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Moaveni AK, Amiri M, Shademan B, Farhadi A, Behroozi J, Nourazarian A. Advances and challenges in gene therapy strategies for pediatric cancer: a comprehensive update. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1382190. [PMID: 38836106 PMCID: PMC11149429 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1382190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers represent a tragic but also promising area for gene therapy. Although conventional treatments have improved survival rates, there is still a need for targeted and less toxic interventions. This article critically analyzes recent advances in gene therapy for pediatric malignancies and discusses the challenges that remain. We explore the innovative vectors and delivery systems that have emerged, such as adeno-associated viruses and non-viral platforms, which show promise in addressing the unique pathophysiology of pediatric tumors. Specifically, we examine the field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and their adaptation for solid tumors, which historically have been more challenging to treat than hematologic malignancies. We also discuss the genetic and epigenetic complexities inherent to pediatric cancers, such as tumor heterogeneity and the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which pose significant hurdles for gene therapy. Ethical considerations specific to pediatric populations, including consent and long-term follow-up, are also analyzed. Additionally, we scrutinize the translation of research from preclinical models that often fail to mimic pediatric cancer biology to the regulatory landscapes that can either support or hinder innovation. In summary, this article provides an up-to-date overview of gene therapy in pediatric oncology, highlighting both the rapid scientific progress and the substantial obstacles that need to be addressed. Through this lens, we propose a roadmap for future research that prioritizes the safety, efficacy, and complex ethical considerations involved in treating pediatric patients. Our ultimate goal is to move from incremental advancements to transformative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Kian Moaveni
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Amiri
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrouz Shademan
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arezoo Farhadi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Javad Behroozi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Nourazarian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
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Menon H, Singh PK, Bagal B, Dolai T, Jain A, Chaudhri A. Minimal Residual Disease in the Management of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Systematic Review of Studies from Indian Settings. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2024; 40:1-11. [PMID: 38312181 PMCID: PMC10831037 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-023-01641-6] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Minimal residual disease (MRD) has become an essential tool in the management of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and aids in tailoring treatment strategies to suit specific patient needs. Although much progress has been made in this area, there is limited data on the use of MRD in the Indian context. Our objective was to identify relevant literature that discusses the utility of MRD in the management of B-cell ALL in adolescents and young adults (AYA) and adults in Indian settings. A systematic search and screening of articles were performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary data source was PubMed followed by Google Scholar for articles and conference proceedings. Of the 254 records screened, 24 records were retained for analysis. MRD monitoring had a significant role in the management of AYA/adult B-cell ALL patients. Variability of results was observed across these studies with respect to methods, techniques, and use. However, these studies evidenced and validated the importance of MRD assessment in risk-adapted management of B-cell ALL and highlighted the need for optimization. The advances in MRD diagnostics and applications are yet to be tested and adopted in Indian settings. Hence, there is a need for in-depth research to develop and optimize approaches for calibrating country-specific management strategies. The potential role of MRD assessments in anticipating relapse or treatment failures warrants more attention for the preemptive positioning of novel strategies involving immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Menon
- Hematology and Head Medical Oncology, St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | - Pawan Kumar Singh
- Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, BLK-Max Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant, Delhi, India
| | - Bhausaheb Bagal
- Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
| | - Tuphan Dolai
- Hematology Department, NRS Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal India
| | - Ankita Jain
- Oncology and Field Medical, Pfizer Oncology, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
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Wang Y, Xue YJ, Jia YP, Zuo YX, Lu AD, Zhang LP. Prognostic Significance of CD20 Expression in Children with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Acta Haematol 2023; 146:349-357. [PMID: 37212472 DOI: 10.1159/000530849] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prognostic significance of CD20 in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of CD20 expression in leukemia blasts in pediatric BCP-ALL at our institute. METHODS Between 2005 and 2017, 796 children with newly diagnosed Philadelphia-negative BCP-ALL were enrolled consecutively; clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed and compared between CD20-positive and CD20-negative groups. RESULTS CD20 positivity was observed in 22.7% of enrolled patients. The analysis of overall and event-free survival showed that white blood cell count ≥50 × 109/L, no ETV6-RUNX1, day 33 minimal residual disease (MRD) ≥0.1%, and week 12 MRD ≥0.01% were independent risk factors. Meanwhile, in the CD20-positive group, week 12 MRD ≥0.01% was the only factor associated with long-term survival. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with extramedullary involvement (p = 0.047), MRD ≥0.1% on day 33 (p = 0.032), or MRD ≥0.01% at week 12 (p = 0.004), CD20 expression led to a poorer outcome compared to those without CD20 expression. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric BCP-ALL with CD20 expression had unique clinicopathological characteristics, and MRD remained the major prognostic factor. CD20 expression had no prognostic value in pediatric BCP-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Juan Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue-Ping Jia
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Xi Zuo
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ai-Dong Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Le-Ping Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Alwahsh M, Farhat J, Talhouni S, Hamadneh L, Hergenröder R. Bortezomib advanced mechanisms of action in multiple myeloma, solid and liquid tumors along with its novel therapeutic applications. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:146-168. [PMID: 36998701 PMCID: PMC10043448 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Bortezomib (BTZ) is a first-in-class reversible and selective proteasome inhibitor. It inhibits the ubiquitin proteasome pathway that leads to the degradation of many intracellular proteins. Initially, BTZ was FDA approved for the treatment of refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) in 2003. Later, its usage was approved for patients with previously untreated MM. In 2006, BTZ was approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and, in 2014, for previously untreated MCL. BTZ has been extensively studied either alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of different liquid tumors especially in MM. However, limited data evaluated the efficacy and safety of using BTZ in patients with solid tumors. In this review, we will discuss the advanced and novel mechanisms of action of BTZ documented in MM, solid tumors and liquid tumors. Moreover, we will shed the light on the newly discovered pharmacological effects of BTZ in other prevalent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alwahsh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44139 Dortmund, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center (ZMF), University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Mohammad Alwahsh, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan, E-mail:
| | - Joviana Farhat
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahd Talhouni
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Lama Hamadneh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Roland Hergenröder
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44139 Dortmund, Germany
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Kyriakidis I, Mantadakis E, Stiakaki E, Groll AH, Tragiannidis A. Infectious Complications of Targeted Therapies in Children with Leukemias and Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205022. [PMID: 36291806 PMCID: PMC9599435 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205022] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Targeted therapies in children with hematological malignancies moderate the effects of cytotoxic therapy, thus improving survival rates. They have emerged over the last decade and are used in combination with or after the failure of conventional chemotherapy and as bridging therapy prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Nowadays, there is a growing interest in their efficacy and safety in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed disease. The compromised immune system, even prior to therapy, requires prompt monitoring and treatment. In children with hematological malignancies, targeted therapies are associated with a comparable incidence of infectious complications to adults. The exact impact of these agents that have different mechanisms of action and are used after conventional chemotherapy or HSCT is difficult to ascertain. Clinicians should be cautious of severe infections after the use of targeted therapies, especially when used in combination with chemotherapy. Abstract The aim of this review is to highlight mechanisms of immunosuppression for each agent, along with pooled analyses of infectious complications from the available medical literature. Rituximab confers no increase in grade ≥3 infectious risks, except in the case of patients with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin links with high rates of grade ≥3 infections which, however, are comparable with historical cohorts. Pembrolizumab exhibits a favorable safety profile in terms of severe infections. Despite high rates of hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) with blinatumomab, low-grade ≥3 infection rates were observed, especially in the post-reinduction therapy of relapsed B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Imatinib and nilotinib are generally devoid of severe infectious complications, but dasatinib may slightly increase the risk of opportunistic infections. Data on crizotinib and pan-Trk inhibitors entrectinib and larotrectinib are limited. CAR T-cell therapy with tisagenlecleucel is associated with grade ≥3 infections in children and is linked with HGG and the emergence of immune-related adverse events. Off-label therapies inotuzumab ozogamicin, brentuximab vedotin, and venetoclax demonstrate low rates of treatment-related grade ≥3 infections, while the addition of bortezomib to standard chemotherapy in T-cell malignancies seems to decrease the infection risk during induction. Prophylaxis, immune reconstitution, and vaccinations for each targeted agent are discussed, along with comparisons to adult studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kyriakidis
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, University Hospital of Heraklion & Laboratory of Blood Diseases and Childhood Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elpis Mantadakis
- Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eftichia Stiakaki
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, University Hospital of Heraklion & Laboratory of Blood Diseases and Childhood Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andreas H. Groll
- Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Athanasios Tragiannidis
- Pediatric and Adolescent Hematology-Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +30-2310-994803
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Jain H, Rajendra A, Sengar M, Goli VB, Thorat J, Muthuluri H, Tongaonkar AH, Kota KK, Gupta H, Sharma N, Eipe T, Mehta H. The current treatment approach to adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AYA-ALL): challenges and considerations. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:845-860. [PMID: 35734814 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2093718] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AYA-ALL differs from pediatric ALL in terms of clinical, biological, psychosocial factors and access to care and has an inferior outcome. It is now being recognized that pediatric-inspired protocols are superior to adult protocols for this cohort, but given the lack of randomized trials, several questions remain unanswered. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss how AYA-ALL is different from the pediatric ALL population, compare AYA ALL with ALL in middle and older age adults, review the studies that have enrolled the AYA cohort, summarize risk-stratified and response-adapted approaches, describe the biological subtypes, and review the novel agents/approaches under evaluation. EXPERT OPINION AYA-ALL is a complex and challenging disease that needs multidisciplinary and focused care. Well-designed clinical trials that focus on this cohort are needed to further improve the outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasmukh Jain
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Akhil Rajendra
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manju Sengar
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vasu Babu Goli
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Himanshi Gupta
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Neha Sharma
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Thomas Eipe
- Gloria, PRRA-143, Pallissery road, Palarivattom, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
| | - Hiral Mehta
- A/31, 65-D, Bafna Courts, West Ponnurangam Road, RS Puram, Coimbatore, India
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Sin CF, Man PHM. The Role of Proteasome Inhibitors in Treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Front Oncol 2022; 11:802832. [PMID: 35004327 PMCID: PMC8733464 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.802832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is an aggressive haematolymphoid malignancy. The prognosis of ALL is excellent in paediatric population, however the outcome of relapse/refractory disease is dismal. Adult ALL has less favourable prognosis and relapse/refractory disease is not uncommonly encountered. Bortezomib is the first generation proteasome inhibitor licensed to treat plasma cell myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma with favourable side effect profile. Efficacy of bortezomib had been proven in other solid tumors. Clinical studies showed promising response for proteasome inhibitors in treating relapse/refractory ALL. Thus, proteasome inhibitors are attractive alternative agents for research in treating ALL. In the review article, we will introduce different proteasome inhibitors and their difference in pharmacological properties. Moreover, the mechanism of action of proteasome inhibitors on ALL will be highlighted. Finally, results of various clinical studies on proteasome inhibitors in both paediatric and adult ALL will be discussed. This review article provides the insights on the use of proteasome inhibitors in treating ALL with a summary of mechanism of action in ALL which facilitates future research on its use to improve the outcome of ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Fung Sin
- Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pui-Hei Marcus Man
- Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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