Coronavirus Receptor Expression Profiles in Human Mast Cells, Basophils, and Eosinophils.

A major problem in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients is the massive tissue inflammation in certain target organs, including the lungs. Mast cells (MC), basophils (BA), and eosinophils (EO) are key effector cells in inflammatory processes. These cells have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. We explored coronavirus receptor (CoV-R) expression profiles in primary human MC, BA, and EO, and in related cell lines (HMC-1, ROSA, MCPV-1, KU812, and EOL-1). As determined using flow cytometry, primary MC, BA, and EO, and their corresponding cell lines, displayed the CoV-R CD13 and CD147. Primary skin MC and BA, as well as EOL-1 cells, also displayed CD26, whereas primary EO and the MC and BA cell lines failed to express CD26. As assessed using qPCR, most cell lines expressed transcripts for CD13, CD147, and ABL2, whereas ACE2 mRNA was not detectable, and CD26 mRNA was only identified in EOL-1 cells. We also screened for drug effects on CoV-R expression. However, dexamethasone, vitamin D, and hydroxychloroquine did not exert substantial effects on the expression of CD13, CD26, or CD147 in the cells. Together, MC, BA, and EO express distinct CoV-R profiles. Whether these receptors mediate virus-cell interactions and thereby virus-induced inflammation remains unknown at present.

Antineoplastic efficacy profiles of avapritinib and nintedanib in KIT D816V+ systemic mastocytosis: a preclinical study.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a hematopoietic neoplasm with a complex pathology and a variable clinical course. Clinical symptoms result from organ infiltration by mast cells (MC) and the effects of pro-inflammatory mediators released during MC activation. In SM, growth and survival of MC are triggered by various oncogenic mutant-forms of the tyrosine kinase KIT. The most prevalent variant, D816V, confers resistance against various KIT-targeting drugs, including imatinib. We examined the effects of two novel promising KIT D816V-targeting drugs, avapritinib and nintedanib, on growth, survival, and activation of neoplastic MC and compared their activity profiles with that of midostaurin. Avapritinib was found to suppress growth of HMC-1.1 cells (KIT V560G) and HMC-1.2 cells (KIT V560G + KIT D816V) with comparable IC50 values (0.1-0.25 µM). In addition, avapritinib was found to inhibit the proliferation of ROSAKIT WT cells, (IC50: 0.1-0.25 µM), ROSAKIT D816V cells (IC50: 1-5 µM), and ROSAKIT K509I cells (IC50: 0.1-0.25 µM). Nintedanib exerted even stronger growth-inhibitory effects in these cells (IC50 in HMC-1.1: 0.001-0.01 µM; HMC-1.2: 0.25-0.5 µM; ROSAKIT WT: 0.01-0.1 µM; ROSAKIT D816V: 0.5-1 µM; ROSAKIT K509I: 0.01-0.1 µM). Avapritinib and nintedanib also suppressed the growth of primary neoplastic cells in most patients with SM examined (avapritinib IC50: 0.5-5 µM; nintedanib IC50: 0.1-5 µM). Growth-inhibitory effects of avapritinib and nintedanib were accompanied by signs of apoptosis and decreased surface expression of the transferrin receptor CD71 in neoplastic MC. Finally, we were able to show that avapritinib counteracts IgE-dependent histamine secretion in basophils and MC in patients with SM. These effects of avapritinib may explain the rapid clinical improvement seen during treatment with this KIT inhibitor in patients with SM. In conclusion, avapritinib and nintedanib are new potent inhibitors of growth and survival of neoplastic MC expressing various KIT mutant forms, including D816V, V560G, and K509I, which favors the clinical development and application of these new drugs in advanced SM. Avapritinib is of particular interest as it also blocks mediator secretion in neoplastic MC.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is a prognostic marker for response to intensive chemotherapy, early death, and overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia.

Patient-related factors are of prognostic importance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Likewise, cardiac disorders may limit the tolerance of intensive therapy. Little is known about the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). We analyzed NT-proBNP levels at diagnosis in 312 AML patients (median age: 61 years; range 17-89 years) treated with 3 + 7-based induction-chemotherapy and consolidation with up to four cycles of intermediate or high-dose ARA-C. NT-proBNP levels were elevated in 199 patients (63.8%), normal (0-125 pg/ml) in 113 (36.2%), and highly elevated (>2000 pg/ml) in 20 patients (6.4%). Median NT-proBNP levels differed significantly among patients with complete remission (153.3 pg/ml), no remission (225.9 pg/ml), or early death (735.5 pg/ml) (p = .002). In multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP, age, and the 2009 European LeukemiaNet (ELN-2009) classification were independent predictors of outcome after induction chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) differed significantly between patients with normal, moderately elevated, and highly elevated NT-proBNP (p < .001). These differences were observed in all patients and in patients <60 years but not in those ≥60 years. In multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP, age, and ELN-2009 remained independent prognostic variables for OS (p < .01). Together, NT-proBNP is an independent prognostic factor indicating the risk of induction failure, early death, and reduced OS in patients with AML.

Expression and regulation of Siglec-6 (CD327) on human mast cells and basophils.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells (MC) and basophils are effector cells of allergic reactions and display a number of activation-linked cell surface antigens. Of these antigens, however, only a few are functionally relevant and specifically expressed in these cells. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify MC- and basophil-specific surface molecules and to study their cellular distribution and regulation during cytokine-induced and IgE-dependent activation. METHODS: Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to recognize surface antigens and to determine changes in antigen expression upon activation. RESULTS: We identified Siglec-6 (CD327) as a differentially regulated surface antigen on human MC and basophils. In the bone marrow, Siglec-6 was expressed abundantly on MC in patients with mastocytosis and in reactive states, but it was not detected on other myeloid cells, with the exception of basophils and monocytes. In healthy individuals, allergic patients, and patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Siglec-6 was identified on CD203c+ blood basophils, a subset of CD19+ B lymphocytes, and few CD14+ monocytes, but not on other blood leukocytes. CML basophils expressed higher levels of Siglec-6 than normal basophils. IL-3 promoted Siglec-6 expression on normal and CML basophils, and stem cell factor increased the expression of Siglec-6 on tissue MC. Unexpectedly, IgE-dependent activation resulted in downregulation of Siglec-6 in IL-3-primed basophils, whereas in MC, IgE-dependent activation augmented stem cell factor-induced upregulation of Siglec-6. CONCLUSIONS: Siglec-6 is a dynamically regulated marker of MC and basophils. Activated MC and basophils exhibit unique Siglec-6 responses, including cytokine-dependent upregulation and unique, cell-specific, responses to IgE-receptor cross-linking.

BRD4 degradation blocks expression of MYC and multiple forms of stem cell resistance in Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia.

In most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) clonal cells can be kept under control by BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). However, overt resistance or intolerance against these TKI may occur. We identified the epigenetic reader BRD4 and its downstream-effector MYC as growth regulators and therapeutic targets in CML cells. BRD4 and MYC were found to be expressed in primary CML cells, CD34+ /CD38- leukemic stem cells (LSC), and in the CML cell lines KU812, K562, KCL22, and KCL22T315I . The BRD4-targeting drug JQ1 was found to suppress proliferation in KU812 cells and primary leukemic cells in the majority of patients with chronic phase CML. In the blast phase of CML, JQ1 was less effective. However, the BRD4 degrader dBET6 was found to block proliferation and/or survival of primary CML cells in all patients tested, including blast phase CML and CML cells exhibiting the T315I variant of BCR::ABL1. Moreover, dBET6 was found to block MYC expression and to synergize with BCR::ABL1 TKI in inhibiting the proliferation in the JQ1-resistant cell line K562. Furthermore, BRD4 degradation was found to overcome osteoblast-induced TKI resistance of CML LSC in a co-culture system and to block interferon-gamma-induced upregulation of the checkpoint antigen PD-L1 in LSC. Finally, dBET6 was found to suppress the in vitro survival of CML LSC and their engraftment in NSG mice. Together, targeting of BRD4 and MYC through BET degradation sensitizes CML cells against BCR::ABL1 TKI and is a potent approach to overcome multiple forms of drug resistance in CML LSC.

CDK4/CDK6 Inhibitors Synergize with Midostaurin, Avapritinib, and Nintedanib in Inducing Growth Inhibition in KIT D816V+ Neoplastic Mast Cells.

In most patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM), neoplastic mast cells (MC) express KIT D816V. However, despite their disease-modifying potential, KIT D816V-targeting drugs, including midostaurin and avapritinib, may not produce long-term remissions in all patients. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK6 are promising targets in oncology. We found that shRNA-mediated knockdown of CDK4 and CDK6 results in growth arrest in the KIT D816V+ MC line HMC-1.2. The CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib suppressed the proliferation in primary neoplastic MC as well as in all HMC-1 and ROSA cell subclones that were examined. Abemaciclib was also found to block growth in the drug-resistant MC line MCPV-1, whereas no effects were seen with palbociclib and ribociclib. Anti-proliferative drug effects on MC were accompanied by cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors were found to synergize with the KIT-targeting drugs midostaurin, avapritinib, and nintedanib in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis in neoplastic MCs. Finally, we found that CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors induce apoptosis in CD34+/CD38- stem cells in AdvSM. Together, CDK4/CDK6 inhibition is a potent approach to suppress the growth of neoplastic cells in AdvSM. Whether CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors can improve clinical outcomes in patients with AdvSM remains to be determined in clinical trials.

Identification of CD203c as a New Basophil-Specific Flow-Marker in Ph+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Basophilia is a crucial prognostic variable in Ph-chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The ectoenzyme CD203c is an activation-linked surface antigen that is expressed specifically on basophil-committed progenitor cells and mature basophils. We examined the expression of CD203c on progenitors and/or basophils in 21 healthy donors and 44 patients with CML. As expected, the numbers of CD203c+ blood leukocytes were significantly higher in CML patients compared to controls (percentage of CD203c+ cells among viable cells in CML at diagnosis: 4.19 ± 3.68% vs. controls: 0.53 ± 0.23%, p < 0.05). Moreover, CML basophils expressed higher levels of CD203c compared to normal basophils (median staining-index in CML at diagnosis: 29.41 ± 19.14 versus controls: 20.44 ± 13.45). We also found that the numbers and percentage of circulating CD203c+ cells at diagnosis correlate with the disease-related risk-profile. Incubation of CML basophils with an anti-IgE-antibody resulted in further upregulation of CD203c. After successful treatment with imatinib and/or other BCR::ABL1 inhibitors leading to major or complete molecular responses, the numbers of CD203c+ basophils decreased substantially in our CML patients compared to pre-treatment values. Together, CD203c is overexpressed on CML basophils, is further upregulated by IgE receptor cross-linking, and may serve as a biomarker to quantify basophilia in patients with CML at diagnosis and during therapy.

Secondary basophilic leukemia in Ph-negative myeloid neoplasms: A distinct subset with poor prognosis.

During progression of myeloid neoplasms, the basophil compartment may expand substantially and in some of these patients, a basophilic leukemia is diagnosed. In patients with Ph-chromosome+ chronic myeloid leukemia, acceleration of disease is typically accompanied by marked basophilia. In other myeloid neoplasms, secondary leukemic expansion of basophils is rarely seen. We report on 5 patients who suffered from a myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm, or acute leukemia and developed a massive expansion of basophils during disease progression. In 4 of 5 patients, peripheral blood basophil counts reached 40%, and the diagnosis "secondary basophilic leukemia" was established. As assessed by flow cytometry, neoplastic basophils expressed CD9, CD18, CD25, CD33, CD63, PD-L1, CD123, and CLL-1. In addition, basophils were found to display BB1 (basogranulin), 2D7, tryptase and KIT. In 4 of 5 patients the disease progressed quickly and treatment with azacitidine was started. However, azacitidine did not induce major clinical responses, and all patients died from progressive disease within 3 Y. In in vitro experiments, the patients´ cells and the basophilic leukemia cell line KU812 showed variable responses to targeted drugs, including azacitidine, venetoclax, hydroxyurea, and cytarabine. A combination of venetoclax and azacitidine induced cooperative antineoplastic effects in these cells. Together, secondary basophilic leukemia has a poor prognosis and monotherapy with azacitidine is not sufficient to keep the disease under control for longer time-periods. Whether drug combination, such as venetoclax+azacitidine, can induce better outcomes in these patients remains to be determined in future clinical studies.

Asciminib and ponatinib exert synergistic anti-neoplastic effects on CML cells expressing BCR-ABL1 T315I-compound mutations.

Ponatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) directed against BCR-ABL1 which is successfully used in patients with BCR-ABL1 T315I+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, BCR-ABL1 compound mutations may develop during therapy in these patients and may lead to drug resistance. Asciminib is a novel drug capable of targeting most BCR-ABL1 mutant-forms, including BCR-ABL1T315I, but remains ineffective against most BCR-ABL1T315I+ compound mutation-bearing sub-clones. We demonstrate that asciminib synergizes with ponatinib in inducing growth-arrest and apoptosis in patient-derived CML cell lines and murine Ba/F3 cells harboring BCR-ABL1 T315I or T315I-including compound mutations. Asciminib and ponatinib also produced cooperative effects on CRKL phosphorylation in BCR-ABL1-transformed cells. The growth-inhibitory effects of the drug combination 'asciminib+ponatinib' was further enhanced by hydroxyurea (HU), a drug which has lately been described to suppresses the proliferation of BCR-ABL1 T315I+ CML cells. Cooperative drug effects were also observed in patient-derived CML cells. Most importantly, we were able to show that the combinations 'asciminib+ponatinib' and 'asciminib+ponatinib+HU' produce synergistic apoptosis-inducing effects in CD34+/CD38- CML stem cells obtained from patients with chronic phase CML or BCR-ABL1 T315I+ CML blast phase. Together, asciminib, ponatinib and HU synergize in producing anti-leukemic effects in multi-resistant CML cells, including cells harboring T315I+ BCR-ABL1 compound mutations and CML stem cells. The clinical efficacy of this TKI combination needs to be evaluated within the frame of upcoming clinical trials.

Phenotypic characterization of leukemia-initiating stem cells in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a stem cell-derived neoplasm characterized by dysplasia, uncontrolled expansion of monocytes, and substantial risk to transform to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). So far, little is known about CMML-initiating cells. We found that leukemic stem cells (LSC) in CMML reside in a CD34+/CD38- fraction of the malignant clone. Whereas CD34+/CD38- cells engrafted NSGS mice with overt CMML, no CMML was produced by CD34+/CD38+ progenitors or the bulk of CD34- monocytes. CMML LSC invariably expressed CD33, CD117, CD123 and CD133. In a subset of patients, CMML LSC also displayed CD52, IL-1RAP and/or CLL-1. CMML LSC did not express CD25 or CD26. However, in sAML following CMML, the LSC also expressed CD25 and high levels of CD114, CD123 and IL-1RAP. No correlations between LSC phenotypes, CMML-variant, mutation-profiles, or clinical course were identified. Pre-incubation of CMML LSC with gemtuzumab-ozogamicin or venetoclax resulted in decreased growth and impaired engraftment in NSGS mice. Together, CMML LSC are CD34+/CD38- cells that express a distinct profile of surface markers and target-antigens. During progression to sAML, LSC acquire or upregulate certain cytokine receptors, including CD25, CD114 and CD123. Characterization of CMML LSC should facilitate their enrichment and the development of LSC-eradicating therapies.

