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54 citation(s) found for "Ma, Hongwei".

Genome-Wide Gene–Diabetes and Gene–Obesity Interaction Scan in 8,255 Cases and 11,900 Controls from PanScan and PanC4 Consortia
Tang, Hongwei, Jiang, Lai , Arslan, Alan A. , Bracci, Paige M. , Brennan, Paul , Canzian, Federico , Du, Mengmeng , Gallinger, Steven , Goodman, Phyllis J. , Visvanathan, Kala , Andreotti, Gabriella , Babić, Ana , Berndt, Sonja I. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita, Bas , Buring, Julie E. , Campa, Daniele , Childs, Erica J., Fuchs, Charles S. , Gaziano, J. Michael , Hartge, Patricia, Hassam, Manal H., Holly, Elizabeth A. , Hoover, Robert N. , Hung, Rayjean J. , Kurtz, Robert C. , Lee, I-Min, Ng, Kimmie , Oberg, Ann L. , Peters, Ulrike , Porta, Miquel , Rabe, Kari G. , Rothman, Nathaniel , Scélo, Ghislaine , Sesso, Howard D. , Thompson, Ian M. , Tjønneland, Anne , Trichopoulou, Antonia , Wactawski‐Wende, Jean , Wentzensen, Nicolas , Zeleniuch‐Jacquotte, Anne , Jacobs, Eric J. , Petersen, Gloria M. , Wolpin, Brian M. , Chatterjee, Nilanjan , Li, Donghui , Arslan, Alan A , Brennan, Paul , Canzian, Federico , Bamlet, William R , Blackford, Amanda , Duell, Eric J , Hung, Rayjean J , Malats, Nuria , Milne, Roger L , Oberg, Ann L , Orlow, Irene , Sesso, Howard D , Tjønneland, Anne , Wactawski-Wende, Jean , Yu, Herbert , Amundadottir, Laufey , Klein, Alison P , Li, Donghui , Chaffee, Kari G. , Visvanathan, Kala , Porta, Miquel , Thompson, Ian M , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, Anne , Stolzenberg‐Solomon, Rachael Z. , Freeman, Laura E. Beane , Giles, Graham G. , Kooperberg, Charles , Marchand, Loı̈c Le , Neale, Rachel Ε. , Shu, Xiao‐Ou , White, Emily , Zheng, Wei , Albanes, Demetrius , Bamlet, William R. , Chanock, Stephen Jacob , Duell, Eric J. , Goggins, Michael , Malats, Núria , Milne, Roger L. , Orlow, Irene , Rothman, Nathaniel , Silverman, Debra T. , Wilkens, Lynne R. , Yu, Kai , Ámundadóttir, Laufey T. , Risch, Harvey A. , Klein, Alison P. , Kraft, Peter , Wei, Peng

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention | June 16, 2020 | Volume: 29 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 1784-1791

10.1158/1055-9965.epi-20-0275 | PMID 32546605 Get It

Abstract Background: Obesity and diabetes are major modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Interactions between genetic variants and diabetes/obesity have not previously been comprehensively investigated in pancreatic cancer at the genome-wide level. Methods: We conducted a gene–environment interaction (GxE) analysis including 8,255 cases and 11,900 controls from four pancreatic cancer genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets (Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium I–III and Pancreatic Cancer Case Control Consortium). Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and diabetes (duration ≥3 years) were the environmental variables of interest. Approximately 870,000 SNPs (minor allele frequency ≥0.005, genotyped in at least one dataset) were analyzed. Case–control (CC), case-only (CO), and joint-effect test methods were used for SNP-level GxE analysis. As a complementary approach, gene-based GxE analysis was also performed. Age, sex, study site, and principal components accounting for population substructure were included as covariates. Meta-analysis was applied to combine individual GWAS summary statistics. Results: No genome-wide significant interactions (departures from a log-additive odds model) with diabetes or obesity were detected at the SNP level by the CC or CO approaches. The joint-effect test detected numerous genome-wide significant GxE signals in the GWAS main effects top hit regions, but the significance diminished after adjusting for the GWAS top hits. In the gene-based analysis, a significant interaction of diabetes with variants in the FAM63A (family with sequence similarity 63 member A) gene (significance threshold P < 1.25 × 10−6) was observed in the meta-analysis (PGxE = 1.2 ×10−6, PJoint = 4.2 ×10−7). Conclusions: This analysis did not find significant GxE interactions at the SNP level but found one significant interaction with diabetes at the gene level. A larger sample size might unveil additional genetic factors via GxE scans. Impact: This study may contribute to discovering the mechanism of diabetes-associated pancreatic cancer.
Abstract A142: Drug combination screen to identify novel synergy with Minnelide
Tang, Nanyun , Sereduk, Chris , Saluja, Ashok K. , Velagapudi, Mohana, Han, Haiyong , Hoff, Daniel D. Von , Yin, Hongwei

Molecular Cancer Therapeutics | March 26, 2020 | Volume: 18 | Issue: 12_Supplement | Pages: A142-A142

10.1158/1535-7163.targ-19-a142 Get It

Abstract Triptolide, which was initially extracted from a Chinese medicinal herb, demonstrates potent antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive properties, yet it is clinically limited due to its poor solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity. Minnelide, a water-soluble analog of triptolide, has potent antiproliferative activity. It is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and 7 solid tumor indications, including advanced gastrointestinal tumors, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. To overcome the potential drug resistance and to improve the drug potency as well as to minimize the drug toxicity, we conducted a high throughput screening (HTS) for drug synergy, combining Minnelide with compounds from the LOPAC and/or Prestwick libraries in 3 different cancer cell lines: BxPC3 (pancreatic), HT29 (colon) and SNU5 (gastric). LOPAC and Prestwick libraries consist of drugs approved by FDA and/or drugs that have reached clinical trial stages, representing 2,274 unique compounds in total. After quality control evaluation and data normalization, hits were selected if greater than 20% inhibition was achieved when combined compared with Minnelide alone. A total of 43, 54, and 47 hits were identified for each cell line, representing an average hit rate of 2.1%. We further prioritized the hits by selecting those that were common in two or more cell lines, which resulted in 9 compounds from Prestwick library and 20 compounds from LOPAC library (Harmane is in common between the two libraries). Only 17 compounds were available for purchase for hits confirmation, which was conducted in a similar manner as in primary HTS, except that drugs were tested in a dose-dependent manner instead of a single concentration done in HTS, a duplicated biological run was performed, and a total of 9 cell lines were screened, with 3 cell lines for each tumor type (pancreatic, colon and gastric). IC50 and Combination Index (CI) values for each drug combination were calculated for each cell line. A fold change of 2 or more for the IC50 values and CI value < 1.0 were used for hit selection. In general, colon lines had the most synergistic combinations and gastric had the least. A total of 15 drug candidates were confirmed to have synergistic effect, representing a confirmation rate of 88%, among which 12 drugs demonstrated synergy in >50% of the cell lines tested, with Harmane and Harmine demonstrating synergy in all 9 cell lines tested. In addition, CGS-15943, Amiloride, Naphthalimide, and Idazoxan indicated good synergy with Minnelide in at least 6 out of 9 cell lines. Interestingly, Phenamil, an irreversible inhibitor of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels, showed synergy in all cell lines tested for pancreatic and colon cancers, but not in gastric cancer cell lines. Overall, our study shed light on potential drug combinations with Minnlide for clinical use. Citation Format: Nanyun Tang, Chris Sereduk, Ashok Saluja, Mohana Velagapudi, Haiyong Han, Daniel D Von Hoff, Hongwei Holly Yin. Drug combination screen to identify novel synergy with Minnelide [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A142. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-A142
Preclinical Activity of IRAK4 Kinase Inhibitor CA-4948 Alone or in Combination with Targeted Therapies and Preliminary Phase 1 Clinical Results in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Booher, Robert N., Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Patel, Krish , Lunning, Matthew A. , Samson, Maria, Atoyan, Ruzanna, Ma, Anna W, Xu, Guang-Xin, DellaRocca, Steven, Modafferi, Holly A., Borek, Mylissa, Parker, Jefferson, Whitney, Duncan , Wang, Hongwei , Tuck, David , Younes, Anas , Patel, Krish , Ma, Anna W, Zhang, Zhidong , Parker, Jefferson

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4168-4168

10.1182/blood-2018-99-117383 Get It

Abstract Background: IRAK4 kinase activity is required for toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling in a variety of myeloid and lymphoid cell types. Recruitment of IRAK4 to these receptors and its subsequent activation is facilitated by the MYD88 adaptor protein. The MYD88-L265P activating mutation is prevalent in DLBCL (~30% in ABC subtype) and WM (>90%). MYD88- L265P leads to constitutive activation of NF-κB signaling that is associated with worse prognosis. In MCL, dysregulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) and TLR pathway components correlate with constitutive NF-κB signaling. CA-4948 is a small molecule inhibitor of IRAK4 kinase that modulates the TLR and IL-1R signaling cascades. CA-4948 is being developed as a novel agent for the treatment of hematologic cancers with dysregulated IRAK4 signaling and is currently in a Ph1 trial for R/R NHL (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03328078). In preclinical studies, CA-4948 demonstrates pharmacodynamic and antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models with MYD88 alterations, and was previously shown to have a synergistic anti-tumor activity when combined with venetoclax in vivo. To further guide CA-4948's clinical development in NHL, we report here nonclinical studies exploring a twice-daily dosing schedule in DLBCL xenograft models. We also investigated the use of an ex-vivo whole-blood TLR-stimulation assay as a surrogate PD response biomarker. Additionally, we tested the efficacy of CA-4948 alone or in combination with the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib in DLBCL and MCL tumor models. Furthermore, preliminary PK and PD data from the first-in-human Ph1 trial are presented. Methods: Mice bearing DLBCL PDX tumors were orally administered CA-4948 twice-daily (BID) with 37.5 or 75 mg/kg doses and once-daily (QD) with 75 or 150 mg/kg doses. The ex-vivo whole blood assay involved TLR-stimulation of blood isolated at various time-points after CA-4948 administration. For the drug combination studies, mice bearing subcutaneous tumors of a MYD88-L265P DLBCL cell line or six MCL cell lines were treated. Results: (1) CA-4948 exhibited dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition in two DLBCL PDX xenograft tumor models with BID dosing showing equal or enhanced efficacy as compared to the equivalent total daily QD dose. The BID schedule was well tolerated with only a slight body weight loss as compared to the equivalent total QD dose schedule. (2) Overall, in mouse, the ex-vivo blood assay showed a time and exposure dependent relationship with the level of cytokine production after TLR-stimulation. A similar CA-4948 dose-dependent inhibition of TLR-stimulated cytokine production was observed in healthy human whole blood samples in which CA-4948 was spiked into the blood sample. Based on these findings, CA-4948 exposure levels capable of inhibiting TLR-stimulation are anticipated to be readily achievable in clinical studies. This was also supported by preliminary clinical PD data showing post treatment, on-target, reduced release of NF-κB-associated cytokines in 2 of 4 patients treated so far. (3) In xenograft efficacy studies using MCL models, single agent CA-4948 and ibrutinib exhibited anti-tumor activity and showed an additive effect when combined in the majority of the models known to have BCR-driven constitutive canonical NF-kB signaling (REC-1, MINO, and JeKo-1). Interestingly, neither CA-4948, ibrutinib, nor the combination had anti-tumor activity in Z-138 and GRANTA-591 xenograft models, consistent with these cell lines having activated NF-κB through the alternative NIK signaling pathway. (4) The human QD PK data (n=4) demonstrated that CA-4948: was rapidly absorbed, Tmax 1-3 hr, and t1/2 of 3.6 -6.8 hr. The bioavailability and exposure, as assessed by Cmax and AUC, is within the expected range compared to non-clinical PK and did not show any evidence of accumulation after QD dosing for 15 consecutive days. Conclusion: These results provide a rationale for CA-4948 BID dosing and incorporating the use of an ex-vivo whole-blood TLR-stimulation assay as a surrogate PD response biomarker, the former of which will be evaluated in the current Ph1 dose escalation soon and the latter of which is currently being implemented in the Ph1 trial for patients with advanced NHL. The murine xenograft results further support exploration of CA-4948 as monotherapy and in combination with canonical and alternative NF-κB pathway-targeted agents in DLBCL and MCL. Disclosures Booher: Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Patel:Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics/Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Lunning:Celgene: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Genzyme: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy. Samson:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Atoyan:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ma:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Xu:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dellarocca:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Modafferi:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Borek:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Zhang:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Parker:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Whitney:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Wang:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Tuck:Curis, Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Younes:Merck: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; J&J: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding.
Kinome-Wide RNAi Studies in Human Multiple Myeloma Identify a Lymphoid Restricted Kinase GRK6 as a Selectively Vulnerable Target That Regulates STAT3/MCL1.
Zhu, Yuan Xiao , Schmidt, Jessica, Yin, Hongwei , Que, Quick, Azorsa, David O. , Reeder, Craig B. , Mousses, Spyro, Stewart, A. Keith, Tiedemann, Rodger E. , Perkins, Louise M. , Braggio, Esteban , Fonseca, Rafaël , Bergsagel, P. Leif

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 601-601

10.1182/blood.v114.22.601.601 Get It

Abstract Abstract 601 A paucity of validated kinase targets in human multiple myeloma (MM) has delayed clinical deployment of kinase inhibitors in treatment strategies. We therefore conducted a kinome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) lethality study in MM tumor lines bearing common t(4;14), t(14;16) and t(11;14) translocations to identify critically vulnerable kinases in MM tumor cells without regard to preconceived mechanistic notions. Primary screening was performed in duplicate using an 1800-oligo siRNA library in a single-siRNA-per-well format. siRNA were transfected at low concentration (13nM) to minimize off-target effects using conditions that resulted in transfection of >95% cells and <5% background cytotoxicity. After 96 hours, viability was measured by ATP-dependent luminescence. Fifteen kinases were consistently vulnerable in MM cells, including AKT1, AK3L1, AURKA, AURKB, CDC2L1, CDK5R2, FES, FLT4, GAK, GRK6, HK1, PKN1, PLK1, SMG1, and TNK2. While several kinases (PLK1, HK1) were equally vulnerable in epithelial cells, others and particularly the G-protein coupled receptor kinase, GRK6, appeared selectively vulnerable in MM. GRK6 inhibition is selectively lethal to KMS11, OPM1, H929, KMS18 and OCI-MY5 myeloma cells and has minimal effect on 293, MCF7, SF767, A375 or A549 epithelial cells. Persistent expression of FLAG-GRK6 via cDNA rescued KMS11 cells from the lethal effect of a 3'UTR-targeted GRK6 siRNA, but not from control siRNA, validating identification of GRK6 as an essential myeloma survival kinase. Furthermore, concordant results were obtained using four different exon-based GRK6 siRNA, all of which induced GRK6 silencing and similar inhibition of KMS11 proliferation and viability. Significantly, GRK6 is ubiquitously expressed in lymphoid tissues and myeloma, but by comparison appears absent or only weakly expressed in most primary human somatic tissues. From co-immunoprecipitation experiments we demonstrate that GRK6 is highly expressed in myeloma cells via direct association with the HSP90 chaperone. Inhibition of HSP90 with geldanamycin blocks GRK6 protein expression. Importantly, direct GRK6 silencing causes rapid and selective suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation that is associated with sustained reductions in total MCL1 protein levels and MCL1 phosphorylation (within 24 hours), providing a potent mechanism for the cytotoxicity of GRK6 inhibition in MM tumor cells. GF109203X is an inhibitor of both protein kinase C and of GRK6 that causes near total inhibition of these kinases in vitro at distinct concentrations of 0.1μM and 1-10μM respectively. Notably, GF109203X was substantially cytotoxic to 10/14 myeloma tumor lines at concentrations most consistent with GRK6 inhibition (5-20μM), and was selectively more cytotoxic to myeloma tumor cells than to non-myeloma cell lines (P=0.01), highlighting the potential of GRK6 as a pharmaceutical target for selective therapeutic intervention in myeloma. As mice that lack GRK6 are healthy, inhibition of GRK6 represents a uniquely targeted novel therapeutic strategy in human multiple myeloma. Disclosures: Perkins: MMRC: Employment. Reeder:Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. Fonseca:Otsuka: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Medtronic: Consultancy; Genzyme: Consultancy.
RNAi Screening of the Human Kinome Identifies Inhibition of WEE1 Kinase As Potent and Universal Sensitizing Target to Cytarabine in Leukemias
Chaudhuri, Leena, Hagelstrom, Tanner, McNally, Amanda, Chow, Donald, Buechel, Megan, Gonzales, Irma M. , Yin, Hongwei , Arora, Shilpi , Azorsa, David O. , Reeder, Craig B. , Noël, Pierre, Slack, James L., Demuth, Tim, Tibes, Raoul , Bogenberger, James M. , Braggio, Esteban , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 229-229

