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The Green Tea Extract EGCG Demonstrates Synergist Activity against CLL B-Cells When Combined with Fludarabine and Chlorambucil.
Lesnick, Connie , LaPlant, Betsy, Kay, Neil E. , Shanafelt, Tait D.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3452-3452

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3452.3452 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3452 Poster Board III-340 PURPOSE Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is incurable with current chemotherapy treatments. Epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG), the major catechin in green tea, has been shown to induced caspase-dependent death CLL B-cells and down regulate anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1; XIAP) known to increase the resistance of CLL B-cells to apoptosis (Blood 104:788-94). In Phase I testing for patients with early stage CLL (Rai 0-II), EGCG treatment was well tolerated and induced a decline in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and/or lymphadenopathy in the majority of treated patients without myelosuppression (JCO 27:3808-14). Although peak plasma EGCG levels were not measured in this study, trough plasma EGCG levels as high as 4 μg/ML were achieved. To further our understanding of the potential clinical applications of EGCG for patients with CLL, we evaluated the effects of EGCG on the viability of CLL B-cells when combined with fludarabine (F), chlorambucil (C), or fludarabine and chlorambucil in combination (FC). METHODS Primary CLL B-cells were treated with various doses of F (0.25-1 μM), C (10-30 μM), or FC either alone or in combination EGCG (50 to 100 μM). In other experiments, CLL B-cells were treated with various doses of F (0.25-1 μM), C (10-30 μM), or FC with or without a fixed dose of EGCG known to be physiologically achievable in vivo (4 μM). After 48 hours (experiments with C +/− EGCG) or 72 hours (experiments with F +/− EGCG or FC +/− EGCG), cells were harvested, stained with annexin/PI and viability analyzed by flow cytometry. After concentration-effect curves were generated for each agent, data were also analyzed using the CalcuSyn software program (Biosoft, Cambridge, UK) which uses the method of Chou and Talalay to determine whether combination treatment yielded greater effects than expected from summation alone. A combination index (CI) of 0.8 – 1.2 indicates an additive effect, a CI >1.2 indicates an antagonistic effect and a CI <0.8 indicates a synergistic effect. RESULTS Primary leukemic B-cells from 56 CLL patients were cultured in vitro with various doses of EGCG alone or in combination with F, C, or FC. The median LD50 was approximately 100 μM. Although % apoptotic cells at the 100 μM EGCG dose did not vary based on Rai stage, ZAP-70 status, IGHV gene mutation status, or cytogenetic abnormalities by FISH, CD38 negative patients had greater cell death than CD38 positive patients (67% vs. 49%; p=0.05). In co-titration experiments, EGCG had an additive (CI 0.8 – 1.2) or synergistic (CI <0.8) effect on apoptosis when combined with C in the majority of patients (13/15; additive 11, synergism 2) with rare individuals demonstrating antagonism (CI >1.2; 2/15). The effects of EGCG when combined with F in co-titration experiments were more variable with a relatively even distribution between antagonism (8/18), additive effects (4/18), and synergy (6/18). However, co-titration experiments of FC with or without EGCG demonstrated additive or synergistic effect in most patients (8/10; additive 7, synergism 1). Next we evaluated the effect of F (0.25 - 1 μM), C (10 - 30 μM), or FC with or without a fixed dose of EGCG known to be physiologically achievable in vivo (4 μM). This dose of EGCG had an additive or synergistic effect in the majority of samples across the spectrum of dose levels under all 3 conditions (F, C, and FC). For example, at the 10 μM dose of C the addition of 4 μM EGCG had an additive or synergistic effect in 11/14 patients (synergistic 6; additive 5). With F at the 2.5 μM dose level the addition of 4 μM EGCG had an additive or synergistic effect in 13/16 patients (synergistic 7, additive 6). The addition of 4 μM EGCG appeared particularly beneficial when given in combination with FC (Fig.). For example, at F 2.5 μM in combination with C 5 μM the addition of 4 μM EGCG had an additive or synergistic effect in 10/10 patients (synergism 7; additive 3). CONCLUSIONS Physiologically achievable doses of EGCG appear to enhance the efficacy of alkylating agents, purine nucleoside analogues, and alkylating agent/purine analogue combination therapy for the majority of CLL patients on in vitro testing. The favorable toxicity profile of EGCG and lack of myelosuppression with this agent in the phase I trial (JCO 27:3808-14) make it an attractive agent to test in combination with purine analogue and alkylator based chemo-immunotherapy for patients with CLL. Disclosures Kay: Genentech, Celgene, Hospira, Polyphenon Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis: Research Funding; Biogenc-Idec, Celgene, Genentech, genmab: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shanafelt:Genentech: Research Funding; Hospira: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Polyphenon Pharma : Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.
Novel Associations Between Mutations, Prognostic and Clinical Parameters in Untreated Progressive CLL: Data from E1912, a Randomized Phase III Study of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
Wang, Victoria X., García, Santiago , Bruins, Laura A., Lesnick, Connie , Tallman, Martin S. , Braggio, Esteban , Barrientos, Jacqueline C. , O’Brien, Susan , Fonseca, Rafaël , Kay, Neil E. , Shanafelt, Tait D.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 4373-4373

