Impact of body mass index on outcome and treatment-related toxicity in young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Data on outcome for patients in different body mass index (BMI) categories in young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are scarce. We explored survival and toxicities in different BMI categories in young adults with ALL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with ALL between July 2008 and June 2022 in the Nordic countries, Estonia, or Lithuania, and treated according to the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol, were retrospectively enrolled and classified into different BMI categories. Endpoints were overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse as well as incidence rate ratio (IRR) of severe predefined toxic events, and treatment delays. RESULTS: The group comprised 416 patients, of whom 234 (56%) were stratified to non-high-risk (non-HR) treatment. In the non-HR group, patients with severe obesity, BMI ≥35 kg/m2 had worse EFS due to relapses but there was no effect on toxicity or treatment delays compared with the healthy-weight patients. There was no association between BMI category and OS, overall toxicity, or treatment delays in the patients with high-risk treatment. CONCLUSION: Severe obesity is associated with worse EFS in young adults treated according to the non-HR arms of the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol. Poorer outcome is explained with a higher risk of relapse, possibly due to under treatment, and not caused by excess therapy-related mortality.

Thromboembolism in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of NOPHO ALL2008 protocol treatment in patients aged 1 to 45 years.

Thromboembolism frequently occurs during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. We prospectively registered thromboembolic events during the treatment of 1772 consecutive Nordic/Baltic patients with ALL aged 1 to 45 years who were treated according to the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ALL2008 protocol (July 2008-April 2017). The 2.5-year cumulative incidence of thromboembolism (N = 137) was 7.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6-9.1); it was higher in patients aged at least 10 years (P < .0001). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRas) were associated with greater age (range, 10.0-17.9 years: HRa, 4.9 [95% CI, 3.1-7.8; P < .0001]; 18.0-45.9 years: HRa, 6.06 [95% CI, 3.65-10.1; P < .0001]) and mediastinal mass at ALL diagnosis (HRa, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.3; P = .04). In a multiple absolute risk regression model addressing 3 thromboembolism risk factors, age at least 10 years had the largest absolute risk ratio (RRage, 4.7 [95% CI, 3.1-7.1]; RRenlarged lymph nodes, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.2-3.1]; RRmediastinal mass, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.0-2.6]). Patients aged 18.0 to 45.9 years had an increased hazard of pulmonary embolism (HRa, 11.6; 95% CI, 4.02-33.7; P < .0001), and patients aged 10.0 to 17.9 years had an increased hazard of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (HRa, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.3; P = .003) compared with children younger than 10.0 years. Asparaginase was truncated in 38/128 patients with thromboembolism, whereas thromboembolism diagnosis was unassociated with increased hazard of relapse (P = .6). Five deaths were attributable to thromboembolism, and patients younger than 18.0 years with thromboembolism had increased hazard of dying compared with same-aged patients without thromboembolism (both P ≤ .01). In conclusion, patients aged at least 10 years could be candidates for preemptive antithrombotic prophylaxis. However, the predictive value of age 10 years or older, enlarged lymph nodes, and mediastinal mass remain to be validated in another cohort.

Introducing patient-reported outcome in the acute leukemia quality registries in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: The use of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measured outside clinical trials is not well defined. We report the first analysis of the prospective PRO study within the Swedish acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) registries. METHODS: PRO was requested 6 months after diagnosis. The EORTC Quality of life Questionnaire Core 30-item, the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), and questions from a Swedish National Cancer Questionnaire were used. RESULTS: An invitation letter was sent to 398 patients; 255 (64%) responded, 60% web-based, and 40% on paper. The ALL cohort had lower physical, role and social functioning, higher symptom burden, and more financial difficulties compared to the AML cohort. A PHQ-8 score ≥ 10p, which indicates depression, was reported in 18% of the patients; 33% of these patients reported being prescribed antidepressants. The patients' overall experience of care was satisfying, but more psychological and practical support was desired. There was no difference in survival between patients who reported their PRO and those who did not. Follow-up at 2 and 4 years is ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: PRO collected in a registry-based setting is feasible, but the selection of time points and questionnaires are delicate in a diverse patient population.

Survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL): A report from the Swedish ALL Registry.

OBJECTIVES: As new, effective therapies emerge for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the results of clinical trials need to relate to standard of care. METHODS: We used the population-based Swedish ALL Registry to evaluate characteristics, treatment and long-term outcome in 933 patients with diagnosis between 1997 and 2015. RESULTS: The median age was 53 years. The frequency of Philadelphia (Ph)-positive leukaemia was 34% of examined B-ALL with a peak incidence at 50-59 years. Five-year overall survival (OS) improved between 1997-2006 and 2007-2015; in patients 18-45 years from 50% (95% CI 43-57) to 65% (95% CI 58-72), 46-65 years from 25% (95% CI 18-32) to 46% (95% CI 37-55) and >65 years from 7% (95% CI 2.6-11) to 11% (95% CI 5.9-16) (P < 0.05). Men with Ph-neg B-ALL 46-65 years had inferior OS compared with women (P < 0.01). Standardised mortality ratio was 5.7 (95% CI 5.0-6.3) for patients who survived 5 years from diagnosis. In multivariable analysis, Ph-positive disease was not associated with impaired prognosis but with lower risk of death in 2007-2015. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based cohort, OS has improved in adult ALL, especially for Ph-positive disease but for middle-aged men with Ph-negative B-ALL outcome was poor. Cure without late toxicity or relapse is still desired.

Comparing osteonecrosis clinical phenotype, timing, and risk factors in children and young adults treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Treatment-related osteonecrosis (ON) is a serious complication of treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PROCEDURE: This study included 1,489 patients with ALL, aged 1-45 years, treated according to the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology ALL2008 protocol, using alternate-week dexamethasone during delayed intensification, with prospective registration of symptomatic ON. We aimed at comparing risk factors, timing, and clinical characteristics of ON in children and young adults. RESULTS: ON was diagnosed in 67 patients, yielding a 5-year cumulative incidence of 6.3%, but 28% in female adolescents. Median age at ALL diagnosis was 12.1 years and 14.9 years for females and males, respectively. At ON diagnosis, 59 patients had bone pain (91%) and 30 (46%) had multiple-joint involvement. The median interval between ALL and ON diagnosis was significantly shorter in children aged 1.0-9.9 years (0.7 years [range: 0.2-2.1]) compared with adolescents (1.8 years [range: 0.3-3.7, P < 0.001]) and adults (2.1 years [range: 0.4-5.3, P = 0.001]). Female sex was a risk factor in adolescent patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) but not in children aged 1.1-9.9 years (HR = 2.4, 95% CI: 0.9-6.2, P = 0.08) or adults aged 19-45 years (HR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.3-4.0). Age above 10 years at ALL diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7, P = 0.026) and multiple joints affected at ON diagnosis (OR = 3.4, P = 0.027) were risk factors for developing severe ON. CONCLUSION: We provide a detailed phenotype of patients with ALL with symptomatic ON, including description of risk factors and timing of ON across age groups. This awareness is essential in exploring measures to prevent development of ON.

Age but not Philadelphia positivity impairs outcome in older/elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: Older/elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are poorly represented in clinical trials. METHODS: Using Swedish national leukemia registries, we investigated disease/patient characteristics, treatment choices, outcome, and the impact of an age-adapted protocol (introduced in 2009) in this population-based study of patients aged 55-85 years, diagnosed with ALL 2005-2012. RESULTS: Of 174 patients, 82% had B-phenotype, 11% Burkitt leukemia (excluded), and 7% T-phenotype. Philadelphia chromosome positivity (Ph+) occurred in 35%. Of the 155 B- and T-ALL patients, 80% were treated with intensive protocols, and 20% with a palliative approach. Higher age and WHO performance status ≥2 influenced the choice of palliation. Intensive, palliative, and both approaches resulted in complete remission rate 83/16/70% and 3-year overall survival (OS) 32/3/26%. The age-adapted protocol did not improve outcome. With intensive treatment, platelet count ≤35×109 /L and age ≥75 years were adverse prognostic factors for OS, Ph+ was not. Male sex was an adverse prognostic factor in the 55-64 year age-group. CONCLUSIONS: We report a high frequency of Ph+ in older/elderly patients, with no evidence of poorer outcome compared to Ph-negative disease. Overall prognosis for elderly patients with ALL remains dismal, despite the use of age-adapted treatment.

Toxicity profile and treatment delays in NOPHO ALL2008-comparing adults and children with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: Cure rates improve when adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are treated according to pediatric protocols. Assumed risks of toxicities and associated delays in treatment have played a role in setting upper age limits. The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity profile and treatment delays in NOPHO ALL2008 comparing children and adults. METHODS: We collected information on 19 treatment-related toxicities, systematically captured at 3-month intervals throughout therapy, and time intervals between 12 consecutive treatment phases for 1076 patients aged 1-45 yrs treated according to the Nordic/Baltic ALL2008 protocol. RESULTS: No adults died during induction. The duration of induction therapy and postinduction treatment phases did not differ between children and adults, except for patients 18-45 yrs being significantly delayed during two of nine high-risk blocks (median number of days for patients 1-9, 10-17, and 18-45 yrs; the glucocorticosteroid/antimetabolite-based block B1: 24, 26, and 29 d, respectively, P = 0.001, and Block 5 (in most cases also a B block): 29, 29, and 37 d, respectively, P = 0.02). A higher incidence of thrombosis with increasing age was found; highest odds ratio 5.4 (95% CI: (2.6;11.0)) for patients 15-17 yrs compared with children 1-9 yrs (P < 0.0001). Risk of avascular osteonecrosis was related to age with the highest OR for patients 10-14 yrs (OR = 10.4 (95% CI: (4.4;24.9)), P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Adults followed and tolerated the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol virtually as well as children, although thrombosis and avascular osteonecrosis was most common among adolescents.

High relapse rate of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults treated with Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Hyper-CVAD is widely used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and aggressive lymphomas. This multicenter, population-based study assessed the efficacy of Hyper-CVAD as first-line therapy in patients with T-cell ALL (T-ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2002 and September 2006, 24 patients were diagnosed with T-ALL in Sweden; 19 were eligible for treatment with the protocol. RESULTS: The median age was 32 yr (range 18-72 yr). Complete remission (CR) was obtained in 17 of 19 (89%) patients, and the treatment was relatively well tolerated. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was recommended in high-risk disease and was performed in four patients upfront. Two- and 5-yr leukemia-free survivals (LFS) in 17 patients with CR achievement were identical, at 29% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-51). Two- and 5-yr overall survival (OS) in whole cohort was 63% (95% CI: 42-85) and 47% (95% CI: 26-69), respectively. The 5-yr LFS for 15 patients who did not receive allogeneic SCT upfront were 20% (95% CI: 0-40), although 14 of 15 completed the protocol (eight cycles). Relapse occurred in 2 of 4 upfront-transplanted patients and in 12 of 15 patients treated with chemotherapy alone, six of whom received allogeneic SCT in CR2. Age ≥35 yr influenced OS negatively in univariate analysis (HR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.55-16.7). CONCLUSIONS: Hyper-CVAD treatment resulted in a high CR rate and appeared safe, but it showed poor efficacy at preventing relapse. Therefore, this treatment is no longer recommended for adults with T-ALL in Sweden.

Increase in peg-asparaginase clearance as a predictor for inactivation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Asparaginase is an essential component of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy, yet its associated toxicities often lead to treatment discontinuation, increasing the risk of relapse. Hypersensitivity reactions include clinical allergies, silent inactivation, or allergy-like responses. We hypothesized that even moderate increases in asparaginase clearance are related to later inactivation. We therefore explored mandatory monitoring of asparaginase enzyme activity (AEA) in patients with ALL aged 1-45 years treated according to the ALLTogether pilot protocol in the Nordic and Baltic countries to relate mean AEA to inactivation, to build a pharmacokinetic model to better characterize the pharmacokinetics of peg-asparaginase and assess whether an increased clearance relates to subsequent inactivation. The study analyzed 1631 real-time AEA samples from 253 patients, identifying inactivation in 18.2% of the patients. This inactivation presented as mild allergy (28.3%), severe allergy (50.0%), or silent inactivation (21.7%). A pharmacokinetic transit compartment model was used to describe AEA-time profiles, revealing that 93% of patients with inactivation exhibited prior increased clearance, whereas 86% of patients without hypersensitivity maintained stable clearance throughout asparaginase treatment. These findings enable prediction of inactivation and options for either dose increments or a shift to alternative asparaginase formulations to optimize ALL treatment strategies.

Risk group assignment differs for children and adults 1-45 yr with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated by the NOPHO ALL-2008 protocol.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is poorer in adults than in children. Studies have indicated that young adults benefit from pediatric treatment, although no upper age limit has been defined. DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed 749 patients aged 1-45 yr treated by the NOPHO ALL-2008 protocol. Minimal residual disease (MRD) on days 29 and 79, immunophenotype, white blood cell count (WBC), and cytogenetics were used to stratify patients to standard-, intermediate-, or high-risk treatment with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. RESULTS: Adults aged 18-45 had significantly lower WBCs at diagnosis compared with children aged 1-9 and 10-17 yr, but significantly more adults were stratified to high-risk chemotherapy (8%, 14%, 17%; P < 0.0001) or high-risk chemotherapy with transplantation (4%, 13%, 19%; P < 0.0001). This age-dependent skewing of risk grouping reflected more T-ALL (11%, 27%, 33%, P < 0.0001), poorer MRD response day 29 (MRD < 0.1%: 75%, 61%, 52%; P < 0.0001), and more MLL gene rearrangements (3%, 3%, 10%; P = 0.005) in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Even if identical diagnostics, treatment, and risk stratification are implemented, more adults will be stratified to high-risk therapy, which should be considered when comparing pediatric and adult outcomes.

Invasive fungal infection by Peziza ostracoderma in an immunocompromised patient.

We report for the first time a case of disseminated infection caused by Peziza ostracoderma, a mold not previously associated with invasive infections in humans. P. ostracoderma occurs in natural and sterilized soil and may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in greenhouse workers. The immunocompromised patient presented with neutropenic fever that did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics and developed multiple skin and lung lesions. A skin biopsy demonstrated an angioinvasive mold, identified as Peziza ostracoderma by culture and DNA sequencing. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for amphotericin B was 0.125 mg/L, for isavuconazole 0.125 mg/L, for voriconazole 0.06 mg/L, and for posaconazole 0.03 mg/L. The skin lesions have resolved completely, and the lung lesions have decreased significantly in size after 14 months of mold-active antifungal therapy, mostly isavuconazole. In conclusion, Peziza species can be opportunistic pathogens causing considerable morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. The infection may be successfully treated with mold-active antifungal drugs.

High curability via intensive reinduction chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation in young adults with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Sweden 2003-2007.

BACKGROUND: A minority of patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia who relapse are rescued. The aim of this population-based study was to assess the results of reinduction treatment and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients in second complete remission. DESIGN AND METHODS: Between 2003-2007, 76 adults (<66 years) with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Burkitt's leukemia excluded) were prospectively reported to The Swedish Adult Acute Leukemia Registry and later evaluated. RESULTS: Reinduction with: (i) mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine (MEA); (ii) fludarabine, cytarabine, pegylated-asparaginase plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (FLAG-Asp); and (iii) cytarabine, betamethasone, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, and vincristine (ABCDV) resulted in complete remission in 6/9 (67%), 10/16 (63%) and 9/21 (43%) of the patients, respectively. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation was performed during second complete remission in 29 patients. Multivariate analysis regarding overall survival after relapse revealed that age over 35 years at diagnosis and relapse within 18 months were negative prognostic factors. Overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 22% (95% CI: 13-32) and 15% (95% CI: 7-24). Of 19 patients less than 35 years at diagnosis who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in second remission, ten (53%) are still alive at a median of 5.5 years (range, 4.2-8.3) after relapse, whereas all patients over 35 years old at diagnosis have died. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the treatment of choice for young adults with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Both (i) mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine and (ii) fludarabine, cytarabine, pegylated-asparaginase plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor seem effective as reinduction treatments and should be further evaluated. New salvage strategies are needed, especially for patients over 35 years old at diagnosis.

A Study Protocol for Validation and Implementation of Whole-Genome and -Transcriptome Sequencing as a Comprehensive Precision Diagnostic Test in Acute Leukemias.

Background: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS), with the ability to provide comprehensive genomic information, have become the focal point of research interest as novel techniques that can support precision diagnostics in routine clinical care of patients with various cancer types, including hematological malignancies. This national multi-center study, led by Genomic Medicine Sweden, aims to evaluate whether combined application of WGS and WTS (WGTS) is technically feasible and can be implemented as an efficient diagnostic tool in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition to clinical impact assessment, a health-economic evaluation of such strategy will be performed. Methods and Analysis: The study comprises four phases (i.e., retrospective, prospective, real-time validation, and follow-up) including approximately 700 adult and pediatric Swedish AML and ALL patients. Results of WGS for tumor (90×) and normal/germline (30×) samples as well as WTS for tumors only will be compared to current standard of care diagnostics. Primary study endpoints are diagnostic efficiency and improved diagnostic yield. Secondary endpoints are technical and clinical feasibility for routine implementation, clinical utility, and health-economic impact. Discussion: Data from this national multi-center study will be used to evaluate clinical performance of the integrated WGTS diagnostic workflow compared with standard of care. The study will also elucidate clinical and health-economic impacts of a combined WGTS strategy when implemented in routine clinical care. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66987142], identifier [ISRCTN66987142].

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and asparaginase re-exposure in patients aged 1-45 years with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A NOPHO ALL2008 study.

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a serious complication during asparaginase therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We identified 46 patients with CSVT among 2651 patients (1‒45 years) treated according to the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol between 2008 and 2018. CSVT cases were prospectively registered in the NOPHO database with retrospective updates. We examined the frequency of asparaginase re-exposure after CSVT, potential factors associated with asparaginase truncation, and sequelae after CSVT. This work was supported by the Danish Cancer Society and the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation. The 2.5-year cumulative incidence of CSVT was 1.9% (95% confidence interval 1.4%-2.5%). The majority of patients (74%, n = 31) were re-exposed to asparaginase (with low-molecular-weight heparin coverage), one of whom had a second CSVT, without neurological sequelae. Patients re-exposed to asparaginase were earlier in ALL treatment and lacked more asparaginase doses than non-re-exposed patients at CSVT diagnosis (median 50 vs. 81 days, p = 0.03; mean 11.2 vs. 8.4 asparaginase doses, p = 0.04). No other examined factors had an impact on asparaginase re-exposure. At the last follow-up (median 4.5 years after CSVT), 61% of patients had normal neurological status, and 57% had complete recanalisation of CSVT, with no significant difference between patients re-exposed and non-re-exposed to asparaginase. Our results indicate that re-exposure to asparaginase is safe after CSVT during anticoagulation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation rates and long-term survival in acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia: real-world population-based data from the Swedish Acute Leukemia Registry 1997-2006.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) reduces relapse rates in acute leukemia, but outcome is hampered by toxicity. Population-based data avoid patient selection and may therefore substitute for lack of randomized trials. METHODS: We evaluated alloSCT rates within the Swedish Acute Leukemia Registry, including 3899 adult patients diagnosed from 1997 through 2006 with a coverage of 98% and a median follow-up of 6.2 years. RESULTS: AlloSCT rates and survival decreased rapidly with age >55 years. The 8-year overall survival (OS) was 65% in patients <30 years and 38% in patients <60 years and was similar for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Among 1073 patients <60 years, alloSCT was performed in 42% and 49% of patients with AML and ALL, respectively. Two-thirds of the alloSCTs were performed in first complete remission, and half used unrelated donors, the same in AML and ALL. Regional differences in management and outcome were found: 60% of AML patients <40 years received alloSCT in all parts of Sweden, but two-thirds of AML patients 40-59 years had alloSCT in one region compared with one-third in other regions (P<.001), with improved 8-year OS among all AML patients in this age cohort (51% vs 30%; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: More Swedish AML patients received alloSCT, and long-term survival was better than in recently published large international studies, despite our lack of selection bias. There was no correlation between alloSCT rate and survival in ALL. In adult AML patients <60 years of age, a high alloSCT rate was associated with better long-term survival, but there was no such correlation in ALL.

Cytogenetic aberrations in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia-A population-based study.

Cytogenetic aberrations are recognized as important prognostic factors in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but studies seldom include elderly patients. From the population-based Swedish ALL Registry, we identified 728 patients aged 18-95 years, who were diagnosed with ALL 1997-2015 and had cytogenetic information. Registry data were complemented with original cytogenetic reports. BCR-ABL1 was the most recurrent aberration, with a frequency of 26%, with additional cytogenetic alterations in 64%. KTM2A rearrangement was the second most frequent aberration found in 7%. Low hypodiploidy-near triploidy and complex karyotype had negative impact, while t(1;19);TCF3-PBX1 showed positive impact on overall survival. However, after correction for age only complex karyotype remained significant.

Detection of leukemia gene fusions by targeted RNA-sequencing in routine diagnostics.

BACKGROUND: We have evaluated an NGS-based method to detect recurrent gene fusions of diagnostic and prognostic importance in hematological malignancies. Our goal was to achieve a highly specific assay with a simple workflow, short turnaround time and low cost. METHOD: The assay uses a commercially available anchored multiplex PCR panel for target enrichment and library preparation, followed by sequencing using a MiSeq instrument. The panel includes all recurrent gene fusions in AML and ALL and is designed to detect gene-specific fusions without prior knowledge of the partner sequence or specific break points. Diagnostic RNA samples from 27 cases with hematological malignancies encompassing 23 different transcript variants were analyzed. In addition, 12 cases from a validation cohort were assessed. RESULT: All known fusion transcripts were identified with a high degree of confidence, with a large number of reads covering the breakpoints. Importantly, we could identify gene fusions where conventional methods had failed due to cryptic rearrangements or rare fusion partners. The newly-identified fusion partners were verified by RT-PCR and transcript-specific qPCR was designed for patient-specific follow-up. In addition, 12 cases were correctly assessed in a blind test, without prior knowledge of molecular cytogenetics or diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results demonstrate that targeted RNA sequencing using anchored multiplex PCR can be implemented in a clinical laboratory for the detection of recurrent and rare gene fusions in hematological diagnostic samples.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission: a position statement of the European Working Group for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (EWALL) and the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT).

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in first complete remission is a standard of care for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and high risk of relapse. However, the stratification systems vary among study groups. Inadequate response at the level of minimal residual disease is the most commonly accepted factor indicating the need for alloHSCT. In this consensus paper on behalf of the European Working Group for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, we summarize available evidence and reflect current clinical practice in major European study groups regarding both indications for HSCT and particular aspects of the procedure including the choice of donor, source of stem cells and conditioning. Finally, we propose recommendations for daily clinical practice as well as for planning of prospective trials.

An investigation into whether deletions in 9p reflect prognosis in adult precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a multi-center study of 381 patients.

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, besides age and white cell count at diagnosis, the cytogenetic abnormalities t(9;22)/BCR-ABL and t(4;11)/MLL-AF4 are important prognostic markers and are often included in the treatment stratification of patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Deletions in 9p are seen in about 9% of cases of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but their prognostic impact has been controversial. Cytogenetic data from 381 patients diagnosed with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia were reviewed. Chromosomal analysis was successful in 240 cases. Of these cases, 18 (8%) had abnormalities in 9p and they were compared with patients with normal karyotypes and patients with t(9;22)/BCR-ABL. Patients with abnormalities of chromosome 9 showed significantly shorter overall survival compared with patients with normal karyotypes. In fact, overall survival was similar to that in the poor prognosis t(9;22)/BCR-ABL-positive group. Our data suggest that chromosomal abnormalities involving 9p may have a significant negative impact on survival in adult B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

U-2973, a novel B-cell line established from a patient with a mature B-cell leukemia displaying concurrent t(14;18) and MYC translocation to a non-IG gene partner.

B-cell lymphomas/leukemias with simultaneous t(14;18)(q32;q21) and MYC rearrangements have recently been shown to constitute a separate diagnostic entity, presenting with a rapid clinical course and a very poor prognosis. We describe the establishment of an Epstein-Barr virus negative cell line, designated U-2973, from a male patient with a de novo aggressive B-cell lymphoma/leukemia and very high peripheral blast cell count. Flow cytometry of bone marrow cells and U-2973 displayed a mature B-cell phenotype, and immunostaining showed expression of MYC and BCL2. IG gene rearrangement data were consistent with a lymphoid neoplasm of germinal centre derivation. Cytogenetic studies using conventional G-banding, fluorescent in situ hybridization, spectral karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism array demonstrated a complex karyotype with both a t(14;18) and double translocations between MYC and a non-IG gene partner located at chromosome 12p12.1.