Leiba, Merav

Abstract Introduction Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma cell disorder characterized by the deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin light chains in vital organs, often resulting in irreversible organ damage. While plasma cell-directed therapies have improved clinical outcomes, the molecular mechanisms driving disease pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Our previous studies identified overactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in AL amyloidosis (Zvida et al., Blood, 2024; Fishov et al., Cancer Med., 2023), a central regulator of cellular and lipid metabolism. Dysregulated lipid metabolism has been implicated in several hematologic malignancies, yet its role in AL amyloidosis remains largely unexplored. Objectives To characterize the lipidomic landscape in AL amyloidosis compared to multiple myeloma (MM) and healthy controls (HC) in the context of inflammatory signaling. The ultimate goal of this work is to uncover novel metabolic-immunologic targets for therapeutic intervention. Methods Lipidomic profiling was performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) on plasma samples from AL patients (n=30), MM (n=30), and HCs (n=15). Fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression was validated by qRT-PCR in CD138+ bone marrow (BM) samples. A lipogenesis index was calculated using the ratio of palmitoleic acid to linoleic acid as a surrogate marker of FASN activity. Additionally, RNA-seq was conducted on CD138⁺ BM cells from AL and HC samples (n=8). Cytokine profiling was performed on serum from AL, MM, and HC subjects (n=10 each). Functional assays and lipidomic analysis were conducted in ALMC1 cells using the FASN inhibitor TVB-2640 and the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib. Results Lipidomic analysis of pre-treatment plasma samples revealed a significant increase in the lipogenesis index in AL patients, indicating elevated FASN activity. This was consistent with increased FASN mRNA expression in bone marrow CD138⁺ cells, suggesting both transcriptional upregulation and enzymatic activation. In ALMC1 cells, dose- and time-dependent FASN inhibition with TVB-2640 (0-2 μM, 24-72h) significantly reduced cell viability (IC50=1.3 μM), suggesting that FASN activity supports AL plasma cell survival. In addition, AL patients demonstrated a significant decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) levels, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and linoleic acid (LA), compared to MM and HC. As PUFAs are known suppressors of FASN expression and activity, their depletion may contribute to sustained FASN upregulation and a metabolic shift toward de novo lipogenesis. Pathway enrichment analysis of patient lipidomic data revealed significant enrichment of omega-3/6 fatty acid metabolism, ATP generation, and inflammation-related pathways. Notably, imbalances in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ratio have been associated with heightened inflammatory responses. In parallel, RNA-seq analysis identified several upregulated pathways in AL amyloidosis patients compared to controls, including immune regulation, MAPK signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative phosphorylation, and IL-13 signaling. Both IL-13 and MAPK are known to transcriptionally induce FASN and regulate immune responses, providing a possible mechanistic link between inflammation and lipid remodeling. Cytokine profiling revealed elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-13, IL-8, IFN-γ, MIP-1α (CCL3), G-CSF, MCP-1 (CCL2), and IP-10 (CXCL10) in AL serum samples, consistent with a systemic inflammatory phenotype. Pharmacologic inhibition of MAPK signaling (by cobimetinib) in ALMC1 cells led to restoration of PUFA levels and a concurrent reduction in cytokine secretion, suggesting that MAPK activity sustains both the inflammatory and lipogenic phenotype in AL. ConclusionsOur findings identify metabolic-inflammatory axis in AL amyloidosis, in which IL-13 and MAPK signaling may promote fatty acid reprogramming through FASN activation and PUFA suppression. This axis sustains a pro-inflammatory environment that may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Thus, FASN and MAPK may represent promising metabolic-immunologic targets for therapeutic intervention in AL amyloidosis.

Background: Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma cell disorder characterized by the deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin light chain products in vital organs, leading to significant organ dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain incompletely elucidated. Identifying the molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets is critical for improving treatment strategies and patient outcomes. Our previous research work identified that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is overexpressed in AL amyloidosis (Zvida et al., Blood, 2022, Fishov et al., Cancer Med., 2023). This pathway plays a critical role in regulating cellular metabolism. Specifically activated AKT can phosphorylate and regulate various target proteins involved in metabolic processes. One of the significant targets is fatty acid synthase (FASN), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of fatty acids. AKT can enhance FASN expression and activity, thereby promoting lipid biosynthesis. Additionally, elevated FASN levels can drive inflammation through increased fatty acid synthesis, which activates inflammatory signaling pathways and enhances cytokine production (Acosta-Martinez et al.,IJMC, 2022). Elevated levels of FASN have been associated with hematological malignancies and cell survival (Vanauberg, et al., Oncogenesis, 2023). However, its role in AL amyloidosis is yet to be elucidated. Aim: To determine the role of FASN in the pathology and inflammatory response in AL amyloidosis, and to evaluate the potential of targeting FASN and the PI3K/AKT pathway for therapeutic intervention. Methods: We profiled FASN expression in CD138+ bone marrow (BM) samples from patients with AL amyloidosis (n=20), Multiple Myeloma (MM) (n=20), Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined (MGUS) (n=8) and Healthy Controls (HC) (n=6), using qRT-PCR. To further explore the relationship between the PI3K/AKT pathway and FASN, we treated ALMC-1 cells with Capivasertib (an AKT inhibitor) and assessed FASN protein levels, cell proliferation by WST-1 assay, cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry, light chain secretion by ELISA, and expression of AKT and its downstream targets via western blot analysis. Furthermore, TVB-2640 (FASN inhibitor) was used to evaluate the cell response to FASN inhibition. Results: Our analysis revealed a significant upregulation of FASN in AL amyloidosis BM samples compared to MM, MGUS, and HCs. Capivasertib treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in FASN protein levels. Additionally, Capivasertib treatment inhibited cell proliferation, induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest, reduced light chain secretion, and decreased AKT protein expression and its downstream targets p4EBP pS6 and pERK. Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF and IP-10 (CXCL-10), were observed in AL amyloidosis serum samples, suggesting the involvement of immune mechanisms and the PI3K/AKT pathway, potentially induced by FASN. Finally, treatment with TVB-2640 reduced cell viability and decreased the protein expression of LIPIN-1, which is one of the key target genes regulated by FASN. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the significant upregulation of FASN in AL amyloidosis and its regulation by the PI3K/AKT pathway. The observed effects of Capivasertib on FASN expression and cell proliferation, along with the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, underscore the potential for targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and FASN in developing more specific therapeutic strategies for AL amyloidosis.

Abstract Background Noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted attention as biological pathway regulators, which differ from chromosomal translocations and gene point mutations. Their involvement in the molecular mechanisms underlying light chain (AL) amyloidosis pathogenesis is yet to be elucidated. Aims To decipher specific miRNA expression profile in AL‐amyloidosis and to examine how miRNAs are involved in AL pathogenesis. Methods The expression profile of miRNAs and mRNA from bone marrow (BM)‐derived CD138+ cells were determined using the NanoString nCounter assay and RNA‐Seq, respectively. The effect of aberrantly expressed miRNAs on potential molecular targets was analyzed by qRT‐PCR, Western blot, Mito‐potential assay, and Annexin‐PI staining. Results Genes which were significantly differentially expressed between AL‐amyloidosis and MM, were found to be involved in cell growth and apoptotic mechanisms. Specifically, BCL2L1, MCL1, and BCL2 were upregulated in AL‐amyloidosis compared with MM and controls. The levels of miR‐181a‐5p and miR‐9‐5p, which regulate the above‐mentioned genes, were lower in BM samples from AL‐amyloidosis compared with controls, providing a mechanism for BCL2 family gene upregulation. When miR‐9‐5p and miR‐181a‐5p were overexpressed in ALMC1 cells, BCL2L1, MCL1, and BCL2 were downregulated and induced apoptosis. Treatment of ALMC‐1 cells with venetoclax, (BCL‐2 inhibitor), resulted in the upregulation of those miRNAs, the downregulation of BCL2, MCL1, and BCL2L1 mRNA and protein levels, and subsequent apoptosis. Conclusion Our findings suggest that miR‐9‐5p and miR‐181a‐5p act as tumor‐suppressors whose downregulation induces anti‐apoptotic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of AL‐amyloidosis. The study highlights the post‐transcriptional regulation in AL‐amyloidosis and provides pathogenetic evidence for the potential use of BCL‐2 inhibitors in this disease.

Abstract Introduction: Patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (RR DLBCL) who cannot tolerate or who are not eligible for autologous or chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy have limited therapeutic options and suboptimal long-term outcomes. In patients who were not eligible for HSCT, the rituximab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (R-GDP) regimen (and variations using methylprednisolone or carboplatin/oxaliplatin) have shown an overall response rates (ORR) of ~50%, a complete response (CR) rate of ~25% (Gopal, Leuk Lymphoma, 2010), and a median progression-free survival (PFS) and an overall survival (OS) of 3 and 9 months, respectively (Crump, Hematol Oncol Clin N Am. 2016; Gopal Leuk Lymphoma, 2010; Ng, Br J Cancer, 2005; Sirohi, Hematology, 2007; Barton, Eur J Haematol. 2015; Moccia Leuk Lymphoma, 2017). Selinexor is an oral small molecule selective inhibitor of exportin-1 (XPO1) mediated nuclear export (SINE) compound leading to activation of tumor suppressor proteins and reduction in oncoprotein levels. It also reduces the expression of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage repair proteins and therefore potentiates DNA damage-based therapies leading to an increased death of cancer cells. Selinexor has synergistic effects with gemcitabine and cisplatin, and enhanced anti-lymphoma effects with dexamethasone. In the SADAL study (n=134), single-agent oral selinexor 60 mg twice weekly induced an ORR of 29% and a CR rate of 13% in patients with RR DLBCL. The response rates were consistent across various subgroups including patients <70 vs ≥70 years old, those with de novo and transformed DLBCL, and GCB and non-GCB subtypes of DLBCL. The median duration of response (DOR) was 9.3 months, and 23 months for patients who achieved CR. OS was 9.0 months. In June 2020, selinexor monotherapy was approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with RR DLBCL, not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. Selinexor in combination with R-GDP was evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial (SELINDA), in which patients with DLBCL received either 40 or 60 mg selinexor once or twice weekly in combination with standard dose R-GDP. The recommended phase 2 dose for further exploration was 40 or 60 mg once weekly with an ORR of 60-80%. Therefore, combining selinexor with R-GDP is expected to improve response rates, and continuation of treatment with single-agent selinexor is expected to prolong the duration of responses, improve PFS (and potentially OS) in patients with RR DLBCL. Materials and methods: XPORT-DLBCL-030 is a Phase 2/3, multicenter study. The Phase 2 portion of the study is an open-label randomized study to identify the optimal dose of selinexor (40 or 60 mg) in combination with R-GDP in patients (n=120) with RR DLBCL. Patients ≥18 years with 1-3 prior lines of therapy and ECOG performance status ≤2 who are not intended for HSCT or CAR-T therapy are randomized 1:1:1 to one of 3 treatment arms: Arm 1: selinexor 40 mg+R-GDP (S40+R-GDP); Arm 2: selinexor 60 mg+R-GDP (S60 + R-GDP); Arm 3: R-GDP. Combination treatment will be given for up to 6 cycles (21 days/cycle). After completing the SR-GDP combination therapy (EoC), patients in Arms 1 and 2 who reach at least partial response (PR), will receive weekly single-agent selinexor 60 mg (28 days/cycle) as "continuous therapy" until disease progression (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. After PD, patients will be followed up for survival. Patients in the R-GDP arm will be followed up for PD and survival. Patients who are ineligible for HSCT due to an active disease, or those who have primary refractory DLBCL, defined as no response or relapse within 6 months after ending first-line treatment, will be allowed to enroll in the study (up to 15% and 25%, respectively of all patients enrolled). The primary endpoint of the study is ORR according to the Lugano 2014 criteria. Secondary endpoints include PFS, OS, ORR-EoC, DOR and incidence and severity of adverse events. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Pinto: Takeda: Consultancy; MSD: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb-CELGENE: Honoraria. Yimer: Texas Oncology: Current Employment; Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; GSK: Speakers Bureau; Beigene: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Astrazeneca: Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Speakers Bureau. Manda: Morphosys: Honoraria; Genmab: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Canales: Sanofi: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; iQone: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead/Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Eusa Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Jurczak: European Medicines Agency, Sandoz-Novartis, Janssen China R&D, BeiGene, Epizyme, Acerta, AstraZeneca: Consultancy; AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BeiGene, Celtrion, Celgene, Debbiopharm, Epizyme, Incyte, Janssen, Loxo Oncology, Merck, Mei Pharma, Morphosys, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sandoz, Takeda, TG Therapeutics, Pharmacyclics, Affirmed, Gilead Sciences, Nordic Nanovecto: Research Funding; Jagiellonian University: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology: Current Employment; AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Janssen, Loxo Oncology, Sandoz, Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sureda: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel; Bluebird: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Support for attending meetings and/or travel, Speakers Bureau. Ma: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months. Li: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ingalls: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Arriola: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Arazy: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Shah: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Shacham: Karyopharm: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Patents & Royalties: (8999996, 9079865, 9714226, PCT/US12/048319, and I574957) on hydrazide containing nuclear transport modulators and uses, and pending patents PCT/US12/048319, 499/2012, PI20102724, and 2012000928) . Kauffman: Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Nowakowski: Celgene, NanoString Technologies, MorphoSys: Research Funding; Celgene, MorphoSys, Genentech, Selvita, Debiopharm Group, Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

8006 Background: In 2 randomized phase 3 trials of RRMM patients (pts), DRd (POLLUX) or DVd (CASTOR) significantly improved PFS and deepened responses compared with Rd or Vd alone, respectively. The novel mechanism of action of daratumumab (D) may improve the poor prognosis associated with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities in RRMM. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of DRd and DVd among RRMM pts with standard (std) or high cytogenetic risk status. Methods: Bone marrow aspirates were collected at screening and assessed centrally via next generation sequencing (NGS). Pts with high-risk cytogenetics included those who had ≥1 of the following abnormalities: t(4;14), t(14;16), or del17p; std-risk pts were defined as those confirmed negative for these abnormalities. Efficacy analyses included PFS and ORR. Results: Samples from 311/569 pts in POLLUX and 353/498 pts in CASTOR were assessed via NGS. In POLLUX, the median duration of follow-up was 17.3 months. Significantly longer median PFS and numerically higher ORR were observed with DRd vs Rd among high-risk patients, and significant improvements in these outcomes were observed in std-risk patients (Table). In CASTOR, the median duration of follow-up was 13.0 months. Significantly longer median PFS and higher ORR were observed with DVd vs Vd among both high- and std-risk pts (Table). Concordance rates for t(4;14), t(14;16), and del17p were high (88%-98%) between NGS and FISH. Updated data, including subgroup analyses, will be presented. Conclusions: In RRMM pts, the addition of D to standard-of-care regimens improved outcomes regardless of cytogenetic risk status. Targeting CD38 by combining D with Rd or Vd appears to improve the poor outcomes associated with high-risk cytogenetic status. See table. Clinical trial information: NCT02136134 and NCT02076009. [Table: see text]