1
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Wojciechowski M, Czapinska H, Krwawicz J, Rafalski D, Bochtler M. Cytosine analogues as DNA methyltransferase substrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:9267-9281. [PMID: 38966999 PMCID: PMC11347137 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases are drug targets for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and possibly β-hemoglobinopathies. We characterize the interaction of nucleoside analogues in DNA with a prokaryotic CpG-specific DNA methyltransferase (M.MpeI) as a model for mammalian DNMT1 methyltransferases. We tested DNA containing 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-hydroxycytosine (5OHC), 5-methyl-2-pyrimidinone (in the ribosylated form known as 5-methylzebularine, 5mZ), 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytosine (dhaC), 5-fluorocytosine (5FC), 5-chlorocytosine (5ClC), 5-bromocytosine (5BrC) and 5-iodocytosine (5IC). Covalent complex formation was by far most efficient for 5FC. Non-covalent complexes were most abundant for dhaC and 5mZ. Surprisingly, we observed methylation of 5IC and 5BrC, and to a lesser extent 5ClC and 5FC, in the presence, but not the absence of small molecule thiol nucleophiles. For 5IC and 5BrC, we demonstrated by mass spectrometry that the reactions were due to methyltransferase driven dehalogenation, followed by methylation. Crystal structures of M.MpeI-DNA complexes capture the 'in' conformation of the active site loop for analogues with small or rotatable (5mZ) 5-substituents and its 'out' form for bulky 5-substituents. Since very similar 'in' and 'out' loop conformations were also observed for DNMT1, it is likely that our conclusions generalize to other DNA methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Wojciechowski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - National Research Institute, 05-870 Radzikow, Poland
| | - Honorata Czapinska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Krwawicz
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dominik Rafalski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Matthias Bochtler
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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2
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Onida F, Gagelmann N, Chalandon Y, Kobbe G, Robin M, Symeonidis A, de Witte T, Itzykson R, Jentzsch M, Platzbecker U, Santini V, Sanz G, Scheid C, Solary E, Valent P, Greco R, Sanchez-Ortega I, Yakoub-Agha I, Pleyer L. Management of adult patients with CMML undergoing allo-HCT: recommendations from the EBMT PH&G Committee. Blood 2024; 143:2227-2244. [PMID: 38493484 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023023476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a heterogeneous disease presenting with either myeloproliferative or myelodysplastic features. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains the only potentially curative option, but the inherent toxicity of this procedure makes the decision to proceed to allo-HCT challenging, particularly because patients with CMML are mostly older and comorbid. Therefore, the decision between a nonintensive treatment approach and allo-HCT represents a delicate balance, especially because prospective randomized studies are lacking and retrospective data in the literature are conflicting. International consensus on the selection of patients and the ideal timing of allo-HCT, specifically in CMML, could not be reached in international recommendations published 6 years ago. Since then, new, CMML-specific data have been published. The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Practice Harmonization and Guidelines (PH&G) Committee assembled a panel of experts in the field to provide the first best practice recommendations on the role of allo-HCT specifically in CMML. Recommendations were based on the results of an international survey, a comprehensive review of the literature, and expert opinions on the subject, after structured discussion and circulation of recommendations. Algorithms for patient selection, timing of allo-HCT during the course of the disease, pretransplant strategies, allo-HCT modality, as well as posttransplant management for patients with CMML were outlined. The keynote message is, that once a patient has been identified as a transplant candidate, upfront transplantation without prior disease-modifying treatment is preferred to maximize chances of reaching allo-HCT whenever possible, irrespective of bone marrow blast counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Onida
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yves Chalandon
- Division of Hematology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Guido Kobbe
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marie Robin
- Service d'Hématologie Greffe, Hôpital Saint-Louis, L'Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Argiris Symeonidis
- Department of Hematology, Olympion General Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Patras, Greece
| | - Theo de Witte
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raphael Itzykson
- Université Paris Cité, Génomes, Biologie Cellulaire et Thérapeutique U944, INSERM, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
- Département Hématologie et Immunologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, L'Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Madlen Jentzsch
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valeria Santini
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Unit, Hematology, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guillermo Sanz
- University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe and Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christof Scheid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eric Solary
- Department of Hematology, INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche 1287, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris Saclay, Faculty of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Peter Valent
- Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raffaela Greco
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee, Barcelona, Spain
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabel Sanchez-Ortega
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, University of Lille, INSERM U1286, Infinite, Lille, France
| | - Lisa Pleyer
- Austrian Group of Medical Tumor Therapy Study Group, Vienna, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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3
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Lohneis P, Bernd HW, Czyborra P. [Unusual progression of polycythemia vera]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024:10.1007/s00108-024-01714-2. [PMID: 38777881 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-024-01714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The case of a male patient with newly diagnosed polycythemia vera showing rare and unusually rapid progression with phenotypic change towards chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is presented. The case report illustrates remarkably rapid disease progression including a structural change in usually indolent polycythemia vera and highlights the prognostic relevance of enhanced molecular genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Lohneis
- Konsultations- und Referenzzentrum für Hämatopathologie, Hämatopathologie Lübeck, Maria-Goeppert-Str. 9a, 23562, Lübeck, Deutschland.
| | - Heinz-Wolfram Bernd
- Konsultations- und Referenzzentrum für Hämatopathologie, Hämatopathologie Lübeck, Maria-Goeppert-Str. 9a, 23562, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - Peter Czyborra
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Hämatologie und Onkologie gGmbH Essen, Essen, Deutschland
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4
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Lee SW, Kim MS, Kim YJ, Jung HY, Choi JY, Cho JH, Park SH, Kim CD, Kim YL, Lim JH. Severe Acute Kidney Injury Associated with Transformation of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia into Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report. J Clin Med 2024; 13:494. [PMID: 38256628 PMCID: PMC10816856 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare hematologic disorder that infrequently causes acute kidney injury (AKI). CMML can transform into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which can be accompanied by a deterioration in kidney function. However, severe AKI due to extramedullary manifestations of AML is rare. Herein, we present the case of a 67-year-old male patient with CMML that transformed into AML with severe AKI necessitating hemodialysis. The cause of the AKI was the AML transformation. The patient, with stable kidney function after chemotherapy for CMML, presented with a sudden decline in kidney function. Hemodialysis was initiated because of severe AKI, and histopathologic evaluation of the kidney biopsy specimen revealed severe, diffuse mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates in the interstitium and c-kit-immunopositive myeloblast-like cells. A bone marrow biopsy was performed because of the kidney biopsy findings suggesting that leukemic infiltration led to the diagnosis of AML. The patient received chemotherapy for AML, and his kidney function recovered. As illustrated in this case, severe AKI can develop as an early extramedullary manifestation during transformation from CMML to AML. Therefore, in patients with CMML and rapidly declining renal function, transformation into AML should be considered and histopathologically confirmed by kidney biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Wook Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Mee-Seon Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yong-Jin Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hee-Yeon Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Ji-Young Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Jang-Hee Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Sun-Hee Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Chan-Duck Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Yong-Lim Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
| | - Jeong-Hoon Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (S.-W.L.); (H.-Y.J.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.-H.C.); (S.-H.P.); (C.-D.K.); (Y.-L.K.)
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5
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Lesegretain A, Brunner A, Benzohra A, Fathi AT. Temporal trend in survival for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in the US: a population-based study. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:2156-2164. [PMID: 37715313 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2252123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are insufficiently characterized at the population level. We analyzed epidemiological trends for patients between 2001 and 2017, focusing on age, sex, race, and long-term survivors. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, we studied 3929 patients, in four time-period (tp) cohorts, based on year of diagnosis [2001-2004 (tp1); 2005-2009 (tp2); 2010-2013 (tp3); 2014-2017 (tp4)]. Stable incidence overall, male predominance, and higher incidence for White versus Black and 'Other' races were noted. Three-year relative survival (RS) increased from 27.9% to 36.9% between tp1 and tp4. The most pronounced increase occurred between tp1 and tp2. All subgroups generally experienced RS improvements over time, except notably Black patients. Improvements for patients aged 85+ (3-year RS 8.4-23.6% between tp1 and tp4) and increases in long-term survivors (5-year OS from 13.2-22.3%) were observed. Additional study is warranted to explore these associations, particularly for Black patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Lesegretain
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Daiichi Sankyo, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA
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6
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Gerke MB, Christodoulou I, Karantanos T. Definitions, Biology, and Current Therapeutic Landscape of Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3815. [PMID: 37568631 PMCID: PMC10417399 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are hematological disorders characterized by both proliferative and dysplastic features. According to the 2022 International Consensus Classification (ICC), MDS/MPN consists of clonal monocytosis of undetermined significance (CMUS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), MDS/MPN with SF3B1 mutation (MDS/MPN-T-SF3B1), MDS/MPN with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis not otherwise specified (MDS/MPN-RS-T-NOS), and MDS/MPN-NOS. These disorders exhibit a diverse range of genetic alterations involving various transcription factors (e.g., RUNX1), signaling molecules (e.g., NRAS, JAK2), splicing factors (e.g., SF3B, SRSF2), and epigenetic regulators (e.g., TET2, ASXL1, DNMT3A), as well as specific cytogenetic abnormalities (e.g., 8 trisomies, 7 deletions/monosomies). Clinical studies exploring therapeutic options for higher-risk MDS/MPN overlap syndromes mostly involve hypomethylating agents, but other treatments such as lenalidomide and targeted agents such as JAK inhibitors and inhibitors targeting PARP, histone deacetylases, and the Ras pathway are under investigation. While these treatment modalities can provide partial disease control, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) is the only potentially curative option for patients. Important prognostic factors correlating with outcomes after allo-BMT include comorbidities, splenomegaly, karyotype alterations, and the bone marrow blasts percentage at the time of transplantation. Future research is imperative to optimizing therapeutic strategies and enhancing patient outcomes in MDS/MPN neoplasms. In this review, we summarize MDS/MPN diagnostic criteria, biology, and current and future treatment options, including bone marrow transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo B. Gerke
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Ilias Christodoulou
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
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7
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Reiser J, Geissler K. Treatment options and survival in real life during the past three decades in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Wien Med Wochenschr 2023; 173:34-40. [PMID: 36282401 PMCID: PMC9877071 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-022-00976-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The impact of treatment on the outcome of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patients over a longer period of time and the potential role of predictive factors are not well defined. In a retrospective observational study, we analyzed 168 CMML patients regarding treatment options and survival during the past three decades. The proportion of patients treated with hydroxyurea (HU), intensive chemotherapy, and azacitidine (AZA) was 65/19/0% before 2000, 51/25/32% from 2000-2010, and 36/12/53% after 2010, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) increased from 10 months before 2000 to 23 months thereafter (p = 0.021). AZA-treated patients but not patients treated with other treatment options had improved survival as compared to CMML patients without AZA therapy (19 vs. 25 months, p = 0.041). When looking at subgroups, the following patient cohorts had a significant survival benefit in association with AZA therapy: patients with Hb > 10 g/dL, patients with monocytosis > 10 G/L, and patients with mutations in RASopathy genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reiser
- Medical School, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Geissler
- Medical School, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Internal Medicine V with Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Hospital Hietzing, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, 1130, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Zheng X, Lv L, Li X, Jiang E. Efficacy and Safety of Hypomethylating Agents in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: A Single-Arm Meta-analysis. Glob Med Genet 2022; 9:141-151. [PMID: 35707788 PMCID: PMC9192189 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1744157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloid neoplasm with features of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and myeloproliferative neoplasm presenting with peripheral blood monocytosis and an inherent risk for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia, while the abnormal DNA methylation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of MDS, which is a disease of disordered differentiation. Recently, with the rapid development of molecular biology, hypomethylating agents (HMAs) for the treatment of MDS has gradually become a research focus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits and risks of HMAs for patients with CMML.
Materials and Methods
PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and three Chinese databases were searched for studies published before November 2020 that used HMAs in CMML.
Results
The pooled objective response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), and partial response (PR) were 50.0, 21.0, and 2.0%, respectively. The proportion of patients with minor response (MR) was significantly higher for decitabine (DAC) than for azacitidine (AZA). There was no significant difference in hematologic improvement, ORR, CR, and PR rates between the DAC and AZA groups. Hematological toxicity included neutropenia grade 3/4 (14.0%), anemia grade 3/4 (17.0%), and thrombocytopenia grade 3/4 (22.0%).
Conclusion
This study showed that HMAs were effective and safe in the treatment of CMML, but large multicenter study would be needed to confirm the efficacy of HMAs for the treatment of CMML with different risk level and genetic abnormality, to support individualization treatment theoretically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Liwei Lv
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjun Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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9
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Patnaik MM, Tefferi A. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: 2022 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:352-372. [PMID: 34985762 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
DISEASE OVERVIEW Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms, with an inherent risk for leukemic transformation (~15% over 3-5 years). DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis is based on the presence of sustained (>3 months) peripheral blood monocytosis (≥1 × 109 /L; monocytes ≥10%), usually with accompanying bone marrow dysplasia. Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities occur in ~30% of patients, while >90% have somatic gene mutations. Mutations involving TET2 (~60%), SRSF2 (~50%), ASXL1 (~40%), and the oncogenic RAS pathway (~30%) are frequent, while the presence of ASXL1 and DNMT3A mutations and the absence of TET2 mutations negatively impact overall survival. RISK-STRATIFICATION Molecularly integrated prognostic models include the Groupe Français des Myélodysplasies, Mayo Molecular Model (MMM), and the CMML specific prognostic model. Risk factors incorporated into the MMM include presence of truncating ASXL1 mutations, absolute monocyte count >10 × 109 /L, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, platelet count <100 × 109 /L, and the presence of circulating immature myeloid cells. The MMM stratifies CMML patients into four groups: high (≥3 risk factors), intermediate-2 (2 risk factors), intermediate-1 (1 risk factor), and low (no risk factors), with median survivals of 16, 31, 59, and 97 months, respectively. RISK-ADAPTED THERAPY Hypomethylating agents such as 5-azacitidine and decitabine are commonly used, with overall response rates of ~40%-50% and complete remission rates of ~7%-17%; with no impact on mutational allele burdens. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is the only potentially curative option but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal M. Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Ayalew Tefferi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
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10
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Triguero A, Xicoy B, Zamora L, Jiménez MJ, García O, Calabuig M, Díaz-Beyá M, Arzuaga J, Ramos F, Medina A, Bernal T, Talarn C, Coll R, Collado R, Chen TH, Borrás J, Brunet S, Marchante I, Marco V, López F, Calbacho M, Simiele A, Cortés M, Cedena MT, Pedreño M, Aguilar C, Pedró C, Fernández M, Stoica C, Ribera JM, Sanz G. RESPONSE TO AZACITIDINE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MYELOMONOCYTIC LEUKEMIA ACCORDING TO OVERLAP MYELODYSPLASTIC/MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS CRITERIA. Leuk Res 2022; 116:106836. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2022.106836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Analysis of 5-Azacytidine Resistance Models Reveals a Set of Targetable Pathways. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020223. [PMID: 35053339 PMCID: PMC8774143 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells resist the effects of hypomethylating agents (HMA) are currently the subject of intensive research. A better understanding of mechanisms by which the MDS cell becomes to tolerate HMA and progresses to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requires the development of new cellular models. From MDS/AML cell lines we developed a model of 5-azacytidine (AZA) resistance whose stability was validated by a transplantation approach into immunocompromised mice. When investigating mRNA expression and DNA variants of the AZA resistant phenotype we observed deregulation of several cancer-related pathways including the phosphatidylinosito-3 kinase signaling. We have further shown that these pathways can be modulated by specific inhibitors that, while blocking the proliferation of AZA resistant cells, are unable to increase their sensitivity to AZA. Our data reveal a set of molecular mechanisms that can be targeted to expand therapeutic options during progression on AZA therapy.
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Real-world data on efficacy and safety of azacitidine therapy in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in China: results from a multicenter, retrospective study. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:1117-1124. [PMID: 35834039 PMCID: PMC9395485 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01283-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare and aggressive myeloid malignancy with overlapped features of myelodysplastic syndromes/myeloproliferative neoplasms. Azacitidine (AZA), a hypomethylating agent, has been approved for the treatment of CMML in China, but real-world data are limited. Medical records of CMML patients who had received subcutaneously injected AZA were reviewed from January 2018 at five participating sites in China. Response was assessed according to the modified International Working Group (IWG 2006) criteria. Between January 2018 and November 2020, a total of 24 patients with CMML were included with a median age of 63 years. Patients received a median of 3 cycles of AZA treatment (range, 1-8). Overall response rate (ORR) was 37.5% (9 of 24); CR rate, PR rate, and mCR/HI rate were 8.3% (n = 2), 8.3% (n = 2), and 20.8% (n = 5), respectively. At a median duration of follow-up of 14.0 months (range 0.0-22.0 months), the median overall survival (OS) was 23.0 months. Univariate analysis revealed that ≥ 3 cycles of treatment was significantly associated with a higher 1-year OS rate compared with < 3 cycles of AZA treatment. Treatment was generally well-tolerated. The most common (> 10%) AEs were thrombocytopenia (n = 7, 29.2%), pneumonitis (n = 4, 16.7%) and fever (n = 3, 12.5%). This study provides valuable real-life data in China on the treatment schedules, efficacy and safety of AZA in the treatment of CMML.
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Liapis K, Kotsianidis I. Approaching First-Line Treatment in Patients With Advanced CMML: Hypomethylating Agents or Cytotoxic Treatment? Front Oncol 2021; 11:801524. [PMID: 34966690 PMCID: PMC8710500 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.801524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare clonal haematological malignancy bearing characteristics of both myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. It primarily affects older people (median age at diagnosis ~72 years). There are many challenges encountered in its treatment. One striking issue is the lack of strong clinical evidence from large randomized clinical trials for treating this disease. Another issue is that patients with CMML have highly variable outcomes with current treatments. Additional challenges include a wider application of current knowledge, an improved understanding of pathogenesis, development of new therapies, and management of refractory cases/disease progression. It is clear that there is still progress to be made. Here, we review the available first-line treatment options for advanced CMML. Emphasis has been placed on choosing between hypomethylating agents and cytotoxic treatments, on the basis on disease-specific and patient-specific characteristics. A proper selection between these two treatments could lead to a better quality of care for patients with CMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Liapis
- Department of Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kotsianidis
- Department of Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Geissler K. Molecular Pathogenesis of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Potential Molecular Targets for Treatment Approaches. Front Oncol 2021; 11:751668. [PMID: 34660314 PMCID: PMC8514979 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.751668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous examples in oncology have shown that better understanding the pathophysiology of a malignancy may be followed by the development of targeted treatment concepts with higher efficacy and lower toxicity as compared to unspecific treatment. The pathophysiology of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is heterogenous and complex but applying different research technologies have yielded a better and more comprehensive understanding of this disease. At the moment treatment for CMML is largely restricted to the unspecific use of cytotoxic drugs and hypomethylating agents (HMA). Numerous potential molecular targets have been recently detected by preclinical research which may ultimately lead to treatment concepts that will provide meaningful benefits for certain subgroups of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Geissler
- Medical School, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine V with Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Hospital Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
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Dillon M, Lopez A, Lin E, Sales D, Perets R, Jain P. Progress on Ras/MAPK Signaling Research and Targeting in Blood and Solid Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205059. [PMID: 34680208 PMCID: PMC8534156 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway is responsible for regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Overexpression and overactivation of members within the signaling cascade have been observed in many solid and blood cancers. Research often focuses on targeting the pathway to disrupt cancer initiation and progression. We aimed to provide an overview of the pathway’s physiologic role and regulation, interactions with other pathways involved in cancer development, and mutations that lead to malignancy. Several blood and solid cancers are analyzed to illustrate the impact of the pathway’s dysregulation, stemming from mutation or viral induction. Finally, we summarized different approaches to targeting the pathway and the associated novel treatments being researched or having recently achieved approval. Abstract The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, consisting of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade, regulates genes that control cellular development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Within the cascade, multiple isoforms of Ras and Raf each display differences in functionality, efficiency, and, critically, oncogenic potential. According to the NCI, over 30% of all human cancers are driven by Ras genes. This dysfunctional signaling is implicated in a wide variety of leukemias and solid tumors, both with and without viral etiology. Due to the strong evidence of Ras-Raf involvement in tumorigenesis, many have attempted to target the cascade to treat these malignancies. Decades of unsuccessful experimentation had deemed Ras undruggable, but recently, the approval of Sotorasib as the first ever KRas inhibitor represents a monumental breakthrough. This advancement is not without novel challenges. As a G12C mutant-specific drug, it also represents the issue of drug target specificity within Ras pathway; not only do many drugs only affect single mutational profiles, with few pan-inhibitor exceptions, tumor genetic heterogeneity may give rise to drug-resistant profiles. Furthermore, significant challenges in targeting downstream Raf, especially the BRaf isoform, lie in the paradoxical activation of wild-type BRaf by BRaf mutant inhibitors. This literature review will delineate the mechanisms of Ras signaling in the MAPK pathway and its possible oncogenic mutations, illustrate how specific mutations affect the pathogenesis of specific cancers, and compare available and in-development treatments targeting the Ras pathway.
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Xu R, Li M, Wu P, Deng C, Geng S, Huang X, Weng J, Du X. Hypomethylating agents in the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26:312-320. [PMID: 33706667 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2021.1875600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy, toxicities of both hypomethylating agents (decitabine and azaciticine) in the treatment of CMML patients. METHODS All available cohort studies of patients with CMML treated with decitabine and azacitidine were identified. The primary endpoints of this meta-analysis were response to hypomethylating agents. Pooled estimates of treatment response and drug-related adverse events were calculated using fixed or random effect models. RESULTS Fourteen studies with 600 CMML patients (decitabine: n=196; azacitidine: n=404) were identified and included for meta-analysis. HMAs yielded a pooled ORR estimate of 43% (95% CI: 36%-50%) in patients with CMML. Patients received either azacitidine or decitabine exhibited comparable incidence of ORR (43% vs. 45%, P=0.810), while significantly higher incidence of mCR was observed in patients treated with decitabine (23% vs. 10%, P=0.000). Decitabine treatment was also associated with higher incidence of transfusion independence (42% vs. 20%, P=0.044). Both HMAs led to objective hematologic or non-hematologic AEs (27%-43%), while dosage modification/delay were more frequent in patients treated with azacitidine (81% vs. 67%, P=0.021). CONCLUSION This current study may provide preliminary data in evaluating the efficacy and safety of HMAs in patients with CMML. Decitabine and azacitidine are comparable effective and safe in treating CMML. However, it is necessary to point out that any comparison of decitabine and azacitidine with respect to clinical outcomes can only be done in the context of a randomized controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruohao Xu
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Minming Li
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Chengxin Deng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Suxia Geng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jianyu Weng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Tremblay D, Rippel N, Feld J, El Jamal SM, Mascarenhas J. Contemporary Risk Stratification and Treatment of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia. Oncologist 2021; 26:406-421. [PMID: 33792103 PMCID: PMC8100553 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by absolute monocytosis, one or more lineage dysplasia, and proliferative features including myeloid hyperplasia, splenomegaly, and constitutional symptoms. Because of vast clinical heterogeneity in presentation and course, risk stratification is used for a risk-adapted treatment strategy. Numerous prognostic scoring systems exist, some of which incorporate mutational information. Treatment ranges from observation to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Therapies include hydroxyurea for cytoreduction, hypomethylating agents, and the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib to address splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. Recently, oral decitabine with cedazuridine was approved and represents a convenient treatment option for CMML patients. Although novel therapeutics are in development for CMML, further work is needed to elucidate possible targets unique to the CMML clone. In this review, we will detail the pathophysiology, risk stratification, available treatment modalities, and novel therapies for CMML, and propose a modern treatment algorithm. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clinically heterogenous disease, which poses significant management challenges. The diagnosis of CMML requires bone marrow biopsy and aspirate with thorough evaluation. Risk stratification and symptom assessment are essential to designing an effective treatment plan, which may include hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in intermediate or high-risk patients. The recently approved oral decitabine/cedazuridine provides a convenient alternative to parenteral HMAs. Ruxolitinib may be effective in ameliorating proliferative symptoms and splenomegaly. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only treatment with curative potential; however, novel therapies are in clinical development which may significantly alter the therapeutic landscape of CMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Tremblay
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Noa Rippel
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jonathan Feld
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Siraj M. El Jamal
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell‐Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - John Mascarenhas
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Kwon J. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Blood Res 2021; 56:S5-S16. [PMID: 33935030 PMCID: PMC8094002 DOI: 10.5045/br.2021.2020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal disorder of hematopoietic cells and is a complex of heterogeneous conditions with both myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic features. The diagnosis of CMML is made using morphologic criteria including monocyte-dominant leukocytosis, dysplastic changes, and increased blasts in the bone marrow. Recently, the identification of monocyte subtypes in peripheral blood using multiparameter flow cytometry has been actively studied. Chromosomal abnormalities are the basis of CMML risk stratification, and mutations in several genes including ASXL1 are known to be important not only for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease but also for predicting its prognosis. The standard treatment principles for CMML have not yet been clearly defined; however, hypomethylating agents are mainly considered the frontline therapy in most cases. Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has limited applications owing to its toxicity, it still plays an important role as the only curative treatment option. Researchers are continuing to develop new drugs for CMML treatment and to prove their clinical usefulness. This review summarizes what is known to date on the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors of CMML and presents future directions by analyzing recent research trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Kwon
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
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Saliba AN, John AJ, Kaufmann SH. Resistance to venetoclax and hypomethylating agents in acute myeloid leukemia. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2021; 4:125-142. [PMID: 33796823 PMCID: PMC8011583 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the success of the combination of venetoclax with the hypomethylating agents (HMA) decitabine or azacitidine in inducing remission in older, previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), resistance - primary or secondary - still constitutes a significant roadblock in the quest to prolong the duration of response. Here we review the proposed and proven mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax monotherapy, HMA monotherapy, and the doublet of venetoclax and HMA for the treatment of AML. We approach the mechanisms of resistance to HMAs and venetoclax in the light of the agents' mechanisms of action. We briefly describe potential therapeutic strategies to circumvent resistance to this promising combination, including alternative scheduling or the addition of other agents to the HMA and venetoclax backbone. Understanding the mechanisms of action and evolving resistance in AML remains a priority in order to maximize the benefit from novel drugs and combinations, identify new therapeutic targets, define potential prognostic markers, and avoid treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine N Saliba
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - August J John
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Scott H Kaufmann
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.,Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Pleyer L, Leisch M, Kourakli A, Padron E, Maciejewski JP, Xicoy Cirici B, Kaivers J, Ungerstedt J, Heibl S, Patiou P, Hunter AM, Mora E, Geissler K, Dimou M, Jimenez Lorenzo MJ, Melchardt T, Egle A, Viniou AN, Patel BJ, Arnan M, Valent P, Roubakis C, Bernal Del Castillo T, Galanopoulos A, Calabuig Muñoz M, Bonadies N, Medina de Almeida A, Cermak J, Jerez A, Montoro MJ, Cortés A, Avendaño Pita A, Lopez Andrade B, Hellstroem-Lindberg E, Germing U, Sekeres MA, List AF, Symeonidis A, Sanz GF, Larcher-Senn J, Greil R. Outcomes of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia treated with non-curative therapies: a retrospective cohort study. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2021; 8:e135-e148. [PMID: 33513373 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(20)30374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approval of hypomethylating agents in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia is based on trials done in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. We aimed to investigate whether hypomethylating agents provide a benefit in subgroups of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia compared with other treatments. METHODS For this retrospective cohort study, data were retrieved between Nov 30, 2017, and Jan 5, 2019, from 38 centres in the USA and Europe. We included non-selected, consecutive patients diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, who received chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia-directed therapy. Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia according to 2016 WHO criteria at initial diagnosis (ie, ≥20% blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood) or with unavailability of treatment data were excluded. Outcomes assessed included overall survival, time to next treatment, and time to transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia. Analyses were adjusted by age, sex, platelet count, and Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia-Specific Prognostic Scoring System (CPSS). Patients were grouped by first received treatment with either hydroxyurea, hypomethylating agents, or intensive chemotherapy, and stratified by risk according to blast count, French-American-British subtype, CPSS, WHO 2016 subtype, and the eligibility criteria of the DACOTA trial (NCT02214407). FINDINGS 949 patients diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia between April 13, 1981, and Oct 26, 2018, were included. Median follow-up was 23·4 months (IQR 11·5-42·3) from diagnosis and 16·2 months (6·6-31·6) from start of first-line treatment. 412 (43%) of 949 patients received hypomethylating agents as first treatment, 391 (41%) hydroxyurea, and 83 (9%) intensive chemotherapy. Adjusted median overall survival for patients treated with hydroxyurea versus hypomethylating agents was 15·6 months (95% CI 13·1-17·3) versus 20·7 months (17·9-23·4); hazard ratio (HR) 1·39 (1·17-1·65; p=0·0002) and 14·0 months (9·8-17·2) versus 20·7 months (17·9-23·4; HR 1·55 [1·16-2·05]; p=0·0027) for those treated with intensive chemotherapy versus hypomethylating agents. In patients with myeloproliferative chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (myeloproliferative CMML), median overall survival was 12·6 months (10·7-15·0) versus 17·6 months (14·8-21·5; HR 1·38 [1·12-1·70]; p=0·0027) for patients treated with hydroxyurea versus hypomethylating agents, and 12·3 months (8·4-16·6) versus 17·6 months (14·8-21·5; HR 1·44 [1·02-2·03]; p=0·040) for intensive chemotherapy versus hypomethylating agents. Hypomethylating agents did not confer an overall survival advantage for patients classified as having lower-risk disease (ie, myelodysplastic chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia with <10% blasts, CMML-0, or lower-risk CPSS). INTERPRETATION These data suggest hypomethylating agents as the preferred therapy for patients with higher-risk chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and those with myeloproliferative CMML. Our findings also suggest that CPSS is a valuable tool to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from hypomethylating agents. Further evidence from prospective cohorts would be desirable. FUNDING The Austrian Group for Medical Tumor Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pleyer
- Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Salzburg Cancer Research Institute Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Michael Leisch
- Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Salzburg Cancer Research Institute Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexandra Kourakli
- Hematology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Eric Padron
- Malignant Hematology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jaroslaw Pawel Maciejewski
- Leukemia Program, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Blanca Xicoy Cirici
- Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jennifer Kaivers
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johanna Ungerstedt
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, and Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonja Heibl
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Peristera Patiou
- Hematology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Anthony Michael Hunter
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elvira Mora
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Klaus Geissler
- Fifth Medical Department, Hospital Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Dimou
- 141st Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-José Jimenez Lorenzo
- Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Thomas Melchardt
- Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Salzburg Cancer Research Institute Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Egle
- Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Salzburg Cancer Research Institute Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Athina-Nora Viniou
- 141st Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Bhumika Jayantibhai Patel
- Leukemia Program, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Montserrat Arnan
- Institut Català d'Oncologia-Hospital Duran y Reynals, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Teresa Bernal Del Castillo
- Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, University Institute of Oncology of Asturias-Cajastur Social Programme, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | | | - Nicolas Bonadies
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Medina de Almeida
- Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Católica Portuguesa de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jaroslav Cermak
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrés Jerez
- Servicio de Hematología y Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Centro Regional de Hemodonación, Universidad de Murcia, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Julia Montoro
- Hematology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Cortés
- Hematology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Eva Hellstroem-Lindberg
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, and Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mikkael Aaron Sekeres
- Leukemia Program, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Alan Francis List
- Malignant Hematology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Argiris Symeonidis
- Hematology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Guillermo Francisco Sanz
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cance, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Richard Greil
- Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Salzburg Cancer Research Institute Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria
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21
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Thomopoulos TP, Bouhla A, Papageorgiou SG, Pappa V. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia - a review. Expert Rev Hematol 2020; 14:59-77. [PMID: 33275852 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1860004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal myeloid neoplasm, denoted by overlapping myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative features, with poor overall survival and high transformation rate to acute myeloid leukemia. AREAS COVERED This review, following a thorough Medline search of pertinent published literature, discusses the diagnostic criteria, the pathogenesis, and the complex genetic landscape of the disease. Prognostication, response criteria, therapeutic management of patients, efficacy of established and novel treatment modalities are thoroughly reviewed. EXPERT OPINION Cytogenetic abnormalities and mutations in genes involved in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, and cell-signaling are abundant in CMML and implicated in its complex pathogenesis. As presence of these mutations carry a prognostic impact, they are increasingly incorporated in risk-stratification schemes. Novel response criteria have been proposed, considering the unique features of the disease. Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only treatment with curative intent, it is reserved for a minority of patients; therefore, there is an unmet need for optimizing treatment modalities, such as hypomethylating agents, and introducing novel agents, which could substantially improve survival and quality of life of CMML patients. Clinical trials dedicated specifically to CMML are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of novel treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Thomopoulos
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine - Propaedeutic and Research Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, University General Hospital "Attikon" , Athens, Greece
| | - Anthi Bouhla
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine - Propaedeutic and Research Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, University General Hospital "Attikon" , Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios G Papageorgiou
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine - Propaedeutic and Research Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, University General Hospital "Attikon" , Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Pappa
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine - Propaedeutic and Research Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, University General Hospital "Attikon" , Athens, Greece
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Hu L, Zheng B, Fu L, Hu M. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)-0 with pleural effusion as first manifestation: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23030. [PMID: 33126392 PMCID: PMC7598868 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Extramedullary invasion of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) usually occurs in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, while the pleural infiltration of CMML is rare. The presence of pleural effusion is usually associated with uncontrolled leukocytosis and increased monocytes. PATIENT CONCERNS Here we reported a rare case of CMML-0 with pleural effusion as the first manifestation in a 44-year-old woman. The pleural effusion was caused by blasts infiltration confirmed by the flow cytometer and the pleural biopsy. DIAGNOSES CMML with pleural invasion. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with azacitidine 75 mg/m d for 2 cycles, followed by daily oral intake of hydroxyurea (500 mg/d). OUTCOMES Pleural effusion was resolved and chest pain was relieved. LESSONS The current case indicated that leukemic infiltration into pleura could occur despite mild leukocytes, while demethylation may be an effective therapy.
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Elmariah H, DeZern AE. Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: 2018 Update to Prognosis and Treatment. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2020; 14:154-163. [PMID: 31093889 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-019-00509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare and often aggressive myeloid malignancy. Historically, prognostic markers and therapeutic paradigms have been applied from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Interest has increased recently in developing tailored approaches for the MDS/MPN overlap syndrome of CMML. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple prognostic scores have been validated specifically for CMML in the past 5 years. These incorporate somatic mutations, with ASXL1 mutations repeatedly correlating with poor prognosis. Accurate prognostication can guide treatment. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) and curative allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) remain the most available standard treatments. Recently, a number of novel approaches using unapproved therapies (i.e., lenalidomide, ruxolitinib, sotatercept, and tipifarnib) have demonstrated some efficacy in CMML. Increased recognition and interest in CMML have led to the development of a number of new prognostic models and potential treatment options. Standard treatment options remain limited and clinical trials should be strongly considered whenever available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany Elmariah
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Amy E DeZern
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Effective drug treatment identified by in vivo screening in a transplantable patient-derived xenograft model of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 34:2951-2963. [PMID: 32576961 PMCID: PMC7116758 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0929-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To establish novel and effective treatment combinations for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) preclinically, we hypothesized that supplementation of CMML cells with the human oncogene Meningioma 1 (MN1) promotes expansion and serial transplantability in mice, while maintaining the functional dependencies of these cells on their original genetic profile. Using lentiviral expression of MN1 for oncogenic supplementation and transplanting transduced primary mononuclear CMML cells into immunocompromised mice, we established three serially transplantable CMML-PDX models with disease-related gene mutations that recapitulate the disease in vivo. Ectopic MN1 expression was confirmed to enhance the proliferation of CMML cells, which otherwise did not engraft upon secondary transplantation. Furthermore, MN1-supplemented CMML cells were serially transplantable into recipient mice up to 5 generations. This robust engraftment enabled an in vivo RNA interference screening targeting CMML-related mutated genes including NRAS, confirming that their functional relevance is preserved in the presence of MN1. The novel combination treatment with azacitidine and the MEK-inhibitor trametinib additively inhibited ERK-phosphorylation and thus depleted the signal from mutated NRAS. The combination treatment significantly prolonged survival of CMML mice compared to single-agent treatment. Thus, we identified the combination of azacitidine and trametinib as an effective treatment in NRAS-mutated CMML and propose its clinical development.
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Patnaik MM, Tefferi A. Chronic Myelomonocytic leukemia: 2020 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management. Am J Hematol 2020; 95:97-115. [PMID: 31736132 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.25684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DISEASE OVERVIEW Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder with overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms, with an inherent risk for leukemic transformation (~15% over 3-5 years). DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis is based on the presence of sustained (>3 months) peripheral blood monocytosis (≥1 × 109 /L; monocytes ≥10%), along with bone marrow dysplasia. Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities occur in ~ 30% of patients, while >90% have gene mutations. Mutations involving TET2 (~60%), SRSF2 (~50%), ASXL1 (~40%) and the oncogenic RAS pathway (~30%) are frequent; while the presence of ASXL1 and DNMT3A mutations and the absence of TET2 mutations negatively impact over-all survival. RISK STRATIFICATION Molecularly integrated prognostic models include; the Groupe Français des Myélodysplasies (GFM), Mayo Molecular Model (MMM) and the CMML specific prognostic model (CPSS-Mol). Risk factors incorporated into the MMM include presence of nonsense or frameshift ASXL1 mutations, absolute monocyte count>10 × 109 /L, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, platelet count <100 × 109 /L and the presence of circulating immature myeloid cells. The MMM stratifies CMML patients into four groups; high (≥3 risk factors), intermediate-2 (2 risk factors), intermediate-1 (1 risk factor) and low (no risk factors), with median survivals of 16, 31, 59 and 97 months, respectively. RISK-ADAPTED THERAPY Hypomethylating agents such as 5-azacitidine and decitabine are commonly used, with overall response rates of ~40%-50% and complete remission rates of ~7%-17%; with no impact on mutational allele burdens. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is the only potentially curative option, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal M. Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of MedicineMayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota
| | - Ayalew Tefferi
- Division of Hematology, Department of MedicineMayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota
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Autoimmune disease in CMML-the chicken or the egg? Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2019; 33:101136. [PMID: 32460986 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2019.101136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal disorder that is associated with a wide range of systemic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (SIADs). Approximately 20% of patients with CMML will have an associated SIAD and recognizing this association is critical to the evaluation, prognostication and management of patients with CMML. In this paper, we review the evidence supporting a causative link between these two entities as well as the direction of this relationship. We argue that the data favors CMML as the antecedent and causative disease state with a few notable exceptions. Better understanding of this relationship aids clinicians in the education of their patients and in determining the optimal management approach at the bedside. It is important to recognize opportunities to harmonize the treatments of these disease processes, which may enhance the effectiveness of treatment while reducing the burden of adverse effects from redundant therapies.
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Valent P. Oligo-monocytic CMML and other pre-CMML states: Clinical impact, prognostication and management. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2019; 33:101137. [PMID: 32460976 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2019.101137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is defined by myelodysplasia, pathologic accumulation of monocytes and a substantial risk to transform to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). In recent years, minimal diagnostic criteria for classical CMML and CMML-variants were proposed. Moreover, potential pre-stages of CMML and interface conditions have been postulated. Oligomonocytic CMML is a condition where the absolute peripheral blood monocyte count does not reach a diagnostic level but all other criteria for CMML are fulfilled. Among potential pre-stages of CMML, clonal and non-clonal conditions have been described, including idiopathic monocytosis (IMUS) and clonal monocytosis of unknown significance (CMUS). Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS), clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) may also progress to CMML. The current article provides an overview of pre-CMML conditions and oligomonocytic CMML, with special reference to diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, clinical outcomes and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Vienna, Austria.
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Valent P, Orazi A, Savona MR, Patnaik MM, Onida F, van de Loosdrecht AA, Haase D, Haferlach T, Elena C, Pleyer L, Kern W, Pemovska T, Vladimer GI, Schanz J, Keller A, Lübbert M, Lion T, Sotlar K, Reiter A, De Witte T, Pfeilstöcker M, Geissler K, Padron E, Deininger M, Orfao A, Horny HP, Greenberg PL, Arber DA, Malcovati L, Bennett JM. Proposed diagnostic criteria for classical chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), CMML variants and pre-CMML conditions. Haematologica 2019; 104:1935-1949. [PMID: 31048353 PMCID: PMC6886439 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.222059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloid neoplasm characterized by dysplasia, abnormal production and accumulation of monocytic cells and an elevated risk of transforming into acute leukemia. Over the past two decades, our knowledge about the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms in CMML has increased substantially. In parallel, better diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies have been developed. However, many questions remain regarding prognostication and optimal therapy. In addition, there is a need to define potential pre-phases of CMML and special CMML variants, and to separate these entities from each other and from conditions mimicking CMML. To address these unmet needs, an international consensus group met in a Working Conference in August 2018 and discussed open questions and issues around CMML, its variants, and pre-CMML conditions. The outcomes of this meeting are summarized herein and include diag nostic criteria and a proposed classification of pre-CMML conditions as well as refined minimal diagnostic criteria for classical CMML and special CMML variants, including oligomonocytic CMML and CMML associated with systemic mastocytosis. Moreover, we propose diagnostic standards and tools to distinguish between 'normal', pre-CMML and CMML entities. These criteria and standards should facilitate diagnostic and prognostic evaluations in daily practice and clinical studies in applied hematology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria .,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Attilio Orazi
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Michael R Savona
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Francesco Onida
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Arjan A van de Loosdrecht
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Detlef Haase
- Clinic of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Chiara Elena
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lisa Pleyer
- 3 Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Tea Pemovska
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregory I Vladimer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julie Schanz
- Clinic of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Keller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lion
- Children's Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Sotlar
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andreas Reiter
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Theo De Witte
- Department of Tumor Immunology-Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Pfeilstöcker
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,3 Medical Department, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Eric Padron
- Malignant Hematology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael Deininger
- Huntsman Cancer Institute & Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Servicio Central de Citometría, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer (IBMCC, CSIC-USAL), CIBERONC and IBSAL, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Hans-Peter Horny
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Daniel A Arber
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Luca Malcovati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - John M Bennett
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Unit and James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Benzarti S, Daskalakis M, Feller A, Bacher VU, Schnegg-Kaufmann A, Rüfer A, Holbro A, Schmidt A, Benz R, Solenthaler M, Stussi G, Arndt V, Bonadies N. Trends of incidence and survival of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia between 1999 and 2014: A comparison between Swiss and American population-based cancer registries. Cancer Epidemiol 2019; 59:51-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemias in Adults: Recommendations From the European Hematology Association and the European LeukemiaNet. Hemasphere 2018; 2:e150. [PMID: 31723789 PMCID: PMC6745959 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a disease of the elderly, and by far the most frequent overlap myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm in adults. Aside from the chronic monocytosis that remains the cornerstone of its diagnosis, the clinical presentation of CMML includes dysplastic features, cytopenias, excess of blasts, or myeloproliferative features including high white blood cell count or splenomegaly. Prognosis is variable, with several prognostic scoring systems reported in recent years, and treatment is poorly defined, with options ranging from watchful waiting to allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which remains the only curative therapy for CMML. Here, we present on behalf of the European Hematology Association and the European LeukemiaNet, evidence- and consensus-based guidelines, established by an international group of experts, from Europe and the United States, for standardized diagnostic and prognostic procedures and for an appropriate choice of therapeutic interventions in adult patients with CMML.
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Soriano PK, Stone T, Baqai J, Sana S. A Case of Synchronous Bone Marrow Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) and Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma (NMZL). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2018; 19:1135-1139. [PMID: 30254190 PMCID: PMC6180902 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.910583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Patient: Male, 67 Final Diagnosis: Nodal marginal zone lymphoma and chronic myelomonocytic Symptoms: Cervical lymphadenopathy and leukocytosis Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Oncology
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo K Soriano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Taylor Stone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Junaid Baqai
- Pathology Associates of Central Illinois, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Sherjeel Sana
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Simmons Cancer Institute, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, USA
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Duchmann M, Yalniz FF, Sanna A, Sallman D, Coombs CC, Renneville A, Kosmider O, Braun T, Platzbecker U, Willems L, Adès L, Fontenay M, Rampal R, Padron E, Droin N, Preudhomme C, Santini V, Patnaik MM, Fenaux P, Solary E, Itzykson R. Prognostic Role of Gene Mutations in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Patients Treated With Hypomethylating Agents. EBioMedicine 2018; 31:174-181. [PMID: 29728305 PMCID: PMC6013781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations contribute to the heterogeneous prognosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are active in CMML, but analyses of small series failed to identify mutations predicting response or survival. We analyzed a retrospective multi-center cohort of 174 CMML patients treated with a median of 7 cycles of azacitidine (n = 68) or decitabine (n = 106). Sequencing data before treatment initiation were available for all patients, from Sanger (n = 68) or next generation (n = 106) sequencing. Overall response rate (ORR) was 52%, including complete response (CR) in 28 patients (17%). In multivariate analysis, ASXL1 mutations predicted a lower ORR (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.85, p = 0.037), whereas TET2mut/ASXL1wt genotype predicted a higher CR rate (OR = 1.18, p = 0.011) independently of clinical parameters. With a median follow-up of 36.7 months, overall survival (OS) was 23.0 months. In multivariate analysis, RUNX1mut (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2.00, p = .011), CBLmut (HR = 1.90, p = 0.03) genotypes and higher WBC (log10(WBC) HR = 2.30, p = .005) independently predicted worse OS while the TET2mut/ASXL1wt predicted better OS (HR = 0.60, p = 0.05). CMML-specific scores CPSS and GFM had limited predictive power. Our results stress the need for robust biomarkers of HMA activity in CMML and for novel treatment strategies in patients with myeloproliferative features and RUNX1 mutations. TET2mut/ASXL1wt genotype predicts higher complete response rate and prolonged survival in CMML with hypomethylating agents. Conversely, RUNX1mut and CBLmut genotypes are associated with poorer outcome, independently of higher leukocyte count. CPSS and GFM prognostic scores showed modest performance when calculated at initiation of hypomethylating agents.
Somatic mutations contribute to the heterogeneous prognosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are active in CMML. Response and survival in MDS and AML patients treated with HMAs is difficult to predict. We explore the predictive role of recurrent somatic mutations in a large retrospective cohort of 174 HMA-treated CMMLs. Consistent with MDS studies, we report a higher response rate in TET2mut/ASXL1wt patients. We also identify a CMML-specific molecular pattern (RUNX1mut or CBLmut) associated with shorter survival. Our results can inform treatment decision in CMML, for instance by using HMAs prior to transplant in TET2mut/ASXL1wt patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessandro Sanna
- MDS Unit-Hematology, Università di Firenze AOU careggi, Firenze, Italy
| | - David Sallman
- Malignant Hematology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Catherine C Coombs
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aline Renneville
- Laboratory of Hematology, Biology and Pathology Center, CHRU of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Kosmider
- Laboratory of Hematology, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thorsten Braun
- Department of Hematology, Avicenne Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lise Willems
- Department of Hematology, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lionel Adès
- Department of Hematology, St Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Michaela Fontenay
- Laboratory of Hematology, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raajit Rampal
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Padron
- Malignant Hematology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nathalie Droin
- INSERM U1170, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France
| | - Claude Preudhomme
- Laboratory of Hematology, Biology and Pathology Center, CHRU of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Valeria Santini
- MDS Unit-Hematology, Università di Firenze AOU careggi, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Pierre Fenaux
- Department of Hematology, St Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM U1170, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France; Department of Hematology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, University Paris Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Raphael Itzykson
- Department of Hematology, St Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France; INSERM/CNRS UMR 944/7212, Saint-Louis Institute, Paris, France.
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Burgstaller S, Stauder R, Kuehr T, Lang A, Machherndl-Spandl S, Mayrbaeurl B, Noesslinger T, Petzer A, Valent P, Greil R, Thaler J. A phase I study of lenalidomide in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) - AGMT_CMML-1. Leuk Lymphoma 2017; 59:1121-1126. [PMID: 28853315 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2017.1369070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
According to former classification systems chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is listed within myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Therefore data regarding treatment of CMML is largely derived from MDS trials. Two published studies suggest efficacy of lenalidomide in a proportion of patients with CMML, but the number of patients included was very low. We initiated this phase I trial with lenalidomide in patients with CMML. Primary objective of the current study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives were safety, tolerability and response. Twenty patients were enrolled and received lenalidomide using a classical 3 + 3 design. Lenalidomide 5 mg daily was confirmed as MTD. Best response achieved was partial remission in one patient and stable disease in nine patients. Lack of response with primary progressive disease was seen in three patients. Lenalidomide had a good toxicity profile in this study with thrombocytopenia being the main toxicity observed. Efficacy needs to be confirmed in further trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Burgstaller
- a Department of Internal Medicine IV , Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen , Wels , Austria
| | - Reinhard Stauder
- b Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology) , Innsbruck Medical University , Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Thomas Kuehr
- a Department of Internal Medicine IV , Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen , Wels , Austria
| | - Alois Lang
- c Department of Internal Medicine , Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch , Feldkirch , Austria
| | | | - Beate Mayrbaeurl
- a Department of Internal Medicine IV , Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen , Wels , Austria
| | - Thomas Noesslinger
- e Department of Hematology and OncologyIII , Hanusch Hospital , Vienna , Austria.,f Ludwig-Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Andreas Petzer
- g Department of Internal Medicine I , Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern , Linz. Austria
| | - Peter Valent
- f Ludwig-Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.,h Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- i 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectiology, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research , Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg , Salzburg , Austria
| | - Josef Thaler
- a Department of Internal Medicine IV , Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen , Wels , Austria
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Niscola P, Tendas A, Abruzzese E, Caravita T, Cupelli L, Giovannini M, Scaramucci L, Siniscalchi A, Trawinska MM, de Fabritiis P. Advanced chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in elderly and frail patients managed by azacitidine in the field of clinical practice. Ann Hematol 2017; 96:1591-1593. [DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Alfonso A, Montalban-Bravo G, Takahashi K, Jabbour EJ, Kadia T, Ravandi F, Cortes J, Estrov Z, Borthakur G, Pemmaraju N, Konopleva M, Bueso-Ramos C, Pierce S, Kantarjian H, Garcia-Manero G. Natural history of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia treated with hypomethylating agents. Am J Hematol 2017; 92:599-606. [PMID: 28370097 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hypomethylating agents (HMA) are the most commonly used therapeutic intervention in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Due to the lack of CMML-specific clinical trials, the impact of these agents in the natural history of CMML is not fully understood. We present the largest retrospective series of CMML (n = 151) treated with HMA. Mean age at diagnosis was 69 years (range 50-88). According to the CMML-specific prognostic scoring system (CPSS): 17 (15%) were low-risk, 45 (39%) intermediate-1 risk, 42 (36%) intermediate-2, and 12 (10%) high-risk. 35 (23%) patients received single agent azacitidine, 73 (48%) single agent decitabine, and 43 (29%) combinations. With a median follow-up of 17 months, overall response rate (ORR) was 75%, with 41% achieving complete response (CR). Median overall survival (OS) was 24 months (95%CI: 20-28) and event-free survival 14 months (95%CI: 11-17). By multivariate analysis, age < 70 years, higher levels of hemoglobin, absence of blast in peripheral blood and lower CPSS cytogenetic risk predicted for better OS. CR was significantly higher in those patients treated with decitabine (58.3%) when compared with azacitidine (20.6%) (P < .001). 13 patients (9%) received allo-SCT after a median of 4 cycles of HMA. 66 patients (50%) had HMA failure: 26 primary (34%) and 50 secondary (66%), including 35 (46%) that transformed to AML. Outcomes after HMA failure were poor with OS of 7 months (95%CI: 3-12). In conclusion, HMA are effective in CMML but new agents and combinations are needed. This data could be a benchmark for further drug development in CMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alfonso
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | | | - Koichi Takahashi
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Elias J. Jabbour
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Jorge Cortes
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Zeev Estrov
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Carlos Bueso-Ramos
- Departments of Hematopathology; The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Sherry Pierce
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Hagop Kantarjian
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Manero
- Departments of Leukemia; University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77015 USA
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Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are aggressive myeloid malignancies recognized as a distinct category owing to their unique combination of dysplastic and proliferative features. Although current classification schemes still emphasize morphology and exclusionary criteria, disease-defining somatic mutations and/or germline predisposition alleles are increasingly incorporated into diagnostic algorithms. The developing picture suggests that phenotypes are driven mostly by epigenetic mechanisms that reflect a complex interplay between genotype, physiological processes such as ageing and interactions between malignant haematopoietic cells and the stromal microenvironment of the bone marrow. Despite the rapid accumulation of genetic knowledge, therapies have remained nonspecific and largely inefficient. In this Review, we discuss the pathogenesis of MDS/MPN, focusing on the relationship between genotype and phenotype and the molecular underpinnings of epigenetic dysregulation. Starting with the limitations of current therapies, we also explore how the available mechanistic data may be harnessed to inform strategies to develop rational and more effective treatments, and which gaps in our knowledge need to be filled to translate biological understanding into clinical progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W N Deininger
- Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health &Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM U1170, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de médecine Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France
- Department of Hematology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
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Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematopoietic malignancy that may deserve specific management. Defined by a persistent peripheral blood monocytosis ≥1 × 109/L and monocytes accounting for ≥10% of the white blood cells, this aging-associated disease combines cell proliferation as a consequence of myeloid progenitor hypersensitivity to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor with myeloid cell dysplasia and ineffective hematopoiesis. The only curative option for CMML remains allogeneic stem cell transplantation. When transplantation is excluded, CMML is stratified into myelodysplastic (white blood cell count <13 × 109/L) and proliferative (white blood cell count ≥13 × 109/L) CMML. In the absence of poor prognostic factors, the management of myelodysplastic CMML is largely inspired from myelodysplastic syndromes, relying on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to cope with anemia, and careful monitoring and supportive care, whereas the management of proliferative CMML usually relies on cytoreductive agents such as hydroxyurea, although ongoing studies will help delineate the role of hypomethylating agents in this patient population. In the presence of excessive blasts and other poor prognostic factors, hypomethylating agents are the preferred option, even though their impact on leukemic transformation and survival has not been proved. The therapeutic choice is illustrated by 4 clinical situations among the most commonly seen. Although current therapeutic options can improve patient's quality of life, they barely modify disease evolution. Improved understanding of CMML pathophysiology will hopefully lead to the exploration of novel targets that potentially would be curative.
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Leisch M, Weiss L, Lindlbauer N, Jungbauer C, Egle A, Rohde E, Greil R, Grabmer C, Pleyer L. Red blood cell alloimmunization in 184 patients with myeloid neoplasms treated with azacitidine - A retrospective single center experience. Leuk Res 2017; 59:12-19. [PMID: 28535394 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alloimmunization to Red Blood Cell (RBC) antigens frequently occurs in patients with myeloid neoplasms (AML, MDS and CMML) and potentially poses the patient at risk for delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and limited supply of compatible RBC-units. However, there is comparatively little data on transfusion associated characteristics in this patient cohort. We therefore retrospectively analyzed transfusion requirements and clinical outcomes of 184 patients with myloid neoplasms treated with azacitidine at the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, which were included in the Austrian Registry of Hypomethylating Agents. The mean blood component requirements for AML, MDS and CMML were 39.8, 67.4 and 31.4 RBC units and 31.7, 27.6 and 19.1 platelet (PLT) units respectively. In spite of an extended and stringent RBC unit matching policy (ABO, RhD, RhCcEe and K antigens), 20 (11%) patients formed at least one alloantibody ("allo-group"), whereas 164 patients (89%) did not ("non-allo-group"). The most frequent antibody specificity was anti-E, followed by anti-Wra -Lua, -D, -C and -Jka. Alloimmunization was associated with higher numbers of transfused RBC units (68 vs. 38; p=0.001), as well as with longer time under transfusion (16.7 vs. 9.4 months; p=0.014). Median overall survival (OS) did not differ significantly between the "allo"- and "non-allo-group".
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leisch
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratoy for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials as Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Weiss
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratoy for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials as Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - N Lindlbauer
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, SALK - Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg Austria
| | - C Jungbauer
- Austrian Red Cross, Blood Service for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Egle
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratoy for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials as Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - E Rohde
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, SALK - Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg Austria
| | - R Greil
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratoy for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials as Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria; Cancer Cluster, Salzburg, Austria
| | - C Grabmer
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, SALK - Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg Austria
| | - L Pleyer
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratoy for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials as Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria; Cancer Cluster, Salzburg, Austria.
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Almeida AM, Prebet T, Itzykson R, Ramos F, Al-Ali H, Shammo J, Pinto R, Maurillo L, Wetzel J, Musto P, Van De Loosdrecht AA, Costa MJ, Esteves S, Burgstaller S, Stauder R, Autzinger EM, Lang A, Krippl P, Geissler D, Falantes JF, Pedro C, Bargay J, Deben G, Garrido A, Bonanad S, Diez-Campelo M, Thepot S, Ades L, Sperr WR, Valent P, Fenaux P, Sekeres MA, Greil R, Pleyer L. Clinical Outcomes of 217 Patients with Acute Erythroleukemia According to Treatment Type and Line: A Retrospective Multinational Study. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E837. [PMID: 28420120 PMCID: PMC5412421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute erythroleukemia (AEL) is a rare disease typically associated with a poor prognosis. The median survival ranges between 3-9 months from initial diagnosis. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have been shown to prolong survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and AML, but there is limited data of their efficacy in AEL. We collected data from 210 AEL patients treated at 28 international sites. Overall survival (OS) and PFS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was used for subgroup comparisons. Survival between treatment groups was compared using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Eighty-eight patients were treated with HMAs, 44 front line, and 122 with intensive chemotherapy (ICT). ICT led to a higher overall response rate (complete or partial) compared to first-line HMA (72% vs. 46.2%, respectively; p ≤ 0.001), but similar progression-free survival (8.0 vs. 9.4 months; p = 0.342). Overall survival was similar for ICT vs. HMAs (10.5 vs. 13.7 months; p = 0.564), but patients with high-risk cytogenetics treated with HMA first-line lived longer (7.5 for ICT vs. 13.3 months; p = 0.039). Our results support the therapeutic value of HMA in AEL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio M Almeida
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa (IPOL), 1200-795 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Thomas Prebet
- Institut Paoli Calmettes, Marseille, France and Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT 06512, USA.
| | - Raphael Itzykson
- Hopital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris Diderot University, 75010 Paris, France.
| | | | - Haifa Al-Ali
- University Hospital of Halle, 06120 Halle, Germany.
| | - Jamile Shammo
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IN 60612, USA.
| | | | | | - Jaime Wetzel
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Pellegrino Musto
- RCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture (Pz), Italy.
| | | | - Maria Joao Costa
- Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte Hospital Santa Maria, 1649-035 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Susana Esteves
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa (IPOL), 1200-795 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Sonja Burgstaller
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Hospital Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels, Austria.
| | - Reinhard Stauder
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Haematology and Oncology), Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Eva M Autzinger
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Oncology and Hematology, Wilhelminenspital, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alois Lang
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Feldkirch,6800 Feldkirch, Austria.
| | - Peter Krippl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Fürstenfeld, 8280 Fürstenfeld, Austria.
| | - Dietmar Geissler
- Department for Internal Medicine, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, 9020 Pörtschach am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | | | | | - Joan Bargay
- Hospital Son Llatzer, 07198 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | | | - Ana Garrido
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08026 Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | | | - Lionel Ades
- Hopital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris Diderot University, 75010 Paris, France.
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology and Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology and Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Pierre Fenaux
- Hopital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris Diderot University, 75010 Paris, France.
| | - Mikkael A Sekeres
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Richard Greil
- 3rd Med. Department, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentöse Tumortherapie (AGMT), 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Lisa Pleyer
- 3rd Med. Department, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentöse Tumortherapie (AGMT), 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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41
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Wolff F, Leisch M, Greil R, Risch A, Pleyer L. The double-edged sword of (re)expression of genes by hypomethylating agents: from viral mimicry to exploitation as priming agents for targeted immune checkpoint modulation. Cell Commun Signal 2017; 15:13. [PMID: 28359286 PMCID: PMC5374693 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-017-0168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have been widely used over the last decade, approved for use in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The proposed central mechanism of action of HMAs, is the reversal of aberrant methylation in tumor cells, thus reactivating CpG-island promoters and leading to (re)expression of tumor suppressor genes. Recent investigations into the mode of action of azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) have revealed new molecular mechanisms that impinge on tumor immunity via induction of an interferon response, through activation of endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs) that are normally epigenetically silenced. Although the global demethylation of DNA by HMAs can induce anti-tumor effects, it can also upregulate the expression of inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors and their ligands, resulting in secondary resistance to HMAs. Recent studies have, however, suggested that this could be exploited to prime or (re)sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. In recent years, immune checkpoints have been targeted by novel therapies, with the aim of (re)activating the host immune system to specifically eliminate malignant cells. Antibodies blocking checkpoint receptors have been FDA-approved for some solid tumors and a plethora of clinical trials testing these and other checkpoint inhibitors are under way. This review will discuss AZA and DAC novel mechanisms of action resulting from the re-expression of pathologically hypermethylated promoters of gene sets that are related to interferon signaling, antigen presentation and inflammation. We also review new insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of transient, low-dose HMAs on various tumor types and discuss the potential of new treatment options and combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Wolff
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Leisch
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Angela Risch
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lisa Pleyer
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria. .,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, Salzburg, Austria. .,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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42
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Azacitidine for Front-Line Therapy of Patients with AML: Reproducible Efficacy Established by Direct Comparison of International Phase 3 Trial Data with Registry Data from the Austrian Azacitidine Registry of the AGMT Study Group. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020415. [PMID: 28212292 PMCID: PMC5343949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently published a clinically-meaningful improvement in median overall survival (OS) for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), >30% bone marrow (BM) blasts and white blood cell (WBC) count ≤15 G/L, treated with front-line azacitidine versus conventional care regimens within a phase 3 clinical trial (AZA-AML-001; NCT01074047; registered: February 2010). As results obtained in clinical trials are facing increased pressure to be confirmed by real-world data, we aimed to test whether data obtained in the AZA-AML-001 trial accurately represent observations made in routine clinical practice by analysing additional AML patients treated with azacitidine front-line within the Austrian Azacitidine Registry (AAR; NCT01595295; registered: May 2012) and directly comparing patient-level data of both cohorts. We assessed the efficacy of front-line azacitidine in a total of 407 patients with newly-diagnosed AML. Firstly, we compared data from AML patients with WBC ≤ 15 G/L and >30% BM blasts included within the AZA-AML-001 trial treated with azacitidine ("AML-001" cohort; n = 214) with AAR patients meeting the same inclusion criteria ("AAR (001-like)" cohort; n = 95). The current analysis thus represents a new sub-analysis of the AML-001 trial, which is directly compared with a new sub-analysis of the AAR. Baseline characteristics, azacitidine application, response rates and OS were comparable between all patient cohorts within the trial or registry setting. Median OS was 9.9 versus 10.8 months (p = 0.616) for "AML-001" versus "AAR (001-like)" cohorts, respectively. Secondly, we pooled data from both cohorts (n = 309) and assessed the outcome. Median OS of the pooled cohorts was 10.3 (95% confidence interval: 8.7, 12.6) months, and the one-year survival rate was 45.8%. Thirdly, we compared data from AAR patients meeting AZA-AML-001 trial inclusion criteria (n = 95) versus all AAR patients with World Health Organization (WHO)-defined AML ("AAR (WHO-AML)" cohort; n = 193). Within the registry population, median OS for AAR patients meeting trial inclusion criteria versus all WHO-AML patients was 10.8 versus 11.8 months (p = 0.599), respectively. We thus tested and confirmed the efficacy of azacitidine as a front-line agent in patients with AML, >30% BM blasts and WBC ≤ 15 G/L in a routine clinical practice setting. We further show that the efficacy of azacitidine does not appear to be limited to AML patients who meet stringent clinical trial inclusion criteria, but instead appears efficacious as front-line treatment in all patients with WHO-AML.
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43
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Pleyer L, Valent P, Greil R. Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells in Normal and Dysplastic Hematopoiesis-Masters of Survival and Clonality? Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17071009. [PMID: 27355944 PMCID: PMC4964385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are malignant hematopoietic stem cell disorders that have the capacity to progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Accumulating evidence suggests that the altered bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in general, and in particular the components of the stem cell niche, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their progeny, play a pivotal role in the evolution and propagation of MDS. We here present an overview of the role of MSCs in the pathogenesis of MDS, with emphasis on cellular interactions in the BM microenvironment and related stem cell niche concepts. MSCs have potent immunomodulatory capacities and communicate with diverse immune cells, but also interact with various other cellular components of the microenvironment as well as with normal and leukemic stem and progenitor cells. Moreover, compared to normal MSCs, MSCs in MDS and AML often exhibit altered gene expression profiles, an aberrant phenotype, and abnormal functional properties. These alterations supposedly contribute to the “reprogramming” of the stem cell niche into a disease-permissive microenvironment where an altered immune system, abnormal stem cell niche interactions, and an impaired growth control lead to disease progression. The current article also reviews molecular targets that play a role in such cellular interactions and possibilities to interfere with abnormal stem cell niche interactions by using specific targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pleyer
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- 3rd Medical Department, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology & Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Richard Greil
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- 3rd Medical Department, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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44
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Scott LJ. Azacitidine: A Review in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Drugs 2016; 76:889-900. [DOI: 10.1007/s40265-016-0585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Pleyer L, Burgstaller S, Stauder R, Girschikofsky M, Sill H, Schlick K, Thaler J, Halter B, Machherndl-Spandl S, Zebisch A, Pichler A, Pfeilstöcker M, Autzinger EM, Lang A, Geissler K, Voskova D, Geissler D, Sperr WR, Hojas S, Rogulj IM, Andel J, Greil R. Azacitidine front-line in 339 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia: comparison of French-American-British and World Health Organization classifications. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:39. [PMID: 27084507 PMCID: PMC4833933 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0263-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MDS-IWG and NCCN currently endorse both FAB and WHO classifications of MDS and AML, thus allowing patients with 20-30 % bone marrow blasts (AML20-30, formerly MDS-RAEB-t) to be categorised and treated as either MDS or AML. In addition, an artificial distinction between AML20-30 and AML30+ was made by regulatory agencies by initially restricting approval of azacitidine to AML20-30. Thus, uncertainty prevails regarding the diagnosis, prognosis and optimal treatment timing and strategy for patients with AML20-30. Here, we aim to provide clarification for patients treated with azacitidine front-line. METHODS The Austrian Azacitidine Registry is a multicentre database (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01595295). For this analysis, we selected 339 patients treated with azacitidine front-line. According to the WHO classification 53, 96 and 190 patients had MDS-RAEB-I, MDS-RAEB-II and AML (AML20-30: n = 79; AML30+: n = 111), respectively. According to the FAB classification, 131, 101 and 111 patients had MDS-RAEB, MDS-RAEB-t and AML, respectively. RESULTS The median ages of patients with MDS and AML were 72 (range 37-87) and 77 (range 23-93) years, respectively. Overall, 80 % of classifiable patients (≤30 % bone marrow blasts) had intermediate-2 or high-risk IPSS scores. Most other baseline, treatment and response characteristics were similar between patients diagnosed with MDS or AML. WHO-classified patients with AML20-30 had significantly worse OS than patients with MDS-RAEB-II (13.1 vs 18.9 months; p = 0.010), but similar OS to patients with AML30+ (10.9 vs 13.1 months; p = 0.238). AML patients that showed MDS-related features did not have worse outcomes compared with patients who did not (13.2 vs 8.9 months; p = 0.104). FAB-classified patients with MDS-RAEB-t had similar survival to patients with AML30+ (12.8 vs 10.9 months; p = 0.376), but significantly worse OS than patients with MDS-RAEB (10.9 vs 24.4 months; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate the validity of the WHO classification of MDS and AML, and its superiority over the former FAB classification, for patients treated with azacitidine front-line. Neither bone marrow blast count nor presence of MDS-related features had an adverse prognostic impact on survival. Patients with AML20-30 should therefore be regarded as having 'true AML' and in our opinion treatment should be initiated without delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pleyer
- />3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- />Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
- />Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sonja Burgstaller
- />Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Reinhard Stauder
- />Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Heinz Sill
- />Department of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Konstantin Schlick
- />3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- />Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
- />Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Josef Thaler
- />Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Britta Halter
- />Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Armin Zebisch
- />Department of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Angelika Pichler
- />Department for Hematology and Oncology, LKH Leoben, Leoben, Austria
| | - Michael Pfeilstöcker
- />3rd Medical Department for Hematology and Oncology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva-Maria Autzinger
- />First Medical Department, Center for Oncology, Hematology and Palliative Care, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alois Lang
- />Department of Internal Medicine, LKH Feldkirch, Feldkirch, Austria
| | - Klaus Geissler
- />5th Medical Department, Hospital Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Voskova
- />Department of Internal Medicine III, General Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Dietmar Geissler
- />1st Medical department, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R. Sperr
- />Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Hojas
- />Department of Internal Medicine, LKH Fürstenfeld, Fürstenfeld, Austria
| | - Inga M. Rogulj
- />Department of Hematology, Clinical Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Johannes Andel
- />Department of Internal Medicine II, LKH Steyr, Steyr, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- />3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- />Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
- />Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Subari S, Patnaik M, Alfakara D, Zblewski D, Hook C, Hashmi S, Hogan W, Litzow M, Al-Kali A. Hypomethylating agents are effective in shrinking splenomegaly in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2016; 57:1714-5. [PMID: 26462118 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1105371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Salih Subari
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Mrinal Patnaik
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Dima Alfakara
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Darci Zblewski
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Chris Hook
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Shahrukh Hashmi
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - William Hogan
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Mark Litzow
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Aref Al-Kali
- a Division of Hematology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
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Shen Q, Ouyang J, Tang G, Jabbour EJ, Garcia-Manero G, Routbort M, Konoplev S, Bueso-Ramos C, Medeiros LJ, Jorgensen JL, Wang SA. Flow cytometry immunophenotypic findings in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and its utility in monitoring treatment response. Eur J Haematol 2015; 95:168-76. [PMID: 25354960 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, characterized by persistent monocytosis. Due to the lack of unique surface markers expressed by neoplastic monocytes and the frequent CD34-negative blast immunophenotype, the diagnostic value of flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) in CMML is rarely studied. In this study, by using a multicolor FCI assay, we assessed bone marrow (BM) immunophenotypical alterations in 118 CMML patients and follow-up BM samples in 35 of these patients. The median BM monocytes as determined by FCI were 14% (1-63%), correlated with morphologic count (P = 0.0004). FCI alterations in monocytes were observed in 96% and granulocytes in 83% of cases. The percentage of CD34(+) myeloblasts by FCI was low [median 0.6% (0.02-12.6%)], but exhibiting frequent aberrancies [median 6 (2-12)]. CD34(+) B-cell precursors were absent in 93% of cases. In 35 patients with follow-up BM samples assessed, the CD34(+) myeloblasts showed persistent FCI aberrancies in all 29 patients treated with hypomethylating agents and 3 patients on observation, but became normal in 3 patients following stem cell transplant. In conclusion, CMML exhibit numerous FCI alterations in monocytes, granulocytes, and more profound/frequent in CD34(+) myeloblasts. These findings provide solid evidence for using FCI as an ancillary test in CMML diagnosis and also, in assessment of treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Shen
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Juan Ouyang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guilin Tang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elias J Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Mark Routbort
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sergej Konoplev
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carlos Bueso-Ramos
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Jorgensen
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sa A Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Cheishvili D, Boureau L, Szyf M. DNA demethylation and invasive cancer: implications for therapeutics. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:2705-15. [PMID: 25134627 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer is aberrant DNA methylation, which is associated with abnormal gene expression. Both hypermethylation and silencing of tumour suppressor genes as well as hypomethylation and activation of prometastatic genes are characteristic of cancer cells. As DNA methylation is reversible, DNA methylation inhibitors were tested as anticancer drugs with the idea that such agents would demethylate and reactivate tumour suppressor genes. Two cytosine analogues, 5-azacytidine (Vidaza) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration as antitumour agents in 2004 and 2006 respectively. However, these agents might cause activation of a panel of prometastatic genes in addition to activating tumour suppressor genes, which might lead to increased metastasis. This poses the challenge of how to target tumour suppressor genes and block cancer growth with DNA-demethylating drugs while avoiding the activation of prometastatic genes and precluding the morbidity of cancer metastasis. This paper reviews current progress in using DNA methylation inhibitors in cancer therapy and the potential promise and challenges ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheishvili
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Medical School, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa Boureau
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Medical School, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Physiology Medical Sciences, University of Toronto 1 King's College Circle Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Medical School, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Developmental Psychobiology, McGill University Medical School, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto 1 King's College Circle Toronto, ON, Canada
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Abstract
DNA methylation and histone modification are epigenetic mechanisms that result in altered gene expression and cellular phenotype. The exact role of methylation in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. However, aberrations (e.g. loss-/gain-of-function or up-/down-regulation) in components of epigenetic transcriptional regulation in general, and of the methylation machinery in particular, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In addition, many of these components have been identified as therapeutic targets for patients with MDS/AML, and are also being assessed as potential biomarkers of response or resistance to hypomethylating agents (HMAs). The HMAs 5-azacitidine (AZA) and 2'-deoxy-5-azacitidine (decitabine, DAC) inhibit DNA methylation and have shown significant clinical benefits in patients with myeloid malignancies. Despite being viewed as mechanistically similar drugs, AZA and DAC have differing mechanisms of action. DAC is incorporated 100% into DNA, whereas AZA is incorporated into RNA (80-90%) as well as DNA (10-20%). As such, both drugs inhibit DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs; dependently or independently of DNA replication) resulting in the re-expression of tumor-suppressor genes; however, AZA also has an impact on mRNA and protein metabolism via its inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, resulting in apoptosis. Herein, we first give an overview of transcriptional regulation, including DNA methylation, post-translational histone-tail modifications, the role of micro-RNA and long-range epigenetic gene silencing. We place special emphasis on epigenetic transcriptional regulation and discuss the implication of various components in the pathogenesis of MDS/AML, their potential as therapeutic targets, and their therapeutic modulation by HMAs and other substances (if known). The main focus of this review is laid on dissecting the rapidly evolving knowledge of AZA and DAC with a special focus on their differing mechanisms of action, and the effect of HMAs on transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pleyer
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg, Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute , Salzburg , Austria
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