Booster immunization with a fractional dose of Prevnar 13 affects cell-mediated immune response but not humoral immunity in CD-1 mice

Achieving durable protective immunity following vaccination is dependent on many factors, including vaccine composition and antigen dose, and it has been investigated for various types of vaccines. Aim of the present study was to investigate the overall immune response elicited by two different booster doses in CD-1 mice, by exploiting the largely used 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar 13® (PCV13). Immunization was performed by two primary doses of PCV13 two weeks apart, and a full or fractional (1/5) booster dose on week 10. Serotype-specific antibody titer, avidity, and opsonophagocytic activity were evaluated one week later, and compared to cell-mediated immunity (CMI) responses determined as the frequency of cytokines producing splenocytes by in vitro recall with the antigens (carrier protein and polysaccharides). Data showed that regardless of the booster dose, a comparable humoral response was produced, characterized by similar amounts of serotype-specific antibodies, with analog avidity and opsonophagocytic properties. On the other hand, when CMI was evaluated, the presence of CRM197-specific IL-5 and IL-2 producing cells was evident in splenocytes from mice immunized with the full dose, while in those immunized with the fractional booster dose, IFN-γ producing cells responsive to both protein and polysaccharide antigens were significantly increased, whereas the number of IL-5 and IL-2 positive cells remained unaffected. Overall the present findings show that PCV13 humoral response in mice is associated to a Th2 predominant response at the full booster dose, while the fractional one favors a mixed Th1/Th2 response, suggesting an important role of CMI besides measurement of functional protective antibodies, as an additional and important key information in vaccine development.

Updated results from DIAMOND-01 (CLI24-001) trial: A phase I/II study of SEL24/MEN1703, a first-in-class dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor, in acute myeloid leukemia

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Background: SEL24/MEN1703, a dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor, in the dose escalation (DE) DIAMOND-01 trial (CLI24-001, NCT03008187), showed an acceptable safety profile up to the recommended dose (RD) of 125 mg along with initial evidence of single agent activity and meaningful target engagement in heavily pre-treated patients (pts) with AML (Solomon et al, EHA 2020; Tomirotti et al, ASH 2020). Here we present updated data including pts enrolled in the Phase II, cohort expansion (CE) of the study. Methods: DIAMOND-01 trial enrolled pts unsuitable for chemotherapy having relapsed or refractory (R/R) (DE and CE) or previously untreated (DE) AML. Previous targeted therapies – except PIM inhibitors – were allowed. SEL24/MEN1703 was given orally, QD, 14 days ON / 7 days OFF until progression/unacceptable toxicity. The DE tested MEN1703 escalating doses from 25 to 150 mg, whereas in the CE the RP2D (125 mg) was administered. The key objectives of the CE were the confirmation of the safety profile determined in the DE along with further investigation of single agent activity. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to NCI-CTCAE v.4.03; responses assessed as per ELN 2017 criteria. Results: As of January 21, 2021 (cut-off date), n = 48 pts were treated across DE (n = 25) and CE (n = 23). Median age was 69 (25-84) years. Overall, 20 (43%) and 15 (32%) pts had non de novo AML and primary refractory AML, respectively. Adverse karyotype was reported in 7 (15%) pts. Most frequently reported mutations were FLT3/ITD (23%, n = 11), DNMT3A (15% n = 7), NPM1 (15%, n = 7), IDH1 (13%, n = 6) and IDH2 (4%, n = 2), CEBPA (4%, n = 2), FLT3/TKD (2%, n = 1). Median number of cycles was 2 (1-8). At the RD (n = 30), most frequent serious treatment-emergent AEs (serious TEAEs) were pneumonia (23%), sepsis and febrile neutropenia (13%) and pulmonary mycosis (10%) whereas most frequent G≥3 TEAEs were febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (23%), leukocytosis (20%) and neutrophil count decrease, platelet count decrease, lymphocyte count decrease and sepsis (13%). Responses occurred in 2 pts in the CE, both with IDH1 mutant disease (naïve to IDH inhibitors) who achieved complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). Both responses occurred by Cycle 3, with a duration of 79 (ongoing at cut-off date) and 43 days, respectively. Across DE and CE, 4 CR/CRi occurred, three of which in pts with IDH mutations. A total of 3 out of 6 pts with IDH mutations treated at doses ≥75 mg achieved CR/CRi, including a CR in a patient with IDH2 mutant AML relapsed on Enasidenib. Conclusions: SEL24/MEN1703 confirmed a manageable safety profile at RD and showed preliminary single agent efficacy in R/R AML, particularly clustering in pts with IDH mutant disease either naïve or previously exposed to IDH inhibitors. These results warrant further investigation of SEL24/MEN1703 in AML, with potential focus in the IDH mutated subset. Clinical trial information: NCT03008187.

CD205, a target antigen for a novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC): Evaluation of antigen expression on non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

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Background: CD205 is a type I C-type lectin receptor normally expressed on various APC and some leukocyte sub-populations, characterized by a cytoplasmic domain containing protein motifs crucial for endocytosis and internalization. These features make CD205 ideal to be exploited as target of a novel ADC. MEN1309/OBT076 is a humanized IgG1 antibody against CD205, conjugated through a cleavable linker to a potent maytansinoid microtubule disruptor, DM4. Indeed, impressive results were obtained in high and low CD205 expressing xenografts for solid tumours and NHL. In vitro experimental model describing the by-stander effect of MEN1309 was implemented. Methods:A retrospective analysis to evaluate the CD205 expression on archival NHL biopsies was performed in the CRO-National Cancer Institute, Aviano IT. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 1 slide per case, using a commercial antibody NCL-L-DEC205 (clone 11A10, Leica Biosystems). All slides were visually evaluated and a validated staining scoring system was applied, ranging from negative score 0 to strong immunostaining score 3+. Percentages (from 0 to 100%) of negative and positive tumor cells (scored as follows: 1-25% = score 1; 26-50% = score 2; 51-75% = score 3; 76-100% = score 4) were reported for each individual slide.Evaluation of correlations between CD205 expression and clinical characteristics is ongoing. Results: 100 cases of Diffuse Large B Cells Lymphomas (DLBCL) and 33 of Follicular Lymphomas (FL) were analysed. 60% of DLBCL cases were positive for CD205 and 39% had more than 25% of positive cells (score ≥2), while the 16% showed 2+/3+ staining intensity. 79% of FL cases were CD205 positive and 66% had more than 25% of positive cells, while the 27% showed 2+/3+ staining intensity. Conclusions: CD205 is heterogeneously expressed in the majority of DLBCL and FL cases. Data on the correlation between CD205 expression and clinical features will be discussed.MEN1309 has shown anti-tumour activity in vitro and in vivo even in low antigen expressing tumours. Hence CD205 expression among NHL, even if heterogeneous, makes, both DLBCL and FL, promising settings in which to explore MEN1309 activity in an upcoming FIH trial.