1
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Cantera R, Fernández-Barge T, Salmanton-García J, Yáñez L. Holding the therapy in CLLp53: mechanisms to achieve durable responses. Anticancer Drugs 2024:00001813-990000000-00319. [PMID: 39133031 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common leukemia, mainly affecting the elderly. Originating in the bone marrow, CLL involves the accumulation of B lymphocytes and progresses slowly, though 50-60% of patients will require therapy. At diagnosis, the presence of p53 protein aberrations, such as 17p deletion and TP53 mutation, arises in approximately one out of 10 patients. Even in the era of targeted therapies, these aberrations remain the most important prognostic factors. Current guidelines favor continuous BTK inhibitor therapy in patients with CLLp53, though adverse events and drug resistance may lead to discontinuation. Herein, we discuss the effects of B-cell receptor and BCL-2 inhibition, as well as the role of the immune system, in two elderly CLLp53 patients with prolonged responses to different therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Cantera
- Hematology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Jon Salmanton-García
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD)
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany and
| | - Lucrecia Yáñez
- Hematology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
- Medicine and Psychiatry Department, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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2
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Taghiloo S, Asgarian-Omran H. Cross-talk between leukemic and immune cells at the tumor microenvironment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: An update review. Eur J Haematol 2024; 113:4-15. [PMID: 38698678 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14224] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a mature-type B cell malignancy correlated with significant changes and defects in both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, together with a high dependency on the tumor microenvironment. Overall, the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CLL provides a supportive niche for leukemic cells to grow and survive, and interactions between CLL cells and the TME can contribute to disease progression and treatment resistance. Therefore, the increasing knowledge of the complicated interaction between immune cells and tumor cells, which is responsible for immune evasion and cancer progression, has provided an opportunity for the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this review, we outline tumor microenvironment-driven contributions to the licensing of immune escape mechanisms in CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Taghiloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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3
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Floerchinger A, Seiffert M. Lessons learned from the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:194-200. [PMID: 38839457 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The Eµ-TCL1 mouse model has been used for over 20 years to study the pathobiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and for preclinical testing of novel therapies. A CLL-like disease develops with increasing age in these mice due to a B cell specific overexpression of human TCL1. The reliability of this model to mirror human CLL is controversially discussed, as none of the known driver mutations identified in patients are found in Eµ-TCL1 mice. It has to be acknowledged that this mouse model was key to develop targeted therapies that aim at inhibiting the constitutive B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, a main driver of CLL. Inhibitors of BCR signaling became standard-of-care for a large proportion of patients with CLL as they are highly effective. The Eµ-TCL1 model further advanced our understanding of CLL biology owed to studies that crossed this mouse line with various transgenic mouse models and demonstrated the relevance of CLL-cell intrinsic and -extrinsic drivers of disease. These studies were instrumental in showing the relevance of the tumor microenvironment in the lymphoid tissues for disease progression and immune escape in CLL. It became clear that CLL cells shape and rely on stromal and immune cells, and that immune suppressive mechanisms and T cell exhaustion contribute to CLL progression. Based on this knowledge, new immunotherapy strategies were clinically tested for CLL, but so far with disappointing results. As some of these therapies were effective in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model, the question arose concerning the translatability of preclinical studies in these mice. The aim of this review is to summarize lessons we have learnt over the last decades by studying CLL-like disease in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model. The article focuses on pitfalls and limitations of the model, as well as the gained knowledge and potential of using this model for the development of novel treatment strategies to achieve the goal of curing patients with CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Mice, Transgenic
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Floerchinger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences of the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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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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5
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Camerini E, Amsen D, Kater AP, Peters FS. The complexities of T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:163-171. [PMID: 38782635 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.04.001] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by profound alterations and defects in the T-cell compartment. This observation has gained renewed interest as T-cell treatment strategies, which are successfully applied in more aggressive B-cell malignancies, have yielded disappointing results in CLL. Despite ongoing efforts to understand and address the observed T-cell defects, the exact mechanisms and nature underlying this dysfunction remain largely unknown. In this review, we examine the supporting signals from T cells to CLL cells in the lymph node niche, summarize key findings on T-cell functional defects, delve into potential underlying causes, and explore novel strategies for reversing these deficiencies. Our goal is to identify strategies aimed at resolving CLL-induced T-cell dysfunction which, in the future, will enhance the efficacy of autologous T-cell-based therapies for CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Camerini
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory for Blood Cell Research at Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Fleur S Peters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Smith AL, Skupa SA, Eiken AP, Reznicek TE, Schmitz E, Williams N, Moore DY, D’Angelo CR, Kallam A, Lunning MA, Bociek RG, Vose JM, Mohamed E, Mahr AR, Denton PW, Powell B, Bollag G, Rowley MJ, El-Gamal D. BET inhibition reforms the immune microenvironment and alleviates T cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177054. [PMID: 38775157 PMCID: PMC11141939 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177054] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Redundant tumor microenvironment (TME) immunosuppressive mechanisms and epigenetic maintenance of terminal T cell exhaustion greatly hinder functional antitumor immune responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins regulate key pathways contributing to CLL pathogenesis and TME interactions, including T cell function and differentiation. Herein, we report that blocking BET protein function alleviates immunosuppressive networks in the CLL TME and repairs inherent CLL T cell defects. The pan-BET inhibitor OPN-51107 reduced exhaustion-associated cell signatures resulting in improved T cell proliferation and effector function in the Eμ-TCL1 splenic TME. Following BET inhibition (BET-i), TME T cells coexpressed significantly fewer inhibitory receptors (IRs) (e.g., PD-1, CD160, CD244, LAG3, VISTA). Complementary results were witnessed in primary CLL cultures, wherein OPN-51107 exerted proinflammatory effects on T cells, regardless of leukemic cell burden. BET-i additionally promotes a progenitor T cell phenotype through reduced expression of transcription factors that maintain terminal differentiation and increased expression of TCF-1, at least in part through altered chromatin accessibility. Moreover, direct T cell effects of BET-i were unmatched by common targeted therapies in CLL. This study demonstrates the immunomodulatory action of BET-i on CLL T cells and supports the inclusion of BET inhibitors in the management of CLL to alleviate terminal T cell dysfunction and potentially enhance tumoricidal T cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nolan Williams
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
| | - Dalia Y. Moore
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
| | - Christopher R. D’Angelo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Avyakta Kallam
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Matthew A. Lunning
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - R. Gregory Bociek
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Julie M. Vose
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Eslam Mohamed
- College of Medicine and College of Graduate Studies, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, California, USA
| | - Anna R. Mahr
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Paul W. Denton
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ben Powell
- Plexxikon Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Dalia El-Gamal
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (FPBCC), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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7
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Agathangelidis A, Chatzikonstantinou T, Stamatopoulos K. B-cell receptor immunoglobulin stereotypy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Key to understanding disease biology and stratifying patients. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:91-99. [PMID: 38242773 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2023.12.005] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Sequence convergence, otherwise stereotypy, of B-cell receptor immunoglobulin (BcR IG) from unrelated patients is a distinctive feature of the IG gene repertoire in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) whereby patients expressing a particular BcR IG archetype are classified into groups termed stereotyped subsets. From a biological perspective, the fact that a considerable fraction (∼41%) of patients with CLL express (quasi)identical or stereotyped BcR IG underscores the key role of antigen selection in the natural history of CLL. From a clinical perspective, at odds with the pronounced heterogeneity of CLL at large, patients belonging to the same stereotyped subset display consistent clinical presentation and outcome, including response to treatment, likely as a reflection of consistent biological background. Many major stereotyped subsets were recently shown to have satellites, that is, smaller subsets that are immunogenetically similar. Preliminary evidence supports that this similarity extends to shared biological and even clinical features, with important implications for patient stratification. Consequently, BcR IG stereotypy emerges as a powerful tool for dissecting the heterogeneity of CLL toward refined risk stratification and, eventually, more precise therapeutic interventions.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Humans
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Agathangelidis
- Division of Genetics & Biotechnology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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8
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Rodrigues C, Laranjeira P, Pinho A, Silva I, Silva S, Coucelo M, Oliveira AC, Simões AT, Damásio I, Silva HM, Urbano M, Sarmento-Ribeiro AB, Geraldes C, Domingues MR, Almeida J, Criado I, Orfao A, Paiva A. CD20+ T cells in monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: frequency, phenotype and association with disease progression. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1380648. [PMID: 38606091 PMCID: PMC11007165 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1380648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the expansion of malignant B cells disrupts the normal homeostasis and interactions between B cells and T cells, leading to immune dysregulation. CD20+ T cells are a subpopulation of T cells that appear to be involved in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Methods Here, we quantified and phenotypically characterized CD20+ T cells from MBL subjects and CLL patients using flow cytometry and correlated our findings with the B-cell receptor mutational status and other features of the disease. Results and discussion CD20+ T cells were more represented within the CD8+ T cell compartment and they showed a predominant memory Tc1 phenotype. CD20+ T cells were less represented in MBL and CLL patients vs healthy controls, particularly among those with unmutated IGVH gene. The expansion of malignant B cells was accompanied by phenotypic and functional changes in CD20+ T cells, including an increase in follicular helper CD4+ CD20+ T cells and CD20+ Tc1 cells, in addition to the expansion of the TCR Vβ 5.1 in CD4+ CD20+ T cells in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Rodrigues
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paula Laranjeira
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Aryane Pinho
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Silva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandra Silva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margarida Coucelo
- Unidade Funcional de Hematologia Molecular, Serviço de Hematologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Oliveira
- Unidade Funcional de Hematologia Molecular, Serviço de Hematologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Teresa Simões
- Unidade Funcional de Hematologia Molecular, Serviço de Hematologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Damásio
- Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | | | - Mafalda Urbano
- Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology and Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Geraldes
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology and Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. Rosário Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Julia Almeida
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Cancer Research Center (IBMCC, CSIC-University of Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Criado
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Cancer Research Center (IBMCC, CSIC-University of Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Translational and Clinical Research Program, Cancer Research Center (IBMCC, CSIC-University of Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium of Oncology (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Artur Paiva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra (ESTESC)-Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
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9
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Roselle C, Horikawa I, Chen L, Kelly AR, Gonzales D, Da T, Wellhausen N, Rommel PC, Baker D, Suhoski M, Scholler J, O'Connor RS, Young RM, Harris CC, June CH. Enhancing chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy by modulating the p53 signaling network with Δ133p53α. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317735121. [PMID: 38408246 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317735121] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell dysfunction is a major barrier to achieving lasting remission in hematologic cancers, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We have shown previously that Δ133p53α, an endogenous isoform of the human TP53 gene, decreases in expression with age in human T cells, and that reconstitution of Δ133p53α in poorly functional T cells can rescue proliferation [A. M. Mondal et al., J. Clin. Invest. 123, 5247-5257 (2013)]. Although Δ133p53α lacks a transactivation domain, it can form heterooligomers with full-length p53 and modulate the p53-mediated stress response [I. Horikawa et al., Cell Death Differ. 24, 1017-1028 (2017)]. Here, we show that constitutive expression of Δ133p53α potentiates the anti-tumor activity of CD19-directed CAR T cells and limits dysfunction under conditions of high tumor burden and metabolic stress. We demonstrate that Δ133p53α-expressing CAR T cells exhibit a robust metabolic phenotype, maintaining the ability to execute effector functions and continue proliferating under nutrient-limiting conditions, in part due to upregulation of critical biosynthetic processes and improved mitochondrial function. Importantly, we show that our strategy to constitutively express Δ133p53α improves the anti-tumor efficacy of CAR T cells generated from CLL patients that previously failed CAR T cell therapy. More broadly, our results point to the potential role of the p53-mediated stress response in limiting the prolonged antitumor functions required for complete tumor clearance in patients with high disease burden, suggesting that modulation of the p53 signaling network with Δ133p53α may represent a translationally viable strategy for improving CAR T cell therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Antigens, CD19
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Roselle
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Izumi Horikawa
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Linhui Chen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Andre R Kelly
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Donna Gonzales
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Tong Da
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Philipp C Rommel
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Daniel Baker
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Megan Suhoski
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Roddy S O'Connor
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Regina M Young
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Curtis C Harris
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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10
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Ullah MA, Garcillán B, Whitlock E, Figgett WA, Infantino S, Eslami M, Yang S, Rahman MA, Sheng YH, Weber N, Schneider P, Tam CS, Mackay F. An unappreciated cell survival-independent role for BAFF initiating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345515. [PMID: 38469292 PMCID: PMC10927009 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the expansion of CD19+ CD5+ B cells but its origin remains debated. Mutated CLL may originate from post-germinal center B cells and unmutated CLL from CD5+ mature B cell precursors. Irrespective of precursor types, events initiating CLL remain unknown. The cytokines BAFF and APRIL each play a significant role in CLL cell survival and accumulation, but their involvement in disease initiation remains unclear. Methods We generated novel CLL models lacking BAFF or APRIL. In vivo experiments were conducted to explore the impact of BAFF or APRIL loss on leukemia initiation, progression, and dissemination. Additionally, RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to unveil the transcriptomic signature influenced by BAFF in CLL. The direct role of BAFF in controlling the expression of tumor-promoting genes was further assessed in patient-derived primary CLL cells ex-vivo. Results Our findings demonstrate a crucial role for BAFF, but not APRIL, in the initiation and dissemination of CLL cells. In the absence of BAFF or its receptor BAFF-R, the TCL1 transgene only increases CLL cell numbers in the peritoneal cavity, without dissemination into the periphery. While BAFF binding to BAFF-R is dispensable for peritoneal CLL cell survival, it is necessary to activate a tumor-promoting gene program, potentially linked to CLL initiation and progression. This direct role of BAFF in controlling the expression of tumor-promoting genes was confirmed in patient-derived primary CLL cells ex-vivo. Conclusions Our study, involving both mouse and human CLL cells, suggests that BAFF might initiate CLL through mechanisms independent of cell survival. Combining current CLL therapies with BAFF inhibition could offer a dual benefit by reducing peripheral tumor burden and suppressing transformed CLL cell output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ashik Ullah
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Beatriz Garcillán
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eden Whitlock
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - William A. Figgett
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Simona Infantino
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mahya Eslami
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - SiLing Yang
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - M. Arifur Rahman
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Yong H. Sheng
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas Weber
- Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Constantine S. Tam
- Department of Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Fabienne Mackay
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Cancer Program, Herston, QLD, Australia
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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11
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Blanco G, Morris E, Morris JL, Letson HL, Susheel S, Puiggros A, Espinet B, Chiorazzi N, Dobson GP. Spontaneous Regression Accompanied by Concomitant Immune Alterations in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. ANNALS OF CASE REPORTS 2024; 9:1539. [PMID: 38939045 PMCID: PMC11210401 DOI: 10.29011/2574-7754.101539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Spontaneous regression (SR) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a rare event (0.2% - 1%). Some advances have been made in understanding the tumor genetic characteristics of such patients, although the immunological mechanisms leading to SR remain unclear. We describe a series of immunological events related to regression dynamics, allowing the identification of a SR phase (associated with >99% reduction of CLL cells in peripheral blood and adenopathy resolution in less than one year, concurrently with a nine-fold increase in monocyte counts, high B2M and the appearance of an oligoclonal serum IgG band), followed by a persistent regression (PR) phase that was maintained for ≥17 months. Our observations highlight a role of monocytes and B2M in SR, potentially related to immune activation. The oligoclonal IgG band detected during SR was maintained in PR, suggesting either a change in the ability of malignant cells (IgM+IgD+IgG‒) to differentiate into IgG-secreting cells, or an anti-tumor humoral response from normal B cells. These findings imply immune and molecular mechanisms required to eliminate malignant cells and might suggest new immunotherapies for CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Blanco
- Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Edward Morris
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Icon Cancer Care, Hyde Park, QLD, Australia
| | - Jodie L Morris
- Heart and Trauma Research Laboratory, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Hayley L Letson
- Heart and Trauma Research Laboratory, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Anna Puiggros
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Blanca Espinet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Nicholas Chiorazzi
- Karches Center for Oncology Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and of Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Geoffrey P Dobson
- Heart and Trauma Research Laboratory, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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12
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Papazoglou D, Wang XV, Shanafelt TD, Lesnick CE, Ioannou N, De Rossi G, Herter S, Bacac M, Klein C, Tallman MS, Kay NE, Ramsay AG. Ibrutinib-based therapy reinvigorates CD8+ T cells compared to chemoimmunotherapy: immune monitoring from the E1912 trial. Blood 2024; 143:57-63. [PMID: 37824808 PMCID: PMC10797553 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) that target B-cell receptor signaling have led to a paradigm shift in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment. BTKis have been shown to reduce abnormally high CLL-associated T-cell counts and the expression of immune checkpoint receptors concomitantly with tumor reduction. However, the impact of BTKi therapy on T-cell function has not been fully characterized. Here, we performed longitudinal immunophenotypic and functional analysis of pretreatment and on-treatment (6 and 12 months) peripheral blood samples from patients in the phase 3 E1912 trial comparing ibrutinib-rituximab with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR). Intriguingly, we report that despite reduced overall T-cell counts; higher numbers of T cells, including effector CD8+ subsets at baseline and at the 6-month time point, associated with no infections; and favorable progression-free survival in the ibrutinib-rituximab arm. Assays demonstrated enhanced anti-CLL T-cell killing function during ibrutinib-rituximab treatment, including a switch from predominantly CD4+ T-cell:CLL immune synapses at baseline to increased CD8+ lytic synapses on-therapy. Conversely, in the FCR arm, higher T-cell numbers correlated with adverse clinical responses and showed no functional improvement. We further demonstrate the potential of exploiting rejuvenated T-cell cytotoxicity during ibrutinib-rituximab treatment, using the bispecific antibody glofitamab, supporting combination immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Papazoglou
