Ultraprecision therapy for type 1 vs type 2 CALR+ MPN by dual epitope targeting that restores ruxolitinib sensitivity

C Chloe A. L. Thompson-Peach (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) D Daniel Thomas (School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University) M Mara Dottore (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) K Kelly Lim F Frank Stomski (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) R Romana A. Panagopoulos (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) J Johannes Foßelteder (3Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria) A Andreas Reinisch (3Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria) V Vashe Chandrakanthan (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) S Sandra Jenkner (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) L Luke Bland (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) S Sharon Paton (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) S Stan Gronthos (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) T Timothy R. Hercus (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) H Hannah R. Wardill (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) W Winnie L. Kan (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) M Maha M. Kamel (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) P Paul A. Moretti (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) S Stuart M. Pitson (Centre for Cancer Biology, College of Health, Adelaide University and SA Pathology) K Kate Burbury (4Department of Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia) D David M. Ross (21Haematology Directorate, SA Pathology, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia) P Pramod C. Nair (1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) A Angel F. Lopez (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia) D Denis Tvorogov (2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia)

Abstract

Abstract Somatic frameshift mutations in the gene encoding calreticulin (CALR) give rise to myelofibrosis and are classified as type 1 (del52) or type 2 (ins5) according to the degree of wild-type sequence retained adjacent to the neopeptide, with each type conferring different clinical outcomes. Targeting strategies specific for type 1 vs type 2 mutations would have enormous clinical utility in the treatment and prevention of myelofibrosis as responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors are not durable nor mutation specific. Here, we show that dual targeting of type 1 (del52) mutant CALR with 2 monoclonal antibodies directed against distinct epitopes in CALR have significant advantages compared with single-agent treatment in the eradication of primary megakaryocyte progenitors in vitro and in a humanized ossicle microenvironment leading to improved survival in xenograft models. Dual targeting was superior in blocking constitutive STAT5 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation induced by del52 and prevented accumulation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) phosphorylation, overcoming ruxolitinib resistance. In contrast, type 2 mutations showed increased CALR dimerization and were partially resistant to antibody targeting but could be affected by a ruxolitinib triple combination. Together, our data demonstrate an ultraprecision medicine approach tailored to either type 1 or type 2 mutation classes will be required for maximal efficacy and complete blockade of JAK/STAT signaling, with far-reaching implications for patient management.

Article Details

Journal Blood
Volume / Issue Vol. 147, Issue 14
Published April 02, 2026
Pages 1611-1623
ISSN 0006-4971
Publisher Elsevier BV

Journal Info

Blood

Elsevier BV

ISSN: 0006-4971 Health Sciences

Authors (24)

C

Chloe A. L. Thompson-Peach

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

D

Daniel Thomas

School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University

M

Mara Dottore

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

K

Kelly Lim

F

Frank Stomski

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

R

Romana A. Panagopoulos

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

J

Johannes Foßelteder

3Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

A

Andreas Reinisch

3Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

V

Vashe Chandrakanthan

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

S

Sandra Jenkner

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

L

Luke Bland

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

S

Sharon Paton

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

S

Stan Gronthos

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

T

Timothy R. Hercus

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

H

Hannah R. Wardill

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

W

Winnie L. Kan

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

M

Maha M. Kamel

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

P

Paul A. Moretti

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

S

Stuart M. Pitson

Centre for Cancer Biology, College of Health, Adelaide University and SA Pathology

K

Kate Burbury

4Department of Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

D

David M. Ross

21Haematology Directorate, SA Pathology, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia

P

Pramod C. Nair

1Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and School of Medicine, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

A

Angel F. Lopez

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia

D

Denis Tvorogov

2Division of Human Immunology SA Pathology, and Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia