New immunotherapies for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Current state and future perspectives. / Nuevas inmunoterapias en el cáncer de vejiga no músculo-invasivo de alto riesgo: estado actual y perspectivas de futuro.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder tumors (NMIBT) is transurethral resection of the bladder and BCG instillations. However, responses are limited, and new therapeutic alternatives for these patients are required. The results of checkpoint inhibitors in advanced tumors have led to interest in the use of these molecules in NMIBT. METHODS: We conducted a search on PubMed using the terms «bladder cancer¼ and «check point inhibitors¼. We have used the search engines clinicaltrials.gov and clinicaltrialsregister.eu for the search of clinical trials. RESULTS: There are currently 5 trials in progress on BCG untreated patients. There are no results available. As for BCG non-responders, there are 15 ongoing trials, two of them with preliminary results: Keynote 057, with promising results with pembrolizumab, which has led the FDA to approve its use in January 2020, and SWOG S1605, which has shown similar results with atezolizumab. Other trials are using intravesical administration of these drugs, which is an attractive option if it is effective for cancer control. CONCLUSIONS: Checkpoint inhibitors offer a new possibility for patients who do not respond to BCG. These will probably be used in the future for previously BCG untreated patients. Preliminary data from clinical trials show promising results. A good understanding of these molecules by urologists and the creation of multidisciplinary teams are crucial in order to offer the best therapeutic alternatives to these patients.

Influence of donor age in allogeneic stem cell transplant outcome in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodisplastic syndrome.

The impact of donor age in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) remains unclear. In the current study, we evaluate 179 consecutive patients who received an HSCT, from January 2000 to January 2013, in our Institution. Most of the HSCT (91%) were HLA-matched. Patient and donor median age were 51 years (18-69) and 47 years (12-75) respectively, and 81 donors (45%) were older than 50 years. The median follow-up was 38 months (range 1-138), Kaplan-Meier estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) was 63% and disease free survival (DFS) was 56%. Interestingly, patients who received an HSCT from a donor older age (>50 y) showed a poorer OS (51% vs 73%; p=0.01), as well as a higher TRM (20% vs 8%; p=0.038) and higher relapse rate (28% vs 39%; p=0.03). In a stratified subanalysis, 3-year estimated OS was significantly lower among patients undergoing an HSCT from >50 years sibling donors compared to those receiving an HSCT from <50 years unrelated donor (54% vs 72%; p<0.001). In summary, we can conclude that receiving an HSCT from a donor over 50 years old is associated with poorer outcome in patients diagnosed with MDS and AML, and this information may be incorporated into the complex process of donor selection.

Effectiveness of azacitidine in unselected high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: results from the Spanish registry.

The benefit of azacitidine treatment in survival of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients compared with conventional care treatment (CCT) has not been established outside clinical trials. To assess its effectiveness, we compared overall survival (OS) between azacitidine and conventional treatment (CCT) in high-risk MDS patients, excluding those undergoing stem cell transplantation, submitted to the Spanish MDS registry from 2000 to 2013. Several Cox regression and competing risk models, considering azacitidine as a time-dependent covariate, were used to assess survival and acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) progression. Among 821 patients included, 251 received azacitidine. Median survival was 13.4 (11.8-16) months for azacitidine-treated patients and 12.2 (11-14.1) for patients under CCT (P=0.41). In a multivariate model, age, International prognostic scoring system and lactate dehydrogenase were predictors of OS whereas azacitidine was not (adjusted odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.86-1.35, P=0.49). However, in patients with chromosome 7 abnormalities, a trend toward a better survival was observed in azacitidine-treated patients (median survival 13.3 (11-18) months) compared with CCT (median survival 8.6 (5-10.4) months, P=0.08). In conclusion, our data show that, in spite of a widespread use of azacitidine, there is a lack of improvement in survival over the years. Identification of predicting factors of response and survival is mandatory.

In vitro autonomous proliferation in ANLL: clinical and biological significance.

In acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) progenitor cells frequently display a certain degree of autonomous growth. The aim of the present work was to analyze the autonomous proliferative capacity of leukemic progenitors in both de novo and secondary to myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemias and to correlate with clinical and biological characteristics of the disease. Clonogenic assays with and without leukocyte conditioned medium with PHA (LCM-PHA) were performed and the autonomous proliferation index (API) calculated in a series of 50 patients (34 de novo ANLL, eight secondary to MPD and eight secondary to MDS). Patients were divided into two groups according to their API, low (< or = 0.4) or high (> 0.4). Autonomous growth was observed in 84% of cases studied (82% in de novo ANLL, 75% secondary to MDS and 100% secondary to MPD). The group with the highest API (29 patients) had increased levels of hemoglobin (P = 0.006) and platelets (P = 0.01). A high API was also associated with an immature phenotype of blast cells (P = 0.02). Upon analyzing the de novo ANLL separately we observed that a high API correlated with high Hb values (P = 0.02), a lower rate of complete remission (42% vs 61%) and a lower survival rate (medium of 3 vs 10 months). These findings suggest that the capacity for autonomous proliferation can condition the clinical and biological profile of the disease.

Myelodysplastic syndrome: a search for minimal diagnostic criteria.

We have evaluated dyshemopoietic features in bone marrow (BM) samples obtained from healthy people aged over 50 without peripheral blood (PB) cytopenia patients and compared them with MDS patients. Control group displayed BM features of dyserythropoiesis and dysgranulopoiesis in up to 15 and 27% of the considered cell elements (P90) respectively, overlapping in part with MDS patients. Interobserver agreement in dyshemopoietic features was highest for BM blast cell and pathological sideroblast counts. An algorithm based on BM blast cell and pathological sideroblast counts that has been verified on 613 patients from different Spanish centers may be of help to improve reproducibility in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) diagnosis.

Haematopoietic damage persists 1 year after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

In the present study we have used cell culture assays in order to assess the damage in the haematopoietic system 1 year after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), and to establish at what level, haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) or stroma, this damage occurs. Thirty-one patients, nine breast cancer (BC), 17 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and five Hodgkin disease (HD), who had received autologous PBSCT were included. Forty-eight normal subjects who had given informed consent were used as controls. Results were also compared with a matched group of patients (25 cases) prior to PBSCT. Progenitor cells were analysed using CFU-GM and plastic adherent delta (Pdelta) assays. Long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) in one and two stages were established. One year after transplant both the number of committed progenitor cells and the CFU-GM production in LTBMC were significantly reduced in the three groups of patients when compared with controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Two-stage LTBMC experiments showed that the impairment in CFU-GM production was due to damage in both patients' stroma and haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). All patients, except those with HD, showed a decreased stromal layer confluence (P < 0.05), with significant differences in cell composition as compared to normal bone marrow (P = 0.001). When all these variables were compared with pretransplant results, we observed that stroma formation was significantly lower after PBSCT (P < 0.05), while the number of progenitor cells analysed by the Pdelta assay was significantly increased (P < 0.05). We can conclude that even 1 year after PBSCT, both the committed HPC and BM stroma remain damaged.

In vitro growth in acute myeloblastic leukemia: clinico-biological correlations.

In the present review we analyse the current knowledge about the growth properties of AML progenitor cells and their relationship with other clinico-biological characteristics of the disease. Leukaemic colony forming unit L-CFU is considered to be the clonogenic cell in AML and more immature than the blast cell population. Our studies have shown that in leukaemic hematopoiesis colony forming cells can exist among both cell fractions CD34+ and CD34-. Optimal "in vitro" proliferation of L-CFU is dependent upon the addition of exogenous growth factors. However, it has been observed that leukaemic progenitor cells frequently display a certain degree of autonomous proliferation. In order to quantify the "in vitro" behaviour of L-CFU, we have explored 3 parameters: 1) plating efficiency (PE); 2) autonomous growth (AG); and 3) autonomous proliferative index (API) which was calculated as AG divided by PE and we have correlated them with other clinico-biological data. According to the FAB classification we could observe that patients with M3 subtype showed an higher PE than other AML subgroups and a significantly lower API. Regarding CD34 expression we observed that AG was enhanced in CD34+ cases and also in those showing a higher rh123 elimination. In order to determine whether PE could condition clinical evolution, we analysed this parameter in a large series of patients but failed to demonstrate any relationship. By contrast, we observed that patients who displayed a higher API showed a shorter survival than patients with lower API (18% vs 48% surviving at 3 years). We have also shown that abnormalities in the CFU-GM growth pattern could be associated with risk the of relapse in AML patients; a switch from normal to abnormal "in vitro" growth should alert us. But for the assessment of the real value of these analyses sequential follow-up studies are mandatory. In summary, cell culture studies contribute not only to a better understanding of leukaemic hematopoiesis but may also contribute to better disease monitoring.

Effects of carbenicillin on blood coagulation: a study in patients with chronic renal failure.

A study of coagulation has been performed on 8 chronic renal failure patients receiving carbenicillin therapy. All showed a prolongation of the bleeding, recalcification, partially-activated thromboplastin, prothrombin and thrombin times. These findings suggest the presence of an anticoagulant with an heparin-like mode of action. In vitro tests suggest that carbenicillin may be this factor. We have also shown that the drug produces a disturbance in the normal polymerization process. The implications of these findings for the treatment of (CRF) patients with carbenicillin are discussed.

Development of urologic de novo malignancies after renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of neoplasms in renal transplant recipients is higher than in general population. The increasing age of donors and recipients also increases the risk of developing malignancies, including genitourinary. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical aspects and management of this complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1365 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 1977 and 2010 who were 44.6 ± 14.9 years old at the time of transplantation. The median follow-up was 95.6 months (range, 18.0-236.0). Data were analyzed for sex, age, time from transplant to diagnosis, location, clinical stage, immunosuppression, treatment, follow-up, and evolution. RESULTS: We diagnosed 25 de novo urologic neoplasms (25/1365; 1.8%) in 24 patients, with a median follow-up of 32 months (range, 12.5-51.8) from the diagnosis. Sixteen were male (66.7%) and 8 female (33.3%), with a median age at diagnosis of 59 years (range, 56.0-65.5). The median time between the transplant and the diagnosis of the malignancy was 69 months (range, 40.0-116.5). There were 11 renal cell carcinomas (RCC; 11/25; 44%), 8 in native kidney and 3 in renal allograft; 9 prostate cancers (PCa; 9/25; 36%), 8 localized and 1 metastatic; and 5 transitional cell carcinomas (TCC; 5/25; 20%), 3 in bladder and 2 in renal allograft pelvis. Treatments performed were similar to those used in the nontransplanted population. RCC were treated with radical nephrectomy when affecting the native kidney, partial nephrectomy when affecting the allograft, or immunotherapy when metastatic. Patients with localized PCa were treated with radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, or androgenic deprivation if there were comorbidities, and those metastatic with hormonal deprivation. Bladder TCCs were treated with transurethral resection or radical cystectomy. Pelvis TCCs affecting the allograft were treated with radical nephroureterectomy of the allograft including bladder cuff and pelvic lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: There exists an increased incidence of urologic tumors in kidney transplant recipients. Conventional treatments of these tumors are technically feasible. The risk of developing these tumors remains even in the long term. Because of their suitability for curative treatments, it is advisable to perform periodic screening for urologic cancers to achieve an early diagnosis.

[Spinal cord compression as the presenting form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Compresión medular como forma de presentación de linfoma no hodgkiniano.

Spinal cord compression as first presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is an uncommon event. Diagnosis of NHL usually is performed on a laminectomy specimen. Spinal cord compression has been reported in 5% of patients with solid tumors. Although this clinical picture has been considered as very unusual among NHL patients, some series regarding descompresive laminectomy indicate that NHL was the underlying cause in 15% of these cases. We report two cases of patients with NHL who presented paraparesia secondary to spinal cord compression due to lymphomatous mass in the epidural region which was showed by magnetic resonance imaging. The emergency laminectomy and treatment with chemotherapy allowed the clinical recuperation of both patients.

[Non-traumatic rupture of the spleen in malignant hemopathies. 2 new cases]. / Rotura no traumática del bazo en hemopatías malignas. Dos nuevos casos.

Spontaneous splenic rupture is an unusual complication of hematologic malignancies with a high mortality rate. We report two cases of non-traumatic splenic rupture: the first one was a patient with myelomonocytic leukaemia and the second one a previously undiagnosed patient with non Hodgkin's lymphoma, both of them survived after splenectomy. Emphasis on the necessity of an early diagnosis and treatment are made.

Alternating mini-BEAM/ESHAP as salvage therapy for refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Mini-BEAM and ESHAP are two non-cross-resistant salvage regimens that have been used separately in patients with lymphoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of the combination of these two regimens, administered in alternating cycles, as salvage therapy for refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients. A total of 28 patients were included in the study: 14 patients were primary refractory, seven were partial responders, and seven were in relapse. The alternating cycles of mini-BEAM and ESHAP were given until there was maximum response or progression. The overall response rate to mini-BEAM/ESHAP was 39%; 25% of patients achieved a complete response and 14% a partial response. Nevertheless, it should be noted that none of the primary refractory patients responded to this protocol. Nine of the 11 patients who responded to mini-BEAM/ESHAP were consolidated with autologous transplantation using BEAM as a conditioning regimen. The survival at 3 years in this group of 11 patients who responded to the salvage regimen is 64%, with a disease-free survival of 67% at 2 years. No major toxic effects were observed with mini-BEAM/ESHAP. Myelosuppression was the most frequent complication, especially with the mini-BEAM cycles. Other toxicities were infrequent and no treatment-related deaths were observed. These results suggest that alternating mini-BEAM/ESHAP chemotherapy is a safe regimen that is effective in partial responders or relapsing patients with NHL who have sensitive disease, but not in primary refractory patients. Moreover, although this therapy has a potential advantage, combining as it does two non-cross-resistant regimens, it does not seem superior to ESHAP alone.

Minimal number of circulating CD34+ cells to ensure successful leukapheresis and engraftment in autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The number of peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells has been widely used to monitor the timing of leukapheresis for autologous transplantation. However, no cutoff value for CD34+ cells in PB has been defined as a guideline for the identification of patients in whom the harvest would be effective and those in whom there was a high probability of failure. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The present study investigated the best threshold of CD34+ cells in PB for successful harvesting and engraftment, using 263 PB samples with their corresponding leukapheresis components. In addition, that measure has been compared to other commonly used criteria such as the white cell count, the number of mononuclear cells, and the number of colony-forming units-granulocyte macrophage in PB. RESULTS: Time to engraftment of both granulocytes and platelets was significantly influenced by the number of CD34+ cells transfused, but all patients receiving > or = 0.75 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg achieved engraftment within a reasonable number of days (> 0.5 x 10(9)/L granulocytes by Day 11 and > 20 x 10(9)/L platelets by Day 13). A clear correlation between the number of CD34+ cells per microL in PB and of CD34+ cells per kg collected was found at each apheresis (r = 0.9, p < 0.0001). Moreover, the number of CD34+ cells per microL measured in PB the day the first leukapheresis was initiated displayed an excellent correlation with the total amount of CD34+ cells per kg finally collected (r = 0.81, p < 0.0001). On the basis of the regression curve obtained and the clinical engraftment results, it was found that the presence of > 5 CD34+ cells per microL in PB ensured a good yield from the harvest in 95 percent of patients and would avoid an unsuccessful harvest in 81 percent of cases. CONCLUSION: A dose of only 0.75 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg guarantees hematopoietic recovery within a reasonable number of days. To initiate a leukapheresis from which enough progenitor cells may confidently be obtained, a minimum of 5 CD34+ cells per microL in PB is required.