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Paietta, Elisabeth

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0561-5544

Mayo Clinic

Montefiore Medical Center

Citations 122

Measurable residual disease does not preclude prolonged progression-free survival in CLL treated with ibrutinib
Wang, Victoria , Hanson, Curtis A. , Tschumper, Renee C. , Lesnick, Connie , Braggio, Esteban , Paietta, Elisabeth , Leis, José F., Zhang, Cong Christine, Coutré, Steven , Cashen, Amanda F. , Mato, Anthony R. , Singh, Avina K., Mullane, Michael P., Stone, Richard M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Tallman, Martin S. , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Lesnick, Connie E, Leis, Jose Francisco, Barr, Paul M , Erba, Harry Paul , Litzow, Mark R. , Kay, Neil E , Shanafelt, Tait D , Braggio, Esteban , O’Brien, Susan , Barrientos, Jacqueline C. , Barr, Paul M. , Kay, Neil E.

Blood | August 18, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: 26 | Pages: 2810-2827

10.1182/blood.2020010146 Get It

Abstract E1912 was a randomized phase 3 trial comparing indefinite ibrutinib plus 6 cycles of rituximab (IR) to 6 cycles of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) in untreated younger patients with CLL. We describe measurable residual disease (MRD) levels in E1912 over time and correlate them with clinical outcome. Undetectable MRD rates (<1 CLL cell per 104 leukocytes) were 29.1%, 30.3%, 23.4%, and 8.6% at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months for FCR, and significantly lower at 7.9%, 4.2%, and 3.7% at 12, 24, and 36 months for IR, respectively. Undetectable MRD at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months was associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) in the FCR arm, with hazard ratios (MRD detectable/MRD undetectable) of 4.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-9.71), 3.91 (95% CI, 1.39-11.03), 14.12 (95% CI, 1.78-111.73), and not estimable (no events among those with undetectable MRD), respectively. In the IR arm, patients with detectable MRD did not have significantly worse PFS compared with those in whom MRD was undetectable; however, PFS was longer in those with MRD levels <10−1 than in those with MRD levels above this threshold. Our observations provide additional support for the use of MRD as a surrogate end point for PFS in patients receiving FCR. In patients on indefinite ibrutinib-based therapy, PFS did not differ significantly by undetectable MRD status, whereas those with MRD <10−1 tended to have longer PFS, although continuation of ibrutinib would very likely be necessary to maintain treatment efficacy.
TET2 and DNMT3A Mutations Exert Divergent Effects on DNA Repair and Sensitivity of Leukemia Cells to PARP Inhibitors
Maifrede, Silvia, Le, Bac Viet , Nieborowska-Skorska, Margaret , Golovine, Konstantin, Sullivan-Reed, Katherine , Dunuwille, Wangisa M.B., Nacson, Joseph, Hulse, Michael , Keith, Kelsey , Madžo, Jozef , Caruso, Lisa Beatrice , Gazze, Zachary , Lian, Zhaorui , Padella, Antonella , Chitrala, Kumaraswamy Naidu , Bartholdy, Boris , Matlawska‐Wasowska, Ksenia , Simonetti, Giorgia , Sykes, Stephen M. , Valent, Peter , Paietta, Elisabeth , Tallman, Martin S. , Fernández, Hugo F. , Litzow, Mark R. , Minden, Mark D. , Huang, Jian , Vassiliou, George S. , Tempera, Italo , Piwocka, Katarzyna , Johnson, Neil , Challen, Grant A. , Bartholdy, Boris A , Greiner, Georg , Challen, Grant A , Valent, Peter , Matlawska-Wasowska, Ksenia , Sykes, Stephen M , Keith, Kelsey , Hulse, Michael , Marcantonio, Daniela Di , Martinelli, Giovanni , Skórski, Tomasz

Cancer Research | July 2, 2021 | Volume: 81 | Issue: 19 | Pages: 5089-5101

10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3761 Get It

Abstract Somatic variants in TET2 and DNMT3A are founding mutations in hematological malignancies that affect the epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation. Mutations in both genes often co-occur with activating mutations in genes encoding oncogenic tyrosine kinases such as FLT3ITD, BCR-ABL1, JAK2V617F, and MPLW515L, or with mutations affecting related signaling pathways such as NRASG12D and CALRdel52. Here, we show that TET2 and DNMT3A mutations exert divergent roles in regulating DNA repair activities in leukemia cells expressing these oncogenes. Malignant TET2-deficient cells displayed downregulation of BRCA1 and LIG4, resulting in reduced activity of BRCA1/2-mediated homologous recombination (HR) and DNA-PK–mediated non-homologous end-joining (D-NHEJ), respectively. TET2-deficient cells relied on PARP1-mediated alternative NHEJ (Alt-NHEJ) for protection from the toxic effects of spontaneous and drug-induced DNA double-strand breaks. Conversely, DNMT3A-deficient cells favored HR/D-NHEJ owing to downregulation of PARP1 and reduction of Alt-NHEJ. Consequently, malignant TET2-deficient cells were sensitive to PARP inhibitor (PARPi) treatment in vitro and in vivo, whereas DNMT3A-deficient cells were resistant. Disruption of TET2 dioxygenase activity or TET2—Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1)–binding ability was responsible for DNA repair defects and sensitivity to PARPi associated with TET2 deficiency. Moreover, mutation or deletion of WT1 mimicked the effect of TET2 mutation on DSB repair activity and sensitivity to PARPi. Collectively, these findings reveal that TET2 and WT1 mutations may serve as biomarkers of synthetic lethality triggered by PARPi, which should be explored therapeutically. Significance: TET2 and DNMT3A mutations affect distinct DNA repair mechanisms and govern the differential sensitivities of oncogenic tyrosine kinase–positive malignant hematopoietic cells to PARP inhibitors.
Prognostic effect of gender on outcome of treatment for adults with acute myeloid leukaemia
Wiernik, Peter H. , Sun, Zhuoxin , Cripe, Larry D., Rowe, Jacob M. , Fernández, Hugo F. , Luger, Selina M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Tallman, Martin S. , Litzow, Mark R. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

British Journal of Haematology | June 18, 2021 | Volume: 194 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 309-318

10.1111/bjh.17523 Get It

SummaryThere are conflicting reports in the literature suggesting that one gender or the other has a better survival with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The present study was done in an attempt to resolve the issue. The effect of gender was examined on 3546 newly diagnosed patients with AML, including 548 patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) enrolled in 10 multi‐institutional treatment studies from March 1984 to November 2008. Kaplan–Meier estimates were used to estimate event‐time distributions for survival and multivariate models were used to examine the gender effect after adjusting for multiple risk factors. P values were based on two‐sided tests. Non‐APL female patients had a significantly better overall (OS) but not disease‐free survival (DFS) than males, irrespective of age, initial white blood cell count, or dose of daunorubicin. No differences were observed for obese or FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3‐internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD)‐positive patients. Female patients with APL had a significantly better OS and DFS than male patients with APL, and differences in survival were greater for patients with t(15;17) + other cytogenetic abnormalities compared with those with t(15;17) only. Gender is an independent prognostic variable in patients with AML. Whether these survival differences are due to hormonal, genetic or pharmacokinetic differences between the sexes or differential toxin exposure such as smoking is unknown. However, the former seems less likely as patient age did not influence the survival advantage for female patients.
Degradation of Janus kinases in CRLF2-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Chang, Yunchao , Min, Jaeki , Jarusiewicz, Jamie , Actis, Marisa, Bradford, S.Y.C. , Mayasundari, Anand, Chepyala, Divyabharathi, Alcock, Lisa J. , Nithianantham, Stanley , Maxwell, Dylan, Rowland, Lauren , Larsen, Randolph K. , Seth, Aman , Goto, Hiroaki , Hansen, Baranda S. , Pruett‐Miller, Shondra M. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Litzow, Mark R. , Fischer, Marcus , Ranković, Zoran , Yu-Chen Bradford, Shanshan , Alcock, Lisa J , Larsen, Randolph , Akahane, Koshi , Pruett-Miller, Shondra M , Litzow, Mark R. , Fischer, Marcus , Rankovic, Zoran , Mullighan, Charles G , Yang, Lei , Roberts, Kathryn G. , Imamura, Toshihiko , Qu, Chunxu , Yang, Jun J.J. , Mullighan, Charles G.

