Phase II trial of imatinib mesylate in patients with PDGFRA/B-negative hypereosinophilic syndrome.

The role of imatinib in PDGFRA/B-negative hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) is controversial because of the heterogeneity of HES and the scarcity of prospective studies. We conducted a phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of imatinib in PDGFRA/B-negative HES. Thirty-two patients were treated with imatinib (100-400 mg daily), and the molecular basis of their response was identified using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS). The haematological response rate was 46.9%, with a complete haematological response (CHR) rate of 18.8%. The median time to response was 1.5 months. Among the six patients who achieved CHR, five maintained it until the 24th cycle of imatinib and one lost response after 20 months. The median progression-free survival was 4.3 months. WES and WTS were conducted for 11 patients. The number of non-silent mutations did not differ between responders and non-responders. Nine differentially expressed genes, including SNORD15A, were downregulated in responders. STAT5B::RARA, PAK2::PIGX, and FIP1L1::CHIC2 fusions were identified in patients with sustained responses, and RNF130::BRAF and WNK1::KDM5A fusions were identified in non-responders. Imatinib, along with an appropriate biomarker, could be a promising option for PDGFRA/B-negative HES.

Comparison of the effect of DLI according to cell sources in relapsed AML after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

For relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is an effective therapy. However, the cell source of DLI remains a topic of debate. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of G-CSF mobilized cells (G-DLI) with conventionally collected DLI (C-DLI). A total of 81 patients (50 C-DLI vs. 31 G-DLI) were assessed for clinical outcomes. There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups including AML risk, donor types, interval from relapse to DLI, and infused CD3+ cell count. Although not statistically significant, complete remission (CR) and chimerism conversion rates were higher in G-DLI than in C-DLI: 51.6% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.057 and 42.3% vs. 28.2%, P = 0.363, respectively. There was no difference in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) incidence and severity of acute GVHD between the two groups. The median overall survival (OS) of the G-DLI and C-DLI groups was 139 days and 106 days, respectively (P = 0.58). In conclusion, G-DLI appears to be a safe and an equally efficacious substitute for C-DLI, which is more readily available.

Plasma-based protein biomarkers can predict the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease and non-relapse mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Predictive biomarkers for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is currently lacking. In this study, we employed an unbiased proteome profiling method to prospectively collected plasma samples from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) recipients to identify protein biomarkers that predict the risk of aGVHD and non-relapse mortality (NRM). In the discovery set, including five aGVHD patients and five controls, we identified seven candidate proteins. Patients with high levels of these proteins tended to exhibit a higher risk of aGVHD and NRM compared to patients with low levels in post-engraftment plasma samples from an independent validation set (n = 89). Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, plastin-2, and regenerating islet-derived protein 3-α were selected as the most-predictive biomarkers via an exhaustive variable screening algorithm and were collectively used to develop a biomarker panel score ranging from 0 to 3. The biomarker panel score correlated significantly with aGVHD and NRM risk in univariable and multivariable Cox models. Furthermore, using the biomarker panel score in conjunction with clinical predictors significantly improved the discriminatory performance of the Cox model in predicting aGVHD and NRM risk. Our findings suggest that plasma-derived protein biomarkers can be used to predict aGVHD and NRM before the onset of clinical manifestations.

Nilotinib combined with multiagent chemotherapy for newly diagnosed Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We investigated the effects of nilotinib plus multiagent chemotherapy, followed by consolidation/maintenance or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia-positive (Ph-pos) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Study subjects received induction treatment that comprised concurrent vincristine, daunorubicin, prednisolone, and nilotinib. After achieving complete hematologic remission (HCR), subjects received either 5 courses of consolidation, followed by 2-year maintenance with nilotinib, or allo-HCT. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed at HCR, and every 3 months thereafter. The molecular responses (MRs) were defined as MR3 for BCR-ABL1/G6PDH ratios ≤10(-3) and MR5 for ratios <10(-5). Ninety evaluable subjects, ages 17 to 71 years, were enrolled in 17 centers. The HCR rate was 91%; 57 subjects received allo-HCT. The cumulative MR5 rate was 94%; the 2-year hematologic relapse-free survival (HRFS) rate was 72% for 82 subjects that achieved HCR, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 72%. Subjects that failed to achieve MR3 or MR5 were 9.1 times (P = .004) or 6.3 times (P = .001) more prone to hematologic relapse, respectively, than those that achieved MR3 or MR5. MRD statuses just before allo-HCT and at 3 months after allo-HCT were predictive of 2-year HRFS. Adverse events occurred mainly during induction, and most were reversible with dose reduction or transient interruption of nilotinib. The combination of nilotinib with high-dose cytotoxic drugs was feasible, and it effectively achieved high cumulative complete molecular remission and HRFS rates. The MRD status at early postremission time was predictive of the HRFS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00844298.

Clinical dissection of thrombotic microangiopathy.

Differential treatment strategies are applied in thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) according to the sub-classifications. Hence, it is worthwhile to overview clinical manifestations and outcomes of overall TMA patients according to sub-classifications. We analyzed TMA patients whose serum lactate dehydrogenase levels >250 IU/L, with the presence of schistocytes in their peripheral blood smear, or with typical vascular pathologic abnormalities in their renal biopsy. We compared clinical manifestations including overall survival (OS) and renal survival according to TMA causes. A total of 117 TMA patients (57 primary and 60 secondary TMA) were analyzed. Renal symptom was the most common manifestation in whole patients, while renal function at diagnosis was worst in pregnancy-related TMA group. Primary TMA patients had more frequent CNS symptom and hematologic manifestation compared to secondary TMAs. Among secondary TMAs, pregnancy- and HSCT-related TMA patients showed prevalent hemolytic features. During 150.2 months of follow-up, 5-year OS rate was 64.8%. Poor prognostic factors included older age, combined hematologic and solid organ malignancies, lower hemoglobin levels, and lower serum albumin levels. There was no significant difference in OS between primary and secondary TMAs. Seventy-eight percent of patients experienced AKI during TMA. Five-year death-censored renal survival rate was poor with only 69.2%. However, excellent renal outcome was observed in pregnancy-associated TMA. TMA showed various clinical manifestations according to their etiology. Notably, both OS and renal survival were poor regardless of their etiologies except pregnancy-associated TMA. Physicians should differentiate a variety of TMA categories and properly manage this complex disease entity.

Salvage therapy for acute chemorefractory leukemia by allogeneic stem cell transplantation: the Korean experience.

Little is known about the characteristics that make patients with acute leukemia suitable for undergoing salvage therapy by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Here, we analyzed the clinical outcomes of 223 patients with acute leukemia who underwent allo-HSCT while not in complete remission (CR). The primary end points were overall survival (OS) and CR rate. CR was achieved in 79.8% of patients after allo-HSCT. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was significantly associated with CR (P = 0.045). During a median follow-up of 30.1 months, the median OS was 6.1 months. OS was significantly longer in patients with good or standard risk cytogenetic characteristics than in those with poor risk cytogenetic characteristics (P = 0.029, P = 0.030, respectively). Patients who received allo-HSCT from a matched sibling donor had better survival than those with unrelated donors (P = 0.015). Primary chemorefractoriness was not associated with poor survival (P = 0.071). The number of chemotherapies before allo-HSCT was significantly correlated with outcome (P = 0.006). Chronic GVHD was a strong predictor of a longer OS (P = 0.025). In conclusion, survival of patients with primary chemorefractory acute leukemia is not lower when treated upfront with allo-HSCT. Hence, allo-HSCT should be actively considered in such patients. Acute and chronic GVHD is associated with better outcomes patients with acute leukemia who have undergone allo-HSCT and not achieved CR.

Comparison of cladribine- and fludarabine-based induction chemotherapy in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia.

Induction regimens integrating cladribine or fludarabine have shown promising outcomes in relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We compared the outcome of a cladribine- versus a fludarabine-based regimen as induction chemotherapy for R/R-AML. We included patients with R/R-AML who were treated with a cladribine- or fludarabine-based chemotherapy between 2006 and 2015. We analysed 120 patients, 65 treated with cladribine and 55 treated with fludarabine. The CR rates were 62.7 and 61.4 % for the cladribine group and fludarabine group, respectively (p = 0.890). Poor prognostic factors included older age, secondary AML, poor cytogenetic risk group, prior induction failure, and short first CR duration. No significant overall survival (OS) or relapse-free survival (RFS) differences were found between the groups (OS, p = 0.213; RFS, p = 0.143). However, in a certain subset, survival outcomes were better with cladribine than with fludarabine, including de novo AML, CR at first induction therapy, and not-poor cytogenetic risk group inclusion without overt chemotherapy-refractoriness. By contrast, secondary AML patients had improved survival outcomes when treated with the fludarabine regimen. After CR, better outcomes were observed when allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was given as consolidation. In R/R-AML, cladribine- and fludarabine-based combination induction chemotherapy had differential survival outcomes according to disease characteristics. Allogeneic SCT after CR with a purine analogue-based regimen improved long-term outcome in these patients.

Prognostic factors for re-mobilization using plerixafor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with malignant lymphoma or multiple myeloma previously failing mobilization with G-CSF with or without chemotherapy: the Korean multicenter retrospective study.

Plerixafor in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to improve the rates of successful peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in patients with malignant lymphoma or multiple myeloma (MM) who experienced prior failure of PBSC mobilization. We evaluated the mobilization results of re-mobilization using plerixafor and G-CSF in insufficiently mobilizing patients. Forty-four patients with lymphoma (n = 29) or MM (n = 15) were included in the study. The median age was 50 (range, 24-64) years. Previous mobilization regimens were chemotherapy with G-CSF (n = 28), including cyclophosphamide with G-CSF (n = 15), and G-CSF only (n = 16). All patients with lymphoma achieved at least partial response (PR) before the mobilization, including 13 complete responses (CRs). Eleven patients with MM achieved at least PR and four patients with MM were in stable disease before mobilization. The median number of apheresis was 3 (range, 1-6). The median yield of PBSC collections was 3.41 (0.13-38.11) × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. Thirty-four (77.3 %) patients had successful collections defined as at least 2 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. The rate of successful collections was not different between the two underlying diseases (79.3 % in lymphoma and 73.3 % in MM). Of the entire cohort, 38 (86.4 %) of patients went on to receive an autologous transplant. Previous long-term use of high-risk drugs (>4 cycles use of alkylating agents, platinum-containing agents, or thalidomide) (HR 10.8, 95 % CI 1.1-110.0, P = 0.043) and low platelet count (<100 × 10(9)/L) 1 day before the first apheresis (HR 27.9, 95 % CI 2.9-273.7, P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors for predicting failure of PBSC re-mobilization using plerixafor and G-CSF. In conclusion, re-mobilization using plerixafor and G-CSF showed a success rate of 77.3 % in patients with lymphoma or MM who experienced prior failure of PBSC mobilization, and the majority of them underwent autologous transplant. Therefore, plerixafor-based re-mobilization was an effective method in poor mobilizers.

Psychometric analysis of the Korean version of the high-dose chemotherapy specific quality of life questionnaire module from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-HDC29).

PURPOSE: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer high-dose chemotherapy specific quality of life questionnaire module (EORTC QLQ-HDC29) when implemented with Korean patients by conducting a multicenter, longitudinal study in three Korean hospitals. METHODS: A total of 226 patients who scheduled to receive the HDC followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were enrolled. The patients were asked to complete three questionnaires [the EORTC Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), QLQ-HDC29, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation] at four points in time: before HSCT and 100, 180, and 365 days after HSCT. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. RESULTS: Internal consistency of the QLQ-HDC29 was generally acceptable, as tested by Cronbach's α, except for the scales body image and the inpatient issues. Cronbach's α values for the Korean version of the QLQ-HDC29 were almost in accordance with results of the original version, except for the scales body image (lower to the original QLQ-HDC29, α = 0.73) and impact on family (higher to the original QLQ-HDC29, α = 0.52). Known-group comparison analyses showed significantly higher symptom burdens in patients with poor performance status or graft versus host disease (similar to the original QLQ-HDC29). The QLQ-HDC29 indicated good convergent and discriminant validity and showed responsiveness to changes in line with a clinical course over time after HSCT. CONCLUSIONS: The QLQ-HDC29 is generally reliable and adequate to assess QoL in Korean patients undergoing HDC followed by HSCT.

Long-term follow-up of imatinib plus combination chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The effects of imatinib plus chemotherapy were assessed in 87 patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph(+) ) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Imatinib was administered continuously, starting from the eighth day of remission induction chemotherapy, then through five courses of consolidation or until allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Patients who were not transplanted were maintained on imatinib for 2 years. Eighty-two patients (94.3%) achieved complete remission (CR). Among these 82 CR patients, 40 experienced recurrence of leukemia. The 5-year relapse free survival (RFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rates were 39.0% and 33.4%, respectively. In total, 56 patients underwent allogeneic HCT in first CR. The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse and OS rate of them were 59.1% and 52.6%, respectively. Six of seven patients who were maintained on imatinib after completion of consolidation relapsed and the median time of RFS was 40.7 months. In total patient, cumulative molecular CR rate was 88.5% and median time of molecular CR duration was 13 months. Initial imatinib dose intensity was significantly associated with median CR duration (P < 0.0001), and overall survival (P = 0.002). During the initial phase of treatment of patients with Ph(+) ALL, it is important to maintain imatinib dose intensity.

Total costs and clinical outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with leukemia: comparison between reduced-intensity and myeloablative conditioning.

The total cost of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as well as the financial impact of HSCT on the house holds of patients have been elusive. Between 2005 and 2012, we analyzed 191 HSCT in adult patients with leukemia with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen (n = 79) and with myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen (n = 112). The direct medical costs were calculated from healthcare claims obtained from the Seoul National University Hospital, and the direct non-medical and the indirect costs were calculated from national statistics. The mean direct medical cost was $55,039, direct non-medical cost was $6394, and indirect cost was $7503 from transplantation to one yr after transplantation in the RIC group and $72,916, $6993, and $9057 in the MAC group, respectively, based on the exchange rate of Korean won 1060 = US$1. The total costs for one yr were $68,938 and $88,967, constituting for 273% and 357% of the per capita income, respectively. The total costs, direct medical costs, and indirect costs showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.006, p = 0.007, and p = 0.017). No significant differences were found for leukemia-free survival and overall survival. RIC-HSCT provides lower costs within the first year of transplantation with comparable long-term clinical outcomes.

Population pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: consideration of genetic polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine (CsA), which is used for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), has a narrow therapeutic range and large interindividual and intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Nevertheless, population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) studies of CsA in allo-HSCT are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to build a PopPK model of CsA in allo-HSCT in consideration of demographic, clinical, and genetic polymorphisms data. METHODS: A total of 34 adult allo-HSCT patients who received CsA were enrolled prospectively. Demographic, clinical, and CYP3A5 *1/*3, CYP2C19 *1/*2/*3, ABCB1 3435C>T, 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, ABCC2 -24C>T, 1249G>A, VDR Bsml, Apal polymorphisms data were collected. A PopPK modeling was conducted with NONMEM program. RESULTS: A 1-compartment model with a 2-transit absorption compartment model was developed. After the stepwise covariate model building process, weight was incorporated into clearance (CL) as a power function model with the exponent value of 0.419. The final typical estimate of CL was 21.2 L/h; volume of distribution was 430 L; logit-transformed bioavailability was 1.49 (bioavailability: 81%); and transit compartment rate was 2.87/h. None of the genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A5, CYP2C19, ABCB1, ABCC2, and VDR were significant covariates in the pharmacokinetics of CsA. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, it was observed that weight had a significant effect on CL. Genetic polymorphisms did not affect CsA pharmacokinetics. Prospective studies with a larger number of participants is needed to validate the results of this study.

Clinical efficacy of mitoxantrone and Ara-C with or without etoposide salvage chemotherapy in adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: retrospective multicenter study of the Korean Adult ALL Working Party.

Mitoxantrone is a conventional agent for relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, an effective combination with other drugs and a feasible dosage has not been identified. A retrospective study of 46 patients with relapsed or refractory ALL was conducted to determine the efficacy of mitoxantrone and Ara-C treatment with (MEC) and or without etoposide (MC). Twenty-seven and 19 patients received MC and MEC chemotherapy, respectively. Twenty-two (48%) patients showed overall response [complete response (CR), 33%; CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp), 15%], and 10 of 22 responders received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Median overall survival (OS) was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval, 3.41-9.0). Thirteen (48%) patients in the MC group and 9 (47%) in the MEC group achieved CR/CRp (p = 0.96). Treatment-related mortalities in the MC and MEC groups were 3 (11%) and 4 (21%), respectively (p = 0.36). However, the MEC group frequently presented with grade 3 or higher bacteremia/candidemia (p = 0.013). No difference in OS was observed between the two groups (p = 0.769). In conclusion, salvage therapy consisting of mitoxantrone and Ara-C without etoposide appeared to be an effective bridge therapy to allogeneic SCT for patients with refractory or relapsed ALL.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who experienced relapse or progression after autologous stem cell transplantation: a Korea-Japan collaborative study.

Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who failed autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) generally have a poor prognosis. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) has been implemented to overcome this problem. We report clinical outcomes of allo-SCT in patients with de novo DLBCL who failed auto-SCT from four hospitals in Korea and Japan. Thirty patients were included. The median age was 39 (range, 22-59) years. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) after allo-SCT were 37.9 % and 42.6 %, respectively. There was only a single event beyond 12 months in the Kaplan-Meier curve of EFS. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) was reported in five patients (16.7 %). In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for EFS were prior chemotherapy lines ≥ 5 (p = 0.010) and chemo-resistant disease (p = 0.007). The risk factors for OS were chemo-resistant disease (p = 0.024) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2 (p = 0.005). NRM was associated with prior chemotherapy lines ≥ 5 (p = 0.042), chemo-resistant disease (p = 0.009), and poor performance status (p < 0.001). In conclusion, allo-SCT showed considerable efficacy in patients with DLBCL whose disease was relapsed or progressed after auto-SCT. Our data suggest that allo-SCT could be a viable treatment option if patients have fewer lines of prior chemotherapy, chemo-sensitive disease, and/or good PS.

HLA-DR9 and DR14 are associated with the allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity in hematologic malignancy.

Allopurinol, a widely used urate-lowering agent, is a leading cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), especially in patients with HLA-B*58:01. Despite its routine use for the prevention of tumor lysis-related hyperuricemia prior to chemotherapy, the risk of allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity has not been investigated in patients with hematologic malignancies. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors of allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity in patients at least 18 years of age with hematologic malignancies. We reviewed 463 patients who had ever taken allopurinol for the prevention of hyperuricemia prior to chemotherapy and had undergone serologic HLA typing as a pre-transplant evaluation from January 2000 to May 2010. Thirteen (2.8%) patients experienced maculopapular eruptions (MPE) and none experienced SCARs. Among subtypes of underlying hematologic malignancies, percentage of chronic myeloid leukemia was significantly higher in the allopurinol hypersensitivity group compared with the tolerant group (23.1% (3/13) vs. 5.9% (26/440), P = 0.044). According to HLA subtypes, the incidence of allopurinol-induced MPE was 4.0% in HLA-B58 (+) patients (2/50) and 2.7% in HLA-B58 (-) patients (11/403) but this difference was statistically insignificant. In contrast to HLA-B58, the frequencies of DR9 and DR14 were significantly higher in the allopurinol-induced MPE group compared with the allopurinol tolerant group (38.5% (5/13) vs. 13.6% (53/443), P = 0.019, and 38.5% (5/13) vs. 15.6% (41/440), P = 0.038, respectively). In conclusion, HLA-DR9 and DR14, but not HLA-B58, are associated with hypersensitivity reaction by allopurinol when administered in patients with hematologic malignancy prior to chemotherapy.

Back to basics: the coagulation pathway.

The classic coagulation cascade model of intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways, i.e. contact activation pathway and tissue factor pathway, has been widely modified. The cascade can be categorized as follows: 1) initiation by tissue factor (TF), 2) amplification by the intrinsic tenase complex, and 3) propagation on activated platelets. TF-FVIIa forms an extrinsic tenase complex and activates FX to FXa and FIX to FIXa. FXa-FVa forms a prothrombinase complex that converts prothrombin into thrombin. At this initial stage of coagulation, only small amounts of thrombin are generated owing to the low circulating levels of FVa. The generated thrombin, although in minor quantities, is sufficient to prime the subsequent coagulation reactions. Platelets and in turn FV, FVIII, and FXI are activated. Subsequently, FVIIIa binds to FIXa to form the intrinsic tenase complex, which is aided by a cofactor, FVIIIa, and activates FX at a rate 50-times higher than that of the extrinsic tenase complex, thereby amplifying thrombin generation. Thrombin cleaves fibrinogen into one fibrin monomer and two fibrinopeptides. Fibrin monomers aggregate, crosslink, and branch into an insoluble fibrin network structure. The contact activation system is initiated by FXII, which is activated upon exposure to negatively charged surfaces. Coagulation is driven by FXIIa-mediated FXI cleavage. FXIa activates FIX, which forms an intrinsic tenase complex, eventually leading to thrombin formation. The contact activation system is considered to contribute to thrombosis but is not required for hemostasis in vivo.

Comparative analysis between azacitidine and decitabine for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes.

