Blocking Orai1 constitutive activity inhibits B-cell cancer migration and synergistically acts with drugs to reduce B-CLL cell survival.

Orai1 channel capacity to control store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and B-cell functions is poorly understood and more specifically in B-cell cancers, including human lymphoma and leukemia. As compared to normal B-cells, Orai1 is overexpressed in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and contributes in resting B-CLL to mediate an elevated basal Ca2+ level through a constitutive Ca2+ entry, and in BCR-activated B-cell to regulate the Ca2+ signaling response. Such observations were confirmed in human B-cell lymphoma and leukemia lines, including RAMOS, JOK-1, MEC-1 and JVM-3 cells. Next, the use of pharmacological Orai1 inhibitors (GSK-7975 A and Synta66) blocks constitutive Ca2+ entry and in turn affects B-cell cancer (primary and cell lines) survival and migration, controls cell cycle, and induces apoptosis through a mitochondrial and caspase-3 independent pathway. Finally, the added value of Orai1 inhibitors in combination with B-CLL drugs (ibrutinib, idelalisib, rituximab, and venetoclax) on B-CLL survival was tested, showing an additive/synergistic effect including in the B-cell cancer lines. To conclude, this study highlights the pathophysiological role of the Ca2+ channel Orai1 in B-cell cancers, and pave the way for the use of ORAI1 modulators as a plausible therapeutic strategy.

Abnormal B cell glycosylation in autoimmunity: A new potential treatment strategy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are two autoimmune diseases characterised by the production of pathogenic autoreactive antibodies. Their aetiology is poorly understood. Nevertheless, they have been shown to involve several factors, such as infections and epigenetic mechanisms. They also likely involve a physiological process known as glycosylation. Both SLE T cell markers and pSS-associated autoantibodies exhibit abnormal glycosylation. Such dysregulation suggests that defective glycosylation may also occur in B cells, thereby modifying their behaviour and reactivity. This study aimed to investigate B cell subset glycosylation in SLE, pSS and healthy donors and to extend the glycan profile to serum proteins and immunoglobulins. We used optimised lectin-based tests to demonstrate specific glycosylation profiles on B cell subsets that were specifically altered in both diseases. Compared to the healthy donor B cells, the SLE B cells exhibited hypofucosylation, whereas only the pSS B cells exhibited hyposialylation. Additionally, the SLE B lymphocytes had more galactose linked to N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal-GlcNAc/Gal-GalNAc) residues on their cell surface markers. Interestingly, some similar alterations were observed in serum proteins, including immunoglobulins. These findings indicate that any perturbation of the natural glycosylation process in B cells could result in the development of pathogenic autoantibodies. The B cell glycoprofile can be established as a preferred biomarker for characterising pathologies and adapted therapeutics can be used for patients if there is a correlation between the extent of these alterations and the severity of the autoimmune diseases.

Identification of altered cell signaling pathways using proteomic profiling in stable and progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by significant biologic and clinical heterogeneity. This study was designed to explore CLL B-cells' proteomic profile in order to identify biologic processes affected at an early stage and during disease evolution as stable or progressive. Purified B cells from 11 untreated CLL patients were tested at two time points by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Patients included in the study evolved to either progressive (n = 6) or stable disease (n = 5). First, at an early stage of the disease (Binet stage A), based on the relative abundance levels of 389 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), samples were separated into stable and progressive clusters with the main differentiating factor being the RNA splicing pathway. Next, in order to test how the DEPs affect RNA splicing, a RNA-Seq study was conducted showing 4217 differentially spliced genes between the two clusters. Distinct longitudinal evolutions were observed with predominantly proteomic modifications in the stable CLL group and spliced genes in the progressive CLL group. Splicing events were shown to be six times more frequent in the progressive CLL group. The main aberrant biologic processes controlled by DEPs and spliced genes in the progressive group were cytoskeletal organization, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, and mitochondrial and inositol phosphate metabolism with a downstream impact on CLL B-cell survival and migration. This study suggests that proteomic profiles at the early stage of CLL can discriminate progressive from stable disease and that RNA splicing dysregulation underlies CLL evolution, which opens new perspectives in terms of biomarkers and therapy.

