Tiziano Barbui

Molecular evaluation of residual disease as a predictor of relapse in acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterised by a unique fusion transcript, PML/RAR alpha. We tested for this transcript in 35 APL patients who were in apparent remission after various treatments. 11 of 13 patients who tested positive 4 months after achieving remission were in relapse 1-4 months later. All 22 patients who tested negative at 4 months were disease-free after a further 3 months to five years. The test may therefore prove useful in determining the need for additional treatment during clinical remission.

Therapy of Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia

Major causes of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are represented by thrombosis and bleeding, progression to myelofibrosis, and transformation to acute leukemia. Myelosuppressive therapy, preferentially with hydroxyurea, can reduce the rate of vascular complications, but there is some concern about an increased rate of leukemic transformation with this agent. Therefore, management of these disorders poses a significant challenge, and a risk-oriented therapeutic approach should be followed to avoid inappropriate exposure to cytotoxic drugs on one side or suboptimal treatment on the other. Established risk factors for cardiovascular events are represented by older age and previous thrombosis, while impact of novel biological factors, including leukocytosis and JAK2V617F mutational status and/or mutational burden, is under investigation. Low-risk PV patients should be managed only with phlebotomy and aspirin, while high-risk patients should also receive cytotoxic therapy. Regarding the management of ET, there is no clear indication for intervention in low-risk patients, while high-risk patients should be managed with chemotherapy. Other therapeutic options, such as interferon alpha or anagrelide, may find place in selected patients including those who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea.