We focus on targeted therapy using recombinant immunotoxins for hematologic malignancies, particularly hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and other new therapies for HCL. Moxetumomab pasudotox contains truncated forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) fused to anti-CD22 Fv fragment. Previously called HA22 or CAT-8015, it is an affinity-matured form of BL22 for targeting hematologic malignancies, particularly HCL. We test combinations of chemotherapy and rituximab to answer questions relevant to the optimal therapy of newly diagnosed and multiply relapsed HCL, and to better understand the behavior of HCL in immunotoxin-treated patients. In the laboratory, we use clinical samples from patients to investigate treatment efficacy and toxicity, and to better understand the biology and pathogenesis of HCL. Development of anti-CD22 recombinant immunotoxins for CD22+ B-cell malignancies. We reported Phase I results of Moxetumomab pasudotox in 28 patients at 5-50 ug/Kg every other day for 3 doses (QOD x3). Complete remissions (CRs) were observed in 13 (46%), with overall response rate (ORR) 88%. No dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. Two patients had grade 2 HUS, milder than HUS with BL22. A total of 49 patients were enrolled on the phase I trial, including 33 at the highest dose level. Results are improved compared with those published, and an update is submitted. Based on this favorable efficacy and toxicity profile, the FDA recommended a pivotal trial using a single-arm non-randomized design, with a primary endpoint of 28% CRs in 77 patients. This worldwide multicenter trial has completed planned accrual of 77 patients, including 26 at NIH and 1-6 at many centers worldwide. We have observed a high rate of CR with elimination of minimal residual diease as detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the bone marrow biopsy, and flow cytometry of the blood and bone marrow aspirate. Development of MAb-chemotherapy combinations for early and relapsed/refractory HCL. For the past 25-30 years, cladribine alone, or less commonly pentostatin alone, has been the standard 1st and 2nd line treatment of HCL, but is non-curative in most patients. To determine the value of rituximab added to cladribine, newly diagnosed or once-relapsed HCL patients are randomized to cladribine with either immediate or 6-month delayed rituximab, and MRD at 6 months and other time points measured. For newly diagnosed HCL patients, randomization of the 68-patient cohort has completed. Simultaneous cladribine + rituximab is highly effective in eradicating MRD, and delayed rituximab, when needed, usually eradicates MRD. An additional 25 patient cohort has nearly completed accrual to determine the feasibility of combined cladribine + rituximab as an outpatient. Long-term follow-up will determine if there is a difference between immediate and delayed rituximab with first-line cladribine, but this trial establishes the efficacy and safety of either approach. Once-relapsed HCL patients are randomized in a separate stratification of the trial. In the poor prognosis HCL variant HCLv, combined rituximab + cladribine is highly effective, with our published report supporting this combination as a new standard of care for early HCLv. To study pentostatin-rituximab and bendamustine-rituximab (BR) combinations in HCL for the first time prospectively, a randomized trial is underway in multiply relapsed HCL. Our report of the toxicity portion of the trial using 2 dose levels of bendamustine establishes BR as a highly effective combination in multiply relapsed HCL, particularly in eradicating MRD. However, since these regimens contain chemotherapy-type toxicities, more preferred options if possible include moxetumomab pasudotox and other targeted therapies. Targeted therapy for HCL. Although the BRAF V600E mutation is thought to be present in 100% of classic HCL, we showed that up to 20% lack V600E, particularly those with the poor prognosis IGHV4-34 immunoglobulin rearrangement, described by our group in 2009. Nevertheless, most HCL patients remain potentially treatable using BRAF inhibition. For the first time in HCL, we began treating V600E+ HCL patients by inhibiting both BRAF and its downstream pathway MEK, particularly those ineligible for immunotoxin therapy. This trial is being performed as part of a Glaxosmithkline- (and now Novartis)-sponsored multicenter registration trial in many different BRAF V600E+ histologies. As part of this trial, we have treated several patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), a rapidly fatal disease also expressing BRAF V600E, and are reporting practice-changing data along with the other investigators. Ibrutinib is an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), approved in CLL and mantle cell lymphoma, and BTK is also a target expressed by HCL cells. We are participating in a multicenter CTEP/Pharmacyclics trial of ibrutinib in HCL and HCLv and are treating 12 patients at NIH with both diagnoses. Laboratory research with moxetumomab pasudotox and other therapies for HCL. One goal is to improve the efficacy of CD22 targeting by further engineering immunotoxin structure, both to decrease immunogenicity and increase efficacy. In collaboration with Ira Pastan's lab, engineered mutants of moxetumomab pasudotox are tested in cytotoxicity assays of primary HCL, HCLv, and CLL cells obtained from patients on approved LMB and other NIH protocols. New potential drugs are also being tested in cytotoxicity assays, including BRAF, MEK, BTK and PI3K inhibitors. A 2nd goal is to sequence immunoglobulin rearrangements (IgH) unique to each HCL patient, to study HCL biology and to design patient-specific PCR assays for MRD. This RQ-PCR test is able to detect 1 HCL cell in 1 million normal cells. This work was benefitted by the advent of deep sequencing (MiSeq) to determine IgH sequences. Deep sequencing provides millions of 'reads' where malignant clones can be identified statistically. We are also using RNA/DNA from these samples to better characterize the B- and T- cell repertoire in patients treated with immunotoxins compared to chemotherapy and/or rituximab, and to study fundamental questions related to HCL biology, including those related to the V600E mutation recently discovered in HCL. We are also discovering new genes which are characteristic of patients with HCL and/or HCLv, and may shed light on the pathogenesis and possible new treatments of the disease.
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