Skip to main content
Top

Open Access 11-03-2025 | Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma | Research

MYC networks associate with decreased CD8 T-cell presence in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and may be addressed by the synergistic combination of AZD4573 and Selinexor – a preliminary analysis

Authors: Alison C. Rutz, Kennedee S. Weber, Aidan L. Forberg, Adam Nik, Jordan Unrau, Ainslee J. Hemmen, Michael Minicozzi, Keenan T. Hartert

Published in: Annals of Hematology

Login to get access

Abstract

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is a genomically-heterogenous disease affecting over 70,000 patients per year that presents a clinical challenge despite the success of frontline regimens and second-line Chimeric Antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. Recently, genomic alterations and tumor microenvironment features associated with poor CAR-T response have been identified, with MYC amplification emerging in new analyses. This retrospective analysis aimed to integrate various data to identify genomic partnerships capable of providing added clarity and actionable treatment targets within this population. Publicly-available data were analyzed for differential expression based on MYC, 24-month event-free survival (EFS24) status, and CAR-T response. Notable T-cell partner genes such as IL7R (FDR = 0.00150) and CD58 (FDR = 5.375E-06) and cell death mediators such as PDCD1LG2 (FDR = 4.061E-06) were significantly lost in patients with High/Altered MYC that also failed EFS24. CD8 T-cell presence was also significantly lower in High/Altered MYC de-novo patients (p = 0.00112) and CAR-T non-responders (p = 0.00835). De-novo patients with both High/Altered MYC and CD8 T-cell absence faced a significantly inferior survival compared to counterparts with only one factor or neither (p = 0.0226). rrDLBCL patients reflected similar oncogenic pathways associated with greater scRNA MYC expression. In vitro application of the CDK9 inhibitor AZD4573 and XPO1 inhibitor Selinexor significantly reduced DLBCL cell line viability as single agents and produced synergistic results when applied in combination. Our analysis presents key associations between the MYC oncogene and depleted TME presence capable of providing clarity within the evolving precision CAR-T treatment landscape.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
6.
go back to reference Ekstroem Smedby KE, Ekberg S, Eloranta S, Enblad G, Jerkeman M, Andersson P-O et al Treatment intensity, timing of relapse and outcome of 713 relapsed/Refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a Population-Based setting in Sweden. Blood 2019;134. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2019-123785 Ekstroem Smedby KE, Ekberg S, Eloranta S, Enblad G, Jerkeman M, Andersson P-O et al Treatment intensity, timing of relapse and outcome of 713 relapsed/Refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a Population-Based setting in Sweden. Blood 2019;134. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1182/​blood-2019-123785
9.
go back to reference Buecklein V, Blumenberg V, Ackermann J, Schmidt C, Rejeski K, Mueller N et al Single-Center experience with Axicabtagene-Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (Tisa-cel) for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma: comparable response rates and manageable toxicity. Blood 2020;136. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2020-142932 Buecklein V, Blumenberg V, Ackermann J, Schmidt C, Rejeski K, Mueller N et al Single-Center experience with Axicabtagene-Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (Tisa-cel) for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma: comparable response rates and manageable toxicity. Blood 2020;136. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1182/​blood-2020-142932
11.
go back to reference Neelapu SS, Locke FL, Bartlett NL, Lekakis L, Miklos D, Jacobson CA et al Kte-C19 (anti-CD19 CAR T Cells) induces complete remissions in patients with refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL): results from the pivotal phase 2 Zuma-1. Blood 2016;128:LBA-6 LP-LBA-6. Neelapu SS, Locke FL, Bartlett NL, Lekakis L, Miklos D, Jacobson CA et al Kte-C19 (anti-CD19 CAR T Cells) induces complete remissions in patients with refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL): results from the pivotal phase 2 Zuma-1. Blood 2016;128:LBA-6 LP-LBA-6.
29.
