Marqibo® (vincristine sulfate liposomes injection; VSLI) Optimizes the Dosing, Delivery, and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Profile of Vincristine Sulfate (VCR) In Adults with Relapsed and Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2142-2142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A Silverman ◽  
Walter E. Aulitzky ◽  
John Lister ◽  
Lori Maness ◽  
Gary J Schiller ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2142 Background: VCR is an important component of the treatment of ALL, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, and other adult and childhood cancers. In part, because of the cell cycle specific activity of VCR, its anti-cancer activity is believed to be very exposure time and concentration dependent. Standard dosing of conventional VCR (1.4 mg/m2 with a 2 mg cap) is limited because of early onset peripheral neuropathy and fails to achieve sustained VCR delivery. VSLI (Marqibo) is a nano-particle encapsulated formulation of VCR designed to facilitate dose intensification, prolonged drug delivery and enhanced cancer penetration and concentration. Methods: In a pivotal, Phase 2, multi-national study (RALLY Trial), 65 adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative ALL who were either in second or greater relapse or who had progressed after two or more prior lines of treatment received single-agent intravenous VSLI 2.25 mg/m2 (without any dose cap) weekly over 1 hour as salvage therapy. First-dose PK was investigated in a representative subset of 13 study subjects. Blood for analysis was collected at 8 time points ranging from 5 minutes to 48 hours following infusion. Total VCR plasma levels were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. PK parameters were calculated with Phoenix WinNonlin. Results: The PK subject subset had a median body surface area (BSA) of 1.92 m2 (range 1.47 to 2.45 m2) and received a median VSLI dose (VCR component) of 4.32 mg (range 3.3 to 5.51 mg). Based on BSA and the 2 mg dose cap, all subjects in this study group would have been dosed with 2.0 mg of conventional VCR. The median cumulative induction dose of VSLI (VCR component) that was administered in this study was 18.8 mg (range 3.5 to 70.1 mg). Total VCR plasma concentration decreased rapidly from Cmax after the VSLI infusion in 5 subjects (38%); 8 subjects (62%) exhibited a delay of 4 to 10 hours before the total VCR plasma concentration began to decrease. The calculated Tmax was 1.3 ± 0.4 hours (range 1.1 to 2.0 hours). The Cmax was 1214 ± 233 ng/mL (range 919 to 1720 ng/mL). The apparent mean half-life was 7.1 ± 3.2 hours. The mean AUCinf was 13,993 ± 6,588 ng hr/mL with a range from 7,167 to 27,233 ng hr/mL. The mean clearance (CL) was 6.4 ± 2.6 mL/min. The mean volume of distribution (Vd) was 0.051 ± 0.018 L/Kg. There were no significant differences in the PK parameters between the male and female subjects participating in this study. The table below presents VSLI PK parameters in addition to historical PK parameters for conventional VCR dosed at 2 mg. Conclusions: VSLI clearly provides dose intensification and prolonged VCR delivery compared to conventional, non-encapsulated VCR. VSLI, as dosed in this adult ALL clinical trial, delivered individual and cumulative amounts of VCR that exceed those achievable with standard and approved dosing of conventional VCR. This translated into a median dose intensification of 116% (range 65 to 176 percent) calculated as the percent change in VSLI dose from a standard VCR dose. This dose intensification is believed to have contributed to the 35% overall response rate including 20% complete responses (with or without full blood count recovery) reported in this heavily pre-treated, multiply-relapsed/refractory population without apparent enhanced toxicity [J Clin Oncol 28:15s, 2010 (suppl; abst 6507)]. VSLI has a distinctly different PK profile than conventional VCR. The larger VSLI Cmax and AUCinf reflect the dose intensification afforded by a larger mg/m2 dose and lack of dose capping. Even in the absence of dose capping, the 2.25 mg/m2 VSLI dose represents a 61% dose escalation above conventional VCR. While Cmax and AUCinf are dose-dependent PK parameters, the observed differences between VSLI and VCR control cannot be explained by dose alone. The larger AUCinf also reflects prolonged circulation afforded by the sphingomyelin:cholesterol liposome encapsulation. The modest VSLI mean CL and small Vd reflect the retention of encapsulated VCR within the plasma compartment for an extended period of time so that VCR can better penetrate and accumulate in sites of cancer through fenestrated vasculature. The enhanced delivery of encapsulated VCR contributes to maintenance of VCR concentrations above the effective concentration. Disclosures: Silverman: Hana Biosciences: Employment. Deitcher: Hana Biosciences: Employment.

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7046-7046
Author(s):  
L. T. Heffner ◽  
L. E. Damon ◽  
M. L. Larson ◽  
G. Schiller ◽  
W. Stock ◽  
...  

7046 Background: VSLI (Marqibo) is a nanoparticle formulation of vincristine sulfate (VCR) encapsulated in sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposomes called Optisomes. The optisomal formulation lends itself to an improved pharmacokinetic profile and enhanced tumor penetration and concentration. Preclinical studies of VSLI showed enhanced efficacy versus standard VCR in a variety of solid and hematologic malignancies. VSLI has a maximum tolerated dose of 2.25 mg/m2 with no dose cap, while conventional VCR is dosed at 1.4 mg/m2 with a 2 mg dose cap. A previous study in relapsed ALL showed a complete response rate of 19%, warranting further study. Methods: Eligible adult subjects received single agent intravenous VSLI at a dose of 2.25 mg/m2 weekly with no dose cap. This international, multicenter, single-arm study will enroll approximately 56 subjects. Major endpoints include response rate and overall survival (OS). An interim analysis was planned following enrollment of 29 evaluable subjects. Results: 29 heavily pretreated subjects received ≥ 1 dose of VSLI. To date, at least 9 of 29 subjects had clearing of leukemic blasts and achievement of an M1 bone marrow. Based on preliminary data, the median OS is estimated to be 7.5 months (95% CI: 4.7–10.5) using the Kaplan-Meier method. The most frequent related adverse event (AE) was peripheral neuropathy (PN) (48%), half of which was grade 3. No grade 4 PN was reported. Six subjects had 8 treatment-associated grade 4 AEs of neutropenia (4), thrombocytopenia (2), anemia (1), and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (1). Conclusions: These results are encouraging, as VSLI was given as a single agent to a heavily pretreated patient population who nearly universally received prior VCR. This population typically has a very low response rate to anti-leukemia therapies. Early OS data compares favorably to an historical median OS of ∼ 2 months (8.7 weeks) in a second salvage population (data on file, M. D. Anderson). VSLI was well tolerated in these patients in the context of universal prior vincristine treatment. [Table: see text]


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2592-2592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia R. Deitcher ◽  
Susan O'Brien ◽  
Steven R. Deitcher ◽  
Deborah A. Thomas ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian

Abstract Abstract 2592 There are no standard of care or approved treatments specifically for advanced, relapsed and/or refractory adult Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pronounced toxicity of multi-agent salvage therapy, residual toxicity in heavily pre-treated subjects, and poor response to prior multi-agent therapy including hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) may prompt the use of single-agent salvage including investigational agents. We compared the efficacy and early plus induction (30-day) mortality rates for single-agent weekly intravenous vincristine sulfate liposomes injection (VSLI, Marqibo®) 2.25 mg/m2 (no dose cap) in adults with Ph- ALL in second or greater relapse or that had progressed following 2 or more lines of anti-leukemia therapy (RALLY Study, N=65) with those from the not previously described, single-agent (non-VSLI), second salvage, Ph- ALL subpopulation (N=56) from a large published report (O'Brien et al, Cancer 2008; 113:3186–91). Despite inclusion of subjects requiring third and greater salvage therapy in the RALLY Study, the O'Brien single-agent population represents the best historical comparator to the RALLY Study population. The most common of the 28 different agents used in the O'Brien study were vinorelbine (6), clofarabine (5), nelarabine (4), and topotecan (4). No subject in the O'Brien study received single-agent standard vincristine sulfate as second salvage. The table below highlights key characteristics of the two ALL populations as well as key efficacy and toxicity outcomes.RALLY Study VSLI (N=65)O'Brien 2008 Various Agents (N=56)Age (yrs), Median (range)31 (19–83)41 (17–73)Unfavorable Cytogenetics, N (%)33 (50.7)5 (8.9)Prior Lines of Therapy, N (%)Two 32 (49.2) Three 24 (36.9) ≥ Four 9 (13.8)Two 56 (100) Three 0 ≥ Four 0Prior HSCT, N (%)31 (47.7)0Prior Standard Vincristine, N (%)65 (100)56 (100)CR+CRi+PR, N (%)19 (29.2)2 (3.6)CR+CRi, N (%)13 (20.0)2 (3.6)CR+CRi Duration (wks), Median (range)23.1 (4.6–66.1)5 and 14*Overall Survival (wks), Median (range)19.9 (1.9–94.4)7.5 (0–110)Induction (30-day) mortality, N (%)8 (12.3)17 (30.4) Overall, the RALLY Study population was more advanced and heavily pre-treated than the O'Brien population. Despite the poorer prognosis, universal prior standard vincristine exposure, and majority of subjects requiring fourth or greater line therapy, single-agent VSLI 2.25 mg/m2 (no dose cap) resulted in a higher complete response (CR+CRi) rate, complete plus partial response (PR) rate, median complete response duration (* no median was calculated for the O'Brien Population because there were only 2 responders), and overall survival duration than was observed with a variety of third-line single-agent adult Ph- ALL salvage therapies. The median overall survival durations for the RALLY Study subjects achieving CR (7), CRi (6), and PR (6) were comparable. The majority of RALLY Study complete responders had a remission duration sufficient to facilitate a subsequent, and potentially curative HSCT. In fact, 12 (18.5%) of the 65 subjects in the RALLY Study were able to undergo a post-VSLI HSCT and 5 (7.7%) subjects were long-term survivors (post-VSLI survival greater than 1 year). Single-agent VSLI was associated with a more favorable early plus induction (30-day) mortality rate in the RALLY Study than observed in relation to other single-agent therapies. Single-agent weekly VSLI 2.25 mg/m2 has the potential to provide a relatively safe and effective induction treatment and “bridge” to HSCT compared to historical non-VSLI single-agent therapies. Disclosures: Deitcher: Talon Therapeutics: related to an employee with equity ownership. Deitcher:Talon Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan O'Brien ◽  
Gary Schiller ◽  
John Lister ◽  
Lloyd Damon ◽  
Stuart Goldberg ◽  
...  

Purpose Relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with high reinduction mortality, chemotherapy resistance, and rapid progression leading to death. Vincristine sulfate liposome injection (VSLI), sphingomyelin and cholesterol nanoparticle vincristine (VCR), facilitates VCR dose-intensification and densification plus enhances target tissue delivery. We evaluated high-dose VSLI monotherapy in adults with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) –negative ALL that was multiply relapsed, relapsed and refractory to reinduction, and/or relapsed after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Patients and Methods Sixty-five adults with Ph-negative ALL in second or greater relapse or whose disease had progressed following two or more leukemia therapies were treated in this pivotal phase II, multinational trial. Intravenous VSLI 2.25 mg/m2, without dose capping, was administered once per week until response, progression, toxicity, or pursuit of HCT. The primary end point was achievement of complete response (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). Results The CR/CRi rate was 20% and overall response rate was 35%. VSLI monotherapy was effective as third-, fourth-, and fifth-line therapy and in patients refractory to other single- and multiagent reinduction therapies. Median CR/CRi duration was 23 weeks (range, 5 to 66 weeks); 12 patients bridged to a post-VSLI HCT, and five patients were long-term survivors. VSLI was generally well tolerated and associated with a low 30-day mortality rate (12%). Conclusion High-dose VSLI monotherapy resulted in meaningful clinical outcomes including durable responses and bridging to HCT in advanced ALL settings. The toxicity profile of VSLI was predictable, manageable, and comparable to standard VCR despite the delivery of large, normally unachievable, individual and cumulative doses of VCR.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 4235-4235
Author(s):  
Gary J. Schiller ◽  
John Lister ◽  
Leonard T. Heffner ◽  
Stuart L. Goldberg ◽  
Lloyd E. Damon ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4235 A durable response in advanced, relapsed and/or refractory adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be defined as remission that results in a meaningful prolongation of life or response that facilitates “bridging” to a subsequent, potentially curative, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Vincristine sulfate liposomes injection (VSLI, Marqibo®) is a sphingomyelin/cholesterol (SM/Chol) nanoparticle formulation of standard vincristine sulfate (VCR) designed to facilitate dose intensification, prolonged drug delivery and enhanced lymphoid malignancy penetration and concentration without increased toxicity. Recently, VSLI was evaluated in a multi-institutional, Phase 1/2 (VSLI-06; NCT00144963) clinical trial and a multi-national, Phase 2 (HBS407; NCT00495079) clinical trial in a combined 101 adults (median age 31 years [range 18 to 83 years]) with advanced, relapsed and/or refractory ALL. All but 1 patient had Philadelphia chromosome negative disease. Thirteen patients (13%) had extramedullary disease, 37 (37%) had undergone a prior HSCT, and 100% had received at least one prior line of therapy including standard VCR. Study VSLI-06 (N = 36) was a dose-ascending trial of weekly VSLI (1.5 to 2.4 mg/m2) combined with pulse dexamethasone. Study HBS407 was a single-arm trial of weekly single-agent VSLI at the maximum tolerated dose established in VSLI-06 of 2.25 mg/m2. Overall, 19 (19%) patients received VSLI as a first salvage therapy, 57 (56%) patients received VSLI as a second salvage therapy, and 25 (25%) patients received VSLI as a third or greater salvage therapy. All patients had to be deemed ineligible for immediate HSCT in order to enroll in VSLI-06 or HBS407. In the combined study population, the overall response rate (complete remission [CR], CR with incomplete hematologic recovery [CRi], partial remission [PR], and bone marrow blast response [BMB]) was 31% (95% CI: 22–41) with a 20% (95% CI: 13–29) rate of CR+CRi. Despite delivering intensified individual (2.8–5.5 mg) and cumulative (up to 70.1 mg) doses of VCR, VSLI had a similar safety profile to that reported for the approved dose of standard VCR. VSLI enabled bridging to a post-VSLI HSCT in 12 of 65 (18%) patients in HBS407 and 5 of 36 (14%) patients in VSLI06 for a total of 17 of 101 (17%). All 17 post-VSLI HSCT patients were under the age of 60 years. Three of 12 post-VSLI HSCT patients from HBS407 remain alive at greater than 28, 33, and 35 months following VSLI, respectively. All 12 patients lived for greater than 100 days after post-VSLI HSCT. Long-term survival (greater than 12 months) was achieved in 27% of those able to receive post-VSLI HSCT. These outcomes, that are important to patients, may reflect the effectiveness of the VCR dose intensification facilitated by VSLI. The neuropathy associated with the dose intensified VCR administered as VSLI was predictable, manageable, and comparable to that published for standard VCR. The lack of early, pre-day 100, mortality following post-VSLI HSCT suggests that the sphingomyelin-based liposomal formulation did not adversely affect subsequent transplantation procedures. In conclusion, VSLI produced both clinically important endpoints of prolonged survival and achievement of response allowing for a bridge to HSCT for advanced, relapsed and/or refractory ALL. Disclosures: Schiller: Talon Therapeutics: Research Funding. Silverman:Talon Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Deitcher:Talon Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3567-3567
Author(s):  
Yanis Boumber ◽  
Deborah A. Thomas ◽  
Farhad Ravandi ◽  
Michael E. Rytting ◽  
Marian R Love ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3567 Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder, responsive to frontline standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy. However, the prognosis of patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory ALL is extremely poor. Deregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal transduction pathway is central to leukemic cell growth, proliferation and survival, and has been implicated in ALL pathogenesis. In a recent phase II study of pts with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, single agent mTOR inhibitor everolimus showed ORR 30% and acceptable toxicity in 77 heavily pretreated pts (Witzig TE et al, Leukemia 2011; 25,341–7). The purpose of this study was to establish the safety and efficacy of everolimus in combination with hyper-CVAD in pts with relapsed/refractory ALL, and to study effects of everolimus on AKT/mTOR signaling in ALL blasts. Methods: In this single center phase I/II study, pts aged 10 years or older with relapsed/refractory ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated with oral everolimus at a daily dose of 5 mg or 10 mg in combination with the standard hyper-CVAD regimen (Kantarjian HM et al, J Clin Oncol. 2000 Feb;18(3):547–61) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoints were to establish safety (after 2 cycles) and efficacy. Secondary endpoints included assessments of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Results: Twelve pts have been enrolled and are evaluable for response. Median was age 24 years (range, 11–59). Five pts had T-ALL and 7 had Philadelphia chromosome negative precursor-B-ALL. Median number of prior treatments was 2 (range, 1–4); 5 pts were 1st salvage attempts. Three pts received everolimus 5 mg/day and 9 were treated with 10 mg/day continuously in combination with hyper-CVAD. Median number of cycles given was 2 (range, 1–4). Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 7–23). Three pts achieved CR (all were 1st salvage attempts) and 1 patient had CRi (second salvage); 2 pts achieved PR. No responses were seen beyond second salvage. Of the 9 pts completing 2 cycles, both EFS and OS were not reached for 3 pts in the 1st salvage, and were 8.5 weeks and 18.5 weeks respectively for pts in second salvage and beyond (P=.01 and P=0.04). Of the 12 pts (including 3 only treated with one cycle), both EFS and OS were not reached for 3 pts in the 1st salvage, and were 10 weeks and 18 weeks respectively for pts in second salvage and beyond (P=0.17 and P=0.05). Treatment-related toxicities in the 9 pts evaluable for MTD (completed 2 cycles) included 3 episodes of grade 3 mucositis, which was a dose-limiting toxicity, 3 episodes of grade 4 infections (sepsis) and 9 episodes of grade 3 infections (neutropenic fever, pneumonia, bacteremia). There was no deaths on-study. Inhibition of mTOR signaling (p-pS6K) was observed in 5 of 8 (62%) patient samples tested, at both the 5 and 10 mg dose levels, suggesting that 5 mg is sufficient to block the pathway. Lack of inhibition of p-pEBP1 and pAKT argues for potential benefit of second generation mTOR inhibitors or dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Conclusions: We conclude that administration of hyper-CVAD plus everolimus is well-tolerated. The study warrants further investigation of next generation mTOR inhibitors in combination with hyper-CVAD for ALL in relapsed and frontline settings. Disclosures: Cortes: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4014-4014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anne Couturier ◽  
Xavier Thomas ◽  
Francoise Huguet ◽  
Céline Berthon ◽  
Célestine Simand ◽  
...  

Abstract Prognosis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph1+ ALL) has been considerably improved since the beginning of the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) era 20 years ago. However, the prognosis of patients with a refractory/relapsed (including molecular relapse) disease is still very dismal. New drugs or combination of new drugs may improve outcomes of these patients. For example, ponatinib, a 3rd-generation oral TKI, known to have activity against BCR-ABL1 T315I mutations, has shown some efficacy in this context. Similarly, a recent study has reported very encouraging results of the bispecific anti-CD3/CD19 monoclonal antibody blinatumomab as single-agent in refractory/relapsed Ph1+ ALL. Data regarding the efficacy and tolerance of a combination of blinatumomab+ponatinib (blina/pona) are still scarce. This was a retrospective study with the aim to report outcomes of patients receiving a combination of blina/pona for refractory/relapsed Ph1+ ALL in France. Fifteen adults from 8 French centers were identified and data were collected by physicians of each centers, then gathered for the purpose of this study. There were 9 males and 6 females, with a median age of 53 years (range:17-72). All patients, but 2 with blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia, had de novo Ph1+ ALL. Four cases had BCR-ABL1 T315I mutation. Patients received the blina/pona combination, either after a first (n=8) or a second (n=7) cytologic relapse. There was no refractory patient in theses series. Previous allograft and autograft has been performed in 7 and 2 patients, respectively. The majority of patients (n=12) had previously received 2 or more lines of TKI. The median time between the first cycle of blina/pona and diagnosis was 14 months (range: 8-40). The median number of blinatumomab cycle (28 mg/day by continuous infusion for 28 days every 6 weeks) administered per patient was 3 (range: 1-6) while ponatinib was concomittantly administered continuously at an initial dose of 45 mg once daily in 11 pts (73%) and 30 mg in 4 pts (27%). Median duration of ponatinib administration was 4 months (range: 1.1-10.9) from first blinatumomab cycle. The toxicity profile was safe: all patients received a complete first cycle without grade 3-4 adverse events. After cycle 1, blinatumomab was stopped in 47% of cases because of neurologic events in 4 and infections in 3; ponatinib was stopped in 33% of cases because of neurologic events in 3, fluid retention in 1 and severe arteriopathy in 1 patient with other vascular disease risk factors. All neurologic events resolved after stopping blinatumomab or ponatinib. The majority of patients were evaluated after one cycle (n=11, after cycle 2 n=3, after cycle 3 n=1). All but one patients (93%) obtained a cytologic complete remission (CR), of whom 12/14 (86%) achieved a complete molecular response. However, 2 patients were documented with CNS relapse at the time of blina/pona evaluation although in bone marrow molecular remission. Both obtained clearance of leukemic blasts after intrathecal infusion of chemotherapy. Then, 5 patients underwent allogeneic transplant (including 2 patients already allotransplanted before blina/pona) and 1 patient received donor lymphocyte infusion. Seven cases pursued maintenance therapy with ponatinib as single agent after stopping blinatumomab. With a median follow-up of 8 months (range: 2.6-30.2) for alive patients, median overall and leukemia-free survivals from first cycle of blina/pona were 8.5 months (range: 1.7-30.2) and 8 months (range: 1.3-30.2), respectively. At last follow-up (July 2018), only 4 relapses had occurred at a median of 3.3 months (range: 1.3-8.3) from first blina/pona cycle and 6 patients had died (3 bacterial infections, 1 fungal infection, 1 secondary cancer and 1 ALL relapse). All alive patients (n=9) but one (cytologic CR but detectable minimal residual disease) are in complete molecular response. Four patients are still under ponatinib medication at last follow-up. The combination of blinatumomab+ponatinib appears effective and tolerable in relapsed Ph1+ALL patients and may replace chemotherapy salvage regimens. The combination should be tested in first-line therapy in the future. Our results have also to be confirmed prospectively on a larger cohort of patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Leonard ◽  
Yoko Kosaka ◽  
Pavani Malla ◽  
Dorian LaTocha ◽  
Adam Lamble ◽  
...  

Blinatumomab is currently approved for use as a single agent in relapsed and refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cytotoxicity is mediated via signaling through the T-cell Receptor (TCR). There is now much interest in combining blinatumomab with targeted therapies, particularly in Philadelphia Chromosome positive ALL (Ph+ALL). However, some second and third generation ABL inhibitors also potently inhibit Src family kinases that are important in TCR signaling. We combined ABL inhibitors and dual ABL/Src inhibitors with blinatumomab in vitro from both healthy donor samples as well as in primary samples from patients with Ph+ALL. Blinatumomab alone led to both T-cell proliferation and elimination of target CD19+ cells, as well as enhanced production of IFN-gamma. The addition of the ABL inhibitors imatinib or nilotinib to blinatumomab did not inhibit T-cell proliferation nor IFN-gamma production. However, the addition of dasatinib or ponatinib inhibited T-cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production. Importantly, there was no loss of CD19+ cells treated with blinatumomab plus dasatinib or ponatinib in healthy samples as well as samples with a resistant ABL T315I mutation by dasatinib in combination with blinatumomab. These in vitro findings bring pause to the excitement of combination therapies highlighting the importance of maintaining T-cell function with targeted therapies.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2737-2737
Author(s):  
Mirna Golemovic ◽  
Miloslav Beran ◽  
Francis Giles ◽  
Taghi Manshouri ◽  
Deborah Thomas ◽  
...  

Abstract Imatinib mesylate is effective against Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but, when used as a single agent, responses are transient and most patients relapse within 4–6 months. AMN107 is a novel oral aminopyrimidine ATP-competitive inhibitor of the protein tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr-Abl. Following oral administration to animals, AMN107 is well absorbed, has a good pharmacokinetic profile, and is well tolerated. The activity of AMN107, relative to imatinib, in both Ph-positive (Z-119 and Z-181) and Ph-negative (Z-138) ALL cell lines was studied. Z-119 and Z-181 cells were derived from Ph-positive ALL patients and retained typical B-cell characteristics and phenotypes of the original leukemia, including cytogenetic abnormality t(9;22) and p190 Bcr/Abl kinase. Z-138, a Ph-negative cell line, was derived from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and supervening ALL. Treatment with AMN107 or imatinib for 3 days (MTS assay) inhibited proliferation of Z-119 cells with the IC50 values of 19.3 nM and 620.0 nM, respectively, revealing AMN107 to be 32 fold more potent than imatinib. Treatment of Z-181 cell line lasted for 4 days (MTS assay) because of lower growth rate of these cells: IC50 for AMN107 and imatinib were 1.6 nM and 63.9 nM, respectively, showing AMN107 to be 40 fold more potent than imatinib. Neither drug showed activity against Ph-negative Z-138 cells. We also compared the activity of AMN107 in Ph-positive ALL cell lines expressing p190 Bcr/Abl protein to that in Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines KBM5 and KBM7 expressing p210 Bcr/Abl protein. The activity was similar with IC50 in KBM5 cells of 11.3 nM and in KBM7 cells of 4.3 nM. In experiments focused on cell cycle analysis we found that at equipotent doses (as determined by MTS assay) both drugs induced cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase in Z-119 but not in Z-181. We demonstrated that increasing equipotent concentrations of AMN107 and imatinib induced activation of caspase-3 that resulted in apoptosis, as assessed by propidium iodide staining, in Z-119 cells, while Z-181 cells showed lack of apoptotic response. Following treatment with a broad range of AMN107 and imatinib doses for 3 hrs, Bcr/Abl expression and phosphorylation were determined in Z-119 cells by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting: Bcr/Abl phosphorylation was inhibited completely with AMN107 at 125.0 nM, and with imatinib at 2500 nM, confirming again the higher potency of AMN107. Finally, similar differential effect of AMN107 and imatinib on Bcr/Abl protein expression and phosphorylation was observed in leukemic cells obtained from blood of Ph-positive ALL patients. We conclude that AMN107 has significant activity against Ph-positive ALL cells and warrants investigation in patients with Ph-positive ALL.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4483-4483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep-Maria Ribera ◽  
Albert Oriol ◽  
Marcos Gonzalez ◽  
Maria-Belen Vidriales ◽  
Blanca Xicoy ◽  
...  

Abstract Imatinib mesylate as a single agent has modest activity in refractory/relapsed Ph-positive ALL. Use of concurrent chemotherapy and imatinib mesylate in newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL was explored. Nineteen patients (pts) with de novo Ph-positive ALL were included in a prospective trial. Induction chemotherapy consisted of imatinib mesylate (400 mg/d, p.o.) and VCR (1.5mg/m2/wk), DNR (60 mg/m2/wk) and PDN (60mg/m2/d) for 4 weeks if adequate bone marrow response (<5% blast cells) at day +14 was observed. If not mitoxantrone (12 mg/m2, d15, 16, 17) and HD-ARAC (1,000mg/m2/12h d 18, 19) were administered. Consolidation chemotherapy (C1) included imatinib mesylate and MP, HD-MTX (1.5 g/m2), VM-26 and ARA-C. Pts with a HLA-identical family or MUD donor were submitted to SCT. IF no MUD donor was found a second consolidation cycle (C2) with imatinib mesylate, VCR, DNR, DXM and CPM was administered. Pts without family donor or with no MUD donor after 6 mo. of active search were submitted to autologous SCT. After SCT imatinib mesylate was administered from the sustained hematological recovery to the eventual relapse or at least up to 1 yr. of continuous molecular remission. Sequential MRD study was performed by cytofluorometry and quantitative RT-PCR. Up to July 2004, 19 pts (10 males, mean [SD] age 43[12] yr., range 17–62, p190bcr-abl in 75% of the cases) were included. One pt is still on treatment, 1 died in induction because of infection, 1 was refractory and the remaining 16 (89%) attained CR. Slow bone marrow response was observed in 4 out of 14 evaluable pts. Three patients have relapsed before SCT, 8 are on consolidation therapy and SCT was performed in 5 (3 from family donor and 2 MUD). 1 pt died after SCT and no relapses after SCT have been observed to date (range 1–6 months from SCT). With a median follow-up of 5 (0.2–14) mo., 3 pts have died, 2 are alive in second CR and 13 are in first CR, with a median DFS of 8 mo. and an OS probability of 66±30%. Levels of BCR-ABL/GUS x100 less than 0.05 were observed in 6/12 (50%) pts at the end of induction therapy. There was a further 1–2 log median reduction of BCR/ABL transcripts at the end of C1, (BCR-ABL/GUS x100 less than 0.05 in 5/6 cases). No additional reduction of transcripts was observed between C1 and SCT. A good correlation between molecular and cytofluorometric MRD data was observed. Use of concurrent chemotherapy and imatinib mesylate in newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL pts is feasible and the preliminary data are promising in terms of high rate of clinical and molecular CR. Continued accrual and longer follow-up of the current cohort is needed.


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