10.1182/blood.v118.21.229.229 Get It

Abstract Abstract 229 Introduction: Optimal rational combination targets with Cytarabine (AraC) have not been identified. After the development of a high-throughput, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) platform for suspension cells, we performed the first RNAi sensitizer screen of the human kinome with AraC in myeloid cell lines. Herein we present the final data of this first siRNA-sensitizer screen in leukemias in combination with AraC. Our results include full validation of the selected targets as well as ex vivo data assessing the first in class clinically tested WEE1 inhibitor MK1775 with AraC providing a pre-clinical rationale for using the combination of AraC with WEE1 inhibitors in leukemias. RNAi Screens and siRNA Validation: In siRNA sensitizer screens, we silenced 572 kinases of the human kinome in combination with AraC. Few kinases strongly sensitized to AraC and the targets CHEK1 and the WEE1 related kinase PKMYT1 emerged as the most potent genes whose silencing sensitized leukemia cells to AraC. In secondary siRNA validation experiments, silencing of WEE1 kinase was found to be more potent than silencing of CHEK1, PKMYT1 or other kinases (i.e. ATR, BRCA, AURKB) in combination with AraC treatment. Importantly, the sensitizing activity observed with WEE1 inhibition was universal across all AML cell lines examined, whereas it was not for CHEK1 inhibition. siRNA assays were robust, exhibiting little (<10%) non-specific toxicity and siRNA silencing was specific for individual genes (i.e. WEE1 or CHEK1) as demonstrated by selective reduction of mRNA and protein level for the respective genes; confirming the validity of the siRNA assay. Pharmacological WEE1 Inhibitor Experiments In vitro and Ex vivo: In vitro treatment of eight AML, ALL and CML cell lines with commercial and the first clinically developed WEE1 kinase inhibitor MK1775, demonstrated strong sensitization to AraC up to 97-fold in individual cell lines. Ex vivo, MK1775 substantially reduced viability in 13 of 14 AML, MDS and CML patient samples compared to AraC alone. The optimal dose to achieve maximum sensitization was observed for AraC between ∼10–120 nM and for MK1775 between 200–400 nM. Synergy at these optimal concentrations was confirmed in all ex vivo samples tested for which sufficient data for analysis with CalcuSyn Software was available (n=7): with Combination Indices (CI) ranging from 0.21–0.45. At higher AraC and MK1775 concentrations antagonism was observed both ex vivo and in vitro. Thus, we have also established optimal suggested concentration dose ranges for the currently ongoing design of a clinical trial. Clinically relevant, WEE1 is expressed in primary AML, ALL and advanced CML specimens with a trend towards higher expression in relapsed samples. However, there was no direct correlation with WEE1 mRNA expression or TP53 status. Our initial in vitro experiments further suggest that inhibition of WEE1 with MK1775 in combination with AraC at optimal concentrations was associated with higher degree of caspase 3 cleavage, DNA damage induction as measured by gamma-H2AX, and greatest inhibition of proliferation. Thereby establishing a context of optimal drug concentration ranges with molecular correlates and anti-leukemic activity directly informing design of the clinical trial and correlative biomarkers. In conclusion, data from this first siRNA sensitizer screen of the kinome in leukemias identifies inhibition of WEE1 kinase as the most potent sensitizing target to AraC. Inhibiting WEE1 with pharmacological inhibitors in combination with AraC is a rational treatment strategy for myeloid and lymphoid leukemias that warrants clinical investigation. Furthermore, our RNAi loss-of-function genomics approach has high potential to rapidly identify and validate crucial genes whose inhibition modulate the response to cytotoxic agents. Establishment of the siRNA sensitizer platform allows accelerating the development of new rational combinations for leukemia therapy. Disclosures: Off Label Use: AraC in combination with the experimental Wee1 inhibitor MK1775. Mesa:NS Pharma: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; SBio: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Demuth:Merck and CO: Employment.
Pharmacological Validation Of Potentiating Targets From SAHA RNA-Interference Modifier Screens In Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Chow, Donald, Kassner, Michelle, Fauble, Veena, Yin, Hongwei , Bogenberger, James M. , Rudd, James , Mesa, Ruben A. , Greene, Casey S. , Tibes, Raoul

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3832-3832

10.1182/blood.v122.21.3832.3832 Get It

Abstract The lysine deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide acid (SAHA) exhibits promising but limited activity in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To identify potential targets for rational combination therapies that increase the efficacy of SAHA in AML, we performed a functional RNA-interference (RNAi) drug modifier screen to identify genes that, when inhibited, potentiate or antagonize the in vitro anti-leukemic activity of SAHA. A total of 901 kinase, phosphatase and closely associated signaling genes were silenced in TF-1, HEL and THP-1 cells, with four different siRNA sequences per gene, both alone and in combination with SAHA treatment. Screen hit lists for each cell line were over-laid on an integrated functional relationship network. A community detection algorithm was then applied to this sub-network and siRNA sensitive modules were identified. Each module represents a highly connected set of genes in the integrated network. To identify pathways represented by each module, enrichment was evaluated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Protein Interaction Database (PID) pathways. Both cell line-specific and universal sensitizing targets, grouped into a small number of pathways, emerged from these screens. Seven pharmacologic inhibitors interfering with these pathways have been assessed in a panel of four or five AML cell lines, including SET-2, TF-1, HEL, THP-1, and OCI-AML3. Of the seven tested inhibitors targeting SAHA sensitizing networks, one combination exhibiting universal SAHA sensitization in all AML cell lines tested was further assessed in drug dose response assays using ex vivo cultures of bone marrow mononuclear cell populations derived from patients with various myeloid malignancies. The combination demonstrated “one-sided” SAHA EC50 fold-enhancement, as well as strong synergy by “two-sided” CalcuSyn combination index determination in all ex vivo specimens examined to date (N=6), including polycythemia vera (PV), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) overlap syndrome, MDS transformed to AML, and de novo AML samples. Thus, this first reported large-scale SAHA RNAi modifier screen in AML has identified a specific pathway/target whose inhibition broadly synergizes with HDAC inhibition in myeloid malignancies. A novel compound putatively targeting this respective pathway/target is currently in early clinical development and has shown limited single-agent activity. With the full dataset presented, we will propose a novel rational combination to enhance the activity of HDAC inhibition in AML and other myeloid malignancies that could be translated into design of a clinical trial. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Achilles Heel Molecular Vulnerabilities in Multiple Myeloma Identified From Genome-Scale RNA Interference Screening.
Zhu, Yuan Xiao , Schmidt, Jessica, Shi, Chang‐Xin, Yin, Hongwei , Mousses, Spyro, Stewart, A. Keith , Tiedemann, Rodger E.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2801-2801

10.1182/blood.v114.22.2801.2801 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2801 Poster Board II-777 To provide a rationale basis for targeted drug development for multiple myeloma patients, we have conducted high-throughput genome-scale RNA interference (RNAi) synthetic lethality studies in human myeloma cell lines (HMCL) to generate a comprehensive map of critical genes and molecular vulnerabilities in human myeloma tumor cells. KMS11 human myeloma cells were screened with a 13,982-oligo library targeting the ‘druggable' genome (6,991 genes) using optimized conditions that resulted in >95% transfection efficiency. Each gene was screened with 2 or more distinct oligos, in duplicate, using a single-siRNA-per-well format, testing >34,000 wells. Replicate high throughput experiments yielded highly reproducible results (R2=0.82). Viability was measured at 96h by ATP-dependent luminescence. Universally lethal siRNA and non-targeted siRNA were employed as controls. The specificity (FDR) of lethal RNAi was evaluated by custom-developed statistical methods based on RNAi result concordancy. From screening, 5.8% of druggable genome siRNA caused statistically relevant reductions in HMCL viability (greater than three standard deviations from control samples treated with non-silencing siRNA, compared with an anticipated rate due to chance of only 0.135%). Of these, two hundred and nineteen genes, targeted by the most lethal siRNA, were forwarded to validation studies. Validation high-throughput RNAi studies, using 4 oligos per gene, were conducted in order to verify target gene vulnerability. Ultimately, seventy two genes were validated as highly critical for myeloma cell survival (each with multiple concordant siRNA hits plus high reproducibility of R2 =0.94). Among top-ranked lethal molecular vulnerabilities in KMS11 myeloma cells we recurrently identified the proteasome (8 PSM subunits were independently identified as highly vulnerable); and BCL2 family member MCL1; both known therapeutic targets, validating a functional genomics approach to target discovery. In addition, a number of novel, equally lethal, molecular vulnerabilities were identified in KMS11 including WEE1, kinetochore complex component KNTC2, the aurora kinases, polo-like kinase 1, a previously uncharacterized DNA methyl transferase, ribonucleotide reductase, ribosomal protein L38, leptin receptor overlapping transcript LEPROT and SLC25A23 (a carrier responsible for mitochondrial adenine nucleotide flux). Various ubiquitous cellular proteins involved in RNA or protein processing (e.g. SF3a, SNW1, SNRPA1, EIF3s8, amongst others) were also identified as non redundant and critical for cellular viability. Thirty nine top-ranked molecular vulnerabilities in KMS11 were evaluated for comparative vulnerability in a second myeloma cell line, JJN3, and in A549 and 293 epithelial cells. A majority were vulnerable in JJN3. While 25 genes proved equally lethal on silencing in A549 and 293 epithelial cells, several, notably including MCL1 and three proteasome subunits, appear differentially susceptible in myeloma cells versus epithelial cells. From this genome scale study, MCL1 ranks third as a target capable of inducing cell death in myeloma cells, highlighting the potent vulnerability of myeloma cell viability to alterations in this anti-apoptosis regulator. Moreover, from active comparative studies of molecular vulnerability in myeloma versus epithelial cell lines, MCL1 as an RNAi target demonstrates perhaps the greatest cytotoxic selectivity between myeloma and epithelial cell lines of all targets examined. Gene expression studies indicate that MCL1 is highly expressed in myeloma tumor cells but is absent or only weakly expressed in human primary somatic tissues. Overall, therefore, from an unsupervised genome-scale screening approach, our data support MCL1 as an optimal Achilles heel molecular target in multiple myeloma, potentially offering greater specificity and deeper cytotoxic effect than proteasome inhibition. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Epidemiology of Myeloproliferative Disorders in US - a Real World Analysis.
Mehta, Jyotsna , Wang, Hongwei , Neumann, Frank , Zhang, Yanzhen , Colton, Theodore, Mesa, Ruben A. , Wang, Yanxin, Iqbal, Usman

