Among classic myeloproliferative neoplasms, essential thrombocythemia is associated with the greatest risk of venous thromboembolism during COVID-19.

In a multicenter European retrospective study including 162 patients with COVID-19 occurring in essential thrombocythemia (ET, n = 48), polycythemia vera (PV, n = 42), myelofibrosis (MF, n = 56), and prefibrotic myelofibrosis (pre-PMF, n = 16), 15 major thromboses (3 arterial and 12 venous) were registered in 14 patients, of whom all, but one, were receiving LMW-heparin prophylaxis. After adjustment for the competing risk of death, the cumulative incidence of arterial and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) reached 8.5% after 60 days follow-up. Of note, 8 of 12 VTE were seen in ET. Interestingly, at COVID-19 diagnosis, MPN patients had significantly lower platelet count (p < 0.0001) than in the pre-COVID last follow-up.This decline was remarkably higher in ET (-23.3%, p < 0.0001) than in PV (-16.4%, p = 0.1730) and was associated with higher mortality rate (p = 0.0010) for pneumonia. The effects of possible predictors of thrombosis, selected from those clinically relevant and statistically significant in univariate analysis, were examined in a multivariate model. Independent risk factors were transfer to ICU (SHR = 3.73, p = 0.029), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (SHR = 1.1, p = 0.001) and ET phenotype (SHR = 4.37, p = 0.006). The enhanced susceptibility to ET-associated VTE and the associated higher mortality for pneumonia may recognize a common biological plausibility and deserve to be delved to tailor new antithrombotic regimens including antiplatelet drugs.

High mortality rate in COVID-19 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms after abrupt withdrawal of ruxolitinib.

We report the clinical presentation and risk factors for survival in 175 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and COVID-19, diagnosed between February and June 2020. After a median follow-up of 50 days, mortality was higher than in the general population and reached 48% in myelofibrosis (MF). Univariate analysis, showed a significant relationship between death and age, male gender, decreased lymphocyte counts, need for respiratory support, comorbidities and diagnosis of MF, while no association with essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and prefibrotic-PMF (pre-PMF) was found. Regarding MPN-directed therapy ongoing at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, Ruxolitinib (Ruxo) was significantly more frequent in patients who died in comparison with survivors (p = 0.006). Conversely, multivariable analysis found no effect of Ruxo alone on mortality, but highlighted an increased risk of death in the 11 out of 45 patients who discontinued treatment. These findings were also confirmed in a propensity score matching analysis. In conclusion, we found a high risk of mortality during COVID-19 infection among MPN patients, especially in MF patients and/or discontinuing Ruxo at COVID-19 diagnosis. These findings call for deeper investigation on the role of Ruxo treatment and its interruption, in affecting mortality in MPN patients with COVID-19.

Long-term complication in follicular lymphoma: assessing the risk of secondary neoplasm in 242 patients treated or not with 90-yttrium-ibritumomab-tiuxetan.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients have a 25% increased risk of secondary primary neoplasms (SPNs). Regarding the controversy about the increased risk of SPN in patients exposed to radioimmunotherapy (RIT), we have analyzed this issue in a cohort of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients treated with/without RIT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study including all consecutive FL patients diagnosed since 2001 was performed. Demographic, clinical data including the incidence of any kind of neoplasm (excluding basocellular skin carcinoma) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients were registered, male/female: 103/139, mean age: 59.9 yr (15-86), stage IV (57.8%), and Follicular Lymphoma Prognostic Index (FLIPI) low-risk (62.15%) predominance. Ninety-six patients (39.7%) were treated with 90Y-IT. The median follow-up for patients treated or not with 90Y-IT was 61 (8-273) and 38 (1-171) months. With respect to SPN incidence, 38 (15.6%) patients have at least two cancers, in 17 (44.7%), FL was the SPN; for the rest (226), the global incidence of SPNs was 9.3% (21), but there were no differences related to the exposition or not to 90Y-IT (P = 0.26). In seven patients, more than two (2-6) different therapies were registered; four were exposed to fludarabine-based therapy, three to radiotherapy and two to autologous stem-cell transplantation, and in the RIT cohort, two patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome. CONCLUSION: This is one of the largest single institution reports assessing the risk of SPN in FL patients treated (96) or not (146) with 90Y-IT. It seems that 90Y-IT does not increase significantly the risk of SPN but avoiding its use after fludarabine and other intense cytotoxic schemes is recommended.

Long-term efficacy of (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan therapy in follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma and health-related quality of life.

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of 37 follicular lymphoma (FL) patients treated with (90)ytrium ibritumomab tiuxetan (90Y-IT), outside of clinical trial, according to protocol ISCRTN36210045, after ≥5 years follow-up to February 2014. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the SF-36, Spanish version, and compared with the general population of Spain. Patients had a mean age of 61.9 (range, 30-85) years and included 18 males. FLIPI, low: 25 (67.6 %), intermedium 9 (24.3 %), and low 3 (8.1 %). Previous therapy schedules >2: 48.6 % The median follow-up was 66 months, mean Time to Relapse (TTR) 71.3 months (58.8-83.8) median not reached. Thirty-four patients achieved complete response (91.8 %), and three no response. Mean overall survival: 82.3 months (71.6-92.9). Four patients presented with concomitant tumors (colon, breast, prostate, lung) after radioimmunotherapy, and three developed second primary neoplasms (esophagus, renal, and myelodysplastic syndrome in a relapsed patient who received fludarabine). Four of 10 deaths were related to lymphoma progression. Hematological toxicities were mild and easily managed. No patients required hospitalization. Negative scores were obtained in the physical and emotional roles items; however, the perception of general health and vitality were better than in the general population, with the best outcomes in non-relapsed patients. Radioimmunotherapy with 90Y-IT was safe and effective as long-term therapy in patients with FL. Early use of radioimmunotherapy could offer good, sustained responses with low toxicity over the long term and acceptable HRQoL.

RIT with Y90-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan in Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Evaluation of Recent Outcomes in a Single Institution.

Background. Based on historical data we reviewed our hospital clinical database to analyse our updated information and therapy outcomes of follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (F-NHL) patients treated with (90)Y-Ibritumomab tiuxetan. Patients and Methods. Between 2005 and 2011, 56 F-NHL patients were included in a clinical protocol conducted by a multidisciplinary team and treated in the same centre. All patients received 0.3 or 0.4 mCi/kg IV (88%) of (90)Y-IT; response evaluation was performed 12 weeks after. Results. M/F 44.6%/55.4%, mean age 61.45 years (30-85); ECOG 0-1 96.9%. According to FLIPI score, distribution were good: 58.5%, intermediate: 29.2%, and poor: 12.3%. Previous therapies: >2: 40% (26). ORR was 94.6% (53/56). CR: 85.7%; CR according to previous disease: relapsed disease: 90% (27/30), refractory disease: 42.85% (3/7), consolidation with CR: 92.85% (13/14), and consolidation with PR: 100% (5/5). Global PR and NR were 8.9% (5) and 5.3% (3), respectively. Mean OS 63.86 months with a mean follow-up time of 57 months (2-73). Mean TTP: 52.65 months (95% CI: 43.83-61.48). Median OS and TTP were not achieved. No hospital submissions or deaths were registered. Conclusions. This study confirms the safety and high efficacy of (90)Y-IT in F-NHL patients, RIT in early stage of disease could improve outcomes.