“Wilms Tumor Protein 1” (WT1) Peptide Vaccination-induced Complete Remission in a Patient With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Is Accompanied by the Emergence of a Predominant T-cell Clone Both in Blood and Bone Marrow

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Ochsenreither ◽  
Alberto Fusi ◽  
Antonia Busse ◽  
Sandra Bauer ◽  
Carmen Scheibenbogen ◽  
...  
2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2511-2511 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Keilholz ◽  
A. Letsch ◽  
A. Asemissen ◽  
W. Hofmann ◽  
L. Uharek ◽  
...  

2511 Background: The transcription factor Wilms tumor protein (WT) 1 belongs to a new generation of tumor antigens, as it is essential for tumor cell proliferation. WT1 is highly expressed both in myeloid leukemias and many carcinomas. This phase 2 proof-of-concept trial was initiated to determine immunogenicity and toxicity of vaccination with a novel HLA-A2-restricted WT1 peptide vaccine. Methods: Sixteen HLA-A2-positive patients with acute myeloid leukemia and one patient with myelodysplasia received 3–18 vaccinations (median 8) of WT1. 126–134 peptide (0.2 mg) together with the T helper protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (1 mg) and in addition GM-CSF (75 mcg for four days) and. Twelve patients had elevated blast counts at study entry and 5 patients complete remission with high risk for relapse. Results: Six of 12 patients with presence of leukemic blasts had evidence of antileukemic activity. One patient achieved complete remission for 12 months. The patient with myelodysplasia RAEB II had a major response of neutrophils and platelets. Two patients had minor responses with transient clearance of peripheral blasts or improvement of hematopoiesis, and two patients achieved disease stabilization for 3 and 14 months. WT1 transcripts as molecular disease marker decreased in 5 of these 6 patients and also in 4 of 5 high-risk patients. No significant toxicity occurred. The generation of a WT1-specific T cell response in peripheral blood and bone marrow was detected in 9 of 13 patients by tetramer analysis and 8 of 13 patients by intracellular cytokine staining. Conclusion: These results show that WT1 vaccination can induce functional T cell responses associated with antileukemic activity and warrant trials of WT1 vaccination in patients at high risk of relapse and with WT1-expressing carcinomas. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2781-2781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Greiner ◽  
Krzysztof Giannopoulos ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Peter Liebisch ◽  
Christiane Wendl ◽  
...  

Abstract The receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility (RHAMM/CD168) has been described as a leukemia-associated antigen (LAA) eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with hematological malignancies. RHAMM/CD168 is expressed in more than 80% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, we characterized the RHAMM/CD168-derived peptide R3 (ILSLELMKL) as a CD8+ T cell epitope. R3-primed CD8+ T lymphocytes were able to lyse autologous RHAMM/CD168+ AML blasts in a MHC class I-restricted and epitope-specific manner. Therefore, we initiated a phase I/II R3 peptide vaccination trial for patients with AML, MDS or MM overexpressing RHAMM/CD168. Patients were included with positive RHAMM/CD168 expression but with a limited tumor load. 300 mcg RHAMM R3 peptide emulsified with the incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (ISA-51, Montanide; day 3) and GM-CSF (Leukine, days 1–5) was administrated four times subcutaneously at a biweekly interval. The primary aim of the study is safety and feasibility of this peptide vaccination, secondary aims the evaluation of a specific T cell immune response to RHAMM/CD168 R3 peptide and the assessment of the influence of the R3 peptide vaccination on the remission status. Since January 2005, ten patients were enrolled in this study. The first eight patients (2 AML, 3 MDS, 3 MM) have completed the course of four vaccinations and four patients have been evaluated. The only side effects observed under R3-peptide vaccination were erythema and induration of the skin at the site of injection (CTC I°). In 2/4 patients, we found in the peripheral blood a significant increase of specific CD8+ T cells (from 0.01% to 0.8%) recognizing the R3 peptide in ELISPOT analysis and tetramer staining, one patient showed already initially a high number of HLA-A2/R3 tetramer+CCR7-CD27-CD45RA+ effector T cells and maintained this level of T cell response. Clinical responses have been assessed by the examination of peripheral blood and bone-marrow samples before and after vaccination. Patients showed a reduction of the tumor-specific expressed antigen RHAMM/CD168 in real-time RT-PCR analysis after vaccination. 2/4 patients with myeloid disorders (1 AML, 1 MDS RAEB1) showed a reduction of CD33+ cells in FACS analysis of the bone-marrow after 4 vaccinations from 10 and 7 % to 1–2 and <1%, respectively. One patient with MM showed a reduction of plasma cells in bone-marrow and a stable quantity of light chains in peripheral blood, one patient with AML showed a progressive disease. In summary, RHAMM/CD168 is a promising target antigen for immunotherapies in patients with hematological malignancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110026
Author(s):  
Andrana K. Calgarotto ◽  
Ana L. Longhini ◽  
Fernando V. Pericole de Souza ◽  
Adriana S. Santos Duarte ◽  
Karla P. Ferro ◽  
...  

Green tea (GT) treatment was evaluated for its effect on the immune and antineoplastic response of elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) who are ineligible for aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. The eligible patients enrolled in the study (n = 10) received oral doses of GT extract (1000 mg/day) alone or combined with low-dose cytarabine chemotherapy for at least 6 months and/or until progression. Bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) were evaluated monthly. Median survival was increased as compared to the control cohort, though not statistically different. Interestingly, improvements in the immunological profile of patients were found. After 30 days, an activated and cytotoxic phenotype was detected: GT increased total and naïve/effector CD8+ T cells, perforin+/granzyme B+ natural killer cells, monocytes, and classical monocytes with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. A reduction in the immunosuppressive profile was also observed: GT reduced TGF-β and IL-4 expression, and decreased regulatory T cell and CXCR4+ regulatory T cell frequencies. ROS levels and CXCR4 expression were reduced in bone marrow CD34+ cells, as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression in biopsies. Immune modulation induced by GT appears to occur, regardless of tumor burden, as soon as 30 days after intake and is maintained for up to 180 days, even in the presence of low-dose chemotherapy. This pilot study highlights that GT extracts are safe and could improve the immune system of elderly AML-MRC patients.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 2132-2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Scheibenbogen ◽  
Anne Letsch ◽  
Eckhard Thiel ◽  
Alexander Schmittel ◽  
Volker Mailaender ◽  
...  

Abstract Wilms tumor gene product WT1 and proteinase 3 are overexpressed antigens in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), against which cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be elicited in vitro and in murine models. We performed this study to investigate whether WT1- and proteinase 3-specific CD8 T cells spontaneously occur in AML patients. T cells recognizing HLA-A2.1-binding epitopes from WT1 or proteinase 3 could be detected ex vivo in 5 of 15 HLA-A2–positive AML patients by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) ELISPOT assay and flow cytometry for intracellular IFN-γ and in 3 additional patients by flow cytometry only. T cells producing IFN-γ in response to proteinase 3 were further characterized in one patient by 4-color flow cytometry, identifying them as CD3+CD8+CD45RA+ CCR7−T cells, resembling cytotoxic effector T cells. In line with this phenotype, most of the WT1- and proteinase-reactive T cells were granzyme B+. These results provide for the first time evidence for spontaneous T-cell reactivity against defined antigens in AML patients. These data therefore support the immunogenicity of WT1 and proteinase 3 in acute leukemia patients and the potential usefulness of these antigens for leukemia vaccines.


1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2138-2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Shaw ◽  
M E Bergin ◽  
M A Burgess ◽  
L Dalla Pozza ◽  
S J Kellie ◽  
...  

PURPOSE To report the impact of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with busulfan/cyclophosphamide (BuCy) as end consolidation in a cohort of consecutively diagnosed children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between May 1987 and November 1992, 43 patients were diagnosed with AML. Tissue typing at diagnosis determined whether patients would proceed to autologous or allogeneic BMT as end consolidation after six cycles of chemotherapy. Conditioning for BMT was with BuCy, followed by allogeneic or unpurged autologous marrow infusion. RESULTS Of 37 patients who received chemotherapy, 35 achieved remission (95%) after one to six courses of treatment and 34 (92%) were transplanted. Five relapsed before BMT, four were subsequently transplanted in second complete remission (CR2) (n = 3) or untreated first relapse (n = 1), and one failed to respond to further therapy. All other patients proceeded to BMT in first complete remission (CR1). Eleven patients received allografts: one relapsed and one died of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), for a leukemia-free survival rate of 90% at a median of 41 months after BMT (range, 3 to 60). For 23 autografts, there were two toxic deaths and eight relapses, with a leukemia-free survival rate of 61% at a median of 11 months after BMT (range, 0 to 66). The high relapse rate following autologous BMT led us to escalate the dose of Bu from 16 mg/kg to 600 mg/m2 using a single daily dose of Bu. CONCLUSION With modern supportive therapy, most newly diagnosed children with AML will enter remission and are eligible for intensification therapy. BuCy is well tolerated in children, which allowed us to escalate the dose of Bu in recent patients. Further follow-up is needed to determine whether this has an impact on the relapse rate following autologous BMT.


Haematologica ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 1263-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yanada ◽  
G. Borthakur ◽  
F. Ravandi ◽  
C. Bueso-Ramos ◽  
H. Kantarjian ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2357-2357
Author(s):  
Michael Boyiadzis ◽  
Chang Sook Hong ◽  
Theresa L Whiteside

Abstract Background: Exosomes are virus-size (30–100 nm in diameter) membrane-bound microvesicles that are formed within the endocytic compartments and via fusion of multivesicles bodies are released into extracellular space. The exosomal cargo includes proteins/glycoproteins expressed on the cell membrane as well as molecules and soluble factors present in the cytosol of parental cells. While exosome secretion occurs under physiologic conditions, and all cells are capable of their release, tumor cells are avid exosome producers. Patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) prior to any therapy have higher levels of exosomes compared to normal controls (NC). We hypothesize that the molecular content of isolated exosomes, which are thought to mimic that of leukemic blasts, could be informative about the presence in the bone marrow of leukemic blasts that might avoid detection by conventional hematopathological assays. Methods: Samples of venous blood (20-50 mL) were obtained from patients newly diagnosed with AML prior to any treatment (n=13), after completion of initial induction chemotherapy in patients who achieved complete remission (n=8), during consolidation therapy and age-matched healthy volunteers. Exosome fractions were isolated from plasma by exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G50 columns followed by ultracentrifugation. Exosome protein content was determined and expressed in µg protein/mL plasma. Isolated exosomes were characterized by western blots for expression of classical exosomal markers and for expression of novel myeloid cell surface markers associated with AML, interleukin-3 receptor a chain (CD123) and C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1). Results: The exosome fractions isolated from AML patients’ plasma at diagnosis had a considerably greater mean protein content (81.5 ± 10.8 μg protein/mL plasma) than did exosome fractions isolated from the plasma of NC (13.1 ± 2.4 μg protein/mL plasma) with p < 0.005. The molecular profile of exosomes isolated from plasma of AML patients at diagnosis was distinct from that of exosomes isolated from plasma of NC. In addition to classical exosomal markers (MHC class I molecules, LAMP-1, CD81) exosomes isolated from AML patients at diagnosis contained CD34, CD117, CD123 and CLL-1. The exosome fractions isolated from the patients’ plasma who achieved complete remission (n=8) remained elevated, similar to the levels at the time of AML diagnosis (78.5 vs 77.5 μg protein/mL plasma). Exosomes in AML patients who achieved complete remission and in patients receiving consolidation therapy when leukemic blasts are undetectable in the bone marrow by conventional hematopathological methods contained CD123 and CLL-1. Conclusions: Exosomes in AML patients have a unique and distinctive molecular profile. The exosomal profile suggest the presence of residual disease in patients considered to have achieved complete remission by conventional hematopathologic assays. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 2637-2644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Padró ◽  
Sandra Ruiz ◽  
Ralf Bieker ◽  
Horst Bürger ◽  
Martin Steins ◽  
...  

The importance of angiogenesis for the progressive growth and viability of solid tumors is well established. In contrast, only few data are available for hematologic neoplasms. To investigate the role of angiogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), bone marrow biopsies from 62 adults with newly diagnosed, untreated AML (day 0) were evaluated. Further studies were done after the completion of remission induction chemotherapy (day 16 of induction chemotherapy, n = 21; complete remission, n = 20). Microvessels were scored in at least 3 areas (×500 field, 0.126 mm2) of the highest microvessel density in representative sections of each bone marrow specimen using immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor and thrombomodulin. Microvessel counts were significantly higher in patients with AML (n = 62) compared with control patients (n = 22): median (interquartile range) 24.0 (21.0-27.8)/×500 field vs 11.2 (10.0-12.0)/×500 field, respectively (P < .001). On day 16 of induction chemotherapy, microvessel density was reduced by 60% (44-66) (P < .001) in hypoplastic marrows without residual blasts, in contrast to only 17% (0-37) reduction in hypoplastic marrows with ≥ 5% residual blasts (P < .001 for the difference between both groups). Bone marrow biopsies taken at the time of complete remission displayed a microvessel density in the same range as the controls. In conclusion, there is evidence of increased microvessel density in the bone marrow of patients with AML, which supports the hypothesis of an important role of angiogenesis in AML. Furthermore, these findings suggest that antiangiogenic therapy might constitute a novel strategy for the treatment of AML.


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