[Hematological side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibition using imatinib]

Dasatinib and Azacitidine Followed by Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with Evolving Myelodysplasia: A Case Report and Review of Treatment Options

BACKGROUND CML presenting with a variant Philadelphia translocation, atypical BCR-ABL transcript, additional chromosomal aberrations, and evolving MDS is uncommon and therapeutically challenging. The prognostic significance of these genetic findings is uncertain, even as singular aberrations, with nearly no data on management and outcome when they coexist. MDS evolving during the course of CML may be either treatment-associated or an independently coexisting disease, and is generally considered to have an inferior prognosis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) directed against BCR-ABL are the mainstay of treatment for CML, whereas treatment modalities that may be utilized for MDS and CML include allogeneic stem cell transplant and - at least conceptually - hypomethylating agents. CASE REPORT Here, we describe the clinical course of such a patient, demonstrating that long-term combined treatment with dasatinib and azacitidine for coexisting CML and MDS is feasible and well tolerated, and may be capable of slowing disease progression. This combination therapy had no deleterious effect on subsequent potentially curative haploidentical bone marrow transplantation. CONCLUSIONS The different prognostic implications of this unusual case and new therapeutic options in CML are discussed, together with a review of the current literature on CML presenting with different types of genomic aberrations and the coincident development of MDS. Additionally, this case gives an example of long-term combined treatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and hypomethylating agents, which could be pioneering in CML treatment.

[Chronic myeloid neoplasms. Diagnostic criteria and current therapeutic concepts]

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and related chronic disorders constitute a subgroup of myeloid malignancies which are defined according to clinical, morphological and molecular features by the actual World Health Organization classification of tumors of the haematopietic system. Screening procedures for a BCR-ABL fusion gene, JAK2, thrombopoietin receptor and KIT mutations are formally included in the diagnostic approach. Myelodysplastic/MPN overlap syndromes include rare entities such as refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts characterized by a high proportion of JAK2V617F mutated cases. The paradigm of targeted treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib has now been extended to eosinophilia-associated myeloid neoplasms with PDGFRA, PDGFRB or FGFR1 gene mutations. Pegylated interferon-alpha has convincingly been proved to reduce the JAK2 allele burden. JAK2 inhibitor drugs are currently being tested in clinical trials. The development of pathogenesis-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the various MPNs will continue in the future.

Secondary myelodysplastic syndrome in a patient with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after achieving a major molecular response with hyperCVAD plus imatinib mesylate

The addition of imatinib to high-intensity chemotherapy has improved the outcome of patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the possible long-term side effects of this combination are not yet known. Development of new clonal abnormalities in complete cytogenetic remission after treatment with imatinib has been reported in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia but not in patients with Ph-positive ALL. Here, we present a patient with Ph-positive ALL who received hyperCVAD plus imatinib and achieved hematologic, cytogenetic, and major molecular responses. The patient then developed myelodysplastic syndrome and solitary central nervous system relapse of ALL.

Bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) combination with concurrent imatinib mesylate (GLEEVEC) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient with mesenchymal tumor

Imatinib is now indicated as the first line therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Treatment of CML with imatinib is generally well tolerated and the risk of severe adverse affects is low. Many new drugs including targeted therapy are combined with antineoplastic agents safely. We here report a patient with CML who developed concurrent mesenchymal tumor while undergoing therapy with imatinib and treated with combination chemotherapy including bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin, as well as imatinib without severe toxicity.