[A woman with gingival enlargement]. / Een vrouw met gezwollen tandvlees.

A 65-year-old female complained of diffuse and rapidly progressive gingival enlargement. Gingival overgrowth can be caused by medication, infections or systemic diseases. In case of generalized, quickly progressive gingival enlargement, acute myeloid leukemia should be considered. Blood results showed an acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Treating the leukemia resolved the symptoms.

Acute myeloid/T-lymphoblastic leukaemia (AMTL): a distinct category of acute leukaemias with common pathogenesis in need of improved therapy.

Advances in the classification of acute leukaemias have led to improved outcomes for a substantial fraction of patients. However, chemotherapy resistance remains a major problem for specific subsets of acute leukaemias. Here, we propose that a molecularly distinct subtype of acute leukaemia with shared myeloid and T cell lymphoblastic features, which we term acute myeloid/T-lymphoblastic leukaemia (AMTL), is divided across 3 diagnostic categories owing to variable expression of markers deemed to be defining of myeloid and T-lymphoid lineages, such as myeloperoxidase and CD3. This proposed diagnostic group is supported by (i) retained myeloid differentiation potential during early T cell lymphoid development, (ii) recognition that some cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) harbour hallmarks of T cell development, such as T-cell receptor gene rearrangements and (iii) common gene mutations in subsets of AML and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), including WT1, PHF6, RUNX1 and BCL11B. This proposed diagnostic entity overlaps with early T cell precursor (ETP) T-ALL and T cell/myeloid mixed phenotype acute leukaemias (MPALs), and also includes a subset of leukaemias currently classified as AML with features of T-lymphoblastic development. The proposed classification of AMTL as a distinct entity would enable more precise prospective diagnosis and permit the development of improved therapies for patients whose treatment is inadequate with current approaches.

Enhancement of chemosensitivity by simultaneously silencing of Mcl-1 and Survivin genes using small interfering RNA in human myelomonocytic leukaemia.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a genetically heterogeneous, severe and rapidly progressing disease triggered by blocking granulocyte or monocyte differentiation and maturation. Overexpression of myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1) and Survivin is associated with drug resistance, tumour progression and inhibition of apoptotic mechanisms in leukaemia and several cancers. In the present study, we examined the combined effect of etoposide and dual siRNA-mediated silencing of Mcl-1 and Survivin on U-937 AML cells. The AML cells were co-transfected with Mcl-1 and Survivin-specific siRNAs and genes silencing were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Subsequently, MTT assay was used for the evaluation of cytotoxic effects by dual siRNA and etoposide on their own and in combination. For the studying of apoptosis, DNA-histone ELISA and annexin-V/FITC assays were performed. Co-transfection of Mcl-1 and Survivin siRNA significantly blocked their expression at the mRNA and protein levels, leading to the induction of apoptosis and strong inhibition of growth (p < .05). Besides, combined treatment of etoposide with Mcl-1 and Survivin siRNAs co-transfection leads to synergistically enhance etoposide-induced cytotoxic and apoptotic effects (p < .05). The results showed that Mcl-1 and Survivin play a major role in the U937 cells survival and their resistance relative to etoposide. Thus, Mcl-1 and Survivin can be considered as promising molecular targets for the treatment of AML. The combination treatment with etoposide, and siRNA-mediated silencing of corresponding genes may be a novel strategy in chemoresistance AML treatment.

The outcomes and treatment burden of childhood acute myeloid leukaemia in Australia, 1997-2008: A report from the Australian Paediatric Cancer Registry.

Childhood acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) requires intensive therapy and is associated with survival rates that are substantially inferior to many other childhood malignancies. We undertook a retrospective analysis of Australian Paediatric Cancer Registry data from 1997 to 2008 together with a single-centre audit during the same period assessing burden on service delivery at a tertiary children's hospital (Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane). Although survival improved from 54.3% (1997-2002) to 69.2% (2003-2008), childhood AML caused a disproportionate number of childhood cancer deaths, accounting for 5.5% of all childhood cancer diagnoses yet 7.9% of all childhood cancer mortality. Furthermore, treatment was associated with significant toxicity requiring intensive use of local health resources. Novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving survival and reducing toxicity are urgently required.

Characteristics and clinical evolution of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia in northeast Mexico: an eight-year experience at a university hospital.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. We documented the characteristics and results of treatment of patients with AML at a single reference center. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AML between June 2003 and July 2011 at a university hospital in northeast Mexico were studied. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were determined, and risk factors were analyzed with respect to their influence on prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 132 AML patients were included. Median age was 32 years. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 55% of patients. CR was achieved by 65.1% of patients <60 years (n = 109), compared to 8.7% of those >60 years (n = 23; p < 0.001). In all, 39% of patients >60 years suffered an early death, compared to 14.7% of those <60 years (p < 0.001). OS for patients with AML was 35%, whereas EFS was 32%. On multivariate analysis, patients >60 years had a lower OS and EFS (p < 0.001). A total of 28% of patients received a transplant, and they had high er OS and EFS. Conclusions: Our patients were considerably younger and had remarkably lower survival rates than reported for other populations; those >60 years had a higher early death rate, and fewer of these patients achieved CR.

Cochlear implantation in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia before allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Bilateral deafness can occur in patients with acute leukemia and it can cause communication problems and depressed mood during the treatment of leukemia. Cochlear implantation (CI) is the choice of hearing rehabilitation; however, there is scarce information about the safety of CI during the treatment of leukemia. A 50-year-old female leukemia patient was successfully implanted with a Nucleus cochlear implant while in complete remission before peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Until now, with a follow-up of 4 years, the patient has useful hearing perception without any complications. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a successful CI in a patient with acute leukemia during the treatment of leukemia.

Analysis of class I and II aberrations in Iraqi childhood acute myeloid leukemia using filter paper cards.

The lack of molecular diagnosis in the field of cancer in Iraq has motivated us to perform a genetic analysis of pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), including class I and II aberrations. Peripheral blood or bone marrow cells were collected from 134 AML children aged ≤15 years. Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) filter paper cards were used to transfer dried blood samples from five Iraqi hospitals to Japan. DNA sequencing was performed to identify class I mutations. Nested RT-PCR was used to detect class II aberrations, except that MLL rearrangement was detected according to long distance inverse-PCR. NPM1 and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations were analyzed by GeneScan using DNA template. Among 134 Iraqi pediatric AML samples, the most prevalent FAB subtype was M2 (33.6 %) followed by M3 (17.9 %). Class I mutations: 20 (14.9 %), 8 (6.0 %), and 8 (6.0 %) patients had FLT3-ITD, FLT3-TKD, and KIT mutations, respectively. Class II mutations: 24 (17.9 %), 19 (14.2 %), and 9 (6.7 %) children had PML-RARA, RUNX1-RUNX1T1, and CBFB-MYH11 transcripts, respectively. MLL rearrangements were detected in 25 (18.7 %) patients. NPM1 mutation was detected in seven (5.2 %) cases. Collectively, approximately 30 % of AML children were proved to carry favorable prognostic genetic abnormalities, whereas approximately 10 % had high FLT3-ITD allelic burden and needed a special treatment plan including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was frequent among Iraqi pediatric AML. It is likely that molecular diagnosis using FTA cards in underdeveloped countries could guide doctors towards an appropriate treatment strategy.

CD44v6-targeted T cells mediate potent antitumor effects against acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma.

Genetically targeted T cells promise to solve the feasibility and efficacy hurdles of adoptive T-cell therapy for cancer. Selecting a target expressed in multiple-tumor types and that is required for tumor growth would widen disease indications and prevent immune escape caused by the emergence of antigen-loss variants. The adhesive receptor CD44 is broadly expressed in hematologic and epithelial tumors, where it contributes to the cancer stem/initiating phenotype. In this study, silencing of its isoform variant 6 (CD44v6) prevented engraftment of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and multiple myeloma (MM) cells in immunocompromised mice. Accordingly, T cells targeted to CD44v6 by means of a chimeric antigen receptor containing a CD28 signaling domain mediated potent antitumor effects against primary AML and MM while sparing normal hematopoietic stem cells and CD44v6-expressing keratinocytes. Importantly, in vitro activation with CD3/CD28 beads and interleukin (IL)-7/IL-15 was required for antitumor efficacy in vivo. Finally, coexpressing a suicide gene enabled fast and efficient pharmacologic ablation of CD44v6-targeted T cells and complete rescue from hyperacute xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease modeling early and generalized toxicity. These results warrant the clinical investigation of suicidal CD44v6-targeted T cells in AML and MM.

Increased risk of gastrointestinal acute GVHD following the addition of melphalan to busulfan/cyclophosphamide conditioning.

Risk factors associated with the development of aGVHD in the gastrointestinal tract have not been studied in depth. We retrospectively assessed 25 pediatric patients with MDS and JMML and compared the treatment outcome of two different conditioning regimens. Seventeen children (68%) underwent conditioning with busulfan (Bu), cyclophosphamide (Cy), and melphalan (Mel) and eight children (32%) with Bu and Cy. Gastrointestinal aGVHD stages II-IV (day 0-100) were observed in 47% (eight of 17) of the patients in the BuCyMel group and in none (0 of 8) in the BuCy group (p < 0.05). In patients who developed gastrointestinal aGVHD stages III-IV, a 24-h variation in the Bu concentration with a nighttime peak was noted. HC and liver aGVHD stages II-IV were observed in 47% (eight of 17) and 35% (six of 17) after BuCyMel conditioning and in 0% (0 of 17) and 12.5% (one of eight) after BuCy conditioning. The overall survival rate was 53% (nine of 17) in the BuCyMel group and 62.5% (five of eight) in the BuCy group. In conclusion, the addition of melphalan to the BuCy conditioning regimen resulted in severe gastrointestinal complications and did not improve overall survival.

Intensive care unit management of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia with no organ failure.

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may present with early complications from sepsis or leukemic infiltration. Benefits from early in-intensive care unit (ICU) hematological management was evaluated in 42 adults with newly diagnosed AML with hematological risk of early death (age 46 years, French-American-British [FAB] M4/5 58%, leukocytes 103 × 10(9)/L) first admitted to the ICU without immediate life support (early-ICU). Controls were 42 patients primarily admitted to hematology wards, matched for age, leukocytes and FAB subtype. Twenty (47.6%) control patients were subsequently admitted to the ICU (late-ICU). Late-ICU patients presented with increased respiratory and cardiac rates, decreased oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and blood pressure, at hospital admission. Late-ICU admission resulted in increased use of mechanical ventilation (60% vs. 33%) and vasopressors (60% vs. 16%), longer ICU stay (9 [6-25] vs. 5 [2-9] days) and decreased ICU survival (65% vs. 79%). Direct admission to the ICU of patients with high-risk AML with physiological disturbances but no organ dysfunction is associated with improved outcomes.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin-induced long-term remission in a woman with acute myelomonocytic leukemia and bone marrow relapse following allogeneic transplantation.

A 56-year-old woman with acute myelomonocytic leukemia underwent myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a matched unrelated donor in her first complete remission (CR). Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) prophylaxis consisted of low-dose heparin and ursodeoxycholic acid. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis comprised tacrolimus and short-term methotrexate. On day 14, VOD developed, but gradually resolved with supportive therapy. On day 58, she showed grade II acute GVHD, but this resolved spontaneously. On day 140, she developed hematological relapse with 40.2% marrow infiltration of CD33-positive blasts. Following the discontinuation of tacrolimus, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) was administered. After GO administration, the patient exhibited mild VOD and severe pancytopenia with a sustained high fever for 6 weeks without evident infection. Bone marrow examination revealed severe hypoplastic marrow with 1.3% blasts 4 weeks after GO administration. Although transfusion-dependent pancytopenia persisted for 8 months after GO administration, bone marrow examination revealed the recovery of normal hematopoietic cells with 0.8% blasts. The patient has remained in CR with incomplete blood count recovery for 7 years following GO administration. Although the standard treatment for acute myeloid leukemia relapse after allo-SCT still remains to be established, GO may be a promising option.

