Chengcheng Fu

Therapeutic effects of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) on the response and outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to analyze the factors influencing the prognosis of the disease. Retrospective analysis was performed in 27 patients with MM who had been treated by ASCT (ASCT group) and 28 patients treated with combined chemotherapy only (non-ASCT group) from May 2004 to August 2011. The impact on the depth of response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times, as well as associated prognostic factors of patients with MM, were analyzed. All patients successfully underwent hematopoietic reconstruction without transplantation-related mortality. The complete remission (CR) rate of patients in the ASCT group significantly increased from 25.9% (7/27) before ASCT to 70.4% (19/27) following ASCT (P<0.01). The probability of OS for 5 years was 52.2% for the patients in the ASCT group and 33.1% for those in the non-ASCT group (P>0.05). Univariate analysis in the ASCT group demonstrated that maintenance and consolidation therapies were associated with significant increases in PFS (P=0.01) and OS (P<0.01) times. The present study demonstrated that ASCT further increases the CR rate, prolongs PFS time and potentially increases the OS time. Incorporation of these novel agents, including the protea-some inhibitor bortezomib and the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide, into the induction, consolidation and maintenance phases has optimized the anti-myeloma activity of ASCT.

Prognostic analysis of DLBCL patients and the role of upfront ASCT in high-intermediate and high-risk patients

The role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as a frontline treatment in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are in their first remission has not been fully elucidated in the rituximab era. We analyzed 272 DLBCL patients who received 4–6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or R-CHOP followed by ASCT, from January 2005 to June 2013 in our institution. Multivariate analysis showed the none germinal center B cell (non-GCB) subtype (P=0.014, P=0.012) and International Prognostic Index (IPI) (3–5) (P=0.004, P=0.016) were independent unfavorable predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. To investigate the treatment effect of upfront ASCT, we selected 94 high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after R-CHOP, with 41 in the ASCT and 53 in the non-ASCT groups. Survival analysis revealed patients who received upfront ASCT compared with those who did not had better OS (3-year OS: 74.5% vs. 50.4%, P=0.029) or PFS (3-year PFS: 59.6% vs. 32.1%, P=0.004), suggesting up-front ASCT following R-CHOP could improve the outcome of high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL patients.The role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as a frontline treatment in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are in their first remission has not been fully elucidated in the rituximab era. We analyzed 272 DLBCL patients who received 4-6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or R-CHOP followed by ASCT, from January 2005 to June 2013 in our institution. Multivariate analysis showed the none germinal center B cell (non-GCB) subtype (P=0.014, P=0.012) and International Prognostic Index (IPI) (3-5) (P=0.004, P=0.016) were independent unfavorable predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. To investigate the treatment effect of upfront ASCT, we selected 94 high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after R-CHOP, with 41 in the ASCT and 53 in the non-ASCT groups. Survival analysis revealed patients who received upfront ASCT compared with those who did not had better OS (3-year OS: 74.5% vs. 50.4%, P=0.029) or PFS (3-year PFS: 59.6% vs. 32.1%, P=0.004), suggesting up-front ASCT following R-CHOP could improve the outcome of high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL patients.

Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin Promotes Platelet Engraftment and Improves Prognosis of Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Aplastic Anemia after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Poor platelet graft function (PPGF) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, no optimal treatment has been recommended. This study investigated aspects of platelet recovery after allo-HSCT, including prognostic value and the effect of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO). We retrospectively analyzed 275 patients who received allo-HSCT in our center. Of them, 135 (49.1%) patients had good platelet graft function (GPGF) and 140 (50.9%) had PPGF. The latter included 59 (21.5%) patients with primary PPGF and 81 (29.4%) with secondary PPGF. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender (P = .024), lower CD34+ cell count (P = .04), and no use of rhTPO (P <.001) were associated with PPGF. The 3-year overall survival rate of patients with PPGF (58%) was significantly less than that of patients with GPGF (82%; P <.001). We further analyzed the effect of rhTPO on prognosis of patients after allo-HSCT. Although no advantage was apparent when analyzing the entire cohort, for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and aplastic anemia, rhTPO was associated with a significant survival advantage (P = .014).

Prognostic Significance of Platelet Recovery in Myelodysplastic Syndromes With Severe Thrombocytopenia

Severe thrombocytopenia is a serious condition that frequently arises in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and is associated with poor prognosis. Few studies have investigated the prognostic significance of platelet recovery in patients with MDS having thrombocytopenia. We retrospectively analyzed 117 patients with de novo MDS complicated with thrombocytopenia (platelet count [PLT] < 100 × 109/L). Patients received decitabine treatment (schedule A) or decitabine followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT; schedule B). Severe thrombocytopenia (PLT < 20 × 109/L), identified in 31 (26.5%) patients, was associated with poor survival. The PLT increased significantly after decitabine treatment in the 2 groups. Patients with thrombocytopenia treated with schedule B showed a superior prognosis compared to those treated with schedule A. On analysis of overall survival by platelet response in patients with severe thrombocytopenia, a significant survival advantage was observed in patients who achieved a platelet response, who would further benefit from allo-HSCT following decitabine therapy. The results indicate a potentially favorable prognostic impact of platelet response achieved with decitabine. Patients with MDS having severe thrombocytopenia may benefit from the effective recovery of platelets and further allo-HSCT following decitabine therapy.

Efficacy of recombinant factor VIIa for severe bleeding complicated by platelet transfusion refractoriness in patients with hematologic malignancies

INTRODUCTION Severe bleeding with platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) is a common complication associated with reduced survival in patients with hematologic malignancies. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) for severe bleeding complicated by PTR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-four patients suffering from severe bleeding with PTR hospitalized in our center between September 2012 and December 2016 were enrolled in this study. Thirty-two patients received rFVIIa (rFVIIa group) and other conventional hemostatic treatments, while the other 32 patients received conventional hemostatic treatments other than rFVIIa (control group). RESULTS The baseline parameters of patients before treatment were similar in both groups. The total response rates to hemostatic treatment at 24h and 48h were significantly higher in the rFVIIa group compared with the control group (p=0.014, p=0.020, respectively). Significantly more patients in the rFVIIa group achieved complete responses (CR) at 24h (p=0.031), 48h (p=0.039), and 72h (p=0.021) compared with the control group. The bleeding score (p=0.029), time to control bleeding (p=0.034), and activated partial thromboplastin time (p=0.021) after hemostatic treatment were significantly lower in the rFVIIa group compared with the control group. Patients who achieved a CR to rFVIIa had a significant survival advantage compared with those with a partial response/no response (p=0.020). No complications with venous or arterial thromboembolism were observed during treatment. CONCLUSIONS rFVIIa may provide effective and safe hemostasis in patients suffering from severe bleeding and PTR.

Comparison of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Versus Haploidentical Donor Stem Cell Transplantation for Favorable- and Intermediate-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients in First Complete Remission

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is an attractive postremission treatment option for patients with intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and for some favorable-risk AML patients with additional nongenetic risk factors. Autologous SCT (auto-SCT) and haploidentical donor SCT (haplo-SCT) are the widely used alternatives in cases of a lack of a HLA-matched donor. However, limited data have been published on the direct comparison between these 2 transplant types. Based on the transplant database in our center, we conducted a retrospective study involving patients with favorable- and intermediate-risk AML in first complete remission (CR1), according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline. Patients with extramedullary disease or those achieving CR by more than 2 cycles were excluded. In total, 195 patients were included in the study, 88 of whom underwent auto-SCT and 107 haplo-SCT. In the entire cohort analyses the impact of high relapse incidence in the auto-SCT group was compensated by low nonrelapse mortality (NRM), which resulted in a comparable overall survival (OS) (79.0% ± 4.6% versus 80.1% ± 5.0%, P = .769) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (66.1% ± 5.2% versus 77.4% ± 4.8%, P = .079) compared with those observed in the haplo-SCT group. However, for patients with intermediate-risk AML, NRM was similar between the groups, and haplo-SCT exhibited superior survival. In case of post-SCT relapse, patients with intermediate-risk AML showed markedly inferior 3-year OS compared with that shown by patients with favorable-risk AML (23.3% ± 9.8% versus 60.8% ± 14.3%, P = .011). In the multivariate analyses, minimal residual disease (MRD) measured by flow cytometry and gene mutation status before transplantation were independent predictors for both OS and RFS. We concluded that both auto-SCT and haplo-SCT were acceptable options for postremission treatment of patients with favorable- and intermediate-risk AML. Haplo-SCT yielded a better outcome in patients with intermediate-risk AML, but the relapse after SCT still led to a poor outcome. Clearance of MRD before SCT could improve the prognosis after transplantation.