Blood | June 10, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2313-2326

10.1182/blood.2020006846 Get It

Abstract CRLF2-rearranged (CRLF2r) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for more than half of Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) ALL and is associated with a poor outcome in children and adults. Overexpression of CRLF2 results in activation of Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT and parallel signaling pathways in experimental models, but existing small molecule inhibitors of JAKs show variable and limited efficacy. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) directed against JAKs. Solving the structure of type I JAK inhibitors ruxolitinib and baricitinib bound to the JAK2 tyrosine kinase domain enabled the rational design and optimization of a series of cereblon (CRBN)-directed JAK PROTACs utilizing derivatives of JAK inhibitors, linkers, and CRBN-specific molecular glues. The resulting JAK PROTACs were evaluated for target degradation, and activity was tested in a panel of leukemia/lymphoma cell lines and xenograft models of kinase-driven ALL. Multiple PROTACs were developed that degraded JAKs and potently killed CRLF2r cell lines, the most active of which also degraded the known CRBN neosubstrate GSPT1 and suppressed proliferation of CRLF2r ALL in vivo, e.g. compound 7 (SJ988497). Although dual JAK/GSPT1-degrading PROTACs were the most potent, the development and evaluation of multiple PROTACs in an extended panel of xenografts identified a potent JAK2-degrading, GSPT1-sparing PROTAC that demonstrated efficacy in the majority of kinase-driven xenografts that were otherwise unresponsive to type I JAK inhibitors, e.g. compound 8 (SJ1008030). Together, these data show the potential of JAK-directed protein degradation as a therapeutic approach in JAK-STAT–driven ALL and highlight the interplay of JAK and GSPT1 degradation activity in this context.
Enhancer Hijacking Drives Oncogenic BCL11B Expression in Lineage-Ambiguous Stem Cell Leukemia
Bendig, Sonja , Gu, Zhaohui , Chen, Xiaolong , Ma, Xiaotu , Murison, Alex, Zeng, Andy G.X. , Dickerson, Kirsten , Mead, Paul E., Mehr, Cyrus M., Xu, Beisi , Cheng, Zhongshan , Chang, Ti‐Cheng , Westover, Tamara , Ma, Jing , Stengel, Anna , Kimura, Shunsuke , Valentine, Marcus B., Rashkovan, Marissa , Luger, Selina M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Wang, Victoria , Yin, Jun , Loh, Mignon L. , Crews, Kristine R. , Relling, Mary V. , Evans, William E. , Paietta, Elisabeth , Ferrando, Adolfo A. , Zhang, Jinghui , Kern, Wolfgang , Haferlach, Torsten , Dick, John E. , Klco, Jeffery M. , Gu, Zhaohui , Chen, Xiaolong , Ma, Xiaotu , Abdelhamed, Sherif , Xu, Beisi , Kimura, Shunsuke , Rashkovan, Marissa , den Boer, Monique L , Yin, Jun , Hunger, Stephen P , Pui, Ching-Hon , Yang, Wenjian , Crews, Kristine R , Roberts, Kathryn G , Stock, Wendy , Zhang, Jinghui , Dick, John E , Klco, Jeffery M , Mullighan, Charles G , Loh, Mignon L , Kern, Wolfgang , Montefiori, Lindsey E. , Pölönen, Petri , García‐Prat, Laura , Iacobucci, Ilaria , Hiltenbrand, Ryan , Qu, Chunxu , Kornblau, Steven M. , Hunger, Stephen P. , Yang, Wenjian , Roberts, Kathryn G. , Yang, Jun J.J. , Stock, Wendy , Wu, Gang , Haferlach, Claudia , Mullighan, Charles G.

Cancer Discovery | June 8, 2021 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 2846-2867

10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0145 Get It

Abstract Lineage-ambiguous leukemias are high-risk malignancies of poorly understood genetic basis. Here, we describe a distinct subgroup of acute leukemia with expression of myeloid, T lymphoid, and stem cell markers driven by aberrant allele-specific deregulation of BCL11B, a master transcription factor responsible for thymic T-lineage commitment and specification. Mechanistically, this deregulation was driven by chromosomal rearrangements that juxtapose BCL11B to superenhancers active in hematopoietic progenitors, or focal amplifications that generate a superenhancer from a noncoding element distal to BCL11B. Chromatin conformation analyses demonstrated long-range interactions of rearranged enhancers with the expressed BCL11B allele and association of BCL11B with activated hematopoietic progenitor cell cis-regulatory elements, suggesting BCL11B is aberrantly co-opted into a gene regulatory network that drives transformation by maintaining a progenitor state. These data support a role for ectopic BCL11B expression in primitive hematopoietic cells mediated by enhancer hijacking as an oncogenic driver of human lineage-ambiguous leukemia. Significance: Lineage-ambiguous leukemias pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to a poorly understood molecular and cellular basis. We identify oncogenic deregulation of BCL11B driven by diverse structural alterations, including de novo superenhancer generation, as the driving feature of a subset of lineage-ambiguous leukemias that transcend current diagnostic boundaries. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2659
Molecular classification improves risk assessment in adult BCR-ABL1– negative B-ALL
Paietta, Elisabeth , Wang, Victoria , Gu, Zhaohui , Buck, Georgina , Pei, Deqing, Levine, Ross L. , Cheng, Zhongshan , Pounds, Stanley , Racevskis, Janis, Bařinka, Jan , Zhang, Yanming , Dewald, Gordon W., Alejos, David , Luger, Selina M. , Foroni, Letizia, Patel, Bela , Melnick, Ari , Marks, David I. , Moorman, Anthony V. , Wiernik, Peter H. , Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Goldstone, Anthony H., Litzow, Mark R. , Gu, Zhaohui , Harvey, Richard , Lazarus, Hillard M , Fielding, Adele K , Melnick, Ari , Mullighan, Charles G , Litzow, Mark R. , Pounds, Stanley B , Roberts, Kathryn G. , Cheng, Cheng , Abdel‐Wahab, Omar , Wu, Gang , Qu, Chunxu , Shi, Lei Gang , Willman, Cheryl L. , Harvey, Richard C. , Ketterling, Rhett P. , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Fielding, Adele K. , Mullighan, Charles G.

Blood | April 25, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 948-958

10.1182/blood.2020010144 Get It

Abstract Genomic classification has improved risk assignment of pediatric, but not adult B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The international UKALLXII/ECOG-ACRIN E2993 (#NCT00002514) trial accrued 1229 adolescent/adult patients with BCR-ABL1− B-ALL (aged 14 to 65 years). Although 93% of patients achieved remission, 41% relapsed at a median of 13 months (range, 28 days to 12 years). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 42% (95% confidence interval, 39, 44). Transcriptome sequencing, gene expression profiling, cytogenetics, and fusion polymerase chain reaction enabled genomic subtyping of 282 patient samples, of which 264 were eligible for trial, accounting for 64.5% of E2993 patients. Among patients with outcome data, 29.5% with favorable outcomes (5-year OS 65% to 80%) were deemed standard risk (DUX4-rearranged [9.2%], ETV6-RUNX1/-like [2.3%], TCF3-PBX1 [6.9%], PAX5 P80R [4.1%], high-hyperdiploid [6.9%]); 50.2% had high-risk genotypes with 5-year OS of 0% to 27% (Ph-like [21.2%], KMT2A-AFF1 [12%], low-hypodiploid/near-haploid [14.3%], BCL2/MYC-rearranged [2.8%]); 20.3% had intermediate-risk genotypes with 5-year OS of 33% to 45% (PAX5alt [12.4%], ZNF384/-like [5.1%], MEF2D-rearranged [2.8%]). IKZF1 alterations occurred in 86% of Ph-like, and TP53 mutations in patients who were low-hypodiploid (54%) and BCL2/MYC-rearranged (33%) but were not independently associated with outcome. Of patients considered high risk based on presenting age and white blood cell count, 40% harbored subtype-defining genetic alterations associated with standard- or intermediate-risk outcomes. We identified distinct immunophenotypic features for DUX4-rearranged, PAX5 P80R, ZNF384-R/-like, and Ph-like genotypes. These data in a large adult B-ALL cohort treated with a non–risk-adapted approach on a single trial show the prognostic importance of genomic analyses, which may translate into future therapeutic benefits.
Early Assessment of Treatment Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Using FLT PET/CT Imaging: A Trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (EAI141)
Duan, Fenghai , Mattison, Ryan J. , Kostakoglu, Lale , Paietta, Elisabeth , Whisenant, Jennifer G. , Siegel, Barry A. , Begna, Kebede H. , Wiseman, Gregory A., Hall, Aric C. , Perlman, Scott B. , Litzow, Mark R. , Mankoff, David A. , Mankoff, David A , Jeraj, Robert , Arber, Daniel A. , Romanoff, Justin , Holter‐Chakrabarty, Jennifer , Arnold, Charles, Strickland, Stephen Anthony , Uy, Geoffrey L.

