Topic Editors

Department of Hematology and Sciences Oncology, Institute of Haematology “L. and A. Seràgnoli” S. Orsola, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, 47014 Meldola, Italy

Myeloma and Leukemia-Challenges and Current Treatment Options

Abstract submission deadline
closed (20 March 2024)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (20 June 2024)
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

After years of stagnation in the field, in recent years, we have entered into a new era in multiple myeloma and acute leukemia therapy with the discovery of many novel agents. This was due to better knowledge of the biology of the diseases, and of the pathogenesis-related pathways, with the advent of new combinations of drugs and new therapy development, together with an improved understanding of the immune system, resulting in great progress in the development of immune therapies for the treatment of patients, including monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell approaches. The numerous ongoing trials evaluating these new opportunities, also considering real-life experiences, are helping to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of these drugs in daily clinical practice. This Special Issue aims to focus on novel agents and their combinations. Focus will be placed on the efficacy of novel drugs and promising combination approaches to further improve outcomes in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and acute leukemia. 

We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, interesting case reports, and interim data of clinical trials.

Dr. Giovanni Martinelli
Dr. Claudio Cerchione
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • acute leukemia
  • acute myeloid leukemia
  • acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • novel agents
  • target therapy
  • CAR-T cellular therapy

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
BioMedInformatics
biomedinformatics
- 1.7 2021 21.3 Days CHF 1000
Cancers
cancers
4.5 8.0 2009 16.3 Days CHF 2900
Current Oncology
curroncol
2.8 3.3 1994 17.6 Days CHF 2200
Hemato
hemato
0.9 1.3 2020 22.2 Days CHF 1000
Hematology Reports
hematolrep
1.1 0.9 2009 32.8 Days CHF 1600

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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12 pages, 2480 KiB  
Article
First-Line Combination with Proteasome Inhibitor-Based Treatment and Zoledronic Acid Is Effective in Reducing Later Fractures in Multiple Myeloma Irrespective of Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease at Diagnosis
by Veera Eskelinen, Elise Nivakoski, Kirsi Launonen, Anu Partanen, Sakari Kakko and Milla E. L. Kuusisto
Hematol. Rep. 2024, 16(3), 529-540; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16030051 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 836
Abstract
The present study provides real-world evidence on the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease with various bisphosphonates combined for different myeloma-specific treatments as no validated data regarding the best combination treatment for bone disease associated with MM are available. We examined retrospectively [...] Read more.
The present study provides real-world evidence on the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease with various bisphosphonates combined for different myeloma-specific treatments as no validated data regarding the best combination treatment for bone disease associated with MM are available. We examined retrospectively 345 MM patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation in Finland during 1996–2020. The median age of the patients was 60 years with a median follow-up time of 50 months (1–339). At diagnosis, 72.1% of the patients had myeloma-associated bone disease and 45.8% had fractures. Most patients (58.8%) received proteasome inhibitor (PI)-containing treatment at first line. MM bone disease was treated in 91.6% of the patients; 49.9% received zoledronic acid (ZA) and 29.9% pamidronate. Inferior overall survival was associated with MM bone disease at diagnosis (p = 0.005) or a fracture at diagnosis (p = 0.003). A later fracture was identified in 29% of the patients, and in those patients without MM bone disease at diagnosis later fractures were less common after ZA treatment (p = 0.049). PI-based treatment plus ZA (p = 0.019) seemed to be the best combination to prevent later fractures, even though the same patient subgroup was more likely to experience relapse (p = 0.018), and also when excluding patients with previous induction therapy without novel agents (p = 0.008). To conclude, this study suggests that the best therapy to prevent later fractures in MM might be PI-based treatment combined with ZA. Full article
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14 pages, 1437 KiB  
Article
Clinical Validation of the Somatic FANCD2 Mutation (c.2022-5C>T) as a Novel Molecular Biomarker for Early Disease Progression in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Case–Control Study
by Nawaf Alanazi, Abdulaziz Siyal, Sulman Basit, Masood Shammas, Sarah Al-Mukhaylid, Aamer Aleem, Amer Mahmood and Zafar Iqbal
Hematol. Rep. 2024, 16(3), 465-478; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16030045 - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1569
Abstract
Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) results from chromosomal translocation t(9;22) leading to the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion oncogene. CML has three stages: the chronic phase (CP), the accelerated phase (AP), and the blast crisis (BC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) results from chromosomal translocation t(9;22) leading to the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion oncogene. CML has three stages: the chronic phase (CP), the accelerated phase (AP), and the blast crisis (BC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of CML. TKIs work well in CP-CML, and these patients have a survival rate similar to the normal population, but TKIs are less effective in advanced-phase CML. Even with current advances in treatment, BC-CML patients have an average overall survival of less than a year. Early recognition of CML patients at risk of disease progression can help in timely interventions with appropriate TKIs or other therapeutic modalities. Although some markers of disease progression like BCR-ABL kinase domain, ASXL1, and GATA2 mutations are available, no universal and exclusively specific molecular biomarkers exist to early diagnose CML patients at risk of CML progression for timely therapeutic interventions to delay or minimize blast crisis transformation in CML. A recent study found that all BC-CML patients harbored the FANCD2 (c.2022-5C>T) mutation. Therefore, the current study was designed to detect this FANCD2 mutant in AP-CML (early progression phase) and to clinically validate its potential as a novel molecular biomarker of early CML progression from CP to AP. Methods: Our study comprised 123 CP-CML (control group) and 60 AP-CML patients (experimental group) from 2 oncology centers, from January 2020 to July 2023. Mean hemoglobin level, WBC count, platelet count, treatment type, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and survival status of AP-CML patients were significantly different from those of CP-CML patients. However, as these clinical parameters cannot help in the early detection of patients at risk of CML progression, there was a need for a clinically validated biomarker of AP-CML. DNA was extracted from the patients’ blood samples, and the FANCD2 gene was sequenced using an Illumina NextSeq500 next-generation sequencer (NGS). Results: The NGS analysis revealed a unique splice-site mutation in the FANCD2 gene (c.2022-5C>T). This mutation was detected in the majority (98.3%) of AP-CML patients but in none of the CP-CML patients or healthy control sequences from genomic databases. The mutation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. FANCD2 is a member of the Fanconi anemia pathway genes involved in DNA repair and genomic stability, and aberrations of this gene are associated with many cancers. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study shows that the somatic FANCD2 (c.2022-5C>T) mutation is a new molecular biomarker for early CML progression. We recommend further clinical validation of this biomarker in prospective clinical trials. Full article
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19 pages, 295 KiB  
Review
Review of CAR T-Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: A Canadian Perspective
by Steven Chun-Min Shih and Sita Bhella
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(7), 3949-3967; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31070292 - 6 Jul 2024
Viewed by 3139
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy. In the context of the current standard of care therapies in Canada, outcomes among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), particularly those with triple-class (or more) refractory disease remain poor. Immunotherapies have significantly changed [...] Read more.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy. In the context of the current standard of care therapies in Canada, outcomes among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), particularly those with triple-class (or more) refractory disease remain poor. Immunotherapies have significantly changed the treatment landscape of MM. Since 2021, two BCMA-targeting CAR T-cell therapy products have been approved for RRMM—namely Idecabtagene vicleucel (Ide-cel) (ABECMA®) and Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Cilta-cel) (CARVYKTI®), both of which are available in the US and Europe. Although they have shown unprecedented efficacy in RRMM, their clinical and logistical limitations must be acknowledged. MM CAR T-cell therapy is likely to be approved in Canada soon. Therefore, it is timely that we review the latest evidence for commercially available CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma, with a focus on its relevance and impact in the Canadian setting. There will be challenges to access and strategies must be in place to ensure equitable care for all Canadians with MM. Alongside haematologists working in the immune effector cell therapy programs, providers in the community will also play a role in the ongoing monitoring and management of long-term side effects including opportunistic infections and late neurotoxicity. Full article
7 pages, 431 KiB  
Case Report
Blinatumomab in Children with MRD-Positive B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report of 11 Cases
by Yi-Lun Wang, Tsung-Yen Chang, Yu-Chuan Wen, Shu-Ho Yang, Yi-Wen Hsiao, Chia-Chi Chiu, Yu-Chieh Chen, Ruei-Shan Hu, Shih-Hsiang Chen, Tang-Her Jaing and Chih-Cheng Hsiao
Hematol. Rep. 2024, 16(2), 347-353; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16020035 - 3 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1295
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains an unresolved matter of concern regarding adverse outcomes. This case study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of blinatumomab, with or without door lymphocyte infusion (DLI), in treating measurable residual disease (MRD)-positive B-ALL. Methods: All patients [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains an unresolved matter of concern regarding adverse outcomes. This case study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of blinatumomab, with or without door lymphocyte infusion (DLI), in treating measurable residual disease (MRD)-positive B-ALL. Methods: All patients who received blinatumomab salvage therapy were included in this study. Eleven patients were included in the study. All patients were evaluated for MRD-negativity. Results: Before starting blinatumomab therapy, seven patients tested positive for MRD, three tested negative, and one had refractory disease. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was reserved for five patients with persistent MRD. Six patients became MRD-negative and subsequent HCT was not performed. Only two patients relapsed; one patient died of relapse, and the other one received carfilzomib-based therapy and was MRD-negative thereafter. Nine patients were MRD-negative at a median follow-up of 28 months (15–52 months). Two of three MRD-positive post-transplant patients remained in complete molecular remission after preemptive DLI at the last follow-up date. In the first salvage, blinatumomab may achieve complete remission and bridging to HCT in pediatric patients with end-of-induction MRD-positive B-cell precursor ALL. Conclusions: The decision on how to treat post-transplant relapse continues to affect survival outcomes. Blinatumomab combined with DLI may extend the armamentarium of release options for high-risk pediatric patients. This approach is encouraging for high-risk ALL patients who are MRD-positive post-transplantation. Full article
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10 pages, 559 KiB  
Review
Relapse Prevention in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Role of Immunotherapy with Histamine Dihydrochloride and Low-Dose Interleukin-2
by Pau Montesinos, Francesco Buccisano, Thomas Cluzeau, Lovisa Vennström and Michael Heuser
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101824 - 10 May 2024
Viewed by 1060
Abstract
The treatment and management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved in recent decennia by targeted therapy for subgroups of patients, expanded indications for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and surveillance of residual or arising leukemia. However, hematological relapse among patients who have [...] Read more.
The treatment and management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved in recent decennia by targeted therapy for subgroups of patients, expanded indications for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and surveillance of residual or arising leukemia. However, hematological relapse among patients who have attained complete remission (CR) after the initial courses of chemotherapy remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Here, we review an immunotherapeutic option using histamine dihydrochloride and low-dose interleukin-2 (HDC/LD-IL-2) for remission maintenance in AML. The treatment is approved in Europe in the post-consolidation phase to avoid relapse among patients in CR who are not candidates for upfront allo-SCT. We present aspects of the purported anti-leukemic mechanism of this regimen, including translation of preclinical results into the clinical setting, along with relapse prevention in subgroups of patients. We consider that HDC/LD-IL-2 is a conceivable option for younger adults, in particular patients with AML of normal karyotype and those with favorable responses to the initial chemotherapy. HDC/LD-IL-2 may form an emerging landscape of remission maintenance in AML. Full article
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11 pages, 821 KiB  
Article
Late Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients Treated for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Relapse Incidence, Characteristics, Role of Conditioning Regimen, and Outcome
by Chloé Antier, Maxime Jullien, Benoît Tessoulin, Marion Loirat, Pierre Peterlin, Alice Garnier, Amandine Le Bourgeois, Patrice Chevallier and Thierry Guillaume
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1419; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071419 - 5 Apr 2024
Viewed by 2880
Abstract
Late relapse, beyond 2 years following alloHSCT for AML, is rare. Among the 376 patients allografted for AML in our center between 1990 and 2016, 142 (38%) relapsed. The majority (68%) of relapses occurred during the first year following transplantation. Beyond 2 years [...] Read more.
Late relapse, beyond 2 years following alloHSCT for AML, is rare. Among the 376 patients allografted for AML in our center between 1990 and 2016, 142 (38%) relapsed. The majority (68%) of relapses occurred during the first year following transplantation. Beyond 2 years after alloHSCT, relapse was observed in 26 patients, representing 6.9% of the whole transplanted cohort and 18.3% of the relapsing patients. Cytogenetics at relapse was available in 21 patients and remained for 15 of them concordant to that at diagnosis. The majority (85.7%) of the patients were in CR prior to transplant. Thirteen patients had grade 1–2 acute GvHD, while 13 other patients had grade 3–4 acute GvHD. None of these patients subsequently developed chronic GvHD. In multivariate analyses, a predictive factor of the absence of relapse 2 years after transplantation was the development of extensive chronic GVHD. Salvage therapy achieved new CR in 77% of these patients. We conclude that late relapse can affect a significant minority of patients allografted for AML, and the intensity of the conditioning regimen does not seem to have an impact on these relapses. Moreover, we were able to show that those patients can receive effective salvage therapy. Full article
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19 pages, 527 KiB  
Guidelines
Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC) Consensus-Based Guideline 2024 for Management and Treatment of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Future Directions for Development
by Dennis Dong Hwan Kim, Gizelle Popradi, Kylie Lepic, Kristjan Paulson, David Allan, Ram Vasudevan Nampoothiri, Sylvie Lachance, Uday Deotare, Jennifer White, Mohamed Elemary, Kareem Jamani, Christina Fraga, Christopher Lemieux, Igor Novitzky-Basso, Arjun Datt Law, Rajat Kumar, Irwin Walker and Kirk R. Schultz
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(3), 1426-1444; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31030108 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3211
Abstract
This is a consensus-based Canadian guideline whose primary purpose is to standardize and facilitate the management of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) across the country. Creating uniform healthcare guidance in Canada is a challenge for a number of reasons including the differences in healthcare [...] Read more.
This is a consensus-based Canadian guideline whose primary purpose is to standardize and facilitate the management of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) across the country. Creating uniform healthcare guidance in Canada is a challenge for a number of reasons including the differences in healthcare authority structure, funding and access to healthcare resources between provinces and territories, as well as the geographic size. These differences can lead to variable and unequal access to effective therapies for GvHD. This document will provide comprehensive and practical guidance that can be applied across Canada by healthcare professionals caring for patients with cGvHD. Hopefully, this guideline, based on input from GvHD treaters across the country, will aid in standardizing cGvHD care and facilitate access to much-needed novel therapies. This consensus paper aims to discuss the optimal approach to the initial assessment of cGvHD, review the severity scoring and global grading system, discuss systemic and topical treatments, as well as supportive therapies, and propose a therapeutic algorithm for frontline and subsequent lines of cGvHD treatment in adults and pediatric patients. Finally, we will make suggestions about the future direction of cGvHD treatment development such as (1) a mode-of-action-based cGvHD drug selection, according to the pathogenesis of cGvHD, (2) a combination strategy with the introduction of newer targeted drugs, (3) a steroid-free regimen, particularly for front line therapy for cGvHD treatment, and (4) a pre-emptive approach which can prevent the progression of cGvHD in high-risk patients destined to develop severe and highly morbid forms of cGvHD. Full article
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12 pages, 2082 KiB  
Article
Inhibition of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Induces Blast Differentiation, Impairs Engraftment and Prolongs Survival in Murine Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
by Sydney Fobare, Ola A. Elgamal, Mark Wunderlich, Emily Stahl, Abeera Mehmood, Casie Furby, James R. Lerma, Thomas M. Sesterhenn, Jianmin Pan, Jayesh Rai, Megan E. Johnstone, Amina Abdul-Aziz, Mariah L. Johnson, Shesh N. Rai, John C. Byrd and Erin Hertlein
Cancers 2024, 16(3), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16030569 - 29 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1562
Abstract
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the malignant proliferation of immature myeloid cells characterized by a block in differentiation. As such, novel therapeutic strategies to promote the differentiation of immature myeloid cells have been successful in AML, although these agents are targeted to [...] Read more.
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the malignant proliferation of immature myeloid cells characterized by a block in differentiation. As such, novel therapeutic strategies to promote the differentiation of immature myeloid cells have been successful in AML, although these agents are targeted to a specific mutation that is only present in a subset of AML patients. In the current study, we show that targeting the epigenetic modifier enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) can induce the differentiation of immature blast cells into a more mature myeloid phenotype and promote survival in AML murine models. Methods: The EZH2 inhibitor EPZ011989 (EPZ) was studied in AML cell lines, primary in AML cells and normal CD34+ stem cells. A pharmacodynamic assessment of H3K27me3; studies of differentiation, cell growth, and colony formation; and in vivo therapeutic studies including the influence on primary AML cell engraftment were also conducted. Results: EPZ inhibited H3K27me3 in AML cell lines and primary AML samples in vitro. EZH2 inhibition reduced colony formation in multiple AML cell lines and primary AML samples, while exhibiting no effect on colony formation in normal CD34+ stem cells. In AML cells, EPZ promoted phenotypic evidence of differentiation. Finally, the pretreatment of primary AML cells with EPZ significantly delayed engraftment and prolonged the overall survival when engrafted into immunodeficient mice. Conclusions: Despite evidence that EZH2 silencing in MDS/MPN can promote AML pathogenesis, our data demonstrate that the therapeutic inhibition of EZH2 in established AML has the potential to improve survival. Full article
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13 pages, 1057 KiB  
Article
Blinatumomab and Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Sequential Use for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Real-Life Campus All Study
by Nicola Stefano Fracchiolla, Mariarita Sciumè, Cristina Papayannidis, Antonella Vitale, Sabina Chiaretti, Mario Annunziata, Fabio Giglio, Prassede Salutari, Fabio Forghieri, Davide Lazzarotto, Monia Lunghi, Annalisa Imovilli, Barbara Scappini, Massimiliano Bonifacio, Michelina Dargenio, Carmela Gurrieri, Elisabetta Todisco, Marzia Defina, Maria Ilaria Del Principe, Patrizia Zappasodi, Marco Cerrano, Lidia Santoro, Elena Tagliaferri, Enrico Barozzi, Pasquale De Roberto, Marta Canzi, Elisa Buzzatti, Chiara Sartor, Francesco Passamonti, Robin Foà and Antonio Curtiadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Cancers 2023, 15(18), 4623; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15184623 - 19 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2670
Abstract
Background: Blinatumomab (Blina) and inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) has improved the outcome of relapsed/refractory B-lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). However, little is known about the outcome after recurrence and re-treatment with immunotherapy. Methods: We describe 71 R/R B-ALL patients treated for different relapses with Blina [...] Read more.
Background: Blinatumomab (Blina) and inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) has improved the outcome of relapsed/refractory B-lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). However, little is known about the outcome after recurrence and re-treatment with immunotherapy. Methods: We describe 71 R/R B-ALL patients treated for different relapses with Blina and InO. Blina was the first treatment in 57 patients and InO in 14. Twenty-seven patients had a previous allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Results: In the Blina/InO group, after Blina, 36 patients (63%) achieved a complete remission (CR), with 42% of negative minimal residual disease (MRD−); after InO, a CR was achieved in 47 patients (82%, 34 MRD−). In the InO/Blina group, after InO, 13 cases (93%) reached a CR (6 MRD−); after Blina, a CR was re-achieved in 6 cases (43%, 3 MRD−). Twenty-six patients proceeded to allo-HSCT. In the Blina/InO group, the median overall survival (OS) was 19 months; the disease-free survival (DFS) after Blina was 7.4 months (11.6 vs. 2.7 months in MRD− vs. MRD+, p = 0.03) and after InO, 5.4 months. In the InO/Blina group, the median OS was 9.4 months; the median DFS after InO was 5.1 months and 1.5 months after Blina (8.7 vs. 2.5 months in MRD− vs. MRD+, p = 0.02). With a median follow-up of 16.5 months from the start of immunotherapy, 24 patients (34%) are alive and 16 (22%) are alive in CR. Conclusion: In our series of R/R B-ALL, Blina and InO treatment demonstrate efficacy for subsequent relapses in terms of MRD response, OS and DFS, and as a bridge to allo-HSCT. Full article
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21 pages, 2425 KiB  
Article
Clinical Outcomes in a Large Canadian Centralized CLL Clinic Based on Treatment and Molecular Factors over a Decade
by Jiayu Yang, Lin Yang, Bryan Tordon, Oliver Bucher, Zoann Nugent, Ivan Landego, Nicole Bourrier, Kelsey Uminski, Kevin Brown, Mandy Squires, Aaron J. Marshall, Sachin Katyal, Salah Mahmud, Kathleen Decker, Marc Geirnaert, David E. Dawe, Spencer B. Gibson, James B. Johnston and Versha Banerji
Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30(7), 6411-6431; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30070472 - 5 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1922
Abstract
FISH cytogenetics, TP53 sequencing, and IGHV mutational status are increasingly used as prognostic and predictive markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), particularly as components of the CLL International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) and in directing therapy with novel agents. However, testing outside of clinical [...] Read more.
FISH cytogenetics, TP53 sequencing, and IGHV mutational status are increasingly used as prognostic and predictive markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), particularly as components of the CLL International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) and in directing therapy with novel agents. However, testing outside of clinical trials is not routinely available in Canada. As a centralized CLL clinic at CancerCare Manitoba, we are the first Canadian province to evaluate clinical outcomes and survivorship over a long period of time, incorporating the impact of molecular testing and the CLL-IPI score. We performed a retrospective analysis on 1315 patients diagnosed between 1960 and 2018, followed over a 12-year period, where 411 patients had molecular testing and 233 patients had a known CLL-IPI score at the time of treatment. Overall, 40.3% (n = 530) of patients received treatment, and 47.5% (n = 252) of patients received multiple lines of therapy. High-risk FISH and CLL-IPI (4-10) were associated with higher mortality (HR 2.03, p = 0.001; HR 2.64, p = 0.002), consistent with other studies. Over time, there was an increase in the use of targeted agents in treated patients. The use of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors improved survival in patients with unmutated IGHV and/or TP53 aberrations (HR 2.20, p = 0.001). The major cause of death in patients who received treatment was treatment/disease-related (32%, n = 42) and secondary malignancies (57%, n = 53) in those who were treatment-naïve. Our data demonstrate the importance of molecular testing in determining survivorship in CLL and underpinning the likely immune differences in outcomes for those treated for CLL. Full article
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21 pages, 1603 KiB  
Review
Paradigm Shift in the Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia—Approved Options in 2023
by Naveen Premnath and Yazan F. Madanat
Cancers 2023, 15(11), 3002; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15113002 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4140
Abstract
The word Leukemia was coined nearly 200 years ago by Rudolf Virchow. Once a death sentence, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is now a treatable condition. The introduction of “7 + 3” chemotherapy, originally reported from the Roswell Park Memorial institute in Buffalo, New [...] Read more.
The word Leukemia was coined nearly 200 years ago by Rudolf Virchow. Once a death sentence, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is now a treatable condition. The introduction of “7 + 3” chemotherapy, originally reported from the Roswell Park Memorial institute in Buffalo, New York, in 1973, changed the treatment paradigm for AML. About twenty-seven years later, FDA approved the first targeted agent, gemtuzumab, to be added to this backbone. During the last seven years, we have had ten new drugs approved for the management of patients with AML. Work by many dedicated scientists led to AML achieving the elite status of being the first cancer to have the whole genome sequenced using next-generation sequencing. In the year 2022, we witnessed the introduction of new classification systems for AML by the international consensus classification and the world health organization, both emphasizing molecular classification of the disease. In addition, the introduction of agents such as venetoclax and targeted therapies have changed the treatment paradigm in older patients ineligible for intensive therapy. In this review, we cover the rationale and evidence behind these regimens and provide insights into the newer agents. Full article
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16 pages, 1443 KiB  
Review
Combination Therapies with Kinase Inhibitors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment
by Shinichiro Takahashi
Hematol. Rep. 2023, 15(2), 331-346; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep15020035 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2472
Abstract
Targeting kinase activity is considered to be an attractive therapeutic strategy to overcome acute myeloid leukemia (AML) since aberrant activation of the kinase pathway plays a pivotal role in leukemogenesis through abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation block. Although clinical trials for kinase modulators [...] Read more.
Targeting kinase activity is considered to be an attractive therapeutic strategy to overcome acute myeloid leukemia (AML) since aberrant activation of the kinase pathway plays a pivotal role in leukemogenesis through abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation block. Although clinical trials for kinase modulators as single agents remain scarce, combination therapies are an area of therapeutic interest. In this review, the author summarizes attractive kinase pathways for therapeutic targets and the combination strategies for these pathways. Specifically, the review focuses on combination therapies targeting the FLT3 pathways, as well as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, CDK and CHK1 pathways. From a literature review, combination therapies with the kinase inhibitors appear more promising than monotherapies with individual agents. Therefore, the development of efficient combination therapies with kinase inhibitors may result in effective therapeutic strategies for AML. Full article
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13 pages, 616 KiB  
Article
New Perspectives on Primary Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Infection in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study
by Noémi Ricard, Lelia Zebali, Cécile Renard, Marie-Pierre Goutagny, Sarah Benezech, Yves Bertrand, Michael Philippe and Carine Domenech
Cancers 2023, 15(7), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15072107 - 31 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1977
Abstract
Background: Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (a-HCT) remains a therapeutic treatment for many pediatric hematological diseases. The occurrence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is a complication for which ECIL-8 recommends primary antifungal prophylaxis. In this study, we evaluated the impact of our local [...] Read more.
Background: Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (a-HCT) remains a therapeutic treatment for many pediatric hematological diseases. The occurrence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is a complication for which ECIL-8 recommends primary antifungal prophylaxis. In this study, we evaluated the impact of our local strategy of not systematically administering primary antifungal prophylaxis in children undergoing a-HCT on the occurrence and mortality of IFIs. Methods: We performed a retrospective monocentric study from 2010 to 2020. We retained all proven and probable IFIs diagnosed during the first year post a-HCT. Results: 308 patients were included. Eighteen patients developed twenty IFIs (thirteen proven, seven probable) (6.5%) among which aspergillosis (n = 10, 50%) and candidosis (n = 7, 35%) were the most frequently diagnosed infections. Only 2% of children died because of an IFI, which represents 14% of all deaths. Multivariate analysis found that age > 10 years (OR: 0.29), the use of a therapeutic antiviral treatment (OR: 2.71) and a low neutrophil count reconstitution (OR: 0.93) were significantly associated with the risk of IFI occurrence. There was also a trend of malignant underlying disease and status ≥ CR2 but it was not retained in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: IFI occurrence was not higher in our cohort than what is reported in the literature with the use of systematic antifungal prophylaxis, with a good survival rate nonetheless. Thus, a prophylaxis could be considered for children with a high risk of IFI such as those aged over 10 years. Full article
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