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Rhee, Frits van

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9959-1282

Mayo Clinic

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Citations 20

Comprehensive Investigation of White Blood Cell and Gene Expression Profiles As Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma in African Americans
Du, Zhaohui , Weinhold, Niels , Song, Gregory, Rand, Kristin Alyse, Hwang, Amie E. , Sheng, Xin , Hom, Victor, Peters, Edward , Mohrbacher, Ann, Stram, Alexander , Berndt, Sonja I. , Blot, William J. , John, Esther M. , Stroup, Antoinette M. , Zangari, Maurizio , Carpten, John D. , Mehta, Jayesh, Colditz, Graham A. , Wolf, Jeffrey, Martin, Thomas G. , Terebelo, Howard R. , Janakiraman, Nalini, Kolonel, Laurence, Auclair, Daniel , Vij, Ravi , Bernal‐Mizrachi, Leon , Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Huff, Carol Ann , Conti, David V. , Haiman, Christopher A. , Witte, John S. , John, Esther M , Colditz, Graham A , Conti, David V , Kachuri, Linda , Rand, Kristin A. , Berg, David Van Den , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Nooka, Ajay K. , Singhal, Seema , Bock, Cathryn Hufford , Stram, Alex , Bernstein, Leslie , Rhee, Frits van , Olshan, Andrew F. , Zheng, Wei , Ingles, Sue A. , Press, Michael F. , Chanock, Stephen Jacob , Wolf, Jeffrey L. , Fiala, Mark A. , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Marchand, Loı̈c Le , Chiu, Brian C.‐H. , Stram, Daniel O. , Morgan, Gareth J. , Lonial, Sagar , Orlowski, Robert Z. , Ziv, Elad , Cozen, Wendy

Blood | November 14, 2019 | Volume: 134 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: 4379-4379

10.1182/blood-2019-129298 Get It

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasm thought to arise from a damaged germinal center B-cell that progresses to a plasma cell clone arising in bone marrow. MM comprises 20% of all hematologic cancer deaths. Persons of African ancestry (AA) have a 1.5 to 2-fold higher risk compared to individuals of European ancestry (EA). Genetically driven differences in hematopoiesis may lead to variation in the levels white blood cell (WBC) subsets which could, in turn, be associated with MM etiology. There are differences in genetic determinants of WBC traits between EA and AA populations, with possible implications for the racial disparity in risk. We tested the above hypothesis using Mendelian randomization (MR), an approach that leverages genetic determinants of specific traits (i.e. WBC counts) to estimate their effects on the risk of an outcome; and a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), which utilizes genetic predictors of gene expression to identify susceptibility genes. These analytic approaches were applied to data from the African American Multiple Myeloma Study (AAMMS) consisting of 1813 cases and 8871 AA cancer-free controls to examine how differences in heritable WBC gene expression profiles influence MM risk. Genetic determinants of variation in WBC subsets in AA were obtained from the literature and supplemented with new genome-wide association findings in AA subjects from the UK Biobank cohort (n=6108). Odds ratios (OR) for MM per 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in each WBC phenotype were estimated using independent (linkage disequilibrium (LD) r2<0.10) variants with P<10-6 as genetic instruments. Analyses based on variants associated with WBC traits in AA populations did not identify any statistically-significant associations between MM risk and WBC overall (p=0.81, using 15 SNPs) or subsets (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils, p>0.05 for each). However, when we applied genetic determinants of WBC identified in 330,000 cancer-free EA UK Biobank participants (P<10-8, replication P<0.05, LD r2<0.05), a statistically significant inverse relationship emerged between increasing lymphocyte counts and MM risk (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.66-0.97, p=0.02, using 385 SNPs), as well as increasing basophil counts (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.96, p=0.03, using 140 SNPs). Next, we examined the association between WBC gene expression profiles and MM risk in AAMMS data. We applied published and validated ancestry-specific models developed using the PrediXcan approach, which leverage germline genetic and transcriptomic data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) (Mogil et al. PMID: 30096133). The primary TWAS used gene expression models trained in AA subjects (n=233), with sensitivity analyses using models developed in AA and Hispanic subjects (n=585). The TWAS significance threshold was based on the number of genes with significant germline prediction models (p<0.05 and R2 ≥0.05) in AA, corresponding to P < 0.05/2700 = 1.85×10-5. The expression of two genes was significantly associated with MM risk: KANK1at 9p24.3 (P = 1.01×10-5) and DNAJC27at 2p23.3 (P = 1.56×10-5). KANK1is a candidate tumor suppressor gene for renal cell carcinoma and has recently been associated with MM risk in AA [Du, Blood 2017 130:3058]. Here we provide additional evidence for its role in MM etiology via gene expression-mediated mechanisms. DNAJC27 (previously known as RBJ) is a novel MM risk gene linked to constitutive activation of ERK in solid tumors. We also identified two suggestively associated genes: PRR14 (P = 1.34×10-4; combined AA-Hispanic sample: P = 1.56×10-6), which has been linked to MM risk in EA populations, and PARP16 (P = 9.46×10-5). To our knowledge this is the first study to comprehensively examine variation in WBC traits and gene expression profiles with respect to MM risk in AA. Our TWAS analysis leveraged data from the largest collection of genetic and gene expression data in AA, enabling ancestry-matched inference and identification of two novel risk genes. Although the limited availability of genetic instruments for WBC limited the power of MR analysis, findings using variants identified in European populations may offer some insight into trans-ethnic etiologic pathways and contribute to risk stratification strategies using genetic and blood cell count biomarkers. Future studies, particularly with MGUS-free controls, are needed to validate these results. Disclosures Song: Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Rand:Ancestry.com: Employment. Ailawadhi:Cellectar: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy. Nooka:Takeda: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; GSK: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; Spectrum pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; Adaptive technologies: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation; BMS: Honoraria, Other: advisory board participation. Singhal:Bureau of Millennium/Takeda, Celgene, Janssen, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bluebird: Speakers Bureau. van Rhee:Takeda: Consultancy; Sanofi Genzyme: Consultancy; Castleman Disease Collaborative Network: Consultancy; EUSA: Consultancy; Adicet Bio: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy. Mehta:Millennium/Takeda, Celgene; stock in Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bluebird: Speakers Bureau. Wolf:Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Martin:Roche and Juno: Consultancy; Amgen, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Fiala:Incyte: Research Funding. Terebelo:Jannsen: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria; Newland Medical Asociates: Employment. Anderson:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: Scientific Founder; Oncopep: Other: Scientific Founder; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi-Aventis: Other: Advisory Board. Vij:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding. Bernal-Mizrachi:TAKEDA: Research Funding; Kodikas Therapeutic Solutions, Inc: Equity Ownership; Winship Cancer Institute: Employment, Patents & Royalties. Morgan:Amgen, Roche, Abbvie, Takeda, Celgene, Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Other: research grant, Research Funding. Zonder:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Intellia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Huff:Member of Safety Monitoring Board for Johnson and Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm, Sanofi, MiDiagnostics: Consultancy. Lonial:Karyopharm: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; GSK: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy. Orlowski:Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Phase 1b/2a Open-Label, Multiple-Dose, Dose-Escalation Study To Evaluate The Safety and Tolerability Of Intravenous Infusion Of SNS01-T In Patients With Relapsed Or Refractory Multiple Myeloma, Mantle Cell Lymphoma, Or Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Lust, John A., Barranco, Charles, Thompson, John E., Taylor, Catherine A. , Dondero, Richard, Browne, Leslie J., Bensinger, William, Usmani, Saad Z. , Rhee, Frits van , Hamadani, Mehdi , Siegel, David S.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1950-1950

10.1182/blood.v122.21.1950.1950 Get It

Abstract Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation, and is the only known protein to be modified by hypusination. Hypusinated eIF5A, the predominant form of eIF5A in cancer cells, is involved in cell survival and activation of inflammatory pathways. In contrast, accumulation of the unhypusinated form of eIF5A is associated with apoptosis and mutants of eIF5A that cannot be hypusinated (e.g. eIF5AK50R) are pro-apoptotic. SNS01-T was designed to treat B-cell cancers and consists of two active components: a plasmid DNA expressing the pro-apoptotic eIF5AK50R under the control of a B cell-specific promoter, and an siRNA against an untranslated region of native eIF5A mRNA. When these two components are combined with linear polyethyleneimine (PEI), the nucleic acids are condensed into nanoparticles for protection from degradation in the blood and enhanced cellular delivery. The mode of action of SNS01-T is siRNA-mediated inhibition of hypusinated eIF5A and simultaneous over-expression of pro-apoptotic eIF5AK50R to induce cell death. In vitro cell studies and in vivo xenograft studies have demonstrated the efficacy of this approach. The safety and tolerability of intravenous administration of SNS01-T is being investigated in a first-in-human Phase1b/2a study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) or diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Eligible patients are being enrolled sequentially into four cohorts at increasing doses. Each patient receives an intravenous infusion of SNS01-T twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Eligible patients must have been diagnosed with MM according to IMWG criteria, or with MCL or DLBCL with histologic confirmation. Patients also must have measurable disease, have relapsed or refractory disease after two or more prior treatment regimens, have a life expectancy of at least 3 months, and not be eligible to receive any other standard therapy known to extend life expectancy. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of multiple escalating doses of SNS01-T. Secondary objectives include analysis of pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and therapeutic efficacy. The required 3 patients per cohort have completed the dosing schedule in cohorts 1 and 2 from a total of 10 patients enrolled (9 patients with MM and 1 with DLBCL). Of the ten patients enrolled, four completed the full treatment period, two did not complete dosing but were evaluable for safety, and four (three in cohort 1 and one in cohort 2) discontinued treatment after fewer than 8 doses and were not evaluable. There were no drug-related serious adverse events or dose limiting toxicities in either cohort 1 or 2. In cohort 1 (0.0125 mg/kg SNS01-T), two of three evaluable patients did not progress on treatment and were considered stable at week 3 and week 6, the end of the dosing regimen. The third patient progressed after receiving 10 of the 12 doses and was evaluable for safety. In cohort 2 (0.05 mg/kg), 3 patients (2 with MM and 1 with DLBCL) were evaluable for safety. Stabilization of serum monoclonal protein levels was observed in one MM patient of cohort 2. Two patients (1 with MM and 1 with DLBCL) progressed after receiving 8 of the 12 doses and were evaluable for safety. Results from ongoing pharmacokinetic studies, immunogenicity studies, and quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines will be discussed. The planned dose levels for the third and fourth groups are 0.2 and 0.375 mg/kg, respectively. The results to date of this first-in-human clinical trial indicate that SNS01-T can be administered safely and the MTD has not yet been reached (Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01435720). Disclosures: Barranco: Senesco Technologies: Consultancy. Usmani:Celgene, Onyx, Millenium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. van Rhee:Jansen&Jansen: Research Funding. Thompson:Senesco Technologies: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Taylor:Senesco Technologies: stock options Other. Dondero:Senesco Technologies: Employment. Browne:Senesco Technologies Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siegel:Celgene, Millenium, Onyx (same for all): Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.
Molecular Subtyping and Risk Stratification for the Classification of Myeloma
Stein, Caleb K., Heuck, Christoph, Weinhold, Niels , Chavan, Shweta S. , Thanendrarajan, Sharmilan , Yaccoby, Shmuel , Zangari, Maurizio , Kaiser, Martin , Jackson, Graham , Sonneveld, Pieter , Goldschmidt, Hartmut , Barlogie, Bart , Kaiser, Martin F , Stein, Caleb K., Davies, Faith E. , Walker, Brian A. , Epstein, Joshua , Rhee, Frits van , Bergsagel, P. Leif , Morgan, Gareth J.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 4173-4173

10.1182/blood.v126.23.4173.4173 Get It

Abstract Introduction Over the last 15 years gene expression profiling (GEP) has been used to define myeloma molecular subgroups and to determine clinical prognosis. Two major molecular subgroup classifications have been used: the UAMS which determines 7 subgroups and the TC classification based on the presence of IgH translocations and expression of D group cyclins. For prognosis, although a number of different GEP signatures have been defined, the widely used GEP70 identifies 15% of patients with high risk (HR) disease who have a median PFS and OS of 1.75 and 2.83 years. An ideal classification system would identify clinically relevant subgroups with distinct etiology and biology using standardized techniques. We have examined a large group of patients characterized at multiple genetic levels to optimize the diagnostic approach of newly diagnosed patients going forward. Materials and methods Study subjects included 1349 cases enrolled in Total Therapy trials (median follow up 7.5 years). Gene expression profiling was used to determine GEP70 risk status, molecular subgroup by UAMS and TC classifications, and to devise a new and extended TC classification (TC10). Interphase FISH associated with IgH translocations and 1q+ and 17p- were used to build GEP proxies. Data from mutational analysis generated by the FoundationOne targeted sequence panel was also incorporated. Results were validated on the UK MRC MyelomaIX and Hovon65/GMMG-4 studies. Results An initial agnostic analysis of GEP data using sparse k-means clustering verified the existence of TC based groups. Six groups were identified that corresponded overwhelmingly with known TC subgroups; CCND1-t(11;14), D1-HRD, D2-HRD, MMSET, MAF/CCND2, and CCND3. Further comparisons between the molecular subgroup and TC classifier revealed that the UAMS 7 subgroups clustered strongly within one predominant TC group: CD-1 and CD-2 to t(11;14), HY to D1, LB and PR to D2, MF to t(14;16) or t(14;20), and MS to t(4;14). As the UAMS molecular subgroups are largely contained within the TC framework, we aimed to extend the TC by developing the TC10. To extend the known TC subgroups, unsupervised clustering was applied to the 3 largest subgroups [t(11;14), D1, and D2] to determine the strongest single divisor within each respective subgroup. The dominant feature within the t(11;14) cases was CD20 expression, while the D1 and D2 subgroups both split according to RRAS2. CD20 is associated with PAX5 and VPREB3 expression, and RRAS2 is associated with decreased PTP4A3 and increased TNFAIP3 and BIRC3 expression. RRAS2 activation within D1 subgroup and CD20 activation within t(11;14) cases corresponds to an increased time to response to induction therapy suggesting they constitute important biological subgroups. The TC10 combines the known etiologic subgroups of the TC with functionally relevant subdivisions to create 10 novel subgroups: t(11;14) CD20+/-, D1: RRAS2+/-, D2: RRAS2+/-, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and t(6;14). Analysis of mutational data revealed that RRAS2 and CD20 activation within the D1, D2, and t(11;14) subgroups reduced the number of mutations in the MAPK pathway. Further mutational analysis revealed that median mutational load was highest in t(14;16) and lowest in D2: RRAS2+ subgroups. The GEP70 score identifies 15% of patients with HR disease and is specific for this purpose. In an analysis of risk assessment methods, we compared GEP detected adverse lesions [t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), 17p- and 1q+] with the GEP70 and revealed that GEP70 HR identified samples have lower OS rates than cases with more than one adverse lesion (validated in external sets). GEP70 HR segregates non-uniformly across molecular subgroups as over 40% of all HR cases are found in the TC10 t(4;14), t(14;16), and t(14;20) subgroups. GEP70 HR cases also have a higher mutational load than low risk cases. Furthermore, GEP70 HR is uniquely associated with 1q+ and 17p- as cases with at least one of these adverse lesions are 4.9 times as likely to be GEP70 HR as cases with neither. Conclusion GEP profiling has a central role in simplifying and standardizing the molecular subgroup designation and risk stratifying of MM patients. The GEP70 risk score reliably identifies HR cases and outperforms FISH in risk assessment, even in validation data sets. The TC10 provides a classification system that improves upon previous methods by defining both etiological and functionally meaningful subgroups. Disclosures Stein: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Davies:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy. Heuck:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Other: Advisory Board; Millenium: Other: Advisory Board; Foundation Medicine: Honoraria. Weinhold:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment; Janssen Cilag: Other: Advisory Board. Chavan:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Thanendrarajan:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Epstein:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Yaccoby:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Zangari:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment; Novartis: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. van Rhee:University of Arkansa for Medical Sciences: Employment. Kaiser:Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BristolMyerSquibb: Consultancy; Chugai: Consultancy. Sonneveld:Janssen-Cilag, Celgene, Onyx, Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; novartis: Honoraria. Goldschmidt:Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Barlogie:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Morgan:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MMRF: Honoraria; CancerNet: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment; Weismann Institute: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Plerixafor (Mozobil ®)Plus G-CSF Is Effective in Mobilizing Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Patients with Concurrent Thrombocytopenia Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Micallef, Ivana N. , Jacobsen, Eric D. , Shaughnessy, Paul , Marulkar, Sachin, Mody, P., Rhee, Frits van

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3229-3229

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3229.3229 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3229 Poster Board III-166 Introduction Low platelet count prior to mobilization is a significant predictive factor for mobilization failure in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin's disease (HD) undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation (auto-HSCT; Hosing C, et al, Am J Hematol. 2009). The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of HSC mobilization with plerixafor plus G-CSF in patients with concomitant thrombocytopenia undergoing auto-HSCT. Methods Patients who had failed successful HSC collection with any mobilization regimen were remobilized with plerixafor plus G-CSF as part of a compassionate use program (CUP). Mobilization failure was defined as the inability to collect 2 ×106 CD34+ cells/kg or inability to achieve a peripheral blood count of ≥10 CD34+ cells/μl without having undergone apheresis. As part of the CUP, G-CSF (10μg/kg) was administered subcutaneously (SC) every morning for 4 days. Plerixafor (0.24 mg/kg SC) was administered in the evening on Day 4, approximately 11 hours prior to the initiation of apheresis the following day. On Day 5, G-CSF was administered and apheresis was initiated. Plerixafor, G-CSF and apheresis were repeated daily until patients collected the minimum of 2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg for auto-HSCT. Patients in the CUP with available data on pre-mobilization platelet counts were included in this analysis. While patients with a platelet count <85 × 109/L were excluded from the CUP, some patients received waivers and were included in this analysis. Efficacy of remobilization with plerixafor + G-CSF was evaluated in patients with platelet counts ≤ 100 × 109/L or ≤ 150 × 109/L. Results Of the 833 patients in the plerixafor CUP database, pre-mobilization platelet counts were available for 219 patients (NHL=115, MM=66, HD=20 and other=18.). Of these, 92 patients (NHL=49, MM=25, HD=8 and other=10) had pre-mobilization platelet counts ≤ 150 × 109/L; the median platelet count was 115 × 109/L (range, 50-150). The median age was 60 years (range 20-76) and 60.4% of the patients were male. Fifty-nine patients (64.1%) collected ≥2 × 109 CD34+ cells/kg and 13 patients (14.1%) achieved ≥5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. The median CD34+ cell yield was 2.56 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. The proportion of patients proceeding to transplant was 68.5%. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 12 days and 22 days, respectively. Similar results were obtained when efficacy of plerixafor + G-CSF was evaluated in 29 patients with platelet counts ≤ 100 × 109/L (NHL=12, MM=10, HD=3 and other=4). The median platelet count in these patients was 83 × 109/L (range, 50-100). The median age was 59 years (range 23-73) and 60.4% of the patients were male. The minimal and optimal cell dose was achieved in 19(65.5%) and 3(10.3%) patients, respectively. The median CD34+ cell yield was 2.92 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. The proportion of patients proceeding to transplant was 62.1%. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 12 days and 23 days, respectively. Conclusions For patients mobilized with G-CSF alone or chemotherapy ±G-CSF, a low platelet count prior to mobilization is a significant predictor of mobilization failure. These data demonstrate that in patients with thrombocytopenia who have failed prior mobilization attempts, remobilization with plerixafor plus G-CSF allows ∼65% of the patients to collect the minimal cell dose to proceed to transplantation. Thus, in patients predicted or proven to be poor mobilizers, addition of plerixafor may increase stem cell yields. Future studies should investigate the efficacy of plerixafor + G-CSF in front line mobilization in patients with low platelet counts prior to mobilization. Disclosures Micallef: Genzyme Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Jacobsen:Genzyme Corporation: Research Funding. Shaughnessy:Genzyme Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Marulkar:Genzyme Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mody:Genzyme Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. van Rhee:Genzyme Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
Mature Results of a Phase 1-2 Open-Label, Dose-Escalation Study of Intravenous SNS01-T in Patients (pts) with Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Malignancies
McDonald, Andrew , Novitzky, Nicolás , Bensinger, William, Gutierrez, Martin , Libby, Edward N., Thompson, John E., Bexon, Alice, Barranco, Charles, Taylor, Catherine , Dondero, Richard, Browne, Leslie J., Kurman, Michael R., Lust, John A., Siegel, David S. , Craig, Michael , Rhee, Frits van

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 4464-4464

10.1182/blood.v124.21.4464.4464 Get It

Abstract Background Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. SNS01-T is a novel therapeutic with a dual mechanism of eIF5A modulation: inducing cell death via siRNA-mediated inhibition of hypusinated eIF5A while simultaneously causing over-expression of pro-apoptotic eIF5AK50R via a DNA plasmid with a B-cell promoter to induce tumor cell death, using a PEI vector. SNS01-T significantly inhibits tumor growth and increases survival in mouse models of myeloma (MM), mantle cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods This is an open label, phase 1-2 dose escalation study in pts with refractory B-cell cancers, comprising 4 SNS01-T dose cohorts: 0.0125, 0.05, 0.2 and 0.375 mg/kg twice weekly IV for 6 weeks. Key inclusion criteria are: MM per IMWG criteria or lymphomas or plasma cell leukemia with histologic confirmation; measurable disease, relapsed or refractory after ≥2 prior regimens; not eligible for standard therapy known to extend life expectancy. Primary endpoints are safety and tolerability of SNS01-T. Secondary endpoints include pharmacokinetics, tumor response (M protein, % plasma cells, radiologic response) and time to relapse or progression. Efficacy assessments were performed at baseline and after 12 infusions in all pts (week 6); myeloma pts were also assessed at week 3. Results All cohorts will have completed enrollment in August 2014 and dosing in cohort 4 will be complete by September. A total of 21 pts have been treated, of whom 18 currently have data available. Demographics are provided in Table 1. Abstract 4464. Table 1:DemographicsSNS01-T DoseOverall(n=18)0.0125 mg/kg(n=6)0.05 mg/kg(n=4)0.2 mg/kg(n=4)0.375 mg/kg(n=4)Median age (range)63 (55-77)61.5 (57-66)63 (60-77)68 (66-74)58 (55-71)Male, n (%)12 (67)5 (83)03 (75)4 (100)Caucasian, n (%)17 (94)6 (100)3 (75)4 (100)4 (100)Median weight in kg (range)84 (53-117)81 (69-103)58 (53-87)86 (77-92)97 (81-117)Median performance status (range)1 (0-2)1 (0-1)1 (0-2)0 (0-2)1 (0-1)Cancer type, n (%) Multiple myeloma DLBCL15 (83) 3 (17)6 (100) 03 (75) 1 (25)2 (50) 2 (50)4 (100) 0Median prior therapies (range)5 (2-17)4.5 (3-12)6.5 (2-13)7.5 (2-17)7 (5-14) Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were reported for all pts. The most frequently reported System Organ Classes were General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions (72%) and Gastrointestinal Disorders (56%), with somewhat higher reporting frequency in dose cohorts 3 and 4. The most commonly reported AEs were fatigue (50%), nausea (33%), infusion-related reaction (33%), chills (28%), thrombocytopenia (22%) and pyrexia (17%). Thrombocytopenia, nausea, fatigue, infusion reaction appeared to show some degree of dose relationship. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 50% of pts with no obvious dose relationship. The only grade ≥3 TEAE reported in >1 pt was thrombocytopenia (17%). There have been no treatment-related deaths. There was 1 DLT at dose level 4 (0.375 mg/kg). Pt 51-001 did not receive premedication prior to the third infusion of SNS01-T and consequently experienced a grade 4 infusion reaction, from which all symptoms resolved within 24 hours. Study treatment was discontinued and the protocol was amended to require the following premedication at each SNS01-T infusion: a corticosteroid, antihistamine and acetaminophen are obligatory, plus an opioid as clinically indicated. Preliminary efficacy was explored. To date, 2 pts have shown stable disease of myeloma at week 3 with some decrease in serum and urine disease markers and one pt with DLBCL had a 15% decrease in small lymph node disease with approximately a 5 month duration. These patients were in cohorts 3 and 4. Conclusions SNS01-T administration was feasible in all 4 dose cohorts with prophylaxis for infusion reactions. Early signs of potential efficacy are encouraging. Expansion of efficacy testing to more patients and combination studies are planned. Disclosures Siegel: Senesco: PI Other. McDonald:Senesco: PI Other. Novitzky:Senesco: PI Other. Bensinger:Senesco: PI Other. Craig:Senesco: PI Other. van Rhee:Senesco: PI Other. Gutierrez:Senesco: PI Other. Libby:Senesco: PI Other. Thompson:Senesco: Consultancy, Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Bexon:Senesco: Consultancy. Barranco:Senesco: Consultancy. Taylor:Senesco: Research Funding. Dondero:Senesco: Employment. Browne:Senesco: Employment. Kurman:Senesco: Consultancy. Lust:Senesco: PI Other.
Pharmacokinetic (PK) and Pharmacodynamic (PD) Results of a Novel, First-in-Class Modulator of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A (eIF5A) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Malignancies: Data from a Phase 1-2 Study
Bexon, Alice, Bensinger, William, Novitzky, Nicolás , McDonald, Andrew , Gutierrez, Martin , Libby, Edward N., Heidel, Jeremy D., Thompson, John E., Barranco, Charles, Taylor, Catherine A. , Donovan, Kathleen A., Moon‐Tasson, Laurie L., Browne, Leslie J., Kurman, Michael R., Lust, John A., Dondero, Richard, Craig, Michael , Siegel, David S. , Rhee, Frits van

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2121-2121

10.1182/blood.v124.21.2121.2121 Get It

Abstract Introduction eIF5A is the only known protein to be modified by hypusination and is highly conserved across species. Hypusinated eIF5A, the predominant form in normal and cancer cells, is involved in cell survival and inflammatory pathway activation. siRNAs targeting eIF5A inhibit NF-kB activation and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Accumulation of the unhypusinated lysine form of eIF5A is associated with apoptosis. Mutants of eIF5A that cannot be hypusinated (e.g. eIF5AK50R) are pro-apoptotic in vitro and have anti-tumoral activity in vivo in multiple cancer types including melanoma and lung cancer. SNS01-T is a novel therapeutic with a dual mechanism of eIF5A modulation: inducing cell death via siRNA-mediated inhibition of hypusinated eIF5A while simultaneously causing over-expression of pro-apoptotic eIF5AK50R via a DNA plasmid with a B-cell promoter to induce tumor cell death. SNS01-T significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased survival in mouse models of myeloma (MM), mantle cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The phase 1-2 study of SNS01-T has completed 4 planned dosing cohorts 0.0125, 0.05, 0.2 and 0.375 mg/kg twice weekly IV for 6 weeks in pts with refractory B-cell cancers. Methods PK and PD secondary endpoints included characterization of PK by measuring pExp5A plasmid DNA and eIF5A siRNA in blood and bone marrow (BM), assessing potential immunogenicity of SNS01-T by measuring serum concentrations of antibodies against SNS01-T nanoparticles, and measuring serum concentrations of select proinflammatory cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum and plasma samples. Blood PK timepoints were 30 minutes before the first infusion and at 30 minutes, 2, 6, and 24 hours after the first infusions on Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6 and at the 4, 8, and 12 week visits after the last infusion; BM samples were collected 1 day after the final infusion. Serum and plasma PD sampling timepoints were 30 minutes before and at 2, 6, and 24 hours after the first infusion on Week 1, Week 3, and Week 6, and at 4 weeks after the final infusion. Cytokines assayed included TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-ß, IFN-g, CXCL1, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12. Results Table 1 shows data available for interpretation as of August 2014. The remaining samples are under analysis and will be presented. Abstract 2121. Table 1:Data available for interpretation (number of patients)SNS01-T DoseOverall(n=18)0.0125 mg/kg(n=6)0.05 mg/kg(n=4)0.2 mg/kg(n=4)0.375 mg/kg(n=4)Blood PK DNA and RNA156441Bone marrow PK82321Serum antibodies to SNS01-T nanoparticles186444Serum and plasma cytokines156441 Plasmid and siRNA blood levels generally peaked 30 minutes post-dosing at weeks 1, 3 and 6 of dosing. Both plasmid and siRNA exhibited rapid clearance from the blood, with levels dropping to near pre-dosing levels within 24 hours of administration. pExp5A plasmid DNA was detectable in the bone marrow of 2 pts at cohort 1, 2 at cohort 2, 1 at cohort 3 and 1 at cohort 4. eIF5A siRNA was not detectable in bone marrow. No antibodies to SNS01-T nanoparticles were detected at any timepoint at any dose level. Cytokines remained within the expected range of inter-patient variability, similar to baseline across all timepoints at the first 2 dose levels. At dose level 3, levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in particular increased at the 2 and 6 hour timepoints but had recovered to baseline levels 24-hours post dosing. This effect was more pronounced at the first infusion. Conclusions PCR analysis demonstrated the presence of both plasmid DNA and siRNA components of SNS01-T in blood at all dose levels, with a dose-dependent increase in plasmid copy number. Plasmid DNA was also detected in bone marrow collected 24 hours after the final infusion of SNS01-T. Pro-inflammatory cytokines did increase within hours of infusion but returned to baseline within 24 hours, synchronous with the clinical infusion reactions (see Abstract 70148). No evidence of an anti-SNS01-T antibody response was observed in any subject. Phase 2 trials are planned. Disclosures Bexon: Senesco: Consultancy. Craig:Senesco: PI Other. Siegel:Senesco: PI Other. Bensinger:Senesco: PI Other. Novitzky:Senesco: PI Other. McDonald:Senesco: PI Other. Gutierrez:Senesco: PI Other. Libby:Senesco: PI Other. van Rhee:Senesco: PI Other. Heidel:Senesco: Consultancy. Thompson:Senesco: Consultancy, Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Barranco:Senesco: Consultancy. Taylor:Senesco: Research Funding. Browne:Senesco: Employment. Kurman:Senesco: Consultancy. Lust:Senesco: PI Other. Dondero:Senesco: Employment.
Efficacy of siltuximab in patients with previously treated multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD).
Munshi, Nikhil C. , Ke, Xiaoyan , Simpson, David , Lechowicz, Mary Jo , Bandekar, Rajesh, Qin, Xiang , Qi, Ming , Vermeulen, Jessica, Rhee, Frits van , Wong, Raymond , Fosså, Alexander , Dispenzieri, Angela , Kuruvilla, John , Vermeulen, Jessica, Casper, Corey

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 3, 2019 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 8514-8514

10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.8514 Get It

Phase 1-2 open-label, multiple-dose, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intravenous infusion of SNS01-T, a first-in-class modulator of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) in patients (pts) with relapsed or refr
Bensinger, William, Novitzky, Nicolás , McDonald, Andrew , Gutierrez, Martin , Libby, Edward N., Thompson, John E., Bexon, Alice, Barranco, Charles, Taylor, Catherine , Dondero, Richard, Browne, Leslie J., Kurman, Michael R., Lust, John A., Craig, Michael , Siegel, David S. , Rhee, Frits van

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 3, 2019 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS8616-TPS8616

10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.tps8616 Get It

International, evidence-based consensus treatment guidelines for idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Rhee, Frits van , Voorhees, Peter M. , Srkalović, Gordan , Ide, Makoto , Munshi, Nikhil C. , Schey, Stephen, Streetly, Matthew , Pierson, Sheila K. , Partridge, Helen , Shilling, Dustin, Stone, Katie , Greenway, Amy D, Ruth, Jason R., Lechowicz, Mary Jo , Jayanthan, Raj , Leitch, Heather A. , Pemmaraju, Naveen , Chadburn, Amy , Lim, Megan S. , Elenitoba‐Johnson, Kojo S.J. , Goodman, Aaron M. , Hoffmann, Christian , Zinzani, Pier Luigi , Ferrero, Simone , Terriou, Louis , Simpson, David , Rossi, Jean‐François, Yoshizaki, Kazuyuki , Oksenhendler, Éric , van Rhee, Frits , Wong, Raymond S M , Casper, Corey , Fajgenbaum, David C , Ferrero, Simone , Zinzani, Pier Luigi , Dispenzieri, Angela , Fosså, Alexander , Partridge, Helen L., Mukherjee, Sudipto , Chandrakasan, Shanmuganathan , Jaffe, Elaine S. , Krymskaya, Vera P. , Sato, Yasuharu , Wong, Raymond , Rossi, Jean‐François , Nasta, Sunita , Kurzrock, Razelle , Uldrick, Thomas S. , Casper, Corey , Fajgenbaum, David C. , Ide, Makoto , Lim, Megan S

Blood | September 4, 2018 | Volume: 132 | Issue: 20 | Pages: 2115-2124

10.1182/blood-2018-07-862334 Get It

Abstract Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of heterogeneous hematologic disorders with characteristic histopathological features. CD can present with unicentric or multicentric (MCD) regions of lymph node enlargement. Some cases of MCD are caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), whereas others are HHV-8–negative/idiopathic (iMCD). Treatment of iMCD is challenging, and outcomes can be poor because no uniform treatment guidelines exist, few systematic studies have been conducted, and no agreed upon response criteria have been described. The purpose of this paper is to establish consensus, evidence-based treatment guidelines based on the severity of iMCD to improve outcomes. An international Working Group of 42 experts from 10 countries was convened by the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network to establish consensus guidelines for the management of iMCD based on published literature, review of treatment effectiveness for 344 cases, and expert opinion. The anti–interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody siltuximab (or tocilizumab, if siltuximab is not available) with or without corticosteroids is the preferred first-line therapy for iMCD. In the most severe cases, adjuvant combination chemotherapy is recommended. Additional agents are recommended, tailored by disease severity, as second- and third-line therapies for treatment failures. Response criteria were formulated to facilitate the evaluation of treatment failure or success. These guidelines should help treating physicians to stratify patients based on disease severity in order to select the best available therapeutic option. An international registry for patients with CD (ACCELERATE, #NCT02817997) was established in October 2016 to collect patient outcomes to increase the evidence base for selection of therapies in the future.
International, evidence-based consensus diagnostic criteria for HHV-8–negative/idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Fajgenbaum, David C. , Bagg, Adam , Frank, Dale , Wu, David , Srkalović, Gordan , Simpson, David , Liu, Amy , Menke, David M. , Lechowicz, Mary Jo , Wong, Raymond , Pierson, Sheila K. , Paessler, Michele, Rossi, Jean‐François, Ide, Makoto , Ruth, Jason R., Croglio, M.P. , Suarez, Alexander , Chadburn, Amy , Colleoni, Gisele W. B. , Jayanthan, Raj , Nabel, Christopher S. , Kelleher, Dermot, Voorhees, Peter M. , Yoshizaki, Kazuyuki , Oksenhendler, Éric , Elenitoba‐Johnson, Kojo S.J. , Lim, Megan S. , Menke, David, Wong, Raymond S M , Uldrick, Thomas S. , Chandrakasan, Shanmuganathan , Rossi, Jean‐François , Krymskaya, Vera P. , Nasta, Sunita , Casper, Corey , Dispenzieri, Angela , Fosså, Alexander , Kurzrock, Razelle , Doǧan, Ahmet , Rhee, Frits van , Jaffe, Elaine S. , Fajgenbaum, David C , Ide, Makoto , Lim, Megan S

Blood | January 13, 2017 | Volume: 129 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 1646-1657

10.1182/blood-2016-10-746933 Get It

Key Points An international panel established the first ever diagnostic criteria for iMCD based on review of 244 clinical cases and 88 tissue samples. The criteria require multicentric lymphadenopathy with defined histopathology, ≥2 clinical/laboratory changes, and exclusion of iMCD mimics.