ALBERT

Description: The Journal of Physical Chemistry B DOI: 10.1021/jp308638w

Description: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells highly depend on oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) to satisfy their heightened demands for energy, and the complex I OxPhos inhibitor IACS-010759 (Molina, Nat. Med. 2018) is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial in AML. In this study, we investigated how the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment affects the response to OxPhos inhibition in AML. To characterize the molecular mechanisms of sensitivity to OxPhos inhibition, we performed Cap Analysis of Gene Expression analysis (CAGE) on 31 genetically diverse primary AML samples (20 were defined as sensitive and 11 as resistant to IACS-010759; cut off 〉3.0 fold annexin V(+) by 100 nM IACS-010759/DMSO at 72 hours). CAGE identified higher expression of transcription start sites (TSS) for 17 genes in IACS-010759 resistant AML samples compared to sensitive (fold change 〉2.0, FDR 〈 0.05, EdgeR), which were related to cell adhesion, integrin and/or Rho GTPase family genes that modulate intracellular actin dynamics. We next investigated the interactions between IACS-010759 sensitive OCI-AML3 cells and BM-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Under conditions mimicking the BM microenvironment, IACS-010759 upregulated the pathways of focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction in OCI-AML3 cells (KEGG analysis based on CAGE). In turn, MSC co-culture increased oxygen consumption by AML, induced generation of mitochondrial ROS (control 4.4% vs IACS 44.4%), increased mtDNA (2-fold by q-PCR) and upregulation of mitochondrial proteins VDAC and cytochrome C, translating into dampened growth-inhibitory effects of IACS-010759. We further demonstrated that OCI-AML3 cells adhering to MSCs were fully protected from IACS-010759 induced apoptosis (IACS-induced specific apoptosis: non-adherent cells 16.2% ± 1.6% vs adherent cells 1.6% ± 0.7%, p=0.008, 30nM, 72hours). Similarly, adherent cells were fully protected from apoptosis induced by combination of IACS and AraC. These findings indicate that direct interactions with MSC trigger compensatory activation of mitochondrial respiration, increase in mitochondrial mass and resistance to OxPhos inhibition in AML. We next hypothesized that the trafficking of mitochondria from BM stroma cells to AML cells could represent a putative mechanism of an acquired resistance to OxPhos inhibition. To visualize mitochondria, OCI-AML3 and MSC were stably transfected with mitochondria-targeted PDHA1-GFP and -dsRed, respectively. We discovered that IACS-010759 induced transfer of MSC-derived mitochondria to OCI-AML3 cells (% of GFP/dsRed double-positive OCI-AML, control 4.1 ± 1.7 vs IACS 26.2 ± 13.4, p=0.002) via tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) detected by confocal and electron microscopy (Fig.1). Mitochondria transfer was only observed in the direct contact but not in the transwell co-cultures, and was abrogated by ICAM-1 neutralizing antibody and TNT blockade with Cytochalasin B. Likewise, combination of IACS with AraC increased mitochondrial transfer. We further found that IACS-010759 induced autophagy in OCI-AML3 cells co-cultured with MSC, as noted by increased conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, which was further enhanced by the lysosome inhibitor Bafilomycin. Additionally, we observed autophagosome formation enwrapping MSC-derived mitochondria (Fig.1F), along with the degradation of an outer mitochondrial membrane protein Tom20. Finally, IACS-010759-induced transfer of mtDNA in BM-resident AML cells was confirmed in vivo in humanized AML PDX models (n=2). Daily oral treatment of mice harboring human AML with IACS-010759 (5.0 mg/kg/day, 21 days) increased the ratio of murine/human mtDNA in human AML cells isolated from BM, in 5 days on/2 days off PDX models tested (2.1 ± 0.3 fold, n=2). In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate an important role of mitochondria trafficking from BM stromal cells to AML cells in a compensatory adaptation to OxPhos inhibition in BM microenvironment. We propose that blocking of mitochondrial transfer could enhance the anti-AML efficacy of OxPhos targeting agents. Disclosures Zhang: The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Kuruvilla:The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Andreeff:BiolineRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding; Oncolyze: Equity Ownership; Oncoceutics: Equity Ownership; Senti Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eutropics: Equity Ownership; Reata: Equity Ownership; Aptose: Equity Ownership; 6 Dimensions Capital: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patents licensed, royalty bearing, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; AstaZeneca: Consultancy; CPRIT: Research Funding; NIH/NCI: Research Funding; Center for Drug Research & Development: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cancer UK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-CTEP: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; German Research Council: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-RDCRN (Rare Disease Cliln Network): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLL Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Konopleva:Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; F. Hoffman La-Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy, Honoraria; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties; Ablynx: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Honoraria; Calithera: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Description: Background: Patients (pt) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who are elderly, or have secondary AML (sAML), or relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease have poor outcomes. Venetoclax (VEN), an oral BCL2 inhibitor, has shown activity in R/R AML as single-agent and in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMA) in newly diagnosed unfit AML. We designed a phase II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VEN with 10-days (D) of decitabine (DEC) in AML and high risk MDS. Methods: Eligible AML pts included those who had failed prior therapy, or were newly diagnosed (ND) elderly pts (〉60 years), or had sAML. ECOG score ≤3, WBC count ≤10 x109/L, and adequate organ function were required. VEN was given on day 1-28 in cycle (cy) 1 and D1-21 in cy 2 onwards; and was interrupted on C1D21 if the 21D bone marrow showed clearance of blasts, until count recovery. VEN was dosed 200 mg PO daily (50% dose reduction) in pts needing CYP3A4 inhibitors. DEC was given 20 mg/m2 IVdaily on D1-10 until CR/CRi, followed by 5-day cycles. Hydroxyurea or ara-C could be used for cytoreduction prior to starting therapy. Prophylactic antimicrobials were used until neutrophil recovery. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors could be used in applicable patients. Primary objective was to determine overall response rate (ORR) including complete remission (CR), CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi), partial remission (PR), and morphologic leukemia-free state in pts with AML. Secondary objectives were to determine safety of the combination; duration of response (DOR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 48 pts were enrolled between January and May 2018 (Table 1). 24 pts (50%) had ND AML, 7 pts (15%) had sAML, and 16 pts (33%) had R/R AML. Prior therapies are listed in Table 1. The overall CR/CRi rate was 71% (34/48). CR/CRi rate for ND, sAML and R/R AML were 92%, 71% and 44%, respectively (Table 2). Negative minimal residual disease (MRD-) by flow cytometry at the time of response was achieved in 16/33 responding pts (49%). CR/CRi with MRD- was achieved in 11/21 pts with ND AML (52%), 2/5 pts with sAML (40%), and 3/6 pts w R/R AML (50%). CR/CRi rate in TP53 mutated pts was 67% (8/12, Table 2). Additional therapies included ponatinib in 1 pt with AML and t(9;22) who achieved a CRi; and sorafenib in 5 pts (4 FLT3-ITD, 1 FLT3 S749L variant) of which 2 ITD pts achieved CRi and 3 pts did not respond. Median time to first response was 43D (range 20-110) with a median of 1 cy to best response (range 1-3). At a median follow-up of 2.3 months (mo; range 1.4-5.7), pts had received a median of 2 cy (range 2-5) and 32 pts continue on study. Reasons for discontinuation are shown in Table 3. Median OS has not been reached (NR) for ND and sAML pts (NR, range 1.8 mo-NR) and R/R AML (NR, range 0.4 mo-NR, Fig 1a). Median DFS (Fig 1b) and DOR for ND and sAML pts are also NR (range 0.9 mo-NR). Median DFS and DOR for R/R AML pts were 3.3 mo (range 0.5-NR). 10 pts received GCSF. 59 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) occurred in 31 pts, out of which 48 were grade (gr) 3/4. The most frequent gr 3/4 TEAE were infections, with gr 3/4 neutropenia (53%), febrile neutropenia (14%), and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS, n=2, 4%). 1 pt with WBC count 12 x109/L developed TLS on C1D2 which resolved with rasburicase and holding VEN; another pt with WBC count 28 x109/L developed TLS on C1D2 needing hemodialysis for 12 days, prompting study amendment to the current baseline WBC≤10 x109/L. Time to blood count recovery are shown in Table 4. There were total 6 deaths, all in pts with R/R AML (n=5) and treated sAML (n=1), including 3 deaths in hospice, 2 early deaths in relapsed AML pts due to infection; and 1 early death in a relapsed MDS pt due to pneumonia and acute kidney injury unrelated to therapy. There were no deaths in the ND AML pts. 30D and 60D mortality rates were 8% and 10%, respectively. Preliminary BH3 profiling data in R/R cohort showed BCL-2 priming (by assessing cytochrome C release to recombinant BAD peptide and ABT-199) in 7/8 pts irrespective of their response; however, pts who failed to achieve CR/CRi demonstrated co-dependence on other anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1, BCL-XL and A1 (Fig 2). Additional BH3 profiling and CyTOF analyses are ongoing. Conclusion: The DEC10-VEN regimen had an acceptable safety profile and excellent response rates with CR/CRi of 92% in ND AML, 71% in sAML, and 44% in R/R AML with MRD- in 52% of ND AML, 40% of sAML and 50% of R/R AML. Trial is continuing to accrue (NCT03404193). Disclosures Maiti: Celgene Corporation: Other: Research funding to the institution. DiNardo:AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role; Agios: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role; Bayer: Other: Advisory role; Celgene: Other: Advisory role; Medimmune: Other: Advisory role; Karyopharm: Other: Advisory role. Cortes:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Pemmaraju:plexxikon: Research Funding; novartis: Research Funding; Affymetrix: Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; SagerStrong Foundation: Research Funding; abbvie: Research Funding; daiichi sankyo: Research Funding; stemline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kadia:Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; BMS: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ravandi:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Sunesis: Honoraria; Abbvie: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Sunesis: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Macrogenix: Honoraria, Research Funding; Orsenix: Honoraria; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Xencor: Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Macrogenix: Honoraria, Research Funding; Orsenix: Honoraria. Short:Takeda Oncology: Consultancy. Daver:BMS: Research