Authors:Giovanni Di Minno; David Navarro; Carlo Federico Perno; Mariana Canaro; Lutz Gürtler; James W. Ironside; Hermann Eichler; Andreas Tiede Pages: 1253 - 1270 Abstract: Patients with blood disorders (including leukaemia, platelet function disorders and coagulation factor deficiencies) or acute bleeding receive blood-derived products, such as red blood cells, platelet concentrates and plasma-derived products. Although the risk of pathogen contamination of blood products has fallen considerably over the past three decades, contamination is still a topic of concern. In order to counsel patients and obtain informed consent before transfusion, physicians are required to keep up to date with current knowledge on residual risk of pathogen transmission and methods of pathogen removal/inactivation. Here, we describe pathogens relevant to transfusion of blood products and discuss contemporary pathogen removal/inactivation procedures, as well as the potential risks associated with these products: the risk of contamination by infectious agents varies according to blood product/region, and there is a fine line between adequate inactivation and functional impairment of the product. The cost implications of implementing pathogen inactivation technology are also considered. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3028-4 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Nicholas Burwick Pages: 1271 - 1277 Abstract: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a clonal plasma cell disorder and precursor disease to multiple myeloma and other related cancers. While MGUS is considered a benign disorder, with a low risk of disease progression, patients have altered bone microarchitecture and an increased risk of bone fracture. In addition, alterations in immune function are regularly found to correlate with disease activity. Vitamin D, an important hormone for bone and immune health, is commonly deficient in multiple myeloma patients. However, vitamin D deficiency is also prevalent in the general population. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current understanding of vitamin D in health and disease and to parallel this with a review of the abnormalities found in plasma cell dyscrasias. While some consensus statements have advocated for vitamin D testing and routine supplementation in MGUS, there is no clear standard of care approach and clinical practice patterns vary. Further research is needed to better understand how vitamin D influences outcomes in MGUS patients. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3016-8 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Guilan Cai; Yini Wang; Xiaojing Liu; Yanfei Han; Zhao Wang Pages: 1279 - 1285 Abstract: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by proliferation and diffuse infiltration multiple organs with histiocytes, including the central nervous system (CNS). Neurological manifestations of HLH have been recognized in different studies with children, but they remain relatively ill-defined in adults with HLH. From March 2008 to October 2014, 289 adult patients with HLH were admitted to our center. Clinical, radiological, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) data of the patients with CNS involvement were reviewed, and a retrospective study in our single-center was carried out. CNS involvement was observed in 29 patients (10%) either in their diagnosis process or during disease course. CNS symptoms included disturbance of consciousness, cranial nerve palsies, seizures, headache, limb paralysis, irritability, meningism, and memory loss. CSF analysis was conducted in 17 patients (59%). Among them, 11 patients (65%) were reported as having abnormal CSF. Neuroradiological studies were performed in 25 patients (86%). Among the 13 cases that underwent CT scan, one patient hemorrhaged. Single or multiple hypodense foci were detected in the other 2 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were found in 15 patients, including focal lesions in cortical and adjacent subcortical regions with or without variable nodular or ring contrast-enhancement, multiple lesions in white matter, diffuse white matter signal changes, and meningeal enhancement. Basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem lesions were also observed. CNS involvement could also be found in adult patients with HLH, but not as frequent as it was in children. The clinical manifestations could be diversified. By carrying out rigorous CNS examinations, an early diagnosis could be made and it was of the utmost importance for the prevention of further lesions. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3035-5 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Yesica Bestach; Virginia Palau Nagore; María G. Flores; Jacqueline González; Jorge Arbelbide; Nora Watman; Yamila Sieza; Irene Larripa; Carolina Belli Pages: 1287 - 1295 Abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogeneous group of hematologic disorders characterized by cytopenia(s) and predisposition to leukemic progression. An immune dysregulation and an aberrant bone marrow microenvironment seem to be key elements in the physiopathological process of MDS. In order to evaluate a possible association between susceptibility and clinic-pathologic features, we genotyped 153 MDS patients for functional cytokine polymorphisms: TNF (−308 G/A), IFNG (+874 A/T and +875 CAn), IL6 (−174 G/C), and TGFB1 (+869 C/T and +915 G/C). The frequency of TNF and IL6 polymorphisms was different between patients and healthy controls (n = 131), suggesting a relatedness to MDS susceptibility in our population. Furthermore, the presence of each or both high-producing genotypes [TNF: p = 0.048, odds ratio (OR): 3.979; IL6: p = 0.001, OR: 6.835; both: p = 0.010, OR: 6.068] and thrombocytopenia at platelet counts of <50,000/μL (p = 0.004, OR: 4.857) were independently associated with an increased risk of manifesting a hemoglobin level of <8 g/dL at diagnosis. In particular, a severe bicytopenia was more frequently observed in patients with the TNF (high)_IL6 (high) combined genotype (p = 0.004, OR: 8.357), who consistently became transfusion dependent earlier (2.9 vs. 34.6 months; p = 0.001); and this likelihood was more evident in patients with lower bone marrow blast counts. The contribution of the remaining functional polymorphisms to the disease phenotype was less relevant. Our results demonstrate that TNF and IL6 gene polymorphisms, as underlying host features, are likely to play a key role in influencing the severity of the cytopenias in MDS and they may be instrumental for tailoring cytokine-target therapies. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3036-4 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Irene Bertozzi; Giulia Bogoni; Giacomo Biagetti; Elena Duner; Anna Maria Lombardi; Fabrizio Fabris; Maria Luigia Randi Pages: 1297 - 1302 Abstract: The most common causes of morbidity and mortality in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. The JAK2V617F mutation, commonly found in MPN, correlates with several clinical and laboratory characteristics even if the relevance of JAK2V617F allele burden in the natural history of these diseases is unclear. In this study we searched, a relation between thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications and JAK2V617F allele burden level in MPN patients. We evaluated 253 consecutive MPN [121 essential thrombocythemia (ET), 124 polycythemia vera (PV), and 8 primary myelofibrosis (PMF)] patients in whom the JAK2V617F allele burden was available, all studied and followed (median 8.8 years) in our department. Patients were stratified accordingly to their JAK2V617F allele burden, into four quartiles (1st <25%, 2nd 26–50%, 3rd 51–75%, and 4th >75%). Significantly higher incidence of thromboses (p = 0.001) and hemorrhages (p < 0.001) during follow-up has been observed in higher quartiles when compared to lower ones. Thrombosis- and hemorrhage-free survivals were poorer in patients belonging to the highest quartile. Our data suggest that MPN patients with JAK2V617F allele burden higher than 75% have to be considered as high risk patients, being prone to develop thrombo-hemorrhagic complications during the disease course. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3040-8 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Giuseppe Saglio; Philipp le Coutre; Jorge Cortes; Jiří Mayer; Philip Rowlings; François-Xavier Mahon; Glenn Kroog; Kyna Gooden; Milayna Subar; Neil P. Shah Pages: 1303 - 1313 Abstract: With high survival rates for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), emerging consequences, such as arterial ischemic events, require consideration when evaluating treatment options. Cardiovascular ischemic event incidence in clinical trials was evaluated in 2712 dasatinib-treated patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias from 11 first- and second-line trials (pooled), newly diagnosed CML patients treated with dasatinib or imatinib (DASISION), and prostate cancer patients treated with dasatinib or placebo plus docetaxel/prednisone (READY). Overall, 2–4% of dasatinib-treated patients had cardiovascular ischemic events. Most dasatinib-treated patients with an event had a history of and/or risk factor for atherosclerosis (pooled 77 with history/risk and event/96 with events; DASISION 8/10; READY 15/18). Most cardiovascular ischemic events occurred within 1 year of initiating dasatinib (pooled 69/96; DASISION 7/10; READY 16/18). Comparison of observed and expected event rates through standardized incidence ratios indicates that dasatinib does not increase risk for cardiovascular ischemic events compared with external reference populations. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3012-z Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Rafet Eren; Mehmet Hilmi Doğu; Servet Emir; Gülben Erdem Huq; Oğuzhan Okçu; Şermin Altındal; Osman Yokuş; Elif Suyanı Pages: 1315 - 1321 Abstract: We aimed to investigate the role of bone marrow infiltration pattern (BMIP) and bone marrow reticulin fibrosis (BMRF) in determining treatment demand in patients with diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We retrospectively evaluated the data of 65 patients, who were followed with the diagnosis of CLL at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Department of Hematology, between July 2007 and June 2016. The median age of the patients was 64 years (range, 32–83). Twenty-three (35.4%) patients were female, and 42 (64.6%) were male. Early/mild grade BMRF was observed in 46 (70.8%) patients and advanced grade BMRF in 19 (29.2%) patients. Eleven (23.9%) of 46 patients with early/mild grade BMRF and 10 (52.9%) of 19 patients with advanced grade BMRF required treatment during follow-up (p = 0.04). According to the BMIP, 14 (21.5%) patients had diffuse and 51 (78.5%) patients had non-diffuse BMIP. Eleven (78.6%) of 14 patients with diffuse BMIP and 10 (19.6%) of 51 patients with non-diffuse BMIP required treatment during follow-up (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, both advanced grade BMRF and diffuse BMIP had an impact on occurrence of treatment demand (p = 0.028, HR = 3.535 vs. p < 0.01 HR = 15.033). Multivariate analysis also revealed diffuse BMIP to be effective (p < 0.001, HR 13.089), while advanced grade BMRF failed to significantly influence treatment demand (p = 0.140, HR 2.664). In conclusion, in the light of our findings, it is reasonable to consider that bone marrow biopsy at the time of diagnosis might provide a preliminary information about treatment demand in patients with CLL. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-2997-7 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:A. García-Noblejas; J. Cannata-Ortiz; E. Conde; E. González Barca; N. Gutiérrez; R. Rojas; M.J. Vidal; M.J. Ramírez; A. Jiménez-Ubieto; J.C. García-Ruiz; J. M. Sancho; A. López; P. Ríos Rull; S. Novelli; C. Albo; G. Debén; A. López-Guillermo; C. Nicolás; S. González de Villambrosia; S. Mercadal; A. Martín García-Sancho; R. Arranz Pages: 1323 - 1330 Abstract: Guidelines recommend autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation in first complete or partial response after regimens including rituximab (R) and high-dose AraC (HDAC), but its use beyond that response is questioned. We present a retrospective analysis of 268 patients with MCL who received ASCT. With a median follow-up for survival patients of 54 months, progression-free survival and overall survival for the whole series were 38 and 74 months, respectively, and for patients transplanted in first CR 49 and 97 months, respectively. Patients without CR before transplant were analyzed separately, those who achieved CR after transplantation had better PFS (48 vs 0.03 months, p < 0.001) and OS (92 vs 16 months, p < 0.001) than the remaining. In univariate analysis, first CR at transplant (p = 0.01) and prior rituximab (p = 0.02) were the variables associated with PFS. For OS, the same variables resulted significant (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only the status at transplant (first CR) remained significant. This retrospective study concludes that ASCT consolidation in first CR induces high survival rates. In other stages of disease, the need of ASCT as consolidation may be questioned. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-2998-6 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Yuhua Huang; Huilan Rao; Shumei Yan; Fang Wang; Qinian Wu; Yanfen Feng; Yujing Zhang Pages: 1331 - 1342 Abstract: Although extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is consistently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, the manifestation and prognostic value of serum EBV antibodies still remain unknown. One hundred and forty-one patients with ENKTCL were evaluated for serum EBV EA-IgA and VCA-IgA antibodies levels in the past 24 years in our institution. Their correlation with clinicopathological features, plasma EBV DNA load, and patients’ outcomes was analyzed. EBV EA-IgA ≥1:10 and VCA-IgA ≥1:160 were found in 18.4 and 16.3% of patients, respectively. They correlated with adverse ENKTCL profile and inferior overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). EA-IgA ≥1:10 was an independent prognostic factor on OS (RR = 2.276, p = 0.008) and associated with lower complete response (CR) rate (34.8 vs 70.6%, p = 0.001) and higher relapse rate in CR patients (62.5 vs 34.7%, p = 0.016). In subgroup analysis, both EA-IgA ≥1:10 and VCA-IgA ≥1:160 significantly correlated with inferior OS and PFS in patients with stage I/II, IPI score 0–1, plasma EBV DNA (+), and CR. Patients with plasma EBV DNA (+) and EA-IgA ≥1:10 (or VCA-IgA ≥1:160) had significantly shorter periods of OS and PFS in comparison with other corresponding groups. Elevated serum EBV EA-IgA and VCA-IgA levels were related to adverse ENKTCL profile and correlated with poor treatment response, early relapse, and poor prognosis in patients with ENKTCL. These findings provide convincing evidence for the use of serum EBV EA-IgA and VCA-IgA antibodies for risk group stratification and prognostic prediction in ENKTCL. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3013-y Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Mao Li; Yongqian Jia; Juan Xu; Xiaomin Cheng; Caigang Xu Pages: 1343 - 1351 Abstract: Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) has been shown to be associated with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of cancer patients. Our objective was to assess whether the concentration and integrity index of ccfDNA in plasma may be useful for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of patients with lymphoma. We included plasma samples from 174 lymphoma patients and 80 healthy individuals. The total concentration of ccfDNA was determined using a fluorometry method, and the DNA integrity index (DII), which is the ratio of longer to shorter DNA fragments, for the APP gene was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. The median levels of the ccfDNA concentration and the DII in patients with lymphoma were significantly higher than those in controls (both P < 0.0001). Increases in the ccfDNA concentration and the DII were associated with advanced stage disease, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, and a higher prognosis score. In patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), high levels of ccfDNA (both concentration and the DII) showed an inferior 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.001; P < 0.0001, respectively). Our study provides quantitative and qualitative evidence in favor of using ccfDNA analysis in lymphoma patients for diagnostic and prognostic assessments. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3043-5 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Yanmin Zhao; Jiasheng Wang; Yi Luo; Jimin Shi; Weiyan Zheng; Yamin Tan; Zhen Cai; He Huang Pages: 1353 - 1360 Abstract: The relative merits of reduced intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIST) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the first chronic phase (CP) in imatinib era have not been evaluated. The study was designed to compare the outcomes of combination therapy of RIST plus imatinib (RIST + IM) vs. imatinib (IM) alone for young patients with early CP (ECP) and late CP (LCP). Of the patients, 130 were non-randomly assigned to treatment with IM alone (n = 88) or RIST + IM (n = 42). The 10-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were comparable between RIST + IM and IM groups. LCP, high Sokal score, and no complete cytogenetic response at 3 months were adverse prognostic factors for survival, but only the time from diagnosis to IM was an independent predictor after multivariate analysis. For ECP, IM was similar to RIST + IM, with 10-year EFS rates of 77.2 vs. 81.6% (p = 0.876) and OS rates of 93.8 vs. 87.9% (p = 0.102), respectively. For LCP, both treatments resulted in similar survival, but more patients in the imatinib group experienced events (10-year EFS 40.8 vs. 66.7%, p = 0.047). The patients with higher EBMT risk scores had an inferior survival than those with lower scores (69.2 vs. 92.9%, p = 0.04). We concluded that RIST + IM was comparable to IM in terms of OS and EFS. However, RIST + IM was more affordable than IM alone in a 10-year scale. Thus, RIST + IM could be considered as an alternative treatment option, especially when the patients have low EBMT risk scores and demand a definite cure for CML. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3021-y Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Volker Wiebking; Sebastian Hütker; Irene Schmid; Stefanie Immler; Tobias Feuchtinger; Michael H. Albert Pages: 1373 - 1377 Abstract: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers the possibility of cure for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Unfortunately, the probability of finding an HLA-matched donor for SCD patients is low. HSCT from HLA-haploidentical donors using reduced intensity conditioning, unmanipulated bone marrow and post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (ptCy) has resulted in negligible toxicity but high rates of graft rejection. We hypothesized that combining ptCy with a myeloablative reduced toxicity conditioning including serotherapy to increase immune ablation would allow for better engraftment. In a pilot approach, we treated three patients with SCD (5, 8, and 20 years old) lacking a matched donor. All patients had severe disease-related complications despite standard treatment. They received unmanipulated bone marrow from parental HLA-haploidentical donors. Conditioning consisted of alemtuzumab 0.2 mg/kg/day on days −9 and −8, fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day on days −7 to −3, treosulfan 14 g/m2/day on days −7 to −5, thiotepa 2 × 5 mg/kg/day on day −4, and cyclophosphamide 14.5 mg/kg/day on days −3 and −2. GVHD prophylaxis was performed using cyclophosphamide 2 × 50 mg/kg on days +3 and +4 and mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus from day +5. After a follow-up of 11, 14, and 30 months, all three patients are alive and well, off immunosuppression, and without symptoms of SCD. One patient experienced mild skin GVHD grade I, none showed chronic GVHD. Asymptomatic CMV reactivation was seen in two patients. HLA-haploidentical HSCT can extend the donor pool for patients with SCD. Whether intensification of the conditioning regimen and intensive immunosuppression leads to improvement in engraftment rates while still allowing a favorable toxicity profile deserves further investigation. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3030-x Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
Authors:Annekathrin Hilken; Claudia Langebrake; Christine Wolschke; Jan Felix Kersten; Holger Rohde; Peter Nielsen; Nicolaus Kröger Pages: 1379 - 1388 Abstract: The optimal parameters and time points for the measurement of iron overload (IO) in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) patients are still under discussion. Hyperferritinemia and IO are poor prognostic factors in ASCT. We hypothesize that non-transferrin-bound iron (NBTI) is possibly a better marker to predict the effect of IO on the outcome than serum ferritin (SF), which however is not specific for IO. The aim of this prospective observational trial was to evaluate the influence of NBTI in comparison to SF on the outcome of ASCT patients [overall survival, bloodstream infections (BSIs), and invasive fungal infections (IFIs)]. We analyzed daily transferrin saturation (TSAT), SF, and NTBI (if TSAT exceeded 70%) in 100 patients who received ASCT during conditioning, and on day 0, +7, and +14 post-ASCT. After a median NTBI level of 0 μmol/l at baseline, the median of the area under the curve (AUC) of NTBI between conditioning and ASCT (d0) increased to 17 μmol*d/l, and between ASCT and day +14 to 56.3 μmol*d/l. Higher NTBI-AUC d0 resulted in a higher risk of BSI (HR 1.042, p = 0.009) and IFI (HR 1.070, p = 0.001) and showed a trend of inferior 1-year survival (65 vs. 76%, p = 0.09). Baseline SF did not influence BSI, but higher levels resulted in more IFI (HR 1.26, p < 0.001). In conclusion, NTBI possibly better predict for a higher risk of bloodstream infections than SF and needs further investigation. PubDate: 2017-08-01 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-017-3034-6 Issue No:Vol. 96, No. 8 (2017)
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