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4373.4373 Get It

Abstract Sequencing studies have significantly improved our understanding of the CLL genetic landscape and allowed the identification of the first associations between specific mutations and clinical outcome. Hence, mutations in TP53, NOTCH1, SF3B1, BIRC3 and MYD88 are known to be associated with differential prognosis and have been incorporated in CLL risk stratification models. Despite the work performed on these 5 genes, several additional putative tumor-driver genes are recurrently mutated in CLL, but their clinical impact remains unclear. In order to gain further understanding, we performed targeted sequencing in baseline samples of 308 CLL patients (pts) participating in the North American Intergroup study (NAIG) designated as E1912 and led by ECOG. This trial is a randomized Phase III of Ibrutinib (Ibr) and Rituximab (R) vs FCR in previously untreated CLL. Besides the 5 genes aforementioned, we screened another 19 genes recurrently mutated in CLL, and 2 genes (BTK and PLCy2) recently associated with Ibr resistance. The CD5+/CD19+ B lymphocyte population of these pts was flow-sorted. All coding regions were amplified using customized oligos. Libraries were templated and enriched using IonOneTouch2 and IonOneTouch ES systems, respectively. Samples were run on an IonTorrent sequencer using 318TM chips. Variants were called using IonTorrent Somatic VariantCaller. VCF files were annotated using BioR, which provides annotation from NCBI/Ensembl, UCSC, dbSNP, HapMap, 1000Genomes, COSMIC, SIFT, and PolyPhen-2. Somatic variants with a Mapping Quality <20 or read depth <5X were removed. Variants of interest were inspected using Integrative Genomics Viewer. The mutational status of genes and pathways was analyzed for association with chromosomal abnormalities detected by FISH, expression of CD38, CD49d and ZAP70, Rai stage, age and gender. We were not able to evaluate associations to clinical responses for the different arms as this trial is still underway and remains blinded for clinical outcome. We found 511 SNVs (442 missense, 45 nonsense and 24 splice sites) and 115 indels. An average coverage of 770X depth was obtained, allowing the detection of minor subclonal mutations (<10% of reads) in almost 35% (218/626 mutations). Overall, 215 pts (70%) carried at least one mutated gene, 102 (33%) carried 2 or more and 32 (10%) 3 or more mutated genes. The most commonly mutated gene was SF3B1 (22%), followed by NOTCH1 (19%), ATM (12%), XPO1 (11%), BIRC3 (9%), KRAS (7%), BRAF, DDX3X, EGR2, POT1 and TP53 (6% each). No BTK or PLCy2 mutations were found in progressive but untreated CLLs. In contrast to a recent report (Nature 2015;526:525-30), we found BRAF mutations located in the canonical hotspot p.V600E (25% of total mutations). Another 13% were located in amino acid K601 (p.K601E/N) and the remaining in the kinase domain (p.G469A, p.D594G, p.F595L, p.G596R, p.L597Q).Nearly 27% of cases with activating mutations in the RAS pathway (BRAF, KRAS, NRAS), showed >1 mutation affecting one or more genes of the pathway. Similar observations were found in mutational hotspots of BIRC3 (30% of mutated cases showed >1 mutation), MED12 (18%), SF3B1 (7%), XPO1 (6%), and NOTCH1 (5%), suggesting the existence of genetic subclones showing convergent evolution in a substantial number of CLL. We found multiple associations between mutations and known prognostic and clinical parameters. These included mutations in NOTCH1 associated with +12 (p=0.005), and expression of ZAP70 (p=0.01), CD38 (p=0.001) and CD49d (p=0.004). Mutant BIRC3 was associated with +12 (p<0.001) and CD38 expression (p=0.01). Mutations in RAS pathway, with +12 (<0.001), and expression of CD38 (p=0.002) and CD49d (p=0.05). ATM (p=0.007) and EGR2 (p=0.002) with -11q; POT1 with CD49d expression (p=0.01), and MYD88 with -13q (p=0.04) and lack of CD38 (p=0.01) and CD49d (p=0.01) expression. This study, performed on a large cohort of untreated but progressive CLLs, provides novel data about the mutation status of driver genes and their associations with clinical and prognostic parameters. Our data indicate that convergent evolution is a common event in CLL, affecting several driver genes. Furthermore, it reinforces that BTK and PLCy2 mutations are not found in Ibr-naive pts. Finally, this study provides the genetic groundwork for subsequent prospective comparative analyses of the clinical outcome for CLL cohorts treated with Ibr-R vs FCR in this phase 3 NAIG trial. Disclosures O'Brien: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmacyclics, LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Fonseca:Novartis: Consultancy; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; AMGEN: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms; Sanofi: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; AMGEN: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Millennium, a Takeda Company: Consultancy; Patent: Patents & Royalties: Prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of FISH of the disease; Patent Pending: Patents & Royalties: The use of calcium isotopes as biomarkers for bone metabolisms. Shanafelt:Genentech: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithkKine: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding.
A Multi-Site, Prospective Cross-Over Study of Intranasal Desmopressin and Oral Tranexamic Acid in Women with Menorrhagia and Abnormal Laboratory Hemostasis.
Heit, John A. , Philipp, Claire S. , Stein, Sid F., Lukes, Andrea S. , Byams, Vanessa R. , Dowling, Nicole F., Evatt, Bruce L., Miller, Connie R., Owens, Sally , Skerette, Nyasha, Kouides, Peter A. , Stein, Sidney F., Kulkarni, Roshni

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 711-711

10.1182/blood.v110.11.711.711 Get It

Introduction: Menorrhagia is a common health problem affecting ∼5-10% of women. The optimal management of menorrhagia among women with abnormal laboratory hemostasis is uncertain. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of intranasal desmopressin (IN-DDAVP) vs. oral tranexamic acid (TA) on menstrual blood loss (MBL) and quality of life (QOL). Methods: In a cross-over study design, 117 consenting women 18–50 years of age with menorrhagia (defined as subjective report of heavy bleeding and a pictorial blood assessment chart [PBAC] score > 100) with a negative gynecological evaluation and abnormal laboratory hemostasis (62% platelet dysfunction, 15% von Willebrand disease, 23% other coagulation defect or combined) were randomly assigned to initial IN-DDAVP or TA therapy each for two menstrual cycles, followed by cross-over to the second study drug for an additional two cycles. MBL by PBAC was measured at baseline and after each menstrual cycle while QOL was assessed by four validated instruments: Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), SF-36®, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Ruta menorrhagia questionnaire. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the PBAC for both treatments. On average, the estimated decrease in the PBAC from baseline for IN-DDAVP was −66.0 (CI = (−89.5, −42.6)) and for TA, −107.8 (CI = (−131.5, −84.1)). The decrease in the PBAC score was larger for TA with a difference of 41.8 (p-value = 0.0002, CI = (20.4, 63.2)) between the two treatments. In the multivariable analysis, the test for treatment-cycle number interaction was not significant, suggesting no carry-over effect. The test for a treatment type effect was significant (p<0.0001) suggesting a greater reduction in PBAC score with TA compared to IN-DDAVP. Both IN-DDAVP and TA generally improved QOL as assessed by each of the four instruments. Over-all, the Ruta Menorrhagia Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale measurements showed the most statistically significant improvements. Conclusion: Both TA and IN-DDDAVP reduce MBL and improve QOL in females with menorrhagia and abnormal laboratory hemostasis.The significance of these findings are underscored by the fact that prior studies of menorrhagia treatment in these patients have not included validated QOL instruments. The marked improvement in MBL and QOL noted with TA and IN-DDAVP appears to justify hemostasis screening in women presenting with menorrhagia for whom no gynecological cause can be found.
Targeted Inhibition of Axl Primes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-Cells for Apoptosis: Synergistic/Additive Effects in Combination with Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Boysen, Justin C. , Nelson, Michael, Secreto, Charla, Warner, Steven L. , Lesnick, Connie , Ghosh, Asish K. , Sinha, Sutapa , Bearss, David J. , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Kay, Neil E.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1946-1946

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1946.1946 Get It

Abstract Introduction: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease despite that still requires options for treatment despite recent advances with BTK therapy. We previously found that Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), a member of the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, MER) family of RTKs, plays a critical role in CLL B-cell survival (Blood 2011, 117:1928). Here, we explored the levels of apoptosis induction of CLL B-cells using a novel high-affinity Axl inhibitor as a single agent or in combination with BTK inhibitors. Methods: Expression/activation status of the Tyro3, Axl and MER in CLL B-cells was evaluated by Immunoprecipitation/Western blots. Cells were treated with a high-affinity orally bioavailable Axl inhibitor TP-0903 (Tolero Pharmaceuticals) or FGFR inhibitor TKI-258 (Novartis) with or without the presence of CLL bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Impact of Axl or FGFR signal inhibition on CLL B-cell survival was also evaluated by flow cytometry after staining with annexin V/propidium iodide. Finally, cells were exposed to TP-0903 in combination with BTK inhibitors to determine any synergistic/additive effects of the combination in induction of apoptosis. Combination index (CI) of two agents was calculated using the method of Chou and Talalay, 1984. Results: Although we defined pro-survival role of Axl in CLL B-cells, contribution of other members of the TAM family of RTKs including Tyro3 and MER to prolonged survival of the leukemic B-cells remains largely undefined. In this study we found that CLL B-cells overexpress Tyro3, but not MER, and that Tyro3 is constitutively phosphorylated. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation of Tyro3 from CLL B-cell lysates shows retention of highly active Axl in the immune complex suggesting that these two RTKs either heterodimerize or form a molecular complex in CLL B-cells. Our earlier work found that Axl regulates multiple cell survival signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT and Src and that, Axl inhibition using a first generation Axl inhibitor induced apoptosis in CLL B-cells (Blood 2011, 117:1928). Thus, we hypothesized that targeting Axl using a very high affinity Axl inhibitor would induce even higher levels of apoptosis in CLL B-cells compared to the first generation Axl inhibitor. To address this, we utilized a high-affinity orally bioavailable Axl inhibitor TP-0903 to generate preliminary information on its efficiency to specifically target Axl and the level of apoptosis induction in CLL B-cells. Indeed TP-0903 as a single agent induced a robust apoptotic cell death in CLL B-cells within 24 hours of exposure at nanomolar doses, which are easily achievable in vivo (information provided by Tolero Pharmaceuticals). Interestingly, while TP-0903 effectively reduces phosphorylation on Axl in CLL B-cells, it was unable to target P-Tyro3 suggesting that Axl is likely the predominant RTK of the TAM family in CLL B-cells. A marked reduction of the anti-apoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-2, XIAP and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein BIM in CLL B-cells via activation of its upstream regulator FOXO3a were noted as a result of inhibition of P-Axl and its downstream signaling pathways, P-AKT/P-Src. Importantly, TP-0903 was able to overcome CLL BMSC mediated protection of the leukemic B-cells from apoptosis induction. Given the observed robust induction of apoptosis with TP-0903 and the known impact of BTK inhibitors on CLL patient clinical outcome, we then exposed CLL B-cells to TP-0903 in combination with two BTK inhibitors that included Ibrutinib and a reversible BTK inhibitor TP-4216 (a kind gift from Tolero Pharmaceuticals). Based on the CI values, we found that the in vitro combination of TP-0903 and Ibrutinib showed additive effects in CLL B-cells from 6 of 11 CLL patients, CLL B-cells from the remaining 5 CLL patients showed antagonistic effects (Fig. 1A). However, we observed synergistic effects of TP-0903 in combination with TP-4216 in the induction of apoptosis in CLL B-cells from 2 of 10 patients and additive effects in CLL B-cells from 6 patients (Fig. 1B). Cells from the remaining 2 patients exhibited a slightly antagonisticeffect. Conclusion: In total, these results suggest that TP-0903 is quite effective in inducing robust CLL B-cell apoptosis as a single agent even at a nanomolar concentration and its combination with the reversible BTK inhibitor TP-4216 could be an effective and unique strategy for the treatment of CLL patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Warner: Tolero Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Bearss:Tolero Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Shanafelt:Genentech: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Celegene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics/Jannsen: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Polyphenon E Int'l: Research Funding. Kay:Genetech: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Activated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-Cells Preferentially Shed CD52+ Microvesicles, but Not CD19+, and May Predict Therapeutic Outcome
Boysen, Justin C. , Nelson, Michael, Lesnick, Connie , Ghosh, Asish K. , Sinha, Sutapa , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Kay, Neil E.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1961-1961

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1961.1961 Get It

Abstract Introduction: We demonstrated that elevated levels ofcirculating microvesicles (MV) in CLL activate CLL bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) with resultant enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, a pro-survival factor for CLL B-cells (Ghosh 2009 Blood 113:5568-74). We also detected a phenotypic shift from predominantly platelet/megakaryocyte-derived MV (CD61+) in early stages towards a more leukemic B-cell derived MV (CD19+) in advanced Rai stages (Ghosh 2010 Blood 115:1755-64). These observations suggest that the MV parameters of their levels and surface phenotypes may predict or be associated with the clinical outcome and/or therapeutic response in a given CLL patient. In this study we therefore designed an approach to being to assess these latter possibilities in regard to MV in CLL. Methods: In vitro stimulation – Purified CLL B-cells were stimulated in vitro using CpG oligonucleotide (n=10) or anti-IgM antibody (n=10) for 72 hours. MV were isolated from the used media, levels measured and then phenotyped by flow cytometry (BD Canto-I) using standard TRUCount beads (BD Biosciences). In vivo (plasma) work – MV were isolated from normal plasma (n=5) or plasma of 17 CLL patients entered onto a previously reported Pentostatin, Cyclophosphamide, Ofatumumab (PCO) clinical trial at their entry to the trial and at 6-months after therapy and then sequentially over a period of 18 months (Shanafelt 2013 Cancer 119:3788-96). We determined the phenotypes and plasma levels of MV as described above. Results Phenotypes of in vitro generated MV: We found that, for the most part, CLL B-cells shed MV upon in vitro stimulation however; some CLL B-cells of unmutated IGHV status, but not mutated status, spontaneously generated MV in culture (Fig. 1). Most interestingly, we found that the surface phenotype of MV generated from CLL B-cells carrying predominantly the CD52 surface marker, not the CD19 or CD5 marker. Interestingly, none of the in vitro generated MV was CD20+, another known marker of CLL B-cells. We found similar phenotypes of the in vitro generated MV by stimulating two different signaling pathways, Toll-like receptor and BCR, in CLL B-cells. Together these results suggest that CLL B-cells generate predominantly CD52+ MV, but not CD19 or CD5, upon in vitro stimulation. MV phenotypes in pre- and post-therapy CLL plasma: Here we focused on the kinetics of MV levels and phenotype in relation to disease outcome for PCO treated CLL. Thus, we found total MV levels were elevated in all patients compared to normal plasma at entry to the PCO trial and then dropped substantially after therapy when compared to the trial entry. Also most CLL patients (n=11) continued to maintain low plasma MV levels until the end of the follow up period (18 months). Interestingly, in a few cases (n=6) total plasma MV levels decreased initially after therapy but then started to rise. These patients are now being followed for disease status in order to determine if rising MV levels are related to a disease relapse. Of interest on flow phenotyping the plasma MV obtained at entry to the PCO trial we detected predominantly CD52+ MV but not CD19+ MV, similar to the findings of the in vitro MV generated from CLL B-cells. Normal plasma (n=5) does not contain significant levels CD52+ MV or CD19+ MV. Together these results suggest that the malignant B-cells shed preferentially CD52+ MV, but not CD19+ MV. We are currently analyzing the MV levels and phenotypes pre- and post-therapy response levels in relation to the patients’ response to therapy in a larger cohort of treated CLL patients (n=60). Conclusion: Current understanding about the phenotypes of MV is based on the concept that MV carry the unique surface marker of the originator cells, e.g., CD19 on B-cell derived MV. However, findings from our in vitro stimulation studies demonstrate that the CD52 but not CD19 is preferentially expressed on CLL B-cell derived MV. We are currently studying the mechanism for such a preferential surface expression on these leukemic derived MV. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing that CLL B-cells generate preferentially CD52+ MV. Our studies are now committed to a more extensive analysis of MV parameters in association with CLL disease progression, depth of clinical response and if the elevation of plasma MV heralds a relapse in responding patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Shanafelt: Genentech: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Celegene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics/Jannsen: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Polyphenon E Int'l: Research Funding. Kay:Genetech: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Novel Pharmacological Agents Differentially Modulate Cytokine Release On CLL B-Cell-Stromal Cell Co-Culture: Implications for Stromal Rescue of CLL B-Cells From Chemotherapy
Lesnick, Connie , Ghosh, Asish K. , LaPlant, Betsy, Ding, Wei , Kay, Neil E. , Shanafelt, Tait D.

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3927-3927

10.1182/blood.v120.21.3927.3927 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3927 PURPOSE: CLL B-cells interact with their microenvironment in a variety of ways that influence leukemia cell survival. Contact mediated interactions are the most widely studied. More recently, bidirectional cytokine mediated interactions have been found to modulate spontaneous and drug induced CLL B-cell death. Specifically, upregulation of CCL2, CCL3, and CCL4 are found when CLL B-cells are co-cultured with various accessory cells. We set out to more comprehensively profile the effect of CLL-stromal cell co-culture on immune cytokine regulation and to evaluate the effect of novel therapeutic agents in clinical testing for patients with CLL on these interactions. METHODS: Freshly isolated CLL B-cells (n=24) were cultured in AIM V media for 24 hours alone or in direct contact with HS-5 stromal cells. HS-5 cells were cultured alone in AIM V to determine basal level of immune cytokine secretion. Immune cytokine levels in the media under these 3 conditions (CLL alone; HS5 alone; co-culture) were assessed using multiplex cytokine arrays (Invitrogen). The protective effects of the 6 most highly upregulated cytokines on spontaneous apoptosis of CLL B-cells after 7 day culture were then examined by culturing leukemic cells with and without recombinant cytokines. The effect of sub-lethal doses of the PI3K inhibitor CAL-101, the AKT inhibitor MK2206 and the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor PCI-32765 were examined. To compare the effect of these drugs to a more conventional chemotherapeutic agent, we evaluated fludarabine (F-Ara-A) under the same conditions. To explore the ability of these novel agents to overcome stromal rescue, CLL B-cells pre-exposed to bendamustine (BEN) were cultured in media alone, or in direct contact with stroma with and without sub-lethal doses of CAL-101, MK2206, or PCI-32756. Leukemic cell viability was assessed by flow cytometry using annexin/PI staining. RESULTS: Six cytokines increased ≥4 fold (e.g. >400%, all p<0.0001) on coculture relative to the expected additive value of individual cultures. Consistent with previous reports, (Schulz 2011; Burger 2009) CCL3 and CCL4 were found to have the greatest upregulation (both >20 fold the additive value). The other highly upregulated cytokines detected have not been previously reported to be influenced by coculture: IL12 (15 fold additive value), IL1β (11 fold additive value), TNF-α (11 fold additive value), and IL-1RA (4 fold additive value). Although transwell experiments (n=6) suggested upregulation of these cytokines was largely contact dependent, substantial upregulation of several cytokines still occurred without direct contact. Each of the 6 most upregulated cytokines reduced spontaneous apoptosis when CLL B-cells were cultured for 7 days in media plus recombinant cytokine. When CLL B-cells and HS-5 cells were co-cultured with CAL-101, MK-2206, or PCI-32765, the effects on cytokine secreted upregulation were cytokine and drug specific (e.g. one drug affected individual cytokines differently; different drugs affected different cytokines). For example, PCI-3276 and CAL-101 had similar affects on the upregulation of CCL3 and CCL4 on co-culture but opposite effects on TNF-α and IL-1β. In contrast, F-Ara-A had minimal effect on upregulation of any of these 6 cytokines. Finally, we evaluated the ability of these novel agents to overcome stromal rescue of CLL B-cells treated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. At sublethal doses CAL-101, MK2206, PCI-32765 each significantly overcame stromal rescue of BEN exposed CLL B-cells. (Fig.1) CONCLUSIONS: Direct physical interaction of CLL B-cells with bone marrow stromal cells resulted in profound upregulation of multiple immune cytokines. The 6 most upregulated cytokines identified in these experiments all reduced spontaneous apoptosis of CLL B-cells on extended culture. Sublethal doses of the PI3K inhibitor CAL-101, the AKT inhibitor MK2206, and the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor PCI-32765 had distinct effects on stromal cell mediated cytokine upregulation. Importantly, each of these 3 drugs also overcame stromal mediated rescue of BEN exposed CLL B-cells. These in vitro findings support the ongoing clinical trials of BEN in combination with CAL-101 (ASH 2011), PCI-32765 (ASCO 2012) or MK2206 (Ding et. al., unpublished observation). Disclosures: Kay: Celgene: Research Funding. Shanafelt:Celgene: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Glaxo-Smith-Kline: Research Funding; Polyphenon E International: Research Funding.
Allosteric Akt Inhibitor MK2206 Synergizes with Bendamustine in Promoting the Apoptosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells and Selectively Targets B-Cell Receptor Mediated Cytokine Production
Lesnick, Connie , Sassoon, Traci, Secreto, Charla, Erlichman, Charles , Leis, José F., Call, Timothy G. , Bowen, Deborah A., Kumar, Shaji , Ding, Wei , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Kay, Neil E.

