Kank Is an EB1 Interacting Protein that Localises to Muscle-Tendon Attachment Sites in Drosophila

Little is known about how microtubules are regulated in different cell types during development. EB1 plays a central role in the regulation of microtubule plus ends. It directly binds to microtubule plus ends and recruits proteins which regulate microtubule dynamics and behaviour. We report the identification of Kank, the sole Drosophila orthologue of human Kank proteins, as an EB1 interactor that predominantly localises to embryonic attachment sites between muscle and tendon cells. Human Kank1 was identified as a tumour suppressor and has documented roles in actin regulation and cell polarity in cultured mammalian cells. We found that Drosophila Kank binds EB1 directly and this interaction is essential for Kank localisation to microtubule plus ends in cultured cells. Kank protein is expressed throughout fly development and increases during embryogenesis. In late embryos, it accumulates to sites of attachment between muscle and epidermal cells. A kank deletion mutant was generated. We found that the mutant is viable and fertile without noticeable defects. Further analysis showed that Kank is dispensable for muscle function in larvae. This is in sharp contrast to C. elegans in which the Kank orthologue VAB-19 is required for development by stabilising attachment structures between muscle and epidermal cells

Clinical trials of CAR-T cells in China

Abstract Novel immunotherapeutic agents targeting tumor-site microenvironment are revolutionizing cancer therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells are widely studied for cancer immunotherapy. CD19-specific CAR-T cells, tisagenlecleucel, have been recently approved for clinical application. Ongoing clinical trials are testing CAR designs directed at novel targets involved in hematological and solid malignancies. In addition to trials of single-target CAR-T cells, simultaneous and sequential CAR-T cells are being studied for clinical applications. Multi-target CAR-engineered T cells are also entering clinical trials. T cell receptor-engineered CAR-T and universal CAR-T cells represent new frontiers in CAR-T cell development. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of CAR constructs and registered clinical trials of CAR-T cells in China and provided a quick glimpse of the landscape of CAR-T studies in China

ENGAGE- 501: phase II study of entinostat (SNDX-275) in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma treatment is evolving rapidly with high response rates from antibody-drug conjugates targeting CD30 and immune checkpoint antibodies. However, most patients do not achieve a complete response, therefore development of novel therapies is warranted to improve patient outcomes. In this phase II study, patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma were treated with entinostat, an isoform selective histone deacetylase inhibitor. Forty-nine patients were enrolled: 33 patients on Schedule A (10 or 15 mg oral entinostat once every other week); 16 patients on Schedule B (15 mg oral entinostat once weekly in 3 of 4 weeks). Patients received a median of 3 prior treatments (range 1–10), with 80% of the patients receiving a prior stem cell transplant and 8% of patients receiving prior brentuximab vedotin. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 12% while the disease control rate (complete response, partial response, and stable disease beyond 6 months) was 24%. Seven patients did not complete the first cycle due to progression of disease. Tumor reduction was observed in 24 of 38 (58%) evaluable patients. Median progression-free survival and overall survival was 5.5 and 25.1 months, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (63%), anemia (47%), neutropenia (41%), leukopenia (10%), hypokalemia (8%), and hypophosphatemia (6%). Twenty-five (51%) patients required dose reductions or delays. Pericarditis/pericardial effusion occurred in one patient after 12 cycles of therapy. Future studies are warranted to identify predictive biomarkers for treatment response and to develop mechanism-based combination strategies. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 00866333

Phase I/Ib Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Buparlisib and Ibrutinib Therapy in MCL, FL, and DLBCL with Serial Cell-Free DNA Monitoring

Activation of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) represent parallel, synergistic pathways in lymphoma pathogenesis. As predominant PI3Kδ inhibition is a possible mechanism of tumor escape, we proposed a clinical trial of dual BTK and pan-PI3K inhibition. We conducted a single-center phase I/Ib trial combining a BTK inhibitor (ibrutinib) and a pan-PI3K inhibitor (buparlisib) in 37 patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell lymphoma. Buparlisib and ibrutinib were administered orally, once daily in 28-day cycles until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The clinical trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02756247. Patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) receiving the combination had a 94% overall response rate (ORR) and 33-month median progression-free survival; ORR of 31% and 20% were observed in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, respectively. The maximum tolerated dose was ibrutinib 560 mg plus buparlisib 100 mg and the recommended phase II dose was ibrutinib 560 mg plus buparlisib 80 mg. The most common grade 3 adverse events were rash/pruritis/dermatitis (19%), diarrhea (11%), hyperglycemia (11%), and hypertension (11%). All grade mood disturbances ranging from anxiety, depression, to agitation were observed in 22% of patients. Results from serial monitoring of cell-free DNA samples corresponded to radiographic resolution of disease and tracked the emergence of mutations known to promote BTK inhibitor resistance. BTK and pan-PI3K inhibition in mantle cell lymphoma demonstrates a promising efficacy signal. Addition of BCL2 inhibitors to a BTK and pan-PI3K combination remain suitable for further development in mantle cell lymphoma

Interim Efficacy Analysis of a Phase II Study Demonstrates Promising Activity of the Combination of Pembrolizumab (PEM) and Entinostat (ENT) in Relapsed and Refractory (R/R) Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)

Abstract Introduction Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have single agent activity in various types of lymphoma. They restore antigen-specific immune recognition in B-cell lymphoma cells and modulate programmed cell death (PD)-1 expression on circulating T-lymphocytes. Pembrolizumab (PEM) is highly active in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and demonstrates a 12-month PFS of 46% in patients with R/R HL. Preclinical studies have shown synergism of this combination in mouse models of various tumors. We present the interim efficacy analysis from the first stage of our phase II trial investigating the combination of the HDAC inhibitor Entinostat (ENT) and the PD-1-blocking antibody PEM in patients with R/R HL. Methods Patients with R/R HL received ENT 5-7 mg orally once weekly and PEM 200 mg intravenously once every three weeks. Prior use of anti-PD-1 or HDAC inhibitor was allowed if there had been clinical benefit. Tumor assessment was evaluated using the RECIL criteria. The primary endpoint is the 12-month progression-free survival (PFS). Using a Simon two-stage minimax design to power the study, 21 patients were to be enrolled in the first stage with a 12-month PFS rate of 40% considered undesirable and 60% desirable. Results At time of data censoring on 7/24/21, 22 patients with HL have been enrolled. The median number of prior therapies was 5 (2-17). 7 (32%) were refractory to the most recent therapy, 13 (59%) had received autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), 12 (55%) prior anti-PD1 antibody therapy, and 3 (14%) prior HDAC inhibitor therapy. Out of 22 evaluable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 86% and the complete response (CR) rate was 45%. Responding patients included 9 with prior anti-PD-1 antibody and 3 with prior HDAC inhibitor therapy. With median duration of follow-up among survivors of 8.4 months (2-26), the 12-month PFS was 72% (44%-87%). Reasons for treatment discontinuation included: progression (n=6), toxicities (n=5) consolidation with transplant or radiation (n=3), withdrawal of consent (n=3), and completion of study protocol (n=2). Severe toxicities resulting in study discontinuation were pleural effusions, pericarditis, pneumonitis and peripheral neuropathy. Out of the 22 total patients with HL enrolled in this study, 50% of patients had grade ≥3 (41%) and thrombocytopenia (32%). 41% exhibited grade ≥3 non-hematologic AEs, which included pericardial or pleural effusions (n=2, 9%), as well as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, abdominal pain, pneumonitis, elevated lipase, hyperglycemia, and peripheral neuropathy. AEs that were potentially immune-related included hypothyroidism (n=2, 9%), elevated transaminases (n=4, 18%), diarrhea (n=3, 14%) and pneumonitis (n=2, 8%). Conclusions Interim results following stage I of this phase 2 trial demonstrates a 12-month PFS rate of 74%, meeting the primary endpoint of the study and justifying continued investigation of the combination of PEM and ENT. In this heavily pretreated patient population, responses were seen in the majority of patients despite prior exposure to anti-PD-1 agents. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Vardhana: Immunai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moskowitz: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Beigene: Research Funding; Miragen: Research Funding; Janpix Ltd.: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Imbrium Therapeutics L.P./Purdue: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding. Joffe: AstraZeneca. Epizyme: Consultancy. Khan: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Kumar: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Honoraria, Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Kite Pharmaceuticals: Other: advisory board , Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Abbvie Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: advisory board, Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies, Celgene, Abbvie Pharmaceticals, Pharmacyclics, Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Zelenetz: Gilead: Honoraria; Genentech/Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; MorphoSys: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Verastem: Honoraria; SecuraBio: Honoraria; BMS/Celgene/JUNO: Honoraria, Other; MethylGene: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding; MEI Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Beigene: Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; NCCN: Other; LFR: Other. Horwitz: Affimed: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics, Affimed, Aileron, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Forty Seven, Inc., Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Millennium /Takeda, Seattle Genetics, Trillium Therapeutics, and Verastem/SecuraBio.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Acrotech Biopharma, Affimed, ADC Therapeutics, Astex, Merck, Portola Pharma, C4 Therapeutics, Celgene, Janssen, Kura Oncology, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Myeloid Therapeutics, ONO Pharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics, Shoreline Biosciences, Inc, Takeda, Trillium Th: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Crispr Therapeutics: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Forty Seven, Inc.: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; ONO Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Secura Bio: Consultancy; Shoreline Biosciences, Inc.: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Trillium Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tubulis: Consultancy; Verastem/Securabio: Research Funding. Noy: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Epizyme: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy; Rafael Parhma: Research Funding; Medscape: Consultancy; Targeted Oncology: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Batlevi: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Current Employment; Moderna: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Viatris: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; BMS: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Autolus: Research Funding; Pfizer: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Dava Oncology: Honoraria; Bayer: Research Funding; Medscape: Honoraria; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Regeneron: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; TouchIME: Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Life Sciences: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Juno/Celgene: Consultancy; GLG Pharma: Consultancy; Xynomic: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Epizyme: Research Funding. Matasar: Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Rocket Medical: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Research Funding; ImmunoVaccine Technologies: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Current Employment; IGM Biosciences: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Teva: Consultancy; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Palomba: Nektar: Honoraria; Notch: Honoraria, Other: Stock; PCYC: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy; Ceramedix: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; Priothera: Honoraria; Juno: Patents &amp; Royalties; Wolters Kluwer: Patents &amp; Royalties; Lygenesis: Honoraria; Pluto: Honoraria; Rheos: Honoraria; BeiGene: Consultancy; Seres: Honoraria, Other: Stock, Patents &amp; Royalties, Research Funding; WindMIL: Honoraria; Magenta: Honoraria. Lee: Intellisphere, LLC: Consultancy. Dogan: EUSA Pharma: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Peer View: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Physicians' Education Resource: Honoraria. Salles: Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy; Ipsen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Genmab: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria; Rapt: Consultancy; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Beigene: Consultancy; Debiopharm: Consultancy; Regeneron: Consultancy, Honoraria; Loxo: Consultancy; Miltneiy: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Bayer: Honoraria; Velosbio: Consultancy; Allogene: Consultancy. Younes: AZ: Current Employment, Other: Senior Vice President, Global Head of Haematology (Early and Late Stage) Oncology R&amp;D at AstraZeneca. von Keudell: Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Research Funding. </jats:sec