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Song J, Lanikova L, Kim SJ, Papadopoulos N, Meznarich J, Constantinescu SN, Parsegov B, Prchal JF, Prchal JT. Novel germline JAK2 R715T mutation causing PV-like erythrocytosis in 3 generations. Amelioration by Ropeg-Interferon. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:1220-1229. [PMID: 38629639 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27311] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal disorder arising from the acquired somatic mutations of the JAK2 gene, including JAK2V617F or several others in exon 12. A 38-year-old female had a stroke at age 32 and found to have elevated hemoglobin, normal leukocytes, normal platelets, and tested negative for JAK2V617F and exon 12 mutations. Next generation sequencing revealed a novel mutation: JAK2R715T in the pseudokinase domain (JH2) at 47.5%. Its presence in her nail DNA confirmed a germline origin. Her mother and her son similarly had erythrocytosis and a JAK2R715T mutation. Computer modeling indicated gain-of-function JAK2 activity. The propositus and her mother had polyclonal myelopoiesis, ruling out another somatic mutation-derived clonal hematopoiesis. Some erythroid progenitors of all three generations grew without erythropoietin, a hallmark of PV. The in vitro reporter assay confirmed increased activity of the JAK2R715T kinase. Similar to PV, the JAK2R715T native cells have increased STAT5 phosphorylation, augmented transcripts of prothrombotic and inflammatory genes, and decreased KLF2 transcripts. The propositus was not controlled by hydroxyurea, and JAK2 inhibitors were not tolerated; however, Ropeginterferon-alfa-2b (Ropeg-IFN-α) induced a remission. Ropeg-IFN-α treatment also reduced JAK2 activity in the propositus, her mother and JAK2V617F PV subjects. We report dominantly inherited erythrocytosis secondary to a novel germline JAK2R715T gain-of-function mutation with many but not all comparable molecular features to JAK2V617F PV. We also document a previously unreported inhibitory mechanism of JAK2 signaling by Ropeg-IFN-α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Song
- Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Lucie Lanikova
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Soo Jin Kim
- Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Nicolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium
- de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jessica Meznarich
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah and Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stefan N Constantinescu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium
- de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Brynn Parsegov
- Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Josef T Prchal
- Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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2
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Goulart H, Masarova L, Mesa R, Harrison C, Kiladjian JJ, Pemmaraju N. Myeloproliferative neoplasms in the adolescent and young adult population: A comprehensive review of the literature. Br J Haematol 2024; 205:48-60. [PMID: 38853641 PMCID: PMC11245372 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19557] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are characterized by a clonal proliferation of myeloid lineage cells within the bone marrow. The classical BCR-ABL negative MPNs are comprised of polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia and primary myelofibrosis. Historically, the majority of MPNs are diagnosed in adults older than 60 years of age; however, in recent years, there has been recognition of MPNs in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. AYAs with MPN, typically defined as between the ages of 15 and 39 years old, may comprise up to 20% of patients diagnosed with MPN. They demonstrate unique patterns of driver mutations and thrombotic events and remain at risk for progression to more aggressive disease states. Given the likely long length of time they will live with their disease, there is a significant unmet need in identifying well-tolerated and effective treatment options for these patients, particularly with the advent of disease modification. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical features, disease course and management of AYA patients with MPN and, in doing so, highlight key characteristics that distinguish them from their older counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Goulart
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lucia Masarova
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ruben Mesa
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Claire Harrison
- Department of Haematology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Jin J, Qin A, Zhang L, Shen W, Wang W, Zhang J, Li Y, Wu D, Xiao Z. A phase II trial to assess the efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon α-2b in Chinese patients with polycythemia vera. Future Oncol 2023. [PMID: 37129584 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2022-1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ropeginterferon α-2b is a mono-PEGylated proline-interferon for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV). This drug is used biweekly with a starting dose of 100 μg (50 μg if patients receiving hydroxyurea) and 50 μg increments up to a maximum dose of 500 μg. Increasing evidence indicates that patients can tolerate higher starting doses of ropeginterferon α-2b. This phase II trial utilizes 250 μg as the starting dose, 350 μg at week 2 and 500 μg at week 4 as the target dose. Doses can be adjusted according to tolerability. This study assesses the safety, efficacy and molecular response of ropeginterferon α-2b in Chinese patients with PV utilizing the 250-350-500 μg dosing schema. This study will be used to support the application of a biologics license for PV treatment in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Albert Qin
- PharmaEssentia Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihong Shen
- PharmaEssentia Biotech (Beijing) Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- PharmaEssentia Biotech (Beijing) Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yaning Li
- PharmaEssentia Biotech (Beijing) Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Daoxiang Wu
- PharmaEssentia Biotech (Beijing) Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijian Xiao
- Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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Song J, Kim SJ, Gollamudi J, Thiagarajan P, Prchal JT. Downregulated KLF2 in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia induces prothrombotic gene expression. Blood Adv 2023; 7:712-717. [PMID: 36343116 PMCID: PMC9984957 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Thromboses are major causes of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) diseases associated with JAK2V617F mutation. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of increased thrombosis in PV and ET remain unknown. Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of genes associated with inflammation and thrombosis; the absence of KLF2 in neutrophils causes thrombosis by inducing tissue factor. We studied the role of KLF2 in regulating prothrombotic gene expression in PV and ET. Neutrophils and platelets KLF2 expression in PV and ET was lower than the controls. Furthermore, in patients with thromboses, KLF2 transcripts were lower in platelets than those without thromboses. JAK2V617F allelic burden was inversely correlated with KLF2 transcript levels, suggesting JAK-STAT pathway may downregulate KLF2 expression. Whole transcriptome analyses of neutrophils and platelets showed that a lower KLF2 expression was associated with an upregulation of KLF2-regulated thrombotic genes. In addition, low KLF2 expression in platelets positively correlated with thrombotic events. In patients with PV and ET, KLF2 expression was induced by pegylated interferon alfa (PegINF-α) but not by hydroxyurea treatments. These data suggest that KLF2 may be a regulator of PV and ET thrombosis and a novel therapeutic target to prevent thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Song
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Soo Jin Kim
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Perumal Thiagarajan
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Josef T. Prchal
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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Qin A, Urbanski RW, Yu L, Ahmed T, Mascarenhas J. An alternative dosing strategy for ropeginterferon alfa-2b may help improve outcomes in myeloproliferative neoplasms: An overview of previous and ongoing studies with perspectives on the future. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1109866. [PMID: 36776307 PMCID: PMC9913265 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1109866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel, long-acting mono-pegylated proline-IFN-alpha-2b approved for treatment of polycythemia vera in adults, regardless of thrombotic risk level or treatment history. Clinical trial data indicate the dose and titration of ropeginterferon alfa-2b is safe and effective. However, additional studies may provide rationale for an amended, higher initial dosage and rapid titration. This article is an overview of current and upcoming studies of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in myeloproliferative neoplasms that support the exploration of an amended dosing scheme in order to optimize patient tolerability and efficacy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Qin
- PharmaEssentia Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Lennex Yu
- PharmaEssentia Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tasfia Ahmed
- PharmaEssentia USA Corporation, Burlington, MA, United States
| | - John Mascarenhas
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: John Mascarenhas,
