[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: NK cell is an innate immune system lymphocyte lineage with natural cytotoxicity. Its optimal use in the clinic requires in vitro expansion and activation. Cytokines and encounter with target cells activate NK cells and induce proliferation, and this could depend on the presence of other immune cells. Here we activated PBMCs during 5 days with IL-2, with IL-2 plus the tumor cell line K562 and with the lymphoblastoid cell line R69 and perform integrated analyses of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles of purified NK cells. The samples cluster depending on the stimuli and not on the donor, indicating that the pattern of NK cell stimulation is acutely well conserved between individuals. mRNA expression is tighter regulated than miRNA expression. All stimuli induce a common preserved genetic remodeling. In addition, encounter with target cells mainly activates pathways related to metabolism. Different target cells induce different NK cell remodeling which affects cytokine response and cytotoxicity, supporting the notion that encounter with different target cells significantly changes the activation pattern. We validate our analysis by showing that activation down regulates miR-23a, which is a negative regulator of cathepsin C (CTSC) mRNA, a gene up regulated by all stimuli. The peptidase CTSC activates the granzymes, the main effector proteases involved in NK cell cytotoxicity. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), which induces miR-23a expression, decreases CTSC expression and granzyme B activity leading to impaired NK cell cytotoxicity in an in vivo mouse model.
The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology 01/2014; · 4.89 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Epstein-Barr virus reactivation (EBV-R) frequently occurs in patients having allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We evaluated the impact of controlled EBV-R on survival of 190 patients (114M/76F, median age: 51y, range 18-69), having HSCT for hematological malignancies (105 acute leukemias and myelodysplasias, 71 lymphoproliferative disorders, 14 others). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between patients with and without EBV-R. 138 patients had reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Various stem cell sources (141 PB, 33 umbilical cord blood and 16 bone marrow) were used. Patients with EBV-R had longer PFS and OS than those without EBV-R: PFS at 2 years 69% vs 51% and at 5 years 47% vs 38% (P < .04); OS at 2 years 76% vs 64% and at 5 years 63% vs 47%) (P <.001). The use of rituximab had no impact on OS and PFS, but it reduced the intensity of GVHD, despite the fact that TRM was not significantly different between the two groups of patients. So, rituximab may have an additional effect to other factors on PFS and OS. In multivariate analysis, anti-thymocyte globulin administration was not a significant factor for PFS (P=0.68) and for OS (P=0.81). Circulating NK cells were significantly increased by 22% (P=.03) in EBV-R patients with no differences for other parameters. Controlled EBV-R in the setting of HSCT is associated with better OS and PFS, with a significant increase in circulating NK cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
European Journal Of Haematology 01/2014; · 2.55 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Although functionally competent cytotoxic T cells are frequently observed in malignant diseases, they possess little ability to react against tumor cells. This phenomenon is particularly apparent in multiple myeloma. We here demonstrate that cytotoxic T cells reacted against myeloma antigens when presented by autologous dendritic cells, but not by myeloma cells. We further show by gene-expression profiling and flow cytometry that, similar to many other malignant tumors, freshly isolated myeloma cells expressed several carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) at varying proportions. Binding and crosslinking of CEACAM-6 by cytotoxic T cells inhibited their activation and resulted in T cell unresponsiveness. Blocking of CEACAM-6 on the surface of myeloma cells by specific monoclonal antibodies or CEACAM-6 gene knock down by siRNA restored T cell reactivity against malignant plasma cells. These findings suggest that CEACAM-6 plays an important role in the regulation of CD8+ T cell responses against multiple myeloma. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of CEACAM-6 may be a promising strategy to improve myeloma immunotherapy.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignant plasma cell disorder. We have evaluated the counts of Multiple Myeloma Cells (MMCs) and normal plasma cells (N-PCs), seven days after high-dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem transplantation (ASCT). Two third of patients had detectable minimal residual disease (MRD+) (71.7 MMCs/µL) after induction treatment with dexamethasone and proteasome inhibitor. MMC counts were reduced by 92% (P ≤ .05) but not eradicated 7 days after HDM+ASCT. Post-HDM+ASCT MMCs were viable and bathed in a burst of MMC growth factors, linked with post-HDM aplasia. In one third of patients (MRD- patients), MMCs were not detectable after induction treatment and remained undetectable after HDM+ASCT. Major difference between MRD- and MRD+ patients is that N-PC counts were increased 3 fold (P〈.05) by HDM+ASCT in MRD- patients, but were unaffected in MRD+ patients. Possible explanation could be that clearance of MMCs in MRD- patients makes more niches available for N-PCs. Thus, MMCs are not fully eradicated shortly after HDM, are bathed in high concentrations of MMC growth factors in an almost desert BM, are viable in short-term culture, which suggests providing additional therapies shortly after HDM to kill resistant MMCs before full repair of lesions.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Cancer cells have elevated aerobic glycolysis that is termed the Warburg effect. But several tumor cells, including leukemic cells, also increase glutamine metabolism, which is initiated by glutaminase (GLS). The microRNA (miRNA) miR-23 targets GLS mRNA and inhibits expression of GLS protein. Here we show that in human leukemic Jurkat cells the NF-κB p65 subunit binds to miR-23a promoter and inhibits miR-23a expression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors release p65-induced inhibition. Jurkat cells growing in glutamine decrease proliferation due to cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase. Nevertheless, cells get used to this new source of energy by increasing GLS expression, which correlates with an increase in p65 expression and its translocation to the nucleus, leading to a higher basal NF-κB activity. Jurkat cells overexpressing p65 show increase basal GLS expression and proliferate faster than control cells in glutamine medium. Overexpressing miR-23a in leukemic cells impaired glutamine use and induces mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cell death. Therefore, p65 activation decreases miR-23a expression, which facilitates glutamine consumption allowing leukemic cells to use this alternative source of carbon and favoring their adaptation to the metabolic environment.
The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology 05/2012; 44(9):1448-56. · 4.89 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Romiplostim, a thrombopoietic agent with demonstrated efficacy against immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in prospective controlled studies, was recently licensed for adults with chronic ITP. Only France has allowed romiplostim compassionate use since January 2008. ITP patients could receive romiplostim when they failed to respond to successive corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, rituximab, and splenectomy, or when splenectomy was not indicated. We included the first 80 patients enrolled in this program with at least 2 years of follow-up. Primary platelet response (platelet count ≥ 50 × 10(9)/L and double baseline) was observed in 74% of all patients. Long-term responses (2 years) were observed in 47 (65%) patients, 37 (79%) had sustained platelet responses with a median platelet count of 106 × 10(9)/L (interquartile range, 75-167 × 10(9)/L), and 10 (21%) were still taking romiplostim, despite a median platelet count of 38 × 10(9)/L (interquartile range, 35-44 × 10(9)/L), but with clinical benefit (lower dose and/or fewer concomitant treatment(s) and/or diminished bleeding signs). A high bleeding score and use of concomitant ITP therapy were baseline factors predicting romiplostim failure. The most frequently reported adverse events were: arthralgias (26%), fatigue (13%), and nausea (7%). Our results confirmed that romiplostim use in clinical practice is effective and safe for severe chronic ITP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01013181.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Background / Purpose:
In patients with relapsing multiple myeloma (MM), treatments with lenalinomid and dexamethasone provides a median overall survival of 36 months. As all patients will relapse, allotransplantation with adult donor stem cells may provide long-term disease control. Only a few cases of umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) have been reported in relapsing MM so far. We report here for the first time, the outcome of 17 consecutive patients with relapsing MM who underwent UCBT at a single institute between 2005 and 2009.Median age was 58 years [41–66]. All patients had relapsed before transplantation with a median of 2 relapses (range 1-4). They had all received bortezomib +/- thalidomide (7/17) +/- lenalidomid (5/17) as salvage therapy before transplant. Five patients were in complete remission (CR) before transplant, 4 in very good partial response (VGPR), 7 in partial response (PR) and 1 was in progression. 16 patients received two cord-bloods units and one patient received only one. All patients received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, low dose total body irradiation +/- melphalan).
