Research Progress in Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia --Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a low-grade lymphoproliferative tumor that occurs frequently in middle-aged and elderly people. Early and precise intervention can effectively improve the clinical prognosis of CLL patients. In the past, chemotherapy was the main treatment plan. With the development of molecular biology and the continuous advent of immune targeting drugs, targeted drugs targeting B cell receptor signaling pathway have shown high clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment path of CLL. Cellular immunotherapies such as CAR-T also offer hope for patients with relapsed and refractory CLL. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and multi-drug combination have also shown remarkable results in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to review the latest research progress in the treatment of CLL.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of the Patients with B-Cell Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disease in the New Drug Era / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical characteristics of the patients with B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disease（B-CLPD） in the new drug era and the effect of new drug treatment on efficacy and survival.@*METHODS@#The clinical and laboratory data of 200 cases B-CLPD patients diagnosed between April 2015 and August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical efficacy and survival of the patients under different treatments including Bruton tyrosine kinase（BTK） inhibitors， rituximab， and chemotherapy alone were analyzed. The prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients were analyzed by univarite analysis and multivariate analysis.@*RESULTS@#There were 119 male（59.5％） and 81 female（40.5%） in 200 cases B-CLPD patients， the sex ratio(male/female) was 1.5∶1 with median age of 61（30- 91） years old. The distribution of subtypes were as fallows: 51 cases (25.5%) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma（CLL/SLL）， 64（32.0%） cases of follicular lymphoma（FL）， 40（20.0%） cases mantle cell lymphoma（MCL）， 30（15.0%） cases of marginal zone lymphoma（MZL）， 10（5%） cases of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/waldenstrom macroglobulinemia（LPL/WM）， 5（2.5%） cases of B cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders unclassified（B-CLPD-U） . The main clinical manifestation of 102 patients was lymph node enlargement, 32 cases were complicated with B symptoms. Among CLL/SLL patients， there were 12（23.5%） cases in Binet A and 39（76.5%） cases in Binet B/C. There were 29 patients（20.9%） in Ann Arbor or Lugano stage I-II and 110 cases（79.1%） in stage III-IV of other subtypes. The complete remission（CR） rate was 43.1%（25/58）， 40.2%（39/97）， 7.1%（1/14）， and overaIl response rate（ORR） was 87.9%（51/58）， 62.9%（61/97）， 28.6%（4/14） in the groups of BTK inhibitors， rituximab-based therapy， and chemotherapy alone. The 3-year OS rate and PFS rate in all patients was 79.2% and 72.4% respectively. The 3-year OS rate of patient with MZL, CLL/SLL, FL,WM was 94.7%, 87.7%, 86.8% and 83.3% respectively, while the 3-year OS rate of MCL was only 40.6%, which was significantly lower than other subtypes. The median OS of patients treated with BTK inhibitors and rituximab-based therapy was 20.5 and 18.5 months respectively， and the 3-year OS rate was 97.4% and 90.7%. However， the median PFS of patients receiving chemotherapy alone was 4 months， and the 1-year OS rate was 52.7%， which was statistically significant compared with the other two groups（P<0.05）. Univarite analysis showed that anemia， elevated lactate dehydrogenase， elevated β2-microglobulin， and splenomegaly were the poor prognostic factors for OS（P<0.05）， elevated lactate dehydrogenase was also poor prognostic factors for PFS（P<0.05）. Multifactor analysis showed that anemia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase were the independent poor prognostic factors for survival（P<0.05）.@*CONCLUSION@#The clinical features of B-CLPD was various， anemia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase are the prognostic factors for poor survival. BTK inhibitors and new immunotherapy can improve the survival and prognosis of patients in the new drug era.

Abivertinib inhibits megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet biogenesis / 医学前沿

Abivertinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is originally designed to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations. Previous studies have shown that abivertinib has promising antitumor activity and a well-tolerated safety profile in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. However, abivertinib also exhibited high inhibitory activity against Bruton's tyrosine kinase and Janus kinase 3. Given that these kinases play some roles in the progression of megakaryopoiesis, we speculate that abivertinib can affect megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and platelet biogenesis. We treated cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, Meg-01 cells, and C57BL/6 mice with abivertinib and observed megakaryopoiesis to determine the biological effect of abivertinib on MK differentiation and platelet biogenesis. Our in vitro results showed that abivertinib impaired the CFU-MK formation, proliferation of CD34+ HSC-derived MK progenitor cells, and differentiation and functions of MKs and inhibited Meg-01-derived MK differentiation. These results suggested that megakaryopoiesis was inhibited by abivertinib. We also demonstrated in vivo that abivertinib decreased the number of MKs in bone marrow and platelet counts in mice, which suggested that thrombopoiesis was also inhibited. Thus, these preclinical data collectively suggested that abivertinib could inhibit MK differentiation and platelet biogenesis and might be an agent for thrombocythemia.

Clinical Application of Zanubrutinib in B-Cell Lymphoma --Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Zanubrutinib is a highly selective second-generation BTK inhibitor developed in China and first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a novel antineoplastic drug. In recent years, with the birth of molecularly targeted drugs, the treatment of B-cell lymphoma have entered the era of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy has been widely accepted. Especially in some relapsed and refractory lymphomas, zanubrutinib has shown deep and sustained remissions and a favorable safety, which lays a foundation for precision therapy. In this review the clinical application and new progress for zanubrutinib in B-cell lymphoma was summarized briefly.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolo3,4-

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have emerged as promising targets for anticancer therapy. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated the biological activity of 66 pyrazolo[3,4-

Development of the triazole-fused pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent and reversible inhibitors of histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A)

Histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been recognized as an important modulator in post-translational process in epigenetics. Dysregulation of LSD1 has been implicated in the development of various cancers. Herein, we report the discovery of the hit compound (IC = 3.93 μmol/L) and further medicinal chemistry efforts, leading to the generation of compound (IC = 49 nmol/L, and = 16 nmol/L), which inhibited LSD1 reversibly and competitively with H3K4me2, and was selective to LSD1 over MAO-A/B. Docking studies were performed to rationalize the potency of compound . Compound also showed strong antiproliferative activity against four leukemia cell lines (OCL-AML3, K562, THP-1 and U937) as well as the lymphoma cell line Raji with the IC values of 1.79, 1.30, 0.45, 1.22 and 1.40 μmol/L, respectively. In THP-1 cell line, significantly inhibited colony formation and caused remarkable morphological changes. Compound induced expression of CD86 and CD11b in THP-1 cells, confirming its cellular activity and ability of inducing differentiation. The findings further indicate that targeting LSD1 is a promising strategy for AML treatment, the triazole-fused pyrimidine derivatives are new scaffolds for the development of LSD1/KDM1A inhibitors.

Kainic Acid Treatment Increases Ca²⁺-mediated Neurotoxicity in the Mouse Hippocampus / 체질인류학회지

Kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal cell death is associated with intracellular Ca²⁺ influx. However, it is unknown whether Lyn/Btk pathway is involved in the Ca²⁺-mediated neurotoxicity and neuronal death induced by KA. In the present study, we investigated the altered expression of Ca²⁺-controlled proteins in KA-treated hippocampus. Mice were sacrificed at 24 h after KA (20 mg/kg) systemic injection. We conducted Electroencephalographic (EEG) recording and examined hippocampal alterations by Western blotting and immunostaining in control mice or KA-treated mice. EEG tests showed that KA-treated mice increased seizure frequency and severity compared with control mice during KA-induced seizures. We found that KA decreases hippocalcin and calpain-mediated proteolysis in the hippocampus. In particular, the phosphorylation of Lyn and Btk was increased in KA-treated hippocampus compared to those of control mice. Our findings identify tyrosine kinases such as Lyn/Btk as a critical regulator of Ca²⁺-mediated neurotoxicity in KA-induced seizures.

Progression of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor in B-cell lymphoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Chronic activation of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling pathway performs a critical function in the pathogenesis of numerous subtypes of B-cell malignancies and transforms normal cells into malignant cells. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a member of the TEC family of tyrosine kinases and is a key regulator of the BCR signaling pathway. BTK inhibition has emerged as a new target for therapeutic intervention in B-cell malignancies. This review summarizes recent developments of BTK inhibitors in B-cell malignan-cies.

Research progress on irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors / 中国药理学通报

Dysfunction in tyrosine kinase activity disrupts the nor-mal control of cellular phosphorylation signaling pathways,which plays a vital role in genesis and development of various tumors, and makes tyrosine kinases a class of targets of many anti-tumor drugs. Currently most approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors ( TKIs) are based on irreversible binding mechanisms, making them poorly selective, not potent or sustained enough regarding pharmacological effects and prone to triggering resistance. In the past decade, much progress has been made in the development of a new class of TKIs which irreversibly inhibit their target proteins via the formation of covalent bonds, overcoming the drawbacks of irreversible TKIs. Several irreversible TKIs have entered markets or clinical research phases. This review is to summarize the structural, pharmacological and medicinal chemical properties of investigational and marketed irreversible TKIs as well as their re-cent developments.

The Behind the Knee (BTK) as an Innovative Test Model for Mechanical and Chemical Irritation, Lotion and Dye Transfer and Testing on Compromised Skin.

Aims: The aim of this manuscript is to present innovative applications of the BTK model that can potentially contribute additional aspects of safety evaluations for a broader range of products and materials intended for prolonged skin contact. Study Design and Methodology: The basic BTK protocol is one 6-h exposure per day for 4 days. Modification to the basic protocol were made for individual studies, as needed. Results: Studies using fabrics, tissues and films indicate the BTK may be well suited to evaluating these materials for skin compatibility. The BTK test discriminated between; different fabrics, drying methods of the same fabric, similar toilet tissue products, and two similar topsheet films used as coverings on the surface of a range of absorbent consumer products. The method was used successfully to measure the transfer of lotion, and lotion skin benefits from lotioned absorbent products. Conclusion: Studies demonstrate that the utility of the BTK goes beyond the original intent of evaluating the potential skin effects of feminine protection products. The ability to compare fabrics, tissues and films indicate the test model may be useful in the development broad range of absorbent consumer products and in textile development. The utility of the model in measuring the transfer of lotion and other materials from products to the skin surface has the potential to fill an important gap in the development of quantitative exposure assessments. Added endpoint measures, such as enhanced visual scoring and sensory effects further increase the ability to differentiate between very similar products without requiring other protocol modifications.

Expanding horizons in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma: Ibrutinib a novel BTK-targeting inhibitor.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by involvement of the lymph nodes, spleen, blood, and bone marrow with short remission duration to standard therapies and a median overall survival of 4–5 years. Small molecule inhibitors targeting dysregulated pathways (MAPK/ERK, PI3K/PKB/mTOR, JAK/STAT) have significantly improved clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Recently Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), a crucial terminal kinase enzyme in the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, has emerged as an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in human malignancies and autoimmune disorders. Ibrutinib, a novel first-in-human BTK-inhibitor, has demonstrated clinical effectiveness and tolerability in clinical trials, recently been approved by FDA in the treatment of MCL.

Roles of B-cell receptor signaling and its targeted inhibitors in lymphoid malignancies / 中国药理学通报

Lymphoma is a malignancy of mature lymphocytes. Signalling through the B cell receptor ( BCR ) is central to the development and maintenance of B cells. In light of the numer-ous proliferative and survival pathways activated downstream of the BCR, it comes as no surprise that malignant B cells would co-opt this receptor to promote their own growth and survival. Compounds that inhibit various components of this pathway, in-cluding spleen tyrosine kinase(Syk), Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk), and phosphoinositol-3 kinase(PI3K), have been devel-oped. In this paper,the B-cell receptor signaling and its targeted inhibitors of lymphoid malignancies are reviewed.

Clinical manifestations and BTK gene defect in 4 unrelated Taiwanese families with Bruton’s disease.

Background and objective: X-linked agammaglo-bulinemia (XLA, also called Bruton’s disease) is is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, usually occurring in the first few years of life. Here, we report the results of a BTK gene mutation screening study that was performed in Taiwanese families with the BTK gene defect to further understand the inheritance patterns of XLA patients in Taiwan and to avoid new cases of XLA within families. Materials and methods: In this study, 52 members of 4 unrelated Taiwanese families with the BTK gene defect were enrolled. We studied the immunologic reports of 6 symptomatic living male patients with confirmed BTK gene defects and correlated the findings with their clinical symptoms. The genomic DNA of the subjects was subjected to direct sequencing mutation analysis. Results: We screened 52 members of 4 unrelated Taiwanese families with the BTK gene defect for BTK gene mutation and found that there were 6 symptomatic living patients with a confirmed defect, 7 symptomatic deceased patients highly suspected to have had the defect and 11 asymptomatic female carriers. Conclusions: This is the first report in a series of the thorough screening for the BTK mutation and its carrier status in 4 unrelated Taiwanese families. One pedigree of our study comprises 4 generations. A complete BTK gene mutation study for the patient’s family members is strongly suggested.

A Case of Fabry's Disease with Congenital Agammaglobulinemia

Fabry's disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by abnormalities in the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene, which leads to a GLA deficiency and to the intracellular deposition of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) within vascular endothelium and other tissues. It manifests as progressive multiple organ dysfunctions caused by the deposition of Gb3. On the other hand, congenital agammaglobulinemia is usually caused by mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene with X-linked dominence, suppresses B cell maturation, and causes recurrent pyogenic infections. In former reports, the distance between the loci in the Xq22 region of the human X chromosome was found to be about 69 kilobases. A 23-yr-old man diagnosed with congenital agammaglobulinemia at age 5, showed typical clinical and laboratory and histopathological findings of Fabry's disease. The genetic basis of this combination of the two syndromes was studied in this patient. Here, we report a case of Fabry's disease with congenital agammaglobulinemia.

Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki in the control of two mosquito species (Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus).

Bioinsecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) was used for controlling the mosquito species (Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus) which gave a significant (p<0.05) mortality in both species. The higher concentration of Btk was highly effective compared to the control ones. The controlling effect was dose and time dependent. Among the studied mosquitoes the C. quinquefasciatus (LC50 0.154%) was more susceptible than A. stephensi (LC50 0.372%) towards the bioinsecticide Btk.

X-linked Agammaglobulinemia Associated with Bronchiectasis: A Case Report / 결핵

Bronchiectasis is defined as an abnormal, irreversible dilatation of the bronchi, which may result from a number of possible causes, and the recognition of these causes may lead to a specific management strategy. Immunodeficiency is known as one of the conditions associated with bronchiectasis. X-linked agammaglobulinemia is a rare inheritable immunodeficiency disorder, caused by a differentiation block, leading almost to the complete absence of B lymphocytes and plasma cells. The affected protein is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase, Bruton's tyrosine kinase. The early detection and treatment with immunoglobulin replacement are most important for the management of recurrent infections and for reducing severe complications. We report a 20-year-old male patient, with X-linked agammaglobulinemia associated with bilateral bronchiectasis, carrying a missense mutation(R520P) in the BTK gene.