[Comparative study of cytogenetic response evaluated by conventional banding analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization in chronic myeloid leukemia patients during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment]

Objective: To compare the cytogenetic response detected by conventional banding analysis (CBA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and to explore the correlation between the cytogenetic and molecular response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients during tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Methods: CBA, FISH and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) methods were performed to detect the cytogenetic and molecular response simultaneously in 504 bone marrow samples from 367 CML patients who received TKI treatment. Results: Among 504 samples, 344 were detected to reach complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) by CBA, while 297 samples reached CCyR by FISH which were considered to carry BCR-ABL positive cells<1%. When the results of CBA, FISH and RQ-PCR were compared in 493 samples at the same time, it showed that in 337 samples with CBA-CCyR, 273 (81.0%) reached FISH-CCyR and 289 (85.8%) were BCR-ABL(IS) (International Scale, IS) ≤1% by RQ-PCR, compared to 9.0 (261/290) were BCR-ABL(IS) ≤1% among 290 samples with FISH-CCyR. There was no significant difference in the median value of BCR-ABL(IS) between samples in CBA-CCyR and FISH-CCyR (0.21% vs 0.13%, z=-1.875, P=0.061) . Furthermore, when the samples were divided into three groups according to BCR-ABL positive cells (0,>0~<1%, 1%~5%) by FISH, the statistical difference was observed, the proportion of samples with BCR-ABL(IS) ≤1% in the three groups were 94.1%, 57.6% and 27.7% respectively (χ(2)=43.499, P<0.001; χ(2)=9.734, P=0.003) , while the median value of BCR-ABL(IS) were 0.10%, 0.64% and 1.80% respectively (z=-5.864, P<0.001; z=-4.787, P<0.001) . Conclusion: FISH results were in good concordance with CBA in identify samples in CCyR, FISH was more sensitive and had better correlation with RQ-PCR results than CBA, but how to define FISH-CCyR need further study.

Bone Marrow Synoptic Reporting for Hematologic Neoplasms: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center

CONTEXT

-There is ample evidence from the solid tumor literature that synoptic reporting improves accuracy and completeness of relevant data. No evidence-based guidelines currently exist for synoptic reporting for bone marrow samples.

OBJECTIVE

-To develop evidence-based recommendations to standardize the basic components of a synoptic report template for bone marrow samples.

DESIGN

-The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center convened a panel of experts in hematopathology to develop recommendations. A systematic evidence review was conducted to address 5 key questions. Recommendations were derived from strength of evidence, open comment feedback, and expert panel consensus.

RESULTS

-Nine guideline statements were established to provide pathology laboratories with a framework by which to develop synoptic reporting templates for bone marrow samples. The guideline calls for specific data groups in the synoptic section of the pathology report; provides a list of evidence-based parameters for key, pertinent elements; and addresses ancillary testing.

CONCLUSION

-A framework for bone marrow synoptic reporting will improve completeness of the final report in a manner that is clear, succinct, and consistent among institutions.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia by flourescence in situ hybridization and molecular genetic methods

AIMS

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) were used to diagnose or screen for minimal residual disease (MRD) in Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive leukemia. We compared the diagnostic utility of FISH and QRT-PCR at various time points in the course of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and to determine the mean initial values for patients whose QRT-PCR results were not known at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

We analyzed 135 results for 78 CML patients tested by FISH and QRT-PCR for the Ph chromosomal translocation. All newly diagnosed cases were positive by both methods. On follow-up following treatment, 1 case was FISH positive and QRT-PCR negative; 61 cases were FISH negative and QRT-PCR positive. Overall concordance was 54.1%. There was good concordance between QRT-PCR results and cytogenetic response categories.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that QRT-PCR allows precise measurement of low levels of BCR-ABL transcripts and can serve as a sensitive indicator of MRD. We also demonstrated 100% correlation between QRT-PCR and FISH in newly diagnosed CML.

The differences and correlations of BCR-ABL transcripts between peripheral blood and bone marrow assays are associated with the molecular responses in the bone marrow for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Previous studies concerning BCR-ABL mRNA levels by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (Q-PCR) for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have shown a significant concordance between peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) assays. The objective of this study was to determine whether molecular monitoring using PB was comparable to using BM for CML. A comparative study was performed that analyzed the Q-PCR results of 712 simultaneous PB and BM samples from 330 patients before and during imatinib therapy. For the 78 paired pretreatment samples, the level of BCR-ABL mRNA in PB was lower than that in BM (P = 0.007). Although the overall amounts of BCR-ABL mRNA in the PB and BM were comparable (P= 0.072) and there was a strong correlation (r = 0.839, P < 0.001) with the 634 paired on-treatment samples, the depth of the molecular response in PB was lower than that in BM (P < 0.001). The level of BCR-ABL mRNA in PB was lower than that in BM where the BM BCR-ABL mRNA < 1 log reduction (P < 0.001) or ≥ 1-< 2 log-reductions (P = 0.008) from the baseline, and higher than that where the BM BCR-ABL mRNA ≥ 2 log-reductions (P < 0.001). A strong correlation (r = 0.811, P < 0.001) was only found where the BM BCR-ABL mRNA < 1 log reduction. We conclude that the differences and correlations of BCR-ABL mRNA between PB and BM assays depend on the depth of the molecular response in BM for CML during imatinib therapy.

Chronic myeloid leukemia: a prospective comparison of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization and chromosome banding analysis for the definition of complete cytogenetic response: a study of the GIMEMA CML WP

In chronic myeloid leukemia, different methods are available to monitor the response to therapy: chromosome banding analysis (CBA), interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-Q-PCR). The GIMEMA CML WP (Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Adulto Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Working Party) has performed a prospective study to compare CBA and I-FISH for the definition of complete cytogenetic response (CCgR). Samples (n = 664) were evaluated simultaneously by CBA and I-FISH. Of 537 cases in CCgR, the number of positive nuclei by I-FISH was less than 1% in 444 cases (82.7%). Of 451 cases with less than 1% positive nuclei by I-FISH, 444 (98.4%) were classified as CCgR by CBA. The major molecular response rate was significantly greater in cases with I-FISH less than 1% than in those with I-FISH 1% to 5% (66.8% vs 51.6%, P < .001) and in cases with CCgR and I-FISH less than 1% than in cases with CCgR and I-FISH 1% to 5% (66.1% vs 49.4%, P = .004). I-FISH is more sensitive than CBA and can be used to monitor CCgR. With appropriate probes, the cutoff value of I-FISH may be established at 1%. These trials are registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00514488 and NCT00510926.

Efficacy of melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide in patients older than 75 years with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: IFM 01/01 trial

PURPOSE

Until recently, melphalan and prednisone were the standards of care in elderly patients with multiple myeloma. The addition of thalidomide to this combination demonstrated a survival benefit for patients age 65 to 75 years. This randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial investigated the efficacy of melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide in patients older than 75 years with newly diagnosed myeloma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2002 and December 2006, 232 previously untreated patients with myeloma, age 75 years or older, were enrolled and 229 were randomly assigned to treatment. All patients received melphalan (0.2 mg/kg/d) plus prednisone (2 mg/kg/d) for 12 courses (day 1 to 4) every 6 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg/d of oral thalidomide (n = 113) or placebo (n = 116), continuously for 72 weeks. The primary end point was overall survival.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 47.5 months, overall survival was significantly longer in patients who received melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide compared with those who received melphalan and prednisone plus placebo (median, 44.0 v 29.1 months; P = .028). Progression-free survival was significantly prolonged in the melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide group (median, 24.1 v 18.5 months; P = .001). Two adverse events were significantly increased in the melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide group: grade 2 to 4 peripheral neuropathy (20% v 5% in the melphalan and prednisone plus placebo group; P < .001) and grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (23% v 9%; P = .003).

CONCLUSION

This trial confirms the superiority of the combination melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide over melphalan and prednisone alone for prolonging survival in very elderly patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Toxicity was acceptable.