STAT3 in T Cells: At The Crossroads of Inflammation and Cancer

Protocol Summary

Constitutive STAT3 activity is implicated in many malignancies including Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma. It is also essential for Th17 differentiation, a subset of CD4 effector T cell, implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions and possibly CTCL. HDAC inhibitors have shown activity in CTCL but their exact mechanism of action is not known. It is known that HDAC inhibitors regulate STAT3 transcriptional activity and hence can potentially be active in CTCL through modulation of the STAT3 pathway. The hypothesis is that Th17 cytokines contribute to the initiation of cancer by creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment that predisposes cells to neoplastic transformation. To probe this, the investigators will compare the differences in cytokine production and gene expression in the skin resident T cells from patients with benign dermatoses and CTCL as well as in the blood/circulating lymphocytes of healthy donors and Sezary syndrome (SS). The investigators will also investigate whether HDAC inhibitors have a direct impact on the number of Th17 cells, the cytokine production by these cells and phosphorylated STAT3 protein in CTCL with subsequent treatment cycles.

The objectives of this study are 1. Observe the epigenetic, transcriptional and phenotypic changes that take place in T cell during malignant transformation 2. Understand the mechanism of action of HDAC inhibitors in CTCL.

Methods: Skin biopsy specimens from cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients and benign skin conditions namely eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis will be obtained through a standard punch biopsy procedure from the skin lesion.

Additionally, 15 ml of peripheral blood from CTCL patients who have Sezary syndrome (SS) and from patients with benign skin condition will be collected.

CTCL patients, who are starting treatment with HDAC Inhibitors namely Vorinostat and Romidepsin, will have a total of 3 skin biopsies and/or blood draws. The first procedure would be before starting treatment with either of these HDAC inhibitors. Two more skin biopsies and/or blood draws will be performed after first and second cycle of treatment.

Levels of Th17 cytokines, IL-17, IL -22 and pSTAT3 protein will be determined by IHC staining in the skin and cytokine levels in the blood will be assayed by sandwich ELISA method.The investigators will also assay the mRNA levels of the transcription factors of the different T effector cells by qPCR.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 35

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10016
      • NYU Langone Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma (CTCL), either newly diagnosed or with progression of disease. Patients with Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis are also eligible for the study

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients with CTCL that are starting new form of treatment and adult patients with benign dermatoses.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with lymphomas other than CTCL or leukemia

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Measure the levels of Th 17 cytokines namely Il-17 and Il-22 in CTCL	2 -3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Identify STAT3 mutations in CTCL	2-3 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sergei Koralov, PhD, NYU School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 21, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): November 21, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 10, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): August 13, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 17, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 13, 2018
• Last Verified: September 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Immune System Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Lymphatic Diseases; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, T-Cell; Inflammation; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous
• Other Study ID Numbers: 11-01293

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No