Chesi, Marta

Therapeutic targeting of CDK7 has proven beneficial in pre-clinical studies, yet the off-target effects of currently available CDK7 inhibitors make it difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanisms behind MM cell death mediated by CDK7 inhibition. Here, we show that CDK7 expression positively correlates with E2F and MYC transcriptional programs in multiple myeloma (MM) patient cells; and its selective targeting counteracts E2F activity via perturbation of the CDKs/Rb axis and impairs MYC-regulated metabolic gene signatures translating into defects in glycolysis and reduced levels of lactate production in MM cells. CDK7 inhibition using the covalent small molecule inhibitor YKL-5-124 elicits a strong therapeutic response with minimal effects on normal cells, and causes in vivo tumor regression increasing survival in several MM mouse models including a genetically engineered mouse model of MYC-dependent MM. Through its role as a critical cofactor and regulator of MYC and E2F activity, CDK7 is therefore a master regulator of oncogenic cellular programs supporting MM growth and survival, and a valuable therapeutic target providing rationale for development of YKL-5-124 for clinical use.

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a highly effective, curative therapy for leukemia yet does not provide a survival benefit above autologous SCT in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). To explore this, we developed preclinical models of SCT using C57Bl/6 recipient mice and either C57Bl/6 (ASCT) or C3H.SW (alloSCT) donor grafts. Importantly, these models recapitulated the clinical setting whereby alloSCT provided superior outcomes, compared to ASCT, in recipients bearing MLL-AF9-driven acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but not in those bearing Vk*MYC-MM. Interestingly, we found that MM-specific, T cell-mediated immunity was generated after ASCT, which failed due to MM-induced T cell exhaustion. MM relapse after ASCT could be prevented by TIGIT or PD-1 targeted immune checkpoint inhibition or via depletion of suppressive CSF1-R+ myeloid cells. Conversely, after alloSCT, T cell exhaustion was driven principally by alloantigen and CD8 T cells expressed high levels of PD-1, TIGIT and TIM-3. Furthermore, Vk*MYC myeloma exploited this alloantigen-driven T cell exhaustion via expression of high levels of PD-L1 and CD155 (the cognate ligands for PD-1 and TIGIT), which were expressed minimally on MLL-AF9 AML. To exploit alloSCT in MM, we used post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) to delete high affinity alloreactive T cells that generate the exhausted donor T cell pool. Subsequent administration of CD137 agonists enhanced T cell activation and cytolytic activity within bone marrow, without exacerbating GVHD. Thus, PT-Cy provides a platform for optimizing immunotherapy after alloSCT.

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a largely incurable hematological malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of plasma cells in bone marrow (BM). Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains a standard treatment for MM, allows intensive cytoreduction and induces inflammation in the context of lymphodepletion. We hypothesized that SCT may overcome myeloma-induced immune defects to restore immune-equilibrium. To address this, we developed a model of ASCT for MM using Vk*MYC myeloma. Surprisingly, we demonstrate the induction of T cell-dependent MM control after SCT as recipients of syngeneic BM grafts containing T cells had prolonged survival and reduced tumor burden compared to BM alone. This anti-myeloma activity was independent of γδ T, natural killer (NK) and NK T cells and was dependent on CD4+and CD8+ T cells. MM-primed T cells, harvested from SCT recipients with controlled MM, protected against relapse in secondary recipients and were Vk*MYC clone-specific. Recipients of MM-primed T cells had increased central memory CD8+ T cells and transfer of MM-primed CD8+ T cells was sufficient to prevent relapse. Furthermore, TCR sequencing of CD8+ T cells from mice with controlled MM revealed a higher clonotype overlap relative to MM-free SCT recipients, consistent with MM-specific T cells. Donor IFNγ secretion and signaling was critical to protective immunity and CD8+ T cells from mice with relapsed MM had impaired IFNγ production compared to those with controlled disease. Importantly, IFNγ production was profoundly augmented by CD137 agonist treatment such that majority of mice controlled disease. These data provide new insights into the mechanisms of action of SCT in myeloma and suggest the use of CD137 agonists to prevent relapse.