Blood | February 8, 2021 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 30-31

10.1182/blood-2020-136721 Get It

Introduction: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are often treated with intensive induction chemotherapy to achieve complete remission (CR). Early response to standard anthracycline plus cytarabine induction (7+3) is assessed by a day 14 nadir bone marrow biopsy. The nadir marrow has limitations, though, including sampling issues and ambiguity as to whether blasts are leukemia cells vs. regenerating marrow. In prior studies, the predictive value for remission of the nadir marrow is only 67-84%. A more accurate predictor of residual disease (RD) would give clinicians an opportunity to modify therapy earlier. Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) with 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) is a molecular imaging modality that can assess cellular proliferation in the bone marrow compartment. A prior single-institution pilot study showed a significant difference in the marrow FLT uptake between patients with AML who achieved CR and those who had RD after count recovery. Methods: EAI141 was an ECOG-ACRIN-led, prospective, multi-center study designed to assess FLT PET/CT as a predictor of CR after AML induction. The primary objective was to evaluate the predictive value of post-treatment FLT PET/CT imaging for detecting RD, with the secondary objectives of evaluating the predictive value for detecting CR and estimating the sensitivity and specificity. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of > 7 g/mL in total bone marrow compartment was chosen prospectively based on data from a pilot study as a marker for presence of leukemia cells at nadir. The predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity of the FLT PET/CT and the nadir bone marrow biopsy were calculated. Eligible subjects were 18 years or older with previously untreated AML who were to receive induction with 7+3. Subjects underwent a nadir marrow biopsy and an FLT PET/CT scan 10-17 days after starting induction, and prior to any re-induction if disease was noted on the nadir marrow. A recovery marrow was performed 28-35 days after initial treatment or re-induction to assess CR or RD. Subjects could undergo an optional pre-treatment scan. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were additional clinical outcomes. Results: 87 subjects from 9 centers were enrolled between 2016-2018, and 61 were considered evaluable. Reasons for being not evaluable included study ineligibility (n=3), no post-treatment scan (n=13), and no remission marrow (n=10). Median age was 58 years (range 21-73); 56% were men and 44% were women. CR was achieved in 56% (34/61). Treatment was a single induction course in 79% (48/61) and re-induction in 21% (13/61). Predictive value based on FLT PET/CT was 60% (9/15, 95% CI 32%-84%) for RD and 61% (28/46, 95% CI 45%-75%) for CR. Of patients who achieved CR, 28/34 had SUVmax ≤ 7 g/mL (sensitivity of 82%) and 9/27 of those who did not had high SUVmax > 7 g/mL (specificity 33%). Predictive value of an aplastic marrow was 59% (26/44) for CR and 56% (9/16) for RD. Of patients who achieved CR, 26/33 had marrow hypoplasia (sensitivity 79%) and 9/27 with RD had disease in the nadir marrow (specificity 33%). Significant heterogeneity of bone marrow compartment post treatment (SUVhetero ranging from 0.24 to 1.07) was observed in FLT-PET/CT scans. Heterogeneity of bone marrow compartment decreased about 50% from pre-treatment to post-treatment FLT PET/CT. OS for all participants, stratified by post-treatment FLT PET/CT response and nadir marrow results, are summarized in the Figure. Conclusions: Although this study did not show significant advantage of FLT PET/CT compared to nadir marrow to predict RD or CR on the average, it did show signal heterogeneity in the study population that may be relevant to disease biology not appreciated by a single sampling site for the nadir or remission marrow. For example, in patients with false negative nadir biopsy, in approximately 20% of patients assessment with FLT PET/CT was correct, likely reflecting bone marrow heterogeneity and limitation of a single point sampling. Similarly, in almost 60% of patients with false positive nadir biopsy, FLT PET/CT assessment was correct. Figure 1 Disclosures Jeraj: AIQ Solutions: Current equity holder in private company. Kostakoglu:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy. Strickland:KiTE: Consultancy; Kura: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Sunesis: Research Funding; ArcherDx: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy. Uy:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria. Perlman:GE Healthcare: Research Funding; AIQ: Research Funding.
TET2 and DNMT3A Mutations Exert Divergent Effects on DNA Repair and Sensitivity of Leukemia Cells to PARP Inhibitors
Maifrede, Silvia, Nieborowska-Skorska, Margaret , Golovine, Konstantin, Sullivan-Reed, Katherine , Dunuwille, Wangisa M.B., Nacson, Joseph, Hulse, Michael , Caruso, Lisa Beatrice , Gazze, Zachary , Lian, Zhaorui , Bartholdy, Boris , Paietta, Elisabeth , Fernández, Hugo F. , Tallman, Martin S. , Litzow, Mark R. , Minden, Mark D. , Huang, Jian , Johnson, Neil , Challen, Grant A. , Le, Bac Viet , Hulse, Michael , Padella, Antonella , Chitrala, Kumaraswamy Naidu , Matlawska‐Wasowska, Ksenia , Marcantonio, Daniela Di , Simonetti, Giorgia , Greiner, Georg , Sykes, Stephen M. , Valent, Peter , Martinelli, Giovanni , Vassiliou, George S. , Tempera, Italo , Piwocka, Katarzyna , Skórski, Tomasz

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4-4

10.1182/blood-2020-137658 Get It

Somatic variants in TET2 and DNMT3A are founding mutations in hematological malignancies that both affect the epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation. Although the proteins antagonistically regulate the epigenetic mark of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), where DNMT3A catalyzes addition of 5-mC while TET2 oxidizes 5-mC as a first step in DNA demethylation, mutations in both genes appear in a similar spectrum of human hematopoietic malignancies. Mutations in both genes often co-occur with activating mutations in oncogenic tyrosine kinases (OTKs) such as FLT3ITD, BCR-ABL1, JAK2V617F, MPLW515L or mutations affecting related signaling pathways such as NRASG12D and CALRdel52. Moreover, while the mutations exert divergent effect on primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells, they lead to similar disease phenotypes, suggesting the roles of these mutations in hematopoietic malignancies may relate to mechanisms outside of DNA methylation. OTK-positive malignant cells accumulate high numbers of spontaneous and drug-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in comparison to normal cells, but they manage to survive because of their enhanced/altered ability to repair these breaks. DSBs, the most lethal DNA lesions, are repaired by two major mechanisms, BRCA1/2-dependent homologous recombination (HR) and DNA-PK -mediated non-homologous end-joining (D-NHEJ). Both HR and D-NHEJ repair DSBs in proliferating cells, while D-NHEJ plays a major role in quiescent cells. PARP1 -dependent alternative NHEJ (Alt-NHEJ) serves as back-up in both proliferating and quiescent cells. The existence of these redundant pathways creates the opportunity to employ a phenomenon called "synthetic lethality", which was originally applied to eliminate cancer cells with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 by PARP inhibitor (PARPi). Our previous report [M. Nieborowska-Skorska et al., Gene expression and mutation-guided synthetic lethality eradicates proliferating and quiescent leukemia cells. J Clin Invest 127, 2392-2406 (2017)] suggested that certain leukemias are sensitive to PARPi-triggered synthetic lethality. Here we show that TET2 and DNMT3A mutations exert divergent roles in regulating DNA repair activities in leukemia cells expressing OTKs. Malignant TET2-deficient cells display downregulation of BRCA1 and LIG4 resulting in reduced activity of HR and D-NHEJ, respectively, and rely on Alt-NHEJ to protect them from the toxic effects of replication stress and drug-induced DSBs. Conversely, DNMT3A-deficient cells favor HR/D-NHEJ owing to downregulation of PARP1 and reduction of Alt-NHEJ. Consequently, malignant TET2-deficient cells are sensitive to PARPi treatment in vitro and in vivo, whereas DNMT3A-deficient cells were resistant. Disruption of TET2 dioxygenase activity and/or TET2 - Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) binding ability were responsible for DNA repair defects and sensitivity to PARPi associated with TET2 deficiency. Moreover, mutation or deletion of WT1 mimicked the effect of TET2 mutation on DSB repair activity and sensitivity to PARPi. Our findings reveal that TET2 and WT1 mutations may serve as biomarkers of synthetic lethality triggered by PARPi, which should be explored therapeutically. Disclosures Valent: Allcyte GmbH: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Cellgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Tallman:Abbvie: Research Funding; Cellerant: Research Funding; Orsenix: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; BioSight: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Rafael: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Bioline rx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KAHR: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Rigel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Delta Fly Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncolyze: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties. Martinelli:Roche: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Daichii Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding. Vassiliou:Kymab Ltd - Monoclonal antibody company. Currently not working in myeloid cancers or clonal haematopoiesis.: Consultancy.
Outcome in Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) Adult ALL Patients (Pts) May Be More Determined by CD25 Expression Than by Ph Status Per Se.
Paietta, Elisabeth , Richards, Sue, Racevskis, Janis, Dewald, Gordon W., Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Litzow, Mark R. , Goldstone, Anthony H., Wiernik, Peter H. , Li, Xiaochun , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | April 18, 2020 | Volume: 112 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1500-1500

