Ibrutinib and venetoclax as primary therapy in symptomatic, treatment-naïve Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

ABSTRACT: Concurrent Bruton tyrosine kinase and BCL2 inhibition has not yet been investigated in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). We performed an investigator-initiated trial of ibrutinib and venetoclax in symptomatic treatment-naïve patients with MYD88-mutated WM. Patients received ibrutinib 420 mg once daily (cycle 1), followed by a ramp-up of venetoclax to 400 mg daily (cycle 2). The combination was then administered for 22 additional 4-week cycles. The attainment of very good partial response (VGPR) was the primary end point. Forty-five patients were enrolled in this study. The median baseline characteristics were as follows: age 67 years, serum IgM 43 g/L, and hemoglobin 102 g/L. Seventeen patients (38%) carried CXCR4 mutations. Nineteen patients (42%) achieved VGPR. Grade 3 or higher adverse events included neutropenia (38%), mucositis (9%), and tumor lysis syndrome (7%). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 3 (9%), and ventricular arrhythmia in 4 (9%) patients that included 2 grade 5 events. With a median follow-up of 24.4 months, the 24-month progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 76% and 96%, respectively, and were not impacted by CXCR4 mutations. The median time on therapy was 10.2 months, and the median time after the end of therapy (EOT) was 13.3 months. Eleven of the 12 progression events occurred after EOT, and the 12-month PFS rates after EOT were 79%; 93% if VGPR was attained, and 69% for other patients (P = .12). Ibrutinib and venetoclax induced high VGPR rates and durable responses after EOT, although they were associated with a higher-than-expected rate of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with WM, leading to early study treatment termination. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04273139.

New developments in the diagnosis and characterization of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

INTRODUCTION: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is defined as a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy and morphologic evidence of bone marrow infiltration by LPL. Immunophenotyping and genotyping provide a firm pathological basis for diagnosis and are particularly valuable in differential diagnosis between WM and related diseases. Emerging technologies in mutational analysis present new opportunities, but challenges remain around standardization of methodologies and reporting of mutational data across centers. AREAS COVERED: The review provides an overview of the diagnosis of WM, with a particular focus on the role of immunophenotyping and genotyping. EXPERT OPINION: Demonstration of LPL with a bone marrow biopsy is essential to reach a definitive diagnosis of WM. However, MYD88L265P and a typical WM immunophenotypic profile are valuable for the differential diagnosis of WM and related diseases, such as marginal zone lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These methodologies must be utilized across centers and with appropriate standards followed in the evaluation and reporting of sensitivities and specificities. The diagnostic and/or prognostic value of mutations in genes such as CXCR4 and TP53 that are currently not routinely evaluated in the diagnosis of WM should be explored.

Dysfunctions of innate and adaptive immune tumor microenvironment in Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by malignant lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow (BM). To dissect the pathophysiology of WM, we evaluated clonal cells by mapping of B cell lymphomagenesis with adaptive and innate immune tumor microenvironment (TME) in the BM of WM patients using mass cytometry (CyTOF). In-depth immunophenotypic profiling of WM cells exhibited profound expansion of clonal cells in both unswitched and switched memory B cells and also plasma cells with aberrant expression variations. WM B lymphomagenesis was associated with reduction of most B cell precursors assessed with the same clonally restricted light chain and phenotypic changes. The immune TME was infiltrated by mature monocytes, neutrophils and adaptive T cells, preferentially subsets of effector T helper, effector CTL and effector memory CTL cells that were associated with superior overall survival (OS), in contrast to progenitors of T cells and myeloid/monocytic lineage subsets that were suppressed in WM cohort. Moreover, decrease in immature B and NKT cells was related to worse OS in WM patients. Innate and adaptive immune subsets of WM TME were modulated by immune checkpoints, including PD-1/PD-L1&PD-L2, TIGIT/PVR, CD137/CD137-L, CTLA-4, BTLA and KIR expression. The response of ibrutinib treatment to the reduction of clonal memory B cell was associated with high levels of immature B cells and effector memory CTL cells. Our study demonstrates that CyTOF technology is a powerful approach for characterizing the pathophysiology of WM at various stages, predicting patient risk and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment strategies.

Therapeutic activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.

Activating G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating a variety of human diseases including cancer. Here, we show that GPER1 is significantly upregulated in tumor cells from different cohorts of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) patients compared to normal B cells. Using the clinically applicable GPER1-selective small-molecule agonist G-1 (also named Tespria), we found that pharmacological activation of GPER1 leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo in animal models, even in the context of the protective bone marrow milieu. Activation of GPER1 triggered the TP53 pathway, which remains actionable during WM progression. Thus, this study identifies a novel therapeutic target in WM and paves the way for the clinical development of the GPER1 agonist G-1.

A new role for the SRC family kinase HCK as a driver of SYK activation in MYD88 mutated lymphomas.

The SRC family kinase (SFK) HCK is transcriptionally upregulated and activated by mutated MYD88 (MYD88Mut), a key adaptor for Toll-receptor signaling. HCK activates BTK, AKT, and ERK in MYD88Mut lymphomas. SYK, a B-cell receptor (BCR) component, is activated in MYD88Mut lymphoma cells. Although the SFK LYN serves as a trigger for SYK activation in MYD88Mut ABC DLBCL cells, LYN activity is muted in MYD88Mut Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) cells. We therefore investigated a role for HCK in mediating SYK activation. Overexpression of wild-type (WT) (HCKWT) or gatekeeper mutated (HCKThr333Met) HCK in MYD88Mut lymphoma cells triggered SYK activation. Conversely, HCK knockdown reduced p-SYK in MYD88Mut lymphoma cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that HCK was complexed with p-SYK in MYD88Mut BCWM.1 and TMD8 cells, but not in MYD88 WT Ramos cells. Rescue experiments in MYD88Mut lymphoma cells expressing HCKThr333Met led to persistent HCK and SYK activation and resistance to the HCK inhibitor A419259. Treatment of primary MYD88Mut WM cells with A419259 reduced p-HCK and p-SYK expression. Taken together, our findings show that SYK is activated by HCK in MYD88Mut B-cell lymphomas cells, broaden the prosurvival signaling generated by aberrant HCK expression in response to MYD88Mut, and help define HCK as an important therapeutic target in MYD88Mut B-cell lymphomas.

Response and survival predictors in a cohort of 319 patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia treated with ibrutinib monotherapy.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are the only FDA-approved treatments for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Factors prognostic of survival and predictive of response to BTK inhibitors remained to be clarified. We evaluated 319 patients with WM to identify predictive and prognostic factors on ibrutinib monotherapy. Logistic and Cox proportional-hazard regression models were fitted for response and survival. Multiple imputation analyses were used to address bias associated with missing data. Major (partial response or better) and deep responses (very good partial response or better) were attained in 78% and 28% of patients. CXCR4 mutations were associated with lower odds of major (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1-0.5; P < .001) and deep response (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.6; P = .001). CXCR4 mutations (hazard ratio [HR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.4; P = .01) and platelet count 100 K/uL or less (HR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.9; P = .007) were associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS). We proposed a scoring system using these 2 factors. The median PFS for patients with 0, 1, and 2 risk factors were not reached, 5 years and 3 years (P < .001). Patients with 2 risk factors had HR 2.2 (95% CI, 1.3-3.8; P = .004) compared with 1 factor, and patients with 1 factor had HR 2.3 (95% CI, 1.1-5.1; P = .03) compared with 0 factors. Age ≥65 years was the only factor associated with overall survival (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4-7.0; P = .005). Multiple imputation analyses did not alter our results. Our study confirms the predictive and prognostic value of CXCR4 mutations in patients with WM treated with ibrutinib monotherapy.