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3928-3928

10.1182/blood.v120.21.3928.3928 Get It

Abstract Abstract 3928 Background: Accumulating data support the critical role of PI3K/Akt in CLL B cell receptor (BCR) mediated signal transduction, cell proliferation and survival. In addition recent preclinical and clinical studies indicate that specific PI3K blockade results in robust preclinical and clinical efficacy in CLL. In our model system of CLL B cell-stromal cultures which feature their interaction, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) present in CLL culture medium drives VEGF production through PI3K/Akt activation in stromal cells (Blood. 2010. 116:2984). Indeed Akt was found to be activated in leukemic cells during the CLL-stroma interaction (Leuk Res. 2008. 32:1565). Therefore, we hypothesized that Akt inhibition should promote CLL B cell apoptosis and abrogate BCR mediated cytokine production. MK2206 is an orally bioavailable highly specific allosteric Akt inhibitor. It has been tested in patients with refractory solid tumors and was demonstrated to be safely administered in a phase I trial. Therefore the goal of this study was to test the preclinical efficacy of MK2206 on both the survival and the BCR mediated cytokine production of CLL leukemic B cells. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from CLL patients (n=37) were treated with escalating concentrations of MK2206 (1–16 μM) for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours. The levels of leukemic B cell viability were tested using an (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay. The potential impact (antagonistic/additive/synergistic) of Bendamustine in combination with MK2206 was also tested by using the MTT assay. We used the Calcusyn system to calculate the effect of drug interactions. The combination index (CI) as calculated by the program usually indicates synergy when ≤ 0.8 and indicates additive outcomes when between 0.8–1.2. A CI >1.2 indicates antagonism. Downstream signals of Akt activation in CLL B cells were evaluated by testing their expression of Mcl-1, 4EBP1 and p70S6K using immunoblot. The impact of Akt inhibition by MK2206 on cytokine production in response to B-cell receptor ligation with anti-IgM was also tested using a multiplex cytokine analysis (Invitrogen) in a time-course experiment. Results: MK2206 treatment induced concentration- and time-dependent apoptosis in CLL leukemic cells. At 72 hours, the IC50 of MK2206 in the experiments using CLL leukemic cells in vitro is ∼8 mM. MK2206 incubation at 1 or 5 mM cultured with CLL B cells over a 48-hour period abolished of Akt and p70S6K phosphorylation while native PARP was cleaved into the 85 kD polypeptide fragment. However, the expression level of the upstream signal molecule, PI3K, was not changed. Among the CLL patients tested (n = 37), we did not find any difference in sensitivity to MK2206 induced apoptosis based on critical prognostic factors of CD38, ZAP-70, IGHV and del(17p) status. Importantly, we detected synergistic or additive activity between MK2206 and Bendamustine in 11 tested CLL samples when these combinations were used to treat CLL cells in vitro for 72hrs. Thus the median CI value for this group of patients was 0.8 (0.1 – 1.1). Six were found to have CI ≤ 0.8 and five fell within the additive CI values (0.8 – 1.2). Production of immune or chemotactic cytokines (e.g. CCL3, CCL4, MCP-1, IL-1Ra, IL-8 and IL-2R) at 24 hour incubation increased significantly above baseline when CLL cells were stimulated anti-IgM. Akt inhibition with MK2206 selectively abrogated upregulation of CCL3, CCL4, MCP-1 and IL-2R production, but not for IL-8 or IL-1Ra secretion. MK2206 also abolished BCR mediated Akt activation and decreased Erk activation. Conclusion: MK2206, a robust and selective Akt inhibitor, induced significant in vitro apoptosis of CLL B-cells in vitro. Preclinical evidence of a synergistic effect between MK2206 and Bendamustine was also observed independent of prognostic risk. MK2206 abolished BCR mediated Akt activation and selectively abrogates BCR mediated production of cytokines that may promote apoptotic resistance. These findings support the use of MK2206 in treating CLL and indeed we have initiated a phase I/II trial of MK2206 in combination with Bendamustine and Rituximab for relapsed CLL patients(N1087, October 2011). Acknowledgments: This study was funded by the NCI-K23, NCCTG and CLL Global Foundation. Disclosures: Shanafelt: Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Kumar:Genzyme: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria. Kay:Celgene: Research Funding.
Nomenclature of Genetically Determined Myoclonus Syndromes: Recommendations of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Task Force
Veen, Sterre van der , Zutt, Rodi, Klein, Christine , Berkovic, Samuel F. , Caviness, John N., Shibasaki, Hiroshi, Koning, Tom J. de , Tijssen, Marina A.J. , Tijssen, Marina A J , Klein, Christine , Marras, Connie

Movement Disorders | October 4, 2019 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1602-1613

