A CD38/CD3xCD28 trispecific T-cell engager as a potentially active agent in multiple myeloma patients relapsed and/or refractory to anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies.

There is accumulating evidence of BCMA and GPRC5D loss after treatment with T-cell redirecting therapies in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). While complete CD38 loss is not observed upon relapses after treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), there is downregulation of surface CD38 expression and decreased number and function of NK cells, which renders these patients resistant to retreatment with anti-CD38 mAb. Here, we provide preclinical evidence that RRMM patients previously exposed to anti-CD38 mAb could benefit from T-cell-based immunotherapy that depend less on CD38 antigen density and NK-cell activity, such as the novel CD38/CD3xCD28 trispecific T-cell engager, SAR442257.

Pre-Clinical Assessment of SAR442257, a CD38/CD3xCD28 Trispecific T Cell Engager in Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Current treatment strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) are highly effective, but most patients develop relapsed/refractory disease (RRMM). The anti-CD38/CD3xCD28 trispecific antibody SAR442257 targets CD38 and CD28 on MM cells and co-stimulates CD3 and CD28 on T cells (TCs). We evaluated different key aspects such as MM cells and T cells avidity interaction, tumor killing, and biomarkers for drug potency in three distinct cohorts of RRMM patients. We found that a significantly higher proportion of RRMM patients (86%) exhibited aberrant co-expression of CD28 compared to newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients (19%). Furthermore, SAR442257 mediated significantly higher TC activation, resulting in enhanced MM killing compared to bispecific functional knockout controls for all relapse cohorts (Pearson's r = 0.7). Finally, patients refractory to anti-CD38 therapy had higher levels of TGF-ß (up to 20-fold) compared to other cohorts. This can limit the activity of SAR442257. Vactoserib, a TGF-ß inhibitor, was able to mitigate this effect and restore sensitivity to SAR442257 in these experiments. In conclusion, SAR442257 has high potential for enhancing TC cytotoxicity by co-targeting CD38 and CD28 on MM and CD3/CD28 on T cells.

Isatuximab in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in 1q21+ patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Long-term outcomes in the Phase 3 IKEMA study.

Gain/amplification of 1q21 (≥3 copies), a chromosomal abnormality frequently observed in multiple myeloma, can negatively affect prognosis, due to its involvement in resistance to anti-myeloma therapy and disease progression. In this updated subgroup analysis of the randomized, Phase 3 IKEMA study (NCT03275285) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), we evaluated progression-free survival (PFS) and depth of response with the anti-CD38 antibody isatuximab plus carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) versus Kd, in 1q21+ patients and related subgroups, at long-term follow-up (44.2 months). Our analysis included patients with 1q21+ (≥3 copies, with/without high-risk chromosomal abnormality [HRCA]), isolated 1q21+ (≥3 copies, without HRCA), gain(1q21) (3 copies, with/without HRCA), and amp(1q21) (≥4 copies, with/without HRCA). PFS benefit was achieved with Isa-Kd versus Kd in patients with 1q21+ (HR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.92), with isolated 1q21+ (HR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27-0.92), with gain(1q21), or amp(1q21), consistent with the overall population and prior interim 1q21+ subgroup analyses. Median PFS with Isa-Kd versus Kd was 25.8 versus 16.2 months in 1q21+ patients and 38.2 versus 16.2 months in patients with isolated 1q21+. Clinically meaningful, higher rates of very good partial response or better, complete response or better (≥CR), minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, and MRD negativity and ≥CR were reached with Isa-Kd versus Kd in patients with 1q21+, isolated 1q21+, gain(1q21), or amp(1q21). In Isa-Kd and Kd, the MRD negativity and ≥CR rate was 29.3% versus 15.4% in 1q21+ patients, 36.2% versus 12.9% in patients with isolated 1q21+, 27.9% versus 13.5% in patients with gain(1q21), and 31.3% versus 20.0% in patients with amp(1q21), respectively. In conclusion, addition of Isa to Kd in triplet combination therapy has shown PFS benefit and deeper responses, compared with Kd, in 1q21+ patients at higher risk of progression, including patients with isolated 1q21+, gain(1q21), and amp(1q21), thus supporting Isa-Kd an effective treatment option for patients with RRMM.

Ex Vivo Efficacy of SAR442257 Anti-CD38 Trispecific T-cell Engager in Multiple Myeloma Relapsed After Daratumumab and BCMA-targeted Therapies.

T cell-engaging antibodies (TCEs) are showing promising efficacy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, even in patients that relapsed after B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted therapy. Patients with multiple myeloma may have compromised T-cell health unaccounted for by preclinical models. Here, we use Myeloma Drug Sensitivity Testing (My-DST) for ex vivo measurement of anti-multiple myeloma cytotoxicity for the trispecific CD38/CD28xCD3 TCE SAR442257 through activation of the patients' own endogenous T cells to inform clinical development of the compound in multiple myeloma. My-DST incubates primary mononuclear cells in humanized media for 48 hours followed by flow cytometry for multiple myeloma cell viability with or without drug treatment. SAR442257 was tested on 34 samples from patients with multiple myeloma across disease settings. Potential biomarkers, T-cell dependence, and degranulation were assessed. SAR442257 was effective at low dose in My-DST cultures. High ex vivo response rates were observed in primary aspirates taken from patients with multiple myeloma at diagnosis, with modestly reduced response in multiple myeloma recently treated with anti-CD38 mAbs. SAR442257 was highly effective in patients relapsing after BCMA therapy. The CD38/CD28xCD3 trispecific format was substantially more effective than a conventional bispecific CD38/CD3 antibody format and CD38 mAbs. Anti-multiple myeloma cell cytotoxicity was dependent on the presence of endogenous T cells. Surface CD38 expression was the strongest biomarker of TCE response. My-DST is capable of measuring T cell-dependent killing using the multiple myeloma patient's own bone marrow-derived T cells. SAR442257 shows promise for multiple myeloma and may be best suited for patients declared resistant to both CD38 mAbs and BCMA-targeted therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study introduces the use of My-DST to measure and characterize sensitivity to anti-CD38 T-cell engager SAR442257 in primary samples using matched endogenous T cells. Preclinical testing in samples from patients with diverse treatment history supports further testing in post-chimeric antigen receptor T-cell multiple myeloma.

Molecular characterization of Orientia tsutsugamushi causing fatal scrub typhus in a young male affected by so-called "mystery fever" in North India.

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Although the presence of eschar is considered pathognomic, diagnosis of scrub typhus is challenging due to overlapping presentation. The diagnosis is based on the serological and molecular assay. Here, we describe a case of a young male patient who was diagnosed with scrub typhus and developed complications in the course of the disease. We also performed molecular characterization of the strain which revealed a close relatedness to Karp-like Linh.DT strains were previously reported from Vietnam.

Immunomodulatory properties of CD38 antibodies and their effect on anticancer efficacy in multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: CD38 has been established as an important therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM), for which two CD38 antibodies are currently approved-daratumumab and isatuximab. CD38 is an ectoenzyme that degrades NAD and its precursors and is involved in the production of adenosine and other metabolites. AIM: Among the various mechanisms by which CD38 antibodies can induce MM cell death is immunomodulation, including multiple pathways for CD38-mediated T-cell activation. Patients who respond to anti-CD38 targeting treatment experience more marked changes in T-cell expansion, activity, and clonality than nonresponders. IMPLICATIONS: Resistance mechanisms that undermine the immunomodulatory effects of CD38-targeting therapies can be tumor intrinsic, such as the downregulation of CD38 surface expression and expression of complement inhibitor proteins, and immune microenvironment-related, such as changes to the natural killer (NK) cell numbers and function in the bone marrow niche. There are numerous strategies to overcome this resistance, which include identifying and targeting other therapeutic targets involved in, for example, adenosine production, the activation of NK cells or monocytes through immunomodulatory drugs and their combination with elotuzumab, or with bispecific T-cell engagers.

First detection and genetic identification of Rickettsia spp. from ticks collected from rodents in north India.

BACKGROUND: Changing climatic conditions and invasion of ticks in urban areas have led to a greater number of cases of tick-borne diseases, thus, becoming a matter of increasing concern. Tick borne rickettsioses are one of the important emerging diseases worldwide. Knowledge of epidemiology of the vector and pathogen in the community is essential in order to understand and prevent the transmission of the disease to healthy population. METHODS: In our present study, we trapped rodents in selected areas of Chandigarh and Punjab in north India. The rodents were screened for the presence of ticks which were further screened for the presence of rickettsial agents. PCRs targeting 17 â€‹kDa and gltA genes were carried out followed by Sanger sequencing of the positive amplicons followed by phylogenetic analysis of the sequences. RESULTS: A total of 17 ticks were collected out of which one (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) was found to be harboring a Rickettsia sp. PCR targeting gltA and 17 â€‹kDa genes of rickettsia were put up and Sanger sequencing was performed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the sequences to be closely related to Rickettsia rhipicephali. CONCLUSION: The current study establishes the presence of rickettsial agents in the community. Although Rickettsia rhipicephali is a non-pathogenic agent, the study encourages more vigorous community surveillance should be carried out in order to determine the exact burden of rickettsial agents in our community. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting Rickettsia rhipicephali in India.

A Review of Rickettsial Diseases Other Than Scrub Typhus in India.

Rickettsial diseases (RD) are widely reported all over the world. Scrub typhus (ST) is a major tropical infection which is well documented all over India. Therefore, the index of suspicion of scrub typhus is high among physicians with regard to patients presenting with acute febrile illness (AFI) and acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) in India. Rickettsial diseases other than ST (non-ST RDs), which include spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses are not uncommon in India, but the index of suspicion is not as high as ST unless there is a history of the presence of fever with rashes and/or recent arthropod bites. This review aims to look into the Indian scenario on the epidemiology of non-ST RDs, especially the SFG and TG rickettsioses based on various investigations, spectrum of clinical presentation, challenges and gaps in knowledge to suspect and diagnose these infections.

Epidemiology of scrub typhus in a tertiary care hospital of Southern Odisha: a cross sectional study.

PURPOSE: Scrub typhus, is a mite-borne disease caused by bacteria named Orientia tsutsugamushi. In recent years the incidence of scrub typhus is increasing day by day. The disease is easily missed because of low sensitization among clinicians and non-specific clinical manifestation. The disease can be fatal in untreated cases. With the availability of testing methods, it can be easily diagnosed and treated. This study aims to depict the epidemiology of scrub typhus in southern Odisha. METHODS: A total of 170 blood samples were collected from clinically suspected acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) cases. Samples were tested serologically for antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi by commercially available Immunochromatography test (ICT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit as per the manufacturer's instruction. Molecular diagnosis was done by nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR) and Sanger sequencing was done to know the circulating strains. RESULTS: Out of 170 cases of AUFI, 74 cases were diagnosed scrub typhus by IgM ELISA and 67 were positive by ICT. Males were affected more and cases were more clustered in the Ganjam district. The disease followed a typical seasonal i.e. more cases were seen in cooler months of the year. Sequencing revealed the strains were Gilliam and Karp like. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of scrub typhus was 43.5% among the study population. Determining the serotypes in endemic areas is important for basic research on the classification of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the development of vaccines, and the definitive diagnosis of scrub typhus. Expanding the panel of antigens used to test scrub typhus and to take into account of local antigenic diversity would improve the sensitivity of serological diagnosis.

Direct diagnosis of scrub typhus by full-length 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis using Oxford Nanopore sequencing.

Scrub typhus (caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi) is a neglected and underdiagnosed disease due to its non-specific clinical presentation and challenging diagnostics. We document the first study of direct diagnosis of scrub typhus from the blood sample of a patient by full-length 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon analysis using Oxford Nanopore sequencing.

Vector and rodent surveillance for Orientia tsutsugamushi in north India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Scrub typhus or chigger borne typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi is an emerging vector-borne disease as large numbers of cases have been reported in various tropical countries. It is transmitted to humans through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The knowledge about the vector, its distribution, density and habitat are important so as to understand the epidemiology of scrub typhus in a given area. To control rickettsial infections, regular rodent-vector surveillance should be planned in areas where the disease transmission is occurring and it will also help to strengthen the existing entomological data related to the vector of scrub typhus in northern India. METHODS: In the present study, rodent-vector surveillance was planned for one whole year, covering both mite active and non-active seasons (October 2019-December 2020) in selected areas of Chandigarh and Punjab in north India. Rodent tissues and mites were also examined for the presence of O. tsutsugamushi by nested PCR for 56 kDa gene and real-time PCR for 47 kDa outer membrane protein gene. 18S gene PCR was performed for molecular identification of mites. RESULTS: In the surveillance, three types of ectoparasite, viz. mites, fleas and ticks were obtained in rodents. All mites found were of Laelapidae family. None of the pooled rodent tissue samples as well as mite samples were found positive for O. tsutsugamushi by nested PCR for rickettsial DNA. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In the present study, we did not get any evidence of carriage of O. tsutsugamushi in either mites or rodents collected and sampled in selected regions in Chandigarh and Punjab. We need to strengthen the entomological surveillance over a broader region and increase the frequency of trapping rodents to increase clarity on vector-reservoir dynamics in this geographical region.

Differential impact of a dyskeratosis congenita mutation in TPP1 on mouse hematopoiesis and germline.

Telomerase extends chromosome ends in somatic and germline stem cells to ensure continued proliferation. Mutations in genes critical for telomerase function result in telomeropathies such as dyskeratosis congenita, frequently resulting in spontaneous bone marrow failure. A dyskeratosis congenita mutation in TPP1 (K170∆) that specifically compromises telomerase recruitment to telomeres is a valuable tool to evaluate telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance in mice. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate a mouse knocked in for the equivalent of the TPP1 K170∆ mutation (TPP1 K82∆) and investigated both its hematopoietic and germline compartments in unprecedented detail. TPP1 K82∆ caused progressive telomere erosion with increasing generation number but did not induce steady-state hematopoietic defects. Strikingly, K82∆ caused mouse infertility, consistent with gross morphological defects in the testis and sperm, the appearance of dysfunctional seminiferous tubules, and a decrease in germ cells. Intriguingly, both TPP1 K82∆ mice and previously characterized telomerase knockout mice show no spontaneous bone marrow failure but rather succumb to infertility at steady-state. We speculate that telomere length maintenance contributes differently to the evolutionary fitness of humans and mice.

Chromosomal 1q21 abnormalities in multiple myeloma: a review of translational, clinical research, and therapeutic strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease with a median overall survival of approximately 5 years. Gain or amplification of 1q21 (1q21+) occurs in around 40% of patients with MM and generally portends a poor prognosis. Patients with MM who harbor 1q21+ are at increased risk of drug resistance, disease progression, and death. New pharmacotherapies with novel modes of action are required to overcome the negative prognostic impact of 1q21+. Areas covered: This review discusses the detection, biology, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting of 1q21+ in newly diagnosed and relapsed MM. Patients with MM and 1q21+ tend to present with higher tumor burden, greater end-organ damage, and more co-occurring high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities than patients without 1q21+. The chromosomal rearrangements associated with 1q21+ result in dysregulation of genes involved in oncogenesis. Identification and characterization of the 1q21+ molecular targets are needed to inform on prognosis and treatment strategy. Clinical trial data are emerging that addition of isatuximab to combination therapies may improve outcomes in patients with 1q21+ MM. Expert opinion: In the next 5 years, the results of ongoing research and trials are likely to focus on the therapeutic impact and treatment decisions associated with 1q21+ in MM.

Rickettsial Diseases: Not Uncommon Causes of Acute Febrile Illness in India.

Rickettsial diseases (RDs) are major under-diagnosed causes of arthropod borne acute febrile illness (AFI) presenting with a range of symptoms from mild self-limiting fever to fatal sepsis. The spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) are major RDs, which are commonly caused by Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi, respectively. The limited availability and role of serological tests in the acute phase of illness warrants rapid reliable molecular methods for diagnosis and epidemiological studies. Two hundred patients with AFI in whom the routine fever diagnostics were negative, were enrolled over a period of two months (April 2019 to May 2019). DNA was extracted and in-house nested PCR using primers specific for both SPG and TG pathogens was used. The positive amplified products were sequenced for species identification and phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 7.0.14 software (iGEM, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA). The demographic details of the RD cases were documented. The prevalence of RD among AFI cases was 7% (14/200); SFG and TG were identified as the cause in 4% and 3% of AFI cases, respectively. The median age of the RD cases was 22 years (range 2-65). The median duration of fever was 3 days (range 1-12). The RD cases presented with respiratory symptoms or signs (44.44%), jaundice (22.22%), abdominal pain (22.22%), diarrhea (22.22), vesicular rash (11.11%), vomiting (11.11%), loss of appetite (11.11%), headache (11.11%), leukocytosis (88.88% with mean count 22,750/mm3), and thrombocytopenia (33.33%). The cases were treated empirically with piperacillin-tazobactam (66.66%), clindamycin (44.44%), cefotaxime (33.33%), meropenem (33.33%), metronidazole (33.33%), doxycycline (22.22%), azithromycin (22.22%), ceftriaxone (11.11%), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (11.11%). The mortality among the RD cases was 11.11%. The present pilot study shows that RD is not an uncommon cause of AFI in north India. The febrile episodes are usually transient, not severe and associated with heterogenous clinical presentation without documented history of tick exposure in the hospitalized patients. The transient, non-severe, febrile illness could be due to transient rickettsemia resulting from empirical antimicrobial therapy as the rickettsial organisms are expected to be more susceptible to higher doses of ß-lactam antibiotics. The study emphasizes the molecular method as a useful tool to identify rickettsial etiology in AFI.

