Induction therapy with the MATRix regimen in patients with newly diagnosed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system - an international study of feasibility and efficacy in routine clinical practice

The MATRix chemoimmunotherapy regimen is highly effective in patients with newly diagnosed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSL). However, nothing is known about its feasibility and efficacy in everyday practice, where patients are more often older/frailer than those enrolled in clinical trials. We conducted a retrospective study addressing tolerability/efficacy of MATRix in 156 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL treated outside a clinical trial. Median age and ECOG Performance Status of considered patients were 62 years (range 28–78) and 2 (range 0–4). The overall response rate after MATRix was 79%. Nine (6%) treatment-related deaths were recorded. After a median follow-up of 27.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.4–31.9%), the two-year progression-free and overall survival were 56% (95% CI 48.4–64.9%) and 64.1% (95% CI 56.7–72.5%) respectively. Patients not eligible for the IELSG32 trial were treated with lower dose intensity and had substantially worse outcomes than those fulfilling inclusion criteria. This is the largest series of PCNSL patients treated with MATRix outside a trial and recapitulates the IELSG32 trial outcomes in the non-trial setting for patients who fit the trial criteria. These data underscore the feasibility and efficacy of MATRix as induction treatment for fit patients in routine practice

Addition of four doses of rituximab to standard induction chemotherapy in adult patients with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (UKALL14): a phase 3, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Treatment for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia requires improvement. UKALL14 was a UK National Cancer Research Institute Adult ALL group study that aimed to determine the benefit of adding the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, to the therapy of adults with de novo B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated, phase 3, randomised controlled trial done in all UK National Health Service Centres treating patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (65 centres). Patients were aged 25-65 years with de-novo BCR-ABL1-negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Patients with de-novo BCR-ABL1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were eligible if they were aged 19-65 years. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to standard-of-care induction therapy or standard-of-care induction therapy plus four doses of intravenous rituximab (375 mg/m2 on days 3, 10, 17, and 24). Randomisation used minimisation and was stratified by sex, age, and white blood cell count. No masking was used for patients, clinicians, or staff (including the trial statistician), although the central laboratory analysing minimal residual disease and CD20 was masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was event-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all participants who started trial treatment. This study is registered with ClincialTrials.gov, NCT01085617. FINDINGS: Between April 19, 2012, and July 10, 2017, 586 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care (n=292) or standard of care plus rituximab (n=294). Nine patients were excluded from the final analysis due to misdiagnosis (standard of care n=4, standard of care plus rituximab n=5). In the standard-of-care group, median age was 45 years (IQR 22-65), 159 (55%) of 292 participants were male, 128 (44%) were female, one (<1%) was intersex, and 143 (59%) of 244 participants had high-risk cytogenetics. In the standard-of-care plus rituximab group, median age was 46 years (IQR 23-65), 159 (55%) of 294 participants were male, 130 (45%) were female, and 140 (60%) of 235 participants had high-risk cytogenetics. After a median follow-up of 53·7 months (IQR 40·3-70·4), 3-year event-free survival was 43·7% (95% CI 37·8-49·5) for standard of care versus 51·4% (45·4-57·1) for standard of care plus rituximab (hazard ratio [HR] 0·85 [95% CI 0·69-1·06]; p=0·14). The most common adverse events were infections and cytopenias, with no difference between the groups in the rates of adverse events. There were 11 (4%) fatal (grade 5) events in induction phases 1 and 2 in the standard-of-care group and 13 (5%) events in the standard-of-care plus rituximab group). 3-year non-relapse mortality was 23·7% (95% CI 19·0-29·4) in the standard-of-care group versus 20·6% (16·2-25·9) in the standard-of-care plus rituximab group (HR 0·88 [95% CI 0·62-1·26]; p=0·49). INTERPRETATION: Standard of care plus four doses of rituximab did not significantly improve event-free survival over standard of care. Rituximab is beneficial in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but four doses during induction is likely to be insufficient. FUNDING: Cancer Research UK and Blood Cancer UK

Phenotype and immune function of lymph node and peripheral blood CLL cells are linked to transendothelial migration

everal lines of evidence suggest that homing of tumor cells to lymphoid tissue contributes to disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we demonstrate that lymph node (LN)-derived CLL cells possess a distinct phenotype, and exhibit enhanced capacity for T-cell activation and superior immune synapse formation when compared with paired peripheral blood (PB) samples. LN-derived CLL cells manifest a proliferative, CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) phenotype compared with those in the PB and higher expression of T-cell activation molecules including CD80, CD86, and HLA-D-related (DR). In addition, LN-CLL cells have higher expression of α4β1 (CD49d) which, as well as being a co-stimulatory molecule, is required for CLL cells to undergo transendothelial migration (TEM) and enter the proliferation centers of the LNs. Using an in vitro system that models circulation and TEM, we showed that the small population of CLL cells that migrate are CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) with higher CD49d, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR compared with those that remain circulating; a phenotype strikingly similar to LN-derived CLL cells. Furthermore, sorted CD49d(hi) CLL cells showed an enhanced capacity to activate T cells compared with CD49d(lo) subpopulations from the same patient. Thus, although PB-CLL cells have a reduced capacity to form immune synapses and activate CD4(+) T cells, this was not the case for LN-CLL cells or those with the propensity to undergo TEM. Taken together, our study suggests that CLL cell immunologic function is not only modulated by microenvironmental interactions but is also a feature of a subpopulation of PB-CLL cells that are primed for lymphoid tissue homing and interaction with T cells

Lymphoid blast crisis after prolonged treatment‐free remission in chronic myeloid leukaemia after tyrosine kinase inhibitor de‐escalation during the COVID‐19 pandemic

: During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to health services has been considerably restricted and furthermore, patients have been reluctant to attend for routine monitoring, and this may have had a negative impact in the management of patients affected with haematological disorders. Sudden blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukaemia is categorized as a rapid onset of blastic phase, after a documented 'optimal' response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy and within 3 months of a normal complete blood count. Herein, we describe a case of patient who developed sudden blast crisis after TKI while in treatment-free remission

Outpatient management of steroid-induced hyperglycaemia and steroid-induced diabetes in people with lymphoproliferative disorders treated with intermittent high dose steroids

High dose steroids (HDS) are used in the treatment of haematological malignancies. The reported risk of steroid-induced diabetes (SID) is high. However, screening is not consistently performed. We implemented a protocol for detection and management of SID and steroid-induced hyperglycamia (SIH) in haematology outpatients receiving HDS. Eighty-three people were diagnosed with a lymphoproliferative disorder, of whom 6 had known Type 2 diabetes. Fifty-three people without known diabetes were screened by HbA1c and random venous plasma glucose. All patients (n = 34) subsequently prescribed HDS checked capillary blood glucose (CBG) pre-breakfast and pre-evening meal. Treatment algorithms used initiation and/or dose titration of gliclazide or human NPH insulin, aiming for pre-meal CBG 5–11 mmol/l. Type 2 diabetes was identified in 4/53 people screened (7.5%). Of 34 people treated with HDS, 17 (44%) developed SIH/SID. All 7 people with Type 2 diabetes developed SIH and 3 required insulin. Of 27 people without known diabetes, 8 (30%) developed SID and 1 required insulin. Pre-treatment HbA1c was higher in people who developed SID compared to those that did not (p = 0.002). This is the first report of a SID/SIH detection and treatment protocol for use in people with lymphoproliferative disorders receiving intermittent HDS, demonstrating its feasibility and safety

Lymphoid blast crisis after prolonged treatment‐free remission in chronic myeloid leukaemia after tyrosine kinase inhibitor de‐escalation during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract During the COVID‐19 pandemic, access to health services has been considerably restricted and furthermore, patients have been reluctant to attend for routine monitoring, and this may have had a negative impact in the management of patients affected with haematological disorders. Sudden blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukaemia is categorized as a rapid onset of blastic phase, after a documented ‘optimal’ response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy and within 3 months of a normal complete blood count. Herein, we describe a case of patient who developed sudden blast crisis after TKI while in treatment‐free remission

Recent childbirth is an adverse prognostic factor in breast cancer and melanoma, but not in Hodgkin lymphoma

Background: The relationship between gestation, childbirth and cancer prognosis is unknown for most cancers (e. g. Hodgkin lymphoma), whereas a body of evidence exists for melanoma and breast cancer. Methods: The national cancer registration and hospital discharge data for women in England (1998-2007) were linked, and the records for Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma and breast cancer were indexed as to whether women had delivered a child in separate time periods prior to their cancer diagnosis. Survival analyses were conducted in order to characterise prognosis in relation to childbirth, with statistical adjustment for age and (where possible) stage. Findings: For melanoma and breast cancer, survival was strongly reduced in women who gave birth in the year prior to cancer diagnosis. The age-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.06 (1.42-3.01) for melanoma and 1.84 (1.64-2.06) for breast cancer. The associations were only slightly attenuated by further adjustment for tumour stage. For breast cancer, the excess death rate in women with a recent childbirth peaked at 2 years and remained elevated for 6 to 8 years. Previous childbirth had no overall effect on the outcome of Hodgkin lymphoma. Interpretation: Melanoma and breast cancer prognosis are adversely affected by recent gestation and childbirth in a way that is not due to stage of the cancer, but rather to inherent biological properties of the tumours. Possible biological mechanisms include immunosuppression (melanoma), the hormonal milieu in gestation and a tumour promoting microenvironment post-partum (breast cancer)

Recent childbirth is an adverse prognostic factor in breast cancer and melanoma, but not in Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract Background: The relationship between gestation, childbirth and cancer prognosis is unknown for most cancers (e.g. Hodgkin lymphoma), whereas a body of evidence exists for melanoma and breast cancer. Methods: The national cancer registration and hospital discharge data for women in England (1998England ( -2007 were linked, and the records for Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma and breast cancer were indexed as to whether women had delivered a child in separate time periods prior to their cancer diagnosis. Survival analyses were conducted in order to characterise prognosis in relation to childbirth, with statistical adjustment for age and (where possible) stage. Findings: For melanoma and breast cancer, survival was strongly reduced in women who gave birth in the year prior to cancer diagnosis. The age-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.06 (1.42-3.01) for melanoma and 1.84 (1.64-2.06) for breast cancer. The associations were only slightly attenuated by further adjustment for tumour stage. For breast cancer, the excess death rate in women with a recent childbirth peaked at 2 years and remained elevated for 6 to 8 years. Previous childbirth had no overall effect on the outcome of Hodgkin lymphoma. Interpretation: Melanoma and breast cancer prognosis are adversely affected by recent gestation and childbirth in a way that is not due to stage of the cancer, but rather to inherent biological properties of the tumours. Possible biological mechanisms include immunosuppression (melanoma), the hormonal milieu in gestation and a tumour promoting microenvironment post-partum (breast cancer)