Impact of pre- and/or post-autologous stem cell transplantation exposure to brentuximab vedotin on survival outcomes in patients with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma.

The AETHERA trial demonstrated that brentuximab vedotin (BV) consolidation after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at high risk of relapse/progression increases progression-free survival (PFS). Patients previously exposed to BV were excluded from that trial. However, BV alone or in combination with chemotherapy is frequently used as front-line treatment and/or pre-ASCT salvage therapy. We analyzed data from 156 patients with high-risk HL who underwent ASCT with (BV-CON, n = 62) or without (non-BV, n = 94) BV consolidation. Fifty-seven patients received BV-based salvage regimens before ASCT. The 3-year overall survival and PFS for all patients were 91.6% and 70.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that BV-CON was associated with better PFS (HR 0.39, p = 0.01), whereas positive PET at transplant leaded to worse PFS (HR 2.71, p = 0.001). BV-CON improved PFS in PET-positive patients (72.2% vs. 43.0%, p = 0.05), with a beneficial trend observed in PET negative (88.8% vs. 75.2%, p = 0.09). BV-CON patients with or without BV exposure pre-ASCT had a significantly better PFS than non-BV with or without BV pretransplant treatment (HR 0.36, p = 0.004). The efficacy of real-life BV consolidation therapy was similar to that in the AETHERA trial. This therapeutic strategy improves survival independently of BV exposure prior to ASCT.

Safety and efficacy of bosutinib in fourth-line therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

Bosutinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (2GTKI) approved at 400 mg once daily (QD) as first-line therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and at 500 mg QD in patients who are resistant to or intolerant of prior therapy. In clinical practice, bosutinib is often given to patients who have failed imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib (i.e., as fourth-line treatment), despite the limited data on its clinical benefit in this setting. We have retrospectively evaluated the results of bosutinib in a series of 62 CML patients who have failed to prior treatment with all three, imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib. Median time on TKI treatment before bosutinib start was 105 (9-163) months, and median duration on bosutinib was 9 months (1-30). Overall, probabilities to achieve complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMR) were 25% and 24% respectively. After a median follow-up period of 14 months, the event-free survival and progression-free survival were 68 and 85%, respectively. Sixty-four percent of patients in CCyR at the time of bosutinib start were able to achieve MMR. In contrast, patients without CCyR, probabilities to obtain CCyR and MMR were 25% and 14%. Bosutinib was well tolerated in this heavily pretreated patients' cohort. Pleural effusions and diarrhea were the most frequent grade II-IV side effects, leading to treatment discontinuation in 16% of patients. Bosutinib is an effective treatment option for patients who have failed previous 2GTKIs due to intolerance. However, efficacy seems to be related to the molecular response that the patient achieved prior to bosutinib.

Association between Germline Single-Nucleotide Variants in ADME Genes and Major Molecular Response to Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

Imatinib is the most common first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used to treat chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). However, only a proportion of patients achieve major molecular response (MMR), so there is a need to find biological factors that aid the selection of the optimal therapeutic strategy (imatinib vs. more potent second-generation TKIs). The aim of this retrospective study was to understand the contribution of germline single-nucleotide variants (gSNVs) in the achievement of MMR with imatinib. In particular, a discovery cohort including 45 CP-CML patients was analyzed through the DMET array, which interrogates 1936 variants in 231 genes related to the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) process. Variants statistically significant in the discovery cohort were then tested in an extended and independent cohort of 137 CP-CML patients. Finally, a total of 7 gSNVs (ABCG1-rs492338, ABCB11-rs496550, ABCB11-rs497692, CYP2D6-rs1135840, CYP11B1-rs7003319, MAT1A-rs4934027 and SLC22A1-rs628031) and one haplotype in the ABCB11 gene were significantly associated with the achievement of MMR with first-line imatinibtreatment. In conclusion, we identified a genetic signature of response to imatinib in CP-CML patients that could be useful in selecting those patients that may benefit from starting imatinib as first-line therapy, therefore avoiding the toxicity related to second-generation TKIs.

Influence of Telomere Length on the Achievement of Deep Molecular Response With Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have dramatically changed the outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and nowadays, one of the main treatment goals is the achievement of deep molecular responses (DMRs), which can eventually lead to therapy discontinuation approaches. Few biological factors at diagnosis have been associated with this level of response. Telomere length (TL) in peripheral blood cells of patients with CML has been related to disease stage, response to therapy and disease progression, but little is known about its role on DMR. In this study, we analyzed if age-adjusted TL (referred as "delta-TL") at diagnosis of chronic phase (CP)-CML might correlate with the achievement of DMR under first-line imatinib treatment. TL from 96 CP-CML patients had been retrospectively analyzed at diagnosis by monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR. We observed that patients with longer age-adjusted telomeres at diagnosis had higher probabilities to achieve DMR with imatinib than those with shortened telomeres (P = 0.035 when delta-TL was studied as a continuous variable and P = 0.047 when categorized by the median). Moreover, patients carrying long telomeres also achieved major molecular response significantly earlier (P = 0.012). This study provides proof of concept that TL has a role in CML biology and when measured at diagnosis of CP-CML could help to identify patients likely to achieve DMR to first-line imatinib treatment.

Early Prediction of Subsequent Molecular Response to Nilotinib in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Comparison of the Quantification of BCR-ABL1 Ratios Using ABL1 or GUSB Control Genes.

Molecular monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcripts is a critical prognostic indicator of treatment response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Quantification of BCR-ABL1 transcripts using ABL1 or GUSB as control genes on the early molecular response (MR) to frontline nilotinib was studied using data from 60 patients with chronic-phase CML from the Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials as First-Line Treatment (ENEST1st) substudy. Effects of BCR-ABL1/ABL1 and BCR-ABL1/GUSB ratios at early time points as independent variables on subsequent MR were determined by logistic regression analyses and predictive cut-off values determined by receiver operating curve analyses. From day 45, concordance was found for both control genes' early transcript kinetics and ability to predict subsequent deep MR at 18 months. From baseline to 3 months, transcripts descended linearly with both control genes. Use of ABL1 allowed for an earlier prediction (2 months) of subsequent MR than with GUSB (3 months), with cut-off values of 1.5% and 0.19%, respectively. The dynamic determination of BCR-ABL1 transcripts using either internal control gene is valid and predictive of subsequent MR. The use of GUSB to predict an earlier and more accurate response than ABL1 is not supported in the results. Accurate early indicators of MR are essential to identify patients likely to have inferior outcomes who may benefit from treatment with an alternative tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Increased serum tumor markers (CA125 and CA15.3) in primary plasma cell leukemia: a case report and review of the literature.

73-year-old woman complaining of bone pain and weight loss was suspected to have a malignant disease, and extensive laboratory investigations were carried out. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma; however, because of the finding of extremely high serum levels of CA125 and CA15.3 and focal liver lesions, a concomitant solid tumor was suspected, which was then excluded with the appropriate tests, including an ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. While being diagnosed, the patient developed a rapidly evolving plasma cell leukemia with a simultaneous increase in CA125 and CA15.3. After treatment with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, the peripheral blood plasma cells disappeared and there was a dramatic decrease in the CA125 and CA15.3 tumor markers. High levels of the latter can be observed in patients with aggressive plasma cell dyscrasias, an observation that is crucial in order to avoid unnecessary tests that can result in treatment delay.

Correction to: An analysis of the kinetics of molecular response during the first trimester of treatment with nilotinib in newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase.

Correction to: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol (2017) 143:2059-2066 DOI 10.1007/s00432-017-2445-z.

Feasibility of treatment discontinuation in chronic myeloid leukemia in clinical practice: results from a nationwide series of 236 patients.

Over half of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in deep molecular response do not lose the major molecular response (MMR) after stopping treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). This strategy is safe in clinical trials, but its applicability in the real-life setting remains unsettled. We describe the outcomes after TKI discontinuation in a nationwide series of 236 CML patients. Median follow-up from treatment discontinuation was 21.5 months and 5 patients died from CML-unrelated causes. TKI therapy was reinitiated due to MMR loss (n = 52), increase ≥ 1 log in BCR-ABL transcript level without losing MMR (n = 12), patient preference (n = 2), and withdrawal syndrome (n = 1). Treatment-free remission rate at 4 years was 64% (95% confidence interval, CI: 55%-72%). Cumulative incidence of molecular recurrence at 3 years was 33% (95% CI: 26%-38%). TKI treatment for < 5 years and MR4.5 duration shorter than 4 years were both associated with higher incidence of molecular recurrence. No patient had disease progression. Response status at last control was: MR4.5 (n = 196), MR4 (n = 15), MMR (n = 14), complete cytogenetic response (n = 10), and other (n = 1). A significant increase in Hb and cholesterol levels was observed after imatinib withdrawal. Our results demonstrate that TKI treatment discontinuation is feasible in real-life clinical practice.

[Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in POEMS syndrome: results in 4 cases]. / Trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos en el síndrome de POEMS: resultados en 4 casos.

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, skin changes) syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by a clonal plasma cell proliferation with a monoclonal protein typically small and lambda restricted. Clinically, this syndrome is a multisystemic disease whose major clinical feature is a peripheral polyneuropathy. A specific treatment for this disease does not exist. We report 4 patients with POEMS syndrome treated with an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in our centre. All patients had an improvement in neurologic symptoms and other manifestations of the syndrome. The monoclonal component and bone lesions decreased or disappeared. In conclusion, autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective therapy in patients with POEMS syndrome.

[Imatinib-induced toxic hepatitis: description of two cases and review of the literature]. / Hepatitis tóxica por imatinib: descripción de dos casos y revisión de la literatura médica.

Imatinib is currently the treatment of choice in chronic myeloid leukemia. The use of this drug is safe, although some cases of imatinib-induced toxic hepatitis have been reported. We present 2 patients treated with this drug who developed acute anicteric hepatitis months after starting treatment. We also review 20 reports of individual cases to characterize imatinib-induced hepatitis. Imatinib-induced hepatitis has a variable latency period, frequently of several months. Half of the patients develop anicteric hepatitis and the clinical course is generally benign. A distinguishing feature of this entity is a transitory increase in transaminase levels in patients diagnosed with hepatitis in the weeks after treatment withdrawal. Resumption of imatinib use provokes hepatitis recurrence, which can be avoided by simultaneous prednisone administration.

An analysis of the kinetics of molecular response during the first trimester of treatment with nilotinib in newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to analyze the association of very early molecular response to nilotinib with the achievement of deep molecular response (MR4) at 18 months. We hypothesized that the BCR-ABL1 levels during the first 3 months of therapy, and the kinetics of their descent in this period, could be predictive of deep molecular response thereafter. METHODS: This substudy of the ENEST1st trial included 60 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase treated with front-line nilotinib, and BCR-ABL1IS levels were measured using GUS as the control gene. The analysis included seven time points during the first trimester of treatment (baseline and fortnightly thereafter). RESULTS: The rates of MMR at 12 months, and of MR4 at 18 months (primary variable of the study), were 70 and 41%, respectively, similar to those obtained in the core study. BCR-ABL1IS ≤10% was achieved at 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 months in 50, 70, 83 and 93% of the patients, respectively. The observed shape of the BCR-ABL1IS descent was biphasic, with a faster slope during the first trimester and a median halving time (HT) of 11 days, the shortest reported in the literature. An HT ≤13 days was predictive of MMR at 12 months and MR4 at 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: The association of a shorter HT with response provides a rationale for exploring very early kinetics patterns in all patients treated with potent TKIs such as nilotinib.

Correlation between genetic polymorphisms of the hOCT1 and MDR1 genes and the response to imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

The association between seven polymorphisms in the genes hOCT1 and MDR1, encoding for imatinib transporter proteins, and the response to imatinib 400mg/daily was investigated in 65 patients newly diagnosed with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. The AA genotype at the rs6935207 hOCT1 polymorphic locus was not detected in patients with inadequate response to imatinib. The CC genotype at the rs1045642 (C3435T) MDR1 locus was associated with primary failure, whereas a T allele at the rs2032582 (G2677T/A) MDR1 locus seemed to protect from primary failure. Beside, the MDR1 haplotype 1236T-2677G-3435C was more frequently found in patients primarily resistant to imatinib.

Darbepoetin-alpha for the anaemia of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

Darbepoetin-alpha, a novel hyperglycosylated erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, was administered to 20 patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia and anaemia. The initial weekly dose, 150 mug, was increased to 300 mug when no response was observed after 4-8 weeks. Eight patients (40%) responded to treatment, including six complete and two partial responses, and five maintained their response at a median follow-up of 12 months (range 4-22). Univariate analysis indicated that older age was the only factor associated with a favourable response to treatment (P = 0.006). None of the patients with appropriate serum erythropoietin levels responded. Treatment was usually well tolerated.