A case of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis complicated by interstitial nephritis related to streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B.

This paper presents the case of a patient who developed acute kidney injury and nephrotic syndrome following streptococcal cutaneous infection. He presented with microhematuria, severe proteinuria and systemic edema 5 days after infection. Blood examination showed elevated creatinine level, hypocomplementemia, and elevated anti-streptolysin O level. Renal biopsy revealed endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). Immunofluorescence revealed C3-dominant glomerular staining, while electron microscopy showed hump-shaped subepithelial deposits. The patient was therefore diagnosed with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The unique histological feature was C3 deposition in the tubular basement membrane (TBM), in which we detected streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB), a nephritogenic antigen produced by streptococci. No nephritis-associated plasmin receptor or plasmin activity was evident in the TBM. These nephritogenic antigens and upregulation of plasmin activity were observed in glomeruli. This case suggests that TIN after poststreptococcal infection might be partially attributable to SpeB toxicity.

Moxetumomab pasudotox in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed/refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL): long-term follow-up from the pivotal trial.

BACKGROUND: Moxetumomab pasudotox is a recombinant CD22-targeting immunotoxin. Here, we present the long-term follow-up analysis of the pivotal, multicenter, open-label trial (NCT01829711) of moxetumomab pasudotox in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) hairy cell leukemia (HCL). METHODS: Eligible patients had received ≥ 2 prior systemic therapies, including ≥ 2 purine nucleoside analogs (PNAs), or ≥ 1 PNA followed by rituximab or a BRAF inhibitor. Patients received 40 µg/kg moxetumomab pasudotox intravenously on Days 1, 3, and 5 of each 28-day cycle for up to six cycles. Disease response and minimal residual disease (MRD) status were determined by blinded independent central review. The primary endpoint was durable complete response (CR), defined as achieving CR with hematologic remission (HR, blood counts for CR) lasting > 180 days. RESULTS: Eighty adult patients were treated with moxetumomab pasudotox and 63% completed six cycles. Patients had received a median of three lines of prior systemic therapy; 49% were PNA-refractory, and 38% were unfit for PNA retreatment. At a median follow-up of 24.6 months, the durable CR rate (CR with HR > 180 days) was 36% (29 patients; 95% confidence interval: 26-48%); CR with HR ≥ 360 days was 33%, and overall CR was 41%. Twenty-seven complete responders (82%) were MRD-negative (34% of all patients). CR lasting ≥ 60 months was 61%, and the median progression-free survival without the loss of HR was 71.7 months. Hemolytic uremic and capillary leak syndromes were each reported in ≤ 10% of patients, and ≤ 5% had grade 3-4 events; these events were generally reversible. No treatment-related deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Moxetumomab pasudotox resulted in a high rate of durable responses and MRD negativity in heavily pre-treated patients with HCL, with a manageable safety profile. Thus, it represents a new and viable treatment option for patients with R/R HCL, who currently lack adequate therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01829711; first submitted: April 9, 2013. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01829711.

Lectin drug conjugate therapy for colorectal cancer.

Drug resistance represents an obstacle in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment because of its association with poor prognosis. rBC2LCN is a lectin isolated from Burkholderia that binds cell surface glycans that have fucose moieties. Because fucosylation is enhanced in many types of cancers, this lectin could be an efficient drug carrier if CRC cells specifically present such glycans. Therefore, we examined the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of lectin drug conjugate therapy in CRC mouse xenograft models. The affinity of rBC2LCN for human CRC cell lines HT-29, LoVo, LS174T, and DLD-1 was assessed in vitro. The cytocidal efficacy of a lectin drug conjugate, rBC2LCN-38 kDa domain of pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) was evaluated by MTT assay. The therapeutic effects and toxicity for each CRC cell line-derived mouse xenograft model were compared between the intervention and control groups. LS174T and DLD-1 cell lines showed a strong affinity for rBC2LCN. In the xenograft model, the tumor volume in the rBC2LCN-PE38 group was significantly reduced compared with that using control treatment alone. However, the HT-29 cell line showed weak affinity and poor therapeutic efficacy. No significant toxicities or adverse responses were observed. In conclusion, we demonstrated that rBC2LCN lectin binds CRC cells and that rBC2LCN-PE38 significantly suppresses tumor growth in vivo. In addition, the efficacy of the drug conjugate correlated with its binding affinity for each CRC cell line. These results suggest that lectin drug conjugate therapy has potential as a novel targeted therapy for CRC cell surface glycans.

