BTK Inhibitors, Irrespective of ITK Inhibition, Increase Efficacy of a CD19/CD3 Bispecific Antibody in CLL

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maissa Mhibik ◽  
Erika M. Gaglione ◽  
David Eik ◽  
Ellen K Kendall ◽  
Amy Blackburn ◽  
...  

Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are a preferred treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Indefinite therapy with BTKis, while effective, presents clinical challenges. Combination therapy can deepen responses, shorten treatment duration, and possibly prevent or overcome drug resistance. We previously reported on a CD19/CD3 bispecific antibody (bsAb) that recruits autologous T cell cytotoxicity against CLL cells in vitro. Compared to observations with samples from treatment-naïve patients, T cells from patients being treated with ibrutinib expanded more rapidly and exerted superior cytotoxic activity in response to the bsAb. In addition to BTK, ibrutinib also inhibits IL2 inducible T cell Kinase (ITK). In contrast, acalabrutinib, does not inhibit ITK. Whether ITK inhibition contributes to the observed immune effects is unknown. To better understand how BTKis modulate T-cell function and cytotoxic activity, we cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from BTKi-naive, and ibrutinib- or acalabrutinib-treated CLL patients with CD19/CD3 bsAb in vitro. T-cell expansion, activation, differentiation, and cytotoxicity were increased in PBMCs from patients on treatment with either BTKi compared to that observed for BKTi-naïve patients. BTKi therapy transcriptionally downregulated immunosuppressive effectors expressed by CLL cells, including CTLA-4 and CD200. CTLA-4 blockade with ipilimumab in vitro increased the cytotoxic activity of the bsAb in BTKi-naïve but not BTKi-treated PBMCS. Taken together, BTKis enhance bsAb induced cytotoxicity by relieving T cells of immunosuppressive restraints imposed by CLL cells. The benefit of combining bsAb immunotherapy with BTKis needs to be confirmed in clinical trials.

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Nicot ◽  
Renaud Mahieux ◽  
Shigeki Takemoto ◽  
Genoveffa Franchini

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell lymphocytic leukemia (ATLL), whereas HTLV-II has not been associated with hematopoietic malignancies. The control of apoptotic pathways has emerged as a critical step in the development of many cancer types. As a result, the underlying mechanism of long-term survival of HTLV-I and HTLV-II was studied in infected T cells in vitro and in ex vivo ATLL samples. Results indicate that HTLV-I– and HTLV-II–infected T cells in vitro express high levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl compared with other human leukemic T cell lines or uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The levels of proapoptotic proteins Bax, BAD, and Bak were not significantly altered. HTLV-I and HTLV-II viral transactivators, Tax1 and Tax2, are known to increase expression of cellular genes. These proteins were tested for increased transcription from the human Bcl2 and Bcl-XL promoters. Whereas no effect was observed on the Bcl2 promoter, both Tax1 and Tax2 increased transcription of the Bcl-XL promoter in T cells, although Tax1 appeared to be more efficient than Tax2. The biological significance of these observations was validated by the finding of an increased expression of Bcl-XL in ex vivo ATLL cells, especially from patients unresponsive to various chemotherapy regimens. Altogether, these data suggest that overexpression of Bcl-XL in vivomay be in part responsible for the resistance of ATLL cells to chemotherapy. In addition, inefficient activation of the Bcl-XL promoter by Tax2 may result in a shorter survival time of HTLV-II–infected cells in vivo and a diminished risk of leukemia development.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Nicot ◽  
Renaud Mahieux ◽  
Shigeki Takemoto ◽  
Genoveffa Franchini

Abstract Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell lymphocytic leukemia (ATLL), whereas HTLV-II has not been associated with hematopoietic malignancies. The control of apoptotic pathways has emerged as a critical step in the development of many cancer types. As a result, the underlying mechanism of long-term survival of HTLV-I and HTLV-II was studied in infected T cells in vitro and in ex vivo ATLL samples. Results indicate that HTLV-I– and HTLV-II–infected T cells in vitro express high levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl compared with other human leukemic T cell lines or uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The levels of proapoptotic proteins Bax, BAD, and Bak were not significantly altered. HTLV-I and HTLV-II viral transactivators, Tax1 and Tax2, are known to increase expression of cellular genes. These proteins were tested for increased transcription from the human Bcl2 and Bcl-XL promoters. Whereas no effect was observed on the Bcl2 promoter, both Tax1 and Tax2 increased transcription of the Bcl-XL promoter in T cells, although Tax1 appeared to be more efficient than Tax2. The biological significance of these observations was validated by the finding of an increased expression of Bcl-XL in ex vivo ATLL cells, especially from patients unresponsive to various chemotherapy regimens. Altogether, these data suggest that overexpression of Bcl-XL in vivomay be in part responsible for the resistance of ATLL cells to chemotherapy. In addition, inefficient activation of the Bcl-XL promoter by Tax2 may result in a shorter survival time of HTLV-II–infected cells in vivo and a diminished risk of leukemia development.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1730-1730
Author(s):  
Izumi Masamoto ◽  
Sawako Horai ◽  
Tomohiro Kozako ◽  
Makoto Yoshimitsu ◽  
Junko Niimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1730 Human T-lymphotropic virus type-1(HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). HTLV-1 infected T cell growth or leukemogenesis in ATL is controlled by various host immune surveillance systems. Among them, CD70 on HTLV-1 infected T cells coupled with CD27 on virus specific cytotoxic T cells has been suggested to play an important role in ATL leukemogenesis. The CD70 molecule is the only known ligand for CD27, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily 7. This negative immunoregulatory pathway downregulates cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against CD70-expressing virus infected cells. In the present study, we examined CD70 expression on primary lymphocytes of HTLV-1 carriers and ATL patients, its relationship with HTLV-1 Tax protein expression, and the effect on CTL induction. CD70 expression was higher on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HTLV-1 infected carriers compared with healthy donors (p = 0.021, n = 21, Mann-Whitney U test), and higher in ATL patients compared to carriers (p = 0.045, n = 38, Mann-Whitney U test). CD70 expression may be observed in CD4 T cells, as well as B cells, but not in CD8 T cells or monocytes. CD70 expression in CD4 T cells is related to HTLV-1 infection, because of increased detection of HTLV-1 Tax protein during over night culture of CD70-expressing cells. Experiments using an ATL cell line, in which Tax expression is inducible by doxycycline stimulation, demonstrated enhanced CD70 expression when Tax protein was induced in HTLV-1 infected cells. Anti-CD70 antibody enhanced CD107a mobilization, a marker of recent cytotoxic degranulation, in HTLV-1 Tax specific CTLs in PBMCs from asymptomatic carriers in vitro, suggesting that the CD70/CD27 pathway plays an important role in the immune response to HTLV-1 infection in carriers, as well as ATL patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 221 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esteban Grasso ◽  
Daniel Paparini ◽  
Mariana Agüero ◽  
Gil Mor ◽  
Claudia Pérez Leirós ◽  
...  

During early pregnancy, the human uterus undergoes profound tissue remodeling characterized by leukocyte invasion and production of proinflammatory cytokines, followed by tissue repair and tolerance maintenance induction. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is produced by trophoblast cells and modulates the maternal immune response toward a tolerogenic profile. Here, we evaluated the contribution of the VIP/VPAC to endometrial renewal, inducing decidualization and the recruitment of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) that accompany the implantation period. For that purpose, we used an in vitro model of decidualization with a human endometrial stromal cell line (HESC) stimulated with progesterone (P4) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) simulating the inflammatory response during implantation and human iTregs (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) differentiated from naïve T cells obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of fertile women. We observed that VIP and its receptor VPAC1 are constitutively expressed in HESCs and that P4 increased VIP expression. Moreover, in HESC VIP induced expression of RANTES (CCL5), one of the main chemokines involved in T cell recruitment, and this effect is enhanced by the presence of P4 and LPS. Finally, assays of the migration of iTregs toward conditioned media from HESCs revealed that endogenous VIP production induced by P4 and LPS and RANTES production were involved, as anti-RANTES neutralizing Ab or VIP antagonist prevented their migration. We conclude that VIP may have an active role in the decidualization process, thus contributing to recruitment of iTregs toward endometrial stromal cells by increasing RANTES expression in a P4-dependent manner.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Brockman ◽  
Douglas S. Kwon ◽  
Daniel P. Tighe ◽  
David F. Pavlik ◽  
Pamela C. Rosato ◽  
...  

AbstractMurine models indicate that interleukin-10 (IL-10) can suppress viral clearance, and interventional blockade of IL-10 activity has been proposed to enhance immunity in chronic viral infections. Increased IL-10 levels have been observed during HIV infection and IL-10 blockade has been shown to enhance T-cell function in some HIV-infected subjects. However, the categories of individuals in whom the IL-10 pathway is up-regulated are poorly defined, and the cellular sources of IL-10 in these subjects remain to be determined. Here we report that blockade of the IL-10 pathway augmented in vitro proliferative capacity of HIV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in individuals with ongoing viral replication. IL-10 blockade also increased cytokine secretion by HIV-specific CD4 T cells. Spontaneous IL-10 expression, measured as either plasma IL-10 protein or IL-10 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), correlated positively with viral load and diminished after successful antiretroviral therapy. IL-10 mRNA levels were up-regulated in multiple PBMC subsets in HIV-infected subjects compared with HIV-negative controls, particularly in T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells, whereas monocytes were a major source of IL-10 mRNA in HIV-infected and -uninfected individuals. These data indicate that multiple cell types contribute to IL-10–mediated immune suppression in the presence of uncontrolled HIV viremia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 1038-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Yingfeng Wei ◽  
Weijia Fang ◽  
Chong Lu ◽  
Jianing Chen ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Cetuximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody which targets the extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor. This antibody is widely used for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment but its influence on the immune system is incompletely understood. Methods: The immune influence of cetuximab therapy in CRC patients was investigated by analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry. We undertook in vitro cytotoxicity and cytokine-profile assays to ascertain the immunomodulatory effect of cetuximab treatment. Results: The number of CD3+ T, CD8+ T, and natural killer (NK) cells was increased significantly and T-regulatory cells reduced gradually after cetuximab treatment. Percentage of CD4+ T, natural killer T (NKT)-like, invariant NKT, and dendritic cells was similar between baseline patients and cetuximab patients. Expression of CD137 on NK and CD8+ T cells was increased significantly after 4 weeks of cetuximab therapy. In vitro cetuximab treatment markedly increased expression of CD137 and CD107a on NK and CD8+ T cells. Cetuximab treatment promoted the cytotoxic activity of NK and CD8+ T cells against tumor cells. Conclusion: Cetuximab treatment promotes activation of the immune response but alleviates immunosuppression: this might be the underlying anti-CRC effect of cetuximab.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Ferreira Marçal ◽  
Rafael Silva Gama ◽  
Lorena Bruna de Oliveira Pereira ◽  
Olindo Assis Martins Filho ◽  
Roberta Olmo Pinheiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease classified into two subgroups for therapeutic purposes: paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB), closely related to the host immune responses. In this context it is noteworthy looking for immunological biomarkers applicable as complementary diagnostic tools as well as a laboratorial strategy to detect subclinical leprosy in household contacts. Methods: The main goal of the present study was to characterize the global cytokine signatures of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from leprosy patients with distinct clinical forms and their respective household contacts (HHC) upon in vitro antigen-specific stimuli. Short-term culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was done. After incubation, cells were harvested and prepared for surface and intracytoplasmic cytokine staining Results: The cytokine signature analysis demonstrated that leprosy patients presented a polyfunctional profile of T-cells subsets, with increased frequency of IFN-g+ T-cell subsets along with IL-10+ and IL-4+ from CD4+ T-cells. Moreover, L(PB) displayed a polyfunctional profile characterized by enhanced percentage of IFN-g+, IL-10+ and IL-4+ produced by most T-cell subsets, as compared to L(MB) that presented a more restricted cytokine functional profile mediated by IL-10+ and IL-4+ T-cells with minor contribution of IFN-g produced by CD4+ T-cells. Noteworthy was that HHC(MB) exhibited enhanced frequency of IFN-g+ T-cells, contrasting with HHC(PB) that presented a cytokine profile limited to IL-10 and IL-4. Conclusions: Together, our findings provide additional immunological features associated with leprosy and household contacts. These data provide evidence that biomarkers of immune response can be useful complementary diagnostic/prognostic tools as well as insights that household contacts may present subclinical infection.


2022 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Piadel ◽  
Amin Haybatollahi ◽  
Angus George Dalgleish ◽  
Peter Lawrence Smith

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to the successful development of effective vaccines however the prospect of variants of SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus outbreaks necessitates the investigation of other vaccine strategies capable of broadening vaccine mediated T-cell responses and potentially providing cross-immunity. In this study the SARS-CoV-2 proteome was assessed for clusters of immunogenic epitopes restricted to diverse human leucocyte antigen. These regions were then assessed for their conservation amongst other coronaviruses representative of different alpha and beta coronavirus genera. Sixteen highly conserved peptides containing numerous HLA class I and II restricted epitopes were synthesized from these regions and assessed in vitro for their antigenicity against T-cells from individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Monocyte derived dendritic cells were generated from these peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), loaded with SARS-CoV-2 peptides, and used to induce autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation. The SARS-CoV-2 peptides demonstrated antigenicity against the T-cells from individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection indicating that this approach holds promise as a method to activate anti-SAR-CoV-2 T-cell responses from conserved regions of the virus which are not included in vaccines utilising the Spike protein.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (47) ◽  
pp. eabd1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marat Khodoun ◽  
Ameet A. Chimote ◽  
Farhan Z. Ilyas ◽  
Heather J. Duncan ◽  
Halima Moncrieffe ◽  
...  

Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disease with substantial morbidity/mortality and limited efficacy of available therapies. Memory T (Tm) lymphocytes infiltrate LN kidneys, contributing to organ damage. Analysis of LN, diabetic nephropathy, and healthy donor kidney biopsies revealed high infiltration of active CD8+ Tm cells expressing high voltage-dependent Kv1.3 potassium channels—key T cell function regulators—in LN. Nanoparticles that selectively down-regulate Kv1.3 in Tm cells (Kv1.3-NPs) reduced CD40L and interferon-γ (IFNγ) in Tm cells from LN patients in vitro. Kv1.3-NPs were tested in humanized LN mice obtained by engrafting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LN patients into immune-deficient mice. LN mice exhibited features of the disease: increased IFNγ and CD3+CD8+ T cell renal infiltration, and reduced survival versus healthy donor PBMC engrafted mice. Kv1.3-NP treatment of patient PBMCs before engraftment decreased CD40L/IFNγ and prolonged survival of LN mice. These data show the potential benefits of targeting Kv1.3 in LN.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 5610-5620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine M. Hipp ◽  
Norbert Hilf ◽  
Steffen Walter ◽  
Daniela Werth ◽  
Katharina M. Brauer ◽  
...  

AbstractThe tyrosine kinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib are approved for the treatment of patients with malignant diseases. To analyze the possible use of these compounds in combination with immunotherapeutic approaches, we analyzed the effects of both inhibitors on the immunostimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and the induction of primary immune responses in vivo. Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, inhibits function of DCs, characterized by reduced secretion of cytokines and expression of CD1a, major histocompatibility complex, and costimulatory molecules in response to TLR ligands as well as by their impaired ability to migrate and stimulate T-cell responses. These inhibitory effects are mediated by inhibition of PI3 and MAP kinases and NFκB signaling. In contrast, sorafenib had no influence on the phenotype and proliferation of T cells. To analyze the effects of both TKIs on cytotoxic T-cell induction in vivo, C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with sorafenib or sunitinib and immunized with OVA257-264 peptide. Sorafenib, but not sunitinib, application significantly reduced the induction of antigen-specific T cells. Numbers of regulatory T cells were reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from mice treated with sunitinib. These results indicate that sunitinib, but not sorafenib, is suitable for combination with immunotherapeutic approaches for treatment of cancer patients.


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