Venetoclax: A First-in-Class Oral BCL-2 Inhibitor for the Management of Lymphoid Malignancies

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 410-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber C. King ◽  
Tim J. Peterson ◽  
Troy Z. Horvat ◽  
Mabel Rodriguez ◽  
Laura A. Tang

Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of venetoclax for treatment of lymphoid malignancies. Data Sources: A literature search was performed of PubMed and MEDLINE databases (2005 to September 2016), abstracts from the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and ongoing studies from clinicaltrials.gov. Searches were performed utilizing the following key terms: venetoclax, ABT-199, GDC-199, obatoclax, GX15-070, BCL-2 inhibitor, navitoclax, ABT-263, and Venclexta. Study Selection/Data Extraction: Studies of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety of venetoclax in lymphoid malignancies were identified. Data Synthesis: Recently, treatment of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders has shifted from conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy to novel small-molecule inhibitors. The advent of recently Food and Drug Administration–approved oral agents ibrutinib and idelalisib has shifted the paradigm of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment; however, complete remission is uncommon, and the outcome for patients progressing on these treatments remains poor. Attention has been focused on a novel target, the B-cell lymphoma-2 protein (BCL-2), which serves an essential role in regulation of apoptosis. Venetoclax has demonstrated efficacy in multiple subtypes of lymphoid malignancies, including patients with relapsed/refractory CLL harboring deletion 17p, with an overall response rate of nearly 80%. Venetoclax is generally well tolerated, with the significant adverse effect being tumor lysis syndrome, for which there are formal management recommendations. Conclusion: Venetoclax has demonstrated promising results in relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies, with an acceptable adverse effect profile. As the role of BCL-2 inhibition in various malignancies becomes further elucidated, venetoclax may offer benefit to a myriad other patient populations.

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy Z. Horvat ◽  
Amanda N. Seddon ◽  
Adebayo Ogunniyi ◽  
Amber C. King ◽  
Larry W. Buie ◽  
...  

Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of Food and Drug Administration approved and promising immunotherapy agents used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Data Sources: A literature search was performed of PubMed and MEDLINE databases (1950 to July 2017) and of abstracts from the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Searches were performed utilizing the following key terms: rituximab, blinatumomab, inotuzumab, ofatumumab, obinutuzumab, Blincyto, Rituxan, Gazyva, Arzerra, CAR T-cell, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Study Selection/Data Extraction: Studies of pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of rituximab, ofatumumab, obinutuzumab, inotuzumab, blinatumomab, and CAR T-cells in the treatment of adult patients with ALL were identified. Data Synthesis: Conventional chemotherapy has been the mainstay in the treatment of ALL, producing cure rates of approximately 90% in pediatrics, but it remains suboptimal in adult patients. As such, more effective consolidative modalities and novel therapies for relapsed/refractory disease are needed for adult patients with ALL. In recent years, anti-CD20 antibodies, blinatumomab, inotuzumab, and CD19-targeted CAR T-cells have drastically changed the treatment landscape of B-cell ALL. Conclusion: Outcomes of patients with relapsed disease are improving thanks to new therapies such as blinatumomab, inotuzumab, and CAR T-cells. Although the efficacy of these therapies is impressive, they are not without toxicity, both physical and financial. The optimal sequencing of these therapies still remains a question.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentín Ortíz-Maldonado ◽  
Pablo Mozas ◽  
Julio Delgado

B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2)-type proteins are key regulators of the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis. Since escape from apoptosis is one the main ‘hallmarks of cancer’, BCL2 inhibitors have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for diverse lymphoid malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Multiple clinical trials have shown efficacy of these agents in patients with relapsed/refractory disease with a favorable toxicity profile. Moreover, some clinical trials indicate that combination with monoclonal antibodies and other novel agents may enhance their effect.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8065-8065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishna Goswami ◽  
Andres Forero ◽  
Mehdi Hamadani ◽  
Anne Sonet ◽  
Gregor Verhoef ◽  
...  

8065 Background: Novel B-cell targeting agents, including monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab, are among recent advances in treatment of B-cell malignancies. New approaches are needed for patients progressing after rituximab-based therapies. MEDI-551 is an afucosylated monoclonal antibody targeting CD-19, a B-cell restricted transmembrane protein with enhanced affinity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Methods: Pts with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or multiple myeloma received single agent MEDI-551 at dosages ranging from 0.5 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg via intravenous infusion over 28-day cycles; cohorts 1-6 received 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 mg/kg, respectively. Results: 25 pts were enrolled in the phase I portion Jun 2010–Aug 2011. No maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was achieved. Most AEs were grade 1/2 with dose-independent frequency and severity (Table). Six pts had grade 3 toxicities including tumor lysis syndrome, infusion reaction, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, or grade 4 neutropenia. No grade 5 AEs were seen. All pts recovered. Three partial responses (PR) and 2 complete responses (CR) were seen in DLBCL and FL pts at 0.5, 4, and 8 mg/kg. Activity included a CR lasting 9 mo. in a FL pt in cohort 1, who is currently being retreated with MEDI-551 on relapse. Conclusions: MEDI-551 demonstrated a safety profile warranting further study and showed no MTD reached at the highest dose studied. Anti-tumor activity is suggested by the responses achieved across dose levels. Phase II is currently enrolling subjects. This study is funded by MedImmune, LLC. [Table: see text]


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Versha Banerji ◽  
Peter Anglin ◽  
Anna Christofides ◽  
Sarah Doucette ◽  
Pierre Laneuville

The 2019 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology took place 7–10 December in Orlando, Florida. At the meeting, results from key studies in treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia were presented. Of those studies, phase III oral presentations focused on the efficacy and safety of therapy with Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. One presentation reported updated results of the ECOG 1912 trial comparing the efficacy and safety of ibrutinib plus rituximab to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab in patients with CLL younger than 70 years of age. A second presentation reported interim results of the ELEVATE-TN trial, which is investigating the efficacy and safety of acalabrutinib plus obinutuzumab or acalabrutinib monotherapy versus chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. A third presentation reported on the single-agent zanubrutinib arm of the SEQUOIA trial in patients with del(17p). The final presentation reported a data update from the CLL14 trial, which is evaluating fixed-duration venetoclax and obinutuzumab versus chlorambucil and obinutuzumab, including the association of minimal residual disease status on progression-free survival. Our meeting report describes the foregoing studies and presents interviews with investigators and commentaries by Canadian hematologists about potential effects on Canadian practice.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 4600-4600
Author(s):  
Tomas Stopka ◽  
Karin Vargova ◽  
Hana Huskova ◽  
Pavel Burda ◽  
Nikola Curik ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4600 MicroRNA miR-155 represents a candidate pathogenic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphomas (Eis PS, et al. 2005, Fulci V, et al. 2007, Calin GA, et al. 2005, Kluiver J, et al. 2005, Metzler M, et al. 2004, van den Berg A, et al. 2003., Vargova K. et al 2011). In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) expression of miR-155 was associated with NFkB pathway (Rai et al., 2008). In addition, increased miR-155 levels were associated with more aggressive (Activated B-cell like) DLBCL (Eis et al. 2005). The targets of up-regulated miR-155 apparently include a key hematopoietic transcription factor PU.1. Down-regulation of PU.1 represents an important and critical step for both myeloid as well as lymphoid tumorigenesis. We herein found the increased levels of miR-155 coupled with downregulation of its target PU.1 are frequent events in B cells of a vast majority of CLL patients (N=169). To advance understanding of miR-155 and PU.1 in lymphoid malignancies we studied lymph node biopsies derived from patients with lymphomas. We show that increased miR-155 levels are also found in DLBCL (N=31, P < 0.0001), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL, N=22, P < 0.0001), follicular lymphoma (FL, N=23, P < 0.001), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL, N=12, P < 0.01), and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL, N=11, P < 0.01). The miR-155-overexpressing tumors display downregulation of PU.1. In contrast, peripheral T cell lymphoma (T-NHL, N=6) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL, N=7) expressed miR-155 and PU.1 comparably as control lymph nodes. Our data indicate that expression pattern of miR-155 and its target PU.1 represents a hallmark of some but not all lymphoid malignancies. Interestingly, the miR-155/PU1 levels vary substantially within each diagnosis, therefore, our aim is to further analyze the occurrence of this relationship in different prognostic groups and analyze the clinical outcome as well. (Grants: NT10310-3/2009 & NT11218-6/2010, MPO FR-TI2/509, GAUK251135 82210 & 251070 45410, SVV-2011-262507) Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 3850-3860 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Migliazza ◽  
L Lombardi ◽  
M Rocchi ◽  
D Trecca ◽  
CC Chang ◽  
...  

The NFKB2(lyt-10) gene codes for a protein that is a member of the NK- kappa B/rel family of transcription factors containing a DNA-binding rel domain and a carboxy-terminal ankyrin-like domain. The NFKB2 gene represents a candidate proto-oncogene, since it has been found to be involved in a chromosomal translocation t(10;14)(q24;q32) in one case of B-cell lymphoma and in gene rearrangements in various types of lymphoid malignancies. To elucidate the structural and functional consequences of NFKB2 rearrangements, we report the molecular characterization of three novel rearranged NFKB2 genes in lymphoid tumors. In one case of multiple myeloma (MM), cloning and sequencing analysis of reciprocal breakpoint sites showed that they occurred within intron 15 of the NFKB2 gene and led to the complete deletion of the 32 portion of the gene coding for the ankyrin domain. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that the novel regions involved in the NFKB2 rearrangement originated from chromosome 7q34, thus implying the occurrence of a t(7;10)(q34;q24) reciprocal chromosomal translocation. In one case of T-cell cutaneous lymphoma (CTCL) and in one of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), NFKB2 rearrangements occurred, respectively, within exons 18 and 20 of the gene and involved recombinations with distinct regions of chromosome 10q24. Molecular analysis suggested that these rearrangements may occur as a consequence of small internal chromosomal deletions. In both of these cases, the rearrangements led to specific carboxy-terminal truncations of NFKB2 generating abnormal transcripts that coded for proteins lacking portions of the ankyrin domain. These proteins localize in the nucleus, suggesting their constitutive activation in vivo. Overall, our results indicate that NFKB2 rearrangements in lymphoid neoplasia may occur by heterogeneous mechanisms, including internal chromosomal deletion or chromosomal translocation. The common consequence of these rearrangements appears to be the deletion of 32 sequences of NFKB2 leading to the production of carboxy-truncated constitutively nuclear proteins that may be involved in tumorigenesis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isha Kapoor ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Arishya Sharma ◽  
Huayuan Zhu ◽  
Juraj Bodo ◽  
...  

AbstractChronic activation of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK)-mediated B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is a hallmark of many B-cell lymphoid malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Ibrutinib, an FDA approved, orally administered BTK inhibitor, has demonstrated high response rates, however, complete responses are infrequent and acquired resistance to BTK inhibition can emerge. In this study, we generated ibrutinib-resistant (IB-R) cell lines by chronic exposure of CLL and activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL cells to ibrutinib in order to investigate the mechanism of acquired resistance to ibrutinib. IB-R cell lines demonstrated downregulation of FOXO3a and PTEN levels and activation of AKT, with their levels being low in the nuclei of resistant cells in comparison to the sensitive counterparts. Inhibition of PI3K and AKT using idelalisib and MK2206, respectively increased ibrutinib-induced apoptosis in IB-R cells by downregulation of pAKT473 and restoring FOXO3a levels, demonstrating the importance of these cell survival factors for ibrutinib-resistance. Notably, the exportin 1 inhibitor, selinexor synergized with ibrutinib in IB-R cells and restored nuclear abundance of FOXO3a and PTEN, suggesting that nuclear accumulation of FOXO3a and PTEN facilitates increase in ibrutinib-induced apoptosis in IB-R cells. These data demonstrate that reactivation of FOXO3a nuclear function enhances the efficacy of ibrutinib and overcomes acquired resistance to ibrutinib. Together, these findings reveal a novel mechanism that confers ibrutinib resistance via aberrant nuclear/cytoplasmic subcellular localization of FOXO3a and could be exploited by rational therapeutic combination regimens for effectively treating lymphoid malignancies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline L Olin ◽  
Carrie L Griffiths ◽  
Morgan B Smith

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with the 17p deletion have a poor prognosis and treatment options are limited. Venetoclax, a novel B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitor, has been approved for treatment-experienced chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with the 17p deletion. A phase 1 dose-escalation study to 400 mg daily showed overall response rates across all doses of 79% with a complete response achieved in 20%. A phase 2 multicenter open-label study demonstrated overall response rate of 79.4% of patients (95% confidence interval 70.5–86.6) with median duration of follow-up of 12.1 months (IQR 10.1-14.2). Tumor lysis syndrome has been observed during initiation and titration. Assessing risk of tumor lysis syndrome prior to therapy initiation is essential to provide appropriate prophylactic medications. Neutropenia, potentially warranting dose reduction or discontinuation, has been observed. Venetoclax has demonstrated activity in other leukemias, multiple myeloma, and lymphomas. Venetoclax has shown response, and is well tolerated in patients with highly resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It has the potential to be part of the treatment armamentarium for other malignancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isha Kapoor ◽  
Juraj Bodo ◽  
Brian T. Hill ◽  
Alexandru Almasan

AbstractAberrant microRNA (miR) expression plays an important role in pathogenesis of different types of cancers, including B-cell lymphoid malignancies and in the development of chemo-sensitivity or -resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as well as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Ibrutinib is a first-in class, oral, covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor (BTKi) that has shown impressive clinical activity, yet many ibrutinib-treated patients relapse or develop resistance over time. We have reported that acquired resistance to ibrutinib is associated with downregulation of tumor suppressor protein PTEN and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Yet how PTEN mediates chemoresistance in B-cell malignancies is not clear. We now show that the BTKi ibrutinib and a second-generation compound, acalabrutinib downregulate miRNAs located in the 14q32 miRNA cluster region, including miR-494, miR-495, and miR-543. BTKi-resistant CLL and DLBCL cells had striking overexpression of miR-494, miR-495, miR-543, and reduced PTEN expression, indicating further regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in acquired BTKi resistance. Additionally, unlike ibrutinib-sensitive CLL patient samples, those with resistance to ibrutinib treatment, demonstrated upregulation of 14q32 cluster miRNAs, including miR-494, miR-495, and miR-543 and decreased pten mRNA expression. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-494 directly targeted and suppressed PTEN expression by recognizing two conserved binding sites in the PTEN 3′-UTR, and subsequently activated AKTSer473. Importantly, overexpression of a miR-494 mimic abrogated both PTEN mRNA and protein levels, further indicating regulation of apoptosis by PTEN/AKT/mTOR. Conversely, overexpression of a miR-494 inhibitor in BTKi-resistant cells restored PTEN mRNA and protein levels, thereby sensitizing cells to BTKi-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of miR-494 and miR-495 sensitized cells by cooperative targeting of pten, with additional miRNAs in the 14q32 cluster that target pten able to contribute to its regulation. Therefore, targeting 14q32 cluster miRNAs may have therapeutic value in acquired BTK-resistant patients via regulation of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling axis.


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