High-dose daunorubicin in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: A complete remission is essential for prolonging survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Daunorubicin is a cornerstone of the induction regimen, but the optimal dose is unknown. In older patients, it is usual to give daunorubicin at a dose of 45 to 50 mg per square meter of body-surface area. METHODS: Patients in whom AML or high-risk refractory anemia had been newly diagnosed and who were 60 to 83 years of age (median, 67) were randomly assigned to receive cytarabine, at a dose of 200 mg per square meter by continuous infusion for 7 days, plus daunorubicin for 3 days, either at the conventional dose of 45 mg per square meter (411 patients) or at an escalated dose of 90 mg per square meter (402 patients); this treatment was followed by a second cycle of cytarabine at a dose of 1000 mg per square meter every 12 hours [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] for 6 days. The primary end point was event-free survival. RESULTS: The complete remission rates were 64% in the group that received the escalated dose of daunorubicin and 54% in the group that received the conventional dose (P=0.002); the rates of remission after the first cycle of induction treatment were 52% and 35%, respectively (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of hematologic toxic effects, 30-day mortality (11% and 12% in the two groups, respectively), or the incidence of moderate, severe, or life-threatening adverse events (P=0.08). Survival end points in the two groups did not differ significantly overall, but patients in the escalated-treatment group who were 60 to 65 years of age, as compared with the patients in the same age group who received the conventional dose, had higher rates of complete remission (73% vs. 51%), event-free survival (29% vs. 14%), and overall survival (38% vs. 23%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AML who are older than 60 years of age, escalation of the dose of daunorubicin to twice the conventional dose, with the entire dose administered in the first induction cycle, effects a more rapid response and a higher response rate than does the conventional dose, without additional toxic effects. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN77039377; and Netherlands National Trial Register number, NTR212.)

Anthracycline dose intensification in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: In young adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), intensification of the anthracycline dose during induction therapy has improved the rate of complete remission but not of overall survival. We evaluated the use of cytarabine plus either standard-dose or high-dose daunorubicin as induction therapy, followed by intensive consolidation therapy, in inducing complete remission to improve overall survival. METHODS: In this phase 3 randomized trial, we assigned 657 patients between the ages of 17 and 60 years who had untreated AML to receive three once-daily doses of daunorubicin at either the standard dose (45 mg per square meter of body-surface area) or a high dose (90 mg per square meter), combined with seven daily doses of cytarabine (100 mg per square meter) by continuous intravenous infusion. Patients who had a complete remission were offered either allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or high-dose cytarabine, with or without a single dose of the monoclonal antibody gemtuzumab ozogamicin, followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation. The primary end point was overall survival. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, high-dose daunorubicin, as compared with a standard dose of the drug, resulted in a higher rate of complete remission (70.6% vs. 57.3%, P<0.001) and improved overall survival (median, 23.7 vs. 15.7 months; P=0.003). The rates of serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. Median follow-up was 25.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: In young adults with AML, intensifying induction therapy with a high daily dose of daunorubicin improved the rate of complete remission and the duration of overall survival, as compared with the standard dose. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00049517.)

[Effect of FK506 and CSA on the cell survival of engrafted HSC and the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in leukemia mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of FK506 and CSA on the survival of HSCs and the level of IL-2 and IL-4. METHODS: The WEHI23 cells were injected into vein from tail of mice to set up the leukemia model. The Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were harvested from GFP mice and cultured in vitro, then injected into the vein of leukemia mice. FK506 and CSA, as two immunosuppress agents, were applied in leukemia mice and intact mice, and leukemia mice were as control. RESULTS: Some HSCs could survive in the host treated with FK506 and CSA at least 2 weeks, while HSCs survived only 1 week in intact or leukemia control mice. Simultaneously, the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in leukemia mice treated with FK506 and CSA decreased significantly than those of intact or leukemia control mice. CONCLUSION: FK506 can promote the survival of HSCs in host, and the mechanism may be associated with the down regulation of IL-2 and IL-4.