Elevated plasma levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 selectively identify CML patients who better sustain molecular remission after TKI withdrawal.

Treatment-free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is safe under adequate molecular monitoring, but questions remain regarding which factors may be considered predictive for TFR. Argentina Stop Trial (AST) is a multicenter TFR trial showing that 65% of patients sustain molecular remission, and the prior time in deep molecular response (DMR) was associated with successful TFR. Luminex technology was used to characterize cytokines in plasma samples. Using machine learning algorithms, MCP-1 and IL-6 were identified as novel biomarkers and MCP-1low/IL-6low patients showed eightfold higher risk of relapse. These findings support the feasibility of TFR for patients in DMR and MCP-1/IL-6 plasma levels are strong predictive biomarkers.

In-depth characterization of NK cell markers from CML patients who discontinued tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Introduction: Treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase is considered a safe option if suitable molecular monitoring is available. However, the question arises as to which factors can contribute to the maintenance of TFR, and immunologic surveillance of the remaining leukemic cells is believed to be one of them. Argentina Stop Trial is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial assessing TFR after tyrosine kinase inhibitors interruption, that after more than 4 years showed a successful TFR rate of 63%. Methods: In this context, we set up an immunological study by flow cytometry in order to analyze specific NK cell subsets from peripheral blood patient samples both at the time of discontinuation as well as during the subsequent months. Results: At the time of discontinuation, patients show a mature NK cell phenotype, probably associated to TKI treatment. However, 3 months after discontinuation, significant changes in several NK cell receptors occurred. Patients with a higher proportion of CD56dim NK and PD-1+ NK cells showed better chances of survival. More interestingly, non-relapsing patients also presented a subpopulation of NK cells with features associated with the expansion after cytomegalovirus infection (expression of CD57+NKG2C+), and higher proportion of NKp30 and NKp46 natural cytotoxicity receptors, which resulted in greater degranulation and associated with better survival (p<0.0001). Discussion: This NK cell subset could have a protective role in patients who do not relapse, thus further characterization could be useful for patients in sustained deep molecular response.

Utilization study of filgrastim (Neutromax) during autologous haematopoietic precursor transplantation for myeloma and lymphoma patients.

To describe utilization of a biosimilar product containing filgrastim (Neutromax), data of 414 myeloma or lymphoma patients subjected to autologous SCT between 1998 and 2007 were analyzed. Filgrastim was used for mobilization of progenitors (5 days at 300 microg/day) and for the recovery of neutropenia after transplantation (100 microg/day, since day +5). In 2003, the excipient mannitol was replaced by sorbitol. A mean dose of 9.47 x 10(6)CD34(+)cells/kg was infused; 100 neutrophils/mm(3) required 5-day treatment; 500 neutrophils/mm(3), 6 days and 1000 neutrophils/mm(3), 7 days. Neutromax effect in SCT is similar to reports with other brands. No difference was found between formulations.

Is assessment of surface CD38 expression worthwhile as a prognostic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients?

We studied the clinical impact of CD38 expression in 226 chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients (CLL) at disease presentation and during follow up to determine its prognostic significance, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and to verify whether this parameter changed over time. Various patients' characteristics were studied including gender, Rai and Binet stages, immunoglobulin light chain expression, lymphocyte doubling time and CD38 expression. After a median follow up of 53 months (range 6-282), 62% CD38 positive(+) patients required therapy. PFS and OS at 84 months were significantly lower for CD38(+) patients: 20 and 71% respectively, compared to CD38 negative(-): 70 and 96%. At multivariate analysis CD38(+) showed to be the best factor for predicting progression: HR 3.3, 95%CI 2.10-5.14, p = 0.000. Its expression did not change in 98% re-evaluated patients. We confirm that CD38(+) is a stable parameter for the identification of CLL patients with a more aggressive disease course.

Trasplante autólogo de médula ósea en mieloma múltiple: 15 años de experiencia en el control de evolución, grado de respuesta y detección de perfiles proteicos atípicos / Autologous bone marrow transplantation in multiple myeloma: 15 years of experience in development control, responsiveness and detection of atypical protein profiles

En Mieloma Múltiple (MM), el trasplante autólogo de médula ósea (TAMO) ofrece resultados superiores de remisión completa (RC), sobrevida global y sobrevida libre de eventos. Se evaluó el grado de respuesta, evolución y presentación de perfiles proteicos atípicos en 238 pacientes con MM y TAMO (abril/1992-diciembre/2007). Se realizaron sistemáticamente estudios proteicos completos en sangre y orina, pre y pos-trasplante. Con una media de seguimiento de 34 meses (1 -160 m) el 21.9 % presentaron RC, un 30.2 % remisión parcial, el 1.3% respuesta mínima y el 3.4 % enfermedad estable. Un 36.1 % tuvo recaída ó progresión y el 7.1 % no pudo ser evaluado. En el 15,5% se visualizaron bandas oligoclonales en el proteinograma y en la inmunofijación a los 4,4 meses promedio y duración promedio de 7,9 meses, observándose en ellos prolongada sobrevida. Ocho pacientes(3.4 %) evidenciaron un cambio en la expresión proteica de su MM a los 31.8 meses y duración de 22,2 meses promedio post- TAMO. El aporte del Laboratorio resulta de fundamental importancia, no sólo para el adecuado diagnóstico, sino además para establecer grado de respuesta y evolución y en la permanente búsqueda de nuevos parámetros de utilidad en el control de los pacientes con MM.

Ocho años de experiencia en una sola institución en transplante autólogo de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas en enfermedades hematológicas malignas y en tumores sólidos / Eight years of experience in a single institution in hematopoietic stem cell autologous transplantation in malignant hematological diseases and in solid tumors

Entre agosto 1991 y diciembre 1998, 400 pacientes (linfoma: 197, leucemia aguda: 86, mieloma múltiple: 70 y tumores sólidos 47) recibieron un trasplante autólogo. Todos los pacientes fueron movilizados con quimioterapia más G-CSF. Luego de la infusión se utilizó G-CSF. La recuperación de neutrófilos fue similar en todos los grupos; en pacientes con leucemia aguda y mieloma múltiple la recuperación de plaquetas fue más lenta. La muerte relacionada al tranplante fue 4.5 por ciento. El estado de la enfermedad al momento del procedimiento fue el principal factor pronóstico. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 23 meses la SLE a 60 meses fue de 46 por ciento para linfomas de bajo grado, 44 por ciento para linfomas de grado alto e intermedio, 58 por ciento para enfermedad de Hodgkin, 45 por ciento para leucemia mieloblástica aguda, 38 por ciento para tumores sólidos y 15 por ciento para mieloma múltiple. A 60 meses la probabilidad actuarial de supervivencia fue 67 por ciento para linfomas de bajo grado, 47 por ciento para linfomas de grado alto e intermedio, 75 por ciento para enfermedad de Hodgkin, 52 por ciento para leucemia mieloblástica aguda, 54 percent para tumores sólidos y 25 por ciento para mieloma múltiple. Se concluye que el trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos indujo una recuperación hematopoyética rápida y completa. Los resultados obtenidos son similares a los publicados en la literatura, siendo discutido el rol en pacientes con tumores sólidos. La muerte relacionada fue baja sin fallos tardíos del injerto.