Funding; ImmunoGen: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Sunesis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Alexion: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Sunesis: Consultancy; Kiromic: Research Funding; ARIAD: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Sasaki:Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria. Thompson:Gilead Sciences: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jain:Servier: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellectis: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Novimmune: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novimmune: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologioes: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Verastem: Research Funding; Servier: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Verastem: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotechnologioes: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Verastem: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jabbour:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Andreeff:AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Konopleva:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Description: BH3-mimetic ABT-199 (venetoclax, VEN) is a selective small-molecule antagonist of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein. It binds to BCL-2 specifically, causing the release of pro-apoptotic BAX and BH3-only proteins and induction of cell death. Our studies indicated that AML is a BCL-2 dependent disease that, in pre-clinical studies, responds robustly to VEN by induction of apoptotic cell death (Pan et al., Cancer Discovery 2014). As a single agent, VEN demonstrated clinical activity in relapsed/refractory AML, yet patients who initially responded ultimately developed resistance and progressed. In this study we investigated mechanisms of acquired resistance to VEN in preclinical AML models. First, we generated 5 VEN-resistant cell lines (OCI-AML2, Kasumi, KG-1, MV4;11 and Molm13; with VEN cell-killing IC50s of 0.021µM, 0.046µM, 0.073µM, 0.020µM and 0.050µM, respectively) by exposing the cells to gradually increasing VEN concentrations. The IC50s of resistant cells are 15.2µM, 5.7µM, 31.6µM, 11.4µM and 15.4µM (124-723-fold greater than their parental counterparts). Protein analysis of resistant cells using immunoblotting demonstrated increased expression of MCL-1, a known resistance factor to VEN, in 4 resistant cell lines (OCI-AML2, KG-1, Mv4;11 and Molm13); and BCL-XL increase in MV4;11 and Molm13 resistant cells. To characterize the functional role of MCL-1 and BCL-XL in resistance to VEN, we co-treated parental and resistant cells with novel MCL-1 and BCL-XL- selective inhibitors (A-1210477 and A-1155463). The combination of VEN with A-1210477 or A-1155463 showed synergistic growth inhibition in all 5 parental cell lines (combination indices (CI) for A-1210477 were 0.15-0.62; CI for A-1155463 were 0.33-0.51, except 〉3 for KG-1). Notably, 4 out of 5 resistant cell lines (OCI-AML2, Kasumi, MV4;11, Molm13) became more sensitive to MCL-1 selective inhibitor A-1155463 but not to BCL-XL inhibitor A-1210477. However, no further effects were seen in resistant cells when combined with VEN. We next compared sensitivity of three paired parental and resistant cell lines (OCI-AML2, MV4;11 and Molm13) to a library of 130 specific small-molecule inhibitors (Tyner, et.al.. Cancer Res. 2013). Cells were co-treated with VEN and each specific inhibitor, and drug target scores were calculated based on the IC50 of measured effectiveness of panel drugs against the cells. The screening revealed modulation of sensitivity to mTOR, MEK, and FLT3 pathways in resistant cells (Fig.1C). To confirm these findings, we next co-treated AML cells with VEN and specific inhibitors of the mTOR pathway (rapamycin and AZD2014) or MEK pathway (CI1040) in all 5 paired parental and resistant cell lines; or with FLT3 inhibitors (quizartinib and sorafenib) in parental and resistant MV4;11 and Molm13, which harbor FLT3-ITD. The combination of VEN and AZD2014 achieved synergistic effects in all 5 parental cell lines (CI AZD2014: 0.08-0.94), and VEN/rapamycin were synergistic in 3 parental cell lines (CI rapamycin: 0.00-0.55, except 1.76 for KG-1 and 1.59 for Molm13). Combination of VEN with CI1040 achieved synergy in OCI-AML2, Kasumi, MV4;11 and Molm13 parental cell lines (CI: 0.14-0.61). Finally, VEN/FLT3 inhibitors achieved synergistic effects in MV4;11 and Molm13 parental cell lines (CI quizartinib: 0.66-0.69; CI sorafenib: 0.64-0.71). The resistant cell lines exhibited sensitivity to these inhibitors as single agents, and no synergistic effects were seen when combined with VEN. We have further induced in vivo resistance in two primary AML xenografts by treating NSG mice engrafted with 2nd passage AML cells with 100 mg/kg Q.D. VEN for 4 weeks followed by harvest of leukemic cells that repopulated the mouse after treatment discontinuation. While the proteomics, gene expression (RNAseq) and drug screening assays are in progress, preliminary immunoblotting studies demonstrated decreased expression of BCL-XL and BCL-2 (Fig.1B). In summary, we identified multiple mechanisms of acquired resistance to VEN, which ultimately modulate the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. Our studies indicate that upfront combination of VEN with selective inhibitors of MCL-1, or with inhibitors of specific signaling pathways, can synergistically induce apoptosis in AML cells and conceivably prevent emergence of VEN resistance. Disclosures Leverson: AbbVie: Employment, Equity Ownership. Tyner:Aptose Biosciences: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Array Biopharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Konopleva:Novartis: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Stemline: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Threshold: Research Funding.

Description: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells are highly dependent on oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) for survival and continually adapt to fluctuations in nutrient and oxygen availability in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The first-in-class OxPhos inhibitor IACS-010759 (Molina, Nat. Medicine 2018) is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial in AML. To identify biomarkers of sensitivity or resistance to OxPhos inhibition, we performed Cap Analysis of Gene Expression analysis (CAGE) in primary AML samples (11 sensitive and 3 resistant to IACS-010759) and 6 AML cell lines (OCI-AML3, MOLM13, THP-1, U937, MV4;11, HL60). CAGE identified 41 gene transcripts that were significantly higher in IACS-010759 resistant primary AML samples than in sensitive samples (fold change 〉3.0, FDR 10µM MOLM13). MSC co-culture increased OCR and glycoPER, and IACS-010759 decreased OCR / increased glycoPER in both cell lines. To determine the mechanism of resistance to IACS-010759 under MSC co-culture conditions, we studied the mitochondrial exchange between AML cells and MSC. We observed the bidirectional mitochondrial transfer between MSCs and AML cells. Using AML and MSC cells stably infected with mitochondria-targeted PDHA1 (GFP in AML, dsRed in MSC) to visualize the mitochondria, we found that IACS-010759 treatment facilitated transfer of AML-derived mitochondria into the adhered MSCs (24h), and MSC-derived mitochondria transferred to floating AML cells (48-72h) along with formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) of AML cells, in sensitive OCI-AML3 cells (PDHA1-GFP/DsRed double positive %, control vs IACS; 9.0% vs 23.3 %). Mitochondria transfer from MSCs to AML cells was minimally observed in MOLM13 cells with elevated basal OxPhos (4.0% vs 5.0%). We next investigated IACS-010759-induced metabolic changes in AML cells interacting with bone marrow (BM) stromal cells. Capillary electrophoresis-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS) metabolite analysis further detected that IACS-010759 suppressed multiple anaplerotic amino acids in OCI-AML3 cells including glutamine and glutamic acid, which was reversed by MSC co-culture along with increase in intra-autophagosomal LC3-II in OCI-AML3 cells. These findings were not observed in MOLM13. Microenvironment-induced activation of glutamine metabolism and autophagy-associated amino acid metabolism could be additional compensatory mechanisms in response to OxPhos inhibition by IACS-010759 in BM microenvironment. Taken together, basal metabolic energetic capacity including elevated OxPhos and high compensatory glycolysis confer the AML-intrinsic resistance to IACS-010759, which can be reversed by simultaneous glycolysis inhibition. BM microenvironment facilitates secondary resistance to OxPhos inhibition through modulation of amino acid metabolism and direct mitochondrial transfer. Inhibition of these processes could enhance the anti-AML efficacy of OxPhos inhibition. Disclosures Andreeff: AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Konopleva:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Description: Background: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a relatively common subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) that typically presents with lymphadenopathy, extranodal disease, including rash, and is associated with frequent infections due to immune dysregulation. Patients with AITL generally have a poor prognosis, even with aggressive chemotherapy as responses to standard chemotherapy are often suboptimal. Recent advances in cancer biology suggest that AITL is derived from T-follicular helper cells and is often characterized by gross epigenetic dysregulation. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have demonstrated significant activity in T-cell neoplasms. The BELIEF trial established an overall response rate of 25% in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL who were treated with belinostat, with a duration of response of about 1 year, leading to accelerated approval. Herein, we present a subset analysis of the data for patients with AITL. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed PTCL (N = 129) who experienced failure with or refractory to ≥ 1 prior systemic therapy received belinostat 1,000 mg/m(2) as daily 30-minute infusions on days 1 to 5 every 21 days. Central assessment of response used International Working Group criteria. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR) and progression-free and overall survival (PFS). Results: Of 129 patients, 22 patients had AITL; most had advanced disease (91% stage III/IV; 36% with bone marrow involvement). The median number of prior therapies was 2 (range, 1-5), and 3 (14%) patients were refractory to their last line of therapy. The ORR for patients with AITL was 46% (10/22; 95%CI: 24 - 68%), with a complete response (CR) in 4 of 22 patients (18%). Of the ten responders, the median time to response of 11.3 weeks (range, 4.7 - 24.4 weeks) in the AITL subgroup. After a median follow up of 21.5 months, the median PFS was 4.2 months (95%CI: 1.5 -13.9) and the median DOR was 13.6 months (95%CI: 1.4 - 29.4) as shown in Figure 1. For all patients with AITL treated with belinostat, the median OS was 9.2 months (95%CI: 6.8 - 21.5). The most common grade 3 to 4 adverse events were asthenia (n=2), fatigue (n=2), anemia (n=2), thrombocytopenia (n=2), neutropenia (n=2), and septic shock (n=2). Conclusions: Single-agent belinostat induced rapid and durable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory AITL. At the end of the study, there were 37% patients with ongoing responses at 2 years. Patients with clinical benefit from belinostat continued treatment until progression of disease. These