Towards The Chemotherapy-Free Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway is an excellent new therapeutic target in lymphoma (Schatz et al. 2013). Our study addresses the following points: 1) We wish to define exactly how the BCR pathway is activated in follicular lymphoma (FL). Point mutations in the canonical pathway are rare in FL and we hypothesize that genomic aberration (chromosomal gains/losses) target key regulators of BCR signaling in FL. Using a functional genomics approach we have already identified EPHA7 as a regulator of BCR that is targeted by 6q deletions in FL, and recently identified additional genes. Our data reveal new and known regulators of BCR signaling and provide potential therapeutic opportunities (Oricchio et al. 2011). 2) We have already identified EPHA7 as a BCR regulator and developed a therapeutic strategy to restore EPHA7 to lymphomas. We now wish to preform proof-of-concept studies to investigate the therapeutic potential of this specific BCR regulator. The strategy is a bi-functional Rituxan/EPHA7 fusion antibody and our preliminary data show that this construct is superior to Rituxan alone. Further work is needed to define pharmacological parameters, distributions, toxicity etc. 3) New small molecule inhibitors of BCR signaling show great promise (e.g. inhibitors of BTK (Ibrutinib) and PI3Kdelta (e.g. Idealsib and others). These drugs are not yet approved but show clinical activity in follicular lymphoma. However, the response rates and durability are limited. We speculate that rational combinations of small molecule BCR inhibitors, BCL2 antagonists and antibodies (Rituxan/EPHA7) will improve outcomes. Our preliminary data show synergy between ibrutinib and the BCL2 inhibitor ABT199. We wish to test these strategies in xenografts and our new murine FL model. The goal of this application is to provide strong preclinical data to enable clinical trials in follicular lymphoma. We focus on Follicular Lymphoma (FL) because it is the most common form of indolent B-cell lymphoma and remains incurable with current therapy (chemotherapy plus Rituxan). The disease has been somewhat neglected compared to other lymphomas owing to a lack of experimental models. We developed a new mouse model of FL (Oricchio et al. 2011; Schatz et al. 2011)and this model for the first time enables genetic and therapeutic studies on non-transformed FLs. Together our application is a multipronged approach to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of BCR pathway inhibition and bring new therapeutic strategies that will minimize cytotoxic exposure. Oricchio, E., G. Nanjangud, et al. (2011). "The Eph-receptor A7 is a soluble tumor suppressor for follicular lymphoma." Cell 147(3): 554-564. Schatz, J. H., E. Oricchio, et al. (2013). "Progress against follicular lymphoma." Curr Opin Hematol. Schatz, J. H., E. Oricchio, et al. (2011). "Targeting cap-dependent translation blocks converging survival signals by AKT and PIM kinases in lymphoma." J Exp Med 208(9): 1799-1807.