Multiple Myeloma DREAM Challenge reveals epigenetic regulator PHF19 as marker of aggressive disease.

While the past decade has seen meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes for multiple myeloma patients, a subset of patients does not benefit from current therapeutics for unclear reasons. Many gene expression-based models of risk have been developed, but each model uses a different combination of genes and often involves assaying many genes making them difficult to implement. We organized the Multiple Myeloma DREAM Challenge, a crowdsourced effort to develop models of rapid progression in newly diagnosed myeloma patients and to benchmark these against previously published models. This effort lead to more robust predictors and found that incorporating specific demographic and clinical features improved gene expression-based models of high risk. Furthermore, post-challenge analysis identified a novel expression-based risk marker, PHF19, which has recently been found to have an important biological role in multiple myeloma. Lastly, we show that a simple four feature predictor composed of age, ISS, and expression of PHF19 and MMSET performs similarly to more complex models with many more gene expression features included.

Prognosis, Biology, and Targeting of TP53 Dysregulation in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer and is characterized by genetic features including translocations, chromosomal copy number aberrations, and mutations in key oncogene and tumor suppressor genes. Dysregulation of the tumor suppressor TP53 is important in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including MM. In newly-diagnosed MM patients, TP53 dysregulation occurs in three subsets: monoallelic deletion as part of deletion of chromosome 17p (del17p) (~8%), monoallelic mutations (~6%), and biallelic inactivation (~4%). Del17p is an established high-risk feature in MM and is included in current disease staging criteria. Biallelic inactivation and mutation have also been reported in MM patients but are not yet included in disease staging criteria for high-risk disease. Emerging clinical and genomics data suggest that the biology of high-risk disease is complex, and so far, traditional drug development efforts to target dysregulated TP53 have not been successful. Here we review the TP53 dysregulation literature in cancer and in MM, including the three segments of TP53 dysregulation observed in MM patients. We propose a reverse translational approach to identify novel targets and disease drivers from TP53 dysregulated patients to address the unmet medical need in this setting.

Two Separation-of-Function Isoforms of Human TPP1 Dictate Telomerase Regulation in Somatic and Germ Cells.

Telomerase replicates chromosome ends in germ and somatic stem cells to facilitate their continued proliferation. Telomerase action depends on the telomeric protein TPP1, which recruits telomerase to telomeres and facilitates processive DNA synthesis. Here, we identify separation-of-function long (TPP1-L) and short (TPP1-S) isoforms of TPP1 that appear to be generated from separate transcripts and differ only in 86 amino acids at their N terminus. Although both isoforms retain the ability to recruit telomerase, only TPP1-S facilitates efficient telomere synthesis. We find that TPP1-S is the predominant isoform in somatic cells, and strikingly, TPP1-L is the major isoform in differentiated male germ cells. We observed that TERT expression persists in these germ cells, suggesting that TPP1-L could restrain telomerase in this context. We show how differential expression of TPP1 isoforms determines telomerase function and demonstrate how alternative transcription start sites allow one gene to perform distinct functions in different biological contexts.

Role of Cdc23/Mcm10 in generating the ribonucleotide imprint at the mat1 locus in fission yeast.

The developmental asymmetry of fission yeast daughter cells derives from inheriting 'older Watson' versus 'older Crick' DNA strand from the parental cell, strands that are complementary but not identical with each other. A novel DNA strand-specific 'imprint', installed during DNA replication at the mating-type locus (mat1), imparts competence for cell type inter-conversion to one of the two chromosome replicas. The catalytic subunit of DNA Polymerase α (Polα) has been implicated in the imprinting process. Based on its known biochemical function, Polα might install the mat1 imprint during lagging strand synthesis. The nature of the imprint is not clear: it is either a nick or a ribonucleotide insertion. Our investigations do not support a direct role of Polα in nicking through putative endonuclease domains but confirm its indirect role in installing an alkali-labile moiety as the imprint. While ruling out the role of the primase subunit of Polα holoenzyme, we find that mutations in the Polα-recruitment and putative primase homology domain in Mcm10/Cdc23 abrogate the ribonucleotide imprint formation. These results, while confirming the ribonucleotide nature of the imprint suggest the possibility of a direct role of Mcm10/Cdc23 in installing it in cooperation with Polα and Swi1.