Two-Year Outcomes of Valoctocogene Roxaparvovec Therapy for Hemophilia A.

BACKGROUND: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec delivers a B-domain-deleted factor VIII coding sequence with an adeno-associated virus vector to prevent bleeding in persons with severe hemophilia A. The findings of a phase 3 study of the efficacy and safety of valoctocogene roxaparvovec therapy evaluated after 52 weeks in men with severe hemophilia A have been published previously. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, single-group, multicenter, phase 3 trial in which 134 men with severe hemophilia A who were receiving factor VIII prophylaxis received a single infusion of 6×1013 vector genomes of valoctocogene roxaparvovec per kilogram of body weight. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the annualized rate of treated bleeding events at week 104 after receipt of the infusion. The pharmacokinetics of valoctocogene roxaparvovec were modeled to estimate the bleeding risk relative to the activity of transgene-derived factor VIII. RESULTS: At week 104, a total of 132 participants, including 112 with data that were prospectively collected at baseline, remained in the study. The mean annualized treated bleeding rate decreased by 84.5% from baseline (P<0.001) among the participants. From week 76 onward, the trajectory of the transgene-derived factor VIII activity showed first-order elimination kinetics; the model-estimated typical half-life of the transgene-derived factor VIII production system was 123 weeks (95% confidence interval, 84 to 232). The risk of joint bleeding was estimated among the trial participants; at a transgene-derived factor VIII level of 5 IU per deciliter measured with chromogenic assay, we expected that participants would have 1.0 episode of joint bleeding per year. At 2 years postinfusion, no new safety signals had emerged and no new serious adverse events related to treatment had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The study data show the durability of factor VIII activity and bleeding reduction and the safety profile of valoctocogene roxaparvovec at least 2 years after the gene transfer. Models of the risk of joint bleeding suggest that the relationship between transgene-derived factor VIII activity and bleeding episodes is similar to that reported with the use of epidemiologic data for persons with mild-to-moderate hemophilia A. (Funded by BioMarin Pharmaceutical; GENEr8-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03370913.).

Clinical immunogenicity outcomes from GENEr8-1, a phase 3 study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an AAV5-vectored gene therapy for hemophilia A.

Gene transfer therapies utilizing adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors involve a complex drug design with multiple components that may impact immunogenicity. Valoctocogene roxaparvovec is an AAV serotype 5 (AAV5)-vectored gene therapy for the treatment of hemophilia A that encodes a B-domain-deleted human factor VIII (FVIII) protein controlled by a hepatocyte-selective promoter. Following previous results from the first-in-human phase 1/2 clinical trial, we assessed AAV5-capsid- and transgene-derived FVIII-specific immune responses with 2 years of follow-up data from GENEr8-1, a phase 3, single-arm, open-label study in 134 adult men with severe hemophilia A. No FVIII inhibitors were detected following administration of valoctocogene roxaparvovec. Immune responses were predominantly directed toward the AAV5 capsid, with all participants developing durable anti-AAV5 antibodies. Cellular immune responses specific for the AAV5 capsid were detected in most participants by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay 2 weeks following dose administration and declined or reverted to negative over the first 52 weeks. These responses were weakly correlated with alanine aminotransferase elevations and showed no association with changes in FVIII activity. FVIII-specific cellular immune responses were less frequent and more sporadic compared with those specific for AAV5 and showed no association with safety or efficacy parameters.

Valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy provides durable haemostatic control for up to 7 years for haemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec is an adeno-associated virus vector serotype 5 (AAV5)-mediated gene therapy approved for severe haemophilia A (HA). AIM: To report the safety and efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec 7 years after dosing in a phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT02576795). METHODS: Males ≥18 years with severe HA (factor VIII [FVIII] ≤1 international unit [IU]/dL) who were previously receiving exogenous FVIII and had no history of FVIII inhibitors or anti-AAV5 antibodies received valoctocogene roxaparvovec treatment and were followed for 7 (6 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 7) and 6 (4 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 6) years. RESULTS: In the last year, one participant in each cohort reported treatment-related adverse events (AEs): grade 1 (G1) hepatomegaly (6 × 1013), and G1 splenomegaly and G1 hepatic steatosis (4 × 1013). During all follow-up, mean annualized treated bleeds and exogenous FVIII infusion rates were ≥88% lower than baseline values. At years 7 and 6, mean (median) FVIII activity (chromogenic assay) was 16.2 (10.3) and 6.7 (7.2) IU/dL in the 6 × 1013 (n = 5) and 4 × 1013 (n = 4) cohorts, respectively, corresponding to mild haemophilia. Regression analyses of the last year estimated rate of change in FVIII activity was -0.001 and -0.07 IU/dL/week for the 6 × 1013 and 4 × 1013 cohorts, respectively. Two participants (6 × 1013) resumed prophylaxis in year 7: one after a non-treatment-related G4 serious AE of spontaneous internal carotid artery bleed, and the other to manage bleeds and FVIII activity. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec remain generally consistent with previous reports, with good haemostatic control for most participants. Two participants returned to prophylaxis.

Long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene transfer up to 6 years post-treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec uses an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5) vector to transfer a factor VIII (FVIII) coding sequence to individuals with severe haemophilia A, providing bleeding protection. AIM: To assess safety and efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec 5-6 years post-treatment. METHODS: In a phase 1/2 trial, adult male participants with severe haemophilia A (FVIII ≤1 IU/dL) without FVIII inhibitors or anti-AAV5 antibodies received valoctocogene roxaparvovec and were followed for 6 (6 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 7) and 5 (4 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 6) years. Safety, including investigation of potential associations between a malignancy and gene therapy, and efficacy are reported. RESULTS: No new treatment-related safety signals emerged. During year 6, a participant in the 6 × 1013  vg/kg cohort was diagnosed with grade 2 parotid gland acinar cell carcinoma; definitive treatment was uncomplicated parotidectomy with lymph node dissection. Target enrichment sequencing of tumour and adjacent healthy tissue revealed low vector integration (8.25 × 10-5 per diploid cell). Integrations were not elevated in tumour samples, no insertions appeared to drive tumorigenesis, and no clonal expansion of integration-containing cells occurred. During all follow-ups, >90% decreases from baseline in annualised treated bleeds and FVIII infusion rates were maintained. At the end of years 6 and 5, mean FVIII activity (chromogenic assay) was 9.8 IU/dL (median, 5.6 IU/dL) and 7.6 IU/dL (median, 7.1 IU/dL) for the 6 × 1013 and 4 × 1013 vg/kg cohorts, respectively, representing proportionally smaller year-over-year declines than earlier timepoints. CONCLUSIONS: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec safety and efficacy profiles remain largely unchanged; genomic investigations showed no association with a parotid tumour.

Persistence of haemostatic response following gene therapy with valoctocogene roxaparvovec in severe haemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec is an investigational AAV5-based factor VIII (FVIII) gene therapy that has demonstrated sustained clinical benefit in people with severe haemophilia A. AIM: To report safety, tolerability, efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) among participants who received valoctocogene roxaparvovec in a phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT02576795). METHODS: Men ≥18 years of age with severe haemophilia A (FVIII ≤1 IU/dl) without history of FVIII inhibitors or anti-AAV5 antibodies received a single infusion of valoctocogene roxaparvovec and were followed for 5 years (6 × 1013 vg/kg dose, n = 7) and 4 years (4 × 1013 vg/kg dose, n = 6). RESULTS: Over the past 2 years, few adverse events and no FVIII inhibitors were reported. Per chromogenic substrate (CSA) assay at years 5 and 4, four of seven and three of six participants in the 6 × 1013 and 4 × 1013 vg/kg cohorts, respectively, maintained median FVIII levels >5 IU/dl, corresponding to mild haemophilia. By regression analysis, rate of change in FVIII activity was -0.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -.32 to .03) IU/dl/wk in the 6 × 1013 vg/kg cohort in year 5 and -.06 (95% CI: -.14 to .01) IU/dl/wk in the 4 × 1013 vg/kg cohort in year 4. No participants resumed FVIII prophylaxis, and eight of 13 participants reported zero bleeds in the past 2 years. Improved QOL from baseline persisted in the 6 × 1013 vg/kg cohort; all six Haemo-QOL-A domain scores increased. For the 4 × 1013 vg/kg cohort, high baseline Haemo-QOL-A scores persisted. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate transgene expression and haemostatic response for up to 5 years in individuals with haemophilia A.

