Tse, William

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapy but limited by severe cardiotoxicity. Chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 are involved in regulating cardiac survival, inflammation, and fibrosis, yet their specific roles in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT) remain unclear. Objective: We investigated the cardioprotective effects of TC14012, a dual-target CXCR4 antagonist and CXCR7 agonist, against DICT. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice received chronic or acute DOX administration with twice-weekly TC14012 treatment. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Markers of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation were assessed. RNA-seq analysis was performed to explore associated molecular pathways. Key pathways were validated in cardiac cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells. Results: TC14012 significantly improved cardiac function, indicated by preservation of ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and increased survival rates optimally at 5 mg/kg, which were accompanied with reductions in cardiac collagen deposition and infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils. RNA-seq revealed that TC14012 protecting against DICT was associated with a remarkable stimulation of signals involving in cardiac contraction and energy reserve metabolism processes, particularly glycogen and glucan metabolism that are crucial for meeting the cardiac energy demand in response to DOX induction. These signals could be further enriched into AMPK signalling pathway and validated by enhancement of cardiac AMPK phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro . Meanwhile, TC14012’s cardioprotective effects were accompanied by a reduction in signals involving in cardiac mast cell activation and degranulation, which could be enriched into Rap1 signalling pathway and validated by TC14012 inhibiting mast cell activation and Rap1-GTP activity in vitro . Importantly, TC14012 did not compromise DOX’s antitumor efficacy in EL-4 lymphoma-bearing mice. Conclusions: TC14012 may prevent DICT by activating CXCR7-AMPK signalling to reprogram cardiomyocyte metabolism and antagonizing CXCR4-Rap1 signalling to blunt mast cell-mediated sentinel effects without compromising the anticancer efficacy DOX.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT) has become a serious health burden for cancer survivors. The detrimental effects of CXCR4-mediated excessive inflammation in myocardium and the protective effects of CXCR7 in cardiomyocytes have been demonstrated. Aims: We tested the protective effects against DICT of a dual-targeting compound TC14012, which has specific antagonistic activity against CXCR4 and potent agonistic activity on CXCR7. Methods: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were injected with DOX for consecutive 5 weeks, during which mice were treated with TC14012 twice a week. One week after the last dose injection, mice were euthanized after heart function examination. Markers of cardiac inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. Cardiac RNA-seq was performed to explore the underlying molecular pathways. Key findings: TC14012 supplement significantly prevented DOX-induced cardiac systolic dysfunction, reflected by improved ejection fraction and fraction shortening, along with remarkable attenuation of DOX-induced cardiac perivascular and interstitial collagen deposition and neutrophils and macrophage infiltration. RNA-seq revealed that TC14012 prevention of DICT was accompanied with a remarkable stimulation of signals involving in cardiac contraction and energy reserve metabolic process, particularly glycogen and glucan metabolism that are crucial for meeting the cardiac energy demand in response to DOX induction. These signals could be further enriched into AMPK signaling pathway and validated by upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation. Besides, TC14012 prevention of DICT was accompanied with a significant reduction in cardiac mast cell activation and degranulation. These signals could be further enriched into Rap1 signaling pathway, and TC14012 was validated to inhibit Rap1 activity and mast cell activation. Most importantly, TC14012 treatment did not affect the suppressive effects of DOX on tumor growth in a syngeneic EL4 lymphoma-bearing, immunocompetent mouse model. Conclusions: We preliminary conclude that TC14012 prevents DICT by activating cardiac CXCR7 to reprogram cardiomyocyte metabolism and prevent cardiac damage and dysfunction via activating AMPK, and by antagonizing CXCR4 to inhibit cardiac mast cell infiltration and activation via blunting Rap1 activity but does not affect the anti-tumor activity of DOX.

Abstract Background: Older patients (pts) with AML unfit for intense induction chemotherapy have a poor prognosis with a 5 year survival of <10%. 225Ac-lintuzumab is composed of 225Ac linked to a humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody. Data were previously presented on the initial 13 pts who received 2.0 µCi/kg/dose on Days 1 and 8 (ASH, 2017, Abstract 616). Although that dose resulted in a high response rate of 69%, there were 6 pts with Grade 4 thrombocytopenia lasting >6 weeks and 5 CRi patients did not reach an ANC of ≥ 500/µL. Therefore, the activity level was reduced to 1.5 µCi/kg/dose for further evaluation. Methods: This study enrolled older pts with untreated AML who were considered to be unfit for standard induction chemotherapy. Pts aged 60 to 74 years were required to have significant co-morbidities, while all pts ≥ 75 years were eligible. Other eligibility criteria included ECOG PS 0-2, CD33 expression on > 25% of blasts, and a peripheral blast count <200/µL within 10 days of the first dose to optimize targeting of bone marrow (BM) blasts. Hydroxyurea was used to lower peripheral blast counts. 1.5 µCi/kg of 225Ac-lin were administered IV on Days 1 and 8. G-CSF was given starting 10 days after the 2nd dose and spironolactone was given for up to 1 year to minimize the risk of radiation-induced nephrotoxicity. Pts were evaluated for the CD33 splicing polymorphism SNP rs12459419. Results: 18 pts were included in this prespecified Interim Analysis. An additional 9 pts were treated at this dose and will be included in an updated analysis at the ASH meeting. The median age of the 18 pts was 73.5 years (range 60-87) and median ECOG Performance Status was 1 (0 in 3 pts, 1 in 9 pts, & 6 in 2 pts). 11 pts had prior AHDs (6 MDS, 2 CMML, 2 NHL, 1 myelofibrosis), and 9 had prior treatment for AHDs. Of the pts with known cytogenetic and molecular genetic results, 1 had favorable-risk, 3 had intermediate-risk, and 5 had adverse-risk AML using NCCN guidelines. The median baseline BM blast % was 40.5% (range, 22-66%) with a median CD33 expression of 62% (range, 26-100%) of AML cells. Objective responses were seen in 4 pts (22%): 3 complete remissions with incomplete platelet count recovery (CRp) and 1 complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). Among the responders with known cytogenetics, 1 pt had adverse genetics and 1 had Intermediate-risk genetics.Of the pts with remission, 3 had CT genotype for the CD33 splicing polymorphism SNP rs12459419 (including 2 CRp) and 1 had CC genotype. 3 of the responders are in follow up at Days 59, 169 and 266 without further treatment. Myelosuppression was seen in all pts including Grade 4 thrombocytopenia with marrow aplasia for > 6 weeks after the first dose in 4 pts. 1 pt with prior MDS had pancytopenia for > 4 months. The 3 pts with CRp achieved an ANC ≥ 1000/µL at Days 28, 38, and 40 from the first dose of 225Ac-lin. The pt with CRi did not reach an ANC of 500/µL. Non hematologic Grade ≥3 Treatment-Emergent adverse events (AEs) that were at least possibly related were 4 patients with febrile neutropenia, as well as 1 patient each with fungal pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, chest pain, sepsis, gastric hemorrhage, generalized muscle weakness, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and typhilitis. No pts had an infusion-related reaction requiring dose interruption. Veno-occlusive disease did not occur. The 30-day mortality rate was 16.7% (1 cardiac arrest and 2 with multi organ failure). Conclusions: Preliminary data from this Interim Analysis of 225Ac-lin monotherapy in older AML pts unfit for intensive therapy indicate a lower rate of myelosuppression at 1.5 µCi/kg/dose but also a lower response rate than was seen at 2.0 µCi/kg/dose. Although the study met the prespecified response criteria for continuing enrollment, it will be closed to further accrual in recognition that targeted radiation, like other therapies, will likely have the best outcomes when used in combination with other therapies in pts with active AML. An extensive development program in AML, MDS, and multiple myeloma is planned. One study will utilize 225Ac-lin in combination with salvage chemotherapy and another with venetoclax. 225Ac-lin will be used as a single agent for AML postremission therapy. In addition, 225Ac-lin will be used as targeted conditioning prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pts with MDS with a complex karyotype and as a conditioning agent prior to autologous transplant in MM. Table. Table. Disclosures Atallah: Jazz: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy. Orozco:Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Craig:Novartis: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Levy:Takeda (Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.): Consultancy. Finn:Ochsner Clinic Foundation: Employment. Perl:NewLink Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arog: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Park:Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Shire: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Roboz:Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Orsenix: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Orsenix: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy. Tse:Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine: Employment; Jazz: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Mawad:Swedish Cancer Institute: Employment. Rizzieri:Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Arog: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Berger:Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Jurcic:Astellas: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding; Syros Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding.