Prognostic factors in immune thrombocytopenia in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective@#To explore the prognostic relationship between initial absolute lymphocyte count(ALC) of peripheral blood and primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children, in order to provide basis for judging the prognosis and treatment of ITP in children.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 166 children with primary ITP in children admi-tted at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2014 to March 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, and they were followed up by clinic and telephone, the prognostic factors (gender, age, ethnicity, inducement, bleeding, initial ALC, platelet count and treatment) were statistically analyzed, and the relationship between ALC of peripheral blood and the prognosis of children with ITP was observed.@*Results@#Of 166 children with ITP, 89 cases (53.6%) had remission within 3 months, 18 cases (10.8%) within 3-12 months, 20 cases (12.0%) within 1-4 years, a total of 39 cases (23.5%) were refractory (no remission in 1-10 years), the remission rate within 1 year was 64.5%, the total remission rate was 76.4%.ALC of remission cases was (4.58±2.87)×109/L within 3 months, (4.47±2.04)×109/L within 3-12 months, and (2.86±1.61)×109/L within 1- 4 years.Thirty-nine cases (23.5%) were refractory(no remission in 1-10 years), ALC of them was (2.07±0.98)×109/L, and there were significant differences among different groups (F= 12.06, P<0.01). Univariate analysis showed that age (F=27.28), pre-morbidity history of infection and vaccination history(χ2= 9.31), initial ALC (F=12.06) at initial diagnosis were related with the prognosis of children with ITP (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the history of infection before onset, the history of vaccination(95%CI: 0.19 to 1.51, P<0.05)and initial ALC(95%CI: -0.64 to -0.23, P<0.001) at the time of initial diagnosis were independent factors affecting the prognosis of children with ITP.The receivers operating characteristic (ROC) was drawn with the development of chronic disease (course >12 months) as state variable and ALC as test variable.The area under curve(AUC) was 0.765(P<0.05), cut-off point was 3.925×109/L, sensitivity was 0.542, and specificity was 0.966.@*Conclusions@#Initial ALC can be used as one of the prognosis index of ITP in children, and low ALC is the risk signal for chronic development of ITP in children.

Prognostic factors in immune thrombocytopenia in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the prognostic relationship between initial absolute lymphocyte count(ALC) of peripheral blood and primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP)in children,in order to provide basis for judging the prognosis and treatment of ITP in children. Methods Clinical data of 166 children with primary ITP in children admi_tted at the Affiliated Hospital of xuizhou medical University from January 2014 to march 2018 were analyzed retrospec_tively,and they were followed up by clinic and telephone,the prognostic factors( gender,age,ethnicity,inducement, bleeding,initial ALC,platelet count and treatment)were statistically analyzed,and the relationship between ALC of pe_ripheral blood and the prognosis of children with ITP was observed. Results Of 166 children with ITP,89 cases (53. 6%)had remission within 3 months,18 cases(10. 8%)within 3_12 months,20 cases(12. 0%)within 1_4 years,a total of 39 cases(23. 5%)were refractory(no remission in 1_10 years),the remission rate within 1 year was 64. 5%,the total remission rate was 76. 4%. ALC of remission cases was(4. 58 ± 2. 87)×109/L within 3 months, (4. 47 ± 2. 04)×109/L within 3 _12 months,and(2. 86 ± 1. 61)×109/L within 1 _ 4 years. Thirty_nine cases (23. 5%)were refractory(no remission in 1_10 years),ALC of them was(2. 07 ± 0. 98)×109/L,and there were significant differences among different groups( F = 12. 06,P <0. 01 ). Univariate analysis showed that age( F =27. 28),pre_morbidity history of infection and vaccination history(χ2 = 9. 31),initial ALC( F=12. 06)at initial diagnosis were related with the prognosis of children with ITP(all P<0. 05). multivariate analysis showed that the his_tory of infection before onset,the history of vaccination(95%CI:0. 19 to 1. 51,P <0. 05)and initial ALC(95%CI:_0. 64 to _0. 23,P<0. 001)at the time of initial diagnosis were independent factors affecting the prognosis of children with ITP. The receivers operating characteristic(ROC)was drawn with the development of chronic disease(course >12 months)as state variable and ALC as test variable. The area under curve(AUC)was 0. 765(P<0. 05),cut_off point was 3. 925×109/L,sensitivity was 0. 542,and specificity was 0. 966. Conclusions Initial ALC can be used as one of the prognosis index of ITP in children,and low ALC is the risk signal for chronic development of ITP in children.

Prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To explore the prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma,not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS).Methods The clinical data of 69 patients with PTCL-NOS treated in Tianjin Union Medical Center from January 2008 to January 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.The relationship between different levels of ALC and clinical characteristics,therapeutic efficacy and prognosis was analyzed.Results Among 69 patients,23 cases (33.3％) had low ALC (＜1.0×109/L),and 46 cases (66.7％) had high ALC (≥ 1.0×109/L).Compared with the high ALC group,the low ALC group showed the higher International Prognostic Index (IPI) and PTCL-NOS Prognostic Index (PIT) scores,advanced clinical stage and higher lactate dehydrogenase level (all P ＜ 0.05).The total efficacy rate in the low ALC group was lower than that in the high ALC group [56.5％ (13/23) vs.67.4％ (31/46)],but the difference was not statistically significant (x2 =0.784,P =0.376).The 3-year survival rate in the low ALC group was significantly lower than that in the high ALC group,and the difference was statistically significant (40.5％ vs.68.6％,x2 =7.846,P =0.010).Univariate analysis showed that the US Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score ≥ 2,IPI score ≥2,Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ and ALC＜1.0×109/L were the poor prognostic factors (all P ＜ 0.05),while Cox multivariate analysis showed that the Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ and ALC＜1.0×109/L were the independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with PTCL-NOS (P =0.008,P =0.029).Conclusion The decrease of peripheral blood ALC in patients with PTCL-NOS at the initial diagnosis suggests a poor prognosis,and ALC can be used as a new indicator for prognosis evaluation of PTCL-NOS patients.

Correlations between peripheral absolute lymphocyte count and clinicopathological characteristics of the elderly patients with multiple myeloma and its prognosis / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlations between peripheral absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and clinicopathological characteristics of newly diagnosed elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM)and its prognosis.Methods A total of 57 elderly patients with MM were selected in Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 1,2007 to December 31,2015.The patients were grouped as ALC ≥ 1.3 × 109/L (n =24) and ALC ＜ 1.3 × 109/L (n =33).The ALC and clinical characteristics of the patients were collected.The chi-square test,rank sum test,Cox regression analysis,Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test were used to analyze the correlation of ALC with clinicopathological characteristics,curative effect and prognosis of elderly patients with MM.Results The peripheral ALC of elderly MM patients was related to hemoglobin content (x2 =6.915,P =0.009),but it was not related to the sex,age,DurieSalmon stage,international staging system stage,creatinine content,lactate dehydrogenase content,albumin content,concentration of Ca2 +,performance status and classification (all P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in efficacy between ALC ≥ 1.3 × 109/L group and ALC ＜ 1.3 × 109/L group (Z =0.464,P =0.642).In univariate analysis,age (RR =2.843,95 ％ CI:1.385-5.835,P =0.004),sex (RR =2.092,95％ CI:1.034-4.231,P =0.040),ALC (RR =3.562,95％ CI:1.539-8.244,P =0.003),hemoglobin content (RR =3.583,95％ CI:1.087-11.811,P =0.036),lactate dehydrogenase content (RR =3.192,95％ CI:1.580-6.452,P =0.001) and curative effect (RR =5.202,95％ CI:1.184-22.864,P =0.029)were related to the prognosis of patients.Multivariate analysis results revealed that age (RR =2.672,95％ CI:1.235-5.782,P =0.013) and ALC (RR =2.613,95 ％ CI:1.092-6.250,P =0.031) were independent predictive factors for patients with MM.Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the median overall survival of ALC ≥1.3 × 109/L group was significantly longer than that of ALC ＜ 1.3 × 109/L group (69 months vs.24 months;x2 =10.171,P =0.001).Conclusion The peripheral ALC in elderly patients with MM is related to hemoglobin content.ALC is an independent prognostic factor for the elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM,and has clinical value for the prognosis of MM.

Clinical Course of Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Analysis Predicting Factor of Prognosis / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets. There were many studies which predicted the factors associated with the prognosis of childhood ITP, but controversies remained. We analyzed the predicting factors associated with the clinical outcome and prognosis of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed ITP in a single institution.METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 170 patients with newly diagnosed ITP at Chungnam National University Hospital (CNUH) from January 2005 to December 2015. The demographics, complete blood count (CBC), leukocyte differential counts and treatment of patients with ITP were reviewed.RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis were 20 months old (range, 0 to 189 months) for acute ITP and 52 months old for chronic ITP. After initial diagnosis of ITP, 20 of 170 patients (11.8%) were later diagnosed as chronic ITP. Age at diagnosis and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at diagnosis were statistically correlated with development of chronic ITP. ALC at diagnosis and at discharge were significantly higher in acute ITP patients than chronic ITP patients. We determined that ALC >4,109/μL at diagnosis and ALC >3,825/μL at discharge were associated with platelet recovery after 12 months.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that that high ALC at admission and discharge predict a favorable outcome in children with newly diagnosed ITP. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Clinical Course of Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Analysis Predicting Factor of Prognosis / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets. There were many studies which predicted the factors associated with the prognosis of childhood ITP, but controversies remained. We analyzed the predicting factors associated with the clinical outcome and prognosis of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed ITP in a single institution. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 170 patients with newly diagnosed ITP at Chungnam National University Hospital (CNUH) from January 2005 to December 2015. The demographics, complete blood count (CBC), leukocyte differential counts and treatment of patients with ITP were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis were 20 months old (range, 0 to 189 months) for acute ITP and 52 months old for chronic ITP. After initial diagnosis of ITP, 20 of 170 patients (11.8%) were later diagnosed as chronic ITP. Age at diagnosis and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at diagnosis were statistically correlated with development of chronic ITP. ALC at diagnosis and at discharge were significantly higher in acute ITP patients than chronic ITP patients. We determined that ALC >4,109/μL at diagnosis and ALC >3,825/μL at discharge were associated with platelet recovery after 12 months. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that that high ALC at admission and discharge predict a favorable outcome in children with newly diagnosed ITP. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

The prognostic signiifcance of peripheral blood ALC/AMC in follicular lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP-like chemotherapy / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose:The prognostic capability of traditional prognostic index like follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) is limited in the rituximab era. This study was to investigate the prognostic significance of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count/absolute monocyte count (ALC/AMC) in Chinese patients with follicular lymphoma (FL).Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 136 newly diagnosed FL patients who received rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP)-like chemotherapy in Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2013, and further classified these patients according to FLIPI scoring system.Results:According to FLIPI, 61 patients (44.9%) were stratified into the low-risk (0-1 points) group, 42 cases (30.9%) into the intermediate-risk (2 points) group, and 33 cases (24.2%) into the high-risk (3-5 points) group. The overall response rate and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the 3 risk groups were 88.5%, 95.2%, and 78.8% (P=0.090), and 91.4%, 74.6%, and 47.8% (log-rank=23.3,P<0.001), respectively. The overall response rate and 2-year PFS for patients with ALC/AMC≥4.7 and <4.7 were 91.9%, 68.6% (P=0.005) and 96.0%, 69.7% (log-rank=13.0,P<0.001), respectively. In the multivariate study, ALC/AMC≥4.7 was independent of FLIPI and was able to distinguish the FLIPI low-risk and intermediate-risk patients (log-rank=7.535,P=0.006).Conclusion:For FL patients treated with R-CHOP-like regimens, ALC/AMC is a simple and effective biomarker reflecting tumor microenvironment and human immunity, and could be considered for prognosis evaluation.

Relationship between initial absolute lymphocyte counts and the prognosis of children with primary immune thrombocytopenia / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the value of initial absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) in predicting the prognosis of children with primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP).Methods The initial clinical data of 214 children with incipient ITP were retrospectively analyzed and followed up for more than one year.Statistical analysis was made to find out the influence factors for the prognosis of patients with ITP in children to evaluate the predictive value of ALC on assessing the prognosis of ITP in children,and to analyze the association between ALC and outcomes and the clinical value of prognostic stratification.Results The remission rate of children with ITP was 71.5％ in 12 months.Multivariate unconditioned Logistic analysis showed that disease duration,the infection history,response to treatment and ALC were independent risk factors for chronic ITP(all P ＜ 0.05).Cutoff value of initial ALC was 3.005 × 109/L,sensitivity and specificity of value were 71.9％,83.6％.Three months and 12 months no remission rate of ITP in children between ALC ＞ 3.005 × 109/L and ≤ 3.005 × 109/L had statistical significant difference (24.2％ vs 64.9％,8.3％ vs 54.2％,x2 =42.13,P ＜0.001).There was no statistical difference in therapy efficacy between 2 groups(x2 =5.098,P ＞ 0.05).Remission rate between the ≤5 years old group and ＞ 5 years old group was statistical difference based on age stratification(x2 =22.371,22.177,all P ＜ 0.01).ITP in children were stratified into low risk group,intermediate risk group,high risk group based on the initial ALC and infection history,with remission rates in 3 month respectively 75.8％,54.1％,22.8％,respectively,and 91.6％,68.4％,31.6％ in 12 months,respectively;there were statistically significant differences (x2 =44.867,68.802,all P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions Initial ALC is an independent effecting factor in the prognosis of children with ITP.Initial ALC could be used for stratifying patients with the infection history before 6 weeks and supposed to be a predictive index for the prognosis of ITP in children.

Recuperación temprana de linfocitos como factor pronóstico en el trasplante hematopoyético / Early lymphocyte recovery as a prognostic factor after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Introducción: la recuperación temprana de linfocitos es un factor pronóstico que está relacionado con una mayor supervivencia libre de eventos y supervivencia global en pacientes sometidos a trasplante hematopoyético. Objetivo: determinar el valor pronóstico del recuento absoluto de linfocitos (RAL). Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, transversal, ambispectivo, en pacientes pediátricos con hemopatías malignas trasplantados en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología de La Habana, Cuba, entre 1986 y 2008. Se estudiaron 36 pacientes: 15 con leucemia linfoide aguda, 13 con leucemia mieloide aguda, 6 con leucemia mieloide crónica y 2 con linfoma no hodgkiniano. Veintitrés trasplantes fueron autólogos y 13 alogénicos; 22 de médula ósea y 14 de sangre periférica. Resultados : de los trasplantes antólogos, el 60,9 por ciento alcanzó un RAL el día + 15 (RAL-15) = 500 x mm3, mientras en los alogénicos este se alcanzó en el 53,8 por ciento. La sangre periférica tuvo un RAL-15 mayor que la médula ósea y se obtuvo en el 78,6 por ciento y el 45,4 por ciento de los enfermos, respectivamente (p = 0.049). Los factores pronósticos asociados a una peor supervivencia global fueron la sepsis (p <0.001), el RAL-15 < 500 x mm3 ( p= 0.001) y la recaída (p = 0.03). Las curvas de Kapplan-Meier mostraron una mejor supervivencia global y libre de eventos a los cinco años, en los pacientes con RAL-15 = 500 x mm3 (85 por ciento vs 15 por ciento; p <0.001). Conclusiones: el RAL-15 = 500 x mm3 es una herramienta simple y útil para predecir un mejor resultado en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a trasplante hematopoyético

Introduction: early lymphocyte recovery is a prognostic factor related to a higher event-free survival and overall survival in patients who have received hematopoietic transplantation. Objective: eo determine the prognostic value of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). Method: a study in pediatric patients with hematological malignancies transplanted at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology from 1986 to 2011 was performed. The study group included 36 patients: 15 with acute lymphoid leukemia, 13 with acute myeloid leukemia, 6 with chronic myeloid leukemia and 2 with non Hodgkin lymphoma. Twenty transplants were autologous and 13 allogeneic. As stem cell source, bone marrow was used in 22 patients and peripheral blood in 14. Results : 60,9 percent of the autologous transplants reached an absolute lymphocyte count = 500 x mm3 on day 15 (ALC-15), whereas in the allogeneic this was achieved in 53,8 percent. Peripheral blood had a higher ALC-15 than bone marrow, 78,6 percent and 45,4 percent, respectively (p = 0.049). Prognostic factors associated to worse overall survival were sepsis (p <0.001), ALC-15 <500 x mm3 (p = 0.001) and relapse (p = 0.03). Kapplan-Meier curves showed better overall survival and event-free survival after five years in patients with ALC-15 = 500 x mm3 (85 percent vs. 15 percent, p <0.001). Conclusions: the ALC-15 = 500 x mm3 is a simple and useful tool to predict a better outcome in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic transplantation

Prognostic significance of absolute lymphocyte count in the diagno-sis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: We investigated the clinical significance and prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) in the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods:The medical records of 143 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were reviewed. These patients were diagnosed and underwent surgery in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, China, between February 2002 and April 2008. The correlation between different ALC levels and clinical features was statisti-cally analyzed. Results:Patients with low ALC (<1.0×109/L) at diagnosis showed B symptoms, an international prognostic index score of ≥2, advanced clinical stage (Ann Arbor III/IV), high lactate dehydrogenase level, and high β2-microglobulin level (P<0.05). Pa-tients with high ALC (≥1.0 × 109/L) responded well to treatment (P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, Ann Arbor stage and ALC level were independent prognostic factors of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Patients with low ALC often exhibited advanced clinical stage (Ann ArborⅢ/Ⅳ). Conclusions:ALC level obtained at diagnosis is a novel, powerful prognostic factor of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Cytokines in children with low absolute lymphocyte count / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the levels of inflammatory cytokines in children with low absolute lymphocyte count (ALC).Methods 56 patients with low ALC as the patients group and 20 children with healthy physical examination as the control group were enrolled.Several inflammatory cytokines,namely IL-1,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-βwere measured with enzyme linked immu-nosorbent assay(ELISA)kits.High sensitive C reactive protein(Hs-CRP)was measured by the immunoturbidimetry(ITM)kit with the automatic biochemical analyzer.Results The concentrations of IL-1,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-βin the patients were(0.096±0.012) ng/mL,(0.118±0.026)ng/mL,(0.388 ±0.069)ng/mL and(1.256 ±0.245 )ng/mL respectively,which had no statistical differ-ences as compared with the control group(P >0.05);the concentration of HsCRP in the patients group was(5.7±2.8)mg/L,while which in the control group was(4.8±2.6)mg/L,showing no statistically significant difference between them(P >0.05).Conclusion The levels of the cytokines in low ALC patients are not increased,which may be related with the other factors.Actively using tra-ditional Chinese medicine treatment is beneficial to the recovery of disease.

Recuento absoluto de linfocitos como factor predictivo en el trasplante hematopoyético / Absolute lymphocyte count as a predictor in hematopoietic transplantation

La recuperación temprana de linfocitos es un factor pronóstico que está relacionado con una mayor supervivencia libre de eventos y supervivencia global en pacientes trasplantados. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de determinar el valor pronóstico del recuento absoluto de linfocitos en pacientes con hemopatías malignas, tratados con trasplante. Los pacientes con trasplantes autólogos alcanzan un recuento absoluto de linfocitos el día + 15 (RAL15) e 500 x mm³, más temprano que los alogénicos. El RAL15 cuando se utiliza sangre periférica es mayor que cuando se emplea la médula ósea. Los factores pronósticos asociados a una peor supervivencia global fueron la sepsis, el RAL15 < 500x mm³ y la recaída. Varios estudios muestran una mejor supervivencia global y supervivencia libre de eventos a los cinco años, en los pacientes con RAL15 e 500 x mm³. El RAL15 e 500 x mm³ es una herramienta simple y útil para predecir un mejor resultado en pacientes sometidos a trasplante hematopoyético

Early recovery of lymphocytes is a prognostic factor that is related to a higher event-free survival and overall survival after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A literature review was conducted in order to determine the prognostic value of absolute lymphocyte count in patients with hematological malignancies after transplantation. Autologous transplant patients reach an absolute lymphocyte count on day + 15 (RAL15) e 500 x mm³, earlier than allogeneic. The RAL15 when peripheral blood is used is greater than when using the bone marrow. Prognostic factors associated with worse overall survival were sepsis, RAL 15 <500x mm³ and relapse. Several studies show a better overall survival and event-free survival at five years in patients with e 500 x RAL15 mm³. The RAL15 e 500 x mm³ is a simple and useful tool to predict a better outcome in patients undergoing hematopoietic transplantation

Analysis of prognostic relationship between absolute lymphocyte count and patients with multiple myeloma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods:We obtained clinical features and follow-up data of 102 patients with MM to analyze the prog-nostic value of peripheral blood ALC. Results:Patients with ALC>1.51×109/L were designated as group 1, whereas patients with ALC0.05). Conclusion:Lower ALC is a poor prognosis factor. ALC may be an important prognostic factor of MM.

Implication of Early Lymphocyte Recovery after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Leukemia

PURPOSE: The repopulating lymphocytes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have an important role not only on the prevention of serious infections in the early transplantation period, but also on the killing of residual leukemic cells by graft-versus-leukemia effect. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of lymphocyte recovery after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children with hematologic malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 69 children transplanted for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n=34), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n=26), chronic leukemia (n=7) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (n=2) between 1996 and 2008 at the Chonnam National University Hospital, Korea. The patients were grouped based on absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) or =500/microL at D+21 and D+30 after transplant. RESULTS: Patients with a High ALC at D+21 and D+30 had a faster neutrophil and platelet engraftment. The High at D+30 group had a better 5 year overall survival (71% vs. 53%, p=0.043) and event-free survival (72% vs. 53%, p=0.065) than the Low at D+30 group. The incidence of grade II-IV acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and relapse rate did not differ by the ALC counts. However, the Low at D+30 group had a significantly increased risk for transplant-related mortality (p=0.019). The univariate analysis showed that the factors associated with decreased survival were a Low ALC at D+30, patients with high risk ALL, and grade II-IV aGVHD in patients with ALL and AML. CONCLUSION: Early posttransplant serial lymphocyte measurement would be a simple but useful method for predicting transplant outcomes.

Absolute lymphocyte count as a surrogate marker for CD4 counts after six months of HAART initiation in a resource-limited setting in India.

Background & objectives: Owing to the ever-expanding access to HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) in resource-limited settings, there is a need to evaluate alternate markers like absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) as a surrogate for CD4 counts. This study was done to assess the usefulness of ALC as a surrogate marker for CD4 counts in monitoring HIV-infected patients after HAART initiation. Methods: In this study, 108 HIV-positive adult patients of both sexes fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. CD4 and ALC were recorded at baseline. After initiation on HAART, these patients were followed up at three month intervals. Results: ALC and CD4 counts were positively correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient= 0.553). After six months of HAART, the sensitivity of an ALC increase as a marker for CD4 count increase at six months was 82 per cent, specificity was 100 per cent, PPV was 100 per cent and NPV was 31 per cent. Area under the corresponding ROC curve for CD4 increase of >100 cells/μl was 0. 825 ± 0.053. Interpretation & conclusions: ALC may be a useful surrogate marker in predicting an increase in CD4 counts as a response to HAART, but of questionable value in predicting a decrease in CD4 counts.

Absolute lymphocyte count: A cost-effective method of monitoring HIV-infected individuals.

Aim: Depletion of CD4 cell count is a hallmark of disease progression in AIDS. CD4 cell count is essential for physicians to decide about the timing of initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and for prophylaxis of opportunistic infections. WHO has recommended that, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) of ≤1200/μL can substitute CD4 cell count of ≤200/μL in resource-constrained countries throughout the world. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken to know whether there is a correlation between CD4 cell count and ALC in HIV-infected individuals. A single sample of blood was withdrawn for ALC and CD4 cell count. The samples received from December 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 were analyzed. Results: A total of 196 samples were collected from 185 patients. After exclusion, a total of 182 samples were analyzed. Results revealed that male:female ratio was 126:56 and their age ranged from 13 to 67 years. The median ALC was 1747 cells/μL, whereas the CD4 cell count ranged from 5 to 2848. The correlation coefficient between ALC and CD4 cell count was significant (0.714). There were 49 patients with an ALC of ≤1200/μL of whom 77.6% patients had CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL (true positive) and 22.4% had CD4 cell count > 200/μL (false positive). There were 133 patients with an ALC of >1200/μL of whom 84.2% had CD4 cell count > 200/μL (true negative) and 15.8% had CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL (false negative). Taking ALC of ≤1200/μL as a predictor of CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL ,the sensitivity of the test was 64.4% and specificity was 91.1%. The positive predictive value was 77.6%, negative predictive value was 84.2%, and accuracy was 82.4%. Conclusion: We found that an ALC of ≤ 1520/μL has higher sensitivity (78%) for a CD4 cell count of ≤ 200/μL. The ALC was found to be significantly cost-effective in our setup but chances of missing out patients requiring ART was 1 in 5 using the WHO guidelines.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors of 108 Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL)and to investigate the prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count(ALC)at admission for patients with NHL. Methods: Clinical features and follow-up data of 108 patients with pathologically confirmed NHL seen in our hospital between January 2000 and January 2008 were reviewed.SPSS14.0 package was used for statistical analysis.Kaplan-Meier was applied to assess the survival probability.All parameters statistically significant concluded by univariate analysis were then computed as co-variates for multivariate analysis with Cox regression model. Results: The ratio of males to females was approximately 1.5:1.The median age of patients was 48 years.Before treatment.the Ann Arbor clinical classification showed that 61.1% of the cases were of stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Approximately 93%of the patients had ECOG performance status(PS)score of 0-1 and 19.2%of the cases had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).According to intemational prognosis index score.80.6%of the patients were in a low risk group.At admission，35.2%of the cases had ALC≤1×10~9/L.Hemoglobin (Hb)≤110g/L and B symptoms were seen in 29.6%and 26.9%of the patients.The mean Hb was 129.2±17.5g/L in cases with ALC>1×10~9/L(n=70)and 98.1±20.6g/L in cases with ALC≤1×10~9/L(n=38),with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).With a median follow-up duration of 2 years，the median overall survival(OS)time was 2.3 years for all patients.The 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 73.2%and 39.6%，respectively.ALC≤1×10~9/L,Hb≤110g/L,B symptoms and intemational prognostic index(IPI)≥2 were statistically significant unfavorable prognostic factors for NHL revealed by univariate analysis.Multivariate analysis showed that ALC≤1×10~9/L,B symptoms and IPI ≥2 were statistically significant unfavorable prognostic factors for NHL. Conclusion: ALC and B symptoms may be prognostic factors independent of IPI for NHL.Evaluation of the prognosis with IPI,ALC，and B symptoms is of clinical value for individualized therapy of NHL patients.

Prognostic value of the absolute lymphocyte count reduction in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The International Prognostic Index (IPI) and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) are prognostic factors in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Nevertheless, in the Rituximab era, a new predictive marker related to Rituximab might be needed. We evaluated prognostic factors for survival in patients with early stage DLBCL after R-CHOP (Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone) treatment. METHODS: From Aug 2003 to Nov 2007, 78 patients with early stage DLBCL, who finished R-CHOP as scheduled, were reviewed retrospectively. Survival analyses were performed according to clinical parameters (age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), extra-nodal involvement, stage, ALC, and the rates of reduction of the white blood count (WBC) and ALC). RESULTS: Of the 78 patients with early stage DLBCL, 26 (33.3%) were classified as stage I. Seventy-three patients (93.6%) presented with a good performance status, while LDH was elevated in 20 patients (25.6%). According to the IPI, 67 (85.9%), 8 (10.3%), and 3 (3.8%) patients were classified in the low, low-intermediate, and high-intermediate risk groups, respectively. The overall response rate was 100%, including a 94.8% complete response. Survival analysis demonstrated that the rate of reduction of ALC following the first cycle of the R-CHOP regimen was the only factor associated with time-to-progression (p=0.037), whereas age was the single most important prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the rate of reduction of ALC in addition to age and IPI was found to be a significant prognostic factor in patients with early stage DLBCL treated with the R-CHOP regimen.