Neutrophil count ≥ 0.5 × 109/L for 5 consecutive days was achieved in 16/17 patients within a median of 10 days [6–35] and platelet count ≥ 50 × 109/L for five consecutive days in 12/17 patients within a median of 46 days [27–216]. T-cell chimerism (TCC) below 1% from the recipient was obtained in 16/17 patients. Among the 5 patients in CR before UCBT, 4 are still in CR and healthy (Performans status 0 or 1, only limited chronic GVH disease in 3/4 patients) at follow-up (month +17, +18, +31, +54). For 2 of these patients, the CR was confirmed by flow cytometry (≤1 tumor plasma cell per 5-10000 normal plasma cells in the bone marrow). The remaining patient in CR before transplantation relapsed at 41 months. Among the 12 patients that were not in CR at UCBT, 5 achieved the CR criteria at a median of 4 months after UCBT. The CR rate post-UCBT was 58%. This data is strongly in favour of a cord blood versus myeloma effect.Unfortunately, among the 5 patients whose response was upgraded to CR by UCBT, 1 underwent TRM and 4 relapsed at a median of 1 year post UCBT. In terms of risk of relapse for the 10 patients in CR post transplant, there is a statistically significant difference (Fisher Exact Test, p=0,048) in favor of patients already being in CR before transplant (relapse rate : 1/5) compared to patients who obtained CR after transplant (relapse rate : 4/4 taking into account that the 5th patient was not at risk because of early TRM).Overall, 53% of patients relapsed or had progressive disease. Post UCBT lenalidomid (alone or associated with dexamethasone) was unable to control disease evolution. 24% of patients died from relapse or progression. 29% of patients underwent TRM (within the first 6 months for the majority). TRM was mainly due to infections (2 bacterial septic shocks and 3 invasive fungal infections). With a median follow-up of 20 months, 47% of patients are alive. The one year overall survival was 58% and one year event free survival 41%. Median overall survival estimated by Kaplan-Meier method was 30 mo. [14–46] (95% CI) after D0 of UCBT. At follow-up, the performans status of survivors was PS=0 (4/8), PS=1 (2/8) and PS=2 (2/8).This study suggests that RIC regimen followed by UCBT is feasible in patients with relapsed MM with a TRM of 29% and a high CR rate (58%) suggestive of a cord blood versus myeloma effect. The best benefit from transplant was obtained for patients in CR before UCBT who undergo less relapses and obtain long term remissions together with limited GVH disease and a good performans status.
52nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2010; 01/2011
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are major therapeutic agents for patients with follicular lymphoma and work through complement-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Optimization of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, in particular by amplifying its effectors, could further increase the efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.
We investigated the cytotoxic activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against follicular lymphoma cells and whether this killing could be increased by promoting antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, in particular a type-II glycoengineered anti-CD20. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells were expanded in vitro in the presence of bromohydrin pyrophosphate (Phosphostim) and interleukin-2 and their ability to kill follicular lymphoma primary cells or cell lines was evaluated by flow cytometry cytotoxic T-lymphocyte assays in the presence or absence of three anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies: the afucosylated GA101, the chimeric rituximab or the humanized ofatumumab. The ability of these cells to release perforin/granzyme and secrete interferon-γ when co-cultured with follicular lymphoma primary cells or cell lines in the presence or not of the three anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies was also evaluated by CD107a staining and Elispot assays.
Phosphostim and interleukin-2 expanded Vγ9Vδ2 T cells were cytotoxic to primary follicular lymphoma cells and their cytotoxic potential was dramatically increased by GA101, a type II glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and to a lesser extent, by rituximab and ofatumumab. The increased cytotoxicity was associated with increased secretion of perforin/granzyme and interferon-γ.
In-vitro expanded Vγ9Vδ2 T cells efficiently kill primary follicular lymphoma cells and express CD16; anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, in particular GA101, dramatically increase the cytotoxic activity of expanded Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. These preclinical results prompt the development of clinical trials using this antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity property of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are currently used for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment and Rituximab (MabThera) and ibritumomab-tiuxetan (Zevalin) currently approved for clinical use. Rituximab has improved survival of patients with follicular and diffuse large B cells lymphoma. Rituximab is safe with uncommon side effects mainly observed during the first infusion. It is basically used associated with chemotherapy every three weeks and also as maintenance therapy for relapsed follicular lymphoma. A better understand of its mechanisms of action has allowed to develop new generation of monoclonal antibody currently tested in clinical trials.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, was introduced into clinical practice in 1997, and has proven to be highly effective in the treatment of B-lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases. Despite such success, in vivo mechanisms of action of anti-CD20 have only recently began to be unraveled, pointing to the crucial role of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity response mediated through Fcg receptor signalling. Better understanding of pharmacokinetics and factors influencing individual exposure mediated through anti-CD20 will allow to engineer these molecules to increase their effector responses. Meanwhile, other formats have also been investigated, such as radiolabeled anti-CD20, or coupling of antibodies to cytotoxic drugs such as anti-CD33 used in myeloid leukemia. However these antibodies are used in combination with standard chemotherapy and cannot substitute for cytotoxic drugs. This review summarizes the knowledge acquired through our clinical use of anti-CD20 and authorized monoclonal antibodies in oncohematology and proposes some news areas that will lead to the development of new and more effective therapeutic strategies.
Medecine sciences: M/S 12/2009; 25(12):1085-9. · 0.56 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: High-dose melphalan (HDM) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. However, lymphocyte reconstitution is impaired after HDM. Recent work has suggested that the lymphopenia period occurring after various immunosuppressive or chemotherapy treatments may provide an interesting opportunity for adoptive antitumor immunotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine an immunotherapy window after HDM and ASCT, evaluating T cell lymphopenia, and measuring circulating immune cytokine concentrations in patients with multiple myeloma. The counts of T cell subpopulations reached a nadir at day 8 post-ASCT (day 10 post-HDM) and recovered by day 30. IL-6, IL-7, and IL-15 plasma levels increased on a median day 8 post-ASCT, respectively, 35-fold, 8-fold, and 10-fold compared with pre-HDM levels (p < or = 0.05). The increases in IL-7 and IL-15 levels were inversely correlated to the absolute lymphocyte count, unlike monocyte or myeloid counts. Furthermore, we have shown that CD3 T cells present in the ASC graft are activated, die rapidly when they are cultured without cytokine in vitro, and that addition of IL-7 or IL-15 could induce their survival and proliferation. In conclusion, the early lymphodepletion period, occurring 4-11 d post-HDM and ASCT, is associated with an increase of circulating immune cytokines and could be an optimal window to enhance the survival and proliferation of polyclonal T cells present in the ASC autograft and also of specific antimyeloma T cells previously expanded in vitro.
