Targeting the PI3K/mTOR Pathway in Lymphoma with PQR309 and PQR620: Single Agent Activity and Synergism with the BCL2 Inhibitor Venetoclax

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 3017-3017
Author(s):  
Chiara Tarantelli ◽  
Eugenio Gaudio ◽  
Petra Hillmann ◽  
Filippo Spriano ◽  
Ivo Kwee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Mtor Inhibitor ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Apoptosis Induction ◽  
In Vivo Experiments

Abstract Background. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is an important therapeutic target in lymphomas. PQR309 is a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that has shown in vitroanti-lymphoma activity (Tarantelli et al, ASH2015) and is in phase 2 trial (NCT02249429, , NCT02723877, NCT02669511). PQR620 is a novel mTORC1/2 inhibitor that has shown preclinical activity in solid tumor models (Beaufils et al, AACR 2016). Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo anti-lymphoma activity of PQR620 as single agent and also the in vivo results of PQR620 or PQR309 containing combinations with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. Materials and Methods. The drug concentration causing 50% inhibition of cell proliferation (IC50) was obtained in lymphoma cell lines [diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), no.=26; mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), no.=8; anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma, no.=5; others, no=5] exposed to increasing doses of PQR620 for 72h using a Tecan D300e Digital Dispenser on 384well plates. For in vivo experiments, NOD-Scid (NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J) mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 10 x106 (RIVA) or with 5 x106(SU-DHL-6) cells. Results. PQR620 had a median IC50 of 250 nM (95%CI, 200-269 nM) when tested on 44 lymphoma cell lines. Activity was higher in B cell (no.=36) than in T cell tumors (no.=8) (median IC50s: 250 nM vs 450 nM; P=0.002). At 72h, anti-tumor activityof PQR620 was mostly cytostatic and apoptosis induction was seen only in 6/44 cell lines (13%), Sensitivity to PQR620 or apoptosis induction did not differ between DLBCL and MCL, and they were not affected by the DLBCL cell of origin, by TP53 status or by the presence of MYC or BCL2 translocations. The activity of PQR620 as single agent underwent in vivo evaluation in two DLBCL models, the germinal center B cell type DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL) SU-DHL-6 and the acivated B cell-like DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) RIVA. Treatments with PQR620 (100mg/kg dose per day, Qdx7/w) started with 100-150 mm3 tumors and were carried for 14 (SU-DHL-6) or 21 days (RIVA). In both models, PQR620 determined a 2-fold decrease of the tumor volumes in comparison with control, with significant differences in both SU-DHL-6 (D7, D9, D11, D14; P < 0.005) and RIVA (D14, D16, D19, D21; P < 0.005). Based on the previously reported synergy between the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PQR309 and venetoclax (Tarantelli et al, ASH 2015), we evaluated the combination of the PQR620 or PQR309 with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax (100 mg/kg, Qdx7/w) in the SU-DHL-6 model. Both the venetoclax combination with the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and the venetoclax combination with mTORC1/2 inhibitor were superior to the compounds given as single agents, leading to the eradication of the xenografts. The combination of PQR620 with venetoclax showed highly significant differences either versus control or single agents during all days of the experiment (D4, D7, D9, D11, D14; P < 0.001). Similarly, the combination of PQR309 with venetoclax showed highly significant differences versus venetoclax (D7, D9, D11, D14; P < 0.001) and PQR309 (D7, D9, D11; P < 0.005) alone. Conclusions. The novel mTORC1/2 inhibitor PQR620 had in vitro and in vivo anti-lymphoma activity as single agent. In vivo experiments showed that both PQR620 and the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PQR309 can strongly benefit from the combination with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. Disclosures Hillmann: PIQUR Therapeutics AG: Employment. Fabbro:PIQUR Therapeutics AG: Employment. Cmiljanovic:PIQUR Therapeutics AG: Employment, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Effect of a combination of epigenetic agents on the malignant phenotype in models of T-cell lymphoma.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13569-e13569
Author(s):  
Enrica Marchi ◽  
Matko Kalac ◽  
Danielle Bongero ◽  
Christine McIntosh ◽  
Laura K Fogli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Cytotoxicity Assays

e13569 Background: CHOP and CHOP-like chemotherapy are the most used regimens for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) despite sub-optimal results. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have shown class activity in PTCLs. The interaction between the HDACIs (depsipeptide (R), belinostat (B), vorinostat (V) and panobinostat (P)) and a DNMT inhibitor (decitabine (D) was investigated in vitro, in vivo and at the molecular level in T-cell lymphoma and leukemia cell lines (H9, HH, P12, PF-382). Methods: For cytotoxicity assays, luminescence cell viability assay was used (CellTiter-Glo). Drug:drug interactions were analyzed with relative risk ratios (RRR) based on the GraphPad software (RRR<1 defining synergism). Apoptosis was assessed by Yo-Pro-1 and propidium iodine followed by FACSCalibur acquisition. Gene expression profiling was analyzed using Illumina Human HT-12 v4 Expression BeadChip microarrays and Gene Spring Software for the analysis. Results: The IC50s for B, R, V, P, D and 5-Azacytidine alone were assessed at 24, 48 and 72 hours. In cytotoxicity assays the combination of D plus B, R, V or P at 72 hours showed synergism in all the cell lines (RRRs 0.0007-0.9). All the cell lines were treated with D, B or R for 72 hours and all the combinations showed significantly more apoptosis than the single drug exposures and controls (RRR < 1). In vivo, HH SCID beige mice were treated i.p. for 3 cycles with the vehicle solution, D or B or their combination at increasing dose. The combination cohort showed statistically significant tumor growth inhibition compared to all the other cohorts. Gene expression analysis revealed differentially expressed genes and modulated pathways for each of the single agent treatment and the combination. The effects of the two drugs were largely different (only 39 genes modified in common). Most of the effects induced by the single agent were maintained in the combination group. Interestingly, 944 genes were modulated uniquely by the combination treatment. Conclusions: The combination of a DNMTI and HDACIs is strongly synergistic in vitro, in vivo and at the molecular level in model of T-cell lymphoma and these data will constitute the basis for a phase I-II clinical trials.

scholarly journals Venetoclax Synergizes with Radiation Therapy for Treatment of B-Cell Lymphomas

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 467-467
Author(s):  
Shyril O'Steen ◽  
Amelia Waltman ◽  
Garrett Booth ◽  
Aimee L Kenoyer ◽  
Margaret Nartea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Survival Time ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Mean Survival Time

Abstract Introduction: An estimated 19,970 Americans died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in 2015, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounting for roughly 30% of newly diagnosed NHL. Our study focuses on three NHL subtypes: germinal center (GCB)-DLBCL, the most common DLBCL subtype; activated (ABC)-DLBCL, a particularly aggressive and high-risk subtype; and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), considered incurable. Constitutive B-cell receptor signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of ABC-DLBCL and MCL and may couple with aberrant apoptotic BCL-2 pathway proteins. The BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax is a promising targeted agent that promotes apoptosis in a variety of NHL subtypes, but is almost never curative as a single agent. Radiotherapy promotes apoptosis by creating DNA strand breaks, and we hypothesized that the combination of radiotherapy and venetoclax would act synergistically in NHL to increase the probability of cures. Methods: We tested in vitro killing efficacy of sublethal 137Cesium irradiation combined with venetoclax in 15 cell lines, representing a diversity of NHL subtypes. Cells were treated with 137Cesium and venetoclax in 8 x 8 dose combination matrices, incubated 72-120 hrs, then assayed for viability with Celltiter-Glo (Promega). The degree of treatment antagonism, additivity, or synergism was determined using isobolographic analyses. For in vivo studies, we tested combinations of venetoclax with either 137Cesium total body irradiation (TBI), or CD20 pre-targeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT), in threetumor models chosen for divergent single agent sensitivities. Tumor xenografts of Rec-1 (MCL), U2932 (ABC-DLBCL), and SU-DHL-6 (GCB-DLBCL) were produced by subcutaneous flank injection of 10 x 106 cells in male and female NOD.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NRG) mice. When tumor volumes were 50 mm3, mice (n = 8-12/group) were treated with either venetoclax (100-200mg/kg daily for 10-30 days), diluent control, TBI (single dose, 6-10 Gy 137Cesium), or a combination of venetoclax and TBI. In PRIT studies, mice were coinjected with 300µg unlabeled streptavidin-conjugated anti-CD20 antibody (murine IgG2a) and 400µg HB8181 (IgG2a isotype control to block non-specific binding) in place of TBI. Twenty-one hours later, 5.8 nmol biotin-galactose "clearing agent" was administered, followed in 3 hours by 1.2 nmol DOTA-biotin labeled with 400, 800, or 1200 µCi of 90Y (14.8, 29.6, or 44.4 MBq, respectively). Results: In vitro, 10 of 15 lymphoma cell lines responded synergistically to combined radiotherapy and venetoclax, including GCB-DLBCL, ABC-DLBCL and MCL lines (p < .04 in 10 cell lines). In vivo, each of 3 lymphoma models responded synergistically to combination therapy. In mice bearing Rec-1 xenografts, venetoclax alone did not affect mean survival time (p = .32), 8 Gy TBI lengthened survival by 44% compared to controls (p < .0001), but TBI combined with venetoclax tripled survival time compared to controls (p < .0001, combination group > TBI alone). The SU-DHL-6 model produced similar results. In the U2932 model, tumors disappeared during venetoclax monotherapy, but recurred in all mice, such that mean survival time doubled compared to controls (p = .0001). Six Gy TBI had no effect (p = .73), but combining TBI with venetoclax tripled survival time compared to controls (p = .0003, combination group > venetoclax alone). Using PRIT in place of TBI produced yet greater efficacy. In Rec-1 bearing mice, venetoclax had no effect alone (p = .12), 800µCi PRIT lengthened survival time 111% beyond controls (p = .0001), while the combination extended survival 483% beyond controls and cured 40% (p = .001, combination group > PRIT alone). In the U2932 xenograft model, venetoclax alone doubled survival time compared to controls (p < .0001) and 800µCi PRIT alone doubled survival and cured 30% (Fig. 1, p < .0001). Combination treatments cured 100% (Fig. 1). Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo results support our hypothesis that radiotherapy combines effectively with venetoclax to treat NHL. Despite differences in single agent sensitivity, xenograft models of GCB-DLBCL, ABC-DLBCL and MCL all responded synergistically to combinations of either TBI or PRIT with venetoclax. PRIT combinations with venetoclax produced cures (Fig. 1) without detectable toxicity, and merit clinical preference. Ongoing studies examine predictive biomarkers and optimal treatment protocols for therapeutic efficacy. Disclosures Gopal: Paid Consultancy- Gilead, Janssen, Seattle Genetics, Spectrum, Research funding- Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, BMS, Merck, Teva, Takeda, Spectrum, Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

AMG 319, a Novel Inhibitor of Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Delta (PI3Kd), Demonstrates Activity in Lymphoma Pre-Clinical Models

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3718-3718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Herko ◽  
Cory Mavis ◽  
Myron S. Czuczman ◽  
Francisco Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Clinical Models

Abstract Abstract 3718 The PI3k/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been found to be deregulated in patients with various subtypes of B-cell lymphoma including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Targeting this particular pathway has been evaluated in multiple pre-clinical models and clinical trials using pharmacological inhibitors with variable degrees of success. More selective and potent PI3K inhibitors, such as AMG 319 are being developed and need proper evaluation in currently relevant pre-clinical models (i.e. rituximab resistant models). To this end, we evaluated the activity of AMG 319 as a single agent or in combination with monoclonal antibodies, targeted agents and chemotherapy drugs in a panel of rituximab-sensitive (RSCL), rituximab-resistant cell lines (RRCL) and primary lymphoma cells isolated from patients with treatment naïve or relapsed/refractory (rel/ref) B- and T-cell lymphoma. Furthermore, we attempted to characterize the cell death pathways executed following in vitro exposure to AMG 319. RSCL, RRCL, T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and MCL cell lines were exposed to escalating doses of AMG 319 (0.1 to 100μM). Isolated primary lymphoma cells were exposed to lower doses of AMG 319 (1 and 10μM) as a single agent and in combination with bortezomib (BTZ) (5–10nM). Cell viability was determined utilizing presto blue and cell titer glo assays. 51Cr release studies were conducted to assess the effect of AMG 319 in rituximab or ofatumumab immunological activity. Lymphoma cell lines were exposed to AMG 319 (10μM) or DMSO (0.1%) for 48 hours. Subsequently cells were labeled with 51Cr and exposed to rituximab, ofatumumab or isotype control with human serum (25%) or effector cells isolated from healthy donors (effector/target ratio 40/1). Finally, to characterize the contribution of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway to AMG 319 activity, primary tumor cells isolated from lymphoma patients were exposed to AMG 319 with or without a pan-caspase inhibitor (Q-VD-Oph, 5μM) and changes in cell viability were detected. AMG 319 exhibited dose-dependant activity as a single agent against various cell lines including RSCL, RRCL, MCL and T-cell lymphoma cell lines. In addition, AMG 319 induced cell death in primary tumor cells (N=5) at lower doses than in cell lines. Preliminary experiments suggest a synergistic activity when AMG 319 is combined with BTZ in vitro, although further analysis is required with a larger number of primary tumor cell samples. Pre-exposure of one RRCL and one RSCL to AMG 319 enhanced the biological activity of rituximab and ofatumumab in terms of antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement mediated cytotoxicity (CMC), and further investigations with additional cell lines are ongoing. Finally, caspase inhibition diminished AMG 319 activity in primary tumor cells in vitro, suggesting that induction of apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway plays a role in its anti-tumor activity. Our data suggests that AMG 319 as a single agent is active against NHL cells and potentiate the anti-tumor activity of BTZ and to a lesser degree monoclonal antibodies targeting CD20 antigen. Ongoing studies are aimed to evaluate AMG 319 in combination with chemotherapy agents in order to better optimize the activity of this novel PI3 kinase delta inhibitor in B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Use of retinoic acids in the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma: a pilot study.

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1185-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Cheng ◽  
I J Su ◽  
C C Chen ◽  
H F Tien ◽  
J D Lay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoma Cell ◽  
Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Retinoic Acids

PURPOSE We have systemically analyzed, both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of 13-cis-retinoic acids (RA) on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). METHODS The in vitro growth-inhibitory effect of 13-cis-RA was examined in 11 (T cell, five; B cell, six) lymphoma cell lines by a tetrazolium colorimetric assay. A pilot clinical trial with oral 13-cis-RA 1 mg/kg/d was conducted in a selected group of 18 lymphoma patients, of whom 16 had failed to respond to at least one regimen of intensive chemotherapy. The in vitro and in vivo effects of 13-cis-RA were correlated with immunophenotypes, RA-induced changes of morphology, and patterns of DNA fragmentation of the lymphoma cells. RESULTS Four of five T-lymphoma cell lines and none of six B-lymphoma cell lines were sensitive (concentration of 50% growth inhibition [IC50] < 1.5 microns) to 13-cis-RA (P = .015). In the clinical trial, five (two Ki-1, one angioinvasive type, one diffuse mixed cell, and one diffuse large cell) complete remissions and one (Ki1) partial remission were observed in 12 patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), while none of six patients with B-cell lymphoma responded to 13-cis-RA. 13-cis-RA-induced cellular differentiation and apoptosis, as evidenced by the more mature morphology, characteristic nuclear condensation, and DNA ladder pattern signifying internucleosomal fragmentation, were demonstrated in the sensitive cell lines, as well as in the remitting lymphoma tissues. CONCLUSION The 13-cis-RA appears to be active on lymphomas of T-lineage and their therapeutic indication may be extended to include some subtypes of PTCL. The mechanisms of action are related to differentiation and apoptosis of lymphoma cells. There appears to be no cross-resistance between 13-cis-RA and conventional chemotherapy.

scholarly journals BET bromodomain inhibitor birabresib in mantle cell lymphoma: in vivo activity and identification of novel combinations to overcome adaptive resistance

ESMO Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. e000387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Tarantelli ◽  
Elena Bernasconi ◽  
Eugenio Gaudio ◽  
Luciano Cascione ◽  
Valentina Restelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Antitumour Activity ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Bet Inhibitor ◽  
Mantle Cell

BackgroundThe outcome of patients affected by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has improved in recent years, but there is still a need for novel treatment strategies for these patients. Human cancers, including MCL, present recurrent alterations in genes that encode transcription machinery proteins and of proteins involved in regulating chromatin structure, providing the rationale to pharmacologically target epigenetic proteins. The Bromodomain and Extra Terminal domain (BET) family proteins act as transcriptional regulators of key signalling pathways including those sustaining cell viability. Birabresib (MK-8628/OTX015) has shown antitumour activity in different preclinical models and has been the first BET inhibitor to successfully undergo early clinical trials.Materials and methodsThe activity of birabresib as a single agent and in combination, as well as its mechanism of action was studied in MCL cell lines.ResultsBirabresib showed in vitro and in vivo activities, which appeared mediated via downregulation of MYC targets, cell cycle and NFKB pathway genes and were independent of direct downregulation of CCND1. Additionally, the combination of birabresib with other targeted agents (especially pomalidomide, or inhibitors of BTK, mTOR and ATR) was beneficial in MCL cell lines.ConclusionOur data provide the rationale to evaluate birabresib in patients affected by MCL.

scholarly journals Repurposing dasatinib for diffuse large B cell lymphoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (34) ◽  
pp. 16981-16986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Scuoppo ◽  
Jiguang Wang ◽  
Mirjana Persaud ◽  
Sandeep K. Mittan ◽  
Katia Basso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Multikinase Inhibitor ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell

To repurpose compounds for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we screened a library of drugs and other targeted compounds approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on 9 cell lines and validated the results on a panel of 32 genetically characterized DLBCL cell lines. Dasatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, was effective against 50% of DLBCL cell lines, as well as against in vivo xenografts. Dasatinib was more broadly active than the Bruton kinase inhibitor ibrutinib and overcame ibrutinib resistance. Tumors exhibiting dasatinib resistance were commonly characterized by activation of the PI3K pathway and loss of PTEN expression as a specific biomarker. PI3K suppression by mTORC2 inhibition synergized with dasatinib and abolished resistance in vitro and in vivo. These results provide a proof of concept for the repurposing approach in DLBCL, and point to dasatinib as an attractive strategy for further clinical development in lymphomas.

scholarly journals Establishment of B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines Persistently Infected with Hepatitis C Virus In Vivo and In Vitro: the Apoptotic Effects of Virus Infection

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 2134-2146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky M.-H. Sung ◽  
Shigetaka Shimodaira ◽  
Alison L. Doughty ◽  
Gaston R. Picchio ◽  
Huong Can ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Hcv Rna

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies of HCV replication and pathogenesis have so far been hampered by the lack of an efficient tissue culture system for propagating HCV in vitro. Although HCV is primarily a hepatotropic virus, an increasing body of evidence suggests that HCV also replicates in extrahepatic tissues in natural infection. In this study, we established a B-cell line (SB) from an HCV-infected non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. HCV RNA and proteins were detectable by RNase protection assay and immunoblotting. The cell line continuously produces infectious HCV virions in culture. The virus particles produced from the culture had a buoyant density of 1.13 to 1.15 g/ml in sucrose and could infect primary human hepatocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and an established B-cell line (Raji cells) in vitro. The virus from SB cells belongs to genotype 2b. Single-stranded conformational polymorphism and sequence analysis of the viral RNA quasispecies indicated that the virus present in SB cells most likely originated from the patient's spleen and had an HCV RNA quasispecies pattern distinct from that in the serum. The virus production from the infected primary hepatocytes showed cyclic variations. In addition, we have succeeded in establishing several Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B-cell lines from PBMCs of HCV-positive patients. Two of these cell lines are positive for HCV RNA as detected by reverse transcriptase PCR and for the nonstructural protein NS3 by immunofluorescence staining. These observations unequivocally establish that HCV infects B cells in vivo and in vitro. HCV-infected cell lines show significantly enhanced apoptosis. These B-cell lines provide a reproducible cell culture system for studying the complete replication cycle and biology of HCV infections.

The Combination of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Hypomethylating Agents Exhibits Marked Synergy In Preclinical Models of T-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3937-3937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrica Marchi ◽  
Danielle C Bongero ◽  
Matko Kalac ◽  
Luigi Scotto ◽  
Owen A. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Hypomethylating Agents ◽  
Cytotoxicity Assays ◽  
Nanomolar Range

Abstract Abstract 3937 CHOP and CHOP-like chemotherapy programs remain the most commonly used regimens for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) despite often sub-optimal results. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are epigenetic agents known to be active in T-cell lymphoma. Recently romidepsin (R) was approved for patients with relapsed or refractory CTCL. Both R and belinostat (B) are being investigated in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. We have previously shown that hypomethylating agents as decitabine (D) produce synergistic interactions with HDACIs in B-cell lymphomas. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo activity of D, R and B alone or in combination in different T-cell lymphoma and leukemia cell lines including CTCL (H9, HH), and T- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) lines resistant to gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI) (P12, PF-382). For all cytotoxicity assays, luminescent cell viability was performed using CellTiter-Glo™ followed by acquisition on a Biotek Synergy HT. The IC50s for D, B and R were calculated using the Calcusyn software (Biosoft). Drug: drug interactions were analyzed using the calculation of the relative risk ratios (RRR) based on the GraphPad software (RRR<1 are defining synergism). Apoptosis was assessed by staining with Yo-Pro-1 and propidium iodine followed by FACSCalibur acquisition. Whole cell lysate proteins were extracted and quantified according to Bradford assay. After electrophoresis on a gradient 4–20% SDS-PAGE gels the proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membrane. After blocking and incubation with the primary and the secondary antibodies, the chemiluminescent agent was added and the x-ray films were exposed to the membranes. The IC50s for belinostat alone at 24, 48 and 72 hours were generally in the nanomolar range: H9: 108.1nM – 35.7nM – 29.1nM; HH: 240.1nM - 67.6nM – 39.01nM; P12: 386.9nM – 99.9nM – 99.8nM; PF 382: 267.1nM – 135nM – 118.3nM. The IC50s for romidepsin alone at 24, 48 and 72 hours were generally in the low nanomolar range: H9: 5nM – 2.1nM – 2.2nM; HH: 14nM – 2.6nM - 2.5nM; P12: 6.2nM – 2.4nM – 2.1nM; PF382: 6.1nM – 1.7nM – 1.5nM. The IC50s for D alone at 72 and 96 hours were in the micromolar range: H9: 7.4uM – 3.7uM; HH: > 20 uM. In the cytotoxicity assays, the combination of D and B or R at 72 hours showed synergism in all the cell lines studied. The most representative RRRs are showed in table 1. Table 1 D 0.5 uM 1uM B (nM) RRR H9 50 0.7 0.7 70 0.6 0.6 100 0.4 0.5 PF 382 150 0.8 0.7 0.5 uM 1 uM R (nM) RRR H9 0.5 0.9 0.9 1 0.8 0.8 2 0.3 0.3 PF 382 1 0.8 0.7 1.5 0.4 0.4 2 0.1 0.1 When H9, HH, P12 and PF382 cell lines were treated with D and B or R for 72 hours, all the combination groups showed significantly more apoptosis than the single drug exposures and controls. Table 2 displays the range of apoptosis induction for B, R and D or for them used in combination and the RRR value after the analysis for the most significant data. Table 2 B D B + D RRR (% Apoptotic + Dead Cells) H9 100nM (22.9%) 500nM (17.9%) 51.5% 0.7 HH 100nM (42.9%) 1uM (46.9%) 61.3% 0.8 P 12 150nM (16%) 1uM (42.7%) 80.1% 0.4 PF 382 100nM (8.3%) 1uM (27.9%) 40.1% 0.8 R D R + D H9 2nM (22.2%) 500nM (17.9%) 63.6% 0.5 HH 2nM (80%) 1uM (46.9%) 89.7% 0.6 P 12 2nM (9.9%) 10uM (58.7%) 98% 0.03 PF 382 2nM (54.5%) 500nM (17.9%) 88.7% 0.2 Increased acetylation of H3 was observed when H9 cells were treated with R alone and synergistically increased after exposing cells to the combination of D + B and D + R. The expression of phosphorylated Stat3 was decreased after exposure of H9 cells to the combination of D and R. Additional interrogation of the effects of this epigenetic therapy on the JAK-STAT signaling pathway are now underway. An in vivo xenograft study in six to eight weeks old female SCID beige mice injected subcutaneously with 2 × 107 HH cells has also begun and will be reported. Mice were separated into different cohorts and treated with intraperitoneal injections of D or B or their combination according to the following schedules: D alone at 1.5 mg/kg on days 1, 5; B alone at 35 mg/Kg/day for 7 days. Collectively, the data suggest that the combination of a hypomethylating agent like D and a HDACI (B and R) are synergistic in in vitro models of human T-cell lymphoma, and may lead to a new platform for the treatment of these diseases. Disclosures: O'Connor: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Constitutively Active STAT6 Represses BCL6 in Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2417-2417
Author(s):  
Olga Ritz ◽  
Jochen K Lennerz ◽  
Karolin Rommel ◽  
Karola Dorsch ◽  
Elena Kelsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Proximal Promoter ◽  
Constitutively Active

Abstract Abstract 2417 Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that affects predominantly young women (Swerdlow et al. 2008). Despite improvements due to addition of rituximab, which has become state of the art treatment, 20% of PMBL patients succumb to disease progression or relapse. Notably, here are currently no registered trials that are actively recruiting PMBL-patients and a better understanding of the underlying pathobiology may identify novel therapeutic targets and provide an alternative to dose escalation (Steidl and Gascoyne 2011). BCL6 is a key germinal center B-cell transcription factor that suppresses genes involved in lymphocyte activation, differentiation, cell cycle arrest and DNA damage response gene. BCL6 is aberrantly expressed in certain DLBCL subgroups and BCL6 overexpression is sufficient for lymphomagenesis in mice (Cattoretti et al. 2005). In cellular- and murine DLBCL models, targeting of BCL6 via retroinverted BCL6 peptid inhibitor (RI-BPI) appears effective (Polo et al. 2004; Cerchietti et al. 2010). In conjunction with the relatively restricted expression pattern of BCL6, these data collectively suggest BCL6 as a candidate for targeted therapy in BCL6-positive lymphomas. Despite substantial work on BCL6 in lymphomas, the function of BCL6 in PMBL is unknown. To address the BCL6 function in PMBL, we performed BCL6 depletion by siRNA in all three available PMBL cell lines: K1106, U-2940 and MedB-1. We found that BCL6 acts pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic; however, PMBL models were only partially dependent on and not addicted to BCL6. Given that BCL6 expression in all PMBL cell lines is variable with a notable fraction of BCL6-negative cells, we argued that increasing the fraction of BCL6-positive cells might increase the level of BCL6-dependence. Since IL-4/STAT6 signaling upregulates BCL6 in mouse lymphocytes (Schroder et al. 2002), we treated PMBL cell lines with IL-4 (or IL-13) and, as expected, observed increased phosphorylated (p)STAT6 levels. Surprisingly, the pSTAT6 increase was not associated with higher – but with drastically lower BCL6 protein levels. Moreover, in untreated cells, co-localization studies for pSTAT6- and BCL6 demonstrated staining in mutually exclusive subsets of cells (Figure 1A), suggesting negative interaction between BCL6 and pSTAT6. Other STAT family members were already shown to participate in the transcriptional regulation of BCL6. Thus, we examined binding of STAT6 to the proximal promoter of BCL6 in all PMBL cell lines using shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We found that STAT6 can bind all five GAS binding sites within the BCL6 promoter in vitro and in all PMBL cell lines STAT6 was bound to proximal BCL6 promoter in vivo. Furthermore, transient STAT6 depletion by siRNA and/or ectopic expression of constitutively active STAT6 confirms that pSTAT6 is sufficient for transcriptional repression of BCL6. Co-localization studies in primary patient samples demonstrated mutually exclusive BCL6/pSTAT6 distribution as a visual hallmark of the repression mechanism (Figure 1B, C). Thus, our data demonstrate for the first time that constitutively active STAT6 transcriptionally represses BCL6 in PMBL. In conjunction with functional data, the delineated repression mechanism may prevent addiction to one single oncogenic pathway (i.e. BCL6) in PMBL. Figure 1. Mutually exclusive distribution of BCL6 and pSTAT6 in PMBL Figure 1. Mutually exclusive distribution of BCL6 and pSTAT6 in PMBL Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Combining the IAP Antagonist Tolinapant with a DNA Hypomethylating Agent Enhances Immunogenic Cell Death in Preclinical Models of T-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3986-3986
Author(s):  
George A. Ward ◽  
Simone Jueliger ◽  
Martin Sims ◽  
Matthew Davis ◽  
Adam Boxall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Immunogenic Cell Death

Abstract Introduction: Tolinapant is a potent, non-peptidomimetic antagonist of cIAP1, cIAP2 and XIAP. In ongoing Phase 2 trial (NCT02503423), tolinapant has shown activity against highly pre-treated peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (Samaniego et al., Hematological Oncology, 2019). Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have also shown clinical responses in some subsets of PTCL (Lemonnier et al., Blood, 2019). Both HMAs and IAP antagonists show immunomodulatory anti-cancer potential in pre-clinical studies. A Phase 1 clinical study investigating the combination of tolinapant and ASTX727 (oral decitabine) in AML is currently in progress (NCT04155580). Here we have undertaken a biomarker-driven approach to understand the potential for induction of immunogenic forms of cell death (ICD), such as necroptosis, by rational combination of our clinical compounds in pre-clinical models of T-cell lymphoma (TCL). Methods: On-target effects of decitabine and tolinapant were measured by analysing levels of DNMT1 and cIAP1, respectively, by Western blotting in mouse and human cell lines. Levels of key apoptosis, necroptosis or pyroptosis biomarkers were also monitored by Western blotting to provide evidence of lytic cell death contributing to a potential immune response. RIPK3- or MLKL-knockout cell lines were generated by CRISPR to demonstrate involvement of necroptosis in drug-induced cell death in a T-cell lymphoma cell line (BW5147.G.1.4) in vitro. Cell death was monitored by viability (CellTiterGlo) or real-time microscopy (IncuCyte) assays. Levels of key inflammatory mediators or DAMPS were measured in tissue culture supernatants and mouse plasma by Luminex assay (Ampersand). Results: Combined treatment of tolinapant and decitabine led to depletion of cIAP1 and DNMT1 in TCL cell lines, demonstrating on-target activity of tolinapant and decitabine, respectively. The combination of tolinapant and decitabine acted synergistically in mouse and human T-cell lymphoma cell lines to reduce viability in proliferation assays. Necroptosis was induced by decitabine or tolinapant alone in mouse TCL cell lines with robust activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL necroptosis pathway when caspase activity was inhibited, and the combination of both agents enhanced loss of viability. Furthermore, we demonstrated decitabine treatment led to re-expression of both RIPK3 and MLKL in mouse cell lines, supporting published evidence that methylation can silence these key biomarkers (Koo et al., Cell Research, 2015; Koch et al., Neoplasia, 2021). Enhanced release of chemokine, cytokine and DAMPs was demonstrated with the combination of agents in vitro and in vivo. By removal of key necroptosis pathway components using CRISPR, we confirmed the importance of this lytic cell death pathway by demonstrating that RIPK3 -/- and MLKL -/- T-cell lymphoma (BW5147.G.1.4) cell lines had reduced necroptosis potential after treatment with tolinapant or decitabine alone or in combination; and demonstrate reduced release of inflammatory mediators in vitro. Finally, our in vivo evaluation of the combination of agents in mouse syngeneic models suggested that increased anti-tumour activity and immune-potentiating systemic biomarker modulation can be achieved with a tolerated dosing regimen of both compounds. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that decitabine enhances immunogenic cell death induced by tolinapant through the re-expression of genes in the necroptotic pathway. This finding provides strong rationale to explore this combination clinically. Disclosures Sims: Astex Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment. Davis: Astex Pharmacueticals: Current Employment. Smyth: Astex Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment.

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