Ivan Borrello - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ivan Borrello

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of lymphocyte harvesting and reinfusion in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014

2094 Background: Standard radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone cause severe trea... more 2094 Background: Standard radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone cause severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) (total lymphocyte counts (TLC) <500 cells/mm3) two months after init...

Research paper thumbnail of A Novel Role of Histone Deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) in Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell (MDSC) Expansion

Blood

2439 HDAC11 is the newest member of the HDAC family. The physiological role of this HDAC was larg... more 2439 HDAC11 is the newest member of the HDAC family. The physiological role of this HDAC was largely unknown until the discovery by our group that HDAC11 regulates IL-10 gene expression in myeloid cells in-vitro1. To better elucidate the role of HDAC11 in these cells, we have utilized an HDAC11 promoter-driven eGFP reporter transgenic mice (TgHDAC11-eGFP) which allow us to “visualize” dynamic changes in HDAC11 gene expression /transcriptional activity in immune cells in vivo. Immature myeloid cells (IMCs) differentiate into dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils and are also considered to be precursors of MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts. Here, we show for the first time that HDAC11 plays an important role in this process. First, IMCs from the bone marrow and spleen of TgHDAC11-eGFP mice display high expression of eGFP indicative of HDAC11 transcriptional activation in these cells in the steady state. Subcutaneous injection of PANCO2 tumor cells into these mice resulted in expans...

Research paper thumbnail of Marrow-Infiltrating Lymphocytes – Role in Biology and Cancer Therapy

Frontiers in Immunology, 2016

The past several years have witnessed the acceptance of immunotherapy into the mainstream of ther... more The past several years have witnessed the acceptance of immunotherapy into the mainstream of therapies for patients with cancer. This has been driven by the clinical successes of antibodies to the checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4 and PD-1, capable of imparting long-term remissions in several solid tumors as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma (1) and the therapeutic successes of adoptive T-cell transfer with chimeric antigen receptors (2) or modified T-cell receptors (3) that have mostly utilized peripheral T-cells. One emerging area of therapeutic T cell intervention has been the utilization of marrowinfiltrating lymphocytes (MILs)-a novel form of adoptive T-cell therapy. This approach was initially developed to increase the likelihood of a precursor T-cell population with an enhanced tumor specificity in bone marrow (BM)-derived malignancies. However, the unique attributes of BM T-cells and their interaction with their microenvironment provide significant rationale to utilize these cells therapeutically in diseases that extend beyond hematologic malignancies.

Research paper thumbnail of Nivolumab in combination with daratumumab, with or without pomalidomide and dexamethasone, for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: 2 cohorts of the phase 1 CheckMate 039 safety study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

TPS3102 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is largely incurable despite available therapies, inclu... more TPS3102 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is largely incurable despite available therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). As most MM patients (pts) eventually have relapsed/refractory (RR) disease, there is an unmet need. Myeloma cells upregulate PD-L1 [Liu et al, 2007]. Nivolumab (nivo), an immuno-oncology mAb, binds PD-1 on T cells and natural killer cells and inhibits signaling by PD-L1–expressing tumor cells, thus augmenting antitumor immunity. Nivo monotherapy has shown acceptable safety and modest clinical activity in RRMM [Lesokhin et al 2016]. Daratumumab (dara) is a cytolytic mAb that targets CD38+ myeloma cells, inducing antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and apoptosis, and may have an immunomodulatory role via depletion of CD38+ immune-suppressor cells [Dimopoulos et al 2016]. Dara is approved as monotherapy (US: af...

Research paper thumbnail of Universal immunomodulatory cytokine-expressing bystander cell line and related compositions and methods of manufacture and use

Research paper thumbnail of CD4+ CD25+ marrow infiltrating lymphocytes in myeloma patients display an activated phenotype and lack suppressive function

We have previously shown that marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs) from myeloma patients prolif... more We have previously shown that marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs) from myeloma patients proliferate upon stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads more efficiently and exhibit greater specificity to autologous tumor than their peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) counterparts. In attempting to dissect the mechanisms responsible for greater tumor specificity of MILs, we examined the frequency and function of the putative CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in both compartments. Phenotypic and functional differences in the CD4+/CD25+ populations were examined in MILs and PBLs from 12 multiple myeloma patients and 3 normal donors. CD4+/CD25+ cells were stained for the suppressive marker: FoxP3; or the activation markers: CD40L, CD71 (transferrin receptor). CD4+/CD25+ MILs of myeloma patients are CD25lo, FoxP3lo and predominantly express activation markers. They expand more readily upon anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation, produce high amounts of the Th1 cytokines: IFNγ and IL-2, and low amounts of IL-10. Importantly, they fail to suppress the tumor specific T cell proliferation. These findings are all consistent with an activated T cell phenotype. In contrast, CD4+/CD25+ cells from PBLs of myeloma patients are CD25hi, FoxP3+, primarily produce IL-10 and IL-4 and markedly suppress T cell expansion in a tumor specific assay, suggestive of a regulatory T cell phenotype. Although MILs possess a lower number of FoxP3+ cells as compared to PBLs, the higher MFI may indicate the presence of a small yet highly regulatory T cell population. Interestingly, MILs from normal donors possess a more regulatory phenotype then their myeloma counterparts as determined by high FoxP3 and low CD40L and CD71 expression as well as reduced expansion upon activation. Taken together, these data underscore major differences in the immuno-inhibitory pathways present in blood as compared to marrow. Notably, MILs of myeloma patients demonstrate a paucity of Tregs. These differences may explain the disparities seen in the tumor-specificity of T cells from these two compartments. The ability to expand a T cell population with fewer endogenous Tregs and heightened tumor-specificity may have significant implications for the implementation of adoptive immunotherapy. %CD25 (MFI) %FoxP3 (MFI) %CD40L %CD71 Fold Expansion Ability to Suppress Myeloma CD4/CD25 MILs 4.7 (29.6) 2.2 (2932.1) 88.8 90.1 12.2 − CD4/CD25 PBLs 19.1 (115.2) 52.3 (163.7) 15.7 19.6 2.5 +++++ Normal CD4/CD25 MILs 14.0 (56.8) 70.1 (82.7) 37.3 6.4 3.3 +++ CD4/CD25 PBLs 24.0 (19.4) 30.9 (261.8) 12.1 4.2 4.0 ++

Research paper thumbnail of Pre-radiation lymphocyte harvesting and post-radiation reinfusion in patients with newly diagnosed high grade gliomas

Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2015

Radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed high grade gliomas (HGG)... more Radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed high grade gliomas (HGG) produces severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) that is associated with early cancer-related deaths. This TRL may result from inadvertent radiation to circulating lymphocytes. This study reinfused lymphocytes, harvested before chemo-radiation, and assessed safety, feasibility, and trends in lymphocyte counts. Patients with newly diagnosed HGG and total lymphocyte counts (TLC) ≥ 1000 cells/mm(3) underwent apheresis. Cryopreserved autologous lymphocytes were reinfused once radiation was completed. Safety, feasibility, and trends in TLC, T cell subsets and cytokines were studied. Serial TLC were also compared with an unreinfused matched control group. Ten patients were harvested (median values: age 56 years, dexamethasone 3 mg/day, TLC/CD4 1980/772 cells/mm(3)). After 6 weeks of RT/TMZ, TLC fell 69 % (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001) with similar reductions in CD4, CD8 and NK cells but not Tregs. Eight patients received lymphocyte reinfusions (median = 7.0 × 10(7) lymphocytes/kg) without adverse events. A post-reinfusion TLC rise of ≥300 cells/mm(3) was noted in 3/8 patients at 4 weeks and 7/8 at 14 weeks which was similar to 23 matched controls. The reduced CD4/CD8 ratio was not restored by lymphocyte reinfusion. Severe lymphopenia was not accompanied by elevated serum interleukin-7 (IL-7) levels. This study confirms that severe TRL is common in HGG and is not associated with high plasma IL-7 levels. Although lymphocyte harvesting/reinfusion is feasible and safe, serial lymphocyte counts are similar to unreinfused matched controls. Studies administering higher lymphocyte doses and/or IL-7 should be considered to restore severe treatment-related lymphopenia in HGG.

Research paper thumbnail of New Developments in the Therapy of Acute Myelocytic Leukemia

However, a high percentage of patients still remain refractory to primary therapy or relapse late... more However, a high percentage of patients still remain refractory to primary therapy or relapse later. This review examines the search for new agents and new modes of therapy. In Section I, Dr. Estey discusses new agents directed at various targets, such as CD33, angiogenesis, inappropriately methylated (suppressor) genes, cell cycle checkpoints, proteosomes, multidrug resistance (MDR) gene, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. He also reviews preliminary results of phase I trials with the nucleoside analog troxacitabine and liposomal anthracyclin and suggests new strategies for trials of new agents.

Research paper thumbnail of Successful therapy of metastatic cancer using tumor vaccines in mixed allogeneic bone marrow chimeras

A frequent outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) in the treat- ment of leukem... more A frequent outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) in the treat- ment of leukemia is the destruction of the host hematolymphoid compartment and, thus, the malignancy, through the com- bined action of high-dose chemoradio- therapy and a T-cell-mediated graft- versus-host effect. Unfortunately, alloSCT is frequently limited by toxicity, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and has not been successful in the

Research paper thumbnail of Sustaining the graft-versus-tumor effect through posttransplant immunization with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing tumor vaccines

nontransplant setting. Employing T cells specific for a model tumor-antigen, we find that transpl... more nontransplant setting. Employing T cells specific for a model tumor-antigen, we find that transplantation of the tumor-bearing host results in a massive expansion and activation of tumor-specific T cells in the early posttransplant period, but this re- sponse rapidly declines in association with tumor progression. Immunization with irradiated GM-CSF tumor cells dur- ing the period of immune reconstitution results in

Research paper thumbnail of Phase II study of non-myeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for B-cell lymphoma with post-transplantation rituximab and donor selection based first on non-HLA factors

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2015

Outcomes of non-myeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical (haplo) related-donor allogeneic blood or... more Outcomes of non-myeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical (haplo) related-donor allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (allo BMT) with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) appear to be similar to those using HLA-matched donors. Thus, it may be possible to prioritize donor factors other than HLA-matching that could enhance antitumor activity. The Fc receptor polymorphism FCGR3A-158VV may confer greater sensitivity to rituximab than FCGR3A-158FF. In a prospective, phase II study of NMA, related-donor allo BMT with PTCy and posttransplantation rituximab for patients with B-cell lymphomas, we hypothesized that donor selection that prioritized FCGR3A-158 polymorphism over HLA-matching would be feasible, safe and might improve outcomes. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). Of 83 patients transplanted (median age 59 years), 69 (83%) received haplo grafts. Fifty-four (65%) received a graft that maintained or improved their Fc receptor polymorphism status. With 2.6-year median follow-up, the 1-year PFS and overall survival (OS) probabilities were 71% and 86%, respectively, with 1-year relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) probabilities of 20% and 8%. At 1-year, the probability of acute grades 2-4 graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 41%, with grade 3-4 acute GVHD probability of 5% and chronic GVHD probability of 11%. Among haplo transplants, the 1-year probabilities of PFS, OS, relapse, and NRM were 70%, 83%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. No differences in outcomes were observed based on donor FCGR3A-158 polymorphism. Excess infection risk was not apparent with posttransplantation rituximab. Although donor selection based on FCGR3A-158 polymorphism was not shown to influence PFS, this study suggests that donor selection based on criteria other than best HLA-match is feasible and safe. This study opens the way for the future investigation of donor prioritization based on promising non-HLA factors that may improve anti-tumor activity and decrease relapse after allo BMT. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00946023.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk-stratified outcomes of nonmyeloablative, HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide

Blood, Jan 26, 2015

Related HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is bein... more Related HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is being increasingly utilized because of its acceptable safety profile. To better define outcomes of nonmyeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical BMT with PTCy, 372 consecutive adult hematologic malignancy patients who underwent this procedure were retrospectively studied. Risk-stratified outcomes were evaluated using the refined Disease Risk Index (DRI), developed to stratify disease risk across histologies and allogeneic BMT regimens. Patients received uniform conditioning, T-cell replete allografting, then PTCy, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Six-month probabilities of nonrelapse mortality and severe acute graft-versus-host disease were 8% and 4%. With 4.1-year median follow-up, 3-year probabilities of relapse, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 46%, 40%, and 50% respectively. By refined DRI group, low (N=71), intermediate (N=241), and high/very high (N=60...

Research paper thumbnail of Extra-lymphatic solid tumor growth is not immunologically ignored and results in early induction of antigen-specific T-cell anergy: dominant role of cross-tolerance to tumor antigens

Cancer research, Jan 15, 2003

A better understanding of how solid malignancies arise in an immunocompetent host, avoid immune r... more A better understanding of how solid malignancies arise in an immunocompetent host, avoid immune recognition, and ultimately progress to widely disseminated cancer is essential to effectively harness the immune system against solid tumors. Because of their extra-lymphatic localization, it has been proposed that solid malignancies are just ignored by the immune system, thereby allowing their uncontrolled growth and dissemination. Alternatively, as most of the solid tumors are unable to express costimulatory molecules, the "signal one without signal two" model of tolerance induction has been frequently evoked to account for the failure of the immune system to reject antigenic tumors in vivo. In this study, we showed, however, that the extra-lymphatic growth of solid tumors is not immunologically ignored by the lymphoid compartment, resulting instead in the early induction of antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell tolerance. Furthermore, analysis of parent-into-F1 bone marrow (BM) chi...

Research paper thumbnail of Conversion of tumor-specific CD4+ T-cell tolerance to T-cell priming through in vivo ligation of CD40

Nature medicine, 1999

Tumor antigen-specific T-cell tolerance limits the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Antig... more Tumor antigen-specific T-cell tolerance limits the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Antigen-presenting cells mediate the induction of T-cell tolerance to self-antigens. We therefore assessed the fate of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in tumor-bearing recipients after in vivo activation of antigen-presenting cells with antibodies against CD40. Such treatment not only preserved the responsiveness of this population, but resulted in their endogenous activation. Established tumors regressed in vaccinated mice treated with antibody against CD40 at a time when no response was achieved with vaccination alone. These results indicate that modulation of antigen-presenting cells may be a useful strategy for enhancing responsiveness to immunization.

Research paper thumbnail of Immunotherapy of established tumors using bone marrow transplantation with antigen gene--modified hematopoietic stem cells

Nature medicine, 2003

A major focus of cancer immunotherapy is to develop strategies to induce T-cell responses through... more A major focus of cancer immunotherapy is to develop strategies to induce T-cell responses through presentation of tumor antigens by dendritic cells (DCs). Current vaccines are limited in their ability to efficiently transfer antigens to DCs in vivo. Ex vivo-generated DCs can be efficiently loaded with antigen but after reinjection, few DCs traffic to secondary lymphoid organs, the critical sites for antigen presentation. To enhance efficiency and durability of antigen presentation by DCs, we transduced hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSCs) with a model tumor antigen and then transplanted the gene-modified cells into irradiated recipient mice, which resulted in efficient expression of the transgene in a large proportion of donor derived DCs in lymphoid organs. The combination of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using transduced HSCs, systemic agents that generate and activate DCs, and mature T-cell infusion resulted in substantial expansion and activation of antigen-specific T ...

Research paper thumbnail of HLA-Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies Using Nonmyeloablative Conditioning and High-Dose, Posttransplantation Cyclophosphamide

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of high-dose, posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (Cy) to p... more We evaluated the safety and efficacy of high-dose, posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (Cy) to prevent graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after outpatient nonmyeloablative conditioning and T cell-replete bone marrow transplantation from partially HLA-mismatched (haploidentical) related donors. Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies (n = 67) or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (n = 1) received Cy 50 mg/kg i.v. on day 3 (n = 28) or on days 3 and 4 (n 5 40) after transplantation. The median times to neutrophil (>500/µL) and platelet recovery (>20,000/µL) were 15 and 24 days, respectively. Graft failure occurred in 9 of 66 (13%) evaluable patients, and was fatal in 1. The cumulative incidences of grades II-IV and grades III-IV acute (aGVHD) by day 200 were 34% and 6%, respectively. There was a trend toward a lower risk of extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) among recipients of 2 versus 1 dose of posttransplantation Cy (P = .05), the only difference between these groups. The cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and relapse at 1 year were 15% and 51%, respectively. Actuarial overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years after transplantation were 36% and 26%, respectively. Patients with lymphoid malignancies had an improved EFS compared to those with myelogenous malignancies (P = .02). Nonmyeloablative HLA-haploidentical BMT with posttransplantation Cy is associated with acceptable rates of fatal graft failure and severe aGVHD or cGVHD.

Research paper thumbnail of Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-secreting cellular immunotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as postremission therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Blood, Jan 27, 2009

Preclinical models have demonstrated the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating fa... more Preclinical models have demonstrated the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting cancer immunotherapies (GVAX platform) accompanied by immunotherapy-primed lymphocytes after autologous stem cell transplantation in hematologic malignancies. We conducted a phase 2 study of this combination in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Immunotherapy consisted of autologous leukemia cells admixed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting K562 cells. "Primed" lymphocytes were collected after a single pretransplantation dose of immunotherapy and reinfused with the stem cell graft. Fifty-four subjects were enrolled; 46 (85%) achieved a complete remission, and 28 (52%) received the pretransplantation immunotherapy. For all patients who achieved complete remission, the 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 47.4% and overall survival was 57.4%. For the 28 immunotherapy-treated patients, the RFS and overall survival rates we...

Research paper thumbnail of Activation of liver X receptors inhibits hedgehog signaling, clonogenic growth, and self-renewal in multiple myeloma

Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2014

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in a wide variety of human cancers, a... more The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in a wide variety of human cancers, and recent clinical studies have demonstrated that pathway inhibitors are effective in advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The majority of these agents have been designed to target SMOOTHENED (SMO), a transmembrane regulator of Hh signaling, but subsequent mutations in SMO have been found to generate drug resistance. In other cancers, oncogenic events that bypass SMO may activate canonical Hh signaling, and SMO antagonists have not demonstrated significant activity in several diseases. Therefore, alternative strategies targeting the Hh pathway downstream of SMO may have clinical utility. Liver X receptors (LXR) regulate cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis, and LXR activation can inhibit the Hh pathway in normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We examined the effects of LXR activation on Hh signaling in human multiple myeloma cells and found that LXR agonists inhibited Hh pathway activity...

Research paper thumbnail of Tadalafil reduces myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells and promotes tumor immunity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 2015

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in the prog... more Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). On the basis of our preclinical data demonstrating that phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibition can modulate these cell populations, we evaluated whether the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil can revert tumor-induced immunosuppression and promote tumor immunity in patients with HNSCC. First, we functionally and phenotypically characterized MDSCs in HNSCCs and determined, retrospectively, whether their presence at the tumor site correlates with recurrence. Then, we performed a prospective single-center, double-blinded, randomized, three-arm study in which patients with HNSCC undergoing definitive surgical resection of oral and oropharyngeal tumors were treated with tadalafil 10 mg/day, 20 mg/day, or placebo for at least 20 days preoperatively. Blood and tumor MDSC and Treg presence and CD8(+) T-cell reactivity to tumor antigens were evaluated...

Research paper thumbnail of Myeloid suppressor cells in cancer: Recruitment, phenotype, properties, and mechanisms of immune suppression

Seminars in Cancer Biology, 2006

Growing tumors acquire the ability to resist immune recognition and immune-mediated injury. Among... more Growing tumors acquire the ability to resist immune recognition and immune-mediated injury. Among several mechanisms, mouse and human tumors share the ability to alter the normal hematopoiesis, leading to accumulation of cells of the myelo-monoctytic lineage at the tumor site and in different primary and secondary lymphoid organs. These cells aid tumor development by providing molecules and factors essential for

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of lymphocyte harvesting and reinfusion in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014

2094 Background: Standard radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone cause severe trea... more 2094 Background: Standard radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone cause severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) (total lymphocyte counts (TLC) <500 cells/mm3) two months after init...

Research paper thumbnail of A Novel Role of Histone Deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) in Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell (MDSC) Expansion

Blood

2439 HDAC11 is the newest member of the HDAC family. The physiological role of this HDAC was larg... more 2439 HDAC11 is the newest member of the HDAC family. The physiological role of this HDAC was largely unknown until the discovery by our group that HDAC11 regulates IL-10 gene expression in myeloid cells in-vitro1. To better elucidate the role of HDAC11 in these cells, we have utilized an HDAC11 promoter-driven eGFP reporter transgenic mice (TgHDAC11-eGFP) which allow us to “visualize” dynamic changes in HDAC11 gene expression /transcriptional activity in immune cells in vivo. Immature myeloid cells (IMCs) differentiate into dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils and are also considered to be precursors of MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts. Here, we show for the first time that HDAC11 plays an important role in this process. First, IMCs from the bone marrow and spleen of TgHDAC11-eGFP mice display high expression of eGFP indicative of HDAC11 transcriptional activation in these cells in the steady state. Subcutaneous injection of PANCO2 tumor cells into these mice resulted in expans...

Research paper thumbnail of Marrow-Infiltrating Lymphocytes – Role in Biology and Cancer Therapy

Frontiers in Immunology, 2016

The past several years have witnessed the acceptance of immunotherapy into the mainstream of ther... more The past several years have witnessed the acceptance of immunotherapy into the mainstream of therapies for patients with cancer. This has been driven by the clinical successes of antibodies to the checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4 and PD-1, capable of imparting long-term remissions in several solid tumors as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma (1) and the therapeutic successes of adoptive T-cell transfer with chimeric antigen receptors (2) or modified T-cell receptors (3) that have mostly utilized peripheral T-cells. One emerging area of therapeutic T cell intervention has been the utilization of marrowinfiltrating lymphocytes (MILs)-a novel form of adoptive T-cell therapy. This approach was initially developed to increase the likelihood of a precursor T-cell population with an enhanced tumor specificity in bone marrow (BM)-derived malignancies. However, the unique attributes of BM T-cells and their interaction with their microenvironment provide significant rationale to utilize these cells therapeutically in diseases that extend beyond hematologic malignancies.

Research paper thumbnail of Nivolumab in combination with daratumumab, with or without pomalidomide and dexamethasone, for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: 2 cohorts of the phase 1 CheckMate 039 safety study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

TPS3102 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is largely incurable despite available therapies, inclu... more TPS3102 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is largely incurable despite available therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). As most MM patients (pts) eventually have relapsed/refractory (RR) disease, there is an unmet need. Myeloma cells upregulate PD-L1 [Liu et al, 2007]. Nivolumab (nivo), an immuno-oncology mAb, binds PD-1 on T cells and natural killer cells and inhibits signaling by PD-L1–expressing tumor cells, thus augmenting antitumor immunity. Nivo monotherapy has shown acceptable safety and modest clinical activity in RRMM [Lesokhin et al 2016]. Daratumumab (dara) is a cytolytic mAb that targets CD38+ myeloma cells, inducing antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and apoptosis, and may have an immunomodulatory role via depletion of CD38+ immune-suppressor cells [Dimopoulos et al 2016]. Dara is approved as monotherapy (US: af...

Research paper thumbnail of Universal immunomodulatory cytokine-expressing bystander cell line and related compositions and methods of manufacture and use

Research paper thumbnail of CD4+ CD25+ marrow infiltrating lymphocytes in myeloma patients display an activated phenotype and lack suppressive function

We have previously shown that marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs) from myeloma patients prolif... more We have previously shown that marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs) from myeloma patients proliferate upon stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads more efficiently and exhibit greater specificity to autologous tumor than their peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) counterparts. In attempting to dissect the mechanisms responsible for greater tumor specificity of MILs, we examined the frequency and function of the putative CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in both compartments. Phenotypic and functional differences in the CD4+/CD25+ populations were examined in MILs and PBLs from 12 multiple myeloma patients and 3 normal donors. CD4+/CD25+ cells were stained for the suppressive marker: FoxP3; or the activation markers: CD40L, CD71 (transferrin receptor). CD4+/CD25+ MILs of myeloma patients are CD25lo, FoxP3lo and predominantly express activation markers. They expand more readily upon anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation, produce high amounts of the Th1 cytokines: IFNγ and IL-2, and low amounts of IL-10. Importantly, they fail to suppress the tumor specific T cell proliferation. These findings are all consistent with an activated T cell phenotype. In contrast, CD4+/CD25+ cells from PBLs of myeloma patients are CD25hi, FoxP3+, primarily produce IL-10 and IL-4 and markedly suppress T cell expansion in a tumor specific assay, suggestive of a regulatory T cell phenotype. Although MILs possess a lower number of FoxP3+ cells as compared to PBLs, the higher MFI may indicate the presence of a small yet highly regulatory T cell population. Interestingly, MILs from normal donors possess a more regulatory phenotype then their myeloma counterparts as determined by high FoxP3 and low CD40L and CD71 expression as well as reduced expansion upon activation. Taken together, these data underscore major differences in the immuno-inhibitory pathways present in blood as compared to marrow. Notably, MILs of myeloma patients demonstrate a paucity of Tregs. These differences may explain the disparities seen in the tumor-specificity of T cells from these two compartments. The ability to expand a T cell population with fewer endogenous Tregs and heightened tumor-specificity may have significant implications for the implementation of adoptive immunotherapy. %CD25 (MFI) %FoxP3 (MFI) %CD40L %CD71 Fold Expansion Ability to Suppress Myeloma CD4/CD25 MILs 4.7 (29.6) 2.2 (2932.1) 88.8 90.1 12.2 − CD4/CD25 PBLs 19.1 (115.2) 52.3 (163.7) 15.7 19.6 2.5 +++++ Normal CD4/CD25 MILs 14.0 (56.8) 70.1 (82.7) 37.3 6.4 3.3 +++ CD4/CD25 PBLs 24.0 (19.4) 30.9 (261.8) 12.1 4.2 4.0 ++