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1500.1500 Get It

Abstract On intergroup phase III trial, MRC UKALLXII/ECOG2993, 25% of 613 ECOG patients were positive for Ph or its molecular equivalent, BCR/ABL; all were B-lineage ALLs (B-ALL). When compared to Ph(−) B-ALL, Ph(+) ALL had more blasts expressing CD25 (α-chain of interleukin-2 [IL-2] receptor) (p=3E-31), CD34 (p=4E-10), CD13 (p=3.9E-16) and CD33 (p=3.5E-09), and blasts with higher density of CD10 (p=9.6E-12). There was no difference in antigen expression profiles between pts with e1a2 (N=107) and b2a2/b3a2 (N=48) BCR/ABL transcripts. Complete remission (CR) rate was lower (p= 7.4E-6) and overall survival (OS) was shorter in Ph(+) compared with Ph(−) B-ALL (p=6.5E-5). There was no difference in outcome between e1a2 and b2a2/b3a2 pts (p=0.65). CD25 was the most powerful prognostic indicator in Ph(+) cases, both for CR (p=0.004) and OS (p=1.3E-05). Strikingly, CD25 negatively affected OS in a continuous fashion; 1% increase in CD25 was related to a 1% increase in the hazard of death. On the other hand, CD25 expression was not associated with OS in Ph(−) pts (p=0.66). Among 152 Ph(+) pts, 30 lacked CD25 expression, 24 with e1a2 and 6 with b2a2/b3a2 transcripts. When analyzed separately, CD25(−)Ph(+) pts had outcome indistinguishable from that of Ph(−) pts (p=0.89). Compared to CD25(+)Ph(+) pts, CD25(−) Ph(+) pts had lower WBC counts at presentation (p=4.1E-05). Both CD25(+) and CD25(−) Ph(+) blasts expressed the γ-chain but not the β-chain of the IL-2 receptor, arguing against the presence of a functional IL-2 receptor. There was no association between CD25 expression or outcome and the presence of additional cytogenetic abnormalities seen in 52% of Ph(+) pts. To further examine the prognostic impact of CD25, BCR/ABL levels were quantitated by real-time PCR in 136 Ph(+) pts at presentation. There was no correlation between presenting BCR/ABL levels and blast count (p=0.98), achievement of CR (p=0.73), or OS (p=0.67). However, higher blast counts at diagnosis were associated with shorter survival (p=0.003). BCR/ABL levels were measured in 43 pts 1 month after induction therapy. Changes in BCR/ABL after therapy were classified as undetectable, >90% reduction, >50% reduction, or no change. While CR status did not correlate with BCR/ABL reduction (p=0.97), the chance of survival ranked in the order of undetectable (p=0.01), >90% reduction (p=0.05), >50% reduction (p=0.37), or no change (p=0.87). CD25 expression at presentation correlated with that order (p=0.002). CD25(−)Ph(+) pts fell into the group with undetectable BCR/ABL levels after treatment, whereas pts with highest initial CD25 expression fell into the group with no change. In conclusion, CD25(−)Ph(+) blasts are more sensitive to non-TKI therapy than CD25(+) Ph(+) blasts. Outcome in Ph(+) ALL is thus determined by CD25 expression rather than the presence of Ph per se. RESPONSE CD25(+)Ph(+) CD25(−)Ph(+) Ph(−) B-Lin ALL n 122 30 308 % CR Rate 57% 71% 81% MedianOS (months) 12.2 30.2 27.7
Implications for the Use of Monoclonal Antibodies in Future Adult ALL Trials: Analysis of Antigen Expression in 505 B-Lineage (B-Lin) ALL Patients (pts) on the MRC UKALLXII/ECOG2993 Intergroup Trial.
Paietta, Elisabeth , Li, Xiaochun , Richards, Sue, Racevskis, Janis, Dewald, Gordon W., Rowe, Jacob M. , Tallman, Martin S. , Litzow, Mark, Goldstone, Anthony H., Wiernik, Peter H. , Lazarus, Hillard M.

