1
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Luo Y, Su B, Hung V, Luo Y, Shi Y, Wang G, de Graaf D, Dinarello CA, Spaner DE. IL-1 receptor antagonism reveals a yin-yang relationship between NFκB and interferon signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405644121. [PMID: 39121163 PMCID: PMC11331101 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405644121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a pathogenic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is not addressed specifically by current therapies. NFκB is activated by inflammatory factors that stimulate toll-like receptors (TLRs) and receptors for interleukin-1 (IL-1) family members. IL-1 is considered a master regulator of inflammation, and IL-1 receptor signaling is inhibited by the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra. These considerations suggested that anakinra might have a role in the treatment of CLL. Consistent with this idea, anakinra inhibited spontaneous and TLR7-mediated activation of the canonical NFκB pathway in CLL cells in vitro. However, CLL cells exhibited only weak signaling responses to IL-1 itself, and anakinra was found to inhibit NFκB along with oxidative stress in an IL-1 receptor-independent manner. Anakinra was then administered with minimal toxicity to 11 previously untreated CLL patients in a phase I dose-escalation trial (NCT04691765). A stereotyped clinical response was observed in all patients. Anakinra lowered blood lymphocytes and lymph node sizes within the first month that were associated with downregulation of NFκB and oxidative stress in the leukemia cells. However, inhibition of NFκB was accompanied by upregulation of type 1 interferon (IFN) signaling, c-MYC-regulated genes and proteins, and loss of the initial clinical response. Anakinra increased IFN signaling and survival of CLL cells in vitro that were, respectively, phenocopied by mitochondrial antioxidants and reversed by IFN receptor blocking antibodies. These observations suggest that anakinra has activity in CLL and may be a useful adjunct for conventional therapies as long as compensatory IFN signaling is blocked at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuXuan Luo
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - BoYang Su
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Vincent Hung
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - YuHan Luo
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yonghong Shi
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Guizhi Wang
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Dennis de Graaf
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80045
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Charles A Dinarello
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80045
- Department of Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - David E Spaner
- Biological Science Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook hospital, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 2M9, Canada
- Department of Hematology, Odette Cancer Center, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 2C4, Canada
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2
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Jestrabek H, Kohlhas V, Hallek M, Nguyen PH. Impact of leukemia-associated macrophages on the progression and therapy response of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leuk Res 2024; 143:107531. [PMID: 38851084 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has advanced remarkably over the past decade. The advent and approval of the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib and BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, as well as monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies rituximab and obinutuzumab, have resulted in deep remissions and substantially improved survival outcomes for patients. However, CLL remains a complex disease with many patients still experiencing relapse and unsatisfactory treatment responses. CLL cells are highly dependent on their pro-leukemic tumor microenvironment (TME), which comprises different cellular and soluble factors. A large body of evidence suggests that CLL-associated macrophages shaped by leukemic cells play a pivotal role in maintaining CLL cell survival. In this review, we summarize the pro-survival interactions between CLL cells and macrophages, as well as the impact of the current first-line treatment agents, including ibrutinib, venetoclax, and CD20 antibodies on leukemia-associated macrophages.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunology
- Tumor-Associated Macrophages/drug effects
- Disease Progression
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- Sulfonamides/therapeutic use
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Macrophages/pathology
- Macrophages/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Jestrabek
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne 50931, Germany; Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Viktoria Kohlhas
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne 50931, Germany; Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Phuong-Hien Nguyen
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne 50931, Germany.
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3
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Del Prete R, Drago R, Nardi F, Bartolini G, Bellini E, De Rosa A, Valensin S, Kabanova A. Robust and cost-effective CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of primary tumor B cells in Eµ-TCL1 model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e134. [PMID: 39157689 PMCID: PMC11327113 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Drago
- Fondazione Toscana Life SciencesSienaItaly
- PhD Program in Translational and Precision MedicineUniversity of SienaSienaItaly
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4
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Bonato A, Chakraborty S, Bomben R, Canarutto G, Felician G, Martines C, Zucchetto A, Pozzo F, Vujovikj M, Polesel J, Chiarenza A, Del Principe MI, Del Poeta G, D'Arena G, Marasca R, Tafuri A, Laurenti L, Piazza S, Dimovski AJ, Gattei V, Efremov DG. NFKBIE mutations are selected by the tumor microenvironment and contribute to immune escape in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2024; 38:1511-1521. [PMID: 38486128 PMCID: PMC11216988 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in NFKBIE, which encodes for the NF-κB inhibitor IκBε, are frequent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and certain other B-cell malignancies and have been associated with accelerated disease progression and inferior responses to chemotherapy. Using in vitro and in vivo murine models and primary patient samples, we now show that NFKBIE-mutated CLL cells are selected by microenvironmental signals that activate the NF-κB pathway and induce alterations within the tumor microenvironment that can allow for immune escape, including expansion of CD8+ T-cells with an exhausted phenotype and increased PD-L1 expression on the malignant B-cells. Consistent with the latter observations, we find increased expression of exhaustion markers on T-cells from patients with NFKBIE-mutated CLL. In addition, we show that NFKBIE-mutated murine CLL cells display selective resistance to ibrutinib and report inferior outcomes to ibrutinib treatment in NFKBIE-mutated CLL patients. These findings suggest that NFKBIE mutations can contribute to CLL progression through multiple mechanisms, including a bidirectional crosstalk with the microenvironment and reduced sensitivity to BTK inhibitor treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Mice
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- Adenine/pharmacology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Mutation
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyrazoles/therapeutic use
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Pyrimidines/therapeutic use
- Tumor Escape/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bonato
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Supriya Chakraborty
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bomben
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, IRCCS Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giulia Canarutto
- Computational Biology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Felician
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Martines
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonella Zucchetto
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, IRCCS Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Federico Pozzo
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, IRCCS Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Marija Vujovikj
- Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Jerry Polesel
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, IRCCS Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Del Poeta
- Hematology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni D'Arena
- Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Roberto Marasca
- Division of Hematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Agostino Tafuri
- Division of Hematology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Laurenti
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Computational Biology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Aleksandar J Dimovski
- Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, IRCCS Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Dimitar G Efremov
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy.
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia.
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5
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Negara I, Tomuleasa C, Buruiana S, Efremov DG. Molecular Subtypes and the Role of TP53 in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Richter Syndrome. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2170. [PMID: 38927876 PMCID: PMC11201917 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoid malignancy and a heterogeneous entity comprised of several biologically distinct subtypes. Recently, novel genetic classifications of DLBCL have been resolved based on common mutational patterns indicative of distinct pathways of transformation. However, the complicated and costly nature of the novel classifiers has precluded their inclusion into routine practice. In view of this, the status of the TP53 gene, which is mutated or deleted in 20-30% of the cases, has emerged as an important prognostic factor for DLBCL patients, setting itself apart from other predictors. TP53 genetic lesions are particularly enriched in a genetic subtype of DLBCL that shares genomic features with Richter Syndrome, highlighting the possibility of a subset of DLBCL arising from the transformation of an occult chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like malignancy, such as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. Patients with TP53-mutated DLBCL, including those with Richter Syndrome, have a particularly poor prognosis and display inferior responses to standard chemoimmunotherapy regimens. The data presented in this manuscript argue for the need for improved and more practical risk-stratification models for patients with DLBCL and show the potential for the use of TP53 mutational status for prognostication and, in prospect, treatment stratification in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Negara
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology, “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
| | - Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Sanda Buruiana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology, “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
| | - Dimitar G. Efremov
- Molecular Hematology Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
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6
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Bertilaccio MTS, Chen SS. Mouse models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter transformation: what we have learnt and what we are missing. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1376660. [PMID: 38903501 PMCID: PMC11186982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1376660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment landscape has changed dramatically, unmet clinical needs are emerging, as CLL in many patients does not respond, becomes resistant to treatment, relapses during treatment, or transforms into Richter. In the majority of cases, transformation evolves the original leukemia clone into a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Richter transformation (RT) represents a dreadful clinical challenge with limited therapeutic opportunities and scarce preclinical tools. CLL cells are well known to highly depend on survival signals provided by the tumor microenvironment (TME). These signals enhance the frequency of immunosuppressive cells with protumor function, including regulatory CD4+ T cells and tumor-associated macrophages. T cells, on the other hand, exhibit features of exhaustion and profound functional defects. Overall immune dysfunction and immunosuppression are common features of patients with CLL. The interaction between malignant cells and TME cells can occur during different phases of CLL development and transformation. A better understanding of in vivo CLL and RT biology and the availability of adequate mouse models that faithfully recapitulate the progression of CLL and RT within their microenvironments are "conditio sine qua non" to develop successful therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the xenograft and genetic-engineered mouse models of CLL and RT, how they helped to elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease progression and transformation, and how they have been and might be instrumental in developing innovative therapeutic approaches to finally eradicate these malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Animals
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Humans
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/immunology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shih-Shih Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
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7
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Chen SS. Mouse models of CLL: In vivo modeling of disease initiation, progression, and transformation. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:201-207. [PMID: 38755077 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.03.003] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a highly complex disease characterized by the proliferation of CD5+ B cells in lymphoid tissues. Current modern treatments have brought significant clinical benefits to CLL patients. However, there are still unmet needs. Patients relapse on Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors and BCL2 inhibitors and often develop more aggressive diseases including Richter transformation (RT), an incurable complication of up to ∼10% patients. This evidence underscores the need for improved immunotherapies, combination treatment strategies, and predictive biomarkers. A mouse model that can recapitulate human CLL disease and certain components of the tumor immune microenvironment represents a promising preclinical tool for such purposes. In this review, we provide an overview of CRISPR-engineered and xenograft mouse models utilizing either cell lines, or primary CLL cells suitable for studies of key events driving the disease onset, progression and transformation of CLL. We also review how CRISPR/Cas9 established mouse models carrying loss-of-function lesions allow one to study key mutations driving disease progression. Finally, we discuss how next generation humanized mice might improve to generation of faithful xenograft mouse models of human CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Humans
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Shih Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York.
