Xanthurenic acid and its rôle in the trytophane metabolism of pyroxidine-deficient rats

In a previous publication (1) the isolation of a green pigment from the urine of pyridoxine-deficient rats was described. The green pigment was shown to be the product of a reaction between ferric ammonium sulfate or other ferric salts and a compound whose nature was unknown. This compound has now been isolated in crystalline form. It is a yellow pigment and has been identified as xanthurenic acid

Special considerations in the management of adult patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms in the COVID-19 era: recommendations from a panel of international experts

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a global public health crisis. Multiple observations indicate poorer post-infection outcomes for patients with cancer than for the general population. Herein, we highlight the challenges in caring for patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We summarise key changes related to service allocation, clinical and supportive care, clinical trial participation, and ethical considerations regarding the use of lifesaving measures for these patients. We recognise that these recommendations might be more applicable to high-income countries and might not be generalisable because of regional differences in health-care infrastructure, individual circumstances, and a complex and highly fluid health-care environment. Despite these limitations, we aim to provide a general framework for the care of patients with acute leukaemias and myeloid neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic on the basis of recommendations from international experts

Phase II study of the IDH2-inhibitor enasidenib in patients with high-risk IDH2-mutated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

7010 Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 ( IDH2) mutations occur in 5% of patients (pts) with MDS. Enasidenib (ENA) is a selective oral inhibitor of the mutant IDH2 enzyme with single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report the results of the open label phase II study designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ENA, as monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine (AZA) in pts with higher-risk IDH2-mutated MDS (NCT03383575). Methods: Pts with higher-risk [Revised International Prognostic Scoring System risk > 3 or high molecular risk (HMR)] MDS/CMML or LB AML naïve to hypomethylating agents (HMA) received ENA100 mg orally daily for 28 d of each 28-d cycle + AZA 75 mg/m2 IV or SC on d 1-7 of each cycle (ENA+AZA), and pts with refractory or progressive MDS to prior HMA therapy received ENA alone (ENA), in 28-d cycles until unacceptable toxicity, relapse, transformation to AML, or progression. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) [complete remission (CR), marrow CR (mCR), partial remission (PR) and hematologic improvement (HI)]. Other endpoints include safety, and survival outcomes. Results: 48 pts received ENA+AZA (n = 26) or ENA (n = 22). The median age was 73 yrs (range, 46-83). Most pts (72%) had HMR: ASXL1 (39%), and RUNX1 (17%). Median number Tx cycles was 4 (2–32) in the ENA+AZA, and 7 (1–23) in the ENA arm. Common Tx-related grade 3–4 AEs in the ENA+AZA arm were neutropenia (64%), thrombocytopenia (28%), and anemia (8%); these occurred in 10%, 0%, and 5%, in the ENA arm. Grade 3–4 infections occurred in 32% (ENA+AZA) and 14% (ENA). IDH differentiation syndrome occurred in 3 pts (12%) in the ENA+AZA and 5 pts (24%) in the ENA arm. Two deaths occurred during the initial 60 d, both unrelated to study and due to COVID. In response-evaluable pts (n=46), ORR was 84% (n = 21/25; 24% CR + 8% PR+44% mCR+ 8% HI] in the treatment naïve ENA+AZA and 43% (n = 9/21; 24% CR+5%PR+5% mCR+10% HI) in the HMA failure ENA arm (Table). Most common reason for Tx discontinuation was disease progression (ENA+AZA 20%, ENA 33%).5 pts (20%) received HCT in the ENA+AZA and 1 (5%) in the ENA arm. 7 pts in the ENA+AZA and 5 in the ENA arm were ongoing at data cutoff (Dec 31, 2020). After a median follow up of 12.6 mo, median OS was 32.2 mo in the ENA+AZA and 21.3 mo in the ENA arm. Conclusions: ENA is well tolerated and shows promising efficacy in IDH2-mutated higher risk MDS. Follow up and accrual is ongoing to better define duration and biomarkers of response. Clinical trial information: NCT03383575. [Table: see text