Does eventually NPM1 mutation in blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia (BP‐CML) exist? That is the question.

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Hairy cell leukemia: a specific 17-gene expression signature points to new targets for therapy

Background: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B cell malignancy, characterized by infiltration of bone marrow, blood and spleen by typical "hairy cells" that bear the BRAFV600E mutation. However, in addition to the intrinsic activation of the MAP kinase pathway as a consequence of the BRAFV600E mutation, the potential participation of other signaling pathways to the pathophysiology of the disease remains unclear as the precise origin of the malignant hairy B cells. Materials and methods: Using mRNA gene expression profiling based on the Nanostring technology and the analysis of 290 genes with crucial roles in B cell lymphomas, we defined a 17 gene expression signature specific for HCL. Results: Separate analysis of samples from classical and variant forms of hairy cell leukemia showed almost similar mRNA expression profiles apart from overexpression in vHCL of the immune checkpoints CD274 and PDCD1LG2 and underexpression of FAS. Our results point to a post-germinal memory B cell origin and in some samples to the activation of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HCL and describes new and potential targets for treatment approaches and guidance for studies in the molecular mechanisms of HCL.</p

Characteristics, management and outcome of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia.

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Platelet count threshold for hemorrhage in patients with immune thrombocytopenia treated with antiplatelet agents.

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Bortezomib combined with low-dose cytarabine in Intermediate-2 and high risk myelodysplastic syndromes. A phase I/II Study by the GFM.

International audienceMarrow cells from patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) exhibit constitutive nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, has limited efficacy as a single agent in acute myeloid leukaemia. Its activity on leukaemic cell lines is potentiated by chemotherapy. We treated 43 higher-risk MDS patients with bortezomib (1*5 mg/m(2) , days 1, 4, 8 and 11) and low dose cytarabine arabinoside (LDAC; 10 mg/m(2) , then 20 mg/m(2) from days 1-14), every 28 d for four cycles. Median follow-up was 29*7 months. Responses were seen in 12 of the 43 patients (28%), including complete response (CR, n = 1), marrow-CR (n = 3), partial response (PR, n = 5) and haematological improvement (HI, n = 3). Responses were seen in 12 (36%) of the 33 previously untreated patients (11% CR, 13% PR, 2*5% HI), compared to none in the 12 previously treated patients (P < 0*01). Responders had better overall survival (median 18*2 vs. 10 months). One CR and 3 marrow-CRs were seen in patients with complex karyotypes. Main toxicity was haematological, responsible for infection in six patients and bleeding in 3. Three patients with Grade 1-2 pre-treatment haematotoxicity developed Grade 3-4 toxicity. Neuropathy was seen in 12% of patients. The addition of bortezomib to LDAC in higher-risk MDS may improve results obtained with LDAC alone, especially in patients with unfavourable karyotypes

Can the revised IPSS predict response to erythropoietic-stimulating agents in patients with classical IPSS low or intermediate-1 MDS?

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Myelodysplastic syndromes with single neutropenia or thrombocytopenia are rarely refractory cytopenias with unilineage dysplasia by World Health Organization 2008 criteria and have favourable prognosis

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A Randomised Phase II Study of Azacitidine (AZA) Alone or with Lenalidomide (LEN), Valproic Acid (VPA) or Idarubicin (IDA) in Higher-Risk MDS or Low Blast AML: GFM's "Pick a Winner" Trial, with the Impact of Somatic Mutations.

International audienceIn order to improve the outcome observed with azacitidine (AZA) in higher-risk Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), its combination with other drugs in MDS must be evaluated. So far, no combination has not been shown to be more effective than AZA alone. AZA-PLUS was a phase II trial that, in a "pick a winner" approach, randomly assigned patients with higher-risk MDS, CMML and low blast count AML to: AZA; AZA plus lenalidomide; AZA plus Valproic Acid or AZA plus Idarubicin. 322 patients were included. After six\,cycles, 69 (21.4%) CR\,+\,PR were observed with no benefit from any combination. Median EFS and OS were 17.2 and 19.7\,months in the whole cohort, respectively, with no difference across randomised arms. Infection and rates of hospitalisation during the first six\,cycles were higher in the AZA-LEN And AZA-IDA arm, related to increased myelosuppression. Factors associated with better response were IPSS, favourable or intermediate karyotype, haemoglobin, lower circulating blast count, fibrinogen level and lower LDH, while poorer survival was seen in therapy-related MDS and, in the case of TP53, PTPN11 or CSF3R mutation. The combinations used did not improve the outcome obtained with AZA alone. However, our "pick a winner" randomised strategy may remain useful with potentially more active drugs to be tested in combination with AZA