The Journal of Immunology 12/2009; 184(2):1079-84. · 5.52 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: gammadelta T lymphocytes are attractive effector cells for immunotherapy. In vitro, they can be expanded and kill efficiently a variety of tumor cells. The frequency and distribution of gammadelta T lymphocytes were compared in tumor lymph nodes of 51 patients with follicular lymphoma lymph nodes (FL-LNs) and 28 patients with inflammatory lymph nodes (I-LNs). gammadelta and CD8 T lymphocytes were less abundant in FL-LNs than in I-LNs (p <or= 10(-7)). These lymphocytes were localized in the perifollicular zone outside of the tumor follicles. Perifollicular gammadelta T lymphocytes expressed CCR7, in contrast to peripheral blood gammadelta T lymphocytes and both perifollicular and peripheral blood gammadelta T lymphocytes expressed CXCR4. The very low number of perifollicular gammadelta T lymphocytes in FL-LNs could be explained in part by migratory problems because of absence of CCL19 expression in FL-LNs compared with I-LNs. Conversely, CCL21 and CXCL12 were similarly expressed in both FL-LNs and I-LNs. CCL19 and CCL21 were expressed in high endothelial venules and lymphatic vessels, whereas CXCL12 was expressed by stromal cells surrounding high endothelial venules and lymphatic vessels. Peripheral gammadelta T lymphocytes from 34 patients with FL, expanded with Phosphostim and IL-2 in vitro, had the same expansion capacity as those from healthy individuals. Thus, gammadelta T lymphocytes can be an attractive source for adoptive immunotherapy in patients with FL, providing they may home in tumor LNs.
The Journal of Immunology 11/2009; 184(1):134-40. · 5.52 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Abundant bone marrow angiogenesis is present in almost all myeloma patients requiring therapy and correlated to treatment response and survival. We assessed the expression of 402 angiogenesis-associated genes by Affymetrix DNA microarrays in 466 samples, including CD138-purified myeloma cells (MMCs) from 300 previously untreated patients, in vivo microcirculation by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and in vitro angiogenesis (AngioKit-assay). Normal bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) express a median of 39 proangiogenic (eg, VEGFA, ADM, IGF-1) and 28 antiangiogenic genes (eg, TIMP1, TIMP2). Supernatants of BMPCs unlike those of memory B cells induce angiogenesis in vitro. MMCs do not show a significantly higher median number of expressed proangiogenic (45) or antiangiogenic (31) genes, but 97% of MMC samples aberrantly express at least one of the angiogenic factors HGF, IL-15, ANG, APRIL, CTGF, or TGFA. Supernatants of MMCs and human myeloma cell lines induce significantly higher in vitro angiogenesis compared with BMPCs. In conclusion, BMPCs express a surplus of proangiogenic over antiangiogenic genes transmitting to the ability to induce in vitro angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of proangiogenic and down-regulation of antiangiogenic genes by MMCs further increases the angiogenic stimulus, together leading to bone marrow angiogenesis at various degrees in all myeloma patients.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Syndecan-1 is a proteoglycan that concentrates heparin-binding factors on the surface of multiple myeloma cells, and probably plays a major role in multiple myeloma biology. As heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate are the bioactive components of syndecan-1, we analysed the signature of genes encoding 100 proteins involved in synthesis of these chains, i.e. from precursor uptake to post-translational modifications, using Affymetrix microarrays. The expression of enzymes required for heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate biosynthesis was shown to increase in parallel with syndecan-1 expression, throughout the differentiation of memory B cells into plasmablasts and normal bone marrow plasma cells. Sixteen genes were significantly different between normal and malignant plasma cells, nine of these genes -EXT2, CHSY3, CSGALNACT1, HS3ST2, HS2ST1, CHST11, CSGALNACT2, HPSE, SULF2 - encode proteins involved in glycosaminoglycan chain synthesis or modifications. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed in two independent series of patients: B4GALT7, CSGALNACT1, HS2ST1 were associated with a good prognosis whereas EXT1 was linked to a bad prognosis. This study provides an overall picture of the major genes encoding for proteins involved in heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate synthesis and modifications that can be implicated in normal and malignant plasma cells.
