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2819 citation(s) found for "C, Liu".

Renal Artery Stenosis Alters Gene Expression in Swine Scattered Tubular-Like Cells
Nargesi, Arash Aghajani , Zhu, Xiang-Yang, Liu, Yuanhang , Jordan, Kyra L., Lerman, Lilach O. , Eirin, Alfonso , Aghajani Nargesi, Arash, Lerman, Lilach O , Eirin, Alfonso , Tang, Hui Jun

International Journal of Molecular Sciences | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 20 | Issue: 20 | Pages: 5069

10.3390/ijms20205069 | PMID 31614781 Get It

Background: Scattered tubular-like cells (STCs) proliferate and differentiate to support neighboring injured renal tubular cells during recovery from insults. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) induces renal ischemia and hypertension and leads to loss of kidney function, but whether RAS alters renal endogenous repair mechanisms, such as STCs, remains unknown. We hypothesize that RAS in swine modifies the messenger RNA (mRNA) profile of STCs, blunting their in vitro reparative capacity. Methods: CD24+/CD133+ STCs were isolated from pig kidneys after 10-weeks of RAS or sham (n = 3 each) and their gene cargo analyzed using high-throughput mRNAseq. Expression profiles for upregulated and downregulated mRNAs in RAS-STCs were functionally interpreted by gene ontology analysis. STC activation was assessed by counting the total number of STCs in pig kidney sections using flow cytometry, whereas cell proliferation was assessed in vitro. Results: Of all expressed genes, 1430 genes were upregulated and 315 downregulated in RAS- versus Normal-STCs. Expression of selected candidate genes followed the same fold change directions as the mRNAseq findings. Genes upregulated in RAS-STCs were involved in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and kidney development, whereas those downregulated in RAS-STCs are related to cell cycle and cytoskeleton. The percentage of STCs from dissociated kidney cells was higher in RAS versus Normal pigs, but their proliferation rate was blunted. Conclusions: Renal ischemia and hypertension in swine induce changes in the mRNA profile of STCs, associated with increased STC activation and impaired proliferation. These observations suggest that RAS may alter the reparative capacity of STCs.
Gene Dosage of the Cell Cycle Regulatory Phosphatases Cdc25C and PP2A Determines Sensitivity to Lenalidomide in del(5q) MDS.
Wei, Sheng , Rocha, Kathy, Williams, Ann H., Chen, Xianhong , Burnette, Pearlie K., Djeu, Julie Y., Byrd, John C., Sokol, Lubomir , Lawrence, Nick, Pireddu, Roberta , Dewald, Gordon W., Maciejewski, Jaroslaw P. , Byrd, John C. , Liu, Qing , Byrd, John C. , Sokol, Lubomir , List, Alan F. , Byrd, John C

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 110 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 118-118

10.1182/blood.v110.11.118.118 Get It

Abstract MDS with chromosome 5q deletion [del(5q)] is uniquely sensitive to clonal suppression by lenalidomide (LEN), yielding high rates of cytogenetic and erythroid response. Although haploinsufficiency for a candidate tumor suppressor gene within the common deleted segment (CDS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of del(5q) MDS, no specific gene products account for the karyotype-dependent LEN sensitivity. Using primary AML cells, we showed that LEN is selectively cytotoxic to del(5q) cells, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2 > G1 junctures and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent fashion. Now we show that the CDS-encoded Cdc25C and PP2A phosphatases (PPTs) serve as molecular targets for LEN. Cdc25C and PP2A are dual specificity PPTs that regulate cell cycle. The genes encoding the catalytic subunit alpha (PP2ACa), the dominant catalytic isoform, and the regulatory subunit B (beta isoform PR 52) of the PP2A holoenzyme reside within the del(5q) CDS. Real-time RT-PCR showed that Cdc25C and PP2ACa gene expression is significantly reduced in primary del(5q) AML and MDS BM-MNC compared to non-del5q and normal controls. A Cdc25C FISH probe confirmed presence of only a single allele in del(5q) specimens [n=5] vs. normal karyotype [n=5] with no overlap with the EGR1 locus. We found that LEN inhibited rHu-Cdc25C activity with IC90 inhibitory concentrations ≤10nM. Similarly, PP2A PPT activity was inhibited by LEN in enzyme immunoprecipitates from Ramos cells at sub-micromolar concentrations. In U937 cells, we confirmed intracellular Cdc25C and PP2A inhibition, showing concentration-dependent retention of the inhibitory p-Tyr15 -Cdc2 substrates for Cdc25C with corresponding phosphorylation of the PP2A substrate Ser216 Cdc25C, findings reproduced by treatment with the PP2A selective antagonist, fostreicin. Cdc25C immunoprecipitation showed that phosphorylation of Ser216 Cdc25C increased binding to the 14-3-3 protein with consequent cytoplasmic sequestration confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Phosphorylation of histone H2A.X Ser139 was unchanged after LEN treatment, indicating that phosphorylation of the inhibitory Cdc25C serine does not arise from upstream DNA damage activated kinases. Importantly, siRNA suppression of Cdc25C gene expression in U937 cells promoted LEN-specific apoptosis in 45% of cells, which increased to 68% after fostreicin inhibition of PP2A. These data indicate that haplodeficiency for the Cdc25C and PP2ACa genes promotes selective sensitivity of del(5q) cells to LEN-induced apoptosis. Haplodeficiency of critical drug-able targets may represent a novel strategy for tumor selective therapy.
Exome Array Analyses Identify Low-Frequency Germline Variants Associated with Increased Risk of AML in a HLA-Matched Unrelated Donor Blood and Marrow Transplant Population
Clay‐Gilmour, Alyssa , Hahn, Theresa , Zhu, Qianqian , Yan, Li , Preus, Leah, Haiman, Christopher A. , Pooler, Loreall , Sheng, Xin , Onel, Kenan , Zhu, Xiaochun , Pasquini, Marcelo C. , Sucheston‐Campbell, Lara E. , Stram, Daniel O. , Liu, Qian , Hu, Qiang , Liu, Song , Spellman, Stephen R. , McCarthy, Philip L.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 42-42

