Bendamustine-induced rash is associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with indolent B-cell lymphoma.

Bendamustine is now recognized as a key drug for indolent B-cell lymphoma (iBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Skin toxicity associated with bendamustine is one of the characteristic adverse effects. We retrospectively examined the relationship between bendamustine-associated drug rashes and disease prognosis of iBCL and MCL at our institution. Between January 2011 and August 2019, 65 patients (39 men and 26 women, median age 68, range 41-84 years) were treated with bendamustine alone (n=11, 120 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2) or a combination of rituximab and bendamustine (n=54, 90 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2). Of these patients, 47 had follicular lymphoma (FL), 10 had MCL and 8 had other iBCLs. Drug rash occurred in 27 (41.5%). Eight cases (29.6%) were grade 1, 5 (18.5%) were grade 2 and 14 (51.9%) were grade 3. The onset was in the first course in 17 (63.0%), 2nd course in 5 (18.5%), 3rd course in 2 (7.4%), 4th course in 1 (3.7%) and 5th course in 2 (7.4%). No treatment was administered in 1 case (3.7%), topical steroid was applied in 10 (37.0%), antiallergic drug was administered in 2 (7.4%), topical steroid and antiallergic drug were administered in 5 (18.5%), and oral and topical steroid and antiallergic drug were administered in 9 (33.3%). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with rash development were 80.0% and 85.5%, respectively, and those in patients without development were 36.4% and 54.0%, respectively (p=0.009 and 0.02, respectively). By multivariate analysis, the development of rash was associated with a better PFS and a diagnosis of iBCL was associated with a better OS. This study revealed that bendamustine-induced rash is associated with a favorable prognosis among patients with iBCL.

Prognostic impact of peripheral blood Wilms' tumour 1 mRNA expression levels in response to azacytidine in MDS: A single-centre analysis.

To determine the impact of peripheral blood (PB) Wilms' tumour 1 (WT-1) mRNA levels in patients with primary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), we analysed the relationships between several clinical variables at the time of diagnosis and the haematological response of patients treated with azacytidine. We observed overall responses in 20 (63%) patients; there were no significant differences in clinical variables, including bone marrow blast counts, IPSS scores and IPSS-R risk scores, between responders and non-responders. The responders' PB WT-1 mRNA levels were significantly lower than those of non-responders (P = 0.03). PB WT-1 mRNA expression could be a marker for predicting the response to azacytidine in patients with de novo MDS.

Indolent T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder of the stomach successfully treated by radiotherapy.

Successful treatment of indolent T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (ITLPDGI) by chemotherapy is rare and watchful waiting is often performed for asymptomatic patients. We report a case of ITLPDGI successfully treated by involved field radiotherapy (IFRT). The patient presented with slow ITLPDGI localised to the stomach with mild symptoms. IFRT (30 Gy/20f) was administered, after which endoscopy revealed resolution of lesions and blood vessel appearance, and absence of proliferating abnormal lymphocytes was confirmed by biopsy. The patient remains lymphoma-free 1 year post-treatment. Although long-term follow-up and additional cases are essential for the evaluation of IFRT as a treatment option for localised ITLPDGL, complete remission after relatively low-dose IFRT is promising, particularly as this has been rarely achieved by chemotherapy.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma with gastrointestinal involvement and indolent T-lymphoproliferative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

The 2017 WHO classification includes a new provisional entity of indolent T-lymphoproliferative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (ITLPD-GIT). We investigated GI involvement of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Eighty-two patients were diagnosed with PTCL during 2007-2017. Eleven patients (13 %) had histologically-confirmed GI tract involvement {3 monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal lymphoma (MEITL), 3 extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma nasal type (ENKL), 2 PTCL, not otherwise specified, 1 adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma, 2 ITLPD-GIT}. Three patients each had lesions in the small intestine and multiple lesions, two each in the stomach and colon, and one in the duodenum. Six of the 11 patients remained alive. No perforation/stenosis was observed after chemo-radiotherapy, although one patient with ENKL developed gastric bleeding during chemotherapy. One patient with ITLPD-GIT (CD4-/CD8+/Ki67Low) with a colonic lesion showing diffuse edema and multiple aphtha by endoscope and diarrhea, initially diagnosed with MEITL, had active but stable disease after various chemotherapies for 1 year and no therapy for the next 5 years. Another patient with ITLPD-GIT (CD4+/CD8+/Ki67Low) with a localized gastric lesion and slight epigastralgia was in remission for 1 year after radiation. In conclusion, about 10 % of PTCLs were complicated by GI tract lesions and most had a poor prognosis. ITLPD-GIT should be considered as a differential diagnosis based on histology and clinical course. Local complications after chemo/radiotherapy in PTCL with GI involvement were not frequent.

A case series of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma, associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type-1, at a single center in a non-viral-endemic metropolitan area.

We examined 13 patients with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) diagnosed between 2007 and 2018 at a single center in a metropolitan area non-endemic for human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1). The median age of the patients (eight male, five female) was 65 years (range, 48-83). The time from onset of symptoms to referral to our center was relatively short (median, 2 months; range, 1-9 months). Upon referral, all patients were suspected to have lymphoma, five were examined for soluble IL-2 receptor and two were examined for anti-HTLV-1 antibody. In ten of the 13 (77%), the patient themselves or their relatives were born in Kyushu. The birth places of the remaining three patients were unknown. Three patients (23%) had family histories of lymphoma. They all exhibited aggressive ATL (five acute, eight lymphoma type); however, the disease status was generally stable, with relatively stable performance status and low scores for prognostic indices. After combination chemotherapy, eight (62%) achieved remission. However, long-term remission was achieved in only one patient with localized lymphoma-type ATL and one young patient after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In conclusion, at a center in a metropolitan and HTLV-1 non-endemic area in Japan, patients with ATL were relatively young and mainly presented with aggressive subtypes. At initial referral to our center, all 13 patients were suspected of having lymphoma but only two of having ATL. For centers in similar areas of Japan, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ATL patients will become increasingly necessary following the recent migration of HTLV-1 carriers to non-endemic areas.

Prognostic impact of cytogenetic abnormalities in adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL who underwent an allogeneic transplant.

Although cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis are recognized as an important prognostic factor in patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the prognostic impact has not been evaluated in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) recipients. Thus, we assessed 373 Ph-negative ALL patients who underwent allo-SCT. The high-risk (HR) group included those with t(4;11), t(8;14), low hypodiploidy, and complex karyotype, and the standard risk (SR) group included all other karyotypes. Among the 204 patients who underwent a transplant during the first remission (167 in the SR group and 37 in the HR group), the overall survival (OS) rates were similar between these groups (64.1% vs. 80.0% at 5 years, respectively; p = 0.12). Conversely, among the 106 patients who underwent a transplant while not in remission (84 in the SR group and 22 in the HR group), patients in the SR group showed a significantly superior OS rate compared to the HR group (15.4% vs. 4.5% at 5 years, respectively; p = 0.022). These results suggested that treatment outcomes of Ph-negative ALL patients with HR cytogenetic abnormalities may improve following allo-SCT, especially in the first remission. Innovative transplant approaches are warranted in patients who are not in remission.

The progression of severe aplastic anemia to hypoplastic leukemia in a long-term observation after the administration of pegylated rHuMGDF.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a critical regulator of hematopoiesis. We previously reported that a severe aplastic anemia (SAA) who received a short-term administration of pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (rHuMGDF). A trilineage hematologic response was induced, however the patient was diagnosed with leukemia after nine years and eight months from administration of rHuMGDF. In recent reports, somatic mutations in myeloid cancer candidate genes were present in one-third of the AA. A mutant clone may be expanded by rHuMGDF in our patient. The long-term safety of patients treated with TPO and eltrombopag remains unknown. Careful observations are warranted hereafter.

The bridge treatment selected at the decision for transplantation did not affect the outcomes in patients with MDS.

The optimal treatment for use as a bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the decision for transplantation has not been established in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes after the decision for transplantation in our patients with MDS or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) secondary to MDS, aged more than 15 years, who underwent transplantation between 2007 and 2012. A total of 124 patients were included. We classified patients into two groups according to the bridge treatment selected at the decision for transplantation: Group 1, supportive care (n = 79), immunosuppressive therapy (n = 7), low-dose chemotherapy (n = 12); Group 2, AML-type induction chemotherapy (ICT: n = 22), azacitidine (Aza: n = 4). The rate of blasts in the bone marrow significantly influenced the treatment selection at the time of decision. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of overall survival (OS) from the decision (73.1% vs 80.4% at 1 year) or from transplantation (59.0% vs 59.2% at 1 year). A significant difference was not observed even after patients were stratified according to either the rate of blasts in the bone marrow at the time of decision or the propensity score. In conclusion, the bridge treatment selected at the decision for transplantation did not affect the outcomes of transplantation in patients with MDS. However, this analysis did not include patients who could not undergo transplantation after the decision, and thus a prospective study is warranted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Proposal of criteria for dyserythropoiesis in the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes.

The percentage manifesting dysplasia in bone marrow needed to qualify as significant is ≥10 % in each lineage. However, detailed analyses of this threshold have not been reported. Here, we analyzed dyserythropoiesis (dysE) in 109 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients with 21 immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)/12 hemolytic anemia (HA) patients as a control. In present study, mild megaloblastic erythroblasts were specifically named 'red cell with abnormal chromatin clumping (RCACC)'. RCACC ≥10 % in erythroblasts was observed in 29 % of ITP patients and 58 % of HA patients. The numbers of MDS patients with RCACC in erythroblasts <10, 10-19 and ≥20 % were 1, 3, and 105, respectively. We analyzed dysE criteria according to the WHO classification (original WHO dysE). Most of our MDS patients (98 %) had original WHO dysE ≥20 %. The ITP patients with original WHO dysE ≥10 % was 48 %, and there were no ITP patients had original WHO dysE ≥20 %. Sixty-seven percent of HA patients had original WHO dysE ≥10 %, and three patients (25 %) had original WHO dysE ≥20 %. Raising the threshold of the original WHO dysE from 10 to 20 or 30 % may provide more suitable criteria. If RCACC is not included in dysE criteria, we think that '10 %' is a suitable threshold for the determination of dyserythropoiesis.

Hematologic improvements in a myelodysplastic syndromes with myelofibrosis (MDS-F) patient treated with azacitidine.

Myelodysplastic syndromes with myelofibrosis (MDS-F) is a poor prognostic hematopoietic disorder. Azacitidine was shown to prolong survival of high-risk MDS patients. However, the effects of azacitidine on MDS-F have yet to be elucidated. Azacitidine was administered to a 74-year-old man with MDS-F at a dose of 75 mg/m(2)/daily subcutaneously for 7 days every 28 days. Hematologic improvements were observed according to the International Working Group 2006 criteria after 8 cycles of the azacitidine treatment, and complete remission was achieved after 14 cycles. The grade of myelofibrosis was also improved. The therapeutic activity of azacitidine was confirmed in our MDS-F patient.

Correlation between dysplastic lineage and type of cytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes patients with refractory anemia according to the FAB classification.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the correlation between dysplastic lineage and type of cytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS: We analyzed the correlation between dysplasia and cell count using the data set of our previous morphologic study. RESULTS: There were no correlations between dysgranulopoiesis of 10% or more and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Similarly, hyposegmented mature neutrophils (Pelger) of 10% or more were not related to ANC. Interestingly, the platelet count of patients with dysmegakaryopoiesis (dys Mgk) was higher than that of patients without dys Mgk (dys Mgk ≥10% vs <10%, P = .08; dys Mgk ≥40% vs <40%, P = .02; micromegakaryocytes ≥10% vs <10%, P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Since low cell counts did not correlate with the presence of dysplastic features, we suggest that dysplastic features do not directly relate to apoptosis.

[Aplastic anemia complicated with ulcerative colitis].

A 37-year-old female who presented with pancytopenia in April 2008 was diagnosed with aplastic anemia stage 2 with a normal karyotype. She had a PNH phenotype in her red blood cells (RBC) and granulocytes, and HLA DR15. Her aplastic anemia was deteriorated from stage 2 to stage 3, and she required periodic RBC transfusions. Four months after cyclosporine therapy, the pancytopenia improved and she did not need RBC transfusion. However, three months thereafter, she again required RBC transfusions after developing severe ulcerative colitis. Although mesalazine and steroid pulse therapy improved her ulcerative colitis, her transfusion dependency persisted. Eleven months after the diagnosis of aplastic anemia, equine anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine were administered, but no hematological improvement was obtained. Six months after the administration of ATG and cyclosporine, transformation to refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) with 7-monosomy was observed. An allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from a HLA-identical sibling was performed 23 months after the diagnosis of aplastic anemia. Complete remission of both the aplastic anemia and ulcerative colitis was obtained without medication. Although the relationship between aplastic anemia and ulcerative colitis remains unclear, immunological abnormalities might be involved in the pathogenesis of both disorders because she had PNH phenotype in RBC and HLA DR15 and because allogeneic BMT improved both disorders.

[Second transplantation for graft failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation--a retrospective survey by Kanto Study Group for Cell Therapy].

We retrospectively surveyed patients who received a second transplantation for graft failure (GF) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in hospitals participating in the Kanto Study Group for Cell Therapy. A second SCT was performed in 21 of 45 patients with primary GF and in 13 of 15 with secondary GF. The median time between the first and second SCT was 49 days (range, 18-1204 days). The diagnosis included 28 patients with hematologic malignancies and 6 with aplastic anemia. Non-myeloablative or reduced-intensity conditioning was performed in 30 patients. Cord blood was frequently used as the source of stem cells followed by related donor peripheral blood, and unrelated bone marrow. Engraftment was achieved in 23 patients (68%). Conditioning regimen including total body or total lymphoid irradiation, was significantly associated with a higher engraftment rate. Overall survival at 5 years in all patients who underwent second SCT was 34%. Prognostic factors for better survival after second SCT were a time to second SCT longer than 90 days, the performance status at second SCT with 0 or 1, and the administration of tacrolimus for GVHD prophylaxis. The major cause of death after second SCT was infection. Although the outcome of a second SCT for graft failure remains poor, these findings suggest that the selection of patients as well as transplant methods, such as conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis, may contribute to survival.

[POEMS syndrome presenting with transient immunoglobulin isotype switching after successful treatment with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation].

A 60-year-old man was admitted with muscle weakness and numbness in the extremities. Based on the existence of monoclonal gammopathy of the IgG-lamda type, a slight increase of plasma cells in the bone marrow, and an elevated level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome was made. After peripheral blood stem cell collection by etoposide and G-CSF, the patient received high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2) therapy supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (autoPBSCT). After high-dose chemotherapy with autoPBSCT, the serum VEGF level normalized and the monoclonal IgG-lamda, disappeared. The patient gradually recovered from a bedridden state and at the time of writing has no impairment in his activities of daily life. After the autoPBSCT, monoclonal IgG-kappa, protein was detected transiently in serum. The new monoclonal immunoglobulin was considered to be due to normal immune reconstitution after myeloablation rather than alteration of the abnormal plasma cell clone, similarly as oligoclonal immunoglobulins occur in multiple myeloma after autoPBSCT. AutoPBSCT with high-dose chemotherapy should be considered among the treatments of choice for POEMS syndrome.

Cardiac resurrection after bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplantation during left ventricular assist device support.

We describe a novel therapy of mononuclear cell transplantation combined with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for severe ischemic heart failure. Significant myocardial recovery by the LVAD rarely occurs in the severely failing heart. We undertook successful mononuclear cell transplantation in a patient who sustained an acute myocardial infarction that had resulted in the LVAD therapy. The heart regained good function after cell transplantation, and the LVAD was explanted 6 weeks later. These results suggest that this novel therapy could be an alternative to cardiac transplantation for severe ischemic heart failure.

Human herpesvirus 6 meningoencephalitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) meningoencephalitis within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Of 1148 patients who received transplants between January 1999 and December 2003, 11 patients (0.96%) with HHV-6 meningoencephalitis were identified. Ten of 11 recipients received hematopoietic stem cells from donors other than HLA-identical siblings. Confusion was the most frequent central nervous system (CNS) symptom, and a skin rash with high-grade fever preceded the CNS symptoms in 9 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed an abnormal increased T2 signal in the hypothalamus of 5 patients. Eight patients were treated with ganciclovir, and an improvement of CNS symptoms was obtained in 3 patients; 3 patients treated with acyclovir showed no improvement. Improvement in the meningoencephalitis seemed less frequent in patients with abnormal findings in the hypothalamus than in those without such findings. Because the symptoms of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis mimicked those of cyclosporine- or tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy, the drugs were withdrawn at the onset of CNS symptoms in 10 patients, resulting in the development of grade IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in 5 patients. Three patients died of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis, and 6 died of other causes, including GVHD. In conclusion, HHV-6 meningoencephalitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication in patients who undergo allogeneic HSCT. Careful assessment of the clinical findings and the brain may allow early and precise diagnosis of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis and contribute to improving its prognosis.

Parkinsonism in type I Gaucher's disease.

The majority of patients with type I Gaucher's disease never develop neurological signs or symptoms. However, several case reports of Parkinson's disease associated with type I Gaucher's disease have been published, suggesting a genetic link between the two diseases. Hence, detailed clinical investigations are required when the two diseases occur simultaneously, in order to determine whether this is coincidental or whether a true association is present. We present a Japanese man in whom parkinsonism was associated with type I Gaucher's disease. Findings of brain positron tomography (PET) and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy are presented.

Serum levels of Thl/Th2 cytokines, angiogenic growth factors, and other prognostic factors in young adult patients with hemophagocytic syndrome.

Serum levels of T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines, angiogenic growth factors, and other prognostic factors were measured in 5 young adult patients with virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). Levels of 2 Th1 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-18 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), 2 Th2 cytokines (IL-10 and IL-6), and 2 angiogenic growth factors (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and hepatocyte growth factor) were high in all of the patients examined, whereas those of Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1a were normal or low. Levels of IL-18 and IL-10 were highest in case 2, with a fatal outcome, and were lowest in case 4, with rapid recovery within 1 month. Although IFN-gamma levels were not elevated in 2 patients (cases 3 and 5), IL-18 levels were markedly high in both of these cases and the IL-6 level was highest in case 3. In contrast with the marked increase in the level of IL-10, the levels of IL-6, sIL-2R, and ferritin decreased rapidly and returned to normal within 2 months after therapy in case 3. The IL-18 level decreased somewhat, but remained elevated for 6 months, and the patient achieved a complete response within 11 months. Taken together, our findings suggest that both IL-18 and IL-10, but not IL-12, may play important roles in young adult patients with HPS via enhancing and suppressing Th1 immune responses, respectively.

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-eudistomin C.

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-eudistomin C was accomplished in 18-step sequence with an overall yield of 7.7%. The synthesis features the diastereoselective Pictet-Spengler reaction of a tryptamine derivative and the Garner aldehyde catalyzed by Bronsted acids, and the unprecedented construction of the unusual oxathiazepine ring by intramolecular alkylation.

[Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with strongly positive MIB-1 stain and clinical features resembling Burkitt lymphoma].

A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of gastric mucosal bleeding. Gastroendoscopy revealed a gastric tumor which was diagnosed from the biopsied specimen as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Lymphoma cells had infiltrated the bone marrow showed morphological features resembling Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Nearly 100% of the cells in the bone marrow were positive for MIB-1 immunostaining. The chromosomal study was normal. Surface marker analysis disclosed that the cells were positive for CD10, CD19, CD20 and CD25. As lymphoma cells had infiltrated the central nervous system, combined chemotherapy was performed accompanied with intrathecal administration of anticancer drugs. Although transient improvement was observed, the patient died of the advanced disease three months after admission. As we have shown here, there are some cases of DLBCL with immunohistochemical features resembling BL. Further consideration about the appropriate chemotherapy program for this type of disease might be necessary.