Neutralizing B-cell-activating factor antibody improves survival and inhibits osteoclastogenesis in a severe combined immunodeficient human multiple myeloma model

Paola Neri, Shaji Kumar, Maria Teresa Fulciniti, Sonia Vallet, Shweta Chhetri, Sidhartha Mukherjee, Yu Tzu Tai, Dharminder Chauhan, Pierfrancesco Tassone, Salvatore Venuta, Nikhil C. Munshi, Teru Hideshima, Kenneth C. Anderson, Noopur Raje*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal article (peer-reviewed)Journal article

118 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: B-cell - activating factor (BAFF) is a tumor necrosis factor superfamily member critical for the maintenance and homeostasis of normal B-cell development. It has been implicated in conferring a survival advantage to B-cell malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). Experimental Design: Here, we validate the role of BAFF in the in vivo pathogenesis of MM examining BAFF and its receptors in the context of patient MM cells and show activity of anti-BAFF antibody in a severe combined immunodeficient model of human MM. Results: Gene microarrays and flow cytometry studies showed increased transcripts and the presence of all three receptors for BAFF in CD138 + patient MM cells, as well as an increase in plasma BAFF levels in 51 MM patients. Functional studies show that recombinant BAFF protects MM cells against dexamethasone-induced apoptosis accompanied by an increase in survival proteins belonging to the BCL family. These in vitro studies led to the evaluation of a clinical grade - neutralizing antibody to BAFF in a severe combined immunodeficient human MM model. Anti-BAFF - treated animals showed decreased soluble human interleukin 6 receptor levels, a surrogate marker of viable tumor, suggesting direct anti-MM activity. This translated into a survival advantage of 16 days (P < 0.05), a decrease in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase - positive osteoclasts, and a reduction in radiologically evident lytic lesions in anti-BAFF - treated animals. Conclusions: Our data show a role for BAFF as a survival factor in MM. Importantly, the in vivo antitumor activity of neutralizing anti-BAFF antibody provide the preclinical rationale for its evaluation in the treatment of MM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5903-5909
Number of pages7
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume13
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Oct 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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