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Victoria Wang
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Nikolaos Ioannou
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia De Rossi
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sylvia Herter
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zürich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Marina Bacac
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zürich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zürich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Martin S. Tallman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Neil E. Kay
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Alan G. Ramsay
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Luo Y, Qie Y, Gadd ME, Manna A, Rivera-Valentin R, To T, Li S, Yassine F, Murthy HS, Dronca R, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Qin H. Translational development of a novel BAFF-R CAR-T therapy targeting B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4031-4047. [PMID: 37814001 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03537-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Several CD19-targeting CAR-T cells are used to treat leukemias and lymphomas; however, relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) disease is still observed in a significant number of patients. Additionally, the success of CD19-CAR-T cell therapies is not uniform across hematological malignancies, particularly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this study, we present the development of a novel CAR-T cell therapy targeting B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), a key regulator of B-cell proliferation and maturation. A new monoclonal antibody against BAFF-R was generated from a hybridoma clone and used to create a novel MC10029 CAR construct. Through a series of in vitro and in vivo models using the Nalm-6 cell line for leukemia and the Z138 cell line for lymphoma, we demonstrated the antigen-specific cytotoxicity of MC10029 CAR-T cells against tumor cells. Additionally, MC10029 CAR-T cells exhibited potent antitumor effects against CD19 knockout tumor cells, mimicking CD19-negative R/R disease. MC10029 CAR-T cells were specifically targeted to CLL, in which BAFF-R is nearly always expressed. The cytotoxicity of MC10029 CAR-T cells was first shown in the MEC-1 CLL cell line, before we turned our efforts to subject-derived samples. Using healthy donor-engineered MC10029 CAR-T cells against enriched primary tumor cells, followed by subject-derived MC10029 CAR-T cells against autologous tumor cells, we showed the efficacy of MC10029 CAR-T cells against CLL subject samples. With these robust data, we have advanced to the production of MC10029 CAR-T cells, using GMP lentivirus, and obtained an IND approval in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Luo
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yaqing Qie
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Martha E Gadd
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Alak Manna
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Rocio Rivera-Valentin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Florida-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Tommy To
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Shuhua Li
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Farah Yassine
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Inpatient Hematology Unit, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Hemant S Murthy
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Inpatient Hematology Unit, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Roxana Dronca
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Mohamed A Kharfan-Dabaja
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Inpatient Hematology Unit, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
| | - Hong Qin
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR-T Translational Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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14
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Montironi C, Jacobs CF, Cretenet G, Peters FS, Schomakers BV, van Weeghel M, Kater AP, Simon-Molas H, Eldering E. T-cell dysfunction by pseudohypoxia and autocrine purinergic signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6540-6552. [PMID: 37552122 PMCID: PMC10632609 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquired T-cell dysfunction is common in chronic B-cell malignancies. Given the strong connection between T-cell metabolism and function, we investigated metabolic alterations as the basis of T-cell dysfunction induced by malignant cells. Using B-cell malignant cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we first established a model that recapitulates major aspects of cancer-induced T-cell dysfunction. Cell lines derived from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (PGA-1, CII, and Mec-1), but not from other B-cell malignancies, altered the T-cell metabolome by generating a pseudohypoxic state. T cells were retained in aerobic glycolysis and were not able to switch to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Moreover, T cells produced immunosuppressive adenosine that negatively affected function by dampening the activation, which could be restored by the blocking of adenosine receptors. Subsequently, we uncovered a similar hypoxic-like signature in autologous T cells from primary CLL samples. Pseudohypoxia was reversible upon depletion of CLL cells ex vivo and, importantly, after the in vivo reduction of the leukemic burden with combination therapy (venetoclax and obinutuzumab), restoring T-cell function. In conclusion, we uncovered a pseudohypoxic program connected with T-cell dysfunction in CLL. Modulation of hypoxia and the purinergic pathway might contribute to therapeutic restoration of T-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Montironi
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chaja F. Jacobs
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gaspard Cretenet
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur S. Peters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bauke V. Schomakers
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michel van Weeghel
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helga Simon-Molas
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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Pagano G, Botana IF, Wierz M, Roessner PM, Ioannou N, Zhou X, Al-Hity G, Borne C, Gargiulo E, Gonder S, Qu B, Stamatopoulos B, Ramsay AG, Seiffert M, Largeot A, Moussay E, Paggetti J. Interleukin-27 potentiates CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica 2023; 108:3011-3024. [PMID: 37345470 PMCID: PMC10620579 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on interactions with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) for survival and proliferation. In the search for novel treatments, pro-inflammatory cytokines have emerged as candidates to reactivate the immune system. Among those, interleukin 27 (IL-27) has recently gained attention, but its effects differ among malignancies. Here, we utilized the Eμ-TCL1 and EBI3 knock-out mouse models as well as clinical samples from patients to investigate the role of IL-27 in CLL. Characterization of murine leukemic spleens revealed that the absence of IL-27 leads to enhanced CLL development and a more immunosuppressive TME in transgenic mice. Gene-profiling of T-cell subsets from EBI3 knock-out highlighted transcriptional changes in the CD8+ T-cell population associated with T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. We also observed an increased anti-tumor activity of CD8+ T cells in the presence of IL-27 ex vivo with murine and clinical samples. Notably, IL-27 treatment led to the reactivation of autologous T cells from CLL patients. Finally, we detected a decrease in IL-27 serum levels during CLL development in both pre-clinical and patient samples. Altogether, we demonstrated that IL-27 has a strong anti-tumorigenic role in CLL and postulate this cytokine as a promising treatment or adjuvant for this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pagano
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Iria Fernandez Botana
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marina Wierz
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | - Nikolaos Ioannou
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London
| | - Xiangda Zhou
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg
| | - Gheed Al-Hity
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London
| | - Coralie Borne
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Ernesto Gargiulo
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Susanne Gonder
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Bin Qu
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg
| | | | - Alan G Ramsay
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg
| | - Anne Largeot
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Etienne Moussay
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
| | - Jerome Paggetti
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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16
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Goral A, Sledz M, Manda-Handzlik A, Cieloch A, Wojciechowska A, Lachota M, Mroczek A, Demkow U, Zagozdzon R, Matusik K, Wachowska M, Muchowicz A. Regulatory T cells contribute to the immunosuppressive phenotype of neutrophils in a mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:89. [PMID: 37817276 PMCID: PMC10563345 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00452-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired neutrophil activity is an important issue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as it contributes to a dysfunctional immune response leading to life-threatening infections in patients. Some features typical of CLL neutrophils, e.g., the B-cell-supportive secretion profile, have already been described. However, most of these studies were performed on cells isolated from peripheral blood. It is still unclear which molecular factors and cell types are involved in shaping neutrophil function and phenotype in the CLL microenvironment. Since regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in CLL progression and influence the activity of neutrophils, we investigated the crosstalk between Treg and neutrophils in the spleen using a murine model of CLL. METHODS In this work, we used an Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of human CLL. For our in vivo and ex vivo experiments, we inoculated wild-type mice with TCL1 leukemic cells isolated from Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice and then monitored disease progression by detecting leukemic cells in peripheral blood. We analyzed both the phenotype and activity of neutrophils isolated from the spleens of TCL1 leukemia-bearing mice. To investigate the interrelation between Treg and neutrophils in the leukemia microenvironment, we performed experiments using TCL1-injected DEREG mice with Treg depletion or RAG2KO mice with adoptively transferred TCL1 cells alone or together with Treg. RESULTS The obtained results underline the plasticity of the neutrophil phenotype, observed under the influence of leukemic cells alone and depending on the presence of Treg. In particular, Treg affect the expression of CD62L and IL-4 receptor in neutrophils, both of which are crucial for the function of these cells. Additionally, we show that Treg depletion and IL-10 neutralization induce changes in the leukemia microenvironment, partially restoring the "healthy" phenotype of neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the results indicate that the crosstalk between Treg and neutrophils in CLL may play an important role in CLL progression by interfering with the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Goral
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
| | - Marta Sledz
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Aneta Manda-Handzlik
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Adrianna Cieloch
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Alicja Wojciechowska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
| | - Mieszko Lachota
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, 04-730, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Mroczek
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Urszula Demkow
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Radoslaw Zagozdzon
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Matusik
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Wachowska
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-091, Poland
| | - Angelika Muchowicz
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland.
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland.