The pharmacological management of hairy cell leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a B-cell lymphoid malignancy that accounts for approximately 2% of all leukemias. Treatment with purine nucleoside analogs (PNA) results in a high response rate and remains the standard of care. Long term follow-up shows that most patients relapse and require retreatment. Newer combination strategies and agents have emerged to try to reduce the relapse rate and to address cases of PNA refractoriness. AREAS COVERED: The authors reviewed the literature on the pharmacological management of HCL, including recent studies that led to new agents being incorporated into practice. EXPERT OPINION: Combination of cladribine plus rituximab produces a high rate of measurable residual disease-negative complete remission. In our center, newly diagnosed patients are offered cladribine followed by 8 weekly doses of rituximab in an ongoing phase II trial. Patients in first relapse are also offered this combination if they were initially treated with a single-agent PNA, or if the remission duration was ≥5 years after first-line cladribine plus rituximab. Patients who relapse within 5 years are offered therapy with a novel agent that may include the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib, alone or in combination with rituximab, dabrafenib in combination with trametinib, the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, or moxetumomab pasudotox.

Results from an international phase 2 study of the anti-CD22 immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox in relapsed or refractory childhood B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: In a multicenter phase 1 study of children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), moxetumomab pasudotox, an anti-CD22 immunotoxin, demonstrated a manageable safety profile and preliminary evidence of clinical activity. A phase 2 study further evaluated efficacy. PROCEDURE: This international, multicenter, phase 2 study enrolled children with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor ALL who received moxetumomab pasudotox 40 µg/kg intravenously every other day, for six doses per 21-day cycle. The primary objective was to evaluate the complete response (CR) rate. Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity evaluations. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (median age, 10 years) were enrolled at 16 sites; 30 received study drug and were evaluable for safety; 28 were evaluable for response. The objective response rate was 28.6%, with three patients (10.7%) achieving morphologic CR, and five patients (17.9%) achieving partial response. Disease progression occurred in 11 patients (39.3%). Ten patients (33.3%) experienced at least one treatment-related serious adverse event, including capillary leak syndrome (CLS; n = 6), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS; n = 4), and treatment-related death (n = 1) from pulmonary edema. No differences were observed in inflammatory markers in patients who did or did not develop CLS or HUS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a signal for clinical activity, this phase 2 study was terminated at interim analysis for a CR rate that did not reach the stage 1 target. Preclinical data suggest enhanced efficacy of moxetumomab pasudotox via continuous infusion or in combination regimens; thus, further studies designed to optimize the efficacy and safety of moxetumomab pasudotox in pediatric ALL may be warranted.

A novel approach to assess domain specificity of anti-drug antibodies to moxetumomab pasudotox, an immunotoxin with two functional domains.

Biologics are potentially immunogenic and can elicit immune response. Complex biologics, such as bispecific antibodies or multi-domain molecules can induce anti-drug antibodies (ADA) with specificity to different domains. Domain specific ADAs may differently affect drug efficacy and safety, and thus, characterization of ADA domain specificity has become a regulatory expectation for multi-domain biologics. Unlike well-established methods for screening, confirmation, titer and neutralizing ADA detection, characterization of ADA domain specificity is an emerging field. The conventional approach for determination of ADA domain specificity is a competitive inhibition with domain-containing molecules. When developing a conventional domain specificity assay for moxetumomab pasudotox, a recombinant anti-CD22 immunotoxin, comprised of two functional domains (CD22-binding fragment and truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38), we encountered a bioanalytical challenge. The method was able to detect immunodominant anti-PE38 (ADA-PE) but generated false negative results for low abundant CD22-binding domain ADA (ADA-BD) in a polyclonal sample. Troubleshooting experiments using control samples with varying levels of each ADA subtype demonstrated that a major factor for successful ADA identification was the ratio of the ADA signals contributed by each ADA subtype. To overcome this unique bioanalytical challenge, we developed a novel approach, which ensures detection of a domain-specific ADA subtype regardless of its relative level in a polyclonal ADA sample by evaluating signal inhibition by a respective domain-containing molecule at the condition when signals from all other ADAs are fully blocked. The method has been used for characterization of ADA domain specificity in moxetumomab pasudotox clinical trials, including study 1053, the pivotal Phase III study in hairy cell leukemia patients. It allowed for successful detection of ADA-BD in the presence of immunodominant ADA-PE, enabling accurate determination of domain specificity for moxetumomab pasudotox. The results demonstrated that the method was superior than the conventional approach. The method could be applied broadly to other biologics with two or more domains when there is a need to detect a minor ADA subtype in polyclonal samples.

Moxetumomab Pasudotox: Clinical Experience in Relapsed/Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Moxetumomab pasudotox is a promising new therapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory hairy cell leukemia (R/R HCL), but practical guidance relating to its administration is limited. OBJECTIVES: This article describes clinical guidelines for the administration of moxetumomab pasudotox to patients with R/R HCL and presents related case studies. METHODS: A limited review of the literature on HCL was undertaken. FINDINGS: Nursing care of patients prescribed moxetumomab pasudotox includes monitoring clinical and laboratory parameters, managing side effects, being aware of signs of serious side effects, and maintaining patient hydration during administration.

Moxetumomab pasudotox: A first-in-class treatment for hairy cell leukemia.

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare indolent B-cell lymphoid malignancy. Durable remission can be obtained with purine analogues, but relapse is inevitable, and effective treatment options may be limited. Moxetumomab pasudotox is a recombinant CD22-targeting immunotoxin that has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia. Approval was based on a pivotal phase III study in this unique patient population. Rationale for use, clinical trial data, and current treatment recommendations are detailed. Common adverse effects are reviewed, and management strategies for select adverse effects are suggested. Implications for contemporary practitioners are also provided, as use of this novel agent is likely to increase as follow-up studies are reported.

Psoitis and multiple venous thromboses caused by Panton Valentine Leukocidin-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in a 12-year-old girl: A case report.

Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) is one of the many toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. In Japan, PVL-positive S. aureus strains are mainly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Data regarding PVL-positive methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) are scarce. In this report, we describe a case of severe infection by PVL-positive MSSA. A 12-year-old healthy girl was admitted with high fever and pain in the lower back. Computed tomography revealed a diagnosis of psoitis and multiple venous thromboses. Blood cultures obtained after admission revealed infection with MSSA. Her fever continued despite adequate antibiotic therapy. On the fifth hospitalization day, she developed bladder dysfunction, and an abscess was noted near the third lumbar vertebra. She underwent an emergency operation and recovered. Bacterial analyses revealed that the causative MSSA was a PVL-producing single variant of ST8 (related to USA300clone), of sequence type 2149. PVL is known to cause platelet activation. This case demonstrates the need for detailed analyses of the causative strain of bacteria in cases of S. aureus infection with deep vein thrombosis, even in cases of known MSSA infection.

Phase I trial of convection-enhanced delivery of IL13-Pseudomonas toxin in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

OBJECTIVE In this clinical trial report, the authors analyze safety and infusion distribution of IL13-Pseudomonas exotoxin, an antitumor chimeric molecule, administered via intratumoral convection enhanced delivery (CED) in pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). METHODS This was a Phase I single-institution, open-label, dose-escalation, safety and tolerability study of IL13-PE38QQR infused via single-catheter CED into 5 pediatric DIPG patients. IL13-PE38QQR was administered to regions of tumor selected by radiographic findings. Two escalating dose levels were evaluated: 0.125 µg/mL in cohort 1 and 0.25 µg/mL in cohort 2. Real-time MRI was performed during intratumoral infusions, and MRI and MR spectroscopy were performed before and after the infusions. Clinical evaluations, including parent-reported quality of life (QOL), were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks post-infusion. RESULTS Direct infusion of brainstem tumor with IL13-PE using the CED technique in patients with DIPG produced temporary arrest of disease progression in 2 of 5 patients, both of whom subsequently received a second infusion. All 5 patients showed signs of disease progression by 12 weeks after initial infusion. Two patients experienced transient cranial nerve deficits and lethargy after infusion, and these deficits resolved with corticosteroid treatment in both cases. No patient had radiographic evidence of acute or long-term treatment toxicity. Parent-reported QOL was consistent with medical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Even though IL13-PE delivered by CED did not reach the entire MRI-defined tumor volume in any patient, short-term radiographic antitumor effects were observed in 2 of the 5 patients treated. The patients' performance status did not improve. Drug delivery using multiple catheters may produce improved outcomes. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT00088061 (clinicaltrials.gov) ABBREVIATIONS CED = convection-enhanced delivery; DIPG = diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma; IL-13 = interleukin 13; IL13R = IL-13 receptor; IPI = Impact of Pediatric Illness; KPS = Karnofsky Performance Status; LPS = Lansky Performance Status; MRS = MR spectroscopy; NAA = n-acetyl aspartate; QOL = quality of life; Vd = volume of distribution; Vi = volume of infusion.