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Hasselbalch H, Skov V, Kjær L, Larsen MK, Knudsen TA, Lucijanić M, Kusec R. Recombinant Interferon-β in the Treatment of Polycythemia Vera and Related Neoplasms: Rationales and Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5495. [PMID: 36428587 PMCID: PMC9688061 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 30 years ago, the first clinical trials of the safety and efficacy of recombinant interferon-α2 (rIFN-α2) were performed. Since then, several single-arm studies have shown rIFN-α2 to be a highly potent anticancer agent against several cancer types. Unfortunately, however, a high toxicity profile in early studies with rIFN-α2 -among other reasons likely due to the high dosages being used-disqualified rIFN-α2, which was accordingly replaced with competitive drugs that might at first glance look more attractive to clinicians. Later, pegylated IFN-α2a (Pegasys) and pegylated IFN-α2b (PegIntron) were introduced, which have since been reported to be better tolerated due to reduced toxicity. Today, treatment with rIFN-α2 is virtually outdated in non-hematological cancers, where other immunotherapies-e.g., immune-checkpoint inhibitors-are routinely used in several cancer types and are being intensively investigated in others, either as monotherapy or in combination with immunomodulatory agents, although only rarely in combination with rIFN-α2. Within the hematological malignancies, rIFN-α2 has been used off-label for decades in patients with Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)-i.e., essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis-and in recent years rIFN-α2 has been revived with the marketing of ropeginterferon-α2b (Besremi) for the treatment of polycythemia vera patients. Additionally, rIFN-α2 has been revived for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Another rIFN formulation-recombinant interferon-β (rIFN-β)-has been used for decades in the treatment of multiple sclerosis but has never been studied as a potential agent to be used in patients with MPNs, although several studies and reviews have repeatedly described rIFN-β as an effective anticancer agent as well. In this paper, we describe the rationales and perspectives for launching studies on the safety and efficacy of rIFN-β in patients with MPNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Hasselbalch
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Vibe Skov
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lasse Kjær
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Trine A. Knudsen
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marko Lucijanić
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Dubrava, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Rajko Kusec
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Dubrava, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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7
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Liu D, Xu ZF, Qin TJ, Qu SQ, Sun XJ, Li B, Pan LJ, Xiao ZJ. [The relationship between symptom burden and hematologic responses after treatment with interferon/hydroxyurea in patients with polycythemia vera]. ZHONGHUA XUE YE XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA XUEYEXUE ZAZHI 2021; 42:635-641. [PMID: 34547868 PMCID: PMC8501272 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To explore the relationship between symptom burden and hematologic responses after treatment with interferon and/or hydroxyurea in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) . Methods: Hematologic responses after continuous treatment with interferon and/or hydroxyurea for six months were evaluated in 190 patients with PV using the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-10 score) . In all patients, the PV diagnosis was based on the 2016 World Health Organization diagnostic definitions. Results: The study cohort comprised 93 (48.9% ) male and 97 (51.1% ) female patients. The median age at the time of MPN-10 assessment was 60 (32-82) years. The median MPN-10 score of the entire cohort was 9 (range, 0-67) . The median MPN-10 score of patients treated with interferon plus hydroxyurea (n=27) was 11 (0-67) , which was significantly higher than those of patients treated with interferon only (n=64) (6[0-56], P=0.019) or hydroxyurea only (n=99) (9[0-64], P=0.047) , whereas the median MPN-10 score was not significantly different between those treated with interferon only and hydroxyurea only (P=0.421) . The rate of severe symptom burden (i.e., any single symptom burden score ≥ 7 and/or total score ≥ 44) was 28.9% (55/190) in the entire cohort, whereas the rate of severe symptom burden was not significantly different among the interferon only (23.4% ) , hydroxyurea only (29.3% ) , and interferon plus hydroxyurea (40.7% ) groups (P>0.05 for all two-group comparisons) . When evaluating MPN-10 score, 37.4% (71/190) of the patients achieved complete hematologic remission (CHR) . Only 28.9% (55/190) patients had adequate disease control, defined as CHR without severe symptom burden. Reasons for inadequate disease control were evaluating blood counts alone, severe symptom burden alone, and evaluating blood counts accompanied with severe symptom burden in 42.1% (80/190) , 8.4% (16/190) , and 20.5% (39/190) of the patients, respectively. Compared to the patients with a platelet count ≤ 400×10(9)/L, those with a platelet count > 400×10(9)/L had a significantly higher rate of severe symptom burden (40.8% [20/49] vs 24.8% [35/141], P=0.044) and a higher median MPN-10 score (14[0-67] vs 7[0-56], P=0.038) . Platelet count > 400×10(9)/L was associated with an increased risk of severe symptom burden (hazard ratio, 2.089; 95% confidence interval, 1.052-4.147, P=0.035) . Conclusions: Symptoms related to disease after treatment with interferon and/or hydroxyurea were rather universal in patients with PV. Some patients still experienced severe symptom burden despite achieving CHR. Platelet count > 400×10(9)/L was associated with an increased risk of severe symptom burden in patients with PV treated with interferon and/or hydroxyurea.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Z F Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - T J Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - S Q Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - X J Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - B Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - L J Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Z J Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
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Germline genetic factors influence the outcome of interferon-α therapy in polycythemia vera. Blood 2021; 137:387-391. [PMID: 32814349 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon-α (IFN-α)-based treatments can induce hematologic and molecular responses (HRs and MRs, respectively) in polycythemia vera (PV); however, patients do not respond equally. Germline genetic factors have been implicated in differential drug responses. We addressed the effect of common germline polymorphisms on HR and MR after treatment of PV in the PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV studies in a total of 122 patients who received ropeginterferon alfa-2b. Genome-wide association studies using longitudinal data on HR and MR over a 36-month follow-up did not reveal any associations at the level of genome-wide statistical significance. Furthermore, we performed targeted association analyses at the interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) locus, well known for its role in hepatitis C viral clearance and recently reported to influence HR during treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms. We did not observe any association of IFNL4 polymorphisms with HR in our study cohort; however, we demonstrated a statistically significant effect of the functionally causative IFNL4 diplotype (haplotype pair, including the protein-coding variants rs368234815/rs117648444) on MR (P = 3.91 × 10-4; odds ratio, 10.80; 95% confidence interval, 2.39-69.97) as reflected in differential JAK2V617F mutational burden changes according to IFNL4 diplotype status. Stratification of patients with PV based on IFNL4 functionality may allow for optimizing patient management during IFN-α-based therapy.
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9
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Interferon-alpha for treating polycythemia vera yields improved myelofibrosis-free and overall survival. Leukemia 2021; 35:2592-2601. [PMID: 33654206 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01183-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Interferon-alpha (rIFNα) is the only disease-modifying treatment for polycythemia vera (PV), but whether or not it prolongs survival is unknown. This large single center retrospective study of 470 PV patients compares the myelofibrosis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) with rIFNα to two other primary treatments, hydroxyurea (HU) and phlebotomy-only (PHL-O). The median age at diagnosis was 54 years (range 20-94) and the median follow-up was 10 years (range 0-45). Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were women (49%) and 208 were high-risk (44%). The primary treatment was rIFNα in 93 (20%), HU in 189 (40%), PHL-O in 133 (28%) and other cytoreductive drugs in 55 (12%). The treatment groups differed by ELN risk score (p < 0.001). In low-risk patients, 20-year MFS for rIFNα, HU, and PHL-O was 84%, 65% and 55% respectively (p < 0.001) and 20-year OS was 100%, 85% and 80% respectively (p = 0.44). In high-risk patients, 20-year MFS for rIFNα, HU, and PHL-O was 89%, 41% and 36% respectively (p = 0.19) and 20-year OS was 66%, 40%, 14% respectively (p = 0.016). In multivariable analysis, longer time on rIFNα was associated with a lower risk of myelofibrosis (HR: 0.91, p < 0.001) and lower mortality (HR: 0.94, p = 0.012). In conclusion, this study supports treatment of PV with rIFNα to prevent myelofibrosis and potentially prolong survival.
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10
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Demerdash Y, Kain B, Essers MAG, King KY. Yin and Yang: The dual effects of interferons on hematopoiesis. Exp Hematol 2021; 96:1-12. [PMID: 33571568 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Interferons are an ancient and well-conserved group of inflammatory cytokines most famous for their role in viral immunity. A decade ago, we discovered that interferons also play an important role in the biology of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for lifelong blood production. Though we have learned a great deal about the role of interferons on HSC quiescence, differentiation, and self-renewal, there remains some controversy regarding how interferons impact these stem cells, with differing conclusions depending on experimental models and clinical context. Here, we review the contradictory roles of Type 1 and 2 interferons in hematopoiesis. Specifically, we highlight the roles of interferons in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis, along with short-term and long-term adaptive and maladaptive responses to inflammation. We discuss experimental challenges in the study of these powerful yet short-lived cytokines and strategies to address those challenges. We further review the contribution by interferons to disease states including bone marrow failure and aplastic anemia as well as their therapeutic use to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms and viral infections, including SARS-CoV2. Understanding the opposing effects of interferons on hematopoiesis will elucidate immune responses and bone marrow failure syndromes, and future therapeutic approaches for patients undergoing HSC transplantation or fighting infectious diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Demerdash
- Division Inflammatory Stress in Stem Cells, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGMBH), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bailee Kain
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Marieke A G Essers
- Division Inflammatory Stress in Stem Cells, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGMBH), Heidelberg, Germany; DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katherine Y King
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
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11
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Gangaraju R, Song J, Kim SJ, Tashi T, Reeves BN, Sundar KM, Thiagarajan P, Prchal JT. Thrombotic, inflammatory, and HIF-regulated genes and thrombosis risk in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. Blood Adv 2020; 4:1115-1130. [PMID: 32203583 PMCID: PMC7094018 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). The pathophysiology of thrombosis in these disorders remains unclear, and we hypothesized that upregulation of thrombotic, inflammatory, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-regulated genes may play a role in it. We performed unbiased RNA sequencing in granulocytes and platelets of PV patients and found differential expression of several thrombotic, inflammatory, and HIF-regulated genes. The expression of many of these genes positively correlated with JAK2 expression and JAK2V617F allelic burden. We then validated these findings by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses of selected gene transcripts in a larger number of PV and ET granulocytes and platelets (58 patients) and in 28 controls, and we compared these findings in patients with and without thrombosis. The study included 29 females and 29 males; of these, 28 had a history of thrombosis. We found that transcripts of several selected genes were upregulated in patients with PV or ET compared with controls. In granulocytes, the expression levels of F3, SELP, VEGFA, and SLC2A1 were significantly higher in patients with a history of thrombosis compared with those who did not have thrombosis. Patients with a history of thrombosis have significantly higher expression of IL1RAP (P < .05) in platelets compared with those without thrombosis. Our study confirms the presence of a thrombo-inflammatory state and augmented HIF activity in PV and ET and its role in thrombosis. These data may provide the background for targeted therapies in PV and ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Gangaraju
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jihyun Song
- Division of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Soo Jin Kim
- Division of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tsewang Tashi
- Division of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Brandi N Reeves
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Krishna M Sundar
- Division of Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Perumal Thiagarajan
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; and
| | - Josef T Prchal
- Division of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT
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12
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Gisslinger H, Klade C, Georgiev P, Krochmalczyk D, Gercheva-Kyuchukova L, Egyed M, Rossiev V, Dulicek P, Illes A, Pylypenko H, Sivcheva L, Mayer J, Yablokova V, Krejcy K, Grohmann-Izay B, Hasselbalch HC, Kralovics R, Kiladjian JJ. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus standard therapy for polycythaemia vera (PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV): a randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial and its extension study. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2020; 7:e196-e208. [PMID: 32014125 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(19)30236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV trials aimed to compare the novel monopegylated interferon ropeginterferon alfa-2b with hydroxyurea, the standard therapy for patients with polycythaemia vera, over 3 years of treatment. METHODS PROUD-PV and its extension study, CONTINUATION-PV, were phase 3, randomised, controlled, open-label, trials done in 48 clinics in Europe. Patients were eligible if 18 years or older with early stage polycythaemia vera (no history of cytoreductive treatment or less than 3 years of previous hydroxyurea treatment) diagnosed by WHO's 2008 criteria. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to ropeginterferon alfa-2b (subcutaneously every 2 weeks, starting at 100 μg) or hydroxyurea (orally starting at 500 mg/day). After 1 year, patients could opt to enter the extension part of the trial, CONTINUATION-PV. The primary endpoint in PROUD-PV was non-inferiority of ropeginterferon alfa-2b versus hydroxyurea regarding complete haematological response with normal spleen size (longitudinal diameter of ≤12 cm for women and ≤13 cm for men) at 12 months; in CONTINUATION-PV, the coprimary endpoints were complete haematological response with normalisation of spleen size and with improved disease burden (ie, splenomegaly, microvascular disturbances, pruritus, and headache). We present the final results of PROUD-PV and an interim analysis at 36 months of the CONTINUATION-PV study (per statistical analysis plan). Analyses for safety and efficacy were per-protocol. The trials were registered on EudraCT, 2012-005259-18 (PROUD-PV) and 2014-001357-17 (CONTINUATION-PV, which is ongoing). FINDINGS Patients were recruited from Sept 17, 2013 to March 13, 2015 with 306 enrolled. 257 patients were randomly assigned, 127 were treated in each group (three patients withdrew consent in the hydroxyurea group), and 171 rolled over to the CONTINUATION-PV trial. Median follow-up was 182·1 weeks (IQR 166·3-201·7) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b and 164·5 weeks (144·4-169·3) in the standard therapy group. In PROUD-PV, 26 (21%) of 122 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and 34 (28%) of 123 patients in the standard therapy group met the composite primary endpoint of complete haematological response with normal spleen size. In CONTINUATION-PV, complete haematological response with improved disease burden was met in 50 (53%) of 95 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus 28 (38%) of 74 patients in the hydroxyurea group, p=0·044 at 36 months. Complete haematological response without the spleen criterion in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group versus standard therapy group were: 53 (43%) of 123 patients versus 57 (46%) of 125 patients, p=0·63 at 12 months (PROUD-PV), and 67 (71%) of 95 patients versus 38 (51%) of 74 patients, p=0·012 at 36 months (CONTINUATION-PV). The most frequently reported grade 3 and grade 4 treatment-related adverse events were increased γ-glutamyltransferase (seven [6%] of 127 patients) and increased alanine aminotransferase (four [3%] of 127 patients) in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group, and leucopenia (six [5%] of 127 patients) and thrombocytopenia (five [4%] of 127 patients) in the standard therapy group. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in three (2%) of 127 patients in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b group and five (4%) of 127 patients in the hydroxyurea group. One treatment-related death was reported in the standard therapy group (acute leukaemia). INTERPRETATION In patients with early polycythaemia vera, who predominantly presented without splenomegaly, ropeginterferon alfa-2b was effective in inducing haematological responses; non-inferiority to hydroxyurea regarding haematological response and normal spleen size was not shown at 12 months. However, response to ropeginterferon alfa-2b continued to increase over time with improved responses compared with hydroxyurea at 36 months. Considering the high and durable haematological and molecular responses and its good tolerability, ropeginterferon alfa-2b offers a valuable and safe long-term treatment option with features distinct from hydroxyurea. FUNDING AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Gisslinger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Blood Coagulation, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Pencho Georgiev
- University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment "Sveti Georgi", Clinic of Haematology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Dorota Krochmalczyk
- Teaching Unit of the Haematology Department, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Liana Gercheva-Kyuchukova
- Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment "Sveta Marina", Clinical Haematology Clinic, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Miklos Egyed
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Kaposi MorCounty Teaching Hospital, Kaposvar, Hungary
| | - Viktor Rossiev
- Samara Kalinin Regional Clinical Hospital, Samara, Russia
| | - Petr Dulicek
- Department of Clinical Haematology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Arpad Illes
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Halyna Pylypenko
- Department of Haematology, Regional Treatment and Diagnostics Haematology Centre, Cherkasy Regional Oncology Centre, Cherkasy, Ukraine
| | - Lylia Sivcheva
- Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment-HristoBotev, First Department of Internal Medicine, Vratsa, Bulgaria
| | - Jiri Mayer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine-Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vera Yablokova
- Yaroslavl Regional Clinical Hospital, Department of Haematology, Yaroslavl, Russia
| | - Kurt Krejcy
- AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Hans C Hasselbalch
- Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Kralovics
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean-Jacques Kiladjian
