Follow-up Of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Research Articles

Variant-specific BCR::ABL1 quantification discrepancy in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Accurate quantification of the BCR::ABL1 fusion gene in whole blood is pivotal for the clinical management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. The fusion protein encoded by BCR::ABL1 can vary in size, depending on the BCR and/or ABL1 gene breakpoint. The vast majority of CML patients have a p210 BCR::ABL1 fusion gene (M-BCR), which can be attributed to the presence of either e14a2 (b3a2) or e13a2 (b2a2) mRNA transcript junctions. Twenty-five CML samples were analyzed in two different ISO15189-accredited centers that both use an Europe Against Cancer-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) protocol. Reanalysis of the sample set with transcript-specific standard curves and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) were performed. qPCR quantification revealed a significant (up to 1 log) difference specifically for the e13a2 transcript variant in contrast to e14a2 transcripts (Hodges-Lehman 4.29; p < 0.001). Reanalysis of the sample set with transcript-specific standard curves abolishes the initial transcript-specific difference (Hodges-Lehman 0.003; p = 0.8192). Comparison of transcript-specific qPCR results of both centers with ddPCR, an absolute quantification method, showed a statically significant association, especially in the lower range, indicating the clinical utility of transcript-specific or absolute quantification methods. Our data show that differences between transcript-specific quantification might exist between centers, leading to potential clinical impact on the follow-up of CML patients. The use of transcript-specific standard curves for qPCR quantification, or absolute quantification, can significantly reduce these differences. Specific attention should be applied to the interpretation of quantification differences of CML patients that switch between diagnostic centers.

Therapeutic immune monitoring of CD4+CD25+ T cells in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib, are effective forms of therapy for various types of solid cancers and Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia. A number of TKIs have been known to have strong effects on T cells, particularly cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+CD25+ T cells, also known as regulatory T cells (Tregs). There is currently a deficit in the available clinical data regarding this area of study. In the present study, a total of 108 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at diagnosis (n=31), and at 3 and 6 months following treatment with TKI [imatinib (n=12), dasatinib (n=11) and nilotinib groups (n=8)] and healthy controls (n=15). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from the patients prior to and following TKI treatment. The subtype and number of T lymphocytes in patients and healthy donors were analyzed using flow cytometry. Additionally, flow cytometry and ELISA were used to detect the proliferation and suppression of Tregs. Expression of cytokines and other molecules [forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4)] were also analyzed at 3 and 6 months following treatment with TKIs. It was indicated that, at diagnosis, a similar number of lymphocytes were detected in patients and control. However, following treatment with a TKI, the number of total T cells, Tregs, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells decreased to various degrees in patients. Furthermore, the decrease in the number of Tregs was more significant with time. Although treatment with imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib demonstrated similar inhibitory effects on the quantity of Tregs in vivo, the TKIs exhibited differential effects on the function of Tregs in vitro. Proliferation, suppression and expression of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] and molecules (FOXP3, GITR and CTLA-4) decreased significantly in treatment groups with imatinib and dasatinib. The decrease was not significant in the nilotinib treatment group. Imatinib and dasatinib may exert more marked inhibitory roles compared with nilotinib on regulating the number and function of Tregs. These results suggest that personalized treatment and follow-up of CML patients during TKI treatment, particularly for those who received post-transplant TKI treatment may be beneficial.

Therapeutic Immune Monitoring of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Focus on CD4+ CD25+ t Cells

Background and Objectives: In clinical, conventional Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) including imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib are remarkably effective forms of therapy for certain types of solid cancers as well as Ph+ leukemias. In addition to the BCR-ABL target oncoprotein, they also inhibit certain off-target kinases (Eph, c-KIT, TEC, SRC). Some TKIs affect immune reconstitution as well as the proliferation, function, and activation of T cells. Certain TKIs have been known to have an especially strong effect on CD4+CD25+ T cells, also known as regulatory T Cells (Tregs). There is currently a gap in the clinical data available about on this area of study.Patients and methods: In this study, we collected 108 Peripheral Blood (PB) samples from patients in the Chronic Phase (CP) of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) at the time of diagnosis (n=31) and also the TKIs treatment. Groups consisted of individuals treated with TKIs like imatinib (n=12), dasatinib (n=11) and nilotinib (n=8), as well as healthy controls (n=15). We evaluated the quantity and function of Tregs from patients in the CML-CP at the time of diagnosis and during treatment with TKIs.Results: It was found that at diagnosis, patients with CML had a similar proportion and absolute number of lymphocytes compared to healthy donors. After TKIs treatment, proportions and absolute numbers of total T cellsACD4+ T cells and Tregs decreased at different degree. Moreover, thedecrease would be more and more significant as time goes on.Our results indicated that although these three TKIs show similar inhibitory effects in the proportion and number of Tregs in vivo, they have differential effects on the functions of Tregs in vitro. The proliferation, suppression, and expression of suppressive cytokines (IL-4,IL-10 and TGF-β) as well as suppression-associated molecules (FoxP3, GITR, and CTLA-4) of Tregs decreased in groups treated with imatinib and dasatinib. The decrease was not significant in the nilotinib-treated group.Conclusions: The results showed that imatinib and dasatinib have stronger inhibitory roles than nilotinib when it comes to regulating the number and functions of Tregs. These findings can be used to argue in favor of calls for personalized treatment and follow-up of CML patients during TKIs treatment, particularly for those patients who received combination therapy with allo-transplantation and post-transplant TKIs. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Persistence of Transcriptionally Silent BCR-ABL Rearrangements in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients in Sustained Complete Cytogenetic Remission

Persistence of BCR-ABL rearrangements was demonstrated by D-FISH technique in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in complete cytogenetic response (CCR) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or interferon-α therapy (IFN-α). Samples from bone marrow aspkate or peripheral blood or both were analyzed by conventional cytogenetics, Southern blot, fluorescent interphase in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR). In all patients, FISH detected 1% to 12% nuclei with a BCR-ABL fusion gene, whereas Q-RT-PCR were negative or weakly positive. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the BCR-ABL genomic rearrangement remains unexpressed in a small percentage of cells whatever the treatment (IFN-α or BMT), and this in spite of the negativity of the RT-PCR-based classical molecular remission criterion. These data corroborate those obtained by other investigators and point to the need for follow-up of CML patients in CCR over an extensive period, at the DNA level to evaluate the residual disease and at the RNA level (Q-RT-PCR) to estimate the risk of relapse and guide the therapeutic decision. Experimental models suggesting the persistence of positive BCR-ABL cells are discussed and tentative explanations of tumor “dormancy” are proposed.

Detection of major bcr-abl gene expression at a very low level in blood cells of some healthy individuals

The major bcr-abl fusion gene is presently seen as the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and presumably as the cause of its development. Accordingly, long-term disappearance of bcr-abl after intensive therapy is considered to be a probable cure of CML. The nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) provides a powerful tool for minimal residual CML detection. The RT-PCR was optimized by (1) increasing the amount of total RNA involved in the reverse transcription reaction to correspond to total RNA extracted from 10(8) cells, (2) using a specific abl primer in this reverse reaction, and (3) reamplifying 10% of the RT-PCR product in nested amplification. This optimized RT-PCR permitted us to detect up to 1 copy of RNA bcr-abl synthesised in vitro, mixed with yeast RNA in an equivalent quantity to 10(8) white blood cells (WBCs). Using this highly sensitive RT-PCR during the follow-up of CML patients, a signal was unexpectedly found in healthy controls. Therefore, a systematic study of the possible expression of bcr-abl RNA in the WBCs of healthy adults and children and in umbilical cord blood was undertaken. It showed the presence of bcr-abl transcript in the blood of 22 of 73 healthy adults and in the blood of 1 of 22 children but not in 22 samples of umbilical cord blood.

Detection of Major bcr-abl Gene Expression at a Very Low Level in Blood Cells of Some Healthy Individuals

The major bcr-abl fusion gene is presently seen as the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and presumably as the cause of its development. Accordingly, long-term disappearance of bcr-abl after intensive therapy is considered to be a probable cure of CML. The nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) provides a powerful tool for minimal residual CML detection. The RT-PCR was optimized by (1) increasing the amount of total RNA involved in the reverse transcription reaction to correspond to total RNA extracted from 10(8) cells, (2) using a specific abl primer in this reverse reaction, and (3) reamplifying 10% of the RT-PCR product in nested amplification. This optimized RT-PCR permitted us to detect up to 1 copy of RNA bcr-abl synthesised in vitro, mixed with yeast RNA in an equivalent quantity to 10(8) white blood cells (WBCs). Using this highly sensitive RT-PCR during the follow-up of CML patients, a signal was unexpectedly found in healthy controls. Therefore, a systematic study of the possible expression of bcr-abl RNA in the WBCs of healthy adults and children and in umbilical cord blood was undertaken. It showed the presence of bcr-abl transcript in the blood of 22 of 73 healthy adults and in the blood of 1 of 22 children but not in 22 samples of umbilical cord blood.

Serum ferritin during the course of chronic myeloid leukemia. Increase of serum ferritin as a marker of dyserythropoiesis.

A solid-phase immunoradiometric assay for serum ferritin has been developed and applied to 30 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), including 13 patients with a typical chronic phase, 12 with bone marrow fibrosis without evidence of an acute phase and 5 with an acute phase. Patients were divided in to three subgroups according to the erythrokinetic data as studied by the ⁵⁹iron kinetic test. Serum ferritin was clearly correlated with the quality of erythropoiesis but not with blast cell mass nor white cell count. Given the prognostic value of dyserythropoiesis in the course of CML, serum ferritin determination may be a helpful and simple parameter in the follow-up of CML patients.