Humoral response to mRNA anti-COVID-19 vaccines BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Immunocompromised individuals such as patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at risk of impaired immune responses to vaccination. The objective of our study was to evaluate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific antibody responses in patients with CLL after the first, second, and third doses of the BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines and after a single dose for patients with confirmed previous COVID-19. In all, 530 patients were included in the study. Patients received 2 doses at a 4-week interval and a third dose if they were seronegative after the second dose. Response rate was 27% after dose 1 and 52% after dose 2. Post-dose 2 treatment-naïve patients had the highest response rate (72%) followed by patients previously treated by chemoimmunotherapy (60%). Among patients receiving therapy, those receiving Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor alone (22%) or in combination with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies or venetoclax (0%) had the poorer response rate whereas patients who received venetoclax monotherapy achieved a significantly higher response rate (52%). A multivariable analysis identified age older than 65 years, ongoing CLL treatment, and gamma globulin ≤6 g/L as independent predictors of the absence of seroconversion. Post-dose 2 seronegative patients had a global response rate of 35% after dose 3. This study provides an argument for the use of a third dose and for prophylactic SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Hyposialylation Must Be Considered to Develop Future Therapies in Autoimmune Diseases.

Autoimmune disease development depends on multiple factors, including genetic and environmental. Abnormalities such as sialylation levels and/or quality have been recently highlighted. The adjunction of sialic acid at the terminal end of glycoproteins and glycolipids is essential for distinguishing between self and non-self-antigens and the control of pro- or anti-inflammatory immune reactions. In autoimmunity, hyposialylation is responsible for chronic inflammation, the anarchic activation of the immune system and organ lesions. A detailed characterization of this mechanism is a key element for improving the understanding of these diseases and the development of innovative therapies. This review focuses on the impact of sialylation in autoimmunity in order to determine future treatments based on the regulation of hyposialylation.

Simulated patient and role play methodologies for communication skills and empathy training of undergraduate medical students.

BACKGROUND: Verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as empathy are central to patient-doctor interactions and have been associated with patients' satisfaction. Non-verbal communication tends to override verbal messages. The aim of this study was to analyze how medical students use verbal and non-verbal communication using two different educational approaches, student role play (SRP) and actor simulated patient (ASP), and whether the non-verbal behaviour is different in the two different poses. METHODS: Three raters evaluated 20 students playing the doctor role, 10 in the SRP group and 10 in the ASP group. The videos were analyzed with the Calgary-Cambridge Referenced Observation Guide (CCG) and, for a more accurate evaluation of non-verbal communication, we also evaluated signs of nervousness, and posture. Empathy was rated with the CARE questionnaire. Independent Mann Whitney U tests and Qhi square tests were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: From the 6 main tasks of the CCG score, we obtained higher scores in the ASP group for the task 'Gathering information' (p = 0.0008). Concerning the 17 descriptors of the CCG, the ASP group obtained significantly better scores for 'Exploration of the patients' problems to discover the biomedical perspective' (p = 0.007), 'Exploration of the patients' problems to discover background information and context' (p = 0.0004) and for 'Closing the session - Forward planning' (p = 0.02). With respect to non-verbal behaviour items, nervousness was significantly higher in the ASP group compared to the SRP group (p < 0.0001). Concerning empathy, no differences were found between the SRP and ASP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students displayed differentiated verbal and non-verbal communication behaviour during the two communication skills training methodologies. These results show that both methodologies have certain advantages and that more explicit non-verbal communication training might be necessary in order to raise students' awareness for this type of communication and increase doctor-patient interaction effectiveness.

