British Journal of Haematology最新文献

The last few years have seen a revolution in cellular immunotherapies for multiple myeloma (MM) with novel antigen targets. The principle new target is B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy directed against BCMA was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2021, although approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) is awaited. Initial response rates in patients with heavily pretreated MM have been impressive, but patients are still relapsing. Furthermore, CAR-T manufacturing is expensive and time-consuming, and T-cell fitness is impaired by prior MM treatment. Numerous strategies to improve outcomes and delivery of cellular immunotherapy are under investigation, including next-generation CARs, allogeneic 'off-the-shelf' CARs and targeting of other MM antigens including G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 5, member D (GPRC5D), Fc receptor homologue 5 (FcRH5), cluster of differentiation (CD)19, signalling lymphocyte activation molecule family member 7 (SLAMF7) and several others. In this exciting and rapidly evolving treatment landscape, this review evaluates the most recent clinical and preclinical data pertaining to these new cellular immunotherapies and explores strategies to overcome resistance pathways. On the protracted journey to a long-term cure, we outline the challenges that lie ahead and ask, 'Are we there yet?'

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an antiplatelet-antibody-mediated disorder with accelerated platelet clearance and decreased platelet production. Rozanolixizumab, a monoclonal IgG4 anti-FcRn antibody, blocks IgG recycling and decreases IgG levels. We report efficacy and safety of rozanolixizumab in adults with persistent/chronic ITP in 24-week phase 3 studies (TP0003; TP0006), and their 52-week open-label extension (OLE). Primary end-point was durable clinically meaningful platelet response (DCMPR) of ≥50 × 10⁹/L for 8/12 weeks during Weeks 13-25 in the double-blind studies. Operational delays and evolving ITP treatment landscape led the sponsor to terminate these studies early; thus, only 21 and 12 (TP0003) and 20 and 10 (TP0006) patients were randomised to rozanolixizumab or placebo. Forty-three patients enrolled in the OLE: 42 started on every 2-week dosing; 21 later switched to weekly dosing. More rozanolixizumab-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved DCMPR: 4/21 versus 0 (TP0003) and 1/20 versus 0 (TP0006). Platelet increases to ≥50 × 10⁹/L were observed on Day 8 in 52.4% (TP0003; 2/12 placebo) and 45.0% (TP0006; 1/10 placebo) of rozanolixizumab-treated patients. OLE platelet increases were maintained while on weekly dosing. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events overall were headache, pyrexia and nausea, as seen previously. Weekly dosing appears more efficacious than every 2-week dosing.

To assess the relevance of co-occurring somatic mutations in TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms with ≥10% blasts, we pooled 325 individuals from 10 centres. We focused on comparing three published somatic co-alteration signatures comprising (1) nine MDS-related genes ('ICC-MDSR'), (2) ICC-MDSR + additional secondary mutations-related genes ('Tazi signature') and (3) EPI6 (comprising six genes). Outcomes examined were 24-month overall survival (OS24) and front-line complete response (CR1). The median age was 69 years with 77% receiving front-line hypomethylating agents (HMA). All three signatures ICC-MDSR (p = 0.009), Tazi signature (p = 0.001) and EPI6 (p = 0.025) predicted inferior CR1. In the low-intensity (HMA) subgroup, only Tazi signature (p = 0.026) predicted inferior CR1. In OS24 analysis of the HMA-treated subgroup (N = 200), only Tazi signature was adverse (hazard ratio, HR = 1.6 [1.1-2.2]; p = 0.011). However, a forward stepwise multivariable age-adjusted Cox model including all three signatures picked EPI6 as the sole significant adverse predictor in the entire cohort (p = 0.0001) as well as within the HMA-treated subgroup (p = 0.0071). These data confirm the value of testing co-occurring somatic alterations even within a high-grade TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasm cohort.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), defined by the t(15;17)(q24;q21) translocation, accounts for 5%-10% of paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia cases. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are key treatments, though ATO access varies. We evaluated treatment, complications and survival in 50 UK paediatric APL patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2021. All patients received ATRA and most received ATO. Event-free survival was lower in high-risk patients (85% vs. 100%, p = 0.03), and those not receiving ATO at diagnosis. All relapsed patients could be salvaged with ATO. Addressing ATO availability and consistent funding is crucial to ensure timely treatment and improve outcomes.

Whilst SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines generate high neutralising antibodies (nAb) in most individuals, haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) recipients respond poorly. HSCT/CAR-T treatment ablates existing immune memory, with recipients requiring revaccination analogous to being vaccine naive. An optimal revaccination strategy for this cohort has not been defined. Factors predicting immunogenicity following three ancestral SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were assessed in 198 HSCT/CAR-T recipients and 96 healthcare workers (HCWs) recruited to multicentre studies. Only 25% of HSCT/CAR-T recipients generated nAbs following one dose, with titres 167-fold and 7-fold lower than that in HCWs after the first and second doses, respectively. Lower post-second dose nAb titres were associated with older age, rituximab use, and previous HSCT. ChAdOx1-S recipients were more likely to generate nAbs compared with mRNA vaccines, with titres comparable to HCWs. In contrast, nAbs were significantly lower in HSCT/CAR-T recipients than HCWs after mRNA vaccination. The poor first-dose immunogenicity in HSCT/CAR-T recipients suggests a minimum licensed dosing interval could limit the period of vulnerability following HSCT/CAR-T. The relative preservation of nAbs with ChAdOx1-S vaccination highlights the importance of evaluating alternative platforms to mRNA vaccination within this highly vulnerable clinical cohort.

Hydroxycarbamide (HC) is the most widely used therapeutic for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD, including sickle cell anemia and other forms of the disease). HC's clinical benefits are primarily associated with its ability to induce foetal haemoglobin (HbF); this limited view of HC's therapeutic potential may lead to its discontinuation when a modest amount of HbF is induced. A better understanding of the HbF-independent effects of HC on genes and pathways relevant to SCD pathophysiology is therefore needed. In this study, we performed bulk RNA-Seq on whole blood samples collected from a cohort of 25 paediatric patients with SCD to identify genes and pathways that are affected by treatment with HC. At the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of HC, patients showed altered expression levels of several genes and biological pathways. Pathways related to haeme metabolism, interferon-alpha response, and interferon-gamma response were significantly downregulated at HC MTD relative to the matched pre-HC samples. Pathways linked with IL2-STAT5 signalling and TNFα signalling via NF-Kβ were observed to be up-regulated at HC MTD. These results illustrate the range of effects exerted by HC during therapy for SCD and pave the way for an improved understanding of the HbF induction-independent benefits of HC.

Dissecting the genomic traits and clinical course of secondary myelodysplastic syndrome following aplastic anaemia is a milestone. The report by Li and colleagues investigates determinants of evolution to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia in patients with aplastic anaemia and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria with a specific focus on post-transplant outcomes. Commentary on: Li et al. Clinical and genetic profiles and outcomes of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in secondary myelodysplastic syndrome following aplastic anaemia. Br J Haematol 2024 (Online ahead of print). doi: 10.1111/bjh.19855.