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Al-Ibraheem A, Allouzi S, Abdlkadir AS, Mikhail-Lette M, Al-Rabi K, Ma'koseh M, Knoll P, Abdelrhman Z, Shahin O, Juweid ME, Paez D, Lopci E. PET/CT in leukemia: utility and future directions. Nucl Med Commun 2024; 45:550-563. [PMID: 38646840 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000001846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
2-Deoxy-2-[ 18 F]fluoro- d -glucose PET/computed tomography ([ 18 F]FDG PET/CT) has proven to be a sensitive method for the detection and evaluation of hematologic malignancies, especially lymphoma. The increasing incidence and mortality rates of leukemia have raised significant concerns. Through the utilization of whole-body imaging, [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT provides a thorough assessment of the entire bone marrow, complementing the limited insights provided by biopsy samples. In this regard, [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT has the ability to assess diverse types of leukemia The utilization of [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT has been found to be effective in evaluating leukemia spread beyond the bone marrow, tracking disease relapse, identifying Richter's transformation, and assessing the inflammatory activity associated with acute graft versus host disease. However, its role in various clinical scenarios in leukemia remains unacknowledged. Despite their less common use, some novel PET/CT radiotracers are being researched for potential use in specific scenarios in leukemia patients. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to provide a thorough assessment of the current applications of [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT in the staging and monitoring of leukemia patients, as well as the potential for an expanding role of PET/CT in leukemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Al-Ibraheem
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC),
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan,
| | - Sudqi Allouzi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC),
| | | | - Miriam Mikhail-Lette
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria,
| | - Kamal Al-Rabi
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan,
| | - Mohammad Ma'koseh
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan,
| | - Peter Knoll
- Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria,
| | - Zaid Abdelrhman
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan,
| | - Omar Shahin
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan,
| | - Malik E Juweid
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan and
| | - Diana Paez
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria,
| | - Egesta Lopci
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS - Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Rozzano (MI), Italy
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2
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Tsushima T, Sato N, Guo Y, Nakamura H, Kunisada K, Chi S, Akie K, Takahashi Y, Nakamura S, Shimada K, Ishii G, Minami Y, Yuda J. Richter transformation acquiring PLCG2 mutation during Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment. EJHAEM 2024; 5:642-645. [PMID: 38895067 PMCID: PMC11182410 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Tsushima
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
- Department of Hematology and OncologyJapanese Red Cross Narita HospitalNaritaJapan
| | - Nobue Sato
- Pharmaceutical DepartmentNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Yong‐Mei Guo
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Hirotaka Nakamura
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Kodai Kunisada
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Song‐Gi Chi
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Kenta Akie
- Department of Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Saki Nakamura
- Department of Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Kaoru Shimada
- Department of RadiologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Genichiro Ishii
- Department of PathologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
| | - Junichiro Yuda
- Department of Hematology and OncologyNational Cancer Center Hospital EastKashiwaJapan
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3
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Playa-Albinyana H, Arenas F, Royo R, Giró A, López-Oreja I, Aymerich M, López-Guerra M, Frigola G, Beà S, Delgado J, Garcia-Roves PM, Campo E, Nadeu F, Colomer D. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient-derived xenografts recapitulate clonal evolution to Richter transformation. Leukemia 2024; 38:557-569. [PMID: 38017105 PMCID: PMC10912031 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02095-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell neoplasm with a heterogeneous clinical behavior. In 5-10% of patients the disease transforms into a diffuse large-B cell lymphoma known as Richter transformation (RT), which is associated with dismal prognosis. Here, we aimed to establish patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to study the molecular features and evolution of CLL and RT. We generated two PDXs by injecting CLL (PDX12) and RT (PDX19) cells into immunocompromised NSG mice. Both PDXs were morphologically and phenotypically similar to RT. Whole-genome sequencing analysis at different time points of the PDX evolution revealed a genomic landscape similar to RT tumors from both patients and uncovered an unprecedented RT subclonal heterogeneity and clonal evolution during PDX generation. In PDX12, the transformed cells expanded from a very small subclone already present at the CLL stage. Transcriptomic analysis of PDXs showed a high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and low B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling similar to the RT in the patients. IACS-010759, an OXPHOS inhibitor, reduced proliferation, and circumvented resistance to venetoclax. In summary, we have generated new RT-PDX models, one of them from CLL cells that mimicked the evolution of CLL to RT uncovering intrinsic features of RT cells of therapeutical value.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Animals
- Mice
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Heterografts
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Clonal Evolution/genetics
- Prognosis
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Heribert Playa-Albinyana
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabian Arenas
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Romina Royo
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Giró
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene López-Oreja
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Aymerich
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica López-Guerra
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Frigola
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Beà
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Delgado
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo M Garcia-Roves
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elías Campo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Nadeu
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Lymphoid Neoplasms Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Colomer
- Experimental Therapeutics in Lymphoid Malignancies Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Hematopathology Section, Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
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Sośnia O, Pruszczyk K, Danecki M, Wąsik-Szczepanek E, Tryc-Szponder J, Iskierka-Jażdżewska E, Majeranowski A, Krzemień H, Bołkun Ł, Paszkiewicz-Kozik E, Drozd-Sokołowska J, Kwiatkowski J, Wiśniewska-Organek D, Prochorec-Sobieszek M, Szumera-Ciećkiewicz A, Budziszewska B, Jamroziak K, Hus I, Lech-Marańda E, Puła B. Richter transformation - retrospective treatment outcomes analysis in Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group. Leuk Lymphoma 2024; 65:175-186. [PMID: 37921067 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2277140] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Richter transformation (RT) is defined as developing an aggressive lymphoma in 2-10% of patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). So far, no complex analysis of RT demographics and treatment outcomes has been performed in Poland. Thus, the retrospective analysis of 124 patients with RT from Polish hematology centers was designed. Ninety-nine patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL-RT) were identified. The median overall survival (OS) for DLBCL-RT was 17.3 months, while for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL-RT)-21.3 months. In multivariate analysis, the independent factors of worse OS for DLBCL-RT were: prior CLL therapy, ECOG stage ≥2, and elevated serum LDH activity. Patients who proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) achieved better results. The median OS in allogeneic HSCT recipients was not reached, while in autologous HSCT median OS was 51.3 months. In conclusion, our study represents the largest dataset of patients diagnosed with RT in Poland and confirms its dismal prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oktawia Sośnia
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Pruszczyk
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Danecki
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Cracow, Poland
| | - Ewa Wąsik-Szczepanek
- Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jagoda Tryc-Szponder
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Alan Majeranowski
- Department of Hematology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Helena Krzemień
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical School of Silesia, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bołkun
- Department of Hematology, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Ewa Paszkiewicz-Kozik
- Department of Lymphoid Malignancies, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Joanna Drozd-Sokołowska
- Department of Hematology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Kwiatkowski
- Department of Hematology and Cellular Transplantation, Lower Silesian Oncology Center, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
- Department of Pathology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
- Diagnostic Hematology Department, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szumera-Ciećkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
- Diagnostic Hematology Department, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Budziszewska
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jamroziak
- Department of Hematology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Hus
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Hematology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Lech-Marańda
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Puła
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Albano D, Calabrò A, Dondi F, Bertagna F. 2-[ 18F]-FDG PET/CT Semiquantitative and Radiomics Predictive Parameters of Richter's Transformation in CLL Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:203. [PMID: 38399491 PMCID: PMC10889972 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in developed countries, which can evolve into aggressive lymphoma variants, a process called Richter transformation (RT). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the role of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT) and its semiquantitative and radiomics features in detecting RT and evaluate the impact on overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with histologically proven CLL were retrospectively recruited. PET/CT images were qualitatively and semiquantitatively examined by estimating the main metabolic parameters (the maximum standardized uptake value body weight (SUVbw), lean body mass (SUVlbm), body surface area (SUVbsa), lesion-to-blood-pool SUV ratio (L-BP SUV R), lesion-to-liver SUV ratio (L-L SUV R), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and radiomics first- and second- order variables of the lesion with highest uptake. The role of these parameters in predicting RT and OS was analyzed. Results: One hundred and thirty (95%) PET/CT scans were positive, showing an increased tracer uptake at the site of disease, whereas the remaining 7 (5%) scans were negative. SUVbw, SUVlbm, SUVbsa, L-L SUV ratio, and L-BP SUV ratio were significantly higher in the RT group (p < 0.001 in all cases). Radiomics first- and second-order features were not significantly associated with RT. After a median follow-up of 44 months, 56 patients died; OS was significantly shorter in patients with RT than patients without RT (28 vs. 34 months; p = 0.002). Binet-stage, RT, and L-BP SUV R were shown to be independent prognostic features. Conclusions: Semiquantitative PET/CT parameters such as SUVbw, SUVlbm, SUVbsa, L-L SUV ratio and L-BP SUV ratio may be useful in discriminating patients with a high risk of developing RT, whereas Binet-stage, RT, and L-BP SUV R are also significant in predicting OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Albano
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.D.); (F.B.)
- Radiological Sciences and Public Health Department, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Anna Calabrò
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.D.); (F.B.)
- Radiological Sciences and Public Health Department, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.D.); (F.B.)
- Radiological Sciences and Public Health Department, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertagna
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.D.); (F.B.)
- Radiological Sciences and Public Health Department, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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6
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Bibas M. Plasmablastic Lymphoma. A State-of-the-Art Review: Part 1-Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinicopathologic Characteristics, Differential Diagnosis, Prognostic Factors, and Special Populations. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2024; 16:e2024007. [PMID: 38223486 PMCID: PMC10786126 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2024.007] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
This two-part review aims to present a current and comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and management of plasmablastic lymphoma. The first section, as presented in this paper, reviews epidemiology, etiology, clinicopathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, prognostic variables, and the impact of plasmablastic lymphoma on specific populations. Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. Previous and modern studies have demonstrated a significant association between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the development of the disease. The limited occurrence of PBL contributes to a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in its etiology. Consequently, the diagnostic procedure for PBL poses a significant difficulty. Among the group of CD20-negative large B-cell lymphomas, PBL can be correctly diagnosed by identifying its exact clinical characteristics, anatomical location, and morphological characteristics. PBL cells do not express CD20 or PAX5 but possess plasmacytic differentiation markers such as CD38, CD138, MUM1/IRF4, Blimp1, and XBP1. PBL must be distinguished from other B-cell malignancies that lack the CD20 marker, including primary effusion lymphoma, anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma, and large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). This condition is frequently associated with infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and genetic alterations involving the MYC gene. Despite advances in our comprehension of this disease, the prognosis remains dismal, resulting in a low overall survival rate, although recent reports suggest an apparent tendency towards substantial improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Bibas
- Department of Clinical Research, Hematology. National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" I.R.C.S.S. Rome, Italy
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7
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Al-Sawaf O, Ligtvoet R, Robrecht S, Stumpf J, Fink AM, Tausch E, Schneider C, Boettcher S, Mikusko M, Ritgen M, Schetelig J, von Tresckow J, Vehling-Kaiser U, Gaska T, Wendtner CM, Chapuy B, Fischer K, Kreuzer KA, Stilgenbauer S, Staber P, Niemann C, Hallek M, Eichhorst B. Tislelizumab plus zanubrutinib for Richter transformation: the phase 2 RT1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:240-248. [PMID: 38071379 PMCID: PMC10803258 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02722-9] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Richter transformation (RT) reflects the development of an aggressive lymphoma that is associated with poor response to chemotherapy and short survival. We initiated an international, investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label phase 2 study in which patients with RT received a combination of the PD-1 inhibitor tislelizumab plus the BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib for 12 cycles. Patients responding to treatment underwent maintenance treatment with both agents. The primary end point was overall response rate after six cycles. Of 59 enrolled patients, 48 patients received at least two cycles of treatment and comprised the analysis population according to the study protocol. The median observation time was 13.9 months, the median age was 67 (range 45-82) years. Ten patients (20.8%) had received previous RT-directed therapy. In total, 28 out of 48 patients responded to induction therapy with an overall response rate of 58.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 43.2-72.4), including 9 (18.8%) complete reponse and 19 (39.6%) partial response, meeting the study's primary end point by rejecting the predefined null hypothesis of 40% (P = 0.008). Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival. The median duration of response was not reached, the median progression-free survival was 10.0 months (95% CI 3.8-16.3). Median overall survival was not reached with a 12-month overall survival rate of 74.7% (95% CI 58.4-91.0). The most common adverse events were infections (18.0%), gastrointestinal disorders (13.0%) and hematological toxicities (11.4%). These data suggest that combined checkpoint and BTK inhibition by tislelizumab plus zanubrutinib is an effective and well-tolerated treatment strategy for patients with RT. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04271956 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Othman Al-Sawaf
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- Francis Crick Institute London, London, UK.
- Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Rudy Ligtvoet
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sandra Robrecht
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janina Stumpf
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Fink
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eugen Tausch
- Department III of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christof Schneider
- Department III of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Boettcher
- Department III of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martin Mikusko
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Ritgen
- Department II of Internal Medicine, Campus Kiel, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Johannes Schetelig
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia von Tresckow
- Clinic for Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Gaska
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef, Paderborn, Germany
| | | | - Bjoern Chapuy
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité -University Medical Center Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fischer
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Karl-Anton Kreuzer
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Philipp Staber
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carsten Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Hallek
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Barbara Eichhorst
- Department I of Internal Medicine and German CLL Study Group; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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8
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Abrisqueta P, Nadeu F, Bosch-Schips J, Iacoboni G, Serna A, Cabirta A, Yáñez L, Quintanilla-Martínez L, Bosch F. From genetics to therapy: Unraveling the complexities of Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102619. [PMID: 37660626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Richter transformation (RT) refers to the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most prevalent leukemia among adults, into a highly aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder, primarily a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This is a severe complication that continues to be a therapeutic challenge and remains an unmet medical need. Over the last five years, significant advances have occurred in uncovering the biological processes leading to the RT, refining criteria for properly diagnose RT from other entities, and exploring new therapeutic options beyond the ineffective chemotherapy. This review summarizes current knowledge in RT, including recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of RT, in the classification of RT, and in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this grave complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Abrisqueta
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ferran Nadeu
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan Bosch-Schips
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gloria Iacoboni
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Angel Serna
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alba Cabirta
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Lucrecia Yáñez
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Leticia Quintanilla-Martínez
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Tübingen University Hospital and Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Francesc Bosch
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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9
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Romano I, Condoluci A, Rossi D. SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Treatment of Richter's Transformation. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2023; 23:786-799. [PMID: 37586917 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Richter's transformation (RT) is a rare condition, represented by the development of an aggressive lymphoma arising from underlying chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. The management of RT remains challenging, necessitating combined therapeutic strategies to achieve favorable outcomes. Traditional treatment options for RT have involved intensive chemotherapy regimens, often with limited success due to the high-risk nature of the disease. However, recent advances in the understanding of RT pathogenesis have led to the emergence of novel targeted therapies that show promising results. Noncovalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and conjugated monoclonal antibodies may hold promise for improved outcomes in RT, especially when combined in a multitargeted fashion. Further prospective randomized trials and collaborative efforts are warranted to optimize treatment algorithm and ultimately improve patient outcomes in this dismal condition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current treatment options for RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Romano
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Division of Hematology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Adalgisa Condoluci
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Division of Hematology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Davide Rossi
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Division of Hematology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland..
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10
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Nguyen-Khac F, Balogh Z, Chauzeix J, Veronese L, Chapiro E. Cytogenetics in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Guidelines from the Groupe Francophone de Cytogénétique Hématologique (GFCH). Curr Res Transl Med 2023; 71:103410. [PMID: 38039634 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2023.103410] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal abnormalities are frequent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and most have prognostic value. In addition to the four well-known abnormalities (13q, 11q and 17p deletions, and trisomy 12), other recurrent aberrations have been linked to the disease outcome and/or drug resistance. Moreover, the complex karyotype has recently emerged as a prognostic marker for patients undergoing immunochemotherapy or targeted therapies. Here, we describe the main chromosomal abnormalities identified in CLL and related disorders (small lymphocytic lymphoma and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis) by reviewing the most recent literature and discussing their detection and clinical impact. Lastly, we provide technical guidelines and a strategy for the cytogenetic assessment of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Nguyen-Khac
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS 1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Service d'Hématologie Biologique, Bâtiment Pharmacie, 3e étage, Pitié-Salpêtrière/Charles Foix University Hospital, AP-HP, 83 Bd de l'Hôpital, Paris F-75013, France.
| | - Zsofia Balogh
- Département d'Innovation Thérapeutique et des Essais Précoces, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jasmine Chauzeix
- Service d'Hématologie biologique, CHU de Limoges - CRIBL, UMR CNRS 7276/INSERM 1262, Limoges, France
| | - Lauren Veronese
- Service de Cytogénétique Médicale, CHU Estaing, 1 place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, Clermont-Ferrand 63003, France
| | - Elise Chapiro
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMRS 1138, Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies Team, F-75006 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Service d'Hématologie Biologique, Bâtiment Pharmacie, 3e étage, Pitié-Salpêtrière/Charles Foix University Hospital, AP-HP, 83 Bd de l'Hôpital, Paris F-75013, France
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11
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Karwicka K, Jankowska-Łęcka O, Hus M. Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection as the basis of neoplasm development. Transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia to NK-cell lymphoma/leukaemia was observed by flow cytometry - a diagnostic report. Cent Eur J Immunol 2023; 48:257-266. [PMID: 37901865 PMCID: PMC10604644 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2023.130865] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The case report presents a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia that was diagnosed in 2006 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In September 2010, the patient was admitted to the Department of Haematology in Poland due to progression of the underlying disease. The clinical problem during treatment was the suspicion of Richter's transformation into another, more aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The diagnosis was based on the peripheral blood immunophenotype. The patient was diagnosed with an immunoglobulin deficiency. Unfortunately, repeated examinations did not confirm the transformation hypothesis, despite the increasing symptoms. The patient was treated with various therapeutic regimens until May 2021, when an increased number of NK cells was diagnosed in the peripheral blood. NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease was finally diagnosed de novo. Nevertheless, it was found that the patient had active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The suspected NK-cell lymphoma/leukaemia was most likely a complication of the active EBV infection and severe immunodeficiency state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Karwicka
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Olga Jankowska-Łęcka
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marek Hus
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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12
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Innocenti I, Benintende G, Tomasso A, Fresa A, Autore F, Larocca LM, Laurenti L. Richter transformation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Hematol Oncol 2023; 41:293-300. [PMID: 36433773 DOI: 10.1002/hon.3106] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia can evolve to an aggressive lymphoma-in most of the cases diffuse large B cells lymphoma, rarely Hodgkin lymphoma-and this complication is defined Richter syndrome (RS). Immunogenotypic features that characterize RS include unmutated IgHV status with high prevalence of IgHV4-39/D6-13/J5 sequence; deletion of chromosome 17p or 11q; activation of oncogenes as NOTCH1 and c-MYC; inactivation of onco-suppressors as TP53 and CDKN2A; high expression of CD38 in lymph-nodes. The prognosis of this condition is very poor: patients experience a rapid clinical deterioration with frequent therapeutic failure since the current options include suboptimal strategies as standard chemo-immunotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cells transplantation or enrollment in clinical trials which investigate the efficacy of target drugs. Understanding the biology of such a heterogeneous condition is crucial to personalize the treatment and improve patient's survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idanna Innocenti
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario a. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Benintende
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Tomasso
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Fresa
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Autore
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario a. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Laurenti
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario a. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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13
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Catania G, Tavarozzi R, Pini GM, Borra T, Gandolfo C, Zacchi G, Pietrasanta D, Monaco F, Zanni M, Lettieri M, Rivela P, Zallio F, Ladetto M. The role of Bruton's kinase inhibitors (BTKi) in accelerated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (a-CLL): a case of successful response to acalabrutinib. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 34:401-404. [PMID: 37040263 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2023-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors has changed the clinical history of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in both naïve and relapsed/refractory settings. "Accelerated" chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a-CLL) is a relatively rare form of CLL representing less than 1 % of all CLL cases. a-CLL patients usually have a more aggressive course and a reduced overall survival was reported with conventional chemo-immunotherapy approaches. METHODS The role of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase-inhibitor, ibrutinib, in a-CLL is well established with encouraging preliminary results. RESULTS We report a case of a-CLL-treated first-line with second-generation BTKi, acalabrutinib with a prompt clinical response. As known, it is the first literature report on acalabrutinib in a-CLL highlighting the role of second-generation BTKi also in this high-risk setting. CONCLUSIONS Target therapies (Bruton Kinase inhibitors and Bcl2 inhibitors) have improved the therapeutic landscape of CLL. The availability of therapeutic targets requires greater diagnostic accuracy to choose the most appropriate therapy for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioacchino Catania
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Rita Tavarozzi
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Maria Pini
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borra
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Carolina Gandolfo
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Giulia Zacchi
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Daniela Pietrasanta
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Federico Monaco
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Manuela Zanni
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Maddalena Lettieri
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Rivela
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesco Zallio
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Marco Ladetto
- Struttura Complessa di Ematologia a Direzione Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
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14
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Immunological Aspects of Richter Syndrome: From Immune Dysfunction to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041015. [PMID: 36831361 PMCID: PMC9954516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Richter Syndrome (RS) is defined as the development of an aggressive lymphoma in patients with a previous or simultaneous diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Two pathological variants of RS are recognized: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-type and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)-type RS. Different molecular mechanisms may explain the pathogenesis of DLBCL-type RS, including genetic lesions, modifications of immune regulators, and B cell receptor (BCR) pathway hyperactivation. Limited data are available for HL-type RS, and its development has been reported to be similar to de novo HL. In this review, we focus on the immune-related pathogenesis and immune system dysfunction of RS, which are linked to BCR over-reactivity, altered function of the immune system due to the underlying CLL, and specific features of the RS tumor microenvironment. The standard of care of this disease consists in chemoimmunotherapy, eventually followed by stem cell transplantation, but limited possibilities are offered to chemo-resistant patients, who represent the majority of RS cases. In order to address this unmet clinical need, several immunotherapeutic approaches have been developed, namely T cell engagement obtained with bispecific antibodies, PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade by the use of monoclonal antibodies, selective drug delivery with antibody-drug conjugates, and targeting malignant cells with anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T cells.
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15
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Robak T, Kasprzak JD, Jesionek-Kupnicka D, Chudobiński C, Robak P. Cardiac Involvement in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. J Clin Med 2022; 11:6983. [PMID: 36498556 PMCID: PMC9737627 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac involvement of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is recognized extremely rarely. In addition, most CLL/SLL patients with heart infiltration are asymptomatic. In this review, we present the results of a literature search for English language articles concerning CLL/SLL or Richter transformation with symptomatic cardiac involvement. In total, 18 well-described cases with CLL/SLL and heart infiltration were identified. Only three patients were not diagnosed with CLL/SLL before the cardiac manifestation. In other patients, cardiac CLL/SLL was diagnosed between 5 months and 20 years from CLL/SLL diagnosis. All patients in these series had a diagnosis of secondary cardiac CLL/SLL. In addition, we identified four reported cases with Richter transformation in the heart. The treatment of patients with CLL/SLL and cardiac infiltration is variable and depends on the previous history and clinical characteristics of heart infiltration. In addition, no recommendations exist on how to treat patients with CLL/SLL and cardiac involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
- Department of General Hematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
| | | | | | - Cezary Chudobiński
- Department of Radiology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
| | - Paweł Robak
- Department of Oncohematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-510 Lodz, Poland
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16
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Rukavitsyn OA, Pop VP, Drozd MV, Ryabukhina YE. A clinical case of the effective combined use of BCL-2 and PI3K inhibitors in the treatment of a patient with an unfavorable chronic lymphocytic leukemia with transformation into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (Richter’s syndrome). ONCOHEMATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.17650/1818-8346-2022-17-4-38-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular biological basis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis and stratification of patients into risk groups has now led to significant advances in treatment. New targeted drugs with different mechanisms of action (bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bCL-2 inhibitors, pI3K inhibitors) have significantly improved the prognosis of high-risk CLL patients. In some CLL cases the nodular tumor component can change to a more aggressive subtype of lymphoma (often diffuse large b-cell) with preservation of the small-cell leukemic component with the CLL phenotype (Richter’s syndrome), usually characterized by rapid progression and poor prognosis. The issue of treatment efficacy in patients with Richter’s syndrome still remains unresolved. The results of new drugs clinical trials are often contradictory and cannot yet be recommended for routine use in clinical practice. The low incidence of Richter’s syndrome, the lack of a unified view of the pathogenesis and therapy approaches make the search for effective drugs an urgent task, so each clinical observation is of undoubted interest.A clinical case of CLL patient with unfavorable molecular cytogenetic risk and transformation into diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (Richter’s syndrome) is presented. The combined use of bCL-2 inhibitors (venetoclax) and pI3K (duvelisib) led to the achievement of partial remission followed by a gradual increase in the positive antitumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. A. Rukavitsyn
- Main Military Clinical Hospital named after N.N. Burdenko, Ministry of Defense of Russia
| | - V. P. Pop
- Main Military Clinical Hospital named after N.N. Burdenko, Ministry of Defense of Russia
| | - M. V. Drozd
- Main Military Clinical Hospital named after N.N. Burdenko, Ministry of Defense of Russia
| | - Yu. E. Ryabukhina
- Clinical Hospital “Lapino” of the “Mother and Child” Group of companies
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17
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Richter Syndrome: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Druggable Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194644. [PMID: 36230566 PMCID: PMC9563287 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194644] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Richter syndrome (RS) represents the occurrence of an aggressive lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Most cases of RS originate from the direct transformation of CLL, whereas 20% are de novo DLBCL arising as secondary malignancies. Multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to RS pathogenesis. B-cell receptor (BCR) overreactivity to multiple autoantigens is due to frequent stereotyped BCR configuration. Genetic lesions of TP53, CDKN2A, NOTCH1 and c-MYC deregulate DNA damage response, tumor suppression, apoptosis, cell cycle and proliferation. Hyperactivation of Akt and NOTCH1 signaling also plays a role. Altered expression of PD-1/PD-L1 and of other immune checkpoints leads to RS resistance to cytotoxicity exerted by T-cells. The molecular features of RS provide vulnerabilities for therapy. Targeting BCR signaling with noncovalent BTK inhibitors shows encouraging results, as does the combination of BCL2 inhibitors with chemoimmunotherapy. The association of immune checkpoint inhibitors with BCL2 inhibitors and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies is explored in early phase clinical trials with promising results. The development of patient-derived xenograft mice models reveals new molecular targets for RS, exemplified by ROR1. Although RS still represents an unmet medical need, understanding its biology is opening new avenues for precision medicine therapy.
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18
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Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hairy Cell Leukemia Arising from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Case Reports and Literature Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164674. [PMID: 36012912 PMCID: PMC9410146 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Richter’s syndrome represents the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to more aggressive diseases, most frequently diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, while Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and hairy cell leukemia (HCL) are rarely described. The first case involved a 67-year-old man with a diagnosis of a high-risk stage-II CLL treated with rituximab and ibrutinib, developed a HL nodular sclerosis variant after three months of therapy for CLL. After achieving a complete remission for HL and ibrutinib cessation because of drug-related cardiotoxicity, the patient relapsed after five months off-therapy and died due to disease progression after two cycles of brentuximab-vedotin. The second case involved an 83-year-old female with a diagnosis of stage-IV CLL treated with rituximab plus bendamustine who developed a HCL eight years later. Pentostatin was unsuccessfully employed as upfront HCL therapy, and the patient was then switched to rituximab while in remission for CLL. In conclusion, Richter’s transformation risk rate might be higher in patients treated with novel targeted therapies, and multiparametric flow cytometry and lymph node biopsy at relapse could help in early identifying small clones. The treatment of predominant neoplasia is mandatory, and disease-specific drugs are administered; however, clinical efficacy might be lower in these patients.
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Favini C, Talotta D, Almasri M, Andorno A, Rasi S, Adhinaveni R, Kogila S, Awikeh B, Schipani M, Boggione P, Mouhssine S, Ghanej J, Al Essa W, Mahmoud AM, Dondolin R, Alessa N, Margiotta Casaluci G, Boldorini R, Gattei V, Gaidano G, Moia R. Clonally unrelated Richter syndrome are truly de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with a mutational profile reminiscent of clonally related Richter syndrome. Br J Haematol 2022; 198:1016-1022. [PMID: 35829664 PMCID: PMC9543999 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Richter syndrome (RS) is mostly due to the direct transformation of the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) clone, as documented by the same immunoglobulin heavy‐chain variable region (IGHV) rearrangement in both CLL and RS cells. In rare cases characterized by a better outcome, the RS clone harbours a different IGHV rearrangement compared to the CLL phase. We investigated the CLL phase of clonally unrelated RS to test whether the RS clone was already identifiable prior to clinicopathologic transformation, albeit undetectable by conventional approaches. CLL cells of eight patients with unrelated RS were subjected to an ultra‐deep next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approach with a sensitivity of 10−6. In 7/8 cases, the RS rearrangement was not identified in the CLL phase. In one case, the RS clone was identified at a very low frequency in the CLL phase, conceivably due to the concomitance of CLL sampling and RS diagnosis. Targeted resequencing revealed that clonally unrelated RS carries genetic lesions primarily affecting the TP53, MYC, ATM and NOTCH1 genes. Conversely, mutations frequently involved in de novo diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) without a history of CLL were absent. These results suggest that clonally unrelated RS is a truly de novo lymphoma with a mutational profile reminiscent, at least in part, of clonally related RS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Favini
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Donatella Talotta
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mohammad Almasri
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Annalisa Andorno
- Division of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Silvia Rasi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ramesh Adhinaveni
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Sreekar Kogila
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Bassel Awikeh
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Schipani
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Paola Boggione
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Samir Mouhssine
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Joseph Ghanej
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Wael Al Essa
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Abdurraouf Mokhtar Mahmoud
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dondolin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Nariman Alessa
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Gloria Margiotta Casaluci
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Division of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Gianluca Gaidano
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Moia
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Multiple Mechanisms of NOTCH1 Activation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: NOTCH1 Mutations and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122997. [PMID: 35740661 PMCID: PMC9221163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Mutations of the NOTCH1 gene are a validated prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a potential predictive marker for anti-CD20-based therapies. At present, the most frequent pathological alteration of the NOTCH1 gene is due to somatic genetic mutations, which have a multifaceted functional impact. However, beside NOTCH1 mutations, other factors may lead to activation of the NOTCH1 pathway, and these include mutations of FBXW7, MED12, SPEN, SF3B1 as well as other B-cell pathways. Understanding the preferential strategies though which CLL cells hijack NOTCH1 signaling may present important clues for designing targeted treatment strategies for the management of CLL. Abstract The Notch signaling pathway plays a fundamental role for the terminal differentiation of multiple cell types, including B and T lymphocytes. The Notch receptors are transmembrane proteins that, upon ligand engagement, undergo multiple processing steps that ultimately release their intracytoplasmic portion. The activated protein ultimately operates as a nuclear transcriptional co-factor, whose stability is finely regulated. The Notch pathway has gained growing attention in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) because of the high rate of somatic mutations of the NOTCH1 gene. In CLL, NOTCH1 mutations represent a validated prognostic marker and a potential predictive marker for anti-CD20-based therapies, as pathological alterations of the Notch pathway can provide significant growth and survival advantage to neoplastic clone. However, beside NOTCH1 mutation, other events have been demonstrated to perturb the Notch pathway, namely somatic mutations of upstream, or even apparently unrelated, proteins such as FBXW7, MED12, SPEN, SF3B1, as well as physiological signals from other pathways such as the B-cell receptor. Here we review these mechanisms of activation of the NOTCH1 pathway in the context of CLL; the resulting picture highlights how multiple different mechanisms, that might occur under specific genomic, phenotypic and microenvironmental contexts, ultimately result in the same search for proliferative and survival advantages (through activation of MYC), as well as immune escape and therapy evasion (from anti-CD20 biological therapies). Understanding the preferential strategies through which CLL cells hijack NOTCH1 signaling may present important clues for designing targeted treatment strategies for the management of CLL.
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