scholarly journals Evaluation of a Bifunctional Sirpα-CD123 Fusion Antibody for the Elimination of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2544-2544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siret Tahk ◽  
Saskia Schmitt ◽  
Christian Peter Augsberger ◽  
Binje Vick ◽  
Laia Pascual Ponce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Target Antigen ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Background: Despite considerable advances in the development of novel strategies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) the relapse rate is still high with only limited treatment options. Relapse occurs due to the persistence of chemotherapy-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs), which re-initiate outgrowth of the disease, highlighting the need of targeting LSCs to improve overall survival. Immunotherapies represent a promising strategy to target chemotherapy-resistant LSCs in AML. LSCs are characterized by the expression of the interleukin-3 receptor α, also known as CD123. CD123 is expressed on AML blasts and LSCs, and shows only a moderate expression on normal hematopoietic stem cells, claiming CD123 as a suitable target antigen (Haubner et al, Leukemia 2019). CD47, known as a marker of self, is also highly expressed on LSCs as immune escape mechanism. CD47 transmits a "don't eat me" signal upon its interaction with the myeloid-specific signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) receptor on macrophages, thus inhibiting phagocytosis. In order to efficiently eliminate LSCs and provide AML patients a possibility for prolonged relapse-free survival, we have designed a bifunctional antibody that specifically targets CD123 and simultaneously blocks CD47. Importantly, our strategy restricts the benefits of the CD47 blockade to CD123 positive AML cells. Thus, we hypothesize a lower risk for on-target off-leukemia toxicity. Methods: The bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 antibody was generated by fusing the endogenous extracellular domain of SIRPα, which functions as the CD47 blocking domain, to an CD123 antibody CD123. We assessed the selective binding of the bifunctional antibody to CD123+CD47+ AML-derived cells and the ability to block CD47 on CD123+ cells in vitro. Furthermore, the biological activity of the SIRPα-CD123 antibody was examined using the AML-derived cell line MOLM-13, patient-derived xenografted (PDX) AML cells as well as primary cells from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed AML. Results: We engrafted the endogenous SIRPα V-like domain to an antibody targeting CD123, which improved the binding of the bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 antibody to AML cells compared to a conventional CD123 antibody (MFI ratioCD123 = 2.46 0.25 vs MFI ratioSIRPα-CD123 = 4.44 0.60). The SIRPα-CD123 antibody enhanced the elimination of the AML-derived MOLM-13 cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (EC50CD123 = 38.5 pM vs EC50SIRPα-CD123 = 10.1 pM, n = 9). Additionally, the cytotoxicity was confirmed using primary patient-derived AML cells ex vivo. Further, an improved ex vivo cytotoxicity towards AML PDX cells was observed with the SIRPα-CD123 antibody (% lysis at 100 nM: 14.27 5.40 vs 42.94 10.21 for CD123 and SIRPα-CD123 antibodies respectively, n = 3). With regards to the inhibition of CD47 signaling, we were able to show a blockade of CD47 on CD123+CD47+ positive cells by the SIRPα-CD123 antibody. Correspondingly, a significant increase in phagocytosis of primary patient-derived AML cells mediated by monocyte-derived macrophages was observed in allogenic as well as autologous settings (% phagocytosis, normalized to isotype control and maximum phagocytosis in an autologous setting: 20.11 4.59 vs 90.37 6.22, n = 5 for CD123 and SIRPα-CD123 antibodies, respectively). We were further able to show a preferential binding to MOLM-13 in the presence of a 20-fold excess of red blood cells indicating a potential low on-target off-leukemia toxicity. Taken together, our in vitro data supports the elimination of the CD123+CD47+ positive AML LSC compartment by a synergistic effect of avidity-dependent binding to CD123 and CD47 and the simultaneous inhibition of the innate immune CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway. Conclusions: The SIRPα-CD123 is a bifunctional antibody with the potential to deplete CD123+CD47+ AML LSCs by a dual mode of action mechanism resulting in NK cell dependent cytotoxicity and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. By combining a high affinity binding to CD123+ cells and a low affinity CD47 blockade that is restricted to CD123+ cancer cells we effectively minimize the risk for CD47-related on-target off-leukemia toxicity. The results of our in vitro assays using AML cell lines are consistent with the data from PDX and primary AML samples and support further preclinical testing of the SIRPα-CD123 antibody in vivo. Disclosures Subklewe: Miltenyi: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AMGEN: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Oxford Biotherapeutics: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy.

scholarly journals P09.12 Bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 fusion antibody for the elimination of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A58.1-A58
Author(s):  
S Tahk ◽  
SM Schmitt ◽  
B Vick ◽  
C Augsberger ◽  
L Pascual Ponce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Target Antigen ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Acute Myeloid

BackgroundDespite advances in the development of novel strategies against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), treatment options are limited and most patients relapse. Relapse occurs due to the persistence of chemotherapy-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs), which re-initiate the outgrowth of the disease, highlighting the need of targeting LSCs to improve patient survival. LSCs are characterized by the expression of the interleukin-3 receptor α, also known as CD123. CD123 is expressed on AML blasts and LSCs, and shows a moderate expression on normal hematopoietic stem cells, claiming CD123 as a suitable target antigen. CD47 is a ubiquitously expressed immune checkpoint upregulated on LSCs where it acts as an immune escape mechanism. CD47 transmits a ‘don’t eat me’ signal upon its interaction with the signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) receptor on macrophages, thus inhibiting phagocytosis. In order to efficiently eliminate LSCs, we have designed a bifunctional antibody that specifically targets CD123 and simultaneously blocks CD47. Importantly, our strategy restricts the benefits of the CD47 blockade to CD123+ AML cells. Thus, we hypothesize a lower risk for on-target off-leukemia toxicity.Materials and MethodsThe bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 antibody was generated by fusing an extracellular domain of the SIRPα receptor, which functions as the CD47 blocking domain, to the CD123 antibody. The biological activity of the SIRPα-CD123 antibody was examined using AML-derived MOLM-13 cells, primary AML patient material and patient-derived xenografted (PDX) AML cells with NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid IL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice.ResultsThe SIRPα fusion improved the binding of the bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 antibody to AML cells compared to a conventional CD123 antibody. The SIRPα-CD123 antibody enhanced the elimination of the AML-derived MOLM-13 cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity via NK cells. Additionally, the cytotoxicity was confirmed using primary patient-derived AML cells. Furthermore, an improved cytotoxicity towards leukemia initiating AML PDX cells was observed with the SIRPα-CD123 antibody using luciferase bioluminescence in vivo imaging. With regards to the inhibition of CD47 signaling, we were able to show a blockade of CD47 on CD123+CD47+ cells by the SIRPα-CD123 antibody. Correspondingly, a significant increase in phagocytosis of primary patient-derived AML cells mediated by monocyte-derived macrophages was observed in both allogenic and autologous setting. We were also able to show a preferential binding to MOLM-13 in the presence of a 20-fold excess of red blood cells indicating a potential low on-target off-leukemia toxicity.ConclusionsThe bifunctional SIRPα-CD123 fusion antibodies target the CD123+CD47+ cells and stimulate their phagocytosis by blocking the inhibitory CD47 signal. The dual mode of action of the SIRPα-CD123 has the potential to deplete the AML LSCs through NK cell cytotoxicity and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis while restricting the CD47 related on-target off-leukemia toxicity.SupportH2020-EU grant agreement no 641549Disclosure InformationS. Tahk: None. S.M. Schmitt: None. B. Vick: None. C. Augsberger: None. L. Pascual Ponce: None. I. Jeremias: None. G. Wittmann: None. M. Subklewe: None. N.C. Fenn: None. K. Hopfner: None.

scholarly journals Novel Therapeutic Targeting of UHRF1 Restores 5'-Azacytidine Response in Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1356-1356
Author(s):  
Anup Kumar Singh ◽  
Xiaochun Yu
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Antiproliferative Effect ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Dna Strand ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract DNA hypermethylation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Most of the recurrent driver mutations and chromosomal translocations in AML involve genes encoding chromatin modifiers and DNA methylation relevant enzymes. Hypo-methylating drugs such as 5-Azacytidine (AZA) that target DNMTs prolong overall survival in AML patients. However, their long term treatments lead to emergence of acquired therapy resistance mostly through unknown mechanisms and hence there is an urgent need for alternate therapeutics to address AZA resistance in AML patients. Recently, it has been shown that AZA resistant leukemic cells are relatively quiescent with higher expression of many components of DNA methylation machinery that also includes UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1). UHRF1 is a key epigenetic modulator that regulates DNA methylation and gene expression. It is a multi-domain nuclear protein with an SRA (SET-and-RING-associated) domain to recognize hemi-methylated DNA immediately after replication. It plays a crucial role in the maintenance of DNA methylation by recruiting DNMT1 to replication sites and facilitates methylation on newly synthesized DNA strand. UHRF1 is frequently overexpressed in multiple human neoplasms including AML and in the absence of UHRF1, hematopoietic stem cells undergo erythroid-biased differentiation at the expense of self-renewal capacity. Despite UHRF1 being key a therapeutic target against AML, specific, and cell-permeable inhibitors of UHRF1 have not been identified yet. In this study, we hypothesized that targeting UHRF1 using novel small molecule inhibitor will interfere with DNMT1-dependent DNA methylation at newly synthesized DNA strand, which may further synergize with antiproliferative effect of classical DNMT inhibitors in AML cells. In this study, we used in silico strategy to discover novel putative UHRF1 inhibitors by screening NCI compound database. For in vitro validation, we have first purified the SRA domain of UHRF1 followed by analysis of total DNA methylation levels using 5'-methyl cytosine (5mC) dot blot in the presence of each inhibitor. After a series of stringent in vitro and cell based assays we have identified lead compound 20 (C20) as a potent UHRF1 inhibitor which suppresses DNA methylation without affecting DNMTs in leukemic cells. Specificity of C20 against SRA domain was further established by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We next found that C20 treatment significantly decreased UHRF1 and DNMT1 foci formation in the nucleus of mouse embryonic fibroblast and stem cells. Based on the its critical role in DNA methylation and enhanced expression in resistant cells, we assumed that AZA resistance in AML may be mediated by UHRF1 and C20 might restore AZA sensitivity by attenuating enhanced UHRF1 activity. To validate this, we pretreated AZA resistant leukemic cells (HL60R) with suboptimal dose of C20 followed by AZA treatment. Interestingly, we found a synergistic increase in antiproliferative effect by flow cytometry and colony formation assay. By analyzing the surface expression of myeloid differentiation markers, we found that C20 treatment promotes differentiation and decreases quiescent leukemic cell population. In conclusion, we report a novel UHRF1 inhibitor as a sensitizer of resistant AML cells towards AZA treatment potentially by promoting differentiation, suggesting a novel combination approach for future clinical evaluations. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals The miRNA-193 Family Is a Potent Tumor-Suppressor and a Biomarker for Poor Prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1534-1534
Author(s):  
Razan Jammal ◽  
Kathrin Krowiorz ◽  
Nadine Haetscher ◽  
Stephan Emmrich ◽  
Arefeh Rouhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Acute Myeloid ◽  
Potent Tumor

Abstract Deregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We previously showed that miR-193b is a STAT5-regulated miRNA that controls hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) expansion by modulating cytokine receptor signaling. Here we demonstrate that the miR-193 family members miR-193a and 193b are potent tumor suppressors in AML. Both miRNAs were downregulated in several cytogenetically-defined subgroups of pediatric and adult AML (n=202), whereas low miR-193b expression was an independent indicator for poor prognosis and survival. Accordingly, ectopic retroviral Hoxa9-Meis1 expression in HSPCs from miR-193b-/- mice resulted in a more aggressive disease with significantly shortened latency and survival as compared to miR-193bWT/WT HSPCs. Inversely, ectopic miR-193 expression in leukemic cells belonging to various AML subgroups decreased leukemic growth in vitro and prolonged survival of mice suffering from Hoxa9-Meis1-induced leukemia through a G1/S phase block. These effects were mediated by targeting c-KIT, KRAS and SOS2 - key factors of the KIT-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade - as well as the downstream cell cycle regulator CCND1. Knockdown of each of these genes partially recapitulated the anti-proliferative effect of ectopic lentiviral miR-193 expression. As the tumor suppressive function is independent of patient age or AML cytogenetic background, these observations suggest an opportunistic role for miR-193 in future AML therapies. With the notion that a single miRNA can control aberrant MAPK signaling at multiple levels, restoring miR-193 expression in AML cells with constitutive activation of this cascade would assure high antileukemic efficacy, while avoiding the fast development of resistance mechanisms. Disclosures Heuser: Bayer Pharma AG: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BerGenBio: Research Funding; Tetralogic: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Pfizer: Research Funding. Mulaw:NuGEN: Honoraria. Baruchel:Jazz: Consultancy; Servier: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Baxalta: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Targeting and Depletion of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Blasts By MEN1112, a Novel Humanized Defucosylated Monoclonal Antibodies with Specificity for Bst1/CD157 Antigen

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2235-2235
Author(s):  
Adriano Venditti ◽  
Francesco Buccisano ◽  
Luca Maurillo ◽  
Maria Ilaria Del Principe ◽  
Andrea Coppola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Healthy Donors ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract MEN1112 is a new humanized, defucosylated, monoclonal antibody (mAb) with high specific affinity for Bst1/CD157 antigen. Bst1/CD157 antigen expression on blood cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and healthy donors was investigated by flow cytometry using a PE-labeled MEN1112 mAb. Twenty three patients affected with AML have been tested, 18 at diagnosis, 4 at relapse, 1 resistant. In 16 out of 23 patients both bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) specimens were evaluated. PB and BM samples from healthy donors (N=2) were also assessed. In healthy donors and AML patients, PB and BM lymphocytes were Bst1/CD157 antigen negative whereas monocytes and neutrophils showed a distinct pattern of MEN1112 mean fluorescence intensity (MIF), with monocytes having the brightest expression. In the stem cell compartment, an intermediate level of MFI was observed (p<0.001). Prevalence of expression of the antigen on patients’ samples was over 90%. On AML blast cells from each single patient, MEN1112 expression was heterogeneous; indeed the antigen was expressed on 50%±29% and 47% ±39% of blasts in BM and PB, respectively. The anti-leukemia activity of MEN1112 on AML cell lines was tested, in vitro, by a flow cytometry-based cell depletion assay in the presence of lymphokine activated immune effector cells: a strong depletion of leukemia cells was demonstrated suggesting that MEN1112 might exert anti-leukemia activity through antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicty (ADCC). The activity of MEN1112 was also tested ex vivo on whole PB showing that the antibody was able to deplete AML blasts in 9 out of 23 patients (47.4 %) with a percentage of AML blast depletion ranging between 4.3 - 66 %. In whole BM from 2 out of 11 evaluable patients MEN1112 induced 68% and 23% of AML blast depletion. Bst1/CD157 shedding assessment showed that, in the sera from AML samples, the concentration of Bst1/CD157 antigen was comparable to that measured in healthy donors. Moreover, since Fcγ receptor (CD16) genotype might be a factor contributing to the antitumor activity of the antibody, the polymorphism CD16-158Phe/Val was analyzed. Five out of 19 samples were homozygous for CD16-158 Phe; 5 were homozygous for CD16- 158 Val and 9 were heterozygous for CD16-158. MEN1112-induced blast depletion was observed for each genotype. Moreover, in an attempt to identify the determinant of MEN1112 activity, % in PB of blast (antigen positive), NK cells or residual normal cells were evaluated. Altogether, these results are promising suggesting the potential for an ADCC-mediated MEN1112 antileukemic effect and they support the clinical development of MEN1112. Disclosures Venditti: Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Buccisano:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Del Principe:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Coppola:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Palomba:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Aureli:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Arriga:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Bellarosa:Menarini Spa: Employment. Bressan:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Employment. Manzini:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Employment. Simonelli:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Employment. Binaschi:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Employment. Amadori:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding. Sconocchia:Menarini Ricerche SpA: Research Funding.

CD47-Sirpα Interaction Modulates Homing and Engraftment of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells in Mice.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 476-476
Author(s):  
Alexandre PA Theocharides ◽  
Liqing Jin ◽  
Armando G Poeppl ◽  
Tatiana K Prasolava ◽  
Olga I Gan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract Abstract 476 Introduction: A large body of work has shown that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) clones are hierarchically organized and maintained by leukemia initiating cells (AML-LSC). However, little is known about molecular regulators that govern AML-LSC fate. Using the non-obese diabetic (NOD)–severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) xenotransplantation model, our group recently found that CD47-SIRPα protein interaction is essential for repopulation of normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in mice (Takenaka et al, Nat Immunol 2007). The NOD background conferred the best support for human engraftment, whereas mice with other polymorphisms of Sirpa could not be engrafted (i.e. NOD.NOR-Idd13.SCID). CD47 on human AML contributes to pathogenesis by inhibiting phagocytosis of leukemia cells through CD47-SIRPα interaction (Jaiswal et al, Cell 2009). CD47 is increased on human AML LSCs compared to normal HSCs, and high levels of CD47 are associated with poor patient outcome (Majeti et al, Cell 2009). This indicates that CD47 may function as an important molecular regulator of AML-LSC fate through communication with SIRPα protein expressed on cells of the innate immune system. Results: Consistent with published results, we observed increased CD47 expression in primary AML cells compared to normal cord blood cells. We next investigated the functional relevance of CD47 for AML-LSCs by xenografting primary human AMLs into NOD.SCID and NOD.NOR-Idd13.SCID (Idd) mice. Following intravenous (i.v.) transplantation, none of three primary human AML samples could engraft Idd mice while robust engraftment in NOD.SCID mice was observed, consistent with our previous data using normal human HSCs. When the same samples were transplanted intrafemorally (i.f.), 2 of 6 Idd mice showed engraftment in the injected femur but no engraftment in other bones or the spleen; evidence of the latter is linked to stem cell function. To assess the role of innate immunity, we pre-treated mice with antibody against murine CD122 which depletes host natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages. Engraftment in the injected femur was observed in NOD.SCID mice (43/43) for all 10 AML samples tested, and interestingly in 31 of 42 Idd mice (8/10 AML samples tested), with similar engraftment levels (Idd 37.4±6% vs NOD.SCID 53.8±5%, p=0.33). As expected, NOD.SCID mice supported migration to non-injected bones (38/43 mice, 10/10 AML samples tested). In contrast to results obtained in the absence of anti-CD122 pre-treatment, engraftment in non-injected bones was now detectable in 8 of 42 Idd mice (2/10 AML samples tested), pointing to improved migration of AML-LSCs following depletion of NK cells and macrophages. However, the engraftment level in non-injected bones was significantly lower in Idd compared to NOD.SCID mice (2.4±4% vs 63.2±6%, p=0.001). Moreover, AML-LSCs were unable to repopulate the spleens of Idd mice. Homing assays revealed decreased homing to BM and spleen 16 hours following i.v. injection in Idd compared to NOD.SCID mice. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that CD47-SIRPα interaction is critical for engraftment of AML-LSCs. Attenuation of CD47-SIRPα interaction (as in Idd mice) leads to decreased engraftment ability of AML-LSCs. Enhancement of engraftment in the injected femur and in some cases migration to other bones in Idd mice following anti-CD122 treatment is likely mediated through interference with cells of the innate immune system. Interruption of CD47-SIRPα signaling through targeting of either CD47 or SIRPα provides a potential therapeutic approach for eradication of AML-LSCs. Disclosures: Dick: Roche: Research Funding; CSL Ltd: Research Funding.

scholarly journals CD9, a potential leukemia stem cell marker, regulates drug resistance and leukemia development in acute myeloid leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongliang Liu ◽  
Guiqin Wang ◽  
Jiasi Zhang ◽  
Xue Chen ◽  
Huailong Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Stem Cell Marker ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract Background Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are responsible for the initiation, progression, and relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therefore, a therapeutic strategy targeting LSCs is a potential approach to eradicate AML. In this study, we aimed to identify LSC-specific surface markers and uncover the underlying mechanism of AML LSCs. Methods Microarray gene expression data were used to investigate candidate AML-LSC-specific markers. CD9 expression in AML cell lines, patients with AML, and normal donors was evaluated by flow cytometry (FC). The biological characteristics of CD9-positive (CD9+) cells were analyzed by in vitro proliferation, chemotherapeutic drug resistance, migration, and in vivo xenotransplantation assays. The molecular mechanism involved in CD9+ cell function was investigated by gene expression profiling. The effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) on CD9+ cells were analyzed with regard to proliferation, drug resistance, and migration. Results CD9, a cell surface protein, was specifically expressed on AML LSCs but barely detected on normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). CD9+ cells exhibit more resistance to chemotherapy drugs and higher migration potential than do CD9-negative (CD9−) cells. More importantly, CD9+ cells possess the ability to reconstitute human AML in immunocompromised mice and promote leukemia growth, suggesting that CD9+ cells define the LSC population. Furthermore, we identified that A2M plays a crucial role in maintaining CD9+ LSC stemness. Knockdown of A2M impairs drug resistance and migration of CD9+ cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that CD9 is a new biomarker of AML LSCs and is a promising therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Evidence for malignant transformation in acute myeloid leukemia at the level of early hematopoietic stem cells by cytogenetic analysis of CD34+ subpopulations

Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 2906-2912 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Haase ◽  
M Feuring-Buske ◽  
S Konemann ◽  
C Fonatsch ◽  
C Troff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Malignant Transformation ◽  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous disease according to morphology, immunophenotype, and genetics. The retained capacity of differentiation is the basis for the phenotypic classification of the bulk population of leukemic blasts and the identification of distinct subpopulations. Within the hierarchy of hematopoietic development and differentiation it is still unknown at which stage the malignant transformation occurs. It was our aim to analyze the potential involvement of cells with the immunophenotype of pluripotent stem cells in the leukemic process by the use of cytogenetic and cell sorting techniques. Cytogenetic analyses of bone marrow aspirates were performed in 13 patients with AML (11 de novo and 2 secondary) and showed karyotype abnormalities in 10 cases [2q+, +4, 6p, t(6:9), 7, +8 in 1 patient each and inv(16) in 4 patients each]. Aliquots of the samples were fractionated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting of CD34+ cells. Two subpopulations, CD34+/CD38-(early hematopoietic stem cells) and CD34+/CD38+ (more mature progenitor cells), were screened for karyotype aberations as a marker for leukemic cells. Clonal abnormalities and evaluable metaphases were found in 8 highly purified CD34+/CD38-populations and in 9 of the CD34+/CD38-specimens, respectively. In the majority of cases (CD34+/CD38-, 6 of 8 informative samples; CD34+/CD38+, 5 of 9 informative samples), the highly purified CD34+ specimens also contained cytogenetically normal cells. Secondary, progression-associated chromosomal changes (+8, 12) were identified in the CD34+/CD38-cells of 2 patients. We conclude that clonal karyotypic abnormalities are frequently found in the stem cell-like (CD34+/CD38-) and more mature (CD34+/CD38+) populations of patients with AML, irrespective of the phenotype of the bulk population of leukemic blasts and of the primary or secondary character of the leukemia. Our data suggest that, in AML, malignant transformation as well as disease progression may occur at the level of CD34+/CD38-cells with multilineage potential.

scholarly journals Clinical Outcomes Following Treatment with Gilteritinib or Quizartinib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory FLT3-ITD+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 42-43
Author(s):  
Alexander E. Perl ◽  
Qiaoyang Lu ◽  
Alan Fan ◽  
Nahla Hasabou ◽  
Erhan Berrak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Travel Costs ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Background: Gilteritinib is approved for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML), based on findings from the phase 3 ADMIRAL trial (Perl AE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019). A phase 3 trial, QuANTUM-R, demonstrated the benefit of quizartinib in pts with R/R AML with FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations (Cortes JE, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2019). Although eligibility criteria across both studies were similar, QuANTUM-R was more stringent as to prior therapy intensity and remission duration, which potentially enriched for higher-risk pts. We sought to describe outcomes from ADMIRAL among pts who otherwise met eligibility for QuANTUM-R. Methods: In this post-hoc analysis, a subset of pts from ADMIRAL were matched with R/R FLT3-ITD+ AML pts from QuANTUM-R on the basis of baseline characteristics and prior treatment criteria. Matched pts were either refractory to initial anthracycline-based chemotherapy or had relapsed ≤6 mos after achieving composite complete remission (CRc) with an anthracycline-based regimen. Results: Overall, 218 pts with R/R FLT3-ITD+ AML in the ADMIRAL trial (gilteritinib, n=140; salvage chemotherapy [SC], n=78) were matched with the QuANTUM-R intention-to treat (ITT) population (N=367; quizartinib, n=245; SC, n=122). Proportions of pts preselected for high-intensity SC were 66% (n=143/218) in the matched ADMIRAL ITT population and 77% (n=281/367) in the QuANTUM-R ITT populations. Demographic and baseline characteristics of the matched ADMIRAL ITT population and QuANTUM-R ITT population were similar. Median durations of exposure to gilteritinib and quizartinib were 3.8 mos and 3.2 mos, respectively, and median number of treatment cycles received were five and four, respectively. Rates of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were similar in pts treated with gilteritinib (35%; n=49/140) or quizartinib (32%; n=78/245), as were the proportions of pts who resumed gilteritinib (23%; n=32/140) or quizartinib (20%; n=48/245) therapy post-HSCT. Median overall survival (OS) in pts treated with gilteritinib or quizartinib was longer than that observed with SC. After a median follow-up of 17.4 mos, median OS was 10.2 mos with gilteritinib versus 5.6 mos with SC (hazard ratio [HR]=0.573 [95% CI: 0.403, 0.814]; one-sided nominal P=0.0008). After a median follow-up of 23.5 mos, median OS with quizartinib was 6.2 mos versus 4.7 mos with SC (HR=0.76 [95% CI: 0.58-0.98]; one-sided P=0.02). After censoring for HSCT, median OS was 9.3 mos with gilteritinib versus 5.5 mos with SC (HR=0.525 [95% CI: 0.356-0.775]; nominal one-sided P=0.0005), and 5.7 mos versus 4.6 mos with quizartinib versus SC, respectively (HR=0.79 [95% CI: 0.59, 1.05]; one-sided P=0.05). In both QuANTUM-R and matched ADMIRAL populations, the survival benefits of quizartinib and gilteritinib compared with SC were maintained across multiple subgroups, including high FLT3-ITD allelic ratio subsets. Compared with SC, high CRc rates were observed in pts treated with either gilteritinib (57%; n=80/140) or quizartinib (48%; n=118/245). The complete remission (CR) rate with gilteritinib was 23% (n=32/140), whereas the CR rate with quizartinib was 4% (n=10/245) (Table). Median time to achieve CRc was 1.8 mos with gilteritinib and 1.1 mos with quizartinib, median duration of CRc was 5.5 mos with gilteritinib and 2.8 mos with quizartinib. The safety profiles of gilteritinib and quizartinib were generally similar, though aspartate or alanine aminotransferase elevations (any grade) were more frequent with gilteritinib (41-44%) than quizartinib (≤13%), whereas neutropenia (14% vs 34%, respectively), fatigue (24% vs 39%, respectively), and prolonged QT intervals (9% vs 27%, respectively) were more frequent with quizartinib. Conclusions: In pts with R/R FLT3-ITD+ AML and similar baseline characteristics, both gilteritinib and quizartinib were generally well tolerated and associated with improved survival and treatment response compared with SC. Responses to gilteritinib and quizartinib, as measured by CRc, were similar; blood count recovery varied between the two FLT3 inhibitors. Although cross-study comparisons have substantial limitations, the findings suggest that while remission is achieved faster with quizartinib, response may be more durable and survival potentially longer with gilteritinib. Disclosures Perl: Syndax: Consultancy, Honoraria; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Beat AML: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Jazz: Honoraria, Other; FORMA Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Writing/editorial support, travel costs for meetings, Research Funding; FUJIFILM Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc: Research Funding; New Link Genetics: Honoraria, Other; Arog Pharmaceuticals Inc: Other: uncompensated consulting, travel costs for meetings; Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biomed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: writing/editorial support, travel costs for meeting presentations related to study, Research Funding; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; AbbVie Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel costs for meeting; Loxo Oncology Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other. Lu:Astellas: Current Employment. Fan:Astellas Pharma: Current Employment. Hasabou:Astellas Pharma: Current Employment. Berrak:Astellas: Current Employment. Tiu:Eli Lilly & Company: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Astellas Pharma Global Development: Current Employment.

