Targeting NF-kappaB in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

The nuclear factor-B (NF-B) path-way has been implicated in tumor B-cell survival, growth, and resistance to therapy. Because tumor cells overcome single-agent antitumor activity, we hypothesized that combination of agents that target differentially NF-B pathway will induce significant cytotoxicity. Therapeutic agents that target proteasome and Akt pathways should induce significant activity in B-cell malignancies as both pathways impact NF-B activity. We demonstrated that perifosine and bortezomib both targeted NF-B through its recruitment to the promoter of its target gene IB using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. This combination led to synergistic cytotoxicity in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) cells that was mediated through a combined reduction of the PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways, found to be critical for survival of WM cells. Moreover, a combination of these drugs with the CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab further increased their cytotoxic activity. Thus, effective WM therapy may require combination regimens targeting the NF-B pathway.      

Dual targeting of the proteasome regulates survival and homing in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is an incurable low-grade B-cell lymphoma characterized by high protein turnover. We dissected the biologic role of the proteasome in WM using 2 proteasome inhibitors, NPI-0052 and bortezomib. We found that NPI-0052 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in WM cells, and that the combination of NPI-0052 and bortezomib induced synergistic cytotoxicity in WM cells, leading to inhibition of nuclear translocation of p65NF-B and synergistic induction of caspases-3, -8, and -9 and PARP cleavage. These 2 agents inhibited the canonical and noncanonical NF-B pathways and acted synergistically through their differential effect on Akt activity and on chymotrypsin-like, caspaselike, and trypsinlike activities of the proteasome. We demonstrated that NPI-0052–induced cytotoxicity was completely abrogated in an Akt knockdown cell line, indicating that its major activity is mediated through the Akt pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated that NPI-0052 and bortezomib inhibited migration and adhesion in vitro and homing of WM cells in vivo, and overcame resistance induced by mesenchymal cells or by the addition of interleukin-6 in a coculture in vitro system. Theses studies enhance our understanding of the biologic role of the proteasome pathway in WM, and provide the preclinical basis for clinical trials of combinations of proteasome inhibitors in WM.     

Antiidiotypic IgG crossreactive with Rh alloantibodies in red cell autoimmunity

IgG autoantibodies eluted from RBCs of antiglobulin positive normal blood donors contained at least two antibody populations, an IgG autoantibody (Ab 1), and an IgG population (Ab 2) that agglutinated RBCs coated with some Rh(D) alloantibodies. Eight of 24 autoantibody eluates tested agglutinated 3 of 10 anti-Rh(D) sensitized RBCs. The agglutinating activity was inhibited specifically by preincubation of the autoantibody eluate with the reactive anti-D. The reaction did not require the Fc domain of the anti-Rh(D), since autoantibody eluates agglutinated RBCs coated with F(ab')2 prepared from the reactive anti-D sera. These findings indicate that the RBCs of some antiglobulin- positive blood donors contain an immunoglobulin auto-antiidiotype (Ab 2) against the RBC autoantibody (Ab 1) which is demonstrable through its cross-reactivity with selected Rh(D) alloantibodies. Identification of auto-antiidiotypes in RBC autoimmunity lends support to the idiotype- antiidiotype network hypothesis of immune regulation and is consistent with the bizarre and complex serology of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The absence of clinical hemolysis in antiglobulin-positive normal blood donors suggests that immunoglobulin idiotype-antiidiotype interactions may play a role in modulating the effects of RBC autoimmunity.     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a target for therapy in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is an incurable low-grade lymphoma characterized by bone marrow (BM) involvement of IgM secreting lymphoplasmacytic cells. The induction of unfolded protein response (UPR) genes ("physiologic" UPR) enables cells to differentiate into professional secretory cells capable of production of high amounts of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-processed proteins, such as immunoglobulins. Ultimately, the initially cytoprotective UPR triggers an apoptotic cascade if ER stress is not corrected, called proapoptotic/terminal UPR. We show that WM cells inherently express the physiologic UPR machinery compared with normal BM cells, and that increased ER stress leads to proapoptotic/terminal UPR in WM cells. We therefore examined tunicamycin, ER stress inducer, for potential antitumor effects in WM. Tunicamycin induced significant cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, and inhibited DNA synthesis in WM cell lines and primary BM CD19(+) cells from patients with WM with an inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 0.5 microg/mL to 1 microg/mL, but not in healthy donor cells. Importantly, coculture of WM cells in the context of the BM microenvironment did not inhibit tunicamycin-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, we demonstrate that ER stress inducer synergizes with other agents used in the treatment of WM. These preclinical studies provide a framework for further evaluation of ER stress inducing agents as therapeutic agents in WM.     

