Management and outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era - analysis of the European LeukemiaNet Blast Phase Registry.

Blast phase (BP) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) still represents an unmet clinical need with a dismal prognosis. Due to the rarity of the condition and the heterogeneity of the biology and clinical presentation, prospective trials and concise treatment recommendations are lacking. Here we present the analysis of the European LeukemiaNet Blast Phase Registry, an international collection of the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of blast phases which had been diagnosed in CML patients after 2015. Data reveal the expected heterogeneity of the entity, lacking a clear treatment standard. Outcomes remain dismal, with a median overall survival of 23.8 months (median follow up 27.8 months). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) increases the rate of deep molecular responses. De novo BP and BP evolving from a previous CML do show slightly different features, suggesting a different biology between the two entities. Data show that outside clinical trials and in a real-world setting treatment of blast phase is individualized according to disease- and patient-related characteristics, with the aim of blast clearance prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. AlloSCT should be offered to all patients eligible for this procedure.

De novo accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia should be recognized even in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Overall survival of patients classified according to the European LeukemiaNet 2020 classification. Chronic phase (CP), accelerated phase (AP), blast crisis (BC), low risk (LR), intermediate risk (IR), high risk (HR).

The SNP rs460089 in the gene promoter of the drug transporter OCTN1 has prognostic value for treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib.

Membrane transporters are important determinants of drug bioavailability. Their expression and activity affect the intracellular drug concentration in leukemic cells impacting response to therapy. Pharmacogenomics represents genetic markers that reflect allele arrangement of genes encoding drug transporters associated with treatment response. In previous work, we identified SNP rs460089 located in the promotor of SLC22A4 gene encoding imatinib transporter OCTN1 as influential on response of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib. Patients with rs460089-GC pharmacogenotype had significantly superior response to first-line imatinib treatment compared to patients with rs460089-GG. This study investigated whether pharmacogenotypes of rs460089 are associated with sustainability of treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients from the EUROpean Stop Kinase Inhibitor (EURO-SKI) trial. In the learning sample, 176 patients showed a significantly higher 6-month probability of molecular relapse free survival (MRFS) in patients with GC genotype (73%, 95% CI: 60-82%) compared to patients with GG (51%, 95% CI: 41-61%). Also over time, patients with GC genotype had significantly higher MRFS probabilities compared with patients with GG (HR: 0.474, 95% CI: 0.280-0.802, p = 0.0054). Both results were validated with data on 93 patients from the Polish STOP imatinib study. In multiple regression models, in addition to the investigated genotype, duration of TKI therapy (EURO-SKI trial) and duration of deep molecular response (Polish study) were identified as independent prognostic factors. The SNP rs460089 was found as an independent predictor of TFR.

Elevated erythroferrone distinguishes erythrocytosis with inherited defects in oxygen-sensing pathway from primary familial and congenital polycythaemia.

Congenital erythrocytoses represent a heterogenous group of rare defects of erythropoiesis characterized by elevated erythrocyte mass. We performed molecular-genetic analysis of 21 Czech patients with congenital erythrocytosis and assessed the mutual link between chronic erythrocyte overproduction and iron homoeostasis. Causative mutations in erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF2A) or Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) genes were detected in nine patients, including a novel p.A421Cfs*4 EPOR and a homozygous intronic c.340+770T>C VHL mutation. The association and possible cooperation of five identified missense germline EPOR or Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) variants with other genetic/non-genetic factors in erythrocytosis manifestation may involve variants of Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (PIEZO1) or Ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2), but this requires further research. In two families, hepcidin levels appeared to prevent or promote phenotypic expression of the disease. No major contribution of heterozygous haemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations to the erythrocytic phenotype or hepcidin levels was observed in our cohort. VHL- and HIF2A-mutant erythrocytosis showed increased erythroferrone and suppressed hepcidin, whereas no overproduction of erythroferrone was detected in other patients regardless of molecular defect, age or therapy. Understanding the interplay between iron metabolism and erythropoiesis in different subgroups of congenital erythrocytosis may improve current treatment options.

Deep Molecular Response Achieved with Chemotherapy, Dasatinib and Interferon α in Patients with Lymphoid Blast Crisis of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.