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8
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Vom Stein AF, Hallek M, Nguyen PH. Role of the tumor microenvironment in CLL pathogenesis. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:142-154. [PMID: 38220499 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells extensively interact with and depend on their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME encompasses a heterogeneous array of cell types, soluble signals, and extracellular vesicles, which contribute significantly to CLL pathogenesis. CLL cells and the TME cooperatively generate a chronic inflammatory milieu, which reciprocally reprograms the TME and activates a signaling network within CLL cells, promoting their survival and proliferation. Additionally, the inflammatory milieu exerts chemotactic effects, attracting CLL cells and other immune cells to the lymphoid tissues. The intricate CLL-TME interactions also facilitate immune evasion and compromise leukemic cell surveillance. We also review recent advances that have shed light on additional aspects that are substantially influenced by the CLL-TME interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Vom Stein
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany
| | - Phuong-Hien Nguyen
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne; CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Cologne, Germany.
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9
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Fernandez Botana I, Gonder S, Klapp V, Moussay E, Paggetti J. Eμ-TCL1 adoptive transfer mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 188:109-129. [PMID: 38880520 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.03.012] [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] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite being the most common adult leukemia in the western world, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) remains a life-threatening and incurable disease. Efforts to develop new treatments are highly dependent on the availability of appropriate mouse models for pre-clinical testing. The Eμ-TCL1 mouse model is the most established pre-clinical approach to study CLL pathobiology and response to treatment, backed by numerous studies highlighting its resemblance to the most aggressive form of this malignancy. In contrast to the transgenic Eμ-TCL1 model, employing the adoptive transfer of Eμ-TCL1-derived splenocytes in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice results in a comparably rapid (e.g., leukemic development within weeks compared to months in the transgenic model) and reliable model mimicking CLL. In this chapter, we would like to provide readers with a thoroughly optimized, detailed, and comprehensive protocol to use the adoptive transfer Eμ-TCL1 model in their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iria Fernandez Botana
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Susanne Gonder
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Vanessa Klapp
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Etienne Moussay
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
| | - Jerome Paggetti
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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10
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Playa-Albinyana H, Arenas F, Royo R, Giró A, López-Oreja I, Aymerich M, López-Guerra M, Frigola G, Beà S, Delgado J, Garcia-Roves PM, Campo E, Nadeu F, Colomer D. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient-derived xenografts recapitulate clonal evolution to Richter transformation. Leukemia 2024; 38:557-569. [PMID: 38017105 PMCID: PMC10912031 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02095-5] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell neoplasm with a heterogeneous clinical behavior. In 5-10% of patients the disease transforms into a diffuse large-B cell lymphoma known as Richter transformation (RT), which is associated with dismal prognosis. Here, we aimed to establish patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to study the molecular features and evolution of CLL and RT. We generated two PDXs by injecting CLL (PDX12) and RT (PDX19) cells into immunocompromised NSG mice. Both PDXs were morphologically and phenotypically similar to RT. Whole-genome sequencing analysis at different time points of the PDX evolution revealed a genomic landscape similar to RT tumors from both patients and uncovered an unprecedented RT subclonal heterogeneity and clonal evolution during PDX generation. In PDX12, the transformed cells expanded from a very small subclone already present at the CLL stage. Transcriptomic analysis of PDXs showed a high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and low B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling similar to the RT in the patients. IACS-010759, an OXPHOS inhibitor, reduced proliferation, and circumvented resistance to venetoclax. In summary, we have generated new RT-PDX models, one of them from CLL cells that mimicked the evolution of CLL to RT uncovering intrinsic features of RT cells of therapeutical value.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Animals
- Mice
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Heterografts
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Clonal Evolution/genetics
- Prognosis
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Heribert Playa-Albinyana
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabian Arenas
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Romina Royo
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Giró
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene López-Oreja
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Aymerich
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica López-Guerra
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Frigola
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Beà
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Delgado
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo M Garcia-Roves
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elías Campo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Nadeu
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Colomer
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
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11
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Meloni M, Sana I, Mantione ME, Riba M, Muzio M. Toll-like receptor 9 signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell lines. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:2367-2374. [PMID: 37881888 PMCID: PMC10699106 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13726] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a prototypic neoplasia in which malignant cells strongly depend on microenvironmental stimulations in the lymphoid tissues where they accumulate; leukemic cells are exposed to interaction with bystander and accessory cells, as well as inflammatory soluble mediators. Cell lines are frequently used to model the pathobiology of this disease; however, they do not always recapitulate leukemic cell growth and response to stimulation, and no data are available on Toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling in CLL cell lines. To address this gap, we analyzed HG3, MEC2, and PCL12 cell lines, before and after CpG stimulation, by RNA-sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses and validation experiments. We identified NFKBIZ mRNA and the corresponding IkBz protein as robust markers of TLR9 activation in both MEC2 and PCL12, but not in HG3 cells. Next, we compared our current results with previous results obtained with primary CLL patient samples and were able to conclude that MEC2 is most similar to the patients' cells in terms of global responsiveness to TLR stimulation; in particular, MEC2 better resembles the samples of patients, as it is characterized by high expression levels of IkBz, but with a lower number of genes regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Meloni
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Ilenia Sana
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Maria Elena Mantione
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Michela Riba
- Center for Omics SciencesSan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Marta Muzio
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
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12
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Abrisqueta P, Nadeu F, Bosch-Schips J, Iacoboni G, Serna A, Cabirta A, Yáñez L, Quintanilla-Martínez L, Bosch F. From genetics to therapy: Unraveling the complexities of Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102619. [PMID: 37660626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Richter transformation (RT) refers to the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most prevalent leukemia among adults, into a highly aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder, primarily a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This is a severe complication that continues to be a therapeutic challenge and remains an unmet medical need. Over the last five years, significant advances have occurred in uncovering the biological processes leading to the RT, refining criteria for properly diagnose RT from other entities, and exploring new therapeutic options beyond the ineffective chemotherapy. This review summarizes current knowledge in RT, including recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of RT, in the classification of RT, and in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this grave complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Abrisqueta
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ferran Nadeu
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan Bosch-Schips
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gloria Iacoboni
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Angel Serna
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alba Cabirta
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Lucrecia Yáñez
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Leticia Quintanilla-Martínez
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Tübingen University Hospital and Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Francesc Bosch
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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13
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Mazzarello AN, Fitch M, Cardillo M, Ng A, Bhuiya S, Sharma E, Bagnara D, Kolitz JE, Barrientos JC, Allen SL, Rai KR, Rhodes J, Hellerstein MK, Chiorazzi N. Characterization of the Intraclonal Complexity of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B Cells: Potential Influences of B-Cell Receptor Crosstalk with Other Stimuli. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4706. [PMID: 37835400 PMCID: PMC10571896 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) clones contain subpopulations differing in time since the last cell division ("age"): recently born, proliferative (PF; CXCR4DimCD5Bright), intermediate (IF; CXCR4IntCD5Int), and resting (RF; CXCR4BrightCD5Dim) fractions. Herein, we used deuterium (2H) incorporation into newly synthesized DNA in patients to refine the kinetics of CLL subpopulations by characterizing two additional CXCR4/CD5 fractions, i.e., double dim (DDF; CXCR4DimCD5Dim) and double bright (DBF; CXCR4BrightCD5Bright); and intraclonal fractions differing in surface membrane (sm) IgM and IgD densities. Although DDF was enriched in recently divided cells and DBF in older cells, PF and RF remained the most enriched in youngest and oldest cells, respectively. Similarly, smIgMHigh and smIgDHigh cells were the youngest, and smIgMLow and smIgDLow were the oldest, when using smIG levels as discriminator. Surprisingly, the cells closest to the last stimulatory event bore high levels of smIG, and stimulating via TLR9 and smIG yielded a phenotype more consistent with the in vivo setting. Finally, older cells were less sensitive to in vivo inhibition by ibrutinib. Collectively, these data define additional intraclonal subpopulations with divergent ages and phenotypes and suggest that BCR engagement alone is not responsible for the smIG levels found in vivo, and the differential sensitivity of distinct fractions to ibrutinib might account, in part, for therapeutic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N. Mazzarello
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Mark Fitch
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Martina Cardillo
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Anita Ng
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Sabreen Bhuiya
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Esha Sharma
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Davide Bagnara
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Jonathan E. Kolitz
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Jacqueline C. Barrientos
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Steven L. Allen
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Kanti R. Rai
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Joanna Rhodes
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Marc K. Hellerstein
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nicholas Chiorazzi
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
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14
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Koehrer S, Burger JA. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Disease Biology. Acta Haematol 2023; 147:8-21. [PMID: 37717577 DOI: 10.1159/000533610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is crucial for normal B-cell development and adaptive immunity. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the malignant B cells display many features of normal mature B lymphocytes, including the expression of functional B-cell receptors (BCRs). Cross talk between CLL cells and the microenvironment in secondary lymphatic organs results in BCR signaling and BCR-driven proliferation of the CLL cells. This critical pathomechanism can be targeted by blocking BCR-related kinases (BTK, PI3K, spleen tyrosine kinase) using small-molecule inhibitors. Among these targets, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have the highest therapeutic efficacy; they effectively block leukemia cell proliferation and generally induce durable remissions in CLL patients, even in patients with high-risk disease. By disrupting tissue homing receptor (i.e., chemokine receptor and adhesion molecule) signaling, these kinase inhibitors also mobilize CLL cells from the lymphatic tissues into the peripheral blood (PB), causing a transient redistribution lymphocytosis, thereby depriving CLL cells from nurturing factors within the tissue niches. SUMMARY The clinical success of the BTK inhibitors in CLL underscores the central importance of the BCR in CLL pathogenesis. Here, we review CLL pathogenesis with a focus on the role of the BCR and other microenvironment cues. KEY MESSAGES (i) CLL cells rely on signals from their microenvironment for proliferation and survival. (ii) These signals are mediated by the BCR as well as chemokine and integrin receptors and their respective ligands. (iii) Targeting the CLL/microenvironment interaction with small-molecule inhibitors provides a highly effective treatment strategy, even in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Koehrer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Klinik Donaustadt, Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik, Clinical Genetics, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan A Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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15
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Kielbassa K, Haselager MV, Bax DJC, van Driel BF, Dubois J, Levin MD, Kersting S, Svanberg R, Niemann CU, Kater AP, Eldering E. Ibrutinib sensitizes CLL cells to venetoclax by interrupting TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and protein translation. Leukemia 2023:10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w. [PMID: 37100883 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells upregulate Bcl-2 proteins within the lymph node (LN) microenvironment. Signaling via B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors and CD40 collectively reduce sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Time-limited treatment with venetoclax plus the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib results in deep remissions, but how this combination affects LN-related signaling is not yet completely clear. Therefore, samples obtained from the HOVON141/VISION phase 2 clinical trial were used to analyze this. Two cycles of lead-in ibrutinib monotherapy resulted in decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 proteins in circulating CLL cells. Strikingly, at this timepoint CD40-induced venetoclax resistance was strongly attenuated, as was expression of CD40. Since CD40 signaling occurs within the CLL LN, we tested various LN-related signals that could affect CD40 signaling. While BCR stimulation had only a minor effect, TLR9 stimulation via CpG led to significantly increased CD40 expression and importantly, reverted the effects of ibrutinib treatment on venetoclax sensitivity by inducing overall protein translation. Together, these findings identify a novel effect of ibrutinib: interruption of TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and translation of pro-survival proteins. This mechanism may potentially further inhibit priming of CLL cells in the LN microenvironment for venetoclax resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kielbassa
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marco V Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danique J C Bax
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca F van Driel
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julie Dubois
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Carsten U Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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16
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O’Donnell A, Pepper C, Mitchell S, Pepper A. NF-kB and the CLL microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1169397. [PMID: 37064123 PMCID: PMC10098180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1169397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent type of leukemia in the western world. Despite the positive clinical effects of new targeted therapies, CLL still remains an incurable and refractory disease and resistance to treatments are commonly encountered. The Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor has been implicated in the pathology of CLL, with high levels of NF-κB associated with disease progression and drug resistance. This aberrant NF-κB activation can be caused by genetic mutations in the tumor cells and microenvironmental factors, which promote NF-κB signaling. Activation can be induced via two distinct pathways, the canonical and non-canonical pathway, which result in tumor cell proliferation, survival and drug resistance. Therefore, understanding how the CLL microenvironment drives NF-κB activation is important for deciphering how CLL cells evade treatment and may aid the development of novel targeting therapeutics. The CLL microenvironment is comprised of various cells, including nurse like cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, follicular dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. By activating different receptors, including the B cell receptor and CD40, these cells cause overactivity of the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Within this review, we will explore the different components of the CLL microenvironment that drive the NF-κB pathway, investigating how this knowledge is being translated in the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice O’Donnell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Mitchell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
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17
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Immunological Aspects of Richter Syndrome: From Immune Dysfunction to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041015. [PMID: 36831361 PMCID: PMC9954516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Richter Syndrome (RS) is defined as the development of an aggressive lymphoma in patients with a previous or simultaneous diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Two pathological variants of RS are recognized: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-type and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)-type RS. Different molecular mechanisms may explain the pathogenesis of DLBCL-type RS, including genetic lesions, modifications of immune regulators, and B cell receptor (BCR) pathway hyperactivation. Limited data are available for HL-type RS, and its development has been reported to be similar to de novo HL. In this review, we focus on the immune-related pathogenesis and immune system dysfunction of RS, which are linked to BCR over-reactivity, altered function of the immune system due to the underlying CLL, and specific features of the RS tumor microenvironment. The standard of care of this disease consists in chemoimmunotherapy, eventually followed by stem cell transplantation, but limited possibilities are offered to chemo-resistant patients, who represent the majority of RS cases. In order to address this unmet clinical need, several immunotherapeutic approaches have been developed, namely T cell engagement obtained with bispecific antibodies, PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade by the use of monoclonal antibodies, selective drug delivery with antibody-drug conjugates, and targeting malignant cells with anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T cells.
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18
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Spaner DE, Luo TY, Wang G, Schreiber G, Harari D, Shi Y. Paradoxical activation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by ruxolitinib in vitro and in vivo. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1043694. [PMID: 37114129 PMCID: PMC10126367 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1043694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by an aberrant cytokine network that can support tumor growth by triggering janus kinase (JAK)/STAT pathways. Targeting cytokine-signaling should then be a rational therapeutic strategy but the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib failed to control and seemingly accelerated the disease in clinical trials. Methods The effect of ruxolitinib on primary human CLL cells was studied in vitro and in vivo. Results Ruxolitinib increased phosphorylation of IRAK4, an important toll-like receptor (TLR)- signaling intermediate, in circulating CLL cells in vitro. It also enhanced p38 and NFKB1 phosphorylation while lowering STAT3 phosphorylation in CLL cells activated with TLR-7/8 agonists and IL-2. Among the cytokines made by activated CLL cells, high levels of IL-10 contributed strongly to STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibited TLR7 activity. Ruxolitinib limited TLR-mediated IL10 transcription and markedly reduced IL-10 production in vitro. It also decreased blood levels of IL-10 while increasing TNFα along with phospho-p38 expression and gene sets associated with TLR-activation in CLL cells in vivo. The bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib decreased IL-10 production in vitro but, in contrast to ruxolitinib, blocked initial IL10 transcription induced by TLR-signaling in vitro, decreased TNFα production, and deactivates CLL cells in vivo. Discussion These findings suggest the possible benefits of inhibiting growth factors with JAK inhibitors in CLL are outweighed by negative effects on potential tumor suppressors such as IL-10 that allow unrestrained activation of NFκB by drivers such as TLRs. Specific inhibition of growth-promoting cytokines with blocking antibodies or infusing suppressive cytokines like IL-10 might be better strategies to manipulate cytokines in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Spaner
- Biology Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Hematology, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: David E. Spaner,
| | - Tina YuXuan Luo
- Biology Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Guizhi Wang
- Biology Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gideon Schreiber
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Harari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yonghong Shi
- Biology Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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