10.1182/blood.v128.22.42.42 Get It

Abstract Both genome wide association studies (GWAS) of common variation and exome wide association studies (EXWAS) of rare variation have successfully identified disease susceptibility variants for a variety of diseases. One GWAS of inherited susceptibility to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) has been conducted, but no EXWAS have been performed to measure risk of AML attributable to low-frequency constitutional genetic variation. We performed the first EXWAS of risk of AML as a nested case-control study in the DISCOVeRY-BMT (Determining the Influence of Susceptibility Conveying Variants Related to one-Year mortality after BMT) cohorts. The DISCOVeRY-BMT parent study examined transplant-related mortality in leukemia patients undergoing unrelated donor allogeneic BMT. To identify low frequency variants and genes contributing to increased susceptibility to AML we used genotype data from the Illumina HumanExome BeadChip typed in the DISCOVeRY-BMT cohorts; the HumanExome BeadChip contains 242,901 variants, which are mainly protein-coding variants. The optimal sequence kernel association test (SKAT-O) was used to analyze gene-level associations with risk of AML. These gene-based tests evaluate the cumulative effects of multiple single gene variants on risk of AML. Analyses were performed in all European American AML cases and two subtypes: 1) de novo AML, 2) de novo AML with normal cytogenetics. Models were adjusted for age at transplant and principal components to control for population stratification. For gene-based tests at least 2 variants with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≤ 5%, were required to be present in the gene. This yielded a total of 13,687 genes tested, and a Bonferroni corrected significance level of P<3.65 x 10-6. Association tests were performed in 1,189 AML cases reported to CIBMTR 2000-08 (Cohort 1) and 327 AML cases reported to CIBMTR from 2009-11 (Cohort 2). Controls in Cohorts 1 (n=1,986) and 2 (n= 515) were 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donors who passed a comprehensive medical exam and deemed healthy. We used metaSKAT to combine Cohorts 1 and 2 and obtain p-values of association with AML. We present the results of gene-level tests significant in both cohorts. The likely pathogenicity of these variants was determined in silico using SIFT, PolyPhen and MutationTaster. Patient characteristics are in Table 1. DNMT3A, on chromosome 2, was associated in the gene-based test with risk of AML (Pmeta=1.70x10-9, Table 2). Three missense variants at MAF <1% comprise both overall AML and de novo AML gene-based association: exm177559 (Asn->Ser), exm177507 (Arg->His), and exm177543 (Arg->Trp). Normal cytogenetics de novo AML gene-based assocations consisted of only 2 of these variants: exm177559 and exm177507 (Table 2). While prevalence of exm177507 is <1% for all AML cases, in de novo AML with normal cytogenetics the MAF was higher at 3%. The other 2 variants had a MAF<1% irrespective of subtype. Somatically, DNMT3A is most frequently mutated in hematologic malignancies, with >30% of de novo AML cases with a normal karyotype and >10% of MDS patients having DNMT3A mutations. Although these are germline gene associations all three of the variants found have been reported somatically in hematologic malignancies. In 200 AML cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) p.R882H (represented as exm177507 on the exome chip) was a frequent somatic mutation (25%). Exm177543 (p.R635W) and exm177559 (p.N501S) are reported in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) as somatic mutations involved in hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue in both cell lines and humans. Exm177507 and exm177543 show evidence of pathogenicity in all three in silico tools, while exm177559 was reported as deleterious and disease causing by Sift and MutationTaster, respectively. Our results show that multiple potentially pathogenic missense germline variants in DNMT3A comprise the gene-based association with AML, specifically de novo AML with normal cytogenetics. Given the functional nature of these variants it is possible germline risk stratification could be informative in determining AML risk, and subsequently development of AML harboring DNMT3A mutations. Confirmation of these findings in additional cohorts could have implications for individualized risk screening, prediction and prognosis. Additional cytogenetic subgroup analyses, including treatment-related AML, are underway. Disclosures Hahn: Novartis: Equity Ownership; NIH: Research Funding. McCarthy:Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; The Binding Site: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gamida Cell: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sucheston-Campbell:NIH/NCI: Research Funding.
Phase I Study of An Investigational Aurora A Kinase Inhibitor MLN8237 In Patients with Advanced Hematologic Malignancies.
Padmanabhan, Swaminathan, Shea, Thomas C., Reeder, Craig B. , McDonagh, Kevin T., Kelly, Kevin R. , Zhou, Xiaofei , Fingert, Howard, Fowler, Nathan , Padmanabhan, Swaminathan, Vose, Julie M. , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Goy, Andre Henri , Liu, Hua

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2799-2799

10.1182/blood.v116.21.2799.2799 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2799 Background: Aurora A kinase (AAK) is important in a diverse set of mitotic processes and is amplified or overexpressed in a number of heme-lymphatic malignancies. MLN8237 is an investigational, orally administered, selective AAK inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of hematologic and solid tumors. This multicenter study (NCT00697346) is the first phase 1 program to assess safety and pharmacology of MLN8237 in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥18 yr, had response-evaluable, relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, and had ECOG performance status 0–2; there was no restriction on the number of prior therapies, but prior allogeneic transplant was excluded. Patients received escalating doses of MLN8237 as powder-in-capsule formulation in a 3+3 design. Endpoints included safety, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and response. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included; median age was 62 yr (range 41–74), 50% were male, 86% were white, and 43% had prior transplant. Diagnoses were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (68%), including diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL), mantle cell, follicular, and small lymphocytic lymphoma; multiple myeloma (29%); and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (4%). Seventy-nine percent of patients had received ≥3 prior therapies. Patients initially received a 21-day treatment schedule of MLN8237 25 or 35 mg (BID loading dose on Day 1, then QD on Days 2–21) followed by a 7-day rest period (28-day cycles). Based on results with the first two cohorts, subsequent cohorts received a 14-day treatment schedule of MLN8237 35, 45, 65, or 90 mg (BID loading dose on Day 1, then QD on Days 2–14) followed by a 14-day rest period (28-day cycles). Median number of cycles administered was 2 (range 1–14+). After escalation to 90 mg (maximum administered dose), two DLTs per cohort led to de-escalation to 65 mg and then 45 mg, which was the MTD on the 14-day schedule. The most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (36%), and asthenic conditions (32%); grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs were reported in 14 (50%) patients, and 13 (46%) had a serious AE. DLTs included grade 3–4 myelosuppression associated with infection or delay in treatment, which were generally manageable by reduction in dose or schedule. AEs were generally reversible and manageable, although 5 (18%) patients discontinued due to AEs. Three patients died, from causes (renal failure; airway obstruction; progressive large cell lymphoma) not considered related to MLN8237. Following multiple doses, an overall median Tmax of 2 hr, a mean t1/2 of 23 hr, and a peak/trough ratio of 5 were observed. The geometric mean of steady-state AUC increased from 19,534 to 30,811 nM*hr when the daily dose was increased from 25 to 65 mg. With the 14-day schedule, antitumor activity was observed in a patient with relapsed DLBCL treated with 65 mg and reduced to 45 mg, who enrolled after disease progression following ifosfamide-carboplatin-etoposide (ICE) salvage therapy. A durable PR coupled with resolution of B symptoms sustained for >1 yr was observed in a patient with post-transplant grade 3B follicular lymphoma treated with 35 mg, escalated per protocol to 45 mg and then 65 mg. Stable disease (SD; 5 months) was observed in a patient with myeloma treated at 90 mg. Conclusions: MLN8237 toxicities were consistent with AAK inhibition in proliferating tissue (chiefly bone marrow), and were generally manageable. The MTD was 45 mg on the 14-day schedule in these patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Antitumor activity was observed, and repeat cycles were tolerable over 6–12 months in some patients who achieved PR or SD. The results support further investigation of MLN8237 in heme-lymphatic malignancies, and ongoing clinical development includes alternative schedules and formulations. Disclosures: Padmanabhan: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Investigational agent in clinical development for the treatment of advanced hematologic malignancies. Shea:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy, Research Funding. Vose:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Goy:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Celgene, GSK, Genentech: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Zhou:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Liu:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Fingert:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Fowler:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria.
Proteomic Studies Identify Citron Rho Interacting Kinase (CRIK), a Novel Protein That Regulates Proliferation and Survival In Multiple Myeloma Cells
Ngo, Hai T., Leontovich, Alexey A. , Still, Eric, Morgan, Brittany, Roccaro, Aldo M. , Liu, Yang , Zhang, Yong, Azab, Abdel Kareem , Sacco, Antonio , Anderson, Kenneth C. , Ghobrial, Irene M.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 116 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2958-2958

10.1182/blood.v116.21.2958.2958 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2958 PURPOSE: Recent advances in understanding of the molecular alterations that occur at the genetic and epigenetic levels in Multiple Myeloma (MM) have led to major leaps in identifying molecular pathways that regulate progression and resistance to therapeutic agents. However, despite great scientific advances at the genomic level, studies to identify signaling pathways deregulated at the functional proteomic level in MM are limited. Using an antibody-based protein microarray technique, we identified Citron Rho Interacting Kinase (CRIK) as a protein that was highly expressed in primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells compared to normal plasma cell. We therefore sought to investigate the functional role of CRIK in MM cells. Methods: Primary CD138+ sorted MM cells were obtained from the bone marrow of patients after informed consent. We determined the protein expression level of 512 polypeptides in 12 samples of newly diagnosed patients with MM and 4 healthy control using high-throughput proteomic analysis with antibody-based protein microarray (Clontech, CA). MM.1S, OPM2, RPMI8226, and INA6 were used to perform functional validation. Protein expression has been studied by immunoblotting. Gene expression analysis has been assessed using the Affymetrix U133A platform and qPCR. Lentivirus was used to knockdown CRIK in MM cell lines (MM.1S, RPMI8226, OPM2, and INA6). DNA synthesis, cell survival, cell cycle profiling and apoptosis were assessed by BrdU, MTT, PI and Apo2.7 staining, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Results: We first showed that CRIK was overexpressed in 12 patients with MM compared to normal CD138+ cells obtained from healthy controls using high-throughput protein microarray. We further confirmed CRIK expression using immunohistochemistry in the same samples of MM patients. We next correlated CRIK gene expression level (CIT) with prognosis using previously published gene expression datasets and found that CRIK correlated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of CRIK in MM cell lines led to an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in all MM cell lines tested. Indeed, CRIK-knockdown MM cells were characterized by a reduction of 60–80% in the proliferation rate, supported by reduction of DNA synthesis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Moreover, induction of cytotoxicity of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and parp cleavage was also demonstrated in CRIK knockdown cells compared to scramble probe transfected cells. We also showed that CRIK knockdown led to cytokinesis in MM cell lines, indicating a possible mechanism of inhibition of proliferation of these cells. Conclusion: In this study, we show that MM cells express a high level of a novel protein CRIK, and that inhibition of this protein leads to significant inhibition of proliferation and survival of MM cells. CRIK could be a critical therapeutic target in MM. Disclosures: Anderson: Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Ghobrial:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Bioinformatics and DNA-extraction strategies to reliably detect genetic variants from FFPE breast tissue samples
Bhagwate, Aditya , Liu, Yuanhang , McDonough, Samantha J., Heinzen, Ethan P. , Frost, Marlene H., Cunningham, Julie M. , Winham, Stacey J. , Stallings‐Mann, Melody , Davila, Jaime , Vierkant, Robert A. , Hoskin, Tanya L. , Carter, Jodi M. , Radisky, Derek C. , Degnim, Amy C. , Wang, Chen

No container title available | October 12, 2019 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.21203/rs.2.9892/v3 Get It

Abstract Background: Archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples are valuable clinical resources to examine clinically relevant morphology features and also to study genetic changes. However, DNA quality and quantity of FFPE samples are sub-optimal, and resulting NGS-based genetics variant detections are prone to false positives. Evaluations of wet-lab and bioinformatics approaches are needed to optimize variant detection from FFPE samples. Results: As a pilot study, we designed within-subject triplicate samples of DNA derived from paired FFPE and fresh frozen breast tissues to highlight FFPE-specific artifacts. For FFPE samples, we tested two FFPE DNA extraction methods to determine impact of wet-lab procedures on variant calling: QIAGEN QIAamp DNA Mini Kit ("QA"), and QIAGEN GeneRead DNA FFPE Kit ("QGR"). We also used negative-control (NA12891) and positive control samples (Horizon Discovery Reference Standard FFPE). All DNA sample libraries were prepared for NGS according to the QIAseq Human Breast Cancer Targeted DNA Panel protocol and sequenced on the HiSeq 4000. Variant calling and filtering were performed using QIAGEN Gene Globe Data Portal. Detailed variant concordance comparisons and mutational signature analysis were performed to investigate effects of FFPE samples compared to paired fresh frozen samples, along with different DNA extraction methods. In this study, we found that five times or more variants were called with FFPE samples, compared to their paired fresh-frozen tissue samples even after applying molecular barcoding error-correction and default bioinformatics filtering recommended by the vendor. We also found that QGR as an optimized FFPE-DNA extraction approach leads to much fewer discordant variants between paired fresh frozen and FFPE samples. Approximately 92 % of the uniquely called FFPE variants were of low allelic frequency range (<5%), and collectively shared a “C>T|G>A” mutational signature known to be representative of FFPE artifacts resulting from cytosine deamination. Based on control samples and FFPE-frozen replicates, we derived an effective filtering strategy with associated empirical false-discovery estimates. Conclusions: Through this study, we demonstrated feasibility of calling and filtering genetic variants from FFPE tissue samples using a combined strategy with molecular barcodes, optimized DNA extraction, and bioinformatics methods incorporating genomics context such as mutational signature and variant allelic frequency.
Phase 1/2 Study of Oral MLN9708, A Novel, Investigational Proteasome Inhibitor, in Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Patients with Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Richardson, Paul G. , Niesvizky, Rubén, Hui, Ai‐Min , Berg, Deborah, Liu, Guohui , Bacco, Alessandra Di , Kumar, Shaji , Berdeja, Jesús G. , Richardson, Paul Gerard Guy , Lonial, Sagar , Gupta, Neeraj

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 479-479

10.1182/blood.v118.21.479.479 Get It

Abstract Abstract 479 Background: MLN9708 is an investigational, oral, potent, reversible, and specific 20S proteasome inhibitor, which immediately hydrolyzes to MLN2238, the biologically active dipeptidyl leucine boronic acid. In preclinical studies, MLN2238 has shown faster proteasome dissociation and greater tissue penetration than bortezomib. Current phase 1 data indicate that oral administration of single-agent MLN9708 was generally well tolerated, with no grade ≥3 peripheral neuropathy, and showed signs of antitumor activity in some patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. Bortezomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone demonstrated a 100% partial response or better (≥PR) rate in patients with previously untreated MM, providing the rationale for evaluating oral MLN9708 in place of bortezomib in this combination. Here we report phase 1 data from the first combination study of MLN9708 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01217957). Methods: Primary phase 1 objectives were to determine the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly MLN9708 in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone; secondary objectives included characterization of the pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of MLN9708, assessment of PK interaction and response. Adults aged ≥18 years with ECOG performance status of 0 to 2, and adequate renal, hepatic, and hematologic function were eligible. Patients with grade ≥2 peripheral neuropathy or prior/concurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism were excluded. Patients received oral MLN9708 weekly on days 1, 8, and 15, lenalidomide 25 mg on days 1–21, and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, for up to twelve 28-day cycles. Patients received thromboprophylaxis with aspirin or low molecular weight heparin. Transplant-eligible patients could undergo stem cell transplant after six cycles. MLN9708 dose escalation, from a starting dose of 1.68 mg/m2, followed a 3+3 scheme based on the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in cycle 1. Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated according to NCI-CTCAE v4.0. Response was assessed according to modified EBMT criteria. Results: At data cut-off (June 29, 2011), 10 patients have been enrolled and treated: three each at 1.68, 2.23, and 2.97 mg/m2 and one at 3.95 mg/m2; median age was 66 years (range 59–77). Patients completed a median of 3 cycles (range 1–6), with three having received 6 cycles; treatment is ongoing in six patients. A DLT of grade 3 fainting was observed in a patient treated at 3.95 mg/m2. The MTD has not yet been reached; the current cohort is receiving 3.95 mg/m2. Drug-related AEs included rash in four patients (two maculopapular, two erythematous); vomiting and fatigue in three patients each; and diarrhea, constipation, and nausea in two patients each. Grade 1 treatment-related peripheral neuropathy was reported in one patient. Serious AEs were seen in four patients: one at 3.95 mg/m2 (DLT of grade 3 fainting), one at 2.23 mg/m2 (grade 3 DVT) unrelated to MLN9708, and two unrelated at 1.68 mg/m2 (grade 3 hypotension; grade 3 gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulting in discontinuation). Two patients required lenalidomide dose reductions to 15 mg due to erythematous rash; no dose reductions were required for MLN9708 or dexamethasone. There were no on-study deaths. Of nine response-evaluable patients, all nine achieved ≥PR, including three very good PR (VGPR) and one complete response. Time to response was rapid; all responders achieved a ≥50% decrease in M-protein in cycle 1, and best response was reached by the end of cycle 4. No patient has progressed to date. One patient with confirmed VGPR discontinued at cycle 6 to undergo stem cell transplant. Conclusions: MLN9708 administered weekly in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone appears to be generally well tolerated in previously untreated MM patients at the MLN9708 dose levels studied, with evidence of antitumor activity in the dose-escalation cohorts. Evaluation continues to determine the MTD of MLN9708 in this combination. Updated results, PK data, assessment of PK interaction, and PD data will be presented. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Use of the investigational agent MLN9708 for the treatment of previously untreated multiple myeloma. Richardson:Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lonial:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy. Niesvizky:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Research Funding. Hui:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Berg:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Gupta:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Liu:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Di Bacco:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Kumar:Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding.
PD-1 Blockade with Pembrolizumab in Relapsed CLL Including Richter's Transformation: An Updated Report from a Phase 2 Trial (MC1485)
Call, Timothy G. , Leis, José F., He, Rong , LaPlant, Betsy, Chanan‐Khan, Asher , Asmus, Erik, Dyke, Daniel L. Van , Conte, Michael, Bowen, Deborah A., Secreto, Charla, Tian, Shulan , Micallef, Ivana N. , Yan, Huihuang , Ansell, Stephen M. , Ding, Wei , Le‐Rademacher, Jennifer , Parikh, Sameer A. , Shanafelt, Tait D. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Lin, Yi , Feldman, Andrew L. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Sinha, Sutapa , Zhang, Henan , Liu, Xin , Braggio, Esteban , Kay, Neil E. , Dong, Haidong

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 4392-4392

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4392.4392 Get It

Abstract Background: CLL patients (pts) treated with novel targeted therapies continue to experience disease progression. Approximately 7-15% of relapsed CLL treated with ibrutinib or venetoclax developed Richter's syndrome (RS), an aggressive high grade lymphoma transformation. Standard chemotherapy has limited efficacy in RS. We hypothesized that checkpoint blockade would re-establish anti-tumor immune response in progressive CLL/RS and here we aim to update the clinical data and correlative analysis of MC1485: a phase 2 study of PD-1 blocking antibody pembrolizumab in relapsed/refractory CLL and RS. Methods: Relapsed/refractory CLL including RS enrolled in the CLL arm of MC1485 trial was reported here. The primary end point of this study is overall response rate (ORR). Pts with prior allogeneic stem cell transplant were excluded. Pembrolizumab 200 mg was administered intravenously every 3 weeks. NCI CTCAE v4.0 and IWCLL 2008 criteria were used for non-hematological adverse events (AE) and for CLL grade hematological AE. Tumor expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 were assessed with standard immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Percentage expressions of individual antigens were analyzed with whole-slide scanning followed by image analysis with Image-Pro software (Media Cybernetics). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on available CLL/RS tissue sections to assess copy number of chromosome 9p region that contains PD-L1 and PD-L2. Results: 25 pts including 16 CLL and 9 RS (biopsy-proven large cell lymphoma) were enrolled in CLL arm. The median age was 69 years (46-81). Twelve (48%) pts had del(17p) or monosomy 17 or TP53 mutation. The median number of prior therapies was 4 (1-10). 96%, 72% or 48% of pts had received alkylator and anti-CD20 antibody, purine analog or anthracycline. Fifteen (60%) pts had prior ibrutinib and 12 (48%) progressed clinically while receiving ibrutinib, including 6 who progressed to RS and 6 who developed progressive CLL. The median number of pembrolizumab doses that pts received was 3 (1 to 21), administered over a median treatment duration of 11 weeks (1 to 56). Drug-related AE occurred in 21 pts (88%) with the most common ones being neutropenia in 9 (37%), cough in 7 (29%) and dyspnea in 6 (25%) pts. Drug-related grade 3 or above AE occurred in 9 (38%) pts with most common ones being thrombocytopenia (5, 21%), dyspnea (2, 8%), and fatigue (2, 8%). The most common immune-related AE was liver enzyme elevation (12%, 8% G3) and was reversible with therapy interruption or steroid therapy. Based on investigator assessment using the Revised Response Criteria for Lymphomas and IWCLL 2008 criteria, one RS pt had complete response (CR, 4%), 3 RS had partial responses (PR, 12%). Among 9 RS pts, 1 CR (11%), 3 PR (33%), 3 SD (33%) and 2 PD (22%) were observed. Thus the ORR in RS was 44%. No CLL pts achieved a CR/PR, 3 had SD and 9 had progressive disease (PD). The ORR of all pts was 16%. Of the 4 RS who had CR/PR, responses occurred early after 2 cycles of therapy and median duration of therapy for CR/PR pts was 8.3 months with data cut-off by June 30th 2016 (Figure 1A). The causes for therapy discontinuation in RS were PD (3, 33%), alternate therapy (2, 22%), and thrombocytopenia due to increased marrow CLL (1, 11%). Increased marrow CLL was observed in 2 RS pts with PR to RS phase of disease assessed by PET, thus the protocol was amended to allow addition of idelalisib/ibrutinib to control the underlying marrow CLL. For RS pts who had a CR/PR or SD, variable nodal responses were observed (Figure 1B). In particular, 6 RS who had prior ibrutinib experienced CR or PR or SD with nodal responses. After a median follow-up of 10.2 (1.9 to 16.1) months, the median overall survival (OS) for all pts was 10.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to not reached). The 6 month OS rate for RS and CLL pts were 73% and 59%, respectively. Biomarker assessment using IHC analysis on 10 pts with available tumor/nodal tissues (6 RS and 4 CLL) showed an increased expression of PD-L1 (p = 0.02) and a trend for an increased expression of PD-1 (p = 0.1) in the group of pts with CR/ PR versus pts in the group with no clinical response. One out of 10 tested showed polysomic for chromosome 9p. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab had an acceptable safety profile in CLL and RS patients. We confirmed that pembrolizumab has substantial therapeutic activity in RS. Single-agent pembrolizumab does not appear to have clear activity in CLL. Disclosures Ding: Merck: Research Funding. Parikh:Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding. Shanafelt:GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Hospira: Research Funding.
A Phase II Randomized Dose-Ranging Study of the JAK2-Selective Inhibitor SAR302503 in Patients with Intermediate-2 or High-Risk Primary Myelofibrosis (MF), Post-Polycythemia Vera (PV) MF, or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) MF.
Jamieson, Catriona , Gabrail, Nashat , Lebedinsky, Claudia, Gao, Guozhi, Liu, Feng , Tefferi, Ayalew , Pardanani, Animesh , Talpaz, Moshe

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2837-2837

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2837.2837 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2837 Introduction: Treatment with the JAK2 selective inhibitor SAR302503 reduced spleen size, disease-related symptoms, and the JAK2 V617F allele burden, with an acceptable safety profile in patients with primary MF, post-PV MF, or post-ET MF in a Phase I/II study (J Clin Oncol 2011;29:789, ASH 2011; Abs 3838). The objective of this Phase II study is to assess the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of 3 doses of SAR302503. Methods: Patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk primary MF, post-PV MF, or post-ET MF were randomized to 1 of 3 dose groups of SAR302503 (300, 400, or 500 mg per day). Eligibility criteria included age ≥18 years, ECOG PS 0–2, and an enlarged spleen (length ≥5 cm). SAR302503 was taken orally, once a day, in consecutive 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint is the absolute change in spleen volume at the end of cycle 3 assessed by MRI with independent central review. Secondary endpoints include spleen response (≥35% reduction in spleen volume vs baseline), safety, symptom response (MPN-SAF), PK, and PD (changes in leukocyte pSTAT3). Results: From August–December 2011, at total of 31 patients were enrolled (n=10 in the 300 and 400 mg groups; n=11 to 500 mg). Risk status (intermediate-2 vs high) was balanced in the 400 mg and 500 mg groups (∼50%), whereas the 300 mg group had more high-risk patients (70%). The majority of patients (88% to 91%) had the JAK2 V617F mutation and most (∼80%) were blood transfusion independent. Mean (median) percentage reductions in spleen volume vs baseline at the end of cycle 3 were 30% (26%) in the 300 mg group, 33% (31%) with 400 mg, and 42% (38%) with 500 mg. A spleen response at the end of cycle 3 was seen in 30% of patients (3/10) in the 300 mg group, 50% (5/10) in the 400 mg group, and 64% (7/11) in the 500 mg group. Patients with constitutional symptoms at baseline in all groups reported a symptom response at the end of cycle 3, with at least a 2-point improvement in or resolution of night sweats in 93% (14/15) of patients, itching in 71% (10/14), early satiety in 56% (10/18), abdominal pain in 56% (10/18), and abdominal discomfort in 50% (10/20). Safety was evaluated in all patients. The most common grade 3–4 hematological adverse event (laboratory) was anemia, with rates across the 300, 400, and 500 mg doses of 33%, 30%, and 55%, respectively. Rates of grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia were 20%, 0, and 9%. There was no grade 3–4 neutropenia. Most common grade 3–4 nonhematological events were diarrhea (10%, 20%, 0), nausea (10%, 10%, 0), and vomiting (10%, 10%, 0). Adverse events in the 300 mg group led to discontinuation in 2 patients: 1 patient had grade 3 anemia, and 1 patient with pre-existing intermittent mild transaminase elevations and polyarthritis had hepatic failure, but completely recovered after discontinuation. No other grade 3–4 increases of AST, ALT, or bilirubin were observed. No deaths were due to an adverse event. Following repeated once-daily oral doses, SAR302503 exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner, with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 2 to 3 hours. Steady state was achieved by cycle 1 day 15 (C1D15), with a 2.95- to 3.88-fold accumulation of drug. Time-dependent pSTAT3 inhibition was observed at all doses, with the highest mean percentage decreases from baseline (range) occurring at C1D15 (44% to 52%) and C2D1 (40% to 51%). The relationship between PK and PD pSTAT3 suppression can be described by an Emax model. There was also a correlation between percentage of pSTAT3 inhibition and spleen response rate at C1D15 and C2D1 and evidence of a steady state exposure-response relationship for spleen volume reduction at the end of cycle 3. Conclusions: In this Phase II trial, treatment with SAR302503 was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in splenomegaly and improvements in constitutional symptoms. SAR302503 was generally well tolerated in this trial and adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile. Time-dependent decreases in pSTAT3 and exposure-response correlations can be demonstrated across the three doses tested. Sponsored by Sanofi (NCT01420770) Disclosures: Talpaz: Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; Deciphera: Research Funding. Gabrail:Sanofi: Research Funding. Lebedinsky:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gao:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Liu:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Pardanani:YM BioSciences: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; BMS: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; Sanofi: Clinical trial support Other.
NEOD001 Demonstrates Organ Biomarker Responses in Patients with Light Chain Amyloidosis and Persistent Organ Dysfunction: Results from the Expansion Cohort of a Phase 1/2 Study
Comenzo, Raymond L. , Landau, Heather , Weiss, Brendan M. , Zonder, Jeffrey A. , Walling, Jackie , Kinney, Gene G. , Koller, Martin, Schenk, Dale B., Guthrie, Spencer , Liu, Enchi , Liedtke, Michaela , Gertz, Morie A. , Sanchorawala, Vaishali

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 644-644

10.1182/blood.v128.22.644.644 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Systemic amyloidoses are a group of rare disorders characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in tissue, resulting in the dysfunction of vital organs (eg, heart and kidneys). In amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, the most common form of systemic amyloidosis, the amyloidogenic protein is a misfolded light chain (LC) or a fragment of an LC produced by clonal plasma cells. Current therapies used to treat AL amyloidosis limit LC production but do not directly target deposits underlying multiorgan failure. NEOD001, a monoclonal antibody, targets misfolded LC and is thought to neutralize circulating LC aggregates and to clear insoluble deposits. In an interim analysis of a phase 1/2 dose-escalation study in 27 patients with AL amyloidosis and persistent organ dysfunction (NCT01707264; EudraCT2012-002683-27), monthly infusions of NEOD001 were safe, well tolerated, and associated with renal and cardiac responses.1 Here we report updated results from the escalation phase and new results from the expansion phase of this study. Patients and Methods: Inclusion criteria for this trial were that patients complete ≥1 PCD treatment before enrollment, attain partial hematologic response (HR) or better to any previous therapy, and have persistent organ dysfunction. NEOD001 was administered intravenously every 28 days. During the dose-escalation phase, 27 patients received NEOD001 at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 24 mg/kg in a 3+3 study design. An additional 42 patients with renal, cardiac, or peripheral nerve involvement were enrolled and treated (24 mg/kg) in the expansion phase. We assessed safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, cardiac and renal responses based on consensus criteria, and neuropathy responses using the Neuropathy Impairment Score-Lower Limb (NIS-LL). Results: The 42 additional patients enrolled in the expansion study included cohorts with renal (16 patients), cardiac (15 patients), and peripheral nerve (11 patients) involvement. In the overall population (n = 69), the median age was 60 years, and 61% of patients were men. Median (range) time since diagnosis was 2.8 (0.4-12.8) years, and 45% of patients underwent ≥3 previous plasma cell-directed regimens. The total number of infusions administered was 913 over a mean of 13.2 (range, 3-35) months. NEOD001 treatment was not associated with dose-limiting toxicities or discontinuations; patients did not develop antidrug antibodies or treatment-related serious adverse events. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events, regardless of relationship to study drug, were fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, and diarrhea. In a best response analysis, 53% of cardiac-evaluable patients (N = 36) and 63% of renal-evaluable patients (N = 35) met respective criteria for organ response; no patients experienced disease progression. The median time to initial response was 2 months (cardiac) and 4 months (renal). After 9 months of treatment, 82% of patients with measurable peripheral neuropathy at baseline (N = 11) achieved a peripheral neuropathy response based on the NIS-LL score. Conclusions: Our interim results demonstrated that monthly NEOD001 infusions were safe and well tolerated and that organ response rates compared favorably with traditional chemotherapy. These updated results from the escalation phase and these new results from the expansion phase, including results from patients with peripheral nerve involvement, support the design of ongoing late-stage clinical studies. Antibody therapy may allow for effective treatment of patients with AL amyloidosis. Reference: 1. Gertz MA, Landau H, Comenzo RL, et al. First-in-human phase 1/2 study of NEOD001 in patients with light chain amyloidosis and persistent organ dysfunction. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34(10):1097-1103. Disclosures Gertz: Prothena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Research to Practice: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Med Learning Group: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria; NCI Frederick: Honoraria; Sandoz Inc: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Ionis: Research Funding; Annexon Biosciences: Research Funding. Comenzo:Karyopharm: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Prothena: Consultancy, Research Funding. Landau:Janssen: Consultancy; Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx/Amgen: Research Funding. Sanchorawala:Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Prothena: Research Funding. Weiss:Prothena: Other: Travel, accommodations, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy, Other: Travel, accommodations; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, accommodations, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Zonder:BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Prothena: Consultancy; Array Biopharma: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Walling:Stealth: Consultancy; BioMarin: Equity Ownership; Apex: Consultancy; Pharm-Olam: Consultancy; NuMedii: Consultancy; Amgen: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties; Crown Bioscience: Consultancy; KaloBios: Consultancy; Exelixis: Consultancy; Newgen: Consultancy; Mateon (was Oxigene): Consultancy; Corcept: Consultancy; Prothena: Consultancy; Aduro: Consultancy; Codexis: Consultancy; Upsher Smith: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties. Kinney:Prothena: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Leadership. Koller:Prothena: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Travel, accommodations. Schenk:Prothena: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Leadership. Guthrie:Prothena: Employment, Equity Ownership, Other: Leadership. Liu:Prothena: Employment, Equity Ownership; Weston Brain Institute: Honoraria. Liedtke:Prothena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding.