The use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents with ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis in COMFORT-II: an open-label, phase 3 study assessing efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib versus best available therapy in the treatment of myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is considered a negative prognostic risk factor for survival in patients with myelofibrosis. Most patients with myelofibrosis are anemic, and 35-54 % present with anemia at diagnosis. Ruxolitinib, a potent inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2, was associated with an overall survival benefit and improvements in splenomegaly and patient-reported outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis in the two phase 3 COMFORT studies. Consistent with the ruxolitinib mechanism of action, anemia was a frequently reported adverse event. In clinical practice, anemia is sometimes managed with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). This post hoc analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of concomitant ruxolitinib and ESA administration in patients enrolled in COMFORT-II, an open-label, phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib with best available therapy for treatment of myelofibrosis. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive ruxolitinib 15 or 20 mg twice daily or best available therapy. Spleen volume was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan. RESULTS: Thirteen of 146 ruxolitinib-treated patients had concomitant ESA administration (+ESA). The median exposure to ruxolitinib was 114 weeks in the +ESA group and 111 weeks in the overall ruxolitinib arm; the median ruxolitinib dose intensity was 33 mg/day for each group. Six weeks before the first ESA administration, 10 of the 13 patients had grade 3/4 hemoglobin abnormalities. These had improved to grade 2 in 7 of the 13 patients by 6 weeks after the first ESA administration. The rate of packed red blood cell transfusions per month within 12 weeks before and after first ESA administration remained the same in 1 patient, decreased in 2 patients, and increased in 3 patients; 7 patients remained transfusion independent. Reductions in splenomegaly were observed in 69 % of evaluable patients (9/13) following first ESA administration. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant use of an ESA with ruxolitinib was well tolerated and did not affect the efficacy of ruxolitinib. Further investigations evaluating the effects of ESAs to alleviate anemia in ruxolitinib-treated patients are warranted (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT00934544; July 6, 2009).

BMI1, the polycomb-group gene, is recurrently targeted by genomic rearrangements in progressive B-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

BMI1, a Polycomb-group gene located at 10p12.2, is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of tumors. However, the genetic molecular mechanisms underlying its aberrant expression in cancer cells remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that BMI1 is recurrently targeted by chromosomal aberrations in B-cell leukemia/lymphoma. We identified a novel t(10;14)(p12;q32)/IGH-BMI1 rearrangement and its IGL variant in six cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and found that these aberrations were consistently acquired at time of disease progression and high grade transformation of leukemia (Richter syndrome). The IG-BMI1 translocations were not associated with any particular molecular subtype of CLL and the leukemias were negative for common mutations of NOTCH1 and TP53, known to increase a risk of progression and transformation in CLL. In addition, using FISH and SNP array analysis, we identified a wide range of BMI1-involving 10p12 lesions in 17 cases of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). These aberrations included various balanced and unbalanced structural abnormalities and very frequently but not exclusively, were associated with gain of the BMI1 locus and loss of the 10p terminal sequences. These findings point to genomic instability at the 10p region in MCL which likely promotes rearrangements and deregulation of BMI1. Our findings are in line with previously published observations correlating overexpression of BMI1 with tumor progression and chemoresistance. In summary, our study provides new insights into genetic molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant expression of BMI1 in lymphoma and documents its contribution in the pathogenesis of Richter syndrome and MCL.

Diagnosis and follow-up of monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance; information for referring physicians.

The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is generally estimated at 3.4% in the general population over 50 years, and its incidence increases with age. MGUS represents a preneoplastic entity that can transform into multiple myeloma or other lymphoproliferative disorders. The risk of malignant transformation is estimated at 1% per year and persists over time. Predictors of malignant transformation have been identified such as the heavy chain isotype, The level of monoclonal proteins, increasing levels of the monoclonal component during the first years off follow-up, the percentage of bone marrow plasmocytosis, the dosage of serum free light chains, the presence of immunophenotypically abnormal plasma cells, aneuploidy, and the presence of circulating plasma cells. Prognostic scores that combine certain of these factors have been proposed and allow the identification of high-risk patients. Their use could assist in tailoring the care for each patient, based on his/her risk profile.

Recurrent breakpoints in 14q32.13/TCL1A region in mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes.

The genetic background of mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes is poorly understood. We identified a novel breakpoint region at 14q32.13 that was rearranged together with IGH/14q32.33 in four cases of BRAF/V600E-negative leukemia/lymphoma with villous lymphocytes carrying either t(14;14)(q32.13;q32.33) (three patients) or del(14)(q32.13q32.33) (one patient). The 14q32.13 breakpoints were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the region harboring the TCL1A/TCL1B/TCL6 genes, known to be affected by TCRA/D-mediated t(14;14)(q11;q32)/inv(14)(q11q32) occurring in T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. To identify the target of t(14;14)(q32.13; q32.33) and del(14)(q32.13q32.33), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of 25 candidate genes located centromerically and telomerically to the 14q32.13 breakpoint was performed. Any of the analyzed genes was commonly overexpressed in the presented cases. Of note, up-regulated transcription of TCL1A was observed in two cases. In summary, we provide evidence that IGH-mediated chromosomal aberrations affecting the 14q32.13/TCL1A-TCL6 region are recurrent in mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes. Despite extensive qRT-PCR studies, molecular consequences of these novel aberrations remain elusive.

Aplastic anemia after transplantation for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure: case report and review of the literature.

Aplastic anemia is a rare complication of liver transplantation (<1%). However, an increasing number of cases of aplastic anemia have been recently reported when liver transplantation is performed for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure. The aim of this study is to reevaluate the importance and the incidence of aplastic anemia after liver transplantation for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure, and to propose preventive measures, diagnostic and management guidelines to try to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality associated with this complication. In this report a case of aplastic anemia after liver transplantation for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure is described. In addition, the pertinent literature on aplastic anemia after liver transplantation, since the first description of that complication in 1987, is reviewed. A 20-year-old woman developed aplastic anemia 14 weeks after liver transplantation for fulminant non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis. After failure of G-CSF treatment, she was treated with intensive immunosuppression (FK 506, ATG, high-dose steroids). She is well 1 year post-transplantation, with normal liver tests and with bone marrow recovery. Through a Medline literature search (1988-1999), we identified 30 additional cases of aplastic anemia following liver transplantation for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure. Of all liver transplantations performed for that indication at five participating centers, the mean incidence of aplastic anemia was 23.2%. Mean age was 10 years (1.2-29) and the male/female ratio was 4.6. For treating aplastic anemia, different modalities were used: ATG ( n=12), ALG ( n=1), OKT 3 ( n=1), G-CSF ( n=6), a 6-HLA-compatible bone marrow transplantation ( n=3), and none ( n=12). The mortality rate remains high (39%), with infections and bleeding as the two most frequent causes of death. Based on this literature review, we conclude that aplastic anemia is a relatively common complication of liver transplantation for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure in children and young adults. An unknown viral agent operating through immune-mediated mechanisms is probably responsible. The myelotoxic environment inherent to transplantation (e.g. azathioprine, trimethoprim) probably has a cumulative effect. Preventive measures (e.g. not using myelotoxic drugs) should be adopted in high-risk children and young adults transplanted for non-A, non-B, non-C fulminant hepatic failure. Early detection of bone marrow depression, a low threshold for performing a bone marrow biopsy, and prompt treatment are pivotal. Intensive standard supportive care with broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-fungal agents is essential during phases of pancytopenia. Although spontaneous recovery has been described under maintenance immunosuppression, increased immunosuppression, in particular with ATG, may reverse the aplastic anemia and promote bone marrow recovery. In unresponsive patients, six-HLA-identical bone marrow transplantation has been successful.