Research paper thumbnail of Pre-radiation lymphocyte harvesting and post-radiation reinfusion in patients with newly diagnosed high grade gliomas

Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2015

Radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed high grade gliomas (HGG)... more Radiation (RT), temozolomide (TMZ), and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed high grade gliomas (HGG) produces severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) that is associated with early cancer-related deaths. This TRL may result from inadvertent radiation to circulating lymphocytes. This study reinfused lymphocytes, harvested before chemo-radiation, and assessed safety, feasibility, and trends in lymphocyte counts. Patients with newly diagnosed HGG and total lymphocyte counts (TLC) ≥ 1000 cells/mm(3) underwent apheresis. Cryopreserved autologous lymphocytes were reinfused once radiation was completed. Safety, feasibility, and trends in TLC, T cell subsets and cytokines were studied. Serial TLC were also compared with an unreinfused matched control group. Ten patients were harvested (median values: age 56 years, dexamethasone 3 mg/day, TLC/CD4 1980/772 cells/mm(3)). After 6 weeks of RT/TMZ, TLC fell 69 % (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001) with similar reductions in CD4, CD8 and NK cells but not Tregs. Eight patients received lymphocyte reinfusions (median = 7.0 × 10(7) lymphocytes/kg) without adverse events. A post-reinfusion TLC rise of ≥300 cells/mm(3) was noted in 3/8 patients at 4 weeks and 7/8 at 14 weeks which was similar to 23 matched controls. The reduced CD4/CD8 ratio was not restored by lymphocyte reinfusion. Severe lymphopenia was not accompanied by elevated serum interleukin-7 (IL-7) levels. This study confirms that severe TRL is common in HGG and is not associated with high plasma IL-7 levels. Although lymphocyte harvesting/reinfusion is feasible and safe, serial lymphocyte counts are similar to unreinfused matched controls. Studies administering higher lymphocyte doses and/or IL-7 should be considered to restore severe treatment-related lymphopenia in HGG.

Research paper thumbnail of New Developments in the Therapy of Acute Myelocytic Leukemia

However, a high percentage of patients still remain refractory to primary therapy or relapse late... more However, a high percentage of patients still remain refractory to primary therapy or relapse later. This review examines the search for new agents and new modes of therapy. In Section I, Dr. Estey discusses new agents directed at various targets, such as CD33, angiogenesis, inappropriately methylated (suppressor) genes, cell cycle checkpoints, proteosomes, multidrug resistance (MDR) gene, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. He also reviews preliminary results of phase I trials with the nucleoside analog troxacitabine and liposomal anthracyclin and suggests new strategies for trials of new agents.

Research paper thumbnail of Successful therapy of metastatic cancer using tumor vaccines in mixed allogeneic bone marrow chimeras

A frequent outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) in the treat- ment of leukem... more A frequent outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) in the treat- ment of leukemia is the destruction of the host hematolymphoid compartment and, thus, the malignancy, through the com- bined action of high-dose chemoradio- therapy and a T-cell-mediated graft- versus-host effect. Unfortunately, alloSCT is frequently limited by toxicity, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and has not been successful in the

Research paper thumbnail of Sustaining the graft-versus-tumor effect through posttransplant immunization with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing tumor vaccines

nontransplant setting. Employing T cells specific for a model tumor-antigen, we find that transpl... more nontransplant setting. Employing T cells specific for a model tumor-antigen, we find that transplantation of the tumor-bearing host results in a massive expansion and activation of tumor-specific T cells in the early posttransplant period, but this re- sponse rapidly declines in association with tumor progression. Immunization with irradiated GM-CSF tumor cells dur- ing the period of immune reconstitution results in

Research paper thumbnail of Phase II study of non-myeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for B-cell lymphoma with post-transplantation rituximab and donor selection based first on non-HLA factors

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2015

Outcomes of non-myeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical (haplo) related-donor allogeneic blood or... more Outcomes of non-myeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical (haplo) related-donor allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (allo BMT) with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) appear to be similar to those using HLA-matched donors. Thus, it may be possible to prioritize donor factors other than HLA-matching that could enhance antitumor activity. The Fc receptor polymorphism FCGR3A-158VV may confer greater sensitivity to rituximab than FCGR3A-158FF. In a prospective, phase II study of NMA, related-donor allo BMT with PTCy and posttransplantation rituximab for patients with B-cell lymphomas, we hypothesized that donor selection that prioritized FCGR3A-158 polymorphism over HLA-matching would be feasible, safe and might improve outcomes. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). Of 83 patients transplanted (median age 59 years), 69 (83%) received haplo grafts. Fifty-four (65%) received a graft that maintained or improved their Fc receptor polymorphism status. With 2.6-year median follow-up, the 1-year PFS and overall survival (OS) probabilities were 71% and 86%, respectively, with 1-year relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) probabilities of 20% and 8%. At 1-year, the probability of acute grades 2-4 graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 41%, with grade 3-4 acute GVHD probability of 5% and chronic GVHD probability of 11%. Among haplo transplants, the 1-year probabilities of PFS, OS, relapse, and NRM were 70%, 83%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. No differences in outcomes were observed based on donor FCGR3A-158 polymorphism. Excess infection risk was not apparent with posttransplantation rituximab. Although donor selection based on FCGR3A-158 polymorphism was not shown to influence PFS, this study suggests that donor selection based on criteria other than best HLA-match is feasible and safe. This study opens the way for the future investigation of donor prioritization based on promising non-HLA factors that may improve anti-tumor activity and decrease relapse after allo BMT. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00946023.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk-stratified outcomes of nonmyeloablative, HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide

Blood, Jan 26, 2015

Related HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is bein... more Related HLA-haploidentical BMT with high-dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is being increasingly utilized because of its acceptable safety profile. To better define outcomes of nonmyeloablative (NMA), HLA-haploidentical BMT with PTCy, 372 consecutive adult hematologic malignancy patients who underwent this procedure were retrospectively studied. Risk-stratified outcomes were evaluated using the refined Disease Risk Index (DRI), developed to stratify disease risk across histologies and allogeneic BMT regimens. Patients received uniform conditioning, T-cell replete allografting, then PTCy, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Six-month probabilities of nonrelapse mortality and severe acute graft-versus-host disease were 8% and 4%. With 4.1-year median follow-up, 3-year probabilities of relapse, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 46%, 40%, and 50% respectively. By refined DRI group, low (N=71), intermediate (N=241), and high/very high (N=60...

Research paper thumbnail of Extra-lymphatic solid tumor growth is not immunologically ignored and results in early induction of antigen-specific T-cell anergy: dominant role of cross-tolerance to tumor antigens

Cancer research, Jan 15, 2003

A better understanding of how solid malignancies arise in an immunocompetent host, avoid immune r... more A better understanding of how solid malignancies arise in an immunocompetent host, avoid immune recognition, and ultimately progress to widely disseminated cancer is essential to effectively harness the immune system against solid tumors. Because of their extra-lymphatic localization, it has been proposed that solid malignancies are just ignored by the immune system, thereby allowing their uncontrolled growth and dissemination. Alternatively, as most of the solid tumors are unable to express costimulatory molecules, the "signal one without signal two" model of tolerance induction has been frequently evoked to account for the failure of the immune system to reject antigenic tumors in vivo. In this study, we showed, however, that the extra-lymphatic growth of solid tumors is not immunologically ignored by the lymphoid compartment, resulting instead in the early induction of antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell tolerance. Furthermore, analysis of parent-into-F1 bone marrow (BM) chi...

Research paper thumbnail of Conversion of tumor-specific CD4+ T-cell tolerance to T-cell priming through in vivo ligation of CD40

Nature medicine, 1999

Tumor antigen-specific T-cell tolerance limits the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Antig... more Tumor antigen-specific T-cell tolerance limits the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Antigen-presenting cells mediate the induction of T-cell tolerance to self-antigens. We therefore assessed the fate of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in tumor-bearing recipients after in vivo activation of antigen-presenting cells with antibodies against CD40. Such treatment not only preserved the responsiveness of this population, but resulted in their endogenous activation. Established tumors regressed in vaccinated mice treated with antibody against CD40 at a time when no response was achieved with vaccination alone. These results indicate that modulation of antigen-presenting cells may be a useful strategy for enhancing responsiveness to immunization.

Research paper thumbnail of Immunotherapy of established tumors using bone marrow transplantation with antigen gene--modified hematopoietic stem cells

Nature medicine, 2003

A major focus of cancer immunotherapy is to develop strategies to induce T-cell responses through... more A major focus of cancer immunotherapy is to develop strategies to induce T-cell responses through presentation of tumor antigens by dendritic cells (DCs). Current vaccines are limited in their ability to efficiently transfer antigens to DCs in vivo. Ex vivo-generated DCs can be efficiently loaded with antigen but after reinjection, few DCs traffic to secondary lymphoid organs, the critical sites for antigen presentation. To enhance efficiency and durability of antigen presentation by DCs, we transduced hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSCs) with a model tumor antigen and then transplanted the gene-modified cells into irradiated recipient mice, which resulted in efficient expression of the transgene in a large proportion of donor derived DCs in lymphoid organs. The combination of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using transduced HSCs, systemic agents that generate and activate DCs, and mature T-cell infusion resulted in substantial expansion and activation of antigen-specific T ...

