Green, Damian J

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 are a therapeutic mainstay in multiple myeloma (MM). Although they have contributed to improved outcomes, most patients still experience disease relapse, and little is known about tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to these drugs. Antigen escape has been implicated as a mechanism of tumor-cell evasion in immunotherapy. Yet, it is unknown whether MM cells can develop permanent resistance to anti-CD38 antibodies by acquiring genomic events leading to biallelic disruption of the CD38 gene locus. Here, we analyzed whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data from patients 701 newly diagnosed MM, 67 patients at relapse with naivety to anti-CD38 antibodies, and 50 patients collected at relapse after anti-CD38 antibodies. We report a loss of CD38 in 10 of 50 patients (20%) after CD38 therapy, 3 of whom exhibited a loss of both copies. Two of these cases showed convergent evolution in which distinct subclones independently acquired similar advantageous variants. Functional studies on missense mutations involved in biallelic CD38 events revealed that 2 variants, L153H and C275Y, decreased binding affinity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of the commercial antibodies daratumumab and isatuximab. However, a third mutation, R140G, conferred selective resistance to daratumumab, while retaining sensitivity to isatuximab. Clinically, patients with MM are often rechallenged with CD38 antibodies after disease progression and these data suggest that next-generation sequencing may play a role in subsequent treatment selection for a subset of patients.

Chronic antigen stimulation is thought to generate dysfunctional CD8 T cells. Here, we identify a CD8 T cell subset in the bone marrow tumor microenvironment that, despite an apparent terminally exhausted phenotype (T PHEX ), expressed granzymes, perforin, and IFN-γ. Concurrent gene expression and DNA accessibility revealed that genes encoding these functional proteins correlated with BATF expression and motif accessibility. IFN-γ + T PHEX effectively killed myeloma with comparable efficacy to transitory effectors, and disease progression correlated with numerical deficits in IFN-γ + T PHEX . We also observed IFN-γ + T PHEX within CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells, which killed CD19 + leukemia cells. An IFN-γ + T PHEX gene signature was recapitulated in T EX cells from human cancers, including myeloma and lymphoma. Here, we characterize a T EX subset in hematological malignancies that paradoxically retains function and is distinct from dysfunctional T EX found in chronic viral infections. Thus, IFN-γ + T PHEX represent a potential target for immunotherapy of blood cancers.

Abstract Background: Phospholipid ethers (PLE) provide a novel mechanism to target tumor cells. Tumor cells contain increased amounts of lipid rafts in their cell membranes, which are thought to enhance signaling and resist apoptosis. Phospholipid drug conjugates (PDC) are specifically designed to have high affinity for lipid rafts which upon binding results in trans-membrane inversion with the ability to deliver an attached therapeutic directly to the cytosol. Iopofosine I-131 (formerly identified as CLR 131) is a novel PDC delivering I-131 as a targeted tumor cell radiotherapy. Iopofosine I-131 is being examined in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients through an open-label, Phase 2 trial, CLOVER-1 (NCT02952508). Methods: The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of Iopofosine I-131 in heavily pretreated MM patients. Eligibility criteria for MM patients include progression or relapsed disease that is refractory to at least 1 proteasome inhibitor and 1 immunomodulatory agent unless intolerable/ineligible to receive such agents with no upper limit to the number of prior lines of therapy. Iopofosine I-131 is administered in up to 4 IV infusions (15-20 min) over 3 months, with doses given 1-2 weeks apart each cycle for a maximum of 2 cycles, along with dexamethasone 40 mg weekly (20 mg in patients > 75), for up to 12 weeks. Following iopofosine I-131 administration, no other antineoplastic or targeted therapy was given until clinically indicated by the investigator. Adverse events (AEs) are graded by NCI-CTCAE v4.03; responses are assessed by the 2016 International Myeloma Working Group criteria. Results: Eleven patients with at least triple class refractory (immunomodulatory agent, proteasome inhibitor and monoclonal antibody) MM have been enrolled in this Phase 2 study with data current as of 28 May 2021. Patients had a median age of 72 (range 34-77), mean prior regimens of 7.2 (range 3-17) and received a mean total body dose of 75.4 mCi (range 59.7-118.7) of iopofosine I-131. The overall response rate (ORR) was 45.5% (5/11), the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 72.7% (8/11) and disease control rate (DCR) was 100%. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months. In a subset of patients who are quad/penta drug refractory, efficacy increased with an ORR of 80.0% (4/5) and CBR of 100% (5/5). The primary treatment emergent AEs in patients with MM included cytopenias (87.5%), in line with prior experience with iopofosine I-131. The most commonly observed cytopenias included Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (62.5%), anemia (62.5%), neutropenia (62.5%) and decreased white blood cell count (50%). There were no infusion-related reactions or AEs. Conclusions: Initial results for iopofosine I-131 show efficacy with a promising ORR of 45.5% and a CBR or 72.7% in heavily pretreated triple class refractory multiple myeloma patients. Interestingly, iopofosine I-131 showed its highest efficacy in patients that were quad/penta drug refractory with ORR of 80%, highlighting its potential as a later line therapy. Iopofosine I-131 is a novel cancer radiotherapeutic that may provide benefit to patients that are refractory/unresponsive to traditional MM therapies. CLOVER-1 is actively enrolling MM patients that are at least triple class refractory across the United States. Disclosures Ailawadhi: AbbVie: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; GSK: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Medimmune: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Beigene: Consultancy. Stiff: CRISPR: Consultancy; Gamida-Cell, Atara, Amgen, Incyte, Takeda, Macrogenetics, Eisai: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding. Green: Seagen Inc.: Research Funding; bristol myers squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Cellectar Biosciences: Research Funding; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Biotech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Legend Biotech: Consultancy; Neoleukin Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; SpringWorks Therapeutics: Research Funding. Lipe: Seagen Inc.: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; sanofi: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; amgen: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Harpoon: Research Funding. Cull: Aptevo: Research Funding. Friend: Cellectar: Current Employment. Longcor: Cellectar: Current Employment. Oliver: Cellectar: Current Employment.

Outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM) have improved dramatically in the last two decades with the advent of novel therapies including immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, immunotherapy for the treatment of MM has advanced rapidly, with the approval of new targeted agents and monoclonal antibodies directed against myeloma cell-surface antigens, as well as maturing data from late stage trials of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Therapies that engage the immune system to treat myeloma offer significant clinical benefits with durable responses and manageable toxicity profiles, however, the appropriate use of these immunotherapy agents can present unique challenges for practicing physicians. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer convened an expert panel, which met to consider the current role of approved and emerging immunotherapy agents in MM and provide guidance to the oncology community by developing consensus recommendations. As immunotherapy evolves as a therapeutic option for the treatment of MM, these guidelines will be updated.

Background: CLR 131 is a novel targeted radiotherapeutic that exploits the selective uptake and retention of phospholipid ethers (PLEs) by malignant cells. Based on initial preclinical and clinical experience and the radiosensitivity of MM, fractionated dosing of CLR 131 is being examined in RRMM in a Phase 1 trial (NCT02278315) and a Phase 2 trial, CLOVER-1 (NCT02952508). Methods: Both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials of CLR 131 aim to determine efficacy and safety in RRMM. Eligibility criteria include progressive or relapsed MM that is refractory to at least 1 proteasome inhibitor (PI) and 1 immunomodulatory (IMiD) drug with no upper limit to the number of prior lines of therapy. Prior autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and external beam radiation therapy are allowed (< 20% of total marrow irradiated). The Phase 1 trial was a single and fractionated ascending dose escalation safety study and the Phase 2 trial is evaluating 3 doses: a bolus dose and 2 fractionated doses. The fractionated doses of CLR 131 included infusion of either 31.25 mCi/m2 CLR 131 or 37.5 mCi/m2 CLR 131 (administered as 15.625 mCi/m2 or 18.75 mCi/m2, respectively, on day 1 and day 7 (± 1 day)) administered as a 30-minute intravenous infusion is reported here. Adverse events (AEs) are graded by NCI-CTCAE v4.03. Responses were determined using IMWG criteria as assessed by the investigator. Results: As of 30Jul2019, 10 subjects have received fractionated 31.25 mCi/m2 and 6 subjects fractionated 37.5 mCi/m2 CLR 131. In addition, 1 subject was scheduled to receive fractionated 37.5 mCi/m2 CLR 131 but died due to progressive disease prior to administration of the second dose; this subject is not included in the analyses below as they did not receive both fractionated doses. There is no upper age limit for enrollment and the median age for the 16 RRMM patients was 71 (range 51-83), including 6 females and 10 males with a median of 4 prior therapies (range 2 to 13). Seven patients had prior ASCT. CLR 131 demonstrated 100% disease control rate in subjects receiving either fractionated dose of CLR 131. The overall response rate (ORR) in the fractionated 37.5 mCi/m2 cohort is 50%. Three subjects in the cohort experienced a partial responses (PR), median time to response 43 days, and the other three had minimal responses (MR) with an average 39% reduction in m-protein. In this cohort, 80% of the subjects were either quad- or penta-refractory; all 80% were refractory to daratumumab. There were two subjects in the 31.25 mCi/m2 cohort with non-secretory disease and their status was followed by FDG-PET imaging. Both have been excluded from the evaluation of efficacy as their disease does not meet with IMWG criteria for response. No patients in this cohort achieved a PR or better however a majority of the subjects experienced a minimal response. The primary AEs include thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, and fatigue (Table 2). The hematologic AEs were expected, manageable and followed a predictable timeline to nadir (average. 40 days) and subsequent recovery (average 17 days post nadir). Conclusions: CLR 131 is a unique, first in class targeted radiotherapeutic for RRMM. Preliminary data for CLR 131 administered as a fractionated dose shows an acceptable and expected safety profile in this patient population. Fractionated dosing at 37.5 mCi/m2 has shown an efficacy signal and has been adopted as the standard for CLR 131 dosing in ongoing and future trials. Dose escalation to determine the highest tolerated dose is ongoing in the Phase 1 study and is currently examining a fractionated infusion of 40 mCi/m2 administered as 20 mCi/m2 CLR 131 on day 1 and day 7 (± 1 day). Based upon these data enrollment to the fractionated 37.5 mCi/m2 cohort of the Phase 2 trial continues. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy. Stiff:Gilead/Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Gamida-Cell: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; Unum: Research Funding. Ibrahim:Cellectar: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Pfeizer: Research Funding; Puma: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Hoffman-LaRoche: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Cull:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Green:GSK: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Cellectar: Research Funding. Oliver:Cellectar Biosciences: Employment. Longcor:Cellectar Biosciences: Employment, Equity Ownership.