Daisuke Araki

Pre- and post-transplant quantification of measurable ('minimal') residual disease via multiparameter flow cytometry in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

Measurable (‘minimal’) residual disease (MRD) before or after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) identifies adults with AML at risk of poor outcomes. Here, we studied whether peri-transplant MRD dynamics can refine risk assessment. We analyzed 279 adults receiving myeloablative allogeneic HCT in first or second remission who survived at least 35 days and underwent 10-color multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) analyses of marrow aspirates before and 28±7 days after transplantation. MFC-detectable MRD before (n=63) or after (n=16) transplantation identified patients with high relapse risk and poor survival. Forty-nine patients cleared MRD with HCT conditioning, whereas two patients developed new evidence of disease. The 214 MRDneg/MRDneg patients had excellent outcomes, whereas both MRDneg/MRDpos patients died within 100 days following transplantation. For patients with pre-HCT MRD, outcomes were poor regardless of post-HCT MRD status, although survival beyond 3 years was only observed among the 58 patients with decreasing but not the seven patients with increasing peri-HCT MRD levels. In multivariable models, pre-HCT but not post-HCT MRD was independently associated with overall survival and risk of relapse. These data indicate that MRDpos patients before transplantation have a high relapse risk regardless of whether or not they clear MFC-detectable disease with conditioning and should be considered for pre-emptive therapeutic strategies.

Effect of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first complete remission on post-relapse complete remission rate and survival in acute myeloid leukemia

Several studies have shown that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in first complete remission (CR1) of AML reduces the risk of relapse and improves relapse-free survival in intermediate- and poor-risk AML.[1][1] Benefits in (overall) survival are less obvious.[1][1],[2][2] One

Concurrent cetuximab and postoperative radiation in resected high-risk squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: A single-institution experience.

Postoperative cisplatin and radiation is the standard of care for high‐risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We have used cetuximab and radiation in the postoperative setting for patients deemed poor candidates for cisplatin.

Does outcome of second salvage therapy in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia depend on intensity of either first or second salvage therapy

Daisuke Araki, Megan Othus, Roland B. Walter, Pamela S. Becker, Vicky Sandhu and Elihu H. Estey Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

Concurrent cetuximab and postoperative radiation in resected high-risk squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Postoperative cisplatin and radiation is the standard of care for high‐risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We have used cetuximab and radiation in the postoperative setting for patients deemed poor candidates for cisplatin.

Concurrent cetuximab and postoperative radiation in resected high-risk squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: A single-institution experience: Cetuximab and external RT in resected SCCHN

Postoperative cisplatin and radiation is the standard of care for high‐risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We have used cetuximab and radiation in the postoperative setting for patients deemed poor candidates for cisplatin.