Gemcitabine-based conditioning compared to BEAM/BEAC conditioning prior to autologous stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: No difference in outcomes.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains an effective treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The limited availability of carmustine has prompted the exploration of novel alternative conditioning regimens. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profile of GBM/GBC (gemcitabine, busulfan, and melphalan or cyclophosphamide) conditioning compared with the standard BEAM/BEAC regimens (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan or cyclophosphamide) for ASCT in patients with NHL. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 231 NHL patients, who underwent ASCT from October 2010 to October 2021 at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Disease Hospital, including both first-line and salvage settings. This resulted in the inclusion of 112 patients in the GBM/GBC arm and 92 in the BEAM/BEAC arm. Propensity score matching was employed to validate the results. RESULTS: Disease subtype distribution was similar between the GBM/GBC and BEAM/BEAC groups, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma being the most common (58.9% vs. 58.7%), followed by PTCL (17.0% vs. 18.5%) and MCL (14.3% vs. 14.1%). At 3 months post-ASCT, complete response (CR) rates were comparable (GBM/GBC 93.5% vs. BEAM/BEAC 91.1%; p = 0.607). The 4-year progression-free survival (78.4% vs. 82.3%; p = 0.455) and 4-year overall survival (88.1% vs. 87.7%; p = 0.575) were also similar. Both groups exhibited low non-relapse mortality at 4 years (GBM/GBC 1.8% vs. BEAM/BEAC 3.5%; p = 0.790) with no transplant-related mortalities reported. The GBM/GBC cohort demonstrated a higher incidence of grade 3/4 oral mucositis and hepatic toxicity, whereas the BEAM/BEAC group had more frequent cases of bacteremia or sepsis (13 cases vs. 5 in GBM/GBC). CONCLUSIONS: The GBM/GBC regimen is effective and well-tolerated, offering outcomes that are highly comparable to those in NHL patients conditioned with BEAM/BEAC, as demonstrated in a prognostically matched cohort.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor canagliflozin alleviates vascular calcification through suppression of nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 inflammasome.

AIMS: Vascular calcification (VC) is prevalent in pathological processes such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and atherosclerosis, but effective therapies are still lacking by far. Canagliflozin (CANA), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and exhibits beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of CANA on VC remains unknown. In this study, we hypothesize that CANA protects against VC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Micro-computed tomography analysis and alizarin red staining revealed that CANA treatment prevented aortic calcification in CKD rats and in VitD3-overloaded mice. Moreover, CANA alleviated the calcification of rat and human arterial rings. Alizarin red staining revealed that calcification of rat and human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was attenuated by CANA treatment and this phenomenon was confirmed by calcium content assay. In addition, CANA downregulated the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers Runx2 and BMP2. Of interest, qPCR and western blot analysis revealed that CANA downregulated the expression of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3), and the downstream signalling molecules Caspase-1 and IL-1ß in VSMCs as well. Both NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 and knockdown of NLRP3 by siRNA independently resulted in decreased calcification of VSMCs. By contrast, activation of NLRP3 exacerbated VSMC calcification, and this effect was prevented by the addition of CANA. CONCLUSIONS: Our study for the first time demonstrates that CANA exerts a protective effect on VC at least partially via suppressing the NLRP3 signalling pathway. Therefore, supplementation of CANA as well as inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome presents a potential therapy for VC.

Risk assessment of Artemia egg shell-Mg-P composites as a slow-release phosphorus fertilizer during its formation and application in typical heavy metals contaminated environment.

Artemia egg shell loaded with nano-magnesium (shell-Mg) can be used to recover phosphorus from wastewater. The exhausted Artemia egg shell-Mg (denoted as shell-Mg-P) can be used as a slow-release fertilizer for phosphorus reuse. However, due to the coexistence of heavy metal ions in the environment, the application of slow-release fertilizer for phosphorus removal and reuse may have potential risks. In this paper, the potential risks of Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ in phosphorus wastewater and soil were studied from the formation and application process of shell-Mg-P. The result showed that shell-Mg adsorbed Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ in phosphate wastewater during the formation of shell-Mg-P and became shell-Mg-P-metal hybrid biomaterial. Although the experiment proved that the existence of heavy metal ions did not affect the phosphorus slow-release behavior of slow-release fertilizer, but the heavy metal ions in the shell-Mg-P-metal were also slow released. The pot experiment results confirmed that the slow-release phosphorus fertilizers (shell-Mg-P and shell-Mg-P-metal) in the soil polluted in low concentration of heavy metals can reduce the amount of heavy metals in whole wheat seedlings and promote wheat seedling growth. However, the application of slow-release fertilizers increased the translocation efficiency (TFR to SL) of metal from root (R) to aboveground part (stem and leaves, SL), promoted the transportation of heavy metals from roots to the stems and leaves, and increased the safety risk of the wheat seedling edible. Therefore, besides the positive role of slow-release fertilizers in retaining heavy metals and reducing the amount of heavy metals in whole seedlings, the risk that it may aggravate the translocation of heavy metals to stems and leaves should be paid more attention, so as to ensure the safe and reliable application of slow-release fertilizers.

Deletion of SIRT6 in vascular smooth muscle cells facilitates vascular calcification via suppression of DNA damage repair.

Vascular calcification is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events, accompanied by DNA damage during the process. The sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) has been reported to alleviate atherosclerosis, which is related to the reduction of DNA damage. However, whether smooth muscle cell SIRT6 mediates vascular calcification involving DNA damage remains unclear. Western blot and immunofluorescence revealed that SIRT6 expression was decreased in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs), human and mouse arteries during vascular calcification. Alizarin red staining and calcium content assay showed that knockdown or deletion of SIRT6 significantly promoted HVSMC calcification induced by high phosphorus and calcium, accompanied by upregulation of osteogenic differentiation markers including Runx2 and BMP2. By contrast, adenovirus-mediated SIRT6 overexpression attenuated osteogenic differentiation and calcification of HVSMCs. Moreover, ex vivo study revealed that SIRT6 overexpression inhibited calcification of mouse and human arterial rings. Of note, smooth muscle cell-specific knockout of SIRT6 markedly aggravated Vitamin D3-induced aortic calcification in mice. Mechanistically, overexpression of SIRT6 reduced DNA damage and upregulated p-ATM during HVSMCs calcification, whereas knockdown of SIRT6 showed the opposite effects. Knockdown of ATM in HVSMCs abrogated the inhibitory effect of SIRT6 overexpression on calcification and DNA damage. This study for the first time demonstrates that vascular smooth muscle cell-specific deletion of SIRT6 facilitates vascular calcification via suppression of DNA damage repair. Therefore, modulation of SIRT6 and DNA damage repair may represent a therapeutic strategy for vascular calcification.

Repression of the antiporter SLC7A11/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 axis drives ferroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells to facilitate vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification is a common pathologic condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cell death such as apoptosis plays a critical role in vascular calcification. Ferroptosis is a type of iron-catalyzed and regulated cell death resulting from excessive iron-dependent reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. However, it is unclear whether ferroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) regulates vascular calcification in CKD. Our results showed that high calcium and phosphate concentrations induced ferroptosis in rat VSMCs in vitro. Inhibition of ferroptosis by ferrostatin-1 dose-dependently reduced mineral deposition in rat VSMCs under pro-osteogenic conditions, as indicated by alizarin red staining and quantification of calcium content. In addition, gene expression analysis revealed that ferrostatin-1 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of rat VSMCs. Similarly, ferrostatin-1 remarkably attenuated calcification of rat and human arterial rings ex vivo and aortic calcification in vitamin D3-overloaded mice in vivo. Moreover, inhibition of ferroptosis by either ferrostatin-1 or deferoxamine attenuated aortic calcification in rats with CKD. Mechanistically, high calcium and phosphate downregulated expression of SLC7A11 (a cystine-glutamate antiporter), and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in VSMCs. Additionally, GSH depletion induced by erastin (a small molecule initiating ferroptotic cell death) significantly promoted calcification of VSMCs under pro-osteogenic conditions, whereas GSH supplement by N-acetylcysteine reduced calcification of VSMCs. Consistently, knockdown of SLC7A11 by siRNA markedly promoted VSMC calcification. Furthermore, high calcium and phosphate downregulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, and reduced glutathione peroxidase activity. Inhibition of GPX4 by RSL3 promoted VSMC calcification. Thus, repression of the SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis triggers ferroptosis of VSMCs to promote vascular calcification under CKD conditions, providing a novel targeting strategy for vascular calcification.

Downregulation of HDAC9 by the ketone metabolite ß-hydroxybutyrate suppresses vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification is an actively regulated process resembling bone formation and contributes to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, an effective therapy for vascular calcification is still lacking. The ketone body ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) has been demonstrated to have health-promoting effects including anti-inflammation and cardiovascular protective effects. However, whether BHB protects against vascular calcification in CKD remains unclear. In this study, Alizarin Red staining and calcium content assay showed that BHB reduced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and arterial rings. Of note, compared with CKD patients without thoracic calcification, serum BHB levels were lower in CKD patients with thoracic calcification. Supplementation with 1,3-butanediol (1,3-B), the precursor of BHB, attenuated aortic calcification in CKD rats and VitD3-overloaded mice. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that BHB downregulated HDAC9, which was further confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Both pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of HDAC9 attenuated calcification of human VSMCs, while overexpression of HDAC9 exacerbated calcification of VSMCs and aortic rings, indicating that HDAC9 promotes vascular calcification under CKD conditions. Of note, BHB treatment antagonized HDAC9-induced vascular calcification. In addition, HDAC9 overexpression activated the NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibition of NF-κB attenuated HDAC9-induced VSMC calcification, suggesting that HDAC9 promotes vascular calcification via activation of NF-κB. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that BHB supplementation inhibits vascular calcification in CKD via modulation of the HDAC9-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, we unveil a crucial mechanistic role of HDAC9 in vascular calcification under CKD conditions; thus, nutritional intervention or pharmacological approaches to enhance BHB levels could act as promising therapeutic strategies to target HDAC9 for the treatment of vascular calcification in CKD. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 by celastrol alleviates oxidative stress and vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease.

Vascular calcification is very commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but there is no efficient therapy available. Oxidative stress plays critical roles in the progression of vascular calcification. Celastrol (Cel), a natural constituent derived from Chinese herbals, exhibits anti-oxidative stress activity. Here, we investigated the effect of celastrol on vascular calcification using vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), arterial rings and CKD rats. Alizarin red staining and gene expression analysis showed that Cel dose-dependently inhibited rat VSMC calcification and osteogenic differentiation. Similarly, ex vivo study revealed that Cel inhibited calcification of rat and human arterial rings. In addition, micro-computed tomography, alizarin red staining and calcium content analysis confirmed that Cel inhibited aortic calcification in CKD rats. Interestingly, Cel treatment increased the mRNA and protein levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1), and reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs. Furthermore, both pharmacological inhibition of HMOX-1 and knockdown of HMOX-1 by siRNA independently counteracted the inhibitory effect of Cel on vascular calcification. Moreover, knockdown of HMOX-1 prevented Cel treatment-mediated reduction in ROS levels. Finally, Cel treatment reduced Vitamin D3-induced aortic calcification in mice and this effect was blocked by HMOX-1 inhibitor ZnPP9. Collectively, our results suggest that up-regulation of HMOX-1 is required for the inhibitory effect of Cel on vascular calcification. Modulation of HMOX-1 may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of vascular calcification in CKD.

[Clinical Analysis of Patients with MGUS, Primary Light Chain Amyloidosis, Multiple Myeloma or Multiple Myeloma with Concurrent Amyloidosis].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and compare the clinical baseline characteristics of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), primary light chain amyloidosis (pAL), multiple myeloma (MM), or MM with concurrent amyloidosis, especially the differences in cytogenetic abnormalities. METHODS: The clinical data of 15 cases of MGUS, 34 cases of pAL, 842 cases of MM and 23 cases of MM with concurrent amyloidosis were analyzed and compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Cytogenetic statistics showed that the incidence of t (11; 14) in the four groups (MGUS vs pAL vs MM vs MM with concurrent amyloidosis) was 0%, 33.3%, 16.4%, and 15.8%, respectively (P=0.037); that of 13q deletion was 20.0%, 14.7%, 45.8% and 56.5%, respectively (P<0.001); gain of 1q21 was 50.0%, 12.5%, 47.4% and 40.9%, respectively (P=0.001). Proportion of pAL patients with 0, 1 and≥2 cytogenetic abnormalities (including 13q deletion, 17p deletion, 1q21 amplification and IgH translocation) accounted for 41.9%, 41.9% and 16.1%, respectively; while the proportion of the same category in MM was 17.6%, 27.3%, and 55.2% respectively; this ratio of MM with concurrent amyloidosis was more similar to MM. Subgroup analysis showed that genetic abnormalities (including 13q deletion, 17p deletion and 1q21 amplification) were comparable within t (11; 14) negative and positive groups. Compared with positive cases, t(11; 14) negative patients with MM or MGUS were more likely to have 13q deletions and multiple genetic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics of pAL, especially cytogenetic abnormalities, are significantly different from MM with concurrent amyloidosis. It suggests that although the onset characteristics are similar, actually the two diseases belong to different disease subtypes which should be carefully predicted and identified.

Spermidine inhibits vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease through modulation of SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Vascular calcification is a common pathologic condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aging individuals. It has been established that vascular calcification is a gene-regulated biological process resembling osteogenesis involving osteogenic differentiation. However, there is no efficient treatment available for vascular calcification so far. The natural polyamine spermidine has been demonstrated to increase life span and protect against cardiovascular disease. It is unclear whether spermidine supplementation inhibits vascular calcification in CKD. Alizarin red staining and quantification of calcium content showed that spermidine treatment markedly reduced mineral deposition in both rat and human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under osteogenic conditions. Additionally, western blot analysis revealed that spermidine treatment inhibited osteogenic differentiation of rat and human VSMCs. Moreover, spermidine treatment remarkably attenuated calcification of rat and human arterial rings ex vivo and aortic calcification in rats with CKD. Furthermore, treatment with spermidine induced the upregulation of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in VSMCs and resulted in the downregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling components, such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Both pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 by SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 and knockdown of SIRT1 by siRNA markedly blocked the inhibitory effect of spermidine on VSMC calcification. Consistently, EX527 abrogated the inhibitory effect of spermidine on aortic calcification in CKD rats. We for the first time demonstrate that spermidine alleviates vascular calcification in CKD by upregulating SIRT1 and inhibiting ER stress, and this may develop a promising therapeutic treatment to ameliorate vascular calcification in CKD.

25-Hydroxycholesterol promotes vascular calcification via activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Vascular calcification is a highly regulated process similar to osteogenesis involving phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). 25-Hydroxycholesterol (25-HC), one of oxysterols synthesized by the enzyme cholesterol 25-hydroxylase, has been shown to promote bovine calcifying vascular cells (CVC) calcification. However, whether and how 25-HC regulates vascular calcification are not completely understood. In this study, in vitro and ex vivo models of vascular calcification were used to determine whether 25-HC regulates vascular calcification. Alizarin red staining and calcium content assay showed that 25-HC treatment promoted calcification of rat and human VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, ex vivo study further confirmed that 25-HC accelerated calcification of rat aortic rings. In addition, western blot analysis showed that 25-HC significantly up-regulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) signaling molecules including ATF4 and CHOP in VSMCs and flow cytometry analysis revealed that 25-HC increased apoptosis of VSMCs. Moreover, knockdown of CHOP by siRNA blocked 25-HC-induced mineral deposition in VSMCs. Collectively, this study for the first time demonstrates that 25-HC promotes vascular calcification via ATF4/CHOP signaling using in vitro and ex vivo models, suggesting that ERS is involved in the regulation of 25-HC-induced vascular calcification.

1q21 gain but not t(4;14) indicates inferior outcomes in multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.

Chromosome 1q21 aberrations in multiple myeloma have attracted much attention for a long time, however, the prognostic value is still under investigation. We confirmed the independent prognostic impact of 1q21 aberrations in this non-randomized clinical study. Our study noted that additional copies and larger clonal size of 1q21 gain did not worsen the outcome. We discovered that 1q21 gain was associated with the acquisition of new chromosome abnormalities and genomic instability, evidenced by the strong correlation between 1q21 gain and complex karyotypes or the acquisition of more than two cytogenetic aberrations. Moreover, 1q21 gain and/or del(17p) were powerful enough to discriminate high-risk patients. Furthermore, 1q21 gain retained unfavorable even when stratified by concurrent presence of t(4;14), especially in the bortezomib arm. Finally, although bortezomib might benefit patients with 1q21 gain, it could not completely overcome its adverse effects, suggesting the necessity of more effective therapies for these patients.

Monitoring the cytogenetic architecture of minimal residual plasma cells indicates therapy-induced clonal selection in multiple myeloma.

Recent attempts have focused on identifying fewer magnitude of minimal residual disease (MRD) rather than exploring the biological and genetic features of the residual plasma cells (PCs). Here, a cohort of 193 patients with at least one cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) at diagnosis were analyzed, and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) analyses were performed in patient-paired diagnostic and posttherapy samples. Persistent CA in residual PCs were observed for the majority of patients (63%), even detectable in 28/63 (44%) patients with MRD negativity (<10-4). The absence of CA in residual PCs was associated with prolonged survival regardless of MRD status. According to the change of the clonal size of specific CA, patients were clustered into five groups, reflecting different patterns of clone selection under therapy pressure. Therapy-induced clonal selection exerted a significant impact on survival (HR = 4.0; P < 0.001). According to the longitudinal cytogenetic studies at relapse, sequential cytogenetic dynamics were observed in most patients, and cytogenetic architecture of residual PCs could to some extent predict the evolutional pattern at relapse. Collectively, the repeat cytogenetic evaluation in residual PCs could not only serves as a good complementary tool for MRD detection, but also provides a better understanding of clinical response and clonal evolution.

[Efficacy of Bortezomib for Maintenance therapy of Patients with Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of chemotherapy consisted of bortezomib as main druy in maintenance therapy for recurrence of newly diagnosed MM patients. METHODS: The clinical data and outcome of 37 MM patients during 2008-2013 were analyzed retrospectively, the 37 MM patients were divided into 2 group: 19 cases including 13 cases of newly diagnosed MM with symptoms and 6 cases of relapsed refractory MM were enrolled in group A; 17 cases of newly diagnosed MM with symptoms were enrolled in group B. The patients of group A received maintenance therapy consisted of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (VD group), while the patient group B received maintenance therapy consisted of melphalan plus prednisone(MP group), then the therapeutic efficacy of 2 group was compared. RESULTS: The overall response rate(ORR) in VD groupe was 84.2%(16/19), out of which CR rate reached 42%(8/19), PR rate reached 31.6%(6/19), MR rate reached 10.5%(3/19). During median follow-up for 21.8(5-51) months, death occurred, while the ORR in MP group was 52(9/17), out of which CR rate was 23.5%(4/17), PR rate reached 23.5%(4/17), MR rate reached 5.9%(1/17). Druing median follow-up for 16.4(4-39) months, the worteity reaced 64.7%(11/17). The differencr between 2 groups was significant(P<0.05). The median OS time of patients in VD group was 21.6 months, that in MP group was 17.9 months(P<0.05). The median PFS in VD group and MP group were 13.4 and 9.4 months respectively(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The ORR and CR rates of bortezomib maintenance therapy for newly diagnosed and relapsed / refractory MM patients are very high, and its toxicity can be controlled, therefore, the patients need maintenance therapy after remission.

[Clinical analysis of 25 patients with aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma in advanced stage treated with autologous stem cell transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for patients with aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCLs) in advanced stage. METHODS: The clinical data of 25 patients in complete remission (CR) with aggressive PTCLs received ASCT from May 1997 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: ① Of the 25 cases, 16 were unspecified PTCL (PTCL-U), 4 with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), 3 with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and 2 with hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTL), with a median age of 30(12-54) years old. Ratio of male to female is 16∶9. The distribution of stages was 8 cases with stage Ⅲ and 17 patients with stage Ⅳ. Nine patients presented with bone marrow involvement. Before ASCT, 18 patients were in CR1 and 7 patients were in CR2. ②Two patients with HSTL in stage ⅣB and IPI score 4/5 in CR1 relapsed and died within 12 months after ASCT. At a median follow-up of 38 (range 14-110) months, the estimated 3-year probability of PFS and OS for the other 23 patients was (63.1 ± 10.5)% and (71.8 ± 9.9)%, respectively. The patients in first CR had a better survival than the patients in second CR. The 3-year probability of PFS were (74.9 ± 11.0)% vs (33.3 ± 19.2)% (P=0.092) and OS were (80.2 ± 10.4)% vs (50.0 ± 20.4)% (P=0.043), respectively. The 3-year probability of PFS and OS were (40.0 ± 17.4)% and (53.3 ± 17.3)% in bone marrow involvement patients and the corresponding figure were (77.9 ± 11.3)% and (84.4 ± 10.2)% in non- bone marrow involvement patients. CONCLUSION: ASCT could improve the survival of aggressive PTCLs. Non CR1 status and bone marrow involvement had negative influence on OS in patients with aggressive PTCLs treated by ASCT. The prognosis was very poor in patients with HSTL and satisfactory regimens should be investigated.

[Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single center experience from the BDHALL2000/02 protocol].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-ALL). METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2007, the clinical data of auto-HSCT in adults Ph-ALL with complete remession (CR) 1 according to BDHALL2000/02 protocol were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were enrolled and the probabilities of standard risk, intermediated risk and high-risk group were 41.1%, 33.9%, and 25.0%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 75 months (range 7-177 months), the 5-year overall survival (OS), events free survival (EFS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were (51.8 ± 6.7)%, (51.8 ± 6.7)%, and (60.5 ± 6.9)%, respectively. And the 5-year accumulative relapse rate was (39.1 ± 6.9)%. The 5-year OS of standard risk, intermediate risk, high-risk group were (60.9 ± 10.2)%, (52.6 ± 11.5)%, and (35.7 ± 2.8)%, respectively. The 5-year RFS among three groups were (68.3 ± 9.9)%, (62.5 ± 12.1)%, and (44.9 ± 14.1)%, respectively. The 5-year EFS among three groups were (60.9 ± 10.2)%, (52.6 ± 11.5)%, and (35.7 ± 12.8)%, respectively. The 5-year accumulative relapse rate among three groups were (31.7 ± 9.9)%, (37.5 ± 12.1)%, and (55.1 ± 14.1)%, respectively. There was no statistical significance of any survival rates between standard and intermediate risk groups, just as intermediate and high-risk groups. The OS and EFS in standard risk group were superior to those in high-risk group (P=0.040 and P=0.029, respectively), while there was no statistical significance of RFS and accumulative relapse rate between the two groups. The clinical factors listed below did not influenced the prognosis in the univariate analysis (P>0.05), including more than 5 weeks reaching to CR, WBC count at diagnosis, different immunophenotype (T or B cells), myeloid antigen expression, hyperdiploid chromosome karyotype, complex chromosome abnormality, conditioning regimen with or without TBI, duration between transplantation and diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Ph-ALL adults could achieve a satisfactory CR and better survial according to BDHALL2000/02 protocol followed by auto-HSCT, especially for the standard or intermediate risk group, and no-donors high-risk patients.

[Dose-intensive immunochemotherapy with or without autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of 29 newly diagnosed young patients with medium/high risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of dose-intensive immunochemotherapy with or without autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for newly diagnosed young patients with medium/high risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: The retrospective study was performed in 29 cases of young patients (≤ 60 years) with newly diagnosed DLBCL and an age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) score of 2 or 3. All of them were treated with dose-intensive regimens (DA-EPOCH or Hyper-CVAD/MA) combined with Rituximab and some were consolidated with first-line ASCT. The efficacy and the potential predictors were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of 29 patients was 43 years old. Of them, 12 patients were consolidated with high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT. The complete remission (CR) rate was 69%, the partial remission (PR) rate 21% and the overall response rate 90%. After a median follow-up of 14 months, the estimated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at two years were 64% and 70%, respectively. The median PFS and OS were significantly longer in CR patients than that in PR patients (P=0.015 and 0.061, respectively). Two patients achieved PR after induction therapy converted to CR after ASCT and were in continuous CR after follow-up above three years. In multivariate analysis, only bone marrow involvement (BMI) at diagnosis had an adverse influence in PFS (P=0.009), but not in OS. Based on whether there was BMI or not and the extent of BMI at diagnosis, the patients were divided into three groups as BM-0 (without BMI), BM-1 (the extent of BMI ≤ 10%) and BM-2 (the extent of BMI>10%). Patients in BM-2 group had significantly shorter PFS and OS than those in BM-0 and BM-1 groups (P=0.001 and 0.045, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the extent of BMI>10% was the independent poor prognostic factor for PFS and CNS relapse or prognosis. CONCLUSION: Dose-intensive immunochemotherapy followed by ASCT or not has significant effect on efficacy of first-line treatment for young and untreated patients with medium/high risk DLBCL. The extent of BMI>10% at diagnosis is an independent risk factor associated with poor PFS and increased CNS relapse or progression.