Changes in chronic myeloid leukemia treatment modalities and outcomes after introduction of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first-line therapy: a multi-institutional retrospective study by the CML Cooperative Study Group.

This study investigated changes in treatment modalities and outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CP-CML) after the approval of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2G-TKIs) for first-line therapy. Patients were grouped into those who underwent TKI therapy up to December 2010 (imatinib era group, n = 185) and after January 2011 (2G-TKI era group, n = 425). All patients in the imatinib era group were initially treated with imatinib, whereas patients in the 2G-TKI era group were mostly treated with dasatinib (55%) or nilotinib (36%). However, outcomes including progression-free survival, overall survival, and CML-related death (CRD) did not differ significantly between groups. When stratified by risk scores, the prognostic performance of the ELTS score was superior to that of the Sokal score. Even though both scoring systems predicted CRD in the imatinib era, only the ELTS score predicted CRD in the 2G-TKI era. Notably, the outcome of patients classified as high-risk by ELTS score was more favorable in the 2G-TKI era group than in the imatinib era group. Thus, expanding treatment options may have improved patient outcomes in CP-CML, particularly in patients classified as high-risk by ELTS score.

Possible New Histological Prognostic Index for Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of GRP94 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, an ER stress protein, on large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) cells, intracellular p53, and 15 factors involved in the metabolism of the CHOP regimen: AKR1C3 (HO metabolism), CYP3A4 (CHOP metabolism), and HO efflux pumps (MDR1 and MRP1). The study subjects were 42 patients with LBCL at our hospital. The IHC staining used antibodies against the 17 factors. The odds ratios by logistic regression analysis used a dichotomous variable of CR and non-CR/relapse were statistically significant for MDR1, MRP1, and AKR1C3. The overall survival (OS) after R-CHOP was compared by the log-rank test. The four groups showed that Very good (5-year OS, 100%) consisted of four patients who showed negative IHC staining for both GRP94 and CYP3A4. Very poor (1-year OS, 0%) consisted of three patients who showed positive results in IHC for both GRP94 and CYP3A4. The remaining 35 patients comprised two subgroups: Good (5-year OS 60-80%): 15 patients who showed negative staining for both MDR1 and AKR1C3 and Poor (5-year OS, 10-20%): 20 patients who showed positive staining for either MDR, AKR1C3, MRP1, or p53. The Histological Prognostic Index (HPI) (the four groups: Very poor, Poor, Good, and Very good) is a breakthrough method for stratifying patients based on the factors involved in the development of treatment resistance.

Clinical management of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase, focusing on age and dose effects.

ABL1-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an established treatment choice for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). However, effects of TKI dose modification have not been well investigated. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 178 patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP who were treated with dasatinib or nilotinib, focusing on age and dose effects. Efficacy as measured by cumulative major molecular response (MMR) and molecular response 4.5 rates did not differ significantly between the younger group and elderly group. Elderly patients who started nilotinib at a reduced dose had similar or better efficacy outcomes (including cumulative MMR and continuation ratios) than other groups, and elderly patients who started dasatinib at a reduced dose had the lowest MMR ratio and longest MMR duration. Effects of dose modification based on age and TKI selection can be attributed to flexible management of TKI therapy in real-world practice, but further studies are required to validate the findings of this study.

Management and Risk Factors for Pleural Effusion in Japanese Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with First-line Dasatinib in Real-world Clinical Practice.

Objective Pleural effusion (PE) is a common adverse event that occurs during dasatinib therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the pathomechanism of PE and appropriate management of Asian patients with CML have not been elucidated. This study investigated the incidence rate, risk, and appropriate management of PE in Asian patients with CML treated with dasatinib. Methods We retrospectively collected data on patients in the chronic phase of CML who received first-line dasatinib therapy and were registered in the CML-Cooperative Study Group database. Patients We identified 44 cases of PE in a series of 89 patients and analyzed previously reported risk factors and effective management of PE. Results A univariate analysis revealed that age, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, hypertension, the history of cardiovascular events, and dasatinib dose were significantly associated with PE. A multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥65 years old was the only independent risk factor for PE. Dasatinib dose reduction and switching to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor showed a statistically significant difference in effectively reducing PE volume compared to single diuretic use. Conclusion Although further studies are warranted, our observations showed that advanced age is a significant risk factor for PE, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor dose reduction or replacement of dasatinib may be an effective management strategy for PE in Asian CML patients who received first-line treatment with dasatinib in real-world clinical practice.

Role of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha1 produced by neoplastic cells in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in patients with hematologic neoplasms.

We conducted this study with the objective of elucidating the mechanism of development of fibrosis in hematologic neoplasms and develop treatments for these patients. Among the suggested mechanisms of development of fibrosis is cases of hematologic neoplasms is the production of TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor-beta-1) and TNF-alpha1 (tumor necrotizing factor-alpha-1) by the tumor cells, both of which are fibrosis-stimulating cytokines that act on fibroblasts to promote fibrosis. However, there are few reports based on human clinical pathology studies. We conducted an immunohistochemical study on paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed specimens obtained from 104 patients with various pathologic conditions (acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma, inflammation, cancer, etc.). The association of tissue fibrosis with positive immunohistochemistry for TGF- beta1 and/or TNF-alpha1, TGF-beta1 was found to be strongly associated with tissue fibrosis, and in cases with positive immunohistochemistry for TGF-beta1, the odds ratio for fibrosis was 12.8, which was significantly high. Combined positivity for TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha1 was also associated with a significant odds ratio for fibrosis of 3.4, suggesting that TGF-beta1 expression is an important prerequisite. TGF-beta1 has been suggested as playing a relatively important role in tissue fibrosis. Future clinical application of these cytokines for both diagnosis and treatment is expected.

Development of rapidly fatal TAFRO syndrome-like features in a patient with essential thrombocythemia.

TAFRO syndrome is a rare systemic inflammatory disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly. We encountered a case of calreticulin mutation-positive essential thrombocythemia (ET) with TAFRO syndrome-like features, followed by a rapid fatal course. The patient had been on anagrelide therapy for approximately three years for management of ET; however, she suddenly stopped going for follow-up and discontinued the medicine for a year. She presented with fever and hypotension, suggestive of septic shock, and was transferred to our hospital. The platelet count at the time of admission to another hospital was 50 × 104 / µL; however, it decreased to 25 × 104 / µL upon transfer to our hospital and further decreased to 5 × 104 / µL on the day of her death. In addition, the patient showed remarkable systemic edema and progression of organomegaly. Her condition suddenly worsened and led to her death on the 7th day of hospitalization. Postmortem, serum and pleural effusion interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were significantly increased. Consequently, a diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome, since she met the diagnostic criteria for clinical findings and had high cytokine concentrations. Dysregulation of cytokine networks has also been reported in ET. Therefore, concurrent ET and TAFRO syndrome may have further triggered cytokine storms and contributed to the aggravation of the disease on development of TAFRO syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of complications seen in a patient with TAFRO syndrome due to ET.

Refractory Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma Involving the Spinal Cord with a Temporary Complete Response to Tirabrutinib.

Many patients with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) exhibit central nervous system (CNS) involvement either at the diagnosis or during follow-up. The prognosis in the patients of PVRL with relapsed or refractory CNS remains extremely poor. We herein report a patient with refractory PVRL who had recurrence in the spinal cord despite receiving high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy. The patient surprisingly responded to tirabrutinib temporarily. We believe that this case suggests the utility of this new target therapy.

Factors Associated With Survival in Patients With End-of-Life Hematological Malignancies Who Received Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Single-Institution Study.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians can appropriately terminate treatment or reduce treatment intensity by determining prognostic factors of end-of-life chemotherapy. In particular, it provides important information for patients with hematological malignancies who receive chemotherapy until near-the-end of life compared with patients with solid tumors. This study aimed to clarify whether existing prognostic tools are associated with the survival in patients with end-of-life hematological malignancies who received chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 247 patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies and died at our university hospital hematology ward between May 2015 and May 2021. We performed multivariate analysis in 82 (33.2%) patients who received end-of-life chemotherapy using the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) and inflammation-based prognostic models, such as the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Controlling Nutrition Status (CONUT). RESULTS: On comparing 82 patients who received end-of-life chemotherapy with 165 patients who did not, the proportion of patients with PPI group A, GPS score = 0, and CONUT normal/mild was significantly higher among patients who received chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, we identified PPI groups B (2.0 < PPI ≤ 4.0) and C (PPI > 4.0) [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1290, 95% CI 1.1830-3.828, P = .01166, respectively] and age ≥ 65 years (HR 2.0170, 95% CI 1.1280-3.607, P = .01805) were associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: PPI use and age were independent associating factors for patients with hematological malignancies receiving end-of-life chemotherapy. PPI, a popular prognostic tool may be helpful for patients and hematologists to make decisions about end-of-life care.

Prognostic Value of Palliative Prognostic Index for Hospitalized Patients With End-of-Life Hematologic Malignancies in a Japanese University Hospital.

PURPOSE: Uncertainty of prognosis is one reason patients with hematologic malignancies receive aggressive therapy near end of life more often than those with advanced solid tumors. It is unknown whether end-of-life prognosis prediction models are useful for patients with hematologic malignancies, especially hospitalized patients receiving chemotherapy, because most prognostic models were developed for patients with solid tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) for end-of-life patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 143 patients who became resistant to standard chemotherapy and died of disease progression in our university hospital hematology ward between May 2015 and November 2019. Patients were classified according to PPI scores (groups: A, PPI ≤ 2.0; B, 2.0 < PPI ≤ 4.0; and C, PPI > 4.0) based on their clinical charts at admission. The median overall survival for each patient (95% confidence interval) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank tests were used to determine significant differences between survival curves. RESULTS: Median patient age was 76 years (range: 39-92 years), and 59% were men. Median overall survival times in the PPI groups A, B, and C were 58 days, 36 days, and 10 days, respectively. Statistically significant differences in survival time were observed between the groups (P < .01); prediction accuracy was similar to that for patients with different diagnoses. CONCLUSION: The usefulness of PPI was validated for near-end-of-life hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies.

Use of Ibrutinib in 10 Patients with Treatment-Naïve or Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma in Real-World Clinical Practice -A Report from a Single Medical Institution.

In Japan, ibrutinib has been approved as both a front-line and later-line treatment for chronic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma(CLL/SLL). However, little is known about the actual outcomes and adverse events(AEs)associated with the use of ibrutinib in Japanese patients. OBJECTIVE: The outcomes and AEs of patients treated with ibrutinib in a real-world setting were investigated. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all patients with CLL/SLL who were treated with ibrutinib at a single institution was conducted. RESULT: In total, 10 patients, including 5 treatment-naïve patients(50%), were enrolled. The median follow-up period was 9.8 months(range, 0.2-21.6 months), and the estimated overall response rate (ORR: complete remission plus partial remission)was 60%. The median overall survival and progression-free survival outcomes were not reached. During the follow-up period, 4 patients(40%)had at least one AE and 1 patient(10%)had at least one grade≥3 AE. Ibrutinib was discontinued in 4 patients(40%)because of AEs in 2 patients(20%), the progression of CLL in 1 patient(10%), and financial reasons in 1 patient(10%). Richter's transformation did not occur in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: The ORR was lower(60%)than that observed in clinical trials. The frequency and severity of AEs were both relatively low, although the discontinuation rate was high(40%). Patient education and medication adherence were considered important.

Low‒Risk Essential Thrombocythemia Who Presented with Recurrent Episodes of Cerebral Hemorrhage during Pregnancy and Developed Cerebral Infarction during Puerperium.

A 42‒year‒old woman. At week 27 of pregnancy, she developed subcortical hemorrhage and underwent open cranial surgery for hematoma evacuation. The platelet(Plt)count was 297,000/µL. At week 34 of pregnancy, she developed subcortical hemorrhage again. The Plt count was 429,000/µL. At week 35 of pregnancy, the ventricular rupture and she underwent drainage and emergency cesarean section. The Plt count was 687,000/µL. Two days after delivery, hemorrhage was detected. The Plt count was 815,000/µL. Six days after delivery, she developed infarction. The Plt count was 915,000/µL. MRI revealed no evidence of aneurysm, arteriovenous malformations or tumor. Ten days after delivery, the Plt count was 1,173,000/µL. Bone marrow examination led to the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia(ET). JAK2, CARL and MPL was negative. She was rated as"low‒risk"by IPSET‒thrombosis, and as"ultralow"risk by revised IPSET‒thrombosis. von Willebrand factor(VWF)activity was as high as 247%. The bleeding time and platelet aggregation activity were normal. There was no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP). She died of cerebral hemorrhage and infarction, 26 days after delivery.

Glycolytic enzyme hexokinase II is a putative therapeutic target in B-cell malignant lymphoma.

Hexokinase II (HXKII) is a key regulator of glucose metabolism that converts glucose to glucose 6-phosphate. Furthermore, HXKII blocks mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting the release of cytochrome c. HXKII overexpression is frequently observed in several types of cancer and confers chemoresistance to cancer cells. In the present study, we found that compared with cell lines generated from diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, cell lines with features of Burkitt lymphoma have higher levels of HXKII because of the activation of both c-MYC and HIF-1. Under normoxia, HXKII levels were correlated with the growth ability of each B-cell lymphoma cell line. HXKII levels were further enhanced when the B-cell lymphoma cells were cultured under hypoxia. The high levels of HXKII induced by hypoxia conferred cisplatin resistance in all tested B-cell lymphoma cell lines. The HDAC inhibitor panobinostat significantly suppressed HXKII expression under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Importantly, panobinostat reversed the anti-lymphoma action of cisplatin, and this effect was diminished by hypoxia. These data suggest that HXKII plays different roles, including in the regulation of glycolysis and inhibition of apoptosis, depending on its expression levels. Furthermore, inhibition of HXKII expression by panobinostat may represent a new and attractive strategy to overcome cisplatin resistance.

Combined Coagulopathy Can Induce Both Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Complications in Multiple Myeloma.

Coagulation abnormalities are a rare but critical complication associated with plasma cell diseases. We herein present a case of multiple myeloma (MM) with complicated coagulopathy. Initially, the patient showed severe bleeding tendency due to concomitant acquired hemophilia A and acquired von Willebrand syndrome. Interestingly, the patient also exhibited hyperactivation of factor IX. During treatment for MM, the bleeding complications were ameliorated; however, the patient had central retinal vein occlusion. All of the coagulation abnormalities were completely resolved after the complete remission of MM. This case suggests that MM patients may have concomitant risks for both bleeding and thromboembolic complications.

[Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in an elderly patient successfully treated with eculizumab].

Herein, we present an elderly onset case of aHUS successfully treated with eculizumab. An 80-year-old woman with severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal dysfunction was admitted to our hospital. A laboratory test revealed steep elevation in the LDH level, and the peripheral blood smear showed erythrocyte fragmentations. Accordingly, we diagnosed thrombotic microangiopathy, and treatment with plasma exchange was immediately initiated. In addition, she required hemodialysis because of rapid impairment of the renal function. After excluding Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection and malignancy and confirming her ADMTS13 activity above 10%, we diagnosed aHUS, according to the Japanese diagnostic criteria for aHUS. Next, we initiated treatment with eculizumab. Her hematological findings improved 23 days after the starting of eculizumab. In addition, her renal function gradually recovered, and hemodialysis was discontinued. The genetic test for several complement regulatory genes tested negative. The onset of aHUS is reported in children or young adults and is rarely reported in elderly. However, our case suggests the importance of precisely diagnosing aHUS and initiating early administration of eculizumab for improving the outcome even in elderly patients.

Bortezomib maintenance therapy in transplant-ineligible myeloma patients who plateaued after bortezomib-based induction therapy: a multicenter phase II clinical trial.

In the era of novel therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma (MM), both the significance of achieving the plateau phase and the efficacy of subsequent maintenance therapy remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib maintenance therapy (biweekly for 1 year) in transplant-ineligible MM patients who plateaued after bortezomib-based induction therapy. Of 36 evaluable patients, the overall response rate during induction therapy was 61%, with a stringent complete response in 6%, a complete response in 6%, a very good partial response in 17%, and a partial response in 33%. Twenty patients achieved the plateau phase and subsequently received bortezomib maintenance therapy. Median progression-free survival from the induction and maintenance therapies was 13.8 months (95% confidence interval, 11.4-23.7 months) and 10.7 months (95% confidence interval, 3.7-10.7 months), respectively. During maintenance therapy, there were no cases with grade ≥ 2 peripheral neuropathy, nor was there any improvement in the quality of the response. In conclusion, although maintenance therapy with biweekly bortezomib for up to 1 year was feasible, plateau-oriented bortezomib induction therapy followed by bortezomib maintenance therapy was not adequate in newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible MM patients.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of First-Line Dasatinib Therapy and the Relevance of Velocity of BCR-ABL1 Transcript Decline for Achievement of Molecular Responses in Newly Diagnosed Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Report from the Juntendo Yamanashi Cooperative Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors led to an improvement in the prognoses of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy and safety of dasatinib in Japanese patients and to explore the factors that affect the achievement of molecular responses. METHODS: The primary endpoint was a major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months. The halving time for BCR-ABL1 transcripts was calculated using transcript levels. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with chronic-phase CML (CML-CP) were enrolled and 30 received 100 mg dasatinib once daily. At 24 months of follow-up, 21 (72%) and 24 (83%) patients achieved an MMR by 12 and 24 months, respectively; the rates of a deep molecular response (DMR) by 12 and 24 months were 48 and 59%, respectively. A shorter halving time of BCR-ABL1 transcripts (≤10.6 days) accurately predicted both an MMR and a DMR. The incidence of pleural effusion was 50%. Our study reconfirmed the efficacy and safety of dasatinib treatment in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. In addition, the usefulness of the halving time of BCR-ABL1 transcripts was validated. CONCLUSION: These data emphasize the significance of an early treatment response in achieving a DMR during dasatinib therapy.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome after the Administration of Ruxolitinib in a Patient with Post-polycythemia Vera Myelofibrosis.

The development of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in association with treatment for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is relatively rare. We herein present the case of a post-polycythemia vera (PV) myelofibrosis patient with massive splenomegaly who developed laboratory TLS after treatment with ruxolitinib, a potent JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor. She also exhibited a rapid reduction of spleen volume. Our present case suggests the potential risk of TLS development after ruxolitinib treatment, particularly in patients with massive splenomegaly.

18F-FDG-PET/CT is effective in distinguishing myelofibrosis due to bone marrow infiltration of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from triple-negative primary myelofibrosis.

Although myelofibrosis is mainly associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), especially primary myelofibrosis (PMF), a variety of hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma and malignant lymphoma, also cause myelofibrosis with markedly varying degrees of severity. Thus, it is extremely important to accurately diagnose the underlying diseases that cause fibrosis in bone marrow. Analyses of JAK2, MPL and calreticulin gene mutations are useful for distinguishing MPN from other diseases, since 90% of MPN patients have a mutation in one of these genes. However, 10% of PMF patients do not have mutations in any of these genes, and these patients have a disease known as triple negative PMF. It is sometimes difficult to accurately distinguish triple negative PMF from secondary myelofibrosis caused by other diseases. Herein, we present a case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with bone marrow involvement, mimicking triple negative primary myelofibrosis. 18F-FDG-PET was useful for correctly diagnosing DLBCL.

A CSF3R T618I Mutation in a Patient with Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia and Severe Bleeding Complications.

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare form of myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the drastic elevation of mature neutrophils. One of the major causes of death among patients with CNL is severe bleeding; however, the difficulty of accurately diagnosing this disease has caused confusion in this field. Recently, somatic mutations of the CSF3R gene have been associated with CNL. This has led to the establishment of more accurate diagnostic criteria for CNL. We herein report a case study of a patient with CNL with a T618I point mutation on the CSF3R gene who showed severe bleeding.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type of the uterine cervix: A case report.

We report a rare case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type of the uterine cervix that showed cytologic features mimicking cervical cancer. A 65-year-old woman presented with vaginal bleeding. Gynecological examination revealed a bulky tumor of the cervix. A conventional Papanicolaou-stained cervical smear showed hypercellularity consisting of numerous variably sized cohesive clusters that mimicked epithelial tumors, with a necrotic and inflammatory background. A small number of individually scattered cells were also identified. These scattered cells showed pleomorphic, often cleaved, or horseshoe-shaped nuclei and pale cytoplasm. Biopsy specimens revealed a diffuse growth of atypical cells with an angiocentric pattern. Extensive necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells were present. There were numerous mitotic figures. The tumor cells were positive for CD45RO, CD3ε, CD56, granzyme B, TIA-1, CD7, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization, and negative for cytokeratin, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD20, and CD30. Based on these findings, this tumor was diagnosed as extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type of the uterine cervix.