Type: Poster presentation

 

Session title: Gene therapy， cellular immunotherapy and vaccination - Clinical

 

 

Natural mutations that cause hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) alleviate the symptoms of β-thalassemia. It is now known that small natural deletions and mutations in the γ- globin gene (HBG1/HBG2) promoters disrupt the binding of the transcriptional repressors BCL11A， causing HPFH. Using gene editing to mimic these mutations should reactivate γ- globin in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) and ameliorate the debilitating effects of mutations in β-globin.

 

 

To induce HbF production in erythrocytes， we used ex vivo CRISPR-Cas9–based gene editing to modify HBG1/HBG2 promoter in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)， producing RM-001. We initiated initial safety and efficacy study of RM-001 in TDT patients. Here， we present initial results from the first 2 patients treated with RM-001.

 

 

Patients (6–35 y of age) with TDT receiving packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions of ≥100 mL/kg/y or ≥10 units/y in the previous 2 y were eligible. Peripheral CD34+ HSPCs were collected by apheresis after mobilization with G-CSF and plerixafor. CD34+ cells were edited with CRISPR-Cas9 using a guide RNA specific for the binding site of BCL11A on the HBG1/HBG2 promoter. Prior to RM-001 DP infusion， patients received myeloablative conditioning with Busulfan from day-7 to day-3. Patients were monitored for stem cell engraftment/hematopoietic recovery， adverse events (AEs)， Hb production， HbF and F-cell expression， pRBC transfusion requirements.

 

 

Data presented here for the first 2 TDT patients treated with RM-001. Both patients have β0/β0 genotype (CD17/CD41-42， CD41-42/CD41-42)， with an annualized packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion history of 39 units/y and 54.8 units/y over 2 y prior to consent， respectively. Both patients received a single dose of RM-001 cells， ceased pRBC transfusions within 1 month after RM-001 infusion and remained transfusion-free through the reported period. The first patient (CD17/CD41-42， 9y) achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment on Day(D+)19 and D+21; the other (CD41-42/CD41-42， 13y) achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment on D+16 and D+21， respectively. No serious adverse event (SAE) occurred. The safety profile was generally consistent with busulfan myeloablation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Total Hb， HbF and F-cell percentage increased over time in both patients (Figure). Both patients received 6 units of pRBC before transfusion independent (TI) achieved (Hb stably ≥ 90g/L)， with last pRBC transfusion on D+15 and D+28， respectively. The first patient achieved TI on D+28 and the other achieved TI on D+39. At 3 month post-RM-001 infusion， total Hb exceed 110 g/L in both patients， with 97-98 g/L HbF. Approximately 89% peripheral erythrocytes are F-cells at 3 month post-RM-001 infusion (Figure). Data will be updated for the presentation.

 

 

The first 2 patients treated with RM-001 demonstrated successful engraftment and both have been transfusion free within two month. Although both patients have β0/β0 genotype， they ceased pRBC transfusions within 1 month after RM-001 infusion and remained transfusion-free through the reported period. This is the first-in-human study of autologous HBG1/2 promoter-modified CD34+ HSPCs (RM-001) in TDT and both patients were treated successfully without SAE. Our studies provide novel and initial clinical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of RM-001 for treating TDT.

 

Keyword(s): Gamma globin， Gene therapy， Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells， Thalassemia