Acta Haematologica最新文献

Accurate prediction of survival in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is challenging. Therefore, we developed a predictive survival model using endocrine-related gene expression to identify an endocrine signature for accurate stratification of AML prognosis. RNA matrices and clinical data for AML were downloaded from a training dataset (GEO) and two validation datasets (TCGA and TARGET). In relation to the survival outcome, a risk model was constructed by incorporating seven endocrine-related genes. The model exhibited favorable predictive efficacy in estimating 5-year survival rates, as demonstrated by both the training and validation cohorts. Multivariable analysis revealed that the endocrine signature demonstrated autonomous prognostic significance in the aforementioned cohorts. Prediction accuracy for 5-year overall survival increased using a nomogram combining endocrine risk score and classical prognostic factors compared with using classical prognostic factors alone. The model predictions were confirmed using AML cell lines. The endocrine-related prognostic model established in this study improves AML survival prediction accuracy.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the survival outcomes and adverse events (AEs) associated with the long-term use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods: Medical records of 345 patients with CML treated with at least one type of TKI were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: No significant differences in survival were observed based on the number of different TKIs the patients received (p = 0.301) or the sequence of TKIs used (p = 0.770). Among 182 patients treated with nilotinib, 25 experienced cardiovascular events (CVEs). After 10 years of nilotinib treatment, CVEs occurred in 55.2% of patients with ≥ 2 vascular risk factors. Pleural effusion was observed in 27 of 78 dasatinib-treated patients. In terms of HRQoL, patients treated with nilotinib generally reported higher satisfaction levels than did those treated with imatinib or dasatinib. When stratified by age or duration of TKI treatment, patients aged < 60 years or those with a treatment duration of ≥ 1 year exhibited better satisfaction levels.

Conclusion: Survival outcomes were not affected by history of TKI treatment. Nilotinib is favorable for HRQoL but increases the risk of serious CVEs in patients with vascular risk factors.

Introduction: Anal Lymphoma (AL) is a rare presentation of extranodal lymphomas, characterized by occurrence in the anal area and largely understudied due to its infrequency. This study aims to address gaps in knowledge about AL's demographic and clinical profiles, treatments, and survival outcomes, leveraging data from the SEER program.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 79 AL cases identified in the SEER database from 2000 to 2022; 36 stage I AL were identified and defined as localized primary anal lymphoma (L-PAL). Data on demographics, tumor specifics, treatment modalities, and survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: The majority of AL cases were Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (70.9%). Other notable subtypes included Anaplastic T-Cell Lymphoma (ATL), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL), B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (BCL), Burkitt Lymphoma/Leukemia (BLL, each accounting for 6.3%), followed by Follicular Lymphoma and Mantle-Cell Lymphoma (each at 1.3%). AL primarily affected younger males (median age 50), with a significant majority being Caucasian. Initial stages (I and II) were more commonly observed, and treatments varied, with chemotherapy being most prevalent (67.1%), followed by radiation (30.4%) and surgery (30.4%). The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 59.4% and 44.1%, respectively, while the corresponding cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 67.9% and 58.0% respectively. Age was a significant prognostic factor for OS but not for CSS. Radiotherapy tended to improve CSS in the AL population.

Conclusion: This research correspond to the first in-depth analysis of AL, highlighting its distinct demographic patterns, clinical features, and responses to various treatments, distinguishing it from other types of anal cancers. Our results underscore the importance of developing specialized diagnostic and treatment strategies. To enhance our understanding and management of this uncommon form of lymphoma, future studies should aim for broader and more collaborative international research efforts.

Background: Recent advancements in cellular therapies, particularly CAR-T and T cell engaging bispecific antibodies have significantly altered the therapeutic landscape for Multiple Myeloma. There are two U.S. FDA approved CAR-T products targeting BCMA available for commercial use at this time. Though these innovative therapies have demonstrated considerable efficacy in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients, many challenges remain, including accessibility, potential toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity and development of resistance through targeted antigen loss and T-cell exhaustion and various other mechanisms. CRISPR edited allogeneic CAR-T cells, CAR- NK cells, and structural makeover of autologous CART with safety switches are being studied to address current limitations in cellular therapy. Additionally, newer target antigens such as GPRC5D, FcRH5, armored CAR-T cells that resist immunosuppressive cytokines such as TGF-β are being investigated.

Summary: This review summarizes safety and efficacy of currently available CART, discusses challenges with these therapies, and ongoing research efforts aimed at addressing resistance, mitigate treatment-related toxicities, and refining for broader applicability and prolonged efficacy.

Key messages: CART cell therapy has shown significant benefit in treatment of multiple myeloma. Many challenges persist. Novel strategies with structural modifications are being incorporated to overcome the limitations.

Background: Managing cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) is a significant clinical challenge due to several factors such as increased bleeding tendency, frailty, and drug - drug interactions. For many years, the drug of choice for treating CAT was low molecular weight heparin (LMWH); Recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) entered to the therapeutic milieu of CAT. However, due to the large diversity among patients with CAT in clinical and laboratory characteristics not all patients will equally benefit from treatment with DOACs. Furthermore, several subgroups of patients with CAT have specific characteristics that influence the anticoagulant decision-making process.

Summary: In this review, we present four different theoretical clinical case scenarios, each representing a different challenge that is associated with thrombosis management; brain metastasis, malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, drug-drug interactions (DDI) and thrombocytopenia. By reviewing current literature, we suggest our clinical approach for managing these cases in the era of DOACs.

Key messages: (1) The management of patients with brain tumors and CAT is challenging due to increased risk for both intracranial hemorrhage and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Both LMWH and DOACs are optional treatment in this setting. (2) There are conflicting data regarding the bleeding risk in patients with GI malignancies. Treatment with LMWH should be considered specifically in patients with advanced disease and unresectable tumors. (3) There is a paucity of data regarding DDI in patients with CAT. However, caution should be exercised when prescribing DOACs to patients receiving concurrent medications that either affect DOAC metabolism or influence bleeding risk. (4) The management of patients with CAT and thrombocytopenia depends on the severity of thrombocytopenia and the timing of the thrombotic event.

Introduction: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare indolent lymphoma. Zanubrutinib (ZAN), a second-generation BTK inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of WM in any line of therapy in 2021. Between November 2020 and January 2022, an expanded access program of ZAN opened in Israel for the treatment of patients with relapsed refractory (RR)-WM or those ineligible for chemotherapy or ibrutinib in first line.

Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective study aiming to provide real-world data on ZAN in patients with WM in Israel. Demographic and clinical data were collected and coded from electronic files. Response was evaluated by the investigator's assessment. As the program closed, patients transitioned to commercial ZAN.

Results: 13 patients (12 RR; 1 treatment-naive) were enrolled across 8 centers in Israel. The median age at ZAN initiation was 71 years (range, 50-85); 6 were males; 10 had high IPSS-WM. RR pts had a median of 1 (1-4) prior lines of therapy. Other than progressive disease after chemoimmunotherapy (CIT), the most common considerations for choosing ZAN were patients' age and/or comorbidities (n=5), as well as ibrutinib toxicity. The initial ZAN dose was reduced in 4 pts. The median time on ZAN was 19.5 months (2.9-29.5). Of 12 evaluable patients, the ORR was 83% with 3 minor responses, 6 PR, and 1 VGPR. With a median follow-up of 19.6 months, 7 patients were still on ZAN, 5 progressed, 4 while on ZAN, and 1 after ZAN was stopped due to AE. 18 months PFS and OS were 60.5% and 77%, respectively. Eight (61%) patients had AEs of any grade, and 3 (23%) of grade 3-4; 2 stopped ZAN due to congestive heart failure and extreme fatigue.

Conclusion: The results of this real-world high-risk population are consistent with prospective studies highlighting the efficacy and safety of ZAN.

Introduction: The prevalence of preexisting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and the occurrence of anginal chest pain as a presenting symptom in patients with light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are undetermined.

Methods: A single-center analysis of clinical, laboratory, imaging, and angiographic characteristics of CA cohort was performed.

Results: Included were 98 CA patients (43 AL, 47 wtATTR, 8 mutant ATTR). Eighteen patients (18%) had preexisting obstructive CAD at the time of CA diagnosis. These patients were older and had worse left ventricular ejection fraction, yet revealed similar cardiac biomarkers' levels. The 3-year survival rate was comparable between patients with versus without preexisting CAD (p = 0.974). Anginal chest pain was a presenting symptom of newly diagnosed CA in 24% of patients (n = 19) with no preexisting CAD, 53% (n = 10) of which had AL-CA. Two patients had an acute myocardial infarction. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and smoking was similar among CA patients presenting with versus without chest pain. Of the newly diagnosed CA patients with no preexisting CAD who underwent symptoms evaluation (n = 37), 99mTc-Sestamibi myocardial perfusion scintigraphy demonstrated stress-induced perfusion defects in 45% (9/20) and normal study in 45% (9/20) of patients. Coronary evaluation revealed nonobstructive coronary artery lesions or normal coronaries in 75% of patients (18/24).

Conclusion: CA patients may initially present with anginal chest pain and myocardial perfusion defects which may reflect coronary microvascular ischemia. CA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with chest pain, nonobstructive CAD, and elevated cardiac biomarkers.

Background: Advances in novel therapies have improved outcomes for multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the use of allo-SCT has decreased. Current guidelines no longer support allo-SCT as consolidation therapy for newly diagnosed MM, even in high-risk cases.

Summary: Allo-SCT is now typically considered only within clinical trials for young, high-risk patients with relapsed or refractory MM (RRMM). It has not proven favorable despite its historical use. CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies have shown promise in treating triple- and penta-exposed/refractory MM, yet relapse remains common with poor survival rates. The efficacy of allo-SCT following BCMA-directed therapy and other new T-cell-directed therapies is unclear. Allo-SCT might be a viable option for eligible patients who relapse after these therapies, or where such options are unavailable. Advancements in reduced-intensity conditioning regimens have led to lower toxicity and transplant-related (TR) morbidity, lower graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and TR mortality. Expanded use of alternative donors, like haploidentical donors, has yielded comparable outcomes. Better post-transplant GvHD regimens and maintenance strategies to prevent relapse have been developed.

Key messages: This review analyzes available literature to better understand the safety, efficacy, and current role of allo-SCT in managing MM. Newer regimens are needed as routine use of allo-SCT cannot be recommended.

Introduction: The study aimed to assess the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of long-term therapy with biosimilar of eculizumab (Elizaria®) in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients.

Methods: The study included 30 patients with PNH who had completed previous clinical trials. Of these, 25 patients continued receiving the biosimilar product, and 5 patients switched from the originator product Soliris. The maximum duration of follow-up was 104 weeks, during which the investigational product was administered 52 times at a standard dose.

Results: Throughout the study, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, and PNH clone remained stable compared to baseline, regardless of the previous therapy (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the number of patients with chronic kidney disease at different visits, as well as in the number of patients who received donor red blood cell and platelet transfusions during the study (p > 0.05). There were 2 cases of adverse reactions reported in 2 patients (6.6%): elevated aspartate aminotransferase (3.3%) and alopecia (3.3%). Immunogenicity analysis showed no significant differences in the frequency of antidrug antibody detection compared to baseline (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The study findings confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of biosimilar in patients with PNH.