ALBERT

Description: Despite recent advancements, approximately 50% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) do not respond to induction therapy (primary induction failure, PIF) or relapse after

Description: miRs play a critical role in tumor pathogenesis as either oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes. However, the role of miRs and their regulation in response to proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma (MM) is unclear. In the current study, miR profiling in proteasome inhibitor MLN2238-treated MM.1S MM cells shows up-regulation of miR33b. Mechanistic studies indicate that the induction of miR33b is predominantly via transcriptional regulation. Examination of miR33b in patient MM cells showed a constitutively low expression. Overexpression of miR33b decreased MM cell viability, migration, colony formation, and increased apoptosis and sensitivity of MM cells to MLN2238 treatment. In addition, overexpression of miR33b or MLN2238 exposure negatively regulated oncogene PIM-1 and blocked PIM-1 wild-type, but not PIM-1 mutant, luciferase activity. Moreover, PIM-1 overexpression led to significant abrogation of miR33b- or MLN2238-induced cell death. SGI-1776, a biochemical inhibitor of PIM-1, triggered apoptosis in MM. Finally, overexpression of miR33b inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival in both subcutaneous and disseminated human MM xenograft models. Our results show that miR33b is a tumor suppressor that plays a role during MLN2238-induced apoptotic signaling in MM cells, and these data provide the basis for novel therapeutic strategies targeting miR33b in MM.

Description: Abstract 883 Specific expression of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) in osteoclasts (OC), but not osteoblasts (OB), suggests its role in regulating osteoclastogenesis. Although Btk is critical in B cell maturation and myeloid function, it has not been characterized in plasma cell malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM). We here investigate effects of PCI-32765, an oral, potent, and selective Btk inhibitor with promising clinical activity in B-cell malignancies, on OC differentiation and function within MM bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, as well as on MM and WM cancer cells. We further define molecular targets of Btk signaling cascade in OCs and MM in the BM milieu. In CD14+ OC precursor cells, RANKL and M-CSF stimulate phosphorylation of Btk in a time-dependent fashion; conversely, PCI-32765 abrogates RANKL/M-CSF-induced activation of Btk and downstream PLCγ2. Importantly, PCI-32765 decreased number of multinucleated OC (〉3 nuclei) by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and the secretion of TRAP5b (ED50 = 17 nM), a specific mature OC marker. It increased size of OCs and number of nuclei per OC, with significantly defective bone resorption activity as evidenced by diminished pit formation on dentine slices. Moreover, lack of effect of Dexamethasone on OC activity was overcome by combination of Dexamethasone with PCI-32765. PCI-32765 significantly reduced cytokine and chemokine secretion from OC cultures, including MIP1α, MIP1β, IL-8, TGFβ1, RANTES, APRIL, SDF-1, and activin A (ED50 = 0.1–0.48 nM). It potently decreased IL-6, SDF-1, MIP1α, MIP1β, and M-CSF in CD138-negative cell cultures from active MM patients, associated with decreased TRAP staining in a dose-dependent manner. In MM and WM cells, immunoblotting analysis confirmed a higher Btk expression in CD138+ cells from majority of MM patients (4 out of 5 samples) than MM cell lines (5 out of 9 cell lines), whereas microarray analysis demonstrated a higher expression of Btk and its downstream signaling components in WM cells than in CD19+ normal bone marrow cells. PCI-32765 significantly inhibits SDF-1-induced adhesion and migration of MM cells. It further blocked cytokine expression (MIP1a, MIP-1β) at mRNA level in MM and WM tumor cells, correlated with inhibition of Btk-mediated pPLCγ2, pERK and NF-kB activation. Importantly, PCI-32765 inhibited growth and survival triggered by IL-6 and coculture with BM stromal cells (BMSCs) or OCs in IL-6-dependent INA6 and ANBL6 MM cells. Furthermore, myeloma stem-like cells express Btk and PCI-32765 (10–100 nM) blocks their abilities to form colonies from MM patients (n=5). In contrast, PCI-32765 has no adverse effects on Btk-negative BMSCs and OBs, as well as Btk-expressing dendritic cells. Finally, oral administration of PCI-32765 (12 mg/kg) in mice significantly suppresses MM cell growth (p〈 0.03) and MM cell-induced osteolysis on implanted human bone chips in a humanized myeloma (SCID-hu) model. Together, these results provide compelling evidence to target Btk in the BM microenvironment against MM and WM., strongly supporting clinical trials of PCI-32765 to improve patient outcome in MM and WM. Disclosures: Chang: Pharmacyclics Inc: Employment. Buggy:Pharmacyclics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Elias:Pharmacyclics Inc: Consultancy. Treon:Millennium: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria. Richardson:Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Munshi:Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Actelion: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Description: Abstract 3853 B-cell differentiation is tightly regulated by synchronized suppression and/or induction of specific transcription factors. Among them, B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) and PRDM1 are considered to be master regulators for germinal center formation and terminal B-cell differentiation. Dysregulation of BCL6 and PRDM1 also have been associated with lymphomagenesis. Their regulation still need further study especially at the posttranscriptional level. Here, by using co-culture system and whole genomic microRNA microarray profiling, we show for the first time that direct B lymphoma cell-stroma cell contact between follicular dendritic cells and B-lymphocytes could induce upregulation of miR-30 family and downregulation of miR-9 and let-7 family. In silico analysis showed that miR-30s can target genes BCL6 and miR-9/let7 can target PRDM1 with direct binding sites in 3`UTR region of their mRNAs. The microarray data can be proved by microRNA specific Q-RT-PCR. Specifically, by both gain of function and loss of function studies, we functionally verified that FDCs Regulate Expression of BCL6 and PRDM1 via Cell-Cell Direct Contact induced correlated microRNA dysregulation. To further validate the direct interaction between BCL6 and miR-30, we constructed luciferase reporters containing the BCL6 3`-UTR that included miR-30 binding sites and a mutant 3`-UTR harboring mutations in the “seed pairing” sequences of the miR-30 binding site. Co-transfection of miR-30 and reporter construct into cells significantly decreased luciferase activity in wild-type but not in mutant BCL6-3`-UTR transfected cells, supporting the role of miR-30 family in the regulation of BCL6 expression. BCL6 and PRDM1 and their regulation miRNAs, let-7 and miR-30, also can be validated in primary normal B-lymphocytes and lymphoma cells by using our co-culture system. Dysregulation of BCL6 and PRDM1 is often associated with lymphomagenesis. We firstly identified that BCL6 is the direct target of miR-30 family and also verified PRDM1 is the target of miR-9, and let-7 in our system. Our studies provide a novel mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of BCL6 and PRDM1 by several microRNAs. In the context of micro-environment, it provides a clue for germinal center B-cell differentiation as well as B-cell lymphomas progression regulated by lymphocyte cell-stroma cell contact through microRNAs. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Key Points Targeting of both CD20 and Flt3 proteins by CrossMab technology can efficiently evoke tumor-specific T-cell immunity. Induction of tumor-specific T-cell response by CD20–Flt3 ligand extracellular domain BiFP provides a long-lasting protection from tumor recurrence.

Description: Background: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) management in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with flotetuzumab, an investigational CD123xCD3 bispecific DART® molecule for T cell redirected therapy. CRS is a hallmark of T cell activating therapy and can be correlated with efficacy, specifically, with CAR-T cells(1). Identification of patients at risk for high grade CRS will help guide CRS management. Flotetuzumab (MGD006) is anovel CD123xCD3 bispecific DART® molecule in Phase 1/2 testing in patients with relapsed/ refractory AML. Several strategies have been successfully employed to mitigate CRS severity, some have been previously reported (2, 3). Here we report on further refinement of CRS management and subsequent investigation of potentiel predictive biomarkers of severity. Methods: The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of flotetuzumab is 500ng/kg/d CIV. Week 1 comprises a step-wise lead-in dose (LID) (1-step: 100 ng/kg/day days 1-4; 2-step: 30ng/kg/d for 3days, 100ng/kg/d for 4days, or multi-step (MS) LID at 30, 60, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ng/kg/day each for 24 hours) in order to improve flotetuzumab tolerability. Tocilizumab usage recommended early in CRS management. The relationships between immune cells (T-cell subsets, monocytes) and tumor burden (percent CD123+ AML blasts, CD123 expression) were further interrogated as potential determinants of CRS. Results: 50 patients have been treated at the RP2D. While almost all patients experienced IRR/CRS events, the majority of these patients experienced IRR/CRS that were mild-moderate in severity (28% Grade(G)1, 62% G2, and 8% G3), of short duration (median 1 day for G1, 2 days G2, 2.5 days G3), and resolved completely with no clinical sequalae reported. Most CRS events occured in the first week of treatment (38.3%) and gradually decreased with continuous dosing (24.8%, 7.4%, and 4.3% during weeks 2-4, respectively). Several key interventions have helped mitigate CRS severity. Sequential increment in steps of LID schedules (1 step, 2-step or multi-step LID) have successfully decreased CRS severity and incidence. For example, CRS mean grade±SEM for week 1 was 2.0±0.26 vs 1.4±0.72 vs 1.5±0.63 and for week 4, 0.67±0.42 vs 0.2 ±0.50 vs 0.1 ±0.50 (1 step, 2-step or multi-step LID, respectively). Moreover, LID improved overall tolerability. Introduction of early use of tocilizumab has helped forestall CRS development; 27 patients received tocilizumab (10 doses for G1, 27 for G2, and 2 for G3 events), only 5 pts have required steroids (4 for G2 and 1 for G3), and no pts have required vasopressor support. Blunting of CRS events did not impact antileukemic activity. CRS severity showed a relationship with baseline frequency of circulating CD4+ cells (mean 0.2 K/µL in patients with no CRS vs. 1.0 K/µL in G1 vs 1.6 K/µL in G ≥2, p 〈 0.000.1), and peak CRS grade in week 1. Conclusion: Like other T-cell activating therapies, flotetuzumab is associated with CRS. Several mitigating factors have helped to blunt the severity of CRS, including lead-in dosing and early tocilizumab usage. Circulating CD4+ cells at baseline continues to be associated with CRS risk, and may be a helpful marker to identify patients at increased risk for CRS. 1. Maude, SL. et al. Managing Cytokine Release Syndrome Associated With Novel T Cell-Engaging Therapies. Cancer J. 2014; 20(2): 119-122. 2. Jacobs, K, et al.Lead-in Dose Optimization to Mitigate Cytokine Release Syndrome in AML and MDS Patients Treated with Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Dart® Molecule for T-Cell Redirected Therapy. Blood 2017 130:3856. 3. Jacobs, K, et al.Management of Cytokine Release Syndrome in AML Patients Treated with Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Bispecific Dart® Molecule for T-Cell Redirected Therapy. Blood 2018 132:2738. Disclosures Bakkacha: Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Uy:Astellas: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; GlycoMimetics: Consultancy. Aldoss:Helocyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses; AUTO1: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodation/expenses, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria. Foster:Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; MacroGenics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Sallman:Celyad: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sweet:Pfizer: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rizzieri:Celgene, Gilead, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Other: Speaker; AbbVie, Agios, AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Gilead, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Stemline, Teva: Other: Advisory Board; AROG, Bayer, Celgene, Celltron, Mustang, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Stemline: Consultancy; Stemline: Research Funding. Advani:Glycomimetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Amgen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Emadi:Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; KinaRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, Patents & Royalties; NewLink Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wieduwilt:Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen, Leadiant, Merck, Servier: Research Funding. Vey:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Arellano:Gilead: Consultancy. Löwenberg:Up-to-Date", section editor leukemia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman, Leukemia Cooperative Trial Group HOVON (Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clear Creek Bio Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria; Editorial Board "European Oncology & Haematology": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Elected member, Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Frame Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Hoffman-La Roche Ltd: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Supervisory Board, National Comprehensive Cancer Center (IKNL), Netherland: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman Scientific Committee and Member Executive Committee, European School of Hematology (ESH, Paris, France): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CELYAD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ravandi:Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Selvita: Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding. Tran:MacroGenics: Employment. Muth:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Baughman:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Timmeny:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Other: Stock Ownership. Topp:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Guo:Macrogenics: Employment. Zhao:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment. Wigginton:macrogenics: Employment, Equity Ownership; western oncolytics: Consultancy, Other: consultancy. Bonvini:MacroGenics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Walter:Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy; Covagen: Consultancy; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Aptevo Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Argenx BVBA: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; BioLineRx: Consultancy; BiVictriX: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Race Oncology: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; New Link Genetics: Consultancy. Davidson:Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. DiPersio:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bioline Rx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; RiverVest Venture Partners Arch Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellworks Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; WUGEN: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; NeoImmune Tech: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jacobs:Macrogenics,Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Description: Abstract 1569 “Niche” is a specialized microenvironment which controls the fate specification and development of stem and progenitor cells. The bone marrow (BM) niche is composed of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone marrow endothelial cells, stromal cells, adipocytes, and extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). These elements provide an optimal growth environment for multiple hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM) cancer stem cells (CSCs). For example, the MM bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) confer survival and chemoresistance of MM cells to current therapies. A better and more detailed understanding of the neoplastic MM niche will therefore provide a model for identifying and validating novel targeted therapies directed against MM. Our previous data in 78 MM patient samples showed that miR-30 family members were more weakly expressed in patients samples compared with normal plasma cells. In our present study, we showed that miR-30 is downregulated by co-culture of either MM cell line or MM patients sample with BMSCs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Bcl9 is a common target of miR-30, with two different binding sites in 3’UTR region of Bcl9 mRNA predicted by 3 different web-based softwares. Importantly, we confirmed Bcl9 as a direct target of miR-30 in MM cells by both gain of function and loss of function studies. Specifically, ectopic expression of miR-30 by using HIV based lentivirus (V-miR-30) downregulates Bcl9 gene expression by mRNA degradation in either 293T or H929 cells compared with GFP control cells (V-GFP). Conversely, knockdown of miR-30 family expression upregulates Bcl9 mRNA and protein level in MMS1 cells, which have relatively higher miR-30 and lower Bcl9 levels. To prove a direct interaction between miR-30 and the 3’UTR of Bcl9, two wild type Bcl9-3’UTR reporter vectors (pmiR-Bcl9-30-1W and pmiR-Bcl9-30-2W) and two mutant Bcl9-3’UTR reporter vectors (pmiR-Bcl9-30-1M and pmiR-Bcl9-30-2M) were cotransfected into H929 cells, together with V-miR-30 or V-GFP. Luciferase activity of wild type, but not mutant, was significantly decreased with V-miR-30 with respect to V-GFP. Downregulation of miR-30 induced overexpression of Bcl9 in MM cell line or patients samples, which in turn transcriptionally activates WNT pathway downstream target genes such as Axin2 and CD44. As expected, WNT pathway TOP/FOP luciferase activity was induced by knockdown miR-30 in MMS1 cells and suppressed by ectopic expression of miR-30 in H929 cells. In addition, the stem cell population of H929 V-miR-30 dramatically decreased, identified using functional Hoechst 33342 stem cell staining assay. Moreover, in experiments using stem cell medium to culture sorted CSCs, the sphere number and size is less in H929 V-miR-30c CSCs compared with H929 V-GFP control CSCs. In addition, proliferation and tumor formation were inhibited in vitro and in vivo in H929 V-miR-30 stable cells compared with H929 V-GFP cells. Finally, H929 V-miR-30 stable cells were more sensitive to bortezomib treatment than GFP control cells in the presence or absence of BMSCs. Our studies therefore demonstrate that miR-30 regulates the WNT pathway by targeting Bcl9 in MM cells in the BM milieu and represents a promising novel therapeutic target in MM. Disclosures: Munshi: Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Description: Approximately 40% of patients (pts) with newly diagnosed (AML) either fail to achieve complete remission with intensive induction therapy or experience disease recurrence after a short remission duration (〈 6 months). These pts, herein considered to have primary refractory disease, are an extremely challenging population to treat, with only 14% achieving remission following conventional chemotherapy and with subsequent salvage attempts being nearly universally ineffective (1). Increased immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and high CD123 expression on AML blasts have been associated with primary induction failure and poor prognosis (2, 3). Flotetuzumab (FLZ), a CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART molecule, is currently being tested in a phase 1/2 study in pts with either relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML. We have previously reported FLZ activity in primary refractory AML (4); herein, we provide additional scientific rationale supporting the investigation of FLZ in this patient population. The recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of FLZ identified in an ongoing Phase 1/2 study is 500 ng/kg/day administered as a 7 -day/week continuous infusion. Pts receive a lead-in dose during week (W) 1, followed by 500 ng/kg/day during W2-4 of Cycle 1, and a 4-day on/3-day off schedule for Cycle 2 and beyond. Disease status was assessed by modified IWG criteria; bone marrow (BM) samples were collected to investigate biomarkers, including CD123 receptor density (RD), and gene expression profiling using the NanoString PanCancer IO 360™ panel, which measures the expression of 770 genes, including 14 immune cell types and 32 immuno-oncology biological signatures. Gene expression comparisons are presented at fold change (FC) and a t-test was used for statistical analysis. Fifty pts with R/R AML received FLZ at the RP2D. Thirty (60%) pts had primary refractory AML: 24 failed ≥2 induction attempts and 6 recurred after remission of

Description: Abstract 1419 ABSTRACT Dexamethasone is a conventional drug that effectively induces multiple myeloma (MM) cell death at presentation and in relapsed patients and continues to be used against MM alone or in combination with the new therapeutic agents. However, still remain unclear the mechanism of Dexamethasone resistance in clinic. We now report new mechanisms of Dexamethasone resistance implicating microRNAs (miR). MicroRNAs are noncoding small RNAs (18–25nt) that play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Recently our profiling study in MM1S and MM1R cells has shown that miR-222-221 are highly expressed in MM1R cells as compared with MM1S cells. Our further investigation showed that enforced expression of miR-222-221 could render cells resistant to Dexamethasone and that the resistance to this drug could be partially restored by ectopic expression of PUMA without 3'UTR region. The list of microRNAs regulators for PUMA (BBC3) 3'UTR region in targetscan website includes miR-221 and miR-222. We also found a negative relationship between miR-222-221 levels and therapeutic response in clinical samples by using Q-RT-PCR, IHC and ISH methods. So we propose that miR-222-221 could target PUMA to induce Dexamethasone resistance in MM. Ectopic expression of miR-222-221 in MM1S cells resulted in decreased expression of PUMA protein and mRNA, whereas knockdown expression of miR-222-221 could restore PUMA expression in MM1S cells. Notably, miR-222-221-transfected MM1S cells became resistance to Dexamethasone as compared to vector-treated cells. Further, the knockdown of miR-222-221 sensitizes the MM1R cells to Dexamethasone-induced cell growth arrest and apoptosis. These findings indicate that the miR-222-221 play a significant role in regulation of PUMA expression level and could be potential targets for restoring PUMA expression and response to Dexamethasone therapy in a subset of MM patients. We are currently investigating the role of miR-222-221 in Dexamethasone resistant in vivo using well established mouse xenograft models of MM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Abstract 136 Investigational Agent MLN9708 Target Tumor Suppressor MicroRNA-33b in Multiple Myeloma Cells Ze Tian, Jianjun Zhao, Jianhong Lin, Dharminder Chauhan, Kenneth C. Anderson Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 19–25 nucleotide-long noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression both at the level of messenger RNA degradation and translation. Emerging evidence shows that miRNAs play a critical role in tumor pathogenesis by functioning as either oncogene or tumor suppressor genes. The role of miRNA and their regulation in response to proteasome inhibitors treatment in Multiple Myeloma (MM) is unclear. Here, we utilized MLN9708, a selective orally bio-available proteasome inhibitor to examine its effects on miRNA alterations in MM.1S MM cells. Upon exposure to aqueous solutions or plasma, MLN9708 rapidly hydrolyzes to its biologically active form MLN2238. Our previous study using both in vitro and in vivo models showed that MLN2238 inhibits tumor growth and triggers apoptosis via activation of caspases. Moreover, MLN2238 triggered apoptosis in bortezomib-resistant MM cells, and induced synergistic anti-MM activity when combined with HDAC inhibitor SAHA, dexamethasone, and lenalidomide. In the current study, we treated MM.1S cells with MLN2238 (12 nM) for 3 hours and harvested; total RNA was subjected to miRNA profiling using TaqMan® Array Human miRNA A-Card Set v3.0 and the data was analyzed using dChip analysis. Results showed that MLN2238 modulates miRNA expression with a total of 36 miRNA changing their expression profiling (δδCT〉1.5 or δδCT 7) upregulated in response to MLN2238 treatment. We therefore hypothesized that miR-33b may play a role in MM pathogenesis as well as during MLN2238-induced proteasome inhibition in MM cells. We first utilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) to validate the changes in miRNA expression profiling. Results confirmed that MLN2238 treatment triggers significant increase in the miR-33b expression in MM.1S cells (2.1 and 2.2 folds at 3h and 6h, respectively; P