The fenrou zhijian theory in The Inner Canon of Huangdi and the stratified treatment of painful bi syndrome of meridian tendons / 中国针灸

The fenrou zhijian is defined as potential gap between different layers in the three-dimensional network structure formed by the twelve meridian tendons. Various pathological changes of the meridian tendons lead to the adhesion and closure of fenrou zhijian, causing abnormal mechanical conduction of the meridian tendon system, which in turn leads to painful bi syndrome of meridian tendons. As such, restarting the fenrou zhijian is the key to acupuncture treatment for painful bi syndrome of meridian tendons. Under the guidance of musculoskeletal ultrasound, the level and the angle of needle insertion of acupuncture at fenrou zhijian could be accurately controlled, the efficacy of acupuncture is improved.

Outcomes of 138 myelodysplastic syndrome patients with HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients who received HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (MSD-PBSCT) . Methods: The clinical data of 138 MDS patients received MSD-PBSCT from Sep. 2005 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the overall survival (OS) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) rate, relapse rate (RR) , non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate and the related risk factors were explored. Results: ①After a median follow-up of 1 050 (range 4 to 4 988) days, the 3-year OS and DFS rates were (66.6±4.1) % and (63.3±4.1) %, respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of RR and NRM rates were (13.9±0.1) % and (22.2±0.1) %, respectively. ②Univariate analysis showed that patients with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) or hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥2 points or patients in very high-risk group of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) had significantly decreased OS[ (42.9±13.2) %vs (72.9±4.2) %, χ(2)=8.620, P=0.003; (53.3±7.6) %vs (72.6±4.7) %, χ(2)=6.681, P=0.010; (53.8±6.8) %vs (76.6±6.2) %vs (73.3±7.7) %, χ(2)=6.337, P=0.042]. For MDS patients with excess blasts-2 (MDS-EB2) and acute myeloid leukemia patients derived from MDS (MDS-AML) , pre-transplant chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents (HMA) therapy could not improve the OS rate[ (60.4±7.8) %vs (59.2±9.6) %, χ(2)=0.042, P=0.838]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that the HCT-CI was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS (P=0.012, HR=2.108, 95%CI 1.174-3.785; P=0.008, HR=2.128, 95%CI 1.219-3.712) . Conclusions: HCT-CI was better than the IPSS-R in predicting the outcomes after transplantation. The occurrence of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD is a poor prognostic factor for OS. For patients of MDS-EB2 and MDS-AML, immediate transplantation was recommended instead of receiving pre-transplant chemotherapy or HMA therapy.

A single-center, randomized controlled trial of PEG-rhG-CSF and common rhG-CSF to promote neutrophil recovery after induction chemotherapy in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To compare the time of the recovery of neutrophils or leukocytes by pegylated recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) or common recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in the myelosuppressive phase after induction chemotherapy in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. At the same time, the incidences of infection and hospitalization were compared. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with newly diagnosed AML who met the enrollment criteria from August 2014 to December 2017. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to a 1:1 ratio: PEG-rhG-CSF group and rhG-CSF group. The time of neutrophil or leukocyte recovery, infection rate and hospitalization interval were compared between the two groups. Results: 60 patients with newly diagnosed AML were enrolled: 30 patients in the PEG-rhG-CSF group and 30 patients in the rhG-CSF group. There were no significant differences in age, chemotherapy regimen, pre-chemotherapy ANC, WBC, and induction efficacy between the two groups (P>0.05) . The median time (range) of ANC or WBC recovery in patients with PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF were 19 (14-35) d and 19 (15-26) d, respectively, with no statistical difference (P=0.566) . The incidences of infection in the PEG-rhG-CSF group and the rhG-CSF group were 90.0%and 93.3%, respectively, and there was no statistical difference (P=1.000) . The median days of hospitalization (range) was 20.5 (17-49) days and 21 (19-43) days, respectively, with no statistical difference (P=0.530) . Conclusions: In AML patients after induction therapy, there was no significant difference between the application of PEG-rhG-CSF and daily rhG-CSF in ANC or WBC recovery time, infection incidence and hospitalization time.

Correlation analysis between the surface electromyography and muscle fiber types of the core muscle group in the patients with myofascial pain syndromes / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the core muscle group in the patients with myofascial pain syndromes(MPS) by using the surface electromyography; to detect the distribution of muscle fiber type by the analysis of the median frequency and the slope of the median frequency.@*METHODS@#From October 2017 to March 2018, there were 100 patients with the MPS, including 45 males and 55 females; the average age was 48.5 years old, ranging from 29 to 76 years old. There were 40 cases of left back pain and 60 cases of right back pain. The course of illness was more than 6 months. Another 40 healthy patients without pain in the waist were included in the control group, 20 males and 20 females; the average age was 47.3 years old, ranging from 29 to 76 years old. All the patients had different degrees of back pain and muscle stiffness, which were diagnosed as lumbar fasciitis by clinical and imaging examination. Surface electromyography was used to measure the characteristics of the lumbar core muscles (multifissions, iliocostal muscles, and longest muscle) of the three groups in the Biering-Sorensen testing, such as median frequency(MF) and absolute slope of median frequency (MFs).@*RESULTS@#The MF values of the multifidus muscle in the three groups were as follows:the left side of the non-pain group was 133.88±26.61, and the right side was 131.39±29.81; left side of lift side pain group 117.29±10.93, right side 133.70±17.81; in the right pain group, the left side was 131.36±17.37, and the right side was 118.28±13.57. The MF values of the iliocostal muscle in the three groups were:106.94±28.01 on the left side of the non-pain group, 114.68±18.96 on the right side; left side of lift side pain group 93.95±11.17, right side 107.60±27.86; in the right pain group, the left side was 105.93±15.52, and the right side was 97.27±19.27. The MF values of the longest muscle in the three groups were:109.24±26.20 on the left side of the non-pain group, 112.58±17.70 on the right side. Left side of left side pain group 95.58±10.83, right side 108.79±26.39; in the right pain group, the left side was 106.50±17.98, and the right side was 98.20±11.16. The MFs values of the multifidus muscle in the three groups were:0.221±0.109 on the left side of the non-pain group, and 0.259±0.169 on the right side; left side of left side pain group 0.318±0.184, right side 0.210±0.159; in the right pain group, the left side was 0.258±0.169, and the right side was 0.386±0.166. The MFs values of the iliocostal muscles in the three groups were:0.241±0.158 for the left side of the non-pain group, and 0.238±0.128 for the right side. Left side of left side pain group 0.330±0.208, right side 0.252±0.171; in the right side pain group, left side 0.249±0.150, right side 0.343± 0.144. The MFs values of the longest muscle of the three groups were:0.244±0.252 on the left side of the non-pain group, and 0.210±0.128 on the right side; left side of left side pain group 0.348±0.255, right side 0.241±0.224; in the right pain group, the left side was 0.239±0.155, and the right side was 0.334±0.233. There were no statistically significant differences in MF and MFs values of the left and right lumbar multifidus muscle, iliocostal muscle and longest muscle in the non-pain group(>0.05). MF values of the pain side multifidus muscle, iliocostal muscle and longest muscle in the lumbago group were lower than those in the non-pain group(<0.05). MFs values of the painful side multifidus muscle, iliocostal muscle and longest muscle in the low back pain group were higher than those in the non-pain group(<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The muscle fatigue degree of the back muscle in the pain side of patients with MPs is decreased, and the muscle fiber type is dominated by II muscle fiber.

Clinical Features and Therapeutic Efficacy in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy in adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1).@*METHODS@#The clinic data of 19 adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) in our hospital from Nov. 22, 2010 to Apr. 4, 2018 were collected. The clinical features,complete remission (CR) rate, overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of patients received chemotherapy and chemotherapy+HSCT were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In all the 19 patients, the median age was 24 (14-66), median WBC count was 16.47×109 (1.8-170.34)/L, median Hb level was 98 (65-176) g/L, median Plt count was 50 (15-254)×109/L. Pre B-ALL were 17 cases (89.5%), and common B-ALL were 2 cases (10.5%). Patients received the induction therapy, the overall CR rate was 94.7%, one course CR rate was 94.7%, 4 year OS rate was 47.1% and RFS rate was 43.3%. The OS rate and RFS rate of patients received transplantation were slightly higher than those of patients not received transplantation (OS: 62.5% vs 36.7%) (P=0.188)；RFS (62.5% vs 38.9%) (P=0.166).@*CONCLUSION@#Most adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is Pre B-ALL by Immunophenotyping, as compared with the pediatric patients, the therapeutic efficacy for adult patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is worsen, therefore, stem cell transplantation is still acquired for better long term survival.

