Lisocabtagene maraleucel in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma (TRANSCEND CLL 004): a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase 1-2 study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma for whom treatment has failed with both Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor and venetoclax have few treatment options and poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) at the recommended phase 2 dose in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. METHODS: We report the primary analysis of TRANSCEND CLL 004, an open-label, single-arm, phase 1-2 study conducted in the USA. Patients aged 18 years or older with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma and at least two previous lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor, received an intravenous infusion of liso-cel at one of two target dose levels: 50 × 106 (dose level 1) or 100 × 106 (dose level 2, DL2) chimeric antigen receptor-positive T cells. The primary endpoint was complete response or remission (including with incomplete marrow recovery), assessed by independent review according to the 2018 International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia criteria, in efficacy-evaluable patients with previous BTK inhibitor progression and venetoclax failure (the primary efficacy analysis set) at DL2 (null hypothesis of ≤5%). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03331198. FINDINGS: Between Jan 2, 2018, and June 16, 2022, 137 enrolled patients underwent leukapheresis at 27 sites in the USA. 117 patients received liso-cel (median age 65 years [IQR 59-70]; 37 [32%] female and 80 [68%] male; 99 [85%] White, five [4%] Black or African American, two [2%] other races, and 11 [9%] unknown race; median of five previous lines of therapy [IQR 3-7]); all 117 participants had received and had treatment failure on a previous BTK inhibitor. A subset of patients had also experienced venetoclax failure (n=70). In the primary efficacy analysis set at DL2 (n=49), the rate of complete response or remission (including with incomplete marrow recovery) was statistically significant at 18% (n=9; 95% CI 9-32; p=0·0006). In patients treated with liso-cel, grade 3 cytokine release syndrome was reported in ten (9%) of 117 (with no grade 4 or 5 events) and grade 3 neurological events were reported in 21 (18%; one [1%] grade 4, no grade 5 events). Among 51 deaths on the study, 43 occurred after liso-cel infusion, of which five were due to treatment-emergent adverse events (within 90 days of liso-cel infusion). One death was related to liso-cel (macrophage activation syndrome-haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis). INTERPRETATION: A single infusion of liso-cel was shown to induce complete response or remission (including with incomplete marrow recovery) in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, including patients who had experienced disease progression on a previous BTK inhibitor and venetoclax failure. The safety profile was manageable. FUNDING: Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Therapeutic Potential of TLR8 Agonist GS-9688 (Selgantolimod) in Chronic Hepatitis B: Remodeling of Antiviral and Regulatory Mediators.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: GS-9688 (selgantolimod) is a toll-like receptor 8 agonist in clinical development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Antiviral activity of GS-9688 has previously been evaluated in vitro in HBV-infected hepatocytes and in vivo in the woodchuck model of CHB. Here we evaluated the potential of GS-9688 to boost responses contributing to viral control and to modulate regulatory mediators. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We characterized the effect of GS-9688 on immune cell subsets in vitro in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy controls and patients with CHB. GS-9688 activated dendritic cells and mononuclear phagocytes to produce IL-12 and other immunomodulatory mediators, inducing a comparable cytokine profile in healthy controls and patients with CHB. GS-9688 increased the frequency of activated natural killer (NK) cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, CD4+ follicular helper T cells, and, in about 50% of patients, HBV-specific CD8+ T cells expressing interferon-γ. Moreover, in vitro stimulation with GS-9688 induced NK-cell expression of interferon-γ and TNF-α, and promoted hepatocyte lysis. We also assessed whether GS-9688 inhibited immunosuppressive cell subsets that might enhance antiviral efficacy. Stimulation with GS-9688 reduced the frequency of CD4+ regulatory T cells and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Residual MDSCs expressed higher levels of negative immune regulators, galectin-9 and programmed death-ligand 1. Conversely, GS-9688 induced an expansion of immunoregulatory TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand+ NK cells and degranulation of arginase-I+ polymorphonuclear MDSCs. CONCLUSIONS: GS-9688 induces cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells that are able to activate antiviral effector function by multiple immune mediators (HBV-specific CD8+ T cells, CD4+ follicular helper T cells, NK cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T cells). Although reducing the frequency of some immunoregulatory subsets, it enhances the immunosuppressive potential of others, highlighting potential biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets to optimize the antiviral efficacy of GS-9688.

In Vivo Cellular Expansion of Lisocabtagene Maraleucel and Association With Efficacy and Safety in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) is an autologous, CD19-directed, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell product for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after 2 or more lines of systemic therapy. In vivo cellular expansion after single-dose administration of liso-cel has been characterized. In this article, in vivo liso-cel expansion in the pivotal study TRANSCEND NHL 001 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02631044) was further characterized to assess the relationship between in vivo cellular expansion after single-dose administration of liso-cel and efficacy or safety after adjusting for key baseline characteristics. Two bioanalytical methods, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry, were used for the assessment of cellular kinetics of liso-cel, which showed high concordance for in vivo cellular expansion. Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that higher in vivo cellular expansion of liso-cel was associated with a higher overall response and complete response rate, and a higher incidence of cytokine release syndrome and neurological events in patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL. Age and tumor burden (by sum of the product of perpendicular diameters) were likely to confound the relationship between in vivo cellular expansion and efficacy, where the association became stronger after controlling for these factors. Repeat dosing of liso-cel was tested in the study; however, in vivo cellular expansion of liso-cel was lower after repeat dosing than after the initial dose. These findings should enable a comprehensive understanding of the in vivo cellular kinetics of liso-cel and the association with outcomes in relapsed/refractory LBCL.

A sensitive solid-phase assay for identification of class A macrophage scavenger receptor ligands using cell lysate.

In order for macrophages to perform their numerous homeostatic, immunological and tissue remodeling functions they are required to express a broad repertoire of cell-surface receptors. These receptors are particularly important for their host-defense functions in the recognition of foreign pathogens. Delineation of the particular functions of specific receptors requires the identification of ligands recognized by the receptor. We have developed a sensitive, high throughput, solid-phase assay for the detection of ligands for the class A macrophage scavenger receptor (SR-A). Post-nuclear cell lysate from murine bone marrow-derived macrophages is used as a source of receptor and specific ligand binding to SR-A is detected with a monoclonal antibody for SR-A. This assay has been used effectively to identify protein ligands for SR-A on the surface of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (Peiser, L. et al. [Peiser, L., Makepeace, K., Pluddemann, A., Savino, S., Wright, J.C., Pizza, M., Rappuoli, R., Moxon, E.R., Gordon, S., 2006. Identification of Neisseria meningitidis nonlipopolysaccharide ligands for class A macrophage scavenger receptor by using a novel assay. Infect. Immun. 74, 5191-5199]). In this paper we describe the method in detail and define the specific variables governing the assay.

Scavenger receptors in innate immunity.

Scavenger receptors (SR) are expressed by myeloid cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) and certain endothelial cells. They play an important role in uptake and clearance of effete components, such as modified host molecules and apoptotic cells. They bind and internalise micro-organisms and their products including Gram-positive bacteria (lipoteichoic acid), Gram-negative bacteria (lipopolysaccharide), intracellular bacteria and CpG DNA. SR can alter cell morphology and their expression is affected by various cytokines. SR are involved in lipid metabolism and bind modified low-density lipoproteins.

The Smc5/6 Complex Restricts HBV when Localized to ND10 without Inducing an Innate Immune Response and Is Counteracted by the HBV X Protein Shortly after Infection.

The structural maintenance of chromosome 5/6 complex (Smc5/6) is a restriction factor that represses hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription. HBV counters this restriction by expressing HBV X protein (HBx), which targets Smc5/6 for degradation. However, the mechanism by which Smc5/6 suppresses HBV transcription and how HBx is initially expressed is not known. In this study we characterized viral kinetics and the host response during HBV infection of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) to address these unresolved questions. We determined that Smc5/6 localizes with Nuclear Domain 10 (ND10) in PHH. Co-localization has functional implications since depletion of ND10 structural components alters the nuclear distribution of Smc6 and induces HBV gene expression in the absence of HBx. We also found that HBV infection and replication does not induce a prominent global host transcriptional response in PHH, either shortly after infection when Smc5/6 is present, or at later times post-infection when Smc5/6 has been degraded. Notably, HBV and an HBx-negative virus establish high level infection in PHH without inducing expression of interferon-stimulated genes or production of interferons or other cytokines. Our study also revealed that Smc5/6 is degraded in the majority of infected PHH by the time cccDNA transcription could be detected and that HBx RNA is present in cell culture-derived virus preparations as well as HBV patient plasma. Collectively, these data indicate that Smc5/6 is an intrinsic antiviral restriction factor that suppresses HBV transcription when localized to ND10 without inducing a detectable innate immune response. Our data also suggest that HBx protein may be initially expressed by delivery of extracellular HBx RNA into HBV-infected cells.

Impaired phagocytic mechanism in annexin 1 null macrophages.

The role of the anti-inflammatory protein annexin-A1 (Anx-A1) in the phagocytic process has been investigated using a murine bone marrow culture-derived macrophage model from Anx-A1(+/+) and Anx-A1(-/-) mice. Macrophages prepared from Anx-A1(-/-) mice exhibited a reduced ingestion of zymosan, Neisseria meningitidis or sheep red blood cells, when compared to Anx-A1(+/+) cells and in the case of zymosan this effect was also mirrored by a reduced clearance in vivo when particles were injected into the peritoneal cavity of Anx-A1(-/-) mice. The ablation of the Anx-A1 gene did not cause any apparent cytoskeletal defects associated with particle ingestion but the cell surface expression of the key adhesion molecule CD11b was depressed in the Anx-A1(-/-) cells providing a possible explanation for the attenuated phagocytic potential of these cells. The production of the cytokines TNFalpha and IL-6 was increased in Anx-A1(-/-) macrophages following phagocytosis of all types of particle.

Activation of murine macrophages by Neisseria meningitidis and IFN-gamma in vitro: distinct roles of class A scavenger and Toll-like pattern recognition receptors in selective modulation of surface phenotype.

Innate and adaptive immune activation of macrophages (Mphi) by microorganisms and antigen-activated lymphoid cells, respectively, plays an important role in host defense and immunopathology. Antigen-presenting cells express a range of pattern recognition receptors including the class A types I and II scavenger receptors (SR-A) and Toll-like receptors (TLR). Recognition of microbial products by SR-A and TLR controls uptake, killing, altered gene expression, and the adaptive immune response; however, the contribution of each receptor and interplay with cytokine stimuli such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are not defined. We used Neisseria meningitidis (NM), a potent activator of innate immunity, and IFN-gamma, a prototypic T helper cell type 1 proinflammatory cytokine, to compare surface antigens, secretion of mediators, and receptor functions in elicited peritoneal Mphi from wild-type and genetically modified mouse strains. We show that these stimuli regulate major histocompatibility complex type II (MHC-II) and costimulatory molecules differentially, as well as expression of the mannose receptor and of Mphi receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO), a distinct SR-A, which provides a selective marker for innate activation. In combination, NM inhibited up-regulation of MHC-II by IFN-gamma while priming enhanced release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide. The SR-A contributes to phagocytosis of the organisms but not to their ability to induce CD80, CD86, and MARCO or to inhibit MHC-II. Conversely, studies with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-deficient organisms and/or TLR-4 mutant mice showed that LPS and TLR-4 are at least partially required to induce CD80, CD86, and MARCO, but LPS is not required to inhibit MHC-II. These studies provide an experimental model and identify surface markers for analysis of innate and acquired immune activation of Mphi.

MARCO, an innate activation marker of macrophages, is a class A scavenger receptor for Neisseria meningitidis.

The scavenger receptor-A I/II (SR-A) and macrophage receptor with collagenous domain (MARCO) share a common domain organisation and ligand repertoire, including selected polyanions and gram-positive and -negative organisms, but differ in fine specificity of ligand binding, tissue distribution and regulation. Neisseria meningitidis (NM) is a selective ligand for SR-A, but there is evidence for an additional SR-A-independent, polyanion-sensitive component for NM recognition. We therefore studied the relative contribution of MARCO and SR-A to binding of NM by resident and elicited peritoneal macrophages obtained from MARCO-/-, SR-A-/- and SR-A-MARCO-/- mice. Results confirmed that both mouse and human MARCO are able to bind NM independently of NM LPS. MARCO and SR-A contributed independently to NM binding, correlating with their expression levels in different cell populations, but neither of these two molecules was required for release of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide. We propose that the TLR-dependent induction of MARCO by innate immune stimulation enhances recognition and uptake of pathogenic organisms such as NM, thus contributing to host defence against infection.

Identification of Neisseria meningitidis nonlipopolysaccharide ligands for class A macrophage scavenger receptor by using a novel assay.

Macrophages (Mphi) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of invasive meningococcal infection. Previously, we have shown that the class A Mphi scavenger receptor (SR-A) is a major nonopsonic receptor for Neisseria meningitidis on Mphi. SR-A contributes to host defense by binding proinflammatory polyanionic ligands such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and by the uptake and killing of live organisms. SR-A-deficient mouse Mphi display a substantial reduction in the number of meningococci ingested compared to wild-type Mphi, and SR-A is required for meningococcal phagocytosis but not for the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Although soluble lipid A and lipid(IV)A are reported as ligands for SR-A, we demonstrated that LPS and LPS expression were not essential for the uptake of whole meningococci. In the present study, we set out to discover protein ligand(s) for SR-A in N. meningitidis lysates and outer membrane vesicles. Using various microbial mutant strains, we determined that molecules comprising the membrane capsule and pili, as well as the abundant surface Opa proteins were not essential for SR-A recognition. We developed a binding assay to detect SR-A ligands and identified three candidate proteins expressed on intact organisms, namely, NMB1220, NMB0278, and NMB0667. Soluble forms of these ligands were shown to block the binding of meningococci to CHO cells stably transfected with SR-A. Furthermore, NMB1220 was endocytosed by SR-A on Mphi and prevented internalization of soluble acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Thus, we have identified novel, unmodified protein ligands for SR-A that are able to inhibit meningococcal interactions with macrophages in vitro.

Uptake of branched polypeptides with poly[L-lys] backbone by bone-marrow culture-derived murine macrophages: the role of the class a scavenger receptor.

Selective delivery of antiparasitic or antibacterial drugs into infected macrophages could be a promising approach for improved therapies. Methotrexate conjugate with branched chain polypeptides exhibited pronounced anti-Leishmania activity in vitro and in vivo as reported here earlier. To identify structural requirements for efficient uptake of branched polypeptides, we have studied murine bone marrow culture-derived macrophages (BMMphi) from 129/ICR mice. We report on the translocation characteristics of structurally closely related compounds labeled with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. We found that this process is dependent on experimental conditions (e.g. polypeptide concentration, incubation time, and temperature). Using specific inhibitors as well as macrophages from wild-type and class-A scavenger receptor knockout (SR-A -/-) mice, we demonstrated that SR-A was involved in the endocytosis of some polypeptides depending on their charge. Uptake could be blocked by unlabeled polypeptide, by SR-A inhibitors, and by specific anti-SR-A monoclonal antibody. The polyanionic polypeptide poly[Lys(Succ-Glu(1.0)-dl-Ala(3.8))] (SuccEAK) with high charge density translocated more efficiently than poly[Lys(Ac-Glu(1.0)-dl-Ala(3.8))] (AcEAK), which had a lower anionic charge density. On the basis of experimental data presented, SuccEAK can be considered as a potential candidate for the design of a macromolecular carrier for specific drug delivery of bioactive entities into macrophages via SR-A.

The class A macrophage scavenger receptor is a major pattern recognition receptor for Neisseria meningitidis which is independent of lipopolysaccharide and not required for secretory responses.

Macrophages (Mphi) play a key role in the pathogenesis of invasive meningococcal infections. The roles of two pattern recognition molecules, the Mphi scavenger receptor (SR-A) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), have been investigated using bone marrow culture-derived Mphi (BMMphi). Surprisingly, a comparison of BMMphi from wild-type and SR-A knockout (SR-A(-/-)) mice showed that nonopsonic phagocytosis of meningococci was mediated almost exclusively via SR-A. Previous studies have demonstrated only a partial involvement of the receptor in the uptake of other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. Interestingly, we also show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was not the ligand for the receptor on these organisms. Further study of the downstream events of SR-A-mediated ingestion of Neisseria meningitidis demonstrated that SR-A was not required for cytokine production. To determine the bacterial and host factors required to stimulate Mphi activation, we examined TLR-4-deficient Mphi from C3H/HeJ mice and LPS-deficient meningococci. TLR-4-deficient cells elaborated reduced amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-12 (IL-12), and IL-10, even though ingestion via SR-A was unaffected in these cells. Similarly, although there was no change in SR-A-mediated ingestion of LPS-deficient meningococci, the mutant failed to stimulate a Mphi-dependent cytokine response. Thus, we show that Mphi SR-A mediates opsonin-independent uptake of N. meningitidis independently of lipid A and that this activity is uncoupled from the Mphi secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, which provides a basis for further investigation of the role of this receptor in meningococcal disease in humans.