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Zygmunciak P, Robak T, Puła B. Treatment of Double-Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia-An Unmet Clinical Need. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1589. [PMID: 38338868 PMCID: PMC10855898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031589] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen significant improvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management. Targeting B-cell lymphoma (BCL-2) and Bruton's kinase (BTK) have become the main strategies to restrain CLL activity. These agents are generally well tolerated, but the discontinuation of these therapies happens due to resistance, adverse effects, and Richter's transformation. A growing population of patients who have previously used both BTK inhibitors and BCL2 suffer from the constriction of the following regimens. This review explores the resistance mechanisms for both ibrutinib and venetoclax. Moreover, we present innovative approaches evaluated for treating double-refractory CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Zygmunciak
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (P.Z.); (B.P.)
| | - Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
- Department of General Hematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartosz Puła
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (P.Z.); (B.P.)
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2
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Kielbassa K, Haselager MV, Bax DJC, van Driel BF, Dubois J, Levin MD, Kersting S, Svanberg R, Niemann CU, Kater AP, Eldering E. Ibrutinib sensitizes CLL cells to venetoclax by interrupting TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and protein translation. Leukemia 2023; 37:1268-1276. [PMID: 37100883 PMCID: PMC10244160 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells upregulate Bcl-2 proteins within the lymph node (LN) microenvironment. Signaling via B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors and CD40 collectively reduce sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Time-limited treatment with venetoclax plus the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib results in deep remissions, but how this combination affects LN-related signaling is not yet completely clear. Therefore, samples obtained from the HOVON141/VISION phase 2 clinical trial were used to analyze this. Two cycles of lead-in ibrutinib monotherapy resulted in decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 proteins in circulating CLL cells. Strikingly, at this timepoint CD40-induced venetoclax resistance was strongly attenuated, as was expression of CD40. Since CD40 signaling occurs within the CLL LN, we tested various LN-related signals that could affect CD40 signaling. While BCR stimulation had only a minor effect, TLR9 stimulation via CpG led to significantly increased CD40 expression and importantly, reverted the effects of ibrutinib treatment on venetoclax sensitivity by inducing overall protein translation. Together, these findings identify a novel effect of ibrutinib: interruption of TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and translation of pro-survival proteins. This mechanism may potentially further inhibit priming of CLL cells in the LN microenvironment for venetoclax resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kielbassa
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marco V Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danique J C Bax
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca F van Driel
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julie Dubois
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Carsten U Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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3
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Kater AP, Levin MD, Dubois J, Kersting S, Enggaard L, Veldhuis GJ, Mous R, Mellink CHM, van der Kevie-Kersemaekers AMF, Dobber JA, Poulsen CB, Frederiksen H, Janssens A, Schjødt I, Dompeling EC, Ranti J, Brieghel C, Mattsson M, Bellido M, Tran HTT, Nasserinejad K, Niemann CU. Minimal residual disease-guided stop and start of venetoclax plus ibrutinib for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (HOVON141/VISION): primary analysis of an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:818-828. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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4
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Hengeveld PJ, Ertem YE, Dubois JMN, Mellink CHM, van der Kevie-Kersemaekers AM, Evers LM, Heezen K, Kolijn PM, Mook ORF, Motazacker MM, Nasserinejad K, Kersting S, Westerweel PE, Niemann CU, Kater AP, Langerak AW, Levin MD. Clinicobiological characteristics and treatment efficacy of novel agents in chronic lymphocytic leukemia with IGLV3-21 R110. Leukemia 2022; 36:1935-1938. [PMID: 35585140 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01600-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Hengeveld
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Y Emre Ertem
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julie M N Dubois
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Clemens H M Mellink
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ludo M Evers
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Heezen
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - P Martijn Kolijn
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Olaf R F Mook
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M Mahdi Motazacker
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kazem Nasserinejad
- HOVON Data Center, Dept. of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S Kersting
- Department of Hematology, Haga Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Peter E Westerweel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carsten U Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anton W Langerak
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
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Yi X, Jain N, Iles LR, Ayres ML, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Targeting Mcl-1 by AMG-176 During Ibrutinib and Venetoclax Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:833714. [PMID: 35273915 PMCID: PMC8901605 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.833714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway and Bcl-2 family prosurvival proteins, specifically Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, are functional in the pathobiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A pivotal and apical molecule in the BCR pathway is Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Together, BTK, Bcl-2, and Mcl-1 participate in the maintenance, migration, proliferation, and survival of CLL cells. Several ongoing and published clinical trials in CLL reported high rates of remission, namely, undetectable measurable residual disease (u-MRD) status with combined BTK inhibitor ibrutinib and Bcl-2 antagonist, venetoclax. While the majority of patients achieve complete remission with undetectable-measurable residual disease, at least one third of patients do not achieve this milestone. We hypothesized that cells persistent during ibrutinib and venetoclax therapy may be sensitive to combined venetoclax and Mcl-1 inhibitor, AMG-176. To test this hypothesis, we took peripheral blood samples at baseline, after Cycle 1 and Cycle 3 of ibrutinib monotherapy, after one week and 1 cycle of ibrutinib plus venetoclax therapy. These serial samples were tested for pharmacodynamic changes and treated in vitro with AMG-176 or in combination with venetoclax. Compared to C1D1 cells, residual cells during ibrutinib and venetoclax treatment were inherently resistant to endogenous cell death. Single agent exposure induced some apoptosis but combination of 100 nM venetoclax and 100 or 300 nM of AMG-176 resulted in 40–100% cell death in baseline samples. Cells obtained after four cycles of ibrutinib and one cycle of venetoclax, when treated with such concentration of venetoclax and AMG-176, showed 10–80% cell death. BCR signaling pathway, measured as autophosphorylation of BTK was inhibited throughout therapy in all post-therapy samples. Among four anti-apoptotic proteins, Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 decreased during therapy in most samples. Proapoptotic proteins decreased during therapy. Collectively, these data provide a rationale to test Mcl-1 antagonists alone or in combination in CLL during treatment with ibrutinib and venetoclax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nitin Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - LaKesla R Iles
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mary L Ayres
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - William G Wierda
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by extreme genomic heterogeneity. Numerous recurrent genetic abnormalities are associated with dismal clinical outcome in patients treated with chemo(immuno)therapy, with aberrations of the TP53 gene being the main genomic abnormalities that dictate treatment choice. In the era of novel agents the predictive significance of the genomic aberrations is highly challenged as the results of the clinical trials performed thus far question the previously established unfavorable impact of genomic aberrations, even that of the TP53 gene. The prognostic and predictive value of the most common genomic abnormalities is discussed in the present review.
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Stefaniuk P, Onyszczuk J, Szymczyk A, Podhorecka M. Therapeutic Options for Patients with TP53 Deficient Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Narrative Review. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:1459-1476. [PMID: 33603488 PMCID: PMC7886107 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s283903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is the most common type of leukemia in western countries in adults, is characterized by heterogeneity in clinical course, prognosis and response to the treatment. Although, in recent years a number of factors with probable prognostic value in CLL have been identified (eg NOTCH1, SF3B1 and BIRC-3 mutations, or evaluation of microRNA expression), TP53 aberrations are still the most important single factors of poor prognosis. It was found that approximately 30% of all TP53 defects are mutations lacking 17p13 deletion, whereas sole 17p13 deletion with the absence of TP53 mutation consists of 10% of all TP53 defects. The detection of del(17)(p13) and/or TP53 mutation is not a criterion itself for starting antileukemic therapy, but it is associated with an aggressive course of the disease and poor response to the standard chemoimmunotherapy. Treatment of patients with CLL harbouring TP53-deficiency requires drugs that promote cell death independently of TP53. Novel and smarter therapies revolutionize the treatment of del(17p) and/or aberrant TP53 CLL, but development of alternative therapeutic approaches still remains an issue of critical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Stefaniuk
- Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Julia Onyszczuk
- Students Scientific Association, Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szymczyk
- Department of Clinical Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Podhorecka
- Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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