Showing papers by "Amy Chadburn published in 2004"
TL;DR: These findings indicate that NHL B cells deregulate an otherwise physiological autocrine survival pathway to evade apoptosis, and neutralization of BAFF and APRIL by soluble TACI and BCMA decoy receptors could be useful to dampen the accumulation of malignant B cells in NHL patients.
Abstract: The mechanisms underlying the autonomous accumulation of malignant B cells remain elusive. We show in this study that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) B cells express B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), two powerful B cell-activating molecules usually expressed by myeloid cells. In addition, NHL B cells express BAFF receptor, which binds BAFF, as well as transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and B cell maturation Ag (BCMA), which bind both BAFF and APRIL. Neutralization of endogenous BAFF and APRIL by soluble TACI and BCMA decoy receptors attenuates the survival of NHL B cells, decreases activation of the prosurvival transcription factor NF-κB, down-regulates the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and up-regulates the proapoptotic protein Bax. Conversely, exposure of NHL B cells to recombinant or myeloid cell-derived BAFF and APRIL attenuates apoptosis, increases NF-κB activation, up-regulates Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and down-regulates Bax. In some NHLs, exogenous BAFF and APRIL up-regulate c-Myc, an inducer of cell proliferation; down-regulate p53, an inhibitor of cell proliferation; and increase Bcl-6, an inhibitor of B cell differentiation. By showing that nonmalignant B cells up-regulate BAFF and APRIL upon stimulation by T cell CD40 ligand, our findings indicate that NHL B cells deregulate an otherwise physiological autocrine survival pathway to evade apoptosis. Thus, neutralization of BAFF and APRIL by soluble TACI and BCMA decoy receptors could be useful to dampen the accumulation of malignant B cells in NHL patients.
302 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that epratuzumab has a good safety profile and exerts antitumor activity in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at doses of ≥240 mg/m2, thus warranting further evaluation in this clinical setting.
Abstract: Purpose: We conducted a single-center, dose-escalation study evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of epratuzumab, an anti-CD22 humanized monoclonal antibody, in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Experimental Design: Epratuzumab was administered once weekly for 4 weeks at 120-1000-mg/m 2 doses to 56 patients [most ( n = 35) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. Results: Patients were heavily pretreated (median, 4 prior therapies), 25% received prior high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant, and 84% had bulky disease (≥5 cm). Epratuzumab was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicity. Most (95%) infusions were completed within 1 h. The mean serum half-life was 23.9 days. Across all dose levels and histologies, objective responses (ORs) were observed in five patients (10%; 95% confidence interval, 3–21%), including three complete responses. In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 15% had ORs. Overall, 11 (20%) patients experienced some tumor mass reduction. Median duration of OR was 26.3 weeks, and median time to progression for responders was 35 weeks. Two responses are ongoing at ≥34 months, including one rituximab-refractory patient. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that epratuzumab has a good safety profile and exerts antitumor activity in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at doses of ≥240 mg/m 2 , thus warranting further evaluation in this clinical setting.
238 citations
TL;DR: It is found that ETO is a bona fide corepressor that links the transcriptional pathogenesis of acute leukemias and B-cell lymphomas and offers a compelling target for transcriptional therapy of hematologic malignancies.
87 citations