[Factors influencing severe cytopenia in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients receiving initial second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors and its impact on treatment responses and outcomes].

Objective: To explore the influencing covariates of severe neutrophils and/or thrombocytopenia and their effect on treatment response and outcome in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) receiving initial second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2G-TKI) . Methods: Data from consecutive patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed CP-CML who received initial 2G-TKI at Peking University People's Hospital from September 2008 to November 2021 were interrogated. Binary logistic regression models and Fine-Gray and Cox regression models were applied. Results: Data from 267 patients who received initial 2G-TKI, including nilotinib (n=239, 89.5% ) and dasatinib (n=28, 10.5% ) , were interrogated. The median age was 36 (range, 18-73) years, and 156 (58.4% ) patients were male. At a median treatment period of 1.0 (0.1-3.0) month, 43 (16.1% ) patients developed grade ≥3 neutrophils and/or thrombocytopenia and recovered within 1.0 (0.1-24.6) month. Male (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.2-6.8; P=0.018) , age of ≥36 years (OR=3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.2, P=0.005) , a spleen below a costal margin of ≥7 cm (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.6, P=0.020) , and a hemoglobin (HGB) level of <100 g/L (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.8, P=0.012) at diagnosis were significantly associated with grade ≥ 3 neutrophils and/or thrombocytopenia. Based on their regression coefficients, male, age of ≥36 years, a spleen below a costal margin of ≥7 cm, and an HGB level of <100 g/L were given 1 point to form a predictive system. All patients were divided into three risk subgroups, and the incidence of severe cytopenia significantly differed among the three groups (P < 0.001) . Grade ≥3 neutrophils and/or thrombocytopenia for >2 weeks was significantly associated with lower cumulative incidences of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR, HR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7, P<0.001) and major molecular response (MMR, HR=0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P=0.004) and was not significantly associated with failure, progression, and survival. Conclusion: Male, advanced age, a large spleen, and a low HGB level were significantly associated with severe cytopenia. The four covariates were used to establish a prediction model, in which the incidence of severe cytopenia among different risk groups was significantly different. Severe cytopenia for >2 weeks was a negative factor for responses but not for outcomes.

[Comparison of BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA levels detected by dPCR and qPCR methods in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To compare digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) measurements of BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA expression in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: In this non-interventional, cross-sectional study, BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA was simultaneously measured by dPCR and qPCR in peripheral blood samples collected from patients with CML who underwent tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and who achieved at least a complete cytogenetic response from September 2021 to February 2023 at Peking University People's Hospital. The difference, correlation, and agreement between the two methods were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's correlation, and Bland-Altman analysis, respectively. Results: In total, 459 data pairs for BCR::ABL mRNA expression measured by dPCR and qPCR from 356 patients with CML were analyzed. There was a significant difference in BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods (P<0.001). When analyzed by the depth of the molecular response (MR), a significant difference only existed for patients with ≥MR4.5 (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed for those who did not achieve a major MR (no MMR; P=0.922) or for those who achieved a major MR (MMR; P=0.723) or MR4 (P=0.099). There was a moderate correlation between the BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods (r=0.761, P<0.001). However, the correlation gradually weakened or disappeared as the depth of the MR increased (no MMR: r=0.929, P<0.001; MMR: r=0.815, P<0.001; MR4: r=0.408, P<0.001; MR4.5: r=0.176, P=0.176). In addition, the agreement in BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods in those with MR4.5 was weaker than other groups (no MMR: ▉= 0.042, P=0.846; MMR:▉=0.054, P=0.229; MR4:▉=-0.020, P=0.399; MR4.5:▉=-0.219, P<0.001) . Conclusions: dPCR is more accurate than qPCR for measuring BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA expression in patients with CML who achieve a stable deep MR.

[Combination of socio-demographic and clinical co-variates for predicting treatment responses and outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase].

