RESUMEN
A 3-week cancer rehabilitation program was conducted at the Humanomed Zentrum Althofen, comprising therapy of organic defects, lifestyle modification, and psycho-social support. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in comprehensive surveys before and after the therapy, and after 6 and 12 months. The study covers a 5-year period with data from 3233 patients. Parameters of subjective health assessed according to the European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions (EuroQol EQ-5D) standard and signifying quality of life showed significant improvement both immediately after the therapy, and after 6 and 12 months. Anxiety and depression, assessed according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, were significantly and persistently diminished, and the sense of coherence elevated. Therapeutic success was somewhat dependent on socio-economic parameters, but was largely independent of income and cancer type. This study thus clearly documents the significant efficacy of a rehabilitation treatment based on bio-psycho-social concepts, which may be further improved by additional ambulant or stationary care.
Asunto(s)
Pacientes Internos , Calidad de Vida , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Depresión/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Pacientes Internos/psicología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Acute erythroleukemia (AEL) is a rare disease typically associated with a poor prognosis. The median survival ranges between 3-9 months from initial diagnosis. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have been shown to prolong survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and AML, but there is limited data of their efficacy in AEL. We collected data from 210 AEL patients treated at 28 international sites. Overall survival (OS) and PFS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was used for subgroup comparisons. Survival between treatment groups was compared using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Eighty-eight patients were treated with HMAs, 44 front line, and 122 with intensive chemotherapy (ICT). ICT led to a higher overall response rate (complete or partial) compared to first-line HMA (72% vs. 46.2%, respectively; p ≤ 0.001), but similar progression-free survival (8.0 vs. 9.4 months; p = 0.342). Overall survival was similar for ICT vs. HMAs (10.5 vs. 13.7 months; p = 0.564), but patients with high-risk cytogenetics treated with HMA first-line lived longer (7.5 for ICT vs. 13.3 months; p = 0.039). Our results support the therapeutic value of HMA in AEL.
Asunto(s)
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Leucemia Eritroblástica Aguda/tratamiento farmacológico , Leucemia Eritroblástica Aguda/mortalidad , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Azacitidina/administración & dosificación , Azacitidina/análogos & derivados , Biomarcadores , Médula Ósea/patología , Análisis Citogenético , Decitabina , Femenino , Humanos , Leucemia Eritroblástica Aguda/diagnóstico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Análisis de Supervivencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The MDS-IWG and NCCN currently endorse both FAB and WHO classifications of MDS and AML, thus allowing patients with 20-30 % bone marrow blasts (AML20-30, formerly MDS-RAEB-t) to be categorised and treated as either MDS or AML. In addition, an artificial distinction between AML20-30 and AML30+ was made by regulatory agencies by initially restricting approval of azacitidine to AML20-30. Thus, uncertainty prevails regarding the diagnosis, prognosis and optimal treatment timing and strategy for patients with AML20-30. Here, we aim to provide clarification for patients treated with azacitidine front-line. METHODS: The Austrian Azacitidine Registry is a multicentre database (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01595295). For this analysis, we selected 339 patients treated with azacitidine front-line. According to the WHO classification 53, 96 and 190 patients had MDS-RAEB-I, MDS-RAEB-II and AML (AML20-30: n = 79; AML30+: n = 111), respectively. According to the FAB classification, 131, 101 and 111 patients had MDS-RAEB, MDS-RAEB-t and AML, respectively. RESULTS: The median ages of patients with MDS and AML were 72 (range 37-87) and 77 (range 23-93) years, respectively. Overall, 80 % of classifiable patients (≤30 % bone marrow blasts) had intermediate-2 or high-risk IPSS scores. Most other baseline, treatment and response characteristics were similar between patients diagnosed with MDS or AML. WHO-classified patients with AML20-30 had significantly worse OS than patients with MDS-RAEB-II (13.1 vs 18.9 months; p = 0.010), but similar OS to patients with AML30+ (10.9 vs 13.1 months; p = 0.238). AML patients that showed MDS-related features did not have worse outcomes compared with patients who did not (13.2 vs 8.9 months; p = 0.104). FAB-classified patients with MDS-RAEB-t had similar survival to patients with AML30+ (12.8 vs 10.9 months; p = 0.376), but significantly worse OS than patients with MDS-RAEB (10.9 vs 24.4 months; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the validity of the WHO classification of MDS and AML, and its superiority over the former FAB classification, for patients treated with azacitidine front-line. Neither bone marrow blast count nor presence of MDS-related features had an adverse prognostic impact on survival. Patients with AML20-30 should therefore be regarded as having 'true AML' and in our opinion treatment should be initiated without delay.
Asunto(s)
Azacitidina/uso terapéutico , Leucemia Mieloide/tratamiento farmacológico , Síndromes Mielodisplásicos/tratamiento farmacológico , Sistema de Registros/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedad Aguda , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antimetabolitos Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Austria , Femenino , Francia , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Leucemia Mieloide/clasificación , Leucemia Mieloide/diagnóstico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Síndromes Mielodisplásicos/clasificación , Síndromes Mielodisplásicos/diagnóstico , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/métodos , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Reino Unido , Estados Unidos , Organización Mundial de la SaludRESUMEN
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency-associated anemia are common complications in cancer patients. Most iron deficient cancer patients present with functional iron deficiency (FID), a status with adequate storage iron, but insufficient iron supply for erythroblasts and other iron dependent tissues. FID is the consequence of the cancer-associated cytokine release, while in absolute iron deficiency iron stores are depleted resulting in similar but often more severe symptoms of insufficient iron supply. Here we present a short review on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical symptoms, and treatment of iron deficiency in cancer patients. Special emphasis is given to intravenous iron supplementation and on the benefits and limitations of different formulations. Based on these considerations and recommendations from current international guidelines we developed recommendations for clinical practice and classified the level of evidence and grade of recommendation according to the principles of evidence-based medicine.
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Anemia Ferropénica/metabolismo , Anemia Ferropénica/prevención & control , Suplementos Dietéticos/normas , Hierro/metabolismo , Hierro/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Anemia Ferropénica/etiología , Austria , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Humanos , Oncología Médica/normas , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Data on efficacy and safety of azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with >30 % bone marrow (BM) blasts are limited, and the drug can only be used off-label in these patients. We previously reported on the efficacy and safety of azacitidine in 155 AML patients treated within the Austrian Azacitidine Registry (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01595295). We herein update this report with a population almost twice as large (n = 302). This cohort included 172 patients with >30 % BM blasts; 93 % would have been excluded from the pivotal AZA-001 trial (which led to European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval of azacitidine for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and AML with 20-30 % BM blasts). Despite this much more unfavorable profile, results are encouraging: overall response rate was 48 % in the total cohort and 72 % in patients evaluable according to MDS-IWG-2006 response criteria, respectively. Median OS was 9.6 (95 % CI 8.53-10.7) months. A clinically relevant OS benefit was observed with any form of disease stabilization (marrow stable disease (8.1 months), hematologic improvement (HI) (9.7 months), or the combination thereof (18.9 months)), as compared to patients without response and/or without disease stabilization (3.2 months). Age, white blood cell count, and BM blast count at start of therapy did not influence OS. The baseline factors LDH >225 U/l, ECOG ≥2, comorbidities ≥3, monosomal karyotype, and prior disease-modifying drugs, as well as the response-related factors hematologic improvement and further deepening of response after first response, were significant independent predictors of OS in multivariate analysis. Azacitidine seems effective in WHO-AML, including patients with >30 % BM blasts (currently off-label use). Although currently not regarded as standard form of response assessment in AML, disease stabilization and/or HI should be considered sufficient response to continue treatment with azacitidine.
Asunto(s)
Antimetabolitos Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Azacitidina/uso terapéutico , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/tratamiento farmacológico , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/epidemiología , Sistema de Registros , Organización Mundial de la Salud , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Austria/epidemiología , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Humanos , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/diagnóstico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tasa de Supervivencia/tendencias , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Recent data suggest that azacitidine may be beneficial in CMML. We report on 48 CMML-patients treated with azacitidine. Overall response rates were high (70% according to IWG-criteria, including 22% complete responses). Monocyte count and cytogenetics adversely affected survival, whereas age, WHO-type, FAB-type, and spleen size did not. Matched-pair analyses revealed a trend for higher two-year-survival for azacitidine as compared to best supportive care (62% vs. 41%, p=0.067) and longer OS for azacitidine first-line vs. hydroxyurea first-line (p=0.072, median OS 27.7 vs. 6.2 months). This report reinforces existing evidence that azacitidine is safe and efficacious in both myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative CMML.
Asunto(s)
Antimetabolitos Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Azacitidina/uso terapéutico , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Crónica/mortalidad , Actividades Cotidianas , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Análisis por Apareamiento , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
A 44 yr-old female with osteoporosis had no relevant gastrointestinal symptoms and did not avoid any specific food. However, after prescription of a lactose-rich calcium supplementation, clinical symptoms suspicious for lactose intolerance occurred, which were thereafter confirmed by a lactose tolerance test. Lactose intolerance may present with only slight or subtle symptoms. Drugs containing lactose may induce or increase gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with lactose intolerance. In case of gastrointestinal symptoms occurring after the initiation of drugs containing lactose, the possibility of lactose intolerance should be considered and tested by lactose tolerance test or genetic testing for the LCT (-13910) polymorphism. Due to the prevalence of about 15-25% lactose intolerance in the Austrian population, lactose free drugs should be prescribed as widely as possible.
Asunto(s)
Dolor Abdominal/etiología , Carbonato de Calcio/administración & dosificación , Carbonato de Calcio/efectos adversos , Diarrea/etiología , Excipientes/efectos adversos , Intolerancia a la Lactosa/diagnóstico , Lactosa/administración & dosificación , Lactosa/efectos adversos , Osteoporosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Absorciometría de Fotón , Adulto , Austria , Femenino , Pruebas Genéticas , Humanos , Intolerancia a la Lactosa/genética , Osteoporosis/diagnóstico , Polimorfismo Genético/genéticaRESUMEN
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare and - in most patients - mild disease, but might be associated with severe or even life-threatening bleeding complications. The treatment of ITP has partly changed in recent years, due to new therapeutic options. International guidelines changed accordingly. This consensus statement by the Austrian Society of Hematology and Oncology (OEGHO) is not a new evaluation of the current evidence, but rather tries to discuss the available international guidelines and adapt them to the situation in Austria. The subject is primary ITP in adults only. Classification, epidemiology, clinical presentation and diagnostics of ITP, and especially the management of this disease, are discussed in detail. This includes current aspects of first, second, and third line therapies, splenectomy with its indications and contraindications, and the use of new therapeutic options like thrombopoetin receptor agonists (TRA).
Asunto(s)
Hematología/normas , Oncología Médica/normas , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática/diagnóstico , Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática/terapia , Adulto , Austria , Conferencias de Consenso como Asunto , HumanosRESUMEN
This study aimed to determine whether dose-dense therapy improves 3-year survival over the standard therapy for untreated aggressive lymphoma. One hundred and fifteen patients with untreated aggressive lymphoma were stratified by center, age, and international prognostic index and randomized to one of two treatment arms. One hundred and three were eligible. The experimental dose-dense arm consisted of weekly therapy with cyclophosphamide, epirubicine, vincristine, prednisolone, ifosfamide, etoposide, methotrexate, dexamethasone, and filgrastim (CEOP/IMVP-Dexa). The standard arm consisted of three-weekly cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP). The primary endpoint was overall survival after 3 years. Overall survival at 3 years was 0.766 (95% CI 0.6247, 0.8598) in the dose-dense arm and 0.462 (95% CI 0.3200, 0.5925) in the CHOP arm. Overall 5-year survival was 0.746 (95% CI 0.603, 0.843) in the dose dense and 0.406 (95% CI 0.265, 0.543) in the CHOP arm (P = 0.0062). Grade 3 and 4 infections occurred four times more frequently in the dose-dense arm. However, two patients died from toxicity in the dose-dense arm and three in the CHOP arm. Dose-dense therapy with CEOP/IMVP-Dexa is feasible and resulted in an absolute increase of 34% in the survival probability compared to CHOP in untreated patients with aggressive lymphoma.
Asunto(s)
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Linfoma no Hodgkin/tratamiento farmacológico , Linfoma no Hodgkin/mortalidad , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/toxicidad , Ciclofosfamida , Dexametasona , Doxorrubicina , Epirrubicina , Etopósido , Femenino , Filgrastim , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos , Humanos , Ifosfamida , Infecciones/inducido químicamente , Linfoma no Hodgkin/complicaciones , Masculino , Metotrexato , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prednisolona , Pronóstico , Proteínas Recombinantes , Tasa de Supervivencia , Vincristina , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a stem cell disease characterized by the BCR/ABL oncoprotein. The ABL kinase inhibitor imatinib is effective in most patients and considered standard first-line therapy. However, not all patients show a long-lasting response to this drug. In fact, resistance against imatinib has been described and is an emerging clinical problem in CML. For these patients, novel multi-kinase inhibitors such as nilotinib or dasatinib as well as stem cell transplantation, represent alternative treatment options. The decision concerning second-line therapies and selection of drugs is usually based on the presence and type of BCR/ABL mutations, the phase of disease, other disease-related factors as well as patient-related factors including age, co-morbidity, and pharmacologic determinants. The current article provides an overview on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with treatment-naïve and imatinib-resistant CML, together with proposed algorithms that were discussed and approved by members of the CML platform of the Austrian Society for Hematology and Oncology (OGHO) in 2007 and 2008. The resulting recommendations should assist in diagnosis and prognostication in CML, follow-up and disease-monitoring, patient selection for interventional therapies, and in the preparation and conduct of clinical trials.