In vitro effects of histamine receptor 1 antagonists on proliferation and histamine release in canine neoplastic mast cells.

Canine mastocytomas (MCTs) are characterized by rapid proliferation of neoplastic mast cells (MCs) and clinical signs caused by MC-derived mediators. In dogs suffering from MCT, histamine receptor 1 (HR1) antagonists are frequently used to control mediator-related clinical symptoms. Previous studies have shown that the HR1 antagonists loratadine and terfenadine exert some growth-inhibitory effects on neoplastic MCs. We examined whether other HR1 antagonists used in clinical practice (desloratadine, rupatadine, cyproheptadine, dimetindene, diphenhydramine) affect proliferation and survival of neoplastic MCs. Furthermore, we analysed whether these HR1 antagonists counteract IgE-dependent histamine release from a MC line harbouring a functional IgE-receptor. HR1 antagonists were applied on two canine MC lines, C2 and NI-1, and on primary MCs obtained from three MCT samples. The HR1 antagonists desloratadine, rupatadine and cyproheptadine were found to be more potent in decreasing proliferation of C2 and NI-1 cells when compared with dimetindene and diphenhydramine. Similar effects were seen in primary neoplastic MCs, except for diphenhydramine, which exerted more potent growth-inhibitory effects than the other HR1 antagonists. Drug-induced growth-inhibition in C2 and NI-1 cells was accompanied by apoptosis. Loratadine, desloratadine and rupatadine also suppressed IgE-dependent histamine release in NI-1 cells. However, drug concentrations required to elicit substantial effects on growth or histamine release were relatively high (>10 µM). Therefore, it remains unknown whether these drugs or similar, more potent, HR1-targeting drugs can suppress growth or activation of canine neoplastic MCs in vivo.

Delineation of target expression profiles in CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ stem and progenitor cells in AML and CML.

In an attempt to identify novel markers and immunological targets in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we screened bone marrow (BM) samples from patients with AML (n = 274) or CML (n = 97) and controls (n = 288) for expression of cell membrane antigens on CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ cells by multicolor flow cytometry. In addition, we established messenger RNA expression profiles in purified sorted CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ cells using gene array and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Aberrantly expressed markers were identified in all cohorts. In CML, CD34+/CD38- LSCs exhibited an almost invariable aberration profile, defined as CD25+/CD26+/CD56+/CD93+/IL-1RAP+. By contrast, in patients with AML, CD34+/CD38- cells variably expressed "aberrant" membrane antigens, including CD25 (48%), CD96 (40%), CD371 (CLL-1; 68%), and IL-1RAP (65%). With the exception of a subgroup of FLT3 internal tandem duplication-mutated patients, AML LSCs did not exhibit CD26. All other surface markers and target antigens detected on AML and/or CML LSCs, including CD33, CD44, CD47, CD52, CD105, CD114, CD117, CD133, CD135, CD184, and roundabout-4, were also found on normal BM stem cells. However, several of these surface targets, including CD25, CD33, and CD123, were expressed at higher levels on CD34+/CD38- LSCs compared with normal BM stem cells. Moreover, antibody-mediated immunological targeting through CD33 or CD52 resulted in LSC depletion in vitro and a substantially reduced LSC engraftment in NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice. Together, we have established surface marker and target expression profiles of AML LSCs and CML LSCs, which should facilitate LSC enrichment, diagnostic LSC phenotyping, and development of LSC-eradicating immunotherapies.

CDK4/CDK6 inhibition as a novel strategy to suppress the growth and survival of BCR-ABL1T315I+ clones in TKI-resistant CML.

PURPOSE: Ponatinib is the only approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) suppressing BCR-ABL1T315I-mutated cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, due to side effects and resistance, BCR-ABL1T315I-mutated CML remains a clinical challenge. Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used for cytoreduction in CML for decades. We found that HU suppresses or even eliminates BCR-ABL1T315I+ sub-clones in heavily pretreated CML patients. Based on this observation, we investigated the effects of HU on TKI-resistant CML cells in vitro. METHODS: Viability, apoptosis and proliferation of drug-exposed primary CML cells and BCR-ABL1+ cell lines were examined by flow cytometry and 3H-thymidine-uptake. Expression of drug targets was analyzed by qPCR and Western blotting. FINDINGS: HU was more effective in inhibiting the proliferation of leukemic cells harboring BCR-ABL1T315I or T315I-including compound-mutations compared to cells expressing wildtype BCR-ABL1. Moreover, HU synergized with ponatinib and ABL001 in inducing growth inhibition in CML cells. Furthermore, HU blocked cell cycle progression in leukemic cells, which was accompanied by decreased expression of CDK4 and CDK6. Palbociclib, a more specific CDK4/CDK6-inhibitor, was also found to suppress proliferation in primary CML cells and to synergize with ponatinib in producing growth inhibition in BCR-ABL1T315I+ cells, suggesting that suppression of CDK4/CDK6 may be a promising concept to overcome BCR-ABL1T315I-associated TKI resistance. INTERPRETATION: HU and the CDK4/CDK6-blocker palbociclib inhibit growth of CML clones expressing BCR-ABL1T315I or complex T315I-including compound-mutations. Clinical studies are required to confirm single drug effects and the efficacy of `ponatinib+HU´ and ´ponatinib+palbociclib´ combinations in advanced CML. FUNDING: This project was supported by the Austrian Science Funds (FWF) projects F4701-B20, F4704-B20 and P30625.

Effects of ibrutinib on proliferation and histamine release in canine neoplastic mast cells.

The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib is effective in the treatment of human chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma. Recent data have shown that ibrutinib also blocks IgE-dependent activation and histamine release in human basophils (BAs) and mast cells (MCs). The aim of this study was to investigate whether BTK serves as a novel therapeutic target in canine mast cell tumours (MCTs). We evaluated the effects of ibrutinib on two canine MC lines, C2 and NI-1 and on primary MCs obtained from canine MCTs (n = 3). Using flow cytometry, we found that ibrutinib suppresses phosphorylation of BTK and of downstream STAT5 in both MC lines. In addition, ibrutinib decreased proliferation of neoplastic MCs, with IC50 values ranging between 0.1 and 1 µM in primary MCT cells and between 1 and 3 µM in C2 and NI-1 cells. In C2 cells, the combination "ibrutinib + midostaurin" produced synergistic growth-inhibitory effects. At higher concentrations, ibrutinib also induced apoptosis in both MC lines. Finally, ibrutinib was found to suppress IgE-dependent histamine release in primary MCT cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.05 to 0.1 µM in NI-1 cells, and from 0.05 to 1 µM in primary MCT cells. In summary, ibrutinib exerts anti-proliferative effects in canine neoplastic MCs and counteracts IgE-dependent histamine release in these cells. Based on our data, ibrutinib may be considered as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of canine MCT. The value of BTK inhibition in canine MCT patients remains to be elucidated in clinical trials.

Identification of a leukemia-initiating stem cell in human mast cell leukemia.