Objective: To explore the impacts of socio-demographic and clinical co-variates on treatment responses and outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and identified the predictive models for them. Methods: Data of newly diagnosed adult patients with CML-CP receiving first-line TKI and having complete socio-demographic data and clinical information were reviewed. Cox model was used to identify the independent variables associated with complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) , major molecular response (MMR) , molecular response 4 (MR(4)) and molecular response 4.5 (MR(4.5)) , as well as failure-free survival (FFS) , progression-free survival (PFS) , overall survival (OS) and CML-related OS. Results: A total of 1414 CML-CP patients treated with first-line imatinib (n=1176) , nilotinib (n=170) or dasatinib (n=68) were reviewed. Median age was 40 (18-83) years and 873 patients (61.7% ) were males. Result of the multivariate analysis showed that lower educational level (P<0.001-0.070) and EUTOS long-term survival intermediate or high-risk (P<0.001-0.009) were significantly associated with lower cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4) and MR(4.5), as well as the inferior FFS, PFS, OS and CML-related OS. In addition, those who were males, from rural households, had white blood cells (WBC) ≥120×10(9)/L, hemoglobin (HGB) <115 g/L and treated with first-line imatinib had significantly lower cumulative incidences of cytogenetic and/or molecular responses. Being single, divorced or widowed, having, rural household registration, WBC≥120×10(9)/L, HGB<15 g/L, and comorbidity (ies) was significantly associated with inferior FFS, PFS, OS, and/or CML-related OS. Thereafter, the patients were classified into several subgroups using the socio-demographic characteristics and clinical variables by cytogenetic and molecular responses, treatment failure and disease progression, as well as overall survival and CML-related OS, respectively. There were significant differences in treatment responses and outcomes among the subgroups (P<0.001) . Conclusion: Except for clinical co-variates, socio-demographic co-variates significantly correlated with TKI treatment responses and outcomes in CML-CP patients. Models established by the combination of independent socio-demographic and clinical co-variates could effectively predict the responses and outcome.

[The efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of Philadelphia-chromosomal-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: The study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as an induction therapy for Philadelphia-chromosomal-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) . Methods: The data of the consecutive newly diagnosed patients with Ph(+) ALL were reviewed. The efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy and conventional-dose chemotherapy combined with TKI were compared. Results: A total of 217 patients with a median age of 38 (10-69) years old were included in this study. 78 patients were in the low-dose chemotherapy group, and 139 patients were in the conventional-dose chemotherapy group. There were no significant differences in the 4-week complete remission (CR) rate (98.7% vs 97.0%, P=0.766) and overall CR rate (100% vs 100%, P=1.000) between the two groups. Multivariate analyses showed that the chemotherapy intensity was not related to the disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate. However, the lower incidence of infection (P=0.017) , the shorter duration of neutropenia (P=0.001) and PLT<20 × 10(9)/L (P=0.057) , and the lower red blood cell transfusion volume (P=0.002) were more common in the low-dose chemotherapy group than in the conventional-dose chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The low-dose chemotherapy is superior to the conventional-dose chemotherapy combined with TKI as induction therapy in Ph(+) ALL with similar efficacy but is safer.

[Prognostic significance of DEK-NUP214 fusion gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic change and clinical impact of DEK-NUP214 fusion gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) and multicolor flow cytometry (FCM) were used to detect DEK-NUP214 gene expression and leukemia-associated immunophenotype (LAIP) in 15 newly diagnosed patients with positive DEK-NUP214 and receiving allo-HSCT from September 2012 to September 2017 at Peking University People's Hospital. The clinical outcome was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The impact of DEK-NUP214 expression was analyzed by log-rank test. Results: The subjects were followed-up with a median period of 657 (62-2 212) days. The median DEK-NUP214 expression level at diagnosis was 488% (274%-1 692%). Thirteen patients achieved complete remission before allo-HSCT. Thirteen patients had a residual DEK-NUP214 expression of 0.38% (0.029%-738.9%) before allo-HSCT. After allo-HSCT, DEK-NUP214 expression in 9/13 patients remained positive, which dropped by around 500 folds (5.7-5 663.0 folds) within a month post-transplant. Five patients died and 2 patients relapsed. The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse in patients with positive DEK-NUP214 before transplant was 17.5%±11.3% and the 3-year overall survival was 60.5%±13.8%. After allo-HSCT, DEK-NUP214-negative patients had a better outcome. Conclusion: Quantitative monitor of DEK-NUP214 fusion gene could be a sensitive indicator of MRD status after allo-HSCT.

