Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is often driven by immune-related mechanisms and associated with poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with hypomethylating agents (HMA) may restore or enhance the graft-versus-leukaemia effect. Still, data about using this combination regimen after allo-HCT are limited. We conducted a prospective, phase II, open-label, single-arm study in which we treated patients with haematological AML relapse after allo-HCT with HMA plus the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab. The response was correlated with DNA-, RNA- and protein-based single-cell technology assessments to identify biomarkers associated with therapeutic efficacy. Sixteen patients received a median number of 2 (range 1–7) nivolumab applications. The overall response rate (CR/PR) at day 42 was 25%, and another 25% of the patients achieved stable disease. The median overall survival was 15.6 months. High-parametric cytometry documented a higher frequency of activated (ICOS+, HLA-DR+), low senescence (KLRG1−, CD57−) CD8+ effector T cells in responders. We confirmed these findings in a preclinical model. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed a pro-inflammatory rewiring of the expression profile of T and myeloid cells in responders. In summary, the study indicates that the post-allo-HCT HMA/nivolumab combination induces anti-AML immune responses in selected patients and could be considered as a bridging approach to a second allo-HCT. Trial-registration: EudraCT-No. 2017-002194-18.
Phase II trial of hypomethylating agent combined with nivolumab for acute myeloid leukaemia relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation—Immune signature correlates with response / Apostolova, P., Kreutmair, S., Toffalori, C., Punta, M., Unger, S., Burk, A.-C., Wehr, C., Maas-Bauer, K., Melchinger, W., Haring, E., Hoefflin, R., Shoumariyeh, K., Hupfer, V., Lauer, E.M., Duquesne, S., Lowinus, T., Gonzalonunez, N., Alberti, C., Da Costapereira, S., Merten, C.H., et al.. - In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY. - ISSN 0007-1048. - 203:2(2023), pp. 264-281. [10.1111/bjh.19007]
Phase II trial of hypomethylating agent combined with nivolumab for acute myeloid leukaemia relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation—Immune signature correlates with response
Alberti C.;Vago L.;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is often driven by immune-related mechanisms and associated with poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with hypomethylating agents (HMA) may restore or enhance the graft-versus-leukaemia effect. Still, data about using this combination regimen after allo-HCT are limited. We conducted a prospective, phase II, open-label, single-arm study in which we treated patients with haematological AML relapse after allo-HCT with HMA plus the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab. The response was correlated with DNA-, RNA- and protein-based single-cell technology assessments to identify biomarkers associated with therapeutic efficacy. Sixteen patients received a median number of 2 (range 1–7) nivolumab applications. The overall response rate (CR/PR) at day 42 was 25%, and another 25% of the patients achieved stable disease. The median overall survival was 15.6 months. High-parametric cytometry documented a higher frequency of activated (ICOS+, HLA-DR+), low senescence (KLRG1−, CD57−) CD8+ effector T cells in responders. We confirmed these findings in a preclinical model. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed a pro-inflammatory rewiring of the expression profile of T and myeloid cells in responders. In summary, the study indicates that the post-allo-HCT HMA/nivolumab combination induces anti-AML immune responses in selected patients and could be considered as a bridging approach to a second allo-HCT. Trial-registration: EudraCT-No. 2017-002194-18.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
