Experience with combination of hydroxyurea and low-dose thalidomide in transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia patients.

Hydroxyurea (HU) and thalidomide have been reported to improve clinical and hematological parameters in transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the combination of HU and thalidomide in 140 transplant ineligible TDT, ≥ 10 years old, visiting our thalassemia clinic between October 2014 and November 2019. Responses were defined as maintenance of hemoglobin ≥9gm/dl without transfusion as complete response (CR) and with at least 50% reduction in transfusion burden as partial response (PR). Patients with less than 50% transfusion burden reduction for consecutive 6 months of therapy were defined as non-responders (NR), and treatment was discontinued thereafter. Primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) at last follow-up. At median follow-up of 22.6 (95% CI 16.4-28.7) months, 76 (57.2%) patients achieved CR and 19 (14.3%) achieved PR, accounting to an ORR of 71.5%. Among responders at last follow-up, a significant increase in the post-treatment hemoglobin (0.88±0.37gm/dl, p<0.0001) and drop in serum ferritin (-1490.5ng/ml, p<0.0001) were observed. Median time to CR was 124 (95% CI 75.3-172.6) days. Median longest continuous CR was 791 (95% CI 662.2-919.7) days. Common toxicities observed were sedation (25%), hyperbilirubinemia {(23.57%, grade 3/4 =17 (12.14%)}, and constipation (22.8%). Nearly three-fourth of the patients has responded with majority having CR. Adverse events are a concern; hence, regular close monitoring is a prerequisite.

Is Old (Fludrabine/Busulfan/Cyclophosphamide/rAntiThymocyteGlobulin) Conditioning Still Gold for Allogeneic Transplants in Transfusion Dependent Beta-Thalassemia of All Risk Categories in 21st Century?

Allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) is the only curative option for transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT) until the gene therapy could bring paradigm shift. We analysed TDT allo-SCTs performed with Flu/Bu/Cy/rATG conditioning between October 2018 and April 2022 at our center. A retrospective analysis of 55 consecutive HLA matched alloSCT for TDT and was approved by hospital's Institutional Review Board. Median age was 7(2-13) years. On presentation, number of patients with Class I, II, III were 18 (32.7%), 14(25.4%) and 23(41.8%) respectively {ClassIIIA = 14(25.4%),ClassIIIB = 9(16.3%)}. After downstaging, Class I, II, III were 22(40%), 15(27.2%) and 18(32.7%) patients respectively {ClassIIIA = 15(27.2%),ClassIIIB = 3(5.4%)}. Graft was bone marrow in 53(96.4%) and peripheral blood stem cell in 2(3.6%) patients. Mean CD34 stem cell dose was 3.28(1.2-6.5) × 106/kg. Neutrophils and platelets engrafted at a median of 16(12-32) and 17(12-48) days. Median duration of follow-up was 20.7(1.8-43.9) months. There was no primary rejection. Although, mixed chimerism was common {17(30.9%)}, there was only one secondary rejection (1.8%). Venoocclusive disease was seen 12(21.8%) patients {mild = 9(75%), moderate = 2(16.6%) and severe = 1(8.3%)}. Acute and Chronic graft versus host disease was observed in 4(7.2%) and 4(7.2%) patients respectively. There was no treatment related mortality. Overall survival and Thalassemia Free Survival were 100% ± 0% and 98% ± 2% respectively. Flu/Bu/Cy/rATG conditioning with BM graft is a safe and effective regimen even in higher risk. It also highlights the importance of pretransplant downstaging of risk class in improving the outcomes.

Second stem cell transplantation for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma after first autologous stem cell transplant: A 15-year retrospective institutional analysis.

