Prognostication refinement in NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia stratified by FLT3-ITD status with different induction doses of cytarabine.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to retrospectively discern the heterogeneity of outcomes from clinicopathological characteristics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) data in adult patients with NPM1-mutated (NPM1mut ) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) induced with standard-dose (SD, 100-200 mg/m2 ) and intermediate-dose (ID, 1000-2000 mg/m2 ) cytarabine arabinose (Ara-C). METHODS: In the entire cohort and FLT3-ITD subgroups, multivariate Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the comprehensive complete remission (cCR) rate after one or two induction cycles, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among a total of 203 NPM1mut patients evaluable for clinical outcome, 144 (70.9%) received a first SD-Ara-C induction and 59 (29.1%) received ID-Ara-C induction. Early death was recorded in seven (3.4%) after one or two cycles of induction. Focusing analysis on the NPM1mut /FLT3-ITD(-) subgroup, independent factors showing inferior outcome were presence of TET2 mutation [cCR rate, OR = 12.82 (95%CI 1.93-85.28), p = 0.008; EFS, HR = 2.92 (95%CI 1.46-5.86), p = 0.003], increasing age [EFS, HR = 1.49 (95%CI 1.10-2.02), p = 0.012 by every 10-years elevation], white blood cell count ≥60 × 109 /L [EFS, HR = 3.30 (95%CI 1.63-6.70), p = 0.001], and ≥4 mutated genes at initial diagnosis [OS, HR = 5.54 (95%CI 1.77-17.33), p = 0.003]. In contrast, when focusing on the NPM1mut /FLT3-ITD(+) subgroup, factors showing superior outcome were ID-Ara-C induction [cCR rate, OR = 0.20 (95%CI 0.05-0.81), p = 0.025; EFS, HR = 0.27 (95%CI 0.13-0.60), p = 0.001] and allo-transplantation [OS, HR = 0.45 (95%CI 0.21-0.94), p = 0.033]. Factors showing inferior outcome included CD34(+) [cCR rate, OR = 6.22 (95%CI 1.86-20.77), p = 0.003; EFS, HR = 2.01 (95%CI 1.12-3.61), p = 0.020] and ≥5 mutated genes [OS, HR = 2.85 (95%CI 1.33-6.10), p = 0.007]. CONCLUSION: We conclude that TET2(+) , age, and white blood cell count convey an outcome risk modulation for AML with NPM1mut /FLT3-ITD(-) , as does CD34 and ID-Ara-C induction for NPM1mut /FLT3-ITD(+) . The findings permit re-stratification of NPM1mut AML into distinct prognostic subsets to guide risk-adapted individualized treatment.

Single-cell phenotypic profiling to identify a set of immune cell protein biomarkers for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma: A single-center study.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common invasive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cell-of-origin (COO) classification is related to patients' prognoses. Primary drug resistance in treatment for DLBCL has been observed. The specific serum biomarkers in these patients who suffer from relapsed and refractory (R/R)-DLBCL remains unclear. In the current study, using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and mass cytometry (CyTOF), we determined and verified immune cell biomarkers at the mRNA and protein levels in single-cell resolution from 18 diagnostic PBMC specimens collected from patients with R/R DLBCL. As controls, 5 PBMC specimens from healthy volunteers were obtained. We identified a panel of 35 surface marker genes for the features of R/R DLBCL unique cell cluster by scRNA-seq of 8 R/R DLBCL patient samples and validated its efficiency in an external cohort consisting of 10 R/R DLBCL patients by CyTOF. The cell clustering and dimension reduction were compared among R/R DLBCL samples in CyTOF Space with COO as well as the C-MYC expression designation. Immune cells from each patient occupied unique regions in the 32-dimensional phenotypic space with no apparent clustering of samples into discrete subtypes. Significant heterogeneity observed in subgroups was mainly attributed to individual differences among samples and not to expression differences in a single, homogeneous immune cell subpopulation. The marker panel showed reliability in labeling R/R DLBCL without any influence from COO stratification and C-MYC expression designation. Furthermore, we compared all the markers between R/R DLBCL and normal samples. A total of 12 biomarkers were significantly overexpressed in R/R DLBCL relative to the normal samples. Therefore, we further optimized the diagnostic biomarker panel of R/R DLBCL comprising CD82, CD55, CD36, CD63, CD59, IKZF1, CD69, CD163, CD14, CD226, CD84, and CD31. In summary, we developed a novel set of biomarkers for the diagnoses of patients with R/R DLBCL. Detections procedures at single-cell resolution provide precise biomarkers, which may substantially overcome intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity among primary samples. The findings confirmed that each case was unique and may comprise multiple, genetically distinct subclones.

[Association of Next Generation Sequencing Based Genotypic Profiling with MICM Characteristics in NPM1 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explain the clinicobiological heterogeneity of NPM1 mutated (NPM1mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by analyzing the association between next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiles and MICM characteristics in patients with this AML subtype. METHODS: Data of 238 NPM1mut patients with available NGS information on 112 genes related to blood disease was collected, and χ2 test and nonparametric test were used to analyze the distribution association between NGS-detecting mutations and conventional MICM parameters. RESULTS: In entire NPM1mut cohort, totaling 240 NPM1 mutation events were identified, of whom 10 (10/240, 4.2%) were missense mutations, which did not involve any W288 or W290 locus and were found exclusively in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group. All but one of these missense mutations (9/10, 90%) were accompanied by AML subtype-defining recurrent cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities, of which 7 cases were in the low risk and 2 in the high risk. NPM1mut occurred solely as an insertion/deletion (indel) type in the NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group. The incidence of favorable plus unfavorable karyotypes in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group was higher than in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group (6.4% vs. 0, P=0.031). The positive rates of CD34 and CD7 in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD+ group were significantly higher than in NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD- group (CD34: 47.9% vs. 20.6%, P<0.001; CD7: 61.5% vs. 29.9%, P<0.001). Logistic analysis showed that FLT3-ITD independently predicted for CD34+ and CD7+ [odds ratio (OR)=5.29, 95%CI: 2.64-10.60, P<0.001; OR=3.47, 95%CI: 1.79-6.73, P<0.001; respectively]. Ras-pathway mutations independently predicted for HLA-DR+ (OR=4.05, 95%CI: 1.70-9.63, P=0.002), and KRAS mutation for MPO- (OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.05-0.62, P=0.007). TET2/IDH1 mutations independently predicted for CD34- and CD7- (OR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.11-0.62, P=0.002; OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.14-0.62, P=0.001; respectively), and MPO+ (OR=3.52, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). DNMT3A-R882 independently predicted for CD7+ and HLA-DR+ (OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.80-7.16, P<0.001; OR=13.41, 95%CI: 4.56-39.45, P<0.001; respectively), and DNMT3A mutation for MPO-(OR=0.35, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Co-existing FLT3-ITD in NPM1mut AML independently predicts for CD34+ and CD7+, co-existing Ras-pathway mutation for HLA-DR+ and MPO-, co-existing TET2/IDH1 mutation for CD34-, CD7-, and MPO+, and co-existing DNMT3A mutation for HLA-DR+, CD7+, and MPO-, thereby providing a new mechanism explanation for the immunophenotypic heterogeneity of these AML patients.

The correlation of next-generation sequencing-based genotypic profiles with clinicopathologic characteristics in NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between next-generation sequencing (NGS) genotypic profiles and conventional clinicopathologic characteristics in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1 mutation (NPM1mut). We selected 238 NPM1mut patients with available NGS information on 112 genes related to blood diseases using the χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests and a multivariable logistic model to analyze the correlation between genomic alterations and clinicopathologic parameters. Compared with the NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD(-) group, the NPM1mut/FLT3-ITD(+) group presented borderline frequent M5 morphology [78/143 (54.5%) vs. 64/95 (67.4%); P = 0.048], higher CD34- and CD7-positive rates (CD34: 20.6% vs. 47.9%, P < 0.001; CD7: 29.9% vs. 61.5%, P < 0.001) and a lack of favorable-/adverse-risk karyotypes (6.4% vs. 0%; P = 0.031). In the entire NPM1mut cohort, 240 NPM1 mutants were identified, of which 10 (10/240, 4.2%) were missense types. When confining the analysis to the 205 cases with NPM1mut insertions/deletions-type and normal karyotype, multivariable logistic analysis showed that FLT3-ITD was positively correlated with CD34 and CD7 expressions (OR = 5.29 [95% CI 2.64-10.60], P < 0.001; OR = 3.47 [95% CI 1.79-6.73], P < 0.001, respectively). Ras-pathway mutations were positively correlated with HLA-DR expression (OR = 4.05 [95% CI 1.70-9.63], P = 0.002), and KRAS mutations were negatively correlated with MPO expression (OR = 0.18 [95% CI 0.05-0.62], P = 0.007). DNMT3A-R882 was positively correlated with CD7 and HLA-DR expressions (OR = 3.59 [95% CI 1.80-7.16], P < 0.001; OR = 13.41 [95% CI 4.56-39.45], P < 0.001, respectively). DNMT3A mutation was negatively correlated with MPO expression (OR = 0.35 [95% CI 1.48-8.38], P = 0.004). TET2/IDH1 mutations were negatively correlated with CD34 and CD7 expressions (OR = 0.26 [95% CI 0.11-0.62], P = 0.002; OR = 0.30 [95% CI 0.14-0.62], P = 0.001, respectively) and positively correlated with MPO expression (OR = 3.52 [95% CI 1.48-8.38], P = 0.004). In conclusion, NPM1mut coexisting mutations in signaling pathways (FLT3-ITD and Ras-signaling pathways) and methylation modifiers (DNMT3A and TET2/IDH1) are linked with the expressions of CD34, CD7, HLA-DR and MPO, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the immunophenotypic heterogeneity of this AML entity.

Clinical heterogeneity under induction with different dosages of cytarabine in core binding factor acute myeloid leukaemia.

Repeated cycles of post-remission high-dose cytarabine (Ara-C) have been suggested to improve survival in core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). High-dose Ara-C used for induction regimens has also been reported to be associated with increased treatment-related mortality (TRM). Few data are available about intermediate-dose Ara-C serving as induction therapy. The aim of our study was to compare the tolerance and outcomes of standard- and intermediate-dose levels of Ara-C as induction in CBF AML and to analyse the clinical heterogeneity of the two AML entities under these induction settings. We retrospectively investigated the outcomes in adults with CBF AML induced with regimens based on standard-dose Ara-C at 100 to 200 mg/m2 or intermediate-dose Ara-C at 1,000 mg/m2. In total, 152 patients with t(8; 21) and 54 patients with inv(16) AML were administered an induction regimen containing anthracyclines plus either standard- or intermediate-dose Ara-C. After a single course of induction, the complete remission (CR) rate in the inv(16) cohort was 52/52 (100%), higher than the 127/147 (86.4%) in the t(8; 21) cohort (P = 0.005). Intermediate-dose Ara-C (HR = 9.931 [2.135-46.188], P = 0.003) and negative KITmut (HR = 0.304 [0.106-0.874], P = 0.027) independently produced an increased CR rate in the t(8; 21) cohort. Positive CD19 expression (HR = 0.133 [0.045-0.387], P = 0.000) and sex (male) (HR = 0.238 [0.085-0.667], P = 0.006) were associated with superior leukaemia-free survival (LFS) in the t(8; 21) cohort independently of KITmut status or the induction regimen. We conclude that intermediate-dose Ara-C is superior to standard-dose Ara-C for induction of remission in t(8; 21) AML, and CD19 status and sex independently confer prognostic significance for LFS. The KITmut status alone does not have an independent effect on survival in t(8; 21) AML. More intensive induction therapy is unnecessary in inv(16) AML.

Autologous stem cell transplantation in EBV-positive post-renal transplant refractory multiple myeloma: A case report and literature review.

Renal transplant recipients exhibit an increased risk of developing plasma cell neoplasms (PCNs; comprising multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma); however, multiple myeloma manifesting with refractory extramedullary plasmacytomas associated with Epstein-Barr virus are markedly rare in these patients. In the present case report, an unusual case of refractory multiple myeloma with multiple extramedullary plasmacytoma (including liver, vertebrae, breast, muscle, skin and soft tissues) was presented. The patient exhibited mild bone marrow infiltration which was successfully treated with novel agents, including bortezomib and lenalidomide, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In addition, the patient was a renal transplant recipient who achieved a partial clinical remission with controllable therapy-related toxicity effects. Therefore, the present case indicated that ASCT is an effective and safe salvage therapy for renal transplant recipients with secondary extramedullary plasmacytomas and who are resistant to traditional chemotherapy (bortezomib and lenalidomide). ASCT was well-tolerated in the renal transplant recipient.

Low-dose decitabine plus all-trans retinoic acid in patients with myeloid neoplasms ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

In our previous in vitro trials, decitabine and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) demonstrated synergistic effects on growth inhibition, differentiation, and apoptosis in SHI-1 cells; in K562 cells, ATRA enhanced the effect of decitabine on p16 demethylation, and the combination of the two drugs was found to activate RAR-ß expression (p16 and RAR-ß are two tumor suppressor genes). On the rationale of our in vitro trials, we used low-dose decitabine and ATRA to treat 31 myeloid neoplasms deemed ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The regimen consisted of decitabine at the dose of 15 mg/m(2) intravenously over 1 h daily for consecutive 5 days and ATRA at the dose of 20 mg/m(2) orally from day 1 to 28 except day 4 to 28 in the first cycle, and the regimen was repeated every 28 days. After 6 cycles, decitabine treatment was stopped, and ATRA treatment was continued for maintenance treatment. Treated with a median of 2 cycles (range 1-6), 7 patients (22.6 %) achieved complete remission (CR), 7 (22.6 %) marrow CR (mCR), and 4 (12.9 %) partial remission (PR). The overall remission (CR, mCR, and PR) rate was 58.1 %, and the best response (CR and mCR) rate was 45.2 %. The median overall survival (OS) was 11.0 months, the 1-year OS rate was 41.9 %, and the 2-year OS rate was 26.6 %. In univariate analyses, age, performance status, comorbidities, white blood cell counts and platelets at diagnosis, percentage of bone marrow blasts, karyotype, and treatment efficacy demonstrated no impacts on OS (P > 0.05, each). Main side effects were tolerable hematologic toxicities. In conclusion, low-dose decitabine plus ATRA is a promising treatment for patients with myeloid neoplasms judged ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Deoxygenative coupling of nitroarenes for the synthesis of aromatic azo compounds with CO using supported gold catalysts.

A facile and efficient catalytic system based on a mesostructured ceria-supported gold (Au/meso-CeO2) catalyst was developed for the synthesis of various aromatic azo compounds by the reductive coupling of the corresponding nitroaromatics, using CO as the sole deoxygenative reagent, under additive-free and mild reaction conditions.

[MicroRNA-10a expression in FAB different subtype of acute myeloid leukemia and its relationship with drug resistance].

OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate the expression of miR-10a in the different FAB subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its relationship with drug resistance. METHODS: Forty de novo patients with AML, 16 patients with non-malignant hematologic disease and three AML cell lines HL-60, U937 and HL-60/ADR were enrolled in this study, the MiR-10a expression in bone marrow mononuclear cells of above-mentioned patients and 3 AML cell lines was detected by TaqMan RT-PCR. The correlation of miR-10a with clinicopathological factors of AML patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The miR-10a expression level in HL-60 cell line was higher than that in U937 cell line (P = 0.039). And its expression level in de novo AML patients was higher than that in patients with non-malignant hematologic disease (P < 0.01). FAB-AML-M3 patients exhibited higher expression of miR-10a than that in M1, M2 and M4 (P < 0.05); HL-60/ADR cell line showed higher miR-10a expression than that in HL-60 cell line (P < 0.01) . Except M3, the patients without CR (non-CR) after the first cycle of chemotherapy showed a higher level of miR-10a as compared with CR patients (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The high expression of miR-10a may be closely related to over-proliferation of promyelocyte and drug resistance of acute myeloid leukemia cells, except M3.

Successful treatment with lenalidomide of secondary multiple myeloma with extramedullary liver plasmacytoma in a renal transplant recipient: A case report and review of the literature.

Multiple myeloma (MM) represents a rare form of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder, and the presence of plasma cells in the liver is generally associated with aggressive forms of MM. In the present study, an unusual case of extramedullary plasmacytoma, affecting the liver and vertebrae of a recipient of a renal transplant, is reported. The patient had been previously treated with bortezomib for an MM following renal transplantation, as diagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy of the hepatic lesion. He was then treated with 5 cycles of RCD regimen (lenalidomide, 25 mg, days 1-21; cyclophosphamide. 50-100 mg, days 1-21; and dexamethasone, 20 mg, days 1, 8, 15 and 22). The patient achieved partial clinical remission without any severe therapy-associated toxicity effects, indicating that lenalidomide is an effective and safe treatment for extramedullary liver plasmacytoma in renal recipients. In conclusion, the present case study indicated that the RCD regimen was effective and safe in the treatment of relapsed and refractory MM.

Gold-catalyzed direct hydrogenative coupling of nitroarenes to synthesize aromatic azo compounds.

The azo linkage is a prominent chemical motif which has found numerous applications in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Described herein is a sustainable heterogeneous-gold-catalyzed synthesis of azo arenes. Available nitroarenes are deoxygenated and linked selectively by the formation of N=N bonds using molecular H2 without any external additives. As a result of a unique and remarkable synergy between the metal and support, a facile surface-mediated condensation of nitroso and hydroxylamine intermediates is enabled, and the desired transformation proceeds in a highly selective manner under mild reaction conditions. The protocol tolerates a large variety of functional groups and offers a general and versatile method for the environmentally friendly synthesis of symmetric or asymmetric aromatic azo compounds.