Serum Free Light Chains Removal by HFR Hemodiafiltration in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and Acute Kidney Injury. a Case Series

Background/Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) represents 10% of all haematologic malignancies. Renal involvement occurs in 50% of MM patients; of them, 12-20% have acute kidney injury (AKI), with 10% needing dialysis at presentation. While hemodialysis (HD) has no effect upon circulating and tissue levels of monoclonal proteins, novel apheretic techniques aim at removing the paraproteins responsible for glomerular / tubular deposition disease. High cut-off HD (HCO-HD) combined with chemotherapy affords a sustained reduction of serum free light chains (FLC) levels. One alternative technology is haemodiafiltration with ultrafiltrate regeneration by adsorption on resin (HFR–SUPRA), employing a “super high-flux” membrane (polyphenylene S-HF, with a nominal cut-off of 42 kD). Aim of our pilot study was to analyze the effectiveness of HFR-SUPRA in reducing the burden of FLC, while minimizing albumin loss and hastening recovery of renal function in 6 subjects with MM complicated by AKI. Methods: Six HD-dependent patients with MM were treated with 5 consecutive sessions of HFR-SUPRA on a Bellco® monitor, while simultaneously initiating chemotherapy. Levels of albumin and FLC were assessed, calculating the rates of reduction. Renal outcome, HD withdrawal and clinical follow-up or death were recorded. Results: All patients showed a significant reduction of FLC, whereas serum albumin concentration remained unchanged. In three, HD was withdrawn, switching to a chemotherapy alone regimen. The other patients remained HD-dependent and died shortly thereafter for cardiovascular complications. Conclusion: Our study suggests that HFR-SUPRA provides a rapid and effective reduction in serum FLC in patients with MM and AKI

Flow cytometric immunobead assay for detection of BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins in chronic myleoid leukemia: Comparison with FISH and PCR techniques

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by a balanced translocation juxtaposing the Abelson (ABL) and breakpoint cluster region (BCR) genes. The resulting BCR-ABL1 oncogene leads to increased proliferation and survival of leukemic cells. Successful treatment of CML has been accompanied by steady improvements in our capacity to accurately and sensitively monitor therapy response. Currently, measurement of BCR-ABL1 mRNA transcript levels by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) defines critical response endpoints. An antibody-based technique for BCR-ABL1 protein recognition could be an attractive alternative to RQ-PCR. To date, there have been no studies evaluating whether flow-cytometry based assays could be of clinical utility in evaluating residual disease in CML patients. Here we describe a flow-cytometry assay that detects the presence of BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins in CML lysates to determine the applicability, reliability, and specificity of this method for both diagnosis and monitoring of CML patients for initial response to therapy. We show that: i) CML can be properly diagnosed at onset, (ii) follow-up assessments show detectable fusion protein (i.e. relative mean fluorescent intensity, rMFI%>1) when BCR-ABL1IS transcripts are between 1-10%, and (iii) rMFI% levels predict CCyR as defined by FISH analysis. Overall, the FCBA assay is a rapid technique, fully translatable to the routine management of CML patients

Central nervous system immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after autologous stem cell transplantation

No abstract availabl

Clinical Implications of Discordant Early Molecular Responses in CML Patients Treated with Imatinib

A reduction in BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS transcript levels to <10% after 3 months or <1% after 6 months of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy are associated with superior clinical outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. In this study, we investigated the reliability of multiple BCR-ABL1 thresholds in predicting treatment outcomes for 184 subjects diagnosed with CML and treated with standard-dose imatinib mesylate (IM). With a median follow-up of 61 months, patients with concordant BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS transcripts below the defined thresholds (10% at 3 months and 1% at 6 months) displayed significantly superior rates of event-free survival (86.1% vs. 26.6%) and deep molecular response (≥ MR4; 71.5% vs. 16.1%) compared to individuals with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS levels above these defined thresholds. We then analyzed the outcomes of subjects displaying discordant molecular transcripts at 3- and 6-month time points. Among these patients, those with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS values >10% at 3 months but <1% at 6 months fared significantly better than individuals with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS <10% at 3 months but >1% at 6 months (event-free survival 68.2% vs. 32.7%; p < 0.001). Likewise, subjects with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS at 3 months >10% but <1% at 6 months showed a higher cumulative incidence of MR4 compared to patients with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS <10% at 3 months but >1% at 6 months (75% vs. 18.2%; p < 0.001). Finally, lower BCR-ABL1/GUSIS transcripts at diagnosis were associated with BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS values <1% at 6 months (p < 0.001). Our data suggest that when assessing early molecular responses to therapy, the 6-month BCR-ABL1/ABL1IS level displays a superior prognostic value compared to the 3-month measurement in patients with discordant oncogenic transcripts at these two pivotal time points

Frontline Dasatinib Treatment in a “Real-Life” Cohort of Patients Older than 65 Years with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Dasatinib (DAS) has been l icensed for the frontline treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, very few data are available regarding its efficacy and toxicity in elderly patients with CML outside clinical trials. To address this issue, we set out a “real-life” cohort of 65 chronic phase CML patients older than 65 years (median age 75.1 years) treated frontline with DAS in 26 Italian centers from June 2012 to June 2015, focusing our attention on toxicity and efficacy data. One third of patients (20/65: 30.7%) had 3 or more comorbidities and required concomitant therapies; according to Sokal classification, 3 patients (4.6%) were low risk, 39 (60.0%) intermediate risk, and 20 (30.8%) high risk, whereas 3 (4.6%) were not classifiable. DAS starting dose was 100 mg once a day in 54 patients (83.0%), whereas 11 patients (17.0%) received less than 100 mg/day. Grade 3/4 hematologic and extrahematologic toxicities were reported in 8 (12.3%) and 12 (18.5%) patients, respectively. Overall, 10 patients (15.4%) permanently discontinued DAS because of toxicities. Pleural effusions (all WHO grades) occurred in 12 patients (18.5%) and in 5 of them occurred during the first 3 months. DAS treatment induced in 60/65 patients (92.3%) a complete cytogenetic response and in 50/65 (76.9%) also a major molecular response. These findings show that DAS might play an important role in the frontline treatment of CML patients >65 years old, proving efficacy and having a favorable safety profile also in elderly subjects with comorbidities

A population-based study of chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib in first line

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment is based on company-sponsored and academic trials testing different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line therapy. These studies included patients selected according to many inclusion\u2013exclusion criteria, particularly age and comorbidities, with specific treatment obligations. In daily clinical practice (real-life), inclusion\u2013exclusion criteria do not exist, and the treatment outcome does not only depend on the choice of first-line TKI but also on second- and third-line TKIs. To investigate in a real-life setting the response and the outcome on first-line imatinib, with switch to second generation TKIs in case of unsatisfying response or intolerance, we analyzed all newly diagnosed patients (N = 236), living in two Italian regions, registered in a prospective study according to population-based criteria and treated front-line with imatinib. A switch from imatinib to second-generation TKIs was reported in 14% of patients for side effects and in 24% for failure or suboptimal response, with an improvement of molecular response in 57% of them. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and leukemia-related survival (LRS) were 85% and 93%, respectively; the 4-year rates of MR3.0 and MR4.0 were 75% and 48%, respectively. Cardiovascular complications were reported in 4% of patients treated with imatinib alone and in 6% of patients receiving nilotinib as second-line. Older age ( 6570 years) affected OS, but not LRS. These data provide an unbiased reference on the CML management and on the results of TKI treatment in real-life, according to ELN recommendations, using imatinib as first-line treatment and second-generation TKIs as second-line therapy. Am. J. Hematol. 92:82\u201387, 2017. \ua9 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

A Population-Based Study of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Imatinib in First Line

Background. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment is based on company-sponsored and academic trials testing different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line therapies. However these clinical trials included patients selected according to different inclusion and exclusion criteria, particularly age and comorbidities, and with specific treatment obligations. In daily clinical practice (real life), no inclusion and exclusion criteria do exist, and treatment outcomes depend not only on choice of the first-line TKI, but also on doctor- and patient-choice of second- and third-line TKIs. Aims. To investigate the response and the outcome on first-line imatinib, with switch to 2nd generation TKIs in case of failure or toxicity, in BCR-ABL1+ CML patients enrolled in a population-based registry (real-life setting). Methods. We report here the results from a prospective study, enrolling all newly diagnosed patients (N = 236, median age 60 years) living in two Italian regions, that were registered according to population-based criteria and treated front-line with imatinib. The decision to switch to second-line treatment was up to the Local Investigator (no predefined criteria) Definitions: major molecular response (MMR or MR3.0): BCR-ABL1IS ratio 10,000 ABL1 copies; failure and suboptimal response: according to 2009 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria; progression: transformation to advanced phases according to ELN criteria; leukemia-related death (LRD): death after progression. Results. Median age was 60 years at diagnosis and 64 years at last contact, with a median follow up of 48 months (range 2-86 months). High risk patients according to Sokal score and new EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) score were 23% and 18%, respectively. A switch from imatinib to a second generation TKI was reported in 14% of patients for side-effects, and in 24% for failure or suboptimal response, with an improvement of molecular response in 57% of them. The median time to switch was 8 months for toxicity and 20 months for failure. At 12 months, 55% of all evaluable patients were in MR3.0 or better. At last contact, 75% of all evaluable patients were in MR3.0 or better and 48% were in MR4.0 or better. The molecular response of patients switching for failure or suboptimal response was evaluable in 61/63 patients: improved in 57%, not modified in 38%, worsened by at least 1 log in 5% of patients. Overall, the treatment switch was associated with a remarkable increase of MR3.0 rate: from 10% at the time of switching to 52% at last qPCR. Overall, 33% achieved a stable MR4.0, of whom 22% with imatinib alone, and 11% after switching to a second generation TKI (Table 1). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and leukemia-related survival (LRS) were 85% and 93%, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (11%) died, of whom 13 (6%) of leukemia, after disease progression and 14 (6%) of "other" causes, without any evidence of progression. Cardiovascular complications were reported in 4% of patients treated with imatinib alone and in 6% of patients who received nilotinib in second-line. OS was not affected by age in the interval between 18 and 69 years (5-year OS 92%, ranging from 89% to 95 % in the different decades), but 5-year OS probabilities of elderly (70-79 years) and very elderly patients (≥ 80 years) were significantly lower (78%, P = 0.003, and 34%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The probability of LRS was not affected by age. The Sokal score predicted OS, but not LRS. The ELTS score clearly separated low, intermediate, and high risk patients for OS and also for LRS. Conclusions. The results of this prospective population-based study emphasize the importance of second-line treatment in the clinical practice: the CML management with the 3 available TKIs in the period 2008-2012, according to current treatment recommendations for switching and without any predefined obligation, resulted in response rates and outcomes, that are in the high range of prospective interventional studies investigating the efficacy and the safety of a single TKI in selected patients. This study provides a robust dataset on the results of CML treatment with TKI in clinical practice, that will be important for interpreting and evaluating the results of the next prospective studies, arguably limited to selected patients