Ronit Gurion

5-azacitidine prolongs overall survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hypomethylating agents have recently been shown to improve the outcome of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. A meta-analysis and systematic review was carried out of randomized controlled trials comparing treatment with hypomethylating agents to conventional care, i.e., best supportive care or chemotherapy, in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. The outcomes assessed were overall survival, time to transformation or death, overall response rate and toxicity. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated and pooled for time-to-event data. For dichotomous data, relative risks were estimated and pooled. Four trials including 952 patients examined the effect of 5-azacitidine and decitabine. Treatment with hypomethylating agents significantly improved overall survival (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.60–0.85, three trials) and time to transformation or death (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.82, four trials). In a subgroup analysis per type of drug, these benefits could be shown for 5-azacitidine but not for decitabine. Both agents favorably influenced response rates. A higher rate of grade 3/4 adverse events was observed with their use. Since 5-azacitidine prolongs overall survival and time to transformation or death it should be highly considered in the treatment of patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Further studies are needed to establish the exact role of decitabine compared to 5-azacitidine in these patients.

Hematopoietic growth factors in aplastic anemia patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy-systematic review and meta-analysis

Immunosuppressive therapy is the treatment for aplastic anemia patients ineligible for transplantation. The role of hematopoietic growth factors as adjunct to treatment in these patients is unclear. Findings of this study indicate that the addition of hematopoietic growth factors does not affect mortality, response rate or infections occurrence. Therefore, it should not be recommended routinely as an adjunct to the immunosuppressive therapy for patients with aplastic anemia. Immunosuppressive therapy is the treatment for aplastic anemia patients ineligible for transplantation. The role of hematopoietic growth factors as adjunct to treatment in these patients is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing treatment with immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic growth factors to immunosuppressive therapy alone in patients with aplastic anemia. Two reviewers appraised the quality of trials and extracted data. For each trial, results were expressed as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous data. The addition of hematopoietic growth factors yielded no difference in overall mortality at 100 days, one year and five years [relative risks 1.33 (95% CI 0.56–3.18), relative risks 0.90 (95% CI 0.50–1.63) and relative risks 0.89 (95% CI 0.55–1.46), respectively]. There was no difference in overall hematologic response and in the occurrence of infections. HGF significantly decreased the risk for relapse, relative risks 0.45 (95% CI 0.30–0.68, 3 trials). Hematopoietic growth factors were not associated with higher occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The addition of hematopoietic growth factors does not affect mortality, response rate or infections occurrence. Therefore, it should not be recommended routinely as an adjunct to the immunosuppressive therapy for patients with aplastic anemia.

Has the time for first-line treatment with second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia already come? Systematic review and meta-analysis

Second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently been introduced as first-line treatment for chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors versus imatinib as first-line treatment for these patients. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors to imatinib as first-line treatment in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia patients. Outcomes assessed were: complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response at 12, 18 and 24 months, all-cause mortality and progression to accelerated phase/blastic crisis at 12, 18 and 24 months, and chronic myelogenous leukemia related mortality and toxicity at last follow up. Relative risks were estimated and pooled using a fixed effect model. Our search yielded four trials including 2,120 patients. At 12 months, treatment with 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors significantly improved both complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response (relative risk 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23, and 1.68, 95% CI: 1.48-1.91, respectively). While major molecular response was improved at all time points, complete cytogenetic response improved at 18 months but not at 24 months. Importantly, rate of progression to accelerated phase/blastic crisis was significantly lower with the newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors throughout all time points. Second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors improved chronic myelogenous leukemia related mortality without a statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality at 12, 18 and 24 months. We conclude that 2nd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be added safely to the first-line treatment armamentarium of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia patients. Although an advantage is suggested by surrogate parameters, longer follow up is necessary to see if this translates into superior overall survival.

High‐dose imatinib for newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients—Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Imatinib at a dose of 400 mg daily is considered frontline treatment in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP‐CML).

ATG plus cyclosporine reduces all-cause mortality in patients with severe aplastic anemia--systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immunosuppression is the therapeutic alternative for patients with aplastic anemia who are ineligible for allogeneic transplant. We aimed to assess the benefit of the combination of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine (CsA). Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials that compared ATG and CsA to ATG alone as first-line treatment for patients with severe and nonsevere aplastic anemia. The Cochrane Library, Medline, conference proceedings and references were searched until 2008. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for each trial and pooled. Results: Our search yielded 4 trials. For patients with severe aplastic anemia, there was a significant reduction in mortality in the ATG and CsA arm, which began at 3 months (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.29–0.85) and was maintained over a long follow-up of 5 years (RR = 0.58, 95 % CI 0.36–0.93). Conversely, in patients with nonsevere aplastic anemia, there was no difference in mortality. Conclusions: The combination of both drugs should be considered the gold standard only for patients with severe aplastic anemia.

Serum albumin level at diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an important simple prognostic factor

This study compared the value of several simple laboratory parameters with known prognostic models for predicting survival in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The data of 157 adult patients with DLBCL diagnosed at Rabin Medical Center in 2004–2008 and treated with R‐CHOP immunochemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Main clinical features of the cohort were as follows: mean age 63.0 years, 43% male, 63% stage III/IV disease, 28% ECOG performance status >2, 60% elevated lactate dehydrogenase level. Median duration of follow‐up was 6.6 years. The NCCN‐International Prognostic Index (IPI) was found to be a more powerful prognosticator than the IPI. Five‐year overall survival (OS) was 69.6; 73.6% for patients with intermediate NCCN‐IPI and 38.4% for patients with poor NCCN‐IPI. On univariate analysis, pretreatment hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly associated with survival. By albumin level, 5‐year OS was 77.6 + 4% in patients with >3.5 g/dl and 53 + 7% in patients with <3.5 g/dl (p < 0.001); 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 69.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p = 0.002). By hemoglobin level, 5‐year OS was 82.9 + 4.5% in patients with >12 g/dl and 58.8 + 5% in patients with <12 g/dl (p = 0.007); 5‐year PFS was 75.5% and 54.1%, respectively (p = 0.008). On multivariate analysis with Cox regression, pretreatment albumin level was a significant independent predictor of OS. Furthermore, 5‐year OS of patients with a high NCCN‐IPI and albumin < 3.5 g/dl was 29.2% compared with 60% in patients with albumin > 3.5 g/dl (p = 0.022). In conclusion, pretreatment albumin level is a strong prognostic factor for OS in patients with DLBCL and can discriminate high‐risk patients for good and poor prognosis. Copyright

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder in lung transplant recipients: a 15-year single institution experience.

Background Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-recognized complication after solid-organ transplantation. Historically, most cases of PTLD among lung transplant recipients occurred within the first year from transplantation and were associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. However, there are increasing reports on a late-onset form of PTLD. Methods We reviewed all charts of patients undergoing either lung or heart-lung transplantation in a tertiary transplantation center between the years 1997 and 2012 and compared clinical and pathologic parameters between early- and late-onset PTLD. Results Ten patients with PTLD were identified. Median (range) time from transplantation to PTLD diagnosis was 41 (4–128) months. Three patients developed early PTLD. All were pretransplantation EBV seronegative and asymptomatic when diagnosed during surveillance chest imaging. In contrast, the seven patients with late-onset PTLD were all EBV seropositive before transplantation and were symptomatic at diagnosis. Although early-onset PTLD uniformly involved the transplanted lung, this was relatively rare in late-onset PTLD (3 of 3 vs. 1 of 7). All patients were initially treated with reduction of immunosuppression, with at least one additional treatment modality used, mainly chemoimmunotherapy. Eight patients attained complete remission. With a median follow-up of 17 months, 8 patients died, mainly from treatment-related causes rather than disease progression. Conclusion Our cohort of lung transplant recipients demonstrates a trend of late-onset PTLD with the majority of patients who died of treatment-related causes rather than disease progression. Therefore, substantial efforts should be focused on treatment-related mortality reduction.

Infections associated with bendamustine containing regimens in hematological patients: a retrospective multi-center study

A multi-center retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients in Israel treated with any bendamustine containing regimen between 2010–2014 was performed in order to determine the incidence and predictors for infection. The Kaplan Meier Model, employing log rank analysis, was used to assess time-to-infection. The Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to analyze multivariate effects of risk and 234 patients were included in the analysis. One hundred and nine (46.6%) developed at least one infection and 33.76% had severe infections. Seventy-six (41.5%) developed bacterial infection, nine (3.8%) fungal infection and 26 (11.5%) had viral infections. Factors significantly associated with time to infection on multivariable analysis were: bendamustine-combinations [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.589 (95% CI = 0.374–0.926), p = 0.022], Hb level [HR = 0.791 (95% CI = 0.716–0.875), p < 0.0001] and ischemic heart disease [HR = 1.828 (95% CI = 1.165–2.868), p = 0.009]. Infections were associated with a higher mortality and hospitalization rate.

Central nervous system involvement in T-cell lymphoma: A single center experience

Abstract Background We characterized the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement, risk factors and outcome in a large single institution dataset of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Methods Retrospective review of the PTCL database at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We identified 231 patients with any subtype of PTCL between 1994–2011 with a minimum six months of follow-up or an event defined as relapse or death. Results Histologies included peripheral T-cell lymphoma–not otherwise specified (PTCL–NOS) (31.6%), angioimmunoblastic (16.9%), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), ALK- (12.1%), ALCL, ALK + (6.1%), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (7.4%), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) (7.4%), and transformed mycosis fungoides (8.7%). Seventeen patients had CNS disease (7%). Fifteen had CNS involvement with PTCL and two had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and glioblastoma. Median time to CNS involvement was 3.44 months (0.16–103.1). CNS prophylaxis was given to 24 patients (primarily intrathecal methotrexate). Rates of CNS involvement were not different in patients who received prophylaxis. Univariate analysis identified stage III–IV, bone marrow involvement, >1 extranodal site and ATLL as risk factors for CNS disease. On multivariate analysis, >1 extranodal site and international prognostic index (IPI) ≥ 3 were predictive for CNS involvement. The median survival of patients with CNS involvement was 2.63 months (0.10–75). Conclusions Despite high relapse rates, PTCL, except ATLL, carries a low risk of CNS involvement. Prognosis with CNS involvement is poor and risk factors include: >1 extra nodal site and IPI ≥3.

First line treatment with newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia associated with deep and durable molecular response – systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background: The choice of a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as first line treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is complex and influenced by multiple factors. We published a meta-analysis examining the role of newer TKIs as first line treatment in chronic phase CML. In view of the recently published data, we decided to update it. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing first line treatment with imatinib to the newer TKIs (nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib and ponatinib). We searched MEDLINE, conference proceedings and databases of ongoing trials up to August 2015. Results: Our search yielded eight trials including 3554 patients. Treatment with the newer TKIs significantly improved major molecular response (MMR) at all time points and increased the rate of complete molecular response (CMR) at 12 and 24 months [relative risk (RR) 2.58, 95% CI 1.98–3.37, six trials and RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.63–2.58, three trials, respectively]. Early molecular response at three months was better with the newer TKIs (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.26–1.40, six trials). Importantly, progression rate to accelerated or blastic phase was significantly lower with the newer TKIs at 12, 24 months and 5 years. Yet, there was no difference in all-cause mortality. The risk of adverse events requiring treatment discontinuation increased with the newer TKIs. Conclusions: With a longer follow-up, the newer TKIs remain more potent than imatinib, yet with no significant effect on survival. As CMR is a prerequisite for treatment discontinuation and cure, the newer TKIs favor treatment cessation.