Moxetumomab Pasudotox: First Global Approval.

Moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk (LUMOXITI™), an anti CD22 recombinant immunotoxin, has been developed by MedImmune and its parent company AstraZeneca for the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia. The product, discovered at the National Cancer Institute, is an optimised version of immunotoxin CAT-3888. Moxetumomab pasudotox is composed of the Fv fragment of an anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody fused to a 38 kDa fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, PE38. The Fv portion of moxetumomab pasudotox binds to CD22, a cell surface receptor expressed on a variety of malignant B-cells, thereby delivering the toxin moiety PE38 directly to tumour cells. Once internalised, PE38 catalyses the ADP ribosylation of the diphthamide residue in elongation factor-2 (EF-2), resulting in the rapid fall in levels of the anti-apoptotic protein myeloid cell leukaemia 1 (Mcl-1), leading to apoptotic cell death. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of moxetumomab pasudotox leading to this first approval for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukaemia who received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analogue. Development of moxetumomab pasudotox for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and precursor cell lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma was discontinued.

Therapeutic potential of staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 7 for complement-mediated hemolysis.

Previous studies have demonstrated that staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 7 (SSL7), a protein produced by Staphylococcus aureus, potently inhibits the formation of the complement membrane attack complex by binding to complement component 5 (C5). However, because of the predicted immunogenicity of SSL7 as a foreign protein in humans, its potential as a new complement inhibitor for treating complement-mediated diseases is uncertain. In this study, we found that administration of SSL7 significantly prevented complement-mediated hemolysis and reduced hemoglobinuria in a mouse model of complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis. Interestingly, although repetitive administrations of SSL7 elicited anti-SSL7 antibody production, administration of SSL7 at a dose of 2 µg/mouse was still able to significantly attenuate complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis in vivo in the presence of the antibodies. In addition, even though anti-SSL7 antibodies were detectable in normal human donors, these antibodies did not significantly reduce the complement inhibitory activity of SSL7 in in vitro assays. Finally, inoculation of SSL7 in the anterior chamber of the eye suppressed the production of SSL7-reactive antibodies after repetitive SSL7 administration. These results suggest that SSL7 could be developed as an economical alternative to the existing C5-targeted drug, eculizumab, especially for controlling acute complement activation in catastrophic conditions such as drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia and ABO-incompatible erythrocyte transfusions. These data also suggest that approaches such as anterior chamber-associated immune deviation could be employed to establish an antigen-specific immune tolerance for long-term SSL7 administration. KEY MESSAGES: • SSL7 functions in the presence of anti-SSL7 antibodies both in vitro and in vivo. • SSL7 has the potential to be developed as a new and economical complement inhibitor for treating complement-mediated hemolysis.

Deciphering the Pathological Role of Staphylococcal α-Toxin and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Using a Novel Ex Vivo Human Skin Model.

Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) have been reported to play critical roles in different animal models of skin infection. These models, however, do not completely recapitulate the human disease due to the host specificity of these toxins as well as the intrinsic anatomical and immunological differences between animals and humans. Human skin explants represent a valid alternative to animal models for studying skin infections. Herein, we developed a human skin explant wound model to study the pathogenic role of alpha-toxin and PVL; inflammatory responses elicited by these toxins; and the neutralizing ability of antibodies to mitigate skin damage. Different concentrations of alpha-toxin and/PVL were applied to superficial wounds on human skin explants. Treatment with alpha-toxin resulted in high tissue toxicity and loss of skin epithelial integrity. PVL induced a milder but significant toxicity with no loss of skin structural integrity. The combination of both toxins resulted in increased tissue toxicity as compared with the individual toxins alone. Treatment of the skin with these toxins also resulted in a decrease of CD45-positive cells in the epidermis. In addition, both toxins induced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Finally, antibodies raised against alpha-toxin were able to mitigate tissue toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Results from this study confirm the key role of α-toxin in staphylococcal infection of the human skin and suggest a possible cooperation of the two toxins in tissue pathology.

