Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology 1/2019

01-01-2019 | Clinical Study

Imaging tryptophan uptake with positron emission tomography in glioblastoma patients treated with indoximod

Authors: Rimas V. Lukas, Csaba Juhász, Derek A. Wainwright, Charles David James, Eugene Kennedy, Roger Stupp, Maciej S. Lesniak

Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system, accounting for over 50% of all primary malignant gliomas arising in the adult brain. Even after surgical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, as well as tumor-treating fields, the median survival is only 15–20 months. We have identified a pathogenic mechanism that contributes to the tumor-induced immunosuppression in the form of increased indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression; an enzyme that metabolizes the essential amino acid, tryptophan (Trp), into kynurenine (Kyn). However, real-time measurements of IDO1 activity has yet to become mainstream in clinical protocols for assessing IDO1 activity in GBM patients.

Methods

Pre-treatment and on-treatment α-[11C]-methyl-l-Trp (AMT) positron emission tomography (PET) with co-registered MRI was performed on patients with recurrent GBM treated with the IDO1 pathway inhibitor indoximod (D1-MT) and TMZ.

Results

Regional intratumoral variability of AMT within enhancing and non-enhancing tumor was noted at baseline. On treatment imaging revealed decreased regional uptake suggesting IDO1 pathway modulation with treatment.

Conclusions

Here, we have validated the ability to use PET of the Trp probe, AMT, for use in visualizing and quantifying intratumoral Trp uptake in GBM patients treated with an IDO1 pathway inhibitor. These data serve as rationale to utilize AMT-PET imaging in the future evaluation of GBM patients treated with IDO1 enzyme inhibitors.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Ostrum QT, Gittleman H, Xu J et al (2016) The CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2009–2013. Neuro Oncol 18(suppl 5):v1–v75 Ostrum QT, Gittleman H, Xu J et al (2016) The CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2009–2013. Neuro Oncol 18(suppl 5):v1–v75
2.
go back to reference Stupp R, Mason WP, van den Bent MJ et al (2005) Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. N Engl J Med 352:987–996CrossRefPubMed Stupp R, Mason WP, van den Bent MJ et al (2005) Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. N Engl J Med 352:987–996CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Stupp R, Taillibert S, Kanner A et al (2017) Effect of tumor-treating fields plus maintenance temozolomide vs maintenance temozolomide alone on survival in patients with glioblastoma: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 318:2306–2316CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Stupp R, Taillibert S, Kanner A et al (2017) Effect of tumor-treating fields plus maintenance temozolomide vs maintenance temozolomide alone on survival in patients with glioblastoma: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 318:2306–2316CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
go back to reference Lukas RV, Mrugala MM (2017) Pivotal trials for infiltrating gliomas and how they affect clinical practice. Neuro Oncol Pract 4:209–219CrossRef Lukas RV, Mrugala MM (2017) Pivotal trials for infiltrating gliomas and how they affect clinical practice. Neuro Oncol Pract 4:209–219CrossRef
5.
6.
go back to reference Binder DC, Davis AA, Wainwright DA (2015) Immunotherapy for cancer in the central nervous system: current and future directions. Oncoimmunology 5:e1082027CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Binder DC, Davis AA, Wainwright DA (2015) Immunotherapy for cancer in the central nervous system: current and future directions. Oncoimmunology 5:e1082027CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
7.
go back to reference Huang RY, Neagu MR, Reardon DA, Wen PY (2015) Pitfalls in the neuroimaging of glioblastoma in the era of antiangiogenic and immuno/targeted therapy-detecting elusive disease, defining response. Front Neurol 6:33CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Huang RY, Neagu MR, Reardon DA, Wen PY (2015) Pitfalls in the neuroimaging of glioblastoma in the era of antiangiogenic and immuno/targeted therapy-detecting elusive disease, defining response. Front Neurol 6:33CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Okada H, Weller M, Huang R et al (2015) Immunotherapy response assessment in neuro-oncology: a report of the RANO working group. Neuro Oncol 16:e534–e542 Okada H, Weller M, Huang R et al (2015) Immunotherapy response assessment in neuro-oncology: a report of the RANO working group. Neuro Oncol 16:e534–e542
9.
go back to reference Zhai L, Ladomersky E, Lauing KL et al (2017) Infiltrating T cells increase IDO1 expression in glioblastoma and contribute to decreased patient survival. Clin Cancer Res 23:6650–6660CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Zhai L, Ladomersky E, Lauing KL et al (2017) Infiltrating T cells increase IDO1 expression in glioblastoma and contribute to decreased patient survival. Clin Cancer Res 23:6650–6660CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Wainwright DA, Balyasnikova IV, Chang AL et al (2012) IDO expression in brain tumors increases the recruitment of regulatory T cellsand negatively impacts survival. Clin Cancer Res 18:6110–6121CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Wainwright DA, Balyasnikova IV, Chang AL et al (2012) IDO expression in brain tumors increases the recruitment of regulatory T cellsand negatively impacts survival. Clin Cancer Res 18:6110–6121CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Munn DH, Shafizadeh E, Attwood JT, Bondarev I, Pashine A, Mellor AL (1999) Inhibition of T cell proliferation by macrophage tryptophan catabolism. J Exp Med 189:1363–1372CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Munn DH, Shafizadeh E, Attwood JT, Bondarev I, Pashine A, Mellor AL (1999) Inhibition of T cell proliferation by macrophage tryptophan catabolism. J Exp Med 189:1363–1372CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
go back to reference Mezrich JD, Fechner JH, Zhang X, Johnson BP, Burlingham WJ, Bradfield CA (2010) An interaction between kynurenine and aryl hydrocarbon receptor can generate regulatory T cells. J Immunol 185:3190–3198CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Mezrich JD, Fechner JH, Zhang X, Johnson BP, Burlingham WJ, Bradfield CA (2010) An interaction between kynurenine and aryl hydrocarbon receptor can generate regulatory T cells. J Immunol 185:3190–3198CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference Wainwright DA, Chang AL, Dey M et al (2014) Durable therapeutic efficacy utilizing combinatorial blockade against IDO, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 in mice with brain tumors. Clin Cancer Res 20:5290–5301CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Wainwright DA, Chang AL, Dey M et al (2014) Durable therapeutic efficacy utilizing combinatorial blockade against IDO, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 in mice with brain tumors. Clin Cancer Res 20:5290–5301CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Soliman HH, Jackson E, Neuger T et al (2014) A first in man phase I trial of the oral immunomodulator, indoximod, combined with docetaxel in patients with metastatic solid tumors. Oncotarget 5:8136–8146CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Soliman HH, Jackson E, Neuger T et al (2014) A first in man phase I trial of the oral immunomodulator, indoximod, combined with docetaxel in patients with metastatic solid tumors. Oncotarget 5:8136–8146CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference Hanihara M, Kawataki T, Oh-Oka K, Mitsuka K, Nakao A, Kinouchi H (2016) Synergistic anti-tumor effect with indoelamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibition and temozolomide in a murine glioma model. J Neurosurg 124:1594–1601CrossRefPubMed Hanihara M, Kawataki T, Oh-Oka K, Mitsuka K, Nakao A, Kinouchi H (2016) Synergistic anti-tumor effect with indoelamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibition and temozolomide in a murine glioma model. J Neurosurg 124:1594–1601CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Colman H et al (2015) A phase 1b/2 study of the combination of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod and temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors: safety analysis and preliminary efficacy of the phase 1b component. J Clin Oncol 33(15_suppl):2070CrossRef Colman H et al (2015) A phase 1b/2 study of the combination of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod and temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors: safety analysis and preliminary efficacy of the phase 1b component. J Clin Oncol 33(15_suppl):2070CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Zakharia Y, Colman H, Mott F et al (2015) Updates on phase 1B/2 combination study of the IDO pathway ihibitor indoximod with temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors. Neuro Oncol 17:v112CrossRefPubMedCentral Zakharia Y, Colman H, Mott F et al (2015) Updates on phase 1B/2 combination study of the IDO pathway ihibitor indoximod with temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors. Neuro Oncol 17:v112CrossRefPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Zakharia Y, Munn D, Link C, Vahanian N, Kennedy E (2016) Interim analysis of phase 1B/2 combination study of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod with temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors. ACTR-53 Neuro Oncol 18(Suppl_6):vi13–vi14CrossRef Zakharia Y, Munn D, Link C, Vahanian N, Kennedy E (2016) Interim analysis of phase 1B/2 combination study of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod with temozolomide for adult patients with temozolomide-refractory primary malignant brain tumors. ACTR-53 Neuro Oncol 18(Suppl_6):vi13–vi14CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Zhai L, Spranger S, Binder DC et al (2015) Molecular pathways: targeting IDO and other tryptophan dioxygenases for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 21:5427–5433CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Zhai L, Spranger S, Binder DC et al (2015) Molecular pathways: targeting IDO and other tryptophan dioxygenases for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 21:5427–5433CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Beatty GL et al (2017) First-in-human phase I study of the oral inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 epacadostat (INCB024360) in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 23:3269–3276CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Beatty GL et al (2017) First-in-human phase I study of the oral inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 epacadostat (INCB024360) in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 23:3269–3276CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
23.
go back to reference Siu LL, Gelmon K, Chu Q et al (2017) BMS-986205 an optimized indoelamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, is well tolerated with potent pharmacodynamics activity, alone and in combination with nivolumab in advanced cancers in a phase 1/2a trial. Abstract CT116. Cancer Res 77(13 Suppl):CT116CrossRef Siu LL, Gelmon K, Chu Q et al (2017) BMS-986205 an optimized indoelamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, is well tolerated with potent pharmacodynamics activity, alone and in combination with nivolumab in advanced cancers in a phase 1/2a trial. Abstract CT116. Cancer Res 77(13 Suppl):CT116CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Chugani DC, Muzik O (2000) Alpha[C-11]methyl-L-tryptophan PET maps brain serotonin synthesis and kynurenine pathway metabolism. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 20(1):2–9CrossRefPubMed Chugani DC, Muzik O (2000) Alpha[C-11]methyl-L-tryptophan PET maps brain serotonin synthesis and kynurenine pathway metabolism. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 20(1):2–9CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Madras BK, Sourkes TL (1965) Metabolism of alpha-methyltryptophan. Biochem Pharmacol 14:1499–1506CrossRefPubMed Madras BK, Sourkes TL (1965) Metabolism of alpha-methyltryptophan. Biochem Pharmacol 14:1499–1506CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Diksic M, Nagahiro S, Sourkes TL (1990) Biological model for the in vivo measurement of rate of serotonin synthesis in the brain. J Neural Transm 29:131–140 Diksic M, Nagahiro S, Sourkes TL (1990) Biological model for the in vivo measurement of rate of serotonin synthesis in the brain. J Neural Transm 29:131–140
27.
go back to reference Guastella AR, Michelhaugh SK, Klinger NV et al (2016) Tryptophan PET imaging of the kynurenine pathway in patient-derived xenograft models of glioblastoma. Mol Imaging. 15:1536012116644881CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Guastella AR, Michelhaugh SK, Klinger NV et al (2016) Tryptophan PET imaging of the kynurenine pathway in patient-derived xenograft models of glioblastoma. Mol Imaging. 15:1536012116644881CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
go back to reference Bosnyak E, Kamson DO, Robinette NL et al (2016) Tryptophan PET predicts spatial and temporal patterns of post-treatment glioblastoma progression detected by contrast-enhanced MRI. J Neurooncol 126:317–325CrossRefPubMed Bosnyak E, Kamson DO, Robinette NL et al (2016) Tryptophan PET predicts spatial and temporal patterns of post-treatment glioblastoma progression detected by contrast-enhanced MRI. J Neurooncol 126:317–325CrossRefPubMed
29.
30.
31.
go back to reference Juhasz C et al (2006) In vivo uptake and metabolism of alpha-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan in human brain tumors. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 26:345–357CrossRefPubMed Juhasz C et al (2006) In vivo uptake and metabolism of alpha-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan in human brain tumors. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 26:345–357CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Kamson DO et al (2013) Differentiation of glioblastomas from metastatic brain tumors by tryptophan uptake and kinetic analysis: a positron emission tomographic study with magnetic resonance imaging comparison. Mol Imaging 12:327–337CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kamson DO et al (2013) Differentiation of glioblastomas from metastatic brain tumors by tryptophan uptake and kinetic analysis: a positron emission tomographic study with magnetic resonance imaging comparison. Mol Imaging 12:327–337CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
go back to reference Batista CE et al (2009) Imaging correlates of differential expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in human brain tumors. Mol Imaging Biol 11:460–466CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Batista CE et al (2009) Imaging correlates of differential expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in human brain tumors. Mol Imaging Biol 11:460–466CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
34.
go back to reference Kamson DO et al (2014) Increased tryptophan uptake on PET has strong independent prognostic value in patients with a previously treated high-grade glioma. Neuro Oncol 16:1373–1383CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kamson DO et al (2014) Increased tryptophan uptake on PET has strong independent prognostic value in patients with a previously treated high-grade glioma. Neuro Oncol 16:1373–1383CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
35.
go back to reference Bosnyak E, Barger GR, Michelhaugh SK et al (2018) Amino acid PET imaging of the early metabolic response during tumor-treating fields (TTFields) therapy in recurrent glioblastoma. Clin Nucl Med 43:176–179CrossRefPubMed Bosnyak E, Barger GR, Michelhaugh SK et al (2018) Amino acid PET imaging of the early metabolic response during tumor-treating fields (TTFields) therapy in recurrent glioblastoma. Clin Nucl Med 43:176–179CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Chakraborty PK et al (1996) A high-yield and simplified procedure for the synthesis of alpha-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan. Nucl Med Biol 23:1005–1008CrossRefPubMed Chakraborty PK et al (1996) A high-yield and simplified procedure for the synthesis of alpha-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan. Nucl Med Biol 23:1005–1008CrossRefPubMed
39.
go back to reference Mattes D, Haynor DR, Vesselle H, Lewellen TK, Eubank W (2003) PET-CT image registration in the chest using free form deformations. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 22:120–128CrossRefPubMed Mattes D, Haynor DR, Vesselle H, Lewellen TK, Eubank W (2003) PET-CT image registration in the chest using free form deformations. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 22:120–128CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Woodard HQ, Bigler RE, Freed B (1975) Letter: expression of tissue isotope distribution. J Nucl Med 16:958–959PubMed Woodard HQ, Bigler RE, Freed B (1975) Letter: expression of tissue isotope distribution. J Nucl Med 16:958–959PubMed
41.
go back to reference Patlak CS, Blasberg RG, Fenstermacher JD (1983) Graphical evaluation of blood-to-brain transfer constants from multiple-time uptake data. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 3:1–7CrossRefPubMed Patlak CS, Blasberg RG, Fenstermacher JD (1983) Graphical evaluation of blood-to-brain transfer constants from multiple-time uptake data. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 3:1–7CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Bosnyak E, Kamson DO, Guastella AR, et al (2015) Molecular imaging correlates of tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway in human meningiomas. Neuro-Oncology 17:1284–1292CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bosnyak E, Kamson DO, Guastella AR, et al (2015) Molecular imaging correlates of tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway in human meningiomas. Neuro-Oncology 17:1284–1292CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
43.
go back to reference Wen PY, Macdonald DR, Reardon DA et al (2010) Updated response assessment criteria for high-grade gliomas: response assessment in neuro-oncology working group. J Clin Oncol 28:1963–1972CrossRefPubMed Wen PY, Macdonald DR, Reardon DA et al (2010) Updated response assessment criteria for high-grade gliomas: response assessment in neuro-oncology working group. J Clin Oncol 28:1963–1972CrossRefPubMed
44.
go back to reference Brandes AA, Franceschi E, Tosoni A et al (2008) MGMT promoter methylation status can predict the incidence and outcome of pseudoprogression after concomitant chemoradiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. J Clin Oncol 26:2192–2197CrossRefPubMed Brandes AA, Franceschi E, Tosoni A et al (2008) MGMT promoter methylation status can predict the incidence and outcome of pseudoprogression after concomitant chemoradiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. J Clin Oncol 26:2192–2197CrossRefPubMed
45.
go back to reference Zhu X, McDowell MM, Newman WC et al (2017) Severe cerebral edema following nivolumab treatment for pediatric glioblastoma: case report. J Neurosurg Pediatr 19:249–253CrossRefPubMed Zhu X, McDowell MM, Newman WC et al (2017) Severe cerebral edema following nivolumab treatment for pediatric glioblastoma: case report. J Neurosurg Pediatr 19:249–253CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference Ranjan S, Quezado M, Garren N et al (2018) Clinical decision making in the era of immunotherapy for high grade-glioma: report of four cases. BMC Cancer 18:239CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ranjan S, Quezado M, Garren N et al (2018) Clinical decision making in the era of immunotherapy for high grade-glioma: report of four cases. BMC Cancer 18:239CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
47.
go back to reference Hassanzadeh C, Rao YJ, Chundury A et al (2017) Multiparametric MRI and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging is a potential prognostic imaging biomarker in recurrent glioblastoma. Front Oncol 7:178CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Hassanzadeh C, Rao YJ, Chundury A et al (2017) Multiparametric MRI and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging is a potential prognostic imaging biomarker in recurrent glioblastoma. Front Oncol 7:178CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
48.
go back to reference Antonios JP, Soto H, Everson RG et al (2017) Detection of immune responses after immunotherapy in glioblastoma using PET and MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:10220–10225CrossRefPubMed Antonios JP, Soto H, Everson RG et al (2017) Detection of immune responses after immunotherapy in glioblastoma using PET and MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:10220–10225CrossRefPubMed
50.
go back to reference Opitz CA, Litzenburger UM, Sahm F et al (2011) An endogenous tumor-promoting ligand of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Nature 478:197–203CrossRefPubMed Opitz CA, Litzenburger UM, Sahm F et al (2011) An endogenous tumor-promoting ligand of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Nature 478:197–203CrossRefPubMed
51.
go back to reference Forouhar F, Anderson JL, Mowat CG et al (2007) Molecular insights into substrate recognition and catalysis by tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:473–478CrossRefPubMed Forouhar F, Anderson JL, Mowat CG et al (2007) Molecular insights into substrate recognition and catalysis by tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:473–478CrossRefPubMed
52.
go back to reference Basran J, Rafice SA, Chauhan N et al (2008) A kinetic, spectroscopic, and redox study of human tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. Biochemistry 47:4752–4760CrossRefPubMed Basran J, Rafice SA, Chauhan N et al (2008) A kinetic, spectroscopic, and redox study of human tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. Biochemistry 47:4752–4760CrossRefPubMed
53.
Metadata
Title
Imaging tryptophan uptake with positron emission tomography in glioblastoma patients treated with indoximod
Authors
Rimas V. Lukas
Csaba Juhász
Derek A. Wainwright
Charles David James
Eugene Kennedy
Roger Stupp
Maciej S. Lesniak
Publication date
01-01-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Neuro-Oncology / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0167-594X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-018-03013-x

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

Journal of Neuro-Oncology 1/2019 Go to the issue