SummaryBET inhibitors (BETi) target bromodomain-containing proteins and are currently being evaluated as anti-cancer agents. We find that maximal therapeutic effects of BETi in a Myc-driven B cell lymphoma model required an intact host immune system. Genome-wide analysis of the BETi-induced transcriptional response identified the immune checkpoint ligand Cd274 (Pd-l1) as a Myc-independent, BETi target-gene. BETi directly repressed constitutively expressed and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) induced CD274 expression across different human and mouse tumor cell lines and primary patient samples. Mechanistically, BETi decreased Brd4 occupancy at the Cd274 locus without any change in Myc occupancy, resulting in transcriptional pausing and rapid loss of Cd274 mRNA production. Finally, targeted inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis by combining anti-PD-1 antibodies and the BETi JQ1 caused synergistic responses in mice bearing Myc-driven lymphomas. Our data uncover an interaction between BETi and the PD-1/PD-L1 immune-checkpoint and provide mechanistic insight into the transcriptional regulation of CD274.

The concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) has been developed with the idea to explain the clonal hierarchies and architectures in leukemia, and the more or less curative anti-neoplastic effects of various targeted drugs. It is now widely accepted that curative therapies must have the potential to eliminate or completely suppress LSC, as only these cells can restore and propagate the malignancy for unlimited time periods. Since LSC represent a minor cell fraction in the leukemic clone, little is known about their properties and target expression profiles. Over the past few years, several cell-specific immunotherapy concepts have been developed, including new generations of cell-targeting antibodies, antibody–toxin conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell-based strategies. Whereas such concepts have been translated and may improve outcomes of therapy in certain lymphoid neoplasms and a few other malignancies, only little is known about immunological targets that are clinically relevant and can be employed to establish such therapies in myeloid neoplasms. In the current article, we provide an overview of the immunologically relevant molecular targets expressed on LSC in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In addition, we discuss the current status of antibody-based therapies in these malignancies, their mode of action, and successful examples from the field.

Basophils form a distinct cell lineage within the hematopoietic cell family. In various myeloid neoplasms, including chronic myeloid leukemia, basophilia is frequently seen. Acute and chronic basophilic leukemias, albeit rare, have also been described. However, no generally accepted criteria and classification of basophilic leukemias have been presented to date. To address this unmet need, a series of Working Conferences and other meetings were organized between March 2015 and March 2016. The current article provides a summary of consensus statements from these meetings, together with proposed criteria to delineate acute basophilic leukemia (ABL) from chronic basophilic leukemia (CBL) and primary forms of the disease where no preceding myeloid malignancy is detected, from the more common 'secondary' variants. Moreover, the term hyperbasophilia (HB) is proposed for cases with a persistent peripheral basophil count ⩾1000 per μl of blood. This condition, HB, is highly indicative of the presence of an underlying myeloid neoplasm. Therefore, HB is an important checkpoint in the diagnostic algorithm and requires a detailed hematologic investigation. In these patients, an underlying myeloid malignancy is often found and is then labeled with the appendix -baso, whereas primary cases of ABL or CBL are very rare. The criteria and classification proposed in this article should facilitate the diagnosis and management of patients with unexplained basophilia and basophil neoplasms in routine practice, and in clinical studies.

Key Points• In a majority of patients with advanced SM, neoplastic MCs express the target receptor CD30.• The CD30-targeting drug brentuximab-vedotin blocks growth and survival in CD301 neoplastic MCs which favors drug development in advanced SM.The Ki-1 antigen (CD30) is an established therapeutic target in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. We have recently shown that CD30 is expressed abundantly in the cytoplasm of neoplastic mast cells (MCs) in patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis (SM). In the current study, we asked whether CD30 is expressed on the surface of neoplastic MCs in advanced SM, and whether this surface structure may serve as therapeutic target in SM. As assessed by flow cytometry, CD30 was found to be expressed on the surface of neoplastic MCs in 3 of 25 patients (12%) with indolent SM, 4 of 7 patients (57%) with aggressive SM, and 4 of 7 patients (57%) with MC leukemia. The immature RAS-transformed human MC line MCPV-1.1 also expressed cell surface CD30, whereas the KIT-transformed MC line HMC-

Cadherins belong to a family of Ca(2+)-dependent homophilic cell-cell adhesion proteins that are important for correct cellular localization and tissue integrity. They play a major role in the development and homeostasis of epithelial architecture. Recently, it has become more and more evident that P-cadherin contributes to the oncogenesis of many tumors. To analyze the role of P-cadherin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we used a cell line that was deficient of the classical cadherins, P-cadherin, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. This cell line was transfected with full-length P-cadherin (PCI52_PC). After overexpression of P-cadherin, PCI52_PC gained an epithelial-like brickstone morphology in contrast to the mock-transfected cells with a spindle-shaped mesenchymal morphology. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a strong nuclear Snail staining in mock-transfected cells compared with a significantly reduced nuclear staining and translocation to the cytoplasm in P-cadherin-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, the effects triggered by P-cadherin overexpression could be reversed by transfecting the cells with an antisense P-cadherin plasmid construct. Additional investigations showed a reexpression of E-cadherin in all P-cadherin-transfected cell clones in contrast to the mock controls. Analyzing the signaling mechanism behind it, we found glycogen-synthase-kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) bound to Snail in all cell clones. Furthermore, P-cadherin-overexpressing cell lines showed activated GSK-3beta that phosphorylated Snail leading to its cytoplasmic translocation. In summary, our results reveal P-cadherin as one major component in reconfiguring mesenchymal cells with epithelial features by triggering GSK-3beta-mediated inactivation and cytoplasmatic translocation of Snail in OSCC.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are frequently deregulated in cancer and represent promising drug targets. We provide evidence that CDK8 has a key role in B-ALL. Loss of CDK8 in leukemia mouse models significantly enhances disease latency and prevents disease maintenance. Loss of CDK8 is associated with pronounced transcriptional changes, whereas inhibiting CDK8 kinase activity has minimal effects. Gene set enrichment analysis suggests that the mTOR signaling pathway is deregulated in CDK8-deficient cells and, accordingly, these cells are highly sensitive to mTOR inhibitors. Analysis of large cohorts of human ALL and AML patients reveals a significant correlation between the level of CDK8 and of mTOR pathway members. We have synthesized a small molecule YKL-06-101 that combines mTOR inhibition and degradation of CDK8, and induces cell death in human leukemic cells. We propose that simultaneous CDK8 degradation and mTOR inhibition might represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ALL patients.

Slits are a group of secreted glycoproteins that act as molecular guidance cues in cellular migration. Recently, several studies demonstrated that Slit-2 can operate as candidate tumour suppressor protein in various tissues. In this study, we show Slit-2 expression in basal cell layers of normal oral mucosa colocalized with P-cadherin expression. In contrast, there is a loss of Slit-2 and P-cadherin expression in mucosa of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our in vitro investigations reveal a correlation of P-cadherin and Slit-2 expression: OSCC cells with induced P-cadherin expression (PCI52_PC) display an increased Slit-2 expression. However, abrogating P-cadherin function with a function-blocking antibody decreases Slit-2 secretion confirming a direct link between P-cadherin and Slit-2. Moreover, experiments with OSCC cells show that Slit-2 interferes with a Wnt related signalling pathway, which in turn affects Slit-2 expression in a feedback loop. Functionally, transwell migration assays demonstrate a Slit-2 dose-dependent decrease of PCI52_PC cell migration. However, there is no influence on migration in mock control cells. Responsible for this migration block might be an interaction of P-cadherin with Roundabout (Robo)-3, a high affinity receptor of Slit-2. Indeed, proximity ligation assays exhibit P-cadherin/Robo-3 interactions on PCI52_PC cells. Additionally, we detect a modulation of this interaction by addition of recombinant Slit-2. Down-regulation of Robo-3 expression via small interfering RNA neutralizes Slit-2 induced migration block in PCI52_PC cells. In summary, our experiments show antitumorigenic effects of Slit-2 on P-cadherin expressing OSCC cells supposedly via modulation of Robo-3 interaction.

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