Feasibility and efficacy of induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy combined with concurrent weekly cisplatin chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Between 2010 and 2013, 30 patients with Stage IV HNSCC were treated in Hokkaido University Hospital with three cycles of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2), day 1; and 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/m(2)/day 120 h continuous infusion, every 3 weeks) followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m(2), on weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: Three courses of induction chemotherapy were performed in 25 patients (83%) with grade 3-4 toxicities during induction chemotherapy observed in 22 patients (73%). The major toxicities were hematologic, with 22 cases (73%) showing grade 3-4 neutropenia. Radiotherapy was completed (70 Gy) in 29 patients (97%), while a total of 19 patients (63%) completed five (13 patients) or six (6 patients) courses of chemotherapy. During concurrent chemoradiotherapy, no grade 4 hematological toxicities were observed. Grade 4 dermatitis was observed in one patient, and grade 3 mucositis was observed in 12 patients. There were no treatment-related deaths during the induction chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The 1- and 2-year progression-free survival rates and the 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 86%, 72%, and 89%, 81%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sequential therapy composed of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin chemoradiotherapy is feasible, showing encouraging results in patients with locally advanced HNSCC. Concurrent weekly cisplatin chemoradiotherapy following induction chemotherapy appears to be a suitable alternative to three-weekly high-dose cisplatin therapy.

Prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia harboring monosomal karyotype in patients treated with or without allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation after achieving complete remission.

To evaluate the prognostic impact of monosomal karyotype on post-remission outcome in acute myeloid leukemia, we retrospectively analyzed 2,099 patients who had achieved complete remission. Monosomal karyotype was noted in 73 patients (4%). Of these, the probability of overall survival from first complete remission was 14% at four years, which was significantly lower than that reported in patients without monosomal karyotype, primarily due to a high relapse rate (86%). Monosomal karyotype remained significantly associated with worse overall survival among patients with unfavorable cytogenetics or complex karyotype, and even in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation during first complete remission. These findings confirm that monosomal karyotype has a significantly adverse effect on post-remission outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with and without allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first complete remission, emphasizing the need for the development of alternative therapies for this patient population.

Relapse of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome without increased level of vascular endothelial growth factor following successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

We report a patient with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome who experienced relapse after successful treatment with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). Interestingly, although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were positively correlated with disease activity before and after auto-PBSCT, as expected, levels did not increase at the time of relapse. The patient was treated with doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and diuretics, followed by thalidomide, and remains clinically stable at one year after treatment. This case suggests that VEGF level may not always be indicative of relapse of POEMS syndrome, and that thalidomide is both useful and safe for patients with relapse following successful treatment with auto-PBSCT.

Human herpesvirus 6 meningoencephalitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) meningoencephalitis within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Of 1148 patients who received transplants between January 1999 and December 2003, 11 patients (0.96%) with HHV-6 meningoencephalitis were identified. Ten of 11 recipients received hematopoietic stem cells from donors other than HLA-identical siblings. Confusion was the most frequent central nervous system (CNS) symptom, and a skin rash with high-grade fever preceded the CNS symptoms in 9 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed an abnormal increased T2 signal in the hypothalamus of 5 patients. Eight patients were treated with ganciclovir, and an improvement of CNS symptoms was obtained in 3 patients; 3 patients treated with acyclovir showed no improvement. Improvement in the meningoencephalitis seemed less frequent in patients with abnormal findings in the hypothalamus than in those without such findings. Because the symptoms of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis mimicked those of cyclosporine- or tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy, the drugs were withdrawn at the onset of CNS symptoms in 10 patients, resulting in the development of grade IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in 5 patients. Three patients died of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis, and 6 died of other causes, including GVHD. In conclusion, HHV-6 meningoencephalitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication in patients who undergo allogeneic HSCT. Careful assessment of the clinical findings and the brain may allow early and precise diagnosis of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis and contribute to improving its prognosis.