Achievement of at least very good partial response is a simple and robust prognostic factor in patients with multiple myeloma treated with high-dose therapy: long-term analysis of the IFM 99-02 and 99-04 Trials

PURPOSE

The prognostic impact of complete response (CR) achievement in multiple myeloma (MM) has been shown mostly in the context of autologous stem-cell transplantation. Other levels of response have been defined because, even with high-dose therapy, CR is a relatively rare event. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic impact of very good partial response (VGPR) in patients treated with high-dose therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients were included in the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome 99-02 and 99-04 trials and treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) induction therapy followed by double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Best post-ASCT response assessment was available for 802 patients.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 67 months, median event-free survival (EFS) and 5-year EFS were 42 months and 34%, respectively, for 405 patients who achieved at least VGPR after ASCT versus 32 months and 26% in 288 patients who achieved only partial remission (P = .005). Five-year overall survival (OS) was significantly superior in patients achieving at least VGPR (74% v 61% P = .0017). In multivariate analysis, achievement of less than VGPR was an independent factor predicting shorter EFS and OS. Response to VAD had no impact on EFS and OS. The impact of VGPR achievement on EFS and OS was significant in patients with International Staging System stages 2 to 3 and for patients with poor-risk cytogenetics t(4;14) or del(17p).

CONCLUSION

In the context of ASCT, achievement of at least VGPR is a simple prognostic factor that has importance in intermediate and high-risk MM and can be informative in more patients than CR.

Prognostic significance of copy-number alterations in multiple myeloma

PURPOSE

Chromosomal aberrations are a hallmark of multiple myeloma but their global prognostic impact is largely unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a genome-wide analysis of malignant plasma cells from 192 newly diagnosed patients with myeloma using high-density, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to identify genetic lesions associated with prognosis.

RESULTS

Our analyses revealed deletions and amplifications in 98% of patients. Amplifications in 1q and deletions in 1p, 12p, 14q, 16q, and 22q were the most frequent lesions associated with adverse prognosis, whereas recurrent amplifications of chromosomes 5, 9, 11, 15, and 19 conferred a favorable prognosis. Multivariate analysis retained three independent lesions: amp(1q23.3), amp(5q31.3), and del(12p13.31). When adjusted to the established prognostic variables (ie, t(4;14), del(17p), and serum beta(2)-microglobulin [Sbeta(2)M]), del(12p13.31) remained the most powerful independent adverse marker (P < .0001; hazard ratio [HR], 3.17) followed by Sbeta(2)M (P < .0001; HR, 2.78) and the favorable marker amp(5q31.3) (P = .0005; HR, 0.37). Patients with amp(5q31.3) alone and low Sbeta(2)M had an excellent prognosis (5-year overall survival, 87%); conversely, patients with del(12p13.31) alone or amp(5q31.3) and del(12p13.31) and high Sbeta(2)M had a very poor outcome (5-year overall survival, 20%). This prognostic model was validated in an independent validation cohort of 273 patients with myeloma.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the power and accessibility of molecular karyotyping to predict outcome in myeloma. In addition, integration of expression of genes residing in the lesions of interest revealed putative features of the disease driving short survival.

Increased frequency of hematopoietic malignancies in relatives of patients with lymphoid neoplasms: a French case-control study

Lymphoid neoplasms (LNs), including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS) and multiple myeloma (MM), are among the most frequent cancers ( approximately 17,000 new cases per year in France), after those related to smoking. LNs were investigated using the data from the ENGELA study. ENGELA is a multicenter hospital-based case-control study that was carried out in France over the period September 2000-December 2004. In all, 822 cases (397 NHL, 149 LH, 168 SLP and 108 MM) and 752 controls were included and described 5,481 and 5,188 first-degree relatives, respectively. A positive association with a familial history of hematopoietic cancer was observed for LN (OR = 1.7 [1.0-2.8]) overall and for LPS (OR = 3.2 [1.4-6.8]). The associations with HL (OR = 10.4 [2.0-53.8]) and NHL (OR = 2.4 [1.0-5.9]) were stronger for men. The associations were also stronger when the disease had been diagnosed before the relatives were aged 45 years. The results mainly support the involvement of genetic factors and suggest that at least some of those factors may be sex-linked. However, the slight overrepresentation of affected spouses among the cases might also support the responsibility of environmental factors.

Occupational exposure to pesticides and lymphoid neoplasms among men: results of a French case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Investigating the relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and the risk of lymphoid neoplasms (LNs) in men.

METHODS

A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in six centres in France between 2000 and 2004. The cases were incident cases with a diagnosis of LN aged 18-75 years. During the same period, controls of the same age and sex as the cases were recruited in the same hospital, mainly in the orthopaedic and rheumatological departments. Exposures to pesticides were evaluated through specific interviews and case-by-case expert reviews. Four hundred and ninety-one cases (244 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 87 of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), 104 of lymphoproliferative syndromes (LPSs) and 56 of multiple myeloma (MM) cases) and 456 controls were included in the analyses. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were estimated using unconditional logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Positive associations between HL and occupational exposure to triazole fungicides and urea herbicides were observed (OR = 8.4 (2.2 to 32.4), 10.8 (2.4 to 48.1), respectively). Exposure to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were linked to a threefold increase in MM risk (OR = 2.8 (1.2 to 6.5), 3.2 (1.4 to 7.2), 2.9 (1.3 to 6.5)). For LPS subtypes, associations restricted to hairy-cell leukaemia (HCL) were evidenced for exposure to organochlorine insecticides, phenoxy herbicides and triazine herbicides (OR = 4.9 (1.1 to 21.2), 4.1 (1.1 to 15.5), 5.1 (1.4 to 19.3)), although based on small numbers. Lastly, despite the increased ORs for organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, carbamate fungicides and triazine herbicides, no significant associations were evidenced for NHL.

CONCLUSIONS

The results, based on case-by-case expert review of occupation-specific questionnaires, support the hypothesis that occupational pesticide exposures may be involved in HL, MM and HCL and do not rule out a role in NHL. The analyses identified specific pesticides that deserve further investigation and the findings were consistent with those of previous studies.

UV radiation exposure, skin type and lymphoid malignancies: results of a French case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Investigating the relationship between skin type, UV exposure, and lymphoid malignancies (LM).

METHODS

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in France, including 813 incident cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS) or multiple myeloma and 748 controls.

RESULTS

Positive associations between HL and blond/red hair (OR = 1.8 [0.8-3.8]), very fair/fair skin (OR = 1.6 [1.0-2.5]) were observed. High propensity to burn was associated with HL (OR = 1.5 [1.0-2.2]) and LPS (OR = 1.4 [1.0-2.1]). Poor ability to tan was significantly associated with HL (OR = 1.7 [1.0-2.8]). Having light hair with high propensity to burn was associated with NHL (OR = 1.5 [0.9-2.5]) and significantly with HL (OR = 3.4 [1.4-8.4]). Having dark hair with high propensity to burn was significantly associated with LPS (OR = 1.5 [1.0-2.2]). The associations with HL and NHL were significant for men only, with significant interactions. Outdoors activities since leaving school or in the last decade were not related to LM. Only an almost negative trend was observed. Prior exposure to artificial UV was not associated with LM.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a positive association between the most reactive and palest skin types and NHL or HL in men and do not rule out a slight negative relationship between UV exposure and LM.

Heterogeneity of t(4;14) in multiple myeloma. Long-term follow-up of 100 cases treated with tandem transplantation in IFM99 trials

One hundred de novo multiple myeloma patients with t(4;14) treated with double intensive therapy according to IFM99 protocols were retrospectively analyzed. The median overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 41.4 and 21 months, respectively, as compared to 65 and 37 for patients included in the IFM99 trials without t(4;14) (P<10(-7)). We identified a subgroup of patients presenting at diagnosis with both low beta(2)-microglobulin <4 mg/l and high hemoglobin (Hb) >/=10 g/l (46% of the cases) with a median OS of 54.6 months and a median EFS of 26 months, respectively, which benefits from high-dose therapy (HDT); conversely patients with one or both adverse prognostic factor (high beta(2)-microglobulin and/or low Hb) had a poor outcome. The achievement of either complete response or very good partial response after HDT was also a powerful independent prognostic factor for both OS and EFS.

Trough plasma imatinib concentrations are associated with responses to standard-dose imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia and could improve its clinical management

7027

Background: Variable responses to imatinib in the treatment of myelogenous leukemia (CML) are incompletely understood. Previous studies focused on cellular mechanisms of resistance to imatinib. Another hypothesis for variable response lies in pharmacokinetic variability that may reduce drug exposure in patients receiving imatinib. Methods: Using high- performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we assessed trough plasma imatinib concentrations at steady state (Cmin) in more than 150 CML patients. Major molecular response (MMR) was defined as a 3 logarithm reduction of BCR-ABL transcripts, quantified from peripheral blood using Q-RTPCR. In addition, suboptimal response criteria defined by the European Leukemianet were used to increase doses of imatinib. Results: i) we assessed Cmin in 85 CML patients and demonstated a correlation with imatinib doses (median values 813, 1,135, 1,709 ng/ml for respectively 300,400, 600 mg/day). ii) for 68 patients after at least one year's treatment mean Cmin were significantly higher in the group with MMR (34 patients) than in the group without (1,452.1±649.1 ng per milliliter vs. 869.3±427.5 ng per milliliter, P<0.001) whereas there was no difference in the imatinib daily dose. For Cmin and their discrimination potential for MMR, the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.775, with best sensitivity (76.5 percent) and specificity (70.6 percent) at a plasma threshold of 1,002 ng per milliliter. iii) dose escalation of imatinid, 400mg up to 600mg was proposed in 8 patients in suboptimal response (3 according to cytogenetic criteria and 5 according to molecular criteria). The median Cmin increase from 573 ng/ml [181–1,376] to 1,139 ng/ml [733–2,262] and 5 patients had a cytogenetic (n=3) or a molecular (n=2) response. Conclusions: Monitoring of imatinib plasma levels could be very useful for the management of CML patients, or should at least be checked in the case of treatment failure or suboptimal response or in patients nonadherent with imatinib or with a drug-drug interaction suspicion.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Allogeneic immunotherapy by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) following high-dose chemotherapy for patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1): Reduced toxicity

7098

Background: RIC-based ASCT can be used after intensive chemotherapy in pts with CR1AML(Blaise, Cancer, 2005). Initial disease control was high and was not related to selection bias (Mohty, Leukemia, 2005).Here, we investigated if this control was maintained after a long follow-up. Methods: 37 pts (age: 51 (26–60)) with high risk clinical characteristics (70%) (Age = 50 (N=22, 59%); severe comorbidity (30%)) and/or poor risk leukemic features (65%) (Cytogenetics (35%); 2 induction courses (27%); secondary leukemia (11%), High white blood cell counts(14%) or partial remission (3%)) were treated. After CR1, pts received at least either 1 course of high dose cytarabine (24 g/m2) and anthracycline (HIDAC: N=21) or HIDAC + 1 course of. melphalan (140 mg/m2) (HDMEL) with auto-SCT Pts (HIDAC +HDM N=16). All pts were then scheduled to receive ASCT prepared with RIC (fludarabine (180 mg/m2), busulfan (8 mg/kg), Thymoglobulin (2.5 to 10 mg/kg)) followed with BMT (28%) or PBSC (72%). Results: With a Median follow-up of 3 years (16–70 mths). 15 pts experienced aGVHD (grade 2–4 aGVHD cumulative incidence (CI):22% (9–35). 10 and 14 pts presented a limited and extensive cGVHD respectively (CI cGVHD:65 % (50–80). 3 deaths were attributed to non-relapse causes (NRD) (AGVHD: 1; CGVHD: 2° (NRD CI: 8% (0–17). In all, 9 pts relapsed at 5 mths (2–19) (24% (9–35). Relapse was associated with the absence of cGVHD (cGVHD: 8 (0–19), no cGVHD 44% (12–76), p=.05). 25 pts are still alive in CR1 for overall survival and leukemia-free survival (LFS) probability estimates at 4 years of 65 % (48–79%) and 66% (49–80%) respectively. When restricting the analysis to the 33 pts evaluable for cGVHD, cGVHD remained the only independent risk factor positively influencing LFS (cGVHD: 81% (59–92); no cGVHD (56% (27–81), p=.05) Conclusions: We conclude that RIC Allo-SCT preceded by adequate prior intensive chemotherapy might offers a relatively low NRD while exerting a sustained leukemia control even in high risk pts deserving prospective evaluation against standard strategy of conventional Allo SCT.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

EBV-positive lymphoproliferative disease with medullar, splenic and hepatic infiltration after imatinib mesylate therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia with two relapses and rituximab resistance

17536

Background: Imatinib mesylate has transformed the management of the patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Initially, few undesirable effects was described. In 2003, Bekkenk presented the first EBV-positive cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative disease during imatinib mesylate therapy with disappearance of the cutaneous tumor after interruption of the specific inhibitor of BCR-ABL. Methods: Results: We reported a case of first EBV-positive lymphoproliferative disease with diffuse infiltration. Our patient 59 years old female was treated with imatinib mesylate for CML in chronic phase. CML was diagnosed on 2003 and imatinib mesylate therapy (400 mg/day) was initiated. A CCR was achieved after six months and a major molecular response after eighteen months. EBV-positive lymphoproliferative disease was diagnosed on 2005 and interruption of imatinib mesylate have not demonstrated efficiency. A response was initially obtained after treatment with rituximab alone, but our patient relapsed after reintroduction of imatinib at the same dose. A retreatment with rituximab have permitted a second biological complete remission and disappearance of clinical abnormalities but during only few months. At the second relapse, the disease transformed into a CD20-negative diffuse large B cell lymphoma and became resistant to rituximab therapy. Nevertheless, the lymphoproliferative disease remained responsive to conventional chemotherapy with CHOP and Interferon-alpha. Conclusions: Imatinib mesylate has modified the evolution of CML with an improvement of overall survival. In vitro studies have shown that imatinib mesylate is able to inhibit the proliferation and the activation of T-cells, and to reduce significantly the antigen-triggered expansion of CD8+ T cells in response to immunodominant EBV peptides. We speculate that such an effect might have occurred in our patient. Despite a growing number of patient receiving this tyrosine kinase inhibitor, case reports of EBV-positive lymphoproliferation disease remain rare.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Multiple verruciform xanthomas of the oral mucosa associated with graft versus host disease]

BACKGROUND

Verruciform xanthoma is an uncommon lesion that occurs primarily on the mucous membranes and more rarely on the skin. A few authors have reported the extremely rare occurrence of multiple lesions. Triggering or enhancing factors have been occasionally described such as an underlying immunosuppression or associated inflammatory mucous or skin diseases. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case report of multiple verruciform xanthomas of the oral mucosa in a patient with graft-versus-host disease with specific oral lesions.

CASE REPORT

A 57 year-old man presented with an 8-year history of chronic myeloid leukemia. He was considered in complete remission for leukemia after allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Nevertheless, he was still treated with immunosuppressive drugs for oral and cutaneous lesions of chronic graft-versus-host disease. In this context, the patient presented two symmetric lesions of the gingiva. These lesions had progressed over several months. The clinical presentation was similar, with a yellowish and verrucous aspect and a sessile base. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis led to the diagnosis of multiple verruciform xanthomas.

DISCUSSION

The occurrence of multiple lesions of this rare tumour in our patient was probably not fortuitous. Immunosuppression associated with oral chronic inflammatory lesions are certainly involved in the pathogenesis of these two verruciform xanthomas, for example following degeneration of epithelial cells after local chronic irritation and/or reduction of Langerhans cells. Systematic research of enhancing or triggering factors seems essential in verruciform xanthoma.

Phase II study of gemcitabine–dexamethasone with or without cisplatin in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma

Single-agent gemcitabine has shown encouraging results in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This phase II study further explored the potential of a gemcitabine-based regimen in patients with relapsed or refractory MCL. Patients <70 years old received the PDG regimen: gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2), days 1 and 8), dexamethasone (40 mg/m(2), days 1-4), and cisplatin (100 mg/m(2), day 1). Patients >/=70 years of age received dexamethasone and gemcitabine only (DG regimen). Thirty patients (12 in the DG group, 18 in the PDG group) with a median age 66.5 years (range, 47-81) received a median of six cycles in both groups. The overall response rate was 36.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 15.2% to 64.6%] with the DG regimen and 44.4% (95% CI 24.6% to 66.3%) with the PDG regimen. The median progression-free survival was 3 months (95% CI 0.0-7.9) in the DG group and 8.5 months (95% CI 4.8-12.2) in the PDG group. With a median follow-up of 38.8 months, 13 patients (including 11 given PDG) are still alive. DG was well tolerated, and thrombocytopenia was the most prevalent toxicity in patients receiving PDG. Both regimens deserve to be further investigated as a backbone for combination chemotherapy in patients with MCL.

Trough imatinib plasma levels are associated with both cytogenetic and molecular responses to standard-dose imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia

Using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we assessed trough imatinib plasma levels in 68 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who responded or not to standard-dose imatinib, after at least 12 months' treatment. Mean trough imatinib plasma levels were significantly higher in the group with complete cytogenetic response (56 patients) than in the group without (12 patients; P = .03) and higher in the group with major molecular response (MMR) than in the group without (34 patients [1452 +/- 649 ng/mL] versus 34 patients [869 +/- 427 ng/mL]; P < .001). Regarding trough imatinib plasma levels and their discrimination potential for MMR, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.775, with best sensitivity (77%) and specificity (71%) at a plasma threshold of 1002 ng/mL. Therefore, monitoring of imatinib plasma levels could be very useful for the management of patients with CML or should at least be checked in the case of treatment failure or suboptimal response.

Imatinib mesylate discontinuation in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in complete molecular remission for more than 2 years

In the present study, we address the issue of the discontinuation of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) in chronic myelogenous leukemia with undetectable residual disease for more than 2 years. Twelve patients were included. The median duration of real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR) negativity and imatinib therapy were, respectively, 32 months (range, 24-46 months) and 45 months (range, 32-56 months) before imatinib interruption. Six patients displayed a molecular relapse with a detectable BCR-ABL transcript at 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months. Imatinib was then reintroduced and led to a novel molecular response in most patients. Six other patients (50%) still have an undetectable level of BCR-ABL transcript after a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 9-24 months). We hypothesize that relapses observed within 6 months reflect the kinetics of undetectable dividing chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. Those cells may be eradicated or controlled in long-term nonrelapsing patients, as described in our study.

Maintenance therapy with thalidomide improves survival in patients with multiple myeloma

Newer chemotherapeutic protocols as well as high-dose chemotherapy have increased the response rate in myeloma. However, these treatments are not curative. Effective maintenance strategies are now required to prolong the duration of response. We conducted a randomized trial of maintenance treatment with thalidomide and pamidronate. Two months after high-dose therapy, 597 patients younger than age 65 years were randomly assigned to receive no maintenance (arm A), pamidronate (arm B), or pamidronate plus thalidomide (arm C). A complete or very good partial response was achieved by 55% of patients in arm A, 57% in arm B, and 67% in arm C (P = .03). The 3-year postrandomization probability of event-free survival was 36% in arm A, 37% in arm B, and 52% in arm C (P < .009). The 4-year postdiagnosis probability of survival was 77% in arm A, 74% in arm B, and 87% in arm C (P < .04). The proportion of patients who had skeletal events was 24% in arm A, 21% in arm B, and 18% in arm C (P = .4). Thalidomide is an effective maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. Maintenance treatment with pamidronate does not decrease the incidence of bone events.

A multicenter prospective randomized study testing non-inferiority of thalidomide 100 mg/day as compared with 400 mg/day in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma: Results of the final analysis of the IFM 01–02 study

7520

Background: Thalidomide (THAL) is effective in pts with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). A study by Yakoub-Agha et al of 83 patients (Hematol J, 2002) supported this effectiveness but showed a high incidence of THAL toxicity ≥ grade II, related to either THAL cumulative dose or dose-intensity. Themean daily dose of THAL in the first 90-day treatment period, however, did not influence response, overall survival (OS), or event-free survival. Given the dose-related toxicities and an unknown minimally effective THAL dose, the IFM conducted a prospective randomized study to compare the efficacy of THAL 100 mg/d with 400 mg/d in pts with RRMM after ≥2 lines of prior therapy. Methods: The study design was approved by the ethics committee at Lille University Hospital, and all pts gave written informed consent. Given the improved response seen with THAL plus dexamethasone (DEX), this combination was specified per protocol in both study arms for treatment failure (TF) defined as progression at any time or stable disease after 3 months of THAL treatment. THAL dose reduction for toxicity was permitted, but no increase over the initial dose was allowed. All pts received pamidronate routinely. The primary end point was 1-year OS. Secondary endpoints were response rate, EFS, and safety. Results: All results are based on intent-to-treat analyses. In all, 400 pts were enrolled (400 mg, n = 195; 100 mg, n = 205). The 2 groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics, disease features including Ch13 deletion and prior therapy. Pts in the THAL 100 mg arm received DEX more frequently for TF than those in the 400 mg group, but this difference did not influence 1-year OS: 73 ± 3% vs 69 ± 3% in the 400 mg and 100 mg groups, respectively. The hypothesis of inferiority of 100 mg was rejected. Also, THAL 100 mg was better tolerated than 400 mg with less high-grade somnolence, constipation, and peripheral neuropathy (p < .001, p = .01 et p = .05, respectively). There was no difference regarding deep vein thrombosis. Conclusion: THAL 100 mg/d is comparable in terms of survival with 400 mg/d (with DEX as salvage therapy in case of TF in both arms) in pts with RRMM and better tolerated.

[Table: see text]

Prospective comparison of autologous stem cell transplantation followed by dose-reduced allograft (IFM99-03 trial) with tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (IFM99-04 trial) in high-risk de novo multiple myeloma

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome (IFM) initiated 2 trials in 1999 to study patients with high-risk (β2-microglobulin level greater than 3 mg/L and chromosome 13 deletion at diagnosis) de novo multiple myeloma. In both protocols, the induction regimen consisted of vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) followed by first autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) prepared by melphalan 200 mg/m2. Patients with an HLA-identical sibling donor were subsequently treated with dose-reduced allogeneic stem cell transplantation (IFM99-03 trial), and patients without an HLA-identical sibling donor were randomly assigned to undergo second ASCT prepared by melphalan 220 mg/m2 and 160 mg dexamethasone with or without anti–IL-6 monoclonal antibody (IFM99-04 protocol). Two hundred eighty-four patients—65 in the IFM99-03 trial and 219 in the IFM99-04 trial—were prospectively treated and received at least one course of VAD. On an intent-to-treat basis, overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) did not differ significantly in the studies (medians 35 and 25 months in the IFM99-03 trial vs 41 and 30 months in the IFM99-04 trial, respectively). With a median follow-up time of 24 months, the EFS of the 166 patients randomly assigned in the tandem ASCT protocol was similar to the EFS of the 46 patients who underwent the entire IFM99-03 program (median, 35 vs 31.7 months), with a trend for a better OS in patients treated with tandem ASCT (median, 47.2 vs 35 months; P = .07). In patients with high-risk de novo MM, the combination of ASCT followed by dose-reduced allogeneic transplantation was not superior to tandem dose–intensified, melphalan-based ASCT.

Blastoid and common variants of mantle cell lymphoma exhibit distinct immunophenotypic and interphase FISH features

AIMS

The recognition of blastoid variant (BV) of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is based on morphological criteria. Our aim was to analyse 18 MCL cases including four BV-MCL for their clinicopathological features, proliferation index, cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression and interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) pattern.

METHODS AND RESULTS

BV-MCL versus common MCL was characterized by a shorter overall duration of response after first-line therapy (11 months versus 28 months) and shorter overall survival (20 months versus 42 months). Interphase FISH showed a t(11;14) fusion pattern in all MCL tested cases. However, the four blastoid cases were characterized by extra copies of CCND1 signals. Using additional probes of chromosomes 11, 18, 21, these signals were shown to be the result of hypotetraploidy and not of a specific amplification of the normal or the translocated CCND1 allele. Moreover, the BV-MCL cases were characterized by a combined high percentage of cells expressing cyclin D1 and/or CDK4 with a proliferation (MIB-1-Ki67) index above 50%. Such features allowed the recognition of areas of large cell transformation in the case of secondary BV-MCL.

CONCLUSIONS

Since distinction between BV and common MCL is of clinical relevance, our data underline the need to add phenotypic and cytogenetic criteria to cytomorphology for a better recognition of BV-MCL.

Molecular remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients with sustained complete cytogenetic remission after imatinib mesylate treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Imatinib mesylate induces a complete cytogenetic response (CCR) in many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the ultimate goal of therapy for CML is complete elimination of Philadelphia chromosome positive cells or BCR-ABL rearrangements. We studied molecular responses in CML patients in CCR after imatinib treatment.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to monitor BCR-ABL levels in 59 CCR patients. Negative results were confirmed by two different techniques performed in two different laboratories. Patients were considered in complete molecular remission if they had four undetectable analyses from two separate samples taken three months apart.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 41 months (17-53). The median BCR-ABL/ABL ratio at the time of CCR was 0.3 % (0-9.88). Patients were split into two groups: group A (n=43) comprised patients with a detectable BCR-ABL/ABL ratio throughout the follow-up and group B (n=16) included those with an undetectable level of BCR-ABL/ABL (< 10(-5)) i.e. in complete molecular remission. No relapses were observed in group B, while 13 group A patients lost their CCR. The probability of losing CCR in this group was 33.2 % >+/-18.0. By Cox regression analysis the best factor for predicting the probability of achieving molecular remission was having a CCR at 6 months (p=0.038) or at 3 months (p=0.024).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

Molecular remission after imatinib treatment, i.e. BCR-ABL/ABL< 10-5 in peripheral blood, is not a rare event, particularly in patients achieving CCR at 6 months.