Nelarabine-containing salvage therapy and conditioning regimen in transplants for pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma

Therapy for relapsed or refractory (r/r) T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) in children is challenging, and new treatment methods are needed. We retrospectively analyzed eight patients with r/r T-ALL (five patients) and T-LBL (three patients) who were treated with nelarabine (NEL) plus etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and intrathecal therapy, administered 3 days apart. Five patients achieved a complete response, and the other three achieved a partial response (PR). All patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after two cycles of treatment, except for one patient who received one cycle. Three patients who had previously received HSCT were treated with reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, including fludarabine, melphalan, and NEL; one survived for over 5 years after the second HSCT. Grade 2 neuropathy occurred in one patient, but other severe toxicities commonly associated with NEL were not observed during NEL administration in combination with chemotherapy. The 2-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were 60.0% and 36.5%, respectively. The addition of NEL to reinduction chemotherapy was useful in achieving remission and did not lead to excessive toxicity. In addition, a conditioning regimen, including NEL, appeared to be effective in patients who had previously undergone HSCT.

A Review of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in the Pediatric Population: Evaluating Current Trends and Changes in Guidelines in the Past Decade

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a commonly diagnosed cancer in children. Despite technological advancements to improve treatment and survival rates, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of ALL and treatment failures. This paper discusses the pathogenic interaction between genetic and environmental factors leading to childhood ALL. It evaluates the current treatment guidelines and notable obstacles leading to resistance, relapse, and treatment toxicities. The review evaluates a 10-year trend in the management guidelines of pediatric ALL through a systematic literature review of records from 2012 to 2023. Findings show that improvement in the five-year survival rates, notwithstanding rates of relapse and incurable diseases, is still high. Furthermore, several risk factors, including an interplay between genetic and environmental factors, are largely contributory to the outcome of ALL treatments and its overall incidence. Moreover, huge financial costs have remained a significant challenge in outcomes. There remains a need to provide individualized treatment plans, shared decision-making, and goals of care as parts of the management guidelines for the best possible outcomes. We expect that future advancements will increase overall survival rates and disease-free years.

Selection of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

Background

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an important treatment for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL). To compare the efficacy and influencing factors of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) with those of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from different donors for the treatment of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL) and provide a basis for selection of appropriate transplant methods and donors.

Methods

To provide evidence of appropriate transplant methods for these patients, we retrospectively summarized the clinical characteristics of 75 T-LBL patients receiving HSCT at Henan Cancer Hospital between March 2012 and October 2021. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and related factors affecting efficacy were analyzed.

Results

The 3-year CIR (39.9% vs 31.1%, P=0.745), 3-year PFS (60.1% vs 49.6%, P=0.434), and 3-year OS (62.8% vs 53.0%, P=0.450) were not significantly different between the auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT groups. However, the 3-year NRM was significantly higher in the allo-HSCT group (0% vs 27.2%, P=0.033). Multivariate analysis showed that the first complete remission (CR1) after HSCT was an independent influencing factor of higher OS (HR=2.498, P=0.029) and PFS (HR=2.576, P=0.016). The absence of mediastinal invasion in patients receiving HSCT was an independent influencing factor of better PFS (HR=2.977, P=0.029) and lower CIR (HR=4.040, P=0.027). With respect to the impact of donor source, the NRM in the unrelated donor (URD) and haploid donor (HPD) groups was significantly higher than that in the auto-HSCT group (P=0.021 and P=0.003, respectively), while there was no significant difference between matched sibling donors (MSD) and auto-HSCT. Compared with the MSD-HSCT group, the auto-HSCT group showed an increasing trend in 3-year CIR (39.9 ± 11.1% vs 32.6 ± 11.2%, P=0.697) and a lower trend in 3-year OS (62.8 ± 11.4% vs 64.4 ± 12.2%, P=0.929).

Conclusions

HSCT is an effective consolidation treatment option for patients with T-LBL without mediastinal invasion and with CR1 before transplantation. For CR1 patients, auto-HSCT and MSD-HSCT are effective modalities for improving survival. In non-CR1 patients without an MSD, matched unrelated donors and haploidentical donor transplantations are the best treatment options to reduce relapse and improve prognosis.

Comparison of efficacies of haploidentical transplantation and matched sibling donor transplantation in treating T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences in efficacy and safety between haploidentical donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) and matched sibling donor HSCT (MSD-HSCT) in patients with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL).

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, we enrolled 38 patients who had undergone allogeneic HSCT at our institution between 2013 and 2021. The study participants included 28 patients who underwent HID-HSCT and 10 patients who underwent MSD-HSCT. We compared the patient characteristics and treatment effectiveness and safety between the two groups and evaluated potential prognostic variables for patients with T-LBL.

RESULTS

The median follow-up durations in the HID-HSCT and MSD-HSCT groups were 23.5 (range: 4-111) and 28.5 (range: 13-56) months, respectively. All patients showed full-donor chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Except for two patients in the HID-HSCT cohort who developed poor graft function, all patients showed neutrophil and platelet engraftments after HSCT. The cumulative incidences of grades III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease were 37.5% and 28.57% in the HID-HSCT and MSD-HSCT groups, respectively (p = 0.84). The cumulative incidences of limited (34.13% vs. 28.57%, p = 0.82) and extensive (31.22% vs. 37.50%, p = 0.53) chronic graft-versus-host disease did not differ between the two cohorts. In the HID-HSCT and MSD-HSCT cohorts, the estimated 2-year overall survival rates were 70.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.9%-90.0%) and 56.2% (95% CI: 31.6%-100%), respectively (p = 1.00), and the estimated 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 48.5% (95% CI: 32.8%-71.6%) and 48.0% (95% CI: 24.6%-93.8%), respectively (p = 0.94). Furthermore, the Cox proportional-hazards model showed that a positive positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) status before HSCT in patients who had completed chemotherapy was an independent risk factor for PFS in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.0367).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that HID-HSCT had comparable effectiveness and safety to MSD-HSCT in treating T-LBL. HID-HSCT could serve as an alternate treatment option for T-LBL in patients without an eligible identical donor. Achievement of the PET/CT-negative status before HSCT may contribute to better survival.

SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Novel Approaches to Pediatric T-cell ALL and T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

While outcomes for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL) have improved significantly with contemporary therapy, outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) disease remain dismal. Improved risk stratification and the incorporation of novel therapeutics have the potential to improve outcomes further in T-ALL/T-LL by limiting relapse risk and improving salvage rates for those with r/r disease. In this review we will discuss the challenges and new opportunities for improved risk stratification in T-ALL and T-LL. We will further discuss the recent incorporation of the novel therapeutics nelarabine and bortezomib into front-line therapy for children with T-ALL and T-LL. Finally, we will address new classes of targeted small molecule inhibitors, immunotherapeutics, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies under investigation in r/r T-ALL and T-LL.

T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma with Cutaneous Involvement in a Child: A Rare Case Report

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a heterogeneous malignancy derived from T-cells that more commonly affects teens and males. Most commonly, T-LBL exhibits signs of lymph nodes, bone marrow, and mediastinal mass invasion, but in rare cases, the disease manifests cutaneously. We present a case of both cutaneous and systemic presentation of T-LBL in 9-year-old man in which the skin immunophenotype analysis showed TdT expression with positivity of CD3, CD4 and CD99. Review of all currently described cases of cutaneous T-LBL revealed that the most frequently positive tumor markers were TdT (100%), CD3 (100%), CD4 (59.1%) and CD99 (40.9%). Cutaneous involvement may be a prognostic factor in treating T-LBL with chemotherapy.

Clinical and prognostic role of 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT and sarcopenia in treatment-naïve patients with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a rare and highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study aimed to explore the role of 2-[¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT, sarcopenia, clinical features, and treatment regimens in 49 treatment-naïve patients with T-LBL, and assess their predictive value in the prognosis. Sarcopenia was measured as skeletal muscle index (SMI) at L3 level from the CT component of PET/CT images. All 49 patients (35 males, 14 females; median age, 26 years [range, 3-66 years]) were enrolled in this study, including 36 adult patients and 13 pediatric patients. Lymph nodes, thymus, bone marrow, and pleura were the most common involved sites of T-LBL. The median SUVmax, MTV, and TLG of all lesions in these 49 patients were 12.4 (range, 4.2-40.5), 532.6 (17.4-3518.1), and 2112.2 (53.9-18,699.2), respectively. Eighteen out of 49 patients (36.7%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia patients had lower BMI and SUVmax of muscle at L3 level than non-sarcopenia patients (P < 0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that higher MTV and TLG and intrathecal therapy (IT) were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that TLG and IT were independent predictors for PFS, and only IT was an independent predictor for OS. In conclusion, low BMI and SUVmax of muscle at L3 level correlated with sarcopenia in T-LBL patients. Higher initial MTV and TLG and receiving IT were associated with better prognosis in T-LBL patients. TLG and IT, but not sarcopenia, were independent prognostic factors.

Systematic Oxidative Stress Indexes Associated with the Prognosis in Patients with T Lymphoblastic Lymphoma/Leukemia

Background

T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) is an aggressive malignant tumor with 5-year overall survival (OS) rate reached 80% after high-dose chemotherapy. Due to the relatively low incidence of T-LBL/ALL, only a few risk factors have been identified. The occurrence and prognosis of malignant tumors are closely related to oxidative stress, but the prognostic relationship between T-LBL/ALL and systematic oxidative stress indexes has not been reported yet.

Methods

A total of 258 T-LBL/ALL patients were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between systematic oxidative stress indexes, such as creatinine (CRE), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT), albumin (ALB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fibrinogen (FBG), C-reactive protein (CRP) and total bilirubin (TBIL), and survival of T-LBL/ALL patients, was analyzed. The weight of indexes was used to calculate the patients' oxidative stress risk score. The independent prognostic value of oxidative stress risk grouping (OSRG) was analyzed.

Results

Higher CRE, CRP, and lower ALB were associated with poorer OS in T-LBL/ALL patients. The OSRG established by CRE, ALB, and CRP was an independent prognostic factor for OS of T-LBL/ALL patients. Patients in the high-risk group were more likely to be patients older than 14 years old and patients with superior vena cava obstruction syndrome (SVCS), pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and mediastinal mass.

Conclusion

For OS in T-LBL/ALL patients, OSRG was observed as an independent prognostic factor, which provided a new idea for accurate prognostic prediction.

Design of a targeted next-generation DNA sequencing panel for pediatric T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma to unravel biology and optimize treatment

Low incidence and molecular heterogeneity of pediatric T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) require an international, large-scale effort to identify novel clinical biomarkers. The ongoing international clinical trial LBL2018 (NCT04043494) represents an ideal opportunity to implement a common analytic approach. Targeted next-generation sequencing is well-suited for this purpose; however, selection of relevant target genes for T-LBL remains subject of ongoing debates. Our group has recently designed and evaluated a first target panel of 80 candidate genes for T-LBL. The present study aimed at developing a novel optimized gene panel for large-scale application and to promote an international agreement on a common core panel. Small sequence variants obtained from our former study were systematically analyzed and classified with regards to pathogenic relevance, to prioritize candidate genes. Additional genes were curated from literature and online databases for a more comprehensive analysis of relevant functions and signaling pathways. The new target panel TGP-T-LBL entails 84 candidate genes which are key actors in NOTCH, PI3K-AKT, JAK-STAT, RAS signaling, epigenetic regulation, transcription, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and ribosomal function. From our former gene panel, 35 out of 80 candidate genes were selected for the novel panel. Forty-six out of 84 genes are currently being analyzed in the ongoing international trial LBL2018. Exploratory analysis of prognostic relevance on mutation-level suggested a potential association of PIK3CA variants c.1624G > A(p.Glu542Lys) and c.1633G > A(p.Glu545Lys) to occurrence of relapse, emphasizing particular relevance of mutation analysis in PI3K-AKT signaling. Our approach promotes comprehensive and clinically relevant mutational profiling of pediatric T-LBL. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Children's Oncology Group Trial AALL1231: A Phase III Clinical Trial Testing Bortezomib in Newly Diagnosed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma

PURPOSE

To improve the outcomes of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL), the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was examined in the Children's Oncology Group phase III clinical trial AALL1231, which also attempted to reduce the use of prophylactic cranial radiation (CRT) in newly diagnosed T-ALL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Children and young adults with T-ALL/T-LL were randomly assigned to a modified augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster chemotherapy regimen with/without bortezomib during induction and delayed intensification. Multiple modifications were made to the augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster backbone used in the predecessor trial, AALL0434, including using dexamethasone instead of prednisone and adding two extra doses of pegaspargase in an attempt to eliminate CRT in most patients.

RESULTS

AALL1231 accrued 824 eligible and evaluable patients from 2014 to 2017. The 4-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for arm A (no bortezomib) versus arm B (bortezomib) were 80.1% ± 2.3% versus 83.8% ± 2.1% (EFS, P = .131) and 85.7% ± 2.0% versus 88.3% ± 1.8% (OS, P = .085). Patients with T-LL had improved EFS and OS with bortezomib: 4-year EFS (76.5% ± 5.1% v 86.4% ± 4.0%; P = .041); and 4-year OS (78.3% ± 4.9% v 89.5% ± 3.6%; P = .009). No excess toxicity was seen with bortezomib. In AALL0434, 90.8% of patients with T-ALL received CRT. In AALL1231, 9.5% of patients were scheduled to receive CRT. Evaluation of comparable AALL0434 patients who received CRT and AALL1231 patients who did not receive CRT demonstrated no statistical differences in EFS (P = .412) and OS (P = .600).

CONCLUSION

Patients with T-LL had significantly improved EFS and OS with bortezomib on the AALL1231 backbone. Systemic therapy intensification allowed elimination of CRT in more than 90% of patients with T-ALL without excess relapse.

A case of conjunctival precursor T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma presenting with salmon colored conjunctival mass

Purpose

Observations

Conclusions and importance

A Chinese Child Presented with Early T Cell Precursor Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is regarded as the leukemic phase of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The early T cell precursors ALL/LBL (ETP-LBL/ALL) are derived from thymic cells at the ETP differentiation stage and recognized as a high-risk subgroup of T-ALL/LBL. Most of these cases presented with ALL at the disease onset, but the ETP-LBL phase is uncommon. Here, we report a patient who presented with ETP-LBL at the disease onset. In this case, ALL developed even despite receiving chemotherapy, but the patient achieved a complete remission with intensive chemotherapy.

Exploiting the reactive oxygen species imbalance in high-risk paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia through auranofin

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for high-risk childhood acute leukaemias remains dismal and established treatment protocols often cause long-term side effects in survivors. This study aims to identify more effective and safer therapeutics for these patients.

METHODS

A high-throughput phenotypic screen of a library of 3707 approved drugs and pharmacologically active compounds was performed to identify compounds with selective cytotoxicity against leukaemia cells followed by further preclinical evaluation in patient-derived xenograft models.

RESULTS

Auranofin, an FDA-approved agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, was identified as exerting selective anti-cancer activity against leukaemia cells, including patient-derived xenograft cells from children with high-risk ALL, versus solid tumour and non-cancerous cells. It induced apoptosis in leukaemia cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and potentiated the activity of the chemotherapeutic cytarabine against highly aggressive models of infant MLL-rearranged ALL by enhancing DNA damage accumulation. The enhanced sensitivity of leukaemia cells towards auranofin was associated with lower basal levels of the antioxidant glutathione and higher baseline ROS levels compared to solid tumour cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights auranofin as a well-tolerated drug candidate for high-risk paediatric leukaemias that warrants further preclinical investigation for application in high-risk paediatric and adult acute leukaemias.

Prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in T-Lymphoblastic lymphoma before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with relapsed or refractory T-Lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS

PET/CT was performed in 21 consecutive relapsed or refractory T-LBL patients scheduled for HSCT. All PET/CT images were assessed using the Deauville criteria, and patients were divided into negative (Deauville ≤ 3) and positive (Deauville > 3) groups for comparison. The predictive value of sex, age, Ann Arbor stage, presence of B symptoms, lactate dehydrogenase level, presence of extranodal disease, and PET/CT results before and after HSCT were evaluated.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that only PET/CT after HSCT (post-PET) was correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.030). The Cox regression model also showed that the post-PET-positive group had a higher hazard ratio (HR) than the negative group (HR = 3.884 and P = 0.049). However, none of the evaluated factors were predictive of overall survival (OS).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-PET cannot predict the PFS and OS of patients with T-LBL undergoing HSCT, which means that ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT cannot be used for identifying patients who can benefit from HSCT. Post-PET is not predictive for OS in patients with T-LBL undergoing HSCT. However, post-PET showed strong correlations with PFS, which means that it may be useful for guiding subsequent clinical treatment decisions.

[Analysis of treatment response and prognostic factors of T-LBL patients treated with pediatric-like ALL therapy following HSCT]

目的

探讨经急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）儿童方案治疗达到完全缓解（CR）和部分缓解（PR）的T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤（T-LBL）患者应用造血干细胞移植巩固治疗的疗效及预后因素。

方法

收集2013年1月至2017年1月于唐都医院血液病中心接受治疗的T-LBL患者的临床资料，将达到CR或PR的患者纳入研究，进行回顾性分析。

结果

①48例患者接受了ALL儿童方案治疗，经2个疗程的诱导化疗后39例达CR，9例达PR。其中接受自体造血干细胞移植（auto-HSCT）者14例，接受异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）者7例，21例患者移植后造血功能均顺利重建。②中位随访时间31（9～16）个月。3年总生存（OS）率为61.0%（95% CI 53.7%～68.3%），3年无进展生存（PFS）率为54.8%（95% CI 47.1%～62.2%）。③移植组和未移植组3年OS率分别为84.7%和42.8%（P＝0.006），两组3年PFS率分别为75.4%和38.9%（P＝0.004）。④auto-HSCT组与allo-HSCT组患者的OS率、PFS率差异均无统计学意义（P值分别为0.320、0.597）。⑤骨髓侵犯、未接受造血干细胞移植是影响患者长期预后的独立危险因素［ HR＝5.804（95% CI 1.140～29.549），P＝0.034；HR＝5.871（95% CI 1.711～20.140），P＝0.005］。

结论

ALL儿童方案化疗序贯造血干细胞移植治疗T-LBL疗效确切，安全性好。auto-HSCT与allo-HSCT患者的OS率及PFS率差异均无统计学意义。骨髓侵犯、未接受造血干细胞移植是影响T-LBL患者长期预后的独立危险因素。

A CpG Methylation Classifier to Predict Relapse in Adults with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

PURPOSE

Adults with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) generally benefit from treatment with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-like regimens, but approximately 40% will relapse after such treatment. We evaluated the value of CpG methylation in predicting relapse for adults with T-LBL treated with ALL-like regimens.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A total of 549 adults with T-LBL from 27 medical centers were included in the analysis. Using the Illumina Methylation 850K Beadchip, 44 relapse-related CpGs were identified from 49 T-LBL samples by two algorithms: least absolute shrinkage and selector operation (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). We built a four-CpG classifier using LASSO Cox regression based on association between the methylation level of CpGs and relapse-free survival in the training cohort (n = 160). The four-CpG classifier was validated in the internal testing cohort (n = 68) and independent validation cohort (n = 321).

RESULTS

The four-CpG-based classifier discriminated patients with T-LBL at high risk of relapse in the training cohort from those at low risk (P < 0.001). This classifier also showed good predictive value in the internal testing cohort (P < 0.001) and the independent validation cohort (P < 0.001). A nomogram incorporating five independent prognostic factors including the CpG-based classifier, lactate dehydrogenase levels, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, central nervous system involvement, and NOTCH1/FBXW7 status showed a significantly higher predictive accuracy than each single variable. Stratification into different subgroups by the nomogram helped identify the subset of patients who most benefited from more intensive chemotherapy and/or sequential hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our four-CpG-based classifier could predict disease relapse in patients with T-LBL, and could be used to guide treatment decision.

BRD2 induces drug resistance through activation of the RasGRP1/Ras/ERK signaling pathway in adult T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Adult patients with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) are treated with high-intensity chemotherapy regimens, but the response rate is still unsatisfactory because of frequent drug resistance. We aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of drug resistance in adults with T-LBL.

METHODS

Gene expression microarray was used to identify differential mRNA expression profiles between chemotherapy-resistant and chemotherapy-sensitive adult T-LBL tissues. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression of bromodomain-containing protein 2 (BRD2) and c-Myc in fresh-frozen T-LBL tissues from 85 adult patients. The Ras pull-down assay was performed to monitor Ras activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to analyze the binding of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1)/BRD2 to the RAS guanyl releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1) promoter region. The drug resistance effect and mechanism of BRD2 were determined by both in vivo and in vitro studies.

RESULTS

A total of 86 chemotherapy resistance-related genes in adult T-LBL were identified by gene expression microarray. Among them, BRD2 was upregulated in chemotherapy-resistant adult T-LBL tissues and associated with worse progression-free survival and overall survival of 85 adult T-LBL patients. Furthermore, BRD2 suppressed doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. The activation of RasGRP1/Ras/ERK signaling might contribute to the Dox resistance effect of BRD2. Besides, OTX015, a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor, reversed the Dox resistance effect of BRD2. Patient-derived tumor xenograft demonstrated that the sequential use of OTX015 after Dox showed superior therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that BRD2 promotes drug resistance in adult T-LBL through the RasGRP1/Ras/ERK signaling pathway. Targeting BRD2 may be a novel strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy and prolong survival of adults with T-LBL.

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma involving the ocular adnexa: report of two cases and review of the current literature

The majority of ocular adnexal lymphomas are B-cell in origin. We report two cases of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) involving the ocular adnexa. One patient presented with a painless pink conjunctival lesion and inferior orbital fullness. The second patient presented with a painless orbital mass. The diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Both patients had extensive multifocal lesions during staging. Prompt intensified chemotherapy regimens were initiated. T-LBL is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. This report emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis by the ophthalmologist with co-management and treatment with an oncologist.

Prognostic and predictive value of a microRNA signature in adults with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

New prognostic factors are needed to establish indications for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in first complete remission (CR1) for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) patients. We used microarray to compare T-LBL tissue samples (n = 75) and fetal thymus tissues (n = 20), and identified 35 differentially expressed miRNAs. Using 107 subjects as the training group, we developed a five-miRNA-based classifier to predict patient survival with LASSO Cox regression: lower risk was associated with better prognosis (disease-free survival (DFS): hazard ratio (HR) 4.548, 95% CI 2.433-8.499, p < 0.001; overall survival (OS): HR 5.030, 95% CI 2.407-10.513, p < 0.001). This classifier displayed good performance in the internal testing set (n = 106) and the independent external set (n = 304). High risk was associated with more favorable response to HSCT (DFS: HR 1.675, 95% CI 1.127-2.488, p = 0.011; OS: HR 1.602, 95% CI 1.055-2.433, p = 0.027). When combined with ECOG-PS and/or NOTCH1/FBXW7 status, this classifier had even better prognostic performance in patients receiving HSCT (DFS: HR 2.088, 95% CI 1.290-3.379, p = 0.003; OS: HR 1.996, 95% CI 1.203-3.311, p = 0.007). The five-miRNA classifier may be a useful prognostic biomarker for T-LBL adults, and could identify subjects who could benefit from HSCT.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma in children and adolescents: review of current challenges and future opportunities

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is the second most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in childhood and adolescence, accounting for 25-35% of all cases. The majority, 70-80%, is of T-lymphoblastic origin while 20-25% arise from B lymphoblasts. With current therapy, the event-free and overall survivals for paediatric LBL patients now exceeds 80%. Therapy, especially in T-LBL with large mediastinal tumours, is challenging, with both significant morbidity and late sequela. An additional challenge is the dismal prognosis of patients with refractory or relapsed disease. This review article will focus on the growing knowledge of the pathogenesis and biology of LBL, recent advances and challenges in the therapy of LBL, and ongoing and future efforts and opportunities in optimizing therapy and developing novel targeted treatment approaches.

[Impact of intensified maintenance therapy on the prognosis of children and adolescents with advanced lymphoblastic lymphoma]

目的

探讨增加维持治疗强度对Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期儿童青少年淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤（Lymphoblastic lymphoma, LBL）患者预后的影响。

方法

回顾性分析接受BFM-NHL-90/-95方案治疗且未做纵隔和中枢预防性放疗的Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期儿童青少年LBL患者的治疗结果。研究分组：1998年至2005年收治的患者于维持治疗阶段，在口服巯基嘌呤和甲氨蝶呤的基础上，定期采用“足叶乙甙+阿糖胞苷”和大剂量甲氨蝶呤交替进行化疗，为强化维持治疗组；其余为非强化维持治疗组。

结果

187例LBL患者纳入研究，其中强化维持治疗组52例，非强化维持治疗组135例，两组患者的性别、年龄、免疫分型、临床分期、危险度分层、受累部位的差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）；中位随访48（0.5～221）个月，两组患者的5年无事件生存（EFS）率分别为（76.9±5.8）%和（77.9±4.3）%（χ²＝0.249，P＝0.617），5年总生存（OS）率分别为（78.8±5.7）%和（79.8±4.1）%（χ²＝0.353，P＝0.552），差异均无统计学意义；亚组分析结果显示，两组患者在不同临床分期（Ⅲ/Ⅳ期）、免疫分型（T/B-LBL）和危险分层（中/高危）中的EFS、OS率差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。维持治疗期间，强化维持治疗组和非强化维持治疗组患者Ⅲ、Ⅳ级骨髓抑制发生率分别为55.8%和18.5%（χ²＝25.363，P<0.05）。

结论

提高维持治疗强度并未提高Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期儿童青少年LBL患者的长期生存且可增加骨髓抑制等治疗相关不良反应。

Outcome and Toxicity Patterns in Children and Adolescents with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Single Institution Experience

Background

The incidence and biology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) vary according to age. Some data suggest that the impact of age in pediatric and adolescent NHL patients depends on the histological subtype. Objectives: We aimed to analyze the impact of age at diagnosis on clinical characteristics and treatment-related toxicity in children and adolescents with NHL.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with NHL at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, between January 1995 and December 2008.

Results

164 children were diagnosed with NHL during the study period, with a median age at diagnosis of 10 years. With a median follow-up of 6.2 years, 5-year OS in patients aged <15 and 15–18 years was 89± 2% vs 82% ± 6%, respectively (P = 0.30), and 5-year EFS was 84% ± 3% vs. 77% ± 7% (P= 0.37). In Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) there was a trend towards better outcomes in children compared to adolescents, with EFS of 91% ± 4% vs. 75% ± 15%, respectively in BL (P= 0.17), and 82% ± 7% vs. 51.4% ± 2% respectively in LL (P= 0.16). Late effects occurred in 21 patients (12.8%).

Conclusions

Children with NHL aged < 15 years tend to have better survival rates and similar long-term toxicity than adolescents aged 15–18 years.

Senescent stromal cell-induced divergence and therapeutic resistance in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

T cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) is a precursor T cell leukemia/lymphoma that represents approximately 15% of all childhood and 25% of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although a high cure rate is observed in children, therapy resistance is often observed in adults and mechanisms leading to this resistance remain elusive. Utilizing public gene expression datasets, a fibrotic signature was detected in T-LBL but not T-ALL biopsies. Further, using a T-ALL cell line, CCRF-CEM (CEM) cells, we show that CEM cells induce pulmonary remodeling in immunocompromised mice, suggesting potential interaction between these cells and lung fibroblasts. Co-culture studies suggested that fibroblasts-induced phenotypic and genotypic divergence in co-cultured CEM cells leading to diminished therapeutic responses in vitro. Senescent rather than proliferating stromal cells induced these effects in CEM cells, due, in part, to the enhanced production of oxidative radicals and exosomes containing miRNAs targeting BRCA1 and components of the Mismatch Repair pathway (MMR). Collectively, our studies demonstrate that there may be bidirectional interaction between leukemic cells and stroma, where leukemic cells induce stromal development in vivo and senescent stromal cells generates genomic alterations in the leukemic cells rendering them therapeutic resistant. Thus, targeting senescent stroma might prove beneficial in T-ALL/LBL patients.

Safety and efficacy of nelarabine in children and young adults with relapsed or refractory T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or T-lineage lymphoblastic lymphoma: results of a phase 4 study

Nelarabine is an antineoplastic agent approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) or T-lineage acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). The purpose of this phase 4, multicentre, single-arm, observational, open-label trial was to provide additional data on the safety and efficacy of nelarabine under licensed conditions of use in children and young adults ≤21 years of age. Patients (N = 28) had a mean ± standard deviation age of 11·5 ± 4·6 years; 71% were male and 61% had a diagnosis of T-ALL. Adverse events (AEs) and treatment-related AEs were experienced by 46% and 21%, respectively, and included few haematological AEs and no haematological serious AEs. Neurological AEs from one of four predefined categories (peripheral and central nervous systems, mental status change and uncategorized) were reported in four patients. There were no AE-related treatment discontinuations/withdrawals. The overall response rate was 39.3%: complete response (CR), 35.7%; CR without full haematological recovery (CR*), 3.6%. Post-treatment stem cell transplantation was performed for 46% of the cohort. Median overall survival (OS) was 3·35 months for non-responders and not reached for responders (CR + CR*). The response rate, median OS, and safety profile of nelarabine in this disease setting and population were consistent with those reported previously.