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17
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Taghiloo S, Asgarian-Omran H. Current Approaches of Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:1408-1438. [PMID: 37561383 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01129-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Increasing understanding of the complex interaction between leukemic and immune cells, which is responsible for tumor progression and immune evasion, has paved the way for the development of novel immunotherapy approaches in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). One of the well-known immune escape mechanisms of tumor cells is the up-regulation of immune checkpoint molecules. In recent years, targeting immune checkpoint receptors is the most clinically effective immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In this regard, various immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) drugs are currently been investigating for their potential effects on improving anti-tumor immune response and clinical efficacy in the hematological malignancies; however, their effectiveness in patients with CLL has shown less remarkable success, and ongoing research is focused on identifying strategies to enhance the efficacy of ICB in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Taghiloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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18
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Koehrer S, Burger JA. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Disease Biology. Acta Haematol 2023; 147:8-21. [PMID: 37717577 DOI: 10.1159/000533610] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is crucial for normal B-cell development and adaptive immunity. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the malignant B cells display many features of normal mature B lymphocytes, including the expression of functional B-cell receptors (BCRs). Cross talk between CLL cells and the microenvironment in secondary lymphatic organs results in BCR signaling and BCR-driven proliferation of the CLL cells. This critical pathomechanism can be targeted by blocking BCR-related kinases (BTK, PI3K, spleen tyrosine kinase) using small-molecule inhibitors. Among these targets, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have the highest therapeutic efficacy; they effectively block leukemia cell proliferation and generally induce durable remissions in CLL patients, even in patients with high-risk disease. By disrupting tissue homing receptor (i.e., chemokine receptor and adhesion molecule) signaling, these kinase inhibitors also mobilize CLL cells from the lymphatic tissues into the peripheral blood (PB), causing a transient redistribution lymphocytosis, thereby depriving CLL cells from nurturing factors within the tissue niches. SUMMARY The clinical success of the BTK inhibitors in CLL underscores the central importance of the BCR in CLL pathogenesis. Here, we review CLL pathogenesis with a focus on the role of the BCR and other microenvironment cues. KEY MESSAGES (i) CLL cells rely on signals from their microenvironment for proliferation and survival. (ii) These signals are mediated by the BCR as well as chemokine and integrin receptors and their respective ligands. (iii) Targeting the CLL/microenvironment interaction with small-molecule inhibitors provides a highly effective treatment strategy, even in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Koehrer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Klinik Donaustadt, Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik, Clinical Genetics, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan A Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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19
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Lam V, Roleder C, Liu T, Bruss N, Best S, Wang X, Phillips T, Shouse G, Berger AJ, Alinari L, Wang L, Siddiqi T, Pennock ND, Danilov AV. T Cell-intrinsic Immunomodulatory Effects of TAK-981 (Subasumstat), a SUMO-activating Enzyme Inhibitor, in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1040-1051. [PMID: 37420267 PMCID: PMC10525033 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0762] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Novel targeted agents used in therapy of lymphoid malignancies are recognized to have complex immune-mediated effects. Sumoylation, a posttranslational modification of target proteins by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO), regulates a variety of cellular processes indispensable in immune cell activation. Despite this, the role of sumoylation in T-cell biology in context of cancer is not known. TAK-981 (subasumstat) is a small-molecule inhibitor of the SUMO-activating enzyme (SAE) that forms a covalent adduct with an activated SUMO protein. Using T cells derived from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we demonstrate that targeting SAE activates type I IFN response. This is accompanied by largely intact T-cell activation in response to T-cell receptor engagement, with increased expression of CD69 and CD38. Furthermore, TAK-981 decreases regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and enhances secretion of IFNγ by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These findings were recapitulated in mouse models, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of T-cell activation regulated by SUMO modification. Relevant to the consideration of TAK-981 as an effective agent for immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies, we demonstrate that the downstream impact of TAK-981 administration is enhancement of the cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells, thus uncovering immune implications of targeting sumoylation in lymphoid neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vi Lam
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | | | - Tingting Liu
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Nur Bruss
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Scott Best
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lili Wang
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | | | - Nathan D. Pennock
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
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20
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Mertowska P, Smolak K, Mertowski S, Grywalska E. Unraveling the Role of Toll-like Receptors in the Immunopathogenesis of Selected Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies. Cells 2023; 12:2055. [PMID: 37626865 PMCID: PMC10453926 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162055] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and molecules that work together to defend the body against pathogens and maintain overall health. However, in some individuals, the immune system fails to function correctly, leading to immunodeficiencies. Immunodeficiencies can be classified into primary (PID) and secondary (SID) types, each with distinct underlying causes and manifestations. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as key components of the immune system, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both PID and SID. In this study, we aim to unravel the intricate involvement of TLR2, TLR4, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 in the immunopathogenesis of common variable immunodeficiency-CVID (as PID)-and chronic lymphocytic leukemia-CLL (as SID). The obtained results indicate a significant increase in the percentage of all tested subpopulations of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes showing positive expression of all analyzed TLRs in patients with CVID and CLL compared to healthy volunteers, constituting the control group, which is also confirmed by analysis of the concentration of soluble forms of these receptors in the plasma of patients. Furthermore, patients diagnosed with CVID are characterized by the percentage of all lymphocytes showing positive expression of the tested TLR2, TLR4, TLR3, and TLR9 and their plasma concentrations in relation to patients with CLL. By investigating the functions and interactions of TLRs within the immune system, we seek to shed light on their critical role in the development and progression of these immunodeficiencies. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature and presented experimental data, we hope to deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which TLRs contribute to the pathogenesis of PID and SID. Ultimately, our findings may provide valuable insights into developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate the impact of these disorders on those affected by immunodeficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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21
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Czader M, Amador C, Cook JR, Thakkar D, Parker C, Dave SS, Dogan A, Duffield AS, Nejati R, Ott G, Xiao W, Wasik M, Goodlad JR. Progression and transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma and B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: Report from the 2021 SH/EAHP Workshop. Am J Clin Pathol 2023; 159:554-571. [PMID: 37052539 PMCID: PMC10233402 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqad027] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Session 3 of the 2021 Workshop of the Society for Hematopathology/European Association for Haematopathology examined progression and transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL). METHODS Thirty-one cases were reviewed by the panel. Additional studies such as immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic testing, including whole-exome sequencing and expression profiling, were performed in select cases. RESULTS Session 3 included 27 CLL/SLL cases and miscellaneous associated proliferations, 3 cases of B-PLL, and 1 case of small B-cell lymphoma. The criteria for -accelerated CLL/SLL are established for lymph nodes, but extranodal disease can be diagnostically challenging. Richter transformation (RT) is a broad term and includes true transformation from original CLL/SLL clone(s) and clonally unrelated neoplasms. The morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic spectrum is diverse with classical and highly unusual examples. T-cell proliferations can also be encountered in CLL/SLL. B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia is a rare, diagnostically challenging disease due to its overlaps with other lymphoid neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS The workshop highlighted complexity of progression and transformation in CLL/SLL and B-PLL, as well as diagnostic caveats accompanying heterogeneous presentations of RT and other manifestations of disease progression. Molecular genetic studies are pivotal for diagnosis and determination of clonal relationship, and to predict response to treatment and identify resistance to targeted therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, B-Cell
- Lymphoma, B-Cell
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Czader
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, US
| | - Catalina Amador
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, US
| | - James R Cook
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, US
| | - Devang Thakkar
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, US
| | | | - Sandeep S Dave
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, US
| | - Ahmet Dogan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - Amy S Duffield
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, US
| | - Reza Nejati
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, US
| | - German Ott
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, and Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wenbin Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, US
| | - Mariusz Wasik
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, US
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22
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Crane JC, Gordon MJ, Basen-Engquist K, Ferrajoli A, Markofski MM, Lee CY, Fares S, Simpson RJ, LaVoy EC. Relationships between T-lymphocytes and physical function in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Results from the HEALTH4CLL pilot study. Eur J Haematol 2023; 110:732-742. [PMID: 36946440 PMCID: PMC10929688 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13958] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine physical function and T-cell phenotype in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) before and after a physical activity (PA) intervention. METHODS Physical function measures and blood samples were collected from CLL patients (Rai stage 0-4, 50% receiving targeted therapy, N = 24) enrolled in a 16-week intervention of at-home aerobic and/or resistance exercise. Flow cytometry characterized T-cells in cryopreserved peripheral blood cells. Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared physical function and T-cell phenotype at baseline and 16-weeks; Kendall's Tau assessed associations between variables. RESULTS Godin leisure-time PA score increased from baseline to 16-weeks (mean difference: 14.61, p < .01) and fatigue decreased (mean difference: 6.71, p < .001). At baseline, lower fatigue correlated with a lower proportion of CD8+ T-cells (τ = 0.32, p = .03) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) inversely correlated with the percentage of PD-1+CD8+ T-cells (τ -0.31, p = .03). At 16-weeks, CRF inversely correlated with the proportion of PD-1+CD4+ T-cells (τ -0.34, p = .02). Reduced fatigue at 16-weeks correlated with an increased CD4:CD8 ratio (τ = 0.36, p = .02) and lower percentage of HLA-DR+PD-1+CD4+ T-cells (τ = -0.37, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS This intervention increased leisure-time PA and decreased fatigue in CLL patients. These changes correlated with an increased CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio and reduced proportion of T-cells subsets previously associated with poor outcomes in CLL patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02194387.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C. Crane
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Max J. Gordon
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen Basen-Engquist
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas School of Public Health; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Kinesiology, Rice University; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alessandra Ferrajoli
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melissa M. Markofski
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Che Young Lee
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sara Fares
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard J Simpson
- School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ, USA
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center; Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Emily C. LaVoy
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston; Houston, TX, USA
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23
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Rubino V, Carriero F, Palatucci AT, Giovazzino A, Leone S, Nicolella V, Calabrò M, Montanaro R, Brancaleone V, Pane F, Chiurazzi F, Ruggiero G, Terrazzano G. Adaptive and Innate Cytotoxic Effectors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) Subjects with Stable Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119596. [PMID: 37298547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is characterised by the expansion of a neoplastic mature B cell clone. CLL clinical outcome is very heterogeneous, with some subjects never requiring therapy and some showing an aggressive disease. Genetic and epigenetic alterations and pro-inflammatory microenvironment influence CLL progression and prognosis. The involvement of immune-mediated mechanisms in CLL control needs to be investigated. We analyse the activation profile of innate and adaptive cytotoxic immune effectors in a cohort of 26 CLL patients with stable disease, as key elements for immune-mediated control of cancer progression. We observed an increase in CD54 expression and interferon (IFN)-γ production by cytotoxic T cells (CTL). CTL ability to recognise tumour-targets depends on human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-class I expression. We observed a decreased expression of HLA-A and HLA-BC on B cells of CLL subjects, associated with a significant reduction in intracellular calnexin that is relevant for HLA surface expression. Natural killer (NK) cells and CTL from CLL subjects show an increased expression of the activating receptor KIR2DS2 and a reduction of 3DL1 and NKG2A inhibiting molecules. Therefore, an activation profile characterises CTL and NK cells of CLL subjects with stable disease. This profile is conceivable with the functional involvement of cytotoxic effectors in CLL control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Rubino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Carriero
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Angela Giovazzino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Leone
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valerio Nicolella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Calabrò
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Pane
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Chiurazzi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ruggiero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
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24
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Roškar Z, Dreisinger M, Tič P, Homšak E, Bevc S, Goropevšek A. New Flow Cytometric Methods for Monitoring STAT5 Signaling Reveal Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Specific Stimulation in FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells also in Patients with Advanced Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050539. [PMID: 37232900 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Increased frequency of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) has been associated with disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Flow cytometric methods, which allow for the simultaneous analysis of their specific transcription factor Foxp3 and activated STAT proteins, together with proliferation can help to elucidate the signaling mechanisms driving Treg expansion and suppression of FOXP3- conventional CD4+T-cells (Tcon). Herein, we first report a novel approach in which STAT5 phosphorylation (pSTAT5) and proliferation (BrdU-FITC incorporation) could be analyzed specifically in FOXP3+ and FOXP3- responding cells after CD3/CD28 stimulation. The addition of magnetically purified CD4+CD25+ T-cells from healthy donors to cocultured autologous CD4+CD25- T-cells resulted in suppression of Tcon cell cycle progression accompanied by a decrease in pSTAT5. Next, a method using imaging flow cytometry is presented for the detection of cytokine-dependent pSTAT5 nuclear translocation in FOXP3-expressing cells. Finally, we discuss our experimental data obtained by combining Treg pSTAT5 analysis and antigen-specific stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Applying these methods on samples from patients revealed Treg responses to antigen-specific stimulation and significantly higher basal pSTAT5 in CLL patients treated with immunochemotherapy. Thus, we speculate that through the use of this pharmacodynamic tool, the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs and their possible off-target effects can be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatko Roškar
- Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Dreisinger
- Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Primož Tič
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Evgenija Homšak
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Sebastjan Bevc
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Goropevšek
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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25
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Coyne V, Mead HL, Mongini PKA, Barker BM. B Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Development in Mice with Chronic Lung Exposure to Coccidioides Fungal Arthroconidia. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:333-352. [PMID: 37195872 PMCID: PMC10579974 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Links between repeated microbial infections and B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) have been proposed but not tested directly. This study examines how prolonged exposure to a human fungal pathogen impacts B-CLL development in Eµ-hTCL1-transgenic mice. Monthly lung exposure to inactivated Coccidioides arthroconidia, agents of Valley fever, altered leukemia development in a species-specific manner, with Coccidioides posadasii hastening B-CLL diagnosis/progression in a fraction of mice and Coccidioides immitis delaying aggressive B-CLL development, despite fostering more rapid monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis. Overall survival did not differ significantly between control and C. posadasii-treated cohorts but was significantly extended in C. immitis-exposed mice. In vivo doubling time analyses of pooled B-CLL showed no difference in growth rates of early and late leukemias. However, within C. immitis-treated mice, B-CLL manifests longer doubling times, as compared with B-CLL in control or C. posadasii-treated mice, and/or evidence of clonal contraction over time. Through linear regression, positive relationships were noted between circulating levels of CD5+/B220low B cells and hematopoietic cells previously linked to B-CLL growth, albeit in a cohort-specific manner. Neutrophils were positively linked to accelerated growth in mice exposed to either Coccidioides species, but not in control mice. Conversely, only C. posadasii-exposed and control cohorts displayed positive links between CD5+/B220low B cell frequency and abundance of M2 anti-inflammatory monocytes and T cells. The current study provides evidence that chronic lung exposure to fungal arthroconidia affects B-CLL development in a manner dependent on fungal genotype. Correlative studies suggest that fungal species differences in the modulation of nonleukemic hematopoietic cells are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Coyne
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | - Heather L. Mead
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | | | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
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26
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Oder B, Chatzidimitriou A, Langerak AW, Rosenquist R, Österholm C. Recent revelations and future directions using single-cell technologies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1143811. [PMID: 37091144 PMCID: PMC10117666 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1143811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease with varying outcomes. In the last decade, the application of next-generation sequencing technologies has allowed extensive mapping of disease-specific genomic, epigenomic, immunogenetic, and transcriptomic signatures linked to CLL pathogenesis. These technologies have improved our understanding of the impact of tumor heterogeneity and evolution on disease outcome, although they have mostly been performed on bulk preparations of nucleic acids. As a further development, new technologies have emerged in recent years that allow high-resolution mapping at the single-cell level. These include single-cell RNA sequencing for assessment of the transcriptome, both of leukemic and non-malignant cells in the tumor microenvironment; immunogenetic profiling of B and T cell receptor rearrangements; single-cell sequencing methods for investigation of methylation and chromatin accessibility across the genome; and targeted single-cell DNA sequencing for analysis of copy-number alterations and single nucleotide variants. In addition, concomitant profiling of cellular subpopulations, based on protein expression, can also be obtained by various antibody-based approaches. In this review, we discuss different single-cell sequencing technologies and how they have been applied so far to study CLL onset and progression, also in response to treatment. This latter aspect is particularly relevant considering that we are moving away from chemoimmunotherapy to targeted therapies, with a potentially distinct impact on clonal dynamics. We also discuss new possibilities, such as integrative multi-omics analysis, as well as inherent limitations of the different single-cell technologies, from sample preparation to data interpretation using available bioinformatic pipelines. Finally, we discuss future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaž Oder
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Chatzidimitriou
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anton W. Langerak
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Richard Rosenquist
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Österholm
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Cecilia Österholm,
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27
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O’Donnell A, Pepper C, Mitchell S, Pepper A. NF-kB and the CLL microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1169397. [PMID: 37064123 PMCID: PMC10098180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1169397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent type of leukemia in the western world. Despite the positive clinical effects of new targeted therapies, CLL still remains an incurable and refractory disease and resistance to treatments are commonly encountered. The Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor has been implicated in the pathology of CLL, with high levels of NF-κB associated with disease progression and drug resistance. This aberrant NF-κB activation can be caused by genetic mutations in the tumor cells and microenvironmental factors, which promote NF-κB signaling. Activation can be induced via two distinct pathways, the canonical and non-canonical pathway, which result in tumor cell proliferation, survival and drug resistance. Therefore, understanding how the CLL microenvironment drives NF-κB activation is important for deciphering how CLL cells evade treatment and may aid the development of novel targeting therapeutics. The CLL microenvironment is comprised of various cells, including nurse like cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, follicular dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. By activating different receptors, including the B cell receptor and CD40, these cells cause overactivity of the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Within this review, we will explore the different components of the CLL microenvironment that drive the NF-κB pathway, investigating how this knowledge is being translated in the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice O’Donnell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Mitchell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
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28
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Le Saos-Patrinos C, Loizon S, Zouine A, Turpin D, Dilhuydy MS, Blanco P, Sisirak V, Forcade E, Duluc D. Elevated levels of circulatory follicular T helper cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia contribute to B cell expansion. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:305-314. [PMID: 36807447 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad006] [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: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by an expansion of mature B cells in the bone marrow, peripheral lymphoid organs, and blood. CD4 T helper (Th) lymphocytes significantly contribute to the physiopathology of CLL, but the subset(s) of Th cell involved in CLL pathogenesis is (are) still under debate. In this study, we performed flow cytometry analysis of the circulatory T cells of untreated CLL patients and observed an increase in follicular helper T cells (Tfh), which is a subset of T cells specialized in B cell help. Elevated numbers of Tfh cells correlated with disease severity as measured by the Binet staging system. Tfh from CLL patients were activated and skewed toward a Th1 profile as evidenced by their PD-1+IL-21+IFNγ+ phenotype and their CXCR3+CCR6- chemokine receptor profile. Tfh efficiently enhanced B-CLL survival and proliferation through IL-21 but independently of IFNγ. Finally, we observed an inverse correlation between the Tfh1 and IgA and IgG serum levels in patients, suggesting a role for this Tfh subset in the immune dysfunction associated with CLL. Altogether, our data highlight an impairment in circulatory Tfh subsets in CLL patients and their critical role in CLL physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Séverine Loizon
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Atika Zouine
- TBM Core, UB Facsility, CNRS UMS 3427, Inserm US 005, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Delphine Turpin
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Sarah Dilhuydy
- Service d'Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Hôpital Haut Lévêque, Av de Magellan, 33600 Pessac, Bordeaux, France
| | - Patrick Blanco
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France.,Service d'immunologie et immunogénétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Place Amélie Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Vanja Sisirak
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Edouard Forcade
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France.,Service d'Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Hôpital Haut Lévêque, Av de Magellan, 33600 Pessac, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dorothée Duluc
- Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
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29
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Simultaneous Inhibition of PI3Kgamma and PI3Kdelta Deteriorates T-cell Function With Implications for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e840. [PMID: 36844182 PMCID: PMC9949793 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000840] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common and incurable B-cell malignancy. Recent therapeutic approaches that target the B-cell receptor signaling pathway include inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). The PI3K isoform delta is constitutively active in CLL, making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, the expression of PI3K isoforms is not exclusive to leukemic cells, as other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment also rely on PI3K activity. Subsequently, therapeutic inhibition of PI3K causes immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we analyzed the impact of the clinically approved PI3Kδ inhibitors idelalisib and umbralisib, the PI3Kγ inhibitor eganelisib, and the dual-γ and -δ inhibitor duvelisib on the functional capacity of T cells. All investigated inhibitors reduced T-cell activation and proliferation in vitro, which is in line with PI3K being a crucial signaling component of the T-cell receptor signaling. Further, dual inhibition of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ showed strong additive effects suggesting a role also for PI3Kγ in T cells. Extrapolation of this data to a clinical setting could provide an explanation for the observed irAEs in CLL patients undergoing treatment with PI3K inhibitors. Consequently, this highlights the need for a close monitoring of patients treated with PI3K inhibitors, and particularly duvelisib, due to their potentially increased risk of T-cell deficiencies and associated infections.
