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Aldoss I, Zhang J, Robbins M, Song J, Al Malki MM, Otoukesh S, Sandhu K, Agrawal V, Herrera AF, Popplewell LL, Ghoda L, Stein A, Marcucci G, Forman S, Pullarkat V. Flotetuzumab as a salvage immunotherapy in advanced CD123-positive hematological malignancies, a phase 1 pilot study. Leuk Lymphoma 2024; 65:1127-1135. [PMID: 38629176 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2343029] [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: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
CD123 "expression" is common in hematological malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Flotetuzumab is a novel, investigational CD3/CD123 DART®. We conducted a phase 1 study evaluating safety and efficacy of flotetuzumab in relapsed/refractory ALL (Cohort A) and other advanced CD123-positive hematological malignancies (excluding myeloid malignancies) (cohort B). Thirteen patients (9 in Cohort A and 4 in Cohort B) were treated at dose level 1 (500 ng/kg/day) before early closure due to discontinuation of drug development by sponsor. Two dose limiting toxicities (Grade 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia) occurred in one patient in Cohort B. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in most patients (85%), all being grade ≤2. Responses only occurred in Cohort B, with a partial response in one patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma and morphological complete remission in the bone marrow in one patient with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. In conclusion, flotetuzumab had a manageable safety profile in advanced CD123-positive hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Aldoss
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Marjorie Robbins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Joo Song
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Monzr M Al Malki
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Salman Otoukesh
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Karamjeet Sandhu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vaibhav Agrawal
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Alex F Herrera
- Division of Lymphoma, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Leslie L Popplewell
- Division of Lymphoma, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Lucy Ghoda
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Anthony Stein
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Stephen Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vinod Pullarkat
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
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Wang X, Guo J, Liu Y, Zheng N, Xu S, Wu L, Yuan R, Xue L, Li J. Venetoclax combined with azacitidine in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a case report and comprehensive review on the current and future treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1425833. [PMID: 39086951 PMCID: PMC11288880 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1425833] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an extremely rare hematological malignancy with a highly aggressive behavior and median survival of <2 years. Especially, most BPDCN patients present with extensive and non-specific skin lesions, usually leading to misdiagnosis as a skin disease and delay therapy. As for treatment, most patients with BPDCN experience relapse shortly after treatment with the traditional regimens. The alleviation of skin symptoms reflects the effects of clinical treatments. Herein, we report a case of a 71-year-old man with intermittent and gradually expanding skin lesions over his chest, abdomen, and back for 1 year. On admission, physical examination revealed extensive skin lesions and multiple enlarged lymph nodes. Laboratory examinations showed pancytopenia and numerous malignant cells in the peripheral blood smear (60%), bone marrow aspirate smear (73.5%). Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry presented large numbers of BPDCN cells in the bone marrow, cervical lymph nodes and dermal tissue. PET/CT revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes and splenomegaly. Once the diagnosis was identified as BPDCN, the patient began treatment with the oral BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax and subcutaneously administered azacitidine. After the first course, skin lesions reduced markedly and complete remission was achieved in the bone marrow. Our study and current cumulative data according to reviewing systematically suggest that venetoclax combined with azacitidine is safe, effective, and applicable in the treatment of BPDCN, especially for elderly relapsed/refractory patients. This study, therefore, significantly contributes to the literature on the current and future treatment for BPDCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Wang
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiashuo Guo
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Na Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shaohan Xu
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lianhui Wu
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ruirui Yuan
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Liying Xue
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
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Jen WY, Konopleva M, Pemmaraju N. Tagraxofusp, a first-in-class CD123-targeted agent: Five-year postapproval comprehensive review of the literature. Cancer 2024; 130:2260-2271. [PMID: 38620053 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35315] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Tagraxofusp is a first-in-class CD123-directed conjugate of an amended diphtheria toxin platform and recombinant interleukin 3. Binding and subsequent internalization of the drug result in cell death via disruption of intracellular protein synthesis. CD123 is a surface marker that is expressed in several hematological malignancies, especially blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), where its expression is ubiquitous. A pivotal study of tagraxofusp in BPDCN resulted in its approval for the treatment of BPDCN, the first treatment approved for this indication. Since the introduction of tagraxofusp, research has focused on the management of adverse effects, combination therapy to improve outcomes in fit patients, and dosing and combination strategies to mitigate toxicities while preserving efficacy, especially among older patients. The successful targeting of CD123 in BPDCN has also encouraged research into a variety of other CD123-positive hematological neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and informed the development of other novel agents targeting CD123. This review examines the clinical data leading to the development and approval of tagraxofusp in BPDCN, how it is being used in combination to improve outcomes in BPDCN and AML, and its developing role in other hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ying Jen
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Oncology, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Luo F, Li B, Li J, Li Y. Simultaneous blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm and myelofibrosis: A case report. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:220. [PMID: 38586204 PMCID: PMC10996017 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an extremely rare and aggressive tumor with an unknown pathogenesis. Myelofibrosis (MF) is a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm. MF can be secondary to several hematological malignancies, including chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and hairy cell leukemia. In the present report, a rare case of BPDCN secondary to MF is described. A 70-year-old male patient developed a large purplish-red rash with recurrent symptoms. BPDCN was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of a biopsy specimen and flow cytometry of bone marrow cells. Bone marrow histopathology revealed MF. Next-generation sequencing of peripheral blood revealed mutations in the Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 and NRAS proto-oncogene GTPase genes. The patient underwent one cycle of chemoimmunotherapy, but the condition progressed, an infection developed and the patient eventually died. The present case suggests that BPDCN can occur in conjunction with MF and that the prognosis of such patients is poor. Pathological examination and genetic testing aided in the diagnosis and treatment. This case emphasizes the need to raise awareness of BPDCN among clinicians and to be alert to the potential for fatal infection in patients with BPDCN combined with MF following myelosuppression triggered during chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyi Luo
- Graduate School, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, Hebei 075000, P.R. China
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Bingjie Li
- Department of Pathology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Hematology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
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Faustmann P, Schroeder JC, Mix L, Harland L, Riedel A, Vogel W, Lengerke C, Wirths S. Real-world evidence on tagraxofusp for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm - collected cases from a single center and case reports. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1384172. [PMID: 38665943 PMCID: PMC11043520 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1384172] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive hematologic malignancy. Until recently, the only curative treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy, followed by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in eligible adult cases. Tagraxofusp, a CD123-targeted protein-drug conjugate and the first approved targeted treatment for BPDCN, might enhance outcomes especially in patients not eligible for intensive therapies. Methods Here, we report real-world outcomes of five male patients with a median age of 79 years who received tagraxofusp as first-line treatment for BPDCN. Results Tagraxofusp was found to be well-tolerated in this elderly cohort, with only one patient requiring discontinuation. Three patients responded to the treatment (two patients achieved a CR and one patient achieved a partial response), of which two subsequently underwent allogeneic (allo) HCT. One patient is alive and well after ≥ 4 years after alloHCT, and one patient shows sustained CR after now 13 cycles of tagraxofusp. The other three patients died of progressive disease 4-11 months after initiation of treatment. Discussion In line with results from 13 published cases outside clinical trials in the literature, sustained responses were associated with CR after tagraxofusp treatment and subsequent alloHCT. Our results provide real-world evidence for safety and efficacy of tagraxofusp as first-line treatment for BPDCN.
