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Rigaud C, Knörr F, Brugières L, Woessmann W. Diagnosis and management of ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma in children and adolescents. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2023; 36:101444. [PMID: 36907641 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2023.101444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30-positive T cell lymphoma characterized by signalling from constitutively activated ALK fusion proteins. Most children and adolescents present in advanced stages, often with extranodal disease and B symptoms. The current front-line therapy standard of six cycles polychemotherapy reaches an event-free survival of 70%. The strongest independent prognostic factors are minimal disseminated disease and early minimal residual disease. At relapse, ALK-inhibitors, Brentuximab Vedotin, Vinblastine, or second line chemotherapy are effective re-inductions. Survival at relapse exceeds 60-70% with consolidation according to the time of relapse (Vinblastine monotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) so that the overall survival reaches 95%. It needs to be shown whether check-point inhibitors or long-term ALK-inhibition may substitute for transplantation. The future necessitates international cooperative trials testing whether a shift of paradigm to a chemotherapy-free regimen can cure ALK-positive ALCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Rigaud
- Department of Children and Adolescents Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
| | - Fabian Knörr
- NHL-BFM Study Centre and Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Centre HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Laurence Brugières
- Department of Children and Adolescents Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- NHL-BFM Study Centre and Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Schenk EL. Narrative review: immunotherapy in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ lung cancer-current status and future directions. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2023; 12:322-336. [PMID: 36895933 PMCID: PMC9989807 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-22-883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Patients with metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often experience years of disease control on targeted therapies but the disease eventually develops resistance and progresses. Multiple clinical trial efforts to incorporate PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy into the treatment paradigm for ALK+ NSCLC have resulted in significant toxicities without clear improvement in patient outcomes. Observations from clinical trials, translational studies, and preclinical models suggest the immune system interacts with ALK+ NSCLC and this interaction is heightened with the initiation of targeted therapy. The objective of this review is to summarize knowledge to date about current and potential immunotherapy approaches for patients with ALK+ NSCLC. Methods To identify the relevant literature and clinical trials the databases PubMed.gov and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried with keywords "ALK" and "lung cancer". PubMed search was further refined with terms such as "immunotherapy", "tumor microenvironment or TME", "PD-1", and "T cells". The search for clinical trials was limited to interventional studies. Key Content and Findings In this review, the current status of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for ALK+ NSCLC is updated and alternative immunotherapy approaches are highlighted in the context of available patient level and translational data on the ALK+ NSCLC tumor microenvironment (TME). An increase in CD8+ T cells within the ALK+ NSCLC TME has been observed with targeted therapy initiation across multiple studies. Therapies to augment this including tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, modified cytokines, and oncolytic viruses are reviewed. Furthermore, the contribution of innate immune cells in TKI mediated tumor cell clearance is discussed as a future target for novel immunotherapy approaches that promote cancer cell phagocytosis. Conclusions Immune modulating strategies derived from current and evolving knowledge of the ALK+ NSCLC TME may have a role in ALK+ NSCLC beyond PD-1/PD-L1 based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Schenk
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, USA
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Guo Y, Guo H, Zhang Y, Cui J. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-special immunity and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:908894. [PMID: 35958559 PMCID: PMC9359062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.908894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene play a key role in the development of various human tumors, and targeted therapy has transformed the treatment paradigm for these oncogene-driven tumors. However, primary or acquired resistance remains a challenge. ALK gene variants (such as gene rearrangements and mutations) also play a key role in the tumor immune microenvironment. Immunotherapy targeting the ALK gene has potential clinical applications. Here, we review the results of recent studies on the immunological relevance of ALK-altered tumors, which provides important insights into the development of tumor immunotherapies targeting this large class of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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The Dual Role of Autophagy in Crizotinib-Treated ALK + ALCL: From the Lymphoma Cells Drug Resistance to Their Demise. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102517. [PMID: 34685497 PMCID: PMC8533885 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy has been described as harboring a dual role in cancer development and therapy. Depending on the context, it can exert either pro-survival or pro-death functions. Here, we review what is known about autophagy in crizotinib-treated ALK+ ALCL. We first present our main findings on the role and regulation of autophagy in these cells. Then, we provide literature-driven hypotheses that could explain mechanistically the pro-survival properties of autophagy in crizotinib-treated bulk and stem-like ALK+ ALCL cells. Finally, we discuss how the potentiation of autophagy, which occurs with combined therapies (ALK and BCL2 or ALK and RAF1 co-inhibition), could convert it from a survival mechanism to a pro-death process.