Blood | April 18, 2020 | Volume: 112 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1907-1907

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1907.1907 Get It

Abstract MRC UKALLXII/ECOG2993 accrued 739 ECOG pts over 13 years. ECOG’s reference laboratories centrally characterized 613 (91%) and 505 were B-Lin ALLs. Expression of 32 antigens (Ags), including 9 myeloid-associated Ags, was determined by multiparameter flow cytometry on gated blasts, both as percentage of Ag expressing blasts and intensity of antibody staining (equivalent of Ag density). To test for the potential therapeutic efficacy of monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, epratuzumab, alemtuzumab, or gemtuzumab in future trials, expression of Ags for these antibodies (CD20, CD22, CD52, or CD33, respectively) was determined. In E2993, 14% of pts typed as Pro-B (CD10 negative), 71% as Early Pre-B (CD10 positive), 13% as Pre-B (intracytoplasmic mu positive), and 2% as Mature B-ALL (surface mu chains positive). CD20 expression correlated with the stage of B-lymphoid maturation (p=5.4E-13) (see table). Median CD20 intensity of fluorescence was lowest in Pro-B and highest in Mature B-ALL. Membrane expression of CD22 was lower in Pro-B compared with the other three groups, Early Pre-B, Pre-B and Mature B (p=1.0E-5) but indistinguishable among the latter three (p=0.21). While levels of CD20 and CD22 had no effect on complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) univariatly, higher CD22 expression was significantly correlated with better OS (p=0.02) in a bivariate Cox model of CD20 and CD22. With respect to myeloid Ags, CD33/CD13 expression was associated with Early Pre-B (p=0.02), and CD65(s)/CD15(s) with Pro-B ALL (p<0.0001). While CD65(s) and CD15(s) did not affect outcome, the combined expression of CD33/ CD13 conferred an inferior prognosis; this effect was due to the association of CD33/ CD13 with BCR/ABL positivity (p<0.0001). BCR/ABL negative B-Lin ALL (N=350) expressed CD33 on a median of only 4% of blasts, compared with a median of 54% in BCR/ABL positive ALL (N=152) (p=3.5E-09). However, intensity of CD33 staining was significantly lower in both BCR/ABL negative and positive blasts (median 3.1) compared with leukemic myeloblasts (median 56) (p=<0.001). Median CD52 expression was higher in BCR/ABL positive versus negative B-Lin ALL (p=3.5E-06); in neither group was CD52 associated with outcome. We conclude that antibodies to CD52 are better suited for BCR/ ABL positive than negative B-Lin ALL. Since expression of CD33 in ALL is weak, CD33- independent effects of gemtuzumab must be investigated. Low CD20 combined with high CD22 expression confers superior OS. The expression of these Ags in most B-Lin ALL pts justifies the incorporation of antibodies into frontline chemotherapy regimens. B-Lin ALL Stage CD20 Percentage Median Intensity CD22 Percentage Median Intensity ≥20% ≥50% ≥75% ≥20% ≥50% ≥75% Pro-B 21 10 3 2 88 72 55 12 Early PreB 66 48 37 21 96 90 84 28 Pre-B 61 46 37 21 100 90 81 37 Mature B 87 80 64 106 92 84 80 9