Phase 1 study of the anti-CD22 immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Novel therapies are needed to overcome chemotherapy resistance for children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Moxetumomab pasudotox is a recombinant anti-CD22 immunotoxin. A multicenter phase 1 study was conducted to determine the maximum-tolerated cumulative dose (MTCD) and evaluate safety, activity, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of moxetumomab pasudotox in children, adolescents, and young adults with ALL (N = 55). Moxetumomab pasudotox was administered as a 30-minute IV infusion at doses of 5 to 50 µg/kg every other day for 6 (cohorts A and B) or 10 (cohort C) doses in 21-day cycles. Cohorts B and C received dexamethasone prophylaxis against capillary leak syndrome (CLS). The most common treatment-related adverse events were reversible weight gain, hepatic transaminase elevation, and hypoalbuminemia. Dose-limiting CLS occurred in 2 of 4 patients receiving 30 µg/kg of moxetumomab pasudotox every other day for 6 doses. Incorporation of dexamethasone prevented further dose-limiting CLS. Six of 14 patients receiving 50 µg/kg of moxetumomab pasudotox for 10 doses developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), or HUS-like events, exceeding the MTCD. Treatment expansion at 40 µg/kg for 10 doses (n = 11) exceeded the MTCD because of 2 HUS/TMA/HUS-like events. Dose level 6B (ie, 50 µg/kg × 6 doses) was the MTCD, selected as the recommended phase 2 dose. Among 47 evaluable patients, an objective response rate of 32% was observed, including 11 (23%) composite complete responses, 5 of which were minimal residual disease negative by flow cytometry. Moxetumomab pasudotox showed a manageable safety profile and evidence of activity in relapsed or refractory childhood ALL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00659425.

Community-acquired necrotising pneumonia caused by Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A 61-year-old male presented with community-onset pneumonia not responding to treatment despite given appropriate antibiotics. Computed tomography scan of the thorax showed large multiloculated pleural effusion with multiple cavitating foci within collapsed segments; lesions which were suggestive of necrotising pneumonia. Drainage of the effusion and culture revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which had the same antibiotic profile with the blood isolate and PVL gene positive.

Right in Front of Our Eyes: Evolution of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome with Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Toxic shock syndrome occurs from dysregulation of host inflammatory responses. Toxin- producing strains of Group A streptococcus cause TSS. Ischemic optic neuropathy rarely complicates septic shock. We present a rare case of streptococcal pharyngitis complicated by septic arthritis and TSS with reversible blindness due to non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. CASE: A 28-year-old man drove to our ED with exudative pharyngitis. A rapid streptococcal test was positive. While awaiting oral penicillin he became hypotensive refractory to IV fluids and developed knee effusion. The patient noted progressive dimming of his vision. Arthrocentesis yielded GAS. ICU course was complicated by ARDS but after 2 weeks the patient was weaned off vasopressors and the ventilator. He regained his vision and had no neurological sequelae. The patient's GAS isolate was M protein gene (emm) type 1 and T type 1. He was followed in the IM clinic for 9 months post discharge with complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: The rapidity of the development of shock is attributed to streptococcal exotoxins acting as superantigens. GAS type M1 is commonly associated with severe shock in TSS. The severe shock was the likely cause of his ischemic optic neuropathy. Early recognition and aggressive management of TSS are crucial to clinical outcome. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-12.asp].

A novel bispecific immunotoxin delivered by human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to target blood vessels and vasculogenic mimicry of malignant gliomas.

BACKGROUND: In previous years, immunotoxins have been shown to be a greatly promising therapeutic tool for brain malignancies, such as gliomas. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) exhibit tropism to tumor tissue. However, the effect of bispecific immunotoxins in malignant gliomas is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of bispecific immunotoxins in human malignant gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, the bispecific immunotoxin VEGF165-ephrin A1-PE38KDEL was established using deoxyribonucleic acid shuffling and cloning techniques. The VEGF165-ephrin A1-PE38KDEL was delivered by hMSCs to mouse malignant gliomas. The effects of the bispecific immunotoxins on glioma-derived blood vessels and vasculogenic mimicry to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumorigenic effects of immunotoxins were examined in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro, transfected hMSCs significantly inhibited the cell viability of gliomas cell lines U87 and U251 in a dose-dependent manner compared with untransfected hMSCs (P<0.01). In vivo, the intratumoral injection of engineered hMSCs was effective at inhibiting tumor growth in a malignant glioma tumor model. CONCLUSION: The bispecific immunotoxin secreted from hMSCs acts as a novel strategy for improving treatment options for malignant gliomas in the clinic.