Efficacy of Targeted Agents and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Malignant Histiocytosis

Introduction

Malignant histiocytoses (MH), encompassing histiocytic sarcoma (HS), interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS), and Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS), are a group of rare, hematologic neoplasms with diverse clinical presentations and poor outcomes. There are no established or effective treatments for patients with MH. The discovery of MAPK/ERK pathway mutations in non-malignant histiocytoses have revolutionized the treatment paradigm, but it is unknown whether novel treatments are efficacious for MH. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of targeted agents (TA) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in MH.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of MH patients seen at our two institutions. Only patients treated with TA and/or ICI were included. We captured the mutational status by next generation sequencing and PD-L1 expression level by immunohistochemistry, where available. We also conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed to identify additional cases of MH patients treated with TA and/or ICI. Responses were reported as complete (CR), partial (PR), or none (NR) using previously published criteria for histiocytic disorders.

Results

From our institutions, we identified 12 MH patients (7 HS; 4 LCS; 1 IDCS) who received 14 instances of these treatments including TA (n=9) and/or ICI (n=5). The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range, 33-70) and 50% were males. TAs included BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib [1]), MEK inhibitors (binimetinib [1], cobimetinib [2], trametinib [2]) and others (dasatinib [1], pazopanib [1], pexidartinib [1]), while ICIs were exclusively pembrolizumab (5). The median number of prior treatments for those who received TAs and ICIs were 4 and 2, respectively. Responses were observed in 44.4% (1 CR, 3 PRs, 5 NR) and 40% (2 CRs, 3 NRs) of patients who received TA and ICI, respectively. Only 1 patient (20%) treated with MEK inhibitor responded [DOCK8-BRAF; PR 5+ mos]. Other responders received dasatinib [PDFGRA-V608I; PR 2 mos], pexidartinib [PTPN11-A72T; PR 5 mos], and vemurafenib [BRAF-V600E; CR 10+ mos]. Two patients (40%) who received pembrolizumab responded (both CRs 12+ [10% PD-L1] and 44+ mos [40% PD-L1]).

We identified 29 MH patients in the literature (27 HS; 2 LCS) treated with TAs (22) and/or ICIs (10). TAs included BRAF inhibitor only (vemurafenib [3], dabrafenib [3]), MEK inhibitor only (trametinib [5]), BRAF + MEK inhibitors (2), and others (apatinib, anlotimib, bevacizumab, daratumumab, dasatinib, imatinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, or combinations [9]), while ICIs included pembrolizumab (4), nivolumab (4), tislelizumab (1), and sintilimab (1). Responses were observed in 77% (7 CRs, 10 PRs, 5 NRs) and 100% (2 CRs, 8 PRs) of patients who received targeted agents and ICI, respectively. Most patients carrying BRAF (7/8; V600E, G596R, D594G, TRIM::BRAF) or MAP2K1 (3/3; C121S, F53I) mutations responded to treatments, irrespective of the number of mutations present. The median durations of response for ICI and targeted agents were 10.5 months (range: 1-36+) and 12+ months (range: 3-44+), respectively.

After combining the datasets from our institutions and literature review, we analyzed the association between the extent of PD-L1 expression and response to ICI. Those who responded to ICI had higher PDL-1 expression (median 75% [range, 10-75] vs 25% [range, 1-30]; P=0.0097).

Conclusion

TAs and ICIs can be considered in the management of MH. The responses to ICI therapy may be associated with the degree of PDL1 expression