Vassallo, Robert

Abstract Introduction Histiocytic disorders pose significant diagnostic and management challenges for the clinicians due to diverse clinical manifestations and often non-specific histopathologic findings. Herein, we report the tumor board experience from the first-of-its-kind Histiocytosis Working Group (HWG). Materials and Methods The HWG was established in June 2017 and consists of experts from 10 subspecialties that discuss cases in a multidisciplinary format. We present the outcome of tumor board case discussions during the first 2 years since its inception (June 2017-June 2019). Results Forty cases with a suspected histiocytic disorder were reviewed at HWG during this time period. Average number of subspecialties involved in HWG case discussion was 5 (range, 2-9). Histiocytosis Working Group tumor board recommendations led to significant changes in the care of 24 (60%) patients. These included change in diagnosis (n = 11, 27%) and change in treatment (n = 13, 33%). Conclusion Our report highlights the feasibility of a multidisciplinary tumor board and its impact on outcomes of patients with histiocytic disorders.

Abstract Background: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is characterized by multi-organ infiltration of clonal histiocytes bearing activating mutations predominantly in the MAPK pathway. The diagnosis of ECD is clinico-pathologic; histopathologic findings alone are often non-specific. Characteristic pathognomonic finding of ECD is the symmetric osteosclerosis of the distal femur and proximal tibia/fibula, seen in >90% of cases, and referred to herein as classic ECD (C-ECD). There is a paucity of data on the phenotypic and mutational differences between C-ECD and non-classic ECD (NC-ECD). Determining phenotypic patterns may allow for earlier suspicion and diagnosis. Methods: Patients who met the revised ECD criteria proposed by Haroche J et al (Blood 2020;135:1311-1318) and had full body imaging that included the lower legs (18-FDG-PET/CT or CT/bone scan) were included. ECD diagnosis was made when >1 major criteria plus >1 minor criteria were present. Major criteria: 1) symmetric meta-diaphyseal osteosclerosis in legs; 2) "hairy kidneys"; "coated aorta", right atrial pseudotumor, xanthelasma, exophthalmos; or osteosclerosis of paranasal sinuses. Minor criteria: 1) histologic finding of typical foamy histiocytes (CD68+/CD163+/CD1a-) associated with fibrosis; 2) mutation/gene fusion of BRAF, CSF1R, or MAPK/PI3K pathways. We compared the organ involvement and BRAF V600Emutational status between C-ECD and NC-ECD. Results: A total of 105 patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range, 38-81) and most were males (62%). Majority had 18-FDG-PET/CT (83%) and BRAF V600E testing (65%). The main organ systems involved were skeletal (83%), renal (64%), adrenal (44%), and pulmonary (42%). Central diabetes insipidus (DI), "hairy kidneys", and "coated aorta" were present in 27 (26%), 54 (51%), and 44 (42%) patients, respectively. Among those tested, BRAF V600E mutation was found in 48/67 (72%) by immunohistochemistry. In our cohort, most patients (n=87. 83%) had C-ECD. NC-ECD had significantly lower number of organs/systems involved compared with C-ECD (median 3 vs 6, p=0.002). C-ECD had significantly higher rates of involvement of paranasal sinuses (51%/7%, p=0.002), DI (26%/0%, p=0.02), and similar rates of lung (44%/43%), cardiac (34%/14%), and skin (14%14%) involvement when compared to NC-ECD. BRAF V600E was significantly more common in C-ECD (88%/30%, p=0.004). Thirty-nine (37%) patients underwent next generation sequencing, of whom 33 (31%) had successful testing. In C-ECD, 3 patients had mutations other than BRAF V600E, these included: NRAS, MAP2K1, and MEF2C-FLT3 fusion. In NC-ECD, 5 patients had mutations other than BRAF V600E, these included: MAP2K1, KRAS, and NF1. Conclusions: Our study suggests distinct differences in clinical presentation and molecular findings exist between C-ECD and NC-ECD. C-ECD has a higher degree of organ involvement and harbor BRAF V600E more frequently than NC-ECD. Further analysis of histopathologic findings and outcomes in this cohort may provide insights into these ECD subsets that can optimize future management of this disease. Figure 1: Sites of involvement of classical Erdheim-Chester Disease (C-ECD) versus non-classical Erdheim-Chester Disease (NC-ECD) Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Vassallo: Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Research Funding; Sun Pharma.: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Tobin: Mayo Clinic Center for MS and Autoimmune Neurology: Research Funding; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; National Institutes of Health: Research Funding. Bennani: Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Vividion: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare histiocytic disorder associated