In recent years, major advances have been made in cancer immunotherapy. This has led to significant improvement in prognosis of cancer patients, especially in the hematological setting. Nonetheless, ...translation of these successes to solid tumors was found difficult. One major mechanism through which solid tumors can avoid anti-tumor immunity is the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), which causes reduced recognition by- and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T-cells. Downregulation of MHC-I has been described in 40–90% of human tumors, often correlating with worse prognosis. Epigenetic and (post-)transcriptional dysregulations relevant in the stabilization of NFkB, IRFs, and NLRC5 are often responsible for MHC-I downregulation in cancer. The intrinsic reversible nature of these dysregulations provides an opportunity to restore MHC-I expression and facilitate adaptive anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying reversible MHC-I downregulation and describe potential strategies to counteract this reduction in MHC-I antigen presentation in cancer.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background Viral reactivations (VRs) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Timely immune reconstitution (IR) is suggested to prevent VR. ...Objectives We studied the relation between IR (as a continuous predictor over time) and VR (as a time-varying predictor) and the relation between VR and other clinical outcomes. Methods In this retrospective analysis all patients receiving a first HCT between January 2004 and September 2014 were included. IR (CD3/CD4/CD8 T, natural killer, and B cells) was measured biweekly until 12 weeks and monthly thereafter. Main outcomes of interest were VR of adenovirus, EBV, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and BK virus screened weekly. Clinical outcomes included overall survival (OS), event-free-survival, nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and graft-versus-host disease. Cox proportional hazard and Fine and Gray competing risk models were used. Results Two hundred seventy-three patients (age, 0.1-22.7 years; median follow-up, 58 months) were included. Delayed CD4 reconstitution predicted reactivation of adenovirus (hazard ratio HR, 0.995; P = .022), EBV (HR, 0.994; P = .029), and HHV6 (HR, 0.991; P = .012) but not CMV ( P = .31) and BK virus ( P = .27). Duration of adenovirus reactivation was shorter with timely CD4 reconstitution, which was defined as 50 × 106 cells/L or greater within 100 days. Adenovirus reactivation predicted lower OS (HR, 2.17; P = .0039) and higher NRM (HR, 2.96; P = .0008). Concomitant CD4 reconstitution abolished this negative effect of adenovirus reactivation (OS, P = .67; NRM, P = .64). EBV and HHV6 reactivations were predictors for the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease, whereas CMV and BK virus reactivation did not predict clinical outcomes. Conclusion These results stress the importance of timely CD4 reconstitution. Strategies to improve CD4 reconstitution can improve HCT outcomes, including survival, and reduce the need for toxic antiviral therapies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessively inherited metabolic disease characterized by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase A. Its deficiency results in ...accumulation of sulfatides in neural and visceral tissues, and causes demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous system. This leads to a broad range of neurological symptoms and eventually premature death. In asymptomatic patients with juvenile and adult MLD, treatment with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) provides a symptomatic and survival benefit. However, this treatment mainly impacts brain white matter, whereas the peripheral neuropathy shows no or only limited response. Data about the impact of peripheral neuropathy in MLD patients are currently lacking, although in our experience peripheral neuropathy causes significant morbidity due to neuropathic pain, foot deformities and neurogenic bladder disturbances. Besides, the reasons for residual and often progressive peripheral neuropathy after HCT are not fully understood. Preliminary studies suggest that peripheral neuropathy might respond better to gene therapy due to higher enzyme levels achieved than with HCT. However, histopathological and clinical findings also suggest a role of neuroinflammation in the pathology of peripheral neuropathy in MLD. In this literature review, we discuss clinical aspects, pathological findings, distribution of mutations, and treatment approaches in MLD with particular emphasis on peripheral neuropathy. We believe that future therapies need more emphasis on the management of peripheral neuropathy, and additional research is needed to optimize care strategies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Allogeneic (allo) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment option for patients suffering from chemotherapy-refractory or relapsed hematological malignancies. The ...occurrence of morbidity and mortality after allo-HCT is still high. This is partly correlated with the immunological recovery of the T cell subsets, of which the dynamics and relations to complications are still poorly understood. Detailed information on T cell subset recovery is crucial to provide tools for better prediction and modulation of adverse events. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, iNKT cells, Treg cells, MAIT cells and naive and memory T cell reconstitution, as well as their relations to outcome, considering different cell sources and immunosuppressive therapies. We conclude that the T cell subsets reconstitute in different ways and are associated with distinct adverse and beneficial events; however, adequate reconstitution of all the subsets is associated with better overall survival. Although the exact mechanisms involved in the reconstitution of each T cell subset and their associations with allo-HCT outcome need to be further elucidated, the data and suggestions presented here point towards the development of individualized approaches to improve their reconstitution. This includes the modulation of immunotherapeutic interventions based on more detailed immune monitoring, aiming to improve overall survival changes.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction
Dupilumab has recently been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults. Daily practice data on dupilumab treatment are scarce.
Objective
To study ...the effect of 16‐week treatment with dupilumab on clinical response and serum biomarkers in adult patients with moderate‐severe AD in daily practice.
Methods
Data were extracted from the BioDay registry, a prospective multicenter registry. Sixteen‐week clinical effectiveness of dupilumab was expressed as number of patients achieving EASI‐50 (Eczema Area and Severity Index) or EASI‐75, as well as patient‐reported outcomes measures (Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Numeric Rating Scale pruritus). Twenty‐one biomarkers were measured in patients treated with dupilumab without concomitant use of oral immunosuppressive drugs at five different time points (baseline, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks).
Results
In total, 138 patients treated with dupilumab in daily practice were included. This cohort consisted of patients with very difficult‐to‐treat AD, including 84 (61%) patients who failed treatment on ≥2 immunosuppressive drugs. At week 16, the mean percent change in EASI score was 73%. The EASI‐50 and EASI‐75 were achieved by 114 (86%) and 82 (62%) patients after 16 weeks of treatment. The most reported side effect was conjunctivitis, occurring in 47 (34%) patients. During dupilumab treatment, disease severity‐related serum biomarkers (TARC, PARC, periostin, and IL‐22), eotaxin‐1, and eotaxin‐3 significantly decreased.
Conclusion
Treatment with dupilumab significantly improved disease severity and decreased severity‐related serum biomarkers in patients with very difficult‐to‐treat AD in a daily practice setting.
This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness and safety of 16‐weeks of dupilumab treatment in adults with AD. Dupilumab treatment significantly suppressed disease severity‐related serum biomarkers and eosinophil chemokines. By the end of the treatment, the EASI‐50 and EASI‐75 was achieved by 86% and 62% of patients, respectively.
Abbreviations: AD: Atopic dermatitis; DLQI: Dermatology life quality index; EASI: Eczema area and severity index; IGA: Investigators global assessment; NRS: Numeric rating scale; PARC: Pulmonary and activation‐regulated chemokine; POEM: Patient‐oriented eczema measure; TARC: Thymus‐ and activation‐regulated chemokine
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex, chronic, inflammatory skin disease with a diverse clinical presentation. However, it is unclear whether this diversity exists at a biological level. ...Objective We sought to test the hypothesis that AD is heterogeneous at the biological level of individual inflammatory mediators. Methods Sera from 193 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD (six area, six sign atopic dermatitis SASSAD score: geometric mean, 22.3 95% CI, 21.3-23.3 and 39.1 95% CI, 37.5-40.9, respectively) and 30 healthy control subjects without AD were analyzed for 147 serum mediators, total IgE levels, and 130 allergen-specific IgE levels. Population heterogeneity was assessed by using principal component analysis, followed by unsupervised k-means cluster analysis of the principal components. Results Patients with AD showed pronounced evidence of inflammation compared with healthy control subjects. Principal component analysis of data on sera from patients with AD revealed the presence of 4 potential clusters. Fifty-seven principal components described approximately 90% of the variance. Unsupervised k-means cluster analysis of the 57 largest principal components delivered 4 distinct clusters of patients with AD. Cluster 1 had high SASSAD scores and body surface areas with the highest levels of pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, and soluble CD14. Cluster 2 had low SASSAD scores with the lowest levels of IFN-α, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Cluster 3 had high SASSAD scores with the lowest levels of IFN-β, IL-1, and epithelial cytokines. Cluster 4 had low SASSAD scores but the highest levels of the inflammatory markers IL-1, IL-4, IL-13, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Conclusion AD is a heterogeneous disease both clinically and biologically. Four distinct clusters of patients with AD have been identified that could represent endotypes with unique biological mechanisms. Elucidation of these endotypes warrants further investigation and will require future intervention trials with specific agents, such as biologics.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Summary Immunotherapy studies in patients with melanoma have reported success in the expansion of tumour-specific effector T cells in vivo, but even in the presence of substantial numbers of ...functional T cells circulating in the blood, favourable clinical outcomes are scarce. This failure to induce robust clinical responses might be related to tumour-induced immune evasion, rendering the host tolerant to melanoma antigens. Immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg) is a dominant mechanism of tumour immune escape and is a major hurdle for tumour immunotherapy. Accumulation of Treg in melanoma is frequently recorded and the ratio of CD8-positive T cells versus Treg in the tumour microenvironment is predictive for survival of patients with melanoma. Hence, depletion of Treg seems to be a promising strategy for the enhancement of melanoma-specific immunity. Indeed, murine studies have shown that Treg depletion greatly increases the efficacy of immunotherapy. But despite the success of some strategies in depletion of Treg in patients, overall clinical efficacy has been disappointing. The lack of Treg specificity of the Treg depleting strategies applied so far imply that well-designed studies into dosage, timing, and administration regimens with more specific agents are urgently needed. Depletion of functional Treg from the tumour microenvironment as part of multifaceted immunotherapeutic treatments is a major challenge to induce clinically relevant immune responses against melanomas.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) largely depends on the development and management of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), infections, and the occurrence of ...relapse of malignancies. Recent studies showed a lower incidence of chronic GvHD and severe acute GvHD in patients receiving naive T cell depleted grafts compared to patients receiving complete T cell depleted grafts. On the other hand, the incidence of acute GvHD in patients receiving cord blood grafts containing only naive T cells is rather low, while potent graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) responses have been observed. These data suggest the significance of naive T cells as both drivers and regulators of allogeneic reactions. The naive T cell pool was previously thought to be a quiescent, homogenous pool of antigen-inexperienced cells. However, recent studies showed important differences in phenotype, differentiation status, location, and function within the naive T cell population. Therefore, the adequate recovery of these seemingly innocent T cells might be relevant in the imminent allogeneic reactions after allo-HCT. Here, an extensive review on naive T cells and their contribution to the development of GvHD and GvL responses after allo-HCT is provided. In addition, strategies specifically directed to stimulate adequate reconstitution of naive T cells while reducing the risk of GvHD are discussed. A better understanding of the relation between naive T cells and alloreactivity after allo-HCT could provide opportunities to improve GvHD prevention, while maintaining GvL effects to lower relapse risk.
Background
Fludarabine is often used as an important drug in reduced toxicity conditioning regimens prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). As no definitive pharmacokinetic (PK) basis for ...HCT dosing for the wide age and weight range in HCT is available, linear body surface area (BSA)-based dosing is still used.
Objective
We sought to describe the population PK of fludarabine in HCT recipients of all ages.
Methods
From 258 HCT recipients aged 0.3–74 years, 2605 samples were acquired on days 1 (42%), 2 (17%), 3 (4%) and 4 (37%) of conditioning. Herein, the circulating metabolite of fludarabine was quantified, and derived concentration-time data were used to build a population PK model using non-linear mixed-effects modelling.
Results
Variability was extensive where area under the curve ranged from 10 to 66 mg h/L. A three-compartment model with first-order kinetics best described the data. Actual body weight (BW) with standard allometric scaling was found to be the best body-size descriptor for all PK parameters. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was included as a descriptor of renal function. Thus, clearance was differentiated into a non-renal (3.24 ± 20% L/h/70 kg) and renal (eGFR × 0.782 ± 11% L/h/70 kg) component. The typical volumes of distribution of the central (V1), peripheral (V2), and second peripheral (V3) compartments were 39 ± 8%, 20 ± 11%, and 50 ± 9% L/70 kg respectively. Intercompartmental clearances between V1 and V2, and V1 and V3, were 8.6 ± 8% and 3.8 ± 13% L/h/70 kg, respectively.
Conclusion
BW and eGFR are important predictors of fludarabine PK. Therefore, current linear BSA-based dosing leads to highly variable exposure, which may lead to variable treatment outcome.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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