scholarly journals APRIL and BAFF: novel biomarkers for central nervous system lymphoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Mulazzani ◽  
Marion Huber ◽  
Sabine Borchard ◽  
Sigrid Langer ◽  
Barbara Angele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Brain Lesions ◽  
Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Csf Analysis ◽  
Csf Levels

Abstract Background Early diagnosis of CNS lymphoma (CNSL) is essential for successful therapy of this rapidly progressing brain tumor. However, in patients presenting with focal brain lesions, fast and reliable diagnosis of PCNSL remains a challenge. A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B cell activating factor (BAFF) are important factors in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of systemic B cell malignancies. However, their utility as biomarkers for the diagnosis of CNSL and their effects on CNSL cells remain unclear. Methods In this prospective study, we analyzed the levels of APRIL and BAFF in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 116 patients with suspected focal brain lesions, including 53 CNSL patients. Additionally, we serially measured their levels during chemotherapy and relapse. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of APRIL and BAFF on two B cell lymphoma cell lines using proliferation, viability, and chemotaxis assays. Results CSF levels of APRIL and BAFF reliably differentiated CNSL from other focal brain lesions (including primary and metastatic brain tumors, autoimmune-inflammatory lesions, and neuroinfectious lesions) with a specificity of 93.7% (APRIL, BAFF) and a sensitivity of 62.3% (APRIL) and 47.1% (BAFF). Serial CSF analysis of CNSL patients during chemotherapy and relapse demonstrates a close correlation of APRIL CSF levels and the course of this disease. In vitro, APRIL and BAFF showed anti-apoptotic effects during MTX treatment and mediated chemotaxis of malignant B cells. Conclusion This study extends the spectrum of valuable diagnostic biomarkers in CNSL. In patients with focal brain lesions, measurement of APRIL in CSF could help accelerating the diagnosis of CNSL. Moreover, our results highlight an important role of APRIL and BAFF in the pathophysiology of CNSL.

Phase I Study of Dose-Adjusted-Teddi-R with Ibrutinib in Untreated and Relapsed/Refractory Primary CNS Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 472-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieron Dunleavy ◽  
Catherine E. Lai ◽  
Mark Roschewski ◽  
Jennifer N Brudno ◽  
Brigitte Widemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Binding ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Primary Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Csf Penetration ◽  
Mixed Response ◽  
Therapeutic Principles

Abstract Introduction: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It closely resembles activated B-cell (ABC) DLBCL and most cases have B cell receptor (BCR) and MyD88 mutations. Ibrutinib is an inhibitor of BTK that targets BCR signaling and is active in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) ABC DLBCL. Methods: Ibrutinib was incorporated into a novel regimen called DA-TEDDI-R (temozolomide, etoposide, doxil, dexamethasone, ibrutinib and rituximab) (with intraventricular cytarabine). DA-TEDDI-R was designed around therapeutic principles for systemic DLBCL and CNS penetration. Methotrexate was excluded due to potential antagonism with ibrutinib based on preliminary in vitro experiments. Untreated or R/R PCNSL patients were eligible and received ibrutinib in cohorts (560-1120 mg/day PO) for 14-days in a "window" prior to cycle 1 of DA-TEDDI-R (with pre and post-brain MRI/FDG-PET), followed by DA-TEDDI-R with ibrutinib (days 1-10) q21 days x 6. Plasma and CSF PKs of ibrutinib and its metabolite PCI-45227 were analyzed. CSF penetration (AUCCSF: AUCPLASMA) was corrected for human plasma protein binding: parent: 97.3%, metabolite: 91%. CSF PKs of TEDDI drugs and molecular analysis of FFPE biopsies are ongoing. Results: Eleven patients have enrolled; 6 were R/R (median 3 (1-5) prior treatments) and 5 were previously untreated. Eleven completed the ibrutinib window and 5 patients completed and 2 remain on DA-TEDDI-R; Ibrutinib dosing was 560 mg in patients 1-6; 700 mg in patients 7-10; and 840 mg in patient 11. No patient had dose limiting toxicity determined on cycle 1 of DA-TEDDI-R. There were 3 on-study deaths: from progressive disease, infection and ventricular arrhythmia. Ibrutinib PK was completed in patients 1-10 (Table). When corrected for protein binding, CSF penetration was 21.4-100% for ibrutinib and 48-120% for its metabolite. CSF concentrations > IC50were maintained for a median of 4 hours and 8.5 hours at the 560 mg and 700 mg doses, respectively. With ibrutinib alone, 7 of 8 evaluable patients achieved partial responses, and 1 patient had a mixed response. After DA-TEDDI-R, all 5 patients achieved complete remission of which 4 (all R/R) are in remission at 1+, 2+, 3+, and 6+ months, and 1 (previously untreated) patient relapsed at 3 months. Conclusions: Ibrutinib is active in PCNSL and achieves meaningful CSF concentrations. DA-TEDDI-R is a novel treatment for PCNSL and leverages molecular and therapeutic principles developed for the curative treatment of ABC DLBCL. Accrual continues. Table. Plasma Ibrutinib PK CSF Ibrutinib PK CSF penetration Hours above IC50(0.5nM) Dose 560 mg Cmax(nM) Tmax(h) AUC0-10 (nM•h) T½(h) Cmax(nM) Tmax(h) AUC0-last (nM•h) AUCCSF : AUCPlasma (%) AUCCSF :AUCPlasmaCorrected (%) Plasma CSF 1 502 1 1232 10.2 1.99 2 7.7 (10h) 0.6 23.7 24 4 2 145 2 471 4.6 0.69 2 2.4 (6h) 0.5 21.4 24 2 3 77 2 347 3.1 1.28 2 4.4(6hr) 1.3 55.8 24 4 4 72 1 202 2.6 1.54 4 5.5 (10hr) 2.7 100 24 8 5 162 2 624 8.5 2.0 2 9.2 (10hr) 1.5 54.9 24 10 6 99 1 404 6.3 0.71 2 3.4 (4hr) 1.2 45 24 4 Median 122 1.5 437 5.5 1.4 2 5 1.3 50 24 4 Range 75-502 1-2 202-1232 2.6-10.2 0.7-2 2-4 2.4 9.2 21.4-100 24 2-10 Dose 700mg 7 581 1 2340 5.3 11.1 2 48.6 (24) 1.7 (10) 63 (10) 24 10 8 411 2 1565 2.4 1.63 2 11.9 (10) 0.8 28.1 10 10 9 164 2 865 3.8 0.69 4 3.9(10) 0.45 16.7 24 3 10 577 2 1648 5.4 2.36 2 11.0(10) 0.67 24.8 24 7 Median 494 2 1606 4.6 1.98 2 11.5(10) 0.74 26.5 24 8.5 Range 164-581 1-2 865-2340 2.4-5.4 0.69-11.1 2-4 3.9-48.6 0.45-1.7 16.7-63 10-24 3-10 Disclosures Staudt: Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; NIH: Patents & Royalties.

scholarly journals EBV-tissue positive primary CNS lymphoma occurring after immunosuppression is a distinct immunobiological entity

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maher K Gandhi ◽  
Thanh Hoang ◽  
Soi C Law ◽  
Sandra Brosda ◽  
Kacey O'Rourke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Primary Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Hla Class I ◽  
Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Copy Number Loss ◽  
Cell Of Origin ◽  
Systemic Spread

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is confined to the brain, eyes, and cerebrospinal fluid without evidence of systemic spread. Rarely, PCNSL occurs in the context of immunosuppression, e.g. post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) or HIV (AIDS-related PCNSL). These cases are poorly characterized, have dismal outcome and are typically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-tissue positive. We used targeted sequencing and digital multiplex gene expression to compare the genetic landscape and tumor microenvironment (TME) of 91 PCNSL tissues all with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma histology. 47 were EBV-tissue negative: 45 EBV(-) HIV(-) PCNSL, 2 EBV(-) HIV(+) PCNSL; and 44 were EBV-tissue positive: 23 EBV(+) HIV(+) PCNSL, 21 EBV(+) HIV(-) PCNSL. As with prior studies, EBV(-) HIV(-) PCNSL had frequent MYD88, CD79B and PIM1 mutations, and enrichment for the activated B-cell (ABC) cell-of-origin (COO) sub-type. In contrast, these mutations were absent in all EBV-tissue positive cases and ABC frequency was low. Furthermore, copy number loss in HLA-class I/II and antigen presenting/processing genes were rarely observed, indicating retained antigen presentation. To counter this, EBV(+) HIV(-) PCNSL had a tolerogenic TME with elevated macrophage and immune-checkpoint gene expression, whereas AIDS-related PCNSL had low CD4 gene counts. EBV-tissue positive PCNSL in the immunosuppressed is immunobiologically distinct from EBV(-) HIV(-) PCNSL, and despite expressing an immunogenic virus retains the ability to present EBV-antigens. Results provide a framework for targeted treatment.

Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Current Status and Future Prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-173
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Zhang ◽  
Yuanbo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Mtor Signaling ◽  
Mtor Signaling Pathway ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Term Survival

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare invasive extranodal non- Hodgkin lymphoma, a vast majority of which is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Although high-dose methotrexate-based immunochemotherapy achieves a high remission rate, the risk of relapse and related death remains a crucial obstruction to long-term survival. Novel agents for the treatment of lymphatic malignancies have significantly broadened the horizons of therapeutic options for PCNSL. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways for Bcell malignancy growth and survival. Novel therapies that target key components of this pathway have shown antitumor effects in many B-cell malignancies, including DLBCL. This review will discuss the aberrant status of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in PCNSL and the application prospects of inhibitors in hopes of providing alternative clinical therapeutic strategies and improving prognosis.

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Mimicking Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis

2020 ◽  
pp. 194187442096756
Author(s):  
Prashant Anegondi Natteru ◽  
Shashank Shekhar ◽  
Lakshmi Ramachandran Nair ◽  
Hartmut Uschmann
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Oligoclonal Bands ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Thalamic Lesion ◽  
The Right

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon variant of extra-nodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Three regions can be involved in PCNSL: the brain, the spine, or the vitreus and retina. Spinal PCNSL is rare. It can mimic neoplasm, infection, and inflammation. Diagnostic confirmation is by tissue biopsy, and even then, tissue corroboration may be altered by an inflammatory overlay. We report a 59-year-old woman who we saw after she had 4 weeks of ascending tetraparesis plus bowel and bladder incontinence. Upon presentation, the patient was ventilator-dependent and locked-in. She reported normal sensation through eye-blinking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain revealed signal intensity in the bilateral corona radiata and restricted diffusion in the right thalamus, whereas, MRI cervical, and thoracic spine showed T2 prolongation in the anterior medulla and upper cervical cord, with enhancement to C2-C3, and long segment hyperintensity from T1-T9 levels, respectively, suggestive of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Cerebrospinal fluid cytomorphology and flow cytometry were inconclusive for lymphoma/leukemia, but oligoclonal bands were present. Serum aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) antibodies were negative. MR spectroscopy demonstrated NAA reduction, mild lipid lactate peak, and relative reduction of choline on the side of the lesion, favoring demyelination. She received 5-days of intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by 7 sessions of plasma exchange without clinical improvement. Stereotactic biopsy of the right thalamic lesion revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. PCNSL can mimic a demyelinating process early on, as steroid treatment could disrupt B-cell lymphoma cells, thus masking the correct diagnosis.

scholarly journals Validation of epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression in canine B-cell lymphoma: An in vitro and in vivo approach

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e0208709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Da Ros ◽  
Luca Aresu ◽  
Serena Ferraresso ◽  
Eleonora Zorzan ◽  
Eugenio Gaudio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms

scholarly journals T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Rare Tumors ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Advani ◽  
Jason Starr ◽  
Abhisek Swaika ◽  
Liuyan Jiang ◽  
Yushi Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell

scholarly journals Pathway analysis of primary central nervous system lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 3200-3210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han W. Tun ◽  
David Personett ◽  
Karen A. Baskerville ◽  
David M. Menke ◽  
Kurt A. Jaeckle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Pathway Analysis ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Significant Differential Expression ◽  
A Genome

Abstract Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) is a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) confined to the CNS. A genome-wide gene expression comparison between PCNSL and non-CNS DLBCL was performed, the latter consisting of both nodal and extranodal DLBCL (nDLBCL and enDLBCL), to identify a “CNS signature.” Pathway analysis with the program SigPathway revealed that PCNSL is characterized notably by significant differential expression of multiple extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion-related pathways. The most significantly up-regulated gene is the ECM-related osteopontin (SPP1). Expression at the protein level of ECM-related SPP1 and CHI3L1 in PCNSL cells was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The alterations in gene expression can be interpreted within several biologic contexts with implications for PCNSL, including CNS tropism (ECM and adhesion-related pathways, SPP1, DDR1), B-cell migration (CXCL13, SPP1), activated B-cell subtype (MUM1), lymphoproliferation (SPP1, TCL1A, CHI3L1), aggressive clinical behavior (SPP1, CHI3L1, MUM1), and aggressive metastatic cancer phenotype (SPP1, CHI3L1). The gene expression signature discovered in our study may represent a true “CNS signature” because we contrasted PCNSL with wide-spectrum non-CNS DLBCL on a genomic scale and performed an in-depth bioinformatic analysis.

A phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tafasitamab plus lenalidomide and rituximab versus placebo plus lenalidomide and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) or marginal zone lymphoma (MZL).

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS7568-TPS7568
Author(s):  
Laurie Helen Sehn ◽  
Christian W Scholz ◽  
Stefano Luminari ◽  
Antonio Salar ◽  
Bjorn E. Wahlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Clinical Benefit ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Study Endpoint ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Potential Clinical Benefit ◽  
Anti Cd20

TPS7568 Background: Most patients with the indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes FL or MZL respond to first-line treatment but relapse is common, and there is no single standard treatment for patients with R/R FL or MZL. Tafasitamab is an Fc-engineered humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD19 which is broadly expressed in FL and MZL, and regulates B-cell proliferation via B-cell receptor signaling. In preclinical studies, tafasitamab has shown activity against NHL cell lines in combination with rituximab (anti-CD20 mAb) and lenalidomide (LEN). Tafasitamab monotherapy has shown promising clinical activity in a phase 2a study in patients with R/R NHL (NCT01685008), with an ORR of 29% (n/N = 10/34) in patients with FL and 33% (n/N = 3/9) in patients with MZL. In an ongoing phase 2, single-arm study (L-MIND, NCT02399085), tafasitamab plus LEN followed by tafasitamab alone demonstrated an ORR of 57.5% (n/N = 46/80) in patients with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (FDA approved indication). These preclinical and clinical observations from phase 2 trials suggest a potential clinical benefit of tafasitamab plus LEN and rituximab for patients with R/R FL or MZL. Methods: This phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study is designed to investigate whether tafasitamab plus LEN and rituximab provides improved clinical benefit compared with LEN and rituximab in patients with R/R FL or R/R MZL. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive tafasitamab (12 mg/kg IV on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle [cycles 1–3], then days 1 and 15 [cycles 4–12]) plus LEN (20 mg PO QD, days 1–21/ cycle for 12 cycles) and rituximab (375 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of cycle 1, then day 1 of cycles 2–5), or placebo (0.9% saline solution IV) plus LEN and rituximab. The primary study endpoint is PFS (investigator assessed [INV] by Lugano 2014 criteria) for patients with FL. Key secondary endpoints are PFS (INV) in overall population (FL and MZL), PET-CR rate (INV) at end of treatment (4–8 weeks after last treatment) and OS in patients with FL. Inclusion criteria include age ≥18 y, histologically confirmed FL (grade 1, 2, or 3a) or MZL (nodal, splenic, or extranodal), documented R/R disease, ≥1 prior systemic anti-CD20 therapy (including anti-CD20 refractory disease), ECOG PS ≤2, adequate systemic organ function, and high tumor burden (per GELF criteria). Exclusion criteria include prior rituximab plus LEN treatment, history of radiotherapy for other diseases (≥25% of bone marrow), nonhematologic malignancy, congestive heart failure (LVEF < 50%), active systemic infection, known CNS lymphoma, or severe immunocompromised state. inMIND (NCT04680052, EudraCT2020-004407-13) is currently enrolling patients; planned enrollment is 528 patients with R/R FL and 60–90 patients with R/R MZL. Clinical trial information: NCT04680052.

