Expanded NK cells from umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood combined with daratumumab are effective against tumor cells from multiple myeloma patients

In this study we evaluated the potential of expanded NK cells (eNKs) from two sources combined with the mAbs daratumumab and pembrolizumab to target primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells ex vivo. In order to ascertain the best source of NK cells, we expanded and activated NK cells from peripheral blood (PB) of healthy adult donors and from umbilical cord blood (UCB). The resulting expanded NK (eNK) cells express CD16, necessary for carrying out antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Cytotoxicity assays were performed on bone marrow aspirates of 18 MM patients and 4 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Expression levels of PD-1 on eNKs and PD-L1 on MM and MGUS cells were also quantified. Results indicate that most eNKs obtained using our expansion protocol express a low percentage of PD-1+ cells. UCB eNKs were highly cytotoxic against MM cells and addition of daratumumab or pembrolizumab did not further increase their cytotoxicity. PB eNKs, while effective against MM cells, were significantly more cytotoxic when combined with daratumumab. In a minority of cases, eNK cells showed a detectable population of PD1+ cells. This correlated with low cytotoxic activity, particularly in UCB eNKs. Addition of pembrolizumab did not restore their activity. Results indicate that UCB eNKs are to be preferentially used against MM in the absence of daratumumab while PB eNKs have significant cytotoxic advantage when combined with this mAb

SUV39H1/H3K9me3 attenuates sulforaphane-induced apoptotic signaling in PC3 prostate cancer cells

The isothiocyanate sulforaphane is a promising molecule for development as a therapeutic agent for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Sulforaphane induces apoptosis in advanced prostate cancer cells, slows disease progression in vivo and is well tolerated at pharmacological doses. However, the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for cancer suppression remain to be fully elucidated. In this investigation we demonstrate that sulforaphane induces posttranslational modification of histone methyltransferase SUV39H1 in metastatic, androgen receptor-negative PC3 prostate cancer cells. Sulforaphane stimulates ubiquitination and acetylation of SUV39H1 within a C-terminal nuclear localization signal peptide motif and coincides with its dissociation from chromatin and a decrease in global trimethyl-histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3) levels. Exogenous SUV39H1 expression leads to an increase in H3K9me3 and decreases sulforaphane-induced apoptotic signaling. SUV39H1 is thus identified as a novel mediator of sulforaphane cytotoxicity in PC3 cells. Our results also suggest SUV39H1 dynamics as a new therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancers

Results of an Early Access Treatment Protocol of Daratumumab Monotherapy in Spanish Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Daratumumab is a human CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody approved as monotherapy for heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. We report findings for the Spanish cohort of an open-label treatment protocol that provided early access to daratumumab monotherapy and collected safety and patient-reported outcomes data for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. At 15 centers across Spain, intravenous daratumumab (16 mg/kg) was administered to 73 patients who had >= 3 prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug, or who were double refractory to both. The median duration of daratumumab treatment was 3.3 (range: 0.03-13.17) months, with a median number of 12 (range: 1-25) infusions. Grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 74% of patients and included lymphopenia (28.8%), thrombocytopenia (27.4%), neutropenia (21.9%), leukopenia (19.2%), and anemia (15.1%). Common (>5%) serious treatmentemergent adverse events included respiratory tract infection (9.6%), general physical health deterioration (6.8%), and back pain (5.5%). Infusion-related reactions occurred in 45% of patients. The median change from baseline in all domains of the EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30 was mostly 0. A total of 18 (24.7%) patients achieved a partial response or better, with 10 (13.7%) patients achieving a very good partial response or better. Median progression-free survival was 3.98 months. The results of this early access treatment protocol are consistent with previously reported trials of daratumumab monotherapy and confirm its safety and antitumoral efficacy in Spanish patients with heavily treated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

Síndrome de retirada post-ibrutinib en un caso de macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom

Poster [PC-041] Introducción: El tratamiento de la Macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom (MW) en primera línea está basado en inmunoquimioterapia. Sin embargo las recaídas y resistencia al Rituximab son frecuentes, por lo que se necesitan otras terapias. Ibrutinib (IB) ha demostrado en varios estudios eficacia. Su discontinuación temporal puede ser necesaria para manejar toxicidades. Presentamos un caso de suspensión de IB en una MW, debido a un episodio de fibrilación auricular, con un cuadro clínico de inicio abrupto con sintomatología y recaída clínico-analítica, compatible con “Síndrome de retirada” en MW recientemente descrito (Castillo JJ, Haematologica 2018). Paciente: y Métodos: Varón de 70 años que estaba siendo tratado de Polimialgia reumática con corticoides. En Enero de 2012 se diagnostica de MW, con de neuropatía periférica (PN). ENG compatible con PN sensitivo- motora; IgM: 814 mg/dl: 1ª línea (Marzo 2012): Rituximabx4 con discreta mejoría. En Junio de 2013 cuadro de Leishmaniasis. En Enero de 2014 progresión de la PN con IgM de 2940 mg/dl : 2ª línea con Rituximabx4 sin apenas mejoría. En Noviembre 2014, clínica de PN, Hb: 10g/dl, IgM: 3790 mg/dl: 3ª línea con DRCx6 con escasa mejoría. En Enero de 2016 empeoramiento importante de la PN (marcha atáxica, hiporreflexia, impotencia), Hb:10, 2 g/dl, IgM 2900 mg/dl, infiltración MO del 60%, MYD88 +, ENG compatible. En Marzo 2016: 4ª línea con IB 420 mg/día. Mejoría rápida (días) de la clínica con descenso de la IgM en torno a 400 mg/dl que se mantiene y ascenso de la HB a valores normales (VGPR). En Diciembre de 2017 episodio de ACxFA sintomática. Se retira IB y se realiza cardioversión con Aminodarona y Apixaban. A los 3 días ingreso por fiebre, quebrantamiento general y reaparición brusca del cuadro neurológico. Analítica aumento rápido e intenso de la IgM (hasta 6490 mg/dl) y anemización (Hb: 8, 5 g/dl). Se reintroduce el IB con mejoría clínica súbita, descenso de la IgM y recuperación paulatina de la Hb (Fig1). Resultados: En la serie publicada de 114 discontinuados, lo presentaron 22 (20%). Se caracterizaba por un cuadro de fiebre, quebrantamiento general, sudoración y artralgias, que ocurría rápidamente tras la discontinuación. De estos, 7 pacientes presentaron también criterios de progresión de la enfermedad con incremento de la IgM (de 796 mg/dl a 1909 mg/dl) y anemización. Nuestro caso se comportó así, con una subida de la Ig M mucho más evidente y progresión clínico-analítica. En la publicación, como le ocurría a nuestro paciente, ocurría más en los pacientes que habían hecho una óptima respuesta al IB. La etiopatogenia no está aclarada, pero se atribuye a un síndrome de liberación de citoquinas (CXCL13 entre otras), con reversión rápida del efecto del fármaco e incremento brusco de la IgM. Nuestro paciente, al tener una respuesta óptima, tuvo un cuadro analítico de subida de la IgM mucho más grave que la publicada. Conclusiones: Presentamos el que creemos es la primera descripción de un Síndrome de retirada de Ibrutinib en MW de nuestro país. El cuadro desapareció al reintroducir el fármaco, una vez controlado el efecto adverso. Manejar y prevenir las toxicidades en pacientes sometidos a IB, es clave para evitar discontinuaciones, no perder eficacia y minimizar este u otros tipos de reacciones

Linfoma de Hodgkin refractario con afectación ósea y esplénica con rápida y completa respuesta a Nivolumab

Abstract [PB-062] Introducción: En el linfoma de Hodgkin (LH) las alteraciones genéticas del cromosoma 9p24.1 de la célula de Reed-Sternberg, causan una sobreexpresión del ligando 1 de muerte programada (PDL-1), que conducen a una evasión del sistema inmune y resistencia terapéutica. Para pacientes que recaen después de un trasplante autólogo y de tratamiento con Brentuxumab, existen pocas posibilidades. Basándose en la sobreexpresión del PDL-1, los inhibidores de PD1/PDL1 son una opción. Nivolumab (anti PD1) ha demostrado eficacia en LH recaído/refractario (R/R). Presentamos un caso con respuesta clínica completa rápida en un LH refractario a Brentuximab y con gran afectación extranodal (ósea y esplénica). Paciente y Métodos: Varón de 55 años diagnosticado de LH celularidad mixta estadio IIIA en Junio de 2005. 1ª línea: ABVDx6 y radioterapia mediastínica con RC. 2ª línea (Enero 2009) por recidiva cervical: Ifosfamida, Vinorelbina y Prednisona con RC. 3ª línea (Junio 2009) con afectación cervical y retoperitoneal: cisplatino, citarabina y dexametasona más radioterapia cervical con RC. 4ª línea (Enero 2011): MOPPx4 y Rituximab Gemcitabina con RC. Pasa a Hematología y se realiza autotrasplante en Noviembre de 2011 con RC. 5ª línea (Noviembre 2016) por afectación cervical, retroperitoneal, esplénica e iliaco: Brentuximabx4 y por mala respuesta se añade Bendamustinax3 con RC. Tras finalizar se realiza PET/TAC (Junio 2017) siendo negativo. En Agosto de 2017 importante clínica con síntomas constitucionales, pérdida de 10 Kg de peso en un mes. Analítica: Hb: 11, 5 g/dl, leucocitos: 2x109/l, plaquetas: 57x109/l. VSG: 120, PCR: 14 mg/dl, metabolismo hierro de proceso crónico. TAC: no adenopatías, esplenomegalia con lesiones. Biopsia de MO: afectación hodgkiniana. Se solicita Nivolumab. Mientras autorización se instaura Gemcitabina-Oxaliplatinox4 con mejoría clínica. Se realiza PET/TAC previo Nivolumab (Noviembre 2017): extensa afectación ósea esqueleto axial y huesos largos y afectación esplénica. Se inicia Nivolumab (16 Noviembre) a 3 mg/kg/ 14 días. Respuesta clínica óptima. No efectos secundarios, ni clínicos, ni analíticos. Tras 9 ciclos se realiza PET/TAC de control con RC. Por edad, hipertratado y deseo del paciente se descarta trasplante alogénico. Continúa tratamiento con Nivolumab, sin ningún efecto adverso y estando previsto discontinuar al año. Conclusiones: Nivolumab es un fármaco que puede rescatar a pacientes con LH R/R a las terapias disponibles (trasplante y Brentuximab), donde las opciones son escasas. Puede servir como tratamiento puente para un trasplante alogénico y en pacientes no candidatos, como nuestro caso, su administración continua puede deparar en un aumento de la supervivencia libre de progresión y supervivencia global. Se necesita más investigación y seguimiento para valorar la duración de la respuesta y el tiempo o secuencia de administración

SUV39H1/H3K9me3 attenuates sulforaphane-induced apoptotic signaling in PC3 prostate cancer cells

The isothiocyanate sulforaphane is a promising molecule for development as a therapeutic agent for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Sulforaphane induces apoptosis in advanced prostate cancer cells, slows disease progression in vivo and is well tolerated at pharmacological doses. However, the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for cancer suppression remain to be fully elucidated. In this investigation we demonstrate that sulforaphane induces posttranslational modification of histone methyltransferase SUV39H1 in metastatic, androgen receptor-negative PC3 prostate cancer cells. Sulforaphane stimulates ubiquitination and acetylation of SUV39H1 within a C-terminal nuclear localization signal peptide motif and coincides with its dissociation from chromatin and a decrease in global trimethyl-histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3) levels. Exogenous SUV39H1 expression leads to an increase in H3K9me3 and decreases sulforaphane-induced apoptotic signaling. SUV39H1 is thus identified as a novel mediator of sulforaphane cytotoxicity in PC3 cells. Our results also suggest SUV39H1 dynamics as a new therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancers.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Nature Publishing Group. The published article can be found at: http://www.nature.com/oncsis/index.html