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30
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Wang ZH, Li W, Dong H, Han F. Current state of NK cell-mediated immunotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1077436. [PMID: 37078002 PMCID: PMC10107371 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1077436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has become one of the most common hematological diseases in western countries, with an annual incidence of 42/100,000. Conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapeutic drugs showed limitations in prognosis or in efficiency in high-risk patients. Immunotherapy represented is one of the most effective therapeutic approaches with the potential of better effect and prognosis. Natural killer (NK) cells are good options for immunotherapy as they can effectively mediate anti-tumor activity of immune system by expressing activating and inhibiting receptors and recognizing specific ligands on various tumor cells. NK cells are critical in the immunotherapy of CLL by enhancing self-mediated antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC), allogeneic NK cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy. In this article, we reviewed the features, working mechanisms, and receptors of NK cells, and the available evidence of the advantages and disadvantages of NK cell-based immunotherapies, and put forward future study directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Han Wang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Hao Dong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Surgical Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Dong, ; Fujun Han,
| | - Fujun Han
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Dong, ; Fujun Han,
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31
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Kakkassery H, Carpenter E, Patten PEM, Irshad S. Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with cancer. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:1082-1099. [PMID: 35999131 PMCID: PMC9345889 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its corresponding disease (COVID-19) has been shown to impose a higher burden on cancer patients than on the general population. Approved vaccines for use include new technology mRNA vaccines such as BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and nonreplicating viral vector vaccines such as Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson) and AZD1222 (AstraZeneca). Impaired or delayed humoral and diminished T-cell responses are evident in patients with cancer, especially in patients with haematological cancers or those under active chemotherapy. Herein we review the current data on vaccine immunogenicity in cancer patients, including recommendations for current practice and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Kakkassery
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Esme Carpenter
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Piers E M Patten
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sheeba Irshad
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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32
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Cassioli C, Patrussi L, Valitutti S, Baldari CT. Learning from TCR Signaling and Immunological Synapse Assembly to Build New Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14255. [PMID: 36430728 PMCID: PMC9694822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy is a revolutionary pillar in cancer treatment. Clinical experience has shown remarkable successes in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies but only limited efficacy against B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cancer types, especially solid tumors. A wide range of engineering strategies have been employed to overcome the limitations of CAR T cell therapy. However, it has become increasingly clear that CARs have unique, unexpected features; hence, a deep understanding of how CARs signal and trigger the formation of a non-conventional immunological synapse (IS), the signaling platform required for T cell activation and execution of effector functions, would lead a shift from empirical testing to the rational design of new CAR constructs. Here, we review current knowledge of CARs, focusing on their structure, signaling and role in CAR T cell IS assembly. We, moreover, discuss the molecular features accounting for poor responses in CLL patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells and propose CLL as a paradigm for diseases connected to IS dysfunctions that could significantly benefit from the development of novel CARs to generate a productive anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Patrussi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Cosima T. Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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33
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Oligoclonal T-cell expansion in a patient with bone marrow failure after CD19 CAR-T therapy for Richter-transformed DLBCL. Blood 2022; 140:2175-2179. [PMID: 35776908 PMCID: PMC9837444 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
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34
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Oumeslakht L, Aziz AI, Bensussan A, Ben Mkaddem S. CD160 receptor in CLL: Current state and future avenues. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1028013. [PMID: 36420268 PMCID: PMC9676924 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CD160 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein expressed on cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells and T-cell subsets. It plays a crucial role in the activation of NK-cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. It also modulates the immune system and is involved in some pathologies, such as cancer. CD160 is abnormally expressed in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but not expressed in normal B lymphocytes. Its expression in CLL enhances tumor cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. CD160 is also a potential prognostic marker for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in CLL, which is important for the clinical management of CLL, the prevention of disease relapse, and the achievement of complete remission. In this review, we present an overview of CD160 and its involvement in the pathophysiology of CLL. We also discuss its use as a prognostic marker for the assessment of MRD in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loubna Oumeslakht
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
| | - Abdel-ilah Aziz
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
| | - Armand Bensussan
- INSERM U976, Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
- Institut Jean Godinot, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer, Reims, France
| | - Sanae Ben Mkaddem
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
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35
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Fell G, Rosko AE, Abel GA, Dumontier C, Higby KJ, Murillo A, Neuberg DS, Burd CE, Lane AA. Peripheral blood CD3 + T-cell gene expression biomarkers correlate with clinical frailty in patients with haematological malignancies. Br J Haematol 2022; 199:100-105. [PMID: 35766906 PMCID: PMC10462450 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18336] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Older patients with cancer often receive treatment regimens based on their age without considering other objective factors that may influence outcomes. Assessment of frailty can identify older patients who are robust and therefore more likely to benefit from intensive treatment, or conversely, frail and might instead be offered alternative approaches. However, such assessment requires specialised training and dedicated clinical resources. Alternative quantitative biomarkers associated with frailty are lacking. Here, we asked if expression signatures of 74 immune cell, ageing, and senescence-related messenger RNAs in purified peripheral blood T cells could identify associations with clinical frailty in patients with haematological malignancies. We studied 69 patients between the ages of 36 and 92 years (median 76 years) with leukaemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, across two institutions. Expression of four genes (aryl hydrocarbon receptor [AHR], CD27, CD28, and interleukin-2 receptor subunit alpha [IL2RA; CD25]) in T cells was associated with frailty, independent of age. An expression-based regression model had 76% sensitivity and 90% specificity to assign a patient as robust. These data identify measurable peripheral blood correlates of clinical frailty and suggest biomarkers for future prospective assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Fell
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashley E. Rosko
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Gregory A. Abel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Clark Dumontier
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelly J. Higby
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anays Murillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Donna S. Neuberg
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christin E. Burd
- Departments of Molecular Genetics; Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew A. Lane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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36
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Liang T, Wang X, Liu Y, Ai H, Wang Q, Wang X, Wei X, Song Y, Yin Q. Decreased TCF1 and BCL11B expression predicts poor prognosis for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:985280. [PMID: 36211334 PMCID: PMC9539190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell immune dysfunction is a prominent characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and the main cause of failure for immunotherapy and multi-drug resistance. There remains a lack of specific biomarkers for evaluating T cell immune status with outcome for CLL patients. T cell factor 1 (TCF1, encoded by the TCF7 gene) can be used as a critical determinant of successful anti-tumor immunotherapy and a prognostic indicator in some solid tumors; however, the effects of TCF1 in CLL remain unclear. Here, we first analyzed the biological processes and functions of TCF1 and co-expressing genes using the GEO and STRING databases with the online tools Venny, Circos, and Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Then the expression and prognostic values of TCF1 and its partner gene B cell leukemia/lymphoma 11B (BCL11B) were explored for 505 CLL patients from 6 datasets and validated with 50 CLL patients from Henan cancer hospital (HNCH). TCF1 was downregulated in CLL patients, particularly in CD8+ T cells, which was significantly correlated with poor time-to-first treatment (TTFT) and overall survival (OS) as well as short restricted mean survival time (RMST). Function and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that TCF1 was positively correlated with BCL11B, which is involved in regulating the activation and differentiation of T cells in CLL patients. Intriguingly, BCL11B was highly consistent with TCF1 in its decreased expression and prediction of poor prognosis. More importantly, the combination of TCF1 and BCL11B could more accurately assess prognosis than either alone. Additionally, decreased TCF1 and BCL11B expression serves as an independent risk factor for rapid disease progression, coinciding with high-risk indicators, including unmutated IGHV, TP53 alteration, and advanced disease. Altogether, this study demonstrates that decreased TCF1 and BCL11B expression is significantly correlated with poor prognosis, which may be due to decreased TCF1+CD8+ T cells, impairing the effector CD8+ T cell differentiation regulated by TCF1/BCL11B.
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37
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McCay J, Gribben JG. The role of BTK inhibitors on the tumor microenvironment in CLL. Leuk Lymphoma 2022; 63:2023-2032. [PMID: 35465824 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2064995] [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: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The CLL disease course is heterogeneous with many patients never requiring treatment and some having very aggressive rapid onset disease.Innate and adaptive immune compensatory mechanisms driven by malignant cells often lead to clonal proliferation, migration and resistance to treatment in CLL. Cell-to-cell interactions occurring within the tumor Micro-environment (TME) can impact greatly on the course of the disease as well as contribute to the variable spread of CLL cells, known as spatial heterogeneity. Following evidence showing the expression of BTK on many hematopoietic cells (an exception beting T lymphocytes) has given rise to the idea that inhibition of BTK with BTK inhibitors (BTKi) such as ibrutinib can help treat CLL.As BTK has a wide variation of expression among cells the use of BTKi has been shown to not only control CLL clones but also redistribute the balance of humoral immunity back toward those of healthy control. n this review article we look at role of BTK in the pathogenesis of CLL, the use of BTKi and their effect on humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel McCay
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London UK
| | - John G Gribben
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London UK
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38
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Liu Y, Song Y, Yin Q. Effects of ibrutinib on T-cell immunity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:962552. [PMID: 36059445 PMCID: PMC9437578 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.962552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a highly heterogeneous B-cell malignancy, is characterized by tumor microenvironment disorder and T-cell immune dysfunction, which play a major role in the proliferation and survival of CLL cells. Ibrutinib is the first irreversible inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). In addition to targeting B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling to kill tumor cells, increasing evidence has suggested that ibrutinib regulates the tumor microenvironment and T-cell immunity in a direct and indirect manner. For example, ibrutinib not only reverses the tumor microenvironment by blocking cytokine networks and toll-like receptor signaling but also regulates T cells in number, subset distribution, T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and immune function by inhibiting interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) and reducing the expression of inhibitory receptors, and so on. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for the effects of ibrutinib on the tumor microenvironment and cellular immunity of patients with CLL, particularly for the behavior and function of T cells, explore its potential mechanisms, and provide a basis for the clinical benefits of long-term ibrutinib treatment and combined therapy based on T-cell-based immunotherapies.
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39
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CLL-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Impair T-Cell Activation and Foster T-Cell Exhaustion via Multiple Immunological Checkpoints. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142176. [PMID: 35883619 PMCID: PMC9320608 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the clonal expansion of malignant B-cells and multiple immune defects. This leads, among others, to severe infectious complications and inefficient immune surveillance. T-cell deficiencies in CLL include enhanced immune(-metabolic) exhaustion, impaired activation and cytokine production, and immunological synapse malformation. Several studies have meanwhile reported CLL-cell–T-cell interactions that culminate in T-cell dysfunction. However, the complex entirety of their interplay is incompletely understood. Here, we focused on the impact of CLL cell-derived vesicles (EVs), which are known to exert immunoregulatory effects, on T-cell function. Methods: We characterized EVs secreted by CLL-cells and determined their influence on T-cells in terms of survival, activation, (metabolic) fitness, and function. Results: We found that CLL-EVs hamper T-cell viability, proliferation, activation, and metabolism while fostering their exhaustion and formation of regulatory T-cell subsets. A detailed analysis of the CLL-EV cargo revealed an abundance of immunological checkpoints (ICs) that could explain the detected T-cell dysregulations. Conclusions: The identification of a variety of ICs loaded on CLL-EVs may account for T-cell defects in CLL patients and could represent a barrier for immunotherapies such as IC blockade or adoptive T-cell transfer. Our findings could pave way for improving antitumor immunity by simultaneously targeting EV formation or multiple ICs.
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40
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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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41
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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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Depletion of CLL cells by venetoclax treatment reverses oxidative stress and impaired glycolysis in CD4 T cells. Blood Adv 2022; 6:4185-4195. [PMID: 35580333 PMCID: PMC9327552 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
CLL-derived CD4+ T cells have an abnormal redox balance, and glycolytic switch is impaired, which is restored upon elimination of CLL cells. CLL elimination in vivo by venetoclax plus obinutuzumab treatment restores T-cell activation and proliferation.
Acquired T-cell dysfunction is characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is associated with reduced efficacy of T cell–based therapies. A recently described feature of dysfunctional CLL-derived CD8 T cells is reduced metabolic plasticity. To what extend CD4 T cells are affected and whether CD4 T-cell metabolism and function can be restored upon clinical depletion of CLL cells are currently unknown. We address these unresolved issues by comprehensive phenotypic, metabolic, transcriptomic, and functional analysis of CD4 T cells of untreated patients with CLL and by analysis of the effects of venetoclax plus obinutuzumab on the CD4 population. Resting CD4 T cells derived from patients with CLL expressed lower levels of GLUT-1 and displayed deteriorated oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and overall reduced mitochondrial fitness. Upon T-cell stimulation, CLL T cells were unable to initiate glycolysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that depletion of CLL cells in vitro resulted in upregulation of OXPHOS and glycolysis pathways and restored T-cell function in vitro. Analysis of CD4 T cells from patients with CLL before and after venetoclax plus obinutuzumab treatment, which led to effective clearance of CLL in blood and bone marrow, revealed recovery of T-cell activation and restoration of the switch to glycolysis, as well as improved T-cell proliferation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CLL cells impose metabolic restrictions on CD4 T cells, which leads to reduced CD4 T-cell functionality. This trial was registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry as #NTR6043.
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43
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Immunity in CLL: corrupt at inception? Blood 2022; 139:2104-2105. [PMID: 35389445 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Zhu X, Hu H, Xiao Y, Li Q, Zhong Z, Yang J, Zou P, Cao Y, Meng F, Li W, You Y, Guo AY, Zhu X. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles induce invalid cytokine release and exhaustion of CD19 CAR-T Cells. Cancer Lett 2022; 536:215668. [PMID: 35367518 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215668] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Although CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells therapy has achieved unparalleled success in B cell malignancies. The dysfunction of CAR-T cells due to exhaustion is considered as a key factor for treatment failure, and the mechanisms of exhaustion remain elusive. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), important media for communication between tumor and immune cells, may contribute to CAR-T cell exhaustion. Here, we demonstrated that CD19+ tumor cells derived EVs (NALM6-EVs) can carry CD19 antigen and activate CD19 CAR-T cells. The transient activation induced a supraphysiologic inflammatory state with increased release of multiple cytokines. Besides, the sustained activation led CD19 CAR-T cells to enter an exhausted state with upregulated inhibitory receptors, decreased expansion ability, exaggerated effector cell differentiation and impaired antitumor activity. Transcriptomic profiling validated these findings and identified dynamic changes in CD8+ effector T, CD8+ exhausted T, CD8+RRM2+ T and T helper cell subpopulations during activation to exhaustion, as well as changes in many cytokines, inflammatory and immune-related pathways. Our findings identify a credible mechanism of CAR-T cell exhaustion that driven by tumor-derived EVs and provide a novel possible trigger for early cytokine release syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China
| | - Hui Hu
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Hematology, Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, 430022, PR China
| | - Zhaodong Zhong
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China
| | - Jingmin Yang
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Ping Zou
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Fankai Meng
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Yong You
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China.