First Results of the Acsé Pembrolizumab Phase II in the Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL) Cohort

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Khe Hoang-Xuan ◽  
Roch Houot ◽  
Carole Soussain ◽  
Marie Blonski ◽  
Anna Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Objective Response ◽  
Primary Cns Lymphoma ◽  
Central Nervous System Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Cns Lymphoma ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
First Results ◽  
Duration Of Response

Background: AcSé Pembrolizumab is a Phase 2, open-label, single-arm, multi-cohort, multicentric study investigating the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with advanced rare cancers (NCT03012620). Here, we report the first results of Pembrolizumab in the cohort of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL). Methods: Main inclusion criteria were: relapsed or refractory PCNSL after one or several lines of treatment including high dose Methotrexate based chemotherapy, pathologically confirmed diffuse large B cell lymphoma, age&gt;18, HIV negative, concurrent steroid medication at a dose no greater than prednisone 20 mg/day or equivalent. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg IV as a 30-minute infusion on Day 1 of every 21-day cycles for a maximum of 2 years. The primary endpoint was the confirmed objective response rate according to IPCG at 84 day after the start of treatment. Secondary endpoints included best response (ORR), duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Analysis used all enrolled patients. Results: 50 patients suffering from PCNSL, including 9 primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) were included from July, 2017 to October, 2019. Median age was 72 years (range: 43 to 83), Median PS (ECOG) was 1 (range 0-1). The median number of cycles was 4 (range 1-35). At 84 days from start of treatment, 6 patients responded (4 CR+2PR). Overall, 3 patients whose response was not assessed were considered as failures, and the rates of ORR (CR+PR), stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD) were 26% (13/50, 8 CR + 5 PR), 10% (5/50), 58% (29/50), respectively. ORR was 29% (12/41) and 11% (1/9) in primary cerebral lymphoma and PVRL respectively. After a median follow-up of 6.7 months (range 0.2-27.4), median PFS was 2.6 months, with 6-month PFS of 29.8% and 6-month OS of 60.4%. In responders, median duration of response was estimated at 10 months (95%CI, 2.7 to 12.5). Grade III and IV toxicities related to the drug were observed in 4 patients (8%) and one patient (2%) respectively. No related toxic death was reported. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab shows moderate activity in relapsed/ refractory PCNSL with acceptable toxicity, supporting further studies evaluating its use in combination therapies. Disclosures Hoang-Xuan: BTG: Consultancy, Research Funding. Houot:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Kite: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Schmitt:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche, Janssen: Honoraria. Ahle:Roche: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Biogene: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Bories:Abbvie: Consultancy; Celgen: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Houillier:BTG: Consultancy.

scholarly journals Targeted inhibition of PI3Kα/δ is synergistic with BCL-2 blockade in genetically defined subtypes of DLBCL

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Bojarczuk ◽  
Kirsty Wienand ◽  
Jeremy A. Ryan ◽  
Linfeng Chen ◽  
Mariana Villalobos-Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Genetic Bases

Abstract Inhibition of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is a promising treatment strategy in multiple B-cell malignancies. However, the role of BCR blockade in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains undefined. We recently characterized primary DLBCL subsets with distinct genetic bases for perturbed BCR/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling and dysregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) expression. Herein, we explore the activity of PI3K inhibitors and BCL-2 blockade in a panel of functionally and genetically characterized DLBCL cell line models. A PI3K inhibitor with predominant α/δ activity, copanlisib, exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in all BCR-dependent DLBCLs. The proapoptotic effect of copanlisib was associated with DLBCL subtype-specific dysregulated expression of BCL-2 family members including harakiri (HRK) and its antiapoptotic partner BCL extra large (BCL-xL), BCL2 related protein A1, myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1), and BCL2 interacting mediator of cell death. Using functional BH3 profiling, we found that the cytotoxic activity of copanlisib was primarily mediated through BCL-xL and MCL-1–dependent mechanisms that might complement BCL-2 blockade. For these reasons, we evaluated single-agent activity of venetoclax in the DLBCLs and identified a subset with limited sensitivity to BCL-2 blockade despite having genetic bases of BCL-2 dysregulation. As these were largely BCR-dependent DLBCLs, we hypothesized that combined inhibition of PI3Kα/δ and BCL-2 would perturb BCR-dependent and BCL-2–mediated survival pathways. Indeed, we observed synergistic activity of copanlisib/venetoclax in BCR-dependent DLBCLs with genetic bases for BCL-2 dysregulation in vitro and confirmed these findings in a xenograft model. These results provide preclinical evidence for the rational combination of PI3Kα/δ and BCL-2 blockade in genetically defined DLBCLs.

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