Low-burden TP53 mutations represent frequent genetic events in CLL with an increased risk for treatment initiation

TP53 aberrations predict chemoresistance and represent a contraindication for the use of standard chemoimmunotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Recent next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based studies have identified frequent low-burden TP53 mutations with variant allele frequencies below 10%, but the clinical impact of these low-burden TP53 mutations is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to scrutinise the subclonal architecture and clinical impact of TP53 mutations using a sensitive, NGS-based mutation analysis in a 'real-world' cohort of 901 patients with CLL. In total, 225 TP53 mutations were identified in 17.5% (158/901) of the patients; 48% of these alterations represented high-burden mutations, while 52% were low-burden TP53 mutations. Low-burden mutations as sole alterations were identified in 39% (62/158) of all mutated cases with 82% (51/62) of these being represented by a single low-burden TP53 mutation. Patients harbouring low-burden TP53 mutations had significantly lower time to first treatment compared to patients with wild-type TP53. Our study has expanded the knowledge on the frequency, clonal architecture, and clinical impact of low-burden TP53 mutations. By demonstrating that patients with sole low-burden TP53 variants represent more than one-third of patients with TP53 mutations and have an increased risk for treatment initiation, our findings strengthen the need to redefine the threshold of TP53 variant reporting to below 10% in the routine diagnostic setting.

Revealing a Phenotypical Appearance of Ibrutinib Resistance in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia by Flow Cytometry

Background: Ibrutinib is widely known as an effective and well-tolerated therapeutical choice of the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, acquired resistance may occur during the treatment, causing relapse. Early detection of ibrutinib resistance is an important issue, therefore we aimed to find phenotypic markers on CLL cells the expression of which may correlate with the appearance of ibrutinib resistance.

Methods: We examined 28 patients’ peripheral blood (PB) samples (treatment naïve, ibrutinib sensitive, clinically ibrutinib resistant). The surface markers’ expression (CD27, CD69, CD86, CD184, CD185) were measured by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the BTK^C481S resistance mutation was assessed by digital droplet PCR. Moreover, the CLL cells’ phenotype of a patient with acquired ibrutinib resistance was observed during the ibrutinib treatment.

Results: The expression of CD27 (p = 0.030) and CD86 (p = 0.031) became higher in the clinically resistant cohort than in the ibrutinib sensitive cohort. Besides, we found that high CD86 and CD27 expressions were accompanied by BTK^C481S mutation. Our prospective study showed that the increase of the expression of CD27, CD69 and CD86 was noticed ahead of the clinical resistance with 3 months.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that the changes of the expression of these markers could indicate ibrutinib resistance and the examination of these phenotypic changes may become a part of the patients’ follow-up in the future.

Screening and monitoring of the BTKC481S mutation in a real-world cohort of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia during ibrutinib therapy

The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib has revolutionised the therapeutic landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Acquired mutations emerging at position C481 in the BTK tyrosine kinase domain are the predominant genetic alterations associated with secondary ibrutinib resistance. To assess the correlation between disease progression, and the emergence and temporal dynamics of the most common resistance mutation BTK^C481S , sensitive (10^-4 ) time-resolved screening was performed in 83 relapsed/refractory CLL patients during single-agent ibrutinib treatment. With a median follow-up time of 40 months, BTK^C481S was detected in 48·2% (40/83) of the patients, with 80·0% (32/40) of them showing disease progression during the examined period. In these 32 cases, representing 72·7% (32/44) of all patients experiencing relapse, emergence of the BTK^C481S mutation preceded the symptoms of clinical relapse with a median of nine months. Subsequent Bcl-2 inhibition therapy applied in 28/32 patients harbouring BTK^C481S and progressing on ibrutinib conferred clinical and molecular remission across the patients. Our study demonstrates the clinical value of sensitive BTK^C481S monitoring with the largest longitudinally analysed real-world patient cohort reported to date and validates the feasibility of an early prediction of relapse in the majority of ibrutinib-treated relapsed/refractory CLL patients experiencing disease progression.

A felnőttkori malignus hematológiai megbetegedések gyakorisága Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg megyében. 36 év adatainak elemzése

Bevezetés: A szerzők a Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg megyei leukaemia/lymphoma regiszterben 36 év alatt (1983. január 1. és 2018. december 31. között) 5159 újonnan felismert, malignus hematológiai betegségben szenvedő, megyéjükben élő felnőtt beteg adatait rögzítették. Célkitűzés: Az egyes hematológiai malignitások megyei incidenciájának, az incidencia évek során tapasztalt változásának, valamint hematológiai malignitások társulásának és családon belüli előfordulásának az ismertetése. Módszer: A regiszter adatainak áttekintése, részletes, statisztikai számításokkal is alátámasztott elemzése. Eredmények: Megyéjükben a Hodgkin-kór és a non-Hodgkin-lymphoma incidenciája (1,49, illetve 7,12/100 000 lakos/év) kissé elmarad a közölt értékektől, essentialis thrombocythaemia esetében (1,96) meghaladja azt. A többi hematológiai malignitásé megegyezik az irodalmi adatokkal. Az incidencia idők során tapasztalható változása valamennyi entitás esetében egyezik az irodalomból ismert tendenciával. Malignus hematológiai kórképek társulását 35 beteg esetében, familiáris előfordulását 88 családban tapasztalták. Következtetés: A Hodgkin-kór, a non-Hodgkin-lymphoma és az essentialis thrombocythaemia kivételével az egyes hematológiai malignitások megyei incidenciája egyezik az irodalmi adatokkal, az incidencia idők során tapasztalt változása valamennyi entitás esetében megfelel azoknak. Malignus hematológiai kórképek ilyen nagy számú társulását elemző hazai közlemény nem ismeretes. Az oldalági leszármazottakban, valamint a testvérekben előforduló betegségtársulásokban kimutatott antepozíció nemzetközi viszonylatban is újdonságnak számít. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(34): 1400–1413.

[Haematological aspects of the gut flora]

The relationship between the gut flora and various diseases (obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, allergic and autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, liver failure, infections, certain neuropsychiatric disorders, tumors) has been highlighted in recent years. Depletion of microbiotics inhibits bone marrow healing. Infections and their antibiotic treatment may also affect hematopoiesis. Intestinal flora may also affect the severity of the graft-versus-host disease and may also play a role in the pathogenesis of immunthrombocytopenia through the T-regulator cells. The study summarizes the features of the gut flora, the effects of microbiotics on bone marrow healing, the course of infections, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, graft-versus-host disease, lymphoma and the results of related research and therapeutic options. The authors briefly discuss the possible linkage between intestinal flora and immunthrombocytopenia and the effectiveness of the immunotherapy of tumors and its effect on the von Willebrand-factor synthesis. They draw attention on the importance of maintaining microbiotics diversity. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(20): 774-779.

Effectiveness of the Combination of Rituximab and Standard Chemotherapeutic Regimens in Previously Untreated Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in Real-Life: Results from a Noninterventional Study (CILI Study)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common haematological malignancies exhibiting remarkable heterogeneity in clinical course. Rituximab added to standard chemotherapy has been proven to increase response rate and eventually survival among previously untreated CLL patients. CILI was an open-label, non-randomized, single arm, multicentric, observational study aimed to collect real-life effectiveness data for rituximab used according to the current label in combination with standard chemotherapy in previously untreated CLL patients. Overall response rates (ORR) in the entire study population as well as in various subgroups were estimated. Adverse events were recorded during the entire course of the study. A total number of 150 patients were enrolled by 15 Hungarian study sites. Out of these, 82 patients received 6 cycles of rituximab containing treatment. Overall response rates of 88.24% (CI_95%: 81.6–93.12%) and 94.59% (CI_95%: 86.73–98.51%) were recorded in the intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations, respectively. In both study populations, somewhat higher ORR was observed in patients aged ≥65 years. Subgroups defined according to either chromosomal aberrations (presence of 11q and 17p deletions) showed apparently high ORRs, though these rates were most probably biased by low patient numbers. 144 adverse events were reported during the study, of which 15 AEs were considered to be related to the administration of rituximab. Analyses of the efficacy variables have revealed comparable results to those previously reported by controlled clinical trials.

[Systemic mastocytosis with progressive disease course]

Authors report on a case of a male patient of systemic mastocytosis that was associated with extensive cutaneous lesions. Chronic diarrhoea worsening his quality of life was well managed by the administration of antihistamines. The pleural fluid recurrence soon after drainage has been controlled by the administration of alpha interferon. 40 years after the onset of the first skin signs progression has been manifested in the development of "B" (bone marrow infiltration rate >30%, dysmyelopoiesis, serum tryptase >20 μg/L, hepato- and splenomegaly) and "C" symptoms (liver function test abnormalities, cytopenia, malabsorption, osteoporosis). The patient died at age of 87. The authors' aim was to attract attention on this rare disease and emphasize that symptomatic therapy with antihistamines and drugs available based on customised rights by the National Health Insurance Fund might provide good quality of life. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(5): 192-196.

[Anteposition in malignant hematologic diseases of siblings in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Analysis of data of a 34-year period]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous works, the authors reported findings from familial hematologic malignancies in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. So far there are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

Detailed analysis of epidemiologic features of hematologic malignancies of siblings.

METHOD

During a 34-year period (between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2016), 86 families with hematologic malignancies were recorded in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. Among them, 19 cases of the affected siblings were registered.

RESULTS

In one family there were three sisters with polycythaemia vera, hence the number of analysed disease associations was 21. In all of the 21 cases, the younger sibling's disease developed earlier. The average anteposition was 10.8 (1-33) years (median: 10 years).

CONCLUSION

The anticipation was earlier observed in multigeneration hematological malignancies between direct and collateral descendants. On the basis of the above data, anteposition of the disease was observed in younger siblings. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(33): 1283-1287.

[Epidemiologic features of Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Analysis of data of a 33-year period]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous work, the authors reported findings from 30 years on the incidence of hematological malignancies in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Until now there are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

Detailed analysis of epidemiologic features of patients with Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders was carried out.

METHOD

During a 33-year period (between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2015) 4523 adult patients with hematologic malignancies were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. Among them, 255 patients with polycytaemia vera, 102 with primary myelofibrosis, and 331 with essential thrombocytaemia were registered.

RESULTS

The incidence of polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county showed an increasing tendency, with an overall incidence rate of 1.35 and 1.75/100 000 inhabitants/year, respectively; while the incidence of primary myelofibrosis decreased in the course of years (0.54/100 000 inhabitants/year). In cases of polycythaemia vera and primary myelofibrosis the male:female ratio was found to be equal, however essential thrombocythaemia showed a female dominance. The mean age of patients with polycythaemia vera was 65 (21-95) years, similar to essential thrombocythaemia with 65 (19-85) years, and to primary myelofibrosis with 65.5 (33-84) years. There were only two villages found in this county where the occurrence of patients with Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders per one thousand inhabitants was significantly higher, than the average (1.22). In every familial cases of these, the manifestation of the disease in the second and the third generations became earlier than in the first genetration. The perceived average degree of the anteposition (anticipation) was found to be 22 years.

CONCLUSION

The epidemiologic features of Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county are essentially similar to data published in the literature. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(15), 572-578.

[Occurrence of associated tumours in chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

INTRODUCTION

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common hematologic malignancy.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to investigate the characteristics of malignancies associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in patients diagnozed between 2000 and 2015.

METHOD

Data of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who had other associated tumours were analysed using the Leukemia/Lymphoma Registry of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary and patient records.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015, 526 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were diagnosed. 95 patients of the 526 patients (18.06%) were diagnosed as having associated other tumours. In 48/95 patients (50.5%) the first diagnosed tumour was chronic lymphocytic leukemia, in 23/95 patients (24.2%) the first recognized malignancy was the associated tumour, whereas in 24/95 patients (25.3%) synchron tumours were diagnosed. The number of patients with more than one associated tumour was 10/95 (10.5%). The total number of tumours was 107. The incidence of chronic lymphoid leukemia increased in the period between 2000 and 2015 as compared to the period between 1983 and 1999 (3.19 vs 5.65/100 000 person/year). The occurrence of associated malignancies increased as well (8.06% vs 18.06%). In addition to the most common tumours (colorectal, breast, lung, prostate), skin squamous cell carcinoma (17/95 patients; 17.9%) and melanoma (6/95 patients; 6.3%) also frequently occurred. The second malignancies were most frequently discovered after the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and synchron tumours accounting for 78.5% (84/107) of all associated tumours. The incidence of second malignancies decreased 10 years after the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The possible reasons for the high frequency of other tumours associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are elderly age of patients, immunsuppressed state and, presumably, chemotherapy of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. During the follow up of patients the high risk for the development of associated tumours should be considered. Therapy of patients should be initiated when it is neccessary. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(44), 1752-1756.

[Epidemiologic features of myeloma in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Analysis of data of a 33-year period]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous work, the authors reported findings from 30 years on the incidence of hematological malignancies in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Until now there are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

Detailed analysis of epidemiologic features of patients with myeloma.

METHOD

During a 33-year period (between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2015) 4521 adult patients with hematologic malignancies were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. Among them 440 patients with myeloma (9.73%) were registered (397 multiple myeloma, 38 solitary, bone/soft tissue plasmocytoma, 5 primary plasma cell leukaemia).

RESULTS

The incidence of myeloma in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county showed an increasing tendency, with an overall incidence rate of 2.33/100 000 inhabitants/year. The male:female ratio was 45.9%:54.1%, the average age of patients was 65.1 (28-90) years, and 59.4% of the patients with multiple myeloma had IgG-type monoclonal immunoglobulin. There was no town or village in this county where the occurrence of patients with myeloma in one thousand inhabitants was significantly higher, than the average (0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiologic features of myeloma in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county - except a moderate female dominance - is essentially similar to data published in the literature. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(34), 1357-1360.

[Prognostic value of absolute monocyte count in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia]

INTRODUCTION

The low peripheral absolute lymphocyte and high monocyte count have been reported to correlate with poor clinical outcome in various lymphomas and other cancers. However, a few data known about the prognostic value of absolute monocyte count in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to investigate the impact of absolute monocyte count measured at the time of diagnosis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia on the time to treatment and overal survival.

METHOD

Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012, 223 patients with newly-diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were included. The rate of patients needing treatment, time to treatment, overal survival and causes of mortality based on Rai stages, CD38, ZAP-70 positivity and absolute monocyte count were analyzed.

RESULTS

Therapy was necessary in 21.1%, 57.4%, 88.9%, 88.9% and 100% of patients in Rai stage 0, I, II, III an IV, respectively; in 61.9% and 60.8% of patients exhibiting CD38 and ZAP-70 positivity, respectively; and in 76.9%, 21.2% and 66.2% of patients if the absolute monocyte count was <0.25 G/l, between 0.25-0.75 G/l and >0.75 G/l, respectively. The median time to treatment and the median overal survival were 19.5, 65, and 35.5 months; and 41.5, 65, and 49.5 months according to the three groups of monocyte counts. The relative risk of beginning the therapy was 1.62 (p<0.01) in patients with absolute monocyte count <0.25 G/l or >0.75 G/l, as compared to those with 0.25-0.75 G/l, and the risk of overal survival was 2.41 (p<0.01) in patients with absolute monocyte count lower than 0.25 G/l as compared to those with higher than 0.25 G/l. The relative risks remained significant in Rai 0 patients, too. The leading causes of mortality were infections (41.7%) and the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (58.3%) in patients with low monocyte count, while tumours (25.9-35.3%) and other events (48.1 and 11.8%) occurred in patients with medium or high monocyte counts.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with low and high monocyte counts had a shorter time to treatment compared to patients who belonged to the intermediate monocyte count group. The low absolute monocyte count was associated with increased mortality caused by infectious complications and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The absolute monocyte count may give additional prognostic information in Rai stage 0, too.

[Extranodal lymphomas in adults in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. Analysis of 30 years' epidemiologic data]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous work, the authors reported 27-year' findings on the epidemiology of extranodal lymphomas in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. There are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyse in detail the epidemiologic data of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county during a 30-year period, to compare the main epidemiologic features of the extranodal and nodal forms, and compare the results with data reported in the international literature.

METHOD

Between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2012, 1123 adult patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were recorded in the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. Of those, 347 patients suffered from extranodal, and 776 patients from nodal form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The authors compared the incidence of the extranodal and nodal forms, the age and sex distribution of patients, the ratio of B- and T-cell, as well as the indolent and aggressive forms, the geographic distribution and the association with carcinomas. In addition, they studied the occurrence of familial appearance and the localisation of extranodal forms.

RESULTS

The occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas indicated an increasing tendency in their county. This tendency was true for both the extranodal and nodal forms, but it was more remarkable in the extranodal form of lymphomas. They found no substantial difference between the main epidemiologic features of the two forms. The gastrointestinal tract was the most frequent site of presentation for extranodal lymphomas.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations are in line with data reported in the international literature. The data are essentially similar to those published in populations from Western European countries and the United States.

[Incidence of haematological malignancies in adults in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary, between 1983 and 2012. Analysis of data from a thirty-year period]

INTRODUCTION

In their previous work the authors reported 25 years' findings on the incidence of haematological malignancies in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary. However, there are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to analyze the incidence of malignant haematological disorders between 1983 and 2012 using data obtained from the leukaemia/lymphoma registry of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county.

METHOD

Between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2012, 3964 adult patients with newly diagnosed haematological malignancy were recorded in the registry. Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or monoclonal gammopathy were not registered.

RESULTS

The annual number of newly diagnosed patients indicated an increasing tendency of malignant haematological disorders. The increase was primarily due to the increasing number of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and essential thrombocythaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations are in line with data reported in the international literature. The incidence rate of haematological malignancies in this region of Hungary was similar to data published in populations from Western European countries and the United States.

The prognostic value of smudge cells (Gumprecht shadows) in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Introduction: Smudge cells (Gumprecht shadows) are chronic lymphocytic leukaemic cells ruptured during peripherial blood smear preparation. It has been demonstrated to be linked to reduced expression of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin and its inverse correlation with the clinical outcome of the disease. Aims: Investigation of the percentage of smudge cells, CD38-, ZAP-70-positive cells and the time to treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Methods: Authors investigated the percentage of smudge cells, CD38- and ZAP-70-positive cells in the peripheral blood of 50 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and their correlation with the time to treatment. Results: 21 patients required treatment in the follow-up period. Their median smudge cell percentage was 9.9%, while it was 26.8% in the non-treated group. The cut-off value of smudge cell positivity was set to 20%. 59.3% of the patients with less than cut-off had to be treated in the follow-up time compared to 21.7% of patients with more smudge cells. These findings were similar to the prognostic value of CD38 and ZAP-70. The necessity of treatment increased to 75–77.8% with the combination of investigated markers. The time to treatment was 19 months when smudge cells were less than 20%, but above 20% it was 36.15 months. In case of low smudge cell percentage and CD38 positivity the time to treatment was 14.14 months and in case of high smudge cell percentage and CD38 negativity it was 32.92 months. In discordant cases the time to treatment was 18.43 months. The authors also present a case report that demonstrates the relationship between the percentage of smudge cells and apoptotic cells with annexin V and 7-AAD staining. Conclusions: Estimation of smudge cells on a blood smear could be a simple and cheap prognostic test in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with sensitivity similar to CD38 and ZAP-70 estimation. Combination of these tests raised the sensitivity of their prognostic value. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1732–1737.

[Leukemia- and lymphoma-associated flow cytometric, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic aberrations in healthy individuals]

Most leukemia and lymphoma cases are characterized by specific flow cytometric, cytogenetic and molecular genetic aberrations, which can also be detected in healthy individuals in some cases. The authors review the literature concerning monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, and the occurrence of chromosomal translocations t(14;18) and t(11;14), NPM-ALK fusion gene, JAK2 V617F mutation, BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, ETV6-RUNX1(TEL-AML1), MLL-AF4 and PML-RARA fusion gene in healthy individuals. At present, we do not know the importance of these aberrations. From the authors review it is evident that this phenomenon has both theoretical and practical (diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic) significance.

Laboratory evaluation of a flow cytometric BCR-ABL immunobead assay

BACKGROUND

A new flow cytometric (FC) BCR-ABL immunobead assay has been developed recently. Here we present the laboratory evaluation of the commercially available kit.

METHODS

Mononuclear cells were isolated, lysed and processed according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Anti-BCR antibodies adsorbed to capture beads bind the BCR-ABL fusion proteins of the lysed cells, a phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-ABL antibody is the detector reagent and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) signals were recorded by flow cytometry. Detection of t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation was carried out with a quantitative PCR assay.

RESULTS

MFI results of 20 normal peripheral blood samples were 88±8 (mean±SD), CV 9%. K562 cells were used as positive control. Within-batch imprecision was excellent (3.7% in the normal and 10% in the pathological range). Cut-off was chosen at MFI 112, where both sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Altogether 17 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 16 acute leukemia samples were analyzed. All PCR positive samples (n=14) were positive with the FC method and negative results were also concordant (n=15). Frozen cell lysates can be stored up to 4 weeks without significant decrease of MFI signal.

CONCLUSIONS

The FC BCR-ABL assay is a fast, reproducible and reliable method that may be incorporated into standard flow cytometric protocols to help clinical decision-making.

Detection of internal tandem duplications in the FLT3 gene by different electrophoretic methods

BACKGROUND

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the internal tandem duplication (ITD) in the juxtamembrane domain of the FLT3 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3) gene is one of the most frequent genetic alterations associated with poor prognosis.

METHODS

A complex evaluation of the analytical properties of the three most frequently used detection methods--PCR followed by agarose (AGE), polyacrylamide (PAGE) or capillary electrophoresis (CE)--was performed on 95 DNA samples obtained from 73 AML patients.

RESULTS

All the three methods verified the presence of a mutant allele in 20 samples from 18 patients. AGE and PAGE could detect the presence of 1%-2% mutant allele, while the detection limit of CE was 0.28%. However, acceptable reproducibility (inter-assay CV <25%) of the mutant allele rate determination was only achievable above 1.5% mutant/total allele rate. The reproducibility of the ITD size determination by CE was much better, but the ITD size calculated by PeakScanner or GeneScan analysis was 7% lower as compared to values obtained by DNA sequencing. The presence of multiple ITD was over-estimated by PAGE and AGE due to the formation of heteroduplexes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests the use of PCR+CE in the diagnostics and the follow-up of AML patients. The data further supports the importance of proper analytical evaluation of home-made molecular biological diagnostic tests.

[Anemia in pregnancy: characteristics in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary]

Nowadays anemia is the most common disease of internal medicine during pregnancy. It could cause harmful consequences both to mother and to child.

AIM

authors examined connection between the blood count data (hemoglobin, red cell mean corpuscular volume), the ferritin level and the pregnancy age, the mothers' age, schooling, the number of earlier pregnancies, abortions and miscarriages frequency of women who gave birth in 2008 at Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary.

METHODS

Authors analyzed the records of health visitors in 2008 year in their county.

RESULTS

rate of anemia's occurrence in the first trimester was 2.54%, 0.71% in the second and 1.87% in the third trimester, and it was significantly frequented among the youthful (10.30%), the low schooled (5.55%), and the multipara women (2.56%). There was no difference in the rate of abortions; however, miscarriages were more frequent among pregnant women with anemia (7.14% vs. 5.46%). Low mean red cell corpuscular volume values were more frequent in all groups (6.06-22.88%) then the number of pregnant women with anemia. This fact refers to decreased iron stores in most cases. Ferritin level determination was made in 2.42% of cases only, but among these pathological low values was found in 93.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Authors draw attention to the careful nursing of youthful, low schooled and multipara pregnant women, majority of them suffer from iron deficiency. They call attention to the right analysis of blood count, the start of correct iron supplementation in early pregnancy and the need of correction of iron stores before conception, too. Authors also give recommendations to this work on the basis of references.

[Second cancers in hematologic malignancies (epidemiologic observations from a 20-year period)]

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of malignant tumours have increased steadily worldwide. Prior reports indicate that patients with some hematologic malignancies (for example chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) may be at increased risk of second neoplasms.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to explore the possible association between hematologic malignancies and subsequent solid tumours.

PATIENTS, METHODS

Between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2002, in the county of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg 151 cases with both malignant hematologic diseases and cancers were registered by the authors. In their 60 patients (50 with lymphoid and 10 with myeloid malignancies) the first tumour was the hematologic malignancy. Among these cases the number of second cancers was 64.

RESULTS

The most common kind of second tumours was lung cancer. There was a significant connection between lymphoid malignancies and second cancers as compared to myeloid malignancies and subsequent cancers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysing the epidemiologic data the authors established the following conclusions: the association of second cancers with hematologic malignancies in most of the cases is not accidental. The age of patients with second cancers seemed to be not too important, but it was of crucial importance in patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The role of immunodeficiency in the development of second cancers may be important in patients with Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (the number of second cancers in their patients with multiple myeloma and hairy cell leukemia was too small do draw a conclusion).

[Differential diagnosis of anemias]

The authors describe the factors influencing of normal hemoglobin level, pathogenetic and morphological classification of anemias and the possibilities to distinguish their different types. They highlight features of iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic diseases. They summarise in tables the basis of laboratory diagnosis and possibility of identification of different types of anemias.

Familial Malignant Blood Diseases: Lessons Learned from a 20-year Period

Here we report the conclusions of our 20-year experience with familial occurrence of malignant hematological disorders. Between 1 January 1983 and 1 January 2003, 35 families of multigenerational hematological malignancies were identified in first or second degree relatives. We established the following conclusions in subsequent generations: (i) a significantly earlier onset (P < 0.0001); (ii) an equal or enhanced severity of the disease; and (iii) higher relative risk in offsprings for different hematological disorders. We propose to use the term double acceleration when both phenomena (earlier onset and identical or enhanced severity) are experienced simultaneously. The data emphasize the need to use detailed cytogenetic and molecular biological studies to identify the underlying defects in cases where double acceleration can be verified.

[Anticipation in familial malignant hematologic diseases (epidemiologic observations)]

Between January 1 1983 and December 31 2000, 21 cases of association of haematologic malignancies between parents and their children, two cases of that in grandparents and their grandchildren, and five cases of appearances of haematologic malignancies in uncle or aunt and their nephew or niece were experienced by authors. The diseases manifested in the second (or in the third) generation in 25/28 cases appeared earlier than those in the first generation, and in 13/28 cases had a greater malignity. In the remaining 15 cases the malignity was identical in both generation. Instead of anticipation (greater severity and/or earlier onset) the term dual acceleration (earlier onset and greater malignity) is more exact and thus more proper determine epidemiologic observations of authors. Dual acceleration was proved by authors not only in identical but in different haematologic malignancies manifested both in first-degree and second-degree relatives.

[Current data on familial occurrence of malignant hematologic diseases in the County of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg in Hungary]

So far the authors have observed 27 cases of accumulation of malignant haematologic diseases within a family in their county. They published the first ten cases in Orvosi Hetilap in 1992. Most often the co-existence of the diseases with the highest incidence (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, acute leukaemia) was observed, in terms of relationship mostly the parent--child combination was observed. Analyzing the data of parent--child combinations (17 cases) they can notice two remarkable trends: 1. The "malignity degree" of the disease appearing in the second generation is either the same or greater than that of the disease of the first generation (the opposite of this was not experienced in any of the cases!). 2. The disease of the second generation appears mostly at a much younger age than that of the parent. Consequently, they can observe a "double acceleration": the disease tends to be more malignant nearly in the half of the second generation patients, and the disease appears in the children at a much younger age.

[Association between malignant hematologic diseases and cancer]

Between January 1 1983 and December 31 1993, 56 cases of association between malignant haematologic diseases and cancers were registered by authors. In their 15 cases there was the first tumour the cancer, in 20 cases the haematologic malignancy, and simultaneous occurrences were found in 21 cases. With the exception of eleven patients the second malignancy was diagnosed (and as far as possible treated) in the life of patients. With the exception of three cases authors experienced the associations of one haematologic malignancy and one cancer. In their seven cases they suggest causal association between the treatment of the first disease and the development of the subsequent malignancy.

[Cases of familial leukemia-lymphoma in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County]

Nine cases of familial malignant haematologic diseases were found by authors. Demonstrating the clinical pictures and the developments of nine pairs of cases (Hodgkin's disease--non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease--chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, hairy cell leukaemia--acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia--acute myelogenous leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and three times chronic lymphocytic leukaemia--chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) authors want to give data about occurrences of familial leukaemia/lymphoma in their county.