10.1002/mds.27828 | PMID 31584223 Get It

AbstractGenetically determined myoclonus disorders are a result of a large number of genes. They have wide clinical variation and no systematic nomenclature. With next‐generation sequencing, genetic diagnostics require stringent criteria to associate genes and phenotype. To improve (future) classification and recognition of genetically determined movement disorders, the Movement Disorder Society Task Force for Nomenclature of Genetic Movement Disorders (2012) advocates and renews the naming system of locus symbols. Here, we propose a nomenclature for myoclonus syndromes and related disorders with myoclonic jerks (hyperekplexia and myoclonic epileptic encephalopathies) to guide clinicians in their diagnostic approach to patients with these disorders. Sixty‐seven genes were included in the nomenclature. They were divided into 3 subgroups: prominent myoclonus syndromes, 35 genes; prominent myoclonus syndromes combined with another prominent movement disorder, 9 genes; disorders that present usually with other phenotypes but can manifest as a prominent myoclonus syndrome, 23 genes. An additional movement disorder is seen in nearly all myoclonus syndromes: ataxia (n = 41), ataxia and dystonia (n = 6), and dystonia (n = 5). However, no additional movement disorders were seen in related disorders. Cognitive decline and epilepsy are present in the vast majority. The anatomical origin of myoclonus is known in 64% of genetic disorders: cortical (n = 34), noncortical areas (n = 8), and both (n = 1). Cortical myoclonus is commonly seen in association with ataxia, and noncortical myoclonus is often seen with myoclonus‐dystonia. This new nomenclature of myoclonus will guide diagnostic testing and phenotype classification. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
The longitudinal relationship between patient-reported outcomes and clinical characteristics among patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network
Troost, Jonathan P. , Waldo, Anne, Carlozzi, Noelle E. , Murphy, Shannon L., Modersitzki, Frank , Trachtman, Howard , Nachman, Patrick H. , Reidy, Kimberly J. , Selewski, David T. , Herreshoff, Emily, Srivastava, Tarak, Gibson, Keisha L. , Derebail, Vimal K. , Lin, Jen Jar, Hingorani, Sangeeta, Sambandam, Kamalanathan K. , Athavale, Ambarish M., Reich, Heather N. , Adler, Sharon G. , Dell, Katherine M., Appel, Gerald B., Wang, Chia-shi , Kaskel, Frederick J. , Lafayette, Richard , Atkinson, Meredith A. , Kretzler, Matthias , Lemley, Kevin V. , Brown, Elizabeth , Meyers, Kevin , Gadegbeku, Crystal A., Holzman, Lawrence B. , Jefferson, Jonathan Ashley, Tuttle, Katherine R, Singer, Pamela, Hogan, Marie C. , Cattran, Daniel C., Network, the Nephrotic Syndrome Study, Dell, K, Schachere, M., Lemley, K, Whitted, L, Haney, Connie J, Gurusinghe, Sayuri , Toledo, Michelly Louise Sartório Altoé, Greenbaum, L, Wang, C, Lee, B, Nast, Cynthia C. , Page, J La, Stroger, John H, Itteera, M. , Neu, Alicia M. , Boynton, Sara Ashley, Chernitskiy, Vladimir, Reidy, K, Kopp, J, Castro-Rubio, E, Brede, E, Blake, J. Thomas, Modersitzki, F, Lafayette, R, Mehta, K. , Johnstone, Duncan B., Pfeffer, Zoe, Cattran, D, Hladunewich, M, Reich, H, Ling, P., Romano, M, Barisoni, L, Bidot, Carlos, Kretzler, M, Williams, A, Pitter, R, Gibson, K, Grubbs, S, Froment, Anne, Holzman, L, Kallem, K., Cerecino, F J, Johnson, N, Jefferson, A, Tuttle, Katherine R. , Klepach, K, Kelton, M, Cooper, Ann , Lin, J J, Spainhour, Mitzie, Gray, S, Barisoni, L, Gillespie, B, Gipson, D, Holzman, L, Mariani, Laura , Song, Peter X.‐K. , Kincaid, Colleen, Lienczewski, Chrysta, Mainieri, T, Williams, Anna , Ávila-Casado, Carmen , Bagnasco, Serena M. , Gaut, Joseph P. , Hewitt, Stephen M. , Palmer, M, Rosenberg, A, Royal, Virginie , Barisoni, L, Nast, C, Roy, Cindy N., Urv, T, Dell, K, Greenbaum, L, Lee, B, Page, J La, Stroger, John H, Reidy, K, Kopp, J, Brede, E, Modersitzki, F, Lafayette, R, Gadegbeku, C, Cattran, D, Hladunewich, M, Reich, H, Romano, M, Pitter, R, Gibson, K, Cerecino, F J, Jefferson, A, Lin, J J, Gray, S, Kretzler, M, Gillespie, B, Gipson, D, Mariani, L, Mainieri, T, Williams, A, Mariani, L, Palmer, M, Rosenberg, A, Barisoni, L, Urv, T, Wang, Chia-Shi , Tuttle, Katherine R , Hogan, Marie C , Fornoni, Alessia , Fervenza, Fernando C. , Kopp, Jeffrey B. , Greenbaum, Larry A. , Sedor, John R. , Lieske, John C. , Srivastava, Tarak , Hladunewich, Michelle , Tuttle, Katherine R, Singer, Pamela S. , Barisoni, Laura , Gipson, Debbie S , Network, the Nephrotic Syndrome Study, Dell, K, Lemley, K, Greenbaum, L, Lee, B, Page, J La, Stroger, John H, Reidy, K, Kopp, J, Brede, E, Zhdanova, Olga A. , Modersitzki, F, Vento, Sandro , Lafayette, R, Cattran, D, Hladunewich, M, Reich, H, Romano, M, Barisoni, L, Bidot, C, Kretzler, M, Williams, A, Pitter, R, Gibson, K, Holzman, L, Cerecino, F J, Jefferson, A, Freedman, Barry I. , Lin, J J, Gray, S, Barisoni, L, Gillespie, B, Gipson, D, Holzman, L, Sampson, Matthew Gordon , Zee, Jarcy , Mainieri, T, Hodgin, Jeffrey B. , Palmer, M, Rosenberg, A, Thomas, D, Barisoni, L, Nast, C, Abbott, Kevin C. , Roy, C, Urv, T, Brooks, Philip John , Dell, K, Greenbaum, L, Lee, B, Page, J La, Stroger, John H, Reidy, K, Kopp, J, Brede, E, Modersitzki, F, Lafayette, R, Gadegbeku, C, Cattran, D, Hladunewich, M, Reich, H, Romano, M, Bidot, C, Pitter, R, Gibson, K, Cerecino, F J, Jefferson, A, Lin, J J, Gray, S, Kretzler, M, Gillespie, B, Gipson, D, Mariani, L, Mainieri, T, Williams, A, Mariani, L, Palmer, M, Rosenberg, A, Thomas, D, Barisoni, L, Roy, C, Urv, T, Troost, Jonathan P.

Clinical Kidney Journal | July 3, 2019 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 597-606

10.1093/ckj/sfz092 | PMID 32905199 Get It

Abstract Background Understanding the relationship between clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) will help support clinical care and future clinical trial design of novel therapies for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Methods FSGS patients ≥8 years of age enrolled in the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System PRO measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (children: global health, mobility, fatigue, pain interference, depression, anxiety, stress and peer relationships; adults: physical functioning, fatigue, pain interference, sleep impairment, mental health, depression, anxiety and social satisfaction) at baseline and during longitudinal follow-up for a maximum of 5 years. Linear mixed-effects models were used to determine which demographic, clinical and laboratory features were associated with PROs for each of the eight children and eight adults studied. Results There were 45 children and 114 adult FSGS patients enrolled that had at least one PRO assessment and 519 patient visits. Multivariable analyses among children found that edema was associated with global health (−7.6 points, P = 0.02) and mobility (−4.2, P = 0.02), the number of reported symptoms was associated with worse depression (−2.7 per symptom, P = 0.009) and anxiety (−2.3, P = 0.02) and the number of emergency room (ER) visits in the prior 6 months was associated with worse mobility (−2.8 per visit, P &lt; 0.001) and fatigue (−2.4, P = 0.03). Multivariable analyses among adults found the number of reported symptoms was associated with worse function in all eight PROMIS measures and the number of ER visits was associated with worse fatigue, pain interference, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety and social satisfaction. Laboratory markers of disease severity (i.e. proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum albumin) did not predict PRO in multivariable analyses, with the single exception of complete remission and better pain interference scores among children (+9.3, P = 0.03). Conclusions PROs provide important information about HRQoL for persons with FSGS that is not captured solely by the examination of laboratory-based markers of disease. However, it is critical that instruments capture the patient experience and FSGS clinical trials may benefit from a disease-specific instrument more sensitive to within-patient changes.
Improving Distress and Behaviors for Parents of Adolescents With Chronic Pain Enrolled in an Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Program
Weiss, Karen , Junghans-Rutelonis, Ashley N. , Harbeck‐Weber, Cynthia , McTate, Emily , Luedtke, Connie A. , Bruce, Barbara K. , HARBECK-WEBER, CYNTHIA, Luedtke, Connie, McTate, Emily , Aaron, Rachel V. , Harbeck‐Weber, Cynthia

The Clinical Journal of Pain | June 15, 2019 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 772-779

10.1097/ajp.0000000000000737 | PMID 31205071 Get It

Objectives: Intensive interdisciplinary treatment is emerging as an effective treatment of chronic pain in youth. These programs often include a parental component with the belief that targeting parental distress and responses to a child’s pain will improve outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of a parental intervention in the interdisciplinary treatment of pediatric chronic pain. The present study consists of a nonrandomized pre-post design to evaluate change in psychological and behavioral functioning of parents who participated in intensive parent programming that utilized cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, delivered within the context of an interdisciplinary intensive 3-week pain treatment program for youth with chronic pain. Materials and Methods: Two hundred twelve parents and their children participated in the study, with 116 participants completing 3-month follow-up measures. Parents completed measures of depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, protective responses, and psychological flexibility at admission, discharge, and 3 months after the program. Child functional disability was assessed at the same time points. We examined change in parent factors over time, while controlling for change in child distress. Results: Parents reported significant improvements in all areas of functioning from admission to discharge and improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Discussion: This study provides evidence suggesting parent interventions can be effective in reducing parent distress and behaviors known to be associated with child outcomes.