Three key factors affecting treatment results of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for delayed unions and nonunions: instability, gap size, and atrophic nonunion.

BACKGROUND: If some predictable factors that affect the treatment results of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) for delayed union or nonunion could be determined, these might provide us with suggestions for whether LIPUS should be used as an alternative treatment for surgery or an adjuvant therapy after surgery. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine what factors affected failure of fracture healing after LIPUS for delayed unions and nonunions. METHODS: A one-year observational retrospective cohort study was conducted with a consecutive cohort of 101 delayed unions and 50 nonunions after long bone fractures that were treated with LIPUS between May 1998 and April 2007. The main outcome measure was radiographic determination of osseous bone union status within one year after start of LIPUS therapy. Statistical evaluation was used to recognize predictable factors that affect treatment results of LIPUS for delayed union and nonunion. RESULTS: Delayed union group (n = 101): Seventy-five delayed unions (74.3%) united without an additional major surgical intervention. Failure of LIPUS therapy was associated with types of nonunion (atrophic/oligotrophic vs. hypertrophic, relative risk 23.72 [95% CI 1.20-11.5], p < 0.01), instability at fracture site (unstable vs. stable, relative risk 3.03 [95% CI 1.67-5.49], p < 0.001), and maximum fracture gap size not less than 9 mm (relative risk 3.30 [95% CI 1.68-6.45]). Nonunion group (n = 50): Thirty-four nonunions (68.0%) united without an additional major surgical intervention. Failure of LIPUS therapy was associated with method of fixation (intramedullary nail vs. others, relative risk 4.50 [95% CI 1.69-12.00], p < 0.001), instability at fracture site (unstable vs. stable, relative risk 4.56 [95% CI 2.20-9.43], p < 0.0001), and maximum fracture gap size not less than 8 mm (relative risk 5.09 [95 % CI 1.65-15.67]). CONCLUSIONS: LIPUS should be applied as an adjuvant therapy in combination with surgical intervention for an established atrophic nonunion with instability and/or with larger fracture gap.

Intensive chemotherapy for elderly patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia: a propensity score analysis by the Japan Hematology and Oncology Clinical Study Group (J-HOCS).

The prognosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in the elderly patients is extremely poor. Although several previous studies have suggested that intensive chemotherapy is associated with a better prognosis, there may have been a selection bias. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the impact of intensive chemotherapy for AML in the elderly by stratifying patients according to a propensity score. Eighty-one AML patients aged 70 years or more were included in this study. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were not included. A propensity score for the use of intensive chemotherapy was calculated from four factors at diagnosis. Forty-five patients received intensive chemotherapy, whereas 36 received low-dose or no chemotherapy. We stratified the patients into quartiles based on the propensity score. The numbers of patients in the first, second, third, and forth quartiles who received intensive chemotherapy were 5 of 21, 10 of 20, 12 of 20, and 18 of 20, respectively. A stratified log-rank test showed significantly better overall survival in the intensive chemotherapy group (P = 0.0088). Especially, in the combined second and third quartiles, which showed an equal tendency for intensive and non-intensive strategies; overall survival at 3 years was 37.5 % for the intensive chemotherapy group and 13.0 % for the non-intensive chemotherapy group (P = 0.0022). A conventional multivariate analysis confirmed that intensive chemotherapy was beneficial (hazard ratio 0.50, 95 % confidence interval 0.27-0.93, P = 0.028). In conclusion, intensive chemotherapy may prolong overall survival in elderly AML patients who are considered to be able to tolerate such treatment based on factors at diagnosis.

Instructional review of key factors to achieve successful outcomes when using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in fracture repair.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment of fractures has been available to the orthopaedic community for nearly three decades; however, it is still considered an experimental treatment by some clinicians, even though there is a wealth of clinical data. Based on the evaluation of clinical trial data, we have established key criteria which can lead to LIPUS success and avoid failure. These are fracture gap size and stability, accurate transducer placement and minimum treatment number. However, from a clinician's view, the correct attitude to treatment must be observed, and this has also been discussed. It is hoped, armed with this new evaluation of the clinical data, that clinicians can treat patients with LIPUS more effectively, resulting in fewer failures of treatment.

Anti-inflammatory roles of interleukin-35 in the pathogenesis of Japanese cedar pollinosis.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-35 has been recently identified as an anti-inflammatory cytokine in allergic inflammation. However, its biological role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis has not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of IL-35 in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP). METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from healthy controls and JCP patients during the off-season for pollen. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with Cry j 1, a major allergen of Japanese cedar pollen and production of IL-5, IL-13, and IL-35 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Th2 (CD4+ST2+) cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of JCP patients, and the inhibitory effects of IL-35 on cell differentiation, proliferation and mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, and GATA3 were examined. B cells were also isolated and the effects of IL-35 on total IgE production were examined. RESULTS: Cry j 1-induced production of IL-5 and IL-13 was significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from JCP patients, whereas Cry j 1-induced IL-35 production was significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. IL-35 significantly inhibited Th2 cell differentiation, group 2 innate lymphoid cell proliferation, and mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, and GATA3 in Th2 cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells. IL-35 also inhibited IgE production from B cells. CONCLUSION: IL-35 is an important anti-inflammatory cytokine in JCP, and its biological roles include the downregulation of Th2 cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells, and the inhibition of IgE production from B cells. These findings demonstrate that IL-35 may have the potential to exert anti-allergic effects for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

[Mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma associated with systemic sclerosis].

Malignant lymphoma (ML) is frequently associated with several forms of collagen diseases such as Sjören syndrome, systemic lupus erythematodes, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the occurrence of ML in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients has rarely been reported. Here we report an SSc patient who developed mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma (MLBCL). A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed as having SSc in August 2007. The patient was treated with low-dose prednisolone (10 mg/day) without any effect. One year after the diagnosis, chest computed tomography-scan demonstrated thymic tumor in the anterior mediastinum. Thymectomy was performed, and a pathohistological diagnosis of MLBCL was established. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the tumor cells were positive for CD45 and CD20, but negative for CD30 and EBV-encoded RNA. The patient was treated with 6 courses of CHOP regimen, resulting in complete remission of lymphoma. This report describes the first SSc patient associated with MLBCL. SSc patients occasionally develop ML after a relatively short interval. Our case suggests that intensive monitoring for the development of ML is needed in newly diagnosed SSc patients.

Phase II study of FLAGM (fludarabine + high-dose cytarabine + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor + mitoxantrone) for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Given the poor prognosis of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), better therapy is needed. Fludarabine enhances the efficacy of Ara-C (cytarabine) by increasing intracellular Ara-C-triphosphate. The FLAG (fludarabine, high-dose Ara-C, supported with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) regimen has been tested for use in AML patients by other investigators. In the phase II study reported here, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of FLAGM therapy (FLAG with mitoxantrone), further intensified by adding mitoxantrone, based on the results of a phase I study by our group. The major endpoints were complete remission (CR) rate and early death. From June 2004 to February 2008, 41 patients (median age 52 years; range 18-64 years) were enrolled. Thirty (73% 95% CI 58-84%) patients achieved CR, which met the primary endpoint; there was a single case of early death from pneumonia. Two-year overall survival was 39.4% (95% CI 25.2-55.6%). Of those who achieved CR, 27 underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), and 12 SCT recipients showed long-term survival. Grade 3/4 non-hematological adverse events included infection (59%), nausea/vomiting (15%), diarrhea (7%), and elevated liver enzymes (7%). In conclusion, FLAGM is an effective and safe salvage therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory AML, and facilitated SCT for a large proportion of patients.

Phase I trial of FLAGM with high doses of cytosine arabinoside for relapsed, refractory acute myeloid leukemia: study of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG).

This study was designed to determine the optimal high dose for cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) in combination with fludarabine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and mitoxantrone (FLAGM) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Nine patients were enrolled at increasing dosage levels of ara-C (8, 12, and 16 g/m2 per dose level). Ara-C and fludarabine were administered once a day at level 1, once or twice a day at level 2, and twice a day at level 3. All patients had grade 4 hematologic toxicity. The most common adverse events were of grade 2 or less, with nausea and vomiting being the most common (6 events), followed by diarrhea (5 events), and rash (5 events). Of the 13 grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities reported, the 2 most common were febrile neutropenia (6 events) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3 events). No early deaths were observed. FLAGM with high-dose ara-C was considered safe for patients, and the recommended dosage of ara-C in this study was 2 g/m2 every 12 hours for a total dose of 16 g/m2.

[Asian variant of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy].

A 63-year-old male presented with fever and general malaise in June 2004. On admission hepatosplenomegaly was apparent, but without lymphadenopathy. The laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, direct bilirubin and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Histological analysis of the bone marrow biopsy specimen demonstrated proliferation of atypical lymphoid cells positive for CD20 in the small capillaries, leading to the diagnosis of the Asian variant of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (AIVL). The presence of rearrangement of the immunoglobulin gene confirmed the diagnosis. The patient responded well to CHOP therapy followed by seven courses of rituximab-combined CHOP therapy and has remained in complete remission up to the present. This case implies that bone marrow biopsy could be a useful examination for diagnosing AIVL and that rituximab-combinedchemotherapy could improve survival in patients with the disease.

[Disappearance of a Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone and appearance of a -negative clone following treatment with imatinib mesylate in acute myelomonocytic leukemia].

A 63-year-old female was diagnosed as having Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myelomonocytic leukemia in June 2002. The patient received monotherapy with imatinib mesylate or combination therapy with DCM and idarubicin/cytarabine, both of which failed in attaining disease remission. However, the second imatinib administration plus CAG therapy resulted in disappearance of the Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone and increase of Philadelphia chromosome-negative cells. During a therapy-withholding period due to fungal infection, the Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone expanded and the patient died of cerebral hemorrhage in February 2003. The transient suppression of the Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone may have brought about amplification of the Philadelphia chromosome-negative cells after the secondary imatinib treatment.

[Myelodysplastic syndrome associated with intestinal tract-type Behçet disease characterized by an esophageal ulcer].

A 55-year-old man with advanced myelodysplastic syndrome was hospitalized prior to undergoing an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Immediately before hospitalization, he had suffered from phlegmon in both lower extremities and right forearm as well as genital and oral ulcers. After admission, he developed an esophageal ulcer and was thus diagnosed as having intestinal tract-type Behçet disease. HLA-B51 was not present. Within a month, he died of pulmonary hemorrhage associated with pneumonia, possibly because of a low platelet count, and vasculoendothelial damage related to Behçet disease. This is a rare case of myelodysplastic syndrome that developed Behçet disease with a severe esophageal ulcer.

[Adult-onset Still disease presenting with disseminated intravascular coagulation].

A 17-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of pyrexia and thrombocytopenia in May 2002. Laboratory examination showed a platelet count of 50,000/microliter with an increased level of fibrinogen degradation product, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Gabexate mesilate was intravenously administrated without any effects. Several days later, erythema, joint pain and neck lymphadenopathy developed sequentially. The patient was diagnosed as having adult-onset Still disease (AOSD) complicated with DIC. Moreover, serum inflammatory cytokine levels had increased and activated macrophages were observed in the bone marrow, suggesting the presence of macrophage activation syndrome. After additional treatments with dalteparin and aspirin, the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings associated with AOSD and DIC disappeared. Although this was a severe case of AOSD associated with preceding DIC, the AOSD symptoms resolved in this patient with the treatment of the DIC and with aspirin only without any relapse.

[Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia showing normal karyotype at presentation].

21-year-old male was diagnosed as having acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in March 2001. Standard G-banding analysis revealed normal karyotype. He achieved complete remission after the first course of induction therapy and underwent allogeneic PBSCT in August 2001. However, leukemic cells appeared in the peripheral blood demonstrating complex chromosomal abnormalities with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) and expressing minor BCR/ABL transcripts. We thus retrospectively examined the bone marrow sample at presentation with both interphase FISH and RT-PCR methods. Surprisingly, almost all leukemic blasts at presentation turned out to possess the minor type of BCR/ABL fusion gene. In spite of the second allogeneic PBSCT, the patient died of pneumonia and graft-versus-host disease in the liver in September 2002. This case is rare in that cytogenetic analysis failed to detect Ph1 due to leukemic cells dormancy. The application of both FISH and RT-PCR studies would appear to be essential to avoid overlooking Ph1-positive ALL.

[Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with invasive fungal infection causing complete atrioventricular block].

A 62-year-old female was diagnosed as having acute lymphocytic leukemia in October 2001. She achieved complete remission after induction therapy with L-asparaginase, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone. However, an invasive fungal infection developed in the lung, followed by a sudden complete atrioventricular block. Her heart rate was brought back to normal by the administration of isoproterenol. In spite of anti-fungal therapies, the patient finally succumbed to pneumonia in January 2002. Autopsy revealed an invasion of fungi into the lung, mitral valves and atrioventricular node. We need to pay attention to such a cardiac complication when an immunocompromised host suffers from an invasive fungal infection.

[Hypereosinophilic syndrome developing after prednisolone therapy for autoimmune hemolytic anemia].