The treatment outcome in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in blast crisis (BC) is unsatisfactory despite the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Moreover, in some patients ASCT is contraindicated, with limited treatment options. We report the case series of two patients with lymphoid BC CML in whom ASCT was not approachable. The first patient developed BC two months after diagnosis in association with dic(7;9)(p11.2;p11.2) and T315I mutation. Blast crisis with central nervous system leukemic involvement and K611N mutation of the SETD2 gene developed abruptly in the second patient five years after ceasing treatment with nilotinib in major molecular response (MMR) at the patient's request. Both underwent one course of chemotherapy in combination with rituximab and imatinib, followed by dasatinib and interferon α (INFα) treatment in the first and dasatinib alone in the second case. Deep molecular response (DMR; MR 4.0) was achieved within a short time in both cases. It is probable that DMR was caused by a specific immune response to CML cells, described in both agents. The challenging medical condition that prompted these case series, and the subsequent results, suggest a re-visit to the use of a combination of well-known drugs as an area for further investigation.

Infectious complications of induction treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia using the "7 + 3" protocol without antibiotic prophylaxis - 15 years of experience of one clinical site.

BACKGROUND: Infectious complications during induction chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukaemia are very common. Prophylactic use of antibiotics however is an ongoing challenge in this situation due to bacterial multi-drug resistance. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence of infectious complications in patients with AML undergoing induction therapy using the "7+3" protocol without routine antibiotic prophylaxis at one clinical site providing specialised haematological care in the Czech Republic, over a period of 15 years. The study also evaluates the aetiological spectrum of causative agents and the development of antibiotic resistance in the context of the use of the various classes of antibiotics. The analysis includes evaluation of the importance of risk factors for infectious complications and their impact on treatment of the underlying disease. The data are compared with published figures for similar cohorts of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study presents a retrospective analysis of infectious complications in 242 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia undergoing the first cycle of induction therapy without routine antibiotic prophylaxis in one clinical site in Czech Republic during years 2006-2020. RESULTS: A total of 363 febrile episodes (FE) were recorded. At least 1 FE during the induction was detected in 229 (94.6%) patients. Clinically defined infection was the cause in 96 (26.4%) FEs and blood stream infection in 69 (19.0%) FEs. Both complications occurred simultaneously in 29 (8.0%) FEs. 169 (46.6%) FEs were evaluated as fever of unknown origin (FUO). The achievement of complete remission had a significant effect on the duration of the FE (6 vs. 9 days, P=0.0005) and on the overall survival duration (79.3 vs. 6.5 months, P<0.0001). Patients diagnosed with infection or FUO at diagnosis were significantly more likely to suffer from colonisation by multi-drug resistant bacterial strains at discharge (29.2% vs. 16.3%, P=0.022). This group of patients used antibiotic therapy for a significantly longer time (35 vs. 23 days, P<0.0001). Infection was a contributing cause of death in 18 (7.4%) patients. Mortality was significantly related to the failure to achieve complete remission (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Infectious mortality during induction treatment without routine antibiotic prophylaxis was comparable to the published cohorts with prophylaxis. Regular microbiology surveillance with adequate initial antibiotic treatment can compensate routine antibiotic prophylaxis with slower development of antibiotic resistance.

Cellular senescence marker p16INK4a and NFKB1 gene polymorphisms in lower gastro-intestinal acute graft versus host disease.

BACKGROUND: Lower gastrointestinal (GI) graft versus host disease (GVHD) represents a severe complication in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with high rates of transplant-related mortality. Deregulated innate immunity reactions are the features of its pathogenesis. Cellular senescence has been considered a program of the innate immunity. We focused on lower GI GVHD from the perspective of cellular senescence. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the impact of p16INK4a expression, a hallmark of cellular senescence, in intestinal biopsies of patients with lower GI GVHD symptoms and NFKB1 gene polymorphisms (rs3774937 C/T and rs3774959 A/G) on HSCT outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-two single-center patients who presented with symptoms of lower GI GVHD were analyzed in a retrospective manner. Two SNPs located in the NFKB1 gene regions (rs3774937 C/T and rs3774959 A/G) were genotyped from the peripheral blood samples collected before the start of the conditioning. All patients underwent proctosigmoidoscopy with biopsy of the mucosa. The expression of p16INK4a was analyzed in normal intestinal crypts and stroma. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (50% male) received HSCT for hematological diseases (acute leukemias in 67%) and developed lower GI symptoms. Patients with p16INK4a expression in the intestinal stroma were in lower risk of developing histological grade 3-4 aGVHD (RR 0.18 [95% CI 0.05-0.65]; p = 0.009). The multivariate linear regression confirmed the independent effect of p16INK4a expression on time of the lower GI aGVHD symptoms onset (Coef. 38.9 [95% CI 12.7-65.1]; p = 0.005). The NFKB1 rs3774937 CC and TT/TC genotype were present in 40 and 80% of patients with p16INK4a expression, respectively (p = 0.04). The rs3774959 AA and GG/AG genotype were present among 43 and 82% of patients with p16INK4a expression, respectively (p = 0.02). Expression of p16INK4a was associated with no clinical variable but NFKB1 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our results address possible new mechanisms that may lead to better understanding of HSCT-related immune complications. Cellular senescence may bring novel approaches in GVHD diagnostics and therapy.

COVID-19 in 96 Patients With Hematologic Disease: The First Single-center Experience From the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents an important infectious complication associated with high mortality rates in patients with hematologic diseases. There have not been published any epidemiologic studies from Czech Republic so far. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is the first analysis of patients with hematologic malignancies and bone marrow failure syndromes treated at single hematology center in the Czech Republic between March 1 and December 31, 2020, in whom COVID-19 infection was confirmed. RESULTS: The sample comprised 96 patients aged 26 to 84 years (median, 66.0 years). At the time of their COVID-19 diagnosis, 75 patients (78.1%) were treated for hematologic diseases. Twenty-seven patients (28.1%) in the sample had complete remission (CR) of their hematologic disease. They were nonsignificantly more likely to have asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19 infection than those who failed to achieve CR (74.1% vs. 56.5%; P = .06). A more severe course of the infection was significantly correlated with older age (P = .047). Lung involvement was also statistically significantly associated with older age (P = .045). Over the study period, a total of 15 patients died. Age greater than 60 years was significantly associated with deaths from COVID-19 (P = .036), with failure to achieve CR having a statistically nonsignificant impact on mortality (P = .22). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the prognostic significance of age for achieving treatment response of hematologic disease as well as the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in hematology patients.

CCR7 as a novel therapeutic target in t-cell PROLYMPHOCYTIC leukemia.

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a poor prognostic disease with very limited options of efficient therapies. Most patients are refractory to chemotherapies and despite high response rates after alemtuzumab, virtually all patients relapse. Therefore, there is an unmet medical need for novel therapies in T-PLL. As the chemokine receptor CCR7 is a molecule expressed in a wide range of malignancies and relevant in many tumor processes, the present study addressed the biologic role of this receptor in T-PLL. Furthermore, we elucidated the mechanisms of action mediated by an anti-CCR7 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and evaluated whether its anti-tumor activity would warrant development towards clinical applications in T-PLL. Our results demonstrate that CCR7 is a prognostic biomarker for overall survival in T-PLL patients and a functional receptor involved in the migration, invasion, and survival of leukemic cells. Targeting CCR7 with a mAb inhibited ligand-mediated signaling pathways and induced tumor cell killing in primary samples. In addition, directing antibodies against CCR7 was highly effective in T-cell leukemia xenograft models. Together, these findings make CCR7 an attractive molecule for novel mAb-based therapeutic applications in T-PLL, a disease where recent drug screen efforts and studies addressing new compounds have focused on chemotherapy or small molecules. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s40364-020-00234-z.

Second autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after a previous autograft: a study of the lymphoma working party of the EBMT.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of second autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT2) for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after a first transplantation (ASCT1). Outcomes for 56 patients receiving an ASCT2 registered in the EBMT database were analyzed. The 4-year cumulative incidences of non-relapse mortality and disease relapse/progression were 5% and 67%, respectively. The 4-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 62% and 28%. In univariate analysis, relapse of HL within 12 months of ASCT1 was associated with a worse OS (35% versus 76%, p = 0.01) and PFS (19% versus 29%, p = 0.059). Chemosensitivity at ASCT2 predicted better outcomes (4-year OS 72% versus 29%, p = 0.002; PFS 31% versus 12%, p = 0.015). This series shows that ASCT2 is a safe procedure and a relatively effective option for patients with late relapses after ASCT1 and with chemosensitive disease who are not eligible for an allogeneic transplant.

The EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) score is superior to the Sokal score for predicting survival in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Prognostic scores support clinicians in selecting risk-adjusted treatments and in comparatively assessing different results. For patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), four baseline prognostic scores are commonly used. Our aim was to compare the prognostic performance of the scores and to arrive at an evidence-based score recommendation. In 2949 patients not involved in any score development, higher hazard ratios and concordance indices in any comparison demonstrated the best discrimination of long-term survival with the ELTS score. In a second step, of 5154 patients analyzed to investigate risk group classification differences, 23% (n = 1197) were allocated to high-risk by the Sokal score. Of the 1197 Sokal high-risk patients, 56% were non-high-risk according to the ELTS score and had a significantly more favorable long-term survival prognosis than the 526 high-risk patients according to both scores. The Sokal score identified too many patients as high-risk and relatively few (40%) as low-risk (versus 60% with the ELTS score). Inappropriate risk classification jeopardizes optimal treatment selection. The ELTS score outperformed the Sokal score, the Euro, and the EUTOS score regarding risk group discrimination. The recent recommendation of the European LeukemiaNet for preferred use of the ELTS score was supported with significant statistical evidence.