Background: Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, with the majority of patients relapsing after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). After relapse, second transplant remains one of the therapeutic options, along with novel agents. Methods: We reviewed the data of our patients who underwent ASCT for myeloma (N = 202) over the last two decades (2004-2019). Of these, 12 patients underwent a second transplant. Results: Out of 12 patients, nine underwent second autologous stem cell transplant, whereas three received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). Median progression-free survival (PFS) after the first ASCT was 32 months (5-84 months). Median interval between both the transplants was 35 months (4-159 months). Median age of our cohort which underwent second transplant was 56 years. Overall response rate (ORR) post-second transplant on day +100 was 83.3%, without any transplant-related mortality (TRM). With the use of preemptive plerixafor, none of our patients required a second day for stem cell harvest. Median CD34 dose of stem cells infused was 4.11 × 106/kg. Similar to the first ASCT, the median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 11 and 12 days, respectively. At a median follow-up of 41 months, estimated 3-year PFS and overall survival (OS) was 37% ± 15% and 63% ± 15%, respectively. Conclusion: ">Among all relapsed myeloma patients who were transplant eligible, 11% underwent a second transplant. Second transplant is well tolerated with similar time to engraftment after first ASCT. Hence, we believe that second transplant is a feasible, cost-effective option in a resource-limited setting, which should be more widely utilized.

Retrospective Study of Carfilzomib-Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

Carfilzomib is a second-in class Proteosome Inhibitor and has been approved for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM). We retrospectively retrieved and analyzed data of KPd combination both biweekly and weekly regimens at our centre from 1 st August 2017 and 31 st May 2020. Sixty-nine patients were treated with KPd with median age of 58 years. Median prior lines of chemotherapy were 2(1-15). Twenty-eight (40.5%) patients underwent autoSCT. Median no. of cycles was 4(1-12) and 3(1-13) with median time to response of 4(2-12) and 2(2-6) months in biweekly and once weekly regimen cohorts respectively. At last follow-up, overall response rate (ORR) was 65.2%{CR-n = 10 (14.5%), VGPR-n = 19 (27.5%), PR-n = 16 (23.2%)} with n = 13(18.8%) patients had PD and relapse was observed in n = 24(34.8%). Thirty (43.4%) patients received maintenance therapy {n = 21(70%)} or autoSCT {n = 9(30%)}. Common toxicities were anemia {n = 11(15.9 %)}, thrombocytopenia (n = 15(21.7%) and neutropenia (n = 16 (23.2%)}, hypertension {n = 28(40.5%)}, peripheral neuropathy (grade1/2) {n = 15(21.7%)}, infections [n = 18(26%) {bacterial [n = 9(13%),viral n = 7(10.1%), fungal n = 8(11.6%)}]. At a median follow-up of 18 months, the estimated median PFS was 11.3 months (95%C.I. 8.3- 14.2) whereas the estimated median OS was 28 months (95%C.I. 20.4-35.5) for the entire cohort. Mortality rate of 2.5% and 10% in two cohorts respectively. Commonest cause of death was PD and sepsis. KPD is a well-tolerated regimen for RRMM, which can be a bridge to ASCT, however with significant side effects.

High Risk Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia - An Enigma for Hematologists: Optimizing Treatment with APML-4 Protocol.

Management of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML) has improved drastically after the introduction of ATRA (All-trans-retinoic acid) and Arsenic trioxide (ATO). The use of APML-4 protocol has shown its effectiveness in Australian population. We know that high-risk APML represents a subset with poor outcomes. There is scarcity of literature reporting outcomes of high-risk APML from India. We present a 5-year retrospective analysis of the safety and efficacy of APML-4 protocol in our 28 high-risk patients. Of 28 patients, there were 8(28.5%) early deaths; all 20 patients (100%) who were alive achieved hematologic complete remission post-induction and molecular complete remission post-consolidation. The 5-year disease free survival, failure free survival (FFS) and overall survival were 100%, 69% and 69% respectively. Factors affecting FFS were age > 45 years (p = 0.008), baseline ECOG-PS > 1 (p < 0.0001), and grade 3-4 differentiation syndrome (p = 0.008). APML-4 protocol in high-risk patients is capable of achieving excellent disease control with less toxicities. While early induction deaths in high-risk APML still remain an issue, protocol modifications (for steroid and anthracyclines) are important considering high frequency of infections at baseline and during induction therapy in our population.

Primary Bone Lymphoma: A 13 Year Retrospective Institutional Analysis in the Chemo-Immunotherapy Era.

Primary Lymphoma of bone (PBL) is an uncommon extranodal tumor accounting for 1% of all malignant lymphomas. The incidence of PBL is so rare that many of its aspects remain unknown. We retrospectively analysed our data in order to know clinical characteristics and treatment outcome in Indian population in chemo-immunotherapy era. We identified 49 patients [2007-2019] (median age 52 years) of which, 35 (71.4%) were males. Nearly one-third patients (n = 18; 36.8%) were elderly (Age > 60). The most common histological subtype was DLBCL. Local pain /swelling (n = 23; 47%) and B symptoms (n = 20; 44.4%) was the most common presentation. Spine was the most frequently involved site (n = 25; 51%) followed by pelvis (n = 17; 34.7%). One third patients had poor ECOG-PS ≥ 2, (n = 16; 32.6). More than 50% of the population presented with IPI score ≥ 2 (n = 25; 55.5%). Majority of the patients presented with Ann-Arbor stage IV disease (n = 31; 63.2%). (n = 32; 71.1%) cases received chemotherapy alone and (n = 13; 28.9%) patients were treated in combination with local radiotherapy. R-CHOP was the most common treatment regimen given to patients (n = 43; 95.5%). Overall, three-fourth patients (n = 36; 80%) achieved a complete response. At a median follow-up of 45 ± 2 (range 3-144) months, 4-year OS (Overall Survival) and PFS (Progression free survival) was 83.1% and 74.5%, respectively, using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Prognostic factors for OS on multivariate analysis were ECOG-PS 0-1 [p = 0.05], age < 60 [p = 0.03] and achievement of CR [p = 0.001]. PBL in India is usually of DLBCL subtype, with spine as the most common site. It has an excellent prognosis in the R-CHOP era. Chemo-immunotherapy with 6 R-CHOP followed by addition of Radiotherapy if partial response appears to provide good outcomes. However, the exact role of radiation still needs to be confirmed.

Study of clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes for tuberculosis post allogeneic stem cell transplant: never count it out.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic stem cell transplant (AlloSCT) recipients remain at a higher risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), especially in endemic populations. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the incidence, clinical presentation, and risk factors for active TB among our alloSCT recipients. METHODS: Records of all patients transplanted between 1 January 2012 and 31 July 2020 were reviewed. Patients were followed up for outcome until 30 September 2020. None of the patients received prophylactic anti-tubercular drugs. Proven diagnosis of active TB was considered if Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was cultured from clinical samples or acid-fast bacilli (AFB) or MTB demonstrated on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining or histopathology or XPERT MTB, while probable diagnosis of TB was considered if histopathology findings were suggestive of caseation necrosis/epithelioid cell granulomas without any evidence of malignancy or lymphocyte rich exudative effusions (pleural/pericardial) without an alternative cause. RESULTS: Among 381 alloSCT recipients, 15 patients (3.9%) developed TB at median of 246 (74-279) days post AlloSCT, after being symptomatic for a median of 22 (7-60) days, amounting to a cumulative incidence of 4.9%. All patients were started on four-drug anti tubercular therapy, ATT [Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide (RHEZ)], of which five patients developed hepatotoxicity at a median of 12 days after start of ATT, leading to drug modification. At last follow up, TB was cured in 13 (86.67%) patients, one succumbed to disease relapse, while others are still on treatment. Age ⩾ 30 years, immunosuppression for graft versus host disease (GvHD) > 6 months, prior use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and chronic GvHD on univariate analysis and immunosuppression for GvHD > 6 months on multivariate analysis were found to be associated with development of TB. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion with timely workup and treatment of TB is the key in AlloSCT recipients, especially in endemic TB populations.

Study of Three Cases of Primary Refractory T Cell ALL.

A significant proportion of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients do not achieve complete remission after 4 weeks of induction chemotherapy or relapse early. Salvage chemotherapy for such patients usually results in poor outcome which can be up to 20-30% survival with allogeneic BMT. Nelarabine combined with chemotherapy, in COG AALL0434 study, showed 4-year disease-free survival of 54.8% in patients with primary refractory T ALL. An allogeneic BMT in such patients may further improve outcome. In this report, three patients with primary refractory T cell ALL including a case of ETP-ALL and near ETP-ALL were treated with Nelarabine combined with COG based regime and thereafter an allogeneic stem cell transplantation. All three patients achieved a complete remission with negative minimal residual disease status with one course of therapy, received allo SCT (MSD = 2, Haplo = 1) and are surviving in complete remission at 12 months, 14 months and 25 months of follow up. This report highlights that primary refractory T ALL patient can be successfully treated with Nelarabine in combination with chemotherapy and consolidation with allogeneic SCT to provide maximum chances of long-term survival and cure.