CD20-directed serotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma: biologic considerations and therapeutic applications

Clonotypic B cells circulating in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) express CD20, and it has been suggested that these cells may be clonogenic. Furthermore, 20% of patients with MM express CD20 on their bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs). Therefore, the authors began a phase II clinical study to determine the activity of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in MM patients. Nineteen previously treated MM patients received 375 mg/m2 rituximab per week for 4 weeks. Three months after initiation of treatment, patients were assessed for response and received a second course of therapy if their disease was stable (SD) or they achieved a partial response (PR). Six of 19 (32%) patients had either a PR (n = 1) or SD (n = 5), with a median time to treatment failure of 5.5 months (mean, 10.3 months; range, 3-27+ months). All six patients who had a PR or SD had CD20+ BMPC. Overall, rituximab therapy was well tolerated. Because most patients with MM poorly express CD20 on their BMPCs, the authors evaluated agents for their ability to induce CD20 expression and thereby facilitate rituximab binding on MM cells. These studies show that interferon-gamma (IFN-y) induced CD20 expression on MM BMPCs, MM B cells, and healthy donor BMPCs. In contrast, CD20 expression on chronic lymphocytic leukemia, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, healthy donor B cells, and progenitor cells was unaffected by IFN-y. Rituximab binding to the BMPCs of MM patients was also increased after culture with pharmacologically attainable levels of IFN-gamma (1-100 U/mL). In conclusion, these studies suggest that MM patients with CD20+ BMPCs may benefit from rituximab therapy. Furthermore, IFN-gamma induces CD20 expression on MM BMPCs and B cells and facilitates rituximab binding to MM BMPCs, providing the rationale for clinical trials to examine its use with CD20-directed serotherapies in MM.     

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and other malignancies in patients with hemophilia

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the most common human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated malignancy in hemophiliacs. We studied the incidence and clinicopathologic features of NHL in 3,041 hemophiliacs followed at 18 US Hemophilia Centers between 1978 and 1989. Of the 1,295 (56.6%) who were HIV(+), 253 (19.5%) developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), of whom 14 (5.5%) developed NHL. Three NHL occurred in HIV(-) hemophiliacs, for a 36.5-fold greater risk in HIV(+) than HIV(-) hemophiliacs (P < .001). The NHL incidence rate was 29-fold greater than in the US population by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) estimates (P < .001). Between 0 and 4 lymphomas have been observed per year between 1978 and 1989. At presentation 13 (92.9%) of the HIV(+) NHL were extranodal. Ten were stage IV, 1 stage II, and 3 stage IE. Ten (71.4%) were high-grade, 3 (21.4%) intermediate-grade, and 1 (7.1%) was a low-grade B-cell lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was detected in 36% by in situ hybridization, including one central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. The mean CD4 cell count at NHL diagnosis was 64/mm3, the mean latency from initial HIV infection was estimated to be 59 months, and the median survival was 7 months. The incidence of basal cell carcinoma in HIV(+) hemophiliacs was 18.3-fold greater than in HIV(-) hemophiliacs (P < .001) and 11.4-fold greater than in the US population (P < .001). In conclusion, incidence rates of NHL and basal cell carcinoma in HIV(+) hemophiliacs are significantly increased over rates in HIV(-) hemophiliacs and over rates in the US population. Clinicopathologic presentation of NHL in HIV(+) hemophiliacs is similar to that in HIV(+) homosexual men.     

Rapid and simultaneous typing of hemoglobin S, hemoglobin C, and seven Mediterranean beta-thalassemia mutations by covalent reverse dot-blot analysis: application to prenatal diagnosis in Sicily

The molecular lesions causing beta-thalassemia in Sicily can be subdivided into two groups. One that occurs at a 71% frequency and consists of the beta 39, IVS 1,110 and IVS 1,6 mutations and the other group at a 20% frequency comprising the -87, beta s, IVS 1,1 and IVS 2,745 mutations. The identification of all these mutations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional dot-blot hybridization has been time consuming and expensive. In this article, we describe the implementation of the reverse dot-blot (RDB) hybridization as a rapid nonradioactive method for the identification of the nine most frequent molecular lesions in the beta-globin gene (-87, beta s, beta c, IVS 1,1, IVS 1,6, IVS 1,110, beta 39, IVS 2,1, IVS 2,745) in Sicily. Sixty prenatal diagnoses were performed by this RDB assay, each of which was confirmed by dot-blot/ASO hybridization; thus demonstrating the accuracy of the RDB. The main advantage of this assay is the rapid typing of an individual's DNA for many mutations in a single working day. Because the mutations in this assay are representative for the Mediterranean region, this mutational panel can also be extended to the screening of beta-thalassemia from other Mediterranean regions.     