MicroRNAs Associated With a Good Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Their Effect on Macrophage Polarization.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy with poor outcomes despite very intensive therapeutic approaches. For the majority of patients which are unfit and treated less intensively, the prognosis is even worse. There has been unspectacular progress in outcome improvement over the last decades and the development of new approaches is of tremendous interest. The tumor microenvironment is credited with an important role in supporting cancer growth, including leukemogenesis. Macrophages are part of the tumor microenvironment and their contribution in this setting is increasingly being deciphered, these cells being credited with a tumor supporting role. Data on macrophage role and polarization in leukemia is scarce. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, by impending translation and promoting degradation of messenger RNAs. They are important modulators of cellular pathways, playing major roles in normal hematopoietic differentiation. miRNA expression is significantly correlated with the prognosis of hematopoietic malignancies, including AML. Oncogenic miRNAs correlate with poor prognosis, while tumor suppressor miRNAs, which inhibit the expression of proto-oncogenes, are correlated with a favorable prognosis. miRNAs are proposed as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis and are regarded as therapeutic approaches in many cancers, including AML. miRNAs with epigenetic or modulatory activity, as well as with synergistic activity with chemotherapeutic agents, proved to be promising therapeutic targets in experimental, pre-clinical approaches. The clinical availability of emerging compounds with mimicking or suppressor activity provides the opportunity for future therapeutic targeting of miRNAs. The present paper is focusing on miRNAs which, according to current knowledge, favorably impact on AML outcomes, being regarded as tumor suppressors, and reviews their role in macrophage polarization. We are focusing on miRNA expression in the setting of AML, but data on correlations between miRNA expression and macrophage polarization is mostly coming from studies involving normal tissue.

Complement System: a Neglected Pathway in Immunotherapy.

Approved for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, hematological malignancies, and solid cancers, several monoclonal antibodies (mAb) make use of complement in their mechanism of action. Such an assessment is based on comprehensive investigations that used mouse models, in vitro studies, and analyses from patients at initiation (basal level to highlight deficiencies) and after treatment initiation (mAb impact on complement), which have further provided key insights into the importance of the complement activation and/or complement deficiencies in mAb activity. Accordingly, new approaches can now be developed with the final objective of increasing the clinical efficacy of mAb. These improvements include (i) the concurrent administration of fresh frozen plasma during mAb therapy; (ii) mAb modifications such as immunoglobulin G subclass switching, Fc mutation, or IgG hexamerization to improve the fixation and activation of C1q; (iii) optimization of the target recognition to induce a higher complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and/or complement-dependant cellular cytotoxicity (CDCC); and (iv) the control of soluble and cellular complement inhibitors.

SERS assessment of the cancer-specific methylation pattern of genomic DNA: towards the detection of acute myeloid leukemia in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In this label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of genomic DNA, we demonstrate that the cancer-specific DNA methylation pattern translates into specific spectral differences. Thus, DNA extracted from an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line presented a decreased intensity of the 1005 cm-1 band of 5-methylcytosine compared to normal DNA, in line with the well-described hypomethylation of cancer DNA. The unique methylation pattern of cancer DNA also influences the DNA adsorption geometry, resulting in higher adenine SERS intensities for cancer DNA. The possibility of detecting cancer DNA based on its SERS spectrum was validated on peripheral blood genomic DNA samples from n = 17 AML patients and n = 17 control samples, yielding an overall classification of 82% based on the 1005 cm-1 band of 5-methylcytosine. By demonstrating the potential of SERS in assessing the methylation status in the case of real-life DNA samples, the study paves the way for novel methods of diagnosing cancer. Graphical abstract.

STIM1 at the plasma membrane as a new target in progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation in calcium (Ca2+) signaling is a hallmark of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While the role of the B cell receptor (BCR) Ca2+ pathway has been associated with disease progression, the importance of the newly described constitutive Ca2+ entry (CE) pathway is less clear. In addition, we hypothesized that these differences reflect modifications of the CE pathway and Ca2+ actors such as Orai1, transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 1, and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), the latter being the focus of this study. METHODS: An extensive analysis of the Ca2+ entry (CE) pathway in CLL B cells was performed including constitutive Ca2+ entry, basal Ca2+ levels, and store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) activated following B cell receptor engagement or using Thapsigargin. The molecular characterization of the calcium channels Orai1 and TRPC1 and to their partner STIM1 was performed by flow cytometry and/or Western blotting. Specific siRNAs for Orai1, TRPC1 and STIM1 plus the Orai1 channel blocker Synta66 were used. CLL B cell viability was tested in the presence of an anti-STIM1 monoclonal antibody (mAb, clone GOK) coupled or not with an anti-CD20 mAb, rituximab. The Cox regression model was used to determine the optimal threshold and to stratify patients. RESULTS: Seeking to explore the CE pathway, we found in untreated CLL patients that an abnormal CE pathway was (i) highly associated with the disease outcome; (ii) positively correlated with basal Ca2+ concentrations; (iii) independent from the BCR-PLCγ2-InsP3R (SOCE) Ca2+ signaling pathway; (iv) supported by Orai1 and TRPC1 channels; (v) regulated by the pool of STIM1 located in the plasma membrane (STIM1PM); and (vi) blocked when using a mAb targeting STIM1PM. Next, we further established an association between an elevated expression of STIM1PM and clinical outcome. In addition, combining an anti-STIM1 mAb with rituximab significantly reduced in vitro CLL B cell viability within the high STIM1PM CLL subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: These data establish the critical role of a newly discovered BCR independent Ca2+ entry in CLL evolution, provide new insights into CLL pathophysiology, and support innovative therapeutic perspectives such as targeting STIM1 located at the plasma membrane.

Apoptotic resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and therapeutic perspectives.

Increased resistance to apoptosis represents a key oncogenic mechanism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has been attributed to the upregulation of the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family members. Such an observation was associated with the development of molecules inhibiting Bcl-2 activity, and among them, BH3-mimetics represent a novel class of therapeutic compounds. In 2016, venetoclax became the first approved oral inhibitor of Bcl-2, and it has been used with success in patients with CLL who present with a 17p deletion or TP53 mutations and in those who have received at least one prior therapy. However, its mechanism for controlling relapses, and its optimal use in terms of duration and combinations with other drugs, remain unknown. Therefore, this review focuses on the mechanisms controlling apoptosis, CLL B cell strategies to prevent apoptosis including in response to BH3-mimetics, and arguments supporting the use of BH3-mimetics in association with other therapies in order to limit compensatory mechanisms.

Rapid and complete response to idelalisib in a case of Richter syndrome.

Richter syndrome (RS) is an aggressive lymphoma arising on the back of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and is the most common B-cell malignancy in the Western world. In the majority of cases, RS presents an activated B cell (ABC) phenotype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). From the therapeutic point of view, selective inhibition of PI3Kδ with idelalisib represents a valuable addition to available treatment options for patients with CLL/SLL, many of whom do not respond to or cannot tolerate chemoimmunotherapy. However, to our knowledge, there have been no prospective studies evaluating idelalisib efficacy in a DLBCL-ABC form of RS. Here, we present a case of a DLBCL-ABC form of RS achieving a complete response at 3 weeks after initiating idelalisib and rituximab therapy for six cycles. This response was maintained during the idelalisib monotherapy, but the patient relapsed rapidly after treatment was withdrawn, because of a grade three immune colitis that developed at 10 months of treatment. This report demonstrates that idelalisib is highly effective in RS and provides an attractive option in this aggressive disease. This agent could meet an unmet need by providing a treatment option with a tolerable safety profile for elderly patients with RS.

The regulatory capacity of B cells directs the aggressiveness of CLL.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with abnormal T-cell responses responsible for defective anti-tumor activities. Intriguingly, CLL B cells share phenotypical characteristics with regulatory B (Breg) cells suggesting that they might negatively control the T-cell activation and immune responses. We elaborated an in vitro co-culture system with T cells to evaluate the Breg capacities of CLL B cells following innate Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) engagement. We demonstrated that B cells from half of the patients exhibited regulatory capacities, whilst B cells from the remaining patients were unable to develop a Breg function. The T cell sensitivities of all patients were normal suggesting that defective Breg activities were due to intrinsic CLL B cell deficiencies. Thus, TLR-dedicated gene assays highlighted differential signature of the TLR9 negative regulation pathway between the two groups of patients. Furthermore, correlations of the doubling time of lymphocytosis, the time to first treatment, the mutational status of IgVH and the Breg functions indicate that patients with efficient Breg activities have more aggressive CLL than patients with defective Breg cells. Our in vitro observations may open new approaches for adjusting therapeutic strategies targeting the Breg along with the evolution of the disease.