Long-term follow-up of ibrutinib monotherapy in treatment-naive patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Herein, we present the final report of a single-center, prospective phase II study evaluating ibrutinib 420 mg once daily in 30 treatment-naive patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). The present study is registered with ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT02604511). With a median follow-up of 50 months, the overall, major, and VGPR response rates were 100%, 87%, and 30%. The VGPR rate was numerically but not significantly lower in patients with than without CXCR4 mutations (14% vs. 44%; p = 0.09). The median time to a minor response was 0.9 months, and to a major response was 1.9 months, though were longer in those with mutated CXCR4 at 1.7 months (p = 0.07) and 7.3 months (p = 0.01). Six patients had disease progression. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached, and the 4-year PFS rate was 76%. There was also a non-significant lower 4-year PFS rate in patients with than without CXCR4 mutations (59% vs. 92%; p = 0.06). The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, upper respiratory infection, and hematoma. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 20% of patients. Ibrutinib monotherapy induced durable responses in treatment-naive patients with WM. CXCR4 mutations impacted VGPR attainment, time to major response, and 4-year PFS rate.

Natural history of Waldenström macroglobulinemia following acquired resistance to ibrutinib monotherapy.

Ibrutinib is highly active and produces long-term responses in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), but acquired resistance can occur with prolonged treatment. We therefore evaluated the natural history and treatment outcomes in 51 WM patients with acquired resistance to ibrutinib monotherapy. The median time between ibrutinib initiation and discontinuation was 2 years (range, 0.4-6.5 years). Following discontinuation of ibrutinib, a rapid increase in serum immunoglobulin M level was observed in 60% (29/48) of evaluable patients, of whom ten acutely developed symptomatic hyperviscosity. Forty-eight patients (94%) received salvage therapy after ibrutinib. The median time to salvage therapy after ibrutinib cessation was 18 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13-27). The overall and major response rates to salvage therapy were 56% and 44%, respectively, and the median duration of response was 48 months (95% CI: 34-not reached). Quadruple-class (rituximab, alkylator, proteasome inhibitor, ibrutinib) exposed disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.73) and salvage therapy ≤7 days after discontinuing ibrutinib (OR 4.12, 95% CI: 1.07- 18.9) were identified as independent predictors of a response to salvage therapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) following discontinuation of ibrutinib was 44% (95% CI: 26-75). Response to salvage therapy was associated with better OS after ibrutinib (hazard ratio 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.38). TP53 mutations were associated with shorter OS, while acquired BTK C481S mutations had no impact. Our findings reveal that continuation of ibrutinib until subsequent treatment is associated with improved disease control and clinical outcomes.

Venetoclax in Previously Treated Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.

PURPOSE: BCL2 is overexpressed and confers prosurvival signaling in malignant lymphoplasmacytic cells in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Venetoclax is a potent BCL2 antagonist and triggers in vitro apoptosis of WM cells. The activity of venetoclax in WM remains to be clarified. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter, prospective phase II study of venetoclax in patients with previously treated WM (NCT02677324). Venetoclax was dose-escalated from 200 mg to a maximum dose of 800 mg daily for up to 2 years. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were evaluable, including 16 previously exposed to Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis). All patients were MYD88 L265P-mutated, and 17 carried CXCR4 mutations. The median time to minor and major responses was 1.9 and 5.1 months, respectively. Previous exposure to BTKis was associated with a longer time to response (4.5 v 1.4 months; P < .001). The overall, major, and very good partial response rates were 84%, 81%, and 19%, respectively. The major response rate was lower in those with refractory versus relapsed disease (50% v 95%; P = .007). The median follow-up time was 33 months, and the median progression-free survival was 30 months. CXCR4 mutations did not affect treatment response or progression-free survival. The only recurring grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse event was neutropenia (n = 14; 45%), including one episode of febrile neutropenia. Laboratory tumor lysis without clinical sequelae occurred in one patient. No deaths have occurred. CONCLUSION: Venetoclax is safe and highly active in patients with previously treated WM, including those who previously received BTKis. CXCR4 mutation status did not affect treatment response.

IgM-MM is predominantly a pre-germinal center disorder and has a distinct genomic and transcriptomic signature from WM.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare disease subgroup. Its differentiation from other IgM-producing gammopathies such as Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) has not been well characterized but is essential for proper risk assessment and treatment. In this study, we investigated genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of IgM-MM samples using whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing to identify differentiating characteristics from non-IgM-MM and WM. Our results suggest that IgM-MM shares most of its defining structural variants and gene-expression profiling with MM, but has some key characteristics, including t(11;14) translocation, chromosome 6 and 13 deletion as well as distinct molecular and transcription-factor signatures. Furthermore, IgM-MM translocations were predominantly characterized by VHDHJH recombination-induced breakpoints, as opposed to the usual class-switching region breakpoints; coupled with its lack of class switching, these data favor a pre-germinal center origin. Finally, we found elevated expression of clinically relevant targets, including CD20 and Bruton tyrosine kinase, as well as high BCL2/BCL2L1 ratio in IgM-MM, providing potential for targeted therapeutics.

Phase 1 study of ibrutinib and the CXCR4 antagonist ulocuplumab in CXCR4-mutated Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations are common in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Mutated CXCR4 (CXCR4Mut) impacts BTK-inhibitor response. We conducted a phase 1 trial of the CXCR4-antagonist ulocuplumab with ibrutinib in this first-ever study to target CXCR4Mut in WM. Ibrutinib was initiated at 420 mg/d with cycle 1 and continued until intolerance or progression; ulocuplumab was given cycles 1 to 6, with a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design. Each cycle was 4 weeks. Thirteen symptomatic patients, of whom 9 were treatment-naive patients were enrolled. Twelve were evaluable for response. At best response, their median serum immunoglobulin M declined from 5574 to 1114 mg/dL; bone marrow disease decreased from 65% to 10%, and hemoglobin increased from 10.1 to 14.2 g/dL (P < .001). The major and VGPR response rates were 100% and 33%, respectively, with VGPRs observed at lower ulocuplumab dose cohorts. Median times to minor and major responses were 0.9 and 1.2 months, respectively. With a median follow-up of 22.4 months, the estimated 2-year progression-free survival was 90%. The most frequent recurring grade ≥2 adverse events included reversible thrombocytopenia, rash, and skin infections. Ulocuplumab dose-escalation did not impact adverse events. The study demonstrates the feasibility of combining a CXCR4-antagonist with ibrutinib and provides support for the development of CXCR4-antagonists for CXCR4Mut WM. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03225716.

The HCK/BTK inhibitor KIN-8194 is active in MYD88-driven lymphomas and overcomes mutated BTKCys481 ibrutinib resistance.

Activating mutations in MYD88 promote malignant cell growth and survival through hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK)-mediated activation of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). Ibrutinib binds to BTKCys481 and is active in B-cell malignancies driven by mutated MYD88. Mutations in BTKCys481, particularly BTKCys481Ser, are common in patients with acquired ibrutinib resistance. We therefore performed an extensive medicinal chemistry campaign and identified KIN-8194 as a novel dual inhibitor of HCK and BTK. KIN-8194 showed potent and selective in vitro killing of MYD88-mutated lymphoma cells, including ibrutinib-resistant BTKCys481Ser-expressing cells. KIN-8194 demonstrated excellent bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters, with good tolerance in rodent models at pharmacologically achievable and active doses. Pharmacodynamic studies showed sustained inhibition of HCK and BTK for 24 hours after single oral administration of KIN-8194 in an MYD88-mutated TMD-8 activated B-cell diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC DLBCL) and BCWM.1 Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) xenografted mice with wild-type BTK (BTKWT)- or BTKCys481Ser-expressing tumors. KIN-8194 showed superior survival benefit over ibrutinib in both BTKWT- and BTKCys481Ser-expressing TMD-8 DLBCL xenografted mice, including sustained complete responses of >12 weeks off treatment in mice with BTKWT-expressing TMD-8 tumors. The BCL_2 inhibitor venetoclax enhanced the antitumor activity of KIN-8194 in BTKWT- and BTKCys481Ser-expressing MYD88-mutated lymphoma cells and markedly reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice with BTKCys481Ser-expressing TMD-8 tumors treated with both drugs. The findings highlight the feasibility of targeting HCK, a key driver of mutated MYD88 pro-survival signaling, and provide a framework for the advancement of KIN-8194 for human studies in B-cell malignancies driven by HCK and BTK.

Bone marrow involvement and subclonal diversity impairs detection of mutated CXCR4 by diagnostic next-generation sequencing in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia.

CXCR4 mutations impact disease presentation and treatment outcomes in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). Non-uniform testing for CXCR4 mutations may account for discordant findings in WM clinical trials. We compared two approaches used in these trials for detection of the most common CXCR4 (S338X) variant: targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) using unselected bone marrow (BM) samples, and combined allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and Sanger sequencing with unselected and CD19-selected BM samples. Our findings showed that targeted NGS frequently yielded false-negative results. Both CD19 selection and AS-PCR markedly improved detection of CXCR4S338X mutations. Sensitivity was adversely impacted by low BM involvement and CXCR4 mutation clonality.

Targeting of CXCR4 by the Naturally Occurring CXCR4 Antagonist EPI-X4 in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.

CXCR4 expression and downstream signaling have been identified as key factors in malignant hematopoiesis. Thus, up to 40% of all patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) carry an activating mutation of CXCR4 that leads to a more aggressive clinical course and inferior outcome upon treatment with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib. Nevertheless, little is known about physiological mechanisms counteracting CXCR4 signaling in hematopoietic neoplasms. Recently, the endogenous human peptide EPI-X4 was identified as a natural CXCR4 antagonist that effectively blocks CXCL12-mediated receptor internalization and suppresses the migration and invasion of cancer cells towards a CXCL12 gradient. Here, we demonstrate that EPI-X4 efficiently binds to CXCR4 of WM cells and decreases their migration towards CXCL12. The CXCR4 inhibitory activity of EPI-X4 is accompanied by reduced expression of genes involved in MAPK signaling and energy metabolism. Notably, the anti-WM activity of EPI-X4 could be further augmented by the rational design of EPI-X4 derivatives showing higher binding affinity to CXCR4. In summary, these data demonstrate that a naturally occurring anti-CXCR4 peptide is able to interfere with WM cell behaviour, and that optimized derivatives of EPI-X4 may represent a promising approach in suppressing growth promoting CXCR4 signaling in WM.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Ibrutinib Monotherapy in Symptomatic, Previously Treated Patients With Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.

PURPOSE: We report the long-term findings and final analysis of a pivotal multicenter trial of ibrutinib monotherapy in previously treated patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three symptomatic patients with median prior therapies of two (range, one to nine therapies), of whom 40% were refractory to their previous therapy, received ibrutinib at 420 mg/d. Dose reduction was permitted for toxicity. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 59 months, and overall and major response rates were 90.5% and 79.4%, respectively. At best response, median serum immunoglobulin M declined from 3,520 to 821 mg/dL, bone marrow disease involvement declined from 60% to 20%, and hemoglobin rose from 10.3 to 14.2 g/dL (P < .001 for all comparisons). Responses were impacted by mutated (Mut) MYD88 and CXCR4 status. Patients with MYD88Mut, wild-type (WT) CXCR4 showed higher major (97.2% v 68.2%; P < .0001) and very good partial (47.2% v 9.1%; P < .01) response rates and a shorter time to major response (1.8 v 4.7 months; P = .02) versus patients with MYD88MutCXCR4Mut. Conversely, four patients who had MYD88WT disease showed no major responses. The median 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate for all patients was not reached, and was 70% and 38% for those with MYD88MutCXCR4WT and MYD88MutCXCR4Mut WM, respectively (P = .02). In patients with MYD88WT, the median PFS was 0.4 years (P < .01 for three-way comparisons). The 5-year overall survival rate for all patients was 87%. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events in more than one patient at least possibly related included neutropenia (15.9%), thrombocytopenia (11.1%), and pneumonia (3.2%). Eight patients (12.7%) experienced atrial arrhythmia, and seven of the eight continued therapy with medical management. CONCLUSION: Ibrutinib is highly active and produces long-term disease control in previously treated patients with WM. Treatment is tolerable. Response depth, time to major response, and PFS are impacted by MYD88 and CXCR4 mutation status.