Pirfenidone ameliorates murine chronic GVHD through inhibition of macrophage infiltration and TGF-ß production.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is hampered by chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), resulting in multiorgan fibrosis and diminished function. Fibrosis in lung and skin leads to progressive bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) and scleroderma, respectively, for which new treatments are needed. We evaluated pirfenidone, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, for its therapeutic effect in cGVHD mouse models with distinct pathophysiology. In a full major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched, multiorgan system model with BO, donor T-cell responses that support pathogenic antibody production are required for cGVHD development. Pirfenidone treatment beginning one month post-transplant restored pulmonary function and reversed lung fibrosis, which was associated with reduced macrophage infiltration and transforming growth factor-ß production. Pirfenidone dampened splenic germinal center B-cell and T-follicular helper cell frequencies that collaborate to produce antibody. In both a minor histocompatibility antigen-mismatched as well as a MHC-haploidentical model of sclerodermatous cGVHD, pirfenidone significantly reduced macrophages in the skin, although clinical improvement of scleroderma was only seen in one model. In vitro chemotaxis assays demonstrated that pirfenidone impaired macrophage migration to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as well as IL-17A, which has been linked to cGVHD generation. Taken together, our data suggest that pirfenidone is a potential therapeutic agent to ameliorate fibrosis in cGVHD.

Cryptic MHC class I-binding peptides are revealed by aminoglycoside-induced stop codon read-through into the 3' UTR.

Aminoglycosides have been proposed as therapies for genetic disorders caused by nonsense mutations, because of their capacity to enhance translational read-through of premature termination codons (PTCs), thereby permitting expression of functional full-length protein. However, a potential consequence of this strategy is the development of an autoimmune response to HLA-presented epitopes encoded downstream of the PTC or other stop codons. Using a recombinant virus-expression system in tissue culture and in mice, we demonstrate that gentamicin can induce expression and MHC class I presentation of a model epitope encoded downstream of a PTC at levels sufficient to activate CD8(+) T cells. The degree of read-through-derived peptide presentation varies with the sequence of the stop codon and +1 nucleotide. Additionally, we applied a mass spectrometry exploration of the HLA class I peptide repertoire of gentamicin-treated cells and identified multiple peptides derived from read-through of conventional stop codons. These results substantiate the possibility of self-reactivity to cryptic epitopes revealed by stop codon read-through therapies and potentially other therapeutic approaches involving compounds that alter translational fidelity.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As the safety and availability of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have improved, this procedure is becoming a viable option for nonmalignant conditions such as sickle cell disease (SCD). There are very few treatment options available for SCD, and even with optimal care SCD patients still suffer from a myriad of comorbidities to multiple organ systems and have a decreased life span. In this review, we will summarize results from trials of HSCT for children or adults with SCD using a variety of graft sources as well as conditioning and graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimens, and discuss the unique challenges that arise in these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: AlloHSCT for SCD has been performed on small numbers of patients at multiple centers around the world using several different transplant platforms, and early outcomes are encouraging. Overall survival is excellent, although graft failure remains a challenge. SUMMARY: As alloHSCT becomes safer and more widely available, the procedure should be considered for patients with severe disease phenotypes in whom the potential benefits of transplantation outweigh the complications from the disease. AlloHSCT has been shown to reverse or at least halt the progression of end-organ damage secondary to SCD. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying graft failure in SCD recipients, as well as to understand the biopsychosocial underpinnings of persistent pain in the posttransplant period to maximize the benefit from the transplant procedure.

Comparative Effectiveness of Valoctocogene Roxaparvovec and Prophylactic Factor VIII Replacement in Severe Hemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: A prospective, non-interventional study (270-902) followed 294 adults with severe hemophilia A (SHA) receiving prophylactic factor VIII (FVIII). From these participants, 112 rolled over into a single-arm, multicenter, phase 3 trial (GENEr8-1; NCT03370913) that evaluated efficacy and safety of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, a gene therapy that provides endogenous FVIII in individuals with SHA. Participants from 270-902 who did not roll over provide an opportunity for a contemporaneous external control. Therefore, the comparative effectiveness of valoctocogene roxaparvovec vs FVIII prophylaxis was evaluated using propensity scoring (PS). METHODS: This post hoc analysis compared 112 participants from GENEr8-1 (treated cohort) to 73 participants in 270-902 who did not enroll in GENEr8-1 (control cohort). The primary analysis used standardized mortality ratio weighting to re-weight baseline characteristics of the control cohort to better match the treated cohort. Mean annualized bleeding rates (ABR) for treated and all bleeds were compared between cohorts along with the proportion of participants with zero bleeds (treated and all bleeds). Sensitivity and scenario analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: PS adjustments reduced differences in baseline characteristics between cohorts. Mean treated (4.40 vs 0.85; P < 0.001) and all (5.01 vs 1.54; P < 0.001) ABR were significantly lower, and the proportions of participants with zero treated bleeds (82.1% vs 32.9%; P < 0.001) and all bleeds (58.0% vs 28.5%; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in GENEr8-1. CONCLUSIONS: PS-adjusted analyses were consistent with prior intra-individual comparisons. Compared with participants receiving prophylactic FVIII, the participants receiving valoctocogene roxaparvovec experienced lower ABR, and a higher proportion had zero bleeds. TRAIL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03370913.

Hemophilia A is a bleeding disorder where blood is unable to clot properly because of a missing protein called factor VIII (FVIII). Individuals with hemophilia A have an increased risk of prolonged bleeding episodes that can be deadly. To prevent bleeding, people with severe hemophilia A need to routinely inject treatment into the skin or vein (prophylaxis). While effective, some people find the time and effort needed to maintain frequent injections difficult, since some forms of the prophylaxis must be administered in a hospital setting. Valoctocogene roxaparvovec is a gene therapy where a single injection provides instructions to the liver of individuals with hemophilia A to make the missing protein (FVIII). Then, their own liver cells can produce FVIII protein and prevent bleeding episodes. The valoctocogene roxaparvovec clinical trial compared the number of treated bleeding episodes participants had prior to gene therapy, while using prophylaxis, with the number of treated bleeding episodes after gene therapy. On average, after gene therapy, participants had 4.1 fewer treated bleeding episodes per year. In this study, mathematical models were used to explore how differences in participant's physical characteristics, such as body weight or medical history, might influence the effectiveness of gene therapy. Even when considering differences in the participants' physical characteristics, the gene therapy reduced treated bleeding episodes by 3.6 events per year. This study confirms results originally presented from the valoctocogene roxaparvovec clinical trial and reinforces confidence in the ability of valoctocogene roxaparvovec to reduce bleeding outcomes for participants with hemophilia A.

Blood biodistribution and vector shedding of valoctocogene roxaparvovec in people with severe hemophilia A.

Following systemically-administered adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, vector particles are widely distributed, which has raised concerns about horizontal or germline transmission of vector. Characterization of biodistribution and kinetics of vector DNA in body fluids can address these concerns and provide insights into vector behavior in accessible samples. We investigated the biodistribution and vector shedding profile of valoctocogene roxaparvovec in men with severe hemophilia A enrolled in the phase 3 GENEr8-1 trial. Participants (n=134) received a single 6E13 vg/kg infusion and were assessed over 3 years. Vector DNA was measured with 4 different assays. Total vector DNA was evaluated in blood, saliva, stool, semen, and urine by quantitative (q)PCR. Encapsidated vector DNA was measured in plasma and semen with immunocapture-based qPCR. Contiguity of vector genomes and assembly of inverted terminal repeat fusions were measured in whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using multi-color digital PCR. Median peak vector DNA levels observed 1 to 8 days after dosing were highest in blood, followed by saliva, semen, stool, and urine. Concentrations then declined steadily. Encapsidated vector DNA cleared faster than total vector DNA, achieving clearance by <=12 weeks in plasma and semen. Predominant vector genome forms transitioned from non-contiguous to full-length over time in whole blood and PBMCs, indicating formulation of stable circularized episomes within nucleated cells. The replication-incompetent nature of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, coupled with the steady clearance of total and encapsidated vector DNA from shedding matrices, indicates risk of transmission is low. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03370913.

Three-year outcomes of valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia A.

BACKGROUND: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec transfers a human factor (F)VIII coding sequence into hepatocytes of people with severe hemophilia A to provide bleeding protection. OBJECTIVES: To present 3-year efficacy and safety in the multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase 3 GENEr8-1 trial. METHODS: GENEr8-1 enrolled 134 adult males with severe hemophilia A who were receiving FVIII prophylaxis. Efficacy endpoints included annualized bleeding rate, annualized FVIII utilization, FVIII activity (chromogenic substrate assay; imputed as 1 IU/dL at baseline and 0 IU/dL after discontinuation), and the Haemophilia-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: At week 156, 131 of 134 participants remained in the study; overall, 17 of 134 resumed prophylaxis. Mean annualized bleeding rate for treated bleeds decreased from 4.8 (SD, 6.5) bleeds/y at baseline to 0.8 (SD, 2.3; P < .0001) bleeds/y after prophylaxis (prophylaxis cessation to last follow-up) and 0.97 (SD, 3.48) bleeds/y during year 3. Annualized FVIII utilization decreased 96.8% from baseline after prophylaxis and 94.2% during year 3. At week 156, mean and median FVIII activity were 18.4 (SD, 30.8) and 8.3 IU/dL, respectively. FVIII activity decrease was lower between years 2 and 3 than between years 1 and 2. At the end of year 3, clinically meaningful improvements in the Haemophilia-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults Total Score were observed (mean change from baseline, 6.6; 95% CI, 4.24-8.87; P < .0001). Mild alanine aminotransferase elevations remained the most common AE during year 3 (23.7% of participants). A serious AE of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was considered unrelated to treatment. CONCLUSION: Hemostatic efficacy was maintained, and safety remained unchanged from previous years.

Health-related quality of life following valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy for severe hemophilia A in the phase 3 trial GENEr8-1.

BACKGROUND: Severe hemophilia A (HA) negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze HRQOL in adult men with severe HA without inhibitors after valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene transfer in the phase 3 trial GENEr8-1. METHODS: Participant-reported outcomes were the hemophilia-specific quality of life questionnaire for adults (Haemo-QOL-A), the EQ-5D-5L instrument, the Hemophilia Activities List (HAL), and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Hemophilia Specific (WPAI+CIQ:HS). Participants completed the questionnaires at baseline and through 104 weeks postinfusion with 6 × 1013 vg/kg of valoctocogene roxaparvovec. Scores were analyzed per participant characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: For 132 HIV-negative participants, mean change from baseline in Haemo-QOL-A Total Score met the anchor-based clinically important difference (CID: 5.5) by week 12; the mean (SD) increase was 7.0 (12.6) at week 104. At week 104, improvement in Consequences of Bleeding, Treatment Concern, Worry, and Role Functioning domain scores exceeded the CID (6). EQ-5D-5L Utility Index scores improved above the CID at week 52, but not at week 104. EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale and HAL scores increased from baseline to week 104. Participants reported less activity and work impairment at week 104 than baseline. Participants with problem joints had lower mean baseline Haemo-QOL-A Total and domain scores than those without them, but improved over 104 weeks, except for 11 participants with ≥3 problem joints. Participants with 0 bleeds during the baseline prophylaxis period reported Haemo-QOL-A score improvements above the CID, including in the Consequences of Bleeding domain. CONCLUSION: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec provided clinically meaningful HRQOL improvement for men with severe HA.

Functional macroautophagy induction by influenza A virus without a contribution to major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted presentation.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-presented peptides can be derived from both exogenous (extracellular) and endogenous (biosynthesized) sources of antigen. Although several endogenous antigen-processing pathways have been reported, little is known about their relative contributions to global CD4(+) T cell responses against complex antigens. Using influenza virus for this purpose, we assessed the role of macroautophagy, a process in which cytosolic proteins are delivered to the lysosome by de novo vesicle formation and membrane fusion. Influenza infection triggered productive macroautophagy, and autophagy-dependent presentation was readily observed with model antigens that naturally traffic to the autophagosome. Furthermore, treatments that enhance or inhibit macroautophagy modulated the level of presentation from these model antigens. However, validated enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays of influenza-specific CD4(+) T cells from infected mice using a variety of antigen-presenting cells, including primary dendritic cells, revealed no detectable macroautophagy-dependent component. In contrast, the contribution of proteasome-dependent endogenous antigen processing to the global influenza CD4(+) response was readily appreciated. The contribution of macroautophagy to the MHC class II-restricted response may vary depending upon the pathogen.

A randomized, phase II trial of adjuvant immunotherapy with durable TKI-free survival in patients with chronic phase CML.

PURPOSE: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) patients can achieve undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) and discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Cellular immunity plays an important role in CML disease control. We conducted a randomized, non-blinded phase II trial of adjuvant immunotherapy with TKIs to facilitate TKI discontinuation. METHODS: TKI-treated patients with CP-CML were randomized to receive the K562/GM-CSF vaccine (vaccine) OR Interferon-α + Sargramostim (IFN). If UMRD was achieved, then all treatment was stopped. Patients who did not achieve UMRD within one year, had a molecular relapse, or discontinued therapy for toxicity could crossover. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were randomized to IFN (n = 18) or vaccine (n = 16), and 21 patients crossed over (IFN⟶vaccine: n = 9, vaccine⟶IFN, n = 12). TKIs at enrollment included imatinib (n = 31), nilotinib (n = 2), and dasatinib (n = 1). No patients discontinued vaccine due to side effects, while 33 % of IFN-treated patients discontinued treatment. More patients randomized to IFN (47.4 %, 95 % CI: 16.7-66.7 %) versus vaccine (25.0 %, 95 % CI: 0.5-43.5 %) achieved UMRD within one year. Seven patients randomized to IFN discontinued treatment with 28.6 % (95 % CI: 8.9-92.2 %) sustaining treatment-free remission (TFR) at 1 year, while three patients randomized to vaccine discontinued treatment with none sustaining TFR. Including crossover, there was a cumulative discontinuation success rate of 36.4 % (95 % CI: 16.6 %-79.5 %) after adjuvant IFN. Patients who sustained TFR received a median of 29 months of imatinib prior to discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant IFN led to durable TFRs with limited prior TKI exposure with comparable success to prior discontinuation trials, but many patients stopped IFN early.

Protection against simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) 89.6P in macaques after coimmunization with SHIV antigen and IL-15 plasmid.