go back to reference Jaeger U, Bishop MR, Salles G, Schuster SJ, Maziarz RT, Han X et al Myc expression and Tumor-Infiltrating T cells are associated with response in patients (Pts) with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) treated with tisagenlecleucel in the Juliet trial. Blood 2020;136. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2020-137045 Jaeger U, Bishop MR, Salles G, Schuster SJ, Maziarz RT, Han X et al Myc expression and Tumor-Infiltrating T cells are associated with response in patients (Pts) with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) treated with tisagenlecleucel in the Juliet trial. Blood 2020;136. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1182/​blood-2020-137045
31.
43.
46.
go back to reference Majzner RG, Frank MJ, Mount C, Tousley A, Kurtz DM, Sworder B et al CD58 aberrations limit durable responses to CD19 CAR in large B cell lymphoma patients treated with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel but can be overcome through novel CAR engineering. Blood 2020;136. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2020-139605 Majzner RG, Frank MJ, Mount C, Tousley A, Kurtz DM, Sworder B et al CD58 aberrations limit durable responses to CD19 CAR in large B cell lymphoma patients treated with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel but can be overcome through novel CAR engineering. Blood 2020;136. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1182/​blood-2020-139605
53.
go back to reference Kramer MH, Hermans J, Wijburg E, Philippo K, Geelen E, van Krieken JH et al (1998) Clinical relevance of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC rearrangements in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood 92:3152–3162CrossRefPubMed Kramer MH, Hermans J, Wijburg E, Philippo K, Geelen E, van Krieken JH et al (1998) Clinical relevance of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC rearrangements in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood 92:3152–3162CrossRefPubMed
59.
60.
62.
go back to reference Luo B, Huang L, Gu Y, Li C, Lu H, Chen G et al (2018) Expression of exportin-1 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: immunohistochemistry and TCGA analyses. Int J Clin Exp Pathol; 11 Luo B, Huang L, Gu Y, Li C, Lu H, Chen G et al (2018) Expression of exportin-1 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: immunohistochemistry and TCGA analyses. Int J Clin Exp Pathol; 11
66.
go back to reference Sworder B, Kurtz DM, Macaulay C, Frank MJ, Alig S, Garofalo A et al Circulating DNA for molecular response prediction, characterization of resistance mechanisms and quantification of CAR T-Cells during Axicabtagene Ciloleucel therapy. Blood 2019;134. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2019-129015 Sworder B, Kurtz DM, Macaulay C, Frank MJ, Alig S, Garofalo A et al Circulating DNA for molecular response prediction, characterization of resistance mechanisms and quantification of CAR T-Cells during Axicabtagene Ciloleucel therapy. Blood 2019;134. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1182/​blood-2019-129015
77.
Metadata
Title
MYC networks associate with decreased CD8 T-cell presence in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and may be addressed by the synergistic combination of AZD4573 and Selinexor – a preliminary analysis
Authors
Alison C. Rutz
Kennedee S. Weber
Aidan L. Forberg
Adam Nik
Jordan Unrau
Ainslee J. Hemmen
Michael Minicozzi
Keenan T. Hartert
Publication date
11-03-2025
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Annals of Hematology
Print ISSN: 0939-5555
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0584
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06298-x

Elevate your expertise in aplastic anemia (Link opens in a new window)

Transform the way you care for your patients with aplastic anemia with our 3-module series using real-world case studies and expert insights. Discover why early diagnosis matters, explore the benefits and risks of current treatments, and develop tailored approaches for complex cases. 

Supported by:
  • Pfizer
Developed by: Springer Healthcare IME
Learn more

Keynote series | Spotlight on menopause

Menopause can have a significant impact on the body, with effects ranging beyond the endocrine and reproductive systems. Learn about the systemic effects of menopause, so you can help patients in your clinics through the transition.   

Prof. Martha Hickey
Dr. Claudia Barth
Dr. Samar El Khoudary
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Watch now
Video