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Hu X, Ediriwickrema A, Saleem A, Tan B, Pemmaraju N, Mannis GN. CD38 and BCL2 expression guides treatment with daratumumab and venetoclax in tagraxofusp-refractory blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) featuring dynamic loss of CD123. Leuk Res 2024; 139:107479. [PMID: 38492495 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Asiri Ediriwickrema
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Atif Saleem
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brent Tan
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel N Mannis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Pemmaraju N, Madanat YF, Rizzieri D, Fazal S, Rampal R, Mannis G, Wang ES, Foran J, Lane AA. Treatment of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): focus on the use of tagraxofusp and clinical considerations. Leuk Lymphoma 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38391126 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2305288] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BPDCN is an aggressive myeloid malignancy with a poor prognosis. It derives from the precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and is characterized by CD123 overexpression, which is seen in all patients with BPDCN. The CD123-directed therapy tagraxofusp is the only approved treatment for BPDCN; it was approved in the US as monotherapy for the treatment of patients aged ≥2 years with treatment-naive or relapsed/refractory BPDCN. Herein, we review the available data supporting the utility of tagraxofusp in treating patients with BPDCN. In addition, we present best practices and real-world insights from clinicians in academic and community settings in the US on how they use tagraxofusp to treat BPDCN. Several case studies illustrate the efficacy of tagraxofusp and discuss its safety profile, as well as the prevention, mitigation, and management of anticipated adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Pemmaraju
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - David Rizzieri
- Novant Health Cancer Institute, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Salman Fazal
- Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Raajit Rampal
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Eunice S Wang
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - James Foran
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew A Lane
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Stafylidis C, Vlachopoulou D, Kontandreopoulou CN, Diamantopoulos PΤ. Unmet Horizons: Assessing the Challenges in the Treatment of TP53-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1082. [PMID: 38398394 PMCID: PMC10889132 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041082] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a challenging hematologic malignancy. The presence of TP53 mutations in AML poses a therapeutic challenge, considering that standard treatments face significant setbacks in achieving meaningful responses. There is a pressing need for the development of innovative treatment modalities to overcome resistance to conventional treatments attributable to the unique biology of TP53-mutated (TP53mut) AML. This review underscores the role of TP53 mutations in AML, examines the current landscape of treatment options, and highlights novel therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapies, combination regimens, and emerging immunotherapies, as well as agents being explored in preclinical studies according to their potential to address the unique hurdles posed by TP53mut AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Panagiotis Τ. Diamantopoulos
- Hematology Unit, First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (C.S.); (D.V.); (C.-N.K.)
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9
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Lane AA, Garcia JS, Raulston EG, Garzon JL, Galinsky I, Baxter EW, Leonard R, DeAngelo DJ, Luskin MR, Reilly CR, Stahl M, Stone RM, Vedula RS, Wadleigh MM, Winer ES, Mughal T, Brooks C, Gupta IV, Stevenson KE, Neuberg DS, Ren S, Keating J, Konopleva M, Stein A, Pemmaraju N. Phase 1b trial of tagraxofusp in combination with azacitidine with or without venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv 2024; 8:591-602. [PMID: 38052038 PMCID: PMC10837492 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011721] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD123, a subunit of the interleukin-3 receptor, is expressed on ∼80% of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Tagraxofusp (TAG), recombinant interleukin-3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin payload, is a first-in-class drug targeting CD123 approved for treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. We previously found that AMLs with acquired resistance to TAG were re-sensitized by the DNA hypomethylating agent azacitidine (AZA) and that TAG-exposed cells became more dependent on the antiapoptotic molecule BCL-2. Here, we report a phase 1b study in 56 adults with CD123-positive AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), first combining TAG with AZA in AML/MDS, and subsequently TAG, AZA, and the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (VEN) in AML. Adverse events with 3-day TAG dosing were as expected, without indication of increased toxicity of TAG or AZA+/-VEN in combination. The recommended phase 2 dose of TAG was 12 μg/kg/day for 3 days, with 7-day AZA +/- 21-day VEN. In an expansion cohort of 26 patients (median age 71) with previously untreated European LeukemiaNet adverse-risk AML (50% TP53 mutated), triplet TAG-AZA-VEN induced response in 69% (n=18/26; 39% complete remission [CR], 19% complete remission with incomplete count recovery [CRi], 12% morphologic leukemia-free state [MLFS]). Among 13 patients with TP53 mutations, 7/13 (54%) achieved CR/CRi/MLFS (CR = 4, CRi = 2, MLFS = 1). Twelve of 17 (71%) tested responders had no flow measurable residual disease. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 14 months (95% CI, 9.5-NA) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 5.1-NA), respectively. In summary, TAG-AZA-VEN shows encouraging safety and activity in high-risk AML, including TP53-mutated disease, supporting further clinical development of TAG combinations. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03113643.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A. Lane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jacqueline S. Garcia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Evangeline G. Raulston
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jada L. Garzon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ilene Galinsky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Emilie W. Baxter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Rebecca Leonard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel J. DeAngelo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Marlise R. Luskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Christopher R. Reilly
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Rahul S. Vedula
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Martha M. Wadleigh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Eric S. Winer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Tariq Mughal
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
- Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY
| | | | | | | | - Donna S. Neuberg
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Siyang Ren
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Julia Keating
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Anthony Stein
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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10
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Zanotta S, Galati D, De Filippi R, Pinto A. Breakthrough in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Cancer Therapy Owing to Precision Targeting of CD123. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1454. [PMID: 38338733 PMCID: PMC10855071 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031454] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic cancer originating from the malignant transformation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors. This malignancy progresses rapidly, with frequent relapses and a poor overall survival rate, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments. However, diagnosing and treating BPDCN have historically been challenging due to its rarity and the lack of standardized approaches. The recognition of BPDCN as a distinct disease entity is recent, and standardized treatment protocols are yet to be established. Traditionally, conventional chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation have been the primary methods for treating BPDCN patients. Advances in immunophenotyping and molecular profiling have identified potential therapeutic targets, leading to a shift toward CD123-targeted immunotherapies in both clinical and research settings. Ongoing developments with SL-401, IMGN632, CD123 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, and bispecific antibodies (BsAb) show promising advancements. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of CD123-targeting treatments needs improvement through innovative approaches and combinations of treatments with other anti-leukemic drugs. The exploration of combinations such as CD123-targeted immunotherapies with azacitidine and venetoclax is suggested to enhance antineoplastic responses and improve survival rates in BPDCN patients. In conclusion, this multifaceted approach offers hope for more effective and tailored therapeutic interventions against this challenging hematologic malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Zanotta
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem-Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology and Innovative Diagnostics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.P.)
| | - Domenico Galati
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem-Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology and Innovative Diagnostics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.P.)
| | - Rosaria De Filippi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Pinto
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem-Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology and Innovative Diagnostics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.P.)
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11
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Bruzzese A, Martino EA, Labanca C, Mendicino F, Lucia E, Olivito V, Neri A, Imovilli A, Morabito F, Vigna E, Gentile M. Tagraxofusp in myeloid malignancies. Hematol Oncol 2024; 42:e3234. [PMID: 37846131 DOI: 10.1002/hon.3234] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Tagraxofusp (or SL-401) is a recombinant molecule composed of human interleukin-3 that binds CD123 on neoplastic cells fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT). Tagraxofusp's most significant success has come from studies involving patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), an aggressive disease that is usually refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Tagraxofusp had an acceptable safety profile and high efficacy in early phase I/II studies on patients with BPDCN. Another phase II study confirmed the good response rates, resulting in Food and Drugs Administration and European Medicine Agency approval of tagraxofusp for the treatment of BPDCN. Considering its high efficacy and its manageable safety profile, tagraxofusp has been suddenly explored in other myeloid malignancies with high expression of cell surface CD123, both in monotherapy or combination strategies. The triplet tagraxofusp-azacytidine-venetoclax appears to be of particular interest among these combinations. Furthermore, combination strategies may be used to overcome tagraxofusp resistance. The downregulation of DPH1 (diphthamide biosynthesis 1), the enzyme responsible for the conversion of histidine 715 on eEF2 to diphthamide, which is then the direct target of ADP ribosylation DT, is typically associated with this resistance phenomenon. It has been discovered that azacitidine can reverse DHP1 expression and restore sensitivity to tagraxofusp. In conclusion, the success of tagraxofusp in BPDCN paved the way for its application even in other CD123-positive malignancies. Nowadays, several ongoing trials are exploring the use of tagraxofusp in different myeloid neoplasms. This review aims to summarize the actual role of tagraxofusp in BPDCN and other CD123-positive myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eugenio Lucia
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Neri
- Scientific Directorate IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Imovilli
- Hematology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Vigna
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Massimo Gentile
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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Peng J, He S, Yang X, Huang L, Wei J. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell expansion in myeloid neoplasms: A novel distinct subset of myeloid neoplasm? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 192:104186. [PMID: 37863402 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104186] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a specific dendritic cell type stemming from the myeloid lineage. Clinically and pathologically, neoplasms associated with pDCs are classified as blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), mature plasmacytoid dendritic myeloid neoplasm (MPDMN) and pDC expansion in myeloid neoplasms (MNs). BPDCN was considered a rare and aggressive neoplasm in the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. MPDMN, known as mature pDC-derived neoplasm, is closely related to MNs and was first recognized in the latest 2022 WHO classification, proposing a new concept that acute myeloid leukemia cases could show clonally expanded pDCs (pDC-AML). With the advances in detection techniques, an increasing number of pDC expansion in MNs have been reported, but whether the pathogenesis is similar to that of MPDMN remains unclear. This review focuses on patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of pDC expansion in MNs to gain further insight into this novel and unique provisional subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Peng
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Shaolong He
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China; Department of Hematology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Xingcheng Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China; Immunotherapy Research Center for Hematologic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Department of Hematology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China; Sino-German Joint Oncological Research Laboratory, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, 030032 Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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13
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Valentini CG, Pagano L. Tagraxofusp for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a 2-speed cure in the United States and European Union. Blood Adv 2023; 7:7084-7086. [PMID: 37847911 PMCID: PMC10694521 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Giovanna Valentini
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Livio Pagano
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Sezione di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Chen EC, Garcia JS. Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Trends, Challenges, and Strategies. Acta Haematol 2023; 147:198-218. [PMID: 37673048 DOI: 10.1159/000533990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past decade, there have been significant breakthroughs in immunotherapies for B-cell lymphoid malignancies and multiple myeloma, but progress has been much less for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Nevertheless, challenge begets innovation and several therapeutic strategies are under investigation. SUMMARY In this review, we review the state of the art in AML immunotherapy including CD33- and CD123-targeted agents, immune checkpoint inhibition, and adoptive cell therapy strategies. We also share conceptual frameworks for approaching the growing catalog of investigational AML immunotherapies and propose future directions for the field. KEY MESSAGES Immunotherapies for AML face significant challenges but novel strategies are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Leukemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Garcia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Leukemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Cuglievan B, Connors J, He J, Khazal S, Yedururi S, Dai J, Garces S, Quesada AE, Roth M, Garcia M, McCall D, Gibson A, Ragoonanan D, Petropoulos D, Tewari P, Nunez C, Mahadeo KM, Tasian SK, Lamble AJ, Pawlowska A, Hammond D, Maiti A, Haddad FG, Senapati J, Daver N, Gangat N, Konopleva M, Meshinchi S, Pemmaraju N. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a comprehensive review in pediatrics, adolescents, and young adults (AYA) and an update of novel therapies. Leukemia 2023; 37:1767-1778. [PMID: 37452102 PMCID: PMC10457206 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01968-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy that can involve the bone marrow, peripheral blood, skin, lymph nodes, and the central nervous system. Though more common in older adults, BPDCN has been reported across all age groups, including infants and children. The incidence of pediatric BPDCN is extremely low and little is known about the disease. Pediatric BPDCN is believed to be clinically less aggressive but often with more dissemination at presentation than adult cases. Unlike adults who almost always proceed to a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission if transplant-eligible, the majority of children can be cured with a high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia-like regimen. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is recommended for children with high-risk disease, the definition of which continues to evolve, or those in relapse and refractory settings where outcomes continue to be dismal. Novel agents used in other hematologic malignancies and CD123 targeted agents, including chimeric antigen receptor T-cells and monoclonal/bispecific antibodies, are being brought into research and practice. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive review of presentation, diagnosis, and treatment by review of pediatric cases reported for the last 20 years, and a review of novel targeted therapies and therapies under investigation for adult and pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Cuglievan
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jeremy Connors
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiasen He
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sajad Khazal
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sireesha Yedururi
- Division of Radiology, Department of Abdominal Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Julia Dai
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sofia Garces
- Division of Pathology, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andres E Quesada
- Division of Pathology, Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Roth
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Miriam Garcia
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David McCall
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amber Gibson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dristhi Ragoonanan
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Demetrios Petropoulos
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Priti Tewari
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cesar Nunez
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kris M Mahadeo
- Division of Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah K Tasian
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam J Lamble
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anna Pawlowska
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Danielle Hammond
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abhishek Maiti
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fadi G Haddad
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jayatsu Senapati
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naval Daver
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naseema Gangat
- Department of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Oncology, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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16
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Wu SJ, Sadigh S, Lane AA, Pinkus GS. Expanding the Immunophenotypic Spectrum of Neoplastic and Reactive Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells. Am J Clin Pathol 2023; 159:455-463. [PMID: 36880313 PMCID: PMC10893858 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Targeted therapies for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) have presented a diagnostic dilemma for differentiating residual BPDCN from reactive plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) because these conditions have a similar immunoprofile, necessitating discovery of additional diagnostic markers. METHODS Fifty cases of BPDCN involving bone marrow (26/50) and skin (24/50) as well as other hematologic malignancies (67) and nonneoplastic samples (37) were included. Slides were stained using a double-staining protocol for the following immunohistochemical marker combinations: TCF4/CD123, TCF4/CD56, SOX4/CD123, and IRF8/CD123. RESULTS The nuclear marker SOX4 is expressed in neoplastic pDCs; in our cohort, SOX4/CD123 showed 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity in distinguishing BPDCN from reactive pDCs and other neoplasms. TCF4/CD56 had a 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity for BPDCN. IRF8 is a nonspecific marker that is positive in BPDCN and pDCs as well as other myeloid malignancies. CONCLUSIONS The novel immunohistochemical combination SOX4/CD123 distinguishes BPDCN, including CD56-negative BPDCN, from both reactive pDCs and other neoplasms. Because of their high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, the double-staining marker combinations TCF4/CD123, TCF4/CD56, and SOX4/CD123 can be used to confirm lineage in BPDCN cases and detect minimal/measurable residual disease in tissue specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Wu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, US
| | - Sam Sadigh
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, US
| | - Andrew A Lane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, US
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17
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Wang Y, Xiao L, Yin L, Zhou L, Deng Y, Deng H. Diagnosis, treatment, and genetic characteristics of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32904. [PMID: 36800625 PMCID: PMC9936012 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a highly aggressive and extremely rare hematologic disease with a poor prognosis, involving mainly the skin and bone marrow. The immunophenotype of these tumor cells is characterized by the expression of CD4, CD56, CD123, TCL-1, and CD303. To date, no consensus has been reached on the standard of care for BPDCN. Currently, clinical treatment is mainly based on high-dose chemotherapy combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, this treatment method has limitations for elderly, frail, and relapsed/refractory patients. In recent years, breakthroughs in molecular biology and genetics have not only provided new ideas for the diagnosis of BPDCN but also helped develop targeted treatment strategies for this disease. The emergence of targeted drugs has filled the gap left by traditional therapies and shown great clinical promise. This article focuses on the latest advances in genetics and targeted therapies for BPDCN, especially the emerging therapies that may provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of BPDCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lili Yin
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lv Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yanjuan Deng
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Mol. Med. & Genet. Center, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Mol. Med. & Genet. Center, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- * Correspondence: Huan Deng, Department of Pathology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 133 South Guangchang Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330003, China (e-mail: )
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Venugopal S, Xie Z, Zeidan AM. An overview of novel therapies in advanced clinical testing for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:109-119. [PMID: 36718500 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2174521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The past decade has seen a sea change in the AML landscape with vastly improved cognizance of molecular pathogenesis, clonal evolution, and importance of measurable residual disease. Since 2017, the therapeutic armamentarium of AML has considerably expanded with the approval of midostaurin, enasidenib, ivosidenib, gilteritinib, and venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents and others. Nevertheless, relapse and treatment refractoriness remain the insurmountable challenges in AML therapy. This has galvanized the leukemic research community leading to the discovery and development of agents that specifically target gene mutations, molecularly agnostic therapies that exploit immune environment, apoptotic pathways, leukemic cell surface antigens and so forth. AREAS COVERED This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of AML in the context of non-cellular immune and molecularly targeted and agnostic therapies that are in clinical trial development in AML. EXPERT OPINION Ever growing understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and metabolomics in AML has allowed the researchers to identify targets directed at specific genes and metabolic pathways. As a result, AML therapy is constantly evolving and so are the escape mechanisms leading to disease relapse. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to sequentially evaluate the patient during AML treatment and intervene at the right time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeetha Venugopal
- Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zhuoer Xie
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, FL, USA
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Ciotti G, Marconi G, Sperotto A, Giannini MB, Gottardi M, Martinelli G. Biological therapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:175-194. [PMID: 36715330 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2174015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The introduction of target molecules and immunological therapies is changing the treatment landscape of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AREAS COVERED We recapitulate the biological therapies that can be employed in the treatment of elderly patients with AML. Alongside small molecules inhibitors that target specific gene mutations, antibodies, tumor microenvironment modulators, and cellular therapies are being developed for the cure of the disease. Here, we report the biological activities, the efficacy and toxicities of humanized antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates that targets surface antigens as CD33 (gemtuzumab ozogamicine) or CD123 (pivekimab sunirine). We further explore mechanisms and effectiveness of medications that modify the microenvironment, such as glasdegib, or that harness the immune system against leukemia, such as CD47 antibody magrolimab, PD1/PDL1 inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab, TIM3 inhibitor sabatolimab, T-cell and NK-cell engagers. Cellular therapies are considered, even if a large trial is still pending for the feasibility of the approach. In this scenario, a brief overview of the mechanism of action of target agents is provided, particularly with respect to their biological mechanisms. EXPERT OPINION Overall, this therapeutic armamentarium will constitute the basis for multimodal and personalized combinations that, in the idea of precision medicine, will enormously benefit elderly AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ciotti
- Onco Hematology, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sperotto
- Onco Hematology, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria B Giannini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Michele Gottardi
- Onco Hematology, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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20
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Pelosi E, Castelli G, Testa U. CD123 a Therapeutic Target for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Blastic Plasmocytoid Dendritic Neoplasm. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032718. [PMID: 36769040 PMCID: PMC9917129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of consistent progress at the level of basic research and of clinical treatment, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still represents an unmet clinical need for adult and pediatric patients. To improve the outcomes of these patients, it is necessary to identify new therapeutic targets. IL3RA (CD123, alpha subunit of the interleukin 3 receptor) is a cell membrane protein overexpressed in several hematologic malignancies, including AML blastic plasmocytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCN). Given the higher expression of CD123 on leukemic cells compared to normal hematopoietic cells and its low/absent expression on normal hematopoietic stem cells, it appears as a suitable and attractive target for therapy. Various drugs targeting CD123 have been developed and evaluated at clinical level: interleukin-3 conjugated with diphtheria toxin; naked neutralizing anti-CD123 antibodies; drug-antibody conjugates; bispecific antibodies targeting both CD123 and CD3; and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells engineered to target CD123. Some of these agents have shown promising results at the clinical level, including tagraxofusp (CD123 conjugated with diphtheria toxin) for the treatment of BPDCN and IMGN632 (anti-CD123 drug-conjugate), and flotetuzumab (bispecific anti-CD123 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody) for the treatment of AML. However, the therapeutic efficacy of CD123-targeting treatments is still unsatisfactory and must be improved through new therapeutic strategies and combined treatments with other antileukemic drugs.
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Morse JW, Rios M, Ye J, Rios A, Zhang CC, Daver NG, DiNardo CD, Zhang N, An Z. Antibody therapies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: exploring current and emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:107-125. [PMID: 36762937 PMCID: PMC10031751 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2179482] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common and deadly type of leukemia affecting adults. It is typically managed with rounds of non-targeted chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplants, but this is only possible in patients who can tolerate these harsh treatments and many are elderly and frail. With the identification of novel tumor-specific cell surface receptors, there is great conviction that targeted antibody therapies will soon become available for these patients. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe the current landscape of known target receptors for monospecific and bispecific antibody-based therapeutics for AML. Here, we characterize each of the receptors and targeted antibody-based therapeutics in development, illustrating the rational design behind each therapeutic compound. We then discuss the bispecific antibodies in development and how they improve immune surveillance of AML. For each therapeutic, we also summarize the available pre-clinical and clinical data, including data from discontinued trials. EXPERT OPINION One antibody-based therapeutic has already been approved for AML treatment, the CD33-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin. Many more are currently in pre-clinical and clinical studies. These antibody-based therapeutics can perform tumor-specific, elaborate cytotoxic functions and there is growing confidence they will soon lead to personalized, safe AML treatment options that induce durable remissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Morse
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margarita Rios
- Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - John Ye
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adan Rios
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng Cheng Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Naval G Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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22
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Garcia JS. EXABS-140-MDS Immune Therapy Approaches in MDS. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2022; 22 Suppl 2:S50-S52. [PMID: 36164227 DOI: 10.1016/s2152-2650(22)00658-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Poussard M, Angelot-Delettre F, Deconinck E. Conventional Therapeutics in BPDCN Patients-Do They Still Have a Place in the Era of Targeted Therapies? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3767. [PMID: 35954431 PMCID: PMC9367503 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
No benchmark treatment exists for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). Since the malignancy is chemo-sensitive, chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains an effective treatment. However, relapses frequently occur with the development of resistance. New options arising with the development of therapies targeting signaling pathways and epigenetic dysregulation have shown promising results. In this review, we focus on conventional therapies used to treat BPDCN and the novel therapeutic approaches that guide us toward the future management of BPDCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Poussard
- RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, UMR1098, EFS BFC, INSERM, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (M.P.); (F.A.-D.)
| | - Fanny Angelot-Delettre
- RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, UMR1098, EFS BFC, INSERM, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (M.P.); (F.A.-D.)
- Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire d’Immuno-Hématologie, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Eric Deconinck
- RIGHT Interactions Greffon-Hôte Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, UMR1098, EFS BFC, INSERM, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (M.P.); (F.A.-D.)
- Service d’Hématologie, CHRU Besançon, F-25000 Besançon, France
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24
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Cai T, Gouble A, Black KL, Skwarska A, Naqvi AS, Taylor D, Zhao M, Yuan Q, Sugita M, Zhang Q, Galetto R, Filipe S, Cavazos A, Han L, Kuruvilla V, Ma H, Weng C, Liu CG, Liu X, Konoplev S, Gu J, Tang G, Su X, Al-Atrash G, Ciurea S, Neelapu SS, Lane AA, Kantarjian H, Guzman ML, Pemmaraju N, Smith J, Thomas-Tikhonenko A, Konopleva M. Targeting CD123 in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm using allogeneic anti-CD123 CAR T cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2228. [PMID: 35484100 PMCID: PMC9051102 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy with poor outcomes with conventional therapy. Nearly 100% of BPDCNs overexpress interleukin 3 receptor subunit alpha (CD123). Given that CD123 is differentially expressed on the surface of BPDCN cells, it has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target. UCART123 is an investigational product consisting of allogeneic T cells expressing an anti-CD123 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), edited with TALEN® nucleases. In this study, we examine the antitumor activity of UCART123 in preclinical models of BPDCN. We report that UCART123 have selective antitumor activity against CD123-positive primary BPDCN samples (while sparing normal hematopoietic progenitor cells) in the in vitro cytotoxicity and T cell degranulation assays; supported by the increased secretion of IFNγ by UCART123 cells when cultured in the presence of BPDCN cells. UCART123 eradicate BPDCN and result in long-term disease-free survival in a subset of primary patient-derived BPDCN xenograft mouse models. One potential challenge of CD123 targeting therapies is the loss of CD123 antigen through diverse genetic mechanisms, an event observed in one of three BPDCN PDX studied. In summary, these results provide a preclinical proof-of-principle that allogeneic UCART123 cells have potent anti-BPDCN activity. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and highly aggressive hematologic malignancy derived from the precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Here the authors characterize the anti-tumor activity of allogeneic anti-CD123 CAR-T cells in preclinical models of BPDCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Cai
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | - Kathryn L Black
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna Skwarska
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Ammar S Naqvi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deanne Taylor
- Department of Biomedical & Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ming Zhao
- School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qi Yuan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mayumi Sugita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | | | - Antonio Cavazos
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Lina Han
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Vinitha Kuruvilla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Helen Ma
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Connie Weng
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Chang-Gong Liu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiuping Liu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sergej Konoplev
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jun Gu
- School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guilin Tang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoping Su
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gheath Al-Atrash
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stefan Ciurea
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sattva S Neelapu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Hagop Kantarjian
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Monica L Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
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25
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Gulati R, Abu-Salah A, Salous T, Nassiri M. Relapse of tagraxofusp treated blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with loss of CD123 expression. J Hematop 2022; 15:35-39. [PMID: 38358597 DOI: 10.1007/s12308-021-00479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tagraxofusp, a CD123-based-targeted immunotherapy, was recently approved to treat blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) with excellent response. Also, a subset of BPDCN shows resistance to tagraxofusp. These resistant cases continue to express CD123, which forms the basis of the continued utility of tagraxofusp in newer combination chemotherapies to overcome resistance in BPDCN. Herein, we report a case of an elderly male with BPDCN that achieved complete remission on initial primary treatment with tagraxofusp. However, BPDCN relapsed after 1.5 years while on treatment, with loss of CD123 expression. At relapse, the neoplasm was comprehensively immunophenotyped by flow cytometry (performed on both peripheral blood and bone marrow specimen) and by immunohistochemical evaluation of the bone marrow clot section. The neoplasm at relapse was diagnostic of BPDCN with a lack of CD123 expression. This case highlights a potential limitation of current and upcoming tagraxofusp-based multidrug therapies, at least in a subset of refractory BPDCN. We believe our report will serve as a sentinel to incite future investigations involving alternate resistance mechanisms in BDPCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Gulati
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 W 11th Street, Room 5048, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Asma Abu-Salah
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 W 11th Street, Room 5048, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Tareq Salous
- Department of Medicine- Hematology/Oncology, 535 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mehdi Nassiri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 W 11th Street, Room 5048, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
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26
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Gangat N, Konopleva M, Patnaik MM, Jabbour E, DiNardo C, Al‐Kali A, Foran JM, Granroth GL, Olteanu H, Kadia T, Tefferi A, Pemmaraju N. Venetoclax and hypomethylating agents in older/unfit patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:E62-E67. [PMID: 34807470 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Naseema Gangat
- Division of Hematology Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | | | - Elias Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Courtney DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Aref Al‐Kali
- Division of Hematology Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - James M. Foran
- Division of Hematology Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Florida USA
| | | | - Horatiu Olteanu
- Division of Hematopathology Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Ayalew Tefferi
- Division of Hematology Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
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27
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Wilson NR, Pemmaraju N. Evaluating tagraxofusp for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:431-438. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2029846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel R. Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
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28
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Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Treated with Frontline HCVAD. Blood Adv 2022; 6:3027-3035. [PMID: 35061885 PMCID: PMC9131912 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Given high relapse and CNS involvement of BPDCN, combination chemotherapy and prophylactic CNS-directed therapy are urgently needed. HCVAD chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of BPDCN, even in the modern era of CD123-targeted therapy.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a clinically aggressive blood cancer, often involving the skin, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and central nervous system (CNS) in 20% to 30% of patients. Despite significant progress in CD123- and BCL-2–targeted therapy, most patients are not cured without hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and CNS relapses occur quite frequently. Combination approaches with targeted and chemotherapy agents plus incorporation of prophylactic CNS-directed therapy are urgently needed. In this setting, we sought to analyze outcomes using the cytotoxic chemotherapy backbone regimen hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone (HCVAD). We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with BPDCN (n = 100), evaluating complete remission (CR) and median overall survival (OS) among 3 groups: those who received frontline HCVAD-based therapy (n = 35), SL-401 (n = 37), or other regimens (n = 28). HCVAD-based regimens yielded higher CR (80% vs 59% vs 43%; P = .01). There was no significant difference in OS (28.3 vs 13.7 vs 22.8 months; P = .41) or remission duration probability among treatment groups (38.6 vs not reached vs 10.2 months; P = .24). HSCT was performed in 51% vs 49% vs 38%, respectively (P = .455). These results suggest a continued important role for HCVAD-based chemotherapy in BPDCN, even in the modern targeted-therapy era, with high CR rates in the frontline setting. Further studies must establish the clinical activity, feasibility, and safety of doublet/triplet combinations of targeted therapies plus cytotoxic agents and the addition of CNS prophylaxis, with the ultimate goal of durable long-term remission for patients with BPDCN.
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29
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El Khawanky N, Hughes A, Yu W, Myburgh R, Matschulla T, Taromi S, Aumann K, Clarson J, Vinnakota JM, Shoumariyeh K, Miething C, Lopez AF, Brown MP, Duyster J, Hein L, Manz MG, Hughes TP, White DL, Yong ASM, Zeiser R. Demethylating therapy increases anti-CD123 CAR T cell cytotoxicity against acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6436. [PMID: 34750374 PMCID: PMC8575966 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26683-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is hampered by toxicity on normal hematopoietic progenitor cells and low CAR T cell persistence. Here, we develop third-generation anti-CD123 CAR T cells with a humanized CSL362-based ScFv and a CD28-OX40-CD3ζ intracellular signaling domain. This CAR demonstrates anti-AML activity without affecting the healthy hematopoietic system, or causing epithelial tissue damage in a xenograft model. CD123 expression on leukemia cells increases upon 5'-Azacitidine (AZA) treatment. AZA treatment of leukemia-bearing mice causes an increase in CTLA-4negative anti-CD123 CAR T cell numbers following infusion. Functionally, the CTLA-4negative anti-CD123 CAR T cells exhibit superior cytotoxicity against AML cells, accompanied by higher TNFα production and enhanced downstream phosphorylation of key T cell activation molecules. Our findings indicate that AZA increases the immunogenicity of AML cells, enhancing recognition and elimination of malignant cells by highly efficient CTLA-4negative anti-CD123 CAR T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Azacitidine/administration & dosage
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- HEK293 Cells
- HL-60 Cells
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Interleukin-3 Receptor alpha Subunit/immunology
- Interleukin-3 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Leukemia, Myeloid/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/therapy
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays/methods
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia El Khawanky
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amy Hughes
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Wenbo Yu
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Renier Myburgh
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tony Matschulla
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Division II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanaz Taromi
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, University Furtwangen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Konrad Aumann
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Clinical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jade Clarson
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Janaki Manoja Vinnakota
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Khalid Shoumariyeh
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Miething
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Angel F Lopez
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michael P Brown
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Justus Duyster
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lutz Hein
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Division II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus G Manz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy P Hughes
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Deborah L White
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Agnes S M Yong
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- Department of Haematology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Signaling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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30
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy with historically poor outcomes for patients, often refractory to traditional chemotherapy. Recent research has focused on targeted therapy to improve responses and limit potential toxicity. AREAS COVERED CD123 (also known as IL-3 Rα) is a cell surface marker and attractive therapeutic target for many myeloid malignancies, particularly BPDCN, whose cells ubiquitously overexpress CD123. We review the history of CD123 research regarding BPDCN, recent advances including FDA approval of tagraxofusp (formerly SL-401) for BPDCN, and ongoing clinical studies utilizing novel therapeutic strategies to target CD123. EXPERT OPINION The approval of tagraxofusp for the treatment of BPDCN in December 2018 drastically changed the treatment landscape for patients with this rare neoplasm. While tagraxofusp is better tolerated than traditional multi-agent chemotherapy regimens, it requires close monitoring and sound clinical judgment by providers to prevent and mitigate severe treatment-related complications with special attention to the recognition and management of capillary leak syndrome (CLS). Several other promising strategies for targeting CD123 in BPDCN are currently under investigation, including antibody-drug conjugates, T-cell engagers, and CAR-T cellular therapeutics. These CD123 targeted approaches may soon become standard of care for patients with this difficult to treat malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J DiPippo
- Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmacy Clinical Programs, The University of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center, Houston,Texas US
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, US
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Associate Professor, Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, US
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31
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Uckun FM, Lin TL, Mims AS, Patel P, Lee C, Shahidzadeh A, Shami PJ, Cull E, Cogle CR, Watts J. A Clinical Phase 1B Study of the CD3xCD123 Bispecific Antibody APVO436 in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4113. [PMID: 34439266 PMCID: PMC8394899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
APVO436 is a recombinant T cell-engaging humanized bispecific antibody designed to redirect host T cell cytotoxicity in an MHC-independent manner to CD123-expressing blast cells from patients with hematologic malignancies and has exhibited single-agent anti-leukemia activity in murine xenograft models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this first-in-human (FIH) multicenter phase 1B study, we sought to determine the safety and tolerability of APVO436 in R/R AML/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients and identify a clinically active recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) level for its further clinical development. A total of 46 R/R AML/MDS patients who had failed 1-8 prior lines of therapy received APVO436 as weekly intravenous (IV) infusions at 10 different dose levels, ranging from a Minimum Anticipated Biological Effect Level (MABEL) of 0.3 mcg to 60 mcg. APVO436 exhibited a favorable safety profile with acceptable tolerability and manageable drug-related adverse events (AEs), and its maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not reached at a weekly dose of 60 mcg. The most common APVO436-related AEs were infusion-related reactions (IRR) occurring in 13 (28.3%) patients and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurring in 10 (21.7%). The single dose RP2D level was identified as 0.2 mcg/kg. Preliminary efficacy signals were observed in both AML and MDS patients: Prolonged stable disease (SD), partial remissions (PR), and complete remissions (CR) were observed in R/R AML patients as best overall responses to APVO436 at the RP2D level. Three of six evaluable MDS patients had marrow CRs. The safety and preliminary evidence of efficacy of APVO436 in R/R AML and MDS patients warrant further investigation of its clinical impact potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih M. Uckun
- Aptevo Therapeutics, Seattle, WA 98121, USA; (C.L.); (A.S.)
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Ares Pharmaceuticals, St. Paul, MN 55110, USA
| | - Tara L. Lin
- University of Kansas Cancer Center and Medical Pavillon, University of Kansas, Westwood, KS 66205, USA;
| | - Alice S. Mims
- Wexner Medical Center, James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Prapti Patel
- Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Cynthia Lee
- Aptevo Therapeutics, Seattle, WA 98121, USA; (C.L.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Paul J. Shami
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Cull
- Institute for Translational Oncology Research, Greenville Health System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA;
| | - Christopher R. Cogle
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Justin Watts
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
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32
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Espinoza-Gutarra MR, Green SD, Zeidner JF, Konig H. CD123-targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2021; 14:561-576. [PMID: 34043467 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1935855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) results from the neoplastic transformation of a hematopoietic stem cell. While therapeutic progress has stagnated for several decades, recent progress in the genomic classification of AML has paved the way for multiple new drug approvals. These long-awaited achievements represent a paradigm shift in the approach to a disease that has largely been managed with conventional chemotherapy since the 1970s. With the evolution of targeted AML therapies, novel agents continue to be developed with the goal to improve efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Monoclonal antibodies targeting AML-specific surface markers have emerged as promising candidates to improve outcomes. CD123, interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain [IL-3 Rα], is highly expressed in AML, particularly within the AML stem cell compartment. Several CD123-targeted strategies are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. AREAS COVERED The authors herein discuss recent clinical data in CD123-directed therapy in AML. A computerized PubMed search was conducted using key words relevant to the various sections of this article. Relevant abstracts presented at the American Society of Hematology, the European Hematology Association, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology were also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION CD123 represents a suitable therapeutic target that has the potential to improve AML patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven D Green
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Joshua F Zeidner
- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Heiko Konig
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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33
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Wu H, Zhang L, Zhu Z, Ding C, Chen S, Liu R, Fan H, Chen Y, Li H. Novel CD123 polyaptamer hydrogel edited by Cas9/sgRNA for AML-targeted therapy. Drug Deliv 2021; 28:1166-1178. [PMID: 34121564 PMCID: PMC8205012 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2021.1934191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
CD123 targeting molecules have been widely applied in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) therapeutics. Although antibodies have been more widely used as targeting molecules, aptamer have unique advantages for CD123 targeting therapy. In this study, we constructed an aptamer hydrogel termed as SSFH which could be precisely cut by Cas9/sgRNA for programmed SS30 release. To construct hydrogel, rolling-circle amplification (RCA) was used to generate hydrogel containing CD123 aptamer SS30 and sgRNA-targeting sequence. After incubation with Cas9/sgRNA, SSFH could lose its gel property and liberated the SS30 aptamer sequence, and released SS30 has been confirmed by gel electrophoresis. In addition, SS30 released from SSFH could inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, SSFH could prolong survival rate and inhibit tumor growth via JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway in vivo. Additionally, molecular imaging revealed SSFH co-injected with Cas9/sgRNA remained at the injection site longer than free aptamer. Furthermore, once the levels of cytokines were increasing, the complementary sequences of aptamers injection could neutralize SS30 and relieve side effect immediately. This study suggested that CD123 aptamer hydrogel SSFH and Cas9/sgRNA system has strong potential for CD123-positive AML anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibin Wu
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children's hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Liyu Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children's hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zeen Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chenxi Ding
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shengquan Chen
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruiping Liu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huafeng Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Wilson NR, Konopleva M, Khoury JD, Pemmaraju N. Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN): Era of Targeted Therapy. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2021; 21:734-740. [PMID: 34226167 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy arising from the aberrant transformation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and involving skin, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and central nervous system. Characteristically unique from other myeloid neoplasms, BPDCN cells express CD4, CD56, and CD123 as well as TCL-1 and TCF4 in almost all cases. Historically, this malignancy has exhibited a poor prognosis, with median survival of less than 2 years. Traditional treatment approaches have involved conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, patients frequently relapse with chemotherapy-resistant disease. We have recently entered a modern era of therapy with targeting of CD123, with first-in-class agent tagraxofusp, a CD123- targeted agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for therapy of patients with BPDCN ages 2 and older. Relapsed and refractory BPDCN remains an elusive therapeutic challenge, but better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology has led to the development of other CD123-targeted agents and combination therapy, as well as agents targeting beyond CD123. Specifically, the use of venetoclax in targeting BCL2 has been promising in BPDCN treatment. This review will focus on the underlying diagnostic markers of BPDCN which have led to novel targeted treatment strategies, as well as future directions in therapy we can expect in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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Chen Y, Xu R, Ruze R, Yang J, Wang H, Song J, You L, Wang C, Zhao Y. Construction of a prognostic model with histone modification-related genes and identification of potential drugs in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:291. [PMID: 34090418 PMCID: PMC8178883 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01928-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal and aggressive disease with its incidence and mortality quite discouraging. An effective prediction model is urgently needed for the accurate assessment of patients’ prognosis to assist clinical decision-making. Methods Gene expression data and clinicopathological data of the samples were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, random forest screening and multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to construct the risk signature. The effectiveness and independence of the model were validated by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analysis and survival point graph in training set, test set, TCGA entire set and GSE57495 set. The validity of the core gene was verified by immunohistochemistry and our own independent cohort. Meanwhile, functional enrichment analysis of DEGs between the high and low risk groups revealed the potential biological pathways. Finally, CMap database and drug sensitivity assay were utilized to identify potential small molecular drugs as the risk model-related treatments for PC patients. Results Four histone modification-related genes were identified to establish the risk signature, including CBX8, CENPT, DPY30 and PADI1. The predictive performance of risk signature was validated in training set, test set, TCGA entire set and GSE57495 set, with the areas under ROC curve (AUCs) for 3-year survival were 0.773, 0.729, 0.775 and 0.770 respectively. Furthermore, KM survival analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis proved it as an independent prognostic factor. Mechanically, functional enrichment analysis showed that the poor prognosis of high-risk population was related to the metabolic disorders caused by inadequate insulin secretion, which was fueled by neuroendocrine aberration. Lastly, a cluster of small molecule drugs were identified with significant potentiality in treating PC patients. Conclusions Based on a histone modification-related gene signature, our model can serve as a reliable prognosis assessment tool and help to optimize the treatment for PC patients. Meanwhile, a cluster of small molecule drugs were also identified with significant potentiality in treating PC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01928-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiyuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Rexiati Ruze
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinshou Yang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianlu Song
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengcheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Fu D, Zhang B, Wu S, Zhang Y, Xie J, Ning W, Jiang H. Prognosis and Characterization of Immune Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Through Identification of an Autophagy-Related Signature. Front Immunol 2021; 12:695865. [PMID: 34135913 PMCID: PMC8200670 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.695865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematopoietic malignancies that has an unfavorable outcome and a high rate of relapse. Autophagy plays a vital role in the development of and therapeutic responses to leukemia. This study identifies a potential autophagy-related signature to monitor the prognoses of patients of AML. Transcriptomic profiles of AML patients (GSE37642) with the relevant clinical information were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) as the training set while TCGA-AML and GSE12417 were used as validation cohorts. Univariate regression analyses and multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis were respectively applied to identify the autophagy-related signature. The univariate Cox regression analysis identified 32 autophagy-related genes (ARGs) that were significantly associated with the overall survival (OS) of the patients, and were mainly rich in signaling pathways for autophagy, p53, AMPK, and TNF. A prognostic signature that comprised eight ARGs (BAG3, CALCOCO2, CAMKK2, CANX, DAPK1, P4HB, TSC2, and ULK1) and had good predictive capacity was established by LASSO–Cox stepwise regression analysis. High-risk patients were found to have significantly shorter OS than patients in low-risk group. The signature can be used as an independent prognostic predictor after adjusting for clinicopathological parameters, and was validated on two external AML sets. Differentially expressed genes analyzed in two groups were involved in inflammatory and immune signaling pathways. An analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells confirmed that high-risk patients had a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment. Potential druggable OS-related ARGs were then investigated through protein–drug interactions. This study provides a systematic analysis of ARGs and develops an OS-related prognostic predictor for AML patients. Further work is needed to verify its clinical utility and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denggang Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Biyu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Life Science, Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China
| | - Shiyong Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jingwu Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, The Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Wangbin Ning
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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37
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Patnaik MM, Mughal TI, Brooks C, Lindsay R, Pemmaraju N. Targeting CD123 in hematologic malignancies: identifying suitable patients for targeted therapy. Leuk Lymphoma 2021; 62:2568-2586. [PMID: 33999767 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1927021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Following the observation of interleukin 3 receptor α chain (IL-3Rα; CD123) upregulation on leukemia stem cells (LSCs) almost two decades ago, targeted treatment via CD123-diptheria toxin conjugates has now been tested in patients with diverse myeloid malignancies. Targeted eradication of LSCs could result in effective treatments for many challenging diseases initiated by these cells. Consequently, considerable effort has been directed toward targeting CD123 as a potential strategy for treating patients with hematologic malignancies in which CD123 is overexpressed. However, these therapies have had limited success so far, highlighting the need for suitable criteria to identify patients who could benefit from them. Given the diversity in CD123 expression across different hematologic malignancies, understanding CD123 expression patterns and the functional pathogenetic significance is crucial. Here, we review the methodologies available for CD123 assessment and discuss the biological and clinical characteristics of patients for whom CD123-targeting therapies may have a clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tariq I Mughal
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Research & Clinical Drug Development, Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Brooks
- Research & Clinical Drug Development, Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ross Lindsay
- Research & Clinical Drug Development, Stemline Therapeutics, New York, NY, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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38
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Isidori A, Cerchione C, Daver N, DiNardo C, Garcia-Manero G, Konopleva M, Jabbour E, Ravandi F, Kadia T, Burguera ADLF, Romano A, Loscocco F, Visani G, Martinelli G, Kantarjian H, Curti A. Immunotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Where We Stand. Front Oncol 2021; 11:656218. [PMID: 34041025 PMCID: PMC8143531 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.656218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, our improved knowledge of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathogenesis has led to the accelerated discovery of new drugs and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The role of the immune system in AML development, growth and recurrence has gained increasing interest. A better understanding of immunological escape and systemic tolerance induced by AML blasts has been achieved. The extraordinary successes of immune therapies that harness the power of T cells in solid tumors and certain hematological malignancies have provided new stimuli in this area of research. Accordingly, major efforts have been made to develop immune therapies for the treatment of AML patients. The persistence of leukemia stem cells, representing the most relevant cause of relapse, even after allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT), remains a major hurdle in the path to cure for AML patients. Several clinical trials with immune-based therapies are currently ongoing in the frontline, relapsed/refractory, post-allo-SCT and minimal residual disease/maintenance setting, with the aim to improve survival of AML patients. This review summarizes the available data with immune-based therapeutic modalities such as monoclonal antibodies (naked and conjugated), T cell engagers, adoptive T-cell therapy, adoptive-NK therapy, checkpoint blockade via PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA4, TIM3 and macrophage checkpoint blockade via the CD47/SIRPa axis, and leukemia vaccines. Combining clinical results with biological immunological findings, possibly coupled with the discovery of biomarkers predictive for response, will hopefully allow us to determine the best approaches to immunotherapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Hematology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Courtney DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Elias Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Alessandra Romano
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia e Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche, Sezione di Ematologia, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Visani
- Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Center, AORMN, Pesaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Hematology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Hagop Kantarjian
- Hematology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Antonio Curti
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, Bologna, Italy
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Xiao W, Chan A, Waarts MR, Mishra T, Liu Y, Cai SF, Yao J, Gao Q, Bowman RL, Koche RP, Csete IS, DelGaudio NL, Derkach A, Baik J, Yanis S, Famulare CA, Patel M, Arcila ME, Stahl M, Rampal RK, Tallman MS, Zhang Y, Dogan A, Goldberg AD, Roshal M, Levine RL. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell expansion defines a distinct subset of RUNX1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2021; 137:1377-1391. [PMID: 32871587 PMCID: PMC7955409 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020007897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the principal natural type I interferon-producing dendritic cells. Neoplastic expansion of pDCs and pDC precursors leads to blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), and clonal expansion of mature pDCs has been described in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. The role of pDC expansion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poorly studied. Here, we characterize patients with AML with pDC expansion (pDC-AML), which we observe in ∼5% of AML cases. pDC-AMLs often possess cross-lineage antigen expression and have adverse risk stratification with poor outcome. RUNX1 mutations are the most common somatic alterations in pDC-AML (>70%) and are much more common than in AML without pDC expansion and BPDCN. We demonstrate that pDCs are clonally related to, as well as originate from, leukemic blasts in pDC-AML. We further demonstrate that leukemic blasts from RUNX1-mutated AML upregulate a pDC transcriptional program, poising the cells toward pDC differentiation and expansion. Finally, tagraxofusp, a targeted therapy directed to CD123, reduces leukemic burden and eliminates pDCs in a patient-derived xenograft model. In conclusion, pDC-AML is characterized by a high frequency of RUNX1 mutations and increased expression of a pDC transcriptional program. CD123 targeting represents a potential treatment approach for pDC-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | | | - Michael R Waarts
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | - Tanmay Mishra
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
| | - Sheng F Cai
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service
| | - Jinjuan Yao
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
| | - Robert L Bowman
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | | | - Isabelle S Csete
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | - Nicole L DelGaudio
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
| | | | - Jeeyeon Baik
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
| | - Sophia Yanis
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
| | | | | | - Maria E Arcila
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
| | | | - Raajit K Rampal
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service
| | | | - Yanming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Ahmet Dogan
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Service
| | | | | | - Ross L Levine
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Molecular Cancer Medicine Service
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service
- Center for Epigenetics Research
- Center for Hematologic Malignancies, and
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40
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41
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Wang SY, Thomassen K, Kurch L, Opitz S, Franke GN, Bach E, Platzbecker U, Kayser S. Combination of Tagraxofusp and Azacitidine Is an Effective Option for Relapsed Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2021; 21:e579-e582. [PMID: 33795208 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yau Wang
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katrin Thomassen
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lars Kurch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Opitz
- Department of Diagnostics, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg-Nikolaus Franke
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Enrica Bach
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Kayser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; NCT Trial Center, National Center of Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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42
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Wong KK, Hassan R, Yaacob NS. Hypomethylating Agents and Immunotherapy: Therapeutic Synergism in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:624742. [PMID: 33718188 PMCID: PMC7947882 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.624742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Decitabine and guadecitabine are hypomethylating agents (HMAs) that exert inhibitory effects against cancer cells. This includes stimulation of anti-tumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Treatment of AML and MDS patients with the HMAs confers upregulation of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) expression including the highly immunogenic CTA NY-ESO-1. This leads to activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for elimination of cancer cells, and it establishes the feasibility to combine cancer vaccine with HMAs to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Moreover, decitabine and guadecitabine induce the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in AML cells. In this review, the accumulating knowledge on the immunopotentiating properties of decitabine and guadecitabine in AML and MDS patients are presented and discussed. In summary, combination of decitabine or guadecitabine with NY-ESO-1 vaccine enhances vaccine immunogenicity in AML patients. T cells from AML patients stimulated with dendritic cell (DC)/AML fusion vaccine and guadecitabine display increased capacity to lyse AML cells. Moreover, decitabine enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity or CD123-specific chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells antileukemic activities against AML. Furthermore, combination of either HMAs with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may circumvent their resistance. Finally, clinical trials of either HMAs combined with cancer vaccines, NK cell infusion or ICB therapy in relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk MDS patients are currently underway, highlighting the promising efficacy of HMAs and immunotherapy synergy against these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Keng Wong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rosline Hassan
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nik Soriani Yaacob
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Cangini D, Silimbani P, Cafaro A, Giannini MB, Masini C, Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà A, Simonetti G, Martinelli G, Cerchione C. Tagraxofusp and anti-CD123 in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a new hope. Minerva Med 2020; 111:467-477. [PMID: 32955827 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.20.07018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy, characterized by poor prognosis if treated with conventional therapy. Allogenic hematologic stem cell transplant can improve survival and can be curative, but it is available in a small percentage of patients given that the median age at diagnosis is 70 years. In this scenario it is assumed that only the development of precision medicine-driven therapy will change BPDCN patient prognosis. CD123 (the α-subunit of interleukin (IL)-3 receptor) is over-expressed on BPDCN cells surface and seems to be the ideal marker to develop antibody-based therapies. Tagraxofusp (Elzonris<sup>®</sup>), a recombinant immunotoxin consisting of human interleukin-3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin, has been approved by FDA in December 2018 for the treatment of BPDCN in adult and pediatric patients. tagraxofusp has shown promising clinical activity, with a high overall response rate and quite manageable safety profile even in elderly patients. It seems to improve overall survival too, but comparative trials are necessary to confirm this. Adverse events are commonly reported and the most important are transaminitis, thrombocytopenia and capillary leak syndrome (CLS). Therefore, to prevent the onset of severe CLS is recommended to reserve tagraxofusp for patients with preserved hepatic and cardiac functions, and to strictly observe serum albumin level. Further studies are required to resolve many several unanswered questions about tagraxofusp. In this review, we will resume and discuss pharmacological characteristic of tagraxofusp, results of clinical trials leading to its approval by FDA in 2018 and future perspectives about its use in BPDCN and other hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Cangini
- Unit of Hematology, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Paolo Silimbani
- Unit of Oncological Pharmacy, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cafaro
- Unit of Oncological Pharmacy, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Maria B Giannini
- Unit of Hematology, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Carla Masini
- Unit of Oncological Pharmacy, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà
- Laboratory of Biosciences, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Laboratory of Biosciences, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Unit of Hematology, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST), Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy -
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Abstract
An ideal cell surface target for therapy in leukemia would be: tumor-specific (not expressed on normal cells) or at least enriched on tumor cells, necessary for tumor but not for normal cell survival, internalized efficiently (if the surface-targeted agent is conjugated to chemotherapy or a toxin molecule), and recycled rapidly to the cell surface. While a single target that meets all of these criteria has not yet been discovered in AML, CD123 has emerged as an attractive candidate.1 The first-in-class CD123-targeting agent, tagraxofusp-erzs (SL-401) was approved in 2018 for patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN)2 and is currently in trials for several other hematologic malignancies, including AML. Several other CD123-targeted drugs are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Lane
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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Samhouri Y, Ursu S, Dutton N, Tanvi V, Fazal S. Tagraxofusp followed by combined azacitidine and venetoclax in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: A case report and literature review. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2020; 27:990-995. [PMID: 32847479 DOI: 10.1177/1078155220951850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy that originates from plasmacytoid dendritic cells. It can involve skin, bone marrow, and/or lymph nodes. There is no consensus recommendation regarding treatment especially in the relapsed setting. Tagraxofusp, a CD123 directed agent, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat BPDCN. We report a case of an elderly patient with diagnosis of BPDCN who was treated initially with tagraxofusp followed by azacitidine and venetoclax combination on relapse. CASE REPORT A 79 year old male presented with violaceous skin lesions. He had no other symptoms. Biopsy of these lesions was consistent with a diagnosis of BPDCN. Further testing showed no extracutaneous involvement.Management and outcome: Tagraxofusp was started at full dose (12 mcg/kg). This dose was not tolerated well. Patient could only tolerate the lowest dose (5 mcg/kg). Toxicities included elevated liver function tests, hyperglycemia, capillary leak syndrome, and pancreatitis. Dose escalation on progression was not possible due to side effects. Treatment was switched to venetoclax and azacitidine. Combination treatment was tolerated very well and patient showed major cutaneous response after 5 cycles and continues to do well. DISCUSSION Tagraxofusp is a novel therapy that needs more real-world experience. This case describes the clinical course of an elderly patient on tagraxofusp. We also review the literature of azacytidine/venetoclax combination as a potential yet tolerable treatment option for this rare disease entity. This is the fourth case in literature to be treated with this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan Samhouri
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sorana Ursu
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nina Dutton
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Verma Tanvi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Salman Fazal
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Pemmaraju N, Konopleva M. Approval of tagraxofusp-erzs for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Blood Adv 2020; 4:4020-4027. [PMID: 32841341 PMCID: PMC7448601 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and clinically challenging hematologic malignancy with dismal outcomes. With a median age of ∼70 years, the majority of patients with BPDCN have experienced historically suboptimal responses with intensive chemotherapy regimens. The major scientific breakthrough in this field was the recognition of overexpression of a surface receptor, CD123/interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor α, in all patients. Importantly, a novel therapeutic agent consisting of a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT) payload fused to recombinant human IL-3 was being developed, one that targeted CD123, initially known as DT-IL-3 (later known as SL401; tagraxofusp; tagraxofusp-erzs [Elzonris]). The identification of this agent, and subsequent clinical trials specifically dedicated to patients with BPDCN (including a pilot study, followed by a larger phase 1/2 multicenter study [90% overall response rate [ORR] in frontline and 67% ORR in relapsed/refractory setting]), in part led to approval of tagraxofusp-erzs on 21 December 2018. Tagraxofusp-erzs was the first agent approved for BPDCN (for patients ages 2 years and older), and importantly, established this drug as the first CD123-targeted agent ever approved. The most notable toxicity of tagraxofusp-erzs is occurrence of the capillary leak syndrome, which occurs frequently at all grades, and has also been observed to be life-threatening, appropriately leading to a US Food and Drug Administration "black box" warning in the package insert. The preclinical and clinical aspects of drug development of tagraxofusp-erzs as monotherapy leading to drug approval are reviewed herein, with discussion of future directions of this novel agent, including consideration for rational combinations in BPDCN and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Aldoss I, Clark M, Song JY, Pullarkat V. Targeting the alpha subunit of IL-3 receptor (CD123) in patients with acute leukemia. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2341-2348. [PMID: 32692611 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1788299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The IL-3 alpha chain receptor (CD123) is a cell surface protein that is widely expressed by various subtypes of acute leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Notably, CD123 is preferentially overexpressed in leukemia stem cells (LSC) in contrast to normal hematopoietic stem cells, and this differential expression allows for the selective eradication of LSC and leukemic blasts through therapeutic targeting of CD123, with less impact on hematopoietic cells. The level of CD123 expression in AML correlates with both treatment response and outcomes. Therefore, targeting CD123 represents a promising universal therapeutic target in advanced acute leukemias irrespective of the individual leukemia phenotype. There are currently 31 ongoing clinical trials examining the utility of CD123-based targeted therapies. Here we focus our review on current efforts to target CD123 in acute leukemia through various therapeutic constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Aldoss
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Medical Center , Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mary Clark
- Department of Clinical and Translational Project Development, City of Hope National Medical Center , Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Joo Y Song
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center , Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Vinod Pullarkat
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Medical Center , Duarte, CA, USA
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Lee SS, McCue D, Pemmaraju N. Tagraxofusp as treatment for patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:543-550. [PMID: 32460559 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1776120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive hematologic malignancy that previously lacked standardized therapeutic approaches. CD123 (interleukin-3 receptor alpha unit) is highly expressed in many hematologic malignancies, including BPDCN. Tagraxofusp-ezrs (tagraxofusp from herein) is an agent that consists of interleukin-3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin, targeting CD123. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved tagraxofusp as therapy for BPDCN for adults and children aged 2 years and older. AREAS COVERED We discuss the history and clinical background of BPDCN along with tagraxofusp as its first-line therapy. We review the clinical efficacy and safety profile of tagraxofusp in adults including proposed sensitivity and resistance. Finally, we summarize tagraxofusp use in the pediatric population. EXPERT OPINION Tagraxofusp is a newly approved therapy for BPDCN, a hematologic malignancy that has overall historically poor outcomes. With its significant efficacy, many patients were successfully bridged to stem cell transplantation in the clinical trial leading to its ultimate approval. Clinical awareness for major toxicities, including capillary leak syndrome will be a critical aspect of using this novel agent. In the future, investigation of its use in other hematologic malignancies and expansion of clinical trials in pediatric populations with BPDCN are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia S Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas School of Health Sciences at Houston , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deborah McCue
- Division of Pharmacy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
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Beziat G, Ysebaert L. Tagraxofusp for the Treatment of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN): A Brief Report on Emerging Data. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5199-5205. [PMID: 32606740 PMCID: PMC7293389 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s228342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare myeloid malignancy, for which conventional chemotherapy has poor outcomes. CD123, the α-subunit of interleukin (IL)-3 receptor, is constantly overexpressed at the surface of tumoral cells. Tagraxofusp (or SL-401) is a recombinant cytotoxin which consists of human interleukin-3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin. It is currently the only novel therapy with a prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety in the treatment of BPDCN and is also the only one to achieve FDA approval. In this short review, the results of tagraxofusp are summarized and perspectives of its use in BPDCN and in other malignancies are discussed. The safety profile is also summarized, since capillary leak syndrome is the main toxic effect of the drug, along with more common toxicities including an increase in transaminases and thrombocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Beziat
- Hematology Department, University Hospitals of Toulouse, IUC Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Loïc Ysebaert
- Hematology Department, University Hospitals of Toulouse, IUC Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France.,University Toulouse-3 Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Sugita M, Guzman ML. CD123 as a Therapeutic Target Against Malignant Stem Cells. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2020; 34:553-564. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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