Identification and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungus MD76 from Paeonia suffruticosa / 中国药学杂志

In order to identify the endophytic fungus MD76 and isolate its secondary metabolite. METHODS: The identification of strain MD76 is based on morphological characteristics and sequence alignment analysis of 18s rDNA ITS, the secondary metabolites were isolated by chromatography technology; and their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: The strain MD76 was identified as Phyllosticta capitalensis; and seven compounds were gained, including benzoic acid(1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(2), 4-hydroxybenzene propanoic acid(3), paeoniflorin(4), oxypaeoniflorin(5), gallic acid(6), apigenin(7). CONCLUSION: The endophytic fungus P. capitalensis was gained firstly from Paeonia suffruticosa and seven compounds were isolated from P. capitalensis for the first time.

Characteristics and prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients with MLL gene rearrangements / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics, and prognosis of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with MLL gene rearrangements. Methods: The medical records of 92 adult AML patients with MLL gene rearrangements from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 92 cases (6.5%) with MLL gene rearrangements were identified in 1 417 adult AML (Non-M(3)) patients, the median age of the patients was 35.5 years (15 to 64 years old) with an equal sex ratio, the median WBC were 21.00(0.42-404.76)×10(9)/L, and 78 patients (84.8%) were acute monoblastic leukemia according to FAB classification. Eleven common partner genes were detected in 32 patients, 9 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/AF6(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/ELL(+), 2 cases (6.3%) were MLL/AF10(+), 1 case (3.1%) was MLL/SETP6(+), and the remaining 10 patients' partner genes weren't identified. Of 92 patients, 83 cases with a median follow-up of 10.3 (0.3-74.0) months were included for the prognosis analysis, the complete remission (CR) rate was 85.5% (71/83), the median overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were 15.4 and 13.1 months, respectively. Two-year OS and RFS were 36.6% and 29.5%, respectively. Of 31 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), two-year OS and RFS for patients received and non-received allo-HSCT were 57.9% and 21.4%, 52.7% and 14.9%, respectively (P<0.001). Among patients with partner genes tested, 9 of 32 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 6.0(4.1-20.7) months. 3 patients with MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. 23 cases (71.9%) were non- MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 7.8 (0.3-26.6) months. 14 patients (60.1%) with non-MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. One-year OS for patients with MLL/AF9 and non-MLL/AF9 were 38.1% and 55.5%, respectively (P=0.688). Multivariate analysis revealed that high WBC (RR=1.825, 95% CI 1.022-3.259, P=0.042), one cycle to achieve CR (RR=0.130, 95% CI 0.063-0.267, P<0.001), post-remission treatment with allo-HSCT (RR=0.169, 95% CI 0.079-0.362, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusions: AML with MLL gene rearrangements was closely associated with monocytic differentiation, and MLL/AF9 was the most frequent partner gene. Conventional chemotherapy produced a high response rate, but likely to relapse, allo-HSCT may have the potential to further improve the prognosis of this group of patients.

Spectrum of somatic mutations and their prognostic significance in adult patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the spectrum of gene mutations in adult patients with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and to analyze the influences of different gene mutations on prognosis. Methods: DNA samples from 113 adult B-ALL patients who administered from June 2009 to September 2015 were collected. Target-specific next generation sequencing (NGS) approach was used to analyze the mutations of 112 genes (focused on the specific mutational hotspots) and all putative mutations were compared against multiple databases to calculate the frequency spectrum. The impact of gene mutation on the patients' overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) was analyzed by the putative mutations through Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression methods. Results: Of the 113 patients, 103 (92.0%) harbored at least one mutation and 29 (25.6%) harbored more than 3 genes mutation. The five most frequently mutated genes in B-ALL are SF1, FAT1, MPL, PTPN11 and NRAS. Gene mutations are different between Ph+ B-ALL and Ph- B-ALL patients. Ph- B-ALL patients with JAK-STAT signal pathway related gene mutation, such as JAK1/JAK2 mutation showed a poor prognosis compared to the patients without mutation (OS: P=0.011, 0.001; RFS: P=0.014,<0.001). Patients with PTPN11 mutation showed better survival than those without mutation, but the difference was not statistically significant (P value > 0.05). Besides, in Ph+ B-ALL patients whose epigenetic modifications related signaling pathway genes were affected, they had a worse prognosis (OS: P=0.038; RFS: P=0.047). Conclusion: Gene mutations are common in adult ALL patients, a variety of signaling pathways are involved. The frequency and spectrum are varied in different types of B-ALL. JAK family gene mutation usually indicates poor prognosis. The co-occurrence of somatic mutations in adult B-ALL patients indicate the genetic complex and instability of adult B-ALL patients.

Impact of duration of antibiotic therapy on the prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had Gram-negative bloodstream infection in consolidation chemotherapy / 中华血液学杂志

Objectives: To investigate the influence of duration of antibiotic therapy on the prognosis of patients with AML who had Gram-negative bloodstream infection during consolidation chemotherapy. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 591 patients enrolled from the registered "A Phase III study on optimizing treatment based on risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia, ChiCTR-TRC-10001202" treatment protocol between September 2010 and January 2016 in different treatment cycles. Results: A total of 119 episodes of Gram-negative bloodstream infection occurred during consolidation chemotherapy. Excluding the 5 episodes in which fever lasted longer than 7 days, 114 episodes of infection were analyzed. The median neutrophil count was 0 (0-5.62)×10(9)/L, median neutropenia duration was 9 (3-26) days, median interval of antibiotics administration was 7 (4-14) days. Logistic regression analysis showed that there is no significant difference on 3-day recurrent fever rate and reinfection by the same type bacteria between antibiotics administration ≤7 days or >7 days (1.2% vs 3.0%, P=0.522, OR=0.400, 95% CI 0.024-6.591; 18.5% vs 21.2%, P=0.741, OR=0.844, 95% CI 0.309-2.307). Propensity score analysis confirmed there was no significant difference on same pathogen infection rate between antibiotics application time ≤ 7 days or >7 days (P=0.525, OR=0.663, 95% CI 0.187-2.352). No infection associated death occurred within 7 or 30 days in both groups. Conclusion: Discontinuation of therapy until sensitive antibiotics treated for 7 days does not increase the recurrent fever rate and the infection associated death rate. Indicating that, for AML who had Gram-negative bloodstream infection during consolidation chemotherapy, short courses of antibiotic therapy is a reasonable treatment option when the infection is controlled.

Clinical significance of minimal residual disease in patients with Ph-negative precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the predictive value of minimal residual disease (MRD) level in Ph-negative precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. Methods: De novo 193 Ph-negative B-ALL patients from Sep 2010 to Nov 2017 were involved in the study. The patients' MRD evaluation which can be performed by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) after 1 month, 3-month, 6-month treatment. Relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in patients with different MRD level. Results: The median follow-up was 22 months. All patients was evaluated at 497 MRD level. Patients who reach the good MRD level at 1 month (<0.1% or ≥0.1%), 3-month (negative or positive), 6-month (negative or positive) had a significantly higher probability of estimated RFS (74.5% vs 29.9%; 75.6% vs 29.7%; 74.6% vs 11.6%) and of estimated OS (67.5% vs 30.3%; 71.6% vs 27.8%; 74.0% vs 15.7%). Patients who reach the MRD negative at all 3 times had a significantly higher probability of estimated RFS (80.5% vs 30.5%) and better estimated OS (77.1% vs 29.4%) compared to patients with at least MRD failure in one time (P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed MRD level at 3-month was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. Conclusion: MRD is an important prognosis factor for Ph-negative B- ALL patients.

Characteristics and prognosis in adult patients with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical, laboratory characteristics and prognosis of adult early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL). Methods: The clinical data of 13 adult ETP-ALL patients from January 2009 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with non-ETP ALL patients. Results: 13 ETP-ALL patients (17.3%) were identified in 75 adult T-ALL patients, the median age of the patients was 35 years old (15 to 49 years) and 10 patients were male (76.9%). ETP-ALL patients had lower WBC count, LDH level, blasts in peripheral blood, lower incidence of thymic mass and higher PLT count compared to non-ETP ALL patients. The CR rate after one course induction chemotherapy for ETP-ALL and non-ETP ALL patients was 33.3% and 90.1%, respectively (χ(2)=26.521, P<0.001). The median overall survival(OS) was 11.33 (95%CI 0-28.46) and 25.69 (95%CI 11.98-39.41) months, respectively. The 3-year OS was 41.7% and 40.7%, respectively (P=0.699). The median event free survival (EFS) was 1.51 (95%CI 1.23-1.79) and 21.36 (95%CI 4.67-38.04) months, respectively. The 3-year EFS was 16.7% and 39.5%, respectively (P=0.002). The 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) was 53.0% and 52.0%, respectively (P=0.797). Multivariate analysis revealed that CNSL and allo-HSCT were independent risk factors affecting OS of T-ALL and ETP-ALL didn't affect the prognosis of T-ALL. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first report on characteristics and prognosis of adult ETP-ALL patients in China. At total of 13 T-ALL patients (17.3%) were classified as having ETP-ALL. These patients had a lower leukemia burden and lower CR rate after one course induction compared to non-ETP ALL patients. Allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis of ETP-ALL.

Primary Prophylatic Effect of Voriconazole Against Invasive Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis during Remission-Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of primary prophylaxis of voriconazole against invasive infection of pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) during remission-induction chemotherapy (RIC) of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 102 de novo AML patients who received primary anti-IPA prophylaxis during the first induction chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. All the cases were divided into voriconazole-treated group and posaconazole-treated group according to the prophylactic agent. The incidences of IPA and systemic antifungal treatment during induction chemotherapy were analyzed for both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 102 enrolled cases, 42 cases received voriconazole and other 60 received posaconazole as primary prophylaxis. IPA occurred in 3 cases of voriconazole group (1 probable, 2 possible); IPA occurred in 4 cases of posaconazose group, and all were possible cases. The incidence of IPA during remission-induction chemotherapy in variconazole group equaled to posaconazose group (7.1% vs. 6.7%) (P=0.925). Beside IPA cases, 2 cases in voriconazole group and 4 cases in posaconazole group received intravenous anti aspergillosis drugs preemptive treatment, and no significant difference of prophylactic success rate was observed between two groups (88.1% vs. 86.7%) (P=0.831). Visual disturbance was the most common adverse event occurred in voriconazole group, but no significant differences of incidences of other adverse effects were observed when compared with posaconazole group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>According to similar prophylactic effect with posaconazole, voriconazole appears to be a good alternative for primary prophylaxis of IPA during remission-induction chemotherapy in AML patients.</p>

FLT3-ITD Mutation in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence of FLT3-ITD mutation on long term survival of newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Long term survival of 170 newly diagnosed APL patients was retrospective analyzed. Mutation rate of FLT3-ITD was assayed, and its influence on disease-free survival(DFS) or overall survival (OS) was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mutation rate of FLT3-ITD in newly diagnosed patients with APL was 14.1%. WBC count at diagnosis was higer in FLT3-ITD positive group than that in negative group, and the mutation rate of FLT3-ITD was highest in high risk group. Induction death rate in FLT3-ITD positive and negative group were 12.5% and 2.9%, respectively (P=0.031). Complete remission(CR) rate in 2 groups were 83.3% and 97.1%(P=0.004). The 5-year OS rates in 2 groups were 87.5±6.8% and 90.6±2.6% (P=0.740). The 5-year DFS in 2 groups were 82.8±9.1% and 83.6±3.4%(P=0.928).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FLT3-ITD mutation is related with high peripheral white blood cell count in APL, the APL with FLT3-ITD mutation has higher induction death rate and lower CR rate than those in that without FLT3-ITD mutation, but FLT3-ITD mutation did not affect on long term DFS and OS.</p>

Efficacy Analysis of MAC Regimen as Salvage Treatment Protocol for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Older Than 55 Years / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAC regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients older than 55 years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 33 relapsed or non-remission AML patients older than 55 years were enrolled in this research. MAC regimen was given as the salvage treatment. Complete remission rate(CR), partial remission rate(PR), overall survival(OS), relapse-free survival(RFS) and adverse effect were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CR rate after the salvage therapy with MAC was 51.1%, partial remission (PR) rate was 6.1%, the overall response rate (ORR) was 57.6%, the median OS was 8 months (1.0-66.0 months), the median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 10.1 months (2.3-40.4 months). Mortality related with salvage treatment in 30 days was 9.1%. Low incidence of severe organ damage were found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MAC can be used as a relative effective and safe regimen for the salvage treatment of the older AML patients.</p>

Characteristics of karyotypes and gene mutations for elder acute myeloid leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence of karyotypes and gene mutations for elder acute myeloid leukemia and to explore the relationship between each other.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data and bone marrow samples of elder AML patients were collected. Karyotype and gene mutation (FLT3, NPM1, C-Kit, CEBPα, DNMT3A) test were performed, characteristics of karyotypes and gene mutations were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of better risk karyotype was 16.6%, in which the incidences of t(15;17), t(8;21) and inv (16)/t(16;16) were 3.90%, 10.73%, and 1.95% respectively; the incidence of intermediate risk karyotype was 72.2%, in which the incidence of normal karyotype was 57.86%; the incidence of poor risk karyotype was 11.20%, in which the incidence of of MLL/11q23, complex karyotype and monosomal karyotype were 1.95%, 6.34%, 5.85% respectively; the incidences of FLT3, NPM1, C-Kit, CEBPα, DNMT3A mutation were 12.57%, 22.06%, 2.16%, 14.71%, 15.71% respectively. Compared with patients older than 60 years, patients with age of 55-60 years were with less complex karyotype (1.09% vs 10.62%)(P=0.003) and monosomal karyotype (2.17% vs 8.85%)(P=0.032), and more t(8;21)(17.39% vs 5.31%)(P=0.008) and inv (16)/t(16;16)(4.35% vs 0.00%)(P=0.045).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For older AML patients, great difference in the distribution of karyotyes was found between the patients older than 60 years and patients with age of 55-60 years, while no such characteristics was found for gene mutations. Good elucidation of karyotypes and gene mutations are key for the treatment of older acute myeloid leukemia patients.</p>

Acute myeloid leukemia with t(11;12)(p15;q13) translocation: two cases report and literature review / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical and laboratory features of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(11;12)(p15;q13) translocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two cases of AML with t(11;12)(p15;q13) translocation were reported and the related literatures were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diagnosis of AML-M3 was supported by morphological, cytochemical staining and electron microscope tests. A rare t(11;12)(p15;q13) translocation, but not classical t(15;17)(q22;q12) translocation and PML- RARα fusion gene, was detected in both cases. Both of the patients were refractory to differentiation induction therapy such as retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AML is a group of heterogeneous disease derived from hematopoietic stem cell. Cytogenetic characteristic is important for diagnosis, prognosis stratification and therapy selection. Because of the heterogeneity of clinical and molecular features, it is unsuitable to classify AML with t(11;12)(p15;q13) as AML with recurrent cytogenetic aberration. This group of disease may benefit from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.</p>

Expression and clinical significance of IKZF1 gene IK6 isoform in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to detect the expression of IKZF1 gene isoforms in bone marrow cells of patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with IK6 isoform. The expression of IKZF1 gene isoforms were measured by nested RT-PCR in 79 newly diagnosed ALL patients. The clinical characteristics of IK6 positive patients and overall survival, disease-free survival of the IK6 positive group and IK6 negative group were compared. The results showed that IK1 and IK2/3 were the functional isoform while the IK4, IK6, IK8 and IK9 were the dominant negative isoform in adult ALL. The dominant negative isoform IK6 accounted for 34.4% in B-ALL patients and accounted for 22.2% in T-ALL patients. The BCR/ABL1 positive rate and the percentage of high risk patients in IK6 positive group was higher than that of IK6 negtive group in B-ALL patients (P = 0.027, P = 0.048). The expression of IK6 isoform did not correlate with sex, age and WBC count of B-ALL and T-ALL patients. The overall survival and disease-free survival of IK6 positive group were both lower than that of IK6 negtive group in Ph negative B-ALL patients (P = 0.009, P = 0.002). It is concluded that IK6 is a main isoform of the expression of IKZF1 gene in adult ALL patients, and can be used as a prognostic factor for guiding treatment in Ph negative B-ALL patients.

Outcome of acute promyelocytic leukemia with homoharringtonine (HHT) and ATRA / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess complete remission (CR), the overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and adverse events of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with homoharringtonine (HHT) plus ATRA, to evaluate the therapeutic effect by comparing HHT plus ATRA with daunorubicin plus ATRA as induction regimen (HA with DA as post-remission regimen).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>115 APL patients (54 in HHT group, 61 in DNR group) after long-term follow-up were enrolled in the analyses of clinical feature, chromosome karyotype, molecular biology, OS and EFS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall CR of 115 patients was 100%, the median interval to achieve hematological CR was 32 (22 - 43) days, the overall median OS was within 0.23 - 77.34 months, median EFS was within 0.23 - 77.34 months. 3-year OS rate was 93%, 5-year OS rate 93%, 3-year EFS rate 85% and 5-year RFS rate 75% respectively. Converting to PML-RARα PCR-negative after the induction therapy in the HHT and DNR group was 31.3% and 15.5% respectively, at the end of 1 consolidation course was 68.6% and 77.6% respectively, while the remaining 4 patients tested PML-RARα PCR-negative at the end of 2 consolidation courses in the DNR group. While both groups obtained the identical molecular biology relapse rate (9.8% and 8.6%, respectively). Survival analysis indicated that no significant difference was found on OS and EFS between the HHT group and the DNR group (P = 0.206 and 0.506). 5-year OS rate was 87% for the HHT group while 98% for the DNR group, 5-years EFS rate was 80% for the HHT group while 71% for the DNR group. And the risk group was not the factor affecting OS and EFS (P = 0.615 and 0.416). Grade 2 fever in the HHT group was less than in the DNR group during induction therapy. And no difference was found in terms of liver dysfunction, renal dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, and hematologic toxicity between two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study demonstrated comparable therapeutic effect of HHT or DNR on APL. HHT was also well tolerated and didn't cause serious adverse events.</p>

Induction of dendritic cells from intra-operative lost blood and their effects on CIK against liver cancer cells in vitro / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the practical possibility of inducing dendritic cells (DCs) from mononuclear cells in the lost blood during operation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and attempted to find a new source of precursor cells for the personalized immunotherapy based on DCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Collected lost blood during hepatectomy from 9 HCC patients and human cord blood from 8 cases of healthy donors undergoing caesarean section. Their mononuclear cells were divided into monocytes and nonadherent lymphocytes. RhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 were administered to induce the monocytes differentiation into DCs, and then loaded with different antigens (lysate antigen of autologous liver cancer cells and cell line SMMC-7721 cells). The lymphocytes were induced into cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) with IL-2, CD3-Ab, gamma-IFN and PHA. MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation rate of T lymphocytes mediated by DC and the cytotoxicity of CIK to liver cancer cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DCs induced from monocytes of the intra-operative lost blood possessed typical morphology and phenotypes. Compared with the DCs from cord blood, the DCs from intra-operative lost blood expressed lower level of surface markers, but both could effectively induce proliferation of CIK and enhance the cytotoxicity of activated CIK against liver cancer cells at similar levels. When the DCs from lost blood and their counterpart from cord blood were both loaded with autologous tumor cell antigen, the proliferation rates of CIK were (388.9 +/- 137.3)% and (315.1 +/- 44.5)%, respectively, and the killing rates against tumor cells were (87.1 +/- 8.0)% and (90.0 +/- 5.1)%, respectively. When the two similar DC groups were loaded with lysate antigen of SMMC-7721 cells, the proliferation rates of CIK were (239.9 +/- 48.7)% and (226.3 +/- 32.3)%, respectively, and the killing rates against tumor cells were (76.4 +/- 7.9)% and (81.1 +/- 4.3)%, respectively. There were no significant differences between those two DC groups. The data also showed that the proliferation and cytotoxicity of CIK induced by DCs loaded with autologous antigen were higher than that of DCs loaded with SMMC-7721 antigen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mononuclear cells separated from intra-operative lost blood of HCC patients can be induced into mature DCs, which can effectively activate CIK and significantly increase its killing effect on the liver cancer cells, and may become a new source of DCs to study and develop vaccines for clinical application.</p>