Research paper thumbnail of HLA-Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies Using Nonmyeloablative Conditioning and High-Dose, Posttransplantation Cyclophosphamide

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of high-dose, posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (Cy) to p... more We evaluated the safety and efficacy of high-dose, posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (Cy) to prevent graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after outpatient nonmyeloablative conditioning and T cell-replete bone marrow transplantation from partially HLA-mismatched (haploidentical) related donors. Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies (n = 67) or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (n = 1) received Cy 50 mg/kg i.v. on day 3 (n = 28) or on days 3 and 4 (n 5 40) after transplantation. The median times to neutrophil (>500/µL) and platelet recovery (>20,000/µL) were 15 and 24 days, respectively. Graft failure occurred in 9 of 66 (13%) evaluable patients, and was fatal in 1. The cumulative incidences of grades II-IV and grades III-IV acute (aGVHD) by day 200 were 34% and 6%, respectively. There was a trend toward a lower risk of extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) among recipients of 2 versus 1 dose of posttransplantation Cy (P = .05), the only difference between these groups. The cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and relapse at 1 year were 15% and 51%, respectively. Actuarial overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years after transplantation were 36% and 26%, respectively. Patients with lymphoid malignancies had an improved EFS compared to those with myelogenous malignancies (P = .02). Nonmyeloablative HLA-haploidentical BMT with posttransplantation Cy is associated with acceptable rates of fatal graft failure and severe aGVHD or cGVHD.

Research paper thumbnail of Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-secreting cellular immunotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as postremission therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Blood, Jan 27, 2009

Preclinical models have demonstrated the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating fa... more Preclinical models have demonstrated the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting cancer immunotherapies (GVAX platform) accompanied by immunotherapy-primed lymphocytes after autologous stem cell transplantation in hematologic malignancies. We conducted a phase 2 study of this combination in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Immunotherapy consisted of autologous leukemia cells admixed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting K562 cells. "Primed" lymphocytes were collected after a single pretransplantation dose of immunotherapy and reinfused with the stem cell graft. Fifty-four subjects were enrolled; 46 (85%) achieved a complete remission, and 28 (52%) received the pretransplantation immunotherapy. For all patients who achieved complete remission, the 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 47.4% and overall survival was 57.4%. For the 28 immunotherapy-treated patients, the RFS and overall survival rates we...

Research paper thumbnail of Activation of liver X receptors inhibits hedgehog signaling, clonogenic growth, and self-renewal in multiple myeloma

Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2014

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in a wide variety of human cancers, a... more The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in a wide variety of human cancers, and recent clinical studies have demonstrated that pathway inhibitors are effective in advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The majority of these agents have been designed to target SMOOTHENED (SMO), a transmembrane regulator of Hh signaling, but subsequent mutations in SMO have been found to generate drug resistance. In other cancers, oncogenic events that bypass SMO may activate canonical Hh signaling, and SMO antagonists have not demonstrated significant activity in several diseases. Therefore, alternative strategies targeting the Hh pathway downstream of SMO may have clinical utility. Liver X receptors (LXR) regulate cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis, and LXR activation can inhibit the Hh pathway in normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We examined the effects of LXR activation on Hh signaling in human multiple myeloma cells and found that LXR agonists inhibited Hh pathway activity...

Research paper thumbnail of Tadalafil reduces myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells and promotes tumor immunity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 2015

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in the prog... more Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). On the basis of our preclinical data demonstrating that phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibition can modulate these cell populations, we evaluated whether the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil can revert tumor-induced immunosuppression and promote tumor immunity in patients with HNSCC. First, we functionally and phenotypically characterized MDSCs in HNSCCs and determined, retrospectively, whether their presence at the tumor site correlates with recurrence. Then, we performed a prospective single-center, double-blinded, randomized, three-arm study in which patients with HNSCC undergoing definitive surgical resection of oral and oropharyngeal tumors were treated with tadalafil 10 mg/day, 20 mg/day, or placebo for at least 20 days preoperatively. Blood and tumor MDSC and Treg presence and CD8(+) T-cell reactivity to tumor antigens were evaluated...

Research paper thumbnail of Myeloid suppressor cells in cancer: Recruitment, phenotype, properties, and mechanisms of immune suppression

Seminars in Cancer Biology, 2006

Growing tumors acquire the ability to resist immune recognition and immune-mediated injury. Among... more Growing tumors acquire the ability to resist immune recognition and immune-mediated injury. Among several mechanisms, mouse and human tumors share the ability to alter the normal hematopoiesis, leading to accumulation of cells of the myelo-monoctytic lineage at the tumor site and in different primary and secondary lymphoid organs. These cells aid tumor development by providing molecules and factors essential for