FLT3 Inhibitor Treatment Increases FLT3 Expression That Exposes FLT3-ITD+ AML Blasts to Elimination By FLT3 CAR-T Cells

Conclusion: Collectively, the data show that FLT3 inhibitors augment cell surface expression of FLT3 in FLT3-ITD+ AML cells which leads to enhanced recognition and elimination by FLT3 CAR T cells. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that small molecule inhibitors and CAR T cell immunotherapy can be used synergistically to treat a hematologic malignancy. We confirmed this principle with each of the FLT3 inhibitors in our panel, and observed the strongest antileukemia activity of FLT3 CAR T cells in combination with crenolanib. Our data encourage the clinical evaluation of this combination treatment in high risk patients with FLT3-ITD+ AML.DisclosuresJetani: University hospital wuerzburg: Employment, Patents & Royalties: H.J. and M.H are co-inventors on a patent related to the use of FLT3-CAR T-cells to treat AML filed by the University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany. Bonig: Kiadis Pharma: Consultancy.

Source: Blood - November 21, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Jetani, H., Garcia-Cadenas, I., Nerreter, T., Goetz, R., Sierra, J., Bonig, H., Sauer, M., Einsele, H., Hudecek, M. Tags: 616. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Novel Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Immunotherapy Source Type: research