biologie, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Laurent Vallat
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, INSERM UMR-S1109, LabEx Transplantex, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. .,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. .,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Plateau Technique de Biologie, Pôle de Biologie, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France. .,Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, IRFAC UMR-S1113, and Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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21
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De Back TR, Kater AP, Tonino SH. Autoimmune cytopenias in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a concise review and treatment recommendations. Expert Rev Hematol 2018; 11:613-624. [DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2018.1489720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim R. De Back
- Department of Hematology and Lymphoma and Myeloma Center (LYMMCARE), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Department of Hematology and Lymphoma and Myeloma Center (LYMMCARE), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne H. Tonino
- Department of Hematology and Lymphoma and Myeloma Center (LYMMCARE), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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Targeting the tumor promoting effects of adenosine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 126:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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23
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Primo D, Scarfò L, Xochelli A, Mattsson M, Ranghetti P, Espinosa AB, Robles A, Gorrochategui J, Martínez-López J, de la Serna J, González M, Gil AC, Anguita E, Iraheta S, Munugalavadla V, Quéva C, Tannheimer S, Rosenquist R, Stamatopoulos K, Ballesteros J, Ghia P. A novel ex vivo high-throughput assay reveals antiproliferative effects of idelalisib and ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26019-26031. [PMID: 29899839 PMCID: PMC5995261 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PI3Kδ (idelalisib) and BTK (ibrutinib) inhibitors have demonstrated significant clinical activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) interfering with the cross-talk between CLL cells and the lymph node microenviroment, yet their mechanism of action remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we developed an ex vivo model with the aim of reproducing the effects of the microenvironment that would help shed light on the in vivo mechanism of action of idelalisib and ibrutinib and predict their clinical efficacy in individual patients. First we explored the effects of various cell-extrinsic elements on CLL apoptosis and proliferation and found that the combination of CpG+IL2+HS5 stromal cell line + human serum +CLL plasma and erythrocyte fractions represented the best co-culture conditions to test the effects of the novel inhibitors. Then, using this assay, we investigated the impact of idelalisib and ibrutinib on both survival and proliferation in 30 CLL patients. While both drugs had a limited direct pro-apoptotic activity, a potent inhibition of proliferation was achieved at clinically achievable concentrations. Notably, up to 10% of CLL cells still proliferated even at the highest concentrations, likely mirroring the known difficulty to achieve complete responses in vivo. Altogether, this novel assay represents an appropriate ex vivo drug testing system to potentially predict the clinical response to novel inhibitors in particular by quantifying the antiproliferative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- Strategic Research Program on CLL and B Cell Neoplasia Unit, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and IRCCS Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Aliki Xochelli
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Mattias Mattsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pamela Ranghetti
- Strategic Research Program on CLL and B Cell Neoplasia Unit, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and IRCCS Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Javier de la Serna
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos González
- Hematology Service, IBSAL-Hospital Universitario, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer (CIC)- IBMCC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Chaparro Gil
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Anguita
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Iraheta
- Department of Hematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Richard Rosenquist
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Paolo Ghia
- Strategic Research Program on CLL and B Cell Neoplasia Unit, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and IRCCS Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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24
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Tomuleasa C, Selicean C, Cismas S, Jurj A, Marian M, Dima D, Pasca S, Petrushev B, Moisoiu V, Micu WT, Vischer A, Arifeen K, Selicean S, Zdrenghea M, Bumbea H, Tanase A, Grewal R, Pop L, Aanei C, Berindan-Neagoe I. Minimal residual disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A consensus paper that presents the clinical impact of the presently available laboratory approaches. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2018; 55:329-345. [PMID: 29801428 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2018.1463508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy defined by the accumulation of mature lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissues, bone marrow, and blood. Therapy for CLL is guided according to the Rai and Binet staging systems. Nevertheless, state-of-the-art protocols in disease monitoring, diagnostics, and prognostics for CLL are based on the assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD). MRD is internationally considered to be the level of disease that can be detected by sensitive techniques and represents incomplete treatment and a probability of disease relapse. MRD detection has been continuously improved by the quick development of both flow cytometry and molecular biology technology, as well as by next-generation sequencing. Considering that MRD detection is moving more and more from research to clinical practice, where it can be an independent prognostic marker, in this paper, we present the methodologies by which MRD is evaluated, from translational research to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Tomuleasa
- a Department of Hematology , Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center , Cluj Napoca , Romania.,b Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine/Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Cristina Selicean
- a Department of Hematology , Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Sonia Cismas
- c Department of Genetics , Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timisoara , Romania.,d Department of Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Anca Jurj
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Mirela Marian
- a Department of Hematology , Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Delia Dima
- a Department of Hematology , Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Sergiu Pasca
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Bobe Petrushev
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Vlad Moisoiu
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Wilhelm-Thomas Micu
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Anna Vischer
- d Department of Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Kanza Arifeen
- d Department of Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Sonia Selicean
- d Department of Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Mihnea Zdrenghea
- a Department of Hematology , Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center , Cluj Napoca , Romania.,d Department of Hematology , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Horia Bumbea
- f Department of Hematology , Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.,g Department of Hematology , University Clinical Hospital , Bucharest , Romania
| | - Alina Tanase
- h Department of Stem Cell Transplantation , Fundeni Clinical Institute , Bucharest , Romania
| | - Ravnit Grewal
- i South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit , The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape , Bellville , South Africa
| | - Laura Pop
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
| | - Carmen Aanei
- j Hematology Laboratory, Pole de Biologie-Pathologie , University Hospital of St. Etienne , St. Etienne , France
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- e Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine , Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Cluj Napoca , Romania
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