Quanshun Wang

Efficacy of Oral Cryotherapy on Oral Mucositis Prevention in Patients with Hematological Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives Controversy exists regarding whether oral cryotherapy can prevent oral mucositis (OM) in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of oral cryotherapy for OM prevention in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing HSCT. Methods PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched through October 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of oral cryotherapy with no treatment or with other interventions for OM in patients undergoing HSCT were included. The primary outcomes were the incidence, severity, and duration of OM. The secondary outcomes included length of analgesic use, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) use, and length of hospital stay. Results Seven RCTs involving eight articles analyzing 458 patients were included. Oral cryotherapy significantly decreased the incidence of severe OM (RR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.27 to 0.99) and OM severity (SMD = -2.07, 95% CI = -3.90 to -0.25). In addition, the duration of TPN use and the length of hospitalization were markedly reduced (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI = -0.92 to -0.19; SMD = -0.44, 95% CI = -0.76 to -0.13; respectively). However, the pooled results were uncertain for the duration of OM and analgesic use (SMD = -0.13, 95% CI = -0.41 to 0.15; SMD = -1.15, 95% CI = -2.57 to 0.27; respectively). Conclusions Oral cryotherapy is a readily applicable and cost-effective prophylaxis for OM in patients undergoing HSCT.

The efficacy and safety of sirolimus‐based graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

The efficacy and safety of sirolimus (SIR)‐based graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in patients who were subjected to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) remain to be clarified; this meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate these factors.

Decitabine-based chemotherapy followed by haploidentical lymphocyte infusion improves the effectiveness in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia

In this study, we first initiated a multicenter, single-arm, phase-II clinical trial using decitabine (DAC) (20mg/m2 for five days) based chemotherapy, followed by haploidentical lymphocyte infusion (HLI) that was applied as induction therapy for elderly patients with AML. Furthermore, the role of HLI infusion was explored in a mouse model. The clinical trial included 29 elderly patients (median age: 64, range 57-77) with AML. Sixteen cases achieved complete remission (CR) and 9 cases achieved partial remission (PR) after the first treatment cycle. Of the patients with PR, 5 subjects achieved remission after the second induction, which brings the overall CR rate to 72.4%. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was 59.6% and 36.9% respectively. The treatment regimen was well tolerated with only one patient died of severe pneumonia one month after the first treatment. In the mouse experiment, we found that DAC/HLI significantly enhanced the survival of leukemic mice. These results suggested that DAC-based chemotherapy combined with HLI is an alternative first line induction therapy for elderly patients with AML. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01690507).In this study, we first initiated a multicenter, single-arm, phase-II clinical trial using decitabine (DAC) (20mg/m2 for five days) based chemotherapy, followed by haploidentical lymphocyte infusion (HLI) that was applied as induction therapy for elderly patients with AML. Furthermore, the role of HLI infusion was explored in a mouse model. The clinical trial included 29 elderly patients (median age: 64, range 57-77) with AML. Sixteen cases achieved complete remission (CR) and 9 cases achieved partial remission (PR) after the first treatment cycle. Of the patients with PR, 5 subjects achieved remission after the second induction, which brings the overall CR rate to 72.4%. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was 59.6% and 36.9% respectively. The treatment regimen was well tolerated with only one patient died of severe pneumonia one month after the first treatment. In the mouse experiment, we found that DAC/HLI significantly enhanced the survival of leukemic mice. These results suggested that DAC-based chemotherapy combined with HLI is an alternative first line induction therapy for elderly patients with AML. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01690507).

Piperacillin-tazobactam vs. imipenem-cilastatin as empirical therapy in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients with febrile neutropenia.

This randomized, dual‐center study compared the efficacy and safety of piperacillin‐tazobactam (PTZ) and imipenem‐cilastatin (IMP) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with febrile neutropenia. HSCT recipients with febrile neutropenia were randomized into two groups receiving either PTZ or IMP as initial empiric antibiotic. Endpoints were defervescence rate after empiric antibiotic for 48 h, success at end of therapy, and side effects. Defervescence within 48 h after empiric antibiotic was observed in 46 patients with PTZ (75.4%) and 59 patients with IMP (95.2%) (p = 0.002). Ten patients (10/46) in the PTZ group and two patients (2/59) in the IMP group switched empiric antibiotics due to recurrent fever (p = 0.005). Success of initial antibiotic with modification was achieved in 34 patients with PTZ (55.7%) and 53 patients with IMP (85.5%) at the end of therapy (p = 0.001). To treat the bacteremia, seven of 10 patients in the PTZ group and one of eight patients in the IMP group needed to switch the empiric antibiotic (p = 0.025). Compared with PTZ, IMP had more gastrointestinal adverse events (p = 0.045). This study demonstrates that IMP had better efficacy than PTZ as an empiric antibiotic for febrile neutropenia in the HSCT setting, but with more gastrointestinal side reactions.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a rare and serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) or solid organ transplantation. MATERIAL/METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the occurrence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in allo-HSCT recipients over 12 years in a single center in China. A total of 343 patients received allo-HSCT. The conditioning therapy consisted of a busulfan/cyclophosphamide-based regimen, a fludarabine/cyclophosphamide-based regimen, or total-body irradiation and cyclophosphamide. In transplantations from unrelated donors and haplo-identical donors, patients also received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or thymoglobulin as part of the conditioning. RESULTS Five of the 343 patients (1.46%) were diagnosed with PTLD and all 5 were given ATG as part of conditioning. Among these 5 patients, 4 had lymphoid neoplasm before transplantation. EBV-positivity was confirmed in 4 patients. All 5 PTLD patients received reduction of immunosuppression (RI) as fundamental therapy. At follow-up on April 1, 2013, 1 patient had survived for 2 years and 1 had survived for 9 years. The correlation of PTLD with ATG and underlying diseases were examined by statistical analysis using the chi-squared test or Fishers exact test (P=0.011 and 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Although only 1.46% of patients progressed to PTLD associated with ATG and underlying diseases, the mortality was still high. Moreover, RI can be an effective therapy for PTLD patients, but other approaches should be further explored.

Long-term outcomes of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for 38 patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE In this study, to investigate clinical characteristics, response, outcome, and prognosis of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). METHODS This study retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of PBSCT in 38 patients with PTCL. Kaplan-Meier methods were used in survival analysis, and the Cox regression model was applied in multivariate analysis. There were ten clinical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 46%, and the 5-year OS was 34% after a median follow-up of 40 months. The patients who received allogeneic PBSCT (allo-PBSCT) had a higher nonrelapse mortality than autologous PBSCT (auto-PBSCT), but they could achieve a longer-term disease-free survival in the former, which OS could achieve 40%. Survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier method showed the pretransplant disease status, B symptoms, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in early (>275 U/L), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score (>1), prognostic index for PTCL score (>2) were all prognostic factors for posttransplant OS. Pretransplant disease status is the only prognostic factor for allo-PBSCT. CONCLUSION The key was to reducing transplant-related mortality of allo-PBSCT by reduced-intensity conditioning. Factors such as level of early serum LDH, extranodal involvement, B symptoms, ECOG score, Ann Arbor stage, and pretransplant disease status were all related to the prognosis of patients treated with PBSCT. Allo-PBSCT maybe suggested as the first line therapy for late-stage PTCL patients who could reach treatment remission before transplantation.

Bilineal Extramedullary Blast Crisis as an Initial Presentation of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Male, 49 Final Diagnosis: T-lymphoid/myeloid bilineal blastic transformation of CML Symptoms: Rapidly enlarging mass in left neck Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Biopsy of the left submandibular lymph nodes Specialty: Hematology Objective: Rare co-existance of disease or pathology Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome generated by the reciprocal translocation t(9: 22)(q34;q11). CML is usually diagnosed in the chronic phase. Blast crisis represents an advanced phase of CML. Extramedullary blast crisis as the initial presentation of CML with bone marrow remaining in chronic phase is an unusual event. Further, extramedullary blast crisis with T lymphoid/myeloid bilineal phenotype as an initial presentation for CML is extremely unusual. Case Report: Here, we report the case of a 49-year-old male with rapidly enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. Biopsy specimen from the nodes revealed a characteristic appearance with morphologically and immunohistochemically distinct myeloblasts and T lymphoblasts co-localized in 2 adjacent regions, accompanied by chronic phase of the disease in bone marrow. The presence of the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene within both cellular populations in this case confirmed the extramedullary disease represented a localized T lymphoid/myeloid bilineal blastic transformation of CML. After 3 courses of combined chemotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, the mass was completely regressed with a 3-log decrease in BCR/ABL1 transcript from baseline. Five months after the diagnosis, the patient showed diminished vision, hand tremors, and weakness of lower extremities. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of cerebrospinal fluid revealed the presence of myeloid blasts. An isolated central nervous system relapse of leukemia was identified. Following high-dose systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, the patient continued to do well. Conclusions: The possibility of extramedullary blast crisis as an initial presentation in patients with CML should be considered. Further, an isolated central nervous system blast crisis should be considered if neurological symptoms evolve in patients who have shown a good response to therapy.

Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of Cytarabine with Different Regimens in Postremission Consolidation Therapy for Adult t(8;21) AML Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China

Background: The survival of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) was reported to be shorter in China than in other countries. Patients: We analyzed the correlation between different cytarabine (Ara-c) regimens and outcome in 255 t(8;21) AML patients in China who received postremission consolidation chemotherapy only. Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) of the high-dose Ara-c group (HDAC; 2≤ Ara-c ≤3 g/m2), intermediate-dose Ara-c group (MDAC; 1.0≤ Ara-c <2.0 g/m2), low-dose Ara-c group (LDAC; 0.2< Ara-c <1.0 g/m2) and standard-dose Ara-c group (SDAC; 0.1≤ Ara-c ≤0.2 g/m2) were 65.3, 39.4, 25.2 and 27.9%, respectively (p = 0.003). In the HDAC group, but not in the MDAC group, the 5-year OS of patients who achieved 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy was superior to those who underwent 1-2 cycles (84.4 vs. 43.6%, p < 0.05), and the 3-year OS of patients who achieved an accumulated 36 g/m2 of Ara-c was significantly higher compared to those who did not (85.3 vs. 39.2%, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that factors such as WBC >3.5 × 109/l, PLT ≤30 × 109/l, and extramedullary infiltration were associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion: The survival of t(8;21) AML patients treated with high-dose Ara-c (≥2 g/m2) was superior to other dose levels in postremission consolidation chemotherapy. Patient survival was improved by 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy with an accumulated concentration of 36 g/m2 of Ara-c. WBC >3.5 × 109/l, PLT ≤30 × 109/l and extramedullary infiltration could be indicative of a poor clinical prognosis.

Secondary antifungal prophylaxis in hematological malignancy patients with previous invasive fungal disease: a retrospective analysis.

Background Invasive fungal disease (IFD) causes morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancy. Recurrence of IFD after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with poor prognosis. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of different strategies of secondary antifungal prophylaxis (SAP) for IFD and choose an appropriate SAP regimen. Methods Clinical data of patients with previous IFD who underwent chemotherapy or HSCT between Jan 2008 and Jun 2013 were retrospectively reviewed and followed up to 180 days post-chemotherapy or HSCT. The clinical characteristics and diagnosis were analyzed according to the diagnostic criteria for IFD. The efficacy of different strategies for SAP and risk factors influencing the failure of SAP were evaluated. Results Of the 164 patients enrolled, 121 patients received SAP regimen (73.78%), and IFD recurred in 40 patients: 16.5% (20/121) in SAP group and 46.5% (20/43) in non-SAP group. In SAP group, 58 received SAP agents which were proven effective for their previous IFD, while other 63 patients received other broad-spectrum antifungal agents. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates between these two subgroups (13.8% (8/58) vs 19.0% (12/63), P = 0.437). The IFD recurrence rates were statistically significant between patients with allogeneic HSCT and chemotherapy or autologous HSCT (25% vs 8.2%, P = 0.013). Multivariate analysis indicated that allogeneic HSCT was the independent risk factor of IFD recurrence after SAP. Conclusions Secondary antifungal prophylaxis is necessary to prevent IFD recurrence in patients with hematological malignancy, especially for patients in the setting of allogeneic HSCT.

Primary antifungal prophylaxis: decrease of invasive fungal disease incidence and reduction of risk factors in haematological patients in a 5-year retrospective study: PAP in haematological patients

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological malignancies.