Dapsone is one of the second line treatments of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Dapsone is cheap and has response rates comparable to other second line treatment options like azathioprine, danazol, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, and vincristine. This retrospective analysis includes 38 patients (out of total 313 patients) of ITP treated with dapsone from 2004 to 2012. All male patients were screened for G6PD deficiency before starting dapsone. Out of 38 patients (12 children and 26 adults), one was newly diagnosed ITP, seven were persistent ITP, and 30 were chronic ITP. Five patients had side effects of dapsone; two required discontinuation due to skin rashes. The average dose of dapsone was 1.57 mg/kg/day and time to response was 57 days (19-108 days). The response was irrespective of previous treatments and response to them. The response rate was 48.6% (complete response = 40.5%). Only two adult patients had sustained response (> 6 months) after dapsone discontinuation. There were no predictors identified for dapsone response. Dapsone is a safe and cheap second-line therapy for ITP with a response rate of about 50% (majority being CR). A response to dapsone is slow, sustained, and relapses are uncommon on therapy. Dapsone withdrawal leads to relapse in most of the patients.

The viral proteins A1L, A2L, G8R, and H5R positively modulate vaccinia virus late gene expression. Host-encoded proteins hnRNP A2 and RBM3 may also interact with these viral factors to influence late gene expression. In these studies, a yeast two-hybrid screen and in vitro pulldown and crosslinking experiments were used to investigate protein--protein interactions among these factors. These studies confirmed a previous observation that G8R interacts with itself and A1L. However, self-interactions of A1L and H5R, and interactions between A2L and G8R, A2L and H5R, and H5R and G8R were also observed. In addition, the proteins hnRNP A2 and RBM3 both showed some interaction with A2L. Illustration of these interactions is a step toward understanding the architecture of the late gene transcription complex as it occurs in poxviruses.

Individuals with monogenic disorders can experience variable phenotypes that are influenced by genetic variation. To investigate this in sickle cell disease (SCD), we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 722 individuals with hemoglobin HbSS or HbSβ0-thalassemia from Baylor College of Medicine and from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program (SCCRIP) longitudinal cohort study. We developed pipelines to identify genetic variants that modulate sickle hemoglobin polymerization in red blood cells and combined these with pain-associated variants to build a polygenic score (PGS) for acute vaso-occlusive pain (VOP). Overall, we interrogated the α-thalassemia deletion −α3.7 and 133 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 66 genes for associations with VOP in 327 SCCRIP participants followed longitudinally over 6 years. Twenty-one SNPs in 9 loci were associated with VOP, including 3 (BCL11A, MYB, and the β-like globin gene cluster) that regulate erythrocyte fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels and 6 (COMT, TBC1D1, KCNJ6, FAAH, NR3C1, and IL1A) that were associated previously with various pain syndromes. An unweighted PGS integrating all 21 SNPs was associated with the VOP event rate (estimate, 0.35; standard error, 0.04; P = 5.9 × 10−14) and VOP event occurrence (estimate, 0.42; standard error, 0.06; P = 4.1 × 10−13). These associations were stronger than those of any single locus. Our findings provide insights into the genetic modulation of VOP in children with SCD. More generally, we demonstrate the utility of WGS for investigating genetic contributions to the variable expression of SCD-associated morbidities.

Platelet concentrates made from cell separators are used more frequently due to less donor exposure and leucodepletion. This retrospective study was done to compare plateletpheresis done on two cell separators: Baxter CS 3000 plus and Haemonetics MCS 3p. Plateletpheresis procedures, done from January 1997 to April 2002, were included in the study. One hundred and seven procedures were done on Haemonetics MCS 3p using SDP protocol, 49 procedures were done on Haemonetics MCS 3p using PLP protocol, and 107 were done on Baxter CS 3000 plus. Pre-procedure donor's platelet count and haemoglobin were comparable in all the groups. Platelet yield was comparable in PLP (6.44 x 10(11) platelets) and SDP (5.27 x 10(11)) protocols, but significantly less in Baxter (4.05 x 10(11) platelets, P < 0.001 for PLP and P < 0.05 for SDP). Efficiency of platelet removal was statistically significantly different in all the groups (P < 0.0001), however it was more in PLP (PLP-55.02%, SDP-47.38%, Baxter 38.98%). A significant number of products (19.51%) of Baxter failed to comply platelet count of product < or = 2,435 x 10(9)/l compared to 5.13% in PLP and 1.23% in SDP group; 36.96% of units from PLP and 28% from SDP qualified for split products compared to 1.18% of Baxter. PLP protocol of Haemonetics MCS 3p gives better platelet yield compared to Baxter CS 3000 plus and SDP protocol of Haemonetics MCS 3p.

Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy with an estimated incidence in 2019 of ~32,000 in the United States. Although median survival is greater than 8 years, treatment options are limited for patients who relapse on or are refractory to standard treatment regimens containing proteasome inhibitors, immune-modulating drugs and anti-CD38 antibodies (triple refractory). Novel therapies are critical to the treatment of these patients. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) and T-cell redirecting Bispecific Antibodies (T-BsAbs) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) -a protein found exclusively on the surface of plasma cells- have shown efficacy against relapsed/refractory MM in early phase clinical trials. However, toxicity from over-activation of T-cells still hinders these approaches. Utilizing Teneobio's proprietary next generation sequencing (NGS)-based discovery tool incorporating in silico analysis of heavy chain only/fixed light chain antibody sequences (HCA/Flic, respectively) to enrich for antigen specific antibodies, we made a high affinity αBCMA HCA and a library of αCD3 Flic antibodies that showed a >2 log range of EC50s for T cell activation in vitro. TNB-383B combines a high affinity αBCMA HCA with a low-activating αCD3 Flic; in preclinical studies TNB-383B showed equivalent anti-tumor efficacy but significantly reduced cytokine secretion compared to BCMA-targeted T-BsAbs incorporating a strongly-activating αCD3 (similar in strength to the αCD3s used in other T-BsAbs currently in clinical trials). A Phase 1 study investigating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary activity of TNB-383B in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is ongoing and described. This trial represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported clinical trial of a HCA/Flic hybrid antibody in humans. Study Design TNB383B.0001 (NCT03933735) is an open-label, multi-center study of TNB-383B in patients with RRMM. The study is divided into escalation (Arm A, N=24) and expansion (Arm B, N=48) arms. Subjects who have received 3 or more prior lines of therapy with exposure to a PI, an IMiD, and an anti-CD38 antibody are eligible for this study. Documentation of BCMA expression by tumor cells is not required for entry, although prior treatment with a BCMA-targeted agent is an exclusion criterion. Other key inclusion/exclusion criteria include EGFR of >30ml/min, ANC ≥1000/mm3 and platelets ≥50,000/mm3 and minimal bone marrow biopsy requirements on-study. Subjects must be admitted for 48 hours following the 1st dose in Cycle 1 (21-day cycle length), but TNB-383B may be administered on an outpatient basis thereafter. Dose Escalation TNB-383B is administered as an intravenous infusion. Dose escalation is proceeding via a 3+3 design with fixed (as opposed to weight based) doses per protocol. Arm B will be initiated once the maximum tolerated dose (MTD, or recommended phase 2 dose, RP2D) has been selected. Patients will be treated until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other discontinuation criteria are met. One patient has been enrolled thus far. Statistical Methods and Study Endpoints In Arm A occurrence of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) will drive identification of the MTD (or RP2D in line with standard practices. In Arm B accrual will be suspended if more than 33% of subjects experience a DLT event. Adverse events, laboratory profiles, physical exams, and vital signs will be assessed throughout the study. Adverse events will be graded according to the NCI CTCAE, version 5.0. Concentrations of TNB-383B and Anti-Drug Antibodies (ADA) will be determined at designated time points throughout the study. Values for standard pharmacokinetic parameters of TNB-383B including the maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax), the time to Cmax, area under the concentration-time curve, clearance, and terminal half-life will be determined using non-compartmental methods. The activity endpoints (determined using the IMWG uniform response criteria) include overall response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival. The relationship between biomarkers, including soluble BCMA and A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL; the endogenous ligand for BCMA), and activity will be assessed. Disclosures Buelow: Teneobio, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rodriguez:Takeda, Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Vij:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Nath:Teneobio, Inc.: Consultancy. Snyder:Teneobio, Inc.: Consultancy. Pham:Teneobio, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Patel:Teneobio, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Iyer:Teneobio, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.