results support the use of belinostat in relapsed/refractory AITL as a single agent and provide rationale for combination therapies in clinical trials. Disclosures Sawas: Seattle Genetics, Gilead, Daiichi Sanko: Consultancy; Affimed: Research Funding. Shustov:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Hsu:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Bhat:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Acosta:Acrotech Biopharma: Employment. Horwitz:Astex: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Infinity/Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Trillium: Research Funding; Affimed: Consultancy; ADCT Therapeutics: Research Funding; Kura: Consultancy; ADCT Therapeutics: Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Miragen: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Infinity/Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kura: Consultancy; Forty-Seven: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADCT Therapeutics: Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Kura: Consultancy; Miragen: Consultancy; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Astex: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Infinity/Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Research Funding; Infinity/Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Miragen: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Consultancy; Portola: Consultancy; Aileron: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Research Funding; Kura: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Portola: Consultancy; ADCT Therapeutics: Research Funding; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; Miragen: Consultancy; Affimed: Consultancy; Affimed: Consultancy; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Research Funding; Affimed: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. O'Connor:Mundipharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ADCT Therapeutics, Affimed, Agensys, Merck, Seattle Genetics, Spectrum, Trillium, and Verastem Oncology.: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Other: Travel Support, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

Description: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive hematologic malignancy with historically poor outcomes and no established standard of care. Nearly 100% of patients with BPDCN overexpress CD123, and targeting CD123 has therefore emerged as an attractive therapeutic target. UCART123v1 is an allogeneic "off the shelf" product composed of genetically modified T-cells expressing an anti-CD123 CAR and a RQR8 depletion ligand, which confers susceptibility to rituximab. The expression of the T-cell receptor αβ (TCRαβ) is abrogated through the inactivation of the TRAC gene, using Cellectis' TALEN® gene-editing technology. We have previously reported the selective in vitro anti-tumor activity of UCART123v1 cells against primary BPDCN samples using cytotoxicity and T-cell degranulation assays, as well as the secretion of IFNγ and other cytokines (IL2, IL5, IL6, IL-13 and TNF-α) by UCART123v1 cells when cultured in the presence of BPDCN cells (Cai et al, 2017 ASH). To evaluate anti-tumor activity of UCART123v1 cells in vivo, we established two relapsed BPDCN patient-derived xenografts (PDX1 and 2) in NSG-SGM3 mice. In PDX-1 model, mice were randomized upon tumour engraftment (D21 after primary BPDCN injection) into 4 groups and received an IV injection of either vehicle, 10×106 TCRαβ KO control T-cells, or UCART123v1 cells (3×106 or 10×106 cells). Mice from vehicle group died by D53 after BPDCN injection with high tumor burden in PB, spleen and BM. 3 out of 9 (33%) mice treated with 3×106 and 6 out of 9 (67%) mice treated with 10×106 UCART123v1 were alive and disease-free at the end of the study (D299 after primary BPDCN injection). In PDX-2 model, which received the same treatment as PDX-1 (at D19 after primary BPDCN cell injection), all vehicle-treated mice died by D49. UCART123v1 therapy extended survival of treated mice to 104-241 days, but tumors relapsed at 90-155 days (Fig. 1A). The relapses in UCART123v1 treated mice were associated with the emergence of CD123-, CD56+CD45+ BPDCN cells infiltrating spleens and BMs (Fig. 1B). To understand the molecular basis for CD123 loss, we isolated RNA from CD123+ cells from two of the vehicle-treated mice and CD123- cells from four of the UCART123v1-treated mice and performed RT-PCR and RNA-sequencing. The cells from all samples were hCD45+ and hCD56+, indicating leukemic origin. These analyses detected the presence of full-length transcripts (exons 2-12) in both CD123+ control samples (Sample 1 and 2in Fig. 1C). In 2 of the 4 CD123- samples, CD123 transcripts were absent, as were transcripts of neighbouring genes (samples 3 and 9 in Fig. 1C). RNA-sequencing reads aligned to Genome Browser tracks for CD123 and housekeeping gene GPI showed no reads present for CD123 but reads present for GPI in the two samples with CD123 loss. The aCGH (Array‐Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization) results showed that samples 3 and 9 (CD123-) had large regional deletions on chromosome X, which includes the CD123 gene. In another sample (sample 5), the splicing analysis algorithm MAJIQ detected CD123 transcripts containing only exons 2-9, indicating premature transcription termination. If translated, this truncated transcript would produce a protein isoform lacking the transmembrane domain in exon 10. Finally, MAJIQ also revealed canonical splicing of exon 2 to exon 3 in all CD123+ samples but a sharp increase in skipping from exon 2 to exon 5 in sample 16 (Fig. 1D). This exon-skipping event preserves the open-reading frame and yields the previously reported transcript variant 2. Per UniProt, the resultant protein will retain the ligand-binding domain but lack several glycosylation sites and two beta sheets in the extracellular domain, potentially compromising recognition by UCART123v1 cells. The aCGH and FISH results further showed that this patient sample harbored TP53 deletion, which could have contributed to DNA instability observed in different mice engrafted with these tumor cells. In summary, allogeneic anti-CD123 CAR T therapy resulted in eradication of BPDCN in vitro and in increased disease-free survival in primary BPDCN PDX models. However, CD123 loss was observed in one PDX model harboring a TP53 deletion. These results provide preclinical proof-of-principle that UCART123v1 cells have potent anti-BPDCN activity, and indicate potential mechanisms leading to antigen loss and disease relapse. Disclosures Galetto: Cellectis Inc: Employment. Gouble:Cellectis: Employment. Zhang:The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Kuruvilla:The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Neelapu:Cellectis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Karus: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy; Cell Medica: Consultancy; Allogene: Consultancy. Lane:AbbVie: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding; N-of-One: Consultancy. Kantarjian:BMS: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Jazz Pharma: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Astex: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding. Guzman:Cellectis: Research Funding; Samus Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties: intellectual rights to the PU-FITC assay; SeqRx: Consultancy. Pemmaraju:Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; affymetrix: Research Funding; sagerstrong: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; cellectis: Research Funding; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; mustangbio: Consultancy, Research Funding. Konopleva:Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ablynx: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Honoraria; Calithera: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; F. Hoffman La-Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ascentage: Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy, Honoraria; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.

Description: Background: Elderly patients (pt) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML have dismal outcomes. Venetoclax (VEN) synergizes with hypomethylating agents (HMA) and is now an approved combination for newly diagnosed (ND) AML in older/intensive chemotherapy (IC)-ineligible patients. We hypothesized that VEN with 10-day decitabine (DEC) may offer superior efficacy in AML. Methods: Between January and November 2018 we enrolled 101 pts with ND AML (n=40), untreated secondary AML (sAML, n=9), treated sAML (n=19) and R/R AML (n=33). Eligibility included ECOG PS ≤3, WBC ≤10 x109/L, and adequate organ function. DEC was given 20 mg/m2 IV daily on day 1-10 until CR/CRi, followed by 5-day cycles. VEN was given on day 1-28 in cycle 1 but was interrupted on C1D21 until count recovery if the day 21 bone marrow (BM) had ≤5% blasts. VEN could be reduced further to 14, 10 or 7 days in subsequent cycles for pts with ongoing cytopenias/myelosuppression. VEN dose was 400 mg PO daily (reductions allowed for concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors) All pts received tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) prophylaxis. Cytoreduction prior to start, and concomitant BCR-ABL1 (n=1) and FLT3 inhibitors (n=15) were allowed as indicated. Primary objective was overall response rate and secondary objectives included safety and overall survival. The data cut-off date was 03.08.19. Results: This high-risk cohort included 52% of pts ≥70 yrs (interquartile range [IQR], 61-74), 54% pts were men, 28% pts had ECOG PS ≥2, and 67% pts had adverse-risk AML (Table 1). 30 and 60-day mortality were both 2.5% for ND pts, and 5% and 9%, respectively, for all pts. Notable treatment-emergent adverse events were infections with grade 3/4 neutropenia (61%), febrile neutropenia (35%), and TLS (4%, Table 2). Four pts developed grade 3 or 4 reversible TLS; their median WBC count was 7.1x109/L (1.6, 2.1, 12, 28) and median peripheral blasts was 64% (IQR 39-83) and led to a subsequent requirement for WBC ≤10 x109/L prior to start. The CR/CRi rate in ND AML was 95%, in untreated sAML was 67%, in treated sAML was 37%, and in R/R AML was 27% (Table 3). Out of 67 pts with C1D21±3 BM, ≤5% blasts was achieved in 57%, and 74% of ND pts. In previously untreated AML (defined as ND AML + untreated sAML), CR/CRi rate in ELN favorable, intermediate and adverse risk pts were 100% (n=11), 100% (n=6), and 84% (n=32). CR/CRi rate in t-AML was 100% (n=7). In previously treated AML (treated sAML + R/R AML), CR/CRi rate in HMA refractory pts was 39% (n=18), in pts with prior IC was 21% (n=33), in pts with prior HMA and IC was 17% (n=12), in pts with prior stem cell transplantation (SCT) was 22% (n=18). At median follow-up of 8.1 months (mo), the 6-mo OS in ND AML was 90%, in untreated sAML was 56%, in treated sAML was 62%, and R/R AML was 53% (Fig. 1). Among all pts, achievement of CR conferred better duration of response (DOR) and OS compared to CRi/MLFS (median DOR not reached [NR] vs 4.0 mo, censored at SCT, hazard ratio [HR] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.49, p=0.002, and median OS NR vs 7.8 mo, censored at SCT, HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.74). 70% of all responding pts were minimal residual disease negative (MRD-) by flow cytometry and MRD- status was associated with longer OS (NR vs 7.8 mo, censored at SCT, HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.88, p=0.01, Fig. 2a). Median DOR in pts achieving CR/CRi in ND AML was 8.5 mo, in the untreated sAML was 6.3 mo, in treated sAML was 4.8 mo, and in R/R AML was 6.6 mo. Among ND AML pts achieving CR/CRi, median time to count recovery after 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles for ANC 〉0.5x109/L was 42 days (95% CI 37-46), 40 days (95% CI 35-44), and 38 days (95% CI 32-NR), respectively; and for platelet ≥50 x109/L was 28 days (95% CI 25-32), 25 days (95% CI 0-34), and 26 days (95% CI 19-33), respectively. 78 pts (77%) discontinued treatment, and 59 pts (58%) are alive. Common reasons for discontinuation were non-response in 24 pts (24%), SCT in 20 pts (20%), and relapse in 18 pts (18%). Pts receiving SCT (n= 20) had excellent outcomes with 100-day post-SCT mortality of 0% (Fig 2b and c). Baseline BCL2 expression in CD34+ blasts showed a trend between higher BCL2 expression and MRD- rate (Fig. 2d). Conclusions: DEC10-VEN is an effective therapy for ND elderly pts, as well as in R/R AML as an effective bridge to SCT. Trial continues to accrue (NCT03404193). Disclosures Maiti: Celgene: Other: research funding. DiNardo:jazz: Honoraria; medimmune: Honoraria; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; daiichi sankyo: Honoraria; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; notable labs: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; syros: Honoraria. Cortes:Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biopath Holdings: Consultancy, Honoraria; BiolineRx: Consultancy; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merus: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Pemmaraju:mustangbio: Consultancy, Research Funding; abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; samus: Research Funding; celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; cellectis: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; plexxikon: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; sagerstrong: Research Funding; affymetrix: Research Funding; incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding. Daver:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy; Servier: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOHLA: Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOHLA: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ravandi:Menarini Ricerche: Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Macrogenix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Selvita: Research Funding; Xencor: Consultancy, Research Funding. Garcia-Manero:AbbVie: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Amphivena: Consultancy, Research Funding; Helsinn: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Borthakur:BMS: Research Funding; Argenx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eisai: Research Funding; Tetralogic Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Strategia Therapeutics: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; BioLine Rx: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Arvinas: Research Funding; Oncoceutics: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Xbiotech USA: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Bayer Healthcare AG: Research Funding; BioTheryX: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eli Lilly and Co.: Research Funding; Cantargia AB: Research Funding; NKarta: Consultancy; Agensys: Research Funding; Polaris: Research Funding; Oncoceutics, Inc.: Research Funding; FTC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Short:Takeda Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria. Alvarado:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Abbott: Honoraria. Kadia:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Bioline RX: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Takahashi:Symbio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Jain:Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Precision Biosciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Sasaki:Otsuka: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy. Andreeff:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patents licensed, royalty bearing, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; AstaZeneca: Consultancy; 6 Dimensions Capital: Consultancy; Reata: Equity Ownership; Aptose: Equity Ownership; Eutropics: Equity Ownership; Senti Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncoceutics: Equity Ownership; Oncolyze: Equity Ownership; Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding; CPRIT: Research Funding; NIH/NCI: Research Funding; Center for Drug Research & Development: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cancer UK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-CTEP: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; German Research Council: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-RDCRN (Rare Disease Cliln Network): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLL Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BiolineRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bose:Blueprint Medicine Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kartos: Consultancy, Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma: Research Funding. Jabbour:Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. Thompson:AbbVie: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria. Zhang:The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center: Employment. Kantarjian:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cyclacel: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Jazz Pharma: Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Ariad: Research Funding. Konopleva:Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ablynx: Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Reata Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties; F. Hoffman La-Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding.

Description: ABT-199 (venetoclax), a selective small-molecule antagonist of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, enables the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins and the induction of cancer cell death. Our previous studies found that AML is a BCL-2 dependent disease and responds robustly to venetoclax by induction of apoptotic cell death (Pan et al., Cancer Discovery 2014). Despite initial responses to single agent venetoclax in a Phase II trial of relapsed AML, patients ultimately developed resistance and progressed (Konopleva et al., Cancer Discovery 2016). In this study we investigated mechanisms of acquired resistance to venetoclax in preclinical AML models. First, we generated 5 AML cell lines resistant to ³1µM venetoclax. No BAX (exon5 and 6) or BCL2 (exon2) mutations were found in resistant cells. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated increased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1, BCL-2 A1, and BCL-XL, and a decrease of pro-apoptotic PUMA protein in selected resistant cell lines. To probe the functional interactions between the pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, we next performed co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) studies. The anti-BIM and anti-MCL-1 co-IPs revealed reduced levels of BIM:BCL-2 complexes and increased BIM:MCL-1 complexes in resistant cells compared to their parental counterparts (Fig 1B). The BH3 profiling technique examines mitochondrial sensitivity to different BH3 mimetic peptides, and has proven to be a useful tool to determine cell dependence on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins. BH3 profiling demonstrated that resistant cells had increased responses to NOXA, MS1 and HRK peptides, indicating increased dependence on MCL-1 and/or BCL-XL (Fig 1C). To characterize the functional role of MCL-1 in resistance to venetoclax, we co-treated parental and resistant cells with selective BCL-XL or MCL-1 inhibitors A-1155463 (Leverson et al. Science Transl Med 2015) and A-1210477 (Leverson et al., Cell Death Dis 2015). The combination of venetoclax with either A-1155463 or A-1210477 showed synergistic growth inhibition in all 5 parental cell lines. Notably, 4 of the 5 resistant cell lines (OCI-AML2, Kasumi, MV4-11, MOLM13) became more sensitive to an MCL-1 inhibitor but not to a BCL-XL inhibitor (Fig 1E). However, no further sensitization was seen in combination with venetoclax in resistant cells. To characterize additional mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax in AML cells, we conducted RNA sequencing of single cell clones (2 clones/cell line) isolated from paired isogenic cells (OCI-AML2, MV4-11, MOLM13). Analysis of RNA expression patterns by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed elevated expression of genes in the RAS/MAPK pathway (Fig 1F), consistent with increased p-ERK and p-p90-RSK protein levels (Fig 1G). Inhibition of MAPK with MEK inhibitor GDC-0973 reduced MCL-1 expression in parental but not in resistant cells, indicating that MAPK activation partially contributed to high MCL-1 levels (Fig 1G). GSEA of RNAseq data further uncovered altered expression of genes involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) in 3 resistant cell lines with high MCL-1 expression (OCI-AML2, MV4-11 and MOLM-13). Notably, BCL-2 was reported to sustain AML stem cell survival through maintenance of the mitochondrial activity of OxPhos (Lagadinou etal., Cell Stem Cell, 2013). Analysis of mitochondrial respiration using a Seahorse Bioanalyzer demonstrated similar levels of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in parental and resistant cells. Inhibition of BCL-2 with 100nM venetoclax for only 2 hrs. fully blocked baseline and maximal respiratory activity in parental but not in resistant cells. In turn, inhibition of MCL-1 with A-1210477 inhibited respiration in both parental and resistant cells, indicating a role for MCL-1 in sustaining mitochondrial activity in venetoclax-resistant AML cells, which can maintain unperturbed mitochondrial function. In summary, we identified a novel mechanism of resistance to targeted BCL-2 inhibition through upregulation of MAPK leading to increased levels of anti-apoptotic MCL-1 that binds and neutralizes BIM and maintains the mitochondrial OxPhos pathway in AML cells. Concomitant inhibition of BCL-2 and MCL-1, or of BCL-2 and OxPhos could induce synergistic cell death in AML and conceivably prevent the emergence of venetoclax resistance. Disclosures Tyner: Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Janssen Research & Development: Research Funding; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Array Biopharma: Research Funding; Inctye: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Aptose Biosciences: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Leap Oncology: Consultancy. Leverson:AbbVie: Employment, Other: Shareholder in AbbVie. Letai:Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tetralogic: Consultancy, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding. Konopleva:Calithera: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding.