Project description:Purpose: Accurate prediction of clinical response is the prerequisite for individualized therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We hypothesized that sequential assessment of gene expression changes early during therapy may well reflect behaviour of the leukemic clone in response to specific drugs. Patients and Methods: Gene expression profiles (GEP) were determined in CD19+ selected B-cells from 20 patients treated with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) (N=10) or FC plus rituximab (FCR) (N=10). Samples were collected in the first cycle before and within 48hours after initiation of treatment. GEP analysis was stratified by clinical response 3 months after start of therapy. Results: GEP before treatment detected high expression of 34 genes correlated with response and 32 genes correlated with resistance to therapy. These genes were related to regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle, cell adhesion, and signal transduction. Different results were obtained with sequential GEP: Sixteen genes were up-regulated after rituximab infusion in non-responders. Rituximab therapy resulted in down-regulation of AKT1 indicating involvement of the PI3-kinase pathway in CD20-signaling. Up-regulation of 24 genes after FC (including ITPKB (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase) and CD44) and of 36 genes after FCR (including CD49d) was associated with resistance. Down-regulation of CTLA4 correlated with poor response to FC. CD44, CD49d and the PI3-kinase signaling pathway were confirmed as potential therapeutic targets to overcome resistance by (protein analysis) or functional experiments. Conclusion Sequential GEP provides rapid and relevant information for prediction of response and resistance. This approach could be used to guide and adapt individualized therapy in CLL. 50 Samples from CD19 selected B-cells, three treatments (rituximab, FC and RFC), 10 replicates for each treatment, 20 replicates for control condition
Project description:Purpose: Accurate prediction of clinical response is the prerequisite for individualized therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We hypothesized that sequential assessment of gene expression changes early during therapy may well reflect behaviour of the leukemic clone in response to specific drugs. Patients and Methods: Gene expression profiles (GEP) were determined in CD19+ selected B-cells from 20 patients treated with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) (N=10) or FC plus rituximab (FCR) (N=10). Samples were collected in the first cycle before and within 48hours after initiation of treatment. GEP analysis was stratified by clinical response 3 months after start of therapy. Results: GEP before treatment detected high expression of 34 genes correlated with response and 32 genes correlated with resistance to therapy. These genes were related to regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle, cell adhesion, and signal transduction. Different results were obtained with sequential GEP: Sixteen genes were up-regulated after rituximab infusion in non-responders. Rituximab therapy resulted in down-regulation of AKT1 indicating involvement of the PI3-kinase pathway in CD20-signaling. Up-regulation of 24 genes after FC (including ITPKB (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase) and CD44) and of 36 genes after FCR (including CD49d) was associated with resistance. Down-regulation of CTLA4 correlated with poor response to FC. CD44, CD49d and the PI3-kinase signaling pathway were confirmed as potential therapeutic targets to overcome resistance by (protein analysis) or functional experiments. Conclusion Sequential GEP provides rapid and relevant information for prediction of response and resistance. This approach could be used to guide and adapt individualized therapy in CLL.
Project description:Jumping translocations are cytogenetic abnormalities associated with poor clinical outcome and progression in Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML).Typically a donor chromosome, often a trisomic 1q, is transferred onto 2 or more recipient chromosomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the crosstalk between DNA hypomethylation and 1q trisomy. Here, we used an epi-genomic approach in sequential samples from a cohort of MDS and AML with the appearance of 1q jumping translocations after 5’-azacytidine (AZA) treatment.
Project description:Jumping translocations are cytogenetic abnormalities associated with poor clinical outcome and progression in Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML).Typically a donor chromosome, often a trisomic 1q, is transferred onto 2 or more recipient chromosomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the crosstalk between DNA hypomethylation and 1q trisomy. Here, we used an epi-genomic approach in sequential samples from a cohort of MDS and AML with the appearance of 1q jumping translocations after 5’-azacytidine (AZA) treatment.
Project description:Stable Ba/F3 transfectants with FUS-ERG were repeatedly exposed with Aza in a clinical administration manner of 7-days treatment and 21-days interval to investigate Aza sensitivity. RNA-seq was performed when Aza susceptibility began to change and identified genes with altered expression or transcript variants.
Project description:The whole exome sequencing experiment is part of the study: “Analysis of 5-azacytidine resistance models reveals a set of targetable pathways”. In the study we generated myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) OCI-M2 cell lines as well as patient-derived bone marrow cell lines that are resistant to hypomethylating therapy by 5-azacytidine (AZA). By integrated analysis of expression and mutation data obtained from these samples we have identified multiple signaling pathways whose modulation by specific small molecule inhibitors significantly block proliferation of AZA-resistant cell lines without increasing their sensitivity to AZA. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms which characterize the AZA-R phenotype can be used for broadening therapeutic options at progressing states during AZA therapy.
Project description:Combination therapies targeting malignancies aim to increase treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity. Hypomethylating drug 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-2’) enhances transcription of tumor suppressor genes and induces replication errors via entrapment of DNMT1. Post-translational modification by SUMO plays major roles in the DNA damage response and is required for degradation of entrapped DNMT1. Here, we combine SUMOylation inhibitor TAK981 and DNA-hypomethylating agent 5-Aza-2’ to improve treatment of MYC driven hematopoietic malignancies, since MYC overexpressing tumors are sensitive to SUMOylation inhibition. We studied the classical MYC driven malignancy Burkitt lymphoma, as well as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with and without MYC translocation. SUMO inhibition prolonged the entrapment of DNMT1 to DNA, resulting in DNA damage. An increase in DNA damage was observed in cells co-treated with TAK981 and 5-Aza-2’. Both drugs synergized to reduce cell proliferation in vitro in a B cell lymphoma cell panel, including Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL. In vivo experiments combining TAK981 (25 mg/kg) and 5-Aza-2’ (2.5 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in outgrowth of Burkitt lymphoma in an orthotopic xenograft model. In contrast, single dosing of TAK981 was ineffective and single dosing of 5-Aza-2’ only led to a modest outgrowth reduction. TAK981 and 5-Aza-2’ synergize to reduce B cell Lymphoma outgrowth in vitro and in vivo. SUMOylation is a key-player in the repair of DNA damage, hence upon TAK981 treatment the repair of DNA damage induced by 5-Aza-2’ treatment is impaired. Our results demonstrate the potential of tailored combination of drugs, based on insight in molecular mechanisms, to improve the efficacy of cancer therapies.