Relatively favorable outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for BCR-ABL1-positive AML: A survey from the acute leukemia working party of the European Society for blood and marrow transplantation (EBMT).

The aim of the study was to assess the role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in patients diagnosed with BCR-ABL1-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Fifty-seven patients (median age, 48 years, range: 19-67) with BCR-ABL1 positive AML undergoing SCT were identified. The majority of the patients (70%) received a TKI before the transplant. At SCT 48 patients were in CR (45 in CR1), while 9 patients were transplanted in a more advanced stage of the disease. MRD was negative (BCR-ABL1/ABL < 104 ) at time of SCT in 36.1% (14/40). After SCT, 16 (61.5%) out of 26 patients with MRD positive at transplantation reached MRD negativity. After a median follow-up of 6.3 years (0.7-14.2), NRM, RI, LFS, OS, and GRFS at 5 years were 18.1%, 37%, 44.2%, 53.8%, and 32.1%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV was 16.4%, incidence of chronic GvHD 24.9%, and of extensive cGvHD 21.4%, respectively. In patients who received SCT in CR1, 5-yr NRM, RI, LFS, OS, and GRFS were 15.9%, 36.4%, 46.5%, 59.4%, and 34.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age (<50 vs. ≥50 years) was associated with RI (5-yr: 22.7 vs. 50%), LFS (5-yr: 61.9 vs. 31.8%), and GRFS (5-yr: 52.4 vs. 18.2%), whereas MRD-negative status before SCT was associated with an improved GRFS (38.9 vs. 16.7%). We conclude that the outcome of patients <50 years of age with BCR-ABL1-positive AML receiving allogeneic SCT in CR is relatively favorable, possibly reflecting the beneficial effect of the use of TKI.

Trends in disease indications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Asia-Pacific region: A report of the Activity Survey 2017 from APBMT.

The Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group (APBMT) has been conducting annual surveys on the activity of hematopoietic stem cell transplants since 2007. The APBMT Data Center collected the following data in 2017. A total of 21,504 transplants were registered from 733 transplant centers of 20 countries/regions in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region. Five countries/regions comprised 89.4% of all transplants - China (6,979), Japan (5,794), South Korea (2,626), India (2,034), and Australia (1,789). The number of centers in these five countries/regions also comprised 88.9% of all centers: Japan (373), China (123), India (66), Australia (45), and South Korea (44). The overall ratio between autologous and allogeneic transplants was 37.0% and 63.0%, respectively, but the ratios varied significantly among countries/regions. Autologous transplants have surpassed allogeneic transplants in Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, and Iran. In contrast, the proportion of allogeneic transplants comprised over 70% of all transplants in Pakistan, China, and Hong Kong. These ratios were compared by the Data Center among countries/regions that performed more than 50 transplants. The proportion of related and unrelated transplants also differed among countries/regions. The number of unrelated transplants was more than related ones in Japan (2,551 vs. 1,202) and Australia (329 vs. 291), whereas more than 80% of all transplants were related transplants in Malaysia (90.9%), India (89.5%), Iran (87.2%), Vietnam (85.7%), China (80.9%), and Thailand (80.6%). All transplant activities were related transplants in Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Nepal, and no allogeneic transplants were performed in Bangladesh and Mongolia. Regarding the indications for transplants, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was the most common disease for allogeneic transplant (4,759, 35.1% of allogeneic transplants), while plasma cell disorder (PCD) was the most common disease for autologous transplant (3,701, 27.3% of all autologous transplants). Furthermore, the number of transplants for hemoglobinopathy has steeply increased in this region compared with the rest of disease indications (677, 3.1% of all transplants). APBMT covers a broad area globally, including countries/regions with diverse disease distribution, development of HSCT programs, population, and economic power. Consistent and continuous activity surveys considering those elements in each country/region revealed the HSCT field's diverse characteristics and background factors in this region.

MERGE: A Multinational, Multicenter Observational Registry for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in Asia, including Middle East, Turkey, and Algeria.

Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders of the bone marrow, and are associated with a high disease burden, reduced quality of life (QOL), and shortened survival. This multinational, multicenter, non-interventional registry "MERGE" was initiated with an objective to collect data on the epidemiological indices of classical Ph-MPNs, existing treatment patterns, and impact of MPNs on health-related QOL in various countries/regions in Asia, including the Middle East, Turkey, and Algeria. Of the 884 eligible patients with MPNs, 169 had myelofibrosis (MF), 301 had polycythemia vera (PV), 373 had essential thrombocythemia (ET), and 41 had unclassified MPNs. The median age was 58 years (range, 47-66 years), and 50% of patients were males. The prevalence and incidence of MPNs were estimated to be 57-81 and 12-15 per 100 000 hospital patients per year over the last 4 years, respectively, in these countries. Total symptom score (mean [standard deviation; SD]) at baseline was highest in patients with MF (23.5 [17.47]) compared with patients with ET (14.6 [14.26]) and PV (16.6 [14.84]). Patients with ET had a lower mean (SD) number of inpatient visits (0.9 [0.77] days), and patients with MF had more outpatient visits (5.2 [3.17] days) on an average, compared with the entire MPN group. The study showed that patients with MPNs have a severe disease burden and reduced QOL. A discordance between physician and patient perception of symptom assessment was observed in this study (International clinical trials registry ID: CTRI/2014/05/004598).

Progress of immunotherapy for NK/T cell leukemia/lymphoma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

NK/T cell leukemia/lymphoma is a type of malignancy originating from T cells or natural killer cells with low incidence and poor clinical prognosis. There is still no effective treatment strategy. In recent years, targeted therapy has made great progress in the treatment of hematological malignancies, including monoclonal antibody and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), among which CD30, CD7, CD5, CD52, CCR4 and other target antigens are effective in the treatment of NK/T cell leukemia/lymphoma, but its widespread application still faces a great challenge. This article reviews the progress of immunotherapy for NK/T cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Venetoclax combined with avapritinib for treatment of refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia with KIT gene mutation: report of 2 cases and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of venetoclax combined with avapritinib in treatment of refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with KIT gene mutation.Methods:The clinical data of 2 AML patients with KIT gene mutation who received venetoclax combined with avapritinib admitted to Canglang Hospital of Suzhou in October 2022 and November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:Both patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory AML and KIT gene mutation were females; the one was 53 years and the other was 17 years. Case 1 was diagnosed with AML-M 2, and genetic testing revealed positive mutations in ASXL1, KIT, and RUNX1. The patient relapsed after transplantation and then was treated with venetoclax combined with avapritinib achieving morphologic leukemia-free status (MLFS). Case 2 was diagnosed with AML, and RUNX1-RUNX1T1 (AML1-ETO) fusion gene and KIT and DX15 gene mutations were detected. The patient was treated with venetoclax combined with avapritinib regimen after relapse, and the treatment regimen significantly reduced the tumor load. Complete remission was achieved after bridging to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusions:AML with KIT gene mutation is heterogeneous and some patients are difficult to treat with very poor prognosis. Bridging (secondary) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be the better treatment choice for relapsed patients achieving MLFS or complete remission after venetoclax combined with avapritinib treatment regimen.

Tislelizumab bridging to umbilical cord blood transplantation therapy for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia: report of 1 case and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the efficacy of tislelizumab combined with umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) patients.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of 1 patient with R/R AML who received tislelizumab bridging to UCBT after the failure of re-induction treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in November 2021 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:The 59-year-old male patient with R/R AML achieved a complete remission after initial induction chemotherapy regimen of decitabine and venetoclax, and then additional consolidation therapy regimens of decitabine and middle-dose cytarabine, middle-dose cytarabine and idarubicin were performed. The patient relapsed 16 months later and failed to achieve a second remission after re-induction therapy regimens of cladribine, azacitidine, venetoclax combined with chemotherapy, and homoharringtonine, cytarabine combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Tislelizumab significantly reduced tumor burden and the patient achieved the complete remission after bridging to UCBT. After transplantation, the patient was given maintenance treatment with azacitidine and he had sustained remission without severe transplant-related complications during 9-month follow-up.Conclusions:The use of tislelizumab bridging UCBT can be a potential therapeutic strategy for R/R AML patients.

Auto-HSCT bridging to CAR-T for follicular lymphoma transformed to B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma: report of 1 case and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the effect of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) bridging to chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy for follicular lymphoma (FL) transformed to B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-LBL).Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of 1 patient with FL transformed to B-LBL admitted to the First Hospital of Soochow University in August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and the literature was reviewed.Results:The male patient was 65 years old, and was diagnosed as FL (stage Ⅳ group A, FL international prognostic index -1 score 3 points, high-risk group) in August 2020. And then he was given 6 courses of RB (rituximab combined with bendamustine) regimen, with complete remission (CR) at mid-term and end-stage PET-CT, followed by regular maintenance therapy with rituximab every 2 months, and disease progressed after 4 courses of maintenance therapy. According to the results of histopathology and bone marrow aspiration in December 2021, he was diagnosed B-LBL involving the bone marrow. Partial remission was achieved after induction therapy with zanubnulindb combined with hyper CVAD (cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vindesine + dexamethasone) regimen, followed by auto-HSCT bridging to CAR-T treatment targeting CD19 and CD22, which proceeded smoothly with cytokine release syndrome grade 0, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome grade 0. The patient successfully underwent hematopoietic reconstruction and orally taken ibrutinib after discharge. PET-CT indicated CR 2 months after transplantation and he was still in disease-free survival state.Conclusions:The prognosis of FL transformed to B-LBL is poor, and auto-HSCT bridging to CAR-T can improve the prognosis and prolong the survival time of patients who cannot undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

A single-center retrospective analysis of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of multiple myeloma in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(auto-HSCT)for the treatment of multiple myeloma(MM)in elderly patients aged over 65 years.Methods:In this retrospective analysis, the efficacy and safety of auto-HSCT for the treatment of MM was examined in 28 patients aged >65 years diagnosed and treated at Soochow Hopes Hematology Hospital between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2022.The functions of the major organs of these patients were evaluated before transplantation.Results:The 28 patients had a median age of 67(66-72)at the time of transplantation, a median number of 2.985 × 10 6/kg(2.036-9.5 × 10 6/kg)of collected CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, and a median number of 2(1-3)days of collection.The median time to neutrophil implantation after hematopoietic stem cell transfusion was 10(9-14)days, and the median platelet implantation time was 11(10-29)days.The median follow-up time was 25 months, but the median progression-free survival time was not reached.The 1-year PFS rate was 89.3% and 2-year PFS rate was 76.3%, with 2 patients' starting point of PFS set at the time of pre-transplantation re-induction therapy because needed salvage auto-HSCT.The overall survival time was not reached, the 1-year overall survival rate was 100.0%, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 90.5%. Conclusions:Auto-HSCT is a safe and effective treatment for elderly MM patients aged over 65 years after screening and assessment.

More than two courses of pre-transplant consolidation therapy benefits patients with acute myeloid leukemia in the first complete remission who underwent human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling allografts: a multicenter study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Although the need for consolidation chemotherapy after successful induction therapy is well established in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1), the value of consolidation chemotherapy before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains controversial.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively compared the effect of the number of pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapies on outcomes of human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling stem cell transplantation (MSDT) for patients with AML in CR1 in multicenters across China. In our study, we analyzed data of 373 AML patients in CR1 from three centers across China.@*RESULTS@#With a median follow-up of 969 days, patients with ≥ 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy had higher probabilities of leukemia-free survival (LFS) (85.6% vs . 67.0%, P < 0.001) and overall survival (89.2% vs . 78.5%, P  = 0.007), and better cumulative incidences of relapse (10.5% vs . 19.6%, P  = 0.020) and non-relapse mortality (4.2% vs . 14.9%, P  = 0.001) than those with ≤ 2 courses of consolidation chemotherapy. Pre-transplantation minimal residual disease-negative patients with AML in CR1 who received MSDT with ≥ 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy had a higher probability of LFS (85.9% vs . 67.7%, P  = 0.003) and a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (9.6% vs . 23.3%, P  = 0.013) than those with ≤ 2 courses.@*CONCLUSION@#Our results indicate that patients with AML in CR1 who received MSDT might benefit from pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy.

Follow-up analysis of sex hormone levels and prognosis in women after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the levels of sex hormone and fertility in female patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as well as their correlation with conditioning regimens, and analyse the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in young women after HSCT.Methods:Retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 147 women who underwent HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2010 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The sex hormone levels were measured and followed-up, and the survival, menstrual fertility and the use of HRT of the patients were also followed-up. The sex hormone levels were measured after transplantation, and the ovarian function was evaluated. Independent sample t test and χ2 test were used for comparison between the two groups. Results:The median age of the 147 patients was 26 (range, 10-45) years. Of them, 135 patients received allogeneic HSCT and 12 patients received autologous HSCT. Furthermore, 129 patients received myeloablative conditioning, and 18 patients received reduced conditioning dose. The median follow-up time was 50 months (range, 18-134 months). Five patients died of disease recurrence during follow-up. Of the 54 patients with subcutaneous injection of zoladex, three recovered menstruation spontaneously after transplantation, and all of them were myeloablative conditioning patients, one patient gave birth to twins through assisted reproductive technology. Ninety-three patients did not use zoladex before conditioning, two patients with aplastic anemia with non-myeloablative transplantation resumed menstruation spontaneously, and conceived naturally. The level of follicle stimulating hormone after transplantation in patients receiving myeloablative conditioning regimen was significantly higher than that in patients receiving reduced-dose conditioning regimen [(95.28±3.94) U/L vs. (71.85±10.72) U/L, P=0.039]. Among 147 patients, 122 patients developed premature ovarian failure, 83 patients received sex hormone replacement therapy after transplantation, and 76 patients recovered menstruation and improved endocrine function. Conclusions:The incidence of premature ovarian failure is high in female patients after HSCT, and patients have a chance at natural conception. Reducing the dose of conditioning regimen and the application of zoladex before transplantation can reduce ovarian of conditioning drugs. HRT after transplantation can partially improve the endocrine function of patients.

Long-term Complete Remission of Decitabine-Primed Tandem CD19/CD22 CAR-T Therapy with PD-1 and BTK Inhibitors Maintenance in a Refractory Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Patient / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects the brain, eyes, cerebrospinal fluid, or spinal cord without systemic involvement. The outcome of patients with PCNSL is worse compared to patients with systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Given potential mortality associated with severe immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), patients with PCNSL have been excluded from most clinical trials involving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy initially. Here, we report for the first time to apply decitabine-primed tandem CD19/CD22 dual-targeted CAR-T therapy with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors maintenance in one patient with multiline-resistant refractory PCNSL and the patient has maintained complete remission (CR) for a 35-month follow-up period. This case represents the first successful treatment of multiline resistant refractory PCNSL with long-term CR and without inducing ICANS under tandem CD19/CD22 bispecific CAR-T therapy followed by maintenance therapy with PD-1 and BTK inhibitors. This study shows tremendous potential in the treatment of PCNSL and offers a look toward ongoing clinical studies.

Screening and clinical significance of intestinal colonization of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in patients before haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the situation of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) colonization in patients undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). 【Methods】 A total of 241 consecutive patients who underwent haplo-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022 were enrolled. Anal swab screening was performed within 48 hours of admission and blood cultures were taken when the patient developed fever. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the colonization rate, distribution, risk factors and the correlation between CRE colonization and post-transplant bloodstream infection(BSI). 【Results】 Among 241 patients with haplo-HSCT, there were 90 cases in CRE colonization positive group, with a colonization rate of 37.3% (90/241). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.38-4.22, P<0.05) and history of infection within 30 days before transplantation (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.59-7.17, P<0.05) may be independent risk factors for CRE intestinal colonization. Of the 95 CRE strains, the top five species were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (38/95, 40.0%), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (29/95, 30.5%), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (13/95, 13.6%), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella acidophilus (6/95, 6.3%) and carbapenem-resistant Proteus mirabilis (3/95, 3.1%). The incidence of post-transplant BSI was 12.0% (29/241) in the CRE-colonized group and 3.3% (8/241) in the non-colonized group. In the colonization group, 100% of the pathogens of BSI were identical with those of CRE colonization. 【Conclusion】 Bacterial culture of anal swab during haplo-HSCT is helpful for detection of CRE colonization in intestinal tract, which provides some clinical basis for active monitoring of key flora, prevention and control of infection.

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor progression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma upon anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T therapy / 医学前沿

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved 40%-50% long-term complete response in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. However, the underlying mechanism of alterations in the tumor microenvironments resulting in CAR-T cell therapy failure needs further investigation. A multi-center phase I/II trial of anti-CD19 CD28z CAR-T (FKC876, ChiCTR1800019661) was conducted. Among 22 evaluable DLBCL patients, seven achieved complete remission, 10 experienced partial remissions, while four had stable disease by day 29. Single-cell RNA sequencing results were obtained from core needle biopsy tumor samples collected from long-term complete remission and early-progressed patients, and compared at different stages of treatment. M2-subtype macrophages were significantly involved in both in vivo and in vitro anti-tumor functions of CAR-T cells, leading to CAR-T cell therapy failure and disease progression in DLBCL. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments persisted before CAR-T cell therapy, during both cell expansion and disease progression, which could not be altered by infiltrating CAR-T cells. Aberrant metabolism profile of M2-subtype macrophages and those of dysfunctional T cells also contributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. Thus, our findings provided a clinical rationale for targeting tumor microenvironments and reprogramming immune cell metabolism as effective therapeutic strategies to prevent lymphoma relapse in future designs of CAR-T cell therapy.

Ibrutinib in treatment of steroid-resistant chronic graft-versus-host disease: report of 3 cases and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of steroid-resistant chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) patients and the therapeutic effect of ibrutinib.Methods:The clinical data of 3 steroid-resistant cGVHD patients treated with ibrutinib after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and the literature was reviewed.Results:All 3 patients had different degrees of skin and oral cGVHD. One patient's oral symptom improved after the application of prednisone, and the skin symptom was better after oral ibrutinib; one patient's oral symptom improved after oral ibrutinib, but skin symptom did not improve significantly; one patient's skin symptom did not improve significantly. None of the 3 patients presented with adverse reactions such as hemorrhage, infection and cytopenia.Conclusions:Ibrutinib has a certain effect on the improvement of symptoms in steroid-resistant cGVHD patients.

Efficacy and safety of blinatumomab in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Blinatumomab, as a novel bispecific antibody targeting CD19 and CD3, can induce T lymphocytes to precisely target CD19 positive B lymphocytes to apoptosis. At present, it is the only bispecific antibody approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies in China. Blinatumomab is effective in the treatment of newly diagnosed, relapsed/refractory, minimal residual disease positive patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) . It can improve the survival of the patients and is well tolerated. The further study of blinatumomab can provide theoretical basis and new ideas for induction therapy, salvage therapy and subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with B-ALL.

Efficacy of total oral regimens containing ixazomib in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma / 中华内科杂志

To investigate the efficacy and safety of total oral regimen containing ixazomib in multidrug-resistant relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM). A total of 38 patients were retrospectively analyzed from August 2018 to January 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The overall response rate (ORR)was 36.8%. Among them, the very good partial response (VGPR) or better rate was 23.7%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 5.3%. The ORR was 41.7% in patients receiving ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRD) regimen. Median PFS was 5 months and median OS was 7.5 months. The ORR was 50% after second-line therapy, 40% after third-line therapy and 12.5% after forth-line therapy or more. The ORR was 29.0% in bortezomib-refractory patients, 38.0% in lenalidomide-refractory patients, 21.4% in bortezmoib & lenalidomide dual refractory patients. Grade 3-4 hematological adverse events (AEs) were reported in 21% patients. Common hematological AEs included lymphopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia. Other usual AEs were fatigue and diarrhea. No grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy was recorded. In the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients with multidrug resistance, the total oral regimens containing ixazomib demonstrate reliable efficacy and safety. Early administration of ixazomib at first or second relapse is suggested for more favorable clinical outcome.

Efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with azacitidine versus CAG regimen combined with decitabine in elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with azacitidine (AZA) versus CAG regimen combined with decitabine (DAC) in elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:From January 2018 to August 2020, the clinical data of forty-five elderly patients with relapse AML at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed, including 31 males and 14 females. The median age was 66 (60-80) years old. Eighteen patients were administrated with VEN and AZA, while the other 27 were in CAG with DAC. The complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission (PR) rate, total remission rate (ORR), adverse events and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.Results:At the end of the treatment, the ORR in VEN with AZA group was 77.8% (14/18); including 11 CR and 3 PR. In CAG with DAC group, the ORR was 37.0% (10/27); including 8 CR and 2 PR ( P=0.007). Subgroup analysis suggested that VEN with AZA had a higher ORR in patients stratified as intermediate and poor-risk ( P=0.013) or with DNA methylation mutations ( P=0.007). Main adverse events in both groups were bone marrow suppression, infections, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. Grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ cytopenia developed in lower incidence of VEN with AZA group, such as leukopenia (66.7% vs. 100%, P=0.002), anemia (50.0% vs. 92.6%, P=0.002), thrombocytopenia (72.2% vs. 96.3%, P=0.031) and neutropenia (61.1% vs. 92.6%, P=0.014). In addition, less grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ infections occurred in VEN with AZA group (66.7% vs. 33.3%, P=0.028), as well as grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ gastrointestinal events (40.7% vs. 11.1%, P=0.032), grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ fatigue (55.6% vs.11.1%, P=0.003) compared with CAG with DAC group. The 1-year OS in VEN with AZA group versus CAG with DAC group was 42.9% and 31.6% respectively ( P=0.150). Conclusion:VEN combined with AZA proves favorable efficacy and tolerablity in elderly patients with relapsed AML.

Decitabine combined with chemotherapy in treatment of relapsed T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia with TP53 mutation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of 1 case and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of decitabine combined with chemotherapy in treatment of relapsed/refractory T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) with TP53 mutation.Methods:The clinical data of a T-LBL/ALL patient with TP53 mutation who had recurrence after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) treated with decitabine combined with chemotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient, a 42-year-old male, diagnosed as T-LBL/ALL with TP53 mutation by comprehensive examination underwent sibling-matched donor allo-HSCT after a second complete remission. The patient relapsed 8 months later and was treated with decitabine combined with CLAG regimen to achieve complete remission again. And then, he had leukemia-free survival until now through maintenance treatment with decitabine.Conclusion:Decitabine combined with chemotherapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for relapsed T-LBL/ALL patients with TP53 mutation after allo-HSCT.

Effect of intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylation agent treatment before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on myelodysplastic syndrome patients / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of myelodysplasia syndrome with excess blasts (MDS-EB) patients on intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylating agent treatment prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:A total of 108 MDS-EB patients undergoing allo-HSCT from April 2015 to September 2019 were collected retrospectively, intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylating agent treatment (IC/HAM) group, n=72; support care (SC) group, n=36. Clinical outcomes and prognostic risk factors were analyzed. Results:Intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylating agent treatment pre-HSCT had no effects on overall survival (OS) ( P=0.725), relapse-free survival (RFS)( P=0.658), cumulative incidence rate (CIR) ( P=0.121) or non-relapse mortality (NRM)( P=0.236). Univariate and multivariate analysis of an entire cohort showed that poor cytogenetics was an independent risk factor for OS ( P=0.005), DFS ( P=0.001) and CIR( P=0.032); grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft venous host disease was independently correlated with unfavorable DFS( P=0.004). Conclusions:IC/HAM treatment pre-HSCT fails to yield discrepant post-HSCT outcomes in MDS-EB patients. The pooling of more patients in a well-designed multi-center clinical trial will further demonstrate the efficacy of treatment pre-HSCT in MDS-EB patients.

Effect analysis of rituximab-containing chemotherapy regimen in treatment of mantle cell lymphoma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the effect and prognostic factors of rituximab-containing chemotherapy regimen in treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).Methods:The clinical data of 56 patients aged ≤65 years in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 2007 to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Rituximab-containing chemotherapy regimen was used, and the effects of clinical features, treatment regimen and biological indexes on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were observed.Results:The median age of 56 patients was 57 years old, including 43 males and 13 females. Among these cases, 24 patients received R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen; 29 patients received cytarabine-containing chemotherapy regimen, including R-hyper CVAD/R-MA regimen used in 15 patients and R-CHOP alternating with R-DAHP regimen used in 14 patients; and 3 patients received other treatment regimens. Among 56 patients, 19 patients received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation therapy. The median OS time was 74 months, 2-year OS rate was 83.8%, 3-year OS rate was 70.9%, 2-year PFS rate was 72.0% and 3-year PFS rate was 49.7%. International prognostic index (IPI) high-risk and receiving ASCT or not during the treatment were independent influencing factors of OS and PFS in MCL patients. The overall response rate (ORR) in cytarabine-containing regimen group was higher compared with that in R-CHOP regimen group (93.1% vs. 83.3%), and there was no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.465, P=0.495). In addition, there were no significant differences between two groups in both OS ( χ2=0.291, P=0.590) and PFS ( χ2=0.912, P=0.339). ASCT consolidation prolonged the median OS time (72 months vs.124 months, χ2=3.973, P=0.040) and the median PFS time (34 months vs. 90 months, χ2=3.984, P=0.046) in MCL patients achieving remission after induction therapy. Among patients in simplified MCL IPI (sMIPI) score middle-high risk group, compared with those not receiving ASCT, patients receiving ASCT therapy could obtain better OS and PFS (OS: χ2=5.037, P=0.025; PFS: χ2=6.787, P=0.009); among patients of sMIPI score low risk, there were no statistically significant differences in OS and PFS between the group receiving ASCT and not (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Cytarabine-containing chemotherapy regimen has no predicatively satisfactory value in improving the prognosis and survival for MCL patients. For MCL patients who have achieved remission after reduction therapy and those in sMIPI score middle-high risk group, ASCT consolidation therapy can improve the prognosis and can be taken as the first-line consolidation treatment in young patients.