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Czyz A, Nagler A. The Role of Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematological Malignancies Focusing on Acute Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215362. [PMID: 31661875 PMCID: PMC6862140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of measurable residual disease (MRD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is well recognized in different hematological malignancies, but the evidence indicate that pre-transplant MRD status is of particular importance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In ALL, inadequate response at the level of MRD is a commonly accepted risk factor for relapse and thus an indication for allogeneic HSCT. Similarly, growing evidence from the literature strongly suggest that MRD detected by multiparameter flow cytometry or molecular techniques should be also used for risk stratification in AML at the time of HSCT. Despite the well-defined association of MRD and outcomes of HSCT in acute leukemias, there are still many open issues such as the role of additional pre-transplant consolidation for MRD eradication, the ability of HSCT to overcome negative influence of MRD positivity on survival, the impact of conditioning regimen intensity on MRD clearance post HSCT, and transplantation outcomes or the selection of optimal donor with regards to MRD status. In addition, the role of MRD assessment in guiding post-transplant maintenance treatment should also be addressed in prospective trials. These open issues mostly awaiting further clinical studies will be discussed in our current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Czyz
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Ludwik Pasteur 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Arnon Nagler
- Hematology Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Derech Sheba 2, 52-621 Ramat Gan, Israel.
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Damm-Welk C, Kutscher N, Zimmermann M, Attarbaschi A, Schieferstein J, Knörr F, Oschlies I, Klapper W, Woessmann W. Quantification of minimal disseminated disease by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and digital polymerase chain reaction for NPM-ALK as a prognostic factor in children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Haematologica 2019; 105:2141-2149. [PMID: 31649129 PMCID: PMC7395281 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.232314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Detection of minimal disseminated disease is a validated prognostic factor in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. We previously reported that quantification of minimal disease by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) in bone marrow applying a cut-off of 10 copies NPM-ALK/104 copies of ABL1 identifies very high-risk patients. In the present study, we aimed to confirm the prognostic value of quantitative minimal disseminated disease evaluation and to validate digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) as an alternative method. Among 91 patients whose bone marrow was analyzed by RQ-PCR, more than 10 normalized copy-numbers correlated with stage III/IV disease, mediastinal and visceral organ involvement and low anti-ALK antibody titers. The cumulative incidence of relapses of 18 patients with more than 10 normalized copy-numbers of NPM-ALK was 61±12% compared to 21±5% for the remaining 73 patients (P=0.0002). Results in blood correlated with those in bone marrow (r=0.74) in 70 patients for whom both materials could be tested. Transcripts were quantified by RQ-PCR and dPCR in 75 bone marrow and 57 blood samples. Copy number estimates using dPCR and RQ-PCR correlated in 132 samples (r=0.85). Applying a cut-off of 30 copies NPM-ALK/104 copies ABL1 for quantification by dPCR, almost identical groups of patients were separated as those separated by RQ-PCR. In summary, the prognostic impact of quantification of minimal disseminated disease in bone marrow could be confirmed for patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Blood can substitute for bone marrow. Quantification of minimal disease by dPCR provides a promising tool to facilitate harmonization of minimal disease measurement between laboratories and for clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Damm-Welk
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nina Kutscher
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Zimmermann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andishe Attarbaschi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jutta Schieferstein
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Fabian Knörr
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ilske Oschlies
- Institute of Pathology, Hematopathology Section and Lymph Node Registry, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfram Klapper
- Institute of Pathology, Hematopathology Section and Lymph Node Registry, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Woessmann
- NHL-BFM Study Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Giessen, Germany .,Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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The prognostic significance of Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) expression at diagnosis in adults with Ph-negative B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ann Hematol 2019; 98:2551-2559. [DOI: 10.1007/s00277-019-03789-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Della Starza I, Chiaretti S, De Propris MS, Elia L, Cavalli M, De Novi LA, Soscia R, Messina M, Vitale A, Guarini A, Foà R. Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Technical and Clinical Advances. Front Oncol 2019; 9:726. [PMID: 31448230 PMCID: PMC6692455 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the first neoplasm where the assessment of early response to therapy by minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring has proven to be a fundamental tool to guide therapeutic choices. The most standardized methods to study MRD in ALL are multi-parametric flow cytometry (MFC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification-based methods. Emerging technologies hold the promise to improve MRD detection in ALL patients. Moreover, novel therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CART) represent exciting advancements in the management of B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL. Aims: Through a review of the literature and in house data, we analyze the current status of MRD assessment in ALL to better understand how some of its limitations could be overcome by emerging molecular technologies. Furthermore, we highlight the future role of MRD monitoring in the context of personalized protocols, taking into account the genetic complexity in ALL. Results and Conclusions: Molecular rearrangements (gene fusions and immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor-IG/TR gene rearrangements) are widely used as targets to detect residual leukemic cells in ALL patients. The advent of novel techniques, namely next generation flow cytometry (NGF), digital-droplet-PCR (ddPCR), and next generation sequencing (NGS) appear important tools to evaluate MRD in ALL, since they have the potential to overcome the limitations of standard approaches. It is likely that in the forthcoming future these techniques will be incorporated in clinical trials, at least at decisional time points. Finally, the advent of new powerful compounds is further increasing MRD negativity rates, with benefits in long-term survival and a potential reduction of therapy-related toxicities. However, the prognostic relevance in the setting of novel immunotherapies still needs to be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Della Starza
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,GIMEMA Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Chiaretti
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria S De Propris
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Elia
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Cavalli
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia A De Novi
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Soscia
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Messina
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Vitale
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Guarini
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Robin Foà
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Soverini S, Bassan R, Lion T. Treatment and monitoring of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia patients: recent advances and remaining challenges. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:39. [PMID: 31014376 PMCID: PMC6480772 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0729-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, resulting from the t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, can be found in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) as well as in a subset of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL). The deregulated BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase encoded by the fusion gene resulting from the translocation is considered the pathogenetic driver and can be therapeutically targeted. In both CML and Ph-positive (Ph+) ALL, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved outcomes. In the TKI era, testing for BCR-ABL1 transcript levels by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) has become the gold standard to monitor patient response, anticipate relapse, and guide therapeutic decisions. In CML, key molecular response milestones have been defined that draw the ideal trajectory towards optimal long-term outcomes. Treatment discontinuation (treatment-free remission, TFR) has proven feasible in a proportion of patients, and clinical efforts are now focused on how to increase this proportion and how to best select TFR candidates. In Ph+ ALL, results of trials with second- and third-generation TKIs are challenging the role of intensive chemotherapy and even that of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Additional weapons are offered by the recently introduced monoclonal antibodies. In patients harboring mutations in the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain, prompt therapeutic reassessment and individualization based on mutation status are important to regain response and prevent disease progression. Next-generation sequencing is likely to become a precious tool for mutation testing because of the greater sensitivity and the possibility to discriminate between compound and polyclonal mutations. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in treatment and monitoring of CML and Ph+ ALL and the issues that still need to be addressed to make the best use of the therapeutic armamentarium and molecular testing technologies currently at our disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Soverini
- Hematology/Oncology ‘L. e A. Seràgnoli’, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Renato Bassan
- Division of Hematology, Ospedale dell’Angelo, Mestre, Venice, Italy
| | - Thomas Lion
- Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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