[Analysis of the clinical characteristics of 24 cases of hematological malignancies with SET-NUP214 fusion gene].

Objective: To investigate the expression of SET-NUP214 fusion gene in hematological malignancies and to analyze its related clinical biological characteristics. Methods: The clinical data of 24 patients with SET-NUP214 fusion gene-positive hematological malignancies were retrospectively analyzed, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Among the 24 patients with SET-NUP214 fusion gene, 15 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (13 cases of T-ALL and 2 cases of B-ALL) , 7 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) , and 2 cases of T/myeloid mixed acute leukemia have been identified. The immunophenotype of 13 cases of T-ALL was mainly characterized by CD3(+)CD2(-), 73.3% of ALL was characterized by myeloid marker expression, and 85.7% of AML was characterized by CD7 expression. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 22 patients (91.7%) after induction chemotherapy. All 24 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) . With a median follow-up of 24 months, the 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) of AML and ALL was 85.7% and 33.3%, respectively (P=0.128) . Comparing 13 cases of SET-NUP214-positive and 62 cases of SET-NUP214-negative T-ALL, the CR rates of induction chemotherapy were 92.3% and 93.5% (P=0.445) , and the 4-week CR rates of induction chemotherapy were 69.2% and 72.6%, respectively (P=0.187) ; the differences were not statistically significant. After HSCT, the 3-year RFS of SET-NUP214(+)T-ALL and SET-NUP214(-)T-ALL was 38.5% and 66.4%, respectively (P=0.028) , and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The SET-NUP214 fusion gene is mainly detected in T cell-derived hematological malignancies, and the prognosis of SET-NUP214 positive T-ALL is relatively poor.

[Clinical characteristics, treatment pattern, and outcomes in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase by age].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP) by age. Methods: Clinical data of consecutive ≥14 years old newly diagnosed CML-CP patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: This study included 957 patients. Of the patients, 597 (62.4%) were male. The median age was 40 years (range, 14-83 years) . The patients were stratified into three age groups: <40 years (n=470; 49.1%) , 40-59 years (n=371; 38.8%) , and ≥60 years (n=116; 12.1%) . The proportions of the patients who had splenomegaly (P<0.001) , WBC ≥100 × 10(9)/L (P<0.001) , anemia (P<0.001) , PLT<450 × 10(9)/L (P=0.022) , more blasts in the blood (P=0.010) , and clonal chromosome abnormalities in Philadelphia chromosome-positive cells (P=0.006) at diagnosis significantly decreased with age. However, the proportions of those with comorbidities (P<0.001) , intermediate or high Sokal risk (P<0.001) , and receiving imatinib as front-line therapy (P<0.001) significantly increased with age. No significant differences in gender and the EUTOS Long-Term Survival risks were noted across the three age groups. The multivariate analysis showed that ≥60 years was an adverse predictor for overall survival. However, age was not significantly associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy responses and other outcomes. The incidences of nonhematological toxicity were significantly increased with age during TKI therapy (P<0.001) . However, those of hematological toxicity was similar across the three age groups. The proportions of the patients maintaining imatinib therapy (P=0.026) and receiving low-dose TKI therapy (P<0.001) significantly increased with age at the end of follow-up. Conclusions: Significant differences exist in clinical characteristics, TKI response, overall survival rates, and nonhematological toxicity among newly diagnosed CML-CP patients of different ages.

[Variables associated with BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation in TKI-resistant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia].

Objectives: To explore BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation profiles and clinical variables associated with them in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) -resistant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Imatinib-, nilotinib-, and/or dasatinib-resistant patients with CML who screened BCR-ABL mutation (s) in Peking University People's Hospital between June 2001 and September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. BCR-ABL mutation was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Binary logistic regression model was built to identify independent clinical variables associated with developing BCR-ABL mutation (s) . Results: Data of 1 093 TKI-resistant cases in 804 patients who experienced resistance to imatinib (n=576, 52.7%) , nilotinib (n=238, 21.8%) , and dasatinib (n=279, 25.5%) were analyzed. In total, 291 (50.5%) imatinib-, 152 (63.9%) nilotinib-, and 160 (57.3%) dasatinib-resistant cases developed BCR-ABL mutation (s) . T315I mutation was the most frequent mutation detected in imatinib-, nilotinib-, and dasatinib-resistant cases, accounting for 12.3%, 27.3%, and 34.1%, respectively. Y253F/H (7.5%) and F359V/C/I (5.6%) were the mutation detected in ≥5% imatinib-resistant cases; F359V/C/I (12.2%) , Y253F/H (11.8%) , and E255K/V (10.5%) in nilotinib-resistant cases; and F317L/V/I/C (11.5%) and E255K/V (5.4%) in dasatinib-resistant cases. In multivariate analyses, no TKI dose reduction or discontinuation of TKI therapy was the common variable associated with developing BCR-ABL mutation (s) . Other variables associated with developing BCR-ABL mutation (s) in imatinib-, nilotinib-, or dasatinib-resistant cases included male gender, younger age, no comorbidity, advanced phase before starting current TKI therapy, longer interval from diagnosis to starting current TKI therapy, acquired resistance, and TKI resistance due to progression to advanced phase or hematologic failure. In addition, interval from TKI failure to BCR-ABL mutation detection, starting initial TKI therapy to TKI failure, and starting current TKI therapy to TKI failure were associated with the frequency of developing BCR-ABL mutation. Dasatinib and nilotinib use and acquired resistance were identified to be associated with the development of T315I mutation in multivariate analyses. Conclusions: More than half of TKI-resistant CML patients developed BCR-ABL mutation (s) by Sanger sequencing. T315I mutation was the most frequently detected. Clinical variables significantly associated with developing BCR-ABL mutation (s) should be used not only as basis for the choice of subsequent TKIs but also the understanding of TKI-resistant mechanisms.

[Analysis of the efficacy and influencing factors of nilotinib or dasatinib as second- or third-line treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase and accelerated phase].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and prognosis of nilotinib or dasatinib as second- or third-line treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) . Methods: From January 2008 to November 2018, the data of CML patients who failed first- or second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) -therapy received nilotinib or dasatinib as second-line and third-line therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 226 patients receiving nilotinib or dastinib as second-line (n=183) and third-line (n=43) therapy were included in this study. With a median follow-up of 21 (range, 1-135) months, the cumulative rates of complete hematological response (CHR) , complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMR) were 80.4%, 56.3%and 38.3%, respectively in those receiving TKI as second-line TKI therapy. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 78.7%and 93.1%, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that Sokal high risk, female gender, the best response achieved

[Dasatinib-related pulmonary adverse events in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To explore dasatinib-related pulmonary adverse events in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of pleural effusion (PE) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with CML treated with dasatinib at Peking University People's Hospital from April 2008 to January 2020. Results: A total of 280 patients were collected. The median dasatinib treatment time was 26 (1-142) months. Ninety (32.1%) patients developed PE, including 40 (44.4%) in grade 1, 44 (48.9%) in grade 2, and 6 (6.7%) in grade 3. The incidence of PE increased gradually with the prolongation of treatment. The multivariate analysis showed that increasing age (every 10 years, HR=1.6; P<0.001) , advanced phase when starting dasatinib therapy (HR=2.2; P=0.008) , and cardiovascular comorbidity (ies) (HR=1.9; P=0.018) were significantly associated with developing PE. The advanced phase when starting dasatinib therapy (HR=3.4; P=0.001) , interval from diagnosis to taking TKI for ≤6 months (HR=2.2; P=0.015) , and dose < 100 mg/d when PE was found (HR=3.1; P=0.001) were associated with more severe PE. PE relieved or disappeared after intervention in half of the patients. Among 60 patients with symptoms of cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, 49 underwent ultrasonic cardiography; 8 (16.3%) had high probability of PAH, approximately 3.5% in all patients; and 6 (75.0%) of them had PE. PAH was reversible. There was no difference in the incidences of PE and PAH between branded and Chinese generic dasatinib. Conclusion: PE is a common dasatinib-related pulmonary adverse event, and PAH is rare in patients with CML. The identification of individuals with high risk, close monitoring, and timely intervention may help to alleviate PE and PAH.

[An interlaboratory comparison study on the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels].

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories' results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion: The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.

[Comparison of the efficacy and safety of Chinese generic imatinib and branded imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in consideration of demographic characteristics].

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of Chinese generic imatinib with branded imatinib as frontline therapy in adults with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) (Frontline group) , and to explore the efficacy and safety of Chinese generic imatinib in CML-CP patients switching from branded imatinib (Switching group) . Methods: Frontline group: Data of adults with newly diagnosed CML-CP receiving Chinese generic imatinib (Xinwei(®)) or branded imatinib (Glivec(®)) between October 2013 and August 2018 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Switching group: Data of adults diagnosed with CML-CP who received branded imatinib and then switched to Chinese generic imatinib after achieving at least complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Frontline group: In total, 409 adult patients receiving Chinese generic imatinib (n=201) or Glivec (n=208) were included in this study. Median age was 42 years (range, 18-83 years) . Comparison of baseline showed significant difference on demographic characteristics among two cohorts: lower education level (P<0.001) , and divorced or widowed status (P=0.004) and rural household registration (P<0.001) were more common in the generic imatinib cohort than those in the Glivec cohort. There was no significant difference on age, gender, Sokal risk score, WBC and HGB between the 2 cohorts. With a median follow-up of 25 months (range, 3-62 months) , there was no significant difference on the 3-year cumulative incidence of achieving CCyR (97.5% vs 94.5%, P=0.592) , major molecular response (MMR) (84.3% vs 93.1%, P=0.208) , molecular response(4.0) (MR(4.0)) (42.7% vs 41.7%, P=0.277) , molecular response(4.5) (MR(4.5)) (25.4% vs 33.0%, P=0.306) as well as the 3-year probabilities of failure free survival (FFS) (76.7% vs 81.0%, P=0.448) , progression free survival (PFS) (91.8% vs 96.3%, P=0.325) and overall survival (OS) (95.8% vs 98.5%, P=0.167) between the generic and branded imatinib cohorts. Multivariate analysis showed the type of imatinib was not associated with treatment responses and outcomes. The incidences of adverse effects were comparable in the 2 cohorts. Switching group: In total, 39 patients switching from branded imatinib to Chinese generic imatinib after achieving at least CCyR were included in this study. Median age was 42 years (range, 23-80 years) . With a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 6-63 months) , molecular responses were maintained in 23 (58.9%) patients and improved in 12 (39.8%) patients. Adverse effects were tolerable. Conclusion: Demographic characteristics might influence the choice of the type of TKI used in CML-CP patients. There was a comparable efficacy and safety between the Chinese generic imatinib and the branded imatinib in adults with newly diagnosed CML-CP under standard management and closely monitoring. Patients could safely switch from the branded imatinib to the Chinese generic imatinib.

[Characteristic and prognostic significance of leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions in t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To investigate the characteristic and prognostic significance of leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions including CD34, CD38, CD123, CD96 and TIM-3 in t (8;21) AML. Methods: Bone marrow samples of 47 t (8;21) AML patients were collected at diagnosis from October 2015 to April 2018 in Peking University Peoples' Hospital, then flow cytometry method was performed to detect the expression frequencies of CD34, CD38, CD123, CD96 and TIM-3 to analyze the relationship between leukemia stem cells associated antigens expressions and relapse. Results: Of 47 t (8;21) AML patients tested, the median percentages of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+) CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-) CD96(+) and CD34(+) CD38(-) TIM-3(+) cells among nucleated cells were 2.37%, 0.24%, 0.27% and 0.06%, respectively. All the frequencies of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) and CD34(+) CD38(-)TIM-3(+) cells had no impact on the achievement of CR after the first course of induction. All higher frequencies of CD34(+)CD38(-), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+), CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) cells were related to higher 2-year CIR rate. Whereas, the frequency of CD34(+) CD38(-) TIM-3(+) cells had no impact on CIR rate. Both high frequency of CD34(+) CD38(-) cells and the high level of minimal residual diseases (patients with <3-log reduction in the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript level after the second consolidation therapy) were independent poor prognostic factors of CIR[P=0.025, HR=6.9 (95%CI 1.3-37.4) ; P=0.031, HR=11.1 (95%CI 1.2-99.2) ]. Conclusion: Different leukemia stem cells associated antigens had distinct prognostic significance in t (8;21) AML. High frequencies of CD34(+) CD38(-), CD34(+) CD38(-) CD123(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) cells at diagnosis predicted relapse in patients with t (8;21) AML.

[Severe hematologic toxicity and its impact on treatment response in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia receiving tyrosine kinase-inhibitor therapy].

Objectives: To explore the incidence and factors of severe leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to probe their impacts on cytogenetic and molecular responses, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) . Methods: Data of newly diagnosed patients with CML in the chronic phase (CP) and/or accelerated phase (AP) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: 855 CML patients [including 744 (87%) in the CP and 111 (13.0%) in the AP] were included in this study. 523 (61.2%) patients were male with a median age of 39 years (range, 14-87 years) . 749 (87.6%) patients received imatinib, 93 (10.9%) nilotinib, and 13 (1.5%) dasatinib, respectively as front-line therapy. At a median treatment of 1 month (range, 0.1-7.0 months) , 137 (16.0%) developed ≥grade 3 leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia and recovered 0.6 month (range, 0.3-6.5 months) . Multivariate analysis showed that female gender (OR=1.5, 95%CI 1.0-2.2, P=0.033) , WBC ≥100×109/L (OR=1.9, 95%CI 1.3-2.8, P=0.001) , CP in Sokal high-risk (OR=2.2, 95%CI 1.2-3.9, P=0.005) , AP with ≥15% blast cells in blood or bone marrow (OR=5.1, 95%CI 1.9-13.3, P=0.001) were factors associated with higher incidence of ≥grade 3 leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia. Severe leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia with time of drug discontinuance >2 weeks was associated with lower probabilities of achieving complete cytogenetic (OR=0.4, 95%CI 0.3-0.6, P<0.001) , severe leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia, no matter the time of drug discontinuance >2 weeks or ≤2 weeks, were associated with lower probabilities of achieving major molecular responses (OR=0.3, 95%CI 0.2-0.5, P<0.001; OR=0.7, 95%CI 0.5-1.0, P=0.036) and MR4.5 (OR=0.2, 95%CI 0.1-0.5, P=0.002; OR=0.7, 95%CI 0.4-1.1, P=0.110) ; however, those had no impacts on PFS and OS. Conclusions: Severe leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia were common adverse events during TKI therapy. Female patients, WBC ≥100×109/L at diagnosed, CP in Sokal high-risk, CML-AP with ≥15% blast cells in blood or bone marrow were at high risk for higher incidence of severe leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia. Those severe adverse events had impacts on lower cytogenetic and molecular response.