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
| | - Xiaojian Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
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Kolijn PM, Hosnijeh FS, Späth F, Hengeveld PJ, Agathangelidis A, Saleh M, Casabonne D, Benavente Y, Jerkeman M, Agudo A, Barricarte A, Besson C, Sánchez MJ, Chirlaque MD, Masala G, Sacerdote C, Grioni S, Schulze MB, Nieters A, Engelfriet P, Hultdin M, McKay JD, Vermeulen RC, Langerak AW. High-risk subtypes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are detectable as early as 16 years prior to diagnosis. Blood 2022; 139:1557-1563. [PMID: 34662377 PMCID: PMC10650964 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021012890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is preceded by monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), a CLL precursor state with a prevalence of up to 12% in aged individuals; however, the duration of MBL and the mechanisms of its evolution to CLL remain largely unknown. In this study, we sequenced the B-cell receptor (BcR) immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene repertoire of 124 patients with CLL and 118 matched controls in blood samples taken up to 22 years prior to diagnosis. Significant skewing in the BcR IGH gene repertoire was detected in the majority of patients, even before the occurrence of lymphocytosis and irrespective of the clonotypic IGH variable gene somatic hypermutation status. Furthermore, we identified dominant clonotypes belonging to major stereotyped subsets associated with poor prognosis up to 16 years before diagnosis in 14 patients with CLL. In 22 patients with longitudinal samples, the skewing of the BcR IGH gene repertoire increased significantly over time to diagnosis or remained stable at high levels. For 14 of 16 patients with available samples at diagnosis, the CLL clonotype was already present in the prediagnostic samples. Overall, our data indicate that the preclinical phase of CLL could be longer than previously thought, even in adverse-prognostic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Martijn Kolijn
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fatemeh Saberi Hosnijeh
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Florentin Späth
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Cancer Center, Department of Hematology
| | - Paul J. Hengeveld
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Agathangelidis
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Manal Saleh
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Delphine Casabonne
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology in Infections and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet De Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Benavente
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology in Infections and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet De Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mats Jerkeman
- Division of Oncology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Antonio Agudo
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention, and Palliative Care Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet De Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aurelio Barricarte
- Navarra Public Health Institute, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Caroline Besson
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Équipe “Exposome et Hérédité”, Centre de Recherche en épidémiologie et Santé des populations (CESP), Villejuif, France
- Service d'Hématologie Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Maria-Jose Sánchez
- Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Dolores Chirlaque
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Council, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia University, Murcia, Spain
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlotta Sacerdote
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Città della Salute e della Scienza University-Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Grioni
- Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Matthias B. Schulze
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alexandra Nieters
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Engelfriet
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Magnus Hultdin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - James D. McKay
- Genomic Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Roel C.H. Vermeulen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anton W. Langerak
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Minton AR, Smith LD, Bryant DJ, Strefford JC, Forconi F, Stevenson FK, Tumbarello DA, James E, Løset GÅ, Munthe LA, Steele AJ, Packham G. B-cell receptor dependent phagocytosis and presentation of particulate antigen by chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:37-49. [PMID: 35309250 PMCID: PMC7612515 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim T-helper cells could play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a common B-cell neoplasm. Although CLL cells can present soluble antigens targeted from the B-cell receptor to T-helper cells via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, antigens recognized by some CLL cells may be encountered in a particulate form. Here the ability of CLL cells to internalize and present anti-immunoglobulin M (IgM) beads as a model for the interaction of CLL cells with particulate antigens was investigated. Methods The effect of anti-IgM beads on antigen presentation pathways was analyzed using RNA-seq and internalization of anti-IgM beads by primary CLL cells was investigated using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Antigen presentation was investigated by analyzing activation of a T-cell line expressing a T-cell receptor specific for a peptide derived from mouse κ light chains after incubating CLL cells with a mouse κ light chain-containing anti-IgM monoclonal antibody. Kinase inhibitors were used to characterize the pathways mediating internalization and antigen presentation. Results Stimulation of surface IgM of CLL cells increased expression of the antigen presentation machinery and CLL cells were able to phagocytose anti-IgM beads. Internalization of anti-IgM beads was associated with MHC class II-restricted activation of cognate T-helper cells. Antigen presentation by CLL cells was dependent on activity of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) but was unaffected by inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). Conclusions CLL cells can internalize and present antigen from anti-IgM beads. This capacity of CLL cells may be particularly important for recruitment of T-cell help in vivo in response to particulate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel R. Minton
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Lindsay D. Smith
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
- Current address: Ploughshare Innovations Limited, Porton Science Park, Porton Down, SP4 0BF Wiltshire, UK
| | - Dean J. Bryant
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Jonathan C. Strefford
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Francesco Forconi
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Freda K. Stevenson
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - David A. Tumbarello
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ Southampton, UK
| | - Edd James
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | | | - Ludvig A. Munthe
- KG Jebsen Centre for B cell Malignancies, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew J. Steele
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
- Current address: Janssen R&D, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, Ambler, PA 19477, USA
| | - Graham Packham
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
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Zarobkiewicz MK, Bojarska-Junak AA. The Mysterious Actor-γδ T Lymphocytes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). Cells 2022; 11:cells11040661. [PMID: 35203309 PMCID: PMC8870520 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common leukaemia among adults. It is the clonal expansion of B cells expressing CD19 and CD5. Despite significant progress in treatment, CLL is still incurable. γδ T cells comprise an important subset of the cytotoxic T cells. Although γδ T cells in CLL are dysfunctional, they still can possibly be used for immunotherapy. The current paper reviews our understanding of γδ T lymphocytes in CLL.
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48
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Jebaraj BMC, Müller A, Dheenadayalan RP, Endres S, Roessner PM, Seyfried F, Walliser C, Wist M, Qi J, Tausch E, Mertens D, Fox JA, Debatin KM, Meyer LH, Taverna P, Seiffert M, Gierschik P, Stilgenbauer S. Evaluation of vecabrutinib as a model for noncovalent BTK/ITK inhibition for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2022; 139:859-875. [PMID: 34662393 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, have proven to be highly beneficial in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Interestingly, the off-target inhibition of IL-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) by ibrutinib may also play a role in modulating the tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing the treatment benefit. However, resistance to covalently binding BTK inhibitors can develop as the result of a mutation in cysteine 481 of BTK (C481S), which prevents irreversible binding of the drugs. In the present study we performed preclinical characterization of vecabrutinib, a next-generation noncovalent BTK inhibitor that has ITK-inhibitory properties similar to those of ibrutinib. Unlike ibrutinib and other covalent BTK inhibitors, vecabrutinib showed retention of the inhibitory effect on C481S BTK mutants in vitro, similar to that of wild-type BTK. In the murine Eμ-TCL1 adoptive transfer model, vecabrutinib reduced tumor burden and significantly improved survival. Vecabrutinib treatment led to a decrease in CD8+ effector and memory T-cell populations, whereas the naive populations were increased. Of importance, vecabrutinib treatment significantly reduced the frequency of regulatory CD4+ T cells in vivo. Unlike ibrutinib, vecabrutinib treatment showed minimal adverse impact on the activation and proliferation of isolated T cells. Lastly, combination treatment with vecabrutinib and venetoclax augmented treatment efficacy, significantly improved survival, and led to favorable reprogramming of the microenvironment in the murine Eμ-TCL1 model. Thus, noncovalent BTK/ITK inhibitors, such as vecabrutinib, may be efficacious in C481S BTK mutant CLL while preserving the T-cell immunomodulatory function of ibrutinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy Michael Chelliah Jebaraj
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Annika Müller
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Sascha Endres
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Felix Seyfried
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Claudia Walliser
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wist
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jialei Qi
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Eugen Tausch
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Mertens
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Cooperation Unit "Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis", German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith A Fox
- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., South San Francisco, CA; and
| | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lüder Hinrich Meyer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Pietro Taverna
- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., South San Francisco, CA; and
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Gierschik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephan Stilgenbauer
- Division of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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Immunogenicity of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination Followed by J&J Adenovirus COVID-19 Vaccination in Two Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Case Rep Hematol 2022; 2022:6831640. [PMID: 35127183 PMCID: PMC8815431 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6831640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have significant immune disfunction, often further disrupted by treatment. While currently available COVID-19 vaccinations are highly effective in immunocompetent individuals, they are often poorly immunogenic in CLL patients. It is important to understand the role a heterologous boost would have in patients who did not respond to the initial two-dose mRNA vaccine series. SARS-CoV-2 specific immune responses, including antibodies and memory B-cells, CD4 and CD8 T-cells were assessed prior to vaccination, as well as postinitial vaccination series and post-third dose in two subjects. One subject seroconverted, had RBD-specific memory B-cells and spike-specific CD4 T-cells while the other did not. Both subjects had a spike-specific CD8 T-cell response after the original mRNA vaccination series that was further boosted after the third dose or remained stable. The results of this study, however small, are especially promising to CLL individuals who did not seroconvert following the initial mRNA vaccination series.
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Muchtar E, Koehler AB, Johnson MJ, Rabe KG, Ding W, Call TG, Leis JF, Kenderian SS, Hayman SR, Wang Y, Hampel PJ, Holets MA, Darby HC, Slager SL, Kay NE, Miao C, Canniff J, Whitaker JA, Levin MJ, Scott Schmid D, Kennedy RB, Weinberg A, Parikh SA. Humoral and cellular immune responses to recombinant herpes zoster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:90-98. [PMID: 34699616 PMCID: PMC9199015 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are clonal B-cell disorders associated with an increased risk of infections and impaired vaccination responses. We investigated the immunogenicity of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in these patients. Individuals with MBL/untreated CLL and Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi)-treated CLL patients were given two doses of RZV separated by 2 months. Responses assessed at 3 and 12 months from the first dose of RZV by an anti-glycoprotein E ELISA antibody assay and by dual-color Interferon-γ and Interleukin-2FLUOROSPOT assays were compared to historic controls matched by age and sex. About 62 patients (37 MBL/untreated CLL and 25 BTKi-treated CLL) were enrolled with a median age of 68 years at vaccination. An antibody response at 3 months was seen in 45% of participants, which was significantly lower compared to historic controls (63%, p = .03). The antibody response did not significantly differ between MBL/untreated CLL and BTKi-treated CLL (51% vs. 36%, respectively, p = .23). The CD4+ T-cell response to vaccination was significantly lower in study participants compared to controls (54% vs. 96%, p < .001), mainly due to lower responses among BTKi-treated patients compared to untreated MBL/CLL (32% vs. 73%, p = .008). Overall, only 29% of participants achieved combined antibody and cellular responses to RZV. Among participants with response assessment at 12 months (n = 47), 24% had antibody titers below the response threshold. Hypogammaglobulinemia and BTKi therapy were associated with reduced T-cell responses in a univariate analysis. Strategies to improve vaccine response to RZV among MBL/CLL patients are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Muchtar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Amber B. Koehler
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Michael J. Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kari G. Rabe
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Wei Ding
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Timothy G. Call
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Jose F. Leis
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Saad S. Kenderian
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Suzanne R. Hayman
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Yucai Wang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Paul J. Hampel
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Matthew A. Holets
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Heather C. Darby
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Susan L. Slager
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN,Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Neil E. Kay
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Congrong Miao
- National VZV Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jennifer Canniff
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Jennifer A Whitaker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Myron J. Levin
- Departments of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases) and Medicine (Infectious Diseases), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - D. Scott Schmid
- National VZV Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Richard B. Kennedy
- Vaccine Research Group, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Adriana Weinberg
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Pathology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Sameer A. Parikh
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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