- Université de Paris, CIC 1427, Inserm, F-75010, Paris, France; Centre d'Investigations Cliniques, AP-HP, Hopital Saint-Louis, F-75010, Paris, France
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13
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Pedersen RK, Andersen M, Knudsen TA, Sajid Z, Gudmand-Hoeyer J, Dam MJB, Skov V, Kjaer L, Ellervik C, Larsen TS, Hansen D, Pallisgaard N, Hasselbalch HC, Ottesen JT. Data-driven analysis of JAK2V617F kinetics during interferon-alpha2 treatment of patients with polycythemia vera and related neoplasms. Cancer Med 2020; 9:2039-2051. [PMID: 31991066 PMCID: PMC7064092 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with PEGylated interferon-alpha2 (IFN) of patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera induces major molecular remissions with a reduction in the JAK2V617F allele burden to undetectable levels in a subset of patients. A favorable response to IFN has been argued to depend upon the tumor burden, implying that institution of treatment with IFN should be as early as possible after the diagnosis. However, evidence for this statement is not available. We present a thorough analysis of unique serial JAK2V617F measurements in 66 IFN-treated patients and in 6 untreated patients. Without IFN treatment, the JAK2V617F allele burden increased exponentially with a period of doubling of 1.4 year. During monotherapy with IFN, the JAK2V617F allele burden decreased mono- or bi-exponentially for 33 responders of which 28 patients satisfied both descriptions. Bi-exponential description improved the fits in 19 cases being associated with late JAK2V617F responses. The decay of the JAK2V617F allele burden during IFN treatment was estimated to have half-lives of 1.6 year for the monoexponential response and 1.0 year in the long term for the bi-exponential response. In conclusion, through data-driven analysis of the JAK2V617F allele burden, we provide novel information regarding the JAK2V617F kinetics during IFN-treatment, arguing for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus K Pedersen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Morten Andersen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Trine A Knudsen
- Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Zamra Sajid
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Marc J B Dam
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Vibe Skov
- Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lasse Kjaer
- Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christina Ellervik
- Department of Production, Research, and Innovation, Region Zealand, Sorø, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, FL, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, FL, USA
| | - Thomas S Larsen
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dennis Hansen
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Pallisgaard
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hans C Hasselbalch
- Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Johnny T Ottesen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
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14
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Hasselbalch HC, Holmström MO. Perspectives on interferon-alpha in the treatment of polycythemia vera and related myeloproliferative neoplasms: minimal residual disease and cure? Semin Immunopathol 2019; 41:5-19. [PMID: 30203226 PMCID: PMC6323070 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The first clinical trials of the safety and efficacy of interferon-alpha2 (IFN-alpha2) were performed about 30 years ago. Since then, several single-arm studies have convincingly demonstrated that IFN-alpha2 is a highly potent anti-cancer agent in several cancer types but unfortunately not being explored sufficiently due to a high toxicity profile when using non-pegylated IFN-alpha2 or high dosages or due to competitive drugs, that for clinicians at first glance might look more attractive. Within the hematological malignancies, IFN-alpha2 has only recently been revived in patients with the Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms-essential thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis (MPNs)-and in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In this review, we tell the IFN story in MPNs from the very beginning in the 1980s up to 2018 and describe the perspectives for IFN-alpha2 treatment of MPNs in the future. The mechanisms of actions are discussed and the impact of chronic inflammation as the driving force for clonal expansion and disease progression in MPNs is discussed in the context of combination therapies with potent anti-inflammatory agents, such as the JAK1-2 inhibitors (licensed only ruxolitinib) and statins as well. Interferon-alpha2 being the cornerstone treatment in MPNs and having the potential of inducing minimal residual disease (MRD) with normalization of the bone marrow and low-JAK2V617F allele burden, we believe that combination therapy with ruxolitinib may be even more efficacious and hopefully revert disease progression in many more patients to enter the path towards MRD. In patients with advanced and transforming disease towards leukemic transformation or having transformed to acute myeloid leukemia, "triple therapy" is proposed as a novel treatment modality to be tested in clinical trials combining IFN-alpha2, DNA-hypomethylator, and ruxolitinib. The rationale for this "triple therapy" is given, including the fact that even in AML, IFN-alpha2 as monotherapy may revert disease progression. We envisage a new and bright future with many more patients with MPNs obtaining MRD on the above therapies. From this stage-and even before-vaccination strategies may open a new horizon with cure being the goal for some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Carl Hasselbalch
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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