The cell-mediated immune profile induced by a recombinant DNA vaccine was assessed in the simian/HIV (SHIV) and macaque model. The vaccine strategy included coimmunization of a DNA-based vaccine alone or in combination with an optimized plasmid encoding macaque IL-15 (pmacIL-15). We observed strong induction of vaccine-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) and CD4(+) effector T cells in the vaccination groups. Animals were subsequently challenged with 89.6p. The vaccine groups were protected from ongoing infection, and the IL-15 covaccinated group showed a more rapidly controlled infection than the group treated with DNA vaccine alone. Lymphocytes isolated from the group covaccinated with pmacIL-15 had higher cellular proliferative responses than lymphocytes isolated from the macaques that received SHIV DNA alone. Vaccine antigen activation of lymphocytes was also studied for a series of immunological molecules. Although mRNA for IFN-gamma was up-regulated after antigen stimulation, the inflammatory molecules IL-8 and MMP-9 were down-regulated. These observed immune profiles are potentially reflective of the ability of the different groups to control SHIV replication. This study demonstrates that an optimized IL-15 immune adjuvant delivered with a DNA vaccine can impact the cellular immune profile in nonhuman primates and lead to enhanced suppression of viral replication.

DR5 activation of caspase-8 induces DC maturation and immune enhancement in vivo.

Non-homeostatic tissue apoptosis in vivo has been shown to induce inflammatory responses and facilitate the cross-presentation of proteins within apoptotic bodies. We hypothesize that in the presence of foreign antigens, the apoptotic-inflammatory process improves immune priming; further, molecules that trigger apoptosis may be adapted for use as immune adjuvants. One very attractive molecule in this context is the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family molecule DR5/TRAIL-receptor 2. We show a significant improvement in CD8(+) T-cell mediated vaccine immunity with the use of death receptor-5 (DR5) as an immune adjuvant, a property that is correlated with the activation of caspases-8 (casp8) and dependent on its ability to induce apoptosis in vivo.

A CD40 Agonist and PD-1 Antagonist Antibody Reprogram the Microenvironment of Nonimmunogenic Tumors to Allow T-cell-Mediated Anticancer Activity.

In cancers with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that block immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 promote antitumor T-cell immunity. Unfortunately, most cancers fail to respond to single-agent immunotherapies. T regulatory cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and extensive stromal networks within the tumor microenvironment (TME) dampen antitumor immune responses by preventing T-cell infiltration and/or activation. Few studies have explored combinations of immune-checkpoint antibodies that target multiple suppressive cell populations within the TME, and fewer have studied the combinations of both agonist and antagonist mAbs on changes within the TME. Here, we test the hypothesis that combining a T-cell-inducing vaccine with both a PD-1 antagonist and CD40 agonist mAbs (triple therapy) will induce T-cell priming and TIL activation in mouse models of nonimmunogenic solid malignancies. In an orthotopic breast cancer model and both subcutaneous and metastatic pancreatic cancer mouse models, only triple therapy was able to eradicate most tumors. The survival benefit was accompanied by significant tumor infiltration of IFNγ-, Granzyme B-, and TNFα-secreting effector T cells. Further characterization of immune populations was carried out by high-dimensional flow-cytometric clustering analysis and visualized by t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE). Triple therapy also resulted in increased infiltration of dendritic cells, maturation of antigen-presenting cells, and a significant decrease in granulocytic MDSCs. These studies reveal that combination CD40 agonist and PD-1 antagonist mAbs reprogram immune resistant tumors in favor of antitumor immunity.

Pilot trial of K562/GM-CSF whole-cell vaccination in MDS patients.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell malignancies. Currently, approved drugs are given with non-curative intent as the only known cure is allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, which relies on the donor's immune system driving an allogeneic effect. Previous efforts to harness the endogenous immune system have been less successful. We present the results of a pilot study of K562/GM-CSF (GVAX) whole-cell vaccination in MDS patients. The primary objective of safety was met as there were no serious adverse events. One patient had a decrease in transfusion requirements and another demonstrated hematologic improvement suggesting a signal for clinical activity. In vitro correlative studies indicated biological effects on immune cells following vaccination. Although only a pilot study, results are encouraging that an immunotherapeutic approach with a whole-cell vaccine may be feasible in MDS patients.