ABSTRACT
We evaluated the use of autologus bone marrow stem cells transplantation in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) not eligible for revascularization. Eighty consecutive patients candidate to amputation were enrolled in a single-centre retrospective study. The primary endpoint was defined as the amputation-free rate from stem cells transplantation. Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of transcutaneous oximetry and its predictive potential for probability of amputation and the evaluation of rest pain. Ankle brachial index, transcutaneous oxygen (TcpO2) and radiological imaging were performed at the enrolment and during the follow-up times. All patients were treated with auto transplant of bone marrow stem cells. Two patients died due to acute renal and acute respiratory failures. 19 patients were amputated from the thigh or leg. In total, 59 of 80 patients intended to thigh amputation saved the limb, preserving the plantar support. TcpO2 was found a predictive metric with an AUC equal to .763, and a threshold for a risk of amputation of 10% and 5% at the values ≤22.7 and ≤26.9 mmHg, respectively. Auto transplant of bone marrow stem cells seems to be a safe and an efficient option for CLI not eligible to revascularizzation.
ABSTRACT
We conducted a phase II study to assess activity and safety profile of bendamustine and rituximab in elderly patients with untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were prospectively defined as frail using a simplified version of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Patients had to be over 70 years of age, with histologically confirmed DLBCL. Frail patients were those younger than 80 years with a frail profile at CGA or older than 80 years with an unfit profile. Treatment consisted of 4-6 courses of bendamustine [90 mg/m2 days (d)1-2] and rituximab (375 mg/m2 d1) administered every 28 days. Other main study end points were complete remission rate and the rate of extra-hematologic adverse events. Forty-nine patients were enrolled of whom 45 were confirmed eligible. Overall, 24 patients achieved a complete remission (53%; 95%CI: 38-68%) and the overall response rate was 62% (95%CI: 47-76%). The most frequent grade 3-4 adverse event was neutropenia (37.8%). Grade 3-4 extra-hematologic adverse events were observed in 7 patients (15.6%; 95%CI: 6.5-29.5%); the most frequent was grade 3 infection in 2 patients. With a median follow up of 33 months (range 1-52), the median progression-free survival was ten months (95%CI: 7-25). The study shows promising activity and manageable toxicity profile of BR combination as first-line therapy for patients with DLBCL who are prospectively defined as frail according to a simplified CGA, as adopted in this trial (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01990144).