Hypomethylating agents+venetoclax induction therapy in acute myeloid leukemia unfit for intensive chemotherapy - novel avenues for lesser venetoclax duration and patients with baseline infections from a developing country.

Both elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and those with baseline infections, when treated with intensive chemotherapy, are associated with high induction mortality. We report 24 patients (16-newly-diagnosed, 8-relapsed/refractory) with AML deemed unfit for intensive chemotherapy (by virtue of age >60 years, ECOG-PS 3-4, or those with non-resolving infections at baseline), treated with azacytidine-venetoclax combination as induction chemotherapy. Median follow-up of the study group was 8 months. The overall complete remission (CR)+CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) rate was 58.3%. 1-year progression-free survival and overall survival of the whole cohort was 44.4% and 55.8%, respectively. On subgroup analysis, newly-diagnosed AML (p=0.05), intermediate-risk cytogenetics (p=0.007), and HMA-naïve (p=0.05) patients had a significantly better outcome. AML patients with baseline infections (versus without infections) treated with azacytidine-venetoclax induction, have lesser induction mortality (compared with historic intensive chemotherapy) with equivalent response rates. A detailed analysis amongst cohorts with different venetoclax durations revealed that, shorter duration (<21 days) venetoclax (versus 21-28 days duration) in induction therapy leads to similar response rates and similar severity of myelosuppression, however, with early count recovery and lesser duration of intravenous antibiotics.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Upfront Nilotinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Single-Center Experience.

Context Nilotinib is a second-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Aims We aim to evaluate the responses and safety of upfront Nilotinib therapy in Indian CML patients. Setting and Design We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of CML patients who received Nilotinib as an upfront treatment at our center between January 1, 2011 and October 15, 2019.The follow-up was taken till March 31, 2020. Results Forty One patients ( n = 36 chronic phase and five accelerated-phase CML) received frontline Nilotinib. Median age was 39 years (21-63) with male-to-female ratio of 1.1: 1. At 3 months, 96.9% patients achieved BCR-ABL of ≤10% at international scale. By the end of 12 months, 71.5% patients achieved major molecular response (BCR-ABL ≤0.1%) and 91.4% patients achieved complete cytogenetic response assessed by BCR-ABL polymerase chain reaction of ≤1%. Common toxicities observed were weight gain, thrombocytopenia, corrected QT prolongation, and elevated serum amylase in 14 (34.1%), 7(17.07%), 4(9.7%), and 4(9.7%) patients, respectively. Overall, five patients had loss of response with further progression and death in three patients. At a median of 43.7 months, 38 patients survived with estimated 3 year event-free survival and overall survival of 65 ± 9 and 93 ± 5%. Conclusion This study showed remarkable good response with upfront Nilotinib in Indian patients with CML.

Extranodal NK-T Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type: Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Data.

Peripheral T cell lymphomas constitute nearly 15% of all cases on non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Of these, NK-T cell lymphoma nasal type is a rare and aggressive form. We present our experience of 16 patients of NK/T cell lymphoma which constituted approximately 1% of all lymphoma (N = 1590) cases treated at our center. Male to female ratio was 4.3:1. Median age of presentation was 42 years. Early Stage patients (n = 11) were treated with DeVIC regimen (n = 10) and SMILE (n = 1) chemotherapy and RT to all the patients. Advanced stage patients were treated with SMILE regimen (n = 4) and ICE and local RT (n = 1) with one treatment related mortality. The presence of B-symptoms adversely affected survival. The estimated median PFS and OS were 39 and 49 months respectively. Overall survival was not reached in Limited Stage patients (stage 1 and 2) and 8 months in patients with advanced stage (stage IV) (p = 0.001). According to the new CSWOG staging (retrospectively applied), comparing the Limited versus Extensive Stage, the earlier group has a significantly better estimated PFS (p = 0.020) and OS (p = 0.007). ENKTL is a rare malignancy with aggressive course. B-symptoms portend a poor prognosis to patients with this aggressive lymphoma. The new staging system helps estimate survival better.