Excess Serum Interleukin-18 Distinguishes Patients With Pathogenic Mutations in PSTPIP1

OBJECTIVE

Dominantly inherited PSTPIP1 mutations cause a spectrum of autoinflammatory manifestations epitomized by PAPA syndrome (pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne (PAPA) syndrome.). The connections between PSTPIP1 and PAPA syndrome are poorly understood, although evidence suggests involvement of pyrin inflammasome activation. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammasome-activated cytokine associated with susceptibility to macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). This study was undertaken to investigate an association of IL-18 with PAPA syndrome.

METHODS

Clinical and genetic data and serum samples were obtained from patients referred to institutions due to symptoms indicative of PAPA syndrome. Serum IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), and CXCL9 levels were assessed by bead-based assay, and free IL-18 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The symptoms of PSTPIP1-positive patients with PAPA syndrome overlapped with those of mutation-negative patients with PAPA-like conditions, but mutation-positive patients had earlier onset and a greater proportion had a history of arthritis. We found uniform elevation of total serum IL-18 in treated PAPA syndrome patients at levels nearly as high as those seen in NLRC4-associated autoinflammation with infantile enterocolitis patients, and well above levels found in most familial Mediterranean fever patients. Serum IL-18 elevation in PAPA syndrome patients persisted despite fluctuations in disease activity. Levels of the soluble IL-18 antagonist IL-18BP were modestly elevated, and PAPA syndrome patients had detectable free IL-18. PAPA syndrome was rarely associated with elevation of CXCL9, an indicator of interferon-γ activity, but no PAPA syndrome patients had a history of MAS.

CONCLUSION

PAPA syndrome is a refractory and often disabling monogenic autoinflammatory disease associated with chronic and unopposed elevation of serum IL-18 levels but not with risk of MAS. These findings affect our understanding of the diseases in which IL-18 is overproduced and suggest a link between pyrin inflammasome activation, IL-18, and autoinflammation, without susceptibility to MAS.

Single-cell profiling of T lymphocytes in deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is a monogenic vasculitis syndrome caused by autosomal-recessive loss-of-function mutations in the ADA2 gene (previously known as CECR1). Vasculitis, vasculopathy, and inflammation are dominant clinical features of this disease; the spectrum of manifestations includes immunodeficiency and lymphoproliferation as well as hematologic manifestations. ADA2 is primarily secreted by stimulated monocytes and macrophages. Aberrant monocyte differentiation to macrophages and neutrophils are important in the pathogenesis of DADA2, but little is known about T lymphocytes in this disease. We performed combined single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell TCR sequencing in order to profile T cell repertoires in 10 patients with DADA2. Although there were no significant alterations of T cell subsets, we observed activation of both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells. There was no clonal expansion of T cells: most TCRs were expressed at basal levels in patients and healthy donors. TCR usage was private to individual patients and not disease specific, indicating as unlikely a common pathogenic background or predisposition to a common pathogen. We recognized activation of IFN pathways as a signature of T cells and STAT1 as a hub gene in the gene network of T cell activation and cytotoxicity. Overall, T cells in DADA2 patients showed distinct cell-cell interactions with monocytes, as compared with healthy donors, and many of these ligand-receptor interactions likely drove up-regulation of STAT1 in both T cells and other immune cells in patients. Our analysis reveals previously undercharacterized cell characteristics in DADA2.

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Cures Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency: Report on 30 Patients

PURPOSE

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is an inherited inborn error of immunity, characterized by autoinflammation (recurrent fever), vasculopathy (livedo racemosa, polyarteritis nodosa, lacunar ischemic strokes, and intracranial hemorrhages), immunodeficiency, lymphoproliferation, immune cytopenias, and bone marrow failure (BMF). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) blockade is the treatment of choice for the vasculopathy, but often fails to reverse refractory cytopenia. We aimed to study the outcome of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with DADA2.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on the outcome of HCT in patients with DADA2. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Thirty DADA2 patients from 12 countries received a total of 38 HCTs. The indications for HCT were BMF, immune cytopenia, malignancy, or immunodeficiency. Median age at HCT was 9 years (range: 2-28 years). The conditioning regimens for the final transplants were myeloablative (n = 20), reduced intensity (n = 8), or non-myeloablative (n = 2). Donors were HLA-matched related (n = 4), HLA-matched unrelated (n = 16), HLA-haploidentical (n = 2), or HLA-mismatched unrelated (n = 8). After a median follow-up of 2 years (range: 0.5-16 years), 2-year OS was 97%, and 2-year GvHD-free relapse-free survival was 73%. The hematological and immunological phenotypes resolved, and there were no new vascular events. Plasma ADA2 enzyme activity normalized in 16/17 patients tested. Six patients required more than one HCT.

