Differences in the Differentiation Potential and Relative Levels of Gene Expression in the Bone Marrow-Derived Fibroblast Colony-Forming Units in Patients during the Onset of Aplastic Anemia Depending on the Disease Severity.

The differentiation potential of individual clones of fibroblast CFU (CFU-F) was studied and the relative expression level of genes was analyzed in the culture of CFU-F from the bone marrow in patients with non-severe and severe forms of aplastic anemia at the onset of the disease. The differentiation potential of CFU-F clones was determined by the relative expression of marker genes using quantitative PCR. In aplastic anemia, the ratio of CFU-F clones with different differentiation potential changes, but the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are different in non-severe and severe aplastic anemia. In the culture of CFU-F in non-severe and severe aplastic anemia, the relative expression level of genes associated with the maintenance of the hematopoietic stem cell in the bone marrow niche changes, but the decrease in the expression of immunoregulatory genes occurs in severe form only, which may reflect differences in the pathogenesis of non-severe and severe aplastic anemia.

Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry for measuring telomere length of human leukocytes.

Telomere length can be measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing to obtain the absolute length of telomeres (ALT) in base pair, and by flow cytometry, which can only estimate the relative telomere length. The aim of the study was to compare the results of the two methods and to develop an accurate and reliable way of converting the relative telomere length to absolute. The peripheral blood from 21 donors was analyzed. Measurement of leukocyte telomere length by flow cytometry was carried out using a commercial Telomere PNA Kit / FITC (Dako, Denmark) with two CytoFLEX flow cytometers (Beckman Coulter, China) and BD FACSCanto II (Becton Dickinson, USA), obtaining the molecular equivalent of fluorescence (MEF). To measure telomere length by real-time PCR, calibrators with a known number of telomeric repeats were prepared. Two quantitative PCRs were carried out: one for telomeric repeats, the other for determining the number of genome-equivalents of DNA, three times for each sample, which made it possible to calculate ALT. A strong direct relationship was found between the MEF obtained with BD FACSCanto II and CytoFLEX (r = 0.97). Analysis of PCR and flow cytometry results showed a significant correlation between ALT and MEF. We calculated the regression equations of ALT and MEF for CytoFLEX - y = 0.0043x (r = 0.84) and for BD FACSCanto II - y = 0.0051x (r = 0.82). Correlation analysis showed a high comparability of telomere lengths measured by two methods. The obtained regression equations allow converting the results of flow cytometry into absolute values, allowing the comparison of the results of different research groups and the use of this method in clinical trials.

[Development of program therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia under the age of 60 years, based on the principles of differentiated effects].

AIM: To analyze the results of treatment in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within protocols AML-17 and modified AML-17 (mOML-17) as part of two consecutive pilot studies in order to develop the best treatment strategy for AML patients aged below 60 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 89 AML patients who were aged below 60 years and received treatment within the AML-17 and mOML-17 protocols. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies were performed in all patients. The presence of mutations in the FLT3, NPM1, CEBPa genes was assessed by fragment analysis. 35 patients underwent a study for mutTP53, mutRUNX1 using next generation sequencing (NGS). The minimum residual population of tumor cells was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the procedures of the SAS 9.3 package. RESULTS: Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 89.7% of patients treated with intensive chemotherapy (CT) courses and in 52.4% of patients treated with low-dose CT courses. 8.8% of intensively treated patients were refractory to therapy, and 38% did not respond to low-dose exposure. The early mortality rate was 3%. The overall survival and disease-free 3-year survival for patients included in 2 consecutive studies was were 60% and 67%, respectively. The level of minimal residual disease (MRD) after the first course of induction CT was an important prognostic indicator. The three-year relapse-free survival for patients in whom CR was achieved after the first course of induction CT and in whom MRD was not detected (MRD-negative status was obtained) was 90% compared to 43% for patients who were MRD positive after the first course of induction CT (p=0.00001). CONCLUSION: The key factor that significantly affects the long-term results of therapy is the rate of MRD after the first course of induction CT.

[Li-Fraumeni syndrome in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

BACKGROUND: LiFraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare, autosomal dominant, hereditary disorder that is characterized by an increased risk for certain types of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), particularly. Germline TP53 mutations are associated with LFS. Genetic counseling and follow-up is essential for patients with LFS and their relatives. Special therapeutic approaches are needed for treatment of oncological disease in these patients. The article presents a series of clinical cases of patients with ALL and SLF, considers general issues of diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with this hereditary genetic syndrome. AIM: Describe clinical observations of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and LFS and consider general issues of diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with LFS and ALL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TP53 gene mutations were screened using Sanger sequencing in 180 de novo patients with Ph-negative (B- and T-cell) and Ph-positive ALL treated by Russian multicenter protocols (ALL-2009, ALL-2012, ALL-2016) at the National Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia, and at the hematology departments of regional clinics of Russia (multicenter study participants). RESULTS: TP53 gene mutations were found in 7.8% (n=14) of de novo ALL patients. In patients, whose biological material was available TP53 gene mutational status was determined in non-tumor cells (bone marrow and peripheral blood during remission, bone marrow samples after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation and in tissue of non-hematopoietic origin) for discriminating germline mutations. The analysis included 5 patients (out of 14 with TP53 mutations), whose non-tumor biological material was available for research. Germline status was confirmed in 4 out of 5 B-cell ALL (n=3), T-cell ALL (n=1) investigated patients. CONCLUSION: Practical value of the research is the observation that the greater part of TP53 gene mutations in patients with Ph-negative B-cell ALL are germinal and associated with LFS.

[Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma].

AIM: To analyze the effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from a related HLA-identical donor in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2018, the study included 8 patients (6 men, 2 women) aged from 27 to 55 years (median 39 years) with MM who underwent allo-HSCT from a related HLA-identical donor (7 patients after auto-HSCT, in 1 case without previous auto-transplantation). All patients required 2 or more lines of induction therapy, while the achieved antitumor effect was unstable. Before allo-HSCT, complete and very good partial remission was determined in isolated cases, in 4 patients the response was regarded as partial remission, stabilization in 1 observation, progression in 1 patient. All patients underwent reduced intensity conditioning (fludarabine 30 mg/m2 6 days + busulfan 4 mg/kg 2 days). Immunosuppressive therapy included the administration of antithymocyte globulin and post-transplant cyclophosphamide. RESULTS: Severe acute GVHD (grade 34) was observed in 3 (37.5%) cases, which resulted in death in 1 case. A stable antitumor response was achieved in 5 (62.5%) patients, complete remission lasts for 2986 months after allo-HSCT. Specific therapy for these patients is not carried out. The 7-year progression-free survival rate was 75%, the 7-year overall survival rate was 84%, with a median follow-up of 65 months. The transplant-related mortality was 12.5%. CONCLUSION: Allo-HSCT is considered as an alternative method of therapy for young patients with aggressive MM. Allo-HSCT in MM in some cases leads to long-term immunological control of the tumor.

[Multiple primary tumor of hematopoietic tissue: myeloid sarcoma in combination with mantle cell lymphoma. Case report].

The prevalence of multiple primary tumors has significantly increased last time. The question of choosing the optimal tactics of therapy today not fully resolved. Particular interest is the simultaneous detection of two neoplasms of similar origin in one study biopsy material. This publication presents a case of simultaneous diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma and mantle cell lymphoma in a 65-year-old patient, which required use of two different chemotherapy protocols. This example shows the need to use an extended diagnostic approach at all stages of the therapy, which allows choosing right tactics of therapy and achieving complete remission of two neoplasms.

[A case report of familial dyskeratosis congenital. Case report].

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a hereditary syndrome of bone marrow failure, which develops because of telomeres defects and combines with cancer predisposition. Its classical clinical features are skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, oral leukoplakia (skin-mucosa triad). The goal is to describe the algorithm of diagnosis, clinical specificities of DC and specific treatment for cases of DC in one family. The present report includes descriptions of diagnosis and treatment of family members diagnosed for the first time as having a DC. The report shows an importance of all diagnostic stages: from a medical history and clinical picture to an application of modern high-tech diagnostic methods (flow-FISH, NGS). The report underlines an importance of diagnosis of all family members for excluding an asymptomatic form after a case of DC has been already detected in that family. A high frequency of a toxicity and secondary neoplasia makes it necessary to realize an individual approach at treatment of each patient with DC (the earliest start of androgen treatment, prompt decision of implementation of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation). The knowledge of pathogenesis, clinical features and principles of diagnosis and therapy of this disease is relevant to pediatricians and hematologists.

[Immunosupressive therapy of aplastic anemia patients: successes and failures (single center experiment 2007-2016)].

Treatment programs for patients with acquired aplastic anemia include two main therapeutic options: allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and combined immunosuppressive therapy (IST). However, combined IST remains the method of choice for most adult AA patients. This study included 120 AA patients who received IST at the National Research Center for Hematology in 20072016. The analysis was applied to 120 patients. Median age was 25 (1765) years, M/F: 66/54, SAA/NSAA: 66%/34%. Effectiveness of IST was carried out in 120 patients with AA. This group did not include 8 SAA patients who died during the first 3 months from the start of treatment from severe infectious complications (early deaths 6.2%) and 2 AA patients who dropped out of surveillance. The observation time was 55 (6120) months. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH clone) was detected in 67% of AA patients. The median PNH clone size (granulocytes) was 2.5 (0.0199.5)%. The treatment was according to the classical protocol of combined IST: horse antithymocytic globulin and cyclosporin A. Most of patients (87%) responded to combined immunosuppressive therapy. To achieve a positive response, it was sufficient to conduct one course of ATG to 64% of patients, two courses of ATG 24% of patients and 2% of patients responded only after the third course of ATG. A positive response after the first course was obtained in 64% of patients included in the analysis. Most of the responding patients (93%) achieve a positive response after 36 months from the start of treatment. Therefore, the 3rd6th months after the first course of ATG in the absence of an answer to the first line of therapy can be considered the optimal time for the second course of ATG. This tactic allows to get an answer in another 58% of patients who did not respond to the first course of ATG. The probability of an overall 10-year survival rate was 90% (95% confidence interval 83.696.2).

Results of program acute myeloid leukemia therapy use in National Medical Research Center for Hematology of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation.

AIM: To analyze treatment results of 172 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) aged 18-60 years in National Medical Research Center for Hematology of MHRF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inductive and consolidation program for 139 (80%) patients was based on a standardized protocol: 4 courses "7+3" with different anthracycline use (2 courses of daunorubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone) and continuous use of cytarabine on the second inductive course. In 20% of patients cytarabine courses at the dose of 1 g/m2 2 times a day for 1-3 days combined with idarubicin and mitoxantrone were used as two consolidation courses. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation was performed in the first complete remission (CR) period in 40% of patients. RESULTS: The frequency of CR achievement in all patients was 78.6%, refractory forms were observed in 13.9% of patients, early mortality - in 7.5% of patients. Seven-year overall survival (OS) rate was 40.7%, relapse free survival (RFS) - 43.2%. When estimating effectiveness depending on cytogenetic risk group it was demonstrated that 5-year OS and RFS in patients with translocation (8; 21) cannot be considered as satisfying, it accounted for 50 and 34%, respectively. At the same time in patients with 16th chromosome inversion (inv16) these characteristics accounted for 68.6 and 63.5%. Acquired results forced reconsidering of the consolidation program in AML patients of this subgroup. The median time to allogenic blood stem cells transplantation (allo-BSCT) in patients with first CR was 6.5 months that was taken as a reference point in landmark analysis of patients in whom allo-BSCT was not performed. Landmark analysis showed that in AML patients of favorable prognosis group allo-BSCT does not significantly reduce the probability of relapse (0 and 36%) and does not influence RFS (33 and 64%). In patients of border-line and poor prognosis allo-BSCT significantly reduces relapse probability (26 and 66%; 20 and 100%) and significantly increases a 7-year RFS (68.7 and 30%; 45.6 and 0%). Allo-BSCT also results in significant RFS increase and reduces the probability of relapse (25 и 78%) in patients in whom CR was achieved only after the second induction course. At the same time allo-BSCT does not influence patients who achieved CR after the first treatment course: 55 and 50%. CONCLUSION: Multivariate analysis showed that cytogenetic risk group (HR=2.3), time of CR achievement (HR=2.9), and allo-BSCT transplantation (HR=0.16) are independent factors for disease relapse prognosis after achieving CR.

Diagnostics and treatment challenges of Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a description of 3 clinical cases.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a diverse group of malignant blood disorders both with regard to the biological properties of the tumor and to therapeutic approaches. Immunophenotyping, molecular genetic techniques, whole-genome sequencing characterize B-ALL as a very diverse group for sensitivity to chemotherapy and prognosis. We present three clinical cases of patients with B-ALL and expected good response to standard therapy, in whom standard protocol treatment failured: refractoriness, persistence of minimal residual disease (MRD), and progression (MRD increase). The remission in these patients was achieved after chemotherapy change to immunological targeted therapy. Nowadays a unified therapeutic approach to all primary patients of the B-ALL is considered generally outdated. Great efforts are carrying out to develop molecular genetic classifications. The molecular dissection of subtypes of B-ALL goes on, and new protocols for selective treatment with targeting are clearly outlined for each subtype of B-ALL.

Minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma: Benefits of flow cytometry.

Over the last 20 years, the approaches to the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) have changed considerably, which led to an increase in remission rate. Using new diagnostic methods has made it possible to assess the response to treatment more reliably and forecast disease recurrence: allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, new-generation sequencing and multicolor flow cytometry enable minimal residual disease (MRD) detection of with sensitivity of 10-5 to 10-6 . MRD assessment with flow cytometry using is a rapidly developing area of research. The goal of multicenter groups that use flow cytometry as a tool to detect MRD in patients with MM is achieving standardization and increasing sensitivity and specificity of this method. This article provides data about the methods used for MRD monitoring and describes the advances in the field of flow cytometry.

Effect of Priming of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells with Interferon γ on Their Immunomodulating Properties.

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely used for cell therapy, in particular for prophylaxis and treatment of graft-versus-host disease. Due to their immunomodulatory properties, MSCs affect the composition of lymphocyte subpopulations, which depends on the immunological state of the organism and can change in different diseases and during treatment. Administration of MSCs is not always effective. Treatment of MSCs with different cytokines (in particular IFN-γ) leads to enhancement of their immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate subpopulational alterations and activation markers in lymphocytes (activated and non-activated) after interaction with MSCs and MSCs pretreated with IFN-γ (γMSCs) in vitro. Lymphocytes were co-cultured with MSCs or γMSCs for 4 days. The proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ expressing CD25, CD38, CD69, HLA-DR, and PD-1 and distribution of memory and effector subsets were measured by flow cytometry after co-cultivation of lymphocytes with MSCs or γMSCs. The distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations changes during culturing. In non-activated lymphocytes cultured without MSCs, decrease in the proportion of naïve cells and increase in the number of effector cells was observed. That could be explained as activation of lymphocytes in the presence of serum in culturing medium. Co-culturing of lymphocytes with MSCs and γMSCs leads to retention of their non-activated state. Activation of lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin increases the number of central memory cells and activates marker expression. Interaction with MSCs and γMSCs prevents activation of lymphocytes and keeps their naïve state. Priming with IFN-γ did not induce MSCs inhibitory effect on activation of lymphocytes.

[Absolute numbers of peripheral blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells prior to a leukapheresis procedure as a parameter predicting the efficiency of stem cell collection]. / Absoliutnoe kolichestvo gemopoéticheskikh stvolovykh kletok CD34+ v perifericheskoi krovi pered protseduroi leikafereza kak parametr, prognoziruiushchii éffektivnost' sbora stvolovykh kletok.

AIM: To identify a parameter predicting a collection of at least 2·106 CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC)/kg body weight per leukapheresis (LA) procedure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation included 189 patients with hematological malignancies and 3 HSC donors, who underwent mobilization of stem cells with their subsequent collection by LA. Absolute numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes and CD34+ cells before a LA procedure, as well as a number of CD34+ cells/kg body weight (BW) in the LA product stored on the same day were determined in each patient (donor). RESULTS: There was no correlation between the number of leukocytes and that of stored CD34+ cells/kg BW. There was a close correlation between the count of peripheral blood CD34+ cells prior to LA and that of collected CD34+ cells calculated with reference to kg BW. CONCLUSION: The optimal absolute blood CD34+ cell count was estimated to 20 per µl, at which a LA procedure makes it possible to collect 2·106 or more CD34+ cells/kg BW.

[Multiple myeloma: Maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, depending on minimal residual disease]. / Mnozhestvennaia mieloma: podderzhivaiushchaia terapiia posle transplantatsii autologichnykh gemopoéticheskikh stvolovykh kletok v zavisimosti ot minimal'noi ostatochnoi bolezni.

AIM: To determine the efficiency of maintenance therapy with bortezomib in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have achieved complete remission (CR) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell (auto-HSCT), depending on the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In January 2014 to February 2016, fifty-two MM patients (19 men and 33 women) aged 24 to 66 years (median 54 years), who had achieved CR after auto-HSCT, were randomized to perform maintenance therapy with bortezomib during a year. On day 100 after auto-HSCT, all the patients underwent immunophenotyping of bone marrow plasma cells by 6-color flow cytometry to detect MRD. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was chosen as a criterion for evaluating the efficiency of maintenance therapy. RESULTS: After auto-HSCT, MRD-negative patients had a statistically significantly higher 2-year RFS rate than MRD-positive patients: 52.9% (95% confidence interval (CI), 35.5 to 70.5%) versus 37.2% (95% CI, 25.4 to 49.3%) (p=0.05). The presence of MRD statistically significantly increased the risk of relapse (odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.4; p=0.05). Two-year cumulative risk of relapse (using the Kaplan-Meier) after auto-HSCT did not statistically significantly differ in MRD-negative patients receiving (n=15) and not receiving (n=10) maintenance therapy with bortezomib (p=0.58). After completion of maintenance treatment, 42% of the MRD-positive patients achieved a negative status. In the MRD-positive patients who had received maintenance therapy, the average time to recurrence was 5 months longer than that in the naïve patients: 17.3 versus 12.3 months. CONCLUSION: The MRD status determined in MM patients who have achieved CR after auto-HSCT is an important factor for deciding on the use of maintenance therapy.

[Numbers of early CD34+ progenitors of bone marrow hematopoiesis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. / Kolichestvo rannikh predshestvennikov krovetvoreniia CD34+ v kostnom mozge u bol'nykh diffuznoi V-krupnokletochnoi limfomoi.

AIM: To estimate the number of early progenitors of bone marrow (BM) hematopoiesis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the late period after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigators analyzed the results of BM immunophenotypic and histological studies in 40 patients (median age, 57 years) with DLBCL who received HDCT according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program at the Hematology Research Center (HRC), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (MHRF), in the period 2002 to 2009. A comparison group consisted of 19 patients (median age, 70 years) treated according to the CHOP/R-CHOP program at HRC, MHRF, in the same period. The median follow-up period was 6 years. The results of BM examination were analyzed before and 5-10 years after the end of HDCT. Immunophenotypic study determined the number of early CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors. BM cellularity, the size of erythroid, granulocytic and megakaryocytic lineages, their ratio, the presence of dysplasia signs, and secondary stromal changes were histologically determined. The BM toxic injury signs found for the first time were evaluated as manifestations of late myelotoxicity. RESULTS: At 5-to-10-year follow-ups after the end of HDCT according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program, the patients showed a smaller number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis in 31 (78%) cases than those treated according to the CHOP/R-CHOP-21 program (n=8 (2%)) (p=0.005). Myelopoiesis with decreased CD34+ cell count was characterized by hypocellularity in 8 (26%) patients (p=0.07), the narrowing of megakaryocytic lineage in 14 (45%) (p=0.006), erythroid one in 7 (23%) (p=0.01), and granulocytic one in 8 (26%) (p=0.92), pronounced secondary stromal changes in 15 (48%) (p=0.03), and grade 1 thrombocytopenia in 13 (42%); p=0.02). CONCLUSION: There is evidence that the number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis decreased in patients with DLBCL in the late period after HDCT. The investigation shows the relationship of the reduction in the number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis in the late follow-up period to the presence of pronounced secondary changes in the BM stroma (p=0.02). There was no statistically significant relationship of the decreased number of CD34+ cells to the age younger or older than 60 years, to the period after the end of chemotherapy, to gender or presence of specific BM injury.

[Acute Ph-negative lymphoblastic leukemias in adults: Risk factors in the use of the ALL-2009 protocol]. / Ostrye Ph-negativnye limfoblastnye leikozy vzroslykh: faktory riska pri ispol'zovanii protokola OLL-2009.

AIM: to analyze well-known risk factors (RFs), such as age, immunophenotype, baseline leukocytosis, enhanced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, time to achieve complete remission, a risk group, and cytogenetic abnormalities) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the use of the ALL-2009 protocol. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The protocol covered 298 patients (137 women (including 13 pregnant women) and 161 men) aged 15 to 55 years (median age 28 years) with Ph-negative ALL. The phenotype was unknown in 6 patients. Three (1%) were ascertained to have a biphenotypic variant. 182 (62.4%) patients were found to have B-cell ALL (early pre-B ALL (n=51); common ALL (n=92), and pre-B ALL (n=39); 107 (36.6%) patients had T-cell ALL (early T-ALL (n=56); thymic T-ALL (n=41), and mature T-ALL (n=10). According to the baseline clinical and laboratory parameters (leukocytosis of 30·109/l and more for B-ALL; and that of 100·109/l and more for T-ALL; phenotype В-I for B-ALL, phenotype Т-I-II-IV for T-ALL; LDH activity was more than twice the normal values; the presence of translocation t(4;11)), the high-risk group included most patients with B-ALL (n=110 (72.8%)) and T-ALL (n=76 (76%)). Thirty-five patients with T-ALL underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Allogeneic BMT was performed in 18 (7%) of the 258 patients who had undergone an induction phase. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival for all the patients included in the investigation was 59%; relapse-free survival was 65%, which was significantly different in the patients with B-ALL and in those with T-ALL: the overall survival rates were 53.3 and 67.5% (p=0.1); the relapse-free survival was 56 and 79% (p=0.005), respectively. Multivariate analysis including the well-known RFs demonstrated that the latter for T-ALL were of no independent prognostic value and only the patient's age was identified for B-ALL (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: A lower chemotherapeutic load and a small number of allogeneic BMTs did not affect total positive treatment results in adult patients with ALL, by complying with the principle achieving the continuity of cytostatic effects and by preserving the total cytostatic loading dose. The results of the Russian investigation casts some doubt on the necessity of using very intensive consolidation cycles and performing a large number of allogeneic BMTs in adult patients with ALL.

[Late myelotoxicity of high-dose chemotherapy according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 program in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. / Otdalennaya mielotoksichnost' vysokodoznoi khimioterapii po modifitsirovannoi programme NHL-BFM-90 u bol'nykh diffuznoi V-krupnokletochnoi limfomoi.

AIM: to evaluate late myelotoxicity (MT) relate to high-dose chemotherapy (CT) according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 (mNHL-BFM-90) program in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The results of a complex clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examination, including cytologic, histologic, and routine cytogenetic studies of the bone marrow (BM), were analyzed in 40 DLBCL patients treated according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program in the National Research Center for Hematology (NRCH), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (MHRF), in 2002 to 2009; among them, there were 20 men and 20 women (median age, 57 years). A comparison group consisted of 19 patients who had received high-dose СНОР/R-СНОР-21 CT in HRC, MHRF, in the same period of time; out of them, there were 8 men and 11 women (median age, 70 years). The median posttherapy follow-up period was 6 years. The results of BM studies were analyzed before and 5-10 years after treatment in complete remission. The cytological and histological studies of BM determined its cellularity, the sizes of erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic lineages, their ratios, the signs of dysplasia, and stromal dysplastic changes. Routine BM cytogenetic study was conducted to identify karyological problems. Only myelopoietic changes that had been revealed for the first time 5-10 years after completion of CT were kept in mind as late MT. Cases of baseline and post-CT changes and those of baseline and no post-CT changes were not taken into account. RESULTS: Cytopenic syndromes (having no signs of myelopoietic lineage dysplasia or needing no blood component replacement transfusions) were revealed in 52% of the patients in the high-dose CT; thrombocytopenia amounted to 46%. In the late follow-up period, the patient group after high-dose mNHL-BFM-90 CT were found to have BM hypocellularity in 15 (38%) cases, a narrowing of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages in 13 (33%) and 19 (48%) cases, respectively, and obvious secondary stromal changes in 17 (43%). The first 6 patients underwent routine BM cytogenetic study; all the patients were ascertained to have a normal karyotype; in this connection further BM study was stopped. CONCLUSION: The late MT of high-dose mNHL-BFM 90 CT is statistically significantly higher than that of the standard CHOP/R-CHOP-21 therapy. However, signs of myelodysplastic syndromes and those of cytopenia requiring blood component transfusions were observed in none patient.

[Secondary monoclonal gammopathy after bone marrow autotransplantation as a cause of worse renal function in light chain immunoglobulin deposition disease].

The paper describes a clinical case of a female woman with nephropathy due to light chain deposition disease caused by secretion of κ Bence-Jones protein. Complete immunochemical remission was achieved after induction therapy using a bortezomib + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone regimen. Renal function remained unchanged (glomerular filtration rate 16 ml/min), there was a reduction in proteinuria from 5.8 to 2.6 g/day. High-dose melphalan (200 mg/m2) chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell autotransplantation was performed as consolidation of remission. A year posttransplantation, there was no secretion of κ light chains; however, monoclonal IgG lambda emerged in a quantity of 3.2 g/l. At the same period, nephrotic syndrome became progressive (daily proteinuria 12 g) and dialysis-dependent renal failure developed. A repeat renal biopsy specimen revealed changes, suggesting that there was a decrease in renal deposits of κ light chains. Simultaneously with this, the obvious negative trend as progressive nephrosclerosis and fixation of IgG and λ light chains in the glomeruli (in the sclerotic areas) cause IgGλ monoclonal protein to be involved in the genesis of further kidney injury. Attention is also paid to different characteristics of capillary wall deposits by density (according to the electron microscopic findings), which may point to their different qualitative composition and possibly different formation duration. Papaprotein Gλ disappeared after a year without therapy, suggesting its reactivity. The findings confirm that worse renal function is caused by the action of paraprotein Gλ due to secondary (after autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation) monoclonal gammopathy.

[The dynamics of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in patients with aplastic anemia in process of immune suppressive therapy].

The implementation of principles of highly sensitive flow cytometry into diagnostic of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria increased rate of detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in patients with aplastic anemia already at early stages of diagnosis establishment (up to 79%). However, detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone attracts interest not only from point of view of progression in % of patients with aplastic anemia). The occurrence of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in patients with aplastic anemia can be accompanied by hidden disorders of haemopoesis with increasing risk in conditions of proliferative stress. Hence, it is necessary to monitor the given clone during all period of observation. The study is a prospective investigation analyzing dynamics of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in process of immune suppressive therapy applied to 44 patients with aplastic anemia. The mentioned clone was initially detected in 59.6% of patients. The median of observation amounted to 27 (9-48) months. Depending on size of granulocytic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone patients were allocated in four conditional groups: group I - from 0.01% to 0.99% (n=11); group II - from 1% to 9.99% (n=8); group III - from10% to 49.9% (n=4); group IV - from 50% and more (n=5). In the course of study the differently directed dynamics of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone was revealed. In 3 out of 11 patients from group I median of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone increased from minor values (less than 1%) to 3.55%; at that in one patient occurred total elimination of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone to 12th month of observation. The noticeable unidirectional dynamics was established in patients of group III: already to 3d month of observation, simultaneously with becoming of remission, median of size of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in group diminished from 22.9% (18.39%-24.77%) to 5.6% (1.5%-6.7%). Among patients of groups II and IV paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone remained stable. The development of hemolytic form of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria was observed in all patients of group IV i.e. in 18% of patients with aplastic anemia with primarily detected paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone. In the process of observation, in 37% of patients with aplastic anemia without primarily detected paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone its occurrence and persistence (median - 0.34% (0.1%-6.2%)) was noticed. According to the results of study, alteration of sizes of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone or its occurrence develop in case of response to ISP and, most probably, depend on advantage of growth in the process of repair of normal (GPI positive) or clonal (GPI negative) hemopoiesis. To acquire more reliable conclusions will be possible through development of techniques of molecular diagnostic simultaneously with dynamic observation of course of disease in the given patients.

[Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: The problems of diagnosis and treatment]. / Gepatolienal'naia T-kletochnaia limfoma: problemy diagnostiki i lecheniia.

In the past decade, a notable advance has been made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of NK/T-cell lymphomas; however, their diagnosis remains difficult because of their rarity and clinical and morphological variabilities. The paper generalizes the ten-year experience of the Hematology Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, in diagnosing and treating hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL), considers the problems of differential diagnosis with other hematological diseases occurring with similar clinical and laboratory symptoms, and lays down current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. A clinician's view of the problem of diagnosis and treatment of this disease is given. HSTL is shown to be a heterogeneous group of diseases differing in a T-cell receptor chain gene rearrangement, the clinical course of the disease, and overall survival (OS). According to our data, 3-year OS was 12%; the median survival was 26 months. Two-year OS for γδ and αß HSTL was equal to 25 and 70%, respectively. The difference in OS for the variants of HSTL failed to reach statistical significance (because the sample might be insufficient).