Biological signatures of the International Prognostic Index in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

ABSTRACT: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly aggressive subtype of lymphoma with clinical and biological heterogeneity. The International Prognostic Index (IPI) shows great prognostic capability in the era of rituximab, but the biological signatures of IPI remain to be discovered. In this study, we analyzed the clinical data in a large cohort of 2592 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL. Among them, 1233 underwent DNA sequencing for oncogenic mutations, and 487 patients underwent RNA sequencing for lymphoma microenvironment (LME) alterations. Based on IPI scores, patients were categorized into 4 distinct groups, with 5-year overall survival of 41.6%, 55.3%, 71.7%, and 89.7%, respectively. MCD-like subtype was associated with age of >60 years, multiple extranodal involvement, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and IPI scores ranging from 2 to 5, whereas ST2-like subtype showed an opposite trend. Patients with EZB-like MYC+ and TP53Mut subtypes exhibited poor clinical outcome independent of the IPI; integrating TP53Mut into IPI could better distinguish patients with dismal survival. The EZB-like MYC-, BN2-like, N1-like, and MCD-like subtypes had inferior prognosis in patients with IPI scores of ≥2, indicating necessity for enhanced treatment. Regarding LME categories, the germinal center-like LME was more prevalent in patients with normal LDH and IPI scores of 0 to 1. The mesenchymal LME served as an independent protective factor, whereas the germinal center-like, inflammatory, and depleted LME categories correlated with inferior prognosis for IPI scores of 2 to 5. In summary, our work explored the biological signatures of IPI, thus providing useful rationale for future optimization of the IPI-based treatment strategies with multi-omics information in DLBCL.

Genomic and transcriptomic profiling of peripheral T cell lymphoma reveals distinct molecular and microenvironment subtypes.

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas varying in clinical, phenotypic, and genetic features. The molecular pathogenesis and the role of the tumor microenvironment in PTCL are poorly understood, with limited biomarkers available for genetic subtyping and targeted therapies. Through an integrated genomic and transcriptomic study of 221 PTCL patients, we delineate the genetic landscape of PTCL, enabling molecular and microenvironment classification. According to the mutational status of RHOA, TET2, histone-modifying, and immune-related genes, PTCL is divided into 4 molecular subtypes with discrete patterns of gene expression, biological aberrations, and vulnerabilities to targeted agents. We also perform an unsupervised clustering on the microenvironment transcriptional signatures and categorize PTCL into 4 lymphoma microenvironment subtypes based on characteristic activation of oncogenic pathways and composition of immune communities. Our findings highlight the potential clinical rationale of future precision medicine strategies that target both molecular and microenvironment alterations in PTCL.

Cholesterol efflux from C1QB-expressing macrophages is associated with resistance to chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in primary refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has demonstrated promising efficacy in early trials for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, its efficacy in treating primary refractory DLBCL has not been comprehensively investigated, and the underlying resistance mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report the outcomes of a phase I, open-label, single-arm clinical trial of relmacabtagene autoleucel (relma-cel), a CD19-targeted CAR-T cell product, with safety and efficacy as primary endpoints. Among the 12 enrolled patients, 8 experienced grade 4 hematologic toxicity of treatment-emergent adverse event. No grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity occurred. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed an increase proportion of C1QB-expressing macrophages in patients with progressive disease before CAR-T cell therapy. Cholesterol efflux from M2 macrophages was found to inhibit CAR-T cells cytotoxicity by inducing an immunosuppressive state in CD8+ T cells, leading to their exhaustion. Possible interactions between macrophages and CD8+ T cells, mediating lipid metabolism (AFR1-FAS), immune checkpoint activation, and T cell exhaustion (LGALS9-HAVCR2, CD86-CTLA4, and NECTIN2-TIGIT) were enhanced during disease progression. These findings suggest that cholesterol efflux from macrophages may trigger CD8+ T cell exhaustion, providing a rationale for metabolic reprogramming to counteract CAR-T treatment failure. Chinadrugtrials.org.cn identifier: CTR20200376.

Targeted agents plus CHOP compared with CHOP as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (GUIDANCE-03): an open-label, multicentre phase 2 clinical trial.

Background: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous disease with dismal outcomes. We conducted an open-label, phase 2 nonrandomised, externally controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of targeted agents plus CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) (CHOPX) for PTCL in the front-line setting. Methods: Eligible patients were ≥18 years of age and newly diagnosed PTCL. Patients in the CHOPX group received standard CHOP at Cycle 1. Specific targeted agents were added from Cycle 2, decitabine if TP53 mut, azacytidine if TET2/KMT2D mut, tucidinostat if CREBBP/EP300 mut, and lenalidomide if without mutations above. Patients in the CHOP group received CHOP for 6 cycles. The primary endpoint was the complete response rate (CRR) at the end of treatment (EOT). Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04480099. Findings: Between July 29, 2020, and Sep 22, 2022, 96 patients were enrolled and included for efficacy and safety analysis with 48 in each group. The study met its primary endpoint. CRR at EOT in the CHOPX group was superior to the CHOP group (64.6% vs. 33.3%, OR 0.27, 95%CI 0.12-0.64; p = 0.004). At a median follow-up of 24.3 months (IQR 12.0-26.7), improved median PFS was observed in the CHOPX group (25.5 vs. 9.0 months; HR 0.57, 95%CI 0.34-0.98; p = 0.041). The median OS was similar between two groups (not reached vs. 30.9 months; HR 0.55, 95%CI 0.28-1.10; p = 0.088). The most common grade 3-4 hematological and non-hematological adverse events in the CHOPX group were neutropenia (31, 65%) and infection (5, 10%). Interpretation: Targeted agents combined with CHOP demonstrated effective and safe as first-line treatment in PTCL. Biomarker-driven therapeutic strategy is feasible and may lead to promising efficacy specifically toward molecular features in PTCL. Funding: This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (2022YFC2502600) and the General Program of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (202040400).

Anti-metabolic agent pegaspargase plus PD-1 antibody sintilimab for first-line treatment in advanced natural killer T cell lymphoma.

Natural killer T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is highly aggressive, with advanced stage patients poorly responding to intensive chemotherapy. To explore effective and safe treatment for newly diagnosed advanced stage NKTCL, we conducted a phase II study of anti-metabolic agent pegaspargase plus PD-1 antibody sintilimab (NCT04096690). Twenty-two patients with a median age of 51 years (range, 24-74) were enrolled and treated with induction treatment of pegaspargase 2500 IU/m2 intramuscularly on day 1 and sintilimab 200 mg intravenously on day 2 for 6 cycles of 21 days, followed by maintenance treatment of sintilimab 200 mg for 28 cycles of 21 days. The complete response and overall response rate after induction treatment were 59% (95%CI, 43-79%) and 68% (95%CI, 47-84%), respectively. With a median follow-up of 30 months, the 2 year progression-free and overall survival rates were 68% (95%CI, 45-83%) and 86% (95%CI, 63-95%), respectively. The most frequently grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (32%, n = 7) and hypofibrinogenemia (18%, n = 4), which were manageable and led to no discontinuation of treatment. Tumor proportion score of PD-L1, peripheral blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I correlated with good response, while PD-1 on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral Treg cells with poor response to pegaspargase plus sintilimab treatment. In conclusion, the chemo-free regimen pegaspargase plus sintilimab was effective and safe in newly diagnosed, advanced stage NKTCL. Dysregulated lipid profile and immunosuppressive signature contributed to treatment resistance, providing an alternative therapeutic approach dual targeting fatty acid metabolism and CTLA-4 in NKTCL.

KMT2D mutations promoted tumor progression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through altering tumor-induced regulatory T cell trafficking via FBXW7-NOTCH-MYC/TGF-ß1 axis.

Histone methyltransferase KMT2D is one of the most frequently mutated genes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and has been identified as an important pathogenic factor and prognostic marker. However, the biological relevance of KMT2D mutations on tumor microenvironment remains to be determined. KMT2D mutations were assessed by whole-genome/exome sequencing (WGS/WES) in 334 patients and by targeted sequencing in 427 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL. Among all 761 DLBCL patients, somatic mutations in KMT2D were observed in 143 (18.79%) patients and significantly associated with advanced Ann Arbor stage and MYC expression ≥ 40%, as well as inferior progression-free survival and overall survival. In B-lymphoma cells, the mutation or knockdown of KMT2D inhibited methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4), downregulated FBXW7 expression, activated NOTCH signaling pathway and downstream MYC/TGF-ß1, resulting in alterations of tumor-induced regulatory T cell trafficking. In B-lymphoma murine models established with subcutaneous injection of SU-DHL-4 cells, xenografted tumors bearing KMT2D mutation presented lower H3K4 methylation, higher regulatory T cell recruitment, thereby provoking rapid tumor growth compared with wild-type KMT2D via FBXW7-NOTCH-MYC/TGF-ß1 axis.

Effect of Jingui Shenqiwan Combined with Fracture Three-stage Syndrome Differentiation on Recovery of Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures After Operation / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of Jingui Shenqiwan combined with three-stage syndrome differentiation on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) after operation, and its regulatory effect on biomarkers of bone metabolism. Method:One hundred and thirty-five patients were randomly divided into control group (67 cases) and observation group (68 cases) by random number table. A total of 58 patients in control group completed the treatment (4 patients were exfoliated, 2 patients were lost to follow-up, 3 patients were eliminated); and 60 patients in observation group completed the treatment (3 patients were exfoliated, 2 patients were lost to follow-up, 3 patients were eliminated). Both groups patients were given calcitonin injection through intramuscular injection, 20 u/time, 1 time/week, for 12 weeks, calcium carbonate D3 chewable tablets (Ⅱ), 1 tablet/time, 2 times/day, and alendronate sodium tablets, 70 mg/time, 1 time/week. Patients in control group got Bushen Jiangu capsule, 4 grains/time, 3 times/day. And patients in observation group got modified Jingui Shenqiwan combined with fracture three-stage symptom differentiation, 1 dose/day. The courses of treatment in the two groups were 24 weeks, and a 24 week follow-up was provided. Before the operation and at the 12th and 24th week after operation, the short-term efficacy indexes, such as back pain, lumbar function, traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes and complications, were recorded. And the long-term efficacy indexes, such as recovery of responsible vertebral body, lumbar function, bone density and quality of life and incidence of 48 week re-fracture, were also recorded. Before and after operation, levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (BGP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP-5b), type I collagen carboxy terminal prepeptide (PICP), type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide (β-CTX) and N-MID-OT were detected, and the safety was evaluated. Result:The comprehensive efficacy in observation group was superior to that in control group (Z=2.026, P<0.05). At the 12th and 24th week after operation, scores of back pain, lumbar function and TCM syndromes were all lower than those in control group (P<0.01), and score of lumbar function at the 48th week after operation was also lower than that in control group (P<0.01). Bone density was higher than that in control group at the 24th and 48th week after operation, and score of quality of life was lower than that in control group (P<0.01). At the 24th and 48th week after operation, Cobb angles were less than those in control group, and heights of responsible centrums (anterior, central, posterior) were higher than those in control group. Cumulative incidence of complications in control group was 51.72% (30/58), which was higher than 26.67% (16/60) in control group (χ2=7.784, P<0.01). The levels of BGP were higher than those in observation group at the 24th and 48th week after operation, and the levels of BALP, TRAP-5b, PICP, β-CTX and N-MID-OT were all lower than those in control group (P<0.01). And there was no side effect relating to Jingui Shenqiwan. Conclusion:Modified Jingui Shenqiwan combined with fracture three-stage symptom differentiation can reduce the symptoms of back pain and promote the recovery of lumbar function, with a significant short-term comprehensive efficacy. In the long term, it can improve the strength of responsible centrums, restore the anatomical structure of injured centrums, increase the bone density of centrums, further improve the lumbar function, reduce the occurrence of complications, regulate the markers of bone metabolism, and improve osteoporosis.

Modified posterior lumbar interbody fusion augmented with bone cement in the treatment of senile degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: study protocol for a self-controlled trial / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion is the main repair method for senile degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. For elderly patients with osteoporosis, single screw rod system fixation regularly results in dislocation. The incidence of implant loosening is high, and therefore, effective internal fixation is not achieved. OBJECTIVE: This study will use the modified posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure combined with bone cement augmentation for the treatment of senile degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis so as to increase the stability of the vertebral body, make the fixator firm, and to maximize the recovery of postoperative motor function. METHODS: Totally 113 patients with senile degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, aged 65-70 years, irrespective of sex, will be recruited from the Department of Orthopedics of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University of China. The patients will be treated with modified posterior lumbar interbody fusion combined with bone cement augmentation. Follow-up will be performed at 3 and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is recovery of motor function as indicated by the postoperative Oswestry Disability Index score at 12 months. The secondary outcome measures are the change in the rate of excellent and good Oswestry Disability Index scores (comparing preoperative scores with the 4-month postoperative scores), Visual Analogue Scale scores, intervertebral space height, foraminal height, the preoperative and 4 and 14 months postoperative slip distance and slip angle, incidence of adverse reactions, success rate of vertebral fusion, and incidence of secondary slip 4 and 14 months postoperatively. This trial has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University of China(approval number:QHY023G).The study protocol will be proformed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. This trial was designed in October 2017. The recruitment of subjects and data collection will begin in June 2018. The recruitment will be finished in December 2018. Outcome measures will be analyzed in January 2020. This trial will be completed in February 2020. The results of the trial will be reported in a scientific conference or disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. This trial had been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800015335). Protocol version (1.0). DISCUSSION: This trial aims to observe the efficacy of modified posterior lumbar interbody fusion combined with bone cement augmentation in the treatment of senile degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and to validate whether the procedure is safe and reliable.