Seth J Welsh, Benjamin G Barwick, Erin W Meermeier, Daniel L Riggs, Chang-Xin Shi, Yuan Xiao Zhu, Meaghen E Sharik, Megan T Du, Leslie D Abrego Rocha, Victoria M Garbitt, Caleb K Stein, Joachim L Petit, Nathalie Meurice, Yuliza Tafoya Alvarado, Rodrigo Fonseca, Kennedi T Todd, Sochilt Brown, Zachery J Hammond, Nicklus H Cuc, Courtney Wittenberg, Camille Herzog, Anna V Roschke, Yulia N Demchenko, Wei-Dong D Chen, Peng Li, Wei Liao, Warren J Leonard, Sagar Lonial, Nizar J Bahlis, Paola Neri, Lawrence H Boise, Marta Chesi, P Leif Bergsagel
{"title":"Transcriptional Heterogeneity Overcomes Super-Enhancer Disrupting Drug Combinations in Multiple Myeloma.","authors":"Seth J Welsh, Benjamin G Barwick, Erin W Meermeier, Daniel L Riggs, Chang-Xin Shi, Yuan Xiao Zhu, Meaghen E Sharik, Megan T Du, Leslie D Abrego Rocha, Victoria M Garbitt, Caleb K Stein, Joachim L Petit, Nathalie Meurice, Yuliza Tafoya Alvarado, Rodrigo Fonseca, Kennedi T Todd, Sochilt Brown, Zachery J Hammond, Nicklus H Cuc, Courtney Wittenberg, Camille Herzog, Anna V Roschke, Yulia N Demchenko, Wei-Dong D Chen, Peng Li, Wei Liao, Warren J Leonard, Sagar Lonial, Nizar J Bahlis, Paola Neri, Lawrence H Boise, Marta Chesi, P Leif Bergsagel","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0062","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy that is often driven by MYC and that is sustained by IRF4, which are upregulated by super-enhancers. IKZF1 and IKZF3 bind to super-enhancers and can be degraded using immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiD). Successful IMiD responses downregulate MYC and IRF4; however, this fails in IMiD-resistant cells. MYC and IRF4 downregulation can also be achieved in IMiD-resistant tumors using inhibitors of BET and EP300 transcriptional coactivator proteins; however, in vivo these drugs have a narrow therapeutic window. By combining IMiDs with EP300 inhibition, we demonstrate greater downregulation of MYC and IRF4, synergistic killing of myeloma in vitro and in vivo, and an increased therapeutic window. Interestingly, this potent combination failed where MYC and IRF4 expression was maintained by high levels of the AP-1 factor BATF. Our results identify an effective drug combination and a previously unrecognized mechanism of IMiD resistance.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>These results highlight the dependence of MM on IKZF1-bound super-enhancers, which can be effectively targeted by a potent therapeutic combination pairing IMiD-mediated degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3 with EP300 inhibition. They also identify AP-1 factors as an unrecognized mechanism of IMiD resistance in MM. See related article by Neri, Barwick, et al., p. 56. See related commentary by Yun and Cleveland, p. 5. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 4.</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10772542/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41170235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Criteria for Diagnosis and Molecular Monitoring of NPM1-Mutated AML.","authors":"Brunangelo Falini, Richard Dillon","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0144","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents the largest molecular subgroup of adult AML. NPM1-mutated AML is recognizable by molecular techniques and immunohistochemistry, which, when combined, can solve difficult diagnostic problems (including identification of myeloid sarcoma and NPM1 mutations outside exon 12). According to updated 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) guidelines, determining the mutational status of NPM1 (and FLT3) is a mandatory step for the genetic-based risk stratification of AML. Monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) by qRT-PCR, combined with ELN risk stratification, can guide therapeutic decisions at the post-remission stage. Here, we review the criteria for appropriate diagnosis and molecular monitoring of NPM1-mutated AML.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>NPM1-mutated AML represents a distinct entity in the 2022 International Consensus Classification and 5th edition of World Health Organization classifications of myeloid neoplasms. The correct diagnosis of NPM1-mutated AML and its distinction from other AML entities is extremely important because it has clinical implications for the management of AML patients, such as genetic-based risk stratification according to 2022 ELN. Monitoring of MRD by qRT-PCR, combined with ELN risk stratification, can guide therapeutic decisions at the post-remission stage, e.g., whether or not to perform allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10772525/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71427418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Highlighted research articles","authors":"","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-5-1-iti","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-5-1-iti","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139446841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acknowledgment to Reviewers.","authors":"","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-5-1-AR","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-5-1-AR","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139547297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Niklas Landberg, Thomas Köhnke, Yang Feng, Yusuke Nakauchi, Amy C Fan, Miles H Linde, Daiki Karigane, Kelly Lim, Rahul Sinha, Luca Malcovati, Daniel Thomas, Ravindra Majeti
{"title":"IDH1-mutant preleukemic hematopoietic stem cells can be eliminated by inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation.","authors":"Niklas Landberg, Thomas Köhnke, Yang Feng, Yusuke Nakauchi, Amy C Fan, Miles H Linde, Daiki Karigane, Kelly Lim, Rahul Sinha, Luca Malcovati, Daniel Thomas, Ravindra Majeti","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0195","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rare preleukemic hematopoietic stem cells (pHSCs) harboring only the initiating mutations can be detected at the time of AML diagnosis. pHSCs are the origin of leukemia and a potential reservoir for relapse. Using primary human samples and gene-editing to model isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutant pHSCs, we show epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic differences between pHSCs and healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We confirm that IDH1 driven clonal hematopoiesis is associated with cytopenia, suggesting an inherent defect to fully reconstitute hematopoiesis. Despite giving rise to multilineage engraftment, IDH1-mutant pHSCs exhibited reduced proliferation, blocked differentiation, downregulation of MHC Class II genes, and reprogramming of oxidative phosphorylation metabolism. Critically, inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulted in complete eradication of IDH1-mutant pHSCs but not IDH2-mutant pHSCs or wildtype HSCs. Our results indicate that IDH1-mutant preleukemic clones can be targeted with complex I inhibitors, offering a potential strategy to prevent development and relapse of leukemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10905513/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138810547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ross Firestone, Alexander M Lesokhin, Saad Z Usmani
{"title":"An Embarrassment of Riches: Three FDA-Approved Bispecific Antibodies for Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma.","authors":"Ross Firestone, Alexander M Lesokhin, Saad Z Usmani","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0176","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Summary: </strong>In the past year, three new bispecific antibodies have received accelerated FDA approval for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. In this article, we review the available data for these three agents, teclistamab, elranatamab, and talquetamab, and discuss practical considerations for their use in clinical settings while the medical community awaits randomized phase III clinical trial datasets comparing them to standard-of-care regimens.</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10618718/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41214665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding Infection Risk with Anti-BCMA Bispecific Antibodies.","authors":"Alfred L Garfall, Edward A Stadtmauer","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0157","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Summary: </strong>Lancman and colleagues find that infection risk in patients treated with anti-BCMA bispecific antibodies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is associated with severe immunoglobulin deficiency and may be mitigated by immunoglobulin replacement therapy. The study has implications for managing infection risk and raises questions about the optimal duration of treatment with these potent, novel immunotherapies. See related article by Lancman et al., p. 440 (4) .</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10618722/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41156075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annika Nelde, Heiko Schuster, Jonas S Heitmann, Jens Bauer, Yacine Maringer, Melissa Zwick, Jens-Peter Volkmer, James Y Chen, Anna M Paczulla Stanger, Ariane Lehmann, Bismark Appiah, Melanie Märklin, Elke Rücker-Braun, Helmut R Salih, Malte Roerden, Sarah M Schroeder, Max-Felix Häring, Andreas Schlosser, Johannes Schetelig, Marc Schmitz, Melanie Boerries, Natalie Köhler, Claudia Lengerke, Ravindra Majeti, Irving L Weissman, Hans-Georg Rammensee, Juliane S Walz
{"title":"Immune Surveillance of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Is Mediated by HLA-Presented Antigens on Leukemia Progenitor Cells.","authors":"Annika Nelde, Heiko Schuster, Jonas S Heitmann, Jens Bauer, Yacine Maringer, Melissa Zwick, Jens-Peter Volkmer, James Y Chen, Anna M Paczulla Stanger, Ariane Lehmann, Bismark Appiah, Melanie Märklin, Elke Rücker-Braun, Helmut R Salih, Malte Roerden, Sarah M Schroeder, Max-Felix Häring, Andreas Schlosser, Johannes Schetelig, Marc Schmitz, Melanie Boerries, Natalie Köhler, Claudia Lengerke, Ravindra Majeti, Irving L Weissman, Hans-Georg Rammensee, Juliane S Walz","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0020","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Therapy-resistant leukemia stem and progenitor cells (LSC) are a main cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse. LSC-targeting therapies may thus improve outcome of patients with AML. Here we demonstrate that LSCs present HLA-restricted antigens that induce T-cell responses allowing for immune surveillance of AML. Using a mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics approach, we characterized the antigenic landscape of patient LSCs and identified AML- and AML/LSC-associated HLA-presented antigens absent from normal tissues comprising nonmutated peptides, cryptic neoepitopes, and neoepitopes of common AML driver mutations of NPM1 and IDH2. Functional relevance of shared AML/LSC antigens is illustrated by presence of their cognizant memory T cells in patients. Antigen-specific T-cell recognition and HLA class II immunopeptidome diversity correlated with clinical outcome. Together, these antigens shared among AML and LSCs represent prime targets for T cell-based therapies with potential of eliminating residual LSCs in patients with AML.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>The elimination of therapy-resistant leukemia stem and progenitor cells (LSC) remains a major challenge in the treatment of AML. This study identifies and functionally validates LSC-associated HLA class I and HLA class II-presented antigens, paving the way to the development of LSC-directed T cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with AML. See related commentary by Ritz, p. 430 . This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 419.</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10618727/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41239314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Potent Personalized Venetoclax Partners for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Identified by Ex Vivo Drug Screening.","authors":"Pamela S Becker","doi":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0180","DOIUrl":"10.1158/2643-3230.BCD-23-0180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Summary: </strong>High-throughput screens (HTS) have been utilized to assess the efficacy of single drugs against patient tumor samples with the purpose of optimizing precision therapy, but testing the synergy of drug combinations can identify the ideal second drug to add. With novel sophisticated HTS, effective venetoclax combinations can be revealed that provide the cell state, phenotype, and molecular features of the susceptible and resistant cell populations. See related article by Eide, Kurtz et al., p. 452 (14) .</p>","PeriodicalId":29944,"journal":{"name":"Blood Cancer Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10625347/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41214666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}