ALBERT

Description: Adult-onset hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening disease of immune hyperactivation. Unlike pediatric HLH, adult HLH is rarely driven by germline genetic variants. Though numerous precipitating etiologies have been identified, the reason that HLH only occurs in a subset of individuals and how other factors contribute to the disease remains unknown. We hypothesized that clonal hematopoiesis (CH), a state in which somatic mutations in blood cells cause an expanded population of mutant hematopoietic cells and drive an aberrant inflammatory state, could contribute to adult-onset HLH. In a highly annotated cohort of older adults with HLH we found that CH was more prevalent than in control cohorts. Using the adult-onset HLH mouse model in which repeated treatments of the TLR9 agonist, ODN1826, is delivered to the mouse, we observed that macrophages carrying mutations in Tet2, one of the most commonly mutated genes in CH, have an enhanced inflammatory response to TLR9 agonism. Finally, mice carrying Tet2 mutations in the hematopoietic compartment (a common model for CH) display an exaggerated response to TLR9 agonism including worse splenomegaly and anemia. Our data suggests that CH is more common in individuals with adult-onset HLH and can contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease.

Description: T-cell activation leads to regulated increases in cytoplasmic calcium through inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), a process balanced by phosphorylation and inactivation of IP3 by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase B (Itpkb). The investigators demonstrate that inhibition of Itpkb sustains increased intracellular Ca, leads to T-cell apoptosis, and inhibits graft-versus-host disease without impairing graft-versus-leukemia effects.

Description: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in the WAS gene, leading to thrombocytopenia, eczema, recurrent infections, autoimmune disease, and malignancy. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the primary curative approach, with the goal of correcting the underlying immunodeficiency and thrombocytopenia. HCT outcomes have improved over time, particularly for patients with HLA-matched sibling and unrelated donors. We report the outcomes of 129 patients with WAS who underwent HCT at 29 Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium centers from 2005 through 2015. Median age at HCT was 1.2 years. Most patients (65%) received myeloablative busulfan-based conditioning. With a median follow-up of 4.5 years, the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 91%. Superior 5-year OS was observed in patients

Description: FLT3 is a frequently mutated gene that is highly associated with a poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite initially responding to FLT3 inhibitors, most patients eventually relapse with drug resistance. The mechanism by which resistance arises and the initial response to drug treatment that promotes cell survival is unknown. Recent studies show that a transiently maintained subpopulation of drug-sensitive cells, so-called drug-tolerant "persisters" (DTPs), can survive cytotoxic drug exposure despite lacking resistance-conferring mutations. Using RNA sequencing and drug screening, we find that treatment of FLT3 internal tandem duplication AML cells with quizartinib, a selective FLT3 inhibitor, upregulates inflammatory genes in DTPs and thereby confers susceptibility to anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids (GCs). Mechanistically, the combination of FLT3 inhibitors and GCs enhances cell death of FLT3 mutant, but not wild-type, cells through GC-receptor–dependent upregulation of the proapoptotic protein BIM and proteasomal degradation of the antiapoptotic protein MCL-1. Moreover, the enhanced antileukemic activity by quizartinib and dexamethasone combination has been validated using primary AML patient samples and xenograft mouse models. Collectively, our study indicates that the combination of FLT3 inhibitors and GCs has the potential to eliminate DTPs and therefore prevent minimal residual disease, mutational drug resistance, and relapse in FLT3-mutant AML.

Description: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a key effector mechanism of natural killer (NK) cells that is mediated by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). This process is facilitated by the Fc receptor CD16a on human NK cells. CD16a appears to be the only activating receptor on NK cells that is cleaved by the metalloprotease a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 upon stimulation. We previously demonstrated that a point mutation of CD16a prevents this activation-induced surface cleavage. This noncleavable CD16a variant is now further modified to include the high-affinity noncleavable variant of CD16a (hnCD16) and was engineered into human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create a renewable source for human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived NK (hnCD16-iNK) cells. Compared with unmodified iNK cells and peripheral blood–derived NK (PB-NK) cells, hnCD16-iNK cells proved to be highly resistant to activation-induced cleavage of CD16a. We found that hnCD16-iNK cells were functionally mature and exhibited enhanced ADCC against multiple tumor targets. In vivo xenograft studies using a human B-cell lymphoma demonstrated that treatment with hnCD16-iNK cells and anti-CD20 mAb led to significantly improved regression of B-cell lymphoma compared with treatment utilizing anti-CD20 mAb with PB-NK cells or unmodified iNK cells. hnCD16-iNK cells, combined with anti-HER2 mAb, also mediated improved survival in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. Together, these findings show that hnCD16-iNK cells combined with mAbs are highly effective against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors that are typically resistant to NK cell–mediated killing, demonstrating the feasibility of producing a standardized off-the-shelf engineered NK cell therapy with improved ADCC properties to treat malignancies that are otherwise refractory.

Description: The histone mark H3K27me3 and its reader/writer Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediate widespread transcriptional repression in stem and progenitor cells. Mechanisms that regulate this activity are critical for hematopoietic development but poorly understood. Here we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO11 relieves PRC2-mediated repression during erythroid maturation by targeting its newly identified substrate BAHD1, an H3K27me3 reader that recruits transcriptional co-repressors. Erythroblasts lacking FBXO11 are developmentally delayed, with reduced expression of maturation-associated genes, most of which harbor bivalent histone marks (activating H3K4me3 and repressive H3K27me3), bind BAHD1, and fail to recruit the erythroid transcription factor GATA1. The BAHD1 complex interacts physically with PRC2 and depletion of either component restores FBXO11-deficient erythroid gene expression. Our studies identify BAHD1 as a novel effector of PRC2-mediated repression and reveal how a single E3 ubiquitin ligase eliminates PRC2 repression at developmentally poised bivalent genes during erythropoiesis.

Description: Introduction: Our group and others have previously shown that the presence of complex karyotype (〉/= 3 cytogenetic abnormalities) is an important prognostic factor in relapsed/refractory (RR) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with ibrutinib (Woyach JCO 2017, Thompson Cancer 2015, Maddocks JAMA Oncology 2015). It has been shown recently that increasing karyotypic complexity is a prognostic marker (Baliakis Blood 2019), but whether this is relevant for patients treated with novel therapies is unclear. Here, we aimed to determine whether the degree of karyotypic complexity beyond the dichotomy of complex versus not is a prognostic variable for patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib as a single agent or in combination with a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (MOAB) from 2010 through 2019 at The Ohio State University. We included patients with both treatment-naïve (TN) and RR disease. To determine karyotype, cells were stimulated with mitogen cocktail (PWM/PMA/CpG-ODN) and analyzed according to standard laboratory procedures. FISH using probes for D13S319, D12Z3, ATM, and TP53 were done according to manufacturer's recommendations. PCR was used to determine IGHV mutational status. Cytogenetic testing was included in the analysis if done 3 cytogenetic abnormalities including 30% with 〉5 abnormalities. After a median follow up of 55.5 months, for the entire cohort estimated median PFS was 61.6 months (95% CI 56.1-69.5), and estimated median OS was 95.4 months (95% CI 86.3-not reached). On univariable analysis, older age, RR status, higher ECOG PS and LDH, lower HgB and PLT, presence of del17p13 and increasing karyotypic complexity were found to be statistically significant predictors of worse PFS and OS. To illustrate the relationship between increasing karyotypic complexity and clinical outcome, Kaplan-Meier plots are provided grouping pts with 0-2, 3-4, and 5 or higher aberrations (Figure 1). Accounting for statistically and clinically important factors on multivariate analysis (MVA, Table 1), increasing karyotypic complexity continued to be a statistically significant predictor of both PFS (p=0.01, HR 1.08 (95% CI 1.02-1.15)) and OS (p=0.001, HR 1.14 (95% CI 1.05-1.23)). Del17p13 did not retain statistical significance independently of karyotypic complexity on MVA. The interaction effect between prior treatment status and karyotypic complexity term was not significant for OS (p=0.89) and PFS (p=0.46), suggesting the prognostic effect of karyotypic complexity is similar across TN and RR cohorts. Conclusions: In this single center retrospective analysis, we found that increasing karyotypic complexity predicts inferior survival for patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib. This highlights that it is not only important to dichotomize presence of complex karyotype as 〉3 abnormalities, but to describe the number of karyotypic abnormalities in subsequent studies. Disclosures Bond: Seattle Genetics: Honoraria. Byrd:Acerta Pharma: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Janssen, Novartis, Gilead, TG Therapeutics: Other; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Gilead, TG Therapeutics, Novartis, Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Gilead, TG Therapeutics, BeiGene: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other; Novartis: Research Funding; Kartos Therapeutics: Research Funding; Vincera: Research Funding; Syndax: Research Funding. Rogers:AstraZeneca: Other: Travel; Abbvie, Acerta, AstraZeneca, Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Abbvie, Genetech, Janssen: Research Funding. Woyach:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Loxo: Research Funding; Verastem: Research Funding.

Description: Background: Interleukin-2-Inducible T-Cell Kinase (ITK) is a Tec-family, non-receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in T-cells that plays a key role in T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, which is required for development and differentiation of T-cells. In T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, expression of the TCR and its downstream signaling components, including ITK, are maintained which suggests malignant T cells exploit this growth and survival pathway to their advantage. Antigen-presenting cells, abundant in the lymphoma microenvironment, also may provide antigen to drive TCR signaling through ITK. CPI-818 is a first-in-class, irreversible ITK inhibitor with selectivity for ITK. In preclinical studies, CPI-818 blocks TCR signaling in vitro and is efficacious in murine models and canines with T-cell lymphomas. We report results from the dose escalation portion of an ongoing phase 1/1b trial of CPI-818 in patients with relapsed/refractory T-cell lymphoma (CPI-818-001 study, NCT03952078). The trial is being conducted at sites in the United States, Australia, and South Korea. Methods: In dose-escalation, cohorts (3+3 design) enrolled patients with cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma who have progressed on, refractory to, relapsed, or intolerant to at least 2 standard therapies; age ≥ 18 years; ECOG status 0-1; and adequate organ function. CPI-818 was administered in ascending dose levels (100, 200, 400, 600mg BID) continuously for up to sixteen 21-day cycles, until progression or unacceptable toxicity. In dose expansion, PTCL-NOS and CTCL patients are receiving CPI-818 at a dose of 600 mg BID. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or the maximum administered dose of CPI-818. Safety events will be assessed according to the NCI-CTCAEv5. Secondary objectives include evaluating pharmacokinetics and efficacy as assessed by the investigator using standard response criteria at the end of every 3 cycles. ITK occupancy in peripheral blood T cells and tumor tissue as well as biomarkers associated with anti-tumor activity in tumor and blood samples are being evaluated. Results: In dose-escalation, sixteen patients were enrolled in four cohorts: 100 mg BID (n=4), 200 mg BID (n=3), 400 mg BID (n=5), and 600 mg BID (n=4). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in any of these cohorts and the MTD was not reached. Treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 9 (47.4%) patients and were all Grade 1-2 in severity. The most common (〉1 patient) were fatigue (15.8%), nausea (10.5%), and rash (10.5%) and no infections were reported. By flow cytometry, no consistent changes in circulating non-malignant or total T cell number or phenotype were observed. Pharmacodynamic analysis revealed ITK engagement by CPI-818 in all cohorts when CPI-818 is dosed BID. With increasing dose, the trough ITK occupancy in both blood and tissue increased. At doses of 200 mg and greater, trough occupancies were 〉75%. Near complete ITK inhibition (98%) was achieved at 600 mg BID and therefore, this dose was selected as the expansion cohort dose and higher doses were not explored. Reduction in serum cytokines including IL2 (six of eight patients), IFNg (eight of eight patients), and TNFa (eight of eight patients) was observed 24hr post-dose in patients treated with doses of 400 and 600mg, but not at lower doses. In dose escalation, a total of four PTCL patients were enrolled at doses of 200 mg BID or greater. A confirmed complete response was achieved in one PTCL-NOS patient in the 200mg BID cohort. Among 7 CTCL patients enrolled, a Nodal CR, improved mSWAT and slowing of Sézary cell expansion were seen (Figure 1). Given the safety profile, the PK/PD findings, and the early signs of efficacy, PTCL-NOS and CTCL cohorts were expanded at 600mg BID. To date, two patients with PTCL-NOS and one patient with CTCL have been recently enrolled in expansion cohorts. Conclusion: The dose-escalation part of the CPI-818-001 trial demonstrated that the 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg BID doses are well tolerated. Clinical activity was observed in both PTCL-NOS and CTCL. Reduction of serum levels of canonical T cell cytokines is consistent with on-mechanism drug inhibition of inflammatory T cell pathways. Disease specific expansion cohorts for PTCL-NOS and CTCL are enrolling patients at a dose of 600 mg BID. Disclosures Khodadoust: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy. Feldman:Abbvie: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Other, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Research Funding; Cell Medica: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite: Honoraria, Other: Travel expenses, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Corvus: Research Funding; Rhizen: Research Funding; Viracta: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Yoon:Celltrion: Honoraria; Samyang: Research Funding; Amgen, Chongkundang, Celgene, Astrazeneca: Consultancy. Kim:miRagen: Research Funding; Elorac: Research Funding; Neumedicine: Consultancy, Research Funding; Horizon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Kyowa-Kirin Pharma: Research Funding; Medivir: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forty Seven Inc: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Eisai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Corvus: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Portola: Research Funding; Solingenix: Research Funding; Galderma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Mehta-Shah:Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Verastem: Research Funding; Innate Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Corvus: Research Funding; Bristol Myers-Squibb: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Genetech/Roche: Research Funding. Kim:Mundipharma: Research Funding; Donga: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirn: Research Funding; Celltrion: Research Funding; JJ: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Research Funding. Horwitz:ASTEX: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Miragen: Consultancy; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Vividion Therapeutics: Consultancy; Affirmed: Consultancy; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forty Seven: Consultancy, Research Funding; Infinity/Verastem: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakka Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millenium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Trillium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Corvus: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy, Research Funding; Beigene: Consultancy; Aileron: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADCT Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy. Buggy:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hotson:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment. Hill:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Munneke:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment. Mahabhashyam:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment. Miller:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Janc:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Mobasher:Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

Description: Introduction The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene is mutated in ~20% of patients (pts) with AML ≥70 years (Schneider et al, 2012). Both FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD mutations (mut) are associated with AML proliferation and potentially targetable with small molecule inhibitors. The presence of a FLT3mut, particularly FLT3-ITD, often correlates with high leukemic burden and risk of relapse despite high response rates (Gale et. al, 2008). There is limited evidence of the effect of currently available therapies on treatment-naïve AML pts unfit for intensive treatment with FLT3mut. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (Ven) and Azacitidine (Aza) combination among treatment-naïve AML pts with co-morbidities and/or age ≥ 75 years, unfit for intensive treatment, and with FLT3mut. Methods Data were pooled from pts enrolled in a phase 3 study (NCT02993523, data cut-off: 04Jan2020) that compared pts treated with Ven+Aza or placebo (Pbo)+Aza, and a prior phase 1b study (NCT02203773, data cut-off: 19Jun2019) where pts were treated with Ven+Aza. Pts on Ven+Aza received Ven 400 mg daily orally (days 1-28) and Aza (75 mg/m2; days 1-7/28-day cycle). Disease assessments were performed per the modified International Working Group response criteria for AML. DNA was isolated from bone marrow aspirates collected from pts prior to the first dose of study drug and analyzed centrally. Pts with positive test results for FLT3; [Leukostrate FLT3 CDx for phase 3 study or MyAML panel (Invivoscribe) for Phase 1b study] were counted as mutation "detected"; pts with a negative test result were counted as mutation "not detected." Pts without a result either due to an inconclusive test or missing specimen were not included in the analyses. Results In this pooled analysis, FLT3mut was detected in 40 pts treated with Ven+Aza and 22 pts treated with Pbo+Aza. At baseline (Ven+Aza/Pbo+Aza), the median age was 75 (range: 49-91)/75 (65-85) years. Cytogenetic risks were: intermediate: 88%/96% and poor: 13%/5%, Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group performance scores were: 0-1: 40%/50% and 2-3: 60%/50%. 78%/86% had de novo AML, while 23%/14% had secondary AML. FLT3-ITD was detected in 28/13 and FLT3-TKD in 13/10 pts, respectively. FLT3-ITD allelic ratios were: