François Lefrère

Efficacy of romiplostim in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterised by accelerated platelet destruction and decreased platelet production. Short-term administration of the thrombopoiesis-stimulating protein, romiplostim, has been shown to increase platelet counts in most patients with chronic ITP. We assessed the long-term administration of romiplostim in splenectomised and non-splenectomised patients with ITP. METHODS In two parallel trials, 63 splenectomised and 62 non-splenectomised patients with ITP and a mean of three platelet counts 30x10(9)/L or less were randomly assigned 2:1 to subcutaneous injections of romiplostim (n=42 in splenectomised study and n=41 in non-splenectomised study) or placebo (n=21 in both studies) every week for 24 weeks. Doses of study drug were adjusted to maintain platelet counts of 50x10(9)/L to 200x10(9)/L. The primary objectives were to assess the efficacy of romiplostim as measured by a durable platelet response (platelet count > or =50x10(9)/L during 6 or more of the last 8 weeks of treatment) and treatment safety. Analysis was per protocol. These studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT00102323 and NCT00102336. FINDINGS A durable platelet response was achieved by 16 of 42 splenectomised patients given romplostim versus none of 21 given placebo (difference in proportion of patients responding 38% [95% CI 23.4-52.8], p=0.0013), and by 25 of 41 non-splenectomised patients given romplostim versus one of 21 given placebo (56% [38.7-73.7], p<0.0001). The overall platelet response rate (either durable or transient platelet response) was noted in 88% (36/41) of non-splenectomised and 79% (33/42) of splenectomised patients given romiplostim compared with 14% (three of 21) of non-splenectomised and no splenectomised patients given placebo (p<0.0001). Patients given romiplostim achieved platelet counts of 50x10(9)/L or more on a mean of 13.8 (SE 0.9) weeks (mean 12.3 [1.2] weeks in splenectomised group vs 15.2 [1.2] weeks in non-splenectomised group) compared with 0.8 (0.4) weeks for those given placebo (0.2 [0.1] weeks vs 1.3 [0.8] weeks). 87% (20/23) of patients given romiplostim (12/12 splenectomised and eight of 11 non-splenectomised patients) reduced or discontinued concurrent therapy compared with 38% (six of 16) of those given placebo (one of six splenectomised and five of ten non-splenectomised patients). Adverse events were much the same in patients given romiplostim and placebo. No antibodies against romiplostim or thrombopoietin were detected. INTERPRETATION Romiplostim was well tolerated, and increased and maintained platelet counts in splenectomised and non-splenectomised patients with ITP. Many patients were able to reduce or discontinue other ITP medications. Stimulation of platelet production by romiplostim may provide a new therapeutic option for patients with ITP.

Rituximab efficacy and safety in adult splenectomy candidates with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura - results of a prospective multicenter phase 2 study

Whether rituximab could effectively and safely avoid splenectomy for adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) remains unresolved. A multicenter, prospective, open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial was conducted to assess rituximab safety and efficacy in adult splenectomy candidates with chronic ITP. Sixty patients with chronic (>or= 6 months) ITP and platelet counts less than 30 x 10(9)/L received a weekly intravenous infusion of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) for 4 weeks. All other ITP treatments were stopped. A good response was defined as a platelet count 50 x 10(9)/L or more, with at least a doubling of the initial value at 1 and 2 years after the first rituximab infusion. Patients who required another treatment during follow up were considered nonresponders. Sixteen patients experienced transient side effects that necessitated treatment discontinuation for only 1. Good 1-year responses were obtained in 40% of the patients (24/60 [95% confidence interval: 28%-52%]). At 2 years, 33.3% (20/60 patients) had good responses and 6.7% (4/60) had sustained platelet counts of 30 x 10(9)/L or more without treatment. Thirty-six (60%) patients failed to respond; 25 underwent splenectomy. Based on these results, rituximab was an apparently safe and effective splenectomy-avoiding option in some adults with chronic ITP. This trial is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00225875.

Intravenous immunoglobulin or high-dose methylprednisolone, with or without oral prednisone, for adults with untreated severe autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: a randomised, multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND Treatment of adults with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is based more on individual experience than on results of controlled studies. We compared intravenous immunoglobulin with high-dose methylprednisolone in untreated adults with severe AITP and assessed efficacy of subsequent oral steroids compared with placebo. Primary outcome was number of days with platelet count greater than 50 x 10(9)/L within the first 21 days. METHODS We did a randomised multicentre trial based on a 232 design. 122 adults with severe AITP (platelet count < or =20 x 10(9)/L) were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous immunoglobulin or high-dose methylprednisolone on days 1-3 (randomisation A), and then to receive either oral prednisone or placebo (randomisation B) on days 4-21. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS Six patients were excluded from the analysis. The number of days on which platelet counts were above 50 x 10(9)/L was 18 in 56 patients receiving intravenous immunoglobulin and 14 in 60 receiving high-dose methylprednisolone (p=0.02). Percentage of patients who had platelet counts over 50 x 10(9)/L on days 2 and 5 was 7% and 79%, respectively, in the intravenous immunoglobulin group compared with 2% and 60%, respectively, in the high-dose methylprednisolone group (p=0.04). During the second treatment period, prednisone was more effective than placebo for all short-term endpoints. Patients who received intravenous immunoglobulin and prednisone had platelet count greater than 50 x 10(9)/L for 18.5 days (p=0.005), and those treated with high-dose methylprednisolone and prednisone had this count for 17.5 days. INTERPRETATION Intravenous immunoglobulin and oral prednisone seems to be more effective than high-dose methylprednisolone and oral prednisone in adults with severe AITP, although the latter treatment is effective and well tolerated.

CHOP and DHAP plus rituximab followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: a phase 2 study from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte.

Treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in younger patients remains a challenge. We report results of a phase 2 trial using cytarabine and rituximab as induction regimen before autologous stem cell transplantation. Patients younger than 66 years with stage 3 or 4 MCL were included. Treatment consisted of 3 courses of CHOP(21) with rituximab at the third one and 3 of R-DHAP. Responding patients were eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation with TAM6 or BEAM. Sixty patients were included. Median age was 57 years. Characteristics of patients were: BM involvement 85%, leukemic disease 48%, gastrointestinal involvement 52%, Performance Status > 16%, lactate dehydrogenase > 1N 38%, Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (low 55%, intermediate 38%, high 13%). The overall response rate was 93% after (R)-CHOP and 95% after R-DHAP. Although uncommon after (R)-CHOP (12%), 57% of patients were in complete response after R-DHAP. With median follow-up of 67 months, median event-free survival is 83 months, and median overall survival is not reached. Five-year overall survival is 75%. Comparison with a previous study without rituximab shows improvement of outcome (median event-free survival, 51 vs 83 months). No toxic death or unexpected toxicities were observed. This study confirms that induction with rituximab and cytarabine-based regimens is safe and effective in MCL patients. This regimen is currently compared with R-CHOP(21) induction in a multicentric European protocol.

Sequential chemotherapy by CHOP and DHAP regimens followed by high-dose therapy with stem cell transplantation induces a high rate of complete response and improves event-free survival in mantle cell lymphoma: a prospective study.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct clinico-pathological entity with a poor prognosis. We have conducted a prospective study in patients with MCL to evaluate a therapeutic strategy in which CHOP polychemotherapy was followed by DHAP if CHOP failed to induce complete remission. Responding patients then proceeded to an intensification therapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). Twenty-eight consecutive patients with newly diagnosed aggressive MCL were included. After four cycles of CHOP regimen, two complete responses (CR) were obtained (7%) and 14 (50%), five (18%) and seven (25%) patients achieved partial (PR), minor (MR) and no response, respectively (one patient died from septic complications during CHOP induction). The two patients in CR after CHOP underwent intensification with TBI, high-dose cyclophosphamide–etoposide and APBSCT. The other twenty-five patients received DHAP and in this group a response rate of 92% (21 CR (84%), two PR (8%)) was observed. Two patients had progressive disease. The twenty-three responding patients received high-dose therapy (TAM8 regimen: TBI–cytarabine–melphalan) followed by APBSCT. One of the two partial responding patients achieved CR after TAM8. After a median follow-up of 47.6 months (range, 14–70), seven patients have relapsed. Our data confirm that: (1) CHOP regimen induces a low CR rate in MCL; (2) CHOP plus DHAP appears to be much more efficient and allows a large proportion of patients to proceed to high-dose therapy in CR; (3) consolidation therapy including TBI and high-dose Arac-C followed by APBSCT may improve event-free survival.

An open-label, unit dose-finding study of AMG 531, a novel thrombopoiesis-stimulating peptibody, in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The objective of this open label, phase 1–2, multicentre trial was to evaluate the safety of AMG 531, a novel thrombopoiesis‐stimulating peptibody, and its effect on platelet counts in adults with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Four patients were assigned to each of four unit‐dose cohorts: 30, 100, 300 or 500 μg, administered subcutaneously on days 1 and 15 (or day 22 if the day 15 platelet count was >50 × 109/l). Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) monitoring, clinical laboratory studies and antibody assays. Platelet response was defined as a platelet count double the baseline value and between 50 and 450 × 109/l. Sixteen patients (10 women) were enrolled. The 500‐μg cohort was discontinued because the first patients platelet count became unacceptably high. AEs were generally expected and mild or moderate; the most frequent was headache (eight of 16 patients). Two patients experienced serious AEs related to AMG 531 (severe headache and elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase; thrombocytopenia). Platelet responses occurred with all doses and with a dose equivalent to ≥1 μg/kg in eight of 11 patients. In summary, patients tolerated AMG 531 well at the doses tested. No anti‐AMG or antithrombopoietin antibodies were detected. Doses equivalent to ≥1 μg/kg increased platelet counts.

Romiplostim safety and efficacy for immune thrombocytopenia in clinical practice: 2-year results of 72 adults in a romiplostim compassionate-use program

Romiplostim, a thrombopoietic agent with demonstrated efficacy against immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in prospective controlled studies, was recently licensed for adults with chronic ITP. Only France has allowed romiplostim compassionate use since January 2008. ITP patients could receive romiplostim when they failed to respond to successive corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, rituximab, and splenectomy, or when splenectomy was not indicated. We included the first 80 patients enrolled in this program with at least 2 years of follow-up. Primary platelet response (platelet count ≥ 50 × 10(9)/L and double baseline) was observed in 74% of all patients. Long-term responses (2 years) were observed in 47 (65%) patients, 37 (79%) had sustained platelet responses with a median platelet count of 106 × 10(9)/L (interquartile range, 75-167 × 10(9)/L), and 10 (21%) were still taking romiplostim, despite a median platelet count of 38 × 10(9)/L (interquartile range, 35-44 × 10(9)/L), but with clinical benefit (lower dose and/or fewer concomitant treatment(s) and/or diminished bleeding signs). A high bleeding score and use of concomitant ITP therapy were baseline factors predicting romiplostim failure. The most frequently reported adverse events were: arthralgias (26%), fatigue (13%), and nausea (7%). Our results confirmed that romiplostim use in clinical practice is effective and safe for severe chronic ITP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01013181.

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in adult immune thrombocytopenia: results from a prospective registry including 248 patients

We conducted a prospective multicenter registry of 248 adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with rituximab to assess safety. We also assessed response and predictive factors of sustained response. In total, 173 patients received 4 infusions of 375 mg/m(2) and 72 received 2 fixed 1-g infusions 2 weeks apart. The choice of the rituximab regimen was based on the physicians preference and not patient characteristics. Overall, 38 patients showed minor intolerance to rituximab infusions; infusions had to be stopped for only 3 patients. Seven showed infection (n = 11 cases), with an incidence of 2.3 infections/100 patient-years. Three patients died of infection 12 to 14 months after rituximab infusions, but the role of rituximab was questionable. In total, 152 patients (61%) showed an overall initial response (platelet count ≥30 × 10(9)/L and ≥2 baseline value). At a median follow-up of 24 months, 96 patients (39%) showed a lasting response. On multivariate analysis, the probability of sustained response at 1 year was significantly associated with ITP duration <1 year (P = .02) and previous transient complete response to corticosteroids (P = .05). The pattern of response was similar with the 2 rituximab regimens. With its benefit/risk ratio, rituximab used off-label may remain a valid option for treating persistent or chronic ITP in adults. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NC1101295.

Thalidomide therapy induces response in relapsed mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that cannot be cured despite aggressive therapy, including autologous stem cell transplantation. Thalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug with numerous properties that has proven effective in relapsed multiple myeloma and, to a lesser extent, in other hematological diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders. We report two cases of relapsed refractory MCL successfully treated with thalidomide.

Seroprevalence of human herpes virus 8 antibody in populations at high or low risk of transfusion, graft, or sexual transmission of viruses

BACKGROUND: The routes of transmission of human herpes virus 8 (HHV‐8) remain unclear. In particular, HHV‐8 transmission by blood components and organ transplantation is still debated and raises public health issues. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti‐HHV‐8 in selected populations of persons or patients with or without risk factors for the transmission of viral infections, in order to determine the routes of HHV‐8 transmission.