scholarly journals 852 Trifunctional NKp46/CD16a-NK cell engager targeting CD123 overcomes acute myeloid leukemia resistance to ADCC

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A893-A893
Author(s):  
Laurent Gauthier ◽  
Angela Virone-Oddos ◽  
Angela Virone-Oddos ◽  
Jochen Beninga ◽  
Benjamin Rossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Activating Receptors ◽  
Acute Myeloid

BackgroundThere is a clear need for targeted therapies to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common acute leukemia in adults. CD123 (IL-3 receptor alpha chain) is an attractive target for AML treatment.1 However, cytotoxic antibody targeting CD123 proved insufficiently effective in a combination setting in phase II/III clinical trials.2 T-cell engagers targeting CD123 displayed some clinical efficacy but were often associated with cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity.3 Interest in the use of NK cells for therapeutic interventions has increased in recent years, as a potential safer alternative to T cells. Several NK-cell activating receptors, such as CD16a, NKG2D, and the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp30 and NKp46, can be targeted to induce antitumor immunity. We previously reported the development of trifunctional NK-cell engagers (NKCEs) targeting a tumor antigen on cancer cells and co-engaging NKp46 and CD16a on NK cells.4MethodsWe report here the design, characterization and preclinical development of a novel trifunctional NK cell engager (NKCE) targeting CD123 on AML cells and engaging the activating receptors NKp46 and CD16a on NK cells. The CD123 NKCE therapeutic molecule was engineered with humanized antibodies targeting NKp464 and CD123.5 We compared CD123-NKCE and a cytotoxic ADCC-enhanced antibody (Ab) targeting CD123, in terms of antitumor activity in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profile of CD123-NKCE were evaluated in non-human primate (NHP) studies.ResultsThe expression of the high affinity Fc gamma receptor CD64 on patient-derived AML cells inhibited the ADCC of the Ab targeting CD123 in vitro and ex vivo, but not the antitumor activity of CD123-NKCE. CD123-NKCE had potent antitumor activity against primary AML blasts and AML cell lines, promoted strong NK-cell activation and induced cytokine secretion only in the presence of AML target cells. Its antitumor activity in mouse model was greater than that of the comparator antibody. Moreover, CD123-NKCE had strong and prolonged pharmacodynamic effects in NHP when used at very low doses, was well-tolerated up to high 3 mg/kg dose and triggered only minor cytokine release.ConclusionsThe data for activity, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics provided here demonstrate the superiority of CD123-NKCE over comparator cytotoxic antibody, in terms of antitumor activity in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and its favorable safety profile, as compared to T-cell therapies. These results constitute proof-of-principle for the efficacy of CD123-NKCE for controlling AML tumors in vivo, and provide consistent support for their clinical development.ReferencesEhninger A, Kramer M, Rollig C, et al. Distribution and levels of cell surface expression of CD33 and CD123 in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Cancer J 2014;4:e218.Montesinos P, Gail J Roboz GJ, et al. Safety and efficacy of talacotuzumab plus decitabine or decitabine alone in patients with acute myeloid leukemia not eligible for chemotherapy: results from a multicenter, randomized, phase 2/3 study. Leukemia 2021;35(1):62–74.Uy GL, Aldoss I, Foster MC, et al. Flotetuzumab as salvage immunotherapy for refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2021;137(6):751–762.Gauthier L, Morel A, Anceriz N, et al. Multifunctional natural killer cell engagers targeting NKp46 trigger protective tumor immunity. Cell 2019;177(7):1701–13.Jin L, Lee EM, Ramshaw HS, et al. Monoclonal antibody-mediated targeting of CD123, IL-3 receptor alpha chain, eliminates human acute myeloid leukemic stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2009;5:31–42.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document