with histiocytes expressing high level of macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (c-fms). Mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have been reported in RDD, indicating an underlying clonal process in some patients. Aberrant activation of MAPK pathway can occur due to mutations or high c-fms expression. Data on the use of MAPK/extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)-inhibitor therapy in RDD are very limited. Cobimetinib is a MEK inhibitor, which is listed in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Compendium ® for the treatment of RDD. We present our retrospective experience of cobimetinib treatment in a large series of patients with RDD. METHODS Following approval of the institutional reviewed board, patients (pts) with RDD who were consecutively seen at Mayo Clinic and treated with cobimetinib between 2013-2021 were included. Response was assessed as described by Goyal et al (Haematologica 2020;105:2). Cobimetinib was given 20-60 mg once a day by mouth for 21 days in a 28-day cycle. Adverse events (AEs) were graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria v5.0. Time-to-event analyses were calculated from the time of treatment initiation, while duration of response was calculated from the time of 1 st response. Tumor genomic profile was analyzed using Tempus-xT ® assay (Chicago, IL), which includes targeted DNA sequencing (648 oncogenes) and whole transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS Of the 54 pts with RDD, ten were treated with cobimetinib and included in this study. The median follow-up was 16 months (m) [95% confidence interval (CI): 13-not reached (NR)] and most (n=8; 80%) were females. The median age at the time of treatment was 63 years (range: 36-74). Cobimetinib was used as first line therapy in four pts. Overall response rate was 70%, with 30% and 40% achieving complete (CR) and partial (PR) responses, respectively. One had stable disease (SD) and two had progressive disease (PD) (Table 1). The median progression-free-survival was 6.4 m (95%CI: 4.9-NR) and at 6 and 12 m, 67% and 50% of pts remained free from disease progression or death, respectively (Figure 1). The median duration of response was 7.6 m (95%CI: 3.1-NR). At the time of last follow-up, nine (90%) pts were alive. One pt died due to myelodysplastic syndrome with excessive blasts. She had multiple chemotherapy treatments before initiation of cobimetinib. Cobimetinib was discontinued in this pt due to grade 3 anemia and skin toxicity after 6 m of therapy and had SD as the best response. Median duration of treatment for the entire cohort was 6 m (range: 2-14). In the seven pts who responded, the median duration of treatment was 7 m (range: 2-14). Cobimetinib was discontinued in seven pts: disease progression (n=3; one disease progression after achieving PR and two PD while on therapy), grade 3 left ventricular systolic dysfunction (n=1), grade 3 diarrhea (n=1), grade 3 anemia (n=1), and grade 2 creatinine elevation (n=1). Five (50%) pts were started at a reduced dose of cobimetinib at the discretion of treating physician [20 mg (n=4) and 40mg, (n=1)]. Two pts were started at 60 mg and dose reduced to 20 mg after one cycle of treatment due to grade 2 skin toxicity in one and grade 2 skin toxicity and diarrhea in the other. Both pts achieved a PR but progressed after four and six cycles, respectively. One pt started at 40 mg and reduced to 20 mg due to grade 2 skin toxicity after two cycles achieving a PR. The response was sustained in this pt for at least 9 months, until the time of last follow-up (Table 1). Tissue molecular testing showed five pts with MAPK pathway alterations and all of them responded to therapy (CR=3 and PR=2). Of the other five pts who either did not have a MAPK pathway alteration (n=4) or had test failure (n=1), responses were observed in two (40%) pts, both PR (Table 1). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that cobimetinib is an effective treatment in RDD, with responses observed in all pts having MAPK pathway alterations. Less than half of pts without a MAPK pathway alteration achieved a response. However, treatment discontinuations due to AEs were common despite dose reductions. Patients who were treated at low doses of cobimetinib also had remarkable clinical response. Further studies are needed in evaluating other MAPK pathway inhibitors with better toxicity profile to improve adherence and outcomes. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Tobin: National Institutes of Health: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic Center for MS and Autoimmune Neurology: Research Funding; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Bennani: Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Kymera: Other: Advisory Board. Vassallo: Pfizer: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Research Funding; Sun Pharma.: Research Funding.

SummaryErdheim–Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytic neoplasm with frequent multiorgan involvement. An accurate diagnosis of ECD requires the correlation of clinical features, histopathologic and radiologic findings. We describe a case series of patients with a referral diagnosis of ECD, whereby the diagnosis was changed to non‐histiocytic diseases after comprehensive review at a tertiary care center. This accurate revision of the referral diagnosis of ECD enabled initiation of proper disease‐directed therapy in a timely manner for these patients and avoided unnecessary exposure to systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy or targeted agents. Our study highlights the value of a multidisciplinary team of histiocytosis experts in confirming the diagnosis of ECD and also brings attention to other conditions to consider that can mimic ECD, including osteopoikilosis, tenosynovial giant cell tumour, IgG4‐related disease, fibrous dysplasia and chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis.

Respiratory tissue resident–like CD8 + T cells are associated with chronic lung sequelae post-acute COVID-19.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) creates an environment facilitating fibrosis following alveolar epithelial cell injury. IL-23 has important roles in chronic autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its role in the interstitial lung disease that affects patients with RA is unclear. This study aimed to determine the profibrogenic role of IL-23 on somatic alveolar type I (ATI) epithelial cells. Primary ATI cells were isolated from rats and cultured on plastic dishes for 1–3 wk. After prolonged culture (≥14 days) on rigid culture dishes, primary ATI cells gradually acquired a mesenchymal phenotype, identified by decreased expression of caveolin-1, and reorganization of F-actin cytoskeleton, indicating the initiation of EMT by matrix stiffness. To determine how IL-23 promotes EMT in vitro, transitioning ATI cells, cultured on a stiff substrate for ≥14 days were stimulated with IL-23. The EMT phenotype was significantly enhanced by IL-23, which upregulated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I/III protein, and decreased caveolin-1. Furthermore, IL-23 significantly promoted cell invasion, as well as apoptotic resistance on transitioning ATI cells. Mechanistically, IL-23-induced EMT was mammalian target of rapamycin/ribosomal protein S6 (mTOR/S6) signaling dependent and reversible by rapamycin. Transcriptional sequencing analysis of human lung fibrosis biopsy tissue revealed key roles for IL-23 in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). This result was further validated by significantly upregulated IL-23 expression at the mRNA level in RA-ILD lung sections. Notably, transitioning ATI epithelial cells were abundantly detected in RA-ILD tissue. Taken together, these data support a role for IL-23 in the pathogenesis of RA lung fibrosis by promoting EMT in alveolar epithelial cells through mTOR/S6 signaling.

AbstractLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a histiocytic neoplasm that can involve the lungs as single system (LCH‐SSL) or multisystem disease (LCH‐MSL). The role of full‐body radiographic staging to determine whether patients have LCH‐SSL or LCH‐MSL is unclear. Long‐term outcomes of LCH‐SSL versus LCH‐MSL and multisystem without lung involvement (LCH‐MSNL) are unknown. A retrospective study of adult LCH patients seen at our center from January 2000 to 2020 was performed. In Part 1, we addressed utility of whole‐body staging imaging among those presenting with isolated pulmonary signs or symptoms. Staging was defined as fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (CT) or whole‐body CT obtained within 3 months of diagnosis. In Part 2, we examined the frequency of developing extra‐pulmonary disease over time and mortality in patients with LCH‐SSL. In Part 3, we compared the overall survival of LCH‐SSL, LCH‐MSL, and LCH‐MSNL. Part 1: 240 patients with LCH were identified. A total of 112 (47%) had pulmonary signs or symptoms at presentation. Thirty‐four (30%) underwent radiographic staging and only one showed evidence of extra‐pulmonary disease. Part 2: 108 (45%) were LCH‐SSL. Median follow‐up duration of 4.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–6.0). None developed extra‐pulmonary disease. Part 3: 5‐year survival: 94% (95% CI: 84%–98%) for LCH‐SSL, 78% (95% CI: 59%–90%) for LCH‐MSL, and 75% (95% CI: 53%–89%) for LCH‐MSNL. LCH patients presenting with isolated pulmonary signs or symptoms rarely have extra‐pulmonary involvement at the time of diagnosis and generally do not develop extra‐pulmonary progression. LCH‐SSL has the best overall survival, while LCH‐MSL and LCH‐MSNL have similar clinical outcomes.

TSLP is a newly‐identified cytokine thought to be involved in airway inflammation. TSLP levels have been shown to significantly increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other inflammatory diseases. This study evaluated the expression of TSLP in human ASM cells and tissues exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or to pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐13. In parallel studies, TSLP expression was evaluated in house dust mite sensitized mice with or without cigarette smoke exposure. The presence of TSLP and TSLP‐receptors were verified using Western blot analysis. Exposure to TNF‐α and IL‐13 (50 ng/mL each) for 24 hours resulted in increased TSLP and TSLP‐R expression. Simultaneous exposure to functional TSLP antibody blunted cytokine induced TSLP‐R expression. Interestingly, acute CSE (30 min) down‐regulated TSLP expression, while chornic exposure increased expression. Similarly, [Ca 2+ ] i responses of human ASM to histamine were blunted with chronic CSE exposure, effects reversed by TSLP and TSLP‐R antibodies. Sensitized mice demonstrated an increase in TSLP expression in whole lung samples. This effect was even further enhanced in dust mite sensitized mice exposed to chronic cigarette smoke. These results indicate a complex role for TSLP in ASM inflammation with or without cigarette smoke exposure. Supported by NIH grants HL088029, HL090595, RR024150, and the Flight Attendants Medical Research Institute (FAMRI). Additional funding from the Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic.

Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of immunity. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], a destructive lung disease that affects smokers, is associated with chronic airway inflammation. Although increased DC numbers are found in COPD airways, their functional roles in the pathogenesis of COPD are not well‐defined. We postulated that DCs activated by cigarette smoke constituents directly promote chronic airway inflammation. Concordant with this hypothesis, we observed that incubation of DCs with cigarette smoke extract [CSE], and chronic exposure of mice to cigarette smoke, both augmented the generation of neutrophilic chemokines by immature and lipopolysaccharide [LPS] or CD40L‐matured DCs. The generation of IL‐8 by human DCs conditioned with CSE was completely suppressed by the anti‐oxidant n‐acetyl cysteine [NAC]. Cigarette smoke extract and nicotine augmented the production of secreted prostaglandin‐E2 and intracellular cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 in maturing DCs. Whereas the production of IL‐8 by CSE‐conditioned DCs was suppressed by anti‐oxidants, PGE2 production was augmented by anti‐oxidants, and suppressed by inhibitors of nicotinic signaling. These studies indicate that certain pharmacologic strategies such as anti‐oxidant therapy may be only partially effective in mitigating pro‐inflammatory DC‐mediated responses in smokers. Supported by FARMRI research grant to RV.

Smoking contributes to or exacerbates diseases such as asthma and COPD, where airway hyperreactivity is a key feature. Enhanced Ca 2+ in airway smooth muscle contributes to airway hyperreactivity. We previously determined that the cytokine TNFα upregulates expression of Ca 2+ regulatory molecules such as membrane bound bifunctional enzyme CD38 and Ca 2+ influx regulatory TRPC3 in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASM). We hypothesized that cigarette smoke (CS) is an inflammatory stimulus that upregulates Ca 2+ regulatory mechanisms in HASM. Western analysis showed increased expression of CD38, TRPC3 and TRPC6 in lungs from mice following 4 week in vivo CS exposure. These proteins were also upregulated in HASM cells incubated in 1 or 2% CS extract (CSE), as well as in HASM samples from patients with COPD (compared to controls). In fura‐2 loaded HASM cells, exposure to CSE enhanced histamine‐mediated Ca 2+ mobilization as well as store‐operated calcium entry: effects substantially blunted by TRPC3 siRNAs. Finally, in living lung slices of mice exposed for 4 weeks to CS, ACh‐induced airway contractility was substantially greater, compared to controls. These results indicate that CS upregulates expression and function of Ca 2+ regulatory proteins, thus contributing to airway hyperreactivity in smoking related diseases. Supported by the Annenberg Foundation (MEW), HL090595 (CMP), FAMRI (RV, YSP).