Clinical significance of WT1 in the evaluation of therapeutic effect and prognosis of non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia

To explore the clinical significance and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with WT1 mutations.In total, the clinical data of 269 adult patients with non-M3 AML were considered retrospectively. From these patients, 153 carried WT1 mutation whereas 116 were negative. WT1 mutation positive patients were further divided into WT1 low expression and high expression groups base on the expression level of WT1 by qPCR at diagnosis (cut off: 170500). Survival and therapeutic effect analysis were performed for the above patients with different interfering factors such as co-mutations, the extent of WT1 log reduction and the chemotherapy regimens. Patients with high WT1 expression have higher rate of relapse. We can accurately identify patients with inferior outcomes when we take the following factors into consideration: the WT1 expression level at diagnosis; different prognostic factors including co-mutations (especially NPM1 and FLT3-ITD); the log reduction of WT1 after induction therapy and the risk of stratification. Idarubicin + Cytarabine (IA) regimen could reduce the expression level of WT1 after treatment, and Allo-HSCT played an important role in improving the prognosis of patients with WT1 high expression and patients with WT1 negativity. Among the relapsed patients, there existed a rising trend of WT1-MRD in advance than MFC-MRD and that of patients with continuous complete remission (CR). Different clinical background should be taken into consideration when we judge the prognosis and therapeutic effect of patients with WT1 mutations. In addition, WT1 may be an optional MRD marker, which needs regular monitoring.

Resistance Mechanism of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Against Daunorubicin and Cytarabine: A Literature Review

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy commonly found in adult patients. Low overall survival and resistance to therapy are the main issues in AML. The first line of treatment for AML chemotherapy is the induction phase, namely, the phase to induce remission by administering a combination of daunorubicin (DNR) for three days followed by administration of cytarabine (Ara-C) with continuous infusion for seven days, which is referred to as "3 + 7." Such induction therapy has been the standard therapy for AML for the last four decades. This review article is made to discuss daunorubicin and cytarabine from their chemical structure, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of resistance in AML.

Activity of decitabine as maintenance therapy in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Posttherapy measurable residual disease (MRD) positivity in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF‐AML) is associated with shorter relapse‐free survival (RFS). Elimination of MRD measured via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) for disease specific transcripts can potentially lead to better outcomes in CBF‐AML.

Methods

We prospectively monitored the MRD using qRTPCR and flow cytometry on bone marrow samples in patients with newly diagnosed CBF‐AML who received decitabine (DAC) maintenance therapy after fludarabine/cytarabine/G‐CSF (FLAG)‐based induction/consolidation regimen. Negative qRTPCR (CMR) was defined as fusion transcript <0.01%.

Results

Thirty‐one patients with CBF‐AML including 14 with t(8;21) and 17 with inv(16) received parenteral DAC as maintenance therapy. Fifteen patients (48.3%) had completed FLAG‐based induction/consolidation but with positive MRD (0.35%, range = 0.01%–0.91%) (Group 1). Sixteen patients (51.7%) could not complete recommended consolidations with FLAG‐based regimen (due to older age or complications) and were switched to DAC maintenance (Group 2). In Group 2, eight patients (50%) had undetectable MRD (Group 2A) (all had qRTPCR ≤ 0.01%) and the other eight patients (50%) had residual fusion product by qRTPCR (0.1%, range = 0.02%–0.36%) (Group 2B) prior to starting DAC. Amongst the 23 patients who had a PCR ≥ 0.01% before maintenance therapy (Groups 1 and 2B), 12 patients (52%) attained a CMR as their best response (responders). The median pre‐DAC qRTPCR amongst responders were 0.03% compared to 0.14% in nonresponders (p = .002). The median estimated molecular RFS amongst responders were 93.9 months. At a median follow‐up of 59.3 months (13.2–106 months) from DAC initiation, 16 patients (51.6%) had to be initiated on a second line of therapy (40%, 25%, and 100% patients, respectively, in Groups1, 2A, and 2B). The median estimated time to new treatment between responders was 112.4 versus 5.8 months in nonresponders (hazard ratio = 0.16, 95% confidence interval = 0.04–0.54); however, there were no difference in overall survival between these groups (p = .37).

Conclusion

DAC is an effective maintenance therapy for CBF‐AML patients with persistent fusion transcript at a low level after FLAG‐based regimen. Attainment of CMR with DAC maintenance can lead to long‐term remission in patients who have persistent MRD positive after FLAG‐based regimen or are unable to receive the full course of consolidation therapy.

Clinical values of gene alterations as marker of minimal residual disease in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic system. Residual leukemic cells after treatment are associated with relapse. Thus, detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) is significant. Major techniques for MRD assessment include multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). At a molecular level, AML is the consequence of collaboration of several gene alterations. Some of these gene alterations can also be used as MRD markers to evaluate the level of residual leukemic cells by PCR and NGS. However, when as MRD markers, different gene alterations have different clinical values. This paper aims to summarize the characteristics of various MRD markers, so as to better predict the clinical outcome of AML patients and guide the treatment.

Genetic biomarkers identify a subgroup of high-risk patients within low-risk NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia

Although acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD^neg is a low-risk entity, its relapse rate remains high. Out of 333 AML patients, 27 were NPM1^mut, and were analyzed in greater detail in order to find associations between clinical and molecular features and cumulative incidence of relapse. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on diagnosis and remission samples using two capture-based panels. The presence of the FLT3^D835 variant at diagnosis and a qPCR value of NPM1^mut ≥0.1% after induction chemotherapy were associated with an increased probability of relapse, especially if both conditions are present together. By contrast, patients in which the main clone found at diagnosis harbored NPM1 variant had a lower risk of relapse. Nineteen of the 85 variants found at diagnosis were detected by NGS in remission. AML Subgroup with NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD^neg is a heterogeneous entity, which can be further risk-stratified based on molecular biomarkers.

The effectiveness of three different 7 + 3 induction regimes in China: A retrospective analysis in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Objectives:

In China, for economic reasons, induction regimes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often involve domestically produced idarubicin (IDA) rather than imported IDA. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of induction regimens in combination with cytarabine; involving imported or domestic IDA, or daunorubicin (DNR).

Methods:

The study was conducted from 1^st July 2012 to 30^th November 2015 at Baoding No.1 Central Hospital. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed AML admitted to Baoding First Central Hospital, China. Patients were divided into three groups according to their treatment regimen: the IA-imported group, the IA-domestic group, and the DNR group. Clinical data, complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), non-remission (NR) rates, and side effects were compared.

Results:

Total 282 patients were enrolled, including 123 patients in the IA-imported group, 98 in the IA-domestic group and 61 in the DNR group. The IA-domestic and IA-imported groups’ remission rates were similar (P=0.123) but significantly different from the DNR group (both P<0.05). Side effects were similar in all three groups and no severe side effects were reported.

Conclusion:

Cytarabine induction regimens showed similar remission rates in combination with IDA produced in China compared to imported IDA and were more effective than DNR.

Advances in Genomic Profiling and Risk Stratification in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

OBJECTIVE

To review the current state of molecular and genetic profiling of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its implications.

DATA SOURCE

Peer-reviewed journal articles.

CONCLUSION

Significant advances in the understanding of the pathology of acute myeloid leukemia have led to refined risk stratification of patients and application of novel targeted therapies based on genetic profiles. Minimal residual disease testing allows for highly sensitive disease surveillance that can be used to predict relapse and assess treatment response.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Accurate prognostication and therapeutic decision-making for patients with acute myeloid leukemia is dependent on molecular profiling. Being knowledgeable of the implications of minimal residual disease testing is critical for patient-centered care.

Revisiting autologous transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) has been evaluated as a consolidation treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the 1980s and 1990s. These prospective studies from large trials compared auto-HCT with chemotherapy. A comparison was made also with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). These studies reported a lower relapse rate with auto-HCT compared with chemotherapy, but without impact on the overall survival. A high transplant-related mortality in that era confounded the relevance of these data.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several prospective studies and a plethora of retrospective registry data have confirmed the potent antileukemic therapy of auto-HCT compared with chemotherapy and, in some instances, have even challenged the presumed superiority of allo-HCT as the definitive therapy for certain patients with AML.

SUMMARY

The aggregate of recent data, prospective and retrospective, strongly suggests an important role for auto-HCT, at least as the most potent nonimmunologic antileukemia therapy. The transplant-related mortality in 2017 is close to that expected from standard consolidation therapy leading to the conclusion that the role of auto-HCT needs to be rigorously revisited, preferably in prospective studies, to establish its precise role in the current era.

The role of automated cytometry in the new era of cancer immunotherapy

The introduction in the clinical practice of several new approaches to cancer immunotherapy has greatly increased the interest in analytical methodologies that can define the immunological profile of patients in the clinical setting. This requires huge effort to obtain reliable monitoring tools that could be used to improve the patient's clinical outcome. The clinical applications of flow cytometry (FCM) in oncology started with the measurement of DNA content for the evaluation of both ploidy and cell cycle profile as potential prognostic parameters in the majority of human solid cancer types. The availability of monoclonal antibodies widely broadened the spectrum of clinical applications of this technique, which rapidly became a fundamental tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of malignant hematological diseases. Among the emerging clinical applications of FCM, the study of minimal residual disease in hematological malignancies, the quantification of blood dendritic cells in various types of tumors, the study of metastatic spread in solid tumors throughout both the analysis of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and the identification and characterization of circulating tumor cells, all appear very promising. More recently, an advanced single cell analysis technique has been developed that combines the precision of mass spectrometry with the unique advantages of FCM. This approach, termed mass cytometry, utilizes antibodies conjugated to heavy metal ions for the analysis of cellular proteins by a mass spectrometer. It provides measurement of over 100 simultaneous cellular parameters in a single sample and has evolved from a promising technology to a high recognized platform for multi-dimensional single-cell analysis. Should a careful standardization of the analytical procedures be reached, both FCM and mass cytometry could effectively become ideal tools for the optimization of new immunotherapeutic approaches in cancer patients.

Acute myeloid leukaemia

For several decades, few substantial therapeutic advances have been made for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. However, since 2017 unprecedented growth has been seen in the number of drugs available for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, with several new drugs receiving regulatory approval. In addition to advancing our therapeutic armamentarium, an increased understanding of the biology and genomic architecture of acute myeloid leukaemia has led to refined risk assessment of this disease, with consensus risk stratification guidelines now incorporating a growing number of recurrent molecular aberrations that aid in the selection of risk-adapted management strategies. Despite this promising recent progress, the outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia remain unsatisfactory, with more than half of patients ultimately dying from their disease. Enrolment of patients into clinical trials that evaluate novel drugs and rational combination therapies is imperative to continuing this progress and further improving the outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.

SOX11 expression as a MRD molecular marker for MCL in comparison with t(11;14) and IGH rearrangement

The main cause of death in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients is relapse due to undetermined minimal residual disease (MRD) and therefore monitoring MRD is crucial for making the best treatment decisions. The gold standard method for MRD analysis is the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The most commonly used molecular markers for measuring MRD in MCL are: t(11;14)(q13;p32) translocation or CCND1 expression and IGH rearrangement. Such markers can, however, be found in other B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Recent studies demonstrate that SOX11 expression is highly specific for MCL and could be used as a marker for measuring MRD. Moreover, evidence shows that SOX11 level could be predictive for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). We have measured MRD level in follow-up samples from 27 patients diagnosed with MCL using the molecular markers: t(11;14), IGH rearrangement and SOX11 expression. We compared all markers by their sensitivity, utility and quantitative range. We also examined the predictive value of SOX11 expression for OS and PFS. SOX11 expression was found to have better specificity, quantitative range and utility than the t(11;14). The predictive value of SOX11 expression was confirmed. At diagnosis, patients with high SOX11 expression had shorter PFS than patients with low SOX11 expression (p = 0.04*); differences between OS being statistically insignificant. To our best knowledge this is a first study comparing SOX11 with t(11;14) and IGH rearrangement as markers of MRD level. Moreover, in this study we confirmed that SOX11 is useful in cases when other molecular markers cannot be used.