Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)-a pooled analysis of German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) front line treatment trials.

Richter transformation (RT) is defined as development of aggressive lymphoma in patients (pts) with CLL. The incidence rates of RT among pts with CLL range from 2 to 10%. The aim of this analysis is to report the frequency, characteristics and outcomes of pts with RT enrolled in trials of the GCLLSG. A total of 2975 pts with advanced CLL were reviewed for incidence of RT. Clinical, laboratory, and genetic data were pooled. Time-to-event data, starting from time of CLL diagnosis, of first-line therapy or of RT diagnosis, were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier methodology. One hundred and three pts developed RT (3%): 95 pts diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (92%) and eight pts Hodgkin lymphoma (8%). Median observation time was 53 months (interquartile range 38.1-69.5). Median OS from initial CLL diagnosis for pts without RT was 167 months vs 71 months for pts with RT (HR 2.64, CI 2.09-3.33). Median OS after diagnosis of RT was 9 months. Forty-seven pts (46%) received CHOP-like regimens for RT treatment. Three pts subsequently underwent allogeneic and two pts autologous stem cell transplantation. Our findings show that within a large cohort of GCLLSG trial participants, 3% of the pts developed RT after receiving first-line chemo- or chemoimmunotherapy. This dataset confirms the ongoing poor prognosis and high mortality associated with RT.

[Temporary hyposmia in COVID-19 patients]. / Temporäre Hyposmie bei COVID-19-Patienten.

BACKGROUND: This is a report on the high incidence of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients in the first cohort of COVID-19 patients in Germany (Webasto cluster). METHODS: Loss of sense of smell and/or taste was reported by 26 of 63 COVID-19 patients (41%), whereas only 31% of the patients experiencing hyposmia had simultaneous symptoms of rhinitis. Smell tests were performed in 14 of these patients and taste tests in 10. The measurements were conducted in a patient care setting in an early COVID-19 cohort. RESULTS: An olfactory disorder was present in 10/14 patients, before as well as after nasal decongestion. In 2 of these patients, hyposmia was the leading or only symptom of SARS-CoV­2 infection. All tested patients reported recovery of smell and/or taste within 8 to 23 days. CONCLUSION: The data imply that a) COVID-19 can lead to hyposmia in a relevant number of patients, the incidence was approximately 30% in this cohort; b) in most cases, the olfactory disturbance was not associated with nasal obstruction, thus indicating a possible neurogenic origin; and c) the olfactory disorder largely resolved within 1-3 weeks after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. There were no indications of an increased incidence of dysgeusia. These early data may help in the interpretation of COVID-19-associated hyposmia as well as in the counseling of patients, given the temporary nature of hyposmia observed in this study. Furthermore, according to the current experience, hyposmia without rhinitic obstruction can be the leading or even the only symptom of a SARS-CoV­2 infection.

Ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation for monitoring of bleeding tendency in CLL treated with ibrutinib.

Bleeding because of impaired platelet function is a major side effect of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib. We quantitatively assessed ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) in 64 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) under ibrutinib at 287 time points. Eighty-seven bleeding episodes in 39 patients were registered (85 Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grade 1 or 2, 2 CTC grade 3) during a median observation period of 10.9 months. At times of bleeding, RIPA values were significantly lower (14 vs 28 U; P<0.0001). RIPA was impaired in patients receiving concomitant antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation (14 vs 25 U, P=0.005). A gradual decline of median RIPA values was observed with increasing bleeding severity. Importantly, no CTC grade 2 or 3 bleeding were observed with RIPA values of >36 U. Sequential monitoring indicated a decrease of RIPA values from a median of 17 to 9 U within 2 weeks after initiation of treatment as well as an increase above the critical threshold of 36 U within 7 days when ibrutinib was paused. Low RIPA values were similar during treatment with another BTK inhibitor, CC292. Quantitative assessment of platelet function is a practical tool to monitor bleeding tendency under BTK-inhibitor therapy.

A randomized trial on chlorhexidine dressings for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Chlorhexidine containing catheter securement dressings may prevent CRBSI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 10 German hematology departments. We compared chlorhexidine-containing dressings with non-chlorhexidine control dressings in neutropenic patients. The primary end point was the incidence of definite CRBSI within the first 14 days (dCRBSI14) of CVC placement. Secondary end points included combined incidence of definite or probable CRBSI within 14 days (dpCRBSI14), overall (dpCRBSI), incidence of unscheduled dressing changes and adverse events. RESULTS: From February 2012 to September 2014, 613 assessable patients were included in the study. The incidence of dCRBSI14 was 2.6% (8/307) in the chlorhexidine and 3.9% (12/306) in the control group (P = 0.375). Both dpCRBSI14 and dpCRBSI were significantly less frequent in the study group with dpCRBSI14 in 6.5% (20/307) of the chlorhexidine group when compared with 11% (34/306) in the control group (P = 0.047), and dpCRBSI in 10.4% (32/307) versus 17% (52/306), respectively (P = 0.019). The frequency of dressing intolerance with cutaneous and soft tissue abnormalities at the contact area was similar in both groups (12.4% and 11.8%; P = 0.901). CONCLUSIONS: Although the trial failed its primary end point, the application of chlorhexidine containing catheter securement dressings reduces the incidence of definite or probable CRBSI in neutropenic patients. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT01544686 (Clinicaltrials.gov).

[Louse-borne-relapsing-fever in refugees from the Horn of Africa; a case series of 25 patients]. / 25 Fälle von Läuserückfallfieber bei Flüchtlingen aus Ostafrika.

Background | Relapsing fever is divided into tick borne relapsing fever (TBRF) and louse borne relapsing fever (LBRF). This report describes 25 refugees from East Africa who were diagnosed to suffer from LBRF within a period of 6 month only at a single hospital in Munich / Germany. Material & Methods | The aim was to point out common clinical features as well as laboratory findings and clinical symptoms before and after initiation of treatment in 25 patients with louse borne relapsing fever (LBRF) who were diagnosed and treated at Klinikum München Schwabing from August 2015 to January 2016. To the best of our knowledge this is the largest case series of LBRF in the western world for decades. Main focus of the investigation was put on clinical aspects. Results | All 25 patients suffered from acute onset of high fever with chills, headache and severe prostration. Laboratory analysis showed high CRP and a marked thrombocytopenia. A Giemsa blood stain was procured immediately in order to look for malaria. In the blood smear spirochetes with typical shape and aspect of borrelia species could be detected.The further PCR analysis confirmed infection with Borrelia recurrentis. Treatment with Doxycycline was started forthwith. The condition improved already on the second day after treatment was started and all were restored to health in less than a week. Apart from a mild to moderate Jarisch-Herxheimer-reaction we didn`t see any side effects of the therapy. Conclusion | LBRF has to be taken into account in feverish patients who come as refugees from East-Africa. It seems that our patients belong to a cluster which probably has its origin in Libya and more patients are to be expected in the near future. As LBRF might cause outbreaks in refugee camps it is pivotal to be aware of this emerging infectious disease in refugees from East-Africa.

Effect of first-line treatment on second primary malignancies and Richter's transformation in patients with CLL.

This study aimed to assess the frequency of and the contributing factors for second primary malignancies (SPMs) and Richter's transformations (RTs) following first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia within four phase II/III trials of the GCLLSG evaluating fludarabine (F) vs F+cyclophosphamide (FC), chlorambucil vs F, FC without or with rituximab, and bendamustine+R (BR). Among 1458 patients, 239 (16.4%) experienced either an SPM (N=191) or a RT (N=75). Solid tumors (N=115; 43.2% of all second neoplasias) appeared most frequently, followed by RTs (N=75; 28.2%). Patients showed a 1.23-fold increased risk of solid tumors in comparison to the age-matched general population from the German cancer registry. Age>65 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.1; P<0.001), male sex (HR 1.7; P=0.01), co-morbidities (HR 1.6; P=0.01) and number of subsequent treatments⩾1 (HR 12.1; P<0.001) showed an independent adverse prognostic impact on SPM-free survival. Serum thymidine kinase>10 U/l at trial enrollment (HR 3.9; P=0.02), non-response to first-line treatment (HR 3.6; P<0.001) and number of subsequent treatments⩾1 (HR 30.2; P<0.001) were independently associated with increased risk for RT.

Lenalidomide treatment and prognostic markers in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: data from the prospective, multicenter phase-II CLL-009 trial.

Efficacy of lenalidomide was investigated in 103 patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated on the prospective, multicenter randomized phase-II CLL-009 trial. Interphase cytogenetic and mutational analyses identified TP53 mutations, unmutated IGHV, or del(17p) in 36/96 (37.5%), 68/88 (77.3%) or 22/92 (23.9%) patients. The overall response rate (ORR) was 40.4% (42/104). ORRs were similar irrespective of TP53 mutation (36.1% (13/36) vs 43.3% (26/60) for patients with vs without mutation) or IGHV mutation status (45.0% (9/20) vs 39.1% (27/68)); however, patients with del(17p) had lower ORRs than those without del(17p) (21.7% (5/22) vs 47.1% (33/70); P=0.049). No significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were observed when comparing subgroups defined by the presence or absence of high-risk genetic characteristics. In multivariate analyses, only multiple prior therapies (⩾3 lines) significantly impacted outcomes (median OS: 21.2 months vs not reached; P=0.019). This analysis indicates that lenalidomide is active in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL with unfavorable genetic profiles, including TP53 inactivation or unmutated IGHV. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00963105).

[Skin disorders in malignant hematologic diseases]. / Hautveränderungen bei malignen hämatologischen Erkrankungen.

Numerous cutaneous manifestations have been reported in patients with hematologic malignancies. This review provides an overview on this subject by dividing skin lesions into three main groups: (1) skin disorders due to vascular changes (dilatation, occlusion and inflammation), (2) unspecific (e.g. paleness, opportunistic infections) and specific skin lesions (e.g. leukemia cutis), and (3) the large group of paraneoplastic skin disorders. Emphasis is placed on clinical findings and therapeutic options of those paraneoplastic syndromes that are most frequently found in hematologic malignancies.

[Chemotherapy-free treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?]. / Chemotherapie-freie Behandlung der chronischen lymphatischen Leukämie?

Treatment of CLL patients with conventional cytotoxic agents is often combined with significant toxicity that prevents broad application especially in elderly patients. In addition, relapse frequently occurs after application of conventional chemotherapy in CLL. Recently several new chemo-free treatment options have been introduced within clinical trials. Among them are monoclonal antibodies, most of them targeting the CD20 molecule: besides the licensed drugs rituximab and ofatumumab obinutuzumab, although in combination with chemotherapy, has recently shown high clinical efficacy in front-line treatment of elderly patients with CLL. Lenalidomide as monotherapy has demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with relapsed disease and first data within clinical trials have been generated in the front-line setting. A promising class of novel agents has been designed to block aberrant signaling from the B-cell receptor. Ibrutinib acts by inhibiting the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) while idelalisib represents a first-in-class specific inhibitor of the phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) delta isoform. Another class of drugs with potential impact for chemo-free treatment strategies in CLL are the BH3-mimetic inhibitors of the Bcl-2 family of pro-survival proteins. Other interesting candidate drugs that are currently explored for CLL patients include small modular immunopharmaceutical (SMIP) proteins (e. g. TRU-016), CDK inhibitors (e. g. dinaciclib), HDAC inhibitors and others. Given all these novel agents and targets, chemo-free or at least chemo-reduced concepts may become reality in the near future for our patients suffering from CLL.

[Severe oral mucositis in a patient with HIV infection]. / Schwere orale Mukositis bei einem Patienten mit HIV-Infektion.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 50-year-old man with HIV infection (first diagnosed > 20 years ago) presented at our hospital with fulminant oral mucositis. Antiretroviral therapy (tenofovir, emtricitabine, raltegravir) had been started 2 months ago. Previously he had no opportunistic infections and no other pre-existing illnesses. He had not travelled outside Europe but stayed in Spain for several weeks during summer. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination revealed swelling of the lips and severe ulcerative mucositis of the gums and pharynx. The patient complained of painful swallowing. The blood-chemistry showed no abnormalities. The microscopical analysis of a smear and a biopsy of the buccal mucosa revealed amastigotes of leishmania. By means of PCR technique, Leishmania donovani complex was specified. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B (1 mg/kg) for 21 days. Because of the immunosuppression he was put on maintenance therapy afterwards (liposomal amphotericin B every 3 weeks). However, 4 months later there was a clinical relapse of the mucositis and a new cultural and PCR detection of leishmania in a buccal biopsy. After another course of 21 days with liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg) and miltefosine (150 mg/d), the mucositis subsided. Therapy with liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg single dose every 3 weeks) has since been maintained. The antiretroviral therapy was changed meanwhile to lamivudin, abacavir and raltegravir because of kidney failure with elevated urea and creatinine. The patient has been clinically stable ever since without any other HIV-related problems. The latest CD4 count was 456/µl and the HIV load 340 copies/ml. CONCLUSION: Leishmaniasis is a severe infection in HIV-positive patients. Clinical manifestations can be atypical in immunosuppressed patients and the treatment is complicated with HIV coinfection. This is also due to a lifelong persistence of the parasite with potential reactivation especially in patients with suppressed CD4 cells. Therefore maintenance therapy after standard therapy of leishmaniasis is mandatory at least for a CD4 count below 350/µl. Especially in HIV patients with a leishmaniasis relapse lifelong maintenance therapy should be considered.