British Journal of Haematology 03/2009; 145(3):350-68. · 4.94 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: The survival of malignant plasma cells is a key event in disease occurrence, progression and chemoresistance. Using DNA-microarrays, we analysed the expression of genes coding for 58 proteins linked with extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, caspases and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins. We considered six memory B cells (MBC), seven plasmablasts (PPC), seven bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) and purified myeloma cells (MMC) from 92 newly-diagnosed patients. Forty out of the 58 probe sets enabled the separation of MBC, PPC and BMPC in three homogeneous clusters, characterized by an elevated expression of TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF10B, BCL2A1, CASP8, CASP9 and PMAIP1 genes for MBC, of FAS, FADD, AIFM1, BIRC5, CASP CASP2, CASP3 and CASP6 for PPC and of BCL2, MCL1, BID, BIRC3 and XIAP for BMPC. Thus, B cell differentiation was associated with change of expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. Regarding MMC, the major finding was TRAIL upregulation that might be counteracted by a high osteoprotegerin production by BM stromal cells and a decreased expression of FAS, APAF1 and BNIP3 compared to normal BMPC. Out of the 40 genes, CASP2 and BIRC5 expression in MMC had adverse prognosis in two independent series of previously-untreated patients.
British Journal of Haematology 02/2009; 145(1):45-58. · 4.94 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Genetic instability and cellular proliferation have been associated with aurora kinase expression in several cancer entities, including multiple myeloma. Therefore, the expression of aurora-A, -B, and -C was determined by Affymetrix DNA microarrays in 784 samples including 2 independent sets of 233 and 345 CD138-purified myeloma cells from previously untreated patients. Chromosomal aberrations were assessed by comprehensive interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization and proliferation of primary myeloma cells by propidium iodine staining. We found aurora-A and -B to be expressed at varying frequencies in primary myeloma cells of different patient cohorts, but aurora-C in testis cell samples only. Myeloma cell samples with detectable versus absent aurora-A expression show a significantly higher proliferation rate, but neither a higher absolute number of chromosomal aberrations (aneuploidy), nor of subclonal aberrations (chromosomal instability). The clinical aurora kinase inhibitor VX680 induced apoptosis in 20 of 20 myeloma cell lines and 5 of 5 primary myeloma cell samples. Presence of aurora-A expression delineates significantly inferior event-free and overall survival in 2 independent cohorts of patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, independent from conventional prognostic factors. Using gene expression profiling, aurora kinase inhibitors as a promising therapeutic option in myeloma can be tailoredly given to patients expressing aurora-A, who in turn have an adverse prognosis.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: We hypothesized that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) could potentiate the clinical activity of rituximab given its individual and cooperative effects on Fc gamma RIIa- and Fc gamma RIIIa-expressing cells. A phase II clinical study combining GM-CSF and rituximab was initiated in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL) to determine the clinical and biologic responses, as well as safety of the combination.
Thirty three patients with relapsed FL were treated with GM-CSF 5 microg/kg/d on days 1 to 8 and rituximab 375 mg/m(2) on day 5 of each 21-day cycle for four cycles. Clinical response and tolerability were examined according to international criteria. Biologic monitoring included evaluation of immune cells involved in rituximab activity.
Of 33 evaluated patients, a 70% overall response rate (complete response plus complete response unconfirmed, 45%) and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.5 months were achieved. Outcome was influenced by the quality of response and the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI), where low- and intermediate-risk FLIPI groups were associated with significantly better PFS. After treatment there was a significant increase in granulocyte and monocyte counts. Examination of dendritic cell response showed an overall increase in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, especially in non-complete response patients, after treatment. Addition of GM-CSF did not impair tolerance to rituximab, and adverse events were rare and mild.
GM-CSF plus rituximab results in high response rates, along with a tolerable safety profile in patients with relapsed or progressive FL. The improved efficacy over rituximab monotherapy may be due to increases seen in monocyte, granulocyte, and dendritic cell populations.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 07/2008; 26(16):2725-31. · 18.04 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: The pathophysiologic basis for multiple myeloma (MM) has been attributed to the dysregulation of various paracrine or autocrine growth factor loops and to perturbations in several signal transduction pathways including IkappaB kinase/nuclear factor-kappaB (IKK/NF-kappaB). The present study aimed at investigating the effect of a pharmaceutical IKK2 inhibitor, the anilinopyrimidine derivative AS602868, on the in vitro growth of 14 human MM cell lines (HMCL) and primary cells from 13 patients. AS602868 induced a clear dose-dependent inhibition of MM cell growth on both HMCL and primary MM cells, which was the result of a simultaneous induction of apoptosis and inhibition of the cell cycle progression. Combination of AS602868 with suboptimal doses of melphalan or Velcade showed an additive effect in growth inhibition of HMCL. AS602868 also induced apoptosis of primary myeloma cells. Importantly, AS602868 did not alter the survival of other bone marrow mononuclear cells (CD138(-)) co-cultured with primary MM (CD138(+)) cells, except for CD34(+) haematopoietic stem cells. The results demonstrate the important role of NF-kappaB in maintaining the survival of MM cells and suggest that a pharmacological inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway by the IKK2 inhibitor AS602868 can efficiently kill HMCL and primary myeloma cells and therefore might represent an innovative approach for treating MM patients.
British Journal of Haematology 08/2007; 138(2):160-8. · 4.94 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: The heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan, syndecan-1, plays a major role in multiple myeloma (MM) by concentrating heparin-binding growth factors on the surface of MM cells (MMCs). Using Affymetrix microarrays and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we show that the gene encoding heparanase (HPSE), an enzyme that cleaves HS chains, is expressed by 11 of 19 myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). In HSPE(pos) HMCLs, syndecan-1 gene expression and production of soluble syndecan-1, unlike expression of membrane syndecan-1, were significantly increased. Knockdown of HPSE by siRNA resulted in a decrease of syndecan-1 gene expression and soluble syndecan-1 production without affecting membrane syndecan-1 expression. Thus, HPSE influences expression and shedding of syndecan-1. Contrary to HMCLs, HPSE is expressed in only 4 of 39 primary MMC samples, whereas it is expressed in 36 of 39 bone marrow (BM) microenvironment samples. In the latter, HPSE is expressed at a median level in polymorphonuclear cells and T cells; it is highly expressed in monocytes and osteoclasts. Affymetrix data were validated at the protein level, both on HMCLs and patient samples. We report for the first time that a gene's expression mainly in the BM environment (ie, HSPE) is associated with a shorter event-free survival of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma treated with high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Our study suggests that clinical inhibitors of HPSE could be beneficial for patients with MM.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Cancer-testis (CT) Ags are expressed in testis and malignant tumors but rarely in nongametogenic tissues. Due to this pattern, they represent attractive targets for cancer vaccination approaches. The aims of the present study are: 1) to assess the expression of CT genes on a pangenomic base in multiple myeloma (MM); 2) to assess the prognosis value of CT gene expression; and 3) to provide selection strategies for CT Ags in clinical vaccination trials. We report the expression pattern of CT genes in purified MM cells (MMC) of 64 patients with newly diagnosed MM and12 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, in normal plasma cell and B cell samples, and in 20 MMC lines. Of the 46 CT genes interrogated by the Affymetrix HG-U133 set arrays, 35 are expressed in the MMC of at least one patient. Of these, 25 are located on chromosome X. The expression of six CT genes is associated with a shorter event-free survival. The MMC of 98% of the patients express at least one CT gene, 86% at least two, and 70% at least three CT genes. By using a set of 10 CT genes including KM-HN-1, MAGE-C1, MAGE-A3/6/12, MAGE-A5, MORC, DDX43, SPACA3, SSX-4, GAGE-1-8, and MAGE-C2, a combination of at least three CT genes-desirable for circumventing tumor escape mechanisms-is obtained in the MMC of 67% of the patients. Provided that the immunogenicity of the products of these 10 CT genes is confirmed, gene expression profiling could be useful in identifying which CT Ags could be used to vaccinate a given patient.
The Journal of Immunology 04/2007; 178(5):3307-15. · 5.52 Impact Factor