A phase 1 study of vorinostat maintenance after autologous transplant in high-risk lymphoma

Advances in targeting histone deacetylase for treatment of solid tumors

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) serves as a critical molecular regulator in the pathobiology of various malignancies and have garnered attention as a viable target for therapeutic intervention. A variety of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) have been developed to target HDACs. Many preclinical studies have conclusively demonstrated the antitumor effects of HDACis, whether used as monotherapy or in combination treatments. On this basis, researchers have conducted various clinical studies to evaluate the potential of selective and pan-HDACis in clinical settings. In our work, we extensively summarized and organized current clinical trials, providing a comprehensive overview of the current clinical advancements in targeting HDAC therapy. Furthermore, we engaged in discussions about several clinical trials that did not yield positive outcomes, analyzing the factors that led to their lack of anticipated therapeutic effectiveness. Apart from the experimental design factors, issues such as toxicological side effects, tumor heterogeneity, and unexpected off-target effects also contributed to these less-than-expected results. These challenges have naturally become significant barriers to the application of HDACis. Despite these challenges, we believe that advancements in HDACi research and improvements in combination therapies will pave the way or lead to a broad and hopeful future in the treatment of solid tumors.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: promising experimental drugs in clinical development

INTRODUCTION

Despite advances in treatment approaches in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the prognosis of adults with newly diagnosed T-ALL remains poor, as well as that of adults and children with relapsed disease. Novel targeted therapies are therefore needed.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes promising emerging strategies for the treatment of T-ALL.

EXPERT OPINION

The recent molecular characterization of T-ALL has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Small-molecules inhibitors and other targeted therapies have therefore been recently developed and are currently under clinical investigations. Similarly, first studies involving monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown encouraging results. Improvement of outcome with these novel approaches, eventually combined with current standard chemotherapy, is therefore expected in a near future in T-ALL.

Genetic alterations and their clinical implications in DLBCL

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly heterogeneous lymphoid neoplasm with variations in gene expression profiles and genetic alterations, which lead to substantial variations in clinical course and response to therapy. The advent of high-throughput genome sequencing platforms, and especially whole-exome sequencing, has helped to define the genetic landscape of DLBCL. In the past 10 years, these studies have identified many genetic alterations in DLBCL, some of which are specific to B cell lymphomas, whereas others can also be observed in other types of cancer. These aberrations result in altered activation of a wide range of signalling pathways and other cellular processes, including those involved in B cell differentiation, B cell receptor signalling, activation of the NF-κB pathway, apoptosis and epigenetic regulation. Further elaboration of the genetics of DLBCL will not only improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis but also provide further insight into disease classification, prognostication and therapeutic targets. In this Review, we describe the current understanding of the prevalence and causes of specific genetic alterations in DLBCL and their role in disease development and progression. We also summarize the available clinical data on therapies designed to target the aberrant pathways driven by these alterations.

Emerging role of histone deacetylase inhibitors in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Although current immunochemotherapy has increased the therapeutic efficacy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), there are still some patients who present unfavorable outcomes. Novel effective treatment strategies are needed to improve the prognosis of DLBCL. In this review, we discussed the functional mechanisms and therapeutic applications of histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDIs) in DLBCL from preclinical and clinical studies. The mechanistic rationale of HDIs involved a wide range of effects including the regulation of transcription factors, tumor suppressors, and cell surface molecules. Histone deacetylases inhibitors as monotherapy performed limited activity in the treatment of DLBCL in present clinical trials, but its combination with other regimens has emerged as potential treatment candidates with generally acceptable and manageable adverse effects. Further investigation on the anti-tumor mechanisms of HDIs and ongoing clinical trials will hopefully facilitate the application of HDIs in patients with DLBCL.

Novel agents positively impact chemotherapy and transplantation in Hodgkin lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Majority of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be successfully cured with frontline conventional therapeutics. Approximately 50-60% of those whose disease recur or is refractory to conventional treatment, can be cured with salvage therapies followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). Conventional treatments, however, may cause significant long-term toxicities. Areas covered: This article reviews the treatment advances in HL with the incorporation of novel and targeted agents that are aimed to improve cure rates while reducing toxicities. Expert opinion: Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clear clinical benefit in HL. Majority of patients receive BV before or directly after AHCT as part of salvage or maintenance regimens. In patients who relapse after AHCT, checkpoint inhibitors are the treatment of choice, either as a stand-alone therapy or more commonly as a bridge to a potentially curative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). A multitude of other targeted agents and combinations, as well as cellular and immunotherapeutic in HL, are under investigation.

Novel agents may positively impact chemotherapy and transplantation in subsets of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Introduction: Molecular and biologic heterogeneity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has resulted in a broad range of clinical outcomes. While standard frontline chemoimmunotherapy cures majority of patients with DLBCL, treatment failure in certain DLBCL subsets remains high. Prognosis in these patients is dismal. Therefore, optimization of front-line therapy, as well as development of more effective salvage treatments, is an unmet medical need. Areas covered: This article reviews the treatment advances in DLBCL with novel and targeted agents that are aimed to improve efficacy especially in those with high-risk features. Expert opinion: Incorporation of novel therapies such as immunomodulatory agents and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors in the treatment of higher-risk DLBCL subgroups have shown to be effective; however, confirmatory data are required to change the standard of care. While autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19-positive B-cells have revolutionized the outcomes of refractory DLBCL, the complexity of its production, post-infusion care, and the associated cost, currently has limited its use to select academic centers in the US. A multitude of other targeted agents and combinations as well as cellular and immunotherapeutic agents are under investigation.

Strategies to improve outcomes of autologous hematopoietic cell transplant in lymphoma

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HDT-AHCT) remains an effective therapy in lymphoma. Over the past several decades, HDT with BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) and CBV (cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide) have been the most frequently used preparatory regimens for AHCT in Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This article reviews alternative combination conditioning regimens, as well as novel transplant strategies that have been developed, to reduce transplant-related toxicity while maintaining or improving efficacy. These data demonstrate that incorporation of maintenance therapy posttransplant might be the best way to improve outcomes.