[HTML][HTML] Characterization and dynamics of specific T cells against nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1)-mutated peptides in patients with NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia

F Forghieri, G Riva, I Lagreca, P Barozzi, D Vallerini… - Oncotarget, 2019 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
F Forghieri, G Riva, I Lagreca, P Barozzi, D Vallerini, M Morselli, A Paolini, P Bresciani…
Oncotarget, 2019ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Abstract Nucleophosmin (NPM1)-mutated protein, a leukemia-specific antigen, represents
an ideal target for AML immunotherapy. We investigated the dynamics of NPM1-mutated-
specific T cells on PB and BM samples, collected from 31 adult NPM1-mutated AML patients
throughout the disease course, and stimulated with mixtures of 18 short and long peptides (9-
18mers), deriving from the complete C-terminal of the NPM1-mutated protein. Two 9-mer
peptides, namely LAVEEVSLR and AVEEVSLRK (13.9–14.9), were identified as the most …
Abstract
Nucleophosmin (NPM1)-mutated protein, a leukemia-specific antigen, represents an ideal target for AML immunotherapy. We investigated the dynamics of NPM1-mutated-specific T cells on PB and BM samples, collected from 31 adult NPM1-mutated AML patients throughout the disease course, and stimulated with mixtures of 18 short and long peptides (9-18mers), deriving from the complete C-terminal of the NPM1-mutated protein. Two 9-mer peptides, namely LAVEEVSLR and AVEEVSLRK (13.9–14.9), were identified as the most immunogenic epitopes. IFNγ-producing NPM1-mutated-specific T cells were observed by ELISPOT assay after stimulation with peptides 13.9–14.9 in 43/85 (50.6%) PB and 34/80 (42.5%) BM samples. An inverse correlation between MRD kinetics and anti-leukemic specific T cells was observed. Cytokine Secretion Assays allowed to predominantly and respectively identify Effector Memory and Central Memory T cells among IFNγ–producing and IL2–producing T cells. Moreover, NPM1-mutated-specific CTLs against primary leukemic blasts or PHA-blasts pulsed with different peptide pools could be expanded ex vivo from NPM1-mutated AML patients or primed in healthy donors. We describe the spontaneous appearance and persistence of NPM1-mutated-specific T cells, which may contribute to the maintenance of long-lasting remissions. Future studies are warranted to investigate the potential role of both autologous and allogeneic adoptive immunotherapy in NPM1-mutated AML patients.
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