First-in-human study of an OX40 (ivuxolimab) and 4-1BB (utomilumab) agonistic antibody combination in patients with advanced solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Ivuxolimab (PF-04518600) and utomilumab (PF-05082566) are humanized agonistic IgG2 monoclonal antibodies against OX40 and 4-1BB, respectively. This first-in-human, multicenter, open-label, phase I, dose-escalation/dose-expansion study explored safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of ivuxolimab+utomilumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: Dose-escalation: patients with advanced bladder, gastric, or cervical cancer, melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were unresponsive to available therapies, had no standard therapy available or declined standard therapy were enrolled into five dose cohorts: ivuxolimab (0.1-3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W)) intravenously plus utomilumab (20 or 100 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W)) intravenously. Dose-expansion: patients with melanoma (n=10) and NSCLC (n=20) who progressed on prior anti-programmed death receptor 1/programmed death ligand-1 and/or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (melanoma) received ivuxolimab 30 mg Q2W intravenously plus utomilumab 20 mg Q4W intravenously. Adverse events (AEs) were graded per National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events V.4.03 and efficacy was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) V.1.1 and immune-related RECIST (irRECIST). Paired tumor biopsies and whole blood were collected to assess pharmacodynamic effects and immunophenotyping. Whole blood samples were collected longitudinally for immunophenotyping. RESULTS: Dose-escalation: 57 patients were enrolled; 2 (3.5%) patients with melanoma (0.3 mg/kg+20 mg and 0.3 mg/kg+100 mg) achieved partial response (PR), 18 (31.6%) patients achieved stable disease (SD); the disease control rate (DCR) was 35.1% across all dose levels. Dose-expansion: 30 patients were enrolled; 1 patient with NSCLC achieved PR lasting >77 weeks. Seven of 10 patients with melanoma (70%) and 7 of 20 patients with NSCLC (35%) achieved SD: median (range) duration of SD was 18.9 (13.9-49.0) weeks for the melanoma cohort versus 24.1 (14.3-77.9+) weeks for the NSCLC cohort; DCR (NSCLC) was 40%. Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent AEs were reported in 28 (49.1%) patients versus 11 (36.7%) patients in dose-escalation and dose-expansion, respectively. There were no grade 5 AEs deemed attributable to treatment. Ivuxolimab area under the concentration-time curve increased in a dose-dependent manner at 0.3-3 mg/kg doses. CONCLUSIONS: Ivuxolimab+utomilumab was found to be well tolerated and demonstrated preliminary antitumor activity in selected groups of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02315066.

Lessons Learned Using Real-World Data to Emulate Randomized Trials: A Case Study of Treatment Effectiveness for Newly Diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Regulatory agencies are increasingly considering real-world evidence (RWE) to support label expansions of approved medicines. We conducted a comparative effectiveness study to emulate a proposed randomized trial of romiplostim vs. standard-of-care (SOC) therapy among patients with recently diagnosed (≤12 months) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), that could support expansion of the romiplostim label. We discuss challenges that we encountered and solutions that were developed to address those challenges. Study size was a primary concern, particularly for romiplostim initiators, given the rarity of ITP and the stringent trial eligibility criteria. For this reason, we leveraged multiple data sources (Nordic Country Patient Registry for Romiplostim; chart review study of romiplostim initiators in Europe; Flatiron Health EMR linked with MarketScan claims). Additionally, unlike the strictly controlled clinical trial setting, platelet counts were not measured at regular intervals in the observational data sources, and therefore the end point of durable platelet response often used in trials could not be reliably measured. Instead, the median platelet count was chosen as the primary end point. Ultimately, while we observed a slightly higher median platelet count in the romiplostim group vs. SOC, precision was limited because of small study size (median difference was 11 × 109 /L (95% CI: -59, 81)). We underscore the importance of conducting comprehensive feasibility assessments to identify fit-for-purpose data sources with sufficient sample size, data elements, and follow-up. Beyond technical challenges, we also discuss approaches to increase the credibility of RWE, including systematic incorporation of clinical expertise into study design decisions, and separation between decision makers and the data.

Tapering thrombopoietin receptor agonists in primary immune thrombocytopenia: Expert consensus based on the RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panel method.

BACKGROUND: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are used to treat primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Some patients have discontinued treatment while maintaining a hemostatic platelet count. OBJECTIVES: To develop expert consensus on when it is appropriate to consider tapering TPO-RAs in ITP, how to taper patients off therapy, how to monitor patients after discontinuation, and how to restart therapy. METHODS: We used a RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panel method. Ratings were completed independently by each expert before and after a meeting. Second-round ratings were used to develop the panel's guidance. The panel was double-blinded: The sponsor and nonchair experts did not know each other's identities. RESULTS: Guidance on when it is appropriate to taper TPO-RAs in children and adults was developed based on patient platelet count, history of bleeding, intensification of treatment, trauma risk, and use of anticoagulants/platelet inhibitors. For example, it is appropriate to taper TPO-RAs in patients who have normal/above-normal platelet counts, have no history of major bleeding, and have not required an intensification of treatment in the past 6 months; it is inappropriate to taper TPO-RAs in patients with low platelet counts. Duration of ITP, months on TPO-RA, or timing of platelet response to TPO-RA did not have an impact on the panel's guidance on appropriateness to taper. Guidance on how to taper patients off therapy, how to monitor patients after discontinuation, and how to restart therapy is also provided. CONCLUSION: This guidance could support clinical decision making and the development of clinical trials that prospectively test the safety of tapering TPO-RAs.

Treatment Patterns Among Adults with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Diagnosed in Hematology Clinics in the United States.

PURPOSE: Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have low platelet counts and an increased risk of bleeding. We described treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in routine practice in the United States (US). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using electronic health record data from hematology/oncology clinics linked to administrative claims in the US, we studied 447 adults newly diagnosed with primary ITP from 2011 to 2016. Patients with a secondary cause of thrombocytopenia were excluded. The incidence of ITP treatment initiation, bleeding events, and rescue therapy use were estimated using competing risk models. RESULTS: At 1-year post-ITP diagnosis, 50% of patients were prescribed an oral corticosteroid, with the majority being prescribed immediately following diagnosis. Of the more common second-line options, rituximab use was the most frequent (1-year cumulative incidence: 16% [95% confidence interval: 12, 19]), followed by romiplostim (9% [7, 12] and eltrombopag (5% [3, 8]). Use of these drugs was similar at 2 years post-diagnosis. At 6 months post-ITP treatment initiation, the cumulative incidence of bleeding was similar among eltrombopag and romiplostim initiators (17% [6, 33] and 19% [9, 31], respectively) and was slightly lower in rituximab users (12% [6, 20]). However, during this same timeframe, rituximab users had a higher incidence of rescue therapy use (48% [36, 58] versus 29% [14, 46] in eltrombopag and 26% [14, 39] in romiplostim users). Although splenectomy was rare, at 6 months post-surgery nearly 20% had experienced a bleed and nearly 20% had required rescue. CONCLUSION: This study describes the health trajectory of adults with ITP who are managed in hematology clinics in the US and could inform the design of non-interventional studies of comparative effectiveness among treatments.

Baseline Plasma Tumor Mutation Burden Predicts Response to Pembrolizumab-based Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: The role of plasma-based tumor mutation burden (pTMB) in predicting response to pembrolizumab-based first-line standard-of-care therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) has not been explored. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A 500-gene next-generation sequencing panel was used to assess pTMB. Sixty-six patients with newly diagnosed mNSCLC starting first-line pembrolizumab-based therapy, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, were enrolled (Clinicaltrial.gov identifier: NCT03047616). Response was assessed using RECIST 1.1. Associations were made for patient characteristics, 6-month durable clinical benefit (DCB), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of 66 patients, 52 (78.8%) were pTMB-evaluable. Median pTMB was 16.8 mutations per megabase (mut/Mb; range, 1.9-52.5) and was significantly higher for patients achieving DCB compared with no durable benefit (21.3 mut/Mb vs. 12.4 mut/Mb, P = 0.003). For patients with pTMB ≥ 16 mut/Mb, median PFS was 14.1 versus 4.7 months for patients with pTMB < 16 mut/Mb [HR, 0.30 (0.16-0.60); P < 0.001]. Median OS for patients with pTMB ≥ 16 was not reached versus 8.8 months for patients with pTMB < 16 mut/Mb [HR, 0.48 (0.22-1.03); P = 0.061]. Mutations in ERBB2 exon 20, STK11, KEAP1, or PTEN were more common in patients with no DCB. A combination of pTMB ≥ 16 and absence of negative predictor mutations was associated with PFS [HR, 0.24 (0.11-0.49); P < 0.001] and OS [HR, 0.31 (0.13-0.74); P = 0.009]. CONCLUSIONS: pTMB ≥ 16 mut/Mb is associated with improved PFS after first-line standard-of-care pembrolizumab-based therapy in mNSCLC. STK11/KEAP1/PTEN and ERBB2 mutations may help identify pTMB-high patients unlikely to respond. These results should be validated in larger prospective studies.

Systematic literature review of treatments used for adult immune thrombocytopenia in the second-line setting.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare platelet disorder that is often persistent or chronic in adults. Patient management is dependent upon physician judgment and patient preference, given both the rarity of the condition and a paucity of high-quality clinical trial evidence to inform practice guidelines. A systematic literature review was conducted to provide an up-to-date summary of studies evaluating the safety and efficacy/effectiveness of therapies used to treat adults with primary ITP in the second-line setting. Using comprehensive search strings, several medical research databases were queried. Final abstraction was performed on 186 articles. Most (75%) studies were observational in nature; nearly half were conducted in Europe. Splenectomy was the most commonly studied (n = 83, 47%), followed by rituximab (n = 49, 26%) and the thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) romiplostim (n = 34, 18%) and eltrombopag (n = 24, 13%). Twelve prospective, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a placebo or standard-of-care arm evaluating the safety and efficacy of either rituximab or a TPO-RA were identified and described in detail. These trials provide important information on the safety and efficacy of these treatments, and in the absence of head-to-head data, offer insights on how these therapies compare with one another in treating adult ITP in the second-line setting. This review confirms that for most second-line ITP treatment options, there remains a lack of rigorous evidence derived from RCTs, and for many treatments, there is limited evidence of any kind. The need for additional research to guide treatment choices in this setting and greater use of standardized ITP terminology are highlighted.

Epacadostat Plus Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors: Phase I Results From a Multicenter, Open-Label Phase I/II Trial (ECHO-202/KEYNOTE-037).

PURPOSE: Tumors may evade immunosurveillance through upregulation of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme. Epacadostat is a potent and highly selective IDO1 enzyme inhibitor. The open-label phase I/II ECHO-202/KEYNOTE-037 trial evaluated epacadostat plus pembrolizumab, a programmed death protein 1 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Phase I results on maximum tolerated dose, safety, tolerability, preliminary antitumor activity, and pharmacokinetics are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received escalating doses of oral epacadostat (25, 50, 100, or 300 mg) twice per day plus intravenous pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg or 200 mg every 3 weeks. During the safety expansion, patients received epacadostat (50, 100, or 300 mg) twice per day plus pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were enrolled and received one or more doses of study treatment. The maximum tolerated dose of epacadostat in combination with pembrolizumab was not reached. Fifty-two patients (84%) experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), with fatigue (36%), rash (36%), arthralgia (24%), pruritus (23%), and nausea (21%) occurring in ≥ 20%. Grade 3/4 TRAEs were reported in 24% of patients. Seven patients (11%) discontinued study treatment because of TRAEs. No TRAEs led to death. Epacadostat 100 mg twice per day plus pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks was recommended for phase II evaluation. Objective responses (per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] version 1.1) occurred in 12 (55%) of 22 patients with melanoma and in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The pharmacokinetics of epacadostat and pembrolizumab and antidrug antibody rate were comparable to historical controls for monotherapies. CONCLUSION: Epacadostat in combination with pembrolizumab generally was well tolerated and had encouraging antitumor activity in multiple advanced solid tumors.

A novel biologic platform elicits profound T cell costimulatory activity and antitumor immunity in mice.

Combination immunotherapies utilizing complementary modalities that target distinct tumor attributes or immunosuppressive mechanisms, or engage different arms of the antitumor immune response, can elicit greater therapeutic efficacy than the component monotherapies. Increasing the number of agents included in a therapeutic cocktail can further increase efficacy, however, this approach poses numerous challenges for clinical translation. Here, a novel platform to simplify combination immunotherapy by covalently linking immunotherapeutic agonists to the costimulatory receptors CD134 and CD137 into a single heterodimeric drug, "OrthomAb", is shown. This reagent not only retains costimulatory T cell activity, but also elicits unique T cell functions that are not programmed by either individual agonist, and preferentially expands effector T cells over Tregs. Finally, in an aggressive melanoma model OrthomAb elicits better therapeutic efficacy compared to the unlinked agonists. This demonstration that two drugs can be combined into one provides a framework for distilling complex combination drug cocktails into simpler delivery platforms.

Rate of bleeding-related episodes in elderly patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by low platelet counts and a tendency toward increased bleeding and bruising. We aimed to describe bleeding frequency and use of rescue ITP therapy to treat or prevent bleeding in elderly ITP patients in a real-world setting. METHODS: Using Medicare 20% sample data, 2007-2012, we identified elderly (ages ≥67 years) Medicare fee-for-service enrollees diagnosed with primary ITP between 1 January 2009 and 30 September 2012. Bleeding-related episodes (BREs) were defined as ≥1 bleeding event or use of ITP therapies commonly considered for rescue or emergency therapy. BRE rates were examined for the cohort overall, by time since ITP onset, and by splenectomy status. Patients were followed from ITP onset until the earliest of death, disenrollment from fee-for-service coverage, or 31 December 2012. RESULTS: We identified 3007 elderly patients diagnosed with primary ITP (mean [SD] age: 79.6 [7.5] years; 55% female); 2178 (72%) experienced at least one BRE (8867 BREs); 92 (3%) underwent splenectomy. Nearly half of BREs were defined by rescue therapy use alone. The overall rate was 1.72 BREs per patient-year (95% CI; 1.68-1.75); rates were higher during the first 3 months after ITP onset and after splenectomy. CONCLUSION: Elderly ITP patients experienced about two BREs per patient-year after ITP onset. Most patients experienced at least one BRE. These real-world results demonstrate the importance of examining both bleeding and use of rescue or emergency ITP therapy in the assessment of disease burden in elderly patients with ITP.

Safety and efficacy of romiplostim in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune disorder characterized by increased platelet destruction and insufficient platelet production without another identified underlying disorder. Splenectomy may alter responsiveness to treatment and/or increase the risk of thrombosis, infection, and pulmonary hypertension. The analysis herein evaluated the safety and efficacy of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia. Data were pooled across 13 completed clinical studies in adults with immune thrombocytopenia from 2002-2014. Adverse event rates were adjusted for time of exposure. Results were considered different when 95% confidence intervals were non-overlapping. Safety was analyzed for 1111 patients (395 splenectomized; 716 nonsplenectomized) who received romiplostim or control (placebo or standard of care). At baseline, splenectomized patients had a longer median duration of immune thrombocytopenia and a lower median platelet count, as well as a higher proportion with >3 prior immune thrombocytopenia treatments versus nonsplenectomized patients. In each treatment group, splenectomized patients used rescue medications more often than nonsplenectomized patients. Platelet response rates (≥50×109/L) for romiplostim were 82% (310/376) for splenectomized and 91% (592/648) for nonsplenectomized patients (P<0.001 by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test). Platelet responses were stable over time in both subgroups. Exposure-adjusted adverse event rates were higher for control versus romiplostim for both splenectomized (1857 versus 1226 per 100 patient-years) and nonsplenectomized patients (1052 versus 852 per 100 patient-years). In conclusion, responses to romiplostim were seen in both splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients, and romiplostim was not associated with an increase in the risk of adverse events in splenectomized patients. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: 00111475(A)(B), 00117143, 00305435, 01143038, 00102323, 00102336, 00415532, 00603642, 00508820, 00907478, 00116688, and 00440037.

Cost of Bleeding-related Episodes in Adult Patients With Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Population-based Retrospective Cohort Study of Administrative Claims Data for Commercial Payers in the United States.

PURPOSE: We estimated the real-world costs of bleeding-related episodes (BREs) in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental and Coordination of Benefits databases. We identified adult patients diagnosed with primary ITP between 2007 and 2012, defined by at least 2 outpatient claims separated by ≥30 days or 1 inpatient claim (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code for primary ITP [287.31]). BRE was defined according to a combination of diagnosis codes and/or procedure codes indicating bleeding or use of rescue therapies. Costs were estimated using total reimbursed amount received by providers (including out-of-pocket costs and reimbursement from insurance, adjusted to 2015 US dollars). FINDINGS: In 6551 patients, 14,115 BREs were identified, mean (SD) age was 55 (18) years, and 62% of patients were women. Mean total reimbursement per BRE was $6022, with significantly higher mean inpatient ($45,114) versus outpatient ($2150) reimbursements (P < 0.0001). Mean BRE reimbursements were higher in splenectomized patients compared with nonsplenectomized patients ($8365 vs $5858); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Mean reimbursement for BREs associated with bleeding alone was $10,396, and with rescue therapy alone it was $2787. Reimbursement for BREs that included both bleeding and rescue therapy was $11,065. IMPLICATIONS: The real-world reimbursement rates of BREs in adult patients with primary ITP can be substantial, with significantly higher values among patients requiring hospitalization and for those with bleeding events. Additionally, there is a trend toward higher reimbursement rates among splenectomized patients.

Cytokines and metabolic factors regulate tumoricidal T-cell function during cancer immunotherapy.

Recent advances in cancer biology and genetics have fostered precision therapies targeting tumor-specific attributes. Immune-based therapies that elicit cytolytic T cells (CTL) specific for tumor antigens can provide therapeutic benefit to cancer patients, however, cure rates are typically low. This largely results from immunosuppressive mechanisms operating within the tumor microenvironment, many of which inflict metabolic stresses upon CTL. Conversely, immunotherapies can mitigate specific metabolic stressors. For instance, dual costimulation immunotherapy with CD134 (OX40) plus CD137 (4-1BB) agonists appears to mediate tumor control in part by engaging cytokine networks that enable infiltrating CTL to compete for limiting supplies of glucose. Future efforts combining modalities that endow CTL with complimentary metabolic advantages should improve therapeutic efficacies.

Rate of bleeding-related episodes in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective cohort study using a large administrative medical claims database in the US.

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare disorder characterized by low platelet counts and an increased tendency to bleed. The goal of ITP therapy is to treat or prevent bleeding. Actual rates of bleeding are unknown. Clinical trial data may not reflect real-world bleeding rates because of the inclusion of highly refractory patients and more frequent use of rescue therapy. METHODS: We used administrative medical claims data in the US to examine the occurrence of bleeding-related episodes (BREs) - a composite end point including bleeding and/or rescue therapy use - in adults diagnosed with primary ITP (2008-2012). BRE rates were calculated overall and by ITP phase and splenectomy status. Patients were followed from ITP diagnosis until death, disenrollment from the health plan, or June 30, 2013, whichever came first. RESULTS: We identified 6,651 adults diagnosed with primary ITP over the study period (median age: 53 years; 59% female). During 13,064 patient-years of follow-up, 3,768 patients (57%) experienced ≥1 BRE (1.08 BREs per patient-year; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.10). The majority (58%) of BREs consisted of rescue therapy use only. Common bleeding types were gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematuria, ecchymosis, and epistaxis. Intracranial hemorrhage was reported in 74 patients (1%). Just over 7% of patients underwent splenectomy. Newly diagnosed and splenectomized patients had elevated BRE rates. CONCLUSION: We provide current real-world estimates of BRE rates in adults with primary ITP. The majority of ITP patients experienced ≥1 BRE, and over half were defined by rescue therapy use alone. This demonstrates the importance of examining both bleeding and rescue therapy use to fully assess disease burden.

Enhancing the safety of antibody-based immunomodulatory cancer therapy without compromising therapeutic benefit: Can we have our cake and eat it too?

INTRODUCTION: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit in treating patients with cancer and have paved the way for additional immune-modulating mAbs such as those targeting costimulatory receptors. The full clinical utility of these agents, however, is hampered by immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can occur during therapy. AREAS COVERED: We first provide a general overview of tumor immunity, followed by a review of the two major classes of immunomodulatory mAbs being developed as cancer therapeutics: checkpoint inhibitors and costimulatory receptor agonists. We then discuss therapy-associated adverse events. Finally, we describe in detail the mechanisms driving their therapeutic activity, with an emphasis on interactions between antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) domains and Fc receptors (FcR). EXPERT OPINION: Given that Fc-FcR interactions appear critical in facilitating the ability of immunomodulatory mAbs to elicit both therapeutically useful as well as adverse effects, the engineering of mAbs that can effectively engage their targets while limiting interaction with FcRs might represent a promising future avenue for developing the next generation of immune-enhancing tumoricidal agents with increased safety and retention of efficacy.

Refractory Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Call for a Change in the Current Guidelines.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by a decreased platelet count caused by excess destruction of platelets and inadequate platelet production. In many cases, the etiology is not known, but the viral illness is thought to play a role in the development of some cases of ITP. The current (2011) American Society of Hematology ITP guidelines recommend initial diagnostic studies to include testing for HIV and Hepatitis C. The guidelines suggest that initial treatment consist of observation, therapy with corticosteroids, IVIG or anti D. Most cases respond to the standard therapy such that the steroids may be tapered and the platelet counts remain at a hemostatically safe level. Some patients with ITP are dependent on long-term steroid maintenance, and the thrombocytopenia persists with the tapering of the steroids. Recent case reports demonstrate that ITP related to cytomegalovirus (CMV) can persist in spite of standard therapy and that antiviral therapy may be indicated. Herein we report a case of a 26-year-old female with persistent ITP that resolved after the delivery of a CMV-infected infant and placenta. Furthermore, we review the current literature on CMV-associated ITP and propose that the current ITP guidelines be amended to include assessment for CMV, even in the absence of signs and symptoms, as part of the work-up for severe and refractory ITP, especially prior to undergoing an invasive procedure such as splenectomy.

Tumor-Unrelated CD4 T Cell Help Augments CD134 plus CD137 Dual Costimulation Tumor Therapy.

The ability of immune-based cancer therapies to elicit beneficial CD8(+) CTLs is limited by tolerance pathways that inactivate tumor-specific CD4 Th cells. A strategy to bypass this problem is to engage tumor-unrelated CD4 Th cells. Thus, CD4 T cells, regardless of their specificity per se, can boost CD8(+) CTL priming as long as the cognate epitopes are linked via presentation on the same dendritic cell. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic impact of engaging tumor-unrelated CD4 T cells during dual costimulation with CD134 plus CD137 that provide help via the above-mentioned classical linked pathway, as well as provide nonlinked help that facilitates CTL function in T cells not directly responding to cognate Ag. We found that engagement of tumor-unrelated CD4 Th cells dramatically boosted the ability of dual costimulation to control the growth of established B16 melanomas. Surprisingly, this effect depended upon a CD134-dependent component that was extrinsic to the tumor-unrelated CD4 T cells, suggesting that the dual costimulated helper cells are themselves helped by a CD134(+) cell(s). Nevertheless, the delivery of therapeutic help tracked with an increased frequency of tumor-infiltrating granzyme B(+) effector CD8 T cells and a reciprocal decrease in Foxp3(+)CD4(+) cell frequency. Notably, the tumor-unrelated CD4 Th cells also infiltrated the tumors, and their deletion several days following initial T cell priming negated their therapeutic impact. Taken together, dual costimulation programs tumor-unrelated CD4 T cells to deliver therapeutic help during both the priming and effector stages of the antitumor response.

Efficacy and safety of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim in patients aged ≥ 65 years with immune thrombocytopenia.

Thrombopoietin receptor agonists increase platelet counts and reduce bleeding risk in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Studies have reported that these agents may represent a risk factor for thromboembolic events, especially in the elderly, who are at increased risk for such complications relative to younger patients. In this retrospective analysis, efficacy and safety data for romiplostim in patients with ITP aged ≥65 years versus those aged <65 years are described. Data from 3 studies (N = 159; 24.5% ≥ 65 years of age) were analyzed for efficacy. Data from 13 studies (N = 1037; 28.4% ≥ 65 years of age) were analyzed for adverse events (AEs). Relative risk (RR) ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for duration-adjusted incidences of AEs for romiplostim versus placebo/standard of care (SOC) in patients ≥ 65 and <65 years. Slightly higher platelet response rates were seen among romiplostim-treated patients ≥ 65 versus <65 years. In the safety analyses, 65 (6.3%) received placebo/SOC, 69 (6.7%) received placebo/SOC and then romiplostim, and 903 (87.1%) received romiplostim only. Duration-adjusted AE rates were similar for romiplostim versus placebo/SOC in older and younger patients. The risks for grade ≥ 3 bleeding (RR 1.92; 95% CI, 0.47-7.95) and thromboembolic events (RR 3.85; 95% CI, 0.53-27.96) were numerically but not significantly higher for romiplostim versus placebo/SOC in patients ≥ 65 years. Romiplostim is effective and, with the exception of nonsignificant trends showing increased risks of grade ≥ 3 bleeding and thromboembolic events (a trend observed in other studies), generally well tolerated in older patients with ITP.

Integrated analysis of long-term safety in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) treated with the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist romiplostim.

A safety analysis of pooled data from clinical studies of romiplostim, a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, in which patients with immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) received romiplostim, placebo, or medical standard of care (SOC) Rodeghiero et al. (Eur J Haematol 91:423-436, 2013), has been updated. Included are data from 14 trials spanning 2002-2011; placebo- and SOC-arm data are pooled. Most patients (n = 1059) were female (61 %) and Caucasian (85 %); 38 % had undergone splenectomy; 23 were children. Mean (SD) baseline platelet count was 20.6 (16.5) × 10(9)/L. Mean (SD) weekly dose of romiplostim was 4.2 (2.8) µg/kg; total exposure was 1520 patient-years. Overall, 921 patients received romiplostim only, 65 received placebo/SOC only, and 73 received placebo/SOC followed by romiplostim. Rates of haemorrhage (romiplostim, 205/100 patient-years; placebo/SOC, 263/100), thrombosis (both, 5.5/100 patient-years), haematological malignancy/myelodysplastic syndrome (romiplostim, 0.5/100 patient-years; placebo/SOC, 2.7/100), and non-haematological tumours (romiplostim, 2.2/100 patient-years; placebo/SOC, 3.6/100) were comparable among groups. Bone marrow reticulin was reported in 17 patients and collagen in one patient receiving romiplostim; one patient receiving placebo/SOC had reticulin reported. Three patients developed neutralizing antibodies to romiplostim, but not to endogenous TPO. This integrated analysis of the safety profile of romiplostim in patients with ITP is consistent with previously reported studies; no new safety concerns emerged.

Targeting HER2 in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Oncogenic driver mutations have emerged as major treatment targets for molecular therapies in a variety of cancers. HER2 positivity has been well-studied in breast cancer, but its importance is still being explored in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Laboratory methods for assessment of HER2 positivity in NSCLC include immunohistochemistry (IHC) for protein overexpression, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for gene amplification, and next generation sequencing (NGS) for gene mutations. The prognostic and predictive significance of these tests remain to be validated, with an emerging association between HER2 gene mutations and response to HER2 targeted therapies. Despite the assay used to determine the HER2 status of lung tumors, all patients with advanced HER2 positive lung adenocarcinoma should be evaluated for treatment with targeted agents. Several clinical approaches for inclusion of these drugs into patient treatment plans exist, but there is no defined algorithm specific to NSCLC.