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2834-2834

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2834.2834 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2834 Background: Myelofibrosis (MF), Polycythemia Vera (PV) and Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) are 3 classic BCR ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. MF is comprised of both primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and those with an antecedent PV or ET (Post PV and Post ET MF, respectively). The term secondary MF (SMF) when used sometimes includes those with histologic myelofibrosis without an MPN (i.e. secondary to another myeloid neoplasm or autoimmune conditions) as well as MPN associated MF (PMF and Post PV/ET MF). Limited published epidemiology data is available on these disorders. Literature reports MF incidence in the range of 0.4–1.4 per 100000. The objective of this study was to estimate prevalence and incidence using 2 real world US health insurance claims databases. Method: The US IMPACT® (∼30M enrollees/year) and US MARKETSCAN (∼40M enrollees/year) were used to retrospectively identify unique patients with PMF, SMF, PV and ET between 1/1/08 and 12/31/10. These databases can track patients longitudinally over multiple years, are linked at the patient level by a unique identifier that is consistent across services, health plans, and time and shown to be representative of the US population. ICD9 CM codes were used to identify PMF, SMF, PV and ET. Any MF was defined as having a diagnosis of either PMF or SMF. Incident cohort was constructed by selecting patients who had their first MF (or PV or ET) in 2010 confirmed by absence of diagnosis 3 years prior. Prevalent cohort was constructed by identifying patients who had MF (or PV or ET) in a given year. From the MF cohort, post ET and post PV patients were identified as those who had any ET or PV diagnosis in the calendar year prior. Primary MF was defined as PMF diagnosis alone without prior PV or ET. Annual prevalence rates were calculated for each calendar year from 2008–10. Continuous enrollment was required during the time period being evaluated. Estimates were adjusted for age distribution from census data. Result: About 8.5M enrollees from IMPACT and 17M from MARKETSCAN each year were included in prevalence estimates. Mean age of MF patients was 61 years in IMPACT and 67 in MARKETSCAN. Age adjusted incidence estimates of MF were about 2.4 per 100000 per year using IMPACT database, 1.7 per 100000 per year from MARKETSCAN. There is a slight increase in MF prevalence over time: from 4.9 to 5.6 in IMPACT, 3.6 to 4.2 in MARKETSCAN. Among MF patients, about 35–40% had PMF, 10% were post-PV patients, 15% were post-ET patients and the remaining had MF arising from myelodysplastic syndrome (∼30%), lupus (∼2%) and other heme and solid tumors (∼3%). Mean age of PV patients was 55 and 36% were female in IMPACT database. In MARKETSCAN, mean age was 58 with 35% being female. Using IMPACT, annual age adjusted prevalence for PV was 57 cases per 100000. Estimates using MARKETSCAN varied from 45 to 48 cases per 100000. Age adjusted incidence of PV ranges from 22 to 27 cases per 100000 patients per year. Mean age of ET patients was 53 and 57 years in each database. In both, 67% of patients were female. Using US IMPACT, annual age adjusted prevalence for ET was 54 to 56 cases per 100000. Estimates using MARKETSCAN varied from 39 to 44 cases per 100000. Age adjusted incidence of ET ranges from 22 to 31 cases per 100000 patients per year. Conclusion: This is the first study utilizing two large national US claims databases to estimate prevalence of MPN disorders. In the US, MF prevalence ranges from 3.6–5.7 per 100,000 patients. Incidence estimates of MF range from 1.7–2.4 per 100,000 patients. PV prevalence estimates range from 45–57 cases and ET prevalence ranges from 39–57 cases per 100,000 patients. PV tends to affect more males while ET affects more female. These data provide compelling evidence to suggest that prevalence and burden of MPN associated MF is higher than has been reported in the past. Additional research using other national databases and/or study designs is needed to substantiate these findings. Disclosures: Mesa: Incyte: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; YM Bioscience: Research Funding. Mehta:Sanofi: Employment. Wang:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Iqbal:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Neumann:Sanofi-aventis: Employment. Zhang:Sanofi-aventis: Employment.
Analysis of the Impact and Burden of Illness of Myelofibrosis in the US
Wang, Hongwei , Mehta, Jyotsna , Iqbal, Usman , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 972-972