17p deletion strongly influences rituximab elimination in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia and the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, represents the therapeutic gold standard for more than 2 decades in this pathology, when used in combination with chemotherapy. However, some patients experience treatment resistance or rapid relapses, and in particular, those harboring a 17p/TP53 deletion (del(17p)). This resistance could be explained by a chemo-resistance, but it could also result from the direct impact of del(17p) on the pharmacokinetics of rituximab, which represents the aim of the present study. Accordingly, 44 CLL patients were included in the study, and among them 9 presented a del(17p). Next, a total of 233 rituximab sera were selected for a pharmacokinetic study and analyzed in a two-compartment model showing important differences when del(17p) CLL patients were compared with non-del(17p) patients treated with rituximab and chemotherapy: (1) clearance of rituximab was faster; (2) central volume of rituximab distribution V1 (peripheral blood) was reduced while peripheral volume V2 (lymphoid organs and tissues) was increased; and (3) the rate of rituximab elimination (Kout) was faster. In contrast, the group with a better prognosis harboring isolated del(13q) presented a slower rate of elimination (Kout). Pharmacokinetic parameters were independent from the other factors tested such as age, sex, chemotherapy regimen (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide versus bendamustine), IGHV mutational status, and FCGR3A 158VF status. In conclusion, this study provides an additional argument to consider that del(17p) is effective not only to control chemoresistance but also monoclonal antibody activity, based on higher rituximab turnover.

Resistance to complement activation, cell membrane hypersialylation and relapses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with rituximab and chemotherapy.

The anti-CD20-specific monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX), in combination with chemotherapy, is commonly used for primary treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, relapses remain important and activation of the complement pathway is one of the mechanisms by which RTX generates the destruction of B cells directly by complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or indirectly by antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. In this study, the RTX capacity to induce CDC was established in 69 untreated CLL patients, this cohort including 34 patients tested before the initiation of RTX-chemotherapy. In vitro CDC-resistance to RTX predicts lower response rates to RTX-chemotherapy and shorter treatment free survival. Furthermore, the predictive value of CDC-resistance was independent from the clinical, cytogenetic and FcγR3A V158F polymorphism status. In contrast, CLL cell resistance to CDC predominates in IGHV unmutated patients and was related to an important α2-6 sialyl transferase activity, which in turn increases cell surface α2-6 hypersialylation. Suspected factors associated with resistance to CDC (CD20, CD55, CD59, factor H, GM1, and sphingomyelin) were not differentially expressed or recruited between the two CLL groups. Altogether, results provide evidence that testing RTX capacity to induce CDC in vitro represents an independent predictive factor of therapeutic effects of RTX, and that α2-6 hypersialylation in CLL cells controls RTX response through the control of the complement pathway. At a time when CLL therapy is moving towards chemo-free treatments, further experiments are required to determine whether performing an initial in vitro assay to appreciate CLL CDC resistance might be useful to select patients.

Combining cytogenetic and epigenetic approaches in chronic lymphocytic leukemia improves prognosis prediction for patients with isolated 13q deletion.

Background: Both defective DNA methylation and active DNA demethylation processes are emerging as important risk factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, associations between 5-cytosine epigenetic markers and the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities detected in CLL remain to be established. Methods: CLL patients were retrospectively classified into a cytogenetic low-risk group (isolated 13q deletion), an intermediate-risk group (normal karyotype or trisomy 12), and a high-risk group (11q deletion, 17p deletion, or complex karyotype [≥ 3 breakpoints]). The two 5-cytosine derivatives, 5-methylcytosine (5-mCyt) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmCyt), were tested by ELISA (n = 60), while real-time quantitative PCR was used for determining transcriptional expression levels of DNMT and TET (n = 24). Results: By using global DNA methylation/demethylation levels, in the low-risk disease group, two subgroups with significantly different clinical outcomes have been identified (median treatment-free survival [TFS] 45 versus > 120 months for 5-mCyt, p = 0.0008, and 63 versus > 120 months for 5-hmCyt, p = 0.04). A defective 5-mCyt status was further associated with a higher percentage of 13q deleted nuclei (> 80%), thus suggesting an acquired process. When considering the cytogenetic intermediate/high-risk disease groups, an association of 5-mCyt status with lymphocytosis (p = 0.0008) and the lymphocyte doubling time (p = 0.04) but not with TFS was observed, as well as a reduction of DNMT3A, TET1, and TET2 transcripts. Conclusions: Combining cytogenetic studies with 5-mCyt assessment adds accuracy to CLL patients' prognoses and particularly for those with 13q deletion as a sole cytogenetic abnormality.