CONCLUSION

HCT was an effective treatment for DADA2, successfully reversing the refractory cytopenia, as well as the vasculopathy and immunodeficiency.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

HCT is a definitive cure for DADA2 with > 95% survival.

OP0090 CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS BASED ON SOMATIC MUTATIONS IN UBA1

Background:

Somatic mutations in ubiquitin activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) cause a newly defined syndrome known as VEXAS. [1] More than fifty percent of patients currently identified with VEXAS meet diagnostic criteria for relapsing polychondritis (RP).

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence VEXAS within a cohort of patients with RP, to compare their clinical, laboratory, and immunologic features and to develop a clinical algorithm to inform genetic screening for VEXAS among patients with RP.

Methods:

Exome and targeted sequencing of the UBA1 gene was performed in a prospective observational cohort of patients with RP. Clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with RP were compared based on presence or absence of UBA1 mutations. Random forest was used to derive a clinical algorithm to identify patients with UBA1 mutations. Immune populations were quantified by multipanel flow cytometry. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the chi square or Kruskal-Wallis test. P<0.05 defined statistical significance.

Results:

Seven of 92 patients with RP (7.6%) were confirmed to have UBA1 mutations (VEXAS-RP). Six additional patients with VEXAS-RP from other cohorts were included for subsequent analyses. Patients with VEXAS-RP were all male, older at disease onset, and commonly had fever, ear chondritis, skin involvement, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infiltrates. Patients with RP as compared with VEXAS-RP had a significantly higher prevalence of airway chondritis, costochondritis and tenosynovitis/arthralgias. (Table). Mortality was significantly greater in VEXAS-RP than RP (27% vs 2% p=0.01). Maximum ESR, CRP, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were significantly greater in VEXAS-RP. Absolute monocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were significantly lower in VEXAS-RP. A decision tree based on male sex, MCV>100 fl and Platelet count<200 K/ul classified between VEXAS-RP and RP with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity.

Table 1.

Clinical Characteristics of patients with RP vs VEXAS-RP

All Patientsn=98RPn=85VEXAS-RPn=13p valueDemographic CharacteristicsRace, White n (%)90 (92)77 (91)13 (100)0.59Sex, Male n (%)26 (27)13 (15)13 (100)<0.0001Age, Symptom onset, years, Median (IQR)38 (30-47)37 (28-43)56 (54-64)<0.0001Clinical SymptomsFever n (%)33 (34)20 (24)13 (100)<0.0001Ear chondritis n (%)61 (62)48 (56)13 (100)0.0015Nose chondritis n (%)83 (85)71 (84)12 (92)0.68Airway chondritis n (%)37 (38)37 (44)0 (0)0.0015Tenosynovitis/arthalgias n (%)83 (85)77 (91)6 (46)0.0005Skin involvement n (%)33 (34)22 (2611 (85)<0.0001Laboratory ValuesESR, mm/hr, median (IQR)12 (6-22)11 (5-19)66.5 (42-110)<0.0001CRP, mg/L, median (IQR)2.9 (0.8-9.6)1.9 (0.6-6.3)17.7 (9.6-99.5)<0.0001Platelet count (k/uL)246(201-299)258 (227-312)145 (100-169)<0.0001MCV fL93.05 (90-98)92.2 (89-95)105 (102-115)<0.0001Absolute lymphocyte count1.6 (1.1-2.3)1.78(1.4-2.4)0.92 (0.5-1.2)<0.0001CT scan abnormalitiesPulmonary infiltrates n (%)16 (16.33)6 (7.06)10 (77)<0.0001ComplicationsDeath n (%)6 (6)3 (4)3 (23)0.029Unprovoked DVT12 (12)4 (5)8 (62)<0.0001

N number; IQR = interquartile range

Conclusion:

Mutations in UBA1 are causal for disease in a subset of patients with RP. These patients are defined by disease onset in the fifth decade of life or later, male sex, ear/nose chondritis and hematologic abnormalities. Early identification is important in VEXAS given the associated high mortality rate.

References:

[1]Beck DB, Ferrada MA, Sikora KA, Ombrello AK, Collins JC, Pei W, Balanda N, Ross DL, Ospina Cardona D, Wu Z et al: Somatic Mutations in UBA1 and Severe Adult-Onset Autoinflammatory Disease. N Engl J Med 2020, 383(27):2628-2638.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

CD4/CD8 T-Cell Selection Affects Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Potency and Toxicity: Updated Results From a Phase I Anti-CD22 CAR T-Cell Trial

PURPOSE

Patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who experience relapse after or are resistant to CD19-targeted immunotherapies have limited treatment options. Targeting CD22, an alternative B-cell antigen, represents an alternate strategy. We report outcomes on the largest patient cohort treated with CD22 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a single-center, phase I, 3 + 3 dose-escalation trial with a large expansion cohort that tested CD22-targeted CAR T cells for children and young adults with relapsed/refractory CD22⁺ malignancies. Primary objectives were to assess the safety, toxicity, and feasibility. Secondary objectives included efficacy, CD22 CAR T-cell persistence, and cytokine profiling.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight participants were infused; 51 (87.9%) after prior CD19-targeted therapy. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 50 participants (86.2%) and was grade 1-2 in 45 (90%). Symptoms of neurotoxicity were minimal and transient. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like manifestations were seen in 19/58 (32.8%) of subjects, prompting utilization of anakinra. CD4/CD8 T-cell selection of the apheresis product improved CAR T-cell manufacturing feasibility as well as heightened inflammatory toxicities, leading to dose de-escalation. The complete remission rate was 70%. The median overall survival was 13.4 months (95% CI, 7.7 to 20.3 months). Among those who achieved a complete response, the median relapse-free survival was 6.0 months (95% CI, 4.1 to 6.5 months). Thirteen participants proceeded to stem-cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION

In the largest experience of CD22 CAR T-cells to our knowledge, we provide novel information on the impact of manufacturing changes on clinical outcomes and report on unique CD22 CAR T-cell toxicities and toxicity mitigation strategies. The remission induction rate supports further development of CD22 CAR T cells as a therapeutic option in patients resistant to CD19-targeted immunotherapy.

Abstract LB-146: Phase I CD22 CAR T-cell trial updates

Introduction: Patients who relapse after or are resistant to CD19 targeting are in need of novel therapies. We previously reported on the initial experience with our highly-active, first-in-human, first-in-child, CD22 CAR trial in the first 21 subjects with ALL. We now report on the cumulative experience with 52 treated subjects.

Methods: This phase I study of anti-CD22 CAR-T cells (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02315612) enrolled subjects between the ages of 3-30 years with relapsed/refractory CD22+ disease. All subjects received fludarabine 25 mg/m2 x 3 days and cyclophosphamide 900 mg/m2 x 1 day for lymphodepletion. Disease assessments were performed prior to initiation of lymphodepletion and at day 28 (+/- 4 days) post CAR infusion. Three dose levels were explored; with an interim manufacturing modification incorporating CD4/CD8 bead T-cell selection (TCS); current dose is DL1-TCS. (Table 1)

Results: The median age was 18.1 years (range, 4.4-30.6). 36 (69.2%) subjects had undergone HSCT; 30 (57.7%) had prior CD19 CAR; 22 (42.3%) had prior blinatumomab; 28 (53.8%) subjects had a CD19 negative population, including two who were inherently partial CD19 negative without prior targeted therapy. 46 (88.4%) experienced CRS, 5 (10.9%) had grade 3-4 CRS. Unique toxicities apparent with expanded experience included capillary leak syndrome (n=3), including one grade 5 event; atypical HUS (n=2), symptomatic coagulopathy (n=8) and HLH-like manifestations (n=18). The complete remission rate was 72.5% overall; 84% at the current dose level. This included complete remissions seen in subjects who were non-responders to CD19 CAR and/or blinatumomab. The longest remission is &gt; 3 years (n=1) post-CAR. Relapse occurred at a median of 6 months post CAR in 23 (64%) subjects primarily due to CD22 modulation. 12 proceeded to HSCT following CD22 CAR.

Conclusion: In the largest study of CD22 CAR T-cell therapy to date, this extended experience confirms the initial efficacy, while highlighting novel aspects of the toxicity profile that warrant special attention. Results from our study support further testing of this CD22 CAR in a phase 2 clinical trial.

Treated SubjectsDL1 (3 x 10e5)DL2 (1 x 10e6)DL3 (3 x 10e6)DL2 TCS (1 x 10e6)DL1 TCS&gt; (3 x 10e5)n5261827#19n, (% of all subjects)526 (11.5%)18 (34.6%)2 (3.8%)7 (13.4%)19 (36.5%)DemographicsMedian age, (range, years)18.1 (4.4-30.6)21.3 (7.3-22.7)16.7 (8.0-30.7)17.1 (7.9-26.4)12.8 (4.4-28.9)18.5 (4.9-30.4)Prior HSCT, n (%)36 (69.2%)6 (100%)13 (72.2%)2 (100%)6 (85.7%)9 (47.3%)Prior CD19 CAR, n (%)30 (57.7%)6 (100%)11 (61.1%)1 (50%)5 (71.4%)7 (36.8%)Prior Blinatumomab, n (%)22 (42.3%)1 (16.7%)4 (22.2%)2 (100%)2 (28.6%)13 (68.4%)Prior Inotuzumab, n (%)14 (26.9%)1 (16.7%)4 (22.2%)1 (50%)3 (42.9%)5 (26.3%)Prior CD22 CAR, n (%)3 (5.8%)0002 (28.6%)1 (5.3%)Any CD19 negative population (&lt;90%+), n (%)28 (53.8%)4 (66.7%)9 (50%)05 (71.4%)10 (52.6%)&gt;M2 marrow, n (%)38 (73.0%)4 (66.7%)11 (61.1%)2 (100%)6 (85.7%)15 (78.9%)Toxicity ProfileTotal with CRS, n (%)46 (88.4%)3 (50%)16 (88.9%)2 (100%)6 (85.7%)19 (100%)Amongst all CRSCRS Grades 1-2, n (% of all with CRS)41 (89.1%)3 (100%)15 (93.8%)2 (100%)6 (100%)15 (78.9%)CRS Grades &gt; 3, n (% of all with CRS)5 (10.9%)01 (5.6%)004 (21.1%)Received Tocilizumab, n (%)19 (36.5%)03 (16.7%)04 (57.1%)12 (63.2%)Received Steroids, n (%)17 (32.7%)02 (11.1%)1 (50%)4 (57.1%)10 (52.6%)Developed symptomatic coagulopathy, n (%)8 (15.4%)03 (16.7%)04 (57.1%)1 (5.3%)Developed HLH, n (%)18 (34.6%)03 (16.7%)05 (71.4%)10 (52.6%)Developed CLS, n (%)3 (5.8%)01 (5.6%)^002Developed aHUS, n (%)2 (3.8%)0001 (14.2%)2Grade 5 events, n (%)2 (3.8%)02 (11.1%)000Response RateComplete Remissions, n (%)@37 (72.5%)*1 (16.7%)13 (76.5)**1 (50%)6 (85.7%)16 (84.2%)MRD negative CR, n(%)@32 (62.7)*1 (16.7%)10 (58.8%)**0 (0%)6 (85.7%)15 (78.9%)CRS: cytokine release syndrome, as graded per Lee et al. HLH: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, retrospectively identified and defined as present if the following criteria were met: peak ferritin &gt;100,000 with at least one of the following criteria: a) liver function tests &gt; grade 3, b) creatinine &gt; grade 3, c) pulmonary edema &gt;grade 3 or d) evidence of hemophagocytosis on the bone marrow. *51 subjects evaluable for response. One subject had a grade 5 toxicity prior to disease restaging; **17 subjects evaluable for response. One subject had a grade 5 toxicity prior to disease restaging; ^CLS developed into fatal adult respiratory distress syndrome; #Subject 27 had stable disease with the first infusion with grade 1 CRS not requiring steroids or tocilizumab and limited CAR expansion. Notably he had received a CD22 CAR construct at an outside hospital prior to treatment on this protocol. Data presented in this table reflect the response and toxicity profile following the second infusion as it informed the toxicity and response profile at this dose. @Reflects the best response at any time point without any interval therapy; &gt;Implementation of pre-emptive tocilizumab dosing initiated in this cohort.

Citation Format: Nirali N. Shah, Haneen Shalabi, Bonnie Yates, Constance Yuan, Haiying Qin, Amanda Ombrello, Hao-Wei Wang, Leah Hoffman, Minh Tran, Sandhya Panch, Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, Jianjian Jin, Crystal Mackall, Steve Highfill, David Stroncek, Terry J. Fry. Phase I CD22 CAR T-cell trial updates [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-146.

Single amino acid charge switch defines clinically distinct proline-serine-threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1)-associated inflammatory diseases

BACKGROUND

Hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia (Hz/Hc) is a distinct autoinflammatory entity involving extremely high serum concentrations of the proinflammatory alarmin myeloid-related protein (MRP) 8/14 (S100A8/S100A9 and calprotectin).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize the genetic cause and clinical spectrum of Hz/Hc.

METHODS

Proline-serine-threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1) gene sequencing was performed in 14 patients with Hz/Hc, and their clinical phenotype was compared with that of 11 patients with pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne (PAPA) syndrome. PSTPIP1-pyrin interactions were analyzed by means of immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. A structural model of the PSTPIP1 dimer was generated. Cytokine profiles were analyzed by using the multiplex immunoassay, and MRP8/14 serum concentrations were analyzed by using an ELISA.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients were heterozygous for a missense mutation in the PSTPIP1 gene, resulting in a p.E250K mutation, and 1 carried a mutation resulting in p.E257K. Both mutations substantially alter the electrostatic potential of the PSTPIP1 dimer model in a region critical for protein-protein interaction. Patients with Hz/Hc have extremely high MRP8/14 concentrations (2045 ± 1300 μg/mL) compared with those with PAPA syndrome (116 ± 74 μg/mL) and have a distinct clinical phenotype. A specific cytokine profile is associated with Hz/Hc. Hz/Hc mutations altered protein binding of PSTPIP1, increasing interaction with pyrin through phosphorylation of PSTPIP1.

CONCLUSION

Mutations resulting in charge reversal in the y-domain of PSTPIP1 (E→K) and increased interaction with pyrin cause a distinct autoinflammatory disorder defined by clinical and biochemical features not found in patients with PAPA syndrome, indicating a unique genotype-phenotype correlation for mutations in the PSTPIP1 gene. This is the first inborn autoinflammatory syndrome in which inflammation is driven by uncontrolled release of members of the alarmin family.

A hypermorphic missense mutation in PLCG2, encoding phospholipase Cγ2, causes a dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disease with immunodeficiency

Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a family affected by dominantly inherited inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent blistering skin lesions, bronchiolitis, arthralgia, ocular inflammation, enterocolitis, absence of autoantibodies, and mild immunodeficiency. Exome data from three samples, including the affected father and daughter and unaffected mother, were filtered for the exclusion of reported variants, along with benign variants, as determined by PolyPhen-2. A total of eight transcripts were identified as possible candidate genes. We confirmed a variant, c.2120C>A (p.Ser707Tyr), within PLCG2 as the only de novo variant that was present in two affected family members and not present in four unaffected members. PLCG2 encodes phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2), an enzyme with a critical regulatory role in various immune and inflammatory pathways. The p.Ser707Tyr substitution is located in an autoinhibitory SH2 domain that is crucial for PLCγ2 activation. Overexpression of the altered p.Ser707Tyr protein and ex vivo experiments using affected individuals' leukocytes showed clearly enhanced PLCγ2 activity, suggesting increased intracellular signaling in the PLCγ2-mediated pathway. Recently, our laboratory identified in individuals with cold-induced urticaria and immune dysregulation PLCG2 exon-skipping mutations resulting in protein products with constitutive phospholipase activity but with reduced intracellular signaling at physiological temperatures. In contrast, the p.Ser707Tyr substitution in PLCγ2 causes a distinct inflammatory phenotype that is not provoked by cold temperatures and that has different end-organ involvement and increased intracellular signaling at physiological temperatures. Our results highlight the utility of exome-sequencing technology in finding causal mutations in nuclear families with dominantly inherited traits otherwise intractable by linkage analysis.