AML in Saudi Arabia: Analysis According to the European LeukaemiaNet 2017 Cytogenetic Classification

Epidemiology of de novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Kuwait per the 2016 WHO Classification

OBJECTIVE

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that arises from the clonal proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Although the number of AML cases has dramatically increased worldwide, information on its prevalence and incidence in Kuwait is lacking. This study reports the incidence of AML and patient demographics in the country from 2014 to 2020, based on the 2016 WHO classification of AML.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data on patients with AML, including acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), were collected from a clinical cohort with 281 cases analyzed in this study.

RESULTS

The overall median age of the population was 47 years with a 1.1:1 male-to-female ratio. Over the study period, the incidence of AML demonstrated a general increasing trend, with the highest and lowest overall incidence occurring in 2018 and 2015, respectively. The frequency of APL in our cohort was 8.9%. Regarding the 2017 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) risk stratification of patients with AML, 37%, 46%, and 17% of patients had a favorable, intermediate, and adverse risk, respectively. A total of 57% of cases achieved complete remission post-induction, and the median overall survival was 37 months.

CONCLUSION

Our study may help predict the future trends of AML in Kuwait to help improve clinical management and patient outcomes.

Prognosis and Outcome of Fit Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Kuwait

PURPOSE

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) data from the Middle East are limited to single-center studies. We report leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) of young (≤70 years) patients with AML treated in Kuwait.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study investigated prognostic markers among 172 young and fit patients with de novo nonacute promyelocytic leukemia AML treated with intensive induction protocols from a tertiary cancer center.

RESULTS

The median age was 44 years (interquartile range, 32-51) and 67% of cases were Arab. A greater proportion of males was found in the 2017 European Leukemia Net-defined unfavorable-risk group (20% vs 9%, respectively; P = .02). Most patients (94%) were treated by a standard 7 × 3 regimen; 72.5% of cases achieved complete remission. The 24-month LFS was 44% (95% confidence interval, 30-65), 36% (95% confidence interval, 26-50), and 23% (95% confidence interval, 10-53) for the favorable-, intermediate-, and adverse-risk groups, respectively (P = .018). The 24-month OS was 70% (95% confidence interval, 60-90), 65% (95% confidence interval, 53-79), and 49% (95% confidence interval, 31-78), respectively (P = .05). Multivariable factor analysis identified male gender (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; P = .029) and older age (HR, 1.02; P = .05) with poor LFS outcome, whereas favorable-risk classification predicated better outcome (HR, 0.49; P = .03). Favorable-risk classification was the only predictor of OS (HR, 0.39; P = .029).

CONCLUSION

Fit patients with AML in the favorable-risk group treated with intensive chemotherapy fare well, whereas patients in the adverse-risk group have poor survival.

Management Approach to Acute Myeloid Leukemia Leveraging the Available Resources in View of the Latest Evidence: Consensus of the Saudi Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most prevalent acute leukemia in adults and is responsible for the majority of cancer-related mortality. In Saudi Arabia, leukemia is ranked the fifth most prevalent type of malignancy in adults. Our aim is to review existing epidemiologic data in Saudi Arabia and develop consensus guidelines for management of AML.

Analysis of FLT3-Activating Mutations in Patients With Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Jordan: Association With FAB Subtypes and Identification of Subgroups With Poor Prognosis

BACKGROUND

FLT3 mutations are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in French-American-British M2 subtype AML and in cytogenetically normal (CN) AML; however, its incidence in Jordan is poorly studied. An FLT3 mutation implies poor prognosis in AML patients. We aimed to assess the incidence and prognostic value of FLT3 mutations in AML in Jordan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-two newly diagnosed unselected AML patients were included. Patient data were collected, including demographics as well as morphologic, cytogenetic, and molecular testing results. FLT3 mutations were detected by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR, next-generation sequencing, or both. Survival analysis and comparisons of incidence, remission rate, relapse, and survival outcomes between FLT3-mutated and wild-type groups were done and prognostic factors identified.

RESULTS

FLT3 mutation was detected in 40% of AML patients. The highest incidence was associated with M2 subtype AML (47%) and CN-AML (50%). There was a significant negative association between FLT3 mutations and overall survival (OS), as well as a trend toward improved relapse-free survival, with 3-year OS being 19.17% vs 34.16% (P < .0001) and 33.6% vs 71.0% (P = .085), respectively. Patients with FLT3 mutation had a significantly better complete remission rate after induction (67.9% vs 63.3%, P = .001). Also, OS improved in patients with complete remission (P = .0015) and who then continued to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation compared to FLT3 wild-type patients (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

FLT3 mutation is common in Jordanian AML patients, with the highest incidence occurring in patients with M2 or CN disease. It implies a poor prognosis, with poor OS and relapse-free survival, which may be abrogated by early allogeneic transplantation and/or peritransplantation provision of FLT3 inhibitors.

Impact of age and induction therapy on outcome of 180 adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia; retrospective analysis and literature review

The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains poor. Among 180 patients, the median age was 53 (14-88) years. The overall 2-year disease free survival (DFS) was 28.6% (+/- 3.4), 47.7% (+/- 6.6%) for ≤ 40, 23.6% (+/- 5.8%) for 41–60 and 11.7% (+/- 4.2%) for ≥61 (p< 0.0001). The overall 2-year survival (OS) was 45.3% (+/- 3.8%), 78.6% (+/- 5.5%) for ≤40, 43.5% (+/- 6.9%) for 41–60 and 15.8% (+/- 4.8%) for ≥61 (p< 0.0001). Induction outcome of ≥61 was best in high dose chemotherapy (HDC) group (p < 0.0001). Only those ≤40 had durable DFS and OS. HDC appears to improve the outcome of older AML patients.