10.1182/blood.v120.21.972.972 Get It

Abstract Abstract 972 Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a Philadelphia chromosome–negative myeloproliferative neoplasm. Common disease manifestations include bone marrow failure, enlarged spleen due to extramedulary hematopoiesis (splenomegaly), debilitating symptoms including fatigue, night sweats, pruritus, early satiety, abdominal pain and discomfort, and marked decrement in patient's quality of life (QoL). Decreased survival is a hallmark of the disease as a result of infections, bleeding and leukemic transformations. There are no recent literature estimates looking at clinical and economic burden of illness of this rare disease. The objective of this study was to describe patient demographics, prevalence, comorbidities, utilization and costs for MF using real-world data. Methods: The US IMPACT® insurance claims database was used to retrospectively identify unique patients with any MF (including all primary and secondary MF cases) between 1/1/08 and 12/31/10. The IMPACT database is a fully de-identified, HIPAA compliant national database that captures the complete medical history for over 100 million managed-care individuals, including patient demographics, disease description, laboratory results, details of medical, pharmacy, outpatient, and inpatient claims. These databases can track patients longitudinally over multiple years, are linked at the patient level by a unique identifier that is consistent across services, health plans, and time and are representative of the US population. ICD-9-CM codes were used to identify MF. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was employed to assess overall comorbid disease status. Enrollment was restricted to those with full year of medical and pharmacy benefit. Control group was age and gender matched but without any diagnosis of myelofibrosis. Medical costs include inpatient, outpatient and emergency room cost. Results: In 2010, 433 patients with MF (mean age 60, 50% female) were identified from about 12 million enrollees. This corresponds to an age-adjusted prevalence of 5.4 per 100,000 patients. Compared with age-gender matched control patients, MF patients had higher overall comorbidities (mean CCI of 2.1 vs. 0.9), were hospitalized more often (34% vs. 11%), had higher number of average hospital days (7 vs. 1 day), and had more outpatient office visits (58 vs. 22) in 2010. Accordingly, MF patients incurred much higher average annual cost ($54,168 vs $10,203) driven by both medical ($45,646 vs $7,987) and pharmacy ($8,523 vs $2,216) cost. Over a period of 3 years, annual cost of MF ranged from $54,000-$68,000. The utilization rate and total cost in each of conditions were significantly higher than those of their matched patients in each of the three years. Conclusions: Myelofibrosis is associated with a significant burden of illness. Patient with MF incurred about five times healthcare expenditure than those in the control group. Our study indicates that MF-associated medical resource utilization and the corresponding expenditures for those services are substantive. Continued efforts in the development of more efficacious treatments for myelofibrosis are needed in order to reduce the burden of illness associated with this disease. Disclosures: Wang: Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mehta:Sanofi: Employment. Iqbal:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mesa:Incyte: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; YM Bioscience: Research Funding.
Analysis of the Impact and Burden of Illness of Polycythemia Vera (PV) and Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) in the US
Mehta, Jyotsna , Wang, Hongwei , Iqbal, Usman , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2071-2071

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2071.2071 Get It

Abstract Abstract 2071 Background: PV and ET are clonal stem cell diseases belonging to the 3 BCR ABL negative myelopoliferative neoplasms. Patients with PV and ET suffer from splenomegaly and disease associated symptoms such as pruritus, night sweats, fatigue, and bone pain. Both diseases, if progressive despite standard therapies, are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, bleeding, and progression to MF or even acute myeloid leukemia. Literature estimates looking at burden of illness are lacking for these disorders. Hence, real world analyses evaluating economic burden are imperative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and economic burden of these disorders by describing the patient demographics, prevalence, comorbidities, utilization and costs using large scale databases. Method: The US IMPACT® claims database was used to retrospectively identify unique patients with PV and ET between 1/1/08 and 12/31/10. This database is a fully de-identified, HIPAA compliant national database that captures the complete medical history for over 100M managed care individuals, including patient demographics, disease description, laboratory results, and details of medical, pharmacy, outpatient, and inpatient claims. ICD9 CM codes were used to identify PV and ET. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to assess overall comorbid disease status. Enrollment was restricted to those with a full year of medical and pharmacy benefit. Control group was age and gender matched but without any diagnosis of PV or ET. Medical costs include inpatient, outpatient and ER cost. Result: In 2010, we identified 5752 PV patients from ∼12M enrollees. This corresponds to an age adjusted prevalence of 56.5 cases/100000 patients. Compared with age gender matched control patients, PV patients had higher overall comorbidities (mean CCI 1.2 vs 0.7), were hospitalized more often (16% vs 8%), had higher average number of hospital days spent (1.7 vs 0.8), and had more outpatient visits (31 vs 18). PV patients incurred much higher average annual cost ($14,903 vs $7,913) than age gender matched controls driven by both medical ($12,006 vs $6,188) and pharmacy ($2,897 vs $1,724) cost. In 2010, we identified 5483 ET patients from ∼12M enrollees. This corresponds to an age adjusted prevalence of 56.1 cases/100000 patients. Compared with age gender matched control patients, ET patients had higher overall comorbidities (mean CCI 1.4 vs 0.7), were hospitalized more often (30% vs 9%), had higher average number of hospital days spent (5 vs 0.9 days), and had more outpatient visits (37 vs 19). ET patients incurred much higher average annual cost ($29,553 vs $8,026) than age gender matched controls driven by both medical ($26,287 vs $6,394) and pharmacy ($3,267 vs $1,631) cost. Similar trend was observed in 2008 and 2009. Over a period of 3 years, annual cost of PV ranged from $14,000-$16,000 and those of ET ranged from $29,000-$31,000. The utilization rate and total cost in each of conditions were significantly higher than those of their matched patients in each of the 3 years. Conclusion: PV and ET are associated with significant burden of illness. Healthcare expenditure was twice as higher in PV patients compared with the control group. ET patients incurred more than 3 times the healthcare expenditure than the control group. Our study indicates that PV and ET associated medical resource utilization and the corresponding expenditures for those services are substantive. In order to reduce the burden of illness associated with these diseases, continued efforts in the development of more efficacious treatments for these disorders are needed. Disclosures: Mehta: Sanofi: Employment. Wang:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Iqbal:Sanofi: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mesa:Incyte: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; YM Bioscience: Research Funding.