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Copsel SN, Garrido VT, Barreras H, Bader CS, Pfeiffer B, Mateo-Victoriano B, Wolf D, Gallardo M, Paczesny S, Komanduri KV, Benjamin CL, Villarino AV, Saluja AK, Levy RB. Minnelide suppresses GVHD and enhances survival while maintaining GVT responses. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e165936. [PMID: 38602775 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.165936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) can cure patients with otherwise fatal leukemias and lymphomas. However, the benefits of aHSCT are limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Minnelide, a water-soluble analog of triptolide, has demonstrated potent antiinflammatory and antitumor activity in several preclinical models and has proven both safe and efficacious in clinical trials for advanced gastrointestinal malignancies. Here, we tested the effectiveness of Minnelide in preventing acute GVHD as compared with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Strikingly, we found Minnelide improved survival, weight loss, and clinical scores in an MHC-mismatched model of aHSCT. These benefits were also apparent in minor MHC-matched aHSCT and xenogeneic HSCT models. Minnelide was comparable to PTCy in terms of survival, GVHD clinical score, and colonic length. Notably, in addition to decreased donor T cell infiltration early after aHSCT, several regulatory cell populations, including Tregs, ILC2s, and myeloid-derived stem cells in the colon were increased, which together may account for Minnelide's GVHD suppression after aHSCT. Importantly, Minnelide's GVHD prevention was accompanied by preservation of graft-versus-tumor activity. As Minnelide possesses anti-acute myeloid leukemia (anti-AML) activity and is being applied in clinical trials, together with the present findings, we conclude that this compound might provide a new approach for patients with AML undergoing aHSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Brent Pfeiffer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sophie Paczesny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Krishna V Komanduri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Medicine, and
| | - Cara L Benjamin
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Medicine, and
| | | | - Ashok K Saluja
- Department of Surgery, and
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Robert B Levy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Devkota R, Small JC, Carbone K, Glass MA, Vetere A, Wagner BK. KD025 Is a Casein Kinase 2 Inhibitor That Protects Against Glucolipotoxicity in β-Cells. Diabetes 2024; 73:585-591. [PMID: 38211571 PMCID: PMC10958584 DOI: 10.2337/db23-0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Glucolipotoxicity (GLT), in which elevated levels of glucose and fatty acids have deleterious effects on β-cell biology, is thought to be one of the major contributors in progression of type 2 diabetes. In search of novel small molecules that protect β-cells against GLT, we previously discovered KD025, an inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase isoform 2 (ROCK2), as a GLT-protective compound in INS-1E cells and dissociated human islets. To further understand the mechanism of action of KD025, we found that pharmacological and genetic inhibition of ROCK2 was not responsible for the protective effects of KD025 against GLT. Instead, kinase profiling revealed that KD025 potently inhibits catalytic subunits of casein kinase 2 (CK2), a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase. We experimentally verified that the inhibition of one of the catalytic subunits of casein kinase 2, CK2A1, but not CK2A2, improved cell viability when challenged with GLT. We conclude that KD025 inhibits CK2 to protect β-cells from GLT. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan Devkota
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Jonnell C. Small
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Kaycee Carbone
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michael A. Glass
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Amedeo Vetere
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Bridget K. Wagner
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
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3
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Wang Y, Wu D, Zhang X, Li Y, He Y, Liu Q, Xuan L, Li Z, Qi K, Sun Y, Wang S, Mo W, Gao L, Hua Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y. A phase II study of belumosudil for chronic graft-versus-host disease in patients who failed at least one line of systemic therapy in China. BMC Med 2024; 22:142. [PMID: 38532458 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is an immune-related disorder that is the most common complication post-allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Corticosteroids with or without calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) remain the mainstay of cGVHD treatment for first-line therapy. However, for many patients, cGVHD symptoms cannot be effectively managed and thus require second-line therapy. Currently, there is no approved treatment for second-line cGVHD treatment in China. In this study, belumosudil, a highly selective and potent rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase-2 inhibitor demonstrated to be effective for cGVHD in the United States and other Western countries, is investigated in patients with cGVHD in China for its overall benefit-risk balance. METHODS This multicenter, open-label phase II study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of oral belumosudil 200 mg once daily in cGVHD patients who had been treated with at least one line of systemic therapy in China. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR); each individual patient's response was assessed by the investigator using the 2014 National Institutes of Health consensus criteria. Secondary endpoints were duration of response (DOR), time to response (TTR), changes in Lee Symptom Scale (LSS) score, organ response rate, corticosteroid dose change, CNI dose change, failure-free survival, time-to-next-treatment, overall survival, and safety. RESULTS Thirty patients were enrolled in the study with a median follow-up time of 12.9 months. ORR was 73.3% (95% confidence interval: 54.1-87.7%) and all responders achieved partial response. Median DOR among responders was not reached and median TTR was 4.3 weeks (range: 3.9-48.1). Fifteen patients (50.0%) achieved clinically meaningful response in terms of reduction in LSS score by ≥ 7 points from baseline. Corticosteroid and CNI dose reductions were reported in 56.7% (17/30) and 35.0% (7/20) of patients, respectively. Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild to moderate in severity, with 11 patients (36.7%) experiencing grade ≥ 3 TEAEs. The most common grade ≥ 3 TEAE was pneumonia (n = 5, 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS Belumosudil treatment demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk balance in treating cGVHD patients who previously have had standard corticosteroid therapy in China where approved second-line setting is absent. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04930562.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No.188, Shizi Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Depei Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No.188, Shizi Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Xiang Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No.188, Shizi Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjie He
- Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qifa Liu
- Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Xuan
- Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kunming Qi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuqian Sun
- Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Wenjian Mo
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ye Hua
- BioNova Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Limited, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- BioNova Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Limited, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- BioNova Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Limited, Shanghai, China
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Liu J, Wu J. The Pathogenesis and Impact of Arterial Stiffening in Hypertension: The 2023 John H. Laragh Research Award. Am J Hypertens 2024; 37:241-247. [PMID: 38214376 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Fifty years ago, Dr. John Laragh brought forward the "vasoconstriction-volume hypothesis" of hypertension. This is Ohm's Law in blood pressure regulation, explicating hypertension as a consequence of increased peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, or both. Resistance vessels, those of a diameter less than 200 μm, determines mean arterial pressure by controlling peripheral vascular resistance. In comparison, large capacitance arteries, particularly the aorta, confines the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in physiological range through the "windkessel effect." Loss of this cushioning function results in aortic stiffening and isolated systolic hypertension, both of which are independently associated with increased risk for coronary, cerebral, and renal diseases. Aortic stiffening is both a cause and a consequence of hypertension. On one hand, aortic stiffness precedes the onset of hypertension in populations and experimental models, and hemodynamic derangements related to aortic stiffening contributes to the development of hypertension by promoting renal dysfunction. On the other hand, the vasculature itself is a hypertensive target organ and hypertensive mechanical stretch directly induces the pathogenesis of aortic adventitial remodeling. Various cell types, including bone marrow-derived circulating fibrocytes, vascular stem cell antigen-1 positive progenitors, and endothelial to mesenchymal transition, and to a lesser extent resident fibroblasts, contribute to adventitial matrix deposition and aortic stiffening in hypertension. Vascular smooth muscle stiffness is another important contributor of aortic stiffening. Understanding the roles of immune components and specific signal pathways in the pathogenesis aortic stiffening paves the path to novel antihypertensive and anti-fibrosis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jing Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Environmental Health Science Center, Institute of Human Health and the Environment, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Towler DA. Parathyroid hormone-PTH1R signaling in cardiovascular disease and homeostasis. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024:S1043-2760(24)00034-1. [PMID: 38429163 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) afflicts our aging population with an incidence approaching 50 per 100 000 patient-years at a female:male ratio of ~3:1. Decisions surrounding surgical management are currently driven by age, hypercalcemia severity, presence of osteoporosis, renal insufficiency, or hypercalciuria with or without nephrolithiasis. Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is not systematically considered. This is notable since the parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1 receptor (PTH1R) is biologically active in the vasculature, and adjusted CV mortality risk is increased almost threefold in individuals with pHPT who do not meet contemporary recommendations for surgical cure. We provide an overview of epidemiology, pharmacology, and physiology that highlights the need to: (i) identify biomarkers that establish a healthy 'set point' for CV PTH1R signaling tone; (ii) better understand the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) relationships of PTH1R ligands in CV homeostasis; and (iii) incorporate CVD risk assessment into the management of hyperparathyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwight A Towler
- Department of Internal Medicine - Endocrine Division, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Maas-Bauer K, Stell AV, Yan KL, de Vega E, Vinnakota JM, Unger S, Núñez N, Norona J, Talvard-Balland N, Koßmann S, Schwan C, Miething C, Martens US, Shoumariyeh K, Nestor RP, Duquesne S, Hanke K, Rackiewicz M, Hu Z, El Khawanky N, Taromi S, Andrlova H, Faraidun H, Walter S, Pfeifer D, Follo M, Waldschmidt J, Melchinger W, Rassner M, Wehr C, Schmitt-Graeff A, Halbach S, Liao J, Häcker G, Brummer T, Dengjel J, Andrieux G, Grosse R, Tugues S, Blazar BR, Becher B, Boerries M, Zeiser R. ROCK1/2 signaling contributes to corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:446. [PMID: 38199985 PMCID: PMC10781952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44703-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) have a low one-year survival rate. Identification and validation of novel targetable kinases in patients who experience corticosteroid-refractory-aGVHD may help improve outcomes. Kinase-specific proteomics of leukocytes from patients with corticosteroid-refractory-GVHD identified rho kinase type 1 (ROCK1) as the most significantly upregulated kinase. ROCK1/2 inhibition improved survival and histological GVHD severity in mice and was synergistic with JAK1/2 inhibition, without compromising graft-versus-leukemia-effects. ROCK1/2-inhibition in macrophages or dendritic cells prior to transfer reduced GVHD severity. Mechanistically, ROCK1/2 inhibition or ROCK1 knockdown interfered with CD80, CD86, MHC-II expression and IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS and TNF production in myeloid cells. This was accompanied by impaired T cell activation by dendritic cells and inhibition of cytoskeletal rearrangements, thereby reducing macrophage and DC migration. NF-κB signaling was reduced in myeloid cells following ROCK1/2 inhibition. In conclusion, ROCK1/2 inhibition interferes with immune activation at multiple levels and reduces acute GVHD while maintaining GVL-effects, including in corticosteroid-refractory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Maas-Bauer
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Verena Stell
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kai-Li Yan
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Enrique de Vega
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Janaki Manoja Vinnakota
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Unger
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Núñez
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johana Norona
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nana Talvard-Balland
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koßmann
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Schwan
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Miething
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Uta S Martens
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Khalid Shoumariyeh
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rosa P Nestor
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Duquesne
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Hanke
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michal Rackiewicz
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Zehan Hu
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nadia El Khawanky
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanaz Taromi
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hana Andrlova
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hemin Faraidun
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Walter
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietmar Pfeifer
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Waldschmidt
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Melchinger
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rassner
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wehr
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Halbach
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- IMMZ, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - James Liao
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Georg Häcker
- IMMH, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- IMMZ, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- Signaling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joern Dengjel
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Grosse
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sonia Tugues
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood & Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Boerries
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Signaling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Hong J, Fraebel J, Yang Y, Tkacyk E, Kitko C, Kim TK. Understanding and treatment of cutaneous graft-versus-host-disease. Bone Marrow Transplant 2023; 58:1298-1313. [PMID: 37730800 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-023-02109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The skin is the outermost mechanical barrier where dynamic immune reactions take place and is the most commonly affected site in both acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). If not properly treated, pain and pruritis resulting from cutaneous GVHD can increase the risk of secondary infection due to erosions, ulcerations, and damage of underlying tissues. Furthermore, resulting disfiguration can cause distress and significantly impact patients' quality of life. Thus, a deeper understanding of skin-specific findings of GVHD is needed. This review will highlight some promising results of recent pre-clinical studies on the pathophysiology of skin GVHD and summarize the diagnostic and staging/grading procedures according to the clinical manifestations of skin GVHD. In addition, we will summarize outcomes of various GVHD treatments, including skin-specific response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshik Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Johnathan Fraebel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yenny Yang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric Tkacyk
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Carrie Kitko
- Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tae Kon Kim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Maurer K, Soiffer RJ. The delicate balance of graft versus leukemia and graft versus host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:943-962. [PMID: 37906445 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2273847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The curative basis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) relies in part upon the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect, whereby donor immune cells recognize and eliminate recipient malignant cells. However, alloreactivity of donor cells against recipient tissues may also be deleterious. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) is an immunologic phenomenon wherein alloreactive donor T cells aberrantly react against host tissues, leading to damaging inflammatory symptoms. AREAS COVERED Here, we discuss biological insights into GvL and cGvHD and strategies to balance the prevention of GvHD with maintenance of GvL in modern HSCT. EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY Relapse remains the leading cause of mortality after HSCT with rates as high as 40% for some diseases. GvHD is a major cause of morbidity after HSCT, occurring in up to half of patients and responsible for 15-20% of deaths after HSCT. Intriguingly, the development of chronic GvHD may be linked to lower relapse rates after HSCT, suggesting that GvL and GvHD may be complementary sides of the immunologic foundation of HSCT. The ability to fine tune the balance of GvL and GvHD will lead to improvements in survival, relapse rates, and quality of life for patients undergoing HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Maurer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Soiffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Gail LM, Schell KJ, Łacina P, Strobl J, Bolton SJ, Steinbakk Ulriksen E, Bogunia-Kubik K, Greinix H, Crossland RE, Inngjerdingen M, Stary G. Complex interactions of cellular players in chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199422. [PMID: 37435079 PMCID: PMC10332803 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease is a life-threatening inflammatory condition that affects many patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although we have made substantial progress in understanding disease pathogenesis and the role of specific immune cell subsets, treatment options are still limited. To date, we lack a global understanding of the interplay between the different cellular players involved, in the affected tissues and at different stages of disease development and progression. In this review we summarize our current knowledge on pathogenic and protective mechanisms elicited by the major involved immune subsets, being T cells, B cells, NK cells and antigen presenting cells, as well as the microbiome, with a special focus on intercellular communication of these cell types via extracellular vesicles as up-and-coming fields in chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease research. Lastly, we discuss the importance of understanding systemic and local aberrant cell communication during disease for defining better biomarkers and therapeutic targets, eventually enabling the design of personalized treatment schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marie Gail
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kimberly Julia Schell
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Piotr Łacina
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Johanna Strobl
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steven J. Bolton
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Hildegard Greinix
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rachel Emily Crossland
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Georg Stary
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Talleur AC, Pui CH, Karol SE. What is Next in Pediatric B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Lymphatics 2023; 1:34-44. [PMID: 38269058 PMCID: PMC10804398 DOI: 10.3390/lymphatics1010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Cure rates now exceed 90% in many contemporary trials for children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, treatment remains suboptimal and therapy is toxic for all patients. New treatment options potentially offer the chance to reduce both treatment resistance and toxicity. Here, we review recent advances in ALL diagnostics, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. In addition to describing recently published results, we also attempt to project the impact of these new developments into the future to imagine what B-ALL therapy may look like in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee C Talleur
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Seth E Karol
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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11
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Fehrenbach DJ, Nguyen B, Alexander MR, Madhur MS. Modulating T Cell Phenotype and Function to Treat Hypertension. Kidney360 2023; 4:e534-e543. [PMID: 36951464 PMCID: PMC10278787 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor of worldwide morbidity and mortality because of its effects on cardiovascular and renal end-organ damage. Unfortunately, BP control is not sufficient to fully reduce the risks of hypertension, underscoring the need for novel therapies that address end-organ damage in hypertension. Over the past several decades, the link between immune activation and hypertension has been well established, but there are still no therapies for hypertension that specifically target the immune system. In this review, we describe the critical role played by T cells in hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage and outline potential therapeutic targets to modulate T-cell phenotype and function in hypertension without causing global immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Fehrenbach
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Bianca Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Matthew R. Alexander
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Meena S. Madhur
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Nashville, Tennessee
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12
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Bhatnagar V, Kluetz PG. Encouraging Rigorous Patient-Generated Data All along the Drug Development Continuum. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:1313-1314. [PMID: 35900168 PMCID: PMC9552273 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Bhatnagar
- Oncology Center of Excellence, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Paul G Kluetz
- Oncology Center of Excellence, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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13
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Greinix HT, Ayuk F, Zeiser R. Extracorporeal photopheresis in acute and chronic steroid‑refractory graft-versus-host disease: an evolving treatment landscape. Leukemia 2022; 36:2558-66. [PMID: 36153436 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01701-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) are known to have a poor prognosis and for decades no approved drug has been available to treat this serious condition. Although ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase (JAK)1/2 inhibitor demonstrated significantly higher response rates in randomized trials compared to the best available therapy, and thus, is of benefit in both acute as well as chronic GvHD, there is an urgent medical need to improve results, such as durability of responses, response in eye, liver and lung manifestations and reduction of infectious complications. In this "Review" article we would like to offer strategies for improving treatment results in patients with steroid-refractory GvHD by combining ruxolitinib with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), a leukapheresis-based immunomodulatory treatment frequently applied in T-cell mediated immune disease including GvHD. Our article explores key published evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of both ruxolitinib and ECP in the treatment of GvHD and highlights their potentially complementary mechanisms of action.
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