FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIa polymorphisms do not predict response to rituximab in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 1472-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif S. Farag ◽  
Ian W. Flinn ◽  
Rama Modali ◽  
Teresa A. Lehman ◽  
Donn Young ◽  
...  

Abstract In follicular lymphoma (FL), genomic polymorphisms corresponding to the expression of valine (V) or phenylalanine (F) at amino acid 158 of FcγRIIIa alter the binding affinity of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) to the receptor and have been associated with varied responses to rituximab. We examined FcγRIIIa polymorphisms of 30 CLL patients with the phenotypes V/V (n = 6), V/F (n = 12), and F/F (n = 12) treated with thrice-weekly rituximab (375 mg/m2) for 4 weeks to correlate polymorphism type with infusion toxicity and response. Infusion toxicity (grade 3 or greater or hypoxia/hypotension requiring transient cessation of therapy) was observed equally among the groups (V/V, 50%; V/F, 33%; F/F, 41.6%; P = .78). The response to rituximab was also similar among the different polymorphism phenotypes (V/V, 33%; V/F, 41.6%; F/F, 50%). These data suggest that FcγRIIIa polymorphisms are not predictive of response in CLL and that, unlike the case with FL, mechanisms of tumor clearance other than antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity may be more important.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2035-2035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Del Poeta ◽  
Maria Ilaria Del Principe ◽  
Luca Maurillo ◽  
Francesco Buccisano ◽  
Gianfranco Catalano ◽  
...  

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies in combination with chemotherapy allowed us to obtain more responses and longer response duration in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), reducing disease burden to levels detectable only by flow cytometry. Moreover, it has been reported that low-dose rituximab decreases CD20 antigen loss via shaving and promotes enhanced targeting in CLL (Williams, 2006). We performed a phase II study that added rituximab to fludarabine (Flu) as therapy for symptomatic, untreated CLL. Remission status was assessed by a multiparametric flow cytometric method based on the detection of CD19+CD5+CD79b– residual B-CLL lymphocytes. VH mutational status, CD38, ZAP-70 and cytogenetics were obtained in all pts before treatment. We defined as “high risk” pts having at least two of the following markers: unmutated IgVH, CD38>30%, ZAP-70>20%, intermediate/unfavorable cytogenetics (trisomy 12 or del11q or del17p). Eighty-two CLL pts, median age 61 years, received six monthly courses of Flu (25 mg/m2 for 5 days) and four weekly doses of rituximab (375 mg/m2) starting after completion of Flu therapy. According to modified Rai stages, 8 pts had a low stage, 70 an intermediate stage and 4 a high stage. Based on NCI criteria, 66/82 (80%) pts achieved a complete remission (CR), 12/82 (15%) a partial remission (PR) and 4/82 (5%) no response or progression. Hematologic toxicity included mainly neutropenia (grade 3 and/or 4 in 42 pts) and thrombocytopenia (grade 3 and/or 4 in 4 pts). Thirty-five pts in clinical CR or PR, either with CD5+CD19+CD79b– bone marrow (BM) cells >1% (MRD+, n=20 pts) or MRD negative but presenting CD5+CD19+ peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) >1000/microl (n=15 pts) within 1 year after completion of the induction treatment, underwent consolidation/maintenance therapy with four monthly cycles of rituximab at 375 mg/m2 followed by twelve monthly doses of rituximab at 150 mg/m2. The median follow-up duration was 46 months. Noteworthy, all B-CLL pts experienced a long progression-free survival (PFS) from the end of induction treatment (68% at 5 years). Nevertheless, CLL pts that underwent consolidation and maintenance therapy (n=35) showed a significant longer response duration (85% at 5 years, Figure). On the other hand, BM and PBL persistently MRD negative (>1 year) pts (n=29) showed a response duration similar to that of the consolidated pts (87% at 5 years). A significant shorter PFS was observed within CD38+ pts (39% vs 78% at 5 years, P=0.002), unmutated pts (45% vs 94% at 2.5 years, P=0.001) and ZAP-70+ pts (36% vs 88% at 6 years; P=0.00002). Notably, within the “high risk” subset (n=30), considering only MRD+ pts in CR or PR (n=20), MRD+ consolidated pts (n=11) showed a significant longer response duration (64% vs 13% at 2 years, P=0.006) in comparison with MRD+ unconsolidated pts (n=9). In conclusion, consolidation/maintenance therapy with rituximab prolongs significantly the response duration in B-CLL, improving also the outcome of the “high risk” subset. Figure Figure


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2364-2364
Author(s):  
Giovanni Del Poeta ◽  
Maria Ilaria Del Principe ◽  
Dario Ragusa ◽  
Luca Maurillo ◽  
Francesco Buccisano ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2364 Poster Board II-341 The treatment goal of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has already shifted from symptom palliation to the attainment of maximal disease control combining purine analogs with monoclonal antibodies. This immunochemotherapeutic approach resulted both in more complete responses (CR) and longer response duration, often remaining only a minimal residual disease (MRD) detectable by flow cytometry. We treated in first line 120 B-CLL symptomatic patients (pts), median age 62 years, with six monthly courses of intravenous or oral fludarabine at conventional doses and then, after a median time of 31 days, with four weekly doses (375 mg/sqm) of rituximab (rtx). Fourteen pts had a low Rai stage, 103 an intermediate stage and 3 a high stage. We defined as high risk pts having at least two of these markers: unmutated IgVH, CD38>30%, ZAP-70>20%, intermediate unfavorable cytogenetics (trisomy 12 or del11q or del17p). Based on NCI criteria, 92/120 (77%) pts achieved a CR, 24/120 (20%) a partial remission (PR) and 4/120 (3%) no response or progression. Ten pts underwent grade 3 (WHO) infective lung toxicity, 1 patient acute fatal B hepatitis and 2 pts progressed towards Richter's syndrome. Hematologic toxicity included mainly neutropenia (grade 3 and/or 4 in 56 pts) and thrombocytopenia (grade 3 and/or 4 in 8 pts). Fifty-four pts either in CR with B-CLL bone marrow cells >1% (MRD+, n=16 pts) or in CR MRD negative, but with B-CLL peripheral cells going up >1000/microl within 1 year after induction (n=22 pts) or in PR (n=16 pts), underwent consolidation and maintenance therapy with four monthly cycles of rtx at 375 mg/sqm followed by twelve monthly low doses of rtx (150 mg/sqm). The median follow-up duration was 50 months. All treated pts experienced a long progression-free survival from the end of induction treatment (40% at 9 years). On the other hand, global overall survival (OS) was 54% at 10 years. Nevertheless, CLL pts undergoing consolidation and maintenance therapy (n=54) showed a longer response duration vs MRD+ not consolidated pts (n=16; 75% vs 9% at 4 years; P<0.00001, Figure). Noteworthy, persistently MRD negative (>1 year) pts (n=43) showed a very long response duration (79% at 6 years, Figure). Moreover, OS was shorter in MRD+ not consolidated pts (0% vs 79% at 15 years; P=0.0007). Noteworthy, within the high risk subset (n=48), consolidated pts (n=17) showed a longer response duration (56% vs 0% at 2.5 years, P=0.003) vs MRD+ not consolidated pts (n=11). Therefore, rituximab consolidation and maintenance immunotherapy improve response duration in B-CLL, thus potentially increasing OS, also within the high risk subset. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2091-2091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Ulrich Knauf ◽  
Toshko Lissitchkov ◽  
Ali Aldaoud ◽  
Anna Liberati ◽  
Javier Loscertales ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Bendamustine is a purine analog/alkylator hybrid agent with a unique mechanism of action, which has shown good clinical efficacy and acceptable tolerability in various hematological malignancies, including Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Patients and Methods: The efficacy and safety of bendamustine and chlorambucil have been compared in a randomized, open-label, multicenter, Phase III trial in patients with previously untreated advanced (Binet stage B/C) B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an updated analysis from this trial is presented here. Patients were randomized to receive bendamustine (100 mg/m2 on days 1 + 2) or chlorambucil (0.8 mg/kg on days 1 and 15) for up to 6 treatment cycles. The median cumulative dose per patient was 1820 mg and 517 mg for bendamustine and chlorambucil, respectively. The primary endpoints were overall remission rate (ORR), which was defined as complete response, nodular partial response or partial response, and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and safety. The response to treatment was evaluated by a blinded Independent Response Assessment Committee. Results: A total of 319 patients were randomized (162 bendamustine, 157 chlorambucil), of whom all were included in the efficacy analysis and 312 were evaluable for safety. The mean (± SD) number of treatment cycles was 4.8 ± 1.7 in the bendamustine group and 4.6 ± 1.7 in the chlorambucil group; the median duration of follow-up was 29.2 months (29.8 bendamustine, 27.8 chlorambucil). The ORR was significantly higher with bendamustine than with chlorambucil (67% versus 30%, P&lt;0.0001). The median PFS was 21.5 months with bendamustine and 8.3 months with chlorambucil (P&lt;0.0001). No difference in OS was seen between groups. Most doses were given on schedule. The mean overall relative dose intensity was 86% and 96% in the bendamustine and chlorambucil treatment groups, respectively. At least 1 grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 43% of bendamustine-treated patients and 21% of those receiving chlorambucil. Grade 3/4 infections were documented in 7% of bendamustine-treated patients and 4% of chlorambucil-treated patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that bendamustine offers significantly greater efficacy than chlorambucil, with manageable toxicity, and should be considered as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced B-CLL.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4185-4185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. McWilliams ◽  
Carolyn Cheney ◽  
Jeffrey A. Jones ◽  
Joseph M. M. Flynn ◽  
Kami Maddocks ◽  
...  

Abstract B-cell activating factor (BAFF) belongs to the TNF ligand superfamily of cytokines involved in B cell survival and maturation. BAFF is produced by diverse cell types including innate immune cells like monocytes and dendritic cells as well as T cells, activated B cells, and bone marrow stromal cells. BAFF binds to the BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) with high affinity compared to the other BAFF receptors, BCMA and TACI. While BAFF is known to regulate normal B-cell development and proliferation, it also contributes to survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We observed expression of BAFF-R on virtually all B cells from CLL patients. B-CLL cells have strong up-regulation of BAFF and BAFF-R compared to normal healthy B cells. We describe here the in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation in CLL of B-1239, a fully human anti-BAFF-R monoclonal IgG1 antibody. B-1239 is devoid of fucose residues in its Fc domain, resulting in enhanced binding to FCgammaRIIIa activating receptor on Natural Killer (NK) cells. While B-1239 failed to induce direct or complement mediated cytotoxicity, binding of B-1239 to CLL cells resulted in enhanced antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) with allogeneic or autologous NK effector cells in-vitro. Indeed, at a therapeutically relevant concentration of 10 ug/mL B-1239 shows more than 30% increased relative cytotoxic activity over current CLL antibody therapeutic Rituximab. Dilutions of B-1239 down to 0.01 ug/mL showed similar cytotoxicity to the 10 ug/mL concentration. At 0.0001 ug/mL B-1239 has a 40% cytotoxic effect on CLL cells in ADCC assays while antibody therapeutic controls, like Rituximab, show virtually no cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, B-1239 mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) by monocyte-derived macrophages and mediated activation of monocytes and macrophages as detected by TNF-alpha production. Consistent with the cross reactivity to murine BAFF-R, flow cytometric analysis revealed binding of B-1239 to CD5+CD19+ leukemic B cells from Eu-Tcl-1 transgenic mouse CLL cells. A single dose of B-1239 by i.v injection into Eu-Tcl-1 mice resulted in dramatic reduction in circulating CD5+CD19+ leukemic B cells in all three B-1239 injected mice. In contrast, we observed continued increase of leukemic CD5+CD19+ populations in the two vehicle treated mice. Ongoing studies are focused on determining how targeting BAFF-R on CLL B-cells depletes the leukemic population both in-vitro and in-vivo and the downstream effects of targeting through this receptor. Collectively, these results demonstrate that targeting BAFF-R on CLL cells provides a B-cell specific approach for rapid and robust depletion of leukemic CLL cells and provides evidence for a strong therapeutic advantage in BAFF-R targeted therapies in CLL. Disclosures: Huet: Novartis: Employment, Employment Related Perks Other. Gram:Novartis: Employment, Employment Related Perks Other. Baeck:Novartis: Employment, Employment Related Perks Other.


2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
F. Scamardella ◽  
M. Maconi ◽  
L. Albertazzi ◽  
B. Gamberi ◽  
L. Gugliotta ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Alessandro Pileri ◽  
Carlotta Baraldi ◽  
Alessandro Broccoli ◽  
Roberto Maglie ◽  
Annalisa Patrizi ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 194 (11) ◽  
pp. 1639-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Rosenwald ◽  
Ash A. Alizadeh ◽  
George Widhopf ◽  
Richard Simon ◽  
R. Eric Davis ◽  
...  

The most common human leukemia is B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a malignancy of mature B cells with a characteristic clinical presentation but a variable clinical course. The rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) genes of CLL cells may be either germ-line in sequence or somatically mutated. Lack of Ig mutations defined a distinctly worse prognostic group of CLL patients raising the possibility that CLL comprises two distinct diseases. Using genomic-scale gene expression profiling, we show that CLL is characterized by a common gene expression “signature,” irrespective of Ig mutational status, suggesting that CLL cases share a common mechanism of transformation and/or cell of origin. Nonetheless, the expression of hundreds of other genes correlated with the Ig mutational status, including many genes that are modulated in expression during mitogenic B cell receptor signaling. These genes were used to build a CLL subtype predictor that may help in the clinical classification of patients with this disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Magrinelli ◽  
Sara Mariotto ◽  
Gianpaolo Nadali ◽  
Giuseppe Todeschini ◽  
Massimiliano Lanzafame ◽  
...  

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