Outcomes and survival predictors of Latin American older adults with acute myeloid leukemia: Data from a single center

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is most commonly presented in older adults; however, it appears 10 years earlier in Latin American countries. Clinical evolution in older adults from this populations has not been characterized. We analyzed outcomes and survival predictors. Methods: Patients ≥ 55 years old diagnosed with AML at a hematology referral center from 2005 to 2020 receiving intensive chemotherapy (IC), low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) and best supportive care (BSC) were included. Survival analysis included the Kaplan-Meier and Cox models and the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). Results: Seventy-five adults were included and the overall survival (OS) was 4.87, 1.67 and 1.16 months, using IC, LDAC and BSC, respectively. The IC led to a higher OS (p < 0.001) and was a protective factor for early death, at a cost of more days spent hospitalized and more non-fatal treatment complications; non-significant differences were found between the LDAC and BSC. Eight (10.7%) patients underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation, with a higher OS (p = 0.013). Twenty (26.7%) patients achieved complete remission; 12 (60%) relapsed with a 6-month CIR of 57.9% in those < 70 years old vs. 86.5% in those ≥ 70 years old, p = 0.034. Multivariate analysis showed the white blood cell count (WBC) and IC had a significant impact on the patient survival, whereas chronological age and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) did not. Conclusion: AML in low-middle income countries demands a different approach; the IC improves survival, even with a high incidence of relapse, and should be offered as first-line treatment. Eligibility criteria should include WBC and a multidimensional evaluation. The age per se and the CCI should not be exclusion criteria to consider IC.

Current treatment preferences in acute myeloid leukemia: a survey in Brazil

ABSTRACT Introduction:: Most adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will eventually relapse from their disease. The combination of 7-day cytarabine and an anthracycline on days 1-3 (the so called "7 + 3" regimen) can be considered standard of care of younger patients with AML. However, the treatment of the elderly ineligible for intensive chemotherapy remains a challenge. Low-dose of subcutaneous cytarabine or hypomethylating agents (HMA) have been studied this group. There are no studies investigating physician practice variation in treating AML in Brazil. Methods:: We developed a survey with ten questions in order to explore the approach to AML in Brazil. Results:: The sample size comprised 100 hematologists. Most reported regular (63%) or occasional (29%) treatment of AML patients. Karyotype analysis and polymerase chain reaction were available in 88% and 71% of institutions, respectively. Next generation sequencing analysis was used in 7% of instituitions. Younger patients receive the "7 + 3" protocol with continuous infusion of cytarabine and anthracycline in 98% of cases. The preferred anthracycline is daunorubicin (64%), followed by idarubicin (34%). The most prescribed daunorubicin dose was 60 mg/m2 (56%). Consolidation after CR with high cytarabine doses (HIDAC) was indicated by 84% of hematologists and 70% use 3 g/m2 twice a day for 3 days. Elderly and unfit patients received HMA (47%) as the preferred treatment. Conclusion:: We showed that the most prevalent AML treatments were according to current guidelines. There is room to improve on the availability of diagnostic tools and the capacity to perform bone marrow transplantation.

Bradicardia inducida por quimioterapia en pacientes oncológicos / Chemotherapy-induced bradycardia in oncology patients

Resumen Introducción: cada día se reportan efectos tóxicos de la quimioterapia en el corazón, entre ellos las arritmias; sin embargo, las publicaciones sobre bradicardia ocasionada por antineoplásicos son escasas. Objetivo: describir y analizar la presencia de bradicardia posquimioterapia en el paciente oncológico. Materiales y métodos: estudio no experimental, descriptivo, retrospectivo, en el que se incluyeron pacientes atendidos durante el año 2017 en un Servicio de Cardiología, a causa de bradicardia posquimioterapia. Resultados: se evaluaron 59 pacientes, 31 varones (52,5%) y 28 mujeres (47,5%), con una mediana de edad de 42 años. La mediana de la frecuencia cardiaca fue 46 latidos por minuto. La bradicardia fue más frecuente en leucemia mielocítica aguda (25,42%), seguida por leucemia linfoblástica aguda (20,34%). Fue asintomática en el 88,13% de los casos. Los fármacos quimioterápicos relacionados con bradicardia en leucemia mielocítica aguda fueron la citarabina en combinación con la daunorubicina, mientras que en leucemia linfoblástica aguda fueron la vincristina en combinación con la daunorubicina. Se presentó intervalo QTc largo en 12 casos (20,34%). El tiempo entre quimioterapia y el inicio de la bradicardia fue 24 a 48 horas en 35,6% y la recuperación de la frecuencia cardiaca fue entre 24 a 48 horas en el 61,02%. Conclusiones: la bradicardia sinusal como efecto adverso de la quimioterapia, es más frecuente en la leucemia mielocítica aguda, mientras que los medicamentos antineoplásicos relacionados con la bradicardia más comunes fueron la citarabina y la daunorubicina.

Abstract Introduction: There are daily reports of the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the heart, among them are the arrhythmias. However, there are very few publications on bradycardia caused by anti-neoplastic treatment. Objective: To describe and analyse the presence of post-chemotherapy bradycardia in the oncology patient. Materials and methods: A non-experimental, descriptive and retrospective study was conducted on patients seen during the year 2017 in a Cardiology Department due to post-chemotherapy bradycardia. Results: A total of 59 patients were evaluated, of whom 31 (52.5%) were males and 28 (47.5%) women, and with a median age of 42 years. The median heart rate was 46 beats per minute. The bradycardia was more common in acute myelocytic leukaemia (25.42%), followed by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (20.34%). It was asymptomatic in 88.31% of cases. The chemotherapy drugs associated with bradycardia in acute myelocytic leukaemia were cytarabine in combination with daunorubicin, whilst in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia they were vincristine in combination with daunorubicin. A prolonged QTc interval was present in 12 (20.34%) of cases. The time between the chemotherapy and the onset of bradycardia was 24 to 48 hours in 35.6%, and the recovery of the heart rate was between 24 and 48 hours in 61.02%. Conclusions: Sinus bradycardia as an adverse effect of chemotherapy is more frequent in acute myelocytic leukaemia, whilst the most common anti-neoplastic drugs associated with bradycardia were cytarabine and daunorubicin.

Resultados de pacientes con linfoma del manto: impacto de terapias basadas en citarabina y trasplante hematopoyético / Cytarabine and hematopoietic cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma: analysis of 20 patients

Background: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has high relapse and mortality rates. There is a survival benefit when treatment is intensified with cytarabine (AraC), hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and maintenance with rituximab. Aim: To assess the outcomes of patients with MCL treated in a university hospital. Material and Methods: Review of an oncology center database and medical records identifying patients with MCL treated between 2006 and 2017. Death dates were obtained from the death certificate database of the National Identification Service. We analyzed the response rate, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). As a secondary objective, the survival impact of AraC, HCT and maintenance with rituximab, was also analyzed. Results: Information on 20 patients aged 62 ± 11 years, followed for a median of 45 months was retrieved. Eighty-five percent were diagnosed at an advanced stage. The most used first-line regime was R-CHOP in 11 patients, followed by R-HyperCVAD in five. Only 47% achieved complete response. 4-year PFS and OS were of 30 and 77% respectively. Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) significantly predicted PFS and OS. Maintenance with rituximab or HCT was associated with better PFS (48 vs 21 months, p < 0.01). The exposure to AraC or HCT, in refractory or relapsed disease, was associated with an increase in PFS from 9 to 28 months (p = 0,02) and 4-year OS from 40 to 100% (p = 0.05). OS increased even more, from 25 to 100% in those with high-risk MIPI (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The incorporation of AraC, HCT and maintenance with rituximab in the therapeutic backbone of MCL, especially for high-risk cases, was associated with improved survival.

Síndrome de degeneración combinada de la médula espinal y radiculopatía en dos pacientes por quimioterapia intratecal con metrotrexato y citarabina: casos clínicos / Spinal subacute combined degeneration after intrathecal chemotherapy: report of two cases

Intrathecal chemotherapy may be complicated with the development of myelopathies or toxic radiculopathies. This myeloradicular involvement, of toxic character, is unpredictable, since these patients have repeatedly received Intrathecal chemotherapy with the same drugs without apparent injury. The toxic effect should be mainly attributed to Cytarabine and not to methotrexate, since the central nervous system lacks Cytidine deaminase, the enzyme that degrades Cytarabine. We report two patients, an 18-year-old woman and a 16 years old male, who received systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate, cytarabine) for the treatment of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia and developed, in relation to this procedure, a spinal subacute combined degeneration. They had a proprioceptive and motor alteration of the lower extremities and neuroimaging showed selective rear and side spinal cord hyper intensity produced by central axonopathy. Two weeks later the woman developed a quadriplegia and the young man a flaccid paraplegia due to added root involvement.

Marine drugs for cancer: surfacing biotechnological innovations from the oceans

This review will discuss the contributions of marine natural molecules, a source only recently found to have pharmaceutical prospects, to the development of anticancer drugs. Of the seven clinically utilized compounds with a marine origin, four are used for the treatment of cancer. The development of these drugs has afforded valuable knowledge and crucial insights to meet the most common challenges in this endeavor, such as toxicity and supply. In this context, the development of these compounds will be discussed herein to illustrate, with successful examples provided by cytarabine, trabectedin, eribulin and brentuximab vedotin, the steps involved in this process as well as the scientific advances and technological innovation potential associated with developing a new drug from marine resources.

Trasplante de médula ósea alogénico en un paciente con fusariosis diseminada y leucemia mieloide aguda / Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in a patient with disseminated fusariosis and acute myeloid leukemia

La infección diseminada por Fusarium se ha convertido en un problema creciente en las personas con neoplasias hematológicas malignas, principalmente en pacientes con leucemias agudas; se describen cada vez más casos en aquellos sometidos a un trasplante de médula ósea. No existe un tratamiento óptimo establecido para la fusariosis diseminada. La mortalidad global comunicada de esta infección oscila entre el 50 y el 80%. Se presenta a continuación el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 29 años, con diagnóstico de leucemia mieloide aguda, que presenta como complicación una fusariosis diseminada, y logra sobrellevar un trasplante alogénico de médula ósea en el Hospital Italiano de San Justo (Argentina) de forma exitosa. (AU)

Disseminated fusariosis has become an increasing problem in people with hematopoietic neoplasms, mainly in patients affected by acute leukemias, and even more in those who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation. There is not an optimal treatment for disseminated fusariosis. The global mortality described in the literature is between 50% and 80%. We introduce a case of a 29 year old patient with diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia complicated with disseminated fusariosis, who copes with an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with a successful outcome in the "Hospital Italiano de San Justo" (Argentina). (AU)

Protective effect of ß-glucan and glutamine on intestinal and immunological damage in mice induced by cytarabine (Ara-C) / Efeito protetor do ß-glucano e glutamina em lesões intestinais e imunológicas induzidas por ciratabina (Ara-C) em camundongos

Recently, glutamine and ß-glucan have been demonstrated to play an important role in modulation of the immune system and in promoting intestinal health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this intervention on inflammatory responses and intestinal health in mice orally pretreated with soluble Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived 1,3/1,6-ß-glucan (80mg/kg) with or without glutamine (150mg/kg) and then challenged with cytarabine (Ara-C) (15mg/kg). Improvements in villi and crypts were not observed in the ß-glucan group. The intestinal morphometry in the glutamine group showed the best results. ß-glucan in combination with glutamine presented the highest values of IL-1ß and IL-10 and lowest values for leukocytes and INF-γ. Based on these results, combined ß-glucan and glutamine pretreatment reduced intestinal inflammation and improved the immune response after Ara-C challenge.(AU)

Recentemente, glutamina e ß-glucano têm demonstrado desempenhar um papel importante na modulação do sistema imune e na promoção de benefícios para a saúde intestinal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito dessa intervenção sobre as respostas inflamatórias e saúde intestinal de camundongos pré- tratados por via oral com 1,3/1,6-ß-glucano (80mg/kg) derivado de Saccharomyces cerevisiae com ou sem glutamina (150mg/kg) e posteriormente desafiados com citarabina (Ara-C) (15mg/kg). Melhoras em vilosidades e criptas não foram observadas no grupo de tratamento com ß-glucano. A morfometria intestinal no grupo de tratamento com glutamina apresentou os melhores resultados. O grupo em que foi utilizado ß-glucano em combinação com glutamina apresentou os maiores valores de IL-1ß e IL -10 e valores mais baixos para os leucócitos e INF-γ. Com base nestes resultados, o pré-tratamento de ß-glucano combinado com glutamina reduziu a inflamação intestinal e melhorou a resposta imune após o desafio com Ara-C.(AU)

Mecanismos de resitência as antraciclinas e a citarabina em leucemia mielóide aguda / [Mechanisms of resistance to anthracyclines and cytarabine in leukemia acute myeloid]

A leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA) é uma doença heterogênea em relação às características citogenéticas, moleculares, resposta ao tratamento, sobrevida global e livre de doença. A maioria dos pacientes apresenta recidiva precoce e evolui para o óbito devido à resistência à quimioterapia. O tratamento atual, baseado na associação das antraciclinas Idarrubicina (IDA) ou Daunorrubicina (DNR) com a Citarabina (Ara-c), se mantém por mais de 40 anos apesar dos resultados insatisfatórios. Objetivos: Avaliar os mecanismos de resistência aos quimioterápicos IDA, DNR e Ara-c, em linhagens celulares e em amostras de pacientes com LMA. Metodologia e Resultados: O perfil de resistência das linhagens HL60, Kasumi e U937 foi comparado por imunofenotipagem, citogenética, expressão e atividade das proteínas transportadoras de efluxo: glicoproteína P (Pgp), MRP1 e BCRP e expressão de proteínas envolvidas com a evasão da apoptose. Para avaliar a sensibilidade aos quimioterápicos foram utilizados o ensaio de viabilidade celular (MTT), fragmentação do DNA e ativação de caspase 3. As linhagens celulares foram comparadas, entre si em relação à sensibilidade e resistência aos fármacos. A IDA foi mais eficiente em reduzir a viabilidade celular na linhagem HL60, a IDA e a DNR na linhagem Kasumi, sendo o Ara-c o mais eficiente em reduzir a viabilidade na linhagem U937. O perfil de resistência da linhagem HL60R foi analisado através de um array de proteínas fosforiladas, onde encontramos diversas vias de sinalização inibidas na linhagem resistente como a via de sinalização das MAPKs JNK e p38, importantes para o processo de indução de apoptose pelos quimioterápicos. Foi verificado que a ativação de tais vias de sinalização pelos quimioterápicos esta diminuída nas linhagens de LMA resistentes em comparação com as linhagens sensíveis. As vias de sinalização de JNK e p38 nas linhagens de LMA foram inibidas com RNA de interferência. Tal inibição resultou na redução da sensibilidade aos quimioterápicos na linhagem Kasumi e U937, aumento da expressão da Pgp e do miR-27a. A análise das amostras de pacientes com LMA mostrou alta expressão do miR-27a quando comparadas com as amostras dos doadores saudáveis. No entanto, a expressão do miR-27a apresentou baixa correlação com a Ppg e diferenças na sobrevida global apenas em 12 meses após o tratamento. A técnica do CRISPR foi utilizada para editar/silenciar os genes JNK e p38 a fim de corroborar os resultados com o silenciamento. Nossos dados sugerem que alterações na fosforilação das MAPKs JNK e p38, envolvidas no processo de indução de apoptose, estão associadas à resistência aos quimioterápicos na LMA.

Clinical assessment of 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel Y applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel Y applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer were recruited for this study. The stage I patients received only 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy with a two-channel applicator. The stage II and III patients received both 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator and parallel-opposed whole pelvic radiotherapy. RESULTS: The five-year local control rate was 80.6% (25/31), the overall survival rate was 51.6% (16/31), and the disease-free survival rate was 54.8% (17/31). The incidence of serious late complications was 12.9% (4/31). CONCLUSIONS: 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy was effective for treating endometrial cancer and the incidence of serious late complications related to this combination was within an acceptable range.

Citosina Arabinósido 100 mg y 500 mg en solución / Cytosine Arabinoside 100 mg and 500 mg in solution

FORMA FARMACÉUTICA: bulbo DENOMINACIÓN COMÚN INTERNACIONAL: arabinósido de citosina. COMPOSICIÓN: cada bulbo contiene 100 mg y 500 mg de arabinósido de citosina en solución. CATEGORÍA FARMACOLÓGICA: antineoplásico, agente citotóxico, antimetabolito, analógo de las pirimidinas. FARMACOCINÉTICA: la biodisponibilidad por VO es escasa (menor que 20 %). La distribución es amplia y rápida por los tejidos. Atraviesa las barreras placentarias y hematoencefálica, alcanza el LCR hasta 40‒50 por ciento de la concentración plasmática. Es metabolizado por citidina desaminasa, dando lugar fundamentalmente a arabinósido de uracilo, que es un metabolito inactivo y a trifosfato de aracitidina (activo). La desaminación se produce en el hígado, plasma y tejidos periféricos. Se elimina por la orina (± 80 por ciento) en las primeras 24 h. La vida media de eliminación terminal es 1-3 h. INDICACIONES: leucemia linfocítica y mielocítica aguda y leucemia meníngea. También se emplea en esquemas de segunda o tercera línea de linfomas no Hodgkin y leucemia mieloide crónica. Eritroleucemia. CONTRAINDICACIONES: hipersensibilidad conocida a la citosina. Pacientes con depresión de la médula ósea, enfermedades debilitantes e infecciones virales recientes como varicela o herpes zoster. USO EN POBLACIONES ESPECIALES: LM: datos no disponibles. E: categoría de riesgo D PRECAUCIONES: LM: no se conoce su excreción por la leche humana; no obstante, se recomienda suspender la lactancia materna durante la administración del fármaco. CARCINOGENICIDAD: grupo de riesgo 3. Los efectos depresores de la médula ósea de la citarabina pueden dar lugar a un aumento de la incidencia de infecciones, retardo en la cicatrización y hemorragia gingival. Deben ser cuidadosamente monitoreados los recuentos hemáticos. Si el recuento de leucocitos arroja CAN menor que 1 000 células/mm3 y las plaquetas están por debajo de 50 000 celulas/mm3, el tratamiento debe ser interrumpido. Los valores pueden continuar bajando aún después de que la administración de citarabina sea suspendida. El tratamiento puede reiniciarse cuando existen signos evidentes de recuperación de la médula ósea. Cuando se administran de forma rápida altas dosis por vía IV, los pacientes pueden presentar náusea y vómito durante algunas horas después de la inyección; este problema se presenta en forma menos severa cuando se administra por infusión. En pacientes con enfermedad hepática previa se deberán suministrar dosis menores de citosina, ya que en el hígado ocurre el proceso de detoxificación de este medicamento. Cuando tiene lugar una lisis celular rápida, se deben tomar las debidas precauciones para evitar hiperuricemia y hiperuricosuria y el riesgo de nefropatía por ácido úrico. La neurotoxicidad está asociada con los tratamientos de altas dosis y pueden presentarse como: toxicidad cerebelar aguda o puede ser severa con convulsiones y/o coma, incluso suele ser retardada, hasta 3‒8 días después que el tratamiento haya comenzado. El riesgo de toxicidad cerebelar se incrementa cuando el aclaramiento de creatinina sea inferior a 60 mL/min, edad mayor de 50 años, lesión preexistente del SNC y niveles de fosfatasa alcalina mayor que tres veces el límite superior normal. La conjuntivitis es prevenida y tratada con gotas de solución salina y/o corticosteroides. Como profilaxis, las gotas oculares deben comenzarse de 6 a 12 h antes de iniciar el tratamiento con la citarabina, y continuar hasta 24 h después de haber finalizado esta. El término de altas dosis se define como dosis IV de 2 a 3 g/m2/dosis, cada 12‒24 h, por 4‒12 dosis o de 36 g/m2 en monoterapia, generalmente combinado con otros agentes utilizados en tratamientos con altas dosis de quimioterapia. Puede presentarse el llamado síndrome de la citarabina que se caracteriza por fiebre, mialgia, dolor óseo, dolor torácico, rash maculopapular, astenia y conjuntivitis, puede ocurrir de 6 a 12 h después de la administración de la citarabina. Puede ser tratado de manera eficaz con...(AU)

Gen de fusión AML1-ETO: particularidades en la leucemia mieloide aguda / AML1-ETO fusion gen: characteristics in acute myeloid leukemia

La leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA) es una enfermedad neoplásica de la médula ósea en la que los pacientes con la translocación (8;21) representan un subgrupo con características clínicas y biológicas específicas. Esta alteración citogenética resulta de la fusión de dos genes, dando lugar a una proteína quimérica formada por un dominio N-terminal del gen AML1 y cuatro dominios C-terminales del gen ETO. Esta proteína tiene múltiples efectos en la regulación de la proliferación, la diferenciación y la viabilidad de las células leucémicas. La translocación puede ser detectada como una sola anomalía genética o como parte de anomalías complejas. A diferencia de otros pacientes, el diagnóstico de LMA con t(8;21) puede ser realizado con menos del 20 por ciento de blastos en la médula ósea. La enfermedad se caracteriza por anomalías genéticas adicionales, las células leucémicas muestran un perfil de expresión global de genes y un perfil de microARNs. Usualmente hay un bajo riesgo de recaída de la leucemia después de altas dosis de citosina arabinósido

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous bone marrow malignancy where patients with the cytogenetic t(8;21) abnormality represent a subset with specific clinical and biological characteristics. The translocation results in an in-frame fusion of two genes, resulting in a fusion protein of one N-terminal domain from the AML1 gene and four C-terminal domains from the ETO gene. This protein has multiple effects on the regulation of the proliferation, the differentiation and the viability of leukemic cells. The translocation can be detected as the only genetic abnormality or as part of more complex abnormalities. In contrast to other AML patients, the diagnosis of t(8;21) AML can be made even when less than 20 percent leukemic blasts are present in the bone marrow. The leukemic cells show specific global gene expression and microRNA profiles; and usually there is a low risk of leukemia relapse after high-dose cytarabine therapy

Citarabina y reacciones cutáneas en leucemia aguda mieloide / Cytarabine and skin reactions in acute myeloid leukemia

La citarabina es un antimetabolito utilizado en el tratamiento de las leucemias agudas mieloides (LAM). Esta droga presenta numerosos efectos adversos (mielosupresión, toxicidad en sistema nervioso central, hepática, gastrointestinal, ocular y cutánea). La toxicidad dermatológica es habitualmente descrita como rara, sin embargo existen diferencias en la incidencia comunicada. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo donde se incluyeron todas las LAM tratadas con quimioterapia que incluía citarabina, entre el 1º de julio 2006 y el 1° de julio 2012. Se incluyeron 46 pacientes con una mediana de edad de 55 años. La incidencia global de reacciones cutáneas fue de 39% (n = 18). La presencia de lesiones cutáneas no se asoció con sexo, edad, antecedentes de atopía, de reacciones medicamentosas, tipo de LAM ni dosis de citarabina utilizada. Las lesiones se observaron entre 2 a 8 días de iniciado el tratamiento. En cuanto al grado lesional, 27.8% presentaron grado 1, 38.9% grado 2 y 33.3% grado 3. No existieron lesiones grado 4 ni muerte vinculada a toxicidad cutánea. En cuanto al tipo de lesiones, 55.6% se presentaban con máculas, 22.2% con pápulas y 22.2% con eritema. Con respecto a la distribución de las lesiones, 52% de los pacientes presentaron una distribución difusa, 39.3% acral y 8.7% a nivel flexural. Las reacciones adversas cutáneas con la administración de citarabina son frecuentes en nuestro medio, en algunos casos con afectación grave. Si bien suelen resolverse espontáneamente, pueden determinar mayor riesgo de infección, así como comprometer la calidad de vida.

Cytarabine is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It has many adverse effects as: myelosuppression, toxic reactions involving central nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract, eyes or skin. Dermatologic toxicity is often described as rare; nevertheless there are differences in the reported frequency. We performed a retrospective study including all AML treated with chemotherapy that involved cytarabine between 1st July of 2006 and 1st July of 2012; 46 patients were included with a median age of 55 years. The overall incidence of skin reactions was 39% (n = 18). Sex, age, history of atopy, history of drug reactions, or dose of cytarabine used, were not associated with them. Skin reactions were observed from 2 to 8 days after treatment started. Considering injury degree: 27.8% had grade 1, 38.9% grade 2 and 33.3% grade 3. We did not find any injury grade 4 or death associated with skin toxicity. As for the type of injury: 55.6% presented macules, 22.2% papules and 22.2% erythema. Lesions distribution was diffuse in 52% of patients, acral in 39.3%, and at flexural level in 8.7%. Adverse cutaneous reactions secondary to the administration of cytarabine are frequent in our service and include some cases with severe involvement. Although these reactions usually resolve spontaneously, they determine an increased risk of infection and a compromise of the patient quality of life.

Primer caso de leucemia mieloide aguda tratado en Cuba con altas dosis de antraciclinas en la inducción / First case of acute myeloid leukemia treated in Cuba using high doses of anthracycline in induction

La leucemia mieloide aguda abarca un heterógeneo espectro de enfermedades, de naturaleza maligna y clonal, que representan un reto formidable para la medicina moderna. Con la excepción de la leucemia promielocítica, los resultados terapéuticos alcanzados continúan siendo desalentadores. Recientemente han surgido datos que demuestran mejores resultados con el uso de altas dosis de antraciclinas en la inducción. Se presentó el primer caso en Cuba, en cuya inducción se utilizó la rubidomicina a 100 mg/m² por 3 d, más el arabinósido de citosina a 100 mg/m² por 7 d, ambos en infusión endovenosa continua. La evolución clínica es satisfactoria hasta el momento. Se revisó brevemente la literatura médica al respecto...

The acute myeloid leukemia includes an heterogeneous spectrum of diseases of malignant and clonal origin representing a challenge of the current medicine. With the exception of the pro-myelocytic, the achieved therapeutical results continue being discouraging. Recently are available data demonstrating better results with the use of high doses of anthracycline in the induction. This is the first case in Cuba where in induction it was used the 100 mg/m² rubidomicin plus 100 mg/m2 for three days plus 100 mg/m² arabinoside for seven days, both in continuous intravenous infusion. The clinical course is satisfactory until now. Authors made a brief review of medical literature in this respect...