Elevation of serum cystathionine levels in patients with cobalamin and folate deficiency

Homocysteine can be methylated to form methionine by the cobalamin- (Cbl) and folate-dependent enzyme, methionine synthase; serum levels of total homocysteine are elevated in greater than 95% of patients with either Cbl or folate deficiency. Homocysteine can also condense with serine to form cystathionine in a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent reaction catalyzed by cystathionine beta-synthase. Cystathionine is subsequently cleaved to cysteine and alpha-ketobutyrate by the pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme gamma-cystathionase. To assess levels of cystathionine in Cbl and folate deficiency, we developed a new capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay and measured cystathionine in the serum of normal subjects and patients with clinically confirmed deficiencies of these vitamins. The normal range for serum cystathionine was 65 to 301 nmol/L (median = 126 nmol/L) for 50 normal blood donors. In 30 patients with clinically confirmed Cbl deficiency, values for cystathionine ranged from 208 nmol/L to 2,920 nmol/L (median = 816 nmol/L) and 26 (87%) had levels above the normal range. In 20 patients with clinically confirmed folate deficiency, cystathionine concentrations ranged from 138 nmol/L to 4,150 nmol/L (median = 1,560 nmol/L) and 19 (95%) had values above the normal range. Five homozygotes for cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency had high values for serum-total homocysteine and low or low-normal values for serum cystathionine that ranged from 30 nmol/L to 114 nmol/L even though they were on treatment with pyridoxine and had partially responded. One patient with a defect in the synthesis of 5-CH3- tetrahydrofolate and five patients with defects in the synthesis of CH3- Cbl had high values for serum-total homocysteine and high values for cystathionine that ranged from 311 nmol/L to 1,500 nmol/L even though they were on treatment with folic acid and Cbl, respectively, and had partially responded. We conclude that levels of cystathionine are evaluated in the serum of most patients with Cbl and folate deficiency and that they are useful in the differential diagnosis of an elevated serum-total homocysteine level.     

Ibrutinib discontinuation in Waldenström macroglobulinemia: Etiologies,outcomes, and IgM rebound

Ibrutinib is the first approved therapy for symptomatic patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). The reasons for discontinuing ibrutinib and subsequent outcomes have not been previously evaluated in WM patients. We therefore conducted a retrospective review of 189 WM patients seen at our institution who received treatment with ibrutinib, of whom 51 (27%) have discontinued therapy. Reasons for discontinuation include: disease progression (n = 27; 14%), toxicity (n = 15; 8%), nonresponse (n = 5; 3%), and other unrelated reasons (n = 4; 2%). The cumulative incidence of ibrutinib discontinuation at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months from treatment initiation was 22%, 26%, 35%, and 43%, respectively. A baseline platelet count ≤100 K/µL and presence of tumor CXCR4 mutations were independently associated with 4‐fold increased odds of ibrutinib discontinuation. An IgM rebound (≥25% increase in serum IgM) was observed in 37 patients (73%) following ibrutinib discontinuation and occurred within 4 weeks for nearly half of patients. The response rate to salvage therapy was 71%; responses were higher in patients without an IgM rebound and when salvage therapy was initiated within 2 weeks of stopping ibrutinib. Patients who discontinued ibrutinib due to disease progression versus nonprogression events had significantly shorter overall survival (21 versus 32 months; P = .046). Response to salvage therapy was associated with an 82% reduction in the risk of death following ibrutinib discontinuation. WM patients who discontinue ibrutinib require close monitoring, and continuation of ibrutinib until the next therapy should be considered to maintain disease control.     

The biochemical and clinical consequences of 2'-deoxycoformycin in refractory lymphoproliferative malignancy

A deficiency of adenosine deaminase, an enzyme important in purine nucleoside catabolism, is associated with a severe combined immunodeficiency disease in children. Inhibition of this enzyme in vitro and in vivo results in an impairment in lymphoblast proliferation. We have investigated the pharmacologic inhibition of this enzyme by 2'-deoxycoformycin in 15 patients with hematologic malignancies. Biochemical consequences of the administration of this agent were closely monitored in erythrocytes, nucleated peripheral blood and bone marrow cells, serum, and urine. A marked rise in erythrocyte dATP was accompanied by a depletion of ATP in those patients exhibiting toxicity. Most patients excreted large amounts of deoxyadenosine but not adenosine in the urine. Serum deoxyadenosine rose in patients demonstrating a marked decrease in cell mass. The biochemical disturbances and clinical toxicity, including hepatic, renal, and conjunctival abnormalities, were usually reversible. Central nervous system toxicity, which potentially was the most serious consequence, was associated with high erythrocyte dATP/ATP ratios and high levels of cerebrospinal fluid deoxyadenosine. In patients with lymphoma and leukemia, objective responses were observed but were short- lived. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia receiving weekly low doses of the drug demonstrated minimal toxicity and some efficacy. The chemotherapeutic potential o 2'-deoxycoformycin, as either a single agent or in combination with Ara-A, merits further exploration.