Abstract 1891: Cross-resistance and synergy between idelalisib and bendamustine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Idelalisib (IDE) is an inhibitor of the δ isoform of PI3 kinase and has shown high activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) either when given alone or in combination with bendamustine (BEN) /rituximab (BR). In the present study, we have determined whether there is cross-resistance between BEN and IDE in primary CLL cells in vitro and whether synergy is observed upon combining these agents. In primary CLL cells in vitro, cross-resistance was not observed between BEN and IDE suggesting different modes of cytotoxicity. In contrast to BEN, sensitivity to IDE was not influenced by prior clinical treatment or the presence of a del 17p. Marked synergy in cytotoxicity was seen between BEN and IDE, which was paralleled by changes in γ-H2AX staining. These findings suggest that the synergistic antitumor effect was related to enhanced DNA damage by the drug combination. The degree of cytotoxic synergy varied and synergy was observed in some cases that were resistant to BEN or IDE, and those with del 17p. Synergy between BEN and IDE was also seen in the B cell lines, BJAB and I83, and in healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells indicating that the phenomenon was not CLL-specific. To simulate the microenvironment, CLL cells were pre-stimulating with CD40L and IL4 prior to drug treatment. Interestingly this treatment caused the cells to become resistant to IDE, but BEN sensitivity was unaffected. However, combining BEN and IDE produced greater synergy than observed when cells were incubated without IL4/CD40. To examine the role of PI3Kδ for synergy, B cells from C57 BL/6 mice, both wild type and with non-functioning PI3Kδ protein, were exposed to BEN and/or IDE. Cells with the non-functioning PI3Kδ protein were more resistant to IDE than the wild-type cells and showed lesser synergy confirming the importance of this protein for the synergistic effect. In summary, these results confirm that IDE can be active against BEN-resistant CLL cells, while BEN may remain active against IDE-resistant samples, demonstrating different modes of anti-tumor activity. However, the unique yet inconsistent synergy seen between these two agents suggest an overlapping mechanism of action. Ongoing studies are evaluating the mechanism for this synergy. Citation Format: Sara E. F. Kost, Ali Saleh, Edgard M. Mejia, Marina Mostafizar, Eric D. J. Bouchard, Versha Banerji, Aaron J. Marshall, Spencer B. Gibson, Sachin Katyal, James B. Johnston. Cross-resistance and synergy between idelalisib and bendamustine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1891.