Phase 1/2 study of intratumoral G100 (TLR4 agonist) with or without pembrolizumab in follicular lymphoma.

Intratumoral injection of G100, a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist, was shown pre-clinically to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses and tumor regression. This open-label, multicenter, phase 1/2 trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of intratumoral G100 injections following localized low-dose radiation in patients with follicular lymphoma (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02501473). The study was comprised of a G100 dose escalation (5 or 10 µg/dose, or 20 µg/dose for large tumors); a randomized component comparing G100 to G100 plus pembrolizumab; and G100 20 µg/dose expansion. Adverse events grade ≥3 were uncommon in patients treated with G100, and no unexpected toxicities were observed when combined with pembrolizumab. G100 20 µg (n = 18) resulted in an overall response rate of 33.3% and abscopal tumor regression in 72.2% of patients. This early-phase study provides a foundation for combining an intratumoral TLR4 agonist with agents to produce immune-mediated responses in follicular lymphoma with limited added toxicity.

Clinical Use of Anti-Xa Monitoring in Malignancy-Associated Thrombosis.

Introduction. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is preferred for malignancy-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). Many providers monitor LMWH with anti-Xa levels, despite little validation on correspondence with patient outcome. Methods. This is a retrospective, single institution study of anti-Xa measurement in malignancy-associated thrombosis. Cases were identified using the Electronic Data Warehouse, and inclusion was confirmed by two independent reviewers. Malignancy type, thrombotic history, measurement rationale and accuracy, clinical context, and management changes were evaluated. Results. 167 cases met inclusion criteria. There was no clear rationale for anti-Xa testing in 56%. Impaired renal function (10%), documented or suspected recurrent thrombosis despite anticoagulation (9%), and bleeding (6%) were the most common reasons for testing. Incorrect measurement occurred in 44%. Renal impairment was not a significant impetus for testing, as 70% had a GFR > 60. BMI > 30 was present in 40%, and 28% had a BMI < 25. Clinical impact was low, as only 11% of patients had management changes. Conclusions. Provider education in accuracy and rationale for anti-Xa testing is needed. Our study illustrates uncertainty of interpretation and clinical impact of routine anti-Xa testing, as management was affected in few patients. It is not yet clear in which clinical context providers should send anti-Xa levels.

Contemporary treatment of APL.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by coagulopathy, leukopenic presentation and sensitivity to anthracyclines, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). For the last 25 years, APL has been treated with a combination of ATRA and chemotherapy for induction followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy. This general treatment approach has resulted in cure rates of 80-90 %. ATO, originally approved in relapsed APL, has been incorporated into contemporary upfront treatment regimens with excellent response rates. Recent studies show that most patients with APL can be cured with ATRA and ATO alone, eliminating cytotoxic chemotherapy and resulting in superior outcomes compared to standard treatment. We will herein review historical treatment of APL, treatment considerations in specific patient populations, and therapeutic updates.

The coagulopathy in acute promyelocytic leukaemia--what have we learned in the past twenty years.

Coagulopathy is a unique component of the pathology of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Though many causative factors have been elucidated, therapies to rectify the coagulopathy are far from being realised. Thrombotic and bleeding complications remain the major causes of early deaths. In this chapter, the known causes of abnormalities in haemostatic function, namely the coagulopathy and changes in the fibrinolytic system, will be reviewed. Major risk factors for these complications are identified. Current available measures for correction of the coagulopathy and their effectiveness are critically examined. Unless the coagulopathy can be effectively controlled, bleeding complications will remain an obstacle to achieving a cure for this disease. The issues that need to be addressed in next phase of investigations are also discussed.

Acute myeloid leukemia presenting with panhypopituitarism or diabetes insipidus: a case series with molecular genetic analysis and review of the literature.

Central diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare finding in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), usually occurring in patients with chromosome 3 or 7 abnormalities. We describe four patients with AML and concurrent DI and a fifth patient with AML and panhypopituitarism. Four of five patients had monosomy 7. Three patients had chromosome 3q21q26/EVI-1 gene rearrangements. The molecular genotype of patients with AML and DI is not known. Therefore, we performed gene sequencing of 30 genes commonly mutated in AML in three patients with available leukemia cell DNA. One patient had no identifiable mutations, and two had RUNX1 F158S mutations.