Response of the G2-prophase checkpoint to genotoxic drugs in lymphocytes from healthy individuals

We analyzed the in vitro effects of the anti-tumoral drugs doxorubicin, cytosine arabinoside and hydroxyurea on the G2-prophase checkpoint in lymphocytes from healthy individuals. At biologically equivalent concentrations, the induced DNA damage activated the corresponding checkpoint. Thus: i) there was a concentration-dependent delay of G2 time and an increase of both the total DNA lesions produced and repaired before metaphase and; ii) G2-checkpoint adaptation took place as chromosome aberrations (CAs) started to appear in the metaphase, indicating the presence of unrepaired double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the previous G2. The checkpoint ATM/ATR kinases are involved in DSB repair, since the recorded frequency of CAs increased when both kinases were caffeine-abrogated. In genotoxic-treated cells about three-fold higher repair activity was observed in relation to the endogenous background level of DNA lesions. The maximum rate of DNA repaired was 3.4 CAs/100 metaphases/hour, this rise being accompanied by a modest 1.3 fold lengthening of late G2 prophase timing. Because of mitotic chromosome condensation, no DSBs repair can take place until the G1 phase of the next cell cycle, when it occurs by DNA non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Chromosomal rearrangements formed as a consequence of these error-prone DSB repairs ensure the development of genome instability through the DNA-fusion-bridge cycle. Hence, adaptation of the G2 checkpoint supports the appearance of secondary neoplasia in patients pretreated with genotoxic drugs.

Miliaria-rash after neutropenic fever and induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia / Miliária 'rash' após neutropenia febril e quimioterapia de indução para a leucemia mielóide aguda

Miliaria is a disorder of the eccrine sweat glands which occurs in conditions of increased heat and humidity. It can be associated with persistent febrile states as well as with certain drugs. We presented a 40 year-old female with myelodysplastic syndrome and progression to acute myelogenous leukemia who was admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy induction. The patient was treated with idarubicin and cytarabine. She became pancytopenic and developed neutropenic fever and was started on vancomycin and cefepime, but was persistently febrile with night sweats. Five days into her fevers, she developed diffuse, nonpruritic and fragile vesicles together with drenching nightsweats. The patient's exanthem was diagnosed as Miliaria crystallina, most probably induced by neutropenic fever and idarubucin exposure.

Miliária é uma desordem das glândulas sudoríparas écrinas, que ocorre em condições de aumento de calor e umidade. Miliária pode ser associada com estados febris persistentes bem como com certos medicamentos. Apresentamos o caso de uma mulher de 40 anos com síndrome mielodisplásica e progressão para leucemia mielóide aguda que foi admitida no hospital para quimioterapia de indução. A paciente foi tratada com idarrubicina e citarabina. Ela se tornou pancitopênica e desenvolveu neutropenia febril. Iniciou tratamento com vancomicina e cefepime, mas a febre com sudorese noturna continou. Cinco dias depois a paciente desenvolveu vesículas difusas, não pruríticas e frágeis juntamente com a persistência de sudorese noturna. O exantema do paciente foi diagnosticado como Miliária cristalina, provavelmente induzida por neutropenia febril e exposição a idarubucin.

Efeitos da ingestão de diferentes fontes lipídicas na mucosite em camundongos submetidos à quimioterapia com ARA-C / Effects of the intake of different lipid sources in mucositis in mice undergoing chemotherapy with ARA-C

Os lipídeos desempenham importante papel no metabolismo, na composição estrutural, transmissão de sinais celulares e na função imunológica do organismo. Os diferentes ácidos graxos que compõem os triacilgliceróis e fosfolípides vão ditar o tipo de resposta orgânica. Os agentes antineoplásicos são drogas amplamente utilizadas no tratamento de diversos tipos de câncer, tratamento este que, muitas vezes, resulta em efeitos colaterais responsáveis pela restrição da dose e sucesso da quimioterapia. Assim, dietas que previnam os efeitos deletérios da quimioterapia poderiam ser utilizadas como coadjuvantes no tratamento do câncer ou quimioterapia. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a ação do consumo de diferentes fontes lipídicas à base de ácidos graxos ômega-3 (óleo de linhaça), triacilgliceróis de cadeia média (gordura de coco) e ácidos graxos trans (gordura vegetal hidrogenada) no trofismo intestinal de camundongos submetidos a tratamento com o quimioterápico (citarabina). Analisando o efeito da citarabina neste estudo, verificou-se que essa droga agrediu o organismo, causando perda de peso dos camundongos, diminuição da massa celular intestinal (sugerida pela redução no teor de DNA da mucosa intestinal) e relativo aumento da proteína na mucosa intestinal, principalmente nos animais alimentados com óleo de soja. As demais fontes lipídicas não alteraram os efeitos vistos pelo uso da citarabina. Os resultados sugerem, nas condições realizadas, não haver na utilização das fontes lipídicas citadas concomitantemente à aplicação da citarabina influência benéfica sobre e tratamento, sendo que a ingestão de óleo de soja pela sua riqueza em ácidos graxos ômega-6, poderia piorar o processo inflamatório decorrente da quimioterapia.

Lipids play an important role in metabolism, in the structural composition, in the transmission of cellular signals and in the body immune function. The different fatty acids that make up lhe triacylglycerols and phospholipids will dictate the type of organic response. The antineoplastic agents are widely used drugs in the treatment of various cancers, a treatment that often results in side effects responsible for restricting the rate and success of the chemotherapy. Thus, diets that prevent the deleterious effects of chemotherapy could be used as adjunct treatment of cancer or chemotherapy. This work was aimed at investigating the effects of the consumption of several lipid-based omega-3 (flaxseed oil), medium chain triglycerides (coconut) and Trans fatty acids (hydrogenated vegetable fat) in the intestinal tropism of mice treated with chemotherapy (cytarabine). Analyzing the effect of cytarabine in this study, it was found that this drug damaged the body, causing weight loss in mice, decreased intestinal cell mass (suggested by the reduction in the DNA content of the intestinal mucosa) and relative increase of protein in the intestinal mucosa mainly in animals fed with soybean oil. The other fat sources did not alter the effect seen by the use of cytarabine. The results suggest, in the existing conditions, that there is no beneficial influence on the treatment due to the use of the mentioned lipid sources concomitantly to the application on the cytarabine, and the intake of soybean oil, for its richness in Omega-6, could exacerbate the inflammatory process resulting from the chemotherapy.

Avaliação retrospectiva dos pacientes portadores de leucemia mielóide aguda tratados no serviço de hematologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo entre 1978 e 2007 / Retrospetive evaluation of acute myeloid leukemia patients treated in University of Sao Paulo General Hospital between 1978 and 2007

A leucemia mielóide aguda ainda apresenta altos índices de mortalidade em adultos, exceção feita à leucemia promielocítica. A otimização dos protocolos de tratamento tem sido muito discutida há 3 décadas, com resultados ainda insatisfatórios. Fatores prognósticos como idade, cariótipo e tolerância à consolidação com altas doses de citarabina guardam relação com a melhor sobrevida. Com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes protocolos de tratamento e validar estes e outros fatores prognósticos, conduzimos um estudo retrospectivo no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo, analisando prontuários médicos e os eventos relacionados à leucemia mielóide aguda, de 1978 a 2007. Analisamos 400 pacientes tratados curativamente e achamos que idade abaixo de 60 anos (27% vs 7%), cariótipo favorável (53% vs 28% vs 5%) e administração de doses totais de citarabina, principalmente se acima da mediana de 45,45 gramas (68% vs 44% vs 21%) tem impacto positivo na sobrevida global em 5 anos, sendo o uso de altas doses de citarabina um fator independente. A positividade para mieloproxidase, classificação FAB e protocolo de tratamento não mostraram associação estatisticamente significante para melhores índices de sobrevida. Pudemos concluir que, se os protocolos de indução não apresentam diferenças estatísticas, a consolidação intensiva com altas doses de citarabina em pacientes abaixo de 60 anos tem impacto independente na sobrevida global, com resultados ainda melhores quando a dose total é maior ou igual a 45,45 gramas. O cariótipo também foi validado em nossa população.

Acute myeloid leukemia in adults is still a highly fatal disease, except for acute promyelocitic leukemia. The optimization of treatment protocols has been debated for three decades, without satisfactory results. Prognostic factors like age, kariotype and consolidation with cytarabine in high dosis seem to correlact with a better overall survival. We conducted a retrospective study in the General Hospital of University of Sao Paulo analyzing medical records and acute myeloid leukemia outcomes to compare different treatment protocols used through 1978 to 2007. We also intended to validate international prognostic factors as the ones cited in our population. We analyzed 400 patients treated with curative intention and found better overall survival in 5 years regarding age less than 60 years (27% vs 7%), favorable karyotipe (53% vs 28% vs 5%) and high dosis cytarabine in consolidation, meanly if total dose was at least the median of 45,45 g (68% vs 44% vs 21%). Consolidation with high dosis cytarabine was an independent predictor of better overall survival. No estatistical differences were seen regarding myeloperoxidase positivity, induction protocol and FAB classification. We concluded that, if the induction protocols seem to be no different in results, consolidation with high dosis cytarabine for patients under 60 years has impact in overall survival, being even better when the total dosis is at least 45,45 g. Karyotipe has also been validated in our study population.