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NPM-ALK: A Driver of Lymphoma Pathogenesis and a Therapeutic Target. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13010144. [PMID: 33466277 PMCID: PMC7795840 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a tyrosine kinase associated with Anaplastic Large Cell lymphoma (ALCL) through oncogenic translocations mainly NPM-ALK. Chemotherapy is effective in ALK(+) ALCL patients and induces remission rates of approximately 80%. The remaining patients do not respond to chemotherapy and some patients have drug-resistant relapses. Different classes of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are available but used exclusively for EML4-ALK (+) lung cancers. The significant toxicities of most ALK inhibitors explain the delay in their use in pediatric ALCL patients. Some ALCL patients do not respond to the first generation TKI or develop an acquired resistance. Combination therapy with ALK inhibitors in ALCL is the current challenge. Abstract Initially discovered in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), the ALK anaplastic lymphoma kinase is a tyrosine kinase which is affected in lymphomas by oncogenic translocations, mainly NPM-ALK. To date, chemotherapy remains a viable option in ALCL patients with ALK translocations as it leads to remission rates of approximately 80%. However, the remaining patients do not respond to chemotherapy and some patients have drug-resistant relapses. It is therefore crucial to identify new and better treatment options. Nowadays, different classes of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are available and used exclusively for EML4-ALK (+) lung cancers. In fact, the significant toxicities of most ALK inhibitors explain the delay in their use in ALCL patients, who are predominantly children. Moreover, some ALCL patients do not respond to Crizotinib, the first generation TKI, or develop an acquired resistance months following an initial response. Combination therapy with ALK inhibitors in ALCL is the current challenge.
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Singh VK, Werner S, Schwalm S, Lennerz V, Ruf S, Stadler S, Hackstein H, Reiter A, Wölfel T, Damm-Welk C, Woessmann W. NPM-ALK-reactive T-cell responses in children and adolescents with NPM-ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1625688. [PMID: 31428523 PMCID: PMC6685518 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1625688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncoantigen nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK) induces cellular and humoral immune responses in patients with NPM-ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). We characterize the NPM-ALK-specific T-cell responses in a cohort of pediatric and adolescent ALCL-patients in remission without Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-preselection. First, we assessed NPM-ALK-reactive T-cell responses and their HLA-class I restriction in patients by using dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with in vitro transcribed (IVT) NPM-ALK-RNA for CD8 (n = 20) or CD3 (n = 9) T-cell stimulation. NPM-ALK-specific T-cells were detected in twelve of 29 patients (nine of 20 with CD8-selected and three of nine with CD3-selected cells). Recognition of NPM-ALK was restricted by HLA-C alleles in six of eight, and by HLA-B alleles in four of eight analyzed patients. No NPM-ALK-reactivity was detected in 20 healthy individuals. Second, in order to define possible immunogenic NPM-ALK-epitope regions, DCs pulsed with pools of overlapping long NPM-ALK-peptides were used to stimulate T-cells in further 22 patients and ten controls. Responsive T-cells were detected in 15 patients and in five controls. A peptide pool located in the middle of the kinase domain induced ALK-reactive T-cells in 14 of 15 responsive patients. We could narrow to single peptides between p327-p370 of NPM-ALK in four patients. In conclusion, using IVT-RNA, 40% of NPM-ALK-positive ALCL-patients in remission had detectable NPM-ALK-specific T-cell responses which were mainly restricted by HLA-B and -C alleles. Peptide stimulation of T-cells revealed responses in almost 70% of patients and allowed describing an immunogenic region located in the ALK-kinase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar Singh
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Werner
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Schwalm
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Volker Lennerz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Serena Stadler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alfred Reiter
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Wölfel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christine Damm-Welk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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Knörr F, Weber S, Singh VK, Pulford K, Reiter A, Woessmann W, Damm-Welk C. Epitope mapping of anti-ALK antibodies in children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Clin Immunol 2018; 195:77-81. [PMID: 30077013 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Nucleophosmin (NPM)-Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) mount ALK autoantibodies. The titer of these autoantibodies inversely correlates with the risk of relapse. The epitopes recognized by these autoantibodies in NPM-ALK might be associated with different ALK-antibody levels. We used overlapping peptide microarray technology to analyze epitope-binding to NPM-ALK by plasma or serum from 129 ALK-positive ALCL patients and 21 controls. Antibodies present in sera from ALCL patients bound to epitopes mainly in the C-terminal region of the ALK portion of NPM-ALK (amino acid positions 469-496, 561-588, 617-644). Patients with higher ALK antibody titers detected the epitope 561-588 more frequently as well as three further epitopes at the N-terminus of the kinase domain compared to patients with intermediate and low titers. These results identify new potential target epitopes for immunotherapy in ALK-positive ALCL. The methodology can be adapted for more reproducible analyses of tumor antigen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Knörr
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Weber
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vijay K Singh
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karen Pulford
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alfred Reiter
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christine Damm-Welk
- Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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Stadler S, Singh VK, Knörr F, Damm-Welk C, Woessmann W. Immune Response against ALK in Children with ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10040114. [PMID: 29642597 PMCID: PMC5923369 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) mount a humoral and cellular immune response against ALK. More than 90% of children and adolescents with ALK-positive ALCL have detectable anti-ALK antibodies in serum or plasma, and the antibody titer inversely correlates with the risk of relapse. ALK-specific CD8 and CD4 T cell responses have been described in patients with ALK-positive ALCL. Vaccination with ALK DNA led to protection against lymphoma growth in a murine model. Collectively, these data suggest that the ALK-specific immune response is involved in the control of the disease. The characteristics of the humoral and cellular immune response against ALK as well as tumor immune escape mechanisms have been increasingly investigated. However, tumor and host factors contributing to the individual immune response against ALK are still largely unknown. Depending on the individual strength of the immune response and its determinants, individualized immunological approaches might be appropriate for the consolidation of ALCL patients. Strategies such as ALK vaccination could be effective for those with a pre-existing anti-tumor immunity, while an allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation or check-point inhibition could be effective for others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Stadler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Vijay Kumar Singh
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Fabian Knörr
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Christine Damm-Welk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
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Knörr F, Damm-Welk C, Ruf S, Singh VK, Zimmermann M, Reiter A, Woessmann W. Blood cytokine concentrations in pediatric patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Haematologica 2017; 103:477-485. [PMID: 29242300 PMCID: PMC5830391 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2017.177972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma often present with B-symptoms or hemophagocytosis and generate an anti-tumor immune response. Specific serum cytokine levels or profiles may reflect the tumor burden, non-specific immune stimulation by the tumor or differences in the strength of the patients’ anti-lymphoma immunity. We systematically correlated pretreatment concentrations of 25 cytokines with clinical and biological characteristics in a well-characterized cohort of 119 uniformly treated pediatric patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Fifteen patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma in remission and 11 patients with low-stage B-cell lymphoma served as controls. Concentrations of interleukin-9, interleukin-10, interleukin-17a, hepatocyte growth factor, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and soluble CD30 were significantly higher in initial sera of patients than in the sera of subjects from both control groups, indicating an anaplastic large cell lymphoma-type cytokine signature. The levels of interleukin-6, interferon-γ, interferon γ-induced protein, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor correlated with the stage, initial general condition, minimal disseminated disease, anaplastic lymphoma kinase-antibody titers, and the risk of relapse among patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Only interleukin-6 showed an independent prognostic value in multivariate analyses. Pretreatment cytokine profiles in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma reflect a tumor signature as well as tumor burden and also differences in the strength of the patients’ immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Knörr
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
| | - Christine Damm-Welk
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
| | - Vijay Kumar Singh
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
| | - Martin Zimmermann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Alfred Reiter
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen
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