Noncanonical β-catenin interactions promote leukemia-initiating activity in early T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a T-cell malignancy characterized by cell subsets and enriched with leukemia-initiating cells (LICs). β-Catenin modulates LIC activity in T-ALL. However, its role in maintaining established leukemia stem cells remains largely unknown. To identify functionally relevant protein interactions of β-catenin in T-ALL, we performed coimmunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Here, we report that a noncanonical functional interaction of β-catenin with the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) transcription factor positively regulates LIC-related genes, including the cyclin-dependent kinase 4, which is a crucial modulator of cell cycle and tumor maintenance. We also confirm the relevance of these findings using stably integrated fluorescent reporters of β-catenin and FOXO3 activity in patient-derived xenografts, which identify minor subpopulations with enriched LIC activity. In addition, gene expression data at the single-cell level of leukemic cells of primary patients at the time of diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) up to 30 days after the standard treatments reveal that the expression of β-catenin- and FOXO3-dependent genes is present in the CD82+CD117+ cell fraction, which is substantially enriched with LICs in MRD as well as in early T-cell precursor ALL. These findings highlight key functional roles for β-catenin and FOXO3 and suggest novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate aggressive cell subsets in T-ALL.

Efficacy and safety assessment of prolonged maintenance with subcutaneous rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma: results of the Phase III MabCute study

Rituximab plus chemotherapy induction followed by rituximab maintenance for up to 2 years confers a long-term benefit in terms of progression-free survival in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is not known whether further prolonged maintenance with rituximab provides additional benefit. The phase III MabCute study enrolled 692 patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients who responded to induction with rituximab plus chemotherapy and were still responding after up to 2 years’ initial maintenance with subcutaneous rituximab were randomized to extended maintenance with subcutaneous rituximab (n=138) or observation only (n=138). The primary endpoint of investigator-assessed progression-free survival in the randomized population was un-addressed by the end of study because of an insufficient number of events (129 events were needed for 80% power at 5% significance if approximately 330 patients were randomized). In total, there were 46 progression-free survival events, 19 and 27 in the rituximab and observation arms, respectively (P=0.410 by stratified log-rank test; hazard ratio 0.76 [95% confidence interval: 0.37– 1.53]). The median progression-free survival was not reached in either randomized arm. There were no new safety signals; however, adverse events were seen slightly more frequently with rituximab than with observation during extended maintenance. Maintenance for up to 2 years with rituximab after response to initial induction therefore remains the standard of care in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non- Hodgkin lymphoma. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01461928)

Allelic HLA Matching and Pair Origin Are Favorable Prognostic Factors for Unrelated Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Neoplastic Hematologic Diseases: An Italian Analysis by the Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Cellule Staminali e Terapie Cellulari, Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti

HLA molecules are important for immunoreactivity in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Cellule Staminali e Terapie Cellulari, Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and Associazione Italiana di Immunogenetica e Biologia dei Trapianti promoted a retrospective observational study to evaluate HLA matching and the impact of allelic HLA mismatching and non-HLA factors on unrelated Italian HSCT outcomes. From 2012 to 2015, 1788 patients were enrolled in the study. The average donor age was 29 years and the average recipient age was 49 years. As a conditioning regimen, 71% of the patients received myeloablative conditioning. For GVHD prophylaxis, 76% received either antithymocyte or anti-T lymphocyte globulin, cyclosporine A, and methotrexate. Peripheral blood was the stem cell source in 80%. The median duration of follow-up was 53 months. Regarding HLA matching, 50% of donor-recipient pairs were 10/10 matched, 38% had 1 mismatch, and 12% had 2 or more mismatches. A total of 302 pairs shared Italian origin. Four-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, GVHD-free relapse-free survival, and relapse rates were 49%, 40%, 22%, and 34%, respectively. The 4-year NRM was 27%, and the 100-day cumulative incidence of grade ≥II acute GVHD (aGVHD) was 26%. In multivariate analysis, 9/10 and ≤8/10 HLA allele-matched pairs were associated with worse OS (P = .04 and .007, respectively), NRM (P = .007 and P < .0001, respectively), and grade III-IV aGVHD (P = .0001 and .01, respectively). Moreover, the incidences of grade II-IV aGVHD (P = .001) and chronic GVHD (P = .002) were significantly lower in Italian pairs. In conclusion, 10/10 HLA matching is a favorable prognostic factor for unrelated HSCT outcome in the Italian population. Moreover, the presence of 2 HLA-mismatched loci was associated with a higher NRM (P < .0001) and grade II-IV aGVHD (P = .006) and a poorer OS (P = .001) compared with 1 HLA-mismatched locus in early or intermediate disease phases. Finally, we found that Italian donor and recipient origin is a favorable prognostic factor for GVHD occurrence.

Treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the era of brentuximab vedotin and immune checkpoint inhibitors

The majority of Hodgkin lymphoma patients are now cured with conventional first-line therapy; however, 10-15% of early-stage disease and less than 30% of advanced-stage patients are refractory(rare) or relapsed. Salvage second-line therapy combined with high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation can cure 40-50% of patients. Recently novel agents (Brentuximab Vedotin and Immune Checkpoint inhibitors) have demonstrated evidence of therapeutic activity and are potential bridge to an allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. The review is aimed to present not only salvage strategies; indeed, the paper contains paragraphs about therapy and new treatment options at diagnosis.

High Dose BCNU Followed by Autologous Bone Marrow Infusion in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Four patients with glioblastoma multiforme were treated with high dose BCNU, 800 mg/m2, and autologous marrow transplantation. Two patients were treated in their first and 2 in their second remission. All patients are alive between 1 and 12 months from transplantation.

Life for patients with myelofibrosis: the physical, emotional and financial impact, collected using narrative medicine-Results from the Italian 'Back to Life' project

PURPOSE

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterised by an aggressive clinical course, with disabling symptoms and reduced survival. Patients experience a severely impaired quality of life and their families face the upheaval of daily routines and high disease-related financial costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of Italian patients and their caregivers about living with MF and the burden of illness associated with MF.

METHODS

A quali-quantitative questionnaire and a prompted written narrative survey were administered to patients affected by primary or post-essential thrombocythemia/post-polycythaemia vera MF and their primary caregiver in 35 Italian haematological centres.

RESULTS

In total, 287 questionnaires were returned by patients and 98 by caregivers, with 215 and 62, respectively, including the narrative. At the time of diagnosis, the most commonly expressed emotional states of patients were fear, distress and anger, confirming the difficulty of this phase. A high level of emotional distress was also reported by caregivers. Along the pathway of care, the ability to cope with the disease differed according to the quality of care received. The mean cost to each patient attributable to MF was estimated as €12,466 per year, with an estimated average annual cost of loss of income of €7774 per patient and €4692 per caregiver.

CONCLUSIONS

Better understanding of the personal life of MF patients and their families could improve the relationships between health workers and patients, resulting in better focused healthcare pathways and more effective financial support to maintain patients in their social roles.

Feasibility of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation after azacitidine bridge in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and low blast count acute myeloid leukemia: results of the BMT-AZA prospective study

Background

Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Azacitidine (AZA) is increasingly used prior to HSCT, however in Europe it is only approved for patients who are not eligible for HSCT.

Patients and methods

We conducted a phase II multicenter study to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of HSCT after treatment with AZA in 70 patients with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 19 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 8 with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). After a median of four cycles (range 1-11): 24% of patients achieved complete remission, 14% partial remission, 8% hematologic improvement, 32% had stable and 22% progressive disease. Ten patients discontinued treatment before the planned four cycles, due to an adverse event in nine cases.

Results

A HSC donor was identified in 73 patients, and HSCT was performed in 54 patients (74% of patients with a donor). Main reasons for turning down HSCT were lack of a donor, an adverse event, or progressive disease (9, 12, and 16 patients, respectively). At a median follow-up of 20.5 months from enrolment, response to AZA was the only independent prognostic factor for survival. Compared to baseline assessment, AZA treatment did not affect patients' comorbidities at HSCT: the HCT-CI remained stable in 62% patients, and worsened or improved in 23% and 15% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study shows that HSCT is feasible in the majority of patients with HR-MDS/AML/CMML-2 after AZA treatment. As matched unrelated donor was the most frequent source of donor cells, the time between diagnosis and HSCT needed for donor search could be 'bridged' using azacitidine. These data show that AZA prior to HSCT could be a better option than intensive chemotherapy in higher-risk MDS. The trial has been registered with the EudraCT number 2010-019673-1.

Autologous transplant vs oral chemotherapy and lenalidomide in newly diagnosed young myeloma patients: a pooled analysis

In newly diagnosed myeloma patients, upfront autologous transplant (ASCT) prolongs progression-free survival 1 (PFS1) compared with chemotherapy plus lenalidomide (CC+R). Salvage ASCT at first relapse may still effectively rescue patients who did not receive upfront ASCT. To evaluate the long-term benefit of upfront ASCT vs CC+R and the impact of salvage ASCT in patients who received upfront CC+R, we conducted a pooled analysis of 2 phase III trials (RV-MM-209 and EMN-441). Primary endpoints were PFS1, progression-free survival 2 (PFS2), overall survival (OS). A total of 268 patients were randomized to 2 courses of melphalan 200 mg/m² and ASCT (MEL200-ASCT) and 261 to CC+R. Median follow-up was 46 months. MEL200-ASCT significantly improved PFS1 (median: 42 vs 24 months, HR 0.53; P<0.001), PFS2 (4 years: 71 vs 54%, HR 0.53, P<0.001) and OS (4 years: 84 vs 70%, HR 0.51, P<0.001) compared with CC+R. The advantage was noticed in good and bad prognosis patients. Only 53% of patients relapsing from CC+R received ASCT at first relapse. Upfront ASCT significantly reduced the risk of death (HR 0.51; P=0.007) in comparison with salvage ASCT. In conclusion, these data confirm the role of upfront ASCT as the standard approach for all young myeloma patients.

Rotation of nilotinib and imatinib for first-line treatment of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia

The introduction of second-generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has generated a lively debate on the choice of first-line TKI in chronic phase, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Despite the TKIs have different efficacy and toxicity profiles, the planned use of two TKIs has never been investigated. We report on a phase 2 study that was designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of a treatment alternating nilotinib and imatinib, in newly diagnosed BCR-ABL1 positive, chronic phase, CML patients. One hundred twenty-three patients were enrolled. Median age was 56 years. The probabilities of achieving a complete cytogenetic response, a major molecular response, and a deep molecular response (MR 4.0) by 2 years were 93%, 87%, and 61%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 89%. Response rates and survival are in the range of those reported with nilotinib alone. Moreover, we observed a relatively low rate of cardiovascular adverse events (5%). These data show that the different efficacy and toxicity profiles of TKIs could be favorably exploited by alternating their use. Am. J. Hematol. 91:617-622, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A phase 2 study of three low-dose intensity subcutaneous bortezomib regimens in elderly frail patients with untreated multiple myeloma

This phase 2 trial evaluated three low-dose intensity subcutaneous bortezomib-based treatments in patients ⩾75 years with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Patients received subcutaneous bortezomib plus oral prednisone (VP, N=51) or VP plus cyclophosphamide (VCP, N=51) or VP plus melphalan (VMP, N=50), followed by bortezomib maintenance, and half of the patients were frail. Response rate was 64% with VP, 67% with VCP and 86% with VMP, and very good partial response rate or better was 26%, 28.5% and 49%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 14.0, 15.2 and 17.1 months, and 2-year OS was 60%, 70% and 76% in VP, VCP, VMP, respectively. At least one drug-related grade ⩾3 non-hematologic adverse event (AE) occurred in 22% of VP, 37% of VCP and 33% of VMP patients; the discontinuation rate for AEs was 12%, 14% and 20%, and the 6-month rate of toxicity-related deaths was 4%, 4% and 8%, respectively. The most common grade ⩾3 AEs included infections (8-20%), and constitutional (10-14%) and cardiovascular events (4-12%); peripheral neuropathy was limited (4-6%). Bortezomib maintenance was effective and feasible. VP, VCP and VMP regimens demonstrated no substantial difference. Yet, toxicity was higher with VMP, suggesting that a two-drug combination followed by maintenance should be preferred in frail patients.

Improved outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma with a new fotemustine-based high-dose chemotherapy regimen

High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation is the standard of care for relapsed/refractory (RR) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Given that HDT may cure a sizeable proportion of patients refractory to first salvage, development of newer conditioning regimens remains a priority. We present the results of a novel HDT regimen in which carmustine was substituted by a third-generation chloroethylnitrosourea, fotemustine, with improved pharmacokinetics and safety (FEAM; fotemustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) in 122 patients with RR-HL accrued into a prospective registry-based study. Application of FEAM resulted in a 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 73·8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0·64-0·81] with median PFS, overall survival and time to progression yet to be reached. The 2-year risk of progression adjusted for the competitive risk of death was 19·4% (95% CI, 0·12-0·27) for the entire patient population. Most previously established independent risk factors, except for fluorodeoxyglucose ((18) (F) FDG)-uptake, were unable to predict for disease progression and survival after FEAM. Although 32% of patients had (18) (F) FDG-positrin emission tomography-positive lesions before HDT, the 2-year risk of progression adjusted for competitive risk of death was 19·4% (95% CI; 0·12-0·27). No unusual acute toxicities or early/late pulmonary adverse events were registered. FEAM emerges as an ideal HDT regimen for RR-HL patients typically pre-exposed to lung-damaging treatments.

Prognostic roles of absolute monocyte and absolute lymphocyte counts in patients with advanced-stage follicular lymphoma in the rituximab era: an analysis from the FOLL05 trial of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi

Recently, in an attempt to improve the discrimination power of the international prognostic index (IPI), patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were evaluated to determine the prognostic roles of peripheral blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). Here, we analysed data of 428 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial (FOLL05 study) conducted by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi, to assess the impact of AMC and ALC on progression-free survival (PFS). All patients had been treated with one of three treatment combinations: (i) rituximab (R) plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone; (ii) R plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone or (iii) R plus mitoxantrone and fludarabine. We showed that only AMC was a powerful predictor of PFS, and possibly overall survival, in patients with FL treated with combination chemotherapy regimens that contained R. The AMC can be used alone as a novel, simple factor that can predict survival outcome in patients with FL, independent of the immunochemotherapy regimen. It may therefore be widely used by clinicians, due to its simplicity and broad applicability. Additionally, it can be combined with other factors that determine the IPI or FLIPI, to increase the discriminating ability of these indices.

Autophagy in blood cancers: biological role and therapeutic implications

Autophagy is a cell recycling process the molecular apparatus of which has been identified over the past decade. Autophagy allows cells to survive starvation and inhospitable conditions and plays a key role in numerous physiological functions, including hematopoiesis and immune responses. In hematologic malignancies, autophagy can either act as a chemo-resistance mechanism or have tumor suppressive functions, depending on the context. In addition, autophagy is involved in other important aspects of blood cancers as it promotes immune competence and anti-cancer immunity, and may even help enhance patient tolerance to standard treatments. Approaches exploiting autophagy, either to activate or inhibit it, could find broad application in hematologic malignancies and contribute to improved clinical outcomes. These aspects are discussed here together with a brief introduction to the molecular machinery of autophagy and to its role in blood cell physiology.

PBSC mobilization in lymphoma patients: analysis of risk factors for collection failure and development of a predictive score based on the kinetics of circulating CD34+ cells and WBC after chemotherapy and G-CSF mobilization

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a potentially curative treatment of lymphoma, but peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization fails in some patients. PBSC mobilizing agents have recently been proved to improve the PBSC yield after a prior mobilization failure. Predictive parameters of mobilization failure allowing for a preemptive, more cost-effective use of such agents during the first mobilization attempt are still poorly defined, particularly during mobilization with chemotherapy + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). We performed a retrospective analysis of a series of lymphoma patients who were candidates for ASCT, to identify factors influencing PBSC mobilization outcome. Premobilization parameters-age, histology, disease status, mobilizing protocol, and previous treatments-as well as white blood cell (WBC) and PBSC kinetics, markers potentially able to predict failure during the ongoing mobilization attempt, were analyzed in 415 consecutive mobilization procedures in 388 patients. We used chemotherapy + G-CSF in 411 (99%) of mobilization attempts and PBSC collection failed (<2 × 10(6) CD34+ PBSC/kg) in 13%. Multivariable analysis showed that only a low CD34+ PBSC count and CD34+ PBSC/WBC ratio, together with the use of nonplatinum-containing chemotherapy, independently predicted mobilization failure. Using these three parameters, we established a scoring system to predict risk of failure during mobilization ranging from 2 to 90%, thus allowing a selective use of a preemptive mobilization policy.

Intravenous busulfan for autologous stem cell transplantation in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a survey of 952 patients on behalf of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Oral busulfan is the historical backbone of the busulfan+cyclophosphamide regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation. However intravenous busulfan has more predictable pharmacokinetics and less toxicity than oral busulfan; we, therefore, retrospectively analyzed data from 952 patients with acute myeloid leukemia who received intravenous busulfan for autologous stem cell transplantation. Most patients were male (n=531, 56%), and the median age at transplantation was 50.5 years. Two-year overall survival, leukemia-free survival, and relapse incidence were 67±2%, 53±2%, and 40±2%, respectively. The non-relapse mortality rate at 2 years was 7±1%. Five patients died from veno-occlusive disease. Overall leukemia-free survival and relapse incidence at 2 years did not differ significantly between the 815 patients transplanted in first complete remission (52±2% and 40±2%, respectively) and the 137 patients transplanted in second complete remission (58±5% and 35±5%, respectively). Cytogenetic risk classification and age were significant prognostic factors: the 2-year leukemia-free survival was 63±4% in patients with good risk cytogenetics, 52±3% in those with intermediate risk cytogenetics, and 37 ± 10% in those with poor risk cytogenetics (P=0.01); patients ≤50 years old had better overall survival (77±2% versus 56±3%; P<0.001), leukemia-free survival (61±3% versus 45±3%; P<0.001), relapse incidence (35±2% versus 45±3%; P<0.005), and non-relapse mortality (4±1% versus 10±2%; P<0.001) than older patients. The combination of intravenous busulfan and high-dose melphalan was associated with the best overall survival (75±4%). Our results suggest that the use of intravenous busulfan simplifies the autograft procedure and confirm the usefulness of autologous stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia. As in allogeneic transplantation, veno-occlusive disease is an uncommon complication after an autograft using intravenous busulfan.

Fludarabine plus alemtuzumab (FA) front-line treatment in young patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and an adverse biologic profile

In 45, ≤ 60 years old patients with CLL and an adverse biologic profile, a front-line treatment with Fludarabine and Campath (Alemtuzumab(®)) was given. The overall response rate was 75.5%, the complete response rate (CR) 24.4% with the lowest CR rates, 16.7% and 8.3%, in 11q and 17p deleted cases. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 42.5% and 79.9%, respectively. PFS was significantly influenced by CLL duration, beta2-microglobulin, and improved by post-remissional stem cell transplantation. Front-line fludarabine and alemtuzumab showed a manageable safety profile and evidence of a benefit in a small series of CLL patients with adverse biologic features.

Retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with chemotherapy is the standard of care for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), resulting in cure rates exceeding 80%. Pilot studies of treatment with arsenic trioxide with or without ATRA have shown high efficacy and reduced hematologic toxicity.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3, multicenter trial comparing ATRA plus chemotherapy with ATRA plus arsenic trioxide in patients with APL classified as low-to-intermediate risk (white-cell count, ≤10×10(9) per liter). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either ATRA plus arsenic trioxide for induction and consolidation therapy or standard ATRA-idarubicin induction therapy followed by three cycles of consolidation therapy with ATRA plus chemotherapy and maintenance therapy with low-dose chemotherapy and ATRA. The study was designed as a noninferiority trial to show that the difference between the rates of event-free survival at 2 years in the two groups was not greater than 5%.

RESULTS

Complete remission was achieved in all 77 patients in the ATRA-arsenic trioxide group who could be evaluated (100%) and in 75 of 79 patients in the ATRA-chemotherapy group (95%) (P=0.12). The median follow-up was 34.4 months. Two-year event-free survival rates were 97% in the ATRA-arsenic trioxide group and 86% in the ATRA-chemotherapy group (95% confidence interval for the difference, 2 to 22 percentage points; P<0.001 for noninferiority and P=0.02 for superiority of ATRA-arsenic trioxide). Overall survival was also better with ATRA-arsenic trioxide (P=0.02). As compared with ATRA-chemotherapy, ATRA-arsenic trioxide was associated with less hematologic toxicity and fewer infections but with more hepatic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

ATRA plus arsenic trioxide is at least not inferior and may be superior to ATRA plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with low-to-intermediate-risk APL. (Funded by Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00482833.).

Prognostic role of gender in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab containing regimens: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi/Grupo de Estudos em Moléstias Onco-Hematológicas retrospective study

Male gender was recently reported as an adverse prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients with DLBCL initially treated with rituximab containing regimens between 2001 and 2007. Patients were identified from the clinical archives of 43 Italian and Brazilian institutions. The principal endpoint was overall survival (OS). One thousand seven hundred and ninety-three patients were fully eligible for the study. Thirty-eight percent, 27%, 22% and 12% of patients had an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 0-1, 2, 3 and 4-5, respectively; 53% were males. After a median follow-up of 36 months (1-106), the 5-year OS was 76% (95% confidence interval 74-78%). In univariate analysis, male gender was an adverse prognostic factor with a hazard ratio of 1.52. In multivariate analysis, when adjusted by IPI, again gender maintained its prognostic relevance, showing an independent additive effect. In conclusion, in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab containing regimens, gender may increase the predictive power of the IPI. Based on these results, given possible differences in blood clearance of rituximab between males and females, the benefit of higher doses of rituximab in males should be explored.

Rituximab plus HyperCVAD alternating with high dose cytarabine and methotrexate for the initial treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma, a multicentre trial from Gruppo Italiano Studio Linfomi

This study investigated the clinical activity and toxicity of R-HCVAD-AM [rituximab plus HyperCVAD (R-HCVAD) alternating with high-dose cytarabine and methotrexate (AM)] in patients with newly diagnosed Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). Patients aged ≤70years with confirmed MCL received four alternating cycles each of R-HCVAD and AM. Patients who obtained a partial response proceeded to autologous stem cell transplant. Sixty-three patients were enrolled and 60 were fully eligible. Median age was 57years (22-66); 60%, 33% and 7% were classified at low (L)-, intermediate (I)- or high (H)-risk, respectively, according to the MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI). Only 22 patients (37%) completed the four cycles and three patients died during therapy. Overall response and complete response rates were 83% and 72% respectively. After a median follow-up of 46months (range 1-72) the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival rates were 73% [95% confidence interval (CI) 59-83%], and 61% (95%CI 45-73%) respectively. MIPI maintained the prognostic value with an estimated 5-year OS of 89%, 80% and 24% for L, I, and H groups respectively (P<0·001). This multicentre study confirms that R-HCVAD-AM is an active regimen for the initial treatment of patients with MCL, but is associated with significant toxicity.

Stem cell mobilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma after lenalidomide induction therapy

Lenalidomide has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on the ability to collect stem cells for autologous stem cell transplantation, especially after prolonged exposure. The use of cyclophosphamide plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells may overcome this concern. In newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, we investigated the influence of lenalidomide on stem cell collection. In a prospective study, 346 patients received four cycles of lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd). Stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide and G-CSF. Patients failing to collect a minimum of 4 × 10(6) CD34(+)/kg cells received a second mobilization course. After mobilization, a median yield of 8.7 × 10(6) CD34(+)/kg was obtained from patients receiving Rd induction. After first mobilization, inadequate yield was observed in 21% of patients, whereas only 9% of patients failed to collect the target yield after the second mobilization attempt. In conclusion, we confirm that a short induction with lenalidomide allowed sufficient stem cells collection to perform autologous transplantation in 91% of newly diagnosed patients.

Monoclonal antibodies to treat graft-versus-host disease

To date, Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) represents one of the most important complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). GVHD is one of the major determinants of transplant-related mortality and it also may be an additional cause that affects patients late outcome. Despite of the development of new and advanced Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) matching techniques, this complication occurs in approximately 50-80% of patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and it is responsible for one-third of deaths after transplantation. Moreover, GVHD occurrence, if moderate, may strongly contribute to the eradication of residual malignant cells which survived after myeloablative conditioning regimen, allowing the patients to have a reduced risk of relapse so that the presence of this complication may have a determinant role for the allogeneic transplantation outcome through the so-called graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect.

Aspirin, Warfarin, or Enoxaparin Thromboprophylaxis in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Treated With Thalidomide: A Phase III, Open-Label, Randomized Trial

Purpose

In patients with myeloma, thalidomide significantly improves outcomes but increases the risk of thromboembolic events. In this randomized, open-label, multicenter trial, we compared aspirin (ASA) or fixed low-dose warfarin (WAR) versus low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for preventing thromboembolism in patients with myeloma treated with thalidomide-based regimens.

Patients and Methods

A total of 667 patients with previously untreated myeloma who received thalidomide-containing regimens and had no clinical indication or contraindication for a specific antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy were randomly assigned to receive ASA (100 mg/d), WAR (1.25 mg/d), or LMWH (enoxaparin 40 mg/d). A composite primary end point included serious thromboembolic events, acute cardiovascular events, or sudden deaths during the first 6 months of treatment.

Results

Of 659 analyzed patients, 43 (6.5%) had serious thromboembolic events, acute cardiovascular events, or sudden death during the first 6 months (6.4% in the ASA group, 8.2% in the WAR group, and 5.0% in the LMWH group). Compared with LMWH, the absolute differences were +1.3% (95% CI, −3.0% to 5.7%; P = .544) in the ASA group and +3.2% (95% CI, −1.5% to 7.8%; P = .183) in the WAR group. The risk of thromboembolism was 1.38 times higher in patients treated with thalidomide without bortezomib. Three major (0.5%) and 10 minor (1.5%) bleeding episodes were recorded.

Conclusion

In patients with myeloma treated with thalidomide-based regimens, ASA and WAR showed similar efficacy in reducing serious thromboembolic events, acute cardiovascular events, and sudden deaths compared with LMWH, except in elderly patients where WAR showed less efficacy than LMWH.

Antihypertensive treatment with beta-blockers in the metabolic syndrome: a review

Metabolic syndrome, a "cluster" of metabolic disorders including hypertension, increases the cardiovascular risk, and insulin resistance plays a key role in its pathogenesis. In this syndrome antihypertensive treatment with beta-blockers is underused because of their adverse metabolic effects. The aim was to review the evidences supporting the reasons for underusing beta-blockers in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome. A review of Literature has been carried out via PubMed from 1998 to 2008: most of beta-blockers have adverse effects on insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and are not recommended in metabolic syndrome. However, some recent large studies have shown a better metabolic profile with newer third generation vasodilating beta-blockers, such as Carvedilol and Nebivolol. Vasodilating action of Carvedilol and Nebivolol, due respectively to alpha1-blocking effect and release of nitric oxide, explains the lack of adverse metabolic effects of these beta-blockers that could also be used in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome.

Bortezomib plus dexamethasone can improve stem cell collection and overcome the need for additional chemotherapy before autologous transplant in patients with myeloma

The aim of this phase II trial was to investigate the efficacy of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (Vel-Dex) as induction therapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to define the role of intensification before transplantation. Fifty-seven patients were treated with four courses of Vel-Dex, two cycles of dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and cisplatin (DCEP), and a single autologous transplant. Fourteen patients (25%) went off-study: seven after Vel-Dex, seven after DCEP. All patients yielded high numbers of stem cells (median CD34+ cells 7.5 x 106/kg); 54 of the 57 patients (94%) collected > or =4 x 106/kg CD34+ cells, 60% with a single leukapheresis. The overall response rate (ORR) after Vel-Dex was 86% (70% had a very good partial response [VGPR] or better) regardless of cytogenetic abnormalities and International Staging System stage (ISS). The response at the end of the two DCEP cycles remained unchanged in 35 patients (70%), worsened in 15 (20%), and improved in 5 (10%). Because of the consistent drop-out, the ORR in intention-to-treat analysis decreased significantly from 86% after Vel-Dex to 76% after DCEP, and 73% after transplantation. However, when considering the subset of 43 patients who completed the program, the ORR was 96% (complete response 39%, VGPR 41%, partial response 16%). In conclusion, Vel-Dex produces high response rates, improves stem cell collection, and overcomes the need for intensification before autologous transplantation.

A case of ischemic stroke in acute promyelocytic leukemia at initial presentation. Relevance of all-trans retinoic acid treatment

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is frequently associated, often from the earliest phases, with a life-threatening coagulation/bleeding syndrome; disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is described in majority of patients. We report a case of 49-year-old male, without cardiovascular risk factors, who suddenly developed ischemic stroke and splenic infarction as presenting symptoms of APL and related DIC. The patient was immediately treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and the alterations of hemocoagulation parameters promptly returned in normal range. The coagulation/bleeding syndrome of the onset of APL is associated with high mortality; both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches require special and timely consideration of this condition. Treatment with ATRA is essential.

Reduced-intensity conditioning compared with conventional allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma: an analysis from the Lymphoma Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcome in terms of nonrelapse mortality (NRM), relapse rate (RR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) treated with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) or myeloablative conditioning followed by allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 168 patients with HL undergoing a first alloSCT (RIC, n = 89; myeloablative conditioning, n = 79) between January 1997 and December 2001 and registered in the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation database were analyzed.

RESULTS

NRM was significantly decreased in the RIC group (hazard ratio [HR], 2.85; 95% CI, 1.62 to 5.02; P < .001). OS was better in the RIC group (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.29; P = .04) and there was a trend for better PFS in the RIC group (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.97 to 2.40; P = .07). RR was higher in the RIC group in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. The development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) significantly decreased the incidence of relapse, which translated into a trend for a better PFS.

CONCLUSION

The lower incidence of NRM in the RIC group is encouraging, particularly because these patients experienced adverse pretransplantation characteristics more frequently. This analysis also indicates the existence of a graft-versus-HL effect correlated to the development of GVHD. Additional efforts to reduce the high RR seen in both groups of patients will be necessary to improve the modest PFS (31% v 27%) and OS (59% v 36%) for patients prepared with RIC or myeloablative conditioning.

[Therapeutic options for metabolic syndrome in obese patients]

The metabolic syndrome (MS), a cluster of risk factors, such as obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia, contributes to the development of cardio-vascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Insulin resistance (IR) plays a key role in MS being strongly linked to abdominal visceral fat. Treatment for obese patients with MS should aim at improving IR, delaying the onset of DM2 and at reducing cardio-vascular risk. Weight loss, first therapeutic target, may be obtained through life-style modifications and anti-obesity drugs or bariatric surgery, at need. In these patients drug therapy is necessary if therapeutic life-style changes are not sufficient. Some drugs have adverse metabolic effects, therefore the therapeutic choices must be specific and rational. Metformin, Thiazolidinediones and Acarbose are anti-hyperglycemic drugs of choice: they reduce the incidence of DM2 and IR (or improve insulin sensitivity) and they decrease or stabilize the visceral adipose tissue mass (Thiazolidinediones increases subcutaneous fat only). Also Angiotensin II receptor blockers and Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce the incidence of DM2 and insulin resistance and they are first-line antihypertensive drugs in MS. Calcium channel blockers, Alpha-1 antagonists and Alpha-2 agonists drugs are metabolically neutral and slight weight gains are related to the hydro-sodium retention. Beta-blockers and Diuretics, except for Indapamide and Anti-aldosterone drugs, can reduce insulin sensitivity, impair lipid profile and increase DM2 incidence; they are not first-line therapy yet they are necessary in selected cases only. Statins, Fibrates and omega-3 Fatty acids are indicated to normalize dyslipidemia. Low doses of acetylsalicylic acid are also recommended.

Reduced intensity conditioning for allograft after cytoreductive autograft in metastatic breast cancer

The benefits of allografting noted in some malignant diseases might be safely extended to metastatic breast cancer by a combination of cytoreduction with high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) with graft-versus-tumour effect mediated by transplanted donor immune cells with nonmyeloablative allografting (reduced intensity conditioning transplantation, RICT). 17 patients with heavily pretreated disease were given tandem transplants. 13 patients sustained donor engraftment. Three had partial remission after HDT and ASCT and complete remission after RICT; they achieved full chimerism and all developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) before regression of cancer. Another patient did not respond to HDT and ASCT but had partial remission after RICT, giving an overall response rate of 24%. Five patients had grade II or higher acute GVHD and five had extensive chronic GVHD. No non-relapse-related deaths occurred during the first 100 days. Five patients (29%) were alive 90-2160 days (median 1320) after RICT. This two-step approach is feasible in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Treatment of hematological malignancies with allogeneic nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation: conditioning regimens with fludarabine

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is an accepted therapeutic option for various hematological malignancies. For many years, alloSCT was based on the concept that a myeloablative dose of chemoradiotherapy was necessary to allow successful donor stem cell engraftment. These high-dose regimens cause considerable toxicity in graft recipients and even the most intensive conditioning regimens do not reliably eliminate all malignant cells. During the last decade, it became clear that the curative potential of alloSCT was not solely due to the conditioning regimen but also to an immune response of donor cells against the malignancy, termed the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. The increasing evidence that the GVL effect is essential for the eradication of host tumor cells has led to the development of a new concept in alloSCT: the use of reduced intensity, nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens that allow exploitation of the GVL effect without the toxicity of myeloablative therapy. The purine analog fludarabine is immunosuppressive and has activity against many hematological malignancies. The introduction of nonmyeloablative fludarabine-based conditioning regimens has facilitated alloSCT, while limiting regimen-related morbidity and mortality in patients with susceptible hematological malignancies. This potentially curative approach extends the use of alloSCT to older patients and to those with comorbidities that preclude high-dose chemoradiotherapy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results obtained with fludarabine-based nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens and alloSCT in patients with malignant hematological disorders.