Symbolic analysis of analog circuits containing voltage mirrors

7 páginas, 7 figuras, 2 tablas, 4 imágenes.-- Open Access: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License.The pathological elements voltage mirror (VM) and current mirror (CM) have shown advantages in analog behavioral modeling and circuit synthesis, where many nullor-mirror equivalences have been explored to design and to transform voltage-mode circuits to current-mode ones and viceversa. However, both the VM and CM have not equivalents to perform automatic symbolic circuit analysis. In this manner, we introduce nullor-equivalents for these pathological elements allowing to include parasitics and to perform only symbolic nodal analysis. The nullor-equivalent of the CM is extended to provide multiple-outpus (MO-CM). Finally, two active filters containing VMs, CMs and MO-CMs are analysed to show the usefulness of the models.This work is supported by: UC-MEXUS and CONACyT under grants CN-09-310 and 48396-Y; by Promep-Mexico under grant UATLX-PTC-088; by Consejeria de Innovacion, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucia-Spain TIC-2532; and by the JAE-Doc program of CSIC co-funded by FSE, Spain.Peer reviewe

Measurable Residual Disease by Next-Generation Flow Cytometry in Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE: Assessing measurable residual disease (MRD) has become standard with many tumors, but the clinical meaning of MRD in multiple myeloma (MM) remains uncertain, particularly when assessed by next-generation flow (NGF) cytometry. Thus, we aimed to determine the applicability and sensitivity of the flow MRD-negative criterion defined by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the PETHEMA/GEM2012MENOS65 trial, 458 patients with newly diagnosed MM had longitudinal assessment of MRD after six induction cycles with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD), autologous transplantation, and two consolidation courses with VRD. MRD was assessed in 1, 100 bone marrow samples from 397 patients; the 61 patients without MRD data discontinued treatment during induction and were considered MRD positive for intent-to-treat analysis. The median limit of detection achieved by NGF was 2.9 × 10-6. Patients received maintenance (lenalidomide ± ixazomib) according to the companion PETHEMA/GEM2014MAIN trial. RESULTS: Overall, 205 (45%) of 458 patients had undetectable MRD after consolidation, and only 14 of them (7%) have experienced progression thus far; seven of these 14 displayed extraosseous plasmacytomas at diagnosis and/or relapse. Using time-dependent analysis, patients with undetectable MRD had an 82% reduction in the risk of progression or death (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.30; P < .001) and an 88% reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.29; P < .001). Timing of undetectable MRD (after induction v intensification) had no impact on patient survival. Attaining undetectable MRD overcame poor prognostic features at diagnosis, including high-risk cytogenetics. By contrast, patients with Revised International Staging System III status and positive MRD had dismal progression-free and overall survivals (median, 14 and 17 months, respectively). Maintenance increased the rate of undetectable MRD by 17%. CONCLUSION: The IMWG flow MRD-negative response criterion is highly applicable and sensitive to evaluate treatment efficacy in MM

Autologous stem cell transplantation may be curative for patients with follicular lymphoma with early therapy failure without the need for immunotherapy

Objective/Background: Patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) with early therapy failure (ETF) within 2 years of frontline therapy have poor overall survival (OS). We recently reported the results of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients from the Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplantes de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO) registry treated with rituximab prior to ASCT and with ETF after first-line immunochemotherapy, leading to 81% 5-year OS since ASCT. We explored whether ASCT is also an effective option in the pre-rituximab era—that is, in patients treated in induction and rescued only with chemotherapy. Methods: ETF was defined as relapse/progression within 2 years of starting first-line therapy. We identified two groups: the ETF cohort (n = 87) and the non-ETF cohort (n = 47 patients receiving ASCT but not experiencing ETF following first-line therapy). Results: There was a significant difference in 5-year progression-free survival between the ETF and non-ETF cohorts (43% vs. 57%, respectively; p = .048). Nevertheless, in patients with ETF with an interval from first relapse after primary treatment to ASCT of <1 year, no differences were observed in 5-year progression-free survival (48% vs. 66%, respectively; p = .44) or in 5-year OS (69% vs. 77%, p = .4). Patients in the ETF cohort transplanted in complete remission showed a plateau in the OS curves, at 56%, beyond 13.7 years of follow-up. Conclusion: ASCT may be a curative option for ETF in patients who respond to rescue chemotherapy, without the need for immunotherapy or other therapies, and should be considered as an early consolidation, especially in patients with difficult access to rituximab