NFKB1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms: implications for graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) represents a significant cause of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). NF-kB system is a master regulator of innate immunity responses. It controls the expression of various cytokines and chemokines many of which are involved in GVHD pathogenesis. Chemo(radio) therapy administered during conditioning induces DNA damage and activates DNA damage response (DDR) signaling resulting in irreversible cell cycle arrest - cellular senescence which has been described to be associated with robust pro-inflammatory secretion mostly controlled by NF-kB. The NFKB1 gene encodes the DNA-binding subunit of the NF-kB complex. Using the candidate gene approach, we analyzed possible association of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3774937 C/T and rs3774959 A/G of the NFKB1 gene with GVHD and transplant-related mortality (TRM) occurrence in 109 recipients allografted from HLA-identical donor. Both SNPs in recipients were found to be strongly associated with acute GVHD. Nevertheless, no significant association with chronic GVHD and TRM was found. Presented pilot results contribute to pre-clinical observations and suggest that NF-kB may be an important regulator of HSCT-related inflammatory reactions such as acute GVHD. Novel pathogenic mechanisms of GVHD may arise from perspectives of DDR and cellular senescence where NF-kB plays an essential role.

Central nervous system disorders after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a prospective study of the Infectious Diseases Working Party of EBMT.

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the types and characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study included 163 episodes of CNS disorders of which 58 (36%) were infections. Proven or probable infections were documented in 34 patients and included fungi (n = 10, 29%), viruses (n = 12, 35%), Toxoplasma spp. (n = 9, 27%) and bacteria (n = 3, 9%). Non-infectious neurological disorders (n = 105, 64%) frequently encompassed metabolic/drug-induced abnormalities (n = 28, 27%) or cerebral vascular events (n = 22, 21%). Median onset times were later for infectious (day + 101) vs non-infectious neurological disorders (day + 50, p = 0.009). An unremarkable cranial CT scan was found in 33% of infection episodes. Absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis despite a normal or increased peripheral blood white blood cell count occurred in 26% of infections. Day-30 mortality rates were significantly higher for fungal (87%) vs non-fungal infections (40%, p < 0.001). Significantly higher mortality rates were also documented for cerebral vascular events than for other non-infectious disorders (86% vs 34%, p < 0.001). Our prospective study shows that diagnostic findings in CNS infections might differ between hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and immunocompetent hosts. Special awareness and timely initiation of adequate diagnostics are crucial to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Prognosis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia presenting in advanced phase is defined mainly by blast count, but also by age, chromosomal aberrations and hemoglobin.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is usually diagnosed in chronic phase, yet there is a small percentage of patients that is diagnosed in accelerated phase or blast crisis. Due to this rarity, little is known about the prognosis of these patients. Our aim was to identify prognostic factors for this cohort. We identified 283 patients in the EUTOS population-based and out-study registries that were diagnosed in advanced phase. Nearly all patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Median survival in this heterogeneous cohort was 8.2 years. When comparing patients with more than 30% blasts to those with 20-29% blasts, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.32 (95%-confidence interval (CI): [0.7-2.6]). Patients with 20-29% blasts had a significantly higher risk than patients with less than 20% blasts (HR: 2.24, 95%-CI: [1.2-4.0], P = .008). We found that the blast count was the most important prognostic factor; however, age, hemoglobin, basophils and other chromosomal aberrations should be considered as well. The ELTS score was able to define two groups (high risk vs non-high risk) with an HR of 3.01 (95%-CI: [1.81-5.00], P < .001). Regarding the contrasting definitions of blast crisis, our data clearly supported the 20% cut-off over the 30% cut-off in this cohort. Based on our results, we conclude that a one-phase rather than a two-phase categorization of de novo advanced phase CML patients is appropriate.

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With FLT3-ITD Mutated AML: Transplantation in CR1 Is the Decisive Factor for Good Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with internal tandem duplication in fms-related tyrosine kinase receptor gene 3 (FLT3-ITD)-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a dismal prognosis and the only curative option seems to be allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). However, its timing is still matter of debate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 73 consecutive AML patients with FLT3-ITD (median age 53, range 20-68 years) allografted with consistent policy to try to refer them all for upfront alloSCT in first complete remission (CR1). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 44 (range, 5-135) months the 5-year overall survival (OS)/disease-free survival (DFS) probabilities were 49%/47%. The cumulative incidence of relapse and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) were 37% and 14%, respectively. The estimated 5-year OS for patients who received transplantation in CR1 was 62% versus 0% for patients who received transplantation beyond CR1. Multivariable analysis identified stem cell transplantation beyond CR1 as the key factor for poor OS (hazard ratio [HR], 5.41; P < .0001), DFS (HR, 4.41; P = .0002), and high relapse incidence (HR, 8.08; P < .0001). Acute graft versus host disease Grade ≥3 predicted higher NRM (HR, 3.80; P = .059) as well as inferior OS (HR, 2.04; P = .0079). No association of patient age, nucleophosmin status, donor type, conditioning, and other variables on the survival was detected. CONCLUSION: AlloSCT should be regarded with urgency as soon as CR1 is achieved in this subset of AML patients.

First-line imatinib in elderly patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia from the CAMELIA registry: Age and dose still matter.

We retrospectively evaluated the role of age and dosage in 372 CML patients (170 women, 202 men) treated with first-line imatinib (IMA) from the records of the CAMELIA registry. The median follow-up of the patients was 82.3 (18.0-177.3) months. The treatment results of 80 elderly patients aged over 65 years at diagnosis were compared in analysis "A" with those of 292 younger patients and in analysis "B" with those of 90 patients younger than 40 and 202 patients aged 40-64. The elderly patients had statistically adverse values of the Sokal, ELTS, and ECOG scores and Charlson comorbidity index in both analyses (p from = 0.012 to ≤ 0.001). Despite a more frequent use of a daily dose lower than 400 mg - in 31 elderly patients (38.8%) than in 45 younger ones (15.4%) (p < 0.001), there were no statistically significant differences in the achievement of optimal haematological, cytogenetic, and molecular responses according to the ELN criteria in both the analyses, A and B. The comparisons of overall survival with CML-related death (OSCML) and event-free survival (EFS) were insignificant inanalysis A (p = 0.07 and 0.396, respectively) but progression-free survival (PFS) differed significantly (p = 0.007). In analysis B OSCML and PFS differed significantly (p = 0.027 and 0.003) but EFS was similar (p = 0.351). Elderly patients with a sustained dose of IMA of 400 mg/day have insignificantly better OS, PFS, and EFS compared to patients treated with a lower dosage of IMA. The results in the treatment of the elderly CML patients were comparable with those of the younger ones in terms of the probabilities of the achievement of optimal ELN responses. However, the results for the survival probabilities were influenced by age and the IMA dosage.

Granulocyte transfusions collected after steroid priming for severe infections during neutropenia: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: There is no universally accepted opinion on the use of granulocyte transfusions collected using apheresis (GTA) in neutropenic patients and severe infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The efficacy and safety of GTAs transfused at a single center over 10 years were analyzed retrospectively. GTAs were harvested from voluntary unrelated donors after priming with methylprednisolone using continuous apheresis and hydroxyethylstarch as sedimentation agent. RESULTS: 41 patients with neutropenia and hematologic malignancy (15 females and 26 males aged 22-69 (median 45.5)) were given a median 3.5 GTAs per patient (range: 1-17) containing a median 1.39×1010 granulocyte/GTA (range: 0.65-2.81). The indications for GTA use were soft tissue inflammation, sepsis, and pneumonia in 30, 22, and 14 cases, respectively. After GTA complete (30 patients: 73.2%) or partial (6 patients: 14.6%) healing of the infection was achieved. The success rate was 91.7% in soft tissue infections, 66.7% in invasive fungal infections, and 68% in sepsis. Septic shock (documented in 12 cases) was associated with a poor response (P<0.03; Chi-square test). Clinical worsening was observed in six cases (14.6%); four patients died. No significant short-term side effects of GTA treatment were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In our study GTAs collected after steroid priming and used for the treatment of infection during severe neutropenia have shown comparable efficacy with several previously reported trials. However retrospective fashion of our study and inhomogeneous group of patients do not allow any firm conclusions. Prospective studies (including patients' registries) are needed for the better clarification of the role and the dose of GTAs necessary for the successful infection management during neutropenia.