The present study aimed to directly compare the efficacy and safety of azacitidine and decitabine in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We compared the overall response rate (ORR) (complete responses, partial responses, marrow complete responses, and haematological improvements), overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), time to leukaemic transformation, and adverse outcomes between azacitidine and decitabine. To minimize the effects of treatment selection bias in this observational study, adjustments were made using the propensity-score matching method. Among 300 patients, 203 were treated with azacitidine and 97 with decitabine. Propensity-score matching yielded 97 patient pairs. In the propensity-matched cohort, there were no significant differences between the azacitidine and decitabine groups regarding ORR (44% vs. 52%), OS (26 vs. 22.9 months), EFS (7.7 vs. 7.0 months), and rate of leukaemic transformation (16% vs. 22% at 1 year). In patients ≥ 65 years of age, survival was significantly better in the azacitidine group (P = 0.017). Patients who received decitabine experienced more frequent episodes of grade 3 or 4 cytopenia and infectious episodes. We found that azacitidine and decitabine showed comparable efficacy. Among patients ≥ 65 years of age, survival was significantly better in the azacitidine group (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01409070).

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor on oral mucositis induced by intensive chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation.

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common and debilitating complications in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) oral spray for OM induced by intensive chemotherapy followed by HSCT. Patients were randomly assigned to either the rhEGF group or placebo group. The severity of OM and self-reported quality of life (QOL) were assessed daily. A total of 58 patients were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The incidence of NCI grade ≥ 2 OM was higher in the rhEGF group (78.6% vs. 50%, P = 0.0496). However, the duration of OM in patients with NCI grade ≥ 2 tended to be shorter in the rhEGF group (8.5 days vs. 14.5 days, P = 0.262). The QOL analysis in patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade ≥ 3 OM showed that rhEGF significantly reduced limitations in swallowing (P = 0.039) and drinking (P = 0.042). The duration of hospitalization (P = 0.047), administration of total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.012), and the usage of opioid analgesics (P = 0.018) were significantly shorter in the rhEGF group with WHO grade ≥ 3 OM. Adverse events were mild and similar between the two groups. In conclusion, this analysis showed that rhEGF did not reduce the incidence of NCI grade ≥ 2 OM. However, the patients with WHO grade ≥ 3 OM in the rhEGF group showed better results compared to the placebo group for several secondary endpoints.

Fludarabine, cytarabine, and attenuated-dose idarubicin (m-FLAI) combination therapy for elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients.

We performed a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified fludarabine, cytarabine, and attenuated-dose idarubicin (m-FLAI) regimen in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Elderly (≥60 years) AML patients who had not previously received chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. Patients received two consecutive cycles of m-FLAI chemotherapy as an induction. The m-FLAI regimen comprised fludarabine (25 mg/m(2) , days 1-4), cytarabine (1,000 mg/m(2) , days 1-4), and attenuated-dose idarubicin (5 mg/m(2) , days 1-3). The primary end point was complete remission (CR) rate. Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and treatment-related mortality (TRM). There were 108 patients (median age 68.4 years, M:F = 64:44) enrolled in the study. CR was achieved in 56.5% of patients, and the TRM rate was 21.3%. Median OS and median EFS were 10.2 and 6.6 months, respectively. The mortality at 30 and 60 days was 15 and 21%, respectively. Performance status and comorbidity did not have prognostic value in this patient cohort. Bone marrow expression of CD117 was associated with increased EFS and OS. m-FLAI is an effective induction regimen for previously untreated AML in elderly patients. In addition, bone-marrow CD117 expression is an independent favorable prognostic factor in elderly AML patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01247493).

RANTES polymorphisms and the risk of graft-versus-host disease in human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We investigated the association between RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) polymorphisms and clinical outcomes in patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Three RANTES gene polymorphisms, i.e., -403G/A (rs2107538), -28C/G (rs2280788) and In1.1T/C (rs2280789), were genotyped, and the effects of the genotypes and haplotypes of RANTES on clinical outcomes were analyzed. The competing risk regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms and the cumulative risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). An AGC haplotype in a recessive model showed significant harmful effects on the cumulative risk of acute GVHD and relapse-free survival (adjusted hazard ratios 2.42 and 2.71, 95% confidence intervals 1.29-4.55 and 1.30-5.64; p = 0.018 and 0.024, respectively), whereas a GCT haplotype did not. RANTES polymorphisms were not significantly associated with overall survival and the risk of chronic GVHD. This study suggests that RANTES polymorphisms might be associated with the occurrence of acute GVHD rather than of chronic GVHD and also of relapse-free survival in the patients treated with allo-HSCT. Further larger prospective investigations are needed to establish the role of RANTES polymorphisms in patients treated with allo-HSCT.