A 26-year-old woman was diagnosed as having autoimmune hemolytic anemia in September 2002. Her eosinophil count was already high (2,190/microliter) at that time. She received prednisolone therapy with a good response and was released from the treatment in April 2003. Eosinophil numbers were within the normal range under the prednisolone administration. However, they began to increase after its completion. No underlying causes for the eosinophilia were evident. When the eosinophil count reached 5,474/microliter, the patient developed massive pleural effusion as well as palpebral swelling and myalgia, leading to a diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Re-administration of prednisolone resulted in the disappearance of these symptoms and eosinophilia. Her eosinophils seemed to have reactivated after cessation of the prednisolone therapy and infiltrated into her organs.

[Development of overt hemolytic anemia after splenectomy for thrombocytopenia in Evans syndrome with negative Coombs test].

A 69-year-old man was diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in April 2000, and treated with prednisolone (PSL) without effect. Splenectomy performed in June 2000 had only a transient and marginal influence on his platelet count. Two months later, he developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) without Coombs test positivity, and his diagnosis was changed to Coombs-negative Evans syndrome. Treatment with PSL led to recovery of his hemoglobin level, but not his platelet count. Although the mechanism responsible for development of AIHA after splenectomy in this patient with ITP remains unknown, close observation is required for any association with other autoimmune diseases such as SLE.

[Double t (3; 21) in acute myelomonocytic leukemia transformed from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia].

A 63-year-old male was diagnosed as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with normal karyotype in September 1998. He developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML-M4Eo) in September 2001. The cytogenetic analysis disclosed double t(3;21) at a ratio of 1/20, and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed AML1/EVI-1 mRNA. He could not achieve complete remission after two courses of induction chemotherapy, and his leukemia cells carrying double t(3;21) were relatively increased. He died of interstitial pneumonia in December 2001. This is the first leukemia case with double t(3;21) and this chromosomal abnormality might play a role in leukemia cell proliferation by generating two AML1/EVI-1 genes.

[Small lymphocytic lymphoma during the course of pure red cell aplasia].

A 29-year-old woman was diagnosed as having pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in 1983. Her serum and IgG inhibited erythroid colony formation of bone marrow cells from a normal individual, suggesting antibody-mediated suppression of erythropoiesis. She was first successfully treated with corticosteroids, azathiopurine and cyclophosphamide. However, she relapsed in 1995 and her anemia became refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. In 1998, she developed systemic lymph node enlargement and was diagnosed as having B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma. Combination chemotherapy resulted in regression of the lesion, but failed to improve the anemia. In this patient's case, we can speculate that B cells producing autoantibodies against erythroid cells have undergone transformation, or alternatively that the immunosuppressive state caused by the PRCA therapy promoted generation of a neoplastic B cell clone.

[WT1 gene expression in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndrome successfully treated with the CAG regimen].

Ten patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndrome who had achieved complete remission following treatment with the CAG regimen were monitored for peripheral blood WT1 expression mRNA levels. Induction therapy with the CAG regimen did not seem to be enough to lower WT1 expression levels to the normal range. In comparison with patients who received intensive chemotherapy for post-remission therapy, those who received only CAG therapy showed higher levels of WT1 expression and more easily relapsed. These data suggest that CAG therapy alone might not be sufficient to maintain complete remission and WT1 monitoring could be useful in the choice of appropriate post-remission therapy after achieving remission with the CAG regimen.

Gene Expression Profiles of CD133-positive Fractions Predict the Survival of Individuals with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The current classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is based predominantly on the cytogenetic abnormalities and morphology of the malignant blasts and is not always helpful for optimization of the treatment strategy. Gene expression profiles of AML blasts were obtained and a gene expression-based means of predicting the outcome of AML patients was developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD133-positive hematopoietic stem cell-like fractions were purified from the bone marrow of 99 individuals with AML-related disorders and the expression profiles of ~33,000 human transcripts in these cells were characterized with the use of DNA microarray analysis. RESULTS: The comparison of the expression data between individuals with short- or long-term survival by application of Cox's proportional hazard model led to the identification of four genes, whose expression patterns discriminated between the two groups. The gene expression-based stratification (GES) system, based on a combination of the karyotype approach and the risk index calculated from the expression levels of the four outcome predictor genes, was developed to separate the patients into subgroups with distinct prognoses. CONCLUSION: DNA microarray analysis of purified fractions provides novel stratification schemes for AML based on the expression profiles of a handful of genes.