Mast cell leukemia (MCL) is a highly fatal malignancy characterized by devastating expansion of immature mast cells in various organs. Although considered a stem cell disease, little is known about MCL-propagating neoplastic stem cells. We here describe that leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in MCL reside within a CD34+/CD38- fraction of the clone. Whereas highly purified CD34+/CD38─ cells engrafted NSGhSCF mice with fully manifesting MCL, no MCL was produced by CD34+/CD38+ progenitors or the bulk of KIT+/CD34- mast cells. CD34+/CD38- MCL cells invariably expressed CD13 and CD133, and often also IL-1RAP, but did not express CD25, CD26 or CLL-1. CD34+/CD38- MCL cells also displayed several surface targets, including CD33, which was homogenously expressed on MCL LSCs in all cases, and the D816V mutant form of KIT. Although CD34+/CD38- cells were resistant against single drugs, exposure to combinations of CD33-targeting and KIT-targeting drugs resulted in LSC-depletion and markedly reduced engraftment in NSGhSCF mice. Together, MCL LSCs are CD34+/CD38- cells that express distinct profiles of markers and target antigens. Characterization of MCL LSCs should facilitate their purification and should support the development of LSC-eradicating curative treatment approaches in this fatal type of leukemia.

A kinase profile-adapted drug combination elicits synergistic cooperative effects on leukemic cells carrying BCR-ABL1T315I in Ph+ CML.

In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), resistance against second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) remains a serious clinical challenge, especially in the context of multi-resistant BCR-ABL1 mutants, such as T315I. Treatment with ponatinib may suppress most of these mutants, including T315I, but is also associated with a high risk of clinically relevant side effects. We screened for alternative treatment options employing available tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in combination. Dasatinib and bosutinib are two second-generation TKI that bind to different, albeit partially overlapping, spectra of kinase targets in CML cells. This observation prompted us to explore anti-leukemic effects of the combination dasatinib + bosutinib in highly resistant primary CML cells, various CML cell lines (K562, K562R, KU812, KCL22) and Ba/F3 cells harboring various BCR-ABL1 mutant-forms. We found that bosutinib synergizes with dasatinib in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis in all CML cell lines and in Ba/F3 cells exhibiting BCR-ABL1T315I. Clear synergistic effects were also observed in primary CML cells in all patients tested (n = 20), including drug-resistant cells carrying BCR-ABL1T315I. Moreover, the drug combination produced cooperative or even synergistic apoptosis-inducing effects on CD34+/CD38- CML stem cells. Finally, we found that the drug combination is a potent approach to block the activity of major additional CML targets, including LYN, KIT and PDGFRα. Together, bosutinib and dasatinib synergize in producing anti-leukemic effects in drug-resistant CML cells. Whether such cooperative TKI effects also occur in vivo in patients with drug-resistant CML, remains to be determined in forthcoming studies.

CD44 is a RAS/STAT5-regulated invasion receptor that triggers disease expansion in advanced mastocytosis.

The Hermes receptor CD44 is a multifunctional adhesion molecule that plays an essential role in the homing and invasion of neoplastic stem cells in various myeloid malignancies. Although mast cells (MCs) reportedly express CD44, little is known about the regulation and function of this receptor in neoplastic cells in systemic mastocytosis (SM). We found that clonal CD34+/CD38- stem cells, CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells, and CD117++/CD34- MCs invariably express CD44 in patients with indolent SM (ISM), SM with an associated hematologic neoplasm, aggressive SM, and MC leukemia (MCL). In addition, all human MCL-like cell lines examined (HMC-1, ROSA, and MCPV-1) displayed cytoplasmic and cell-surface CD44. We also found that expression of CD44 in neoplastic MCs depends on RAS-MEK and STAT5 signaling and increases with the aggressiveness of SM. Correspondingly, higher levels of soluble CD44 were measured in the sera of patients with advanced SM compared with ISM or cutaneous mastocytosis and were found to correlate with overall and progression-free survival. To investigate the functional role of CD44, a xenotransplantation model was employed using severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, HMC-1.2 cells, and a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against CD44. In this model, the shRNA-mediated knockdown of CD44 resulted in reduced MC expansion and tumor formation and prolonged survival in SCID mice compared with HMC-1.2 cells transduced with control shRNA. Together, our data show that CD44 is a RAS-MEK/STAT5-driven MC invasion receptor that correlates with the aggressiveness of SM. Whether CD44 can serve as therapeutic target in advanced SM remains to be determined in forthcoming studies.

Phenotyping and Target Expression Profiling of CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ Stem- and Progenitor cells in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are an emerging target of curative anti-leukemia therapy. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), LSCs frequently express CD34 and often lack CD38. However, little is known about markers and targets expressed in ALL LSCs. We have examined marker- and target expression profiles in CD34+/CD38- LSCs in patients with Ph+ ALL (n = 22) and Ph- ALL (n = 27) by multi-color flow cytometry and qPCR. ALL LSCs expressed CD19 (B4), CD44 (Pgp-1), CD123 (IL-3RA), and CD184 (CXCR4) in all patients tested. Moreover, in various subgroups of patients, LSCs also displayed CD20 (MS4A1) (10/41 = 24%), CD22 (12/20 = 60%), CD33 (Siglec-3) (20/48 = 42%), CD52 (CAMPATH-1) (17/40 = 43%), IL-1RAP (13/29 = 45%), and/or CD135 (FLT3) (4/20 = 20%). CD25 (IL-2RA) and CD26 (DPPIV) were expressed on LSCs in Ph+ ALL exhibiting BCR/ABL1p210, whereas in Ph+ ALL with BCR/ABL1p190, LSCs variably expressed CD25 but did not express CD26. In Ph- ALL, CD34+/CD38- LSCs expressed IL-1RAP in 6/18 patients (33%), but did not express CD25 or CD26. Normal stem cells stained negative for CD25, CD26 and IL-1RAP, and expressed only low amounts of CD52. In xenotransplantation experiments, CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ cells engrafted NSG mice after 12-20 weeks, and targeting with antibodies against CD33 and CD52 resulted in reduced engraftment. Together, LSCs in Ph+ and Ph- ALL display unique marker- and target expression profiles. In Ph+ ALL with BCR/ABL1p210, the LSC-phenotype closely resembles the marker-profile of CD34+/CD38- LSCs in chronic myeloid leukemia, confirming the close biologic relationship of these neoplasms. Targeting of LSCs with specific antibodies or related immunotherapies may facilitate LSC eradication in ALL.

The KIT and PDGFRA switch-control inhibitor DCC-2618 blocks growth and survival of multiple neoplastic cell types in advanced mastocytosis.

Systemic mastocytosis is a complex disease defined by abnormal growth and accumulation of neoplastic mast cells in various organs. Most patients exhibit a D816V-mutated variant of KIT, which confers resistance against imatinib. Clinical problems in systemic mastocytosis arise from mediator-related symptoms and/or organ destruction caused by malignant expansion of neoplastic mast cells and/or other myeloid cells in various organ systems. DCC-2618 is a spectrum-selective pan KIT and PDGFRA inhibitor which blocks KIT D816V and multiple other kinase targets relevant to systemic mastocytosis. We found that DCC-2618 inhibits the proliferation and survival of various human mast cell lines (HMC-1, ROSA, MCPV-1) as well as primary neoplastic mast cells obtained from patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis (IC50 <1 µM). Moreover, DCC-2618 decreased growth and survival of primary neoplastic eosinophils obtained from patients with systemic mastocytosis or eosinophilic leukemia, leukemic monocytes obtained from patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with or without concomitant systemic mastocytosis, and blast cells obtained from patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Furthermore, DCC-2618 was found to suppress the proliferation of endothelial cells, suggesting additional drug effects on systemic mastocytosis-related angiogenesis. Finally, DCC-2618 was found to downregulate IgE-mediated histamine release from basophils and tryptase release from mast cells. Together, DCC-2618 inhibits growth, survival and activation of multiple cell types relevant to advanced systemic mastocytosis. Whether DCC-2618 is effective in vivo in patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis is currently under investigation in clinical trials.