INTRODUCTORY Re-expression of the paralogous γ-globin genes ( HBG1/2 ) could be a universal strategy to ameliorate the severe β-globin disorders sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia by induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF, α 2 γ 2 ) 1 . Previously we and others have shown that core sequences at the BCL11A erythroid enhancer are required for repression of HbF in adult-stage erythroid cells but dispensable in non-erythroid cells 2 – 6 . CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene modification has demonstrated variable efficiency, specificity, and persistence in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here we demonstrate that Cas9:sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) mediated cleavage within a GATA1 binding site at the +58 BCL11A erythroid enhancer results in highly penetrant disruption of this motif, reduction of BCL11A expression, and induction of fetal γ-globin. We optimize conditions for selection-free on-target editing in patient-derived HSCs as a nearly complete reaction lacking detectable genotoxicity or deleterious impact on stem cell function. HSCs preferentially undergo nonhomologous as compared to microhomology mediated end-joining repair. Erythroid progeny of edited engrafting sickle cell disease (SCD) HSCs express therapeutic levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and resist sickling, while those from β-thalassemia patients show restored globin chain balance. NHEJ-based BCL11A enhancer editing approaching complete allelic disruption in HSCs is a practicable therapeutic strategy to produce durable HbF induction.

Persistence of human fetal hemoglobin (HbF, α2γ2) in adults lessens the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the β-thalassemias. Here, we show that the repressor BCL11A is required in vivo for silencing of γ-globin expression in adult animals, yet dispensable for red cell production. BCL11A serves as a barrier to HbF reactivation by known HbF inducing agents. In a proof-of-principle test of BCL11A as a potential therapeutic target, we demonstrate that inactivation of BCL11A in SCD transgenic mice corrects the hematologic and pathologic defects associated with SCD through high-level pancellular HbF induction. Thus, interference with HbF silencing by manipulation of a single target protein is sufficient to reverse SCD.

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Novel therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD) based on genetically engineered autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are critically dependent on a safe and effective strategy for cell procurement. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of plerixafor when used in transfused patients with SCD for HSC mobilization. Six adult patients with SCD were recruited to receive a single dose of plerixafor, tested at lower than standard (180 µg/kg) and standard (240 µg/kg) doses, followed by CD34+ cell monitoring in peripheral blood and apheresis collection. The procedures were safe and well-tolerated. Mobilization was successful, with higher peripheral CD34+ cell counts in the standard vs the low-dose group. Among our 6 donors, we improved apheresis cell collection results by using a deep collection interface and starting apheresis within 4 hours after plerixafor administration. In the subjects who received a single standard dose of plerixafor and followed the optimized collection protocol, yields of up to 24.5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg were achieved. Interestingly, the collected CD34+ cells were enriched in immunophenotypically defined long-term HSCs and early progenitors. Thus, we demonstrate that plerixafor can be employed safely in patients with SCD to obtain sufficient HSCs for potential use in gene therapy.

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Introduction: Persistently high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression can ameliorate severe transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). BCL11A, a master regulator of the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch, is a rational gene-editing target in beta globinopathies. In pre-clinical studies with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), zinc finger nuclease (ZFN)-mediated disruption of the GATA-binding region of the intronic erythroid-specific enhancer (BCL11A ESE) increased endogenous HbF production in erythroid cells while allowing healthy, multi-lineage hematopoiesis. Though allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be curative in TDT, its application is partly limited by donor availability. Autologous transplantation using ex vivo gene-modified HSCs (HSCGT) can circumvent this, and lentiviral vector-mediated beta globin gene addition studies have shown efficacy in TDT. However, the long-term safety of random lentiviral genomic integration in HSCs is uncertain. ST-400 is an investigational cell therapy comprised of autologous CD34+ cells that have undergone high-precision, ZFN-mediated ex vivo editing at BCL11A ESE. The aim of this study is to induce HbF expression in edited erythroid cells. We hypothesized that HSCGT with ST-400 is safe and effective in TDT. Methods: The Thales trial (NCT03432364) is a Phase I/II study of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ST-400 in adult patients with TDT, defined as undergoing ≥8 annual packed red blood cell transfusion episodes for at least 2 consecutive years before enrollment. After routine leukapheresis following mobilization with G-CSF and plerixafor, autologous collections are enriched for CD34+ cells and transfected with mRNA encoding ZFNs with binding sites flanking the GATA-binding region of BCL11A ESE. ST-400 product is infused following myeloablative busulfan conditioning. The trial will enroll 6 patients who are monitored for safety and efficacy for 3 years post-infusion. Results: Three patients have completed ST-400 manufacturing, and two have been infused. Patient 1 (β0/β0 genotype) received an ST-400 dose of 6.1 x 106 cells/kg. The patient experienced a serious adverse event (SAE) of hypersensitivity during ST-400 infusion considered to be related to the product cryoprotectant, DMSO, that resolved by the end of infusion. The patient had prompt hematopoietic reconstitution (ANC recovery day +14; platelet recovery day +24), with increasing HbF fraction that contributed to stable total hemoglobin. After being free from PRBC transfusions for 6 weeks, the patient has since required intermittent PRBC transfusions. At last follow-up, on-target DNA insertions-deletions (indels) at BCL11A ESE were present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and HbF levels remain elevated at 6 months post-infusion. Patient 2 (homozygous for the severe β+ IVS-I-5 G>C mutation) received an ST-400 dose of 4.5 x 106 cells/kg. There was prompt hematopoietic reconstitution (ANC recovery day +15; platelet recovery day +29) with on-target indels detected in PBMCs at last follow-up, and rising HbF levels observed through 90 days post-infusion. Longer follow-up will be required to assess the clinical significance of these early results. Patient 3 (β0/β+ genotype including the severe IVS-II-654 C>T mutation) has completed ST-400 manufacturing. Besides the SAE reported for Patient 1, no other SAEs related to ST-400 have been reported and other AEs have been consistent with myeloablation. No clonal hematopoiesis has been observed. Conclusions: ST-400 is an ex vivo, ZFN-edited autologous HSC product for increased erythroid HbF expression in TDT. Two infused patients had rapid hematopoietic reconstitution following myeloablative conditioning, and both have elevated HbF levels following HSCGT. These data are preliminary, and additional patients and longer follow-up will be required to understand the safety and efficacy of this therapy. Disclosures Smith: Amgen: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Schiller:Agios: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company: Research Funding; FujiFilm: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; J&J: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Onconova: Research Funding; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership, Research Funding; Sangamo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Amgen: Other, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myer Squibb: Research Funding; Biomed Valley Discoveries: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding. Vercellotti:Mitobridge, an Astellas Company: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kwiatkowski:bluebird bio, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Terumo: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Apopharma: Research Funding; Imara: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Williams:bluebird bio: Patents & Royalties: License of certain IP relevant to hemoglobinopathies to bluebird bio. Potential for future royalty/milestone income., Research Funding; Orchard Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-founder, Patents & Royalties: Potential for future royalty/milestone income, X-SCID., Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alerion Biosciences: Other: Co-founder. Miller:Sangamo Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Woolfson:Sangamo Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Walters:Editas Medicine: Consultancy; TruCode: Consultancy; AllCells, Inc: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: busulfan: used for myeloablation prior to infusing the investigational autologous HSPC product (ST-400) plerixafor: used with G-CSF to enhance mobilization of autologous HSPC for collection via leukapheresis. Autologous HSPC then undergo ex vivo manufacturing to generate the investigational product (ST-400)

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