CD38 in the pathobiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and the potential for combination therapeutic intervention
摘要
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving malignant skin-homing T-cells, characterized by variable severity and limited treatment options. Our study shows that patient samples and derived cell lines express CD38 on CTCL cells, and αCD38 antibodies effectively target CD38 in a mouse model. In vivo αCD38 antibody treatment led to the loss of CD38 expression in residual tumor cells, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to improve CTCL outcomes despite the CD38 loss in residual tumor cells. To investigate the role of CD38 in CTCL pathology, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to create CD38-deficient (CD38KO) CTCL cells. These CD38KO cells showed higher expression of oncogenes B-catenin, TCF7, and BCL6, along with reduced migration. Elevated NAD+ levels in CD38KO cells increased cellular respiration after CD38 inhibition in CD38WT cells. In vivo, CD38KO cell transplants led to more aggressive tumors, likely due to elevated β-catenin, Bcl6, and Tcf-1 signaling. Prior research in multiple myeloma showed αCD38 antibody efficacy relies on CD38 expression. We discovered that panobinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, increased surface CD38 expression in CTCL cells dose-dependently. Combining panobinostat with αCD38 antibody in a CTCL mouse model significantly improved survival compared to the antibody alone, underscoring CD38’s therapeutic potential in CTCL.