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Marjańska A, Pogorzała M, Dziedzic M, Czyżewski K, Richert-Przygońska M, Dębski R, Bogiel T, Styczyński J. Impact of prophylaxis with rituximab on EBV-related complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in children. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1427637. [PMID: 39055711 PMCID: PMC11269116 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1427637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Children undergoing allo-HCT are at high risk of EBV-related complications. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of prophylactic post-transplant rituximab on EBV infection and EBV-PTLD in children after allo-HCT, to determine the risk factors for the development of EBV infection and EBV-PTLD and to determine their outcomes. Additionally, the impact of EBV-driven complications on transplant outcomes was analyzed. Methods Single center retrospective analysis of EBV-related complications in pediatric population undergoing allo-HCT, based on strategy of prophylaxis with rituximab. Overall 276 consecutive children, including 122 on prophylaxis, were analyzed for EBV-driven complications and transplant outcomes. Results Prophylaxis with rituximab resulted in significant reduction of EBV infection (from 35.1% to 20.5%; HR=2.7; p<0.0001), and EBV-PTLD (from 13.0% to 3.3%; HR=0.23; p=0.0045). A trend for improved survival was also observed (HR=0.66; p=0.068), while non-relapse mortality was comparable in both cohorts. The peak value of viral load was a risk factor in the development of EBV-PTLD: 10-fold higher peak viral load in comparison to the baseline 104 copies/mL, caused a 3-fold (HR=3.36; p<0.001) increase in the risk of EBV-PTLD. Rituximab treatment was effective as a preemptive therapy in 91.1%, and in 70.9% in EBV-PTLD. Patients who developed PTLD had dismal 5-year overall survival (29% vs 60%; p<0.001), and an increased risk of relapse (72% vs 35%; p=0.024). Conclusions Rituximab for prophylaxis of EBV infection and EBV-PTLD was highly effective in pediatric population. Treatment of EBV-PTLD was successful in 70%, however the occurrence of EBV-PTLD was associated with an increased risk of relapse of primary malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Marjańska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Monika Pogorzała
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dziedzic
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Czyżewski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Monika Richert-Przygońska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Dębski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Bogiel
- Department of Microbiology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jan Styczyński
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Cooper RS, Sutherland C, Smith LM, Cowan G, Barnett M, Mitchell D, McLean C, Imlach S, Hayes A, Zahra S, Manchanayake C, Vickers MA, Graham G, McGowan NWA, Turner ML, Campbell JDM, Fraser AR. EBV T-cell immunotherapy generated by peptide selection has enhanced effector functionality compared to LCL stimulation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1412211. [PMID: 39011042 PMCID: PMC11246990 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1412211] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cells is an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory EBV-induced post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) with overall survival rates of up to 69%. EBV-specific T cells have been conventionally made by repeated stimulation with EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL), which act as antigen-presenting cells. However, this process is expensive, takes many months, and has practical risks associated with live virus. We have developed a peptide-based, virus-free, serum-free closed system to manufacture a bank of virus-specific T cells (VST) for clinical use. We compared these with standard LCL-derived VST using comprehensive characterization and potency assays to determine differences that might influence clinical benefits. Multi-parameter flow cytometry revealed that peptide-derived VST had an expanded central memory population and less exhaustion marker expression than LCL-derived VST. A quantitative HLA-matched allogeneic cytotoxicity assay demonstrated similar specific killing of EBV-infected targets, though peptide-derived EBV T cells had a significantly higher expression of antiviral cytokines and degranulation markers after antigen recall. High-throughput T cell receptor-beta (TCRβ) sequencing demonstrated oligoclonal repertoires, with more matches to known EBV-binding complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) sequences in peptide-derived EBV T cells. Peptide-derived products showed broader and enhanced specificities to EBV nuclear antigens (EBNAs) in both CD8 and CD4 compartments, which may improve the targeting of highly expressed latency antigens in PTLD. Importantly, peptide-based isolation and expansion allows rapid manufacture and significantly increased product yield over conventional LCL-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Cooper
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Sutherland
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Linda M. Smith
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Cowan
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Barnett
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Donna Mitchell
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Colin McLean
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Imlach
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Hayes
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Zahra
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Champa Manchanayake
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Vickers
- Blood Transfusion Centre, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Microbiology and Immunity, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gerry Graham
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Neil W. A. McGowan
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marc L. Turner
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John D. M. Campbell
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair R. Fraser
- Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Jack Copland Centre, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Mahadeo KM, Baiocchi R, Beitinjaneh A, Chaganti S, Choquet S, Dierickx D, Dinavahi R, Duan X, Gamelin L, Ghobadi A, Guzman-Becerra N, Joshi M, Mehta A, Navarro WH, Nikiforow S, O'Reilly RJ, Reshef R, Ruiz F, Spindler T, Prockop S. Tabelecleucel for allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell or solid organ transplant recipients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease after failure of rituximab or rituximab and chemotherapy (ALLELE): a phase 3, multicentre, open-label trial. Lancet Oncol 2024; 25:376-387. [PMID: 38309282 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease following haematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT) is poor after failure of initial therapy, indicating an urgent need for therapies for this ultra-rare disease. With recent EU marketing authorisation, tabelecleucel is the first off-the-shelf, allogeneic, EBV-specific T-cell immunotherapy to receive approval for treatment of relapsed or refractory EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. We aimed to determine the clinical benefit of tabelecleucel in patients with relapsed or refractory EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease following HSCT or SOT. METHODS In this global, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial, eligible patients (of any age) had biopsy-proven EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, disease that was relapsed or refractory to rituximab after HSCT and rituximab with or without chemotherapy after SOT, and partially HLA-matched and appropriately HLA-restricted tabelecleucel available. Patients received tabelecleucel administered intravenously at 2 × 106 cells per kg on days 1, 8, and 15 in 35-day cycles and are assessed for up to 5 years for survival post-treatment initiation. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. All patients who received at least one dose of tabelecleucel were included in safety and efficacy analyses. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03394365, and is ongoing. FINDINGS From June 27, 2018, to Nov 5, 2021, 63 patients were enrolled, of whom 43 (24 [56%] male and 19 [44%] female) were included, 14 had prior HSCT, 29 had SOT. Seven (50%, 95% CI 23-77) of 14 participants in the HSCT group and 15 (52%, 33-71) of 29 participants in the SOT group had an objective response, with a median follow-up of 14·1 months (IQR 5·7-23·9) and 6·0 months (1·8-18·4), respectively. The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events were disease progression (in four [29%] of 14 in HSCT and eight [28%] of 29 in SOT) and decreased neutrophil count (in four [29%] of 14 in HSCT and four [14%] of 29 in SOT). Treatment-emergent serious adverse events were reported in 23 (53%) of 43 patients and fatal treatment-emergent adverse events in five (12%); no fatal treatment-emergent adverse event was treatment-related. There were no reports of tumour flare reaction, cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, transmission of infectious diseases, marrow rejection, or infusion reactions. No events of graft-versus-host disease or SOT rejection were reported as related to tabelecleucel. INTERPRETATION Tabelecleucel provides clinical benefit in patients with relapsed or refractory EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, for whom there are no other approved therapies, without evidence of safety concerns seen with other adoptive T-cell therapies. These data represent a potentially transformative and accessible treatment advance for patients with relapsed or refractory disease with few treatment options. FUNDING Atara Biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Baiocchi
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amer Beitinjaneh
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sridhar Chaganti
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sylvain Choquet
- Clinical Hematology Unit, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, APHP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Armin Ghobadi
- Division of Oncology, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Aditi Mehta
- Atara Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | | | - Sarah Nikiforow
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard J O'Reilly
- Transplant Service, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ran Reshef
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fiona Ruiz
- Atara Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | | | - Susan Prockop
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital-Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Barlev A, Zimmermann H, Guzman-Becerra N, Mehta A, Xing B, Macabeo B, Thivolet M, Brookhart MA. Comparative analysis of tabelecleucel and current treatment in patients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease following hematopoietic cell transplant or solid organ transplant. J Med Econ 2024; 27:789-795. [PMID: 38727527 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2354150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
AIMS With recent European Union marketing authorization, tabelecleucel is the first off-the-shelf, allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cell immunotherapy approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD). In the absence of a control arm, real-world evidence can provide a comparative benchmark for single-arm studies in ultra-rare populations. This study assessed the treatment effect of tabelecleucel in the single-arm phase 3 ALLELE study (NCT03394365) versus a treatment group from a multinational, multicenter retrospective chart review study (RS002) of patients with EBV+ PTLD. METHODS In ALLELE, patients had disease relapsed/refractory to rituximab ± chemotherapy and received tabelecleucel 2x106 cells/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 in 35-day cycles. Patients in RS002 had disease relapsed/refractory to rituximab ± chemotherapy and received next line of systemic therapy between January 2000 and December 2018. Propensity score-based standardized mortality/morbidity ratio weighting was used to achieve balance between treatment and comparator arms. Kaplan-Meier estimators and Cox regression models were used to compare overall survival (OS) in the re-weighted sample. RESULTS 30 patients (n = 14 hematopoietic cell transplant [HCT], n = 16 solid organ transplant [SOT]) from ALLELE (data cutoff: November 2021) and 84 patients (n = 36 HCT, n = 48 SOT) from RS002 (data lock: January 2021) were included. Median time from diagnosis to first tabelecleucel dose (ALLELE) or start date of next line of systemic therapy (RS002) was 3.6 months. Tabelecleucel was associated with a substantial OS benefit compared with current treatment, with an unadjusted HR of 0.47 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.88) and adjusted HR of 0.37 (95% CI 0.20-0.71) when using the start date of the next line of therapy as the index date. Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results. CONCLUSIONS In this study of real-world data, tabelecleucel was associated with an OS benefit among patients with R/R EBV+ PTLD for whom there is high unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie Barlev
- Atara Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Aditi Mehta
- Atara Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
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5
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Storek J, Lindsay J. Rituximab for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder - therapeutic, preemptive, or prophylactic? Bone Marrow Transplant 2024; 59:6-11. [PMID: 38001229 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-023-02155-5] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
To minimize mortality due to posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), the following strategies have been used: (1) Therapy without EBV Monitoring, i.e., administration of rituximab after PTLD diagnosis, usually by biopsy, in the absence of routine Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia monitoring, (2) Prompt Therapy, i.e., monitoring EBV DNAemia, searching for PTLD by imaging when the DNAemia has exceeded a pre-specified threshold, and administration of rituximab if the imaging is consistent with PTLD, (3) Preemptive Therapy, i.e., monitoring EBV DNAemia and administration of rituximab when the DNAemia has exceeded a pre-specified threshold, and (4) Prophylaxis, i.e., administration of rituximab to all transplant recipients. The superiority of one of these strategies over the other strategies has not been established. Here we review the pros and cons of each strategy. Preemptive therapy or prophylaxis may currently be preferred for patients who are at a high risk of dying due to PTLD. However, Therapy without EBV Monitoring may be used for both high- and low-risk patients in the future, if effective and relatively non-toxic therapies for rituximab-refractory PTLD (e.g., EBV-specific T cells) have become easily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Storek
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Julian Lindsay
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- National Centre for Infection in Cancer and Transplantation, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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