Clinical Utility of Flow Cytometry for Detection of Anti-Jkb IgM in Acute Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction: A Case Report.

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) is a rare but life-threatening complication of transfusion. We herein report a case of anti-Jkb IgM-related AHTR. Two hours after an 80-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome received a packed red blood cell (RBC) A+/Rh-/Jkb+/c- transfusion, he developed acute respiratory failure and a fever. Although he had tested negative in routine screening tests, the 37 °C normal saline test was weakly positive for Jkb. We confirmed the presence of anti-Jkb IgM in the patient's serum by flow cytometry. This case demonstrates the potential utility of flow cytometry for IgM detection.

[Bleeding due to acquired factor V inhibitor successfully treated with platelet transfusion during treatment for recurrent prostate squamous cell carcinoma].

A 78-year-old man with prostate squamous cell carcinoma recurrence in his pelvis was admitted to our hospital. Rectal obstruction led to creation of an artificial anus on the transverse colon. Then, docetaxel and radiation therapies were started. A week later, severe hematuria and melena occurred. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were extremely prolonged. Cross-mixing test for APTT and PT revealed an inhibitor pattern, which was diagnosed as acquired factor V inhibitor. Fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K infusions were ineffective, but platelet transfusion successfully stopped the bleeding. Platelet factor V derived from megakaryocytes may affect local hemostasis. The patient received prednisolone (PSL), and the inhibitor disappeared on day 70 and was in remission. PSL could be stopped on day 100. Later, we demonstrated APTT and PT shortening of factor V deficient plasma by the supernatant of activated platelets with collagen.

Early dynamics of chronic myeloid leukemia on nilotinib predicts deep molecular response.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder caused by the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase. Although ABL1-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) including nilotinib have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with CML, the TKI efficacy depends on the individual patient. In this work, we found that the patients with different nilotinib responses can be classified by using the estimated parameters of our simple dynamical model with two common laboratory findings. Furthermore, our proposed method identified patients who failed to achieve a treatment goal with high fidelity according to the data collected only at three initial time points during nilotinib therapy. Since our model relies on the general properties of TKI response, our framework would be applicable to CML patients who receive frontline nilotinib or other TKIs.

Phase II clinical trial of personalized VCD-VTD sequential therapy using the Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) for transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) is a well-studied simplified frailty screening tool for elderly patients in the oncology setting. We conducted a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dose-adjusted treatment based on the VES-13 in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). In the Fit group (VES-13 <3), patients were treated with 4 cycles of standard-dose VCD (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone) followed by 4 cycles of standard-dose VTD (bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone). In the Frail group (VES-13 ≥3), patients were treated with 4 cycles of reduced-dose VCD followed by 4 cycles of reduced-dose VTD. The median age was 75 years (66-86 years), and 34% of the cases were classified as PS 3. Among the Fit group (n=16), the overall response rate (ORR) was 87.5%. Among the Frail group (n=31), the ORR was 87.1%. There were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the Fit and Frail groups (3-year PFS: 68.8% vs 53.3%, P = 0.658; 3-year OS: 70.0% vs 77.6%, P = 0.919). Personalized VCD-VTD sequential therapy based on the VES-13 was associated with high response rates and showed acceptable safety in elderly frail patients with MM. The study is registered as UMIN000011235.

MPL exon 10 mutations other than canonical MPL W515L/K mutations identified by in-house MPL exon 10 direct sequencing in essential thrombocythemia.

MPL exon 10 mutations are one of the driver mutations in essential thrombocythemia (ET) or myelofibrosis (MF). We have established an in-house MPL mutation analysis system, covering the entire region of MPL exon 10 by direct sequencing. Since 2009, MPL exon 10 mutation analysis has been performed for diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) without JAK2 V617F or CALR exon 9 mutations. So far, 11 cases of MPL exon 10 mutation have been found in 51 patients with suspected MPN. In patients with ET, we detected five non-canonical MPL mutations including one novel mutation, MPL R514_P518delinsK, and one canonical MPL W515L mutation. Notably, three ET patients without canonical MPL mutations had thrombotic events. Meanwhile, in primary or secondary MF, only canonical MPL W515L/K mutations were found. Further cases need to be examined to elucidate the full MPL mutation profile in MPN. However, our data indicate that analysis of the whole of MPL exon 10 is warranted for the diagnosis of MPL mutations, especially in ET, and that the use of Japanese commercial laboratory tests that only detect canonical MPL W515L/K mutations may miss a significant percentage of MPL exon 10 mutations, which could delay the administration of anti-thrombotic therapy.

Predictors of early death, serious hemorrhage, and differentiation syndrome in Japanese patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Significant advancements have been achieved with regard to the outcomes of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients through the introduction of all-trans retinoic acid; however, early hemorrhagic death and differentiation syndrome remain the major causes of remission induction failure in patients with APL. To investigate early death, serious hemorrhage, and differentiation syndrome during remission induction therapy in terms of incidence, risk factors, influence on outcomes, and prophylactic effects of several new anticoagulants, the results of 344 patients enrolled in the Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia 204 study conducted by the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group were analyzed. Early death was observed in 16 patients (4.7%), of whom 14 had serious hemorrhage and 2 had differentiation syndrome. Serious hemorrhage and differentiation syndrome of grade 2 or higher were observed in 21 and 54 patients, respectively. Patients who achieved complete remission had a 7-year disease-free survival of 84.8% if they did not experience serious hemorrhage and 40.0% if they experienced serious hemorrhage during remission induction therapy (P = 0.001). Risk factor analyses showed that higher white blood cell count was associated with early death, higher white blood cell count and lower platelet count with serious hemorrhage, and leukocytosis during induction therapy and higher body surface area with differentiation syndrome. In conclusion, these results indicate that patients with such high-risk features may benefit from more intensive supportive care. The hemorrhagic risk was not relieved by the introduction of new anticoagulants. Further studies are required to establish the predictive impact of body surface area on differentiation syndrome. This trial is registered with UMIN-CTR as C000000154 on September 13, 2005.

Impact of CD56 Continuously Recognizable as Prognostic Value of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Results of Multivariate Analyses in the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG)-APL204 Study and a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: After long-term analysis of the JALSG-APL204 study we recently reported that maintenance therapy with tamibarotene was more effective than all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) by reducing relapse in APL patients. Here, the clinical significance of other important prognostic factors was evaluated with multivariate analyses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients were registered with the study. Induction was composed of ATRA and chemotherapy. Patients who achieved molecular remission after consolidation were randomly assigned to maintenance with tamibarotene or ATRA. RESULTS: Of the 344 eligible patients, 319 (93%) achieved complete remission (CR). After completing consolidation, 269 patients underwent maintenance random assignment-135 to ATRA, and 134 to tamibarotene. By multivariate analysis, overexpression of CD56 in blast was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for relapse-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.006) together with more than 10.0 × 109/L WBC counts (p = 0.001) and the ATRA arm in maintenance (p = 0.028). Of all phenotypes, CD56 was related most clearly to an unfavorable prognosis. The CR rate, mortality rate during induction and overall survival of CD56+ APL were not significantly different compared with CD56- APL. CD56 is continuously an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for RFS in APL patients treated with ATRA and chemotherapy followed by ATRA or tamibarotene maintenance therapy.

Optimal treatment strategy with nilotinib for patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia based on early achievement of deep molecular response (MR4.5 ): The phase 2, multicenter N-Road study.

For patients who have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), one of the primary treatment options is administration of nilotinib 300 mg twice daily (BID). In previous studies which compared outcomes associated with nilotinib or imatinib treatment, nilotinib achieved a higher rate of deep molecular response (MR). We conducted a phase II, open-label, multicenter study to investigate an intrapatient nilotinib dose-escalation strategy for patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase (CP) CML based on early MR4.5 achievement. The primary study endpoint was achievement of MR4.5 by 24 months following the initiation of nilotinib 300 mg BID. Fifty-three patients were enrolled, 51 received nilotinib, and 37 completed the treatment. An increase in the nilotinib dose (to 400 mg BID) was allowed when patients satisfied our criteria for no optimal response at any time point. The median (range) dose intensity was 600 (207-736) mg/day. Of 46 evaluable patients, 18 achieved an optimal response and 28 did not. Of the latter, nine patients underwent dose escalation to 400 mg BID, and none achieved MR4.5 . The remaining 19 patients could not undergo dose escalation, 12 (63%) because of adverse events (AEs), and 7 (37%) for non-AE related reasons. Four of these patients achieved MR4.5 . The MR4.5 rate by 24 months was 45.7%. The progression-free, overall and event-free survival were each 97.6%. No new safety concerns were observed. Our findings support the use of continuous nilotinib at a dose of 300 mg BID for newly diagnosed patients with CML-CP.

Interstitial pneumonitis associated with dasatinib: two case reports and literature review.

Dasatinib has increasingly been used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), although interstitial pneumonitis has been found as a complication in large clinical trials. In the present study, 23 patients received dasatinib for CML between 2012 and 2017 at our institution, of whom 2 developed symptomatic interstitial pneumonitis. Notably, the first patient developed interstitial pneumonitis five years after initiating dasatinib. Interstitial pneumonitis should be considered as a complication in patients receiving dasatinib for CML, which may even occur after a long period of uncomplicated administration.

Tamibarotene maintenance improved relapse-free survival of acute promyelocytic leukemia: a final result of prospective, randomized, JALSG-APL204 study.

Between April 2004 and December 2010, we conducted a prospective randomized controlled study comparing tamibarotene with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in the maintenance therapy of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and here report the final results of this study with a median follow-up of 7.3 years. Of 344 eligible patients who had received ATRA and chemotherapy, 319 (93%) achieved complete remission (CR). After completion of three courses of consolidation chemotherapy, 269 patients in molecular remission underwent maintenance randomization, 135 to ATRA (45 mg/m2 daily), and 134 to tamibarotene (6 mg/m2 daily) for 14 days every 3 months for 2 years. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS). The 7-year RFS was 84% in the ATRA arm and 93% in the tamibarotene arm (p = 0.027, HR = 0.44, 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.93). The difference was prominent in high-risk patients with initial leukocytes ≥ 10.0 × 109/L (62% vs. 89%; p = 0.034). Tamibarotene was significantly superior to ATRA by decreasing relapse in high-risk patients. Overall survival after randomization did not differ (96% vs. 97%; p = 0.520). Secondary hematopoietic disorders developed in nine patients, secondary malignancies in 11, and grade 3 or more late cardiac comorbidities in three. These late complications did not differ between the two arms.

Correction to: A phase II study of lenalidomide consolidation and maintenance therapy after autologous PBSCT in patients with multiple myeloma.

In the original publication of this article, "Conflict of interest" was published incorrectly. The corrected "Conflict of interest" is given below for your reading.

A phase II study of lenalidomide consolidation and maintenance therapy after autologous PBSCT in patients with multiple myeloma.

The efficacy and safety of lenalidomide (LEN) consolidation therapy and subsequent LEN maintenance therapy after high-dose therapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) were evaluated in patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). Forty-one patients were enrolled and received high-dose dexamethasone (DEX) therapy as an initial induction. The patients who did not respond to the DEX therapy were further treated with four cycles of bortezomib plus DEX (BD) induction therapy. For patients who responded to BD, PBSC harvesting was scheduled following high-dose cyclophosphamide and filgrastim administration. After PBSC harvesting, high-dose chemotherapy of melphalan with auto-PBSCT was performed. One hundred days after auto-PBSCT, patients received consolidation therapy consisting two cycles of LEN plus low-dose DEX (Ld) and LEN maintenance therapy. Only one death occurred during mobilization therapy, but the protocol developed in this study was considered generally safe to provide. Overall response rates after consolidation and maintenance therapies were 73.7% and 81.6%, respectively. Two-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 76.3% and 92.1%, respectively. These observations suggest that LEN consolidation and maintenance therapy are effective and safe, and provide favorable response rates in patients with MM.

Congenital Thrombophilia in Patients With Superior Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis or Portal Vein Thrombosis.

We explored the relationship between abdominal vein thromboses, including portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT), and thrombophilia. The frequency of thrombophilia, such as antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), or protein S (PS) gene mutations, was examined in 21 patients with PVT, 6 patients with SMVT, and 6 patients with both PVT and SMVT. Low levels of AT, PC, or PS were frequently detected in patients with PVT or mesenteric vein thrombosis, and 4 mutations in the PS gene, 3 mutations in the PC gene, and 2 mutations in AT the gene were detected. Protein S Tokushima was detected in 3 of 4 patients with a PS gene mutation and was associated with 2 other PS gene mutations. The onset of PVT or SMVT was almost idiopathic in patients with congenital thrombophilia. Both PVT and SMVT were frequently caused by an AT, a PC, or a PS mutation, and the onset of these thromboses due to thrombophilia was frequently idiopathic.

Tamibarotene as maintenance therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia: results from a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The introduction of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has significantly improved outcomes for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), although a subset of patients still suffer relapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of maintenance therapy with the synthetic retinoid tamibarotene in APL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed APL in molecular remission at the end of consolidation therapy were randomly assigned to receive ATRA or tamibarotene, both orally, for 14 days every 3 months for up to 2 years. RESULTS: A total of 347 patients were enrolled. Of the 344 eligible patients, 319 (93%) achieved complete remission. After completing three courses of consolidation therapy, 269 patients underwent maintenance random assignment. The relapse-free survival (RFS) rate at 4 years was 84% for the ATRA arm and 91% for the tamibarotene arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.26 to 1.13). When the analysis was restricted to 52 high-risk patients with an initial WBC count ≥ 10.0 × 10(9)/L, the intergroup difference was statistically significant, with 4-year RFS rates of 58% for the ATRA arm and 87% for the tamibarotene arm (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.95). For patients with non-high-risk disease, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.32 to 2.01). The test for interaction between treatment effects and these subgroups resulted in P = .075. Both treatments were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: In this trial, no difference was detected between ATRA and tamibarotene for maintenance therapy. In an exploratory analysis, there was a suggestion of improved efficacy of tamibarotene in high-risk patients, but this requires further study.

[Primary small intestinal Burkitt lymphoma treated with rituximab-combined CODOX-M/IVAC therapy without surgical resection].

A 38-year-old man complaining of abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with small bowel obstruction. Whole body computed tomography(CT)scan showed moderate right pleural effusion with pleural and anterior chest wall thickening, with a mass approximately 100 mm in diameter at the terminal ileum. Histopathological and immunohistorical analysis of the endoscopic biopsy from the terminal ileum mass revealed diffuse infiltration of medium-sized, monotonous, atypical B lymphocytes with scanty basophilic cytoplasms carrying the so-called "starry sky" appearance, and primary small intestinal Burkitt lymphoma(BL)was diagnosed. Because of his advanced clinical stage(stage IV with Ann Arbor staging system)and the need for immediate treatment, he was promptly treated with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin without surgical resection. Fortunately this initial therapy was received without the occurrence of bowel perforation. After initiating additional rituximab combined high-dose chemotherapy consisting of alternating courses of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and methotrexate(R-CODOX-M)and rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and cytarabine(R-IVAC), he achieved complete remission and remains without signs of disease now more than seven years after his last treatment. While further investigation will of course be needed, if possible, immediate chemotherapy without surgical resection is a treatment worth considering for improving the prognosis of those with small intestinal BL.

Interleukin-10 spot-forming cells as a novel biomarker of chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Although there are National Institutes of Health consensus criteria for the global assessment of chronic graft-versus-host disease, no validated biomarkers have been established for this disease. Furthermore, whereas the role of T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease has been established, the contribution of monocytes has not been clearly addressed. Using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay, we measured the spot-forming cells for interferon-γ, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and interleukin-17 in unstimulated peripheral blood of patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Other immunological examinations, including skin biopsy, were also done. Fifty-seven patients were enrolled. Interleukin-10 spot-forming cells were evaluable for therapeutic monitoring in 16 patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease. The number of interleukin-10 spot-forming cells in patients with active chronic graft-versus-host disease was significantly higher than the number in those with no or inactive chronic graft-versus-host disease. Interleukin-10 was predominantly produced by monocytes. CD29 expression on monocytes in patients with active chronic graft-versus-host disease was elevated. The level of plasma fibronectin, a ligand of CD29, correlated with the number of interleukin-10 spot-forming cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of the skin in active chronic graft-versus-host disease showed that infiltrating CD29(+) monocytes might produce interleukin-10. A novel biomarker, interleukin-10 spot-forming cells, shows promise as both a diagnostic and prognostic indicator for chronic graft-versus-host disease, and may allow for early intervention prior to the onset of the disease. Measurement of interleukin-10 spot-forming cells would be helpful in clinical trials and in patients' management.

BCR-ABL1 mutations in patients with imatinib-resistant Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia by use of the PCR-Invader assay.

BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutations were evaluated in 60 imatinib-resistant patients with Philadelphia-positive (Ph(+)) leukemia using PCR-Invader assay and direct sequencing. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)--chronic phase (CP), 5 had P-loop mutations and 3 had T315I mutations. CML-CP patients with high Sokal score showed significantly higher incidence of mutations. P-loop mutations were associated with higher risk of disease progression. In CML-advanced phase, P-loop mutations and T315I mutation were associated with significantly shorter survival. In Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia, overall survival was poor